bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Complex Dynamic Development of Poliovirus Membranous Replication Complexes
Authors: Belov George A. , Nair Vinod , Hansen Bryan T. , Hoyt Forrest H. , Fischer Elizabeth R. , Ehrenfeld Ellie
Published: November 2011

Replication of all positive-strand RNA viruses is intimately associated with membranes. Here we utilize electron tomography and other methods to investigate the remodeling of membranes in poliovirus-infected cells. We found that the viral replication structures previously described as “vesicles” are in fact convoluted, branching chambers with complex and dynamic morphology. They are likely to originate from
cis
-Golgi membranes and are represented during the early stages of infection by single-walled connecting and branching tubular compartments. These early viral organelles gradually transform into double-membrane structures by extension of membranous walls and/or collapsing of the luminal cavity of the single-membrane structures. As the double-membrane regions develop, they enclose cytoplasmic material. At this stage, a continuous membranous structure may have double- and single-walled membrane morphology at adjacent cross-sections. In the late stages of the replication cycle, the structures are represented mostly by double-membrane vesicles. Viral replication proteins, double-stranded RNA species, and actively replicating RNA are associated with both double- and single-membrane structures. However, the exponential phase of viral RNA synthesis occurs when single-membrane formations are predominant in the cell. It has been shown previously that replication complexes of some other positive-strand RNA viruses form on membrane invaginations, which result from negative membrane curvature. Our data show that the remodeling of cellular membranes in poliovirus-infected cells produces structures with positive curvature of membranes. Thus, it is likely that there is a fundamental divergence in the requirements for the supporting cellular membrane-shaping machinery among different groups of positive-strand RNA viruses.
Recent Mumps Outbreaks in Vaccinated Populations: No Evidence of Immune Escape
Authors: Rubin Steven A. , Link Malen A. , Sauder Christian J. , Zhang Cheryl , Ngo Laurie , Rima Bert K. , Duprex W. Paul
Published: November 2011

Recently, numerous large-scale mumps outbreaks have occurred in vaccinated populations. Clinical isolates sequenced from these outbreaks have invariably been of genotypes distinct from those of vaccine viruses, raising concern that certain mumps virus strains may escape vaccine-induced immunity. To investigate this concern, sera obtained from children 6 weeks after receipt of measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine were tested for the ability to neutralize a carefully selected group of genetically diverse mumps virus strains. Although the geometric mean neutralizing antibody titer of the sera was lower against some virus strains than others, all viruses were readily neutralized, arguing against immune escape.
Epigenetic Changes Mediated by MicroRNA miR29 Activate Cyclooxygenase 2 and Lambda-1 Interferon Production during Viral Infection
Authors: Fang Jiali , Hao Qian , Liu Li , Li Yongkui , Wu Jianguo , Huo Xixiang , Zhu Ying
Published: November 2011

Lambda-1 interferon (IFN-λ1) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) were reported to play an important role in host antiviral defense. However, the mechanism by which IFN-λ1 and COX2 are activated and modulated during viral infection remains unclear. In this study, we found that expression of both circulating IFN-λ1 and COX2-derived prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) was coordinately elevated in a cohort of influenza patients compared to healthy individuals. Expression of IFN-λ1 was blocked by a selective COX2 inhibitor during influenza A virus infection in A549 human lung epithelial cells but enhanced by overexpression of COX2, indicating that the production of IFN-λ1 is COX2 dependent. COX2 was able to increase IFN-λ1 expression by promoting NF-κB binding to the enhancer in the IFN-λ1 promoter. We found that epigenetic changes activate COX2 expression and PGE2 accumulation during viral infection. The expression of DNA methyltransferase 3a (DNMT3a) and DNMT3b, but not that of DNMT1, was downregulated following influenza A virus infection in both A549 cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). We showed that microRNA miR29 suppresses DNMT activity and thus induces expression of COX2 and PGE2. Furthermore, miR29 expression was elevated 50-fold in virally infected A549 cells and 10-fold in PBMCs from influenza patients, compared to expression after mock infection of A549 cells or in healthy individuals, respectively. Activation of the protein kinase A signaling pathway and phosphorylation of CREB1 also contributed to COX2 expression. Collectively, our work defines a novel proinflammatory cascade in the control of influenza A virus infection.
Impact of Vaccination on Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte Immunodominance and Cooperation against Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Replication in Rhesus Macaques
Authors: Ishii Hiroshi , Kawada Miki , Tsukamoto Tetsuo , Yamamoto Hiroyuki , Matsuoka Saori , Shiino Teiichiro , Takeda Akiko , Inoue Makoto , Iida Akihiro , Hara Hiroto , Shu Tsugumine , Hasegawa Mamoru , Naruse Taeko K. , Kimura Akinori , Takiguchi Masafumi , Matano Tetsuro
Published: November 2011

Cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses play a central role in viral suppression in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections. Prophylactic vaccination resulting in effective CTL responses after viral exposure would contribute to HIV control. It is important to know how CTL memory induction by vaccination affects postexposure CTL responses. We previously showed vaccine-based control of a simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) challenge in a group of Burmese rhesus macaques sharing a major histocompatibility complex class I haplotype. Gag
206-216
and Gag
241-249
epitope-specific CTL responses were responsible for this control. In the present study, we show the impact of individual epitope-specific CTL induction by prophylactic vaccination on postexposure CTL responses. In the acute phase after SIV challenge, dominant Gag
206-216
-specific CTL responses with delayed, naive-derived Gag
241-249
-specific CTL induction were observed in Gag
206-216
epitope-vaccinated animals with prophylactic induction of single Gag
206-216
epitope-specific CTL memory, and vice versa in Gag
241-249
epitope-vaccinated animals with single Gag
241-249
epitope-specific CTL induction. Animals with Gag
206-216
-specific CTL induction by vaccination selected for a Gag
206-216
-specific CTL escape mutation by week 5 and showed significantly less decline of plasma viral loads from week 3 to week 5 than in Gag
241-249
epitope-vaccinated animals without escape mutations. Our results present evidence indicating significant influence of prophylactic vaccination on postexposure CTL immunodominance and cooperation of vaccine antigen-specific and non-vaccine antigen-specific CTL responses, which affects virus control. These findings provide great insights into antigen design for CTL-inducing AIDS vaccines.
Human Pulmonary Microvascular Endothelial Cells Support Productive Replication of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Viruses: Possible Involvement in the Pathogenesis of Human H5N1 Virus Infection
Authors: Zeng Hui , Pappas Claudia , Belser Jessica A. , Houser Katherine V. , Zhong Weiming , Wadford Debra A. , Stevens Troy , Balczon Ron , Katz Jacqueline M. , Tumpey Terrence M.
Published: November 2011

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 viruses continue to cause sporadic human infections with a high fatality rate. Respiratory failure due to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a complication among hospitalized patients. Since progressive pulmonary endothelial damage is the hallmark of ARDS, we investigated host responses following HPAI virus infection of human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells. Evaluation of these cells for the presence of receptors preferred by influenza virus demonstrated that avian-like (α2-3-linked) receptors were more abundant than human-like (α2-6-linked) receptors. To test the permissiveness of pulmonary endothelial cells to virus infection, we compared the replication of selected seasonal, pandemic (2009 H1N1 and 1918), and potentially pandemic (H5N1) influenza virus strains. We observed that these cells support productive replication only of HPAI H5N1 viruses, which preferentially enter through and are released from the apical surface of polarized human endothelial monolayers. Furthermore, A/Thailand/16/2004 and A/Vietnam/1203/2004 (VN/1203) H5N1 viruses, which exhibit heightened virulence in mammalian models, replicated to higher titers than less virulent H5N1 strains. VN/1203 infection caused a significant decrease in endothelial cell proliferation compared to other subtype viruses. VN/1203 virus was also found to be a potent inducer of cytokines and adhesion molecules known to regulate inflammation during acute lung injury. Deletion of the H5 hemagglutinin (HA) multibasic cleavage site did not affect virus infectivity but resulted in decreased virus replication in endothelial cells. Our results highlight remarkable tropism and infectivity of the H5N1 viruses for human pulmonary endothelial cells, resulting in the potent induction of host inflammatory responses.
The effect of taping along forearm on long-latency somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs): an ERP study
Authors: Yamashiro K , Sato D , Yoshida T , Ishikawa T , Onishi H , Maruyama A
Published: November 2011

The application of tape has been widely used for many years by physiotherapists to deal with variety of sports disorders. However, it remains unclear whether the tape application affects the sensory input to somatosensory cortex. Therefore, the objective of this study is to clarify the effect of taping using somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs). We compared between control and tape application conditions using SEPs elicited by a electrical pulse (0.5 ms) applied to the medial forearm of right hand at inter-stimulus interval 5 s in 10 volunteers. There were three conditions (control, elastic- and white-tape). Electrical stimulation elicited clear two long latency SEPs, N140 and P250, in control, elastic- and white-tape conditions. The amplitude of P250 in elastic-tape condition was larger than that of P250 in control and white-tape conditions. Elastic-tape application forearm reduced the amplitude of P250. Therefore, elastic-tape application may affect the attention and perception relating to tactile stimulation.
Root connections can trigger physiological responses to defoliation in nondefoliated aspen suckers
Authors: Baret Matthieu , DesRochers Annie
Published: November 2011

In species such as aspen ( Populus tremuloides Michx.), trees are interconnected through their root system owing to their regeneration mode by root suckering. These root connections challenge classic notions of forest dynamics that consider trees as individuals competing for resources, because root connections allow trees to share water, minerals, and carbohydrates. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate that trees can directly influence the physiology of other nearby trees through root connections. In the summers of 2007 and 2008, pairs of aspen suckers (i.e., two suckers connected by a parental root) were selected and divided into three height classes and compared with each other (dominant, codominant, suppressed). Suckers distally positioned on the parental root were manually defoliated, and the effects of defoliation on photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, and specific leaf area (SLA) were measured on connected but nondefoliated suckers. Results showed that defoliation caused physiological responses in the interconnected trees in summer 2007, which was drier than summer 2008. Defoliation of a connected sucker had a greater effect on suppressed suckers, for which mean photosynthesis rate increased by 17% compared with that of controls. The effect was less important for codominant (14% increase) and dominant (12%) trees. SLA of suppressed suckers also increased, while the increase in SLA values was smaller for codominant and dominant suckers. In summer 2008, no defoliation effect was observed, probably owing to high moisture conditions that resulted in much higher stomatal conductance values compared with those in 2007 (+55%). Under high humidity conditions, leaf specific hydraulic conductance does not constrain stomatal conductance, so the rate of CO2assimilation was probably at its maximum capacity. This study demonstrated that trees could physiologically interact through root connections, and these interactions should thus be considered in studies of stand dynamics.
Interspecific and intraspecific variations in water storage in epiphytic old forest foliose lichens
Authors: Gauslaa Yngvar , Coxson Darwyn
Published: November 2011

Cyanolichens ( Lobaria hallii , Lobaria retigera , Lobaria scrobiculata , Pseudocyphellaria anomala ) and cephalodial ( Lobaria pulmonaria ) and noncephalodial ( Platismatia glauca ) chlorolichens were sampled in dry open, mesic open, and mesic closed forests in central British Columbia. Specific thallus mass (STM), water-holding capacity (WHC), percent water content at saturation, and thickness of upper cortex, photobiont layer, and medulla plus lower cortex were measured. Whereas STM did not differ much between cyanolichens (9.8 ± 0.1 mg dry mass·cm–2) and chlorolichens (8.0 ± 0.1 mg dry mass·cm–2), cyanolichens had a WHC (20.3 ± 0.2 mg H2O·cm–2) that was nearly twice that of the chlorolichens (10.8 ± 0.2 mg H2O·cm–2). STM and WHC increased with light exposure at the studied sites, presumably as an acclimation to higher evaporation demands. Within species, WHC was strongly coupled to STM and increased substantially faster with STM in cyanolichens, compensating their inability to use humid air to restore photosynthesis. The photobiont layer was two times thicker in cyanolichens, whereas the thickest layer (the hydrophobic medulla) did not differ between cyanolichens and chlorolichens. Most interspecific variation (88.3%) in WHC could be accounted for in a multiple regression model where STM and photobiont to total thickness ratio were the most important independent variables. Photobionts thus play significant roles in the water economy of lichens.
Synthesis and aggregation behavior of a novel water-soluble porphyrin platinum(II) terpyridine complex
Authors: Plutino Maria Rosaria , Castriciano Maria Angela , Mazzaglia Antonino , Saporita Maria , Romeoa Andrea , Scolaro Luigi Monsù
Published: November 2011

A new water soluble tetranuclear platinum(II) porphyrin complex cation has been synthesized through the coordination of four [ Pt (2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine)] moieties to the pyridyl groups of 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-pyridyl)-21H,23H-porphine (TPyP). The porphyrin derivative has been fully characterized by a combination of spectroscopic techniques. The high positive charge of the complex cation (8+) inhibits the aggregation in aqueous solution at low concentrations. By increasing the ionic strength, the electrostatic repulsion is screened leading to the formation of large unstable aggregates. The formation of microsized globular objects still emissive on the solid state is easily achieved by simple evaporation from diluted solutions. The solubilization of the complex in anionic aqueous surfactant solutions (sodium dodecyl sulfate, SDS) has revealed the inclusion of the complex ion in the hydrophobic region of the micelles as a monomeric species. Kinetics of Cu(II) insertion into the free-base tetranuclear Pt(II) porphyrin complex have been carried out in micellar media and the rate constants have been determinated.
BLACK HOLES COLLISION IN GENERAL ROBINSON-TRAUTMAN SPACETIMES: WAVE FORMS AND THE EFFICIENCY OF THE GRAVITATIONAL WAVE EXTRACTION
Authors: DE OLIVEIRA H. P. , RODRIGUES E. L.
Published: November 2011

We analyze the non-frontal collisions of two Schwarzschild black holes in the realm of general Robinson-Trautman spacetimes using a numerical code based on spectral methods. In this process, two black holes collide and form a single black hole while a certain amount of the initial mass is carried away by gravitational waves. We determined the forms of the gravitational waves and the efficiency of this process for frontal and non-frontal collisions. We found numerical evidence that the distribution of mass qloss can be described by a function typically used in nonextensive statistics.
GRAVITATIONAL LENSING OF COSMOLOGICAL NEUTRINO SOURCES
Authors: ROMERO GUSTAVO E. , VIEYRO FLORENCIA L.
Published: November 2011

Long gamma-ray bursts are likely the result of the collapse of very massive stars into black holes. These events are expected to produce high-energy neutrinos through photomeson production. Such neutrinos can escape from the source and travel up to the Earth. In the case of Population III progenitors for gamma-ray bursts, the neutrinos can be the only source of information of the first stars formed in the universe. The expected signal is rather weak, but we propose that gravitational lensing by nearby supermassive black holes can offer a natural tool to enhance and give a chance to detect neutrinos from the re-ionization era of the universe with current instrumentation.
CRITICAL STEPS IN DATA ANALYSIS FOR PRECISION CASIMIR FORCE MEASUREMENTS WITH SEMICONDUCTING FILMS
Authors: BANISHEV A. A. , CHANG CHIA-CHENG , MOHIDEEN U.
Published: November 2011

Some experimental procedures and corresponding results of the precision measurement of the Casimir force between low doped Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) film and gold sphere are described. Measurements were performed using an Atomic Force Microscope in high vacuum. It is shown that the magnitude of the Casimir force decreases after prolonged UV treatment of the ITO film. Some critical data analysis steps such as the correction for the mechanical drift of the sphere-plate system and photodiodes are discussed.
WHAT IS CREDIBLE AND WHAT IS INCREDIBLE IN THE MEASUREMENTS OF THE CASIMIR FORCE
Authors: KLIMCHITSKAYA G. L. , MOSTEPANENKO V. M.
Published: November 2011

We comment on progress in measurements of the Casimir force and discuss what is the actual reliability of different experiments. In this connection a more rigorous approach to the usage of such concepts as accuracy, precision, and measure of agreement between experiment and theory, is presented. We demonstrate that all measurements of the Casimir force employing spherical lenses with centimeter-size curvature radii are fundamentally flawed due to the presence of bubbles and pits on their surfaces. The commonly used formulation of the proximity force approximation is shown to be inapplicable for centimeter-size lenses. New expressions for the Casimir force are derived taking into account surface imperfections. Uncontrollable deviations of the Casimir force from the values predicted using the assumption of perfect sphericity vary by a few tens of percent within the separation region from 1 to 3 μm. This makes impractical further use of centimeter-size lenses in experiments on measuring the Casimir force.
A STRAINED SPACE-TIME TO EXPLAIN THE LARGE SCALE PROPERTIES OF THE UNIVERSE
Authors: TARTAGLIA ANGELO
Published: November 2011

Space-time can be treated as a four-dimensional material continuum. The corresponding generally curved manifold can be thought of as having been obtained, by continuous deformation, from a flat four-dimensional Euclidean manifold. In a three-dimensional ordinary situation such a deformation process would lead to strain in the manifold. Strain in turn may be read as half the difference between the actual metric tensor and the Euclidean metric tensor of the initial unstrained manifold. On the other side we know that an ordinary material would react to the attempt to introduce strain giving rise to internal stresses and one would have correspondingly a deformation energy term. Assuming the conditions of linear elasticity hold, the deformation energy is easily written in terms of the strain tensor. The Einstein-Hilbert action is generalized to include the new deformation energy term. The new action for space-time has been applied to a Friedmann-Lemaître-Robertson-Walker universe filled with dust and radiation. The accelerated expansion is recovered, then the theory has been put through four cosmological tests: primordial isotopic abundances from Big Bang Nucleosynthesis; Acoustic Scale of the CMB; Large Scale Structure formation; luminosity/redshift relation for type Ia supernovae. The result is satisfying and has allowed to evaluate the parameters of the theory.
QUANTUM SINGULARITIES IN STATIC AND CONFORMALLY STATIC SPACE-TIMES
Authors: KONKOWSKI D. A. , HELLIWELL T. M.
Published: November 2011

The definition of quantum singularity is extended from static space-times to conformally static space-times. After the usual definitions of classical and quantum singularities are reviewed, examples of quantum singularities in static space-times are given. These include asymptotically power-law space-times, space-times with diverging higher-order differential invariants, and a space-time with a 2-sphere singularity. The theory behind quantum singularities in conformally static space-times is followed by an example, a Friedmann-Robertson-Walker space-time with cosmic string. The paper concludes by discussing areas of future research.
Glucoprivation in the ventrolateral medulla decreases brown adipose tissue sympathetic nerve activity by decreasing the activity of neurons in raphé pallidus
Authors: Madden C. J.
Published: November 2011

In urethane/α-chloralose anesthetized rats, cold exposure increased brown adipose tissue sympathetic nerve activity (BAT SNA: +699 ± 104% control). Intravenous administration of 2-deoxy-d-glucose (2-DG; 200 mg·ml−1·kg−1) reversed the cold-evoked activation of BAT SNA (nadir: 139 ± 36% of control) and decreased BAT temperature (−1.1 ± 0.2°C), expired CO2 (−0.4 ± 0.1%), and core temperature (−0.5 ± 0.0). Similarly, unilateral nanoinjection of the glucoprivic agent 5-thioglucose (5-TG; 12 μg/100 nl) in the ventrolateral medulla (VLM) completely reversed the cold-evoked increase in BAT SNA (nadir: 104 ± 7% of control), and decreased TBAT (−1.4 ± 0.3°C), expired CO2 (−0.2 ± 0.0%), and heart rate (−35 ± 10 beats/min). The percentage of rostral raphé pallidus (RPa)-projecting neurons in the dorsal hypothalamic area/dorsomedial hypothalamus that expressed Fos in response to cold exposure (ambient temperature: 4–10°C) did not differ between saline (28 ± 6%) and 2-DG (30 ± 5%) pretreated rats, whereas the percentage of spinally projecting neurons in the RPa/raphé magnus that expressed Fos in response to cold exposure was lower in 2-DG- compared with saline-pretreated rats (22 ± 6% vs. 42 ± 5%, respectively). The increases in BAT SNA evoked by nanoinjection of bicuculline in the RPa or by transection of the neuraxis at the pontomedullary border were resistant to inhibition by glucoprivation. These results suggest that neurons within the VLM play a role in the glucoprivic inhibition of BAT SNA and metabolism, that this inhibition requires neural structures rostral to the pontomedullary border, and that this inhibition is mediated by a GABAergic input to the RPa.
The betaine-GABA transporter (BGT1, slc6a12) is predominantly expressed in the liver and at lower levels in the kidneys and at the brain surface
Authors: Zhou Y. , Holmseth S. , Hua R. , Lehre A. C. , Olofsson A. M. , Poblete-Naredo I. , Kempson S. A. , Danbolt N. C.
Published: November 2011

The Na+- and Cl−-dependent GABA-betaine transporter (BGT1) has received attention mostly as a protector against osmolarity changes in the kidney and as a potential controller of the neurotransmitter GABA in the brain. Nevertheless, the cellular distribution of BGT1, and its physiological importance, is not fully understood. Here we have quantified mRNA levels using TaqMan real-time PCR, produced a number of BGT1 antibodies, and used these to study BGT1 distribution in mice. BGT1 (protein and mRNA) is predominantly expressed in the liver (sinusoidal hepatocyte plasma membranes) and not in the endothelium. BGT1 is also present in the renal medulla, where it localizes to the basolateral membranes of collecting ducts (particularly at the papilla tip) and the thick ascending limbs of Henle. There is some BGT1 in the leptomeninges, but brain parenchyma, brain blood vessels, ependymal cells, the renal cortex, and the intestine are virtually BGT1 deficient in 1- to 3-mo-old mice. Labeling specificity was assured by processing tissue from BGT1-deficient littermates in parallel as negative controls. Addition of 2.5% sodium chloride to the drinking water for 48 h induced a two- to threefold upregulation of BGT1, tonicity-responsive enhancer binding protein, and sodium- myo-inositol cotransporter 1 (slc5a3) in the renal medulla, but not in the brain and barely in the liver. BGT1-deficient and wild-type mice appeared to tolerate the salt treatment equally well, possibly because betaine is one of several osmolytes. In conclusion, this study suggests that BGT1 plays its main role in the liver, thereby complementing other betaine-transporting carrier proteins (e.g., slc6a20) that are predominantly expressed in the small intestine or kidney rather than the liver.
Parameterization of transcranial magnetic stimulation
Authors: Rubens Michael T. , Zanto Theodore P.
Published: November 2011

A recent study (Di Lazzaro et al. J Neurophysiol 105: 2150–2156, 2011) describes the findings from a rigorous comparison on the effects of several popular variations of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) protocols. The results demonstrate that excitatory and inhibitory neural networks may be independently modulated based on TMS protocol selection. Moreover, the within-group replication of multiple between-group experiments suggests that independent evaluations of TMS parameters will continue to inform and guide future TMS research.
Mannan-Binding Lectin Levels and Activity Are Not Altered in Atopic Dermatitis Patients with a History of Eczema Herpeticum
Authors: Bundy Kemp W. , McGirt Laura Y. , Bankova Lora G. , Wollenberg Andreas , Beck Lisa A. , De Benedetto Anna
Published: November 2011

Background. Eczema herpeticum (EH) is a potentially serious, systemic complication in subjects with atopic dermatitis (AD) caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV). The innate immune dysregulation that predisposes these subjects to cutaneous viral infections is not well understood. We tested the hypothesis that defects in mannan-binding lectin (MBL) may be associated with an increased risk of EH.Methods. We evaluated serum MBL levels and functional activity in 13 AD subjects with a history of EH (EH+) and 21 AD subjects with no history of EH (EH−). MBL levels were detected by enzyme immunoassay. MBL pathway functional activity was evaluated by determining MBL C4b deposition capacity.Results. We found no statistical difference in MBL serum levels or function between EH+ and EH− groups.Conclusion. Considering the limitations of this study (e.g., small samples size) our findings suggest that MBL defects do not play a role in EH.
The Flying Laboratory for the Observation of ADS-B Signals
Authors: Francis Raymond , Vincent Ronald , Noël Jean-Marc , Tremblay Pascal , Desjardins Daniel , Cushley Alex , Wallace Matthew
Published: November 2011

Automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) is a system in which aircraft continually transmit their identity and GPS-derived navigational information. ADS-B networks for air traffic monitoring have already been implemented in areas around the world, but ground stations cannot be installed in midocean and are difficult to maintain in the Arctic, leaving a coverage gap for oceanic and high latitude airspace. A potential solution for worldwide tracking of aircraft is through the monitoring of aircraft-transmitted ADS-B signals using satellite-borne receivers. To investigate this possibility, a high altitude balloon experiment was carried out in June 2009 to determine if ADS-B signals can be detected from near space. The Flying Laboratory for the Observation of ADS-B Transmissions (FLOAT) was the first stratospheric platform to collect ADS-B data. The FLOAT mission successfully demonstrated the reception of ADS-B signals from near space, paving the way to the development of a space-based ADS-B system.
Networks on Chips: Structure and Design Methodologies
Authors: Tsai Wen-Chung , Lan Ying-Cherng , Hu Yu-Hen , Chen Sao-Jie
Published: November 2011

The next generation of multiprocessor system on chip (MPSoC) and chip multiprocessors (CMPs) will contain hundreds or thousands of cores. Such a many‐core system requires high‐performance interconnections to transfer data among the cores on the chip. Traditional system components interface with the interconnection backbone via a bus interface. This interconnection backbone can be an on‐chip bus or multilayer bus architecture. With the advent of many‐core architectures, the bus architecture becomes the performance bottleneck of the on‐chip interconnection framework. In contrast, network on chip (NoC) becomes a promising on‐chip communication infrastructure, which is commonly considered as an aggressive long‐term approach for on‐chip communications. Accordingly, this paper first discusses several common architectures and prevalent techniques that can deal well with the design issues of communication performance, power consumption, signal integrity, and system scalability in an NoC. Finally, a novel bidirectional NoC (BiNoC) architecture with a dynamically self‐reconfigurable bidirectional channel is proposed to break the conventional performance bottleneck caused by bandwidth restriction in conventional NoCs.
The Importance of Doing Trials Right While Doing the Right Trials
Authors: Dilts David M. , Cheng Steven K.
Published: November 2011

Effort is being expended in investigating efficiency measures (i.e., doing trials right) through achievement of accrual and endpoint goals for clinical trials. It is time to assess the impact of such trials on meeting the critical needs of cancer patients by establishing effectiveness measures (i.e., doing the right trials). Clin Cancer Res; 18(1); 3–5. ©2011 AACR.
Redox imbalance of red blood cells impacts T lymphocyte homeostasis: implication in carotid atherosclerosis
Authors: Buttari Brigitta , Petrone Linda , Straface Elisabetta , Gambardella Lucrezia , Pietraforte Donatella , Genuini Igino , Capoano Raffaele , Salvati Bruno , Malorni Walter , Riganò Rachele , Profumo Elisabetta
Published: November 2011

Oxidative stress and immune/inflammatory responses are key pathogenetic factors of atherosclerotic disease. In this contest, mechanisms that regulate survival and death of immune cells may be relevant. Previous studies have demonstrated that red blood cells (RBCs) are physiologically able to inhibit apoptosis and to promote proliferation of activated T lymphocytes from healthy subjects. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether RBCs from patients with carotid atherosclerosis maintain their property to modulate T cell homeostasis. Peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) obtained from healthy subjects were activated in vitro by phytohemagglutinin in the presence/absence of RBCs from patients with carotid atherosclerosis or of in vitro oxidised RBCs from healthy subjects. Levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and aging markers of RBCs as well as susceptibility to apoptosis of PBLs were evaluated by flow cytometry. PBL proliferation was evaluated by 3H-methyl-thymidine incorporation assay whereas secretion of cytokines, analysed in view of their key role in T cell function, was assessed by ELISA. Levels of ROS and phosphatidyl-serine externalisation, a sign of RBC aging, resulted significantly higher in RBCs from patients than in those from healthy subjects, whereas surface glycophorin A expression and reduced glutathione content did the opposite. Unlike RBCs obtained from healthy subjects, RBCs from patients and in vitro oxidised RBCs did not protect activated T lymphocytes from apoptosis. Hence, RBCs from patients with carotid atherosclerosis, probably due to their oxidative imbalance, impact T cell integrity and function. Our results suggest a new regulatory role for RBCs in atherosclerosis.
Different characteristics and prognostic impact of deep-vein thrombosis / pulmonary embolism and intraabdominal venous thrombosis in colorectal cancer patients
Authors: Lee Keun-Wook , Bang Soo-Mee , Kim Sujung , Lee Jeong-Ok , Kim Yu , Kim Jee Hyun , Park Young , Kim Duck-Woo , Kang Sung-Bum , Kim Jae-Sung , Oh Doyeun , Lee Jong , Choi Seyoun
Published: November 2011

This study was performed to determine the incidence, risk factors, and prognostic implications of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in Asian patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). Differences in clinical characteristics and prognostic impact between extremity venous thrombosis (or deep-vein thrombosis; DVT)/pulmonary embolism (PE) and intra-abdominal venous thrombosis (IVT) were also evaluated. For this study, consecutive CRC patients (N = 2,006) were enrolled and analyses were conducted retrospectively. VTEs were classified into two categories (DVT/PE and IVT). Significant predictors of developing VTEs were advanced stage and an increased number of co-morbidities. The two-year cumulative incidence of DVT/PE was 0.3%, 0.9% and 1.4% in stages 0~1, 2 and 3, respectively; this incidence range of DVT/PE in Asian patients with loco-regional CRC was lower than in Western patients. However, the two-year incidence (6.4%) of DVT/PE in Asian patients with distant metastases was not lower than in Western patients. Although 65.2% of patients with DVT/PE were symptomatic, only 15.7% of patients with IVT were symptomatic. During chemotherapy, DVT/PE developed more frequently than IVT. Only DVT/PE had a negative effect on survival; IVT had no prognostic significance. In conclusion, despite the low incidence of DVT/PE in Asian patients with loco-regional CRC, the protective effect of Asian ethnicity on VTE development disappears as tumour stage increases in patients with distant metastases. Considering different clinical characteristics and prognostic influences between DVT/PE and IVT, the treatment approach should be also different.
Moderate Intensities of Leisure-Time Physical Activity Are Associated With Lower Levels of High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein in Healthy Middle-Aged Men
Authors: Bergström Göran , Behre Carl Johan , Schmidt Caroline
Published: November 2011

Circulating C-reactive protein (CRP), reflective of systemic chronic low-grade inflammation, is a marker associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). One of the mechanisms through which physical activity might promote cardiovascular health is by preventing changes in inflammation biomarkers, such as CRP. The present study examined the association of self-reported physical activity with an inflammation biomarker, high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP), in a population-based cohort of clinically healthy 58-year-old men. Compared with a sedentary lifestyle both moderate (1.81 [0.94-3.69] vs 1.28 [0.55-2.90] mg/L; P < .05) and vigorous physical activity (1.81 [0.94-3.69] vs 0.88 [0.42-1.81] mg/L; P < .001) were associated with decrease in hs-CRP levels. In summary, we identified an association between self-reported leisure time physical activity and hs-CRP in a cross-sectional study of healthy 58-year-old men, with decreased levels of CRP by increased intensities of physical activity.
Traveller on the Silk Road: Rites and Routes of Passage in Rahul Sankrityayan’s Himalayan Wanderlust
Authors: Puri Bharati
Published: November 2011

In his quest to travel further and to learn more, Rahul Sankrityayan assiduously collected and collated tomes of invaluable information in his many narratives landscaping the Himalayas. He travelled ubiquitously—his journeys taking him to different parts of India, including Ladakh, Kinnaur and Kashmir. The gaze of this inveterate traveller stretched to Nepal, Tibet, Sri Lanka, Persia, China and the Soviet Union. From his several trips to Tibet, sometimes in the guise of a Buddhist monk, he transported with him valuable manuscripts in Pali and Sanskrit, as also some cultural relics and paintings. According to accounts, Sankrityayan brought back 22 mule loads of books and paintings, from Tibet to India. Most of these were earlier housed in the libraries of Vikramshila and Nalanda Universities, but were taken to Tibet in the 12th century by fleeing Buddhist monks. The journeys that Sankrityayan made culminated in a variety of writings—travelogues, folklore, fiction, drama and essay. In a rare combination, he straddled a range of disciplines—anthropology, history, philosophy, Buddhism, Tibetology and politics. Weaving history as fiction, Sankrityayan created a world fashioned by his unique unusual command over various languages—Tibetan, Sanskrit, Pali, Hindi amongst others, in raconteurs reflecting the many radical departures of his eventful life.1 In his lesser known work evocative of Kinnaur, ‘Kinnar Desh Mein’ (Sankrityayan 2010b), Sankrityayan weaves a narrative through the lens of history, ethnography, religion, culture and politics in this trans-Himalayan region, locating in 1948, a historical discourse integrating various strands of identity, culture and livelihood in this marginalized world. By invoking his ‘Treatise on Travelling/wandering/nomadism’ or ‘Ghumakkad Shastra’(Sankrityayan 2010a) as the methodology, in a trope bridging autobiography, social history and travelogue, Sankrityayan provides a multi-textured narrative of silk-routes crisscrossing the Hindustan–Tibet Road (Briggs as cited in Marshall 2004: 166),2 instituting an entirely new genre of travel writing in the twentieth century Hindi world.
The Evolution and Development of Kingship and Traditional Governance in Ethiopia: A Case of the Kefa Kingdom
Authors: Baye Temesgen G
Published: November 2011

Many kingdoms and states were created and consolidated in Ethiopia and the Horn by conquest, but many others developed through more peaceful borrowing and assimilation of ideas and institutions from neighbors, and even through internal developments, stimulated by population growth, improved production, the need to organize and mobilize for migration, or protection against new external threats.
Working of Decentralized Governance in Rural India: Social Dynamics or Institutional Rational Choice?
Authors: Udayaadithya A , Gurtoo Anjula
Published: November 2011

This paper critically evaluates the popular representation of rural decision making in India as guided by socio-cultural dynamics and as a resort from various social alignments. It investigates how decisions get taken about a decentralized governance scheme in rural India, what variables impact these decisions – namely, social, political, administrative or economic – and how these variables impact the scheme performance. Case studies and empirical analysis of performance of a decentralized welfare scheme in India, the Andhra Pradesh Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (APREGS), demonstrates significant influence of agriculture-based economic dynamics and administrative efficiency factors. Local social hierarchies and cultural complexities do not come as the main concerns. These results challenge the traditional understanding of rural dynamics as totally controlled by caste hierarchies and authority of the large land owners and are discussed in the light of the institutional rational choice framework proposed by Elinor Ostrom. The results also call for a fresh and wider debate of whether India is witnessing a longer term indirect developmental outcome of empowerment which actively started in 1993 with the recognition of local governance systems (Panchayati Raj) as a formal democratic body.
Connecting Does Not Necessarily Mean Learning
Authors: Douglas Alaster Scott , Ellis Viv
Published: November 2011

Partnerships between schools and universities in England use course handbooks to guide student teacher learning during long field experiences. Using data from a yearlong ethnographic study of a postgraduate certificate of education programme in one English university, the function of course handbooks in mediating learning in two high school subject departments (history and modern foreign languages) is analyzed. Informed by Cultural Historical Activity Theory, the analysis focuses on the handbooks as mediating tools in the school-based teacher education activity systems. Qualitative differences in the mediating functions of the handbooks-in-use are examined and this leads to a consideration of the potential of such tools for teacher learning in school–university partnerships. Following Zeichner’s call for rethinking the relationships between schools and universities, the article argues that strong structural connections between different institutional sites do not necessarily enhance student teacher learning.
Comparative natural aging of thermoplastic elastomeric and silicon rubber insulators in Pakistan
Authors: Amin Salman
Published: November 2011

Polymeric insulators have gained popularity since the last 30 years throughout the world. The main concern about them is variation in their performance with varying environments. Investigation of their performance by natural and artificial aging experiments is under the way by many researchers all over the world. The natural aging is usually short-term experiment ranging from few days to few years. The artificial aging is usually long-term investigation in lab that simulates the real service environment. However, first of all to develop the artificial aging schemes, natural aging to some extent is necessary. This article presents a part of research on polymeric insulators ongoing at the University of Engineering & Technology, Taxila, in which 2 different kinds of polymeric insulators were naturally aged in a period of 1 year. The materials used were the thermoplastic elastomeric and thermoset silicone rubber (SiR) insulators. They were aged in outdoor environment of Hattar, which is a heavily polluted industrial area of Pakistan. The actual 11 kV full-scale insulators were installed in open environment at a height of about 30 m. The samples were cut from the insulators and analyzed using visual observation, hydrophobicity classification, leakage current and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The main aims of this aging were estimation of the useful life of these insulators under the environment studied and development of basis for multistress lab aging cycles. The results were also used to compare the performance of these two materials with each other.
Nondestructive assessment of pore size in foam-based hybrid composite material
Authors: Chen M. Y. , Ko R. T.
Published: November 2011

In situ nondestructive evaluation (NDE) during processing of high-temperature polymer-based hybrids offers great potential to gain close control of and achieve the desired level of pore size, with low overall development cost. During the polymer-curing cycle, close control over the evolution of volatiles would be beneficial to avoid the presence of pores or control of their sizes. Traditional NDE methods cannot realistically be expected to evaluate individual pores in such components as each pore evolves and grows during curing. However, NDE techniques offer the potential to detect and quantify the macroscopic response of many pores that are undesirable or intentionally introduced into these advanced materials. In this article, preliminary results will be presented for nondestructive assessment of pore size in foam-based hybrid composite materials using ultrasonic techniques. The ultrasonic method was chosen due to its high sensitivity to the change of composition in material, ability to provide the required depth of penetration and ability to provide the needed modulus information for the cured material through appropriate velocity measurements. Pore size was evaluated through the frequency content of ultrasonic signal. The effects of pore size on the attenuation of ultrasound were studied. Feasibility of this method was demonstrated on two types of foams with various pore sizes.
The Effects of Loss of Loved Ones on Life Satisfaction Among Residents in a Southwest Retirement Community
Authors: Sun Fei , Waldron Vincent , Gitelson Richard , Ho Ching-hua
Published: November 2011

The authors examine the roles of social connectedness in mediating the relation between the loss of loved ones and life satisfaction in older residents living in a retirement community. Data were collected through a mail survey on a random sample of 734 older residents ( M age = 67 years, SD = 9.6 years) in a retirement community in the Southwest. Analyses were conducted using SPSS macros for estimating the indirect effects through multiple mediators. Participants who experienced the loss of loved ones in life reported statistically significantly higher life dissatisfaction scores than those who reported no such loss. The effects of loss on perceived life dissatisfaction were partially mediated by individual connectedness and satisfaction with received social support but not by support network size or collective connectedness. Interventions with older adults who experienced loss in life need to help alleviate their loneliness and increase their satisfaction with social support.
New Fathers?
Authors: Hook Jennifer L. , Wolfe Christina M.
Published: November 2011

The authors examine variation in employed fathers’ time with children ages 0 to 14 years, using time use surveys from the United States (2003), Germany (2001), Norway (2000), and the United Kingdom (2000). They examine levels of father involvement and mechanisms associated involvement on both weekdays ( N = 4,192) and weekends ( N = 3,024). They find some evidence of “new fathers” on weekends in all countries. Fathers spend more time on interactive care and more time alone with children on weekends than on weekdays. Only Norwegian fathers, however, increase both their participation in and time spent on physical care. American and British fathers’ time with children, however, is more responsive to partners’ employment.