bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
EXTREME VALUE AT RISK: A SCENARIO FOR RISK MANAGEMENT
Authors: KABUNDI ALAIN , MUTEBA JOHN MWAMBA
Published: June 2011

This paper uses the generalised extreme value (GEV) distribution to model the extreme losses that are likely to occur during market crashes, in the case of an investor who has long positions in stocks and currencies. The null hypothesis – which tests for normality of asset returns – is rejected due to asymmetry of these returns. We assume that the asymmetric behaviour and volatility of the returns are captured by the shape and scale parameters, respectively, of a GEV distribution. The data set includes stock indices for the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, Germany, France and South Africa, and the South African rand exchange rates against the US dollar observed from 3 January 2005 to 30 December 2009. In addition, we divide this sample period into two periods: the pre‐crisis period, from 3 January 2005 to 31 December 2007 and the crisis period, from 1 January 2008 to 30 December 2009. We compared the estimates of value at risk (VaR) using an extreme value theory (EVT) model, with the estimates derived from the traditional variance–covariance method and found that during the crisis the 99% extreme VaR estimates are more reliable as they lie within the Basel II green zone. These results suggest that, at higher quintiles, the VaR estimates based on EVT are reliable and more accurate than estimates from the traditional method.
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS ON THE URBAN–RURAL DISPARITY IN HUMAN CAPITAL IN CHINA
Authors: LI XIAOCHUN , QIAN XIAOYING
Published: June 2011

With China's economic development and capital accumulation in the industrial sectors, the human capital level of the labours moving from the rural areas could no longer meet the demand of the industrial sectors. Therefore, “structural shortage of technical labour” emerged in the labour market as a result of excess of demand for high‐skilled workers. Previous literature mostly focused on the relationship between rural human‐capital level and labour movement, income change and economic growth, but in this article, the authors focus on the study of the relative disparity of urban and rural human capital and labour movement, as well as the effect of the change of urban–rural human capital gap on industrial output, profit and social welfare. This article shows that bridging the urban–rural gap in respect of human capital level could not only improve the situation of the “structural shortage of technical labour,” but also have a positive effect on the general social welfare.
Direct simulation Monte Carlo study of effects of thermal nonuniformities in electron-beam physical vapor deposition
Authors: Venkattraman A. , Alexeenko Alina A.
Published: June 2011

In a typical electron-beam physical vapor deposition system, there is limited control over how the high-power electron beam heats the metal surface. This leads to thermal nonuniformities at the melt. Three-dimensional direct simulation Monte Carlo simulations were performed with the aim of quantifying the effect of such spatial variations of source temperature in thin film depositions using an electron-beam physical vapor deposition system. The source temperature distribution from a typical deposition process was used in the direct simulation Monte Carlo simulations performed for various mass flow rates. The use of an area-averaged temperature is insufficient for all mass flow rates due to the highly nonlinear relationship between temperature and saturation number density, and hence, the mass flux. The mass flow rate equivalent temperature was determined, and the simulations performed with this temperature were compared with those corresponding to the actual nonuniform temperature distribution. For low mass flow rates, the growth rates depend very weakly on the spatial variation of temperature as long as an equivalent temperature corresponding to the same mass flow rate was used. However, as the mass flow rate increases, the error associated with this approximation increases. For deposition processes with source Knudsen numbers less than 0.05, it is not possible to account for the spatial nonuniformities in temperature using the total mass flow rate without significant errors. For a given mass flow rate, the errors associated with using an equivalent temperature decrease with increasing collector plane distance since the flow is allowed to expand further, thereby decreasing the effects of slit temperature nonuniformities.
Phosphoproteomic Analysis Identifies Grb10 as an mTORC1 Substrate That Negatively Regulates Insulin Signaling
Authors: Yu Yonghao , Yoon Sang-Oh , Poulogiannis George , Yang Qian , Ma Xiaoju Max , Villén Judit , Kubica Neil , Hoffman Gregory R. , Cantley Lewis C. , Gygi Steven P. , Blenis John
Published: June 2011

A search for substrates of a growth-promoting kinase revealed a regulatory feedback loop involved in tumor suppression.
Real-Time Dynamics of Quantized Vortices in a Unitary Fermi Superfluid
Authors: Bulgac Aurel , Luo Yuan-Lung , Magierski Piotr , Roche Kenneth J. , Yu Yongle
Published: June 2011

A generalized theoretical approach is developed to describe the dynamics and phase transitions of Fermi superfluids.
Methylhydroxycarbene: Tunneling Control of a Chemical Reaction
Authors: Schreiner Peter R. , Reisenauer Hans Peter , Ley David , Gerbig Dennis , Wu Chia-Hua , Allen Wesley D.
Published: June 2011

Quantum tunneling induces the opposite outcome expected from traditional kinetic factors in a chemical rearrangement.
Taking the High Road and Getting There Before You
Authors: Carpenter Barry K.
Published: June 2011

Quantum-mechanical tunneling causes an organic molecule to follow the “wrong” reaction pathway with a higher energy barrier.
Stigma of HIV Imperils Hard-Won Strides in Saving Lives
Authors: Qiu Jane
Published: June 2011

Critics warn that further gains in lowering AIDS mortality in China are jeopardized by rampant discrimination against HIV-infected individuals and the entrenched stigma of homosexuality in China.
Planetary Two-Step Reshaped Solar System, Saved Earth?
Authors: Kerr Richard A.
Published: June 2011

A new model of the early solar system shows that its fate was changed forever when Saturn snagged the inrushing Jupiter and together they backed off before driving the still-growing Earth into oblivion.
WEIGHTED AUTOMATA FOR FULL-TEXT INDEXING
Authors: ZHANG MENG , HU LIANG , ZHANG YI
Published: June 2011

Full-text index structures are widely used in string matching and bioinformatics. These structures such as DAWGs and suffix trees allow fast searches on texts. In this paper, we present a new partition of the factors of a word, called a consistent minimal linear partition. Based on this partition, we introduce the weighted directed word graph (WDWG), a space-economical full-text index. WDWGs are basically cyclic, which means that they may accept infinite strings. But by assigning weights to edges, the acceptable strings are limited only to the factors of the input string. For a given word w, any factor of w can be indexed by a state of the WDWG and its length. A WDWG of w has at most |w| states and 2|w| - 1 transition edges. We present an on-line algorithm to construct a WDWG for a given word in time linear in the length of the word. Our experiment shows the size of WDWGs is smaller than that of DAWGs for many data sets including DNA sequences, Chinese texts and English texts.
Selective Inguinal Lymphadenectomy in the Treatment of Invasive Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Vulva
Authors: DeSimone Christopher P. , Elder Jeffrey , van Nagell John R.
Published: June 2011

En bloc radical vulvectomy with bilateral inguinofemoral lymphadenectomy has now been replaced by radical wide excision and selective inguinal lymphadenectomy based on the stage and location of invasive vulvar cancer. Early stage lateral cancers can be effectively treated by radical wide excision and ipsilateral superficial inguinal lymphadenectomy. Lymph node mapping using perilesional injection of radiocolloid and blue dye may identify sentinel lymph nodes which can be removed, thereby avoiding the morbidity of full inguinal lymphadenectomy in selected patients with early stage disease.
Teratoma with Malignant Transformation: A Case Report with Pathological, Cytogenetic, and Immunohistochemistry Analysis
Authors: Wang Jue , Kazmi Syed A. Jaffar
Published: June 2011

Background. Teratoma with malignant transformation (TMT) is rare and most commonly encountered in adult patient with germ cell tumor (GCT).Method. We report a rare case of testicular teratoma with metastatic TMT/embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (ERMS). A 44-year-old man underwent right orchiectomy which revealed a malignant teratoma, he subsequently had right pneumonectomy with two pulmonary masses containing a high-grade embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma. The patient developed liver metastasis three months after initial diagnosis. He was treated with a chemotherapy regimen with vincristine, dactinomycin, and cyclophosphamide (VAC) alternating with vincristine and irinotecan (VI) with complete resolution of his liver lesion. The tumors were examined with a battery of cytogenetic, immunohistochemical, and molecular assays.Results. The malignant cells were immunohistochemically positive for desmin, myogenin, and MyoD1. Molecular cytogenetics of embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma tissue revealed the presence of i(12p). The tumor expressed high level of TOPO2A, TOPO1, MRP1, MGMT, BCRP, ERCC1, RRM1, and TS.Conclusion. The activity of topoisomerase inhibitors and the potential usefulness of topoisomerase expression as biomarkers should be further tested in aprospective study.
Postplanting Nutritional Augmentation of Jeffrey Pine Seedlings on an Infertile Sierran Site
Authors: Walker Roger F.
Published: June 2011

Broadcast fertilization with an array of amendments was investigated for its capacity to stimulate growth and enhance nutrition of a three-year-old Jeffrey pine (Pinus jeffreyiGrev. & Balf.) plantation growing on an acidic Sierra Nevada surface mine. Four formulations that differed in N source, duration of release, and the suite of nutrients provided were evaluated, with each applied using four rates. Free Flow 29-3-4, a conventional amendment featuring urea as its near exclusive N source, and High N 22-4-6, a controlled release formulation containing ammoniacal, nitrate, and urea N, were the most stimulatory while an organic formulation relying exclusively on a municipal biosolid N source, Milorganite 6-2-0, was the least so. The lowest application rates employed were inadequate while the most advantageous was not the highest rate for any formulation. Foliar analysis revealed that improved N nutrition was probably critical in the favorable growth responses to fertilization, that of P was a likely contributor, and amelioration of potential Mn toxicity may have assumed an accessory role.
Study of Structural and Optical Properties of Zinc Oxide Rods Grown on Glasses by Chemical Spray Pyrolysis
Authors: Sonmez Erdal , Aydin Serdar , Yilmaz Mehmet , Yurtcan Mustafa Tolga , Karacali Tevhit , Ertugrul Mehmet
Published: June 2011

We have investigated morphological and optical properties of zinc oxide rods. Highly structured ZnO layers comprising with well‐shaped hexagonal rods were prepared by spray pyrolysis deposition of zinc chloride aqueous solutions at ~550∘C. The rods were characterized by X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, photoluminescence, and ultraviolet and visible absorption spectroscopy measurements. The deposition of the 0.1 mol/L solution at ~550∘C resulted in crystals with a diameter of 400–1000 nm and length of 500–2000 nm. Sharp near‐band edge emission peaks, centered at 3844 and 3680 Å, dominated the PL spectra of ZnO at 300 K and 6.2 K, respectively. In addition to this, absorption coefficient was determined by absorption measurement. X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy, results suggest that ZnO rods, prepared by spray pyrolysis, have high crystalline quality. This is desirable in nanotechnology applications.
Synergistic Effect of Geranylgeranyltransferase Inhibitor, GGTI, and Docetaxel on the Growth of Prostate Cancer Cells
Authors: Han Bin , Fujimoto Naohiro , Kobayashi Mizuki , Matsumoto Tetsuro
Published: June 2011

Most advanced prostate cancers progress to castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) after a few years of androgen deprivation therapy and the prognosis of patients with CRPC is poor. Although docetaxel and cabazitaxel can prolong the survival of patients with CRPC, inevitable progression appears following those treatments. It is urgently required to identify better or alternative therapeutic strategies. The purpose of this study was to confirm the anti-cancer activity of zoledronic acid (Zol) and determine whether inhibition of geranylgeranylation in the mevalonate pathway could be a molecular target of prostate cancer treatment. We examined the growth inhibitory effect of Zol in prostate cancer cells (LNCaP, PC3, DU145) and investigated a role of geranylgeranylation in the anticancer activity of Zol. We, then, evaluated the growth inhibitory effect of geranylgeranyltransferase inhibitor (GGTI), and analyzed the synergy of GGTI and docetaxel by combination index and isobolographic analysis. Zol inhibited the growth of all prostate cancer cell lines tested in a dose-dependent manner through inhibition of geranylgeranylation. GGTI also inhibited the prostate cancer cell growth and the growth inhibitory effect was augmented by a combination with docetaxel. Synergism between GGTI and docetaxel was observed across a broad range of concentrations. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that GGTI can inhibit the growth of prostate cancer cells and has synergistic effect with docetaxel, suggesting its potential role in prostate cancer treatment.
Deleterious Effect of Hyperoxia at Birth on White Matter Damage in the Newborn Rat
Authors: Vottier Gaelle , Pham Hoa , Pansiot Julien , Biran Valérie , Gressens Pierre , Charriaut-Marlangue Christiane , Baud Olivier
Published: June 2011

White matter damage (WMD) remains the leading cause of cerebral palsy in children born prematurely. The release of an excessive amount of reactive oxygen species is recognized as a risk factor for WMD. We hypothesize that free radical injury during reoxygenation at birth may be harmful to the immature white matter and may underlie, at least in part, the pathogenesis of WMD. We tested this hypothesis in rat pups delivered from normoxic pregnant rats, and by investigating an animal model based on protracted antenatal hypoxia in the pregnant rat and mimicking the main features of human WMD in rat pups. From embryonic day (E)5 to E21, the pregnant rats were placed in a chamber supplied with a gas mixture that either induced hypoxia (FiO2 = 10%) or maintained normoxia (FiO2 = 21%). On E21, the dams were removed from the chamber and housed under either normoxia (FiO2 = 21%), hyperoxia (FiO2 = 60%) or slowly reoxygenated (FiO2 from 15% at E21 to 21% at postnatal day 7). Postnatal hyperoxia was associated with a significantly increased density of activated microglial cells (+105%) and TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end labeling)-positive cells (+85%) within the developing white matter. Myelin content (–31%) and mature oligodendrocyte density (–37%) in the normal developing white matter were significantly decreased by postnatal hyperoxia. Postnatal hyperoxia significantly potentiated the myelination delay and oligodendroglial dysmaturation induced by antenatal hypoxia. In contrast, progressive reoxygenation at birth did not induce any change in white matter inflammation, myelination and cell death as compared with normoxic controls, and prevented most of the WMD observed following antenatal hypoxia. This study demonstrates a deleterious effect of hyperoxia at birth on the developing white matter in normal rat pups. Postnatal hyperoxia worsened the WMD induced by antenatal hypoxia. Hyperoxia at birth should be avoided in preterm infants at risk of WMD.
Serum Insulin, Cortisol, Leptin, Neuropeptide Y, Galanin and Ghrelin Levels in Epileptic Children Receiving Valproate
Authors: Cansu Ali , Serdaroglu Ayse , Çamurdan Orhun , Hırfanoğlu Tuba , Cinaz Peyami
Published: June 2011

Aims: The objective of this study was to investigate the cause of valproate (VPA)-associated weight gain in children. Methods: Eighteen children (10.94 ± 3.78 years) with epilepsy were assigned to VPA therapy. Serum levels of glucose, insulin, cortisol, leptin, neuropeptide Y (NPY), galanin and ghrelin were assessed before (month 0) and after 18 months of therapy. Eighteen age- and gender-matched patients (10.78 ± 3.95 years) were enrolled as the control group. Results: Excess per capita weight of 2.3 kg was determined in the children receiving VPA over 18 months compared to the control group. In these patients, a statistically significant increase in standardized weight score, Homeostasis Model Assessment index, serum leptin, NPY and galanin values was determined at the 18th month compared to those before VPA treatment and in the control group, and there was also a significant decrease in ghrelin values. Conclusion: Increased serum levels of leptin, NPY and galanin play an important role in VPA-associated weight gain in children. While ghrelin is not directly associated with weight gain, its serum levels decline as a response to weight gain.
Desmoplakin and Talin2 Are Novel mRNA Targets of Fragile X–Related Protein-1 in Cardiac Muscle
Authors: Whitman Samantha A. , Cover Cathleen , Yu Lily , Nelson David L. , Zarnescu Daniela C. , Gregorio Carol C.
Published: June 2011

Rationale:

The proper function of cardiac muscle requires the precise assembly and interactions of numerous cytoskeletal and regulatory proteins into specialized structures that orchestrate contraction and force transmission. Evidence suggests that posttranscriptional regulation is critical for muscle function, but the mechanisms involved remain understudied.

Objective:

To investigate the molecular mechanisms and targets of the muscle-specific fragile X mental retardation, autosomal homolog 1 (FXR1), an RNA binding protein whose loss leads to perinatal lethality in mice and cardiomyopathy in zebrafish.

Methods and Results:

Using RNA immunoprecipitation approaches we found that desmoplakin and talin2 mRNAs associate with FXR1 in a complex. In vitro assays indicate that FXR1 binds these mRNA targets directly and represses their translation.
Fxr1
KO hearts exhibit an up-regulation of desmoplakin and talin2 proteins, which is accompanied by severe disruption of desmosome as well as costamere architecture and composition in the heart, as determined by electron microscopy and deconvolution immunofluorescence analysis.

Conclusions:

Our findings reveal the first direct mRNA targets of FXR1 in striated muscle and support translational repression as a novel mechanism for regulating heart muscle development and function, in particular the assembly of specialized cytoskeletal structures.
Intermittent African Easterly Wave Activity in a Dry Atmospheric Model: Influence of the Extratropics
Authors: Leroux Stephanie , Hall Nicholas M. J. , Kiladis George N.
Published: June 2011

A dynamical model is constructed of the northern summertime global circulation, maintained by empirically derived forcing, based on the same dynamical code that has recently been used to study African easterly waves (AEWs) as convectively triggered perturbations (Thorncroft et al.; Leroux and Hall). In the configuration used here, the model faithfully simulates the observed mean distributions of jets and transient disturbances, and explicitly represents the interactions between them. This simple GCM is used to investigate the origin and intraseasonal intermittency of AEWs in an artificially dry (no convection) context. A long integration of the model produces a summertime climatology that includes a realistic African easterly jet and westward-propagating 3–5-day disturbances over West Africa. These simulated waves display intraseasonal intermittency as the observed AEWs also do. Further experiments designed to discern the source of this intermittency in the model show that the simulated waves are mainly triggered by dynamical precursors coming from the North Atlantic storm track. The model is at least as sensitive to this remote influence as it is to local triggering by convective heating.
Modeling the Flash Rate of Thunderstorms. Part I: Framework
Authors: Dahl Johannes M. L. , Höller Hartmut , Schumann Ulrich
Published: June 2011

In this study a straightforward theoretical approach to determining the flash rate in thunderstorms is presented. A two-plate capacitor represents the basic dipole charge structure of a thunderstorm, which is charged by the generator current and discharged by lightning. If the geometry of the capacitor plates, the generator-current density, and the lightning charge are known, and if charging and discharging are in equilibrium, then the flash rate is uniquely determined.

To diagnose the flash rate of real-world thunderstorms using this framework, estimates of the required relationships between the predictor variables and observable cloud properties are provided. With these estimates, the flash rate can be parameterized.

In previous approaches, the lightning rate has been set linearly proportional to the electrification rate (such as the storm’s generator power or generator current), which implies a constant amount of neutralization by lightning discharges (such as lightning energy or lightning charge). This leads to inconsistencies between these approaches. Within the new framework proposed here, the discharge strength is allowed to vary with storm geometry, which remedies the physical inconsistencies of the previous approaches.

The new parameterization is compared with observations using polarimetric radar data and measurements from the lightning detection network, LINET. The flash rates of a broad spectrum of discrete thunderstorm cells are accurately diagnosed by the new approach, while the flash rates of mesoscale convective systems are overestimated.
Quantitative identification of multiple damage in laminated composite beams using A 0 Lamb mode
Authors: Dong Wang  , Lin Ye  , Zhongqing Su  , Ye Lu
Published: June 2011

A Time-of-Flight (ToF)-based interrogation with a single PZT actuator—sensor pair in the pulse-echo configuration for locating and quantifying dual damage in woven laminated beams was investigated through experiments. By applying the Hilbert transform, the ToF and the reflection coefficient are extracted from each damage-induced energy component as damage-sensitive features for identifying the location and severity of damage. The resolution and limitation of this ToF-based interrogation with a single PZT actuator—sensor pair in the pulse-echo configuration for identification of multiple damage are discussed. The results demonstrated that the damage identification algorithm based on the comparison of energy spectra of Lamb wave signals captured in different states has the capability of identifying dual damage in beam-like composite structures.
Community governance and local decision making: Paper presented to the ‘Diversity and Convergence: Planning in a World of Change’ Conference
Authors: McIntyre Tracie , Halsall Jamie
Published: June 2011

Since 1997 there has been a shift in how local government is run. Today central government directs more power to local government. Community governance is the key policy driver in helping people and organizations to become more effective at improving communities. These new powers have given local authorities greater involvement in decision making for citizens. Recent government policy on Community Governance Reviews has been aimed at revitalizing civic renewal and encouraging citizen participation in local decision making. Central government has sought to encourage this by devolving powers to encourage the creation of more parish councils, particularly in urban areas. Hence central government views parish councils as a governance structure that can achieve civic renewal, pride and more involvement of citizens in decision making within communities. The aim of this paper is to explore whether the devolving of power from central government to local government, with regard to carrying out reviews on the creation of parish councils, has led to more local decision making. This paper uses Horbury, in West Yorkshire, as the case study example.
Transplacental genotoxicity evaluation of cypermethrin using alkaline comet assay
Authors: Murkunde YV , Sathya TN , Subashini N , Murthy P Balakrishna
Published: June 2011

Transplacental genotoxic effect of cypermethrin technical was investigated. Three doses (25, 50 and 75 mg/kg body weight) were administered to groups of pregnant Wistar rats during 6–15 days of gestation. Animals were killed on gestation day 20. Fetal blood and liver samples were evaluated for DNA damage using alkaline comet assay. A marginal increase in the mean percentage of DNA damage was recorded in both blood and liver samples of fetuses from cypermethrin-treated dams, but the values were not statistically significant. No skeletal or visceral fetal abnormalities were recorded in treated groups. Nevertheless, the results lead to an understanding that transplacental exposure to cypermethrin can induce low levels of DNA damage in fetuses. This observation could be an explanation for the teratogenic effect exhibited by this chemical in many other studies. The results indicate that cypermethrin may be transplacentally genotoxic. The authors propose more detailed investigations for validating the current findings.
Effects of electromagnetic radiation produced by 3G mobile phones on rat brains: Magnetic resonance spectroscopy, biochemical, and histopathological evaluation
Authors: Dogan M , Turtay MG , Oguzturk H , Samdanci E , Turkoz Y , Tasdemir S , Alkan A , Bakir S
Published: June 2011

Objective: The effects of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) produced by a third-generation (3G) mobile phone (MP) on rat brain tissues were investigated in terms of magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), biochemistry, and histopathological evaluations. Methods: The rats were randomly assigned to two groups: Group 1 is composed of 3G-EMR-exposed rats ( n = 9) and Group 2 is the control group ( n = 9). The first group was subjected to EMR for 20 days. The control group was not exposed to EMR. Choline (Cho), creatinin (Cr), and N-acetylaspartate (NAA) levels were evaluated by MRS. Catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) enzyme activities were measured by spectrophotometric method. Histopathological analyses were carried out to evaluate apoptosis in the brain tissues of both groups. Results: In MRS, NAA/Cr, Cho/Cr, and NAA/Cho ratios were not significantly different between Groups 1 and 2. Neither the oxidative stress parameters, CAT and GSH-Px, nor the number of apoptotic cells were significantly different between Groups 1 and 2. Conclusions: Usage of short-term 3G MP does not seem to have a harmful effect on rat brain tissue.
Relationship of leukocyte CR1 transcript and protein with the pathophysiology and prognosis of systemic lupus erythematosus: A follow-up study
Authors: Arora V , Grover R , Kumar A , Anand D , Das N
Published: June 2011

Complement Receptor 1 (CR1) is a key complement regulatory protein (CRP) involved in the clearance of immune complexes. Earlier, we reported a marked decline of leukocyte CR1 (L-CR1) transcript and protein in patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and suggested L-CR1 transcript as a putative non-invasive disease marker for SLE. This follow-up study involving 18 patients with active SLE was conducted for further confirmation of the relationship between L-CR1 and SLE. Blood samples from the patients were collected on day 1 of the diagnosis (0 month) and at different time intervals (3 and 6 months) for analysis of L-CR1 transcript and L-CR1 protein by semi-quantitative reverse-transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blotting respectively. Within 6 months, 15 patients entered remission. On day 1, the mean values of L-CR1 transcript (8.42 ± 3.53) and L-CR1 protein (4683 ± 1094) in the SLE patients were 6 times and 12 times lower than the normal controls ( n = 103). At the end of month 6, these values increased by 4.5 and 6.5 times respectively for CR1 transcript (37.86 ± 8.52) and protein (30,265 ± 8614). Simultaneously, the SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) scores decreased by 4.8 times (4.47 ± 3.32) as compared with the scores obtained on day 1 (21.45 ± 5.67). Moreover, CR1 values correlated negatively with the SLEDAI scores. Levels of L-CR1 protein and transcript remained low in the three patients who did not enter remission. All of the above results suggested that an increase in the levels of L-CR1 related to good prognosis. Since the levels of L-CR1 protein is influenced by variables like proteolytic cleavage and secretion from leukocytes, the values of L-CR1 transcript on day 1 and subsequent follow-up points may bring a better insight into the state of the disease activity. An extended follow-up study is needed to confirm the significance of L-CR1 as a prognostic marker for SLE.
Usefulness of pleural effusion antinuclear antibodies in the diagnosis of lupus pleuritis
Authors: Toworakul C , Kasitanon N , Sukitawut W , Wichinun R , Louthrenoo W
Published: June 2011

We performed this study to determine sensitivity and specificity of pleural effusion antinuclear antibodies (ANA) at a titer of ≥1 : 160, and the ratio of pleural effusion to serum ANA of ≥1, to distinguish between pleural fluid from lupus pleuritis and other causes. A prospective study of 54 patients with pleural effusion (12 lupus pleuritis, seven parapneumonic effusion, 26 malignancy-associated pleural effusions, nine transudative effusions) was performed. ANA at a titer of ≥1 : 160 were found in 11 of 12 lupus pleuritis samples, and in four of 42 pleural effusions from non-systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. The pleural effusion ANA at a titer of ≥1 : 160 gave a sensitivity of 91.67% for lupus pleuritis, with a specificity of 83.33% when compared with all other pleural effusions, 90.91% when compared with exudative effusion (parapneumonic effusion and malignancy-associated effusion) and 55.56% when compared with the transudative pleural effusion group. Using the ratio of pleural effusion to serum ANA of ≥1, the sensitivity and the specificity decreased to 75.00% and 78.57%, respectively. This study provides further evidence that the pleural effusion ANA at a titer of ≥1 : 160 is a sensitive and specific diagnostic biomarker for lupus pleuritis in patients with lupus. However, pleural effusion ANA can occasionally be found in other conditions.
Can we understand complex systems in terms of risk analysis?
Authors: Vatn J
Published: June 2011

The concept of integrated operations (IO) introduces new ways of operations in the offshore petroleum industry. IO is often characterized by virtual decision arenas where many safety critical decisions are supported and made by distributed actors with different rationalities and responsibilities. This will challenge more traditional decision processes in several ways and it has been questioned whether the risk analysis framework can handle what some authors denote as emerging and escaping risks. Complexity is often considered as a source of such risks. In this paper risk is defined as uncertainty regarding occurrence and severity of undesired events. Next a variety of techniques for structuring and quantifying uncertainty are listed. To approach complexity it is proposed to identify a set of complexity characteristics in relation to the accidental scenarios to be undertaken in the analysis. This enables uncertainty due to complexity to be approached within the same framework as that used to cope with other sources of uncertainty. The important steps in such an integrated risk and complexity analysis are listed, and some of these steps are discussed in the light of examples relevant to IO.
Application of multi-objective genetic algorithms to two case studies of reliability efficiency analysis and optimal expansion of electrical transmission networks
Authors: Cadini F , Zio E , Golea L R , Petrescu C A
Published: June 2011

Two applications of multi-objective genetic algorithms to the analysis and optimization of electrical transmission networks are reported to show the potential of these combinatorial optimization schemes in the treatment of highly interconnected, complex systems. In a first case study, an analysis of the topological structure of an electrical power transmission system in the literature is carried out to identify the most important group of elements of different sizes in the network. The importance is quantified in terms of group closeness centrality. In the second case study, an optimization method is developed for identifying strategies of expansion of an electrical transmission network by addition of new lines of connection which are optimally identified with respect to the objective of improving the transmission reliability, while limiting the investment cost.
Btk is a positive regulator in the TREM-1/DAP12 signaling pathway
Authors: Ormsby Tereza , Schlecker Eva , Ferdin Janina , Tessarz Anja Sibylle , Angelisová Pavla , Köprülü Afitap Derya , Borte Michael , Warnatz Klaus , Schulze Ilka , Ellmeier Wilfried , Hořejší Václav , Cerwenka Adelheid
Published: June 2011

The triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 1 (TREM-1) has been implicated in the production of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines during bacterial infection and sepsis. For downstream signal transduction, TREM-1 is coupled to the ITAM-containing adaptor DAP12. Here, we demonstrate that Bruton tyrosine kinase (Btk), a member of the Tec kinases, becomes phosphorylated upon TREM-1 triggering. In U937-derived cell lines, in which expression of Btk was diminished by shRNA-mediated knockdown, phosphorylation of Erk1/2 and PLCγ1 and Ca2+ mobilization were reduced after TREM-1 stimulation. Importantly, TREM-1–induced production of the pro-inflammatory cytokines, TNF-α and IL-8, and up-regulation of activation/differentiation cell surface markers were impaired in Btk knockdown cells. Similar results were obtained upon TREM-1 stimulation of BMDCs of Btk−/− mice. The analysis of cells containing Btk mutants revealed that intact membrane localization and a functional kinase domain were required for TREM-1–mediated signaling. Finally, after TREM-1 engagement, TNF-α production by PBMCs was reduced in the majority of patients suffering from X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA), a rare hereditary disease caused by mutations in the BTK gene. In conclusion, our data identify Btk as a positive regulator in the ITAM-mediated TREM-1/DAP12 pathway and suggest its implication in inflammatory processes.
Alcohol drinking and risk of subsequent hospitalisation with pneumonia
Authors: Kornum J.B. , Due K.M. , Nørgaard M. , Tjønneland A. , Overvad K. , Sørensen H.T. , Thomsen R.W.
Published: June 2011

The dose–response relationship between alcohol consumption and pneumonia risk in healthy individuals is poorly understood.

We examined 22,485 males and 24,682 females from Denmark who were aged 50–64 yrs. Subjects were without major chronic diseases at baseline and had a median follow-up of 12 yrs for first-time hospitalisation with pneumonia.

1,091 (males) and 944 (females) had pneumonia-related hospitalisation. Among males, the risk of pneumonia was increased for alcohol abstainers and those who drank large weekly amounts. The adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for 0, 7–20, 21–34, 35–50 and >50 drinks·week−1were 1.49 (95% CI 1.00–2.21), 0.88 (95% CI 0.76–1.03), 0.87 (95% CI 0.72–1.05), 1.15 (95% CI 0.93–1.44) and 1.81 (95% CI 1.40–2.33), respectively, compared with 1–6 drinks·week−1. The association between high alcohol intake and pneumonia persisted after controlling for subsequent chronic diseases. Among females, HRs for 0, 7–20, 21–35 and >35 drinks·week−1were 1.26 (95% CI 0.89–1.79), 1.01 (95% CI 0.88–1.17), 1.10 (95% CI 0.88–1.37) and 0.54 (95% CI 0.29–1.01), respectively. For the same moderate to high weekly alcohol amount, infrequent intake yielded higher pneumonia HRs than more regular intake in both sexes.

Regular moderate alcohol intake is not associated with increased risk of hospitalisation for pneumonia. High weekly alcohol consumption in males and infrequent heavy drinking in both sexes may increase pneumonia risk.
Exposure to thoracic dust, airway symptoms and lung function in cement production workers
Authors: Nordby K-C. , Fell A.K.M. , Notø H. , Eduard W. , Skogstad M. , Thomassen Y. , Bergamaschi A. , Kongerud J. , Kjuus H.
Published: June 2011

Cement dust exposure has previously been associated with airway symptoms and ventilatory impairment. The aim of the present study was to examine lung function and airway symptoms among employees in different jobs and at different levels of exposure to thoracic dust in the cement production industry.

At the start of a 4-yr prospective cohort study in 2007, exposure to cement dust, symptoms and lung function were recorded cross-sectionally in 4,265 employees in 24 European cement plants. Bronchial exposure was assessed by 2,670 full-shift dust samples with cyclones collecting the thoracic aerosol fraction. A job exposure matrix was constructed by grouping dust concentrations according to job type and plant.

Elevated odds ratios for symptoms and airflow limitation (range 1.2–2.6 in the highest quartile), but not for chronic bronchitis, were found in the higher quartiles of exposure compared with the lowest quartile. Forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) showed an exposure–response relationship with a 270-mL deficit of FEV1(95% CI 190–300 mL) in the highest compared with the lowest exposure level.

The results support the hypothesis that exposure to dust in cement production may lead to respiratory symptoms and airway obstruction.
Comparative cost and performance of light-emitting diode microscopy in HIV–tuberculosis-co-infected patients
Authors: Whitelaw A. , Peter J. , Sohn H. , Viljoen D. , Theron G. , Badri M. , Davids V. , Pai M. , Dheda K.
Published: June 2011

Light-emitting diode (LED) microscopy has recently been endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO). However, it is unclear whether LED is as accurate and cost-effective as Ziehl–Neelsen (ZN) microscopy or mercury vapour fluorescence microscopy (MVFM) in tuberculosis (TB)–HIV-co-infected subjects.

Direct and concentrated sputum smears from TB suspects were evaluated using combinations of LED microscopy, ZN microscopy and MVFM. Median reading time per slide was recorded and a cost analysis performed. Mycobacterial culture served as the reference standard.

647 sputum samples were obtained from 354 patients (88 (29.8%) were HIV-infected and 161 (26%) were culture-positive forMycobacterium tuberculosis).Although overall sensitivity of LED compared with ZN microscopy or MVFM was similar, sensitivity of all three modalities was lower in HIV-infected patients. In the HIV-infected group, the sensitivity of LED microscopy was higher than ZN microscopy using samples that were not concentrated (46versus39%; p=0.25), and better than MVFM using concentrated samples (56versus44; p=0.5). A similar trend was seen in the CD4 count <200 cells·mL−1subgroup. Median (interquartile range) reading time was quicker with LED compared with ZN microscopy (1.8 (1.7–1.9)versus2.5 (2.2–2.7) min; p≤0.001). Average cost per slide read was less for LED microscopy (US$1.63) compared with ZN microscopy (US$2.10).

Among HIV–TB-co-infected patients, LED microscopy was cheaper and performed as well as ZN microscopy or MVFM independent of the staining (ZN or auramine O) or processing methods used.
A therapeutic role for matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors in lung diseases?
Authors: Vandenbroucke R.E. , Dejonckheere E. , Libert C.
Published: June 2011

Disruption of the balance between matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their endogenous inhibitors is considered a key event in the development of pulmonary diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, interstitial lung diseases and lung cancer. This imbalance often results in elevated net MMP activity, making MMP inhibition an attractive therapeutic strategy. Although promising results have been obtained, the lack of selective MMP inhibitors, together with limited knowledge regarding the exact functions of a particular MMP, hampers clinical application. This review discusses the involvement of different MMPs in lung disorders and future opportunities and limitations of therapeutic MMP inhibition.
Farming in childhood, diet in adulthood and asthma history
Authors: Varraso R. , Oryszczyn M.P. , Mathieu N. , Le Moual N. , Boutron-Ruault M.C. , Clavel-Chapelon F. , Romieu I. , Kauffmann F.
Published: June 2011

The decrease in the number of children living on traditional farms in France during early childhood and changes in diet could both play a role in the increase in asthma prevalence over the last decades. This study aimed to assess 1) the association of farming lifestyle in childhood and asthma, and 2) whether diet in adulthood modifies the association between farming lifestyle in childhood and adult-onset asthma.

In the French Etude Epidemiologique des Femmes de la Mutuelle Générale de l'Education Nationale (E3N) study (54,018 females; age 43–68 yrs), three indicators of farming lifestyle were defined: one using individual data (having farmer parents) and two using ecological data (born in a rural area and exposure to cattle).

All farming lifestyle indicators were related to childhood- (<16 yrs) and adult-onset asthma (OR (95% CI) values for farmer parents were 0.54 (0.42–0.70) and 0.72 (0.62–0.84), respectively), and to diet in adulthood, in particular to high fruit and low wine intakes. The association between farmer parents and adult-onset asthma was not modified by diet in adulthood.

Results extend previous observations in younger cohorts on the protective role of contact with livestock and farming lifestyle on asthma, in particular during childhood.
Renin is an angiotensin-independent profibrotic mediator: role in pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Montes E. , Ruiz V. , Checa M. , Maldonado V. , Melendez-Zajgla J. , Montaño M. , Ordoñez-Razo R. , Cisneros J. , García-de-Alba C. , Pardo A. , Selman M.
Published: June 2011

The pathogenesis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is probably the result of interplay between cytokines/chemokines and growth factors. The renin–angiotensin (Ang) system is involved, although its profibrotic effect is attributed to Ang II. However, recent studies suggest that renin, through a specific receptor, is implicated in fibrogenesis.

In this study, the expression of renin and renin receptor was examined in normal and IPF lungs and fibroblasts. Normal human lung fibroblasts were stimulated with renin or transfected with renin small interfering RNA (siRNA), and the expression of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 and α-1-type I collagen was analysed.

Normal lungs and lung fibroblasts expressed renin, which was strongly upregulated in IPF lungs and fibroblasts (∼10-fold increase; p<0.05). Immunocytochemistry showed intense renin staining in IPF fibroblasts. Renin-stimulated lung fibroblasts displayed an increase in the expression of TGF-β1 (mean±sd1.8×103±0.2×103versus1.2×103±0.3×103mRNA copies per 18S ribosomal RNA; p<0.01) and collagen (5.93×102±0.66×102versus3.28×102±0.5×102; p<0.01), while knocking down renin expression using siRNA provoked a strong decrease of both molecules. These effects were independent of Ang II, since neither losartan nor captopril decreased these effects. Renin also decreased matrix metalloprotease-1 expression and induced TGF-β1 activation (163±34versus110±15 pg active TGF-β1 per mg total protein).

These findings highlight the possible role of renin as an Ang II-independent profibrotic factor in lung fibrosis.
High-resolution computed tomography and pulmonary function in children with common variable immunodeficiency
Authors: van Zeggeren L. , van de Ven A.A.J.M. , Terheggen-Lagro S.W.J. , Mets O.M. , Beek F.J. , van Montfrans J.M. , de Jong P.A.
Published: June 2011

High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) may be useful to monitor lung disease in children with common variable immunodeficiency disorder (CVID). We evaluated interobserver agreement and correlation with pulmonary function tests (PFTs) for automated quantification and visual scoring of air trapping and airway wall thickening on HRCT in paediatric CVID patients.

In a cohort of 51 children with CVID, HRCT was analysed visually and automated for presence of air trapping and airway wall thickening. PFTs were expressed as % predicted. Disease duration, physician-diagnosed pneumonias and antibiotic prophylaxis were recorded.

Interobserver agreement for automated airway wall thickening was good with an intra-class correlation coefficient of 0.88, compared with 0.51 for visual scoring. Presence of air trapping on HRCT correlated significantly with PFTs and disease duration, but was not associated with previous pneumonias. Airway wall thickening did not correlate significantly with PFTs or disease duration and was not associated with previous pneumonias or prophylactic antibiotic use.

In children with CVID disorders, HRCT air trapping measurements are significantly correlated with PFTs and disease duration. Quantitative air trapping is a feasible and promising technique for small airway disease quantification that may be applied to monitor (silent) disease progression in CVID.
Identification of SNP and SSR markers in eggplant using RAD tag sequencing
Authors: Barchi Lorenzo , Lanteri Sergio , Portis Ezio , Acquadro Alberto , Valè Giampiero , Toppino Laura , Rotino Giuseppe Leonardo
Published: June 2011

Background

The eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) genome is relatively unexplored, especially compared to those of the other major Solanaceae crops tomato and potato. In particular, no SNP markers are publicly available; on the other hand, over 1,000 SSR markers were developed and publicly available. We have combined the recently developed Restriction-site Associated DNA (RAD) approach with Illumina DNA sequencing for rapid and mass discovery of both SNP and SSR markers for eggplant.

Results

RAD tags were generated from the genomic DNA of a pair of eggplant mapping parents, and sequenced to produce ~17.5 Mb of sequences arrangeable into ~78,000 contigs. The resulting non-redundant genomic sequence dataset consisted of ~45,000 sequences, of which ~29% were putative coding sequences and ~70% were in common between the mapping parents. The shared sequences allowed the discovery of ~10,000 SNPs and nearly 1,000 indels, equivalent to a SNP frequency of 0.8 per Kb and an indel frequency of 0.07 per Kb. Over 2,000 of the SNPs are likely to be mappable via the Illumina GoldenGate assay. A subset of 384 SNPs was used to successfully fingerprint a panel of eggplant germplasm, producing a set of informative diversity data. The RAD sequences also included nearly 2,000 putative SSRs, and primer pairs were designed to amplify 1,155 loci.

Conclusion

The high throughput sequencing of the RAD tags allowed the discovery of a large number of DNA markers, which will prove useful for extending our current knowledge of the genome organization of eggplant, for assisting in marker-aided selection and for carrying out comparative genomic analyses within the Solanaceae family.