bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Social Science, Spared Again
Authors: Prewitt Kenneth
Published: August 2011

Last month, a U.S. congressional committee wisely decided not to cut funding of social science research by the National Science Foundation (NSF), despite an attack that cleverly framed the discipline as “good, just not good enough for NSF.” This claim was rebutted across the political spectrum, by physical and biological as well as social scientists, and in the business sector. In May, Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK) issued a report arguing that NSF-funded social science should be eliminated. Oddly, however, his report endorsed such funding by other agencies, where, one supposes, it meets a priority test. Indeed, the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Education, Health and Human Services, and the Congress itself hire, consult, fund, and contract with social scientists in great number. The senator acknowledged that the country needs social science, just not at NSF. This makes no sense. If the country needs social science at all, it needs NSF-supported fundamental research. NSF funds frontier science in physics that underpins more-applied research supported by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. This intelligent division of labor works equally for the social sciences, making continued funding by NSF of the highest priority.
Is Bigger Always Better?
Authors: Rowe Candy , Healy Susan D.
Published: August 2011

Female perceptual limitations may explain why sexual selection doesn't always lead to exaggerated male traits.
Climate Change Sparks Battles in Classroom
Authors: Reardon Sara
Published: August 2011

The U.S. political debate over climate change is seeping into K-12 science classrooms, and teachers are feeling the heat.
Improved Polyacrylamide-Based Artificial Sputum with Formalin-Fixed Tubercle Bacilli for Training of Tuberculosis Microscopists
Authors: Yamada Hiroyuki , Mitarai Satoshi , Wahyunitisari Manik Rento , Mertaniasih Ni Made , Sugamoto Tetsuhiro , Chikamatsu Kinuyo , Aono Akio , Matsumoto Hiroko , Fujiki Akiko
Published: August 2011

Sputum smear microscopy is an easy, inexpensive, and rapid method for detecting tubercle bacilli when there are more than 10,000 bacilli/ml in the original sputum. Furthermore, because the microscopic method provides not only quantitative, but also qualitative information, such as the shape of bacilli, it has remained significant. We have previously developed and reported panel test slides made from polyacrylamide-based artificial sputum (PBAS) mixed with both cultured THP-1 cells and nonpathogenic mycobacteria. In this paper, we report an improved preparation method for PBAS for panel test slides that provides a simplified method and enhanced availability with high consistency in each grade and in which only negative PBAS is prepared from polyacrylamide and cultured THP-1 cells and mixed with graded formalin-fixed
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
solution (FFTBS) containing oral flora and
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
on the slides. In the smears prepared using this improved method, the numbers (average ± standard deviation [SD]) of acid-fast bacilli (AFB) in 300 fields (2- by 3-cm smear) in eight smears of each grade ranged from 5 to 9 (6.4 ± 1.4), from 59 to 88 (74.6 ± 10.0), from 503 to 912 (705.0 ± 145.7), and from 1,819 to 3,256 (2133.3 ± 478.0) in ±, +, ++, and +++ smears, respectively. In addition, this preparation method provided high similarity to the microscopic appearance of bacilli and background seen in the actual patient sputum, with high feasibility. These results revealed that our new PBAS had high authenticity in the appearance and consistency in each grade, which could make it valuable as a reliable artificial sputum for the training of microscopists.
Engineering T Cells Specific for a Dominant Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus CD8 T Cell Epitope
Authors: Oh Hsueh-Ling Janice , Chia Adeline , Chang Cynthia Xin Lei , Leong Hoe Nam , Ling Khoon Lin , Grotenbreg Gijsbert M. , Gehring Adam J. , Tan Yee Joo , Bertoletti Antonio
Published: August 2011

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a highly contagious and life threatening disease, with a fatality rate of almost 10%. The etiologic agent is a novel coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), with animal reservoirs found in bats and other wild animals and thus the possibility of reemergence. In this study, we first investigated at 6 years postinfection whether SARS-specific memory T cells persist in SARS-recovered individuals, demonstrating that these subjects still possess polyfunctional SARS-specific memory CD4
+
and CD8
+
T cells. A dominant memory CD8
+
T cell response against SARS-CoV nucleocaspid protein (NP; amino acids 216 to 225) was then defined in SARS-recovered individuals carrying HLA-B*40:01, a HLA-B molecule present in approximately one-quarter of subjects of Asian ethnicities. To reconstitute such a CD8
+
T cell response, we isolated the alpha and beta T cell receptors of the HLA-B*40:01-restricted SARS-specific CD8
+
T cells. Using T cell receptor gene transfer, we generated SARS-specific redirected T cells from the lymphocytes of normal individuals. These engineered CD8
+
T cells displayed avidity and functionality similar to that of natural SARS-specific memory CD8
+
T cells. They were able to degranulate and produce gamma interferon, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and macrophage inflammatory proteins 1α and 1β after antigenic stimulation. Since there is no effective treatment against SARS, these transduced T cells specific for an immunodominant SARS epitope may provide a new avenue for treatment during a SARS outbreak.
T-EDUCO: A T-LEARNING TUTORING TOOL THAT CARES
Authors: HUPONT ISABELLE , ABADÍA DAVID , BALDASSARRI SANDRA , CEREZO EVA , DEL-HOYO RAFAEL
Published: August 2011

Interactive Digital Television is emerging as a potential medium to create opportunities for learning at home. In most existing t-learning (TV-based interactive learning) applications, the interaction with the user is limited to a simple sequential navigation within the application. And, since the educational contents are broadcast, there is no feedback from the student's progress. More engaged and intelligent t-learning interactive applications are needed to achieve more efficient forms of learning. This paper presents T-EDUCO, the first t-learning affective aware tutoring tool. T-EDUCO goes further than simply broadcasting an interactive educational application by allowing the figure of a tutor to be present and to govern the students' learning process. The tutor can access academic and emotional information about the students through a continuous "emotional path" that includes timestamps and information about the progress made in each exercise. In this way, personal messages or extra educational contents for improving learning can be sent to the students. The emotional information is extracted by a novel Artificial Intelligence method that evaluates with a 2-dimensional affective approach the students' facial expressions captured through a camera while performing the t-learning application tests. All this is made possible by a combination of broadcast and broadband technologies.
Building a Hospital Alliance — Taiwan Landseed Medical Alliance
Authors: Rachel Lu Jui-fen , Tsai Terence , Liu Shubo Philip
Published: August 2011

Following the launch of the National Health Insurance (NHI) program in 1995, universal coverage was achieved in Taiwan. In the period immediately following the introduction of the program, private hospitals did well and many opportunists entered Taiwan's rapidly expanding, prosperous healthcare market. However, the boom did not last long, ending with Bureau of NHI's hospital global budget system in 2002. The new NHI policies, stricter regulations, and higher public expectations of healthcare services intensified competition in the healthcare market and many private hospitals were forced to close.

The Taiwan Landseed Medical Alliance (TLMA) was formed in 1993 by eight hospitals. It was the first successful hospital alliance in Taiwan. Although most of the alliance members were private district hospitals, through collaboration and integrated networks TLMA offered a unique model that combined the strength of each of these small-scale hospitals. The alliance thus enhanced the ability of its members to survive despite fierce competition, and increased their capacity to provide first-rate health care. By fully implementing the operations and development strategies inherent in a collaborative hospital group, TLMA members worked through difficulties together and are already on course to meet many other alliance goals including the upgrading of hospital management practices and service quality, improvement of the medical environment, and promotion of good hospital practice.

The case aims to evoke discussion on the important role of alliances in competitive markets and ways to form strategic alliances. Supportive actions and alliance structures should also be considered.
The roles of conserved and nonconserved cysteinyl residues in the oligomerization and function of mammalian prestin
Authors: Currall Benjamin , Rossino Danielle , Jensen-Smith Heather , Hallworth Richard
Published: August 2011

The creation of several prestin knockout and knockin mouse lines has demonstrated the importance of the intrinsic outer hair cell membrane protein prestin to mammalian hearing. However, the structure of prestin remains largely unknown, with even its major features in dispute. Several studies have suggested that prestin forms homo-oligomers that may be stabilized by disulfide bonds. Our phylogenetic analysis of prestin sequences across chordate classes suggested that the cysteinyl residues could be divided into three groups, depending on the extent of their conservation between prestin orthologs and paralogs or homologs. An alanine scan functional analysis was performed of all nine cysteinyl positions in mammalian prestin. Prestin function was assayed by measurement of prestin-associated nonlinear capacitance. Of the nine cysteine-alanine substitution mutations, all were properly membrane targeted and all demonstrated nonlinear capacitance. Four mutations (C124A, C192A, C260A, and C415A), all in nonconserved cysteinyl residues, significantly differed in their nonlinear capacitance properties compared with wild-type prestin. In the two most severely disrupted mutations, substitution of the polar residue seryl for cysteinyl restored normal function in one (C415S) but not the other (C124S). We assessed the relationship of prestin oligomerization to cysteine position using fluorescence resonance energy transfer. With one exception, cysteine-alanine substitutions did not significantly alter prestin-prestin interactions. The exception was C415A, one of the two nonconserved cysteinyl residues whose mutation to alanine caused the most disruption in function. We suggest that no disulfide bond is essential for prestin function. However, C415 likely participates by hydrogen bonding in both nonlinear capacitance and oligomerization.
Dietary Preference ofGammarus pulexandAsellus aquaticusduring a Laboratory Breeding Programme for Ecotoxicological Studies
Authors: Bloor M. C.
Published: August 2011

An investigation was undertaken to establish ifGammarus pulexandAsellus aquaticuspreferred a diet of unconditioned, artificially or naturally conditioned alder leaves (Alnus glutinosa). Standardised, 24 hourex situfeeding assays were undertaken with both species to determine their food preference. The results showed thatA. aquaticusate more leaf material compared toG. pulex(Z 23.909,P0.001) when exposed to all three test variables. Also, bothG. pulexandA. aquaticusdemonstrated a preference for naturally conditioned leaves compared to the other two variables, with unconditioned leaves proving the least popular food option for both macroinvertebrates (Z 18.803, ). However, both species ate varying amounts of all the leaf treatments (Z 136.399, ). Subsequently, the author outlined a feeding methodology for natural alder leaf conditioning that could be used during a laboratory breeding programme.
Fetal Cervical Neuroblastoma: Prenatal Diagnosis
Authors: Güzelmansur Ismail , Aksoy Hatice Tatar , Hakverdi Sibel , Seven Mustafa , Dilmen Uğur , Dilmen Gülçin
Published: August 2011

Neuroblastoma is the most frequent extracranial solid tumor in childhood, but it is seldom diagnosed prenatally. It usually presented with adrenal masses. Presentation of other localization is extremely rare. We report a case of cervical neuroblastoma identified at 20 weeks of gestational age. This is the third case diagnosed antenatally on neck region in the literature. Additionally, it is the first case that extended to the brain. We also discussed the literature for cervical neuroblastoma detected prenatally.
Paliperidone ER in the Treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder: A Pilot Study of Efficacy and Tolerability
Authors: Bellino Silvio , Bozzatello Paola , Rinaldi Camilla , Bogetto Filippo
Published: August 2011

Antipsychotics are recommended for the treatment of impulsive dyscontrol and cognitive perceptual symptoms of borderline personality disorder (BPD). Three reports supported the efficacy of oral risperidone on BPD psychopathology. Paliperidone ER is the metabolite of risperidone with a similar mechanism of action, and its osmotic release reduces plasmatic fluctuations and antidopaminergic effects. The aim of this study is to evaluate efficacy and safety of paliperidone ER in BPD patients. 18 outpatients with a DSM-IV-TR diagnosis of BPD were treated for 12 weeks with paliperidone ER (3–6 mg/day). They were assessed at baseline, week 4, and week 12, using the CGI-Severity item, the BPRS, the HDRS, the HARS, the SOFAS, the BPD Severity Index (BPDSI), and the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11). Adverse events were evaluated with the DOTES. Paliperidone ER was shown to be effective and well tolerated in reducing severity of global symptomatology and specific BPD symptoms, such as impulsive dyscontrol, anger, and cognitive-perceptual disturbances. Results need to be replicated in controlled trials.
Killing of Resistant Cancer Cells with Low Bak by a Combination of an Antimesothelin Immunotoxin and a TRAIL Receptor 2 Agonist Antibody
Authors: Du Xing , Xiang Laiman , Mackall Crystal , Pastan Ira
Published: August 2011

Purpose: Many solid tumors express cell surface mesothelin making them attractive targets for antibody-based therapies of cancer. SS1P [antimesothelin(Fv)PE38] is a recombinant immunotoxin (RIT) that has potent cytotoxic activity on several cancer cell lines and clinical activity in mesothelioma patients. Pancreatic cancers express mesothelin and are known to be resistant to most chemotherapeutic agents. The goal of this study is to treat pancreatic cancer with RIT by targeting mesothelin.

Experimental Design: We measured the cytotoxic activity of an antimesothelin immunotoxin on pancreatic cancer cells. We also measured the levels of several pro- and antiapoptotic proteins, as well as the ability of TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) or the anti-TRAIL receptor 2 agonist antibody (HGS-ETR2) to kill pancreatic cells, and the cytotoxic activity of the two agents together in cell culture and against tumors in mice.

Results: In two pancreatic cancer cell lines, immunotoxin treatment inhibited protein synthesis but did not produce significant cell death. The resistant lines had low levels of the proapoptotic protein Bak. Increasing Bak expression enhanced the sensitivity to immunotoxins, whereas Bak knockdown diminished it. We also found that combining immunotoxin with TRAIL or HGS-ETR2 caused synergistic cell death, and together triggered caspase-8 recruitment and activation, Bid cleavage and Bax activation. Combining SS1P with HGS-ETR2 also acted synergistically to decrease tumor burden in a mouse model.

Conclusion: Our data show that low Bak can cause cancer cells to be resistant to immunotoxin treatment and that combining immunotoxin with TRAIL or a TRAIL agonist antibody can overcome resistance. Clin Cancer Res; 17(18); 5926–34. ©2011 AACR.
Cardiovascular Risk Markers and Mechanisms in Targeting the COX Pathway for Colorectal Cancer Prevention
Authors: Oates John A.
Published: August 2011

COX-2 inhibition reduces the incidence of colorectal neoplasia. The increased risk of thrombotic cardiovascular events produced by selective or nonselective COX-2 inhibitors, however, has confounded the consideration of employing them in cancer prevention. Developing a strategy for preventing colorectal cancer by inhibiting COX-2 depends on research advances in several key areas, including predictive biomarkers to identify people at the lowest risk for cardiovascular events, the molecular mechanisms whereby interdicting the COX-2 pathway produces thrombotic events, and the pharmacology of the widely divergent agents that act on COX-2 and its downstream pathway. Cancer Prev Res; 4(8); 1145–8. ©2011 AACR.
Application of FT-NIR-DR and FT-IR-ATR spectroscopy to estimate the chemical composition of bamboo (Neosinocalamus affinis Keng)
Authors: Sun Bailing , Liu Junliang , Liu Shujun , Yang Qing
Published: August 2011

Neosinocalamus affinis Keng is widely grown in south-western China for pulp and paper production. Rapid assessment of the chemical properties of N. affinis is necessary for both bamboo breeding and industrial utilization. This study was performed to investigate the abilities of Fourier transform near-infrared spectroscopy in the diffuse reflectance mode (FT-NIR-DR) and Fourier transform infrared attenuated total reflectance (FT-IR-ATR) spectroscopy to predict the contents of holocellulose, α-cellulose, Klason lignin, and NaOH extractives in N. affinis. Partial least squares regression models based on the raw and preprocessed spectra, including multiplicative scatter correction (MSC) and Savitzky-Golay 1st and 2nd derivative spectra, were developed for the chemical components of bamboo. The NIR-based calibrations displayed better performance than those using FT-IR-ATR spectra. The best calibrations developed by both methods for properties all had satisfactory correlations, with coefficient of determination (R2
c) values ranging from 0.81 (Klason lignin by FT-IR and MSC) to 0.98 (α-cellulose by FT-NIR and 2nd derivative), and root mean standard error of calibration between 0.50 and 1.47%. When applied to prediction sets, the correlations were good, with R2
p above 0.68. The results demonstrate that both spectroscopic methods, combined with chemometric strategies, could rapidly predict the chemical composition of bamboo.
Euler's Pentagonal Number Theorem Implies the Jacobi Triple Product Identity
Authors: Wei Chuanan , Gong Dianxuan
Published: August 2011

By means of Liouville's theorem, we show that Euler's pentagonal number theorem implies the Jacobi triple product identity.
Atendimento em voz no Ambulatório de Fonoaudiologia do Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais
Authors: Menezes Letícia Neiva de , Behlau Mara , Gama Ana Cristina Côrtes , Teixeira Letícia Caldas
Published: August 2011

O presente estudo caracterizou o perfil dos pacientes com queixas e/ou alterações vocais atendidos de julho de 2003 a dezembro de 2006 no ambulatório de fonoaudiologia do Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais de acordo com as variáveis idade, sexo, profissão, escolaridade, procedência, tratamento realizado e fatores interferentes na evolução do atendimento. Trata-se de um estudo retrospectivo baseado na análise dos dados dos prontuários, coletados de acordo com protocolo especialmente elaborado. Os resultados apontaram que os indivíduos estudados eram predominantemente mulheres jovens, encaminhadas para o atendimento fonoaudiológico por um médico especialista, procedentes de Belo Horizonte, sem uma ocupação profissional e com ensino fundamental incompleto. O atendimento fonoaudiológico aconteceu de forma individual e quase metade dos pacientes recebeu alta. Os indivíduos mais idosos, com disfonia funcional ou psicogênica e com voz do tipo neutra ou soprosa apresentaram correlação com alta fonoaudiológica. Os indivíduos mais jovens e com disfonia organofuncional tiveram correlação estatística com o desligamento do serviço. Os sujeitos que evoluíram para abandono não apresentaram correlação com as variáveis cruzadas.
Significados da dieta e mudanças de hábitos para portadores de doenças metabólicas crônicas: uma revisão
Authors: Vieira Carla Maria , Cordeiro Silvia Nogueira , Magdaleno Júnior Ronis , Turato Egberto Ribeiro
Published: August 2011

Comportamento alimentar e significados psicoculturais da alimentação para portadores de distúrbios metabólicos crônicos têm sido foco de interesse em virtude da dificuldade de adesão às mudanças de hábitos e à promoção do autocuidado. Revisão bibliográfica foi realizada a partir das bases de dados Lilacs e Medline® e no sistema de busca Pubmed, visando estudos qualitativos que analisam a visão dos pacientes sobre dieta e estilo de vida. Palavras chaves: metabolic syndrome, eating behavior, diet, obesity, psychological factors, qualitative study e dietary habits. Critérios de inclusão: idioma inglês, espanhol ou português; período 2000 a 2008; população adulta; contendo um ou mais descritores no título. A partir de 15 artigos analisados foi concluído que a adesão às mudanças de hábitos é um processo dinâmico, dependente de vários fatores individuais para seu estabelecimento e requer maior interação entre profissionais e pacientes na prática clínica. A promoção do autocuidado depende do respeito às decisões e aos sentimentos decorrentes da vivência pessoal.
Registration of TAM SIUP 98 and TAM SIUP 162 Germplasm Lines of Cotton
Authors: Hague S. , Smith C. W. , Berger G. , Thaxton P. S. , Jones D.
Published: August 2011

TAM SIUP 98 (Reg. No. GP‐938, PI 662042) and TAM SIUP 162 (Reg. No. GP‐939, PI 662043) are Sea Island (Gossypium barbadense L.)/Upland (G. hirsutum L.) (SIUP) germplasm lines that were developed by the Cotton Improvement Laboratory in the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences at Texas A&M University and were released in 2008 by Texas AgriLife Research. These interspecific inbred lines are the result of the hybridization of improved Upland germplasm and a Sea Island breeding line, NMSI 1331. TAM SIUP 98 and TAM SIUP 162 demonstrated fiber traits that exceeded those of commercial cultivars as measured by high‐volume instrumentation. Lint yields were lower than those of commercial cultivars, but plant morphology and fruiting habit were typical of Upland cotton.
Registration of ‘Decade’ Wheat
Authors: Riveland N. R. , Berg J. E. , Kephart K. D. , Wichman D. M. , Carlson G. R. , Kushnak G. D. , Stougaard R. N. , Eckhoff J. L. , Nash D. L. , Johnston M. , Grey W. E. , Jin Y. , Chen X. , Bruckner P. L.
Published: August 2011

‘Decade’ (Reg. No. CV‐1058, PI 660291) hard red winter (HRW) wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was developed and released jointly by the Montana and North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Stations in September 2010. Decade is of unknown pedigree derived from a composite of three closely related single crosses (N95L159/‘CDC Clair’, N95L159/MT9602, and N95L159/MT9609). Decade was developed using a modified bulk‐breeding method, selected as an F5:7 headrow, and tested under the experimental number MT0552 from 2005 to 2009 in Montana and from 2008 to 2009 in North Dakota. Quality has been evaluated in multilocation Montana trials since 2005. Decade is a high‐yielding, winter‐hardy HRW wheat line with medium to high test weight, early maturity, reduced height (Rht‐B1b), medium to high grain protein, and excellent milling and baking quality. The line was released for its combination of good winter hardiness, short stature, and high yield potential and for its excellent performance in the eastern Montana and western North Dakota winter‐wheat production environments.
Microsatellite marker development in tung trees (Vernicia montanaand V. fordii, Euphorbiaceae)
Authors: Xu Wei , Yang Qing , Huai Huyin , Liu Aizhong
Published: August 2011

•Premise of the study: The tung tree is valuable for tung oil, which is derived from the oilseeds of the tree. Microsatellite markers were developed in tung trees (Vernicia montanaand V. fordii) for use in population genetic studies and, particularly, analyses of genetic relationships among germplasms.

•Methods and Results: A total of 20 microsatellite markers were developed and characterized in V. montanaand tested for cross‐amplification in V. fordii, using the Fast Isolation by AFLP of Sequences COntaining Repeats protocol. These markers showed rich polymorphism when assessed in 120 samples of V. montanaand six samples of V. fordii.

•Conclusions: The developed microsatellite markers will be of great use for investigating genetic diversity of germplasms, analyzing population structure, and facilitating molecular breeding in tung trees.
Effects of Preoperative Punctal Plug Treatment on Visual Function and Wound Healing in Laser Epithelial Keratomileusis
Authors: Kojima Takashi , Watabe Tamaki , Nakamura Tomoaki , Ichikawa Kazuo , Satoh Yuya
Published: August 2011

PURPOSE:

To evaluate the effect of preoperative punctal plug treatment on early postoperative visual function and wound healing after laser epithelial keratomileusis (LASEK).

METHODS:

Punctal plugs were implanted in 188 eyes from 95 patients (plug group; 41 men, 54 women; mean age 30.8±6.6 years) before undergoing LASEK. Punctal plugs were inserted into both the superior and inferior puncta. Wound healing, visual acuity, and haze score after surgery were compared in 175 eyes of 88 age- and sex-matched control patients without punctal plug treatment (non-plug group; 43 men, 45 women; mean age 30.3±8.0 years).

RESULTS:

One week after LASEK, the mean fluorescein score in the plug group was significantly lower than the non-plug group (
P
<.0001). One week after surgery, uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) of 20/20 or better was achieved in 82% and 53% of plug and non-plug patients, respectively. Compared with the non-plug group, better mean UDVA was seen in the plug group 7 days after surgery (non-plug group, 0.02±0.17; plug group, −0.06±0.13;
P
<.0001). Incidence of haze after LASEK was higher in the non-plug group (7.4%) compared with the plug group (1.6%) (
P
=.014).

CONCLUSIONS:

Preoperative punctal plug treatment prior to LASEK promoted corneal epithelial wound healing and was associated with better visual acuity in the early postoperative period.
Highly Virulent Leptospira borgpetersenii Strain Characterized in the Hamster Model
Authors: Diniz Juliana Alcoforado , Félix Samuel Rodrigues , Bonel-Raposo Josiane , Seixas Neto Amilton Clair Pinto , Vasconcellos Flávia Aleixo , Grassmann André Alex , Dellagostin Odir Antônio , Aleixo José Antonio Guimarães , da Silva Éverton Fagonde
Published: August 2011

A recent study by our group reported the isolation and partial serological and molecular characterization of four Leptospira borgpetersenii serogroup Ballum strains. Here, we reproduced experimental leptospirosis in golden Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) and carried out standardization of lethal dose 50% (LD50) of one of these strains (4E). Clinical disease features and histopathologic analyses of tissue lesions were also observed. As results, strain 4E induced lethality in the hamster model with inocula lower than 10 leptospires, and histopathological examination of animals showed typical lesions found in severe leptospirosis. Gross pathological findings were peculiar; animals that died early had more chance of presenting severe jaundice and less chance of presenting pulmonary hemorrhages (P < 0.01). L. borgpetersenii serogroup Ballum has had a considerable growth in human leptospirosis cases in recent years. This strain has now been thoroughly characterized and can be used in more studies, especially evaluations of vaccine candidates.
Long-term Results after Total Thyroidectomy in Patients with Graves' Disease in Uzbekistan: Retrospective Study
Authors: Ismailov Said I , Alimjanov Nusrat A , Babakhanov Bakhodir Kh , Rashitov Murod M , Akbutaev Alisher M
Published: August 2011

Subtotal thyroidectomy has been advocated as the standard treatment for Graves' disease (GD) because of the assumed lower risk of complications compared with total thyroidectomy, and also it provides the chance to avoid thyroxin therapy. The present study aims to examine our institutional experience with total thyroidectomy for GD. Patients were divided into two surgical treatment groups: Total thyroidectomy (TT) (n = 97) and total thyroidectomy with intraoperative thyroid autotransplantation (TTITA) (n = 74). TTITA performed in 74 patients. 0.5 to 2 gm of thyroid tissue was cut into small pieces and autotransplanted into the forearm muscle of the patient. Postoperative complications included eight cases of RLN palsy, two patients had nerve paralysis, two patients underwent tracheostomy, transient hypoparathyroidism in 25 patients, permanent hypoparathyroidism in two cases, wound hemorrhage in two patients. TPOAb levels were increased in 9% of patients with TT whereas in patients with TTITA TPOAb concentrations were elevated in 65% of patients at 3 months follow-up. TRAb in patients with TT were not detected while 20% patients undergone TTITA had high TRAb levels and 13.3% had terminal concentrations at 3 months follow-up. Serum TPOAb and TRAb were detected in none of the patients who underwent TT and TTITA at 1, 3 and 5 years follow-up. Removal of all thyroid tissue offers the best chance of preventing recurrent hyperthyroidism and we saw no increase in postoperative complications in the TT group. We feel that TT is safe and superior for achieving the goal of treatment of Graves' disease.
Exact solution of the ion‐laser interaction in all regimes
Authors: Zúñiga‐Segundo A. , Juárez‐Amaro R. , Vargas‐Martínez J.M. , Moya‐Cessa H.
Published: August 2011

We show that in the trapped ion‐laser interaction all the regimes may be considered analytically. We may solve not only for different laser intensities, but also away from resonance and from the Lamb‐Dicke regime. It is found a dispersive Hamiltonian for the high intensity regime, that, being diagonal, its evolution operator may be easily calculated.
Frame‐based adaptive uplink scheduling algorithm in orthogonal frequency division multiple access‐based Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access networks
Authors: Hwang Bor‐Jiunn , Hwang I‐Shyan , Huang Chih‐Wei
Published: August 2011

Because the orthogonal frequency division multiple access physical resource available for scheduling in Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access networks is frame by frame, an uplink scheduler located at the base station must efficiently allocate available resources to the subscriber stations in response to constant or bursty data traffic on a per‐frame basis. Available resources for real‐time and nonreal‐time traffics, called frame‐based adaptive bandwidth allocation and minimum guarantee and weight‐based bandwidth allocation, respectively, are proposed in this paper. Moreover, both short‐term and long‐term bandwidth predictions for traffic are incorporated so that the long‐term bandwidth prediction can have sustainable throughput requirement, and the short‐term bandwidth prediction can meet the objectives of low delay and jitter. For the scenarios studied, it shows that system performance of the proposed algorithm is better than the hybrid (earliest deadline first + weighted fair queuing + FIFO) algorithm in terms of packet delay, jitter, throughput, and fairness. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The pharmacology of bisphosphonates and new insights into their mechanisms of action
Authors: Russell R. Graham G. , Rogers Michael J. , Frith Julie C. , Luckman Steven P. , Coxon Fraser P. , Benford Helena L. , Croucher Peter I. , Shipman Claire , Fleisch Herbert A.
Published: August 2011

Bisphosphonates are chemically stable analogs of inorganic pyrophosphate, which are resistant to breakdown by enzymatic hydrolysis. The biological effects of bisphosphonates on calcium metabolism were originally ascribed to their physico-chemical effects on hydroxyapatite crystals. Although such effects may contribute to their overall action, their effects on cells are probably of greater importance, particularly for the more potent compounds. Remarkable progress has been made in increasing the potency of bisphosphonates as inhibitors of bone resorption, and the most potent compounds in current use are characterized by the presence of a nitrogen atom at critical positions in the side chain which, together with the bisphosphonate moiety itself, seems to be essential for maximal activity. As a class the bisphosphonates offer a very effective means of treating Paget's disease.
Metoprolol abatement from wastewaters by electrochemical oxidation with boron doped diamond anodes
Authors: Martín de Vidales María J. , Sáez Cristina , Cañizares Pablo , Rodrigo Manuel A.
Published: August 2011

BACKGROUND: Metoprolol is a beta‐blocker that can be found in urban wastewaters and which is not removed efficiently by conventional wastewater treatments. In this work, the removal of this pollutant by conductive diamond electrochemical oxidation (CDEO) is studied.

RESULTS: CDEO is able to degrade Metoprolol tartrate down to the 10 ppb level (detection limit of the technique used) with a current charge requirement that increases with increase in the initial concentration of pollutant, although it is many times greater than the stoichiometric current charge required. CDEO also removed very efficiently the reaction intermediates. In terms of TOC the depletion follows a first‐order kinetic, but the kinetic constant of Metoprolol decreases with concentration. NaCl increases significantly Metoprolol degradation rate, but it barely affects the TOC removal rate.

CONCLUSIONS: CDEO can be used to remove Metoprolol from wastewaters, independently of the initial concentration of compound. Several reaction intermediates are formed during the electrolyses although their concentrations are very low and negligible compared with that of Metoprolol. The removal rate (in terms of TOC) does not depend on the nature of the electrolyte used. The process is under mass transfer control for the complete range of concentrations studied. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
Poly(lactic acid)/Phormium tenax composites: Morphology and thermo‐mechanical behavior
Authors: De Rosa I.M. , Iannoni A. , Kenny J.M. , Puglia D. , Santulli C. , Sarasini F. , Terenzi A.
Published: August 2011

Composites of Phormium tenax fibers in a poly(lactic acid) matrix with fiber content of up to 40 wt%, produced by injection molding and twin screw compounding, were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and mechanical tests (static and dynamic). Thermal analysis showed that cold‐crystallization peak shifted to lower temperatures with increasing fiber content, confirming that the addition of Phormium fiber has the effect of promoting crystallinity. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) results showed that the addition of Phormium fiber did not affect significantly the Tg of the polymer and the area under the tan δ decreased with the addition of Phormium fiber. Tensile modulus has been consistently increased by reinforcing the composite with growing amounts of fibers, whilst the effect on tensile strength is less evident. SEM micrographs of fracture surfaces allowed highlighting failure modes of the composites, which included a diffuse presence of fiber pull‐out and debonding. POLYM. COMPOS., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers
Occupation statistics of the VGa – ON dislocations within n-type gallium nitride
Authors: Baghani Erfan , O’Leary Stephen K.
Published: August 2011

In this paper, we apply a Gibbs factor formalism in order to determine the occupation statistics of the different states associated with VGa — ON dislocations within uncompensated n-type wurtzite gallium nitride. We compare our results with those obtained from the simulated annealing analysis of Leung et al. [K. Leung, A. F. Wright, and E. B. Stechel, Appl. Phys. Lett. 74, 2495 (1999)]. This comparison enables us to confirm the validity of a much simpler dislocation defect site occupation formalism that is valid at high dislocation densities and/or low free electron (low bulk doping) concentrations. It is also seen that our formulation provides a notable computational advantage over the energy minimization approach of You et al. [J. H. You, J.-Q. Lu, and H. T. Johnson, J. Appl. Phys. 99, 033706 (2006)].
Full-wave modeling of the O–X mode conversion in the Pegasus toroidal experiment
Authors: Köhn A. , Jacquot J. , Bongard M. W. , Gallian S. , Hinson E. T. , Volpe F. A.
Published: August 2011

The ordinary–extraordinary (O–X) mode conversion is modeled with the aid of a 2D full-wave code in the Pegasus toroidal experiment as a function of the launch angles. It is shown how the shape of the plasma density profile in front of the antenna can significantly influence the mode conversion efficiency and, thus, the generation of electron Bernstein waves (EBWs). It is therefore desirable to control the density profile in front of the antenna for successful operation of an EBW heating and current drive system. On the other hand, the conversion efficiency is shown to be resilient to vertical displacements of the plasma as large as ±10 cm.
Plasma-oxidation of Ge(100) surfaces using dielectric barrier discharge investigated by metastable induced electron spectroscopy, ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy, and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy
Authors: Wegewitz L. , Dahle S. , Höfft O. , Voigts F. , Viöl W. , Endres F. , Maus-Friedrichs W.
Published: August 2011

The radical oxidation of Ge(100) applying a dielectric barrier discharge plasma was investigated using metastable induced electron spectroscopy, ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy, and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The plasma treatments were performed in a pure oxygen atmosphere as well as under environmental conditions at room temperature. In both atmospheres GeO2 layers up to thicknesses of several nm were formed on the Ge(100) surface.
High optical polarization ratio from semipolar (202¯1¯) blue-green InGaN/GaN light-emitting diodes
Authors: Zhao Yuji , Tanaka Shinichi , Yan Qimin , Huang Chia-Yen , Chung Roy B. , Pan Chih-Chien , Fujito Kenji , Feezell Daniel , Van de Walle Chris G. , Speck James S. , DenBaars Steven P. , Nakamura Shuji
Published: August 2011

The optical polarization ratio of spontaneous emission was investigated by electroluminescence measurements for semipolar (202¯1¯) InGaN/GaN light-emitting diodes, covering the blue to green spectral range. Devices fabricated on semipolar (202¯1¯) substrates exhibit polarization ratios ranging from 0.46 at 418 nm to 0.67 at 519 nm. These polarization ratios are significantly higher than those reported on semipolar (202¯1) devices. The valence band energy separation is extracted from spectral measurements and is consistent with the increased polarization ratio and theoretical predictions. Quantum well interdiffusion induced valence band mixing is suggested as a possible explanation for the low experimental value of polarization ratio observed for the (202¯1) devices.
Subwavelength lateral confinement of microwave surface waves
Authors: Brock Elizabeth M. G. , Hendry Euan , Hibbins Alastair P.
Published: August 2011

Experimental verification of the “domino plasmon,” recently proposed by Cano et al. [Opt. Express 18(2), 754, (2010)] is presented. Using microwaves, it is demonstrated that this mode propagates along a periodic chain of metallic cuboids (“dominos”) and the dispersion of the mode is determined with results being compared to the predictions of analytical and numerical models. This mode is found to be surprisingly insensitive to the lateral width of the chain, even on a subwavelength scale. Having such tight confinement, “domino plasmons” show considerable promise for one-dimensional subwavelength guiding and focusing of electromagnetic fields.
Public Business Advice in the Founding Process: An Empirical Evaluation of Subjective and Economic Effects
Authors: Kösters Sarah , Obschonka Martin
Published: August 2011

We investigate economic and subjective effects of public business advice delivered to nascent entrepreneurs in Germany. We analyze data from the Thuringian Founder Study, an interdisciplinary research project on innovative entrepreneurship. Employing cluster analysis, we first explore the actual scope and intensity of business advice used. Two distinct groups of policy take-up can be identified: (1) use of intense assistance across all areas, and (2) use of less-intensive assistance being limited to operational issues. Then we analyze personal entrepreneurial resources (human and social capital, entrepreneurial personality profile) as predictors of take-up and perceived usefulness taking into account the different patterns of utilized advice. Finally, we assess economic effects by studying subsequent business performance employing propensity score matching. We cannot reveal that business advice translated into better start-up performance, but our results indicate that advice may help founders with fewer resources to overcome barriers in the founding process. We find that a lack of personal entrepreneurial resources predicts take-up of business advice in general as well as perceived usefulness of comprehensive business advice.
Towards Fluid Territories in European Spatial Development: Regional Development Zones in Finland
Authors: Jauhiainen Jussi S , Moilanen Helka
Published: August 2011

In this paper territoriality is studied in the context of contemporary spatial development theories and practices in the European Union (EU). Primarily, territoriality is examined as a strategy for governing spatial development, and the focus is on the relationships between different modes of territoriality and governing. Territoriality is conceptualized bounded, networked, and fluid territory, and this is indicated in practice with examples of regional development zones (RDZs) in Finland. Potentially, RDZs could be tools to link the current territorial concepts of EU spatial development and poststructuralist spatial planning theories into practices for governing spatial development. Fluid territories—characterized by flexible boundaries, policy integration, and ‘governance of governance’ – emerge in spatial development theories and strategies. However, it is challenging to find proper tools for implementing them in practice. A broader consideration of agency, participation, and bottom-up development are crucial for fluid territory and its governing.
The Effects of Municipal Policy Strategies on Social Assistance Inflow and Outflow in the Netherlands, 1999–2007
Authors: Broersma Lourens , Edzes Arjen , van Dijk Jouke
Published: August 2011

Do the local labour market policies of municipalities matter? The scientific debate on such policies mainly concentrates on (1) the effectiveness of active labour market policies and programmes in terms of improving the labour market chances of jobless workers, and (2) the organization of labour market policy in terms of governance, management, and coordination or cooperation with neighbouring municipalities, educational institutes, etc. In this paper we explore both dimensions. We start by describing recent reforms in the Netherlands in which the financial responsibility for social assistance was decentralized to 443 municipalities. The effects of the labour market strategies of municipalities on social assistance inflow and outflow are then identified, measured, and compared in an empirical analysis. We find positive effects of control, activation, employment creation, and coordination strategies on social assistance inflow and outflow. This suggests that the activities of municipalities do matter, although the effects are small and differ across labour market strategies.
Syndecan-2 is a novel ligand for the protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor CD148
Authors: Whiteford James R. , Xian Xiaojie , Chaussade Claire , Vanhaesebroeck Bart , Nourshargh Sussan , Couchman John R.
Published: August 2011

Syndecan-2 is a heparan sulfate proteoglycan that has a cell adhesion regulatory domain contained within its extracellular core protein. Cell adhesion to the syndecan-2 extracellular domain (S2ED) is β1 integrin dependent; however, syndecan-2 is not an integrin ligand. Here the protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor CD148 is shown to be a key intermediary in cell adhesion to S2ED, with downstream β1 integrin–mediated adhesion and cytoskeletal organization. We show that S2ED is a novel ligand for CD148 and identify the region proximal to the transmembrane domain of syndecan-2 as the site of interaction with CD148. A mechanism for the transduction of the signal from CD148 to β1 integrins is elucidated requiring Src kinase and potential implication of the C2β isoform of phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase. Our data uncover a novel pathway for β1 integrin–mediated adhesion of importance in cellular processes such as angiogenesis and inflammation.
Infection with cytomegalovirus but not herpes simplex virus induces the accumulation of late-differentiated CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells in humans
Authors: Derhovanessian Evelyna , Maier Andrea B. , Hähnel Karin , Beck Robert , de Craen Anton J. M. , Slagboom Eline P. , Westendorp Rudi G. J. , Pawelec Graham
Published: August 2011

Human cytomegalovirus (CMV) establishes persistent, usually asymptomatic, infection in healthy people. Because CMV infection is associated with the presence of lower proportions of peripheral naïve CD8+ T-cells and a higher fraction of late-differentiated CD8+ cells, commonly taken as biomarkers of age-associated compromised adaptive immunity (‘immunosenescence’), we asked whether chronic exposure to any persistent virus mediates these effects. Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is also a widespread herpesvirus that establishes lifelong persistence, but, unlike CMV, its impact on the distribution of T-cell subsets has not been established. Here, we analysed T-cell subsets in 93 healthy people aged 42–81 years infected or not infected with CMV and/or HSV. Individuals harbouring CMV were confirmed to possess lower frequencies of naïve CD8+ T-cells (defined as CD45RA+CCR7+CD27+CD28+) and greater proportions of late-differentiated effector memory (CD45RA−CCR7−CD27−CD28−) and so-called TEMRA (CD45RA+CCR7−CD27−CD28−) CD4 and CD8 subsets, independent of HSV seropositivity. In CMV-seronegative donors, HSV did not affect T-cell subset distribution significantly. We conclude that these hallmarks of age-associated alterations to immune signatures are indeed observed in the general population in people infected with CMV and not those infected with a different persistent herpesvirus.
Images of Welfare in Law and Society: The British Welfare State in Comparative Perspective
Authors: Wincott Daniel
Published: August 2011

Designed by Beveridge and built by Attlee's post‐war Labour government, the welfare state was created during the 1940s. Britain has been seen – in domestic debates and internationally – as a world first: the place where both the idea and the practice of the welfare state were invented. I draw together comparative welfare state analysis with law and society scholarship (previously largely developed in isolation from one another) – as well as using British political cartoons as a source – to develop a revisionist historical critique of this conventional wisdom. First, the British welfare state has always been comparatively parsimonious. Second, the idea of the welfare state seems to have its origins outside the United Kingdom and this terminology was adopted relatively late and with some ambivalence in public debate and scholarly analysis. Third, a large body of socio‐legal scholarship shows that robust ‘welfare rights’ were never embedded in the British ‘welfare state’.