bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
T cell sensitivity and the outcome of viral infection
Authors: Walker L J , Sewell A K , Klenerman P
Published: December 2009

The importance of CD8+ T cells in the control of viral infections is well established. However, what differentiates CD8+ T cell responses in individuals who control infection and those who do not is not well understood. ‘Functional sensitivity’ describes an important quality of the T cell response and is determined in part by the affinity of the T cell receptor for antigen. A more sensitive T cell response is generally believed to be more efficient and associated with better control of viral infection, yet may also drive viral mutation and immune escape. Various in vitro techniques have been used to measure T cell sensitivity; however, rapid ex vivo analysis of this has been made possible by the application of the ‘magic’ tetramer technology. Such tools have potentially important applications in the design and evaluation of vaccines.
Interferon signature gene expression is correlated with autoantibody profiles in patients with incomplete lupus syndromes
Authors: Li Q-Z , Zhou J , Lian Y , Zhang B , Branch V K , Carr-Johnson F , Karp D R , Mohan C , Wakeland E K , Olsen N J
Published: December 2009

Interferon (IFN) signature genes have been shown to be expressed highly in peripheral blood of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), especially in the presence of active disease. However, the expression of this gene signature in individuals with incomplete forms of lupus and the pathogenic relationship between IFN signature genes and autoantibody production have not been explored fully. In the present study, we examined the gene expression and autoantibody profiles of patients diagnosed with incomplete lupus erythematosus (ILE) to determine correlations of the gene expression signature with autoantibody production. Gene expression analysis was carried out on the 24K Illumina Human Refseq-8 arrays using blood samples from 84 subjects, including patients with SLE (n = 27) or ILE (n = 24), first-degree relatives (FDR) of these patients (n = 22) and non-autoimmune control (NC) individuals (n = 11). Autoantibody expression was measured using standard immunoassays and autoantigen proteomic arrays. Up-regulation of a set of 63 IFN signature genes was seen in 83% of SLE patients and 50% of ILE patients. High levels of IFN gene expression in ILE and SLE showed significant correlations with the expression of a subset of IgG autoantibodies, including chromatin, dsDNA, dsRNA, U1snRNP, Ro/SSA, La/SSB, topoisomerase I and Scl 70, while low IFN levels were correlated with immunoglobulin (Ig)M autoreactivity. These studies suggest that in patients with ILE the IFN gene expression signature may identify a subset of these individuals who are at risk for disease progression. Furthermore, high levels of alpha IFN may promote autoantibody class-switch from IgM to the more pathogenic IgG class.
The therapeutic potential of the filarial nematode-derived immunodulator, ES-62 in inflammatory disease
Authors: Harnett M M , Melendez A J , Harnett W
Published: December 2009

The dramatic recent rise in the incidence of allergic or autoimmune inflammatory diseases in the West has been proposed to reflect the lack of appropriate priming of the immune response by infectious agents such as parasitic worms during childhood. Consistent with this, there is increasing evidence supporting an inverse relationship between worm infection and T helper type 1/17 (Th1/17)-based inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, type 1 diabetes and multiple sclerosis. Perhaps more surprisingly, given that such worms often induce strong Th2-type immune responses, there also appears to be an inverse correlation between parasite load and atopy. These findings therefore suggest that the co-evolution of helminths with hosts, which has resulted in the ability of worms to modulate inflammatory responses to promote parasite survival, has also produced the benefit of protecting the host from pathological lesions arising from aggressive proinflammatory responses to infection or, indeed, aberrant inflammatory responses underlying autoimmune and allergic disorders. By focusing upon the properties of the filarial nematode-derived immunomodulatory molecule, ES-62, in this review we shall discuss the potential of exploiting the immunomodulatory products of parasitic worms to identify and develop novel therapeutics for inflammation.
Modelling the effects of bioturbation on the re‐distribution of137Cs in an undisturbed grassland soil
Authors: Jarvis N. J. , Taylor A. , Larsbo M. , Etana A. , Rosén K.
Published: December 2009

Under favourable conditions, soil ingestion by earthworm populations can be equivalent to approximately 5–10% of the topsoil mass per year. This suggests that for contaminants that are strongly bound to soil, earthworm ‘bioturbation’ may be a more important transport mechanism than water‐borne advection dispersion. It is therefore quite surprising that few modelling studies to date have explicitly considered the effects of biological processes on contaminant transport in soil. In this study, we present a general model that incorporates the effects of both ‘local’ and ‘non‐local’ biological mixing into the framework of the standard physical (advective‐dispersive) transport model. The model is tested against measurements of the redistribution of caesium‐137 (137Cs) derived from the Chernobyl accident, in a grassland soil during 21 years after fallout. Three model parameters related to biological transport were calibrated within ranges defined by measured data and literature information on earthworm biomasses and feeding rates. Other parameters such as decay half‐life and sorption constant were set to known or measured values. A physical advective‐dispersive transport model based on measured sorption strongly underestimated the downward displacement of137Cs. A dye‐tracing experiment suggested the occurrence of physical non‐equilibrium transport in soil macropores, but this was inadequate to explain the extent of the deep penetration of137Cs observed at the site. A simple bio‐diffusion model representing ‘local’ mixing worked reasonably well, but failed to reproduce the deep penetration of Cs as well as a dilution observed close to the soil surface. A comprehensive model including physical advective‐dispersive transport, and both ‘local’ and ‘non‐local’ mixing caused by the activities of both endogeic and anecic earthworms, gave an excellent match to the measured depth profiles of137Cs, with predictions mostly lying within confidence intervals for the means of measured data and model efficiencies exceeding 0.9 on all sampling occasions but the first.
Kinematic characteristics and the influence of reference velocities of phase‐shift‐plus‐interpolation and extended‐split‐step‐Fourier migration methods
Authors: Chen Jing‐Bo , Du Shu‐Yuan
Published: December 2009

The phase‐shift‐plus‐interpolation and extended‐split‐step‐Fourier methods are wavefield‐continuation algorithms for seismic migration imaging. These two methods can be applied to regions with complex geological structures. Based on their unified separable formulas, we show that these two methods have the same kinematic characteristics by using the theory of pseudodifferential operators. Numerical tests on a Marmousi model demonstrate this conclusion. Another important aspect of these two methods is the selection of reference velocities and we explore the influence of the selection of reference velocities by comparing the geometric progression method and the statistical method. We show that the geometric progression method is simple but does not take into account the velocity distribution while the statistical approach is relatively complex but reflects the velocity distribution.
Continuous wavelet transform, theoretical aspects and application to aeromagnetic data at the Huanghua Depression, Dagang Oilfield, China
Authors: Yang Yushan , Li Yuanyuan , Liu Tianyou
Published: December 2009

We use the continuous wavelet transform based on complex Morlet wavelets, which has been developed to estimate the source distribution of potential fields. For magnetic anomalies of adjacent sources, they always superimpose upon each other in space and wavenumber, making the identification of magnetic sources problematic. Therefore, a scale normalization factor, a−n, is introduced on the wavelet coefficients to improve resolution in the scalogram. By theoretical modelling, we set up an approximate linear relationship between the pseudo‐wavenumber and source depth. The influences of background field, random noise and magnetization inclination on the continuous wavelet transform of magnetic anomalies are also discussed and compared with the short‐time Fourier transform results.

Synthetic examples indicate that the regional trend has little effect on our method, while the influence of random noise is mainly imposed on shallower sources with higher wavenumbers. The source horizontal position will be affected by the change of magnetization direction, whereas the source depth remains unchanged. After discussing the performance of our method by showing the results of various synthetic tests, we use this method on the aeromagnetic data of the Huanghua depression in central China to define the distribution of volcanic rocks. The spectrum slices in different scales are used to determine horizontal positions of volcanic rocks and their source depths are estimated from the modulus maxima of complex coefficients, which is in good accordance with drilling results.
Developments in vibrator control
Authors: Boucard D. , Ollivrin G.
Published: December 2009

Hydraulic limitations, non‐rigidity of the baseplate as well as variable characteristics of the ground constantly distort the downgoing energy output by vibrators. Therefore, a real time feedback control must be performed to continuously adjust the emitted force to the reference pilot signal. This ground force is represented by the weighted sum of the reaction mass and the baseplate accelerations. It was first controlled with an amplitude and phase locked loop system, poorly reactive and sensitive to noise. Later on, new vibrator electronics based on a digital model of the vibrator were introduced. This model is based on the physical equations of the vibrator and of the ground. During an ‘identification’ process, the model is adjusted to each particular vibrator. Completed by a Kalman adaptive filter to remove the noise, it computes ten estimated states via a linear quadratic estimator. These states are used by a linear quadratic control to compute the torque motor input and to compare the ground force estimated from the states with the pilot signal. Test results using downhole geophones demonstrate the benefit of filtered mode operation.
Reflection point sideslip and smear in imaging below dipping anisotropic media
Authors: Vestrum Rob , Lawton Don
Published: December 2009

Dipping anisotropic clastic strata are ubiquitous in fold and thrust belts. Geological structures below these strata will be mispositioned laterally and vertically on seismic images if we do not properly correct for seismic anisotropy during migration. The magnitude of this lateral mispositioning of a target structure varies with source‐receiver offset, so reflection points will be smeared in the final stacked image. Raytracing demonstrates the lateral‐position and smear phenomena when imaging structures below tilted transversely isotropic media. Analysis of the raytracing results predicts the quantity of lateral‐position error and reflection‐point smear on a seismic image. We created numerical‐model seismic data to show reflection‐point smear on synthetic seismic images and to evaluate the accuracy of the predictions from raytracing.
Clinicopathological characteristics of primary gastric T‐cell lymphoma
Authors: Kawamoto Kenichiro , Nakamura Shotaro , Iwashita Akinori , Watanabe Jiro , Oshiro Yumi , Nakayama Yoshifuku , Nimura Satoshi , Kimura Nobuhiro , Aoyagi Kunihiko , Yao Takashi , Kuramochi Shigeru , Matsuyama Atsuji , Kurihara Kenji , Ohshima Koichi , Takeshita Morishige
Published: November 2009

Aims:  To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics of 20 primary gastric T‐cell lymphoma (GTCL) cases without human T‐lymphotropic virus type I infection in Japan, a non‐endemic area for coeliac disease.

Methods and results:  Fifteen cases had no history of persistent diarrhoea or severe hypoproteinaemia. Histologically, 13 cases (65%) consisted of large cell lymphoma and seven (35%) were of medium‐sized cells. Intraepithelial lymphoma cell invasion was found in three cases (15%). Two of 10 surgical cases (20%) showed intramucosal tumour cell spreading with enteropathy‐like features. Helicobacter pylori CagA gene was detected in three of 10 cases (30%). The lymphoma cells of all 20 cases were positive for CD3 and/or TCRβF1 and negative for CD56. CD4− and CD8− lymphoma was found in 11 cases (55%), CD4+ lymphoma in seven (35%) and CD8+ lymphoma in two (10%). CD30+, CD5+ and CD25+ lymphomas were detected in nine (45%), 10 (50%) and 11 (55%) cases, respectively. Five‐year survival of the 16 available cases was 54%. Early clinical stage and medium‐sized cell lymphoma were significantly (P < 0.05) better prognostic factors.

Conclusions:  Patients with GTCL exhibit distinct clinicopathological findings and prognoses from those with enteropathy‐associated T‐cell lymphomas. GTCL may be mainly derived from lamina propria and parafollicular T cells.
Surgical and prosthetic reconsiderations in patients with maxillectomy
Authors: LETHAUS B. , LIE N. , De BEER F. , KESSLER P. , De BAAT C. , VERDONCK H. W.
Published: December 2009

Summary  The purpose of this study was to establish and evaluate new possibilities for rehabilitation of patients with obturator prosthesis who had undergone partial or total maxillectomy because of tumour ablation surgery. Eleven patients with maxillary defects were reconstructed with a computer‐aided design/computer‐aided manufacturing designed prosthesis. Missing retention was gained by inserting implants in the remaining bone, so that an expansion of the surgical defect to gain further retention could be avoided. All patients were treated successfully according to the previously described treatment plan. The Obturator Functioning Scale (OFS) of the Memorial Sloan‐Kettering Cancer Centre was applied to evaluate the functional quality of the obturator prosthesis and patient’s satisfaction. It showed good results in all fields of functional outcome and social acceptance.
Oral parafunctions as risk factors for diagnostic TMD subgroups
Authors: MICHELOTTI A. , CIOFFI I. , FESTA P. , SCALA G. , FARELLA M.
Published: December 2009

Summary  The frequency of diurnal clenching and/or grinding and nail‐biting habits was assessed in patients affected by temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) and in healthy controls in order to investigate the possible association between these oral parafunctions and different diagnostic subgroups of TMDs. The case group included 557 patients (127 men, mean age ± SD = 34·5 ± 15·4 years; 430 women, mean age ± SD = 32·9 ± 14·1 years) affected by myofascial pain or disc displacement or arthralgia/arthritis/arthrosis. The control group included 111 healthy subjects (55 men, mean age ± SD = 37 ± 15·2 years; 56 women, mean age ± SD = 38·2 ± 13·8 years). Multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association between oral parafunctions and TMDs, after adjusting for age and gender. Daytime clenching/grinding was a significant risk factor for myofascial pain (odds ratio (OR) = 4·9, 95% confidence interval (CI): 3·0–7·8) and for disc displacement (OR = 2·5, 95% CI: 1·4–4·3), nail biting was not associated to any of the subgroups investigated. Female gender was a significant risk factor for myofascial pain (OR = 3·8; 95% CI: 2·4–6·1), whereas the risk factor for developing disc displacement decreased with ageing. No association was found between gender, age and arthralgia/arthritis/arthrosis.
The Francisella tularensis pathogenicity island encodes a secretion system that is required for phagosome escape and virulence
Authors: Barker Jeffrey R. , Chong Audrey , Wehrly Tara D. , Yu Jieh‐Juen , Rodriguez Stephen A. , Liu Jirong , Celli Jean , Arulanandam Bernard P. , Klose Karl E.
Published: December 2009

Francisella tularensis causes the human disease tularemia. F. tularensis is able to survive and replicate within macrophages, a trait that has been correlated with its high virulence, but it is unclear the exact mechanism(s) this organism uses to escape killing within this hostile environment. F. tularensis virulence is dependent upon the Francisella pathogenicity island (FPI), a cluster of genes that we show here shares homology with type VI secretion gene clusters in Vibrio cholerae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. We demonstrate that two FPI proteins, VgrG and IglI, are secreted into the cytosol of infected macrophages. VgrG and IglI are required for F. tularensis phagosomal escape, intramacrophage growth, inflammasome activation and virulence in mice. Interestingly, VgrG secretion does not require the other FPI genes. However, VgrG and other FPI genes, including PdpB (an IcmF homologue), are required for the secretion of IglI into the macrophage cytosol, suggesting that VgrG and other FPI factors are components of a secretion system. This is the first report of F. tularensis FPI virulence proteins required for intramacrophage growth that are translocated into the macrophage.
The CsdA cysteine desulphurase promotes Fe/S biogenesis by recruiting Suf components and participates to a new sulphur transfer pathway by recruiting CsdL (ex‐YgdL), a ubiquitin‐modifying‐like protein
Authors: Trotter Valentine , Vinella Daniel , Loiseau Laurent , De Choudens Sandrine Ollagnier , Fontecave Marc , Barras Frédéric
Published: December 2009

Cysteine desulphurases are primary sources of sulphur that can eventually be used for Fe/S biogenesis or thiolation of various cofactors and tRNA. Escherichia coli contains three such enzymes, IscS, SufS and CsdA. The importance of IscS and SufS in Fe/S biogenesis is well established. The physiological role of CsdA in contrast remains uncertain. We provide here additional evidences for a functional redundancy between the three cysteine desulphurases in vivo. In particular, we show that a deficiency in isoprenoid biosynthesis is the unique cause of the lethality of the iscS sufS mutant. Moreover, we show that CsdA is engaged in two separate sulphur transfer pathways. In one pathway, CsdA interacts functionally with SufE–SufBCD proteins to assist Fe/S biogenesis. In another pathway, CsdA interacts with CsdE and a newly discovered protein, which we called CsdL, resembling E1‐like proteins found in ubiquitin‐like modification systems. We propose this new pathway to allow synthesis of an as yet to be discovered thiolated compound.
The xenobiotic β‐aminobutyric acid enhances Arabidopsis thermotolerance
Authors: Zimmerli Laurent , Hou Bi‐Huei , Tsai Chia‐Hong , Jakab Gabor , Mauch‐Mani Brigitte , Somerville Shauna
Published: December 2009

The non‐protein amino acid β‐aminobutyric acid (BABA) primes Arabidopsis to respond more quickly and strongly to pathogen and osmotic stress. Here, we report that BABA also significantly enhances acquired thermotolerance in Arabidopsis. This thermotolerance was dependent on heat shock protein 101, a critical component of the normal heat‐shock response. BABA did not enhance basal thermotolerance under a severe heat‐shock treatment. No roles for the hormones ethylene and salicylic acid in BABA‐induced acquired thermotolerance were identified by mutant analysis. Using global gene expression analysis, transcript levels for several transcription factors and DNA binding proteins regulating responses to the stress hormone abscisic acid (ABA) were found to be elevated in BABA‐treated plants compared with water‐treated plants. The role of ABA in BABA‐induced thermotolerance was complex. BABA‐enhanced thermotolerance was partially compromised in the ABA‐insensitive mutant, abi1‐1, but was augmented in abi2‐1. In an unrelated process, BABA, like ABA, inhibited root growth, and the level of inhibition was roughly additive in roots treated with both compounds. Root growth of both abi1‐1 and abi2‐1 was also inhibited by BABA. Unexpectedly, abi1‐1 and abi2‐1 root growth was inhibited more strongly by combined ABA and BABA treatments than by BABA alone. Our results, together with previously published data, suggest that BABA is a general enhancer of plant stress resistance, and that cross‐talk occurs between BABA and ABA signalling cascades. Specifically, the BABA‐mediated accumulation of ABA transcription factors without concomitant activation of a downstream ABA response could represent one component of the BABA‐primed state in Arabidopsis.
Bmi‐1 is critical for the proliferation and invasiveness of gastric carcinoma cells
Authors: Li Wei , Li Yan , Tan Yehui , Ma Kewei , Cui Jiuwei
Published: December 2009

Background and Aim:  Bmi‐1 is a transcriptional repressor belonging to the Polycomb group and is associated with the cell proliferation and carcinogenesis of a variety of human cancers. The level of Bmi‐1 expression correlates with the aggressiveness of many cancers, and is considered an important marker for cancer diagnosis. However, its role in gastric carcinoma is unknown.

Methods:  We used lentiviral mediated interfering short hairpin RNA to knockdown Bmi‐1 expression in gastric carcinoma human gastric cancer cell line (AGS cells), then tested the cell proliferation by MTT assay, rate of colony formation by colony formation assay, cell cycle distribution by fluorescence‐activated cell sorting and cell invasiveness by cell invasion assay. To analyze the expression and localization of Bmi‐1 in gastric tumor tissues, we further performed the immunohistochemistry analysis on a gastric cancer tissue array.

Results:  We found that knocking down Bmi‐1 led to slower cell growth, lesser cell invasiveness, decelerated colony formation, and altered cell cycle progression. In addition, a positive relationship between nuclear expression of Bmi‐1 and gastric cancer was observed, suggesting that nucleus localization of Bmi‐1 in the cells may be a novel marker of gastric cancer.

Conclusions:  Our study highlights critical roles for Bmi‐1 in gastric cancer, and suggests that Bmi‐1 nuclear localization could be an important marker for the diagnosis of gastric cancer.
Fluorescence optical fibre sensor provides accurate continuous oxygen detection in rabbit model with acute lung injury
Authors: WANG Yuehong , MENG Sheng , SONG Yuanlin , ZHONG Wei , JIANG Jinjun , CHEN Shujing , BAI Chunxue
Published: December 2009

Background and objective:  Continuous monitoring of PaO2 in seriously ill patients is an important aspect of clinical management, especially for patients with acute lung injury (ALI) or acute respiratory distress syndrome. We have developed a fibreoptic sensor to detect PaO2in vivo based on fluorescence quenching technology. In this study we evaluated the sensitivity of this sensor in monitoring PaO2 in a rabbit model with ALI.

Methods:  The oxygen sensor is a membrane made of Ru(dpp)3(PF6)2, poly‐2‐methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine and butylmethacylate copolymer p‐(MPC‐co‐BMA) located at the tip of the optical fibre. The sensor was inserted into the carotid artery of the animals and monitored PaO2 continuously. Oleic acid was intravenously injected to induce lung injury. Simultaneous comparisons were made between PaO2 measured by blood gas analysis and PaO2 measured by the fibreoptic sensor, both before and after lung injury.

Results:  The fluorescence intensity decreased gradually following ALI, reflecting increasing hypoxia. Correlation coefficients between measurements by the oxygen sensor and by the blood gas analysis were 0.995 ± 0.003, 0.994 ± 0.002 and 0.993 ± 0.005 (P < 0.05) for control animals, animals with ALI and animals with electrolyte disturbance, respectively. The bias and precision for normal animals was −1.5 ± 10.8 mm Hg, for animals with ALI was −1.2 ± 11.2 mm Hg and for animals with electrolyte disturbance was −1.4 ± 9.2 mm Hg.

Conclusions:  The oxygen sensor showed high accuracy and stability for continuous monitoring of PaO2 in normal animals, in animals with ALI and in animals with electrolyte disturbance, suggesting that it may be clinically useful in the continuous measurement of oxygen partial pressure.
Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor of the uterine cervix expressing both S‐100 protein and HMB‐45
Authors: Kim Na Rae , Chung Dong‐Hae , Park Chan Yong , Ha Seung Yeon
Published: December 2009

A 50‐year‐old woman presented with a large cervical polypoid mass. Grossly, the mass occupied a substantial proportion of the cervical canal, measuring 6 cm. Histologically, the mass showed a spindle cell malignancy arranged in large fascicles that penetrated deeply into the fibromuscular wall of the cervix. The spindle cells were immunoreactive for both S‐100 protein and HMB‐45 antigen, but were negative for Melan‐A. Electron microscopy showed that cytoplasmic processes of the spindle to oval tumor cells contained microtubules and were lined by basal lamina and abundant intercellular collagen spacing with no melanosomes in any stage. As far as we are aware, this is the ninth reported case of cervical malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST), and the second reported case of MPNST expressing HMB‐45 antigen.
Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis in early pregnancy: An unusual presentation of primary antiphospholipid syndrome
Authors: Hanprasertpong Tharangrut , Hanprasertpong Jitti , Riabroi Kittipong
Published: December 2009

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, an unusual presentation of antiphospholipid syndrome, is a rare condition in pregnancy, particularly in the first trimester. The authors of this case report present the case of a 20‐year‐old woman with sudden onset of headaches and hemiparesis in the first trimester of pregnancy. She underwent a computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging. The image findings and the autoimmune serum test were consistent with a cerebral venous sinus thrombosis complicated by primary antiphospholipid syndrome. The patient's hemiparesis improved with subcutaneous low molecular weight heparin and oral aspirin. In the third trimester of pregnancy, she developed seizures that were controlled by antiepileptic drugs. She delivered a healthy baby at 37 weeks' gestation without immediate or late postpartum complications.
Phenotype–environment mismatches reduce connectivity in the sea
Authors: Marshall D. J. , Monro K. , Bode M. , Keough M. J. , Swearer S.
Published: December 2009

The connectivity of marine populations is often surprisingly lower than predicted by the dispersal capabilities of propagules alone. Estimates of connectivity, moreover, do not always scale with distance and are sometimes counterintuitive. Population connectivity requires more than just the simple exchange of settlers among populations: it also requires the successful establishment and reproduction of exogenous colonizers. Marine organisms often disperse over large spatial scales, encountering very different environments and suffering extremely high levels of post‐colonization mortality. Given the growing evidence that such selection pressures often vary over spatial scales that are much smaller than those of dispersal, we argue that selection will bias survival against exogenous colonizers. We call this selection against exogenous colonizers a phenotype–environment mismatch and argue that phenotype–environment mismatches represent an important barrier to connectivity in the sea. Crucially, these mismatches may operate independently of distance and thereby have the potential to explain the counterintuitive patterns of connectivity often seen in marine environments. We discuss how such mismatches might alter our understanding and management of marine populations.

Ecology Letters(2010) 13: 128–140
Psychological well‐being and pilgrimage: Religiosity, happiness and life satisfaction of Ardh–Kumbh Mela pilgrims (Kalpvasis) at Prayag, India
Authors: Maheshwari Saurabh , Singh Purnima
Published: December 2009

Pilgrimage is an important aspect of our life and has both religious as well as spiritual significance. The present study examined the relationship of religiosity, happiness and satisfaction with life in the case of pilgrims in a very special cultural context of the Ardh‐Kumbh Mela (held in Prayag, Allahabad, India) during the months of January and February, 2007). The study specifically examined these relationships in a sample of Kalpvasis (pilgrims who stay at the banks of the Sangam for a month in the holy city of Prayag during the Mela period). One hundred and fifty‐four Kalpvasis participated in the study. Positive association between religiosity, happiness and life satisfaction was obtained. Results showed that gender did not have a significant role on these relations in the case of pilgrims. Implications of these results are discussed.
Corporate Reputation: Do Board Characteristics Matter?
Authors: Musteen Martina , Datta Deepak K. , Kemmerer Benedict
Published: December 2009

Our study draws on institutional and signalling theories to postulate relationships between board characteristics and corporate reputation. Based on a sample of 324 firms featured in Fortune's list of most admired corporations in the USA, our findings indicate that board characteristics significantly influence the assessment of firm reputation by the business community. Specifically, we found that firms with a greater proportion of outside directors and those with larger boards exhibited better reputation than those with smaller boards and a higher proportion of insiders. In addition, we observed an inverted‐U relationship between the average tenure of outside directors and corporate reputation. However, contrary to expectations, our findings indicate a negative association between independent leadership structure (i.e. absence of duality) and corporate reputation.
ChartingMémoriale: Paradigmatic Analysis and Harmonic Schemata in Boulez's ... explosante‐fixe ...
Authors: Goldman Jonathan
Published: November 2009

Pierre Boulez's 1985 composition Mémoriale (... explosante‐fixe ... originel), for flute and eight other instruments, is in many ways typical of the composer's later style, for instance encompassing highly thematic writing, an accompanimental texture which might be likened to ‘unplugged’ electronics, segmentation into clear harmonic fields and transparent formal articulation. Following a paradigmatic analysis of the flute part (which derives from the application of a software tool developed in part by the author at IRCAM), this article addresses the salient features of the work through a series of explanatory charts. A fundamental distinction drawn between polar notes and appoggiatura embellishment subsequently exposes a relatively uncomplicated harmonic structure based on six transpositions of a basic six‐note cell. Additional examination of durational structure in turn reveals an underlying compositional system firmly rooted in the serial tradition.
Homoeologous recombination in allopolyploids: the polyploid ratchet
Authors: Gaeta Robert T. , Chris Pires J.
Published: December 2009

Polyploidization and recombination are two important processes driving evolution through the building and reshaping of genomes. Allopolyploids arise from hybridization and chromosome doubling among distinct, yet related species. Polyploids may display novel variation relative to their progenitors, and the sources of this variation lie not only in the acquisition of extra gene dosages, but also in the genomic changes that occur after divergent genomes unite. Genomic changes (deletions, duplications, and translocations) have been detected in both recently formed natural polyploids and resynthesized polyploids. In resynthesizedBrassica napusallopolyploids, there is evidence that many genetic changes are the consequence of homoeologous recombination. Homoeologous recombination can generate novel gene combinations and phenotypes, but may also destabilize the karyotype and lead to aberrant meiotic behavior and reduced fertility. Thus, natural selection plays a role in the establishment and maintenance of fertile natural allopolyploids that have stabilized chromosome inheritance and a few advantageous chromosomal rearrangements. We discuss the evidence for genome rearrangements that result from homoeologous recombination in resynthesizedB. napusand how these observations may inform phenomena such as chromosome replacement, aneuploidy, non‐reciprocal translocations and gene conversion seen in other polyploids.
Leisure activity preferences for 6‐ to 12‐year‐old children with cerebral palsy
Authors: MAJNEMER ANNETTE , SHIKAKO‐THOMAS KEIKO , CHOKRON NATHALIE , LAW MARY , SHEVELL MICHAEL , CHILINGARYAN GEVORG , POULIN CHANTAL , ROSENBAUM PETER
Published: December 2009

Aim  The objective was to describe leisure activity preferences of children with cerebral palsy (CP) and their relationship to participation. Factors associated with greater interest in leisure activities were identified.

Method  Fifty‐five school‐aged children (36 males, 19 females; mean age 9y 11mo; range 6y 1mo–12y 11mo) with CP (Gross Motor Function Classification System [GMFCS]) level I 62%, level II 22%, level III–IV 16%; 33.3% hemiplegia, 29.6% diplegia, 25.9% quadriplegia, 11.2% other) who could complete the Preferences for Activities of Children (PAC) were recruited.

Results  Social and recreational activities were most preferred, and self‐improvement activities were least preferred. Younger age, higher motivation, and IQ predicted interest in active–physical activities (r2=0.39). Negative reaction to failure was associated with less preference for social activities (r2=0.16), whereas increased prosocial behaviours were related to greater preference for recreational (r2=0.13) and self‐improvement activities; the latter is also predicted by older age (r2=0.24). Interest in skill‐based activities was greater in females and in children who were highly motivated, younger, and had greater motor limitations (r2=0.51). The findings suggest that personal factors and functional abilities influence leisure activity preferences. High preference for certain activities was not always associated with involvement in these activities.

Interpretation  Determination of preferences is inherent to child‐centred practice and should, therefore, be part of the evaluation process. Rehabilitation strategies can minimize barriers to leisure participation, such as fear of failure, low motivation, or environmental obstacles.
Consumers' perception of corporate social responsibility in a developing country
Authors: Arli Denni I. , Lasmono Hari K.
Published: December 2009

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) increasingly receives attention from managers and researchers, especially in the area of consumer perception and response of CSR. However, most of this research was conducted in the context of developed countries. It shows that research on consumer perception towards CSR in developing countries needs to be developed. This paper will examine consumer perception in the developing country of Indonesia. This research produced mixed results, suggesting that CSR is still a concept waiting to be applied in the developing country. Consumers are often unaware and unsupportive towards CSR. This is the opposite finding of consumer perception in developed countries, where most consumers are willing to support CSR launched by corporations. Nevertheless, there is an interesting finding: When consumers have to buy similar products with the same price and quality, CSR could be the determining factor. They would buy from the firm that has a socially responsible reputation.
Religiosity and consumers' use of product information source among Korean consumers: an exploratory research
Authors: Choi Youngtae , Kale Rahul , Shin Jongkuk
Published: December 2009

In response to the lack of research on the impact of religion on consumer behaviour, this study investigates how consumers' use of various product information sources can differ depending on their levels of religiosity (high, low and none). Data were collected from Korean consumers in Korea. The findings from data analyses indicate that the usages of product information sources among Korean consumers generally vary based upon their levels of religiosity. Limitations and suggestions for future research to further understand the effects of religiosity on consumer behaviour were addressed.
Microbiology and geochemistry of Little Hot Creek, a hot spring environment in the Long Valley Caldera
Authors: VICK T. J. , DODSWORTH J. A. , COSTA K. C. , SHOCK E. L. , HEDLUND B. P.
Published: December 2009

A culture‐independent community census was combined with chemical and thermodynamic analyses of three springs located within the Long Valley Caldera, Little Hot Creek (LHC) 1, 3, and 4. All three springs were approximately 80 °C, circumneutral, apparently anaerobic and had similar water chemistries. 16S rRNA gene libraries constructed from DNA isolated from spring sediment revealed moderately diverse but highly novel microbial communities. Over half of the phylotypes could not be grouped into known taxonomic classes. Bacterial libraries from LHC1 and LHC3 were predominantly species within the phyla Aquificae and Thermodesulfobacteria, while those from LHC4 were dominated by candidate phyla, including OP1 and OP9. Archaeal libraries from LHC3 contained large numbers of Archaeoglobales and Desulfurococcales, while LHC1 and LHC4 were dominated by Crenarchaeota unaffiliated with known orders. The heterogeneity in microbial populations could not easily be attributed to measurable differences in water chemistry, but may be determined by availability of trace amounts of oxygen to the spring sediments. Thermodynamic modeling predicted the most favorable reactions to be sulfur and nitrate respirations, yielding 40–70 kJ mol−1 e− transferred; however, levels of oxygen at or below our detection limit could result in aerobic respirations yielding up to 100 kJ mol−1 e− transferred. Important electron donors are predicted to be H2, H2S, S0, Fe2+ and CH4, all of which yield similar energies when coupled to a given electron acceptor. The results indicate that springs associated with the Long Valley Caldera contain microbial populations that show some similarities both to springs in Yellowstone and springs in the Great Basin.
Automatic Determination and Evaluation of Residual Stress Calibration Coefficients for Hole‐Drilling Strain Gauge Integral Method
Authors: Xiao B. , Li K. , Rong Y.
Published: December 2009

Abstract:  Residual stress calibration coefficients are used to calculate residual stresses from the measured strains relieved during hole‐drilling. The current residual stress measurement practice interpolates the published non‐dimensional coefficients for a given measurement condition. Errors are always introduced from the interpolation. In addition, the calibration coefficients vary with respect to factors such as sample geometry dimensions, radius, offset and incline of the drilled hole, and material properties as shown in our sensitivity studies and other researchers’ work. This paper presents a better solution that is to calculate the calibration coefficients for each specific measurement. A set of routines coded in Python language for Finite Element software ABAQUS is developed to address our sensitivity studies of these factors. With these automatic routines, a technician who is not familiar with Finite Element and programming can conveniently obtain the calibration coefficients for his measurement conditions and residual stresses automatically. Because coefficients are determined directly by Finite Element Analysis (FEA), dimensionless coefficients are not needed anymore; instead, a modified integral method is proposed and implemented. An experiment is conducted to demonstrate the practical procedures of measuring residual stresses using resistance strain rosette and calibration coefficients obtained with this set of routines. Bending stresses on a narrow and thin beam are measured using this set of routines and compared to the theoretical results and the stress obtained by interpolating non‐dimensional coefficients.
Effects of Fibre Geometry and Volume Fraction on the Flexural Behaviour of Steel‐Fibre Reinforced Concrete
Authors: Soulioti D. V. , Barkoula N. M. , Paipetis A. , Matikas T. E.
Published: December 2009

Abstract:  This work aims in studying the mechanical behaviour of concrete, reinforced with steel fibres of different geometry and volume fraction. Experiments include compression tests and four‐point bending tests. Slump and air content tests were performed on fresh concrete. The flexural toughness, flexural strength and residual strength factors of the beam specimens were evaluated in accordance with ASTM C1609/C1609M‐05 standard. Improvement in the mechanical properties, in particular the toughness, was observed with the increase of the volume fraction of steel‐fibres in the concrete. The fibre geometry was found to be a key factor affecting the mechanical performance of the material.
Moiré Interferometry Assessement of Residual Stress Variation in Depth on a Shot Peened Surface
Authors: Ribeiro J. , Monteiro J. , Lopes H. , Vaz M.
Published: December 2009

Abstract:  The main goal of this work was the development of experimental techniques to measure in depth non‐uniform residual stresses, as alternative to the more conventional hole‐drilling method with strain gauges. The proposed experimental methodology is based on moiré interferometry. This high resolution field technique allows in‐plane displacement assessment without contact. Grating replication techniques were also developed to record high quality diffraction gratings onto the specimen’s surface. A laser interferometry setup was implemented to generate the master grating (virtual). The stress relaxation was promoted by blind hole‐drilling and the obtained fringe patterns were video recorded. Image processing techniques were applied to assess the in‐plane strain full‐field. A finite elements code (FEM), ANSYS®, was used to simulate the stress relaxation process and to calculate the hole‐drilling calibration constants.
Efficacy of 3,5‐dibromo‐L‐phenylalanine in rat models of stroke, seizures and sensorimotor gating deficit
Authors: Cao W , Shah HP , Glushakov AV , Mecca AP , Shi P , Sumners C , Seubert CN , Martynyuk AE
Published: November 2009

Background and purpose:  Abnormal glutamatergic activity is implicated in neurologic and neuropsychiatric disorders. Selective glutamate receptor antagonists were highly effective in animal models of stroke and seizures but failed in further clinical development because of serious side effects, including an almost complete set of symptoms of schizophrenia. Therefore, the novel polyvalent glutamatergic agent 3,5‐dibromo‐L‐phenylalanine (3,5‐DBr‐L‐Phe) was studied in rat models of stroke, seizures and sensorimotor gating deficit.

Experimental approach:  3,5‐DBr‐L‐Phe was administered intraperitoneally as three boluses after intracerebral injection of endothelin‐1 (ET‐1) adjacent to the middle cerebral artery to cause brain injury (a model of stroke). 3,5‐DBr‐L‐Phe was also given as a single bolus prior to pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) injection to induce seizures or prior to the administration of the N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist dizocilpine (MK‐801) to cause disruption of prepulse inhibition (PPI) of startle (sensorimotor gating deficit).

Key results:  Brain damage caused by ET‐1 was reduced by 52%, which is comparable with the effects of MK‐801 in this model as reported by others. 3,5‐DBr‐L‐Phe significantly reduced seizures induced by PTZ without the significant effects on arterial blood pressure and heart rate normally caused by NMDA antagonists. 3,5‐DBr‐L‐Phe prevented the disruption of PPI measured 3 days after the administration of ET‐1. 3,5‐DBr‐L‐Phe also eliminated sensorimotor gating deficit caused by MK‐801.

Conclusion and implications:  The pharmacological profile of 3,5‐DBr‐L‐Phe might be beneficial not only for developing a therapy for the neurological and cognitive symptoms of stroke and seizures but also for some neuropsychiatric disorders.
Novel effects mediated by bradykinin and pharmacological characterization of bradykinin B2receptor antagonism in human synovial fibroblasts
Authors: Bellucci F , Cucchi P , Catalani C , Giuliani S , Meini S , Maggi CA
Published: November 2009

Background and purpose: Bradykinin (BK) and B2receptors have been implicated in the pathophysiology of osteoarthritis (OA), and synovitis is one of its hallmarks. Here, the selective B2receptor antagonists MEN16132 and icatibant have been pharmacologically characterized in human synovial cells.

Experimental approach: Radioligand and functional studies (inositol phosphate (IP) accumulation, interleukin (IL)‐6 and IL‐8 release) were performed in cultured synoviocytes.

Key results: [3H]‐BK saturation studies indicated receptor density (Bmax) and Kdvalues of 121 550 sites per cell and 1.14 nM respectively. In synoviocytes, MEN16132 (pKi8.9) was threefold more potent than icatibant (pKi8.4). Both antagonists showed competitive antagonism in the BK‐induced IP assay (control EC500.45 nM), with pKBvalues of 9.9 (MEN16132) and 8.1 (icatibant). 24h incubation with BK induced IL‐6 (EC50216 nM) and IL‐8 (EC5053 nM) release. Both MEN16132 (IL‐6: pIC508.1; IL‐8: pIC508.4) and icatibant (IL‐6: pIC506.6; IL‐8: pIC506.7) completely prevented this BK‐induced release. Indomethacin did not affect the basal or the IL‐6/IL‐8 release induced by BK, whereas nordihydroguaiaretic acid decreased the basal release, although BK still increased IL‐6 and IL‐8 production. BK‐induced IL‐8 release was attenuated by inhibitors of phospholipase C (U73122), p38 (SB203580), JNK (SP600125), ERK 1/2 (PD98059) MAPKs, phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (LY294002), NF‐κb(BAY‐117085) and by the glucocorticoid dexamethasone.

Conclusions and implications: Bradykinin via B2receptors can participate in inflammatory events in synovitis. MEN16132 is a highly potent B2receptor antagonist capable of blocking pro‐inflammatory responses to BK evoked in human synoviocytes.