bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Chronic Alcohol Feeding and Murine AIDS Virus Infection on Liver Antioxidant Defense Systems in Mice
Authors: Chen L H. , Huang C. Y. , Osio Y. , Fitzpatrick E. A. , Cohen D. A.
Published: June 2007

Whether ethanol (ETOH) abuse could contribute to the development of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) among human immunodeficiency virus (HlV)‐positive drug abusers is a critical question for which little experimental information is available. This study was designed to determine if chronic ETOH feeding and murine AIDS virus infection cooperatively affected liver antioxidant defense systems in C57B1/6 female mice. Mice were divided into two groups and fed the Lieber‐DeCarli liquid ETOH diet containing ETOH at a concentration to provide 31% of total caloric intake or an isocaloric liquid control (control) diet in which dextrin‐maltose replaced ETOH. One week after the initiation of ETOH feeding, half of the mice in each diet group (8 mice) were injected intraperitoneally with murine retrovirus (MAIDS) stock. After 3 and 5 weeks of ETOH feeding, half of the mice in each of the four treatment groups (4 mice) were killed, and livers were excised for biochemical analysis. Liver reduced glutathione (GSH) levels and activities of glutathione peroxidase (GP), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione transferase (GT), cat‐alase and superoxide dismutase (SOD), and serum ETOH concentrations were determined. The results demonstrated that serum ETOH concentrations were significantly elevated in ETOH‐MAIDS group when compared with the ETOH group. Moreover, chronic ETOH feeding and MAIDS infection independently depressed liver antioxidant defense capability, and together led to an additive inhibition of GSH and SOD activities. In addition, MAIDS infection inhibited an ETOH‐induced increase in catalase and GT activities. These results suggest that alcohol abuse could contribute to the development of AIDS by inhibiting the protective capability of an infected individual against oxidative stress. These combined suppressive effects could potentially lead to more tissue damage during MAIDS infection and associated opportunistic infections. The results that MAIDS infection significantly decreased liver GT activities suggest that the detoxifying capacity of the liver may also be compromised during retroviral‐induced immunodeficiency disease.
Sensitivity to Strychnine Seizures Is Unaltered during Ethanol Withdrawal
Authors: Gonzalez Larry P.
Published: June 2007

Previous research from this laboratory has indicated that animals chronically exposed to ethanol and then withdrawn exhibit a variety of symptoms of central nervous system hyperexcitability that occur in unique clusters. These clusters of symptoms were observed to differ in their duration and in the time of onset relative to the time of ethanol withdrawal. In addition, the observed clusters of spontaneous seizure events in these animals were seen to correlate with differences in sensitivity to seizure‐inducing treatments. These results suggest that seizure sensitivity during ethanol withdrawal may indicate the involvement of multiple, independent, neuronal mechanisms. To investigate this possibility further, the following study examined the sensitivity of ethanol‐withdrawn animals to seizures induced by the glycine antagonist strychnine. Seizure sensitivity to strychnine was evaluated at the same times following ethanol withdrawal when animals were previously seen to show the differential occurrence of spontaneous seizure events and also differences in sensitivity to picrotoxin‐induced seizures. Ethanol‐withdrawn animals did not differ in their responses to strychnine compared with ethanol‐naive controls at any of the times tested. This lack of change in seizures induced by antagonism of glycine inhibition occurred in spite of the increased sensitivity of similarly treated animals to picrotoxin‐induced seizures at the same test times. These data suggest that chronic ethanol exposure and withdrawal may not significantly alter the function of glycinergic inhibitory neurotransmission and that the ethanol withdrawal syndrome is indicative of alterations in specific neuronal mechanisms rather than of a generalized state of central nervous system hyperexcitability.
Reduction of Ethanol Intake by Aerosol Inhalation of a β‐Adrenergic Agonist: New Route–New Treatment Approach?
Authors: Docherty J. M. , Harding S. , Grupp Larry A.
Published: June 2007

The quick, convenient, unobtrusive administration of a low dose of a drug that effectively reduces alcohol intake could be a useful adjunct to any program that aims to treat alcohol abuse. This study evaluates the ability of isoproterenol, a drug that has previously been shown to reduce ethanol intake, to exercise this action when administered as a metered aerosol mist. Rats were trained to self‐administer ethanol using a procedure that limits access to a brief daily availability period. Once intake stabilized, animals were given isoproterenol by metered aerosol inhalation just before ethanol availability. A custom‐designed helmet attached to a commercially available mistometer was used to deliver the drug. Isoproterenol produced a dose‐dependent reduction in ethanol intake and an increase in water intake replicating the effects of parenterally administered isoproterenol on ethanol and water consumption. These findings demonstrate that the administration of isoproterenol in inhaled aerosol form can effectively reduce voluntary ethanol consumption in rats. The administration of pharmacologically active antialcohol agents via the inhalation route may be useful in the symptomatic treatment of alcohol abuse in humans.
Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Imaging of Ethanol in the Human Brain: A Feasibility Study
Authors: Spielman Daniel M. , Glover Gary H. , Macovski Albert , Pfefferbaum Adolf
Published: June 2007

The in vivo distribution of ethanol in normal human brain following the consumption of a moderate amount of alcohol was measured using magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging. Three subjects were studied, and the spatial distribution of brain ethanol, 60‐min postingestion and measured at a spatial resolution of 1.5 cm, was found to be highly nonuniform with the relative ethanol signal in cerebral spinal fluid, gray matter, and white matter determined to be 1.00, 0.72, and 0.37, respectively. These spectroscopic imaging results indicate that whereas in vivo magnetic resonance studies of ethanol are feasible, quantitative studies of alcohol need to account carefully for the various tissue types within the observed volume.
ICD‐10 and Proposed DSM‐IV Harmful Use of Alcohol/ Alcohol Abuse and Dependence, United States 1988: A Nosological Comparison
Authors: Grant Bridget F.
Published: June 2007

The purpose of this study was to compare ICD‐10 and the proposed DSM‐IV (options 1 and 2) diagnostic criteria for harmful use/abuse and dependence in a representative sample of the United States general population. Harmful use/abuse and dependence categories were contrasted in terms of prevalence and overlap. The prevalences of DSM‐IV diagnoses of alcohol abuse and dependence combined were much greater than those for the corresponding ICD‐10 diagnoses. Disaggregation of the harmful use/abuse and dependence diagnoses showed that the major discrepancy between the classification systems resided between harmful use and abuse categories. The prevalence of the harmful use of alcohol was nearly nonexistent in this general population sample. Reasons for this and other discrepancies are discussed in terms of the hypothesized severity of the harmful use criteria, differences in the number of diagnostic criteria and the content of the ICD‐10 and DSM‐IV dependence categories, the relationship between the harmful use/abuse and dependence categories, and the impact of the duration criterion.
Improved Separation of Acetaldehyde‐Induced Hemoglobin
Authors: Hazelett Susan E. , Liebelt Robert A. , Truitt Edward B.
Published: June 2007

A fast‐eluting minor variant of hemoglobin A, designated as HbA1, ACH, appears elevated after the incubation of red blood cell hemolysates with acetaldehyde (AcH) and has been proposed as a diagnostic marker for alcoholism or as an indicator for heavy drinking. We have developed an improved HPLC separation of this peak and others elevated by AcH using a polyaspartic acid column (PolyCAT A, PolyLC, Inc.) and a nonlinear buffer gradient with pH changes from 6.6 to 6.8. Saline‐washed red blood cells were treated with sodium acetate buffer (pH 5.5) to remove unstable Schiff bases, and then hemolyzed by addition of an equal volume of H2O and 0.4 volumes of CCI4‐ HbA1‐ACH and several others, including two peaks in the HbA1a+b cluster, Hb Pre‐A1c, and HbA1d3 were significantly increased by AcH incubation, and the changes were, only partially reversible with time. Improved resolution of these peaks allows more accurate quantitation of AcH adducts of hemoglobin.
Development and Implementation of a Food Safety Knowledge Instrument
Authors: Byrd‐Bredbenner Carol , Wheatley Virginia , Schaffner Donald , Bruhn Christine , Blalock Lydia , Maurer Jaclyn
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACT:  Little is known about the food safety knowledge of young adults. In addition, few knowledge questionnaires and no comprehensive, criterion‐referenced measure that assesses the full range of food safety knowledge could be identified. Without appropriate, valid, and reliable measures and baseline data, it is difficult to develop and implement effective education efforts. Thus, the purpose of this study was to develop a comprehensive, valid, reliable food safety knowledge questionnaire. Questionnaire development followed this process: 1) use of published reports and input from experts in food safety and sanitation (n = 7) to identify key food safety concepts; 2) development of a question bank (n = 101) assessing knowledge of key concepts (i.e., cross contamination prevention'disinfection procedures; safe times/temperatures for cooking/storing foods; groups at greatest risk for foodborne disease; foods that increase risk of foodborne disease; and foodborne disease pathogens); 3) refinement of initial questions by experts; 4) questionnaire pretest with young adults (n = 180) and refinement; 5) questionnaire pilot test (n = 126) and refinement; 6) final expert review and refinement; and 7) conversion into an online survey. Young adults (n = 4343, mean age 19.9 ± 1.7SD years) from 21 universities and colleges across the country completed the questionnaire. Item analysis was used to determine the overall quality of the test and identify improvements needed. Livingston's coefficient of reliability for criterion‐referenced tests was 0.92. The questionnaire met or exceeded generally recognized standards of reliability and validity. This questionnaire could be useful in baseline assessment of food safety knowledge and measurement of knowledge gained after an educational intervention in adults.
Recipes for Antimicrobial Wine Marinades againstBacillus cereus,Escherichia coliO157:H7,Listeria monocytogenes, andSalmonella enterica
Authors: Friedman Mendel , Henika P.R. , Levin C.E. , Mandrell R.E.
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACT: We have evaluated bactericidal activities againstBacillus cereus,Escherichia coliO157:H7,Listeria monocytogenes, andSalmonella entericaof several antimicrobial wine recipes, each consisting of red or white wine extracts of oregano leaves with added garlic juice and oregano oil. Dose‐response plots were used to determine the percentage of the recipes that resulted in a 50% decrease in colony‐forming units (CFU) at 60 min (BA50). Studies designed to optimize antibacterial activities of the recipes demonstrated that several combinations of the naturally occurring plant‐derived ingredients rapidly inactivated the above mentioned 4 foodborne pathogens. We also showed that (a) incubation temperature affected activities in the following order: 37 °C > 21 °C > 4 °C; (b) varying the initial bacterial concentrations from 103to 104to 105CFU/well did not significantly affect BA50values; (c) storage of 3 marinades up to 2 mo did not change their effectiveness againstSalmonella enterica; and (d) polyphenolic compounds isolated by chromatography from red wine exhibited exceptional activity at nanogram levels against 2 strains ofBacillus cereus. These observations suggest that antimicrobial wine formulations have the potential to improve the microbiological safety of foods.
Production and Characterization of Xanthosoma sagittifolium and Colocasia esculenta Flours
Authors: Pérez E.E. , Gutiérrez M.E. , De Delahaye E. Pacheco , Tovar J. , Lares M.
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACT:  The physical proximate composition and physicochemical characteristics, microbiological stability, and in vitro alpha‐amylolysis rate of flours produced by conventional dehydration techniques of the edible portions of the aroids Xanthosoma sagittifolium and Colocasia esculenta were investigated. Flours from the edible portion of both tubers did not show significant statistical differences in moisture, Aw, crude protein, total sugars, amylose, and amylopectin contents. C. esculenta flour showed higher crude fat, total, soluble, and insoluble dietary fiber, and mineral (P, Ca, Fe, and Zn) contents, whereas X. sagittifolium flour showed higher starch, ash, and reducing sugar content than its counterpart. With regard to physical and physicochemical characteristics, X. sagittifolium flour showed higher titratable acidity and relative density values, being darker and more yellowish than its counterpart. On the other hand, X. sagittifolium flour showed higher gelatinization temperature than C. esculenta flour. Parameters such as viscosity during the holding time (95 °C for 30 min), viscosity at 50 °C, setback, and consistency were lower in C. esculenta flour than X. sagittifolium flour. The viscosity peak and breakdown indexes were higher in C. esculenta flour than in the X. sagittifolium sample. The colony forming units (CFU) of the microorganisms were much lower than those reported in the literature for similar products. Moreover, due to their moisture content and water activity, these flours could be classified as dry foods and they are shelf‐stable foods. The results reflect that flours with good chemical, physicochemical, and nutritional quality and satisfactory microbiological stability may be produced from these aroids.
Optimization and Validation of a Taste Dilution Analysis to Characterize Wine Taste
Authors: Lopez R. , Mateo‐Vivaracho L. , Cacho J. , Ferreira V.
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACT:  A procedure for the general taste dilution analysis (TDA) of wine has been optimized and applied to characterize the tastants of 5 different wines. Samples are concentrated first by vacuum distillation at 20 °C to obtain a dearomatized concentrate. Such concentrate is redissolved in water and injected in a semipreparative C18‐high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) column. The effluent is separated in fractions that are collected and concentrated by vacuum distillation. Sequential dilutions of the fractions are further evaluated by a sensory panel to assess the intensity of the basic tastes and in‐mouth sensations. Fractions were also submitted to HPLC‐mass spectrometry (MS) analysis to screen for known tastants of wines. The Taste Dilution chromatograms showed that taste differences between wines are mainly located in fractions 1, 2, and 6, and are mainly related to bitterness and astringency. Different aspects of the method setup and of its reliability are evaluated and discussed.
Control of Cutting Force for Creep-Feed Grinding Processes Using a Multi-Level Fuzzy Controller
Authors: Xu Chengying , Shin Yung C.
Published: June 2007

In this paper, a multi-level fuzzy control (MLFC) technique is developed and implemented for a creep-feed grinding process. The grinding force is maintained at the maximum allowable level under varying depth of cut, so that the highest metal removal rate is achieved with a good workpiece surface quality. The control rules are generated heuristically without any analytical model of the grinding process. Based on the real-time force measurement, the control parameters are adapted automatically within a stable range. A National Instrument real-time control computer is implemented in an open architecture control system for the grinding machine. Experimental results show that the cycle time has been reduced by up to 25% over those without force control and by 10–20% compared with the conventional fuzzy logic controller, which indicates its effectiveness in improving the productivity of actual manufacturing processes. The effect of grinding wheel wear is also considered in the creep-feed grinding process, where the grinding force/power can be maintained around the specified value by the proposed MLFC controller as the wheel dulls gradually.
Optimal Control of Restraint Forces in an Automobile Impact
Authors: Kent Richard W. , Balandin Dmitry V. , Bolotnik Nikolai N. , Pilkey Walter D. , Purtsezov Sergey V.
Published: June 2007

This study concerns a concept for an optimal control of the force developed in an automotive restraint system during a frontal impact. The concept is close to that of “smart” restraint systems and involves continuous control of the restraint force by moving the point of attachment of the restraint system to the vehicle or retracting and releasing the seat belts. The analytical foundation for the control of the restraining force does not appear to have been formulated prior to this study. The control design involves the limiting performance analysis of the isolation of an occupant from the crash impact and the formation of a feedback to sustain the open-loop control law that provides the limiting performance. Initially, the problem is outlined using a single-degree-of-freedom system and solved for optimal isolator characteristics. This exercise shows that the optimal force is constant and that the performance of a restraint system behaving as a linear spring is half as effective as the optimal. The methodology is then applied to a published thoracic model having multiple degrees of freedom. A set of functionals is defined as constraints corresponding to injury criteria and the displacement of the occupant relative to the vehicle. The characteristics of the optimal isolator force are then determined. It is shown that this force has a short-duration period of high magnitude early in the profile, followed by an interval of nearly constant force. Next it is shown that a restraint behaving as a linear spring can generate the optimal control force if its attachment point in the vehicle is allowed to move. The design of the control law for this motion involves the determination of an optimal open-loop control and the formation of a feedback to sustain this control. Forms for both of these are presented. A substantial improvement in the behavior of an automobile occupant’s restraint systems can be anticipated from an active control of the seat belt retraction.
Motorcycle Steering Control by Road Preview
Authors: Sharp R. S.
Published: June 2007

The main objectives of the work described are to devise an effective path-based motorcycle simulation capability and to add to understanding of how riders control motorcycles. Optimal linear preview control theory was previously applied to the tracking of a roadway by a car, using a simple car model operating in fixed control. Similar theory is applied to path control of motorcycles. The simple car previously employed is replaced by a much more elaborate motorcycle. The steering angle control used previously is changed into steering torque control. Rider upper body lean torque is also allowed as a control input. The machine speed is considered constant but is a parameter of the motion. The objective of the optimal control is to minimize a weighted sum of tracking errors, rider lean angle and control power. The time-invariant optimal control corresponding to a white noise disturbance and to an infinite optimization horizon is found for many situations, involving variations in machine speed and performance priorities. Tight controls, corresponding to high weightings on performance, and loose controls, corresponding to high weightings on control power, are identified. Results show the expected pattern for preview control, that information well into the future is of limited value in determining the present control inputs. Full system performance is achievable with only finite preview. The extent of the preview necessary for full performance is determined as a function of machine speed and performance priorities. This necessary preview is found to be in accord with conventional wisdom of motorcycle riding and rider training. Optimal path tracking preview controls are shown to represent the inverse dynamics of the motorcycle. New light is shed on the relative effectiveness of steering torque and body lean torque controls. Simulations of an optimally controlled motorcycle and rider combination are conducted. A typical lane change path and an S-shaped path from the literature are used. For a chosen speed, optimal controls are installed on the machine for which they were derived and simulation results showing tracking performance, control inputs, and other responses are included. Transformation of the problem from a global description, in which the optimal control is found, to a local description corresponding to the rider’s view, is described. It is concluded that a motorcycle rider model representing a useful combination of steering control capability and computational economy has been established. The model yields new insights into rider and motorcycle behavior.
Simultaneous Force and Stiffness Control of a Pneumatic Actuator
Authors: Shen Xiangrong , Goldfarb Michael
Published: June 2007

This paper proposes a new approach to the design of a robot actuator with physically variable stiffness. The proposed approach leverages the dynamic characteristics inherent in a pneumatic actuator, which behaves in essence as a series elastic actuator. By replacing the four-way servovalve used to control a typical pneumatic actuator with a pair of three-way valves, the stiffness of the series elastic component can be modulated independently of the actuator output force. Based on this notion, the authors propose a control approach for the simultaneous control of actuator output force and stiffness. Since the achievable output force and stiffness are coupled and configuration-dependent, the authors also present a control law that provides either maximum or minimum actuator output stiffness for a given displacement and desired force output. The general control and maximum/minimum stiffness approaches are experimentally demonstrated and shown to provide high fidelity control of force and stiffness, and additionally shown to provide a factor of 6 dynamic range in stiffness.
Systematic Identification of Decoupling in Dynamic System Models
Authors: Geoff Rideout D. , Stein Jeffrey L. , Louca Loucas S.
Published: June 2007

This paper proposes a technique to quantitatively and systematically search for decoupling among elements of a dynamic system model, and to partition models in which decoupling is found. The method can validate simplifying assumptions based on decoupling, determine when decoupling breaks down due to changes in system parameters or inputs, and indicate required model changes. A high-fidelity model is first generated using the bond graph formalism. The relative contributions of the terms of the generalized Kirchoff loop and node equations are computed by calculating and comparing a measure of their power flow. Negligible aggregate bond power at a constraint equation node indicates an unnecessary term, which is then removed from the model by replacing the associated bond by a modulated source of generalized effort or flow. If replacement of all low-power bonds creates separate bond graphs that are joined by modulating signals, then the model can be partitioned into driving and driven subsystems. The partitions are smaller than the original model, have lower-dimension design variable vectors, and can be simulated separately or in parallel. The partitioning algorithm can be employed alongside existing automated modeling techniques to facilitate efficient, accurate simulation-based design of dynamic systems.
The Near Eastern Origin of Cat Domestication
Authors: Driscoll Carlos A. , Menotti-Raymond Marilyn , Roca Alfred L. , Hupe Karsten , Johnson Warren E. , Geffen Eli , Harley Eric H. , Delibes Miguel , Pontier Dominique , Kitchener Andrew C. , Yamaguchi Nobuyuki , O'Brien Stephen J. , Macdonald David W.
Published: June 2007

The world's domestic cats carry patterns of sequence variation in their genome that reflect a history of domestication and breed development. A genetic assessment of 979 domestic cats and their wild progenitors—
Felis silvestris silvestris
(European wildcat),
F. s. lybica
(Near Eastern wildcat),
F. s. ornata
(central Asian wildcat),
F. s. cafra
(southern African wildcat), and
F. s. bieti
(Chinese desert cat)—indicated that each wild group represents a distinctive subspecies of
Felis silvestris.
Further analysis revealed that cats were domesticated in the Near East, probably coincident with agricultural village development in the Fertile Crescent. Domestic cats derive from at least five founders from across this region, whose descendants were transported across the world by human assistance.
Participation in biomedical research is an imperfect moral duty: a response to John Harris
Authors: Shapshay Sandra , Pimple Kenneth D
Published: June 2007

In his paper “Scientific research is a moral duty”, John Harris argues that individuals have a moral duty to participate in biomedical research by volunteering as research subjects. He supports his claim with reference to what he calls the principle of beneficence as embodied in the “rule of rescue” (the moral obligation to prevent serious harm), and the principle of fairness embodied in the prohibition on “free riding” (we are obliged to share the sacrifices that make possible social practices from which we benefit). His view that biomedical research is an important social good is agreed upon, but it is argued that Harris succeeds only in showing that such participation and support is a moral good, among many other moral goods, while failing to show that there is a moral duty to participate in biomedical research in particular. The flaws in Harris’s arguments are detailed here, and it is shown that the principles of beneficence and fairness yield only a weaker discretionary or imperfect obligation to help others in need and to reciprocate for sacrifices that others have made for the public good. This obligation is discretionary in the sense that the individuals are free to choose when, where, and how to help others in need and reciprocate for earlier sacrifices. That Harris has not succeeded in claiming a special status for biomedical research among all other social goods is shown here.
Care for suicidal older people: current clinical–ethical considerations
Authors: Vanlaere Linus , Bouckaert Filip , Gastmans Chris
Published: June 2007

This article opens by reviewing the state of the knowledge on the most current worldwide facts about suicide in older people. Next, a number of values that have a role in this problem are considered. Having a clear and current understanding of suicide and of the related self-held and social values forms the framework for a number of clinical–ethical recommendations for care practice. An important aspect of caring for older people with suicidal tendencies is to determine whether their primary care fosters self-esteem and affirms their dignity. In addition to providing a timely and appropriate diagnosis and treatment of suicidality, the caregiver is responsible for helping the patient to cope with stressful conditions, and for treating the patient with respect and consideration, thereby supporting the patient’s dignity and giving the patient a reason to live. Paying attention to these central points will foster caring contact with suicidal older people.
Temperature, temperature extremes, and mortality: a study of acclimatisation and effect modification in 50 US cities
Authors: Medina-Ramón M , Schwartz J
Published: June 2007

Objectives:

The authors examined the increase in mortality associated with hot and cold temperature in different locations, the determinants of the variability in effect estimates, and its implications for adaptation.

Methods:

The authors conducted a case-crossover study in 50 US cities. They used daily mortality and weather data for 6 513 330 deaths occurring during 1989–2000. Exposure was assessed using two approaches. First, the authors determined exposure to extreme temperatures using city-specific indicator variables based on the local temperature distribution. Secondly, they used piecewise linear variables to assess exposure to temperature on a continuous scale above/below a threshold. Effects of hot and cold temperature were examined in season-specific models. In a meta-analysis of the city-specific results, the authors examined several city characteristics as effect modifiers.

Results:

Mortality increases associated with both extreme cold (2-day cumulative increase 1.59% (95% CI 0.56 to 2.63)) and extreme heat (5.74% (95% CI 3.38 to 8.15)) were found, the former being especially marked for myocardial infarction and cardiac arrest deaths. The increase in mortality was less marked at less extreme temperatures. The effect of extreme cold (defined as a percentile) was homogeneous across cities with different climates, suggesting that only the unusualness of the cold temperature (and not its absolute value) had a substantial impact on mortality (that is, acclimatisation to cold). Conversely, heat effects were quite heterogeneous, with the largest effects observed in cities with milder summers, less air conditioning and higher population density. Adjustment for ozone led to similar results, but some residual confounding could be present due to other uncontrolled pollutants.

Conclusions:

The authors confirmed in a large sample of cities that both cold and hot temperatures increase mortality risk. These findings suggest that increases in heat-related mortality due to global warming are unlikely to be compensated for by decreases in cold-related mortality and that population acclimatisation to heat is still incomplete.
QUANTUM PAINLEVÉ SYSTEMS OF TYPE $A_{n-1}^{(1)}$ WITH HIGHER DEGREE LAX OPERATORS
Authors: NAGOYA HAJIME
Published: June 2007

Quantum Painlevé systems of type [Formula: see text] [13] are the quantizations of the second, fourth and fifth Painlevé equations and their generalizations [1, 15, 26]. These quantized systems have the Lax representations as in the classical systems. As a polynomial in an element of a Heisenberg algebra of [Formula: see text], the degrees of those Lax operators are 2 or 3. In this paper, we shall deal with the Lax operator whose degree is greater than or equal to 2. Using this Lax operator, we systematically construct the differential systems with the affine Weyl group symmetries of type [Formula: see text] and the commuting Hamiltonians.
MAJORANA NEUTRINO MASSES BY SPECTROSCOPIC STUDIES OF DOUBLE BETA DECAYS AND MOON
Authors: EJIRI HIROYASU
Published: June 2007

This is a brief review of spectroscopic studies of neutrino-less double beta decays (0νββ) and the MOON (Mo Observatory Of Neutrinos) project. It aims at studying the Majorana nature of neutrinos and the mass spectrum by spectroscopic studies of 0νββ with ν-mass sensitivity of 〈mν〉 ≈ 30 meV . The solid scintillator option of the MOON detector is a super ensemble of multi-layer modules, each being composed by a scintillator plate and two tracking detector planes. Thin ββ source films are interleaved between the detector planes. High localization of the two β tracks enables one to select true signals and reject BG ones by spatial and time correlation analyses. MOON with detector ≠ ββ source is used for studying 0νββ decays from 100 Mo , 82 Se and other ββ isotopes with large nuclear sensitivity (large Qββ). Real-time exclusive measurements of low energy solar neutrinos can also be made by observing inverse β rays from solar-ν captures of 100 Mo in delayed coincidence with the subsequent β decay of 100 Tc .
A SLOW REINFORCEMENT LEARNING SCHEME FOR SELECTIVE PREDATION
Authors: TSOULARIS A.
Published: June 2007

In this paper, we utilize a reinforcement learning model for a specialist predator preying upon two types of prey, the noxious models, which are abundant, and the palatable mimics, which are much rarer, in accord with the concept of Batesian mimicry. The latter type of prey resembles the models in appearance so as to derive some protection from the predator who must avoid the unpalatable models. We treat the predator as a slow learning automaton adopting a simple reinforcement learning strategy in order to increase its consumption of palatable prey and reduce the consumption of unpalatable ones. We assume a logistic growth for both models and mimics.
MATHEMATICAL STUDY OF THE IMPACT OF QUARANTINE, ISOLATION AND VACCINATION IN CURTAILING AN EPIDEMIC
Authors: PODDER CHANDRA N. , GUMEL ABBA B. , BOWMAN CHRIS S. , MCLEOD ROBERT G.
Published: June 2007

The quarantine of suspected cases and isolation of individuals with symptoms are two of the primary public health control measures for combating the spread of a communicable emerging or re-emerging disease. Implementing these measures, however, can inflict significant socio-economic and psychological costs. This paper presents a deterministic compartmental model for assessing the single and combined impact of quarantine and isolation to contain an epidemic. Comparisons are made with a mass vaccination program. The model is simulated using parameters for influenza-type diseases such as SARS. The study shows that even for an epidemic in which asymptomatic transmission does not occur, the quarantine of asymptomatically-infected individuals can be more effective than only isolating individuals with symptoms, if the associated reproductive number is high enough. For the case where asymptomatic transmission occurs, it is shown that isolation is more effective for a disease with a small basic reproduction number and transmission coefficient of asymptomatically-infected individuals. If asymptomatic individuals transmit at a rate that is at least 20% that of symptomatic individuals, quarantine is always more effective. The study further shows that the reduction in disease burden obtained from a combined quarantine and isolation program can be comparable to that obtained by a vaccination program, if the former is implemented quickly enough after the onset of the outbreak. If the implementation of such a quarantine/isolation program is delayed, however, even for a short while, its effectiveness decreases rapidly.
ZEROPOINT FLUCTUATIONS AND DARK ENERGY IN JOSEPHSON JUNCTIONS
Authors: BECK CHRISTIAN , MACKEY MICHAEL C.
Published: June 2007

We discuss the possibility that vacuum fluctuations underlying dark energy could lead to measurable effects for the quantum noise spectrum in Josephson junctions [C. Beck, M. C. Mackey, Phys. Lett. B605, 295 (2005)]. We argue that a recent discussion of Jetzer and Straumann [Phys. Lett. B606, 77 (2005)] relating the measured noise spectrum in Josephson junctions to van der Waals forces is incorrect. The measured noise spectrum in Josephson junctions is a consequence of the fluctuation dissipation theorem and the Josephson effect and has nothing to do with van der Waals forces. Consequently, the argument of Jetzer and Straumann does not shed any light on whether dark energy can or cannot be measured using superconducting Josephson devices. We also point out that a more recent paper of Jetzer and Straumann [Phys. Lett. B639, 57 (2006)] claiming that 'zeropoint energies do not not show up in any application of the fluctuation dissipation theorem' violates the standard view on the subject.
CONDUCTANCE NOISE ON A SQUARE SAMPLE, CALCULATION OF THE GEOMETRICAL FACTOR fQ
Authors: VAN DEURSEN A. P. J. , VANDAMME L. K. J.
Published: June 2007

Conductance fluctuations are easily probed by passing a constant current through a pair of driver electrodes and measuring the voltage fluctuations across a pair of sensor electrodes. We calculate the geometrical factor for these fluctuations from the current distribution derived by conformal transformations. In four-electrode configurations on a flat square sample this factor depends only slightly on electrode size, whereas a strong dependence is found for two-electrode configurations. The calculations also give accurate values for the resistance, which allows a comparison with the thermal noise.
THE QUALITY ASSESSMENT AND CONTENT ANALYSIS OF CORPORATE WEBSITES IN CHINA: AN EMPIRICAL STUDY
Authors: XI YOUMIN , ZHUANG YOULONG , HUANG W. , SHE CONGGUO , ZHANG ZHIPENG
Published: June 2007

This study evaluates 74 Chinese corporate websites by examining their contents and functions to understand the business objectives. It found that business objectives of these websites mainly focused on publicity, and very little on online sales. Firms in banking and construction industries develop the highest quality websites, while firms in public services and retailing are the laggards. Chinese websites are ease to use with consistent information. The article also compared the findings in China in this study with those in the United States, Australia, and Singapore in similar studies. It found that industry characteristics were similar among nations while more complicated website functions were more popular among the firms of developed countries. The findings will contribute to the research of e-business by confirming the existence of innovators and laggards of Web technology adoption in model given in E. M. Roger, Diffusion of Innovations (The Free Press, New York, 1962), and help managers understand current status of Chinese websites.
Collective Ambition, Creative Chaos, Information Redundancy, and Shared Knowledge in Integrated Product Development – Case Study
Authors: Rauniar Rupak , Rawski Greg , Meacham Jeramy
Published: June 2007

The use of cross-functional teams in integrated product development (IPD) has become a common practice in industry. Despite an extant body of literature on the importance of knowledge management in cross-functional team execution, the drivers of knowledge sharing in cross-functional teams in IPD projects have not been adequately addressed. Knowledge sharing among the IPD team members help in complex problem solving and decision-making during the course of the concurrent project environment. In this article we present findings on knowledge sharing in IPD projects from our interviews with project executives from four diverse companies. Based on social cognitive and information processing theories, the current case study proposes a theoretical framework on some of the important determinants of shared knowledge. An understanding of such determinants can help managers in IPD to promote information and knowledge sharing which may lead to superior IPD project performance.
Dynamic Knowledge Integration in Socio-Technical Networks: An Interpretive Study of Intranet Use for Knowledge Integration
Authors: Lichtenstein Sharman , Parker Craig M. , Hunter Alexia
Published: June 2007

A major challenge facing firms competing in electronic business markets is the dynamic integration of knowledge within and beyond the firm, enabled by internet-based infrastructure and emergent fluid socio-technical networks. This paper explores how social actors dynamically employ intranets to integrate formal and informal knowledge within evolving socio-technical networks that emerge, permeate and extend beyond the organisational boundary. The paper presents two case studies that illustrate how static intranets can be useful for dynamically integrating knowledge when they are interwoven with other knowledge channels such as e-mail through which flows the informal knowledge needed to make sense of and situate formal organisational knowledge. The findings suggest that businesses should carefully examine how employees integrate intranets with other channels in their work, and the shaping of knowledge outcomes that flows from such use. There are practical implications for the proper skilling of the people who share and integrate knowledge in this way. The paper also provides a framework for dynamic knowledge integration in socio-technical networks, which can help underpin future research in this area.
EXPLORING PARTNERSHIP ENTERPRISE FOR THE RURAL POOR THROUGH AN EXPERIMENTAL POULTRY PROGRAM IN BANGLADESH
Authors: MAKITA RIE
Published: June 2007

Self-employment promotion for poverty reduction has been administered through microcredit programs in Bangladesh. While microcredit has opened up new opportunities for the poor to start enterprises, some of them have not benefited from microcredit schemes. To enable the poor left behind to participate in the rural economy as entrepreneurs, this paper proposes the creation of a partnership enterprise between a sponsor and poor producers. In this partnership, the sponsor as a master trader supports partner-producers financially, technically and managerially through a subcontracting arrangement. The paper develops this conceptual relationship in a real rural setting through the observation of an income-generating program implemented by a Bangladeshi NGO in the field of poultry-rearing. This empirical form of partnership enterprise suggests an opportunity for the poor to enter into a previously inaccessible market and gain a regular income source, which builds the foundation of their household economy beyond subsistence.
RECENT TRENDS IN DNA BIOSENSING TECHNOLOGIES
Authors: WONG ELICIA L. S.
Published: June 2007

Recent development and challenges in DNA biosensing technology for the detection of DNA hybridization are reviewed with respect to their abilities to achieve lower detection limit and higher selectivity. Researchers exploit a range of different chemistries for the development of DNA hybridization biosensors, however all the designs take advantage of heterogenous hybridization between the surface-bound DNA (the probe) and the DNA sample (target) in the solution. The detection protocols include using optical, microgravimetry, and electrochemical-based device to transduce DNA hybridization by observing changes in light, mass/frequency, and current/charge, respectively, upon exposure to the sample. The pros and cons of these biosensor designs are discussed with illustrative examples.
Role of NKT Cells in the Digestive System. II. NKT cells and diabetes
Authors: Wu Lan , Kaer Luc Van
Published: June 2007

Natural killer T (NKT) cells are a subset of regulatory T lymphocytes that recognize glycolipid antigens presented by the major histocompatibility complex class I-related glycoprotein CD1d. NKT cells have been implicated in regulating the progression of Type 1 diabetes (T1D) in human patients and in an animal model for T1D. In addition, glycolipid agonists of NKT cells have been successful in preventing diabetes in mice, raising enthusiasm for the development of NKT cell-based therapies for T1D.
Changes in Participation Level after Spouse’s First Stroke and Relationship to Burden and Depressive Symptoms
Authors: Rochette Annie , Desrosiers Johanne , Bravo Gina , St-Cyr Tribble Denise , Bourget Annick
Published: June 2007

Background: No comprehensive data are available on the impact of stroke on the spouse’s participation level. The purpose of this study was to document changes in participation level over time and explore associations between changes in participation level, burden and depressive symptoms for spouses of people who had had a first stroke. Methods: Participants were spouses recruited in the first 2 weeks after admission of individuals with a first stroke to acute care. Prestroke measures (T0) were collected at recruitment, simultaneously with the first measure (T1); further measures were collected 6 months after the stroke event (T2). Participation level was measured with the LIFE-H, perceived burden with the Caregiver Strain Index and depressive symptoms using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Results: Mean age of participants (n = 54) was 69 years (SD 10.9) and the majority were female (75.9%). Changes in participation include small but significant increases at T1 for the nutrition (effect size, ES, 0.34) and responsibilities (ES 0.22) domains, and large significant persistent decreases at T2 compared to T0 were found for personal relationships (ES 0.83), employment (ES 0.63) and recreation (ES 0.93). Changes in these last three participation domains are associated with a higher Caregiver Strain Index score (p < 0.01) but not with the BDI. Conclusions: Participation domains mostly affected for spouses after stroke were personal relationships, employment and recreation which could be addressed by clinicians in their provision of support.
Vaccination Against VEGFR2 Attenuates Initiation and Progression of Atherosclerosis
Authors: Hauer Arnaud D. , van Puijvelde Gijs H.M. , Peterse Niels , de Vos Paula , van Weel Vincent , van Wanrooij Eva J.A. , Biessen Erik A.L. , Quax Paul H.A. , Niethammer Andreas G. , Reisfeld Ralph A. , van Berkel Theo J.C. , Kuiper Johan
Published: June 2007

Objective—

Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2)–overexpressing cells may form an interesting target for the treatment of atherosclerosis because of their involvement in processes that contribute to this disease, such as angiogenesis.

Methods and Results—

We vaccinated mice against VEGFR2 by an orally administered DNA vaccine, comprising a plasmid, encoding murine VEGFR2, carried by live attenuated
Salmonella typhimurium
. This vaccine induces cellular immunity against cells that overexpress VEGFR2. Vaccination of hypercholesterolemic mice against VEGFR2 resulted in a marked induction of CD8
+
cytotoxic T cells specific for VEGFR2 and led to an inhibition of angiogenesis in a hindlimb ischemia model. Interestingly, VEGFR2 vaccination attenuated the progression of preexisting advanced atherosclerotic lesions in the brachiocephalic artery of apoE
−/−
mice. Furthermore, VEGFR2 vaccination strongly reduced the initiation of collar-induced atherosclerosis in the carotid arteries of LDLr
−/−
mice. In addition, denudation of the carotid artery, as a model for postinterventional lesion formation, resulted in delayed endothelial replacement and significantly increased neointima formation on VEGFR2 vaccination.

Conclusions—

These data indicate the prominent role of VEGFR2
+
cells in cardiovascular diseases and show that induction of cellular immunity against atherosclerosis-associated cells by means of DNA vaccination may contribute to the development of novel therapies against atherosclerosis.
Diagnosis of Right-to-Left Shunt With Transcranial Doppler and Vertebrobasilar Recording
Authors: Del Sette Massimo , Dinia Lavinia , Rizzi Domenica , Sugo Annalisa , Albano Beatrice , Gandolfo Carlo
Published: June 2007

Background and Purpose—

Right-to-left shunt (RLS) due to patent foramen ovale is a well-established risk factor for cryptogenic stroke and is highly prevalent in cases of migraine, cluster headache, and obstructive apnea. It can be diagnosed by gaseous-contrast transcranial Doppler, yet in a small percentage of cases it cannot be done owing to an insufficient temporal window. The aim of the study was to compare transtemporal with transoccipital approaches for gaseous-contrast transcranial Doppler for RLS diagnosis.

Methods—

We evaluated 183 subjects with a standard protocol for RLS diagnosis by simultaneously monitoring the right middle cerebral and vertebrobasilar circulations.

Results—

Vertebrobasilar recording reached high specificity (100%) and good sensitivity (83.72%) for the diagnosis of RLS after the Valsalva maneuver. For only medium and large shunts, both sensitivity and specificity reached 100%. Time to bubble appearance after injection was higher in the vertebrobasilar circulation (4.36±1.7 vs 6.77±2.5 seconds;
P
<0.001). There was a positive correlation between the number of bubbles in the right middle cerebral and vertebrobasilar circulation (κ=0.97).

Conclusions—

Transcranial Doppler with vertebrobasilar monitoring is highly sensitive and specific in detecting RLS, particularly when medium or large. It can be proposed for subjects with an insufficient temporal bone window.