bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Services procurement under the WTO's Agreement on Government Procurement: whither market access?
Authors: SHINGAL ANIRUDH
Published: August 2011

This paper studies the government procurement of services from foreign suppliers by conducting a statistical analysis of data submitted by Japan and Switzerland to the WTO's Committee on Government Procurement. Using several metrics, the paper examines whether the WTO's Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA) has led to greater market access for foreign suppliers in services procurement. Our results indicate that despite the GPA, the proportions of services contracts awarded to foreigners have declined over time for both countries and that in the absence of this decline, the value of services contracts awarded to foreign firms would have been more than 15 times higher in the case of Japan and nearly 68 times more in the case of Switzerland. We also find that for the same services categories, the Japanese government is not purchasing as much from abroad as its private sector is importing from the rest of the world, a finding that further points to the home-bias in that government's public purchase decisions.
An instructive role of donor macrophages in mixed chimeras in the induction of recipient CD4+Foxp3+ Treg cells
Authors: Liu Guangwei , Duan Kaizhong , Ma Haixia , Niu Zeqing , Peng Jianxia , Zhao Yong
Published: August 2011

The immune regulatory function of macrophages (M⊘s) in mixed chimeras has not been determined. In the present study, with a multi‐lineage B6‐to‐BALB/c mixed chimeric model, we examined the ability of donor‐derived splenic M⊘s in the induction of regulatory T cells (Treg). B6 splenic M⊘s from mixed chimeras induced significantly less cell proliferation, more IL‐10 and TGF‐β, and less IL‐2 and IFN‐γ productions of CD4+ T cells from BALB/c mice than naive B6 M⊘s did, whereas they showed similar stimulatory activity to the third part C3H CD4+ T cells. Importantly, highly purified donor F4/80+CD11c− M⊘s efficiently induced recipient CD4+Foxp3+ Treg cells from CD4+CD25−Foxp3− T cells. Furthermore, donor M⊘s of mixed chimeras produced more IL‐10 and less IFN‐γ than those of naive mice when cultured with BALB/c but not the third party C3H CD4+ T cells. Induction of recipient CD4+ Treg cells by donor M⊘s was significantly blocked by anti‐IL‐10, but not by anti‐TGF‐β mAb. Therefore, donor M⊘s have the ability to induce recipient CD4+Foxp3+ Treg cells in a donor antigen‐specific manner, at least partially, via an IL‐10‐dependent pathway. This study for the first time showed that, in mixed allogeneic chimeras, donor M⊘s could be specifically tolerant to recipients and gained the ability to induce recipient but not the third party Foxp3+ Treg cells. Whether this approach is involved in transplant immune tolerance needs to be determined.
Effect of nonmagnetic alkaline-earth dopants on magnetic properties of BiFeO3 thin films
Authors: Li Pai , Lin Yuan-Hua , Nan Ce-Wen
Published: August 2011

Bi0.95A0.05FeO3 (A = Ba, Sr, Ca) thin films were deposited on (111) Pt/Ti/SiO2/Si substrates via chemical solution deposition. The magnetization of the doped specimens increases sharply as compared to that of pure BiFeO3, and it increases as the doped ionic radius gets larger. X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that the films are single phase, and no other extra magnetic phases are detected. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis suggests that the content of Fe3+ increases and that that of Fe2+ decreases. According to the x-ray diffraction and Raman analyses, there are corresponding changes in the lattice parameters and the Raman spectra as the doped ionic radius gets larger. These results indicate that neither the magnetic coupling of Fe2+ nor the parasitic magnetic phases could be the origin of the magnetization improvement, and we consider that the magnetization improvement mainly originates from the doped ionic radius size effect.
Differential alteration of two aminopeptidases N associated with resistance to
Bacillus thuringiensis
toxin Cry1Ac in cabbage looper
Authors: Tiewsiri Kasorn , Wang Ping
Published: August 2011

The soil bacterium
Bacillus thuringiensis
(Bt) is the most successfully used biopesticide in agriculture, and its insecticidal protein genes are the primary transgenes used for insect control in transgenic crops. However, evolution of insect resistance to Bt toxins threatens the long-term future of Bt applications. To date, cases of resistance to Bt toxins have been reported in agricultural situations in six insect species, but the molecular basis for these cases of resistance remains unclear. Here we report that the resistance to the Bt toxin Cry1Ac in the cabbage looper,
Trichoplusia ni
, evolved in greenhouses, is associated with differential alteration of two midgut aminopeptidases N, APN1 and APN6, conferred by a
trans
-regulatory mechanism. Biochemical, proteomic, and molecular analyses showed that in the Cry1Ac-resistant
T. ni
, APN1 was significantly down-regulated, whereas APN6 was significantly up-regulated. The Cry1Ac resistance was correlated with down-regulation of APN1 but not with the up-regulation of APN6. The concurrent up-regulation of APN6 and down-regulation of APN1 might play a role in compensating for the loss of APN1 to minimize the fitness costs of the resistance. Along with identifying reduced expression of APN1 as the molecular basis of Bt resistance selected in an agricultural setting, our findings demonstrate the importance of APN1 to the mode of action of Bt toxin Cry1Ac.
Palmitoylation controls the dynamics of budding-yeast heterochromatin via the telomere-binding protein Rif1
Authors: Park Sookhee , Patterson Erin E. , Cobb Jenel , Audhya Anjon , Gartenberg Marc R. , Fox Catherine A.
Published: August 2011

The posttranslational addition of palmitate to cysteines occurs ubiquitously in eukaryotic cells, where it functions in anchoring target proteins to membranes and in vesicular trafficking. Here we show that theSaccharomyces cerevisiaepalmitoyltransferase Pfa4 enhanced heterochromatin formation at the cryptic mating-type lociHMRandHMLvia Rif1, a telomere regulatory protein. Acylated Rif1 was detected in extracts from wild-type but notpfa4Δmutant cells. In apfa4Δmutant, Rif1-GFP dispersed away from foci positioned at the nuclear periphery into the nucleoplasm. Sir3-GFP distribution was also perturbed, indicating a change in the nuclear dynamics of heterochromatin proteins. Genetic analyses indicated thatPFA4functioned upstream ofRIF1. Surprisingly, thepfa4Δmutation had only mild effects on telomeric regulation, suggesting Rif1's roles atHMloci and telomeres were more complexly related than previously thought. These data supported a model in which Pfa4-dependent palmitoylation of Rif1 anchored it to the inner nuclear membrane, influencing its role in heterochromatin dynamics.
Neuronal circuitry regulates the response of
Caenorhabditis elegans
to misfolded proteins
Authors: Prahlad Veena , Morimoto Richard I.
Published: August 2011

The consequence of chronic protein misfolding is the basis of many human diseases. To combat the deleterious effects of accumulated protein damage, all cells possess robust quality-control systems, specifically molecular chaperones and clearance machineries, that sense and respond to protein misfolding. However, for many protein conformational diseases, it is unclear why this quality-control system does not efficiently counter protein aggregation. Previous findings that the heat shock response in
Caenorhabditis elegans
is regulated by thermosensory neurons led us to consider whether neuronal activity could also be responsible for the inadequate response of an organism to chronic protein misfolding. Here we show, in animals expressing polyglutamine expansion proteins and mutant SOD-1
G93A
in intestinal or muscle cells, that the nervous system does indeed control the cellular response to misfolded proteins. Whereas polyglutamine expansion-expressing animals with WT thermosensory neurons readily express protein aggregates, leading to cellular dysfunction without concomitant up-regulation of molecular chaperones, modulation of the nervous system results in chaperone up-regulation that suppresses aggregation and toxicity. The neuronal signal is transmitted through calcium-activated dense core vesicle neurosecretion. Cell-nonautonomous control of chaperone expression by the thermosensory neurons allows
C. elegans
to respond differently to acute stress such as heat shock, and chronic stress caused by the expression of misfolded proteins, suggesting that neuronal signaling determines the course of cellular proteotoxicity.
Downregulation of receptor for activated C‐kinase 1 (RACK1) suppresses tumor growth by inhibiting tumor cell proliferation and tumor‐associated angiogenesis
Authors: Wang Feng , Osawa Tsuyoshi , Tsuchida Rika , Yuasa Yasuhito , Shibuya Masabumi
Published: August 2011

By behaving as molecular hubs, scaffold proteins can assemble a large number of signaling molecules and organize complicated intracellular signaling networks in time and space. Owing to their crucial role in mediating intracellular signaling related to tumor cell growth and migration, recent studies have highlighted the relevance of scaffold proteins in human cancers and indicated that interfering with their expression and/or their ability to bind effector proteins can inhibit cancer progression. Here, we show that receptor for activated C‐kinase 1 (RACK1), a ubiquitously expressed scaffolding protein, plays a crucial regulatory role in tumor growth. Using an RNA silencing approach, we found that downregulation of RACK1 expression in HeLa and A673 tumor cells markedly suppressed the proliferation and invasion of these cells in vitro and tumor development in vivo. Consequently, we found that significant suppression of constitutive phosphorylation of Akt and MAPK by RACK1 silencing may contribute to the inhibition of tumor growth. Moreover, RACK1 silencing significantly attenuated tumor‐associated angiogenesis by, at least in part, inhibiting the expression of two critical angiogenic factors, namely vascular endothelial growth factor‐B and fibroblast growth factor 2. The results of the present study show that RACK1 is a potent enhancer of tumor growth and, thus, a potential anti‐cancer therapeutic target. (Cancer Sci 2011; 102: 2007–2013)
Predictors of actual turnover in a national sample of newly licensed registered nurses employed in hospitals
Authors: Brewer Carol S. , Kovner Christine T. , Greene William , Tukov‐Shuser Magdalene , Djukic Maja
Published: August 2011

brewer c.s., kovner c.t., greene w., tukov‐shuser m. & djukic m. (2012) Predictors of actual turnover in a national sample of newly licensed registered nurses employed in hospitals. Journal of Advanced Nursing68(3), 521–538.

Aim.  This paper is a report of a study of factors that affect turnover of newly licensed registered nurses in United States hospitals.

Background.  There is a large body of research related to nursing retention; however, there is little information specific to newly licensed registered nurse turnover. Incidence rates of turnover among new nurses are unknown because most turnover data are not from nationally representative samples of nurses.

Method.  This study used a longitudinal panel design to obtain data from 1653 registered nurses who were recently licensed by examination for the first time. We mailed surveys to a nationally representative sample of hospital registered nurses 1 year apart. The analytic sample consisted of 1653 nurses who responded to both survey mailings in January of 2006 and 2007.

Results.  Full‐time employment and more sprains and strains (including back injuries) result in more turnover. Higher intent to stay and hours of voluntary overtime and more than one job for pay reduces turnover. When we omitted intent to stay from the probit model, less job satisfaction and organizational commitment led to more turnover, confirming their importance to turnover. Magnet Recognition Award® hospitals and several other work attributes had no effect on turnover.

Conclusion.  Turnover problems are complex, which means that there is no one solution to decreasing turnover. Multiple points of intervention exist. One specific approach that may improve turnover rates is hospital policies that reduce strains and sprains.
Perceived family health in persons with prostate cancer and their family members
Authors: Harju Eeva , Rantanen Anja , Tarkka Marja‐Terttu , Åstedt‐Kurki Päivi
Published: August 2011

Aims and objectives.  To describe perceived family health in persons with prostate cancer and their family members. An additional purpose was to describe the associations between the background variables of persons with prostate cancer and their family members and perceived family health.

Background.  Prostate cancer in one family member affects the health of the whole family. It is important to study perceived family health in families of persons with prostate cancer and associated factors.

Design.  A cross‐sectional study.

Method.  Data were collected using the Family Functioning, Health and Social Support (FAFHES) scale, modified for use in this study. Questionnaires were distributed to 100 persons with prostate cancer treated with surgery or radiation therapy and 100 family members at one Finnish university hospital in April–October 2009. Responses were received from 76 persons and 71 family members, a response rate of 74%.

Results.  Persons with prostate cancer and family members rated family health good despite prostate cancer. Family members reported higher levels of illness‐related ill‐being than persons with prostate cancer. Family health was associated with the person’s age, basic education, employment status, number of family member’s visits to the hospitalised patient, first symptom of prostate cancer and previous hospitalisations were associated with. Family health was associated with the family member’s basic and vocational education.

Conclusions.  The results show that nursing care should pay attention to family members of persons with prostate cancer and that support to them should be a natural part of a good care of persons with prostate cancer.

Relevance to clinical practice.  The quality of prostate cancer care should be improved to provide more individualised and family‐focussed services.
African American and European American Children in Diverse Elementary Classrooms: Social Integration, Social Status, and Social Behavior
Authors: Wilson Travis , Rodkin Philip C.
Published: August 2011

With a sample of African American and European American 3rd‐ and 4th‐grade children (N = 486, ages 8–11 years), this study examined classroom ethnic composition, peer social status (i.e., social preference and perceived popularity as nominated by same‐ and cross‐ethnicity peers), and patterns of ethnic segregation (i.e., friendship, peer group, and cross‐ethnicity dislike). African American—but not European American—children had more segregated relationships and were more disliked by cross‐ethnicity peers when they had fewer same‐ethnicity classmates. African American children’s segregation was positively associated with same‐ethnicity social preference and perceived popularity and with cross‐ethnicity perceived popularity. European American children’s segregation was positively associated with same‐ethnicity social preference but negatively associated with cross‐ethnicity social preference and perceived popularity.
Thrombosis of Tunneled‐Cuffed Hemodialysis Catheters: Treatment With High‐Dose Urokinase Lock Therapy
Authors: Donati Gabriele , Colì Luigi , Cianciolo Giuseppe , La Manna Gaetano , Cuna Vania , Montanari Mara , Gozzetti Francesco , Stefoni Sergio
Published: August 2011

Thrombosis‐related malfunction of tunneled‐cuffed central venous catheters (TCC) for hemodialysis (HD) currently leads to a high rate of untimely catheter removal. Urokinase (UK) therapy is used for TCC thrombosis/malfunction, but no consensus exists on the adequate dose to obtain thrombolysis. We selected 72 HD patients with TCC and a mean age and HD vintage of 74 years (range 65–87) and 36 months (range 12–61), respectively. All patients received warfarin therapy with a target international normalized ratio (INR) of 1.8–2.5. Coagulative assessment of the patients was obtained by checking the INR, activated partial thromboplastin time, fibrinogen, hemoglobin, and platelets. Sixty‐five thrombotic events were recorded during a 3‐year follow‐up (median 0.3 events/patient/year). The patients selected were randomized into two groups according to a different thrombolytic therapy. Group A comprised 29 thrombotic events in 32 patients who received UK 25 000 IU in both arterial and venous lines of the TCC for each event. UK restored an adequate blood flow rate (BFR) for HD (≥250 mL/min) in 4/29 events (13.7%), whereas addition of 50 000 IU to both arterial and venous lines was required in 25/29 events (86.3%). For the same 25 events in the second HD session, a further 75 000 IU of UK was needed for each TCC lumen. Group B comprised 36 thrombotic events in 40 patients who received 100 000 IU of UK in the arterial and venous lumen of the TCC for each event. An adequate BFR was recovered in all events. In 12/36 events (33.3%), 100 000 IU UK for both lumens were needed in the second HD. In conclusion, group B patients obtained (i) a significantly better TCC patency than group A patients; (ii) a low UK administration in the following HD sessions; and (iii) no bleeding complications.
Impact of Hemoglobin Concentration and Affinity for Oxygen on Tissue Oxygenation: The Case of Hemoglobin‐Based Oxygen Carriers
Authors: Samaja Michele , Terraneo Laura
Published: August 2011

In patients undergoing exchange‐transfusion with hemoglobin (Hb)‐based oxygen (O2) carriers (HBOC), native Hb coexists with newly transfused Hb. The two Hb types share the same arterial and venous PO2, but their affinities for O2 vary. A simple spreadsheet model is described aiming at evaluating the contribution of each Hb type to the overall O2 transport characteristics as a function of the batch Hb concentration and O2 affinity in the HBOC solution, of the fraction of exchange‐transfused blood/HBOC, and of the arterial PO2. This model helps to yield a quantitative estimate of how tissues with high or low O2 extraction respond to the changes cited above. The results show that the higher the exchange‐transfusion ratio, the O2 transport to tissues becomes progressively impaired. However, this effect is more critical at low batch Hb concentration and high O2 affinity of the HBOC, especially for tissues/organs with high O2 extraction, whereas the arterial PO2 does not appear as critical.
Recurrent Ochrobactrum anthropi and Shewanella putrefaciens bloodstream infection complicating hemodialysis
Authors: Shrishrimal Kumarpal
Published: August 2011

Bloodstream infections (BSIs) are common in hemodialysis, especially when the access is a catheter. These infections are more commonly gram‐positive bacteria or gram‐negative bacilli and on some occasions, fungi. Ochrobactrum anthropi and Shewanella putrefaciens are ubiquitous hydrophilic gram‐negative bacilli. There have been three cases of O. anthropi BSI reported in hemodialysis patients (one from the United States and two from Vienna) and two cases of S. putrefaciens BSI in hemodialysis patients (one from the United States and the other from Japan). There have been few more cases reported of infections with these bacteria in peritoneal dialysis, especially outside the United States. We present a novel case of a patient with both recurrent O. anthropi and S. putrefaciens BSI complicating hemodialysis. There have been no reports in the literature of such a case. We also discuss the microbiology, clinical features, and the challenging aspects of treatment of such infections.
Interproximal cervical lesions caused by incorrect flossing technique
Authors: Salas ML , McClellan AC , MacNeill SR , Satheesh KM , Cobb CM
Published: August 2011

To cite this article
 
Int J Dent Hygiene 10, 2012; 83–85  DOI: 10.1111/j.1601‐5037.2011.00524.x

Salas ML, McClellan AC, MacNeill SR, Satheesh KM, Cobb CM. Interproximal cervical lesions caused by incorrect flossing technique.

Abstract:  This case report describes an interproximal cervical lesion caused by the incorrect use of dental floss. A 58‐year‐old man who was asymptomatic, presented with unusual notch‐like cervical lesions. After clinical and radiographical examinations, it was concluded that the aetiology of these lesions was an incorrect flossing technique. The treatment plan included extraction of maxillary 3rd molars and re‐education of the patient in oral hygiene technique. Conclusion: These lesions are irreversible and often go undiagnosed; therefore, it is important for the clinician to be familiar with the clinical presentation and aetiology.
Screening of Emerging Volatile Organic Contaminants in Shallow Groundwater in East China
Authors: Bi Erping , Liu Yulong , He Jiangtao , Wang Zhao , Liu Fei
Published: August 2011

In order to collect baseline information on the environmental occurrence of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in groundwater in East China, shallow groundwater samples were collected from five alluvial plains in East China in 2008 to 2009. All samples were analyzed for 54 VOCs representing a wide variety of uses and origins. Sampling sites were mainly selected in the areas to be susceptible to contamination from human activities in terms of previous hydrogeological survey. The data of all samples showed a variety of different hydrogeological systems with potential sources of VOCs, with 36 of the 54 VOCs being found. The most frequently detected compounds include naphthalene (56.9%), chloroform (16.9%), 1,2‐dichloroethane (16.2%), 1,2‐dichloropropane (13.1%), and 1,2,3‐trichlorobenzene (12.3%). The concentrations of methylene chloride, 1,2‐dichloroethane, carbon tetrachloride, trichloroethene, 1,2‐dichloropropane, and tetrachloroethene exceeded the relating drinking water standards. Future work will be needed to identify those factors that are most important in determining the occurrence and concentrations of VOCs in groundwater in China.
Echocardiographic and Tissue Doppler Imaging Alterations Associated with Spontaneous Canine Systemic Hypertension
Authors: Misbach C. , Gouni V. , Tissier R. , Trehiou‐Sechi E. , Petit A.M.P. , Carlos Sampedrano C. , Pouchelon J‐L. , Chetboul V.
Published: August 2011

Background:Feline systemic arterial hypertension (SHT) is associated with a wide spectrum of left ventricular (LV) geometric patterns as well as diastolic, and to a lesser extent, systolic myocardial dysfunction. However, little is known about SHT‐related cardiac changes in dogs.

Hypothesis:SHT in dogs is responsible for morphological and functional cardiac alterations.

Animals:Thirty dogs with spontaneous untreated SHT and 28 age‐ and body weight‐matched healthy dogs as controls.

Methods:Prospective observational study. Conventional echocardiography and 2‐dimensional color tissue Doppler imaging were performed in SHT dogs by trained observers and compared with controls.

Results:Forty‐seven percent of SHT dogs (14/30) had diffuse concentric hypertrophy. None had left atrial dilatation and 10/30 (33%) had aortic insufficiency (AoI) associated with proximal aortic dilatation. Longitudinal diastolic left ventricular free wall (LVFW) motion was altered in all SHT dogs at the base (early to late diastolic wave ratio, E/A = 0.5 ± 0.1 versus 1.3 ± 0.3 for controls,P< .0001) and the apex (E/A = 1.6 ± 1.7 versus 3.9 ± 3.1,P< .05). Longitudinal motion of the interventricular septum at the base (E/A = 0.7 ± 0.4 versus 1.1 ± 0.1,P< .01) and radial LVFW motion in the subendocardium (E/A = 0.9 ± 0.5 versus 1.6 ± 0.3,P< .01) were also altered in dogs with SHT. Longitudinal LVFW systolic velocities and gradients were also significantly decreased (P< .05) in SHT dogs.

Conclusion and Clinical Importance:As in SHT in cats, SHT in dogs is associated with myocardial dysfunction independently of the presence of myocardial hypertrophy. However, unlike feline SHT, it results in a homogeneous LV geometric pattern with a relatively high prevalence of AoI.
Selective Killing of Bacterial Persisters by a Single Chemical Compound without Affecting Normal Antibiotic-Sensitive Cells
Authors: Kim Jun-Seob , Heo Paul , Yang Tae-Jun , Lee Ki-Sing , Cho Da-Hyeong , Kim Bum Tae , Suh Ji-Hee , Lim Hee-Jong , Shin Dongwoo , Kim Sung-Koo , Kweon Dae-Hyuk
Published: August 2011

We show that 3-[4-(4-methoxyphenyl)piperazin-1-yl]piperidin-4-yl biphenyl-4-carboxylate (C10), screened out of a chemical library, selectively kills bacterial persisters that tolerate antibiotic treatment but does not affect normal antibiotic-sensitive cells. C10 led persisters to antibiotic-induced cell death by causing reversion of persisters to antibiotic-sensitive cells. This work is the first demonstration in which the eradication of bacterial persisters is based on single-chemical supplementation. The chemical should be versatile in elucidating the mechanism of persistence.
A Novel Target-Specific, Salt-Resistant Antimicrobial Peptide against the Cariogenic Pathogen Streptococcus mutans
Authors: Mai Junni , Tian Xiao-Lin , Gallant Jeffrey W. , Merkley Nadine , Biswas Zakia , Syvitski Raymond , Douglas Susan E. , Ling Junqi , Li Yung-Hua
Published: August 2011

In this study, we constructed and evaluated a target-specific, salt-resistant antimicrobial peptide (AMP) that selectively targeted
Streptococcus mutans
, a leading cariogenic pathogen. The rationale for creating such a peptide was based on the addition of a targeting domain of
S. mutans
ComC signaling peptide pheromone (CSP) to a killing domain consisting of a portion of the marine-derived, broad-spectrum AMP pleurocidin to generate a target-specific AMP. Here, we report the results of our assessment of such fusion peptides against
S. mutans
and two closely related species. The results showed that nearly 95% of
S. mutans
cells lost viability following exposure to fusion peptide IMB-2 (5.65 μM) for 15 min. In contrast, only 20% of
S. sanguinis
or
S. gordonii
cells were killed following the same exposure. Similar results were also observed in dual-species mixed cultures of
S. mutans
with
S. sanguinis
or
S. gordonii
. The peptide-guided killing was further confirmed in
S. mutans
biofilms and was shown to be dose dependent. An
S. mutans
mutant defective in the CSP receptor retained 60% survival following exposure to IMB-2, suggesting that the targeted peptide predominantly bound to the CSP receptor to mediate killing in the wild-type strain. Our work confirmed that IMB-2 retained its activity in the presence of physiological or higher salt concentrations. In particular, the fusion peptide showed a synergistic killing effect on
S. mutans
with a preventive dose of NaF. In addition, IMB-2 was relatively stable in the presence of saliva containing 1 mM EDTA and did not cause any hemolysis. We also found that replacement of serine-14 by histidine improved its activity at lower pH. Because of its effectiveness, salt resistance, and minimal toxicity to host cells, this novel target-specific peptide shows promise for future development as an anticaries agent.
Age and gender detection in the I-DASH project
Authors: Meinedo Hugo , Trancoso Isabel
Published: August 2011

This article presents a description of the INESC-ID Age and Gender classification systems which were developed for aiding the detection of child abuse material within the scope of the European project I-DASH. The Age and Gender classification systems are composed respectively by the fusion of four and six individual subsystems trained with short- and long-term acoustic and prosodic features, different classification strategies, Gaussian Mixture Models-Universal Background Model (GMM-UBM), Multi-Layer Perceptrons (MLP) and Support Vector Machines (SVM), trained over five different speech corpus. The best results obtained by the calibration and linear logistic regression fusion back-end show an absolute improvement of 2% on the unweighted accuracy value for the Age and 1% for the Gender when compared to the best individual frontend systems in the development set. The final age/gender detection system evaluated using a six-hour child abuse (CA) test set achieved promising results given the extremely difficult conditions of this type of video material. In order to further improve the performance in the CA domain, the classification modules were adapted using unsupervised selection of training data. An automatic data selection algorithm using frame-level posterior probabilities was developed. Performance improvement after adapting the classification modules was around 10% relative when compared with the baseline classifiers.
My science tutor
Authors: Ward Wayne , Cole Ronald , Bolaños Daniel , Buchenroth-Martin Cindy , Svirsky Edward , Vuuren Sarel Van , Weston Timothy , Zheng Jing , Becker Lee
Published: August 2011

This article describes My Science Tutor (MyST), an intelligent tutoring system designed to improve science learning by students in 3rd, 4th, and 5thgrades (7 to 11 years old) through conversational dialogs with a virtual science tutor. In our study, individual students engage in spoken dialogs with the virtual tutor Marni during 15 to 20 minute sessions following classroom science investigations to discuss and extend concepts embedded in the investigations. The spoken dialogs in MyST are designed to scaffold learning by presenting open-ended questions accompanied by illustrations or animations related to the classroom investigations and the science concepts being learned. The focus of the interactions is to elicit self-expression from students. To this end, Marni applies some of the principles ofQuestioning the Author, a proven approach to classroom conversations, to challenge students to think about and integrate new concepts with prior knowledge to construct enriched mental models that can be used to explain and predict scientific phenomena. In this article, we describe how spoken dialogs using Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) and natural language processing were developed to stimulate students' thinking, reasoning and self explanations. We describe the MyST system architecture and Wizard of Oz procedure that was used to collect data from tutorial sessions with elementary school students. Using data collected with the procedure, we present evaluations of the ASR and semantic parsing components. A formal evaluation of learning gains resulting from system use is currently being conducted. This paper presents survey results of teachers' and children's impressions of MyST.
Scalable LiCoO2 Nanoparticle Fibers for High Power Lithium Battery Cathodes
Authors: In Choi Dong , Han Gi-Beom , Jin Lee Dong , Park Jung-Ki , Wook Choi Jang
Published: August 2011

We report a simple and scalable synthetic method where we use cotton as a template material to grow LiCoO2 nanoparticles along one dimensional micro-fibers with minimized agglomeration. The final three dimensional porous electrode structure and smaller dimensions of nanoparticles result in efficient ionic accessibility as well as decreased ionic/electronic diffusion lengths during battery cycling. Due to this structural advantage, the nanoparticle fiber structure exhibits substantially improved power performance compared to that of the commercial micron-size counterpart. Even at a fast 2 min discharging rate, a capacity of 90 mAh/g is preserved. Excellent cycling performance is also achieved by maintaining the original electrode structure. The synthetic procedures introduced herein are simple and scalable and thus must be readily applicable to the large-scale syntheses of other lithium battery active materials.
Design and Characterization of Nano-Displacement Sensor with High-Frequency Oscillators
Authors: Kitagawa Akio
Published: August 2011

The circuitry of a capacitive nanometer displacement sensor using the ring oscillator has been analyzed and characterized. We focus on the sensitivity of the sensor to detect the nanometer displacement or strain. The displaced target object must be conductive and the medium around the target object must be an insulator or a vacuum. The sensitivity in the range ofL< 1 μm is enhanced with decreases in the size of the sensor electrode, and using a higher free-running oscillation frequency can increase sensitivity. The proposed sensor, which converts the displacement of the target object to the oscillation frequency, was fabricated with CMOS 350 nm technology, and the sensitivity was estimated at 8.16 kHz/nm. The results of our study indicated that the presented sensor has enough sensitivity to detect the nanometer displacement of the target object at a distance within 1 μm from the surface of the sensor electrode.
Characterization of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes Dispersing in Water and Association with Biological Effects
Authors: Cheng Xuelian , Zhong Jun , Meng Jie , Yang Man , Jia Fumin , Xu Zhen , Kong Hua , Xu Haiyan
Published: August 2011

Biomedical application potentials of carbon nanotubes-based materials have been investigated intensively in recent years; however, characterization and metrology are still facing great technical challenges when the materials are intended to be used as carriers for therapeutics in aqueous solutions. Systematic characterization on the dispersing carbon nanotubes is urgently required and therefore of significance. In this paper multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with different average lengths or with different oxidation degrees were dispersed in water and characterized systematically by applying UV spectroscopy, SEM, DLS, TGA, XPS, and FTIR. In particular, the characteristic absorption of the carbon nanotubes was analyzed using resolution-fitting technique to establish relations of wavelength and absorption intensity to the size distribution and surface chemistry. Results indicated that the absorption spectra of MWCNTs could reflect the variation of surface chemistry and length distribution of carbon nanotubes dispersed in water by combining with the other measurements. A vascular endothelium cell line was taken as a model to figure out association between physicochemical features and cytotoxicity of the carbon nanotubes. It was showed that the multiwalled carbon nanotubes with different oxidation degrees and similar length distribution exhibited different interaction files to the cells proliferation in a manner of time dependence and concentration dependence.
Capsaicin Induces Reflex Scratching in Inflamed Skin
Authors: Liang Jiexian , Xiao Guanqing , Ji Wenjin
Published: August 2011

We investigated whether capsaicin induces itching in skin with existing inflammation. We induced skin inflammation by intradermal injection of complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA) in the neck of mice. Four days later, we injected capsaicin in the same area and counted the number of scratching bouts for 30 min. We examined potential effects on pain in parallel experiments in which CFA and capsaicin were intradermally injected into hind paws. We used the time spent licking the hind paws during the 15 min after capsaicin injection as an estimate of pain. Capsaicin injection into the skin pretreated with CFA, but not into healthy skin, induced scratching. The scratching behavior was reduced by pretreatment with naloxone or capsazepine, selective antagonists for transient receptor potential vanilloid receptor-1 (TRPV1), but not morphine or mepyramine, selective antagonists for histamine 1 receptor. In animals injected with capsaicin into the hind paws, licking behavior was significantly inhibited via a µ-receptor-dependent mechanism. Our results show that TRPV1 activation, which normally induces pain, evokes an itch-related response in the presence of inflammation. This model may be interesting for future studies to explore the mechanism of a painful stimuli-induced itch observed under pathological conditions.
Self Portraits (As a Jew)
Authors: Rosenberg Douglas
Published: August 2011

How does one pass as Jewish? What are the signs? How many layers of costume and persona does it take to be perceived as Jewish? The bearded Jew, devil horns, Jewish noses, and other such accouterments and myths are the materiality of this series of self portraits.
Effect of hot-air aging on properties of EPDM/SmBO3/EAA and EPDM/ATO/EAA composites
Authors: Su Jun , Chen Shuangjun , Zhang Jun
Published: August 2011

Ethylene–propylene–diene monomer (EPDM) rubber/samarium borate (SmBO3)/ethylene acrylic acid (EAA) and EPDM/sb in Sb-doped SnO2 (antimony tin oxide)/EAA composites are aged at 150°C for different intervals. It is found that alkaline SmBO3 can lower the oxidation rate of EPDM composites by scavenging acids formed during aging. The grown acrylic acid content lowers the pH level of EPDM composites and then elevates the oxidation rate. For EPDM/filler control, the chain scission dominates in the early stage of aging, while cross-linking takes the main effect in the latter stage of aging. Moreover, the poly (circular acid anhydride) formed by carboxylic acid in EAA during curing decomposes and influences the overall chemical cross-link points. The lowest crystallinity of EAA in EPDM/filler/EAA composites appears at the 10th day of aging and is attributed to the varied cross-link density. The changing trend of tensile strength is well consistent with that of swelling ratios, and electric properties are correlated with increased polar groups and crystallinity.
Foamed core microtruss nanocrystalline Ni cellular hybrids
Authors: Campbell J.E. , Suralvo M. , Hibbard G.D. , Naguib H.E.
Published: August 2011

This study created metal/polymer cellular composite materials in which nanocrystalline Ni was electrodeposited on foamed microtruss polymer cores. The objective was to create a new composite cellular microtruss material in which the mechanical properties were controlled by an interconnected network of conformable nanocrystalline tubes. Batch CO2 foaming of the polymer core resulted in a microcellular foam architecture inside the microtruss struts, which had a lower density than the starting rapid prototyped pre-form. Foaming allowed a larger specific strength and the specific stiffness increases after electrodeposition than was possible on the starting polymer core alone.
Analysis of free vibration of functionally graded material (FGM) cylinders by a meshless method
Authors: Mollarazi H. R. , Foroutan M. , Moradi-Dastjerdi R.
Published: August 2011

In the present work, a new axisymmetric weak form meshless method is presented for analysis of free vibration of functionally graded material (FGM) cylinders. This method is based on weak form of equilibrium equation and moving least squares (MLS) approximation. Essential boundary conditions are imposed by transformation method. In this method, shape functions that do not satisfy the Kronecker delta condition are corrected, then essential boundary conditions are imposed easily as in the finite element method (FEM). In the present work, the material is assumed to be functionally graded in the radial direction. Variations in the material properties such as Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio may be arbitrary functions of the radial coordinate. The FGM cylinder material varies continuously from silicon carbide (SiC) on the inner surface to stainless steel (SUS304) on the outer surface. Free vibration analysis of FGM cylinders with any arbitrary combination of boundary conditions is possible by the proposed model. Natural frequencies obtained from the presented model are in good agreement with results of finite element simulation. Effects of various types of boundary conditions, geometrical parameters, and mechanical properties on the natural frequencies are studied.
Characterization of exfoliated graphite nanoplatelets/polycarbonate composites: electrical and thermal conductivity, and tensile, flexural, and rheological properties
Authors: King Julia A , Via Michael D , Morrison Faith A , Wiese Kyle R , Beach Edsel A , Cieslinski Mark J , Bogucki Gregg R
Published: August 2011

Exfoliated graphite nanoplatelets (GNP) can be added polymers to produce electrically conductive composites. In this study, varying amounts (2–15 wt%) GNP were added to polycarbonate (PC) and the resulting composites were tested for electrical conductivity (1/electrical resistivity), thermal conductivity, and tensile, flexural, and rheological properties. The percolation threshold was approximately 4.0 vol% (6.5 wt%) GNP. The addition of GNP to polycarbonate increased the composite electrical and thermal conductivity and tensile and flexural modulus. The 8 wt% (5.0 vol%) GNP in polycarbonate composite had a good combination of properties for electrostatic dissipative applications. The electrical resistivity and thermal conductivity were 4.0 × 107 ohm-cm and 0.37 W/m · K, respectively. The tensile modulus, ultimate tensile strength, and strain at ultimate tensile strength were 3.5 GPa, 58 MPa, and 3.5%, respectively. The flexural modulus, ultimate flexural strength, and strain at ultimate flexural strength were 3.6 GPa, 108 MPa, and 5.5%, respectively. Ductile tensile behavior is noted in pure polycarbonate and in samples containing up to 8 wt% GNP. PC and GNP/PC composites show shear-thinning behavior. Viscosity of the composite increased as the amount of GNP increased dueto a volume-filling filler effect. The viscosity of the GNP/PC composites are well described by a Kitano-modified Maron-Pierce model.
Modernity, Solidity and Agency: Liquidity Reconsidered
Authors: Lee Raymond L.M.
Published: August 2011

Zygmunt Bauman’s metaphor of liquid modernity addresses the juxtaposition of increased freedom and mobility with accelerated anxiety in an era of deregulated consumption. His proposal that this emergent condition represents a transition from solid to liquid modernity requires closer scrutiny. If solid modernity concerns new forms of engagement consequent to the breakup of old ones, does liquidity necessarily suggest a process of disembedding without any prospect for re-embedding? This question raises the need to address the plausibility of liquidity as an irreversible process. To treat changes in contemporary society as liquid radicalizes fluidity but it fails to provide recognition for the possibility of re-solidification. Data from some recent studies of race, class and religion suggest such a possibility and the need to re-evaluate the notion of liquidity.
The incredible years therapeutic social and emotional skills programme: A pilot study
Authors: Hutchings Judy , Bywater Tracey , Gridley Nicole , Whitaker Christopher J. , Martin-Forbes Pam , Gruffydd Stella
Published: August 2011

The Incredible Years (IY) universal child Classroom Dinosaur and Teacher Classroom Management programmes are delivered in all 102 primary schools in Gwynedd County, Wales. This article describes a pilot study of the IY Therapeutic (small group) Dinosaur School social and emotional coaching programme, developed as a treatment programme, in one such school. The aim was to assess the added benefit of this programme for young high-risk children in order to inform a larger randomized controlled trial. Twenty-four children, aged between 5- and 9-years-old, were identified as likely to benefit from the programme. Twelve children received ten two-hour sessions, the other 12 were wait-list control. The-programme was reduced to ten weeks to fit the school and research timetable. A full set of pre- and post-intervention data was collected for 19 children, using child and researcher completed measures. No significant differences between conditions were found post-intervention. Sub-sample analysis of 12 children rated by teachers as high-risk demonstrated significant benefits for the intervention children by comparison with control in terms of increases in problem-solving skills. These findings suggest an important role for psychologists in training and supporting schools in implementing the evidence-based IY interventions as is currently happening across Wales. The study also provided guidance on targeting and evaluation measures for a more rigorous study using the full programme.
Comparison between transcranial Doppler and Coulter counter for detection of lipid micro embolization from mediastinal shed blood reinfusion during cardiac surgery
Authors: Eyjolfsson A , Al-Rashidi F , Dencker M , Scicluna S , Brondén B , Koul B , Bjursten H
Published: August 2011

Introduction: Lipid micro embolization (LME) from re-transfused shed blood has been postulated to be a potential reason for short- and long-term cognitive dysfunction after cardiac surgery. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate if transcranial Doppler (TCD) has the capacity to detect LME.

Methods: Thirteen patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass surgery were investigated. Each patient’s cerebral circulation was monitored with transcranial Doppler during the first two minutes after re-transfusion of shed blood and blood was simultaneously sampled and characterised by a Coulter counter.

Results: Strong correlation was found between embolic loads, as measured by transcranial Doppler and Coulter counter (r=0.79, P<0.005).

Conclusions: This pilot study shows that non-invasive monitoring by transcranial Doppler could be a potential tool to monitor LME during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery.
Science friction: Data, metadata, and collaboration
Authors: Edwards Paul N. , Mayernik Matthew S. , Batcheller Archer L. , Bowker Geoffrey C. , Borgman Christine L.
Published: August 2011

When scientists from two or more disciplines work together on related problems, they often face what we call ‘science friction’. As science becomes more data-driven, collaborative, and interdisciplinary, demand increases for interoperability among data, tools, and services. Metadata – usually viewed simply as ‘data about data’, describing objects such as books, journal articles, or datasets – serve key roles in interoperability. Yet we find that metadata may be a source of friction between scientific collaborators, impeding data sharing. We propose an alternative view of metadata, focusing on its role in an ephemeral process of scientific communication, rather than as an enduring outcome or product. We report examples of highly useful, yet ad hoc, incomplete, loosely structured, and mutable, descriptions of data found in our ethnographic studies of several large projects in the environmental sciences. Based on this evidence, we argue that while metadata products can be powerful resources, usually they must be supplemented with metadata processes. Metadata-as-process suggests the very large role of the ad hoc, the incomplete, and the unfinished in everyday scientific work.
Historical geography I
Authors: Offen Karl
Published: August 2011

In the first of three reports outlining the current state of historical geography, I review recently published work from three research themes: the geographic imagination (maps and cartography), geographies of knowledge, and society-nature geographies. I argue that these themes build upon important and dynamic, or vital, traditions within the subfield.
Intervention Research With Minority Older Adults
Authors: Gelman Caroline , Faul Anna C. , Yankeelov Pamela A.
Published: August 2011

Minority older adults are the fastest-growing segment of the older adult population, and a disproportionate number have the greatest psychosocial needs. It is the need to understand and bridge existing racial and ethnic disparities that makes research with minority older adults so necessary. However, these very vulnerabilities may lead to ethical dilemmas in undertaking research with this population, particularly because for many minority older adults, interventions offered through research may be the only treatment option available. This article discusses this and other ethical issues that may arise in the development and implementation of research protocols with minority older adults. By presenting specific examples of research challenges encountered the authors aim to encourage discussion about the clinically and ethically responsible ways of anticipating, preparing for, and addressing ethical research with minority older adults in ways that foster research integrity, best serve study participants, and contribute to greater knowledge and understanding for bridging disparities.