bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimental study of silicone‐epoxy dual adhesive joints for high temperature aerospace applications
Authors: Marques E.A.S. , Magalhães D.N.M. , da Silva L.F.M.
Published: May 2011

Adhesive bonding is extensively used in aerospace applications. Some of the most important aerospace applications are in heat shields intended to protect metallic structures from extreme heat. Many heat shields are bonded with RTV silicone based adhesives, which have excellent resistance to high temperature but very low strength. This work proposes and studies three alternative configurations to these adhesive layers. One configuration with RTV silicone only (RTV106), one with only a high temperature epoxy (XN1244) and finally another configuration introducing both adhesives in the same joint (mixed joint). Experimental specimens and a testing device intended to simulate the loads on an actual heat shield were manufactured. These specimens were subjected to loading and tested until failure at both low and high temperatures. It was demonstrated that while the RTV silicone joints lose strength at 100°C, the epoxy and mixed joints are able to retain most of their strength. The mixed joint is also able to withstand large values of displacement at relatively high forces, indicating excellent capabilities at absorbing directed energy. The improvements and advantages deriving from the use of these alternative configurations are described and compared.
Tensile test of lead zirconate titanate (PZT)/Platinum (Pt) thin film
Authors: Park J.‐H. , Bae H.‐Y. , Oh Y.‐R. , Kim Y.‐J. , Kim H.Y. , Huh Y.‐H.
Published: May 2011

This paper presents the results of tensile tests for lead zirconate titanate (PZT)/Platinum (Pt) thin films of 2.15 μm thickness in atmospheric air at room temperature. An axial loading tester developed by the authors was used for the tests. The tester was equipped with a load cell with a maximum capacity of 0.5 N and a non‐contact position measuring system based on the principle of capacitance micrometry. Furthermore, the tester was equipped with a CCD (charge‐coupled device) system for measuring the displacement of the gage length. Specimens with three different widths (50, 100 and 150 μm) were fabricated to study the size (width of specimen) effects. The elastic moduli of the specimens with 50, 100 and 150 μm width were 72.8 ± 3.7, 75.0 ± 1.3, 73.3 ± 1.8 GPa, respectively. In addition, the ultimate tensile strength of the specimens with 50, 100 and 150 μm width were 263.4 ± 21.1, 238.6 ± 4.5, 221.1 ± 13.9 MPa, respectively. It was observed that the width of specimen has little effect on the elastic modulus of PZT/Pt thin films but has an effect on the ultimate tensile strength of PZT/Pt thin films and the ultimate tensile strength decreases as the width increases. It was assumed that the scatter in the ultimate tensile strength of 50 μm width was attributed to delamination of PZT/Pt layers before the fracture in the tensile test. The 0.2% offset yield strength could not be measured because the PZT/Pt thin film is very brittle.
Uric acid as a potential disease modifier in patients with multiple system atrophy
Authors: Lee Ji E. , Song Sook K. , Sohn Young H. , Lee Phil Hyu
Published: May 2011

Background:

Recent studies have suggested that mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress play a key role in the pathogenesis of multiple system atrophy.

Methods:

We evaluated the influence of serum uric acid levels on disease progression in 52 patients with multiple system atrophy using changes in the annualized Unified Multiple System Atrophy Rating Scale scores.

Results:

The mean annualized Unified Multiple System Atrophy Rating Scale changes were significantly lower in patients with the highest uric acid quartile compared with those with the lowest quartile (8.4 ± 5.1 vs 20.2 ± 16.0, P = .038). Serum uric acid levels had a significant negative correlation with the annualized Unified Multiple System Atrophy Rating Scale changes (r = −0.40, P = .004). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that only serum uric acid concentration was significantly correlated with the annualized Unified Multiple System Atrophy Rating Scale changes (β = −2.687, P = .011).

Conclusions:

These data suggest that serum uric acid may act as a potential disease modifier in multiple system atrophy. © 2011 Movement Disorder Society
Error analysis for hybrid Trefftz methods coupling traction conditions in linear elastostatics
Authors: Li Zi‐Cai
Published: May 2011

For linear elastostatics, the Lagrange multiplier to couple the displacement (i.e., Dirichlet) condition is well known in mathematics community, but the Lagrange multiplier to couple the traction (i.e., Neumann) condition is popular for elasticity problems by the Trefftz method in engineering community, which is called the Hybrid Trefftz method (HTM). However, there has not been any analysis for these Lagrange multipliers to couple the traction condition so far. New error analysis of the HTM for elasticity problems is explored in this paper, to derive error bounds with the optimal convergence rates. Numerical experiments are reported to support this analysis. The error analysis of the HTM for linear elastostatics is the main aim of this paper. In this paper, the collocation Trefftz method (CTM) without a multiplier is also introduced, accompanied with error analysis. Numerical comparisons are made for HTM and CTM using fundamental solutions (FS) and particular solutions (PS). The error analysis and numerical computations show that the accuracy of the HTM is equivalent to that of the CTM, but the stability of the CTM is good. For elasticity and other complicated problems, the simplicity of algorithms and programming grants the CTM a remarkable advantage. More numerical comparisons show that using PS is more efficient than using FS in both HTM and CTM. However, since the optimal convergence rates are the most important criterion in evaluation of numerical methods, the global performance of the HTM is as good as that of the CTM. The comparisons of HTM and CTM using FS and PS are the next aim of this article. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq, 2011
The synthesis of a novel flame retardant and its synergistic efficiency in polypropylene/ammonium polyphosphate system
Authors: Wang Chen , Wei Ping , Qian Yong , Liu JiPing
Published: May 2011

A novel flame retardant, Si‐E, was synthesized and characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The flame retardancy of Si‐E in polypropylene/ammonium polyphosphate (PP/APP) composites was studied by limited oxygen index (LOI) and cone calorimeter (CONE). The influence of the flame retardant additives on the thermal degradation process in PP composites was ascertained by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and the char morphology was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The addition of Si‐E to PP/APP composites can simultaneously improve the flame retardancy and improve the impact strength, due to good compatibility and toughness of Si‐E in PP/APP. The CONE test also showed that the heat release rate and smoke production rate were significantly reduced in PP/APP/Si‐E composites. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Novel fluorescent amphiphilic poly(allylamine) and their supramacromolecular self‐assemblies in aqueous media
Authors: Hoskins Clare , Lin Paul Kong Thoo , Tetley Laurence , Cheng Woei Ping
Published: May 2011

Fluorescent amphiphilic polymers were produced by grafting different types and levels of hydrophobic pendant groups with intrinsic fluorescent properties (fluorenylmethoxy carbonyl (Fmoc), dimethylamino‐1‐naphthalenesulfonyl (Dansyl), and naphthalene (Naphth) to a water soluble homopolymer backbone, polyallylamine (PAA). Non‐fluorescent hydrophobic pendant group (cholesteryl moieties) were also grafted onto PAA. The polymers were characterized with elemental analysis, NMR and FTIR spectroscopy. All polymers formed self‐assemblies by probe sonication in water with sizes ranging from 120 to 199 nm and TEM images showed the presence of spherical particles. The critical aggregation concentration (CAC) varied from 0.093 to 1.5 mg ml−1 depending on the type of hydrophobic pendant groups. The Cholesteryl and Dansyl polymers showed the presence of one CAC while the Fmoc and Naphth grafted polymers revealed the presence of two CACs. The first CAC observed was possibly due to intermolecular aggregation while the second CAC at the higher polymer concentration was the result of excimer formation revealed by their fluorescent spectra. We reasoned that Naphth and Fmoc aromatic pendant groups possess a flat stereochemistry, thus allowing π–π stacking at higher concentrations. The presence of the N‐dimethylamino group in the Dansyl moiety gives rise to a 3D structure, thus hindering any stacking. The understanding of the supramolecular assemblies formed by these fluorescent amphiphilic polymers will aid in the engineering of advanced materials with superior functionality for biomedical applications. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Further study on the flammability of polyurea: the effect of intumescent coating and additive flame retardants
Authors: Awad Walid H. , Wilkie Charles A.
Published: May 2011

A series of polyurea (PU) samples were prepared and coated with varying thicknesses of commercially available solvent and water‐based intumescent paints. Another series of PU composite samples, containing different types of flame retardant additives, were prepared and coated with the intumescent paints. The fire behavior of the samples was investigated by subjecting the samples to the heat flux of the cone calorimeter. The data indicate that the intumescent coat is very effective in imparting flame retardancy to the samples. Combining the flame retardant additives with the coating has no additional effect. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Room temperature DC magnetron sputtering deposition and field emission of Al‐doped ZnO films
Authors: Ye Fan , Cai Xing‐Min , Dai Fu‐Ping , Zhang Dong‐Ping , Fan Ping , Liu Li‐Jun
Published: May 2011

Al doped ZnO films were prepared by reactive direct current (DC) magnetron sputtering at room temperature. The targets were metallic Al and Zn while the gases were Ar and O2. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) shows that the films are of hexagonal structure and Al is successfully doped into ZnO without secondary phases detected. Raman scattering spectra of the films contain the E1 mode of ZnO. Seebeck effect shows that the films are n‐type and four probe instrument shows that the films are very resistive. The high resistivity is due to the compensation of acceptors such as oxygen vacancies and substitutional nitrogen atoms. The acceptors reduce the electron density and increase the work function of ZnO, which therefore weakens the field emission of Al doped ZnO films.
Observations and modelling of the solar and terrestrial radiative effects of Saharan dust: a radiative closure case‐study over oceans during the GERBILS campaign
Authors: Haywood J.M. , Johnson B.T. , Osborne S.R. , Mulcahy J. , Brooks M.E. , Harrison M.A.J. , Milton S.F. , Brindley H.E.
Published: May 2011

Mineral dust events exert a significant perturbation to the Earth's radiation balance via scattering and absorption in both solar and thermal infrared wavelengths. This study documents aircraft‐based measurements of the solar and terrestrial radiative effects of a mineral dust outbreak off the west coast of Africa while the FAAM BAe‐146 was in transit to the GERBILS observational measurement campaign. By comparing model and measurements of upwelling irradiance, an instantaneous top‐of‐atmosphere broadband solar direct radiative effect (DRE) of −33 ± 6 W m−2 is determined for an aerosol optical depth at 0.55 μm (τ0.55) of around 0.26 ± 0.04 with the variability in τ0.55 being estimated from the uncertainty in the aerosol models used in the radiative transfer calculations. Measurements of the spectral dependence of the solar radiative effect indicate that this is well modelled both above and below the dust layer whether using spherical, spheroid or irregular particle models. The terrestrial radiative impact at the top of the atmosphere is estimated to be +9 ± 3 W m−2 or around 25–30% of the solar radiative effect in this particular case, although the relative magnitude will of course be dependent on the underlying surface albedo, surface skin temperature, and details of the vertical profile of dust, temperature and humidity. The DRE retrieved from the Spinning Enhanced Visible and InfraRed Imager (SEVIRI) is in reasonable agreement with the aircraft measurements. Mineral dust aerosol optical depths derived from the Met Office global numerical weather prediction model show a reasonable spatial distribution but a general underestimation when compared against SEVIRI. Additionally, as expected from a relatively low‐resolution global‐scale model, the high τ0.55 values associated with mesoscale convective events are not well reproduced. Copyright © 2011 Royal Meteorological Society and British Crown Copyright, the Met Office
Ensemble prediction of transitions of the North Atlantic eddy‐driven jet
Authors: Frame T. H. A. , Ambaum M. H. P. , Gray S. L. , Methven J.
Published: May 2011

The consistency of ensemble forecasts from three global medium‐range prediction systems with the observed transition behaviour of a three‐cluster model of the North Atlantic eddy‐driven jet is examined. The three clusters consist of a mid jet cluster taken to represent an undisturbed jet and south and north jet clusters representing southward and northward shifts of the jet. The ensemble forecasts span a period of three extended winters (October–February) from October 2007–February 2010. The mean probabilities of transitions between the clusters calculated from the ensemble forecasts are compared with those calculated from a 23‐extended‐winter climatology taken from the European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts 40‐Year Re‐analysis (ERA40) dataset. No evidence of a drift with increasing lead time of the ensemble forecast transition probabilities towards values inconsistent with the 23‐extended‐winter climatology is found. The ensemble forecasts of transition probabilities are found to have positive Brier Skill at 15 day lead times. It is found that for the three‐extended‐winter forecast set, probabilistic forecasts initialized in the north jet cluster are generally less skilful than those initialized in the other clusters. This is consistent with the shorter persistence time‐scale of the north jet cluster observed in the ERA40 23‐extended‐winter climatology. Copyright © 2011 Royal Meteorological Society
The CASSCF method: A perspective and commentary
Authors: Olsen Jeppe
Published: May 2011

The CASSCF method of Roos and coworkers is reviewed and compared to other approaches. It is argued that the implementation of the CASSCF method marks the beginning of large scale multiconfigurational self consistent field calculations and thus has been important in many fields of the molecular sciences. It is further argued that CASSCF and related approaches will continue to play an important role in the development of a molecular understanding of structures and processes in many fields of science, as these approaches constitute the appropriate starting point for wave function descriptions of molecules and complexes containing transition metals. This development will, however, require a way to avoid the exponential scaling of the complexity of the underlying wave function and several ways to eliminate this scaling is reviewed. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem 111:3267–3272, 2011
Coprime‐inner/outer factorization of SISO time‐delay systems and FIR structure of their optimal H‐infinity controllers
Authors: Gumussoy S.
Published: May 2011

The approach in Foias et al. (Robust control of Infinite Dimensional: Frequency Domain Methods. Springer: Berlin, 1996) is one of the well‐developed methods to design H‐infinity controllers for general infinite dimensional systems. This approach is applicable if the plant admits a special coprime‐inner/outer factorization. We give the largest class of single‐input–single‐output (SISO) time‐delay systems for which this factorization is possible and factorize the admissible plants. Based on this factorization, we compute the optimal H‐infinity performance and eliminate unstable pole‐zero cancellations in the optimal H‐infinity controller. We extend the results on the finite impulse response structure of optimal H‐infinity controllers by showing that this structure appears not only for plants with input/output delays, but also for general SISO time‐delay plants. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Agile software product lines: a systematic mapping study
Authors: da Silva Ivonei Freitas , da Mota Silveira Neto Paulo Anselmo , O'Leary Pádraig , de Almeida Eduardo Santana , de Lemos Meira Silvio Romero
Published: May 2011

Background: Software product lines and Agile methods have been an effective solution for dealing with the growing complexity of software and handling competitive needs of software organizations. They also share common goals, such as improving productivity, reducing time‐to‐market, decreasing development costs and increasing customer satisfaction. There has been growing interest in whether the integration of Agile and SPL could provide further benefits and solve many of the outstanding issues surrounding software development. Objective: This study investigates the state‐of‐the‐art in Agile SPL approaches, while identifying gaps in current research and synthesizing available evidence. It also provides a basis for a deeper understanding of the issues involved in the integration of Agile and SPL. Method: A mapping study was undertaken to analyze the relation between Agile and SPL methods. A set of four research questions were defined in which the 32 primary studies were evaluated. Results: This study provides insights into the integration of Agile and SPL approaches, it identifies the current gaps in the research, synthesize the available evidence and propose specific Agile methods and practices for integration in SPL. Conclusions: In general, few studies describe the underlying Agile principles being adopted by proposed Agile SPL solutions. The most common Agile practices proposed by the studies came from the XP and Scrum methods, particularly in the pro‐active SPL strategy. We identify certain Agile methods that are being overlooked by the Agile SPL community, and propose specific SPL practices areas suitable for adoption of Agile practices. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ranking of software engineering metrics by fuzzy‐based matrix methodology
Authors: Garg R. K. , Sharma Kapil , Nagpal C. K. , Garg Rakesh , Garg Rajpal , Kumar Rajive , Sandhya
Published: May 2011

This research paper presents a framework for ranking of software engineering metrics based on expert opinion elicitation and fuzzy‐based matrix methodology. The proposed methodology is able to accommodate the imprecise and inexact data involved in the problem of ranking of software engineering metrics, vagueness and ambiguity occurring during expert (human) decision making and to depart from the complexity of formulation of the objective and the constraint function. The matrices lend themselves to mechanical manipulations and are useful for analyzing and deriving systems functions expeditiously to meet the objectives. The current research is based on software engineering metrics identified in an earlier study conducted by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. A set of ranking criteria were identified. Software engineering metrics are then ranked in ascending order using experts' opinion in accordance with the value of Permanent function on their criteria matrix. The proposed methodology has also been compared with other known methodologies. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic detection of oligomannosidic n glycans in alpha‐mannosidosis: a method of monitoring treatment
Authors: Avenarius Derk Frederik Matthaus , Svendsen John‐Sigurd , Malm Dag
Published: May 2011

In Alpha‐mannosidosis (MIM 248500) the patients accumulate mainly unbranched oligosaccharide chains in the lysosomes in all body tissues, including the brain. With ensuing therapeutic modalities in man (BMT and ERT) non‐invasive methods of monitoring the effect of treatment are needed. Paramount is the possible effect of the treatment on the brain, since this organ is regarded as difficult to reach because of the blood‐brain barrier. We therefore performed proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) of the brain in two untreated patients, and a 16‐year‐old patient treated with BMT at the age of 10 to assess whether this non‐invasive method could be applied in the monitoring of the accumulation of abnormal chemicals in the brain of patients. We found an abnormal peak that was not present in the treated patient. A similar pattern was also found in MRS of urine from patients, reflecting the concentration of oligosaccharides in serum and tissues. We therefore conclude that MRS can be a useful method to monitor the effect of treatment for Alpha‐Mannosidosis.
Molecular insights into the pathogenicity of variants associated with the aromatic amino acid decarboxylase deficiency
Authors: Montioli Riccardo , Cellini Barbara , Borri Voltattorni Carla
Published: May 2011

Dopa decarboxylase (DDC or AADC) is a pyridoxal 5’‐phosphate (PLP)‐dependent enzyme that catalyzes the decarboxylation of L‐aromatic amino acids into the corresponding aromatic amines. AADC deficiency is an inborn error of neurotransmitters biosynthesis with an autosomal recessive inheritance. About 30 pathogenic mutations have been identified, but the enzymatic phenotypes causing AADC deficiency are unknown, and the therapeutic management is challenging. Here, we report biochemical and bioinformatic analyses of the human wild‐type DDC and the pathogenic variants G102S, F309L, S147R and A275T whose mutations concern amino acid residues at or near the active site. We found that the mutations cause, even if to different extents, a decreased PLP binding affinity (in the range 1.4‐170‐fold), an altered state of the bound coenzyme and of its microenvironment, and a reduced catalytic efficiency (in the range 17‐930‐fold). Moreover, as compared to wild‐type, the external aldimines formed by the variants with L‐aromatic amino acids exhibit different spectroscopic features, do not protect against limited proteolysis, and lead to the formation, in addition to aromatic amines, of cyclic‐substrate adducts. This suggests that these external Schiff bases are not properly oriented and anchored, i.e., in a conformation not completely productive for decarboxylation. The external aldimines that the variants form with D‐Dopa also appear not to be correctly located at their active site, as suggested by the rate constants of PLP‐L‐Dopa adduct production higher than that of the wild‐type. The possible therapeutic implications of the data are discussed in the light of the molecular defects of the pathogenic variants.
On the Bayesian Nonparametric Generalization of IRT-Type Models
Authors: San Martín Ernesto , Jara Alejandro , Rolin Jean-Marie , Mouchart Michel
Published: May 2011

We study the identification and consistency of Bayesian semiparametric IRT-type models, where the uncertainty on the abilities’ distribution is modeled using a prior distribution on the space of probability measures. We show that for the semiparametric Rasch Poisson counts model, simple restrictions ensure the identification of a general distribution generating the abilities, even for a finite number of probes. For the semiparametric Rasch model, only a finite number of properties of the general abilities’ distribution can be identified by a finite number of items, which are completely characterized. The full identification of the semiparametric Rasch model can be only achieved when an infinite number of items is available. The results are illustrated using simulated data.
Quantity and Quality of Free Oil Recovered from Enzymatically Disrupted Soybean Oleosomes
Authors: Towa Lili T. , Kapchie Virginie N. , Wang Guang , Hauck Catherine , Wang Tong , Murphy Patricia A.
Published: May 2011

The operational variables impacting the quantity and quality of free oil recovered from isolated soybean oleosomes by enzymatic extraction were evaluated to optimize this process. Those variables were: protease concentration (0–2.5%), protease hydrolysis time (3 vs. 18 h), and slurry destabilization time (30 min vs. 3 h). Analysis of interactions between these variables and the yield of free oil revealed that the protease concentration was the most significant variable. The quantity of free oil extracted by using 3 h of oleosomes hydrolysis and 30 min of slurry destabilization was not significantly different from that using 18 h of oleosomes hydrolysis and 3 h of slurry destabilization. The optimum conditions, 0.5% Protex 6L, 3 h of hydrolysis, and 30 min of destabilization, resulted in 90% free oil. Oils extracted by the aqueous process had a fatty acid composition similar to conventional hexane‐based process with oxidative stability indices ranging from 9 to 12 h. Enzyme assisted aqueous extraction resulted in a high quality oil which has 88% less free fatty acids than hexane‐extracted oil. The optimal conditions generated 85.5% soybean storage proteins in skim with peptides smaller than 6.5 kDa and the degree of hydrolysis of 19.5%. The present study demonstrates that oil can be extracted from soybeans efficiently without hexane or other petroleum solvents.
Comparison of Flavor Volatiles and Some Functional Properties of Different Soy Protein Products
Authors: Wu Nana , Wang Lijuan , Yang Xiaoquan , Yin Shouwei , Teng Zi , Zheng Erli
Published: April 2011

Flavor volatiles profiles and some functional properties of soy protein products produced by five different extraction methods were studied. A method, consisting of Ethanol Washing and a Hydrothermal cooking Treatment, was proposed to produce a soy protein product (EWHT). Flavor volatiles profiles, emulsifying ability and whiteness of EWHT were improved in comparison with those of Acid Precipitated soy protein product (AP), soy protein product with Oil‐Body Associated proteins and Polar Lipids removed (OBA/PL‐less), soy protein product obtained from Countercurrent Extraction (CE) and Oil‐Body Associated protein product with Polar Lipids (OBA/PL). The GC‐MS and sensory analysis showed that the flavor volatiles content of EWHT was lower than that of the other soy protein products. The results from high performance size exclusion chromatography and dynamic light scattering showed that proteins with larger molecular weights and larger hydrodynamic radii were contained in EWHT, suggesting that EWHT formed soluble larger protein aggregates with a more flexible structure, thus the solubility of EWHT was similar to that of AP, OBA/PL‐less and CE. The surface hydrophobicity of EWHT (994.8) was higher than that of the other soy protein products. Therefore the process for preparing EWHT can be an ideal processing method to produce soy protein with good quality relative to flavor and functionality.
Early pregnancy with an intrauterine device in place
Authors: Roline Chad E. , Heegaard William G. , Anderson Karen S.
Published: April 2011

Case report

A 22-year-old female presented with the complaint of vaginal bleeding 1 week after a positive pregnancy test. An emergency department bedside transvaginal ultrasound revealed an early intrauterine pregnancy (IUP) in the presence of an intrauterine device (IUD).

Discussion

While a rare event, pregnancy can occur in the presence of an IUD. The emergency physician should be aware of the complications of this obstetrical condition.
Pseudotumoural soft tissue lesions of the foot and ankle: a pictorial review
Authors: Van Hul Erik , Vanhoenacker Filip , Van Dyck Pieter , De Schepper Arthur , Parizel Paul M.
Published: April 2011

In the foot and ankle region, benign neoplasms and pseudotumoural soft tissue lesions are significantly more frequent than malignant tumours. The pseudotumoural lesions constitute a heterogeneous group, with highly varied aetiology and histopathology. This article reviews the imaging features of the most common pseudotumours of the soft tissues in the foot and ankle. Although the imaging characteristics of several of the lesions discussed are non-specific, combining them with lesion location and clinical features allows the radiologist to suggest a specific diagnosis in most cases.
Engineering plant resistance by constructing chimeric receptors that recognize damage‐associated molecular patterns (DAMPs)
Authors: De Lorenzo Giulia , Brutus Alexandre , Savatin Daniel Valentin , Sicilia Francesca , Cervone Felice
Published: April 2011

An efficient sensing of danger and a rapid activation of the immune system are crucial for the survival of plants. Conserved pathogen/microbe‐associated molecular patterns (PAMPs/MAMPs) and endogenous molecular patterns, which are present only when the tissue is infected or damaged (damage‐associated molecular patterns or DAMPs), can act as danger signals and activate the plant immune response. These molecules are recognized by surface receptors that are indicated as pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). In this paper we summarize recent information on oligogalacturonides (OGs), a class of DAMPs that is released from the extracellular matrix of the plant cell during pathogen attack or wounding. We also describe the characteristics of the Arabidopsis Wall‐Associated Kinase 1 (WAK1), a PRR recently identified as a receptor of OGs and discuss the use of WAK1, PRRs and chimeric receptors to engineer resistance in crop plants.
Roles of sequential ubiquitination of PCNA in DNA‐damage tolerance
Authors: Zhang Weiwei , Qin Zhoushuai , Zhang Xiaojie , Xiao Wei
Published: April 2011

Living organisms not only repair DNA damage induced by environmental agents and endogenous cellular metabolites, but have also developed mechanisms to survive in the presence of otherwise lethal lesions. DNA‐damage tolerance (DDT) is considered such a mechanism that resumes DNA synthesis in the presence of replication‐blocking lesions. Recent studies revealed that DDT in budding yeast is achieved through sequential ubiquitination of DNA polymerase processivity factor, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). It is generally believed that monoubiquitinated PCNA promotes translesion DNA synthesis, whereas polyubiquitinated PCNA mediates an error‐free mode of lesion bypass. This review will discuss how ubiquitinated PCNA modulates different means of lesion bypass.
Pseudomembranous cystitis, an unusual condition associated with feline urine outflow obstruction: Four cases
Authors: Le Boedec Kevin , Pastor Mélanie L. , Lavoué Rachel , Reynolds Brice S.
Published: April 2011

The clinical follow-up of four cats presumptively diagnosed with pseudomembranous cystitis is described. All presented with acute urine outflow obstruction and acute renal failure. Urethral catheterisation was performed without difficulty but ultrasonography and contrast radiography consistently revealed abnormal bladder wall and content. One cat was euthanased, the remaining three underwent an exploratory cystotomy. Abundant inflammatory and necrotic tissue covering an ulcerated bladder mucosa was removed. All cats recovered uneventfully. No definitive cause was identified but the clinical course of the disease was not typical of idiopathic cystitis.
Lower Respiratory Tract Infections in Cats
Authors: Foster Susan F , Martin Patricia
Published: April 2011

Practical relevance Lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) in cats can be due to bacteria, parasites, fungi and viruses. This review details the practical investigation of these infections and highlights specific therapy where possible. The aim is to avoid the all-too-frequent temptation in practice to treat cats with lower respiratory tract signs empirically for feline bronchial disease (FBD)/asthma. This is potentially hazardous as immunosuppressive therapy for FBD/asthma could exacerbate disease due to a LRTI. Empirical treatment of suspected LRTI is also difficult to recommend given the wide range of potential pathogens.

Clinical challenges Making a clinical ante-mortem diagnosis of LRTI in a cat can be challenging. Consistent historical, clinical, haematological and radiographic abnormalities are often lacking and findings may be non-specific. Astute clinical acumen, thorough investigation and high quality laboratory analysis are usually required for a diagnosis. Bronchoalveolar lavage, if feasible, and tests for lungworm should be routine in cats with lower respiratory tract signs. Lung fine needle aspiration may be useful in cases of diffuse or nodular pulmonary disease. Histopathology is rarely employed in ante-mortem investigations.

Evidence base The authors have reviewed a substantial body of literature to provide information on many of the reported bacterial, parasitic, fungal and viral pathogens, including some that occur in Asia. Attention has been given to specific therapy for each pathogen, with evidence-based comments when there is a deviation from routine recommendations.
Feline Herpesvirus-1
Authors: Gould David
Published: April 2011

Practical relevance Feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1) is a major cause of feline morbidity. Following exposure to the virus, virtually all cats become persistently infected and many of these will develop recrudescent disease on one or more occasions during their lifetime. Acute ocular herpetic disease manifests as conjunctivitis, corneal ulceration and keratitis, and can be severe and painful. Repeated bouts of recrudescent ocular disease can lead to progressive corneal pathology that can be ultimately blinding in affected cats.

Global importance FHV-1 has a worldwide distribution, with reported exposure rates in some cat populations of up to 97%. As such it is a significant cause of clinical disease in the global cat population.

Patient group Young and adolescent cats are most at risk of acute primary disease, and the vast majority of these will become persistently infected. Around half of all persistently infected cats will shed virus at some stage in their life and these may develop recrudescent ocular disease.

Clinical challenges Treatment of FHV-1 ocular disease is challenging. Antiviral medications may be expensive, and require good owner and patient compliance. Clinical responses in patients can be variable. Selecting the appropriate therapeutic approach requires good clinical judgement, with assessment of factors such as severity and stage of clinical disease, patient and owner compliance, and financial considerations.

Evidence base Although a wide range of antiviral treatments is available, few have been tested in controlled clinical trials. Therapeutic decisions are, therefore, often based on results of in vitro studies, case-based reports and anecdote. Large, masked, controlled clinical trials are required in order to determine the efficacy of the antiviral drugs currently available to treat FHV-1.
Composite Fixation of Comminuted Ilial Wing Fractures in Cats: Three Cases
Authors: Burton Neil J
Published: April 2011

Clinical summary The surgical repair of comminuted ilial wing fractures (comprising a long oblique fracture with ventral multiple fragmentation) in three cats using composite internal fixation is reported. The technique comprised the use of pins, screws, wire and polymethylmethacrylate. All cases had an excellent outcome with uneventful bone healing. One case had a very mild reduction in pelvic canal diameter postoperatively. There was no evidence of implant loosening or migration in any cat on follow-up radiographs.

Practical relevance This technique provided a quick and highly adaptable means of stabilising this fracture configuration, as well as restoring pelvic symmetry, when limited buttressing support and bone stock were available cranial and ventral to the acetabulum. This method of fixation may have biomechanical advantages over lateral or dorsal plating techniques for this particular type of fracture configuration.
CONTINUITY OF THE VARIATIONAL EIGENVALUES OF THE p-LAPLACIAN WITH RESPECT TO p
Authors: PARINI ENEA
Published: May 2011

In this note it is shown that a result of Champion and De Pascale [‘Asymptotic behavior of nonlinear eigenvalue problems involving p-Laplacian type operators’, Proc. Roy. Soc. Edinburgh Sect. A 137 (2007), 1179–1195] implies that the variational eigenvalues of the p-Laplacian are continuous with respect to p.
Differential expression of liver proteins between obesity-prone and obesity-resistant rats in response to a high-fat diet
Authors: Wang Xia , Choi Jung-Won , In Joo Jeong , Hyun Kim Dong , Seok Oh Tae , Kwon Choi Duk , Won Yun Jong
Published: May 2011

Rodents respond to a chronic high-fat diet (HFD) in two ways: some readily become obese (obesity prone, OP) and others do not (obesity resistant, OR). Although several hypotheses have been proposed, the mechanisms underlying the inter-individual susceptibility to diet-induced obesity remain to be fully defined. In the present study, two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) combined with matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation time-of-flight MS was carried out for identification of differentially expressed liver proteins in OP and OR rats fed a HFD, in an attempt to discover marker proteins involved in susceptibility and/or resistance to obesity in rat liver. The 2-DE analysis demonstrated that forty spots from 380 visualised spots were differentially regulated between the groups. Among these forty spots, twelve were differentially expressed proteins between OP and OR rats, reaching statistical significance. Of these, five proteins have already been linked to obesity; however, seven proteins involved in obesity susceptibility or resistance were identified for the first time in the present study. In order to validate the proteomic results and gain insight into the metabolic changes between the OP and OR groups, we further confirmed the expression pattern of some proteins of interest by Western blot analysis. Combined results of proteomic analysis with Western blot analysis revealed that reduced lipogenesis and increased fat oxidation were achieved in the livers of OR rats. In conclusion, the present proteomic study is an important advance over the previous steps required for identification of OP and OR rats, and should prove valuable in the search for the pathogenesis of obesity in humans.
Dietary plant proteins and vegetable oil blends increase adiposity and plasma lipids in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salarL.)
Authors: Torstensen Bente E. , Espe Marit , Stubhaug Ingunn , Lie Øyvind
Published: May 2011

In order to study whether lipid metabolism may be affected by maximum replacement of dietary fish oil and fish meal with vegetable oils (VO) and plant proteins (PP), Atlantic salmon (Salmo salarL.) smolts were fed a control diet containing fish oil and fish meal or one of three plant-based diets through the seawater production phase for 12 months. Diets were formulated to meet all known nutrient requirements. The whole-body lipid storage pattern was measured after 12 months, as well as post-absorptive plasma, VLDL and liver TAG. To further understand the effects on lipid metabolism, expression of genes encoding for proteins involved in VLDL assembly (apoB100), fatty acid uptake (FATP1, cd36, LPL and FABP3, FABP10 and FABP11) were measured in liver and visceral adipose tissue. Maximum dietary VO and PP increased visceral lipid stores, liver TAG, and plasma VLDL and TAG concentrations. Increased plasma TAG correlated with an increased expression of apoB100, indicating increased VLDL assembly in the liver of fish fed the high-plant protein- and VO-based diet. Atlantic salmon fed intermediate replacement levels of VO or PP did not have increased body fat or visceral mass. Overall, the present results demonstrate an interaction between dietary lipids and protein on lipid metabolism, increasing overall adiposity and TAG in the body when fish meal and fish oil are replaced concomitantly at maximised levels of VO and PP.
Transcriptomics and functional genetic polymorphisms as biomarkers of
micronutrient function: focus on selenium as an exemplar
Authors: Hesketh John , Méplan Catherine
Published: May 2011

Micronutrients are essential for optimal human health. However, in some cases,
raising intake by supplementation has not proven to be beneficial and there is
even some evidence that supplementation may increase disease risk, highlighting
the importance of assessing the functional status of micronutrients. Techniques
such as gene microarrays and single-nucleotide polymorphism analysis have the
potential to examine effects of micronutrient intake on patterns of gene
expression and inter-individual variation in micronutrient metabolism. Recent
genomic research related to selenium (Se) provides examples illustrating how
studies of functional single-nucleotide polymorphism and gene expression
patterns can reveal novel biomarkers of micronutrient function. Both in
vitro and in vivo experiments show that there are
functionally relevant polymorphisms in genes encoding glutathione peroxidases 1,
3 and 4, selenoprotein P, selenoprotein S and the 15 kDa selenoprotein. Disease
association studies investigating these gene variants have so far been
relatively small but an association of a polymorphism in the selenoprotein S
gene with colorectal cancer risk has been replicated in two distinct
populations. Future disease association studies should examine effects of
multiple variants in combination with nutritional status. Gene microarray
studies indicate that changes in Se intake alter expression of components of
inflammatory, stress response and translation pathways. Our hypothesis is that
Se intake and genetic factors have linked effects on stress response,
inflammation and apoptotic pathways. Combining such data in a systems biology
approach has the potential to identify both biomarkers of micronutrients status
and sub-group populations at particular risk.
A HORSE'S HUSBAND: DAVID GREENSPAN'S QUEER TEMPORALITIES AND THE POLITICS OF SAME-SEX MARRIAGE
Authors: Salvato Nick
Published: May 2011

Near the end of his solo pieceThe Myopia, an epic burlesque of tragic proportion, prominent playwright and performer David Greenspan presents a pair of scenes in which he investigates, from a queer perspective, the question of time in the theatre. In the spirit ofThe Myopia's own temporally disruptive mechanics, I will describe the second scene first: an Orator and his Doppelganger, who “bears a striking resemblance to the actress Carol Channing,” have a conversation in which they explain to the audience that the overlong fourth act, in whose stead they appear, has been cut from the play. The Doppelganger, who is particularly concerned with keeping good time (and whose “striking resemblance” to Channing is camped in performance as an uncostumed Greenspan does an uncanny vocal impersonation of the actress), looks impatiently at her wrist—as if at a watch—and says that audiences will put up with “telling” in the theatre, as distinct from “showing,” only if the telling is “not too long. People—who of course apprehend words by either reading or listening—might be willing to sit a long time apprehending words by reading but might not be willing to sit a long time apprehending words by listening. Even if they're simultaneously seeing.” Here the Doppelganger, like the Orator, speaks in rhythms explicitly modeled on those of Gertrude Stein, whose essay “Plays” is invoked earlier in the scene. Likewise concerned with the pacing of showing and telling and the phenomenology of audience responses to that pacing, Stein complains famously in “Plays” of theatre's “syncopated time,” its inability to produce an identity between “the emotional time of the play” and spectators' “emotional time as audience.” Stein's own plays do not exactly solve the problem of syncopated time but rather attempt to circumvent the problem altogether by rejecting the theatrical apparatus that, in her view, produces syncopation—that is, “by blurring beyond recognition the distinctions among dialogue, didascalia, and other diegetic language that seems to belong to the province of neither dialogue nor didascalia.”
“FOR WITHOUT VANITY, I'M BETTER KNOWN”: RESTORATION ACTORS AND METATHEATRE ON THE LONDON STAGE
Authors: Milling Jane
Published: May 2011

When Samuel Pepys heard Nell Gwyn and Elizabeth Knipp deliver the prologue to Robert Howard'sThe Duke of Lerma, he recorded the experience in his diary: “Knepp and Nell spoke the prologue most excellently, especially Knepp, who spoke beyond any creature I ever heard.” By 20 February 1668, when Pepys noted his thoughts, he had known Knipp personally for two years, much to the chagrin of his wife. He had met Knipp backstage and in the audience of the two playhouses. He knew her family and they shared a social circle; he had sung with her in domestic and social settings. Pepys had had much experience of Elizabeth Knipp's quotidian language and conversational mode of speech. The prologue, which offered the not-yet-in-role Nell Gwyn and the costumed Mrs. Knipp preparing for the play, begins in prose before breaking into bouncing rhyme to end more conventionally. Mrs. Knipp might seem to appear here as herself, yet Pepys eulogizes Knipp's speaking of the prologue as a theatrical experience. He does not compare her onstage performance of apparently natural speech to quotidian conversation nor does he talk of her acting. Rather, he judges it as an oratorical performance against other stage performances: she “spoke beyond any creature I ever heard.” This article explores what theperformanceof the prologues and epilogues in the newly established duopoly of Restoration London theatres can reveal about how performers were known and represented, and what they tell us about the increasing individuation of those performers and the implications of this for acting and acting style.
The Contested Adriatic Sea: The Adriatic Guard and Identity Politics in Interwar Yugoslavia
Authors: Tchoukarine Igor
Published: May 2011

Throughout history, Mediterranean cultures have tried to appropriate, with words or weapons, the sea that surrounds them. Sometimes called the “Inner Sea,” “Superior Sea,” or “Great Sea,” the Mediterranean was designated by the Greeks—as the Odyssey testifies—as theirs, “Our Sea.” In the 1920s, Mussolini revived the Latin mare nostrum to justify the “Italian-ness” of the Mediterranean (and, by extension, of the Adriatic Sea and its immediate eastern coastline, Dalmatia), an act that marked a new step in a long-term process that placed the Mediterranean and Adriatic seas at the core of national identity politics. Yugoslav ascriptions of the adjective “Yugoslav,” or even “Slavic,” to the Adriatic Sea during the interwar period proceeded from the same desire: to appropriate a space in order to articulate a national discourse.
The White Terror in Hungary, 1919–1921: The Social Worlds of Paramilitary Groups
Authors: Bodo Bela
Published: May 2011

The Hungarian Republic, which emerged from of the ashes of Austria-Hungary, experienced two revolutions between October 1918 and April 1919. However, neither the democratic regime nor the more radical Soviet Republic born in these revolutions was able to solve the country's most pressing economic and social problems. The collapse of the Soviet Republic at the end of July 1919, in turn, was followed by a rapid rise in extra-legal violence.Freikorpsunits (szabadcsapatok) and civic guards (polgárőrségek), aided by the members of the local police, set up kangaroo courts, organized summary executions, and ignited pogroms in the central and western parts of the country.
James Robert Wegs (1937–2010), In Memoriam
Authors: Bergen Doris L.
Published: May 2011

James Robert (Bob) Wegs died, after a long struggle with lymphoma, on 14 July 2010. He was too much a scholar of modern Europe for it not to be mentioned that this was Bastille Day. A passionate and dedicated historian of Austria, Wegs served throughout the 1990s on the editorial board of theAustrian History Yearbookand the Executive Committee of the Society for Austrian and Habsburg History. His career reflects a certain chapter of U.S. history even as it forms part of the dynamic historiography of Central Europe.