bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Materials Ecology: An Industrial Perspective
Authors: Collier Paul , Alles Carina Maria
Published: November 2010

Careful process design that considers material use and reuse over the entire product life cycle is important for a sustainable industry.
Cooperation and the Commons
Authors: Vollan Björn , Ostrom Elinor
Published: November 2010

In Ethiopia, groups with a higher propensity to cooperate avoid the tragedy of the commons.
Scientific Gold Mine or Dicey Money Pit?
Authors: Cho Adrian
Published: November 2010

Scientists say a proposed underground laboratory in South Dakota could be a world beater. But they must persuade the National Science Foundation to pay for the massive project.
Switch between Life History Strategies Due to Changes in Glycolytic Enzyme Gene Dosage in
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Wang Shaoxiao , Spor Aymé , Nidelet Thibault , Montalent Pierre , Dillmann Christine , de Vienne Dominique , Sicard Delphine
Published: November 2010

Adaptation is the process whereby a population or species becomes better fitted to its habitat through modifications of various life history traits which can be positively or negatively correlated. The molecular factors underlying these covariations remain to be elucidated. Using
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
as a model system, we have investigated the effects on life history traits of varying the dosage of genes involved in the transformation of resources into energy. Changing gene dosage for each of three glycolytic enzyme genes (hexokinase 2, phosphoglucose isomerase, and fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase) resulted in variation in enzyme activities, glucose consumption rate, and life history traits (growth rate, carrying capacity, and cell size). However, the range of effects depended on which enzyme was expressed differently. Most interestingly, these changes revealed a genetic trade-off between carrying capacity and cell size, supporting the discovery of two extreme life history strategies already described in yeast populations: the “ants,” which have lower glycolytic gene dosage, take up glucose slowly, and have a small cell size but reach a high carrying capacity, and the “grasshoppers,” which have higher glycolytic gene dosage, consume glucose more rapidly, and allocate it to a larger cell size but reach a lower carrying capacity. These results demonstrate antagonist pleiotropy for glycolytic genes and show that altered dosage of a single gene drives a switch between two life history strategies in yeast.
Commensal Effect of Pectate Lyases Secreted from
Dickeya dadantii
on Proliferation of
Escherichia coli
O157:H7 EDL933 on Lettuce Leaves
Authors: Yamazaki Akihiro , Li Jin , Hutchins William C. , Wang Lixia , Ma Jincai , Ibekwe A. Mark , Yang Ching-Hong
Published: November 2010

The outbreaks caused by enterohemorrhagic
Escherichia coli
O157:H7 on leafy greens have raised serious and immediate food safety concerns. It has been suggested that several phytopathogens aid in the persistence and proliferation of the human enteropathogens in the phyllosphere. In this work, we examined the influence of virulence mechanisms of
Dickeya dadantii
3937, a broad-host-range phytopathogen, on the proliferation of the human pathogen
E. coli
O157:H7 EDL933 (EDL933) on postharvest lettuce by coinoculation of EDL933 with
D. dadantii
3937 derivatives that have mutations in virulence-related genes. A type II secretion system (T2SS)-deficient mutant of
D. dadantii
3937, A1919 (Δ
outC
), lost the capability to promote the multiplication of EDL933, whereas Ech159 (Δ
rpoS
), a stress-responsive σ factor RpoS-deficient mutant, increased EDL933 proliferation on lettuce leaves. A spectrophotometric enzyme activity assay revealed that A1919 (Δ
outC
) was completely deficient in the secretion of pectate lyases (Pels), which play a major role in plant tissue maceration. In contrast to A1919 (Δ
outC
), Ech159 (Δ
rpoS
) showed more than 2-fold-greater Pel activity than the wild-type
D. dadantii
3937. Increased expression of
pelD
(encodes an endo-pectate lyase) was observed in Ech159 (Δ
rpoS
)
in planta
. These results suggest that the pectinolytic activity of
D. dadantii
3937 is the dominant determinant of enhanced EDL933 proliferation on the lettuce leaves. In addition, RpoS, the general stress response σ factor involved in cell survival in suboptimal conditions, plays a role in EDL933 proliferation by controlling the production of pectate lyases in
D. dadantii
3937.
Transformation System for
Hypocrea jecorina
(
Trichoderma reesei
) That Favors Homologous Integration and Employs Reusable Bidirectionally Selectable Markers
Authors: Steiger Matthias G. , Vitikainen Marika , Uskonen Pekka , Brunner Kurt , Adam Gerhard , Pakula Tiina , Penttilä Merja , Saloheimo Markku , Mach Robert L. , Mach-Aigner Astrid R.
Published: November 2010

Hypocrea jecorina
is an industrially important filamentous fungus due to its effective production of hydrolytic enzymes. It has received increasing interest because of its ability to convert lignocellulosic biomass to monomeric sugars, which can be converted into biofuels or platform chemicals. Genetic engineering of strains is a highly important means of meeting the requirements of tailor-made applications. Therefore, we report the development of a transformation system that allows highly efficient gene targeting by using a
tmus53
(human
LIG4
homolog) deletion strain. Moreover, it permits the unlimited reuse of the same marker by employing a Cre/loxP-based excision system. Both marker insertion and marker excision can be positively selected for by combining resistance to hygromycin B and loss of sensitivity to fluoroacetamide. Finally, the marker
pyr4
, also positively selectable for insertion and loss, can be used to remove the
cre
gene.
Human Neurocysticercosis: Comparison of Different Diagnostic Tests Using Cerebrospinal Fluid
Authors: Michelet Lorraine , Fleury Agnès , Sciutto Edda , Kendjo Eric , Fragoso Gladis , Paris Luc , Bouteille Bernard
Published: November 2010

Neurocysticercosis (NC), caused by the larval stage of
Taenia solium
, is one of the most common parasitic diseases of the central nervous system. The diagnosis of NC is mostly based on costly brain neuroimaging (computed tomography and/or nuclear magnetic resonance), which is rarely accessible in most affected areas. The most sensitive and specific tools for NC diagnosis are imagery techniques. The identification of specific antibodies and antigens is currently used only to support NC diagnosis due to their limited specificity and sensitivity. This study was performed to compare immunodiagnostic assays (antibody detection by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA] and enzyme-linked immunoelectrotransfer blotting [EITB] and HP10 antigen detection by ELISA) with the detection of parasite DNA by PCR amplification of a repetitive element of the parasite genome in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 121 radiologically and clinically characterized NC patients. Patients were divided into six groups according to the stage of the parasites and their localization. The CSF cellularity of each patient was also recorded. When all patients were considered, PCR exhibited the highest sensitivity (95.9%) and variable specificity (80% or 100%) depending on the controls used. The sensitivities of antibody detection by ELISA and EITB were not significantly different, and ELISA identified HP10 antigen mostly when vesicular cysticerci were located in the subarachnoideal basal cisterns. These results can help in the selection of different individual assays or combinations of assays to be used in NC diagnosis according to different requirements.
Analysis of the Bacterial Communities Present in Lungs of Patients with Cystic Fibrosis from American and British Centers
Authors: Stressmann Franziska A. , Rogers Geraint B. , Klem Erich R. , Lilley Andrew K. , Donaldson Scott H. , Daniels Thomas W. , Carroll Mary P. , Patel Nilesh , Forbes Benjamin , Boucher Richard C. , Wolfgang Matthew C. , Bruce Kenneth D.
Published: November 2010

The aim of this study was to determine whether geographical differences impact the composition of bacterial communities present in the airways of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients attending CF centers in the United States or United Kingdom. Thirty-eight patients were matched on the basis of clinical parameters into 19 pairs comprised of one U.S. and one United Kingdom patient. Analysis was performed to determine what, if any, bacterial correlates could be identified. Two culture-independent strategies were used: terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) profiling and 16S rRNA clone sequencing. Overall, 73 different terminal restriction fragment lengths were detected, ranging from 2 to 10 for U.S. and 2 to 15 for United Kingdom patients. The statistical analysis of T-RFLP data indicated that patient pairing was successful and revealed substantial transatlantic similarities in the bacterial communities. A small number of bands was present in the vast majority of patients in both locations, indicating that these are species common to the CF lung. Clone sequence analysis also revealed that a number of species not traditionally associated with the CF lung were present in both sample groups. The species number per sample was similar, but differences in species presence were observed between sample groups. Cluster analysis revealed geographical differences in bacterial presence and relative species abundance. Overall, the U.S. samples showed tighter clustering with each other compared to that of United Kingdom samples, which may reflect the lower diversity detected in the U.S. sample group. The impact of cross-infection and biogeography is considered, and the implications for treating CF lung infections also are discussed.
Alternative Splicing of the Human Cytomegalovirus Major Immediate-Early Genes Affects Infectious-Virus Replication and Control of Cellular Cyclin-Dependent Kinase
Authors: Du Guixin , Dutta Nirmal , Lashmit Philip , Stinski Mark F.
Published: November 2010

The major immediate-early (MIE) gene locus of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is the master switch that determines the outcomes of both lytic and latent infections. Here, we provide evidence that alteration in the splicing of HCMV (Towne strain) MIE genes affects infectious-virus replication, movement through the cell cycle, and cyclin-dependent kinase activity. Mutation of a conserved 24-nucleotide region in MIE exon 4 increased the abundance of IE1-p38 mRNA and decreased the abundance of IE1-p72 and IE2-p86 mRNAs. An increase in IE1-p38 protein was accompanied by a slight decrease in IE1-p72 protein and a significant decrease in IE2-p86 protein. The mutant virus had growth defects, which could not be complemented by wild-type IE1-p72 protein in
trans
. The phenotype of the mutant virus could not be explained by an increase in IE1-p38 protein, but prevention of the alternate splice returned the recombinant virus to the wild-type phenotype. The lower levels of IE1-p72 and IE2-p86 proteins correlated with a delay in early and late viral gene expression and movement into the S phase of the cell cycle. Mutant virus-infected cells had significantly higher levels of cdk-1 expression and enzymatic activity than cells infected with wild-type virus. The mutant virus induced a round-cell phenotype that accumulated in the G
2
/M compartment of the cell cycle with condensation and fragmentation of the chromatin. An inhibitor of viral DNA synthesis increased the round-cell phenotype. The round cells were characteristic of an abortive viral infection.
Unstimulated Primary CD4
+
T Cells from HIV-1-Positive Elite Suppressors Are Fully Susceptible to HIV-1 Entry and Productive Infection
Authors: Rabi S. Alireza , O'Connell Karen A. , Nikolaeva Daria , Bailey Justin R. , Jilek Benjamin L. , Shen Lin , Page Kathleen R. , Siliciano Robert F. , Blankson Joel N.
Published: November 2010

Elite controllers or suppressors (ES) are a group of HIV-1-infected individuals who maintain viral loads below the limit of detection of commercial assays for many years. The mechanisms responsible for this remarkable control are under intense study, with the hope of developing therapeutic vaccines effective against HIV-1. In this study, we addressed the question of the intrinsic susceptibility of ES CD4
+
T cells to infection. While we and others have previously shown that CD4
+
T cells from ES can be infected by HIV-1 isolates
in vitro
, these studies were confounded by exogenous activation and
in vitro
culture of CD4
+
T cells prior to infection. In order to avoid the changes in chemokine receptor expression that have been associated with such exogenous activation, we infected purified CD4
+
T cells directly after isolation from the peripheral blood of ES, viremic patients, and uninfected donors. We utilized a green fluorescent protein (GFP)-expressing proviral construct pseudotyped with CCR5-tropic or CXCR4-tropic envelope to compare viral entry using a fluorescence resonance energy transfer-based, single-round virus-cell fusion assay. The frequency of productive infection was also compared by assessing GFP expression. CD4
+
T cells from ES were as susceptible as or more susceptible than cells from viremic patients and uninfected donors to HIV-1 entry and productive infection. The results of this physiological study strongly suggest that differences in HIV-1 entry and infection of CD4
+
T cells alone cannot explain the elite control of viral replication.
Chloroethyl urea derivatives block tumour growth and thioredoxin-1 nuclear translocation
Authors: Patenaude Alexandre , Fortin Jessica S. , Deschenes Réna , Côté Marie-France , Lacroix Jacques , C.-Gaudreault René , Petitclerc Éric
Published: November 2010

Aryl chloroethyl ureas (CEUs) are new protein alkylating agents exhibiting anticancer activity both in vitro and in vivo. We report herein that14C-labeled CEU derivatives, designated CEU-025 and CEU-027, covalently bind to thioredoxin-1 (TRX1). Covalent binding of these molecules slightly decreases the disulfide-reducing activity of recombinant TRX1, when compared with the effect of strong thioalkylating agents such as N-ethylmaleimide. Moreover, site-directed mutagenesis and diamide competition assays demonstrated that TRX1 cysteinyl residues are not the prime targets of CEUs. CEU-025 abrogates the nuclear translocation of TRX1 in human cancer cells. In addition, we show that CEU-025 can block TRX1 nuclear translocation induced by cisplatin. Unexpectedly, pretreatment with sublethal CEU-025 concentrations that block TRX1 nuclear translocation protected the cells against cisplatin cytotoxicity. Overexpression of TRX1 in HT1080 fibrosarcoma cells attenuated CEU-025 cytotoxicity, while its suppression using TRX1-specific siRNA increased the effects of CEU-025, suggesting that loss of function of TRX1 is involved, at least in part, in the cytotoxic activity of CEU-025. These results suggest that CEU-025 and CEU-027 exhibit anticancer activity through a novel, unique mechanism of action. The importance of TRX1 and the dependence of the cytotoxicity of CEU-025 and CEU-027 on TRX1 intracellular localization are also discussed.
Caffeine-induced natriuresis and diuresis via blockade of hepatic adenosine-mediated sensory nerves and a hepatorenal reflex
Authors: Ming Zhi , Lautt W. Wayne
Published: November 2010

The hepatorenal reflex, activated by intrahepatic adenosine, is involved in the regulation of urine production in healthy rats and renal pathogenesis secondary to liver injury. Hepatic adenosine A1receptors regulate the hepatorenal reflex. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether caffeine mediates renal natriuresis and diuresis in healthy and diseased liver through this mechanism. Rats were anesthetized and instrumented to monitor systemic, hepatic, and renal circulation and urine production. Intrahepatic (intraportal but not intravenous) caffeine (5 mg·kg–1) increased urine flow (~82%) in healthy rats. This effect was abolished by liver denervation. Intraportal infusion of adenosine decreased urine production, and this response was abolished by intraportal but not intravenous caffeine. Liver injury was induced by intraperitoneal injection of thioacetamide (500 mg·kg–1), and functional assessment was performed 24 h later. Liver injury was associated with lower (~30%) glomerular filtration rate, lower (~18%) renal arterial blood flow, and lower urine production. Intraportal but not intravenous caffeine improved basal urine production and renal ability to increase urine production in response to saline overload. The liver-dependent diuretic effect of caffeine is consistent with the hypothesis for the adenosine-mediated mechanism of hepatorenal syndrome.
Rumen physiology constrains diet niche: linking digestive physiology and food selection across wild ruminant species
Authors: Codron Daryl , Clauss Marcus
Published: November 2010

We propose a hypothesis for digestive constraints on the browsing and grazing options available to ruminants: that the diet-niche range (maximum and minimum grass intake) of a species is dependent upon its predisposition to stratified rumen contents, based on observations that this characteristic is a critical step towards enhanced fibre digestion and greater fluid throughput. We compare a physiological (heterogeneity of ingesta fluid content) and an anatomical (the intraruminal papillation pattern) measure with dietary evidence for a range of African and temperate species. Both measures are strongly related to the mean percentage of grass in species’ natural diets, as well as to the maximum and minimum levels of grass intake, respectively. The nature of these effects implies a stratification-level threshold, below which a species will not use a grass-based diet, but above which grass consumption can increase exponentially. However, above this threshold, a minimum percentage of grass in the diet is a prerequisite for optimal performance. We argue that this second constraint is crucial, as it depicts how a greater fluid throughput reduces potential for detoxification of plant secondary compounds, and therefore limits the maximum amount of browse a stratifying species will consume.
SIZE-DEPENDENT BEHAVIOR OF LOVE WAVE PROPAGATION IN A NANOCOATING
Authors: LI YONG-DONG , LEE KANG-YONG
Published: November 2010

The effect of surface/interface stress on mechanical behaviors may become remarkable when the characteristic size of a structure decreases to nanoscale. Various problems have been analyzed to reveal the size-dependent mechanical behaviors of nano structures with curved surfaces/interfaces. In this work, the problem of planar surfaces/interfaces is addressed. The generalized Young–Laplace equation is presented for a planar interface and the propagation behavior of Love wave in a nanocoating is discussed. Parametric studies indicate that if the surface effect of the nanocoating is considered the phase velocity of Love wave shows notable size-dependency on both the nanocoating thickness and the wavelength. When these two sizes are both in nanoscale, the phase velocity further depends on the relative size between them. In addition, increasing the residual surface stress may reduce the phase velocity of Love wave.
CHAOTIC SECURE COMMUNICATION WITH QUADRATIC OPTIMAL PERFORMANCE VIA LMI-BASED OBSERVER DESIGN
Authors: CHEN CHAIO-SHIUNG
Published: November 2010

This paper considers an observer-based secure communication of chaotic systems with parameter mismatch, parametric perturbations and external disturbances on both transmitter and receiver systems. Based on the quadratic optimal control approach, a nonlinear observer is constructed to realize chaotic synchronization. The sufficient criterion for stability condition is formulated in two linear matrix inequality (LMI) forms. The error of the recovered message is then stated in an H∞ criterion. Using the proposed scheme, the global synchronization between the transmitter and the receiver can be obtained. Furthermore, the quadratic optimal and robust performance could be achieved in the chaos-based secure communication. Two numerical simulations of the Chua's circuit and the Rössler system verify the effectiveness of the proposed scheme.
MATHEMATICAL MODELING FOR KELOID FORMATION TRIGGERED BY VIRUS: MALIGNANT EFFECTS AND IMMUNE SYSTEM COMPETITION
Authors: BIANCA CARLO
Published: November 2010

This paper deals with the modeling of a wound healing disease, the keloid, which may provoke onset of malignant cells with higher progression feature, thus generating cells with heterogeneous phenotype. According to medical hypothesis, it is assumed that viruses and the genetic susceptibility of patients are the main causes that trigger the formation. The mathematical model is developed by means of the tools of the kinetic theory for active particles. The competition of the immune system cells with viruses, keloid fibroblast cells, and malignant cells is taken into account. Numerical simulations, obtained by considering the sensitivity analysis of the parameters in the model, show the emerging phenomena that are typical of this disease.
ON THE EXISTENCE OF DISJOINT SPANNING PATHS IN FAULTY HYPERCUBES
Authors: LIN CHENG-KUAN , TAN JIMMY J. M. , HSU LIH-HSING , CHENG EDDIE , LIPTÁK LÁSZLÓ
Published: November 2010

Assume that n is a positive integer with n ≥ 4 and F is a subset of the edges of the hypercube Qn with |F| ≤ n-4. Let u , x be two distinct white vertices of Qn and v , y be two distinct black vertices of Qn, where black and white refer to the two parts of the bipartition of Qn. Let l1 and l2 be odd integers, where l1 ≥ dQn-F( u , v ), l2 ≥ dQn-F( x , y ), and l1 + l2 = 2n - 2. Moreover, let l3 and l4 be even integers, where l3 ≥ dQn-F( u , x ), l4 ≥ dQn-F( v , y ), and l3+l4 = 2n - 2. In this paper, we prove that there are two disjoint paths P1 and P2 such that (1) P1 is a path joining u to v with length l(P1) = l1, (2) P2 is a path joining x to y with l(P2) = l2, and (3) P1 ∪ P2 spans Qn - F. Moreover, there are two disjoint paths P3 and P4 such that (1) P3 is a path joining u to x with l(P3) = l3, (2) P4 is a path joining v to y with l(P4) = l4, and (3) P3 ∪ P4 spans Qn - F except the following cases: (a) l3 = 2 with dQn-F( u , x ) = 2 and dQn-F-{ v , y }( u , x ) > 2, and (b) l4 = 2 with dQn-F( v , y ) = 2 and dQn-F-{ u , x }( v , y ) > 2.
HEAVY-TAILED DISTRIBUTION AND LOCAL LONG MEMORY IN TIME SERIES OF MOLECULAR MOTION ON THE CELL MEMBRANE
Authors: SHENG HU , CHEN YANG QUAN , QIU TIANSHUANG
Published: November 2010

The joint presence of heavy-tailed distribution and long memory in time series always leads to certain trouble in correctly obtaining the statistical characteristics for time series modeling. These two properties i.e., heavy-tailed distribution and long memory, cannot be neglected in time series analysis, because the tail thickness of the distribution and long memory property of the time series are critical in characterizing the essence of the resulting natural or man-made phenomenon of the time series. Meanwhile, the fluctuation of the varying local long memory parameter may be used to capture the internal changes which underlie the externally observed phenomenon. Therefore, in this paper, we proposed to use the variance trend, heavy-tailed distribution, long memory, and local long memory characteristics to analyze a time series recorded as in [1] from tracking the jumps of individual molecules on cell membranes. The tracked molecules are Class I major histocompatibility complex (MHCI) expressed on rat hepatoma cells. The analysis results show that the jump time series of molecular motion on the cell membrane obviously has both heavy-tailed distribution and local long memory characteristics. The tail heaviness parameters, long memory parameters, and the local long memory parameters of ten MHCI molecular jump time series are all summarized with tables and figures in the paper. These reported tables and figures are not only interesting but also important in terms of additional novel insights and characterization of the time series under investigation.
Hypersensitivity of mtDNA-depleted cells to staurosporine-induced apoptosis: roles of Bcl-2 downregulation and cathepsin B
Authors: Rommelaere Guillaume , Michel Sébastien , Mercy Ludovic , Fattaccioli Antoine , Demazy Catherine , Ninane Noelle , Houbion Andrée , Renard Patricia , Arnould Thierry
Published: November 2010

We show that mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)-depleted 143B cells are hypersensitive to staurosporine-induced cell death as evidenced by a more pronounced DNA fragmentation, a stronger activation of caspase-3, an enhanced poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) cleavage, and a more dramatic cytosolic release of cytochrome c. We also show that B-cell CLL/lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), B-cell lymphoma extra large (Bcl-XL), and myeloid cell leukemia-1 (Mcl-1) are constitutively less abundant in mtDNA-depleted cells, that the inhibition of Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL can sensitize the parental cell line to staurosporine-induced apoptosis, and that overexpression of Bcl-2 or Bcl-XL can prevent the activation of caspase-3 in ρ0143B cells treated with staurosporine. Moreover, the inactivation of cathepsin B with CA074-Me significantly reduced cytochrome c release, caspase-3 activation, PARP-1 cleavage, and DNA fragmentation in mtDNA-depleted cells, whereas the pan-caspase inhibitor failed to completely prevent PARP-1 cleavage and DNA fragmentation in these cells, suggesting that caspase-independent mechanisms are responsible for cell death even if caspases are activated. Finally, we show that cathepsin B is released in the cytosol of ρ0 cells in response to staurosporine, suggesting that the absence of mitochondrial activity leads to a facilitated permeabilization of lysosomal membranes in response to staurosporine.
Velocity Storage Contribution to Vestibular Self-Motion Perception in Healthy Human Subjects
Authors: Bertolini G. , Ramat S. , Laurens J. , Bockisch C. J. , Marti S. , Straumann D. , Palla A.
Published: November 2010

Self-motion perception after a sudden stop from a sustained rotation in darkness lasts approximately as long as reflexive eye movements. We hypothesized that, after an angular velocity step, self-motion perception and reflexive eye movements are driven by the same vestibular pathways. In 16 healthy subjects (25–71 years of age), perceived rotational velocity (PRV) and the vestibulo-ocular reflex (rVOR) after sudden decelerations (90°/s2) from constant-velocity (90°/s) earth-vertical axis rotations were simultaneously measured (PRV reported by hand-lever turning; rVOR recorded by search coils). Subjects were upright (yaw) or 90° left-ear-down (pitch). After both yaw and pitch decelerations, PRV rose rapidly and showed a plateau before decaying. In contrast, slow-phase eye velocity (SPV) decayed immediately after the initial increase. SPV and PRV were fitted with the sum of two exponentials: one time constant accounting for the semicircular canal (SCC) dynamics and one time constant accounting for a central process, known as velocity storage mechanism (VSM). Parameters were constrained by requiring equal SCC time constant and VSM time constant for SPV and PRV. The gains weighting the two exponential functions were free to change. SPV were accurately fitted (variance-accounted-for: 0.85 ± 0.10) and PRV (variance-accounted-for: 0.86 ± 0.07), showing that SPV and PRV curve differences can be explained by a greater relative weight of VSM in PRV compared with SPV (twofold for yaw, threefold for pitch). These results support our hypothesis that self-motion perception after angular velocity steps is be driven by the same central vestibular processes as reflexive eye movements and that no additional mechanisms are required to explain the perceptual dynamics.
Removal of Spurious Correlations Between Spikes and Local Field Potentials
Authors: Zanos Theodoros P. , Mineault Patrick J. , Pack Christopher C.
Published: November 2010

Single neurons carry out important sensory and motor functions related to the larger networks in which they are embedded. Understanding the relationships between single-neuron spiking and network activity is therefore of great importance and the latter can be readily estimated from low-frequency brain signals known as local field potentials (LFPs). In this work we examine a number of issues related to the estimation of spike and LFP signals. We show that spike trains and individual spikes contain power at the frequencies that are typically thought to be exclusively related to LFPs, such that simple frequency-domain filtering cannot be effectively used to separate the two signals. Ground-truth simulations indicate that the commonly used method of estimating the LFP signal by low-pass filtering the raw voltage signal leads to artifactual correlations between spikes and LFPs and that these correlations exert a powerful influence on popular metrics of spike–LFP synchronization. Similar artifactual results were seen in data obtained from electrophysiological recordings in macaque visual cortex, when low-pass filtering was used to estimate LFP signals. In contrast LFP tuning curves in response to sensory stimuli do not appear to be affected by spike contamination, either in simulations or in real data. To address the issue of spike contamination, we devised a novel Bayesian spike removal algorithm and confirmed its effectiveness in simulations and by applying it to the electrophysiological data. The algorithm, based on a rigorous mathematical framework, outperforms other methods of spike removal on most metrics of spike–LFP correlations. Following application of this spike removal algorithm, many of our electrophysiological recordings continued to exhibit spike–LFP correlations, confirming previous reports that such relationships are a genuine aspect of neuronal activity. Overall, these results show that careful preprocessing is necessary to remove spikes from LFP signals, but that when effective spike removal is used, spike–LFP correlations can potentially yield novel insights about brain function.
Organization of the Macaque Extrastriate Visual Cortex Re-Examined Using the Principle of Spatial Continuity of Function
Authors: Aflalo T. N. , Graziano M.S.A.
Published: November 2010

How is the macaque monkey extrastriate cortex organized? Is vision divisible into separate tasks, such as object recognition and spatial processing, each emphasized in a different anatomical stream? If so, how many streams exist? What are the hierarchical relationships among areas? The present study approached the organization of the extrastriate cortex in a novel manner. A principled relationship exists between cortical function and cortical topography. Similar functions tend to be located near each other, within the constraints of mapping a highly dimensional space of functions onto the two-dimensional space of the cortex. We used this principle to re-examine the functional organization of the extrastriate cortex given current knowledge about its topographic organization. The goal of the study was to obtain a model of the functional relationships among the visual areas, including the number of functional streams into which they are grouped, the pattern of informational overlap among the streams, and the hierarchical relationships among areas. To test each functional description, we mapped it to a model cortex according to the principle of optimal continuity and assessed whether it accurately reconstructed a version of the extrastriate topography. Of the models tested, the one that best reconstructed the topography included four functional streams rather than two, six levels of hierarchy per stream, and a specific pattern of informational overlap among streams and areas. A specific mixture of functions was predicted for each visual area. This description matched findings in the physiological literature, and provided predictions of functional relationships that have yet to be tested physiologically.
Taking Orlistat: Predicting Weight Loss over 6 Months
Authors: Hollywood Amelia , Ogden Jane
Published: November 2010

This study explored the predictors of weight loss following orlistat with a focus on both baseline variables and changes in beliefs and behaviours occurring over the course of taking the drug. Patients (n=566) prescribed orlistat completed a questionnaire at baseline and after 6 months concerning their weight, beliefs and behaviours. By 6 months the majority had lost some weight and showed improvements in diet. Many had also stopped taking the drug and a large minority reported using it flexibly as a lifestyle drug. Those who lost most weight showed a decrease in beliefs in a medical solution, a decrease in unhealthy eating, an increased belief in treatment control and an increased belief that the unpleasant consequences are both due to their eating behaviour and just part of the drug. When taken with fatty food orlistat causes symptoms such as anal leakage and oily stools. These may encourage some patients to focus on the behavioural aspects of their weight problem thus promoting the dietary changes needed for both short and longer term weight loss. When prescribing orlistat, clinicians should encourage patients to see the consequences as an education as a means to promote the effectiveness of this form of medical management.
EpiDex® Swiss Field Trial 2004–2008
Authors: Ortega-Zilic Natalie , Hunziker Thomas , Läuchli Severin , Mayer Dieter O. , Huber Clarissa , Baumann Conzett Katrin , Sippel Kirstin , Borradori Luca , French Lars E. , Hafner Jürg
Published: November 2010

Background: Approximately 20% of leg ulcers remain unresponsive to the best conservative standard of care. So far, these patients could either receive conventional skin grafts or had to accept their intractable wound. Skin substitutes from cell culture may represent a promising alternative to heal a major part of these patients on a non-surgical, potentially more cost-effective basis. Objective: To systematically evaluate the first 68 patients treated in Switzerland (Swiss EpiDex® field trial 2004–2008). Methods: Retrospective study on EpiDex treatment of a complete consecutive series of 68 patients with chronic wounds (66 chronic leg ulcers, 2 sores) unresponsive to best conservative standard of care. The primary end point was complete wound closure within 9 months after transplantation, the secondary end points change of wound surface area, pain reduction and overall judgement by the patient. Adverse effects were infection, dermatitis and others. Calculation of treatment costs was made. Results: By the end of the study, 50/68 (74%) of patients had their wound completely healed [venous 29/37 (78%); mixed 7/9 (78%); others 14/22 (64%)]; 10/68 (15%) had the wound surface area reduced by >50%, and 8/68 (12%) did not respond to the EpiDex treatment. Wound pain disappeared completely in 78% and partially in 13%. Fifteen patients (22%) received antibiotics for wound infection, and 2 (3%) developed dermatitis (not related to the local therapy). Average treatment costs for venous ulcers amounted to EUR 5,357, compared to EUR 5,722–8,622 reimbursed according to the German DRG system (2010) for an in-patient skin graft. Conclusion: EpiDex may effectively heal up to three quarters of recalcitrant chronic leg ulcers. Thus, it represents an intermediate step to avoid costly in-patient split-skin mesh graft treatments. Patients remain mobilized, and a donor site is avoided. Large wound size or a necrotic wound bed limit the use of EpiDex. Otherwise, it offers the opportunity to avoid conventional skin grafts in a significant number of chronic leg ulcer patients.
Comparison Between Ultrafast and Standard Single-Photon Emission CT in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Gimelli Alessia , Bottai Matteo , Giorgetti Assuero , Genovesi Dario , Kusch Annette , Ripoli Andrea , Marzullo Paolo
Published: November 2010

Background—

A novel technology has been developed for ultrafast (UF) single-photon emission CT (SPECT) myocardial perfusion imaging by using a pinhole collimation design and multiple cadmium zinc telluride crystal arrays. The purpose of this study was to compare myocardial perfusion imaging obtained by UF-SPECT with standard (S) SPECT in patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease.

Methods and Results—

A total of 34 patients underwent single-day
99m
Tc-tetrofosmin stress/rest myocardial perfusion imaging. UF-SPECT was performed 10 minutes before S-SPECT. Images were qualitatively analyzed, and the summed stress score and summed rest score were calculated. The segmental tracer uptake value (percentage of maximum myocardial uptake) also was quantified for both UF- and S-SPECT. When only 29 of 34 patients with significant coronary lesions were analyzed, the summed stress score was 10.1±4.4 versus 6.4±2.9, respectively, for UF- and S-SPECT (
P
=0.002). Qualitative and quantitative per-patient analysis showed similar results in detection of coronary artery disease for UF- and S-SPECT. In contrast, per-vessel analysis demonstrated higher regional sensitivity of UF- versus S-SPECT. UF-SPECT showed higher sensitivity in detecting multivessel disease (
P
=0.003) versus S-SPECT.

Conclusions—

This pilot study confirms that UF-SPECT provides high-quality fast myocardial perfusion imaging and suggests that it may allow a more-accurate evaluation of both extent and severity of myocardial ischemia in patients with coronary artery disease.
Cardiovascular Imaging for Assessing Cardiovascular Risk in Asymptomatic Men Versus Women
Authors: Jain Aditya , McClelland Robyn L. , Polak Joseph F. , Shea Steven , Burke Gregory L. , Bild Diane E. , Watson Karol E. , Budoff Matthew J. , Liu Kiang , Post Wendy S. , Folsom Aaron R. , Lima João A.C. , Bluemke David A.
Published: November 2010

Background—

Coronary artery calcium (CAC), carotid intima-media thickness, and left ventricular (LV) mass and geometry offer the potential to characterize incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in clinically asymptomatic individuals. The objective of the study was to compare these cardiovascular imaging measures for their overall and sex-specific ability to predict CVD.

Methods and Results—

The study sample consisted of 4965 Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis participants (48% men; mean age, 62±10 years). They were free of CVD at baseline and were followed for a median of 5.8 years. There were 297 CVD events, including 187 coronary heart disease (CHD) events, 65 strokes, and 91 heart failure (HF) events. CAC was most strongly associated with CHD (hazard ratio [HR], 2.3 per 1 SD; 95% CI, 1.9 to 2.8) and all CVD events (HR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.5 to 1.9). Most strongly associated with stroke were LV mass (HR, 1.3; 95% CI, 1.1 to 1.7) and LV mass/volume ratio (HR, 1.3; 95% CI, 1.1 to 1.6). LV mass showed the strongest association with HF (HR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.6 to 2.1). There were no significant interactions for imaging measures with sex and ethnicity for any CVD outcome. Compared with traditional risk factors alone, overall risk prediction (C statistic) for future CHD, HF, and all CVD was significantly improved by adding CAC, LV mass, and CAC, respectively (all
P
<0.05).

Conclusions—

There was no evidence that imaging measures differed in association with incident CVD by sex. CAC was most strongly associated with CHD and CVD; LV mass and LV concentric remodeling best predicted stroke; and LV mass best predicted HF.
Embodied Intelligent (?) Souls: Plants in Plato’s Timaeus
Authors: Carpenter Amber D.
Published: November 2010

In the Timaeus, plants are granted soul, and specifically the sort of soul capable of perception and desire. Also in the Timaeus, perception requires the involvement of to phronimon. It seems it must follow that plants are intelligent. I argue that we can neither avoid granting plants sensation in just this sense, nor can we suppose that ‘to phronimon’ is something devoid of intelligence. Indeed, plants must be related to intelligence, if they are to be both orderly and good. Plants must have individual souls if they are to be distinguished from each other, each with an orderly life; but the intelligence their perceptions require is not similarly individuated, for their ultimate good is only derivative: it is only as completing the body of the cosmos that plants are good things. Plants have their own perceptions and desires in virtue of the intelligence ordering the cosmos as a whole.
Posterior Analytics and the Definition of Happiness in NE I
Authors: Natali Carlo
Published: November 2010

The first book of NE is organised on the model of investigating definitions described in the second Book of the Posterior Analytics, although, of course, with some adaptation due to the subject matter. It first establishes if the object exists and looks for the meaning of the terms used in common language to indicate it, next considers some necessary qualities of the object and then concludes with a definition of the object. We find there a dialectical syllogism of definition, and not the procedure in three steps described in NE VII 1, sometimes called ‘the method of ethics’. In fact, the method described in NE VII 1 does not apply to the first book of the NE. Its relevance for the NE has been somehow exaggerated.
Nine Fragments on Psychological Phenomenology
Authors: Cairns Dorion
Published: November 2010

Nine short manuscript fragments by Dorion Cairns, one of Husserl’s closest followers, are edited and presented here from Cairns’ Nachlass (The Unpublished Papers), which are held at the Center for Advanced Research on Phenomenology, Inc. at the University of Memphis. The fragments address aspects of method for phenomenological psychology, namely: the natural theoretical attitude, reflection, psychological epochē and reduction, eidetic and factual description, understanding, and intersubjective verification.
Combating Discrimination and Intolerence with a Free Speech Framework
Authors: Callamard Agnès
Published: November 2010

The objective of this article is to address the questions as to whether Articles 19 and 20 of the ICCPR are an indivisible whole, and particularly as to whether States can impose restrictions on freedom of expression without first embracing the full scope of such freedom? The overriding objective is to clarify the nature of the obligations of States under Article 20 (limitations as an option or an obligation) following a series of freedom of expression related incidents that have polarised societies, created tensions and fuelled xenophobia and racist attitudes and highlighted the substantive ambiguities as to the “demarcation line” between freedom of expression and hate speech, especially in relation to religious issues.
‘It’s good to be angry’: Enacting anger in construction project management to achieve perceived leader effectiveness
Authors: Lindebaum Dirk , Fielden Sandra
Published: November 2010

There is considerable evidence to suggest how positive and negative leader emotions influence a variety of positive and negative follower outcomes. However, little empirical evidence exists to suggest under what circumstances the enactment of negative emotions can yield desirable outcomes for individuals operating in a given organizational context. Drawing upon a series of semi-structured interviews with construction project managers ( n = 19) from the UK, this study offers valuable insights into how anger is frequently enacted to help individuals ensure the progress of the project, be it in negotiations with other parties or affairs on site with operatives.
Professional identity construction: Using narrative to understand the negotiation of professional and stigmatized cultural identities
Authors: Slay Holly S , Smith Delmonize A
Published: November 2010

While there is growing interest in professional identity construction (e.g. Clarke et al., 2009), little is known about how stigma may influence the development of professional identity. Professional identity is defined as one’s professional self-concept based on attributes, beliefs, values, motives, and experiences (Ibarra, 1999; Schein, 1978). Professional identity construction under conditions of stigmatized cultural identity presents an interesting puzzle. Professional roles are defined as prestigious and provide the role holder with autonomy (Benveniste, 1987) and, often, a degree of privilege. However, stigmatized persons are often accorded little prestige and/or privilege because their identities are tainted. Thus, the purpose of our research is to build and enrich theory around professional identity construction by investigating the development of professional identity under conditions of stigmatized cultural identity. To accomplish this goal, we study narratives written by 20 prominent African American journalists (Terry, 2007) who discuss what it means to be both Black and reporters.
It Wasn’t in My Contract: Security Privatization and Civilian Control
Authors: Cohn Lindsay P.
Published: November 2010

An increase in the use of private military and security contractors over the last two decades has sparked a debate over whether their employment enhances or detracts from government control of its security agents. Although there is a rich literature on civilian control of military agents, there is still disagreement on the operationalization of control, and there has been little attempt to apply these theories to private actors. This article contributes to both discussions by offering a synthesis of theories of control and comparing features specific to public versus private agents that may affect control. The author offers the hypothesis that the principles of democratic governance are likely to be more secure when policy is carried out by public agents.
Stable ℋ∞ flow controller design using approximation of FIR filters
Authors: Ünal Hakkι Ulaş , İftar Altuğ
Published: November 2010

Stable flow controllers are usually preferred since, compared with unstable flow controllers, they are less sensitive to any modelling imperfections. ℋ∞-optimal flow controllers involve finite impulse–response (FIR) filters due to the time delays which are inherent in any practical network. Therefore, design of a stable ℋ∞ flow controller is a difficult problem due to the infinite dimensionality of these FIR filters. In this work, finite-dimensional approximations of FIR filters are used to design stable ℋ∞ flow controllers. Three design approaches are considered and, for each approach, a different algorithm to design a stable ℋ∞ flow controller is developed. Controllers obtained by each agorithm are also compared against each other, as well as against the optimal controller, using an example case.