bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Engineering SDOF Model for Transverse VIV Response of a Cylinder in Uniform Steady Flow
Authors: Chaudhury Gautam
Published: March 2011

A new model for fluid structure interaction during vortex shedding process and associated vortex induced vibration (VIV) of a cylinder in transverse direction is proposed. The present work is based on restrained inline motion. Nevertheless, the model can be further extended to include inline interaction. This is not the scope of the present work. The model predicts the control of shedding frequency by reduced velocity and collapsing it to structure natural frequency. It captures the self-exciting and self-limiting nature of VIV excitations and adequately describes the transverse force and motions experienced by an oscillating cylinder in steady flow with lift, added mass, and damping. Thus, steady state responses obtained from the model represent the unique nature of VIV found in the laboratory over a range of reduced velocities of practical importance. The model will benefit future extension to include interaction due to inline motion such that a better VIV prediction could be obtained for free cylinder vibration.
A Computational Investigation on the Effects of Hull Geometry and Stiffeners on the Axial Crushing Strength and Behavior of Aluminum High Speed Crafts
Authors: Khedmati Mohammad Reza , Keivanfar Iraj
Published: March 2011

This work focuses on the crushing behavior of aluminum high speed crafts in the case of axial bow collision to a rigid structure. LS-DYNA code is used in analyses. Some available experimental prototypes tested under axial loading are first successfully simulated in the LS-DYNA environment. Then the effects of hull breadth, hull curvature, and longitudinal stiffeners on the crushing strength and behavior of the aluminum high speed craft are investigated in detail.
Heavily Doped Semiconductor Nanocrystal Quantum Dots
Authors: Mocatta David , Cohen Guy , Schattner Jonathan , Millo Oded , Rabani Eran , Banin Uri
Published: March 2011

Impurities can be added into semiconductor nanoparticles to control their electronic and optical properties.
Bacteria-Phage Antagonistic Coevolution in Soil
Authors: Gómez Pedro , Buckling Angus
Published: March 2011

Microcosm experiments show endless cycles of host and parasite adaptation in near natural populations.
Impurities Enhance Semiconductor Nanocrystal Performance
Authors: Cao Y. Charles
Published: March 2011

The electronic properties of free-standing semiconductor nanocrystals can be tuned by diffusing metallic impurities into them.
The Inquisitive West
Intellectual Curiosity and the Scientific Revolution
A Global Perspective

by Toby E. Huff

Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2011. 368 pp. $90, £60. ISBN 9781107000827. Paper, $27.99, £17.99. ISBN 9780521170529.
Authors: Ali Saleem H.
Published: March 2011

Offering a cultural perspective on Western dominance in the sciences, Huff emphasizes the importance of inquisitive impulses.
Phosphatase Inhibition Delays Translational Recovery
Authors: Wiseman R. Luke , Kelly Jeffery W.
Published: March 2011

A small molecule, guanabenz, increases survival of cells under stress.
When Science and the Media Mix
Authors: Reddy Christopher
Published: March 2011

As the devastating impacts of Japan's earthquake and tsunami continue to unfold, and concern over the Fukushima nuclear power plant grows, communication between scientists and the media has never been more vital. Fourteen years ago, journalist Jim Hartz and physicist Rick Chappell warned in their book
Worlds Apart: How the Distance Between Science and Journalism Threatens America's Future
that people are dangerously unenlightened about science's role in many aspects of life and society, in part because of the inability of scientists and journalists to understand each other. Today's relentless 24-hour media news cycle and blogosphere offer ample opportunities for both parties to provide politicians, policy-makers, and the public with scientific knowledge needed to inform their opinions and decisions. Yet the communication gap continues.
The Immortalist
Transcendent Man
The Life and Ideas of Ray Kurzweil

Barry Ptolemy, Director

Ptolemaic Productions and Therapy Studios, USA, 2009. 83 minutes. http://transcendentman.com/
Authors: Shermer Michael
Published: March 2011

Ptolemy's film spotlights Ray Kurzweil and his radically optimistic views of how technology will soon transform humanity's future.
Scientific Consensus on Great Quake Came Too Late
Authors: Normile Dennis
Published: March 2011

An obscure paper about an earthquake in 869 C.E. that destroyed a castle town in northeastern Japan and a subsequent tsunami that inundated the surrounding area is now at the center of a growing debate about how quickly scientific findings can and should influence disaster-mitigation policies.
In Indus Times, the River Didn't Run Through It
Authors: Lawler Andrew
Published: March 2011

At a meeting

last week, three independent teams offered preliminary evidence that the Ghaggar-Hakra River system was at most a modest seasonal stream during and after the Indus flourished from 2500 B.C.E. to 1900 B.C.E., which may prompt a re-evaluation of how Indus peoples acquired water for agriculture.
Pool at Stricken Reactor #4 Holds Answers to Key Safety Questions
Authors: Kintisch Eli
Published: March 2011

Of all the terrible news from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, reports about the spent fuel storage pool for reactor #4 may be among the most disconcerting for scientists.
A Road Map for Animal Rights
Authors: Miller Greg
Published: March 2011

Lawyer and legal scholar Steven Wise is preparing to file lawsuits on behalf of intelligent animals such as chimpanzees and dolphins in an attempt to convince courts that at least some nonhuman animals meet the requirements of legal personhood and should be accorded certain basic rights.
Adaptation of Lactobacillus plantarum IMDO 130201, a Wheat Sourdough Isolate, to Growth in Wheat Sourdough Simulation Medium at Different pH Values through Differential Gene Expression
Authors: Vrancken Gino , De Vuyst Luc , Rimaux Tom , Allemeersch Joke , Weckx Stefan
Published: April 2011

Sourdough is a very competitive and challenging environment for microorganisms. Usually, a stable microbiota composed of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and yeasts dominates this ecosystem. Although sourdough is rich in carbohydrates, thus providing an ideal environment for microorganisms to grow, its low pH presents a particular challenge. The nature of the adaptation to this low pH was investigated for
Lactobacillus plantarum
IMDO 130201, an isolate from a laboratory wheat sourdough fermentation. Batch fermentations were carried out in wheat sourdough simulation medium, and total RNA was isolated from mid-exponential-growth-phase cultures, followed by differential gene expression analysis using a LAB functional gene microarray. At low pH values, an increased expression of genes involved in peptide and amino acid metabolism was found as well as that of genes involved in plantaricin production and lipoteichoic acid biosynthesis. The results highlight cellular mechanisms that allow
L. plantarum
to function at a low environmental pH.
A Contingency Locus in
prfA
in a Listeria monocytogenes Subgroup Allows Reactivation of the PrfA Virulence Regulator during Infection in Mice
Authors: Lindbäck Toril , Secic Indira , Rørvik Liv Marit
Published: April 2011

A nonhemolytic
Listeria monocytogenes
strain isolated from a fish processing plant was avirulent in a plaque-forming assay and in a subcutaneous mouse virulence assay. However, it showed 60% lethality (9/15 mice) when 10
9
CFU were intraperitoneally injected into mice. Hemolytic
L. monocytogenes
bacteria were recovered from liver and spleen of the deceased mice, and the pulsed-field gel electrophoresis patterns were indistinguishable for the nonhemolytic and the hemolytic isolates. Sequencing of
prfA
from the nonhemolytic strain revealed a duplication of 7 bp in the helix-turn-helix region, resulting in a truncated PrfA protein. We propose that the direct repeat of 7 bp causes a reversible inactivation of
prfA
and that slipped-strand mispairing regulates the phase variation in hemolytic activity and virulence. Nonhemolytic
L. monocytogenes
strains with identical duplications in
prfA
were isolated from several sources in France, as well as in Norway, suggesting that the reversible inactivation described in this study is not an isolated event.
Generation of Multimillion-Sequence 16S rRNA Gene Libraries from Complex Microbial Communities by Assembling Paired-End Illumina Reads
Authors: Bartram Andrea K. , Lynch Michael D. J. , Stearns Jennifer C. , Moreno-Hagelsieb Gabriel , Neufeld Josh D.
Published: April 2011

Microbial communities host unparalleled taxonomic diversity. Adequate characterization of environmental and host-associated samples remains a challenge for microbiologists, despite the advent of 16S rRNA gene sequencing. In order to increase the depth of sampling for diverse bacterial communities, we developed a method for sequencing and assembling millions of paired-end reads from the 16S rRNA gene (spanning the V3 region; ∼200 nucleotides) by using an Illumina genome analyzer. To confirm reproducibility and to identify a suitable computational pipeline for data analysis, sequence libraries were prepared in duplicate for both a defined mixture of DNAs from known cultured bacterial isolates (>1 million postassembly sequences) and an Arctic tundra soil sample (>6 million postassembly sequences). The Illumina 16S rRNA gene libraries represent a substantial increase in number of sequences over all extant next-generation sequencing approaches (e.g., 454 pyrosequencing), while the assembly of paired-end 125-base reads offers a methodological advantage by incorporating an initial quality control step for each 16S rRNA gene sequence. This method incorporates indexed primers to enable the characterization of multiple microbial communities in a single flow cell lane, may be modified readily to target other variable regions or genes, and demonstrates unprecedented and economical access to DNAs from organisms that exist at low relative abundances.
In VitroandIn VivoStudies of Monoclonal Antibodies with Prominent Bactericidal Activity against Burkholderia pseudomallei and Burkholderia mallei
Authors: Zhang Shimin , Feng Shaw-Huey , Li Bingjie , Kim Hyung-Yong , Rodriguez Joe , Tsai Shien , Lo Shyh-Ching
Published: March 2011

Our laboratory has developed more than a hundred mouse monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) againstBurkholderia pseudomalleiandBurkholderia mallei. These antibodies have been categorized into different groups based on their specificities and the biochemical natures of their target antigens. The current study first examined the bactericidal activities of a number of these MAbs by anin vitroopsonic assay. Then, thein vivoprotective efficacy of selected MAbs was evaluated using BALB/c mice challenged intranasally with a lethal dose of the bacteria. The opsonic assay using dimethyl sulfoxide-treated human HL-60 cells as phagocytes revealed that 19 out of 47 tested MAbs (40%) have prominent bactericidal activities againstB. pseudomalleiand/orB. mallei. Interestingly, all MAbs with strong opsonic activities are those with specificity against either the capsular polysaccharides (PS) or the lipopolysaccharides (LPS) of the bacteria. On the other hand, none of the MAbs reacting to bacterial proteins or glycoproteins showed prominent bactericidal activity. Further study revealed that the antigenic epitopes on either the capsular PS or LPS molecules were readily available for binding in intact bacteria, while the epitopes on proteins/glycoproteins were less accessible to the MAbs. Ourin vivostudy showed that four MAbs reactive to either the capsular PS or LPS were highly effective in protecting mice against lethal bacterial challenge. The result is compatible with that of ourin vitrostudy. The MAbs with the highest protective efficacy are those reactive to either the capsular PS or LPS of theBurkholderiabacteria.
Genome Sequence of “Pedosphaera parvula” Ellin514, an Aerobic Verrucomicrobial Isolate from Pasture Soil
Authors: Kant Ravi , van Passel Mark W. J. , Sangwan Parveen , Palva Airi , Lucas Susan , Copeland Alex , Lapidus Alla , Glavina del Rio Tijana , Dalin Eileen , Tice Hope , Bruce David , Goodwin Lynne , Pitluck Sam , Chertkov Olga , Larimer Frank W. , Land Miriam L. , Hauser Loren , Brettin Thomas S. , Detter John C. , Han Shunsheng , de Vos Willem M. , Janssen Peter H. , Smidt Hauke
Published: April 2011

“
Pedosphaera parvula
” Ellin514 is an aerobically grown verrucomicrobial isolate from pasture soil. It is one of the few cultured representatives of subdivision 3 of the phylum
Verrucomicrobia
. Members of this group are widespread in terrestrial environments.
Complete Genome Sequence of the Thermophilic Bacterium Exiguobacterium sp. AT1b
Authors: Vishnivetskaya Tatiana A. , Lucas Susan , Copeland Alex , Lapidus Alla , Glavina del Rio Tijana , Dalin E. , Tice Hope , Bruce David C. , Goodwin Lynne A. , Pitluck Sam , Saunders E. , Brettin Tom , Detter Chris , Han Cliff , Larimer Frank , Land Miriam L. , Hauser Loren J. , Kyrpides Nikos C. , Ovchinnikova Galina , Kathariou Sophia , Ramaley Robert F. , Rodrigues Debora F. , Hendrix Christie , Richardson Paul , Tiedje James M.
Published: April 2011

Here we present the genome of strain
Exiguobacterium
sp. AT1b, a thermophilic member of the genus
Exiguobacterium
whose representatives were isolated from various environments along a thermal and physicochemical gradient. This genome was sequenced to be a comparative resource for the study of thermal adaptation with a psychroactive representative of the genus,
Exiguobacterium sibiricum
strain 255-15, that was previously sequenced by the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) Joint Genome Institute (JGI) (
http://genome.ornl.gov/microbial/exig/
).
Genome of Streptococcus oralis Strain Uo5
Authors: Reichmann Peter , Nuhn Michael , Denapaite Dalia , Brückner Reinhold , Henrich Bernhard , Maurer Patrick , Rieger Martin , Klages Sven , Reinhard Richard , Hakenbeck Regine
Published: April 2011

Streptococcus oralis
, a commensal species of the human oral cavity, belongs to the Mitis group of streptococci, which includes one of the major human pathogens as well,
S. pneumoniae
. We report here the first complete genome sequence of this species.
S. oralis
Uo5, a high-level penicillin- and multiple-antibiotic-resistant isolate from Hungary, is competent for genetic transformation under laboratory conditions. Comparative and functional genomics of Uo5 will be important in understanding the evolution of pathogenesis among Mitis streptococci and their potential to engage in interspecies gene transfer.
Detection of Respiratory Viruses by PCR Assay of Nasopharyngeal Swabs Stored in Skim Milk-Tryptone-Glucose-Glycerol Transport Medium
Authors: Turner Paul , Po Linda , Turner Claudia , Goldblatt David , Nosten Francois
Published: March 2011

We analyzed 129 paired nasopharyngeal aspirates (stored in viral transport medium [VTM]) and nasopharyngeal swabs (stored in skim milk-tryptone-glucose-glycerol [STGG] bacterial transport and storage medium) using PCRs to detect adenoviruses, influenza virus A or B, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Overall, swabs stored in STGG medium without antimicrobials were found to be an acceptable alternative to aspirates stored in antimicrobial-containing VTM, with PCR agreement of 90.2% (kappa of 0.8).
Distinct Proteinase K-Resistant Prion Protein Fragment in Goats with No Signs of Disease in a Classical Scrapie Outbreak
Authors: Bouzalas Ilias G. , Lörtscher Florian , Dovas Chrysostomos I. , Oevermann Anna , Langeveld Jan P. M. , Papanastassopoulou Maria , Papadopoulos Orestis , Zurbriggen Andreas , Seuberlich Torsten
Published: March 2011

Considerable efforts have been directed toward the identification of small-ruminant prion diseases, i.e., classical and atypical scrapie as well as bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). Here we report the in-depth molecular analysis of the proteinase K-resistant prion protein core fragment (PrP
res
) in a highly scrapie-affected goat flock in Greece. The PrP
res
profile by Western immunoblotting in most animals was that of classical scrapie in sheep. However, in a series of clinically healthy goats we identified a unique C- and N-terminally truncated PrP
res
fragment, which is akin but not identical to that observed for atypical scrapie. These findings reveal novel aspects of the nature and diversity of the molecular PrP
res
phenotypes in goats and suggest that these animals display a previously unrecognized prion protein disorder.
Performance of a New MicroScan WalkAway PC30 Panel and Disk Diffusion Method for Detection of Oxacillin Resistance in Staphylococcus spp
Authors: Gallon Olivier , Pina Patrick , Gravet Alain , Laurent Frederic , Lamy Brigitte , Delarbre Jean-Marie , Doucet-Populaire F. , Decousser J. W. ,   the College de Bacteriologie Virologie Hygiene Study Group
Published: March 2011

The performance of the MicroScan WalkAway PC30 panel for detection of oxacillin resistance was evaluated by use of a collection of 420 staphylococcus isolates. The addition of a cefoxitin test (4 mg/liter) to the oxacillin MIC determination increased its raw performance for
Staphylococcus aureus
; additional data were required for coagulase-negative staphylococci.
Phenotypic and Molecular Characterization of Acinetobacter Clinical Isolates Obtained from Inmates of California Correctional Facilities
Authors: Golanbar Galarah D. , Lam Christopher K. , Chu Yi-Ming , Cueva Carla , Tan Stephanie W. , Silva Isba , Xu H. Howard
Published: March 2011

Acinetobacter
spp. increasingly have been wreaking havoc in hospitals and communities worldwide. Although much has been reported regarding
Acinetobacter
isolates responsible for nosocomial infections, little is known about these organisms in correctional facilities. In this study, we performed species identification, examined the antibiotic resistance profiles, and determined the mechanisms of resistance and clonal relationships of 123
Acinetobacter
isolates obtained from inmates of 20 California correctional facilities (CCFs). We found that 57.7% of the isolates belong to
A. baumannii
, followed by isolates of
Acinetobacter
genomic species 3 (gen. sp. 3; 23.6%) and of
Acinetobacter
gen. sp. 13TU (10.6%). Multidrug-resistant (MDR) CCF isolates were found in only six CCFs. Additionally, DNA sequences of
gyrA
and
parC
genes were consistent with fluoroquinolone (FQ) susceptibility phenotypes. Furthermore, the presence of class 1 integrons was detected in 15 CCF isolates, all of which are MDR. Integron-associated gene cassettes encode several aminoglycoside modification enzymes, which correlate with most of the aminoglycoside-resistant phenotypes. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing in the presence of Phe-Arg-β-naphthylamide dihydrochloride and 1-(1-naphthylmethyl)-piperazine indicated the involvement of efflux pumps in the FQ resistance of only a few CCF isolates. Finally, genetic profiling showed that there was no evidence of
A. baumannii
outbreaks in CCFs. Instead, our analyses revealed only limited clonal dissemination of mostly non-MDR
A. baumannii
strains in a few facilities. This study represents the first report to characterize phenotypic and molecular features of
Acinetobacter
isolates in correctional facilities, which provides a baseline for monitoring the antimicrobial resistance changes and dissemination patterns of these organisms in such specialized institutions.
Two Distinct Conformations of a Rinderpest Virus Epitope Presented by Bovine Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I N*01801: a Host Strategy To Present Featured Peptides
Authors: Li Xin , Liu Jun , Qi Jianxun , Gao Feng , Li Qirun , Li Xiaoying , Zhang Nianzhi , Xia Chun , Gao George F.
Published: March 2011

The presentation of viral peptide epitopes to host cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) is crucial for adaptive cellular immunity to clear the virus infection, especially for some chronic viral infections. Indeed, hosts have developed effective strategies to achieve this goal. The ideal scenario would be that the peptide epitopes stimulate a broad spectrum of CTL responses with diversified T-cell receptor (TCR) usage (the TCR repertoire). It is believed that a diversified TCR repertoire requires a “featured” peptide to be presented by the host major histocompatibility complex (MHC). A featured peptide can be processed and presented in a number of ways. Here, using the X-ray diffraction method, the crystal structures of an antigenic peptide derived from rinderpest virus presented by bovine MHC class I N*01801 (BoLA-A11) have been solved, and two distinct conformations of the presented peptide are clearly displayed. A detailed analysis of the structure and comparative sequences revealed that the polymorphic amino acid isoleucine 73 (Ile73) is extremely flexible, allowing the MHC groove to adopt different conformations to accommodate the rinderpest virus peptide. This makes the peptide more featured by exposing different amino acids for T-cell recognition. The crystal structures also demonstrated that the N*01801 molecule has an unusually large A pocket, resulting in the special conformation of the P1 residue at the N terminus of the peptide. We propose that this strategy of host peptide presentation might be beneficial for creating a diversified TCR repertoire, which is important for a more-effective CTL response.
Anterograde Transport of Herpes Simplex Virus Capsids in Neurons by both Separate and Married Mechanisms
Authors: Wisner Todd W. , Sugimoto Ken , Howard Paul W. , Kawaguchi Yasushi , Johnson David C.
Published: March 2011

Anterograde transport of herpes simplex virus (HSV) from neuronal cell bodies into, and down, axons is a fundamentally important process for spread to other hosts. Different techniques for imaging HSV in axons have produced two models for how virus particles are transported in axons. In the Separate model, viral nucleocapsids devoid of the viral envelope and membrane glycoproteins are transported in axons. In the Married model, enveloped HSV particles (with the viral glycoproteins) encased within membrane vesicles are transported in the anterograde direction. Earlier studies of HSV-infected human neurons involving electron microscopy (EM) and immunofluorescence staining of glycoproteins and capsids supported the Separate model. However, more-recent live-cell imaging of rat, chicken, and mouse neurons produced evidence supporting the Married model. In a recent EM study, a mixture of Married (75%) and Separate (25%) HSV particles was observed. Here, we studied an HSV recombinant expressing a fluorescent form of the viral glycoprotein gB and a fluorescent capsid protein (VP26), observing that human SK-N-SH neurons contained both Separate (the majority) and Married particles. Live-cell imaging of rat superior cervical ganglion (SCG) neuronal axons in a chamber system (which oriented the axons) also produced evidence of Separate and Married particles. Together, our results suggest that one can observe anterograde transport of both HSV capsids and enveloped virus particles depending on which neurons are cultured and how the neurons are imaged.
Herpes Simplex Virus 1 ICP4 Forms Complexes with TFIID and Mediator in Virus-Infected Cells
Authors: Lester Jonathan T. , DeLuca Neal A.
Published: March 2011

The infected cell polypeptide 4 (ICP4) of herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) is a regulator of viral transcription that is required for productive infection. Since viral genes are transcribed by cellular RNA polymerase II (RNA pol II), ICP4 must interact with components of the pol II machinery to regulate viral gene expression. It has been shown previously that ICP4 interacts with TATA box-binding protein (TBP), TFIIB, and the TBP-associated factor 1 (TAF1)
in vitro
. In this study, ICP4-containing complexes were isolated from infected cells by tandem affinity purification (TAP). Forty-six proteins that copurified with ICP4 were identified by mass spectrometry. Additional copurifying proteins were identified by Western blot analysis. These included 11 components of TFIID and 4 components of the Mediator complex. The significance of the ICP4-Mediator interaction was further investigated using immunofluorescence and chromatin immunoprecipitation. Mediator was found to colocalize with ICP4 starting at early and continuing into late times of infection. In addition, Mediator was recruited to viral promoters in an ICP4-dependent manner. Taken together, the data suggest that ICP4 interacts with components of TFIID and Mediator in the context of viral infection, and this may explain the broad transactivation properties of ICP4.
Dengue Virus Type 3 Isolated from a Fatal Case with Visceral Complications Induces Enhanced Proinflammatory Responses and Apoptosis of Human Dendritic Cells
Authors: Silveira Guilherme F. , Meyer Florencia , Delfraro Adriana , Mosimann Ana Luiza P. , Coluchi Norma , Vasquez Cyntia , Probst Christian M. , Báfica André , Bordignon Juliano , dos Santos Claudia N. Duarte
Published: March 2011

A recent (2007 to 2009) dengue outbreak caused by dengue virus (DENV) in Paraguay presented unusual severe clinical outcomes associated with 50% mortality rates. Although it has been reported that inflammatory responses influence the severity of dengue virus infection (T. Pang, M. J. Cardosa, and M. G. Guzman, Immunol. Cell Biol. 85:43–45, 2007), there remains a paucity of information on virus-innate immunity interactions influencing clinical outcome. Using human dendritic cells from a major innate immune cell population as an
in vitro
model, we have investigated signature cytokine responses as well as infectivity-replicative profiles of DENV clinical isolates from either a nonfatal case of classical dengue fever (strain DENV3/290; isolated in Brazil in 2002) or a fatal case of dengue fever with visceral complications isolated in Paraguay in 2007 (strain DENV3/5532). Strain DENV3/5532 was found to display significantly higher replicative ability than DENV3/290 in monocyte-derived dendritic cells (mdDCs). In addition, compared to DENV3/290 results, mdDCs exposed to DENV3/5532 showed increased production of proinflammatory cytokines associated with higher rates of programmed cell death, as shown by annexin V staining. The observed phenotype was due to viral replication, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) appears to exert a protective effect on virus-induced mdDC apoptosis. These results suggest that the DENV3/5532 strain isolated from the fatal case replicates within human dendritic cells, modulating cell survival and synthesis of inflammatory mediators.
Retention of CD4
+
CD25
+
FoxP3
+
Regulatory T Cells in the Liver after Therapy-Induced Hepatitis C Virus Eradication in Humans
Authors: Claassen Mark A. A. , de Knegt Robert J. , Janssen Harry L. A. , Boonstra André
Published: March 2011

Following infection with the hepatitis C virus (HCV), in most cases immunity fails to eradicate the virus, resulting in slowly progressing immunopathology in the HCV-infected liver. We are the first to examine intrahepatic T cells and CD4
+
CD25
+
FoxP3
+
regulatory T cells (Treg) in patients chronically infected with HCV (chronic HCV patients) during and after antiviral therapy by collecting multiple aspiration biopsy samples from the liver at different time points. We found that intrahepatic Treg frequencies were increased upon alpha interferon and ribavirin administration in about 50% of chronic HCV patients, suggesting stronger regulation of intrahepatic immunity by Treg during antiviral therapy. After cessation of antiviral therapy, the frequency of intrahepatic Treg remained above baseline in the large majority of livers of individuals who successfully cleared the virus. The phenotype of those Treg that were retained in the liver months after therapy-induced clearance of HCV RNA indicated a reduced contribution of effector memory cells. Our findings, gathered by multiple samplings of the liver, indicate that successful antiviral therapy of chronic HCV patients does not lead to normalization of the local immune response to a resting state comparable to that for healthy livers. The continuous presence of high numbers of Treg, with a phenotype reflecting a relatively weak suppressive activity, suggests ongoing residual regulation of immunopathology. These findings provide important insight into the dynamics of the immune response to HCV, as well as the effect of therapy on intrahepatic immunity.
Use of advanced statistical learning methods and principal component analysis in quantitative structure–genotoxicity relationship study of amines
Authors: Ren Yueying , Zhao Baowei , Yao Xiaojun
Published: March 2011

The paper highlighted the use of advanced nonlinear modeling and subset selection techniques in the construction of a good, predictive model for genotoxicity study of amines. Essentials accounting for a reliable model were all considered carefully. Chemicals were represented by a large number of CODESSA descriptors. Division of a whole sample into the training set and the test set was performed by principal component analysis (PCA). Six descriptors selected by the best multi-linear regression (BMLR) method in CODESSA program were used as inputs to build nonlinear models, using advanced statistical learning methods such as support vector machine (SVM) and projection pursuit regression (PPR). The models were validated through three ways, i.e. internal cross-validation (CV), a test set and an independent validation set. Analysis shows that nonlinear models produced better results than linear models and PPR model outperforms the rest in the following order: PPR > SVM > linear SVM ≥ BMLR. In addition, the relationships between the descriptors and the mutagenic behavior of compounds are well discussed.
Standard and reversible anodic potentials of the electrosynthesis of peroxodisulfates at 0–50 °C
Authors: Balej Jan
Published: March 2011

Standard potentials of the couples S2O82–/SO42– and S2O82–/HSO4– in the temperature range 0–50 °C and reversible anodic potentials of the electrosynthesis of peroxodisulfates at various initial concentrations of M2SO4 and H2SO4, various conversion degree of sulfate to peroxodisulfate in the same temperature range under neglecting the effect of activity coefficients of reaction components have been derived. Reversible anodic potentials of the electrosynthesis of almost saturated solutions of ammonium peroxodisulfate in the temperature range 10–40 °C under various reaction conditions have been calculated on taking into account the corresponding activity coefficients. It has been shown that the reversible anodic potentials under respecting activity coefficients of reaction components are by about 20–30 mV higher. The results of this contribution can be applied to all chemical or electrochemical reactions of peroxodisulfates.
A Pilot Study of St36 Acupuncture for Infantile Colic
Authors: Skjeie Holgeir , Skonnord Trygve , Fetveit Arne , Brekke Mette
Published: March 2011

Objective

To conduct a pilot study to assess the feasibility of a proposed design of an acupuncture trial to relieve symptoms of infantile colic.

Method

An open randomised single-blinded controlled trial, using standardised bilateral treatment of the acupuncture point ST36. Infants fulfilling Wessel's definition of infantile colic were included. Patients were randomised to active treatment or to no-treatment control. General practitioners (GPs) educated in Western medical acupuncture did the interventions. Parents and GPs’ assistants were blinded. Active treatment was the bilateral insertion of 0.20×15 mm Seirin needles to 12 mm depth at ST36. The intervention consisted of daily treatments of 30 s duration for three consecutive workdays. Blinding was done with a red point mark on the skin and circular adhesive dressing covering. The parents were asked two blinding validation questions in the course of the study period. The primary end point was the effect of the intervention assessed as change in crying time per 24 h measured with a crying registration form.

Results

The authors improved the standardisation and changed the blinding procedure as a result of the pilot study. Blinding validation questions were considered necessary. The changes made in the main study protocol are discussed.

Conclusion

The pilot study led to important changes that were implemented into the final trial protocol. Blinding validation is essential in no-treatment controlled trials of acupuncture on infants, where the parents are blinded assessors of symptom reduction. The authors suggest that blinding validation questions, and the answers to these questions, should be reported. Clinical Trial Registry Identifier: NCT00907621.
The significance of caveolae in the glomeruli in glomerular disease
Authors: Moriyama Takahito , Tsuruta Yuki , Shimizu Ari , Itabashi Mitsuyo , Takei Takashi , Horita Shigeru , Uchida Keiko , Nitta Kosaku
Published: March 2011

Aims

The aim of this study was to demonstrate expression of cell membrane invagination ‘caveolae’ in glomeruli and to correlate this with functional and structural characteristics of the human glomerular diseases.

Methods

The expression of caveolin-1 (Cav-1), which is the main component of caveolae, was examined in the glomeruli, and the relationship between Cav-1 expression and pathological and clinical findings was determined in 99 patients with glomerular disease and in 50 renal transplantation donors as controls.

Results

Cav-1 was expressed very weakly in the controls, and the area of Cav-1 expression relative to the total glomerular area was 0.57±0.65%. However, the area of Cav-1 expression was significantly larger in each glomerular disease (IgA nephropathy, 1.05±1.36%, p<0.05; crescent glomerulonephritis, 1.86±1.19%, p<0.001; minimal change disease, 2.38±1.24%, p<0.001; focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, 2.88±2.05%, p<0.01; membranous nephritis, 4.27±2.95%, p<0.001; membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, 4.49±3.15%, p<0.001; and diabetic nephropathy, 2.45±1.52%, p<0.001; compared with the controls. Cav-1 expression was significantly decreased in glomerular disease treated with steroids. Co-localisation of Cav-1 and the endothelial marker ‘pathologische anatomie leiden-endothelium’ was prominent in an immunofluorescence study, and caveolae on the glomerular endothelial cells were observed in electron microscopy.

Conclusions

The expression of Cav-1 was significantly increased in the glomeruli of patients with glomerular disease, and it was related to urinary albumin excretion. Cav-1 expression and caveolae were observed in glomerular endothelial cells. It is hypothesised that they play a role in the recovery phase of capillary injury or endocytosis of albumin into endothelial cells. Basic research should be performed to elucidate the role played by Cav-1 and caveolae.
‘If-then’ planning in one-to-one behaviour change counselling is effective in promoting contraceptive adherence in teenagers
Authors: Martin Jilly , Slade Pauline , Sheeran Paschal , Wright Alison , Dibble Tracey
Published: March 2011

Background

Family planning clinicians were trained to provide one-to-one behaviour change counselling to deprived teenage women. They facilitated ‘if-then’ planning designed to increase adherence to contraception and to overcome potential barriers to adherence.

Methods

Reasons for consultation at the clinic were obtained from electronic records and compared before and after the intervention.

Results

It was found that consultation for emergency contraception and pregnancy testing was reduced by 15% (49% vs 34%) after making if-then plans. This compared to a 4% reduction in a usual care comparison group. Changes in reasons for consultation before and after the intervention were also explored. Positive changes in behaviour were exhibited in 53% of the group who made if-then plans compared to 28% of the usual care comparison group. Changes in reasons for consultation over time were significant in the counselling group (n= 87,p= 0.035) but not in the comparison group (n= 79,p= 0.68).

Conclusion

These findings provide evidence that training clinicians in psychological behaviour change techniques such as if-then planning can be effective in influencing contraceptive consultation patterns among teenage women.
Does hormone replacement therapy cause breast cancer? An application of causal principles to three studies: Table 1
Authors: Shapiro Samuel , Farmer Richard D T , Seaman Helen , Stevenson John C , Mueck Alfred O
Published: March 2011

Background

Concern that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may cause breast cancer has existed since the time it was introduced, and based on evidence in three studies, the Collaborative Reanalysis (CR), the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) and the Million Women Study (MWS), it is claimed that causality is now established.

Objective

To evaluate the evidence for causality in the three studies.

Methods

Using generally accepted causal criteria, in this paper the authors begin with an evaluation of the CR. Analogous evaluations of the WHI and MWS will follow.

Results

The findings in the CR did not adequately satisfy the criteria of time order, bias, confounding, statistical stability and strength of association, dose/duration-response, internal consistency, external consistency or biological plausibility.

Conclusion

HRT may or may not increase the risk of breast cancer, but the CR did not establish that it does.
Tacitly consenting to donate one's organs
Authors: den Hartogh Govert
Published: March 2011

The common objection to opt-out systems of postmortal organ procurement is that they allow removal of a deceased person's organs without their actual consent. However, under certain conditions it is possible for ‘silence’—failure to register any objection—conventionally and/or legally to count as genuine consent. Prominent conditions are that the consenter should be fully informed about the meaning of his or her silence and that the costs of registering dissent should be insignificant. This paper explicates this thesis and discusses some possible objections to it: (1) it cannot possibly be guaranteed that each citizen is aware of the meaning of silence; and (2) the system is slightly manipulative because it exploits a common defect in autonomous decision-making.
Bioethics in a clinic for women with psychosis
Authors: Seeman Mary V , Seeman Bob
Published: March 2011

Clinical ethics takes on a special cast in a rehabilitation clinic for psychosis where many patients come from severely disadvantaged backgrounds and many suffer from fluctuating decisional capacity. This paper illustrates several ethical issues—truth telling and partiality, prescribing concealed medication, questionable billing practices, industry collaboration, limits of confidentiality, grounds for abandonment and the primacy of autonomy—in the hope that discussing such matters will lead to a clearer framework for work with this population.
Neuroimaging in non-accidental head injury in children: an important element of assessment
Authors: Rajaram S , Batty R , Rittey C D C , Griffiths P D , Connolly D J A
Published: March 2011

Head injury from physical abuse is unfortunately a common occurrence in our society. It is a major cause of mortality and long-term physical and psychological disability in children. Diagnosis of non-accidental head injury may be difficult, as most infants present with non-specific clinical findings and without external signs of trauma. Neuroimaging plays a fundamental role both for medical management and medicolegal aspects of child abuse. It is therefore imperative for the radiologist to promptly recognise the radiological findings of various forms of non-accidental head injury to render a more accurate opinion. A standardised imaging protocol and good communication between professionals are essential for optimum management.
THE GRAPHENE-SiC SUBSTRATE INTERACTION ENHANCED NEAR-INFRARED ABSORPTION
Authors: XU X. G. , YIN R. , XU G. J. , CAO J. C.
Published: March 2011

When epitaxially grown on silicon carbide, a single layer graphene will exhibit a finite energy bandgap like a conventional semiconductor, and its energy dispersion is no longer linear in momentum space in the low energy regime. In this paper, we present a quantitative analysis on the effect of the SiC substrate in the optical absorption of π-electrons in graphene. We calculated the absorption matrix element and the optical absorption in the near infrared even to the visible region by taking into account the SiC substrate effect. It has been found that the substrate effect can significantly enhance the optical absorption in graphene in the near-infrared region, even by up to 90%. It may be helpful to eliminate the previous discrepancy of optical transmission between the theoretical results and the experimental results in the near-infrared to the visible region.
ENHANCED MULTIFERROIC PROPERTIES OF BiFeO3 CERAMICS BY Mo DOPING
Authors: ZHANG X. , ZHANG G. Q. , MIAO J. , XU X. G. , JIANG Y.
Published: March 2011

We have investigated the magnetic and electrical properties of multiferroic BiFe 1-x Mo x O 3 ceramics ( BFMO , x = 0.0%, 0.2%, 0.5% and 0.8%) prepared by the sol–gel method. The phase structure of BFMO samples were confirmed by X-ray diffraction. It was found that the substitution of Mo is responsible for the increasing of the magnetization in BFMO ceramics. Moreover, both dielectric and polarization-electric field properties suggest that the Mo doping could improve the dielectric and ferroelectric properties in BFMO ceramic.
MONTE CARLO SIMULATION OF THE TRANSPORT OF ELECTRONS IN SEMI-INFINITE SOLIDS: THE EFFECT OF THE FIRST TRANSPORT CROSS-SECTION
Authors: BENTABET A.
Published: March 2011

The purpose of this work is to show the hidden effect of the first transport cross-section in the study of the beam electrons transport impinging in solid targets by using the Monte Carlo method. For this, our study is based on our model of differential elastic cross-section given [A. Bentabet, Z. Chaoui, A. Aydin and A. Azbouche, Vacuum85 (2010) 156] by leaving only one free parameter adjusted, on one hand, to the elastic total cross-section and to transport cross-section, on the other hand. We think that this work is useful for those who develop semi-empirical or analytical models of elastic cross-sections. The present work deals with the total elastic cross-section, the first transport cross-section, the diffusion polar angle and the backscattering coefficient, from low energy electrons, normally incident, impinging on Al , Si , Ag and Au solid targets, where the results are compared to those of the literature and discussed.
EFFECT OF Mn SUBSTITUTION ON MARTENSITIC TRANSFORMATION TEMPERATURE IN Ni–Mn–Ga SHAPE MEMORY ALLOY
Authors: PUSHPANATHAN K. , PERUMAN K. VALLAL , SEENITHURAI S. , PANDYAN R. KODI , MAHENDRAN M.
Published: March 2011

Ferromagnetic shape memory alloy (FSMA) is one of the smart materials which finds increasing industrial applications. This paper deals with the effect of Mn substitution for Ga on martensitic and magnetic transformation temperature of polycrystalline Ni – Mn – Ga alloy prepared in argon atmosphere. The prepared alloy has been characterized by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), and superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID). Magnetic property of alloy has been analyzed with vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). From the VSM measurement, it is studied that the saturation magnetization of polycrystalline ferromagnetic shape memory occurs at high magnetic field. The main finding of this article is the raise in transformation temperature by 28 K/atom. As the working temperature is above room temperature, it seems to be a promising candidate for practical applications. The result reported here may help for further research in the field of polycrystalline Ni – Mn – Ga alloy.
COMPARISON OF EQUATION OF STATE AND THE FOUR-PARAMETERLiEQUATION OF STATE IN ALLOY
Authors: CHENG XIYUE , KONG YI
Published: March 2011

Eleven types of the equation of state (EOS) are compared and classified into two groups, linear EOS and exponential EOS. The qualities of these two EOS groups are then verified with the data of 50 alloys. Through the comparison, it is found that the exponential Li equation gives a more reliable result when the fitting energy versus volume points are scattered in a wide scale or have a large number of data to fit. However, when the fitting data concentrate is in a small area near the equilibrium point, the linear four-parameter Birch–Murnaghan EOS has a better fitting result. Moreover, it is found that the Li equation has the best performance among these exponential EOSs with the smallest fitting errors. Additionally, there is a correlation found to be (PC/B0)/[(VC/V0)/V0] ≈ 0.3087 between ultimate strength PCand critical volume VCfor the stable phases among the studied alloys.
VOLUME DEPENDENCE OF GRÜNEISEN RATIO FOR LOWER MANTLE AND CORE OF THE EARTH
Authors: SRIVASTAVA S. K.
Published: March 2011

In this study, we have examined the various formulations for volume dependence of the Grüneisen ratio, γ. The thermodynamic constraints for γ∞, q∞and λ∞have been used to discuss the validity of various relationships. The volume dependence of γ and its derivatives, reported by Stacey and Davis [F. D. Stacey and P. M. Davis, Phys. Earth Planet. Inter.142 (2004) 137–184], are analyzed. The Al'tshuler et al.'s relationship of γ(V), widely used in recent literature, has been found to be inadequate on the variation of λ with compression. The estimates of γ, q and λ are obtained with the combination of generalized free volume theory and reciprocal K-prime equations of state for the Earth's interior.
ON THE POSSIBILITY OF FERROMAGNETISM AND HALF-METALLICITY IN LOCAL MOMENT SYSTEMS
Authors: HARITHA L. , REDDY G. GANGADHAR , RAMAKANTH A.
Published: March 2011

We use the Kondo lattice model to investigate the possibility of ferromagnetism and half-metallicity in local moment systems. Using the spectral density approach and making use of the fact that the spontaneous magnetization of local moment and the itinerant electron polarization are coupled, we derive an expression for the paramagnetic susceptibility. The magnetic ordering temperature is determined from the singularities of the susceptibility. The magnetic phase diagram is constructed in T - n (band filling) plane. It is found that ferromagnetism is possible only for small values of n. It is also found that the temperature drives the transition of the system from half-metal to metal.
RAISING THE PERFORMANCE OF AUTOMATIC SIGNATURE VERIFICATION OVER THAT OBTAINABLE BY USING THE BEST FEATURE SET
Authors: AMMAR MAAN
Published: March 2011

For decades, published works on Automatic Signature Verification (ASV) that use threshold-based decision, depended on using one feature set for verification. Some researchers selected this feature set based on their experience, and others selected it using some feature selection algorithms that can select the best feature set (gives the highest performance). In practical systems, the signature data could be noisy, and recognition of the check writer in multi-signatory accounts is required. Due to the error caused by such requirements and data quality, improving the performance becomes a necessity. In this paper, a new technique for ASV decision making use of Multi-Sets of Features (MSF) is introduced. The new technique and its motivation are explained, and a precise evaluation of its efficiency is made. The experimental results have shown that the new technique gives important improvement in forgery detection and in the overall performance. This technique which was developed within an integrated plan of building a commercial offline ASV system to work in the actual USA banks environment was tested during the prototyping period with about 1000 signature samples, and has already been in use for years as a component of a cooperative decision making ASV system that tests over a million check signature every day without any false acceptance (False Acceptance = 0).