bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Human Breast Tumor Cells Induce Self-Tolerance Mechanisms to Avoid NKG2D-Mediated and DNAM-Mediated NK Cell Recognition
Authors: Mamessier Emilie , Sylvain Aude , Bertucci François , Castellano Rémy , Finetti Pascal , Houvenaeghel Gilles , Charaffe-Jaufret Emmanuelle , Birnbaum Daniel , Moretta Alessandro , Olive Daniel
Published: September 2011

Breast cancer is the leading cause of death for women between the ages of 35 to 65. This is mostly due to intertumor heterogeneity and the lack of specific therapies for all subtypes. However, some breast cancers with an unexpected good prognosis are associated with enhanced antitumor immunity in situ. We studied whether breast cancer subtypes might have different susceptibilities to natural killer (NK) cells' antitumor immunity. We collected a large public set of microarray data for primary breast tumors and determined NK cell ligand expression. We found that despite heterogeneous levels of inhibitory HLA members, NKG2D ligands and DNAM ligands are expressed in virtually all breast tumor subtypes. Functional experiments in breast cancer subtypes expressing various levels of NK cell ligands showed that NK-mediated cytotoxicity is mainly HLA, NKG2D, and DNAM dependent. In parallel, we showed that cell lines and primary breast tumor cells secrete soluble inhibitory factors that alter NK cell functions. Finally, we showed that these mechanisms of escape occur in vivo in the MMTV-Neu model of spontaneous murine breast cancer. Our study shows that breast cancer cells, independent of the subtype, have developed different mechanisms to escape from NK cells' antitumor immunity. These results emphasize the role of NK cells in breast tumor clearance and underlie the importance of devising future therapy aiming at enhancing NK cell–mediated recognition in parallel with the prevention of the tumor-editing process. Cancer Res; 71(21); 6621–32. ©2011 AACR.
Binding of the JmjC Demethylase JARID1B to LSD1/NuRD Suppresses Angiogenesis and Metastasis in Breast Cancer Cells by Repressing Chemokine CCL14
Authors: Li Qian , Shi Lei , Gui Bin , Yu Wenhua , Wang Jiamu , Zhang Di , Han Xiao , Yao Zhi , Shang Yongfeng
Published: September 2011

JARID1B is a member of the JmjC/ARID family of demethylases that specifically demethylates tri- and di-methylated forms of histone H3 lysine 4 (H3K4) that are associated with active genes. JARID1B expression is dysregulated in several cancers in which it has been implicated, but how it might affect tumor progression is unclear. In this study, we report that JARID1B is a physical component of the LSD1/NuRD complex that functions in transcriptional repression. JARID1B and LSD1 acted in a sequential and coordinated manner to demethylate H3K4. A genome-wide transcriptional analysis revealed that among the cellular signaling pathways targeted by the JARID1B/LSD1/NuRD complex is the CCL14 chemokine pathway of cell migration and angiogenesis. JARID1B repressed the expression of CCL14, an epithelial derived chemokine, suppressing the angiogenic and metastatic potential of breast cancer cells in vivo. Our findings indicate that CCL14 is a critical mediator of the JARID1B/LSD1/NuRD complex in regulation of angiogenesis and metastasis in breast cancer, identifying a novel potential therapeutic target for breast cancer intervention. Cancer Res; 71(21); 6899–908. ©2011 AACR.
Interactions between residues 2228–2240 within factor VIIIa C2 domain and factor IXa Gla domain contribute to propagation of clot formation
Authors: Soeda Tetsuhiro , Ogiwara Kenichi , Shima Midori , Nogami Keiji
Published: September 2011

Factor (F)VIII functions as a cofactor in the tenase complex responsible for phospholipid (PL)-dependent FXa generation by FIXa. We have recently reported that the FVIIIa C2 domain (residues 2228–2240) interacts with the FIXa Gla domain in this complex. We examined the role of this interaction in the generation of tenase activity during the process of clot formation, using a synthetic peptide corresponding to residues 2228–2240. The peptide 2228–2240 inhibited FVIIIa/FIXa-mediated FX activation dose-dependently in the presence of PL by >95% (IC50; ~10 μM). This effect was significantly greater than that obtained by peptide 1804–1818 (IC50; ~180 μM) which corresponds to another FIXa-interactive site in the light chain that provides the majority of binding energy for FIXa interaction. Peptide 2228–2240 had little effect on the prothrombin time and did not inhibit FIX activation in the coagulation process mediated by FVIIa/tissue factor or FXIa, suggesting specific inhibition of the intrinsic tenase complex. Clot waveform analysis, a plasma based-assay used to evaluate the process of intrinsic coagulation, demonstrated that peptide 2228–2240 significantly depressed both maximum coagulation velocity (|min1|) and acceleration (|min2|), reflecting the propagation of clot formation, although the clotting time was only marginally prolonged. Thromboelastography, an alternative whole blood based-assay, demonstrated that the peptide inhibited clot formation time, α-angle and maximal clot firmness, but had little effect on the clotting time. Interactions of the FVIIIa C2 domain (residues 2228–2240) with the FIXa Gla domain in the tenase complex appeared to contribute essentially to the propagation of clot formation.
Natural killer T cells in lipoprotein metabolism and atherosclerosis
Authors: Getz Godfrey , VanderLaan Paul , Reardon Catherine
Published: September 2011

Cells of both the innate and adaptive immune system participate in the development of atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory disorder of medium and large arteries. Natural killer T (NKT) cells express surface markers characteristic of natural killer cells and conventional T cells and bridge the innate and adaptive immune systems. The development and activation of NKT cells is dependent upon CD1d, a MHC-class I-type molecule that presents lipids, especially glycolipids to the T cell receptors on NKT cells. There are two classes of NKT cells; invariant NKT cells that express a semi-invariant T cell receptor and variant NKT cells. This review summarises studies in murine models in which the effect of the activation, overexpression or deletion of NKT cells or only invariant NKT cells on atherosclerosis has been examined.
Distinct classes of c-Kit–activating mutations differ in their ability to promote RUNX1-ETO–associated acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Nick Heidi J. , Kim Hyung-Gyoon , Chang Chia-Wei , Harris Kevin W. , Reddy Vishnu , Klug Christopher A.
Published: September 2011

The t(8;21) RUNX1-ETO translocation is one of the most frequent cytogenetic abnormalities in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In RUNX1-ETO+ patient samples, differing classes of activating c-KIT receptor tyrosine kinase mutations have been observed. The most common (12%-48%) involves mutations, such as D816V, which occur in the tyrosine kinase domain, whereas another involves mutations within exon 8 in a region mediating receptor dimerization (2%-13% of cases). To test whether distinct subtypes of activating c-KIT mutations differ in their leukemogenic potential in association with RUNX1-ETO, we used a retroviral transduction/transplantation model to coexpress RUNX1-ETO with either c-KitD814V or c-KitT417IΔ418-419 in murine hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells used to reconstitute lethally irradiated mice. Analysis of reconstituted animals showed that RUNX1-ETO;c-KitD814V coexpression resulted in 3 nonoverlapping phenotypes. In 45% of animals, a transplantable AML of relatively short latency and frequent granulocytic sarcoma was noted. Other mice exhibited a rapidly fatal myeloproliferative phenotype (35%) or a lethal, short-latency pre-B-cell leukemia (20%). In contrast, RUNX1-ETO;c-KitT417IΔ418-419 coexpression promoted exclusively AML in a fraction (51%) of reconstituted mice. These observations indicate that c-KitD814V promotes a more varied and aggressive leukemic phenotype than c-KitT417IΔ418-419, which may be the result of differing potencies of the activating c-Kit alleles.
Methionine aminopeptidase 2 is required for HSC initiation and proliferation
Authors: Ma Alvin C. H. , Fung Tsz K. , Lin Rachel H. C. , Chung Martin I. S. , Yang Dan , Ekker Stephen C. , Leung Anskar Y. H.
Published: September 2011

In a chemical screening, we tested the antiangiogenic effects of fumagillin derivatives and identified fumagillin as an inhibitor of definitive hematopoiesis in zebrafish embryos. Fumagillin is known to target methionine aminopeptidase II (MetAP2), an enzyme whose function in hematopoiesis is unknown. We investigated the role of MetAP2 in hematopoiesis by using zebrafish embryo and human umbilical cord blood models. Zebrafish metap2 was expressed ubiquitously during early embryogenesis and later in the somitic region, the caudal hematopoietic tissue, and pronephric duct. metap2 was inhibited by morpholino and fumagillin treatment, resulting in increased mpo expression at 18 hours postfertilization and reduced c-myb expression along the ventral wall of dorsal aorta at 36 hours postfertilization. It also disrupted intersegmental vessels in Tg(fli1:gfp) embryos without affecting development of major axial vasculatures. Inhibition of MetAP2 in CB CD34+ cells by fumagillin had no effect on overall clonogenic activity but significantly reduced their engraftment into immunodeficient nonobese diabetes/severe combined immunodeficiency mice. metap2 knock-down in zebrafish and inhibition by fumagillin in zebrafish and human CB CD34+ cells inhibited Calmodulin Kinase II activity and induced ERK phosphorylation. This study demonstrated a hithertoundescribed role of MetAP2 in definitive hematopoiesis and a possible link to noncanonical Wnt and ERK signaling.
Self-reported responsiveness to direct-to-consumer drug advertising and medication use: results of a national survey
Authors: Dieringer Nicholas J , Kukkamma Lisa , Somes Grant W , Shorr Ronald I
Published: September 2011

Background

Direct-to-consumer (DTC) marketing of pharmaceuticals is controversial, yet effective. Little is known relating patterns of medication use to patient responsiveness to DTC.

Methods

We conducted a secondary analysis of data collected in national telephone survey on knowledge of and attitudes toward DTC advertisements. The survey of 1081 U.S. adults (response rate = 65%) was conducted by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Responsiveness to DTC was defined as an affirmative response to the item: "Has an advertisement for a prescription drug ever caused you to ask a doctor about a medical condition or illness of your own that you had not talked to a doctor about before?" Patients reported number of prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medicines taken as well as demographic and personal health information.

Results

Of 771 respondents who met study criteria, 195 (25%) were responsive to DTC. Only 7% respondents taking no prescription were responsive, whereas 45% of respondents taking 5 or more prescription medications were responsive. This trend remained significant (p trend .0009) even when controlling for age, gender, race, educational attainment, income, self-reported health status, and whether respondents "liked" DTC advertising. There was no relationship between the number of OTC medications taken and the propensity to discuss health-related problems in response to DTC advertisements (p = .4).

Conclusion

There is a strong cross-sectional relationship between the number of prescription, but not OTC, drugs used and responsiveness to DTC advertising. Although this relationship could be explained by physician compliance with patient requests for medications, it is also plausible that DTC advertisements have a particular appeal to patients prone to taking multiple medications. Outpatients motivated to discuss medical conditions based on their exposure to DTC advertising may require a careful medication history to evaluate for therapeutic duplication or overmedication.
An novel role of sphingosine kinase-1 (SPHK1) in the invasion and metastasis of esophageal carcinoma
Authors: Pan Jian , Tao Yan-Fang , Zhou Zhuan , Cao Bang-rong , Wu Shui-Yan , Zhang Yan-Lan , Hu Shao-Yan , Zhao Wen-Li , Wang Jian , Lou Guo-Liang , Li Zhen , Feng Xing , Ni Jian
Published: September 2011

Background

Treatment failure for esophageal carcinoma is frequently due to lymph node metastasis and invasion to neighboring organs. The aim of the present study was to investigate invasion- and metastasis-related genes in esophageal carcinoma cells in vitro and in vivo.

Methods

A metastasis model using a Matrigel invasion clonal selection approach was employed to establish a highly invasive subline EC9706-P4 from the esophageal carcinoma cell (ESCC) line EC9706. The differentially expressed genes of the subline and the parental cells determined by gene microarrays were further analyzed by RT-PCR and Western blotting.

Results

We identified sphingosine kinase 1 (SPHK1) as an invasion and metastasis-related gene of esophageal cancer. SPHK1 was overexpressed in the EC9706-P4 subline with high invasive capacity. Among six ESCC lines tested, KYSE2 and KYSE30 cells showed the highest SPHK1 mRNA and protein expressions as well as the most invasive phenotype. By Western blotting, in 7/12 cases (58%), SPHK1 expression was higher in esophageal carcinomas than in the companion normal tissue. In 23/30 cases (76%), SPHK1 protein expression was upregulated in the tumors compared to matched normal tissue by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Esophageal carcinoma tissue microarray analysis indicated that SPHK1 expression correlated with the depth of tumor invasion (P < 0.0001) and lymph node metastasis (P = 0.016). By Kaplan-Meier analysis, strong SPHK1 expression was significantly associated with clinical failure (P < 0.01), suggesting the involvement of SPHK1 in aggressiveness of human esophageal carcinoma. SPHK1 overexpression significantly increased the invasiveness of EC9706 cells in vitro and also increased EC9706 cell growth and spontaneous metastasis in vivo, promoting significant increases in tumor growth, tumor burden and spontaneous lung metastasis in nude mice. SPHK1 expression significantly correlated with the expression of many EGFR pathway genes associated with invasion of cancer cells. SPHK1 protein expression also significantly correlated with the phosphorylation of EGFR.

Conclusion

In summary, our data implicate SPHK1 in the metastasis of esophageal cancer. Our study also identified downstream mediators of SPHK1 in esophageal cancer cells that may mediate enhanced malignant behavior, and several of these mediators may be useful as therapeutic targets.
Fractional order polytopic systems: robust stability and stabilisation
Authors: Farges Christophe , Sabatier Jocelyn , Moze Mathieu
Published: September 2011

This article addresses the problem of robust pseudo state feedback stabilisation of commensurate fractional order polytopic systems (FOS). In the proposed approach, Linear Matrix Inequalities (LMI) formalism is used to check if the pseudo-state matrix eigenvalues belong to the FOS stability domain whatever the value of the uncertain parameters. The article focuses particularly on the case of a fractional order ν such that 0 < ν < 1, as the stability region is non-convex and associated LMI condition is not as straightforward to obtain as in the case 1 < ν < 2. In relation to the quadratic stabilisation problem previously addressed by the authors and that involves a single matrix to prove stability of the closed loop system, additional variables are then introduced to decouple system matrices in the closed loop system stability condition. This decoupling allows using parameter-dependent stability matrices and leads to less conservative results as attested by a numerical example.
Effect of ultrasound on herpes simplex virus infection in cell culture
Authors: Shintani Motoko , Takahashi Gen , Hamada Masakazu , Okunaga Shyusuke , Iwai Soichi , Yura Yoshiaki
Published: September 2011

Background

Ultrasound has been shown to increase the efficiency of gene expression from retroviruses, adenoviruses and adeno-associated viruses. The effect of ultrasound to stimulate cell membrane permeabilization on infection with an oncolytic herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) was examined.

Results

Vero monkey kidney cells were infected with HSV-1 and exposed to 1 MHz ultrasound after an adsorption period. The number of plaques was significantly greater than that of the untreated control. A combination of ultrasound and microbubbles further increased the plaque number. Similar results were obtained using a different type of HSV-1 and oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cells. The appropriate intensity, duty cycle and time of ultrasound to increase the plaque number were 0.5 W/cm2, 20% duty cycle and 10 sec, respectively. Ultrasound with microbubbles at an intensity of 2.0 W/cm2, at 50% duty cycle, or for 40 sec reduced cell viability.

Conclusion

These results indicate that ultrasound promotes the entry of oncolytic HSV-1 into cells. It may be useful to enhance the efficiency of HSV-1 infection in oncolytic virotherapy.
Chicken interferon alpha pretreatment reduces virus replication of pandemic H1N1 and H5N9 avian influenza viruses in lung cell cultures from different avian species
Authors: Jiang Haijun , Yang Hanchun , Kapczynski Darrell R
Published: September 2011

Background

Type I interferons, including interferon alpha (IFN-α), represent one of the first lines of innate immune defense against influenza virus infection. Following natural infection of chickens with avian influenza virus (AIV), transcription of IFN-α is quickly up regulated along with multiple other immune-related genes. Chicken IFN-α up regulates a number of important anti-viral response genes and has been demonstrated to be an important cytokine to establish anti-viral immunity. However, the mechanisms by which interferon inhibit virus replication in avian species remains unknown as does the biological activity of chicken interferon in other avian species.

Methods

In these studies, we assessed the protective potential of exogenous chicken IFN-α applied to chicken, duck, and turkey primary lung cell cultures prior to infection with the pandemic H1N1 virus (A/turkey/Virginia/SEP-4/2009) and an established avian H5N9 virus (A/turkey/Wisconsin/1968). Growth kinetics and induction of select immune response genes, including IFN-α and myxovirus-resistance gene I (Mx), as well as proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and IL-6), were measured in response to chicken IFN-α and viral infection over time.

Results

Results demonstrate that pretreatment with chicken IFN-α before AIV infection significantly reduced virus replication in both chicken-and turkey-origin lung cells and to a lesser degree the duck-origin cells. Virus growth was reduced by approximately 200-fold in chicken and turkey cells and 30-fold in duck cells after 48 hours of incubation. Interferon treatment also significantly decreased the interferon and proinflammatory response during viral infection. In general, infection with the H1N1 virus resulted in an attenuated interferon and proinflammatory response in these cell lines, compared to the H5N9 virus.

Conclusions

Taken together, these studies show that chicken IFN-α reduces virus replication, lower host innate immune response following infection, and is biologically active in other avian species.
Involvement of nitric oxide (NO) in cough reflex sensitivity between non-sensitized and OVA-sensitized guinea pigs
Authors: Hori Akihiro , Fujimura Masaki , Ohkura Noriyuki , Tokuda Akira
Published: September 2011

Background

Exhaled nitric oxide (ENO) is elevated in bronchial asthma patients, and inhaled corticosteroid therapy lowers the elevated ENO levels in such patients. ENO appears to be an inflammatory marker, but its role in the pathophysiology of cough remains unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the relationship between NO and increased cough reflex sensitivity induced by allergic airway reactions.

Methods

Cough reflex sensitivity to inhaled capsaicin was observed under NO depletion caused by NO synthase (NOS) inhibitors in non-sensitized and ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized guinea pigs. The bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was analyzed in an NO depletion setting using the inducible NOS (iNOS) inhibitor ONO1714 in OVA-sensitized guinea pigs.

Results

NO depletion by the non-selective NOS inhibitor L-NAME suppressed cough reflex sensitivity in non-sensitized guinea pigs and OVA-induced increase in cough reflex sensitivity in sensitized guinea pigs; however, iNOS inhibition caused by ONO1714 partially suppressed the OVA-induced increase in cough reflex sensitivity, but not the normal cough response in non-sensitized guinea pigs. ONO1714 did not change BAL cell components in OVA-sensitized guinea pigs.

Conclusions

The results suggest that NO may be involved not only in the normal cough reflex circuit, but also in the OVA-induced increase in cough reflex sensitivity, possibly via a different mechanism of action. Further studies are needed to clarify the precise mechanism.
Human CD16+ and CD16– monocyte subsets display unique effector properties in inflammatory conditions in vivo
Authors: Aguilar-Ruiz Sergio R , Torres-Aguilar Honorio , González-Domínguez Érika , Narváez Juana , González-Pérez Gabriela , Vargas-Ayala Germán , Meraz-Ríos Marco A , García-Zepeda Eduardo A , Sánchez-Torres Carmen
Published: September 2011

Two major subsets of human Mo are identified based on CD14 and CD16 expression: the classical CD16– Mo and the minor CD14+CD16+ Mo. In vitro studies suggested distinct function and differentiation potential for each cell population. However, the in vivo relevance of these findings remains unclear. To evaluate the development and function of human Mo in an in vivo model, we transferred both Mo subpopulations into the peritoneum of immunocompromised mice in homeostatic or inflammatory conditions. Inflammation was induced with soluble LPS or particulate zymosan. CD16+ were more phagocytic and produced higher amounts of TNF and IL-6 than CD16– Mo early after transfer with zymosan. They also produced higher levels of β2-defensin in any condition evaluated, which could represent a new marker for this subpopulation. In contrast, differentiating CD16– Mo (24 h after transfer) acquired greater APC capacity in LPS-induced peritonitis, whereas none of the Mo subsets attained this ability with zymosan. CX3CL1 supported the survival of both Mo subsets in vivo. Similar Mo subpopulations were present in human peritonitis. These results support the idea of specialized roles of the Mo subset, where CD16+ might act in an immediate innate immune response, whereas CD16– could have a major role as APCs.
Cynical Myths and US Military Crusades in the Balkans
Authors: Carpenter Ted Galen
Published: September 2011

Misleading propaganda and the creation of false history were pervasive and corrosive during the Balkan wars of the 1990s. Both the Clinton administration and the news media were responsible for the disreputable situation. And unlike the discrediting of the Bush administration’s distorted accounts regarding the Iraq crisis, the Balkan myths are as prevalent today as when they were first created. That situation is dangerous on two counts. First, it inhibits the formulation of intelligent, realistic, and equitable policies regarding current Balkan issues. Second, the success of such a campaign of disinformation creates the irresistible temptation for officials and policy lobbies to try the same techniques during future international crises in that region or elsewhere.
Azerbaijan’s Prospects in Nagorno-Karabakh
Authors: Rasizade Alec
Published: September 2011

Modern Azerbaijan is a typical Middle Eastern petrostate ruled by a classical Middle Eastern despot, where political (and economic) power is concentrated and inherited within the ruling family. Azerbaijan’s military compact with Turkey, signed in 2010, suggests that Baku is preparing for war to take back Nagorno-Karabakh. Due to Azerbaijan’s impending economic and strategic insignificance to the West after the peak of oil production in 2010, Azerbaijan needs to become more realistic in its claim to Nagorno-Karabakh, as its ability to persuade the great powers is set to dwindle synchronously with the depletion of oil reserves from 2011 to 2019.
Dielectric Measurement of Soil-electrolyte Mixtures in a Modified Oedometer Cell Using 400 kHz to 20 MHz Electromagnetic Waves
Authors: Cerato Amy B. , Lin Botao
Published: September 2011

The dielectric properties of soil have been shown to be a good indicator of moisture, contamination, and mineralogy and have been studied in order to gain a better insight into macroscopic soil behavior. Calibration factors for the measurement of real relative permittivity and effective conductivity are discussed and measured in this study. Based on the use of calibration factors, this article presents a convenient approach of dielectric measurement of soil-electrolyte mixtures in an oedometer-like cell using electromagnetic waves at a frequency range of 400 kHz–20 MHz to study the behavior of the mixtures. The effects of volumetric water content, chemical composition, anisotropy, and soil type are assessed based on the proposed measurement approach and the results are discussed.
Thermal Oxidative Stability of Vegetable Oils as Metal Heat Treatment Quenchants
Authors: Carvalho de Souza Ester , Belinato Gabriela , Simencio Otero Rosa L. , Cícero Adão Simêncio Éder , Augustinho Sylvana C. M. , Capelupi William , Conconi Charles , Canale Lauralice C. F. , Totten George E.
Published: September 2011

The potential use of vegetable oil derived industrial oils continues to be of great interest because vegetable oils are relatively non-toxic, biodegradable, and a sustainably produced basestock alternative to petroleum oil, a non-renewable basestock. For the conservation of the environment, bio-mass materials, such as vegetable oils, are desirable as substitutes for petroleum oil in heat treatment. Therefore, it is expected that these basestock materials will continue to be of increasing interest in the heat treatment industry. However, the fatty ester components containing conjugated double bonds of the triglyceride structure of vegetable oils typically produce considerably poorer thermal oxidative stability than that achievable with petroleum basestocks under typical use conditions. This is especially true when a vegetable oil is held in an open tank with agitation and exposure to air at elevated temperatures for extended periods of time (months or years). Furthermore, when used as quenchants, furnace loads of hot steel (850 °C) are typically rapidly immersed and cooled to approximately 50 °C to 60 °C bath temperatures for steel hardening applications. Clearly, for this application, reasonable thermal-oxidative stability is essential. This paper reviews the work completed thus far in screening various vegetable oils as potential steel quenchants both with and without antioxidants. Particular focus is placed, where possible, on comparing pressure differential scanning calorimetry as a potential screening method with the more commonly used (for this application) modified Indiana Stirring Oxidation Test. In addition, the general impact of oxidation on the quenching performance of the better vegetable oil candidates is shown.
GPA, Depression, and Drinking: A Longitudinal Comparison of High School Boys and Girls
Authors: Shippee Nathan D. , Owens Timothy J.
Published: September 2011

Employing general strain theory, the authors examine gender differences in the dynamic strain-and-coping relations between GPA, depression, and drinking. Using longitudinal high school data from the Youth Development Study, the authors test five hypotheses. GPA negatively affects drinking (confirming Hypothesis 1), but without consistent gender differences (Hypothesis 1a). GPA also negatively affects depression (Hypothesis 2), and more strongly for girls (Hypothesis 2a). Depression's positive effect on drinking supports Hypothesis 3, but gender comparisons refute Hypothesis 3a. Conversely, drinking positively affects lagged depression (Hypothesis 4), and more strongly for girls (Hypothesis 4a). Finally, drinking's largely absent effect on GPA rejects Hypothesis 5a, whereas depression's negative effect on lagged GPA, stronger among girls, supports Hypothesis 5b and Hypothesis 5c. A deleterious chain of effects occurs across high school, but mostly for girls only, possibly implicating gendered behavioral norms and socialization. This study informs general strain theory by suggesting that alcohol may provide divergent behavioral and emotional coping functions, respectively, for boys and girls.
Solution Processable Nanowire Field-Effect Transistors
Authors: Opoku Charles , Chen Lichun , Meyer Frank , Shkunov Maxim
Published: September 2011

Hybrid field-effect-transistors (FETs) with germanium nanowire (NW) arrays and organic gate dielectric are presented. The nanowire deposition steps are fully compatible with printed electronics route. NW FETs demonstrate good performance with On/Off ratios of ~103 and hole mobilities of ~13 cm2/Vs in both nitrogen and air atmosphere. These results suggest that the hybrid nanowire FETs could be used in large area inexpensive electronics.
In Search of Our Daughters’ Gardens
Authors: Lomax Tamura
Published: September 2011

This essay argues that Alice Walker’s seminal essay, “In Search of Our Mothers’ Gardens,” offers a bridge between hip hop and womanist thought that is insightful for theorizing the “daughter’s” (Generation Y) experiences. Moreover, Walkers' essay anticipates hip hop culture, particularly the artistic expressions of female MCs (a.k.a. the “daughters”). One such daughter is current hip hop sensation, Nicki Minaj.
Possibilities for reuse of treated domestic wastewater in The Netherlands
Authors: Rietveld L. C. , Norton-Brandão D. , Shang R. , van Agtmaal J. , van Lier J. B.
Published: September 2011

The implementation of wastewater reuse is becoming an increasingly important means of supplementing water supply needs and/or reducing costs. The present paper provides examples of possible uses of treated domestic effluent for the three sectors, i.e. public water supply, industrial and agricultural uses with the aim to address the feasibility of these applications. It is concluded that, although The Netherlands as a whole is considered to be a low water stressed country, regional fresh water scarcity and costs can result in the need for applications of domestic wastewater reuse.
Photodegradation of 4-chloronitrobenzene in the presence of aqueous titania suspensions in different gas atmospheres
Authors: Ye Miaomiao , Zhang Tuqiao , Zhu Zhiwei , Zhang Yan , Zhang Yiping
Published: September 2011

The photocatalytic degradation of 4-chloronitrobenzene (4-CNB) was carried out using Degussa P25 TiO2 as photocatalyst in three different gas atmospheres: nitrogen, oxygen, and ozone. The total organic carbon (TOC) and inorganic anions including chloride, nitrite, and nitrate anions were measured to monitor the mineralization processes, while the degradation of 4-CNB and the formation of intermediates were followed by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC/MS). Results showed that the photocatalytic efficiency followed the order of TiO2/UV/N2 < TiO2/UV/O2 < TiO2/UV/O3, which was further proved by evaluating the reaction activities using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spin trapping technique. Chlorine atom, nitro group and hydrogen atom of the benzene ring could be displaced by hydroxyl radical (•OH) leading to the formation of chloride, nitrite (III) anions and a variety of phenols, then the nitrite (III) anions were further oxidized to nitrate (V) anions. 4-Nitrophenol and 5-chloro-2-nitrophenol were identified and quantified in both of the TiO2/UV/N2 and TiO2/UV/O2 processes while no aromatic intermediates were monitored in the process of TiO2/UV/O3.
Effect of enhanced coagulation by KMnO4 on the fouling of ultrafiltration membranes
Authors: Yu Wen-Zheng , Gregory John , Liu Ting , Yang Yan-lin , Sun Min , Li Gui-bai
Published: September 2011

Pre-coagulation enhanced by KMnO4 before ultrafiltration (KCUF) was compared with normal pre-coagulation by alum (CUF) in the ultrafiltration of water from the Songhua River, China. The trans-membrane pressure (TMP) with KCUF was much lower than that when alum alone was used. With KCUF a slower increment of TMP occurred, even under conditions of high river water turbidity. The results also showed that the removal of COD, UV254 and TOC was appreciably higher after adding 0.5mg/L KMnO4 compared with CUF. Although assimilable organic carbon (AOC) was increased by permanganate treatment, the AOC of the permeate from KCUF was nearly the same as that from CUF, showing that the cake layer on the surface of KCUF membrane could adsorb small molecules more effectively than that of CUF. This result was confirmed by the apparent molecular weight (MW) distribution measured by size exclusion chromatography (SEC). It was shown that flocs formed by KMnO4 and alum were larger than those formed only by alum, causing higher removal of flocs and higher permeation flux. Lower NOM was found in the permeate from the KCUF systems because oxidation and adsorption of organic matter on the flocs occurred. The membrane was partly clogged by organic matter or other materials including some small flocs.
Camellia oleifera Abel shells as a new biosorbent to remove methylene blue from aqueous solutions
Authors: Lu Yudong , Lin Leying , You Ruiyun , Wu Zonghua
Published: September 2011

This study aimed at investigating the feasibility of using Camellia oleifera Abel shell (COAS), an agriculture product in middle-west region in China, for the adsorption of methylene blue (MB), a cationic dye. Batch adsorption experiments were carried out to evaluate the effects of contact time, pH, adsorbent dosage, temperature and initial concentration on the adsorption of MB. Adsorption equilibrium studies showed that MB adsorption followed Langmuir model with a maximum adsorption capacity of 454.54 mg/g. The results demonstrated that the COAS is a promising adsorbent in the removal of MB from aqueous solutions.
From formulas to cirquents in computability logic
Authors: Japaridze Giorgi
Published: September 2011

Computability logic (CoL) (see http://www.cis.upenn.edu/~giorgi/cl.html) is a
recently introduced semantical platform and ambitious program for redeveloping
logic as a formal theory of computability, as opposed to the formal theory of
truth that logic has more traditionally been. Its expressions represent
interactive computational tasks seen as games played by a machine against the
environment, and "truth" is understood as existence of an algorithmic winning
strategy. With logical operators standing for operations on games, the
formalism of CoL is open-ended, and has already undergone series of extensions.
This article extends the expressive power of CoL in a qualitatively new way,
generalizing formulas (to which the earlier languages of CoL were limited) to
circuit-style structures termed cirquents. The latter, unlike formulas, are
able to account for subgame/subtask sharing between different parts of the
overall game/task. Among the many advantages offered by this ability is that it
allows us to capture, refine and generalize the well known
independence-friendly logic which, after the present leap forward, naturally
becomes a conservative fragment of CoL, just as classical logic had been known
to be a conservative fragment of the formula-based version of CoL. Technically,
this paper is self-contained, and can be read without any prior familiarity
with CoL.
Banach Spaces as Data Types
Authors: Normann Dag
Published: September 2011

We introduce the operators "modified limit" and "accumulation" on a Banach
space, and we use this to define what we mean by being internally computable
over the space. We prove that any externally computable function from a
computable metric space to a computable Banach space is internally computable.
We motivate the need for internal concepts of computability by observing that
the complexity of the set of finite sets of closed balls with a nonempty
intersection is not uniformly hyperarithmetical, and thus that approximating an
externally computable function is highly complex.
The values of serum cytokines in chronic lung disease in newborn
Authors: Banjac Lidija
Published: September 2011

Introduction. Chronic lung disease in the newborn is a complication of
mechanical ventilation. The diagnosis of chronic lung disease is made in
children of over 36 post-conceptual weeks? age who still require additional
oxygen and who have abnormal chest x-ray findings. This study was aimed at
triaging newborns at risk of developing chronic lung disease. The operating
study hypothesis was that the values of insulin-like growth factor I below 30
?g/L in the 33rd post-conceptual week were associated with the development of
chronic lung disease. Material and Methods. The above hypothesis was verified
by a cohort, prospective study, which included preterm newborns of 33
gestational weeks? age or less who were hospitalised at the Department of
Neonatology of the Clinical Centre of Montenegro from Aril 2008 to July 2009.
The blood sample was taken in the 33rd post-conceptual week and the
insulin-like growth factor value was determined by the method of enzyme
immunoassay. Results. Our study results confirmed the theory of statistically
significant correlation of the length of pregnancy and birth body weight with
insulin-like growth factor serum level. Discussion. We did not find any
statistically significant correlation between the insulin-like growth factor
serum value and chronic lung disease in the newborn. It is possible that the
insulin-like growth factor has a different role at various stages of
pathogenesis of diseases of prematurity. Conclusion. We believe that by
correcting the term for determining the levels we can get a significant
correlation between low values of insulin- like growth factor -1 and chronic
lung disease.
Geological and geomorphological problems caused by transportation and industry
Authors: David Lorant , Ilyes Zoltan , Baros Zoltan
Published: September 2011

Alterations in topography due to the construction of transport infrastructure and industrial development are the results of rather complex processes. The impact of transport constructions upsetting (topographic) equilibrium is manifested in a relatively narrow strip, and, mostly, through producing abnormally steep slopes, in reducing relief stability. The earthworks for transport routes are themselves also landscape-forming factors whereas in the case of industrial developments, planation is usually mentioned. Topographic changes related to the construction of transport infrastructure and industrial development are discussed historically in this chapter. Among the direct impacts of the first are those related to the construction of Roman and Medieval roads, hollow roads in loess, public roads, motorways, railways, canals, tunnels and airports; while of the second are those of early mining and metallurgy, cellars, sludge reservoirs, slag cones and fly-ash reservoirs, cooling ponds, industrial parks, shopping centres and waste disposal sites. Of the indirect ones, an introduction is given to impacts of surface sealing, changes in runoff, the ‘waterfall effect,’ as well as to environmental impacts under permafrost conditions.
Perspective targeting CuAuMo porphyries of Romanian Carpathians: blind porphyry mineralization and its variable distal expression as vein and skarns
Authors: Vlad Serban
Published: September 2011

Romania has a genuine accumulation of “blind” porphyry CuAuMo systems associated with Cu skarns or AuAg (PbZn) epithermal vein sets. Many such hidden structures were discovered inadvertently during state exploration based on local tradition that Romanian Carpathians are rich in vein and skarn ore types. Notable dichotomy between porphyries associated with peripheral skarns versus epithermal ores is expressed by age (Mesozoic versus Tertiary), precious metal content, alteration types and zoning, shape/size and extension of ore bodies. Preliminary conclusions on metallic/alteration assemblages around porphyries in addition to geophysical information about inferred deep-seated Alpine plutonism promote potential exploration vectors for what will be an increasingly important deposit type in the future.
A Method for Evaluation of Suspension Quality Easy Applicable To Practice: The Effect of Mixing on Floc Properties
Authors: Ebubakova Petra , Pivokonsky Martin , Pivokonska Lenka
Published: September 2011

A Method for Evaluation of Suspension Quality Easy Applicable To Practice: The Effect of Mixing on Floc Properties

The paper introduces thetest of aggregationas a simple, inexpensive method of evaluating suspension quality during drinking water treatment, suitable for use in both laboratory and operation conditions. The procedure and derivation of theaggregation testis described. The method is used for a demonstration of the influence of mean velocity gradient and mixing time on floc properties formed during the aggregation in a Couette reactor. It was proved that with increasing velocity gradient, the size of the aggregates present in the suspension decreases, and the suspension is substantially more homogeneous than with use of lower gradients. Further, it was confirmed that the size of aggregates reaches the steady state after a specific mixing time, which becomes shorter with increasing value of velocity gradient.
Extension and slip rate partitioning in NW Iran constrained by GPS measurements
Authors: Rastbood A. , Voosoghi B.
Published: September 2011

Extension and slip rate partitioning in NW Iran constrained by GPS measurements

Convergence of 22±2 mm yr-1between the northward motion of the Arabian Plate relative to Eurasia at N8° ±5° E is accommodated by a combination of thrust and strike-slip faults in different parts of Iran. Dislocation modeling is used to examine the GPS data for this part of the Alpine-Himalayan mountain belt with more concentration in NW Iran. First, the vectors due to known Arabia-Eurasia rotation are reproduced by introducing structures that approximate the large-scale tectonics of the Middle East. Observed features of the smaller scale fault system are then progressively included in the model. Slip rate amplitudes and directions adjusted to fit available GPS data. Geological evidences show strike-slip and reverse-slip faulting in NW Iran, but GPS data show normal faults in this region too. By slip partitioning we propose four locations for normal faults based on extensions observed by GPS data. Slip rate values were estimated between 2 ~ 5 mm/yr for proposed normal faults. Our modeling results prove that the NW Iran is not only affected by Arabia-Eurasia collision but also contributes in the subduction motion of the South Caspian and Kura basins basement beneath the Apsheron-Balkhan sill and the Great Caucasus respectively.
Monitoring the Influence of Chemical Composition of Electrical and Dielectric Properties of Special Glasses
Authors: Psota Jozef , Bošák Ondrej , Labaš Vladimír , Tóth Martin
Published: September 2011

Monitoring the Influence of Chemical Composition of Electrical and Dielectric Properties of Special Glasses

The paper deals with the results of experimentally determined influence of the chemical composition change of pure Ge-Se-Te glasses systems with the rare earths elements additions (Pr, Er and Ho in oxide or pure metal form) on electrical and dielectric properties of the glasses. We used chalcogenide bulk glasses Ge20Se80-xTex for x ∈ (0, 5, 10, 15) prepared by systematic replacement of Se by Te. We wanted to find how electrical and dielectric properties of chosen chalcogenide glasses change with the change of content and form of rare earths. We carried out the measurements at different temperatures from 20 °C to 170 °C. Results show that the inhomogeneity and defects in the measured glasses have had an impact on the measured dielectric parameters.
Making the Journal Abstract More Concrete
Authors: Hartley James
Published: September 2011

This article describes how the author, when compiling sets of abstracts for psychology teachers, began to realize that such abstracts needed to be made more concrete if they were to be more helpful for their readers. Three examples are provided.
Managing Highways for Better Reliability
Authors: Bhouri Neila , Kauppila Jari
Published: September 2011

Despite the importance of reliability, few countries monitor it or explicitly incorporate it into transport policy making. Nevertheless, a number of policy options are available to improve this aspect of transport management. Active management of the network through ramp metering is recognized as an efficient way to control motorway traffic and improve average travel time. Far less is said about the reliability benefits of ramp metering. This paper assesses reliability benefits of ramp metering on the basis of a before-and-after study on the A6W, a French motorway near Paris. Several indicators for travel time variability are applied before and after the introduction of ramp metering. For purposes of taking reliability into account in policy impact evaluation, cost–benefit assessment provides a consistent framework within which to assess the monetized benefits. The monetary value of the reliability benefits of ramp metering is therefore calculated, and the policy implications of the results are discussed. The results suggest that in addition to providing gains in average travel time, ramp metering significantly improves reliability of travel times. It is also proposed that indices such as buffer time or planning time are useful for communicating the results, both for network operators and for users. Failing to unbundle the time-savings benefits of a project between average travel time and the variability in travel time is likely to lead to suboptimal policy solutions. Managing existing capacity better can be a cost-effective way to improve both average travel time and the variability in travel time.
Quantification of Nonrecurrent Congestion Delay Caused by Freeway Accidents and Analysis of Causal Factors
Authors: Chung Younshik
Published: September 2011

The objectives of this study are twofold: to quantify nonrecurrent congestion delay caused by traffic accidents that occur on freeways and to analyze the causal factors by different types of accidents. Unlike previous studies, this study proposes an analytical procedure to estimate congestion impact by using the difference between speed reduced by a traffic accident and accident-free normal flow speed. The proposed method is demonstrated by a case study using accident data derived from 27 freeways in South Korea in 2008. Ultimately, the method can develop a performance measure for evaluating transportation policies and planning level analyses associated with the design of transportation systems and preparation of operating plans for safety, as well as for quantitatively evaluating deployed transportation projects or technologies. Moreover, the results from statistical analyses can potentially be useful in making strategic plans and formulating mitigation measures for reducing nonrecurrent congestion delay caused by accidents on the South Korean freeway system.