bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ultrafast time-resolved spectroscopy of In2O3 nanowires
Authors: Tsokkou Demetra , Othonos Andreas , Zervos Matthew
Published: October 2009

Ultrafast carrier dynamics in In2O3 nanowires with an average diameter of ≈100±20 nm grown by the vapor-liquid-solid method have been investigated in detail using differential absorption spectroscopy with femtosecond resolution. Measurements revealed that state filling is important for states above the band gap and states just below the band edge, thus demonstrating the critical role that shallow traps play in the relaxation of the photogenerated carriers. Furthermore, time-resolved intensity measurements revealed the importance of Auger recombination in the relaxation of carriers in the In2O3 nanowires and provided the maximum fluence (∼3 μJ/cm2) where this recombination mechanism may be considered negligible. Transient measurements in this low-fluence regime for carriers above the band gap revealed single exponential recovery (∼1.5 ns) associated with recombination of the photogenerated carriers. Similar behavior has been observed for the photogenerated carriers distributed within the shallow traps just below the band edge. Furthermore, measurements at longer probing wavelengths provided an estimate of the nonradiative relaxation of carriers (∼300 ps), which are distributed among the midgap states. Finally, long-lived oscillations in the transient reflection were detected, which corresponds to the presence of longitudinal acoustic phonons in the In2O3 nanowires.
Synchrotron radiation x-ray photoemission spectroscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy analysis of Bi2Sr2Can−1CunOy superconducting whiskers with high critical current density
Authors: Tanaka Hiromi , Yoshikawa Hideki , Ueda Shigenori , Tsuruta Chusei , Matsui Yoshio , Ishigaki Tatsuya , Honda Syuhei , Kishida Satoru
Published: October 2009

Using synchrotron radiation x-ray photoemission spectroscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, we have studied Ca-rich Bi-based superconducting whiskers grown by an Al2O3-seeded glassy quenched platelet method. The Ca-rich Bi-based superconducting whiskers show a high critical current density of 2×105 A/cm2 at 40 K in self-field. We found that excess Ca2+ ions substitute for the Sr2+ sites and cause pillar-shaped nanocrystalline domains with shorter period modulation embedded in the base crystalline. The embedded nanocrystalline domains can result in structural distorted defects which work as strong pinning center.
Energy transport via coordination bonds
Authors: Kasyanenko Valeriy M. , Lin Zhiwei , Rubtsov Grigory I. , Donahue James P. , Rubtsov Igor V.
Published: October 2009

Vibrational energy transport in transition metal complexes involves stages where energy crosses relatively weak coordination bonds between a coordinated metal atom and the ligands. Understanding the energy transport rules on a molecular level is fundamentally important; it is also essential in relation to a recently proposed structural method, the relaxation-assisted two-dimensional infrared (RA 2DIR) technique, where the vibrational population transport time across the molecule of interest is linked to the transport distance. In this study we report on the energy transport across coordination bonds in tetraethylammonium bis(maleonitriledithiolate)iron(III)nitrosyl complex, studied using dual-frequency RA 2DIR spectroscopy. Three mode pairs, C≡N and N=O, N=O and C≡N, and N=O and C–C, were interrogated. All three cross-peaks show substantial amplification due to vibrational energy transport from the initially excited mode toward the “probed” mode, including a record amplification of 27-fold observed for the C≡N/N=O cross-peak. A ninefold amplification measured for the N=O/C≡N cross-peak, where the “probed” CN mode has higher frequency than the initially excited NO, proves unequivocally that the excitation of the “probed” mode via energy transport is not essential for observing stronger cross-peaks and that lower frequency modes serve as the energy accepting modes. A simple modeling of the energy transport is presented highlighting the role of a spatial overlap of the interacting modes. The observed strong cross-peak amplifications and a correlation between the energy transport time and the intermode distance, the distance between atom pairs on which vibrational excitations predominantly reside, demonstrate an applicability of the RA 2DIR method for structural interrogation of transition metal complexes.
Size distributions of quantum islands on stepped substrates
Authors: Liang S. , Zhu H. L. , Wang W.
Published: October 2009

The size distributions of self-assembled quantum islands on stepped substrates are studied using kinetic Monte Carlo simulations. It is found that the energy barrier ESW between the step and the terrace region is the key factor in affecting the size distribution of islands. With small ESW (≤0.1 eV), lines of uniform islands can be obtained at relative low surface coverage. As the surface coverage is increased, wirelike islands can be obtained. Scaling behavior is obeyed for the size distributions of the wirelike islands. When the size distributions are separated into their width and length components, however, scaling is only observed in the length distribution of the wirelike islands. With larger ESW, the size distribution of islands shows a clear bimodal size distribution and anomalous growth temperature dependent island size evolutions are observed. The simulation results reproduce qualitatively the phenomena observed in the cases of InAs islands grown on stepped GaAs substrates.
Vapor generation in a nanoparticle liquid suspension using a focused, continuous laser
Authors: Taylor Robert A. , Phelan Patrick E. , Otanicar Todd , Adrian Ronald J. , Prasher Ravi S.
Published: October 2009

This letter discusses experimentation with optically induced phase change in nanoparticle liquid suspensions—commonly termed nanofluids. Four different types of nanofluids at five concentrations were exposed to a ∼120 mW, 532 nm laser beam to determine the minimum laser flux needed to create vapor. Laser irradiance was varied between 0–770 W cm−2. While the experiments were simple, they involved many complex, interrelated physical phenomena, including: subcooled boiling, thermal driven particle/bubble motion, nanoparticle radiative absorption/scattering, and nanoparticle clumping. Such phenomena could enable novel solar collectors in which the working fluid directly absorbs energy and undergoes phase change in a single step.
Dielectrophoretic field-flow method for separating particle populations in a chip with asymmetric electrodes
Authors: Iliescu Ciprian , Tresset Guillaume , Xu Guolin
Published: October 2009

This paper presents a field-flow method for separating particle populations in a dielectrophoretic (DEP) chip with asymmetric electrodes under continuous flow. The structure of the DEP device (with one thick electrode that defines the walls of the microfluidic channel and one thin electrode), as well as the fabrication and characterization of the device, was previously described. A characteristic of this structure is that it generates an increased gradient of electric field in the vertical plane that can levitate the particles experiencing negative DEP. The separation method consists of trapping one population to the bottom of the microfluidic channel using positive DEP, while the other population that exhibits negative DEP is levitated and flowed out. Viable and nonviable yeast cells were used for testing of the separation method.
Variable liquid crystal pretilt angles generated by photoalignment in homeotropically aligned azo dye-doped liquid crystals
Authors: Fuh Andy Ying-Guey , Liu Cheng-Kai , Cheng Ko-Ting , Ting Chi-Lung , Chen Che-Chang , Chao Paul Chang-Po , Hsu Hsu-Kuan
Published: October 2009

This letter demonstrates the feasibility of producing variable liquid crystal (LC) pretilt angles using light-induced ripple structures (LIRSs) in homeotropically aligned azo dye-doped liquid crystals (ADDLCs). Illuminating homeotropically aligned ADDLCs with a linearly polarized light for a suitable period yields the LIRSs which provide LCs an anisotropic homogeneous anchoring force. Experimentally, the effective alignment force produced by the homeotropic alignment layer and the LIRSs determines the LC pretilt angle (24° to 63.5°), defined from the normal to the substrate. A no-bias pi cell for liquid crystal displays is demonstrated using this approach.
Priming integrin α5 promotes human mesenchymal stromal cell osteoblast differentiation and osteogenesis
Authors: Hamidouche Zahia , Fromigué Olivia , Ringe Jochen , Häupl Thomas , Vaudin Pascal , Pagès Jean-Christophe , Srouji Samer , Livne Erella , Marie Pierre J.
Published: October 2009

Adult human mesenchymal stromal cells (hMSCs) have the potential to differentiate into chondrogenic, adipogenic, or osteogenic lineages, providing a potential source for tissue regeneration. An important issue for efficient bone regeneration is to identify factors that can be targeted to promote the osteogenic potential of hMSCs. Using transcriptome analysis, we found that integrin α5 (ITGA5) expression is up-regulated during dexamethasone-induced osteoblast differentiation of hMSCs. Gain-of-function studies showed that ITGA5 promotes the expression of osteoblast phenotypic markers and in vitro osteogenesis of hMSCs. Down-regulation of endogenous ITGA5 using specific shRNAs blunted osteoblast marker gene expression and osteogenic differentiation. Molecular analyses showed that the enhanced osteoblast differentiation induced by ITGA5 was mediated by activation of focal adhesion kinase/ERK1/2-MAPKs and PI3K signaling pathways. Remarkably, activation of endogenous ITGA5 using agonists such as a specific antibody that primes the integrin or a peptide that specifically activates ITGA5 was sufficient to enhance ERK1/2-MAPKs and PI3K signaling and to promote osteoblast differentiation and osteogenic capacity of hMSCs. Importantly, we demonstrated that hMSCs engineered to overexpress ITGA5 exhibited a marked increase in their osteogenic potential in vivo. Taken together, these findings not only reveal that ITGA5 is required for osteoblast differentiation of adult hMSCs but also provide a targeted strategy using ITGA5 agonists to promote the osteogenic capacity of hMSCs. This may be used for tissue regeneration in bone disorders where the recruitment or capacity of hMSCs is compromised.
THE CONTEXT AND TRAJECTORY OF LIFESTYLE MIGRATION
Authors: Benson Michaela Caroline
Published: October 2009

This article focuses on British migration to the Lot, a rural, inland department in the southwest of France. It first emphasizes the diversity among these lifestyle migrants by proposing a typology based on the position migrants occupy in the life course at the time of migration, identifying three different types of Britons living permanently in rural France: the family migrants, retirement migrants, and mid-life migrants. Each group of migrants hold in common their reasons for leaving Britain, the circumstances of their migration, and their position in the life course. The article then examines how the context of their lives before migration influences life in the Lot. In particular, it analyses the role of practical considerations in residential choice and degrees to which the migrants integrate into the local French population. By understanding the context of the migrants' lives before migration, certain aspects of their lives in the Lot are illuminated, helping to fragment stereotypes of expatriate populations and challenge the dominance of retirement migration within related literature.
INTERSECTIONS AND BOUNDARIES OF WORK AND NON-WORK
Authors: Lyon Dawn
Published: October 2009

It is widely recognised that a work activity can be undertaken in a variety of socio-economic relations. However, the ways in which work and non-work are differentiated, or intersect, are under-specified in existing research. This article takes the social care of older people as a field through which to explore the articulation of work and non-work. It analyses the nature of the boundaries between what counts as work, and what counts as non-work; the intersections of work and non-work, and what forms this embeddedness takes; and the variation of this articulation across different European countries (Italy, The Netherlands, Sweden, and England). Three dimensions of articulation of work and non-work emerged from the analysis: (1) love or money; (2) morality versus instrumentality; and (3) from professional demarcations to embeddedness in everyday life. The article sets out how these vary by country. Overall, the research makes a general contribution to the sociology of work, and to our understanding of cross-national variation in the labour and provision of eldercare.
Tag performance evaluation and optimisation of Gen 2 reader communication for radio frequency identification deployment in supply chains
Authors: Oh Chongsun , Dighero Craig , Thomas Scott , Veeramani Dharmaraj
Published: October 2009

Successful deployment of radio frequency identification (RFID) in supply chain applications depends on several critical factors that affect the RFID system performance. In this paper, we address two important considerations, namely tag performance evaluation and optimisation of reader communication settings, and present our findings based on an RFID system deployment in Intel’s supply chain and additional experiments conducted at the University of Wisconsin–Madison RFID Lab. Technical issues and challenges in designing RFID read points for singulation and localisation of the RF interrogation zone are studied. Results from UHF Gen 2 tag evaluation based on readability, tag sensitivity and tag backscatter link frequency error are presented. Further, we also discuss how Gen 2 reader communication parameter settings can be optimised to maximise performance in multi-tag environments. This research helped Intel enhance RFID system performance in its supply chain resulting in improved inventory visibility. The research results and solutions to technical issues described in this paper will also benefit researchers and potential users seeking to maximise RFID system performance in supply chain applications.
Childhood Learning Disabilities
Authors: Brennand Carolyn
Published: October 2009

Learning disability is commonly encountered in General Practice affecting between 1 and 2% of the Western world. Patients with learning disabilities have two and a half times as many associated medical problems. It often leads to functional impairment and increased need for lifelong support involving medical services. The care of patients with learning disabilities requires a holistic approach with awareness of the services available and knowledge of the barriers to health care faced by this patient group. This article aims to outline the definitions of learning disabilities and screening and diagnosis of these conditions in primary care, causes, principles of management and the difficulties and barriers in care delivery for these patients.
Floristic inventory and diversity assessment of a lowland African Montane Rainforest at Korup, Cameroon and implications for conservation
Authors: Mbue Innocent Ndoh , Ge Jiwen , Kanyamanda Kasereka , Nowel Njamnsi Yinkfu , Samake Mamadou
Published: October 2009

Twenty modified‐Whittaker plots were stratified at different sampling locations from February to May of 2008 in the central zone of Korup National Park, Cameroon. Our interest was to assess floristic diversity and investigate their relationship with environmental variables. Diversity profiles and rank abundance–curves were used for diversity analysis while canonical correspondence analysis and species–response curves were used to investigate the relationships between the response and explanatory variables. Of the 66 families identified, the Rubiaceae (999 species) were the most abundant. The Sterculiaceae (basal area = 10.482 m2 ha−1) were the dominant family, while the co‐dominant families included the Ebenaceae (basal area = 9.092 m2 ha−1) and the Euphorbiaceae (basal area = 8.168 m2 ha−1). Soil variables explained 54.3% of total variation in family distribution. Canonical axes were related to different environmental gradients: axis1 was related to increasing canopy cover (r = 0.6951); axis 2, increasing Magnesium (r = 0.8465) and effective cation exchange capacity (r = 0.5899); axis 3, increasing effective cation exchange capacity (r = 0.5536); while axis 4, increasing Phosphorus concentration (r = 0.5232). Our results demonstrate the advantage which diversity profiles have over single or combination of indices, and the importance of using a combination of methodologies in diversity analysis.
Pancreatic cystic lesions: clinical predictors of malignancy in patients undergoing surgery
Authors: HUANG E. S. , TURNER B. G. , FERNANDEZ‐DEL‐CASTILLO C. , BRUGGE W. R. , HUR C.
Published: October 2009

Background  Despite advances in cross‐sectional imaging and the use of molecular markers, distinguishing between benign and malignant cysts remains a clinical challenge.

Aims  To identify both preoperative clinical and cyst characteristics at the time of EUS that predict malignancy.

Methods  A retrospective analysis was performed on consecutive patients with pancreatic cysts who underwent endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and surgical resection from May 1996 to December 2007 at a tertiary centre. Clinical history, EUS characteristics, cytology, tumour markers and surgical histology were collected. Predictors of malignancy were determined by univariate and multivariate analysis using logistic regression.

Results  A total of 153 patients underwent a EUS and subsequent surgical intervention.Of the 153 patients, 57 (37%) had a histological diagnosis of malignancy. On univariate analysis, older age (P < 0.001), male gender (P = 0.010), jaundice (P = 0.039), history of other malignancy (P = 0.036), associated mass in cyst (P = 0.004) and malignant cytology (P < 0.001) were found to be associated with malignancy. History of pancreatitis (P = 0.008) and endoscopist impression of pseudocyst (P = 0.001) were found to be associated with benign cysts. Multivariate analysis found that only older age [Odds ratio (OR), 1.04; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.01–1.08], male gender (OR, 2.26; 95% CI, 1.08–4.73) and malignant cytology (OR, 6.60; 95% CI, 2.02–21.58) were independent predictors of malignancy.

Conclusions  Older age, male gender and malignant cytology from EUS predict malignancy at surgical resection. These characteristics may be used to estimate the probability of malignancy in a cyst and aid in management.

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 31, 285–294
Review article: somatostatin analogues in the treatment of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine (carcinoid) tumours
Authors: MODLIN I. M. , PAVEL M. , KIDD M. , GUSTAFSSON B. I.
Published: October 2009

Background The discovery of somatostatin (SST) and the synthesis of a variety of analogues constituted a major therapeutic advance in the treatment of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine (carcinoid) tumours (GEP‐NETs). They currently provide the most efficient treatment to achieve symptomatic relief and have recently been demonstrated to inhibit tumour growth.

Aim To review 35 years of experience regarding the clinical application and efficacy of SST analogues.

Methods The PubMed database (1972–2009) was searched using somatostatin as a search term with combinations of terms including ‘treatment’; ‘neuroendocrine’; ‘carcinoid’; ‘tumor’; ‘octreotide’; ‘lanreotide’ and ‘pasireotide’.

Results In a review of 15 studies including 481 patients, the slow‐release formulations Sandostatin LAR and Somatuline SR/Autogel achieved symptomatic relief in 74.2% (61.9–92.8%) and 67.5% (40.0–100%), biochemical response in 51.4% (31.5–100%) and 39.0% (17.9–58%), and tumour response in 69.8% (47.0–87.5%) and 64.4% (48.0–87.0%) respectively. Novel SST analogues like SOM230 (pasireotide) that exhibit pan SST receptor activity and analogues with high affinity to specific somatostatin receptor (sstr) subtypes may further advance the field, but efficacy studies are lacking.

Conclusion As more precise understanding of NET cell biology evolves and molecular biological tools advance, more accurate identification of individual tumours sstr profile will probably facilitate a more precise delineation of SST analogue treatment.

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 31, 169–188
Expression and role of Oct3/4, Nanog and Sox2 in regeneration of rat tracheal epithelium
Authors: Song N. , Jia X.‐S. , Jia L.‐L. , Ma X.‐B. , Li F. , Wang E.‐H. , Li X.
Published: October 2009

Objectives:  To explore the role of Oct3/4, Nanog and Sox2 in regeneration of rat tracheal epithelium.

Materials and methods:  An ex vivo model of rat tracheal epithelial regeneration using 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU) was developed, to induce injury. Expression levels of Oct3/4, Nanog and Sox2 were examined using Western blot analysis, RT‐PCR or microscopically observed immunofluorescence, and cell morphological changes were observed using HE staining, during the recovery process.

Results:  Oct3/4, Nanog and Sox2 were not detectable in normal tracheal epithelium. After treatment with 5‐FU, the normally proliferating tracheal epithelium desquamated and only a few cells in G0 phase of the cell cycle were left on the basement membrane and Oct3/4, Nanog and Sox2 could be observed at this time. Thereafter, the number of Oct3/4‐, Nanog‐ and Sox2‐positive cells increased gradually. When the cells differentiated into ciliate cells, mucous cells or basal cells, and restored pseudostratified mucociliary epithelium, the number of Oct3/4‐, Nanog‐ and Sox2‐positive cells decreased and gradually disappeared.

Conclusions:  G0 phase cells with resistance to 5‐FU damage expressed Oct3/4, Nanog and Sox2. This indicated that these cells were undifferentiated, but had the ability to terminally differentiate into downstream‐type cells. They possessed stem cell properties. The results are consistent with Oct3/4, Nanog and Sox2‐expressing cells being considered as tracheal stem cells.
Cardiovascular risk factors and collateral artery formation
Authors: De Groot D. , Pasterkamp G. , Hoefer I. E.
Published: October 2009

Arterial lumen narrowing and vascular occlusion is the actual cause of morbidity and mortality in atherosclerotic disease. Collateral artery formation (arteriogenesis) refers to an active remodelling of non‐functional vascular anastomoses to functional collateral arteries, capable to bypass the site of obstruction and preserve the tissue that is jeopardized by ischaemia. Hemodynamic forces such as shear stress and wall stress play a pivotal role in collateral artery formation, accompanied by the expression of various cytokines and invasion of circulating leucocytes. Arteriogenesis hence represents an important compensatory mechanism for atherosclerotic vessel occlusion. As arteriogenesis mostly occurs when lumen narrowing by atherosclerotic plaques takes place, presence of cardiovascular risk factors (e.g. hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia and diabetes) is highly likely. Risk factors for atherosclerotic disease affect collateral artery growth directly and indirectly by altering hemodynamic forces or influencing cellular function and proliferation. Adequate collateralization varies significantly among atherosclerotic patients, some profit from the presence of extensive collateral networks, whereas others do not. Cardiovascular risk factors could increase the risk of adverse cardiovascular events in certain patients because of the reduced protection through an alternative vascular network. Likewise, drugs primarily thought to control cardiovascular risk factors might contribute or counteract collateral artery growth. This review summarizes current knowledge on the influence of cardiovascular risk factors and the effects of cardiovascular medication on the development of collateral vessels in experimental and clinical studies.
Tracing energy flow in stream food webs using stable isotopes of hydrogen
Authors: FINLAY JACQUES C. , DOUCETT RICHARD R. , McNEELY CAMILLE
Published: October 2009

1. Use of the natural ratios of carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes as tracers of trophic interactions has some clear advantages over alternative methods for food web analyses, yet is limited to situations where organic materials of interest have adequate isotopic separation between potential sources. This constrains the use of natural abundance stable isotope approaches to a subset of ecosystems with biogeochemical conditions favourable to source separation.

2. Recent studies suggest that stable hydrogen isotopes (δD) could provide a robust tracer to distinguish contributions of aquatic and terrestrial production in food webs, but variation in δD of consumers and their organic food sources are poorly known. To explore the utility of the stable hydrogen isotope approach, we examined variation in δD in stream food webs in a forested catchment where variation in δ13C has been described previously.

3. Although algal δD varied by taxa and, to a small degree, between sites, we found consistent and clear separation (by an average of 67‰) from terrestrial carbon sources. Environmental conditions known to affect algal δ13C, such as water velocity and stream productivity did not greatly influence algal δD, and there was no evidence of seasonal variation. In contrast, algal δ13C was strongly affected by environmental factors both within and across sites, was seasonally variable at all sites, and partially overlapped with terrestrial δ13C in all streams with catchment areas larger than 10 km2.

4. While knowledge of isotopic exchange with water and trophic fractionation of δD for aquatic consumers is limited, consistent source separation in streams suggests that δD may provide a complementary food web tracer to δ13C in aquatic food webs. Lack of significant seasonal or spatial variation in δD is a distinct advantage over δ13C for applications in many aquatic ecosystems.
The relative importance of local conditions and regional processes in structuring aquatic plant communities
Authors: CAPERS ROBERT S. , SELSKY ROSLYN , BUGBEE GREGORY J.
Published: October 2009

1. The structure of biological communities reflects the influence of both local environmental conditions and processes such as dispersal that create patterns in species’ distribution across a region.

2. We extend explicit tests of the relative importance of local environmental conditions and regional spatial processes to aquatic plants, a group traditionally thought to be little limited by dispersal. We used partial canonical correspondence analysis and partial Mantel tests to analyse data from 98 lakes and ponds across Connecticut (northeastern United States).

3. We found that aquatic plant community structure reflects the influence of local conditions (pH, conductivity, water clarity, lake area, maximum depth) as well as regional processes.

4. Only 27% of variation in a presence/absence matrix was explained by environmental conditions and spatial processes such as dispersal. Of the total explained, 45% was related to environmental conditions and 40% to spatial processes.

5. Jaccard similarity declined with Euclidean distance between lakes, even after accounting for the increasing difference in environmental conditions, suggesting that dispersal limitation may influence community composition in the region.

6. The distribution of distances among lakes where species occurred was associated with dispersal‐related functional traits, providing additional evidence that dispersal ability varies among species in ways that affect community composition.

7. Although environmental and spatial variables explained a significant amount of variation in community structure, a substantial amount of stochasticity also affects these communities, probably associated with unpredictable colonisation and persistence of the plants.
Clonal relationships between thyroid‐stimulating hormone receptor‐stimulating antibodies illustrate the effect of hypermutation on antibody function
Authors: Padoa Carolyn J. , Larsen Sanne L. , Hampe Christiane S. , Gilbert Jacqueline A. , Dagdan Elif , Hegedus Laszlo , Dunn‐Walters Deborah , Banga J. Paul
Published: October 2009

Graves’ disease is characterized by production of agonist antibodies to the thyroid‐stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR), but knowledge of the genetic and somatic events leading to their aberrant production is limited. We describe the genetic analysis of two monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) with thyroid‐stimulating activity (TSAb) obtained from a single mouse with experimental Graves’ disease. The mAbs were class switched, but used the same rearrangement of immunoglobulin heavy chain, variable region (IGHV) and immunoglobulin light chain, variable region (IGLV) germline genes, implying a clonal relationship and derivation from a single precursor B‐cell clone. The IGHV‐region genes of the two mAbs underwent high degrees of somatic hypermutation by sharing numerous mutations before diverging, while the IGLV genes evolved separately. Interestingly, the mutations were present in both the complementarity‐determining regions (CDRs) and the framework regions. The cloned IGHV and IGLV genes were confirmed to have TSAb properties in experiments in which they were expressed as recombinant Fabs (rFabs). In other experiments, we swapped the IGLV genes with IGHV genes by constructing chimeric rFabs and showed that the chimeras retained TSAb activities, confirming the close functional relatedness of the V‐region genes. Importantly, the IGLV genes in chimeric rFabs had a dominant stimulatory effect at low concentrations, while the IGHV genes had a dominant effect at higher concentrations. Our findings demonstrate that, in experimentally immunized mice, multiple pathogenic antibodies to TSHR can arise from a single clone by a series of somatic mutations in the V‐region genes and may give an insight into how such antibodies develop spontaneously in autoimmune Graves’ disease.
Coping strategy use, personality, and adjustment of parents rearing children with developmental disabilities
Authors: Glidden L. M. , Natcher A. L.
Published: October 2009

Background  Parents rearing children with developmental disabilities encounter stressors that require coping and adaptation. In Glidden et al. 2006, the use of problem‐focused coping strategies was more often associated with positive adjustment outcomes than was the use of emotion‐focused coping strategies, and parental personality was shown to influence outcomes, with Neuroticism, in particular, associated with lower well‐being.

Method  In the current study we aimed to replicate these results for adjustment outcomes measured 6 years later. Sixty‐eight married couples parenting at least one child with developmental disabilities completed measures of depression and subjective well‐being, and the Transition Daily Rewards and Worries Questionnaire, an inventory that assesses parental reaction to children transitioning into adulthood.

Results  For both mothers and fathers, combinations of personality factors and coping strategies were able to significantly predict outcome variables measured 6 years later. Personality, however, was a better predictor for mothers, whereas coping strategies predicted more variance for fathers. Distancing, especially, demonstrated mother–father differences.

Conclusions  For the most part, the current results demonstrated that the relations among personality, coping and parental outcomes were consistent and stable over the 6‐year interval. In addition, although we found some differences between mothers and fathers, there were also many similarities in the frequency of use of different coping strategies, and in the direction of influence of personality and coping strategy on outcome variables.
Vitamin D status and optimal supplementation in institutionalized adults with intellectual disability
Authors: Kilpinen‐Loisa P. , Arvio M. , Ilvesmäki V. , Mäkitie O.
Published: October 2009

Background  Adults with intellectual disability (ID) have several risk factors for osteoporosis. Feeding problems with consequent nutritive deficiencies, and lack of sunshine exposure may lead to vitamin D deficiency. The purpose of this study was to evaluate vitamin D status in adults with ID living in nursing homes and to compare two different means to administer vitamin D in adults with ID.

Methods  The study included 138 adults (95 males and 43 females) with ID living in nursing homes of Pääjärvi Inter‐Municipal Association. Clinical data on the etiology and severity of ID, other illnesses, medications, anthropometry and fractures during the preceding 5 years were collected from medical records. The participants were alternately allocated to receive vitamin D3 either per orally 800 IU daily for 6 months (PO group, n = 72) or as a single intramuscular injection of 150 000 IU (IM group, n = 66). Blood samples were obtained at baseline and at 6 months for parameters of calcium homeostasis, including serum concentrations of 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (S‐25‐OHD) and parathyroid hormone (P‐PTH).

Results  At baseline, the mean S‐25‐OHD was low, 40 nmol/L in the PO group and 41 nmol/L in the IM group. The low vitamin D levels were associated with secondary hyperparathyroidism in 17%. At 6 months the mean S‐25‐OHD was 82 nmol/L in the PO group (P < 0.001 for the difference from baseline) and 62 nmol/L in the IM group (P < 0.001). P‐PTH decreased in both groups: from 51 ng/L to 33 ng/L in the PO group (P < 0.001) and from 54 ng/L to 34 ng/L in the IM group (P < 0.001). With daily dosing (800 IU/day) the recommended level (>80 nmol/L) was attained in 42%, but with intramuscular dose only in 12%. S‐25‐OHD was >100 nmol/L in 14 participants in the PO group and in one participant in the IM group; these high values were associated with hypercalcemia in two and hyperphosphatemia in six participants. Participants with S‐25‐OHD >100 nmol/L at 6 months were lighter (51.9 kg vs. 67.5 kg, P = 0.002) and had smaller body mass index than participants with lower S‐25‐OHD (20.5 kg/m2 and 24.4 kg/m2, P = 0.017).

Conclusions  Vitamin D insufficiency was common in adults with ID living in nursing homes. Both oral and intramuscular administrations of vitamin D3 improved vitamin D status without adverse effects. The treatment response at 6 months was better in the PO group. High‐dose intramuscular vitamin D3 injections may be a convenient way to maintain sufficient vitamin D status in adults with ID but further studies are needed to establish the optimal dose and interval as well as subsequent potential health benefits in these patients. Based on this study, vitamin D supplementation with per oral 800 IU/day is recommended to all adults with ID living in nursing homes.
A novel HLA‐Cw*0124 allele found in a Chinese Han patient from Southern China
Authors: Jin S.‐Z. , Zhu W.‐G. , Lan Y.‐X , Zou H.‐Y. , Cheng L.‐H.
Published: October 2009

The sequence of novel HLA‐Cw*0124 allele differs from Cw*0103 by one nucleotide change at nt 806 from C to A, resulting in an amino acid change at codon 245 from Ala to Glu.
Full length sequence of the HLA‐Cw*0361 allele identified in a Chinese Han potential bone marrow donor from Northern China
Authors: Cheng L.‐H. , Jin S.‐Z. , Zhu W.‐G. , Lan Y.‐X , Li Z.
Published: October 2009

HLA‐Cw*0361 allele differs from Cw*030301 by one nucleotide substitution at nt 566 from T to A, resulting in an amino acid change at codon 165 from Val to Glu.
Fungi associated with the fir bark beetle Cryphalus piceae in Poland
Authors: Jankowiak R. , Kolařík M.
Published: October 2009

The aim of this study was to identify fungi associated with Cryphalus piceae on European silver fir (Abies alba) in Poland and to test the pathogenicity of selected isolates. Fungi were isolated from five populations of overwintered adults and their galleries. A great diversity of taxa was associated with C. piceae. In total, 2487 isolates, including 58 species distributed in 25 genera, were obtained. The two most frequently isolated fungi, an undescribed species of the genus Geosmithia and Ophiostoma piceae, appeared to be specifically associated with C. piceae, whereas Pesotum fragrans, Pesotum sp. and Sporothrix sp. were sporadically associated. Two‐year‐old seedlings of silver fir were wound‐inoculated with three species of fungi (Geosmithia sp., O. piceae and Pesotum sp.) recovered from C. piceae. Only Pesotum sp. showed pathogenic ability, but we do not consider it to be an important pathogen of A. alba.
Distribution, ecology and host range of Armillaria species in Albania
Authors: Lushaj B. M. , Woodward S. , Keča N. , Intini M.
Published: October 2009

Species of Armillaria were identified from 645 isolates obtained in a nation‐wide survey in Albania. The material was collected from ca. 250 permanent plots, established for monitoring forest health, and from forests and orchards attacked by Armillaria. Armillaria mellea s.s. occurred on several coniferous and broadleaved trees in most areas examined, although it was absent above 1100–1200 m in northern Albania. This species damaged Abies and Quercus spp. and, to a lesser extent, other forest trees. Armillaria mellea was also commonly recorded causing damage in orchards and vineyards. Armillaria gallica was a common saprophyte or weak pathogen in coniferous and deciduous forests at altitudes from 600 to 1600 m, and less commonly on oaks at lower altitudes. Armillaria ostoyae was rare in central and southern Albania, but common in northern Albania, causing significant damage to pine and other conifers, mostly at altitudes from 600 to 1800 m. Armillaria cepistipes was recorded at altitudes from 800 to 1800 m as a saprophyte or weak pathogen on conifers and deciduous trees, mostly in beech and silver fir forests. Armillaria tabescens was found in oak forests at altitudes from sea level to 900 m. In orchards, A. tabescens occasionally attacked almond and pear trees. Armillaria borealis was found in a few locations in northern Albania, at altitudes from 800 to 1800 m.
Culture of Bovine Embryos in Polyester Mesh Sections: The Effect of Pore Size and Oxygen Tension on In Vitro Development
Authors: Somfai T , Inaba Y , Aikawa Y , Ohtake M , Kobayashi S , Akai T , Hattori H , Konishi K , Imai K
Published: October 2009

Contents

The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of polyester mesh culture for the in vitro production of bovine embryos, as polyester mesh is an alternative way for tracking individual embryos throughout culture using time‐lapse cinematography (TLC). Bovine embryos were isolated during in vitro culture using sections of three different polyethylene terephthalate (PET) mesh products. In vitro matured and fertilized bovine oocytes were cultured in the 217 × 217, 230 × 230 or 238 × 238‐μm openings of PET mesh sections or in simple micro‐drops (control) for 7 days under either 20% or 5% O2 tensions. No difference in embryo developmental rates was found between the culture groups in terms of cleavage, blastocyst formation and blastocyst expansion irrespective of O2 tension. In contrast, under 20% O2 tension, blastocysts that developed in PET mesh with 217 × 217‐μm opening had significantly higher numbers of total and trophectoderm (TE) cells than control embryos; however, the numbers and proportions of inner cell mass (ICM) cells did not differ. Under 5% O2 tension, no difference was found among the culture groups in the numbers of total, ICM and TE cells in embryos. All three PET mesh products investigated in this study were proven to be effective to prevent embryo movement. The results demonstrate that bovine embryos can be cultured in PET mesh sections without negative side‐effects and suggest that embryo distance determined by the mesh affects embryo quality at atmospheric oxygen tension. Polyethylene terephthalate mesh with 217 × 217‐μm openings was found to be the most suitable for further application in TLC.
Cash flow disaggregation and the prediction of future earnings
Authors: Arthur Neal , Cheng Marco , Czernkowski Robert
Published: October 2009

We examine the incremental information content of the components of cash flows from operations (CFO). Specifically the research question examined in this paper is whether models incorporating components of CFO to predict future earnings provide lower prediction errors than models incorporating simply net CFO. We use Australian data in this setting as all companies were required to provide information using the direct method during the sample period. We find that the cash flow components model is superior to an aggregate cash flow model in terms of explanatory power and predictive ability for future earnings; and that disclosure of non‐core (core) cash flows components is (not) useful in both respects. Our results are of relevance to investors and analysts in estimating earnings forecasts, managers of firms in regulators’ domains where choice is provided with respect to the disclosure of CFO and also to regulators’ deliberations on disclosure requirements and recommendations.
Voluntary disclosure of operating income
Authors: Wong Jilnaught , Wong Norman
Published: October 2009

This study investigates whether New Zealand firms’ voluntary disclosure of operating income, which is also known as earnings before interest and tax, in the income statement is related to the investment opportunity set. New Zealand provides an ideal setting to examine this because New Zealand generally accepted accounting principles do not require the disclosure of operating income as an intermediate income number in arriving at net income (earnings) in the income statement. We hypothesize and find evidence that firms with high assets‐in‐place and high leverage are more likely to voluntarily disclose operating income/earnings before interest and tax. However, the assets‐in‐place finding is sensitive to alternative measures of the investment opportunity set.
Innate and discretionary accruals quality and corporate governance
Authors: Kent Pamela , Routledge James , Stewart Jenny
Published: October 2009

This paper extends previous research on the association between corporate governance mechanisms and accruals quality. We derive measures of the discretionary and innate components of accruals quality and regress them against corporate governance characteristics. For discretionary accruals, we find use of a Big 4 audit firm and a larger audit committee as the primary governance mechanisms associated with higher accruals quality. For innate accruals quality, we find that higher quality is associated with an independent board of directors, a larger, more independent and more active audit committee, and use of a Big 4 audit firm. Our findings suggest a stronger relation between sound governance mechanisms and innate accruals quality than discretionary accruals quality.
External auditors’ reliance on internal audit: the impact of sourcing arrangements and consulting activities
Authors: Munro Lois , Stewart Jenny
Published: October 2009

This study examines the impact of internal audit outsourcing and involvement in consulting on external auditors’ reliance on the work of internal audit. We test whether these factors influence reliance on internal audit work already undertaken and the use of internal auditors as assistants, distinguishing between control evaluation and substantive testing. Involvement in consulting impacts reliance on work undertaken and the use of internal auditors as assistants for control evaluation. External auditors make greater use of internal auditors as assistants for substantive testing when internal audit is provided in‐house. Overall, external auditors use internal audit more for control evaluation tasks.
Unlabelled extra data do not always mean extra performance for semi‐supervised fault prediction
Authors: Catal Cagatay , Diri Banu
Published: October 2009

Abstract: This research focused on investigating and benchmarking several high performance classifiers called J48, random forests, naive Bayes, KStar and artificial immune recognition systems for software fault prediction with limited fault data. We also studied a recent semi‐supervised classification algorithm called YATSI (Yet Another Two Stage Idea) and each classifier has been used in the first stage of YATSI. YATSI is a meta algorithm which allows different classifiers to be applied in the first stage. Furthermore, we proposed a semi‐supervised classification algorithm which applies the artificial immune systems paradigm. Experimental results showed that YATSI does not always improve the performance of naive Bayes when unlabelled data are used together with labelled data. According to experiments we performed, the naive Bayes algorithm is the best choice to build a semi‐supervised fault prediction model for small data sets and YATSI may improve the performance of naive Bayes for large data sets. In addition, the YATSI algorithm improved the performance of all the classifiers except naive Bayes on all the data sets.
Learning problems in transnational business education and training: the case of the MBA in Thailand
Authors: Pimpa Nattavud
Published: October 2009

The transnational Master of Business Administration (MBA) programme has been one of the most popular official business training programmes amongst Thai business practitioners. Although the numbers of transnational business schools and MBA programmes are rapidly increasing, the programmes face numerous challenges from both local and global factors. This empirical study discusses the concept of learning in transnational MBA programmes in the Thai business training and cultural context. By investigating experiences from various key stakeholders, the study highlights various problems related to learning style and culture, learning and languages, the transferability of the Western managerial concept to the Thai context, and the value of Western learning resources for Thai business learners. The implication of the results of this study for the management of transnational programmes is that such management needs to respond to local conditions, regional forces and global factors rather than being locked into a standard model.
Clicks, Discontinuities, and Firm Demand Online
Authors: Baye Michael R. , Gatti J. Rupert J. , Kattuman Paul , Morgan John
Published: October 2009

We exploit a unique dataset from a price comparison site to estimate the determinants of clicks received by online retailers. We find that a firm enjoys a 60% jump in its clicks when it offers the lowest price at the site, and failure to account for discontinuities distorts parameter estimates by nearly 100%. This discontinuity is consistent with a variety of models that have been used to rationalize online price dispersion. Finally, we show that one may use estimates of the determinants of a firm's clicks to obtain bounds on its underlying demand parameters, including standard elasticities of demand.
Mergers in Two‐Sided Markets: An Application to the Canadian Newspaper Industry
Authors: Chandra Ambarish , Collard‐Wexler Allan
Published: October 2009

In this paper, we study mergers in two‐sided industries and, in particular, the effects of mergers in the newspaper industry. We present a model which shows that mergers in two‐sided markets may not necessarily lead to higher prices for either side of the market. We test our conclusions by examining a spate of mergers in the Canadian newspaper industry in the late 1990s. Specifically, we analyze prices for both circulation and advertising to try to understand the impact that these mergers had on consumer welfare. We find that greater concentration did not lead to higher prices for either newspaper subscribers or advertisers.