bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On the “elastic” stiffness in a high-cycle accumulation model for sand: a comparison of drained and undrained cyclic triaxial tests
Authors: Wichtmann Torsten , Niemunis Andrzej , Triantafyllidis Theodor
Published: July 2010

High-cycle accumulation (HCA) models may be used for the prediction of settlements or stress relaxation in soils due to a large number of cycles (N > 103) with a relatively small-strain amplitude (εampl < 10−3). This paper presents a discussion of the elastic stiffness, [Formula: see text], used in the basic constitutive equation of an HCA model, [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is the trend of effective stress, [Formula: see text] is the trend of strain, [Formula: see text] is the rate of strain accumulation, and [Formula: see text] is the plastic strain rate. [Formula: see text] interrelates the “trends” of stress and strain evolution. For the experimental assessment of the bulk modulus, [Formula: see text], the rate of pore-water pressure accumulation, [Formula: see text], in undrained cyclic triaxial tests and the rate of volumetric strain accumulation, [Formula: see text], in drained cyclic tests have been compared. The pressure-dependent bulk modulus, K, was quantified from 15 pairs of drained and undrained tests with different consolidation pressures and stress amplitudes. It is demonstrated that both the curves [Formula: see text] in the drained tests and u(N) in the undrained tests are well predicted by the authors’ HCA model if the elastic stiffness is determined using the method described in the present paper. A simplified determination of K from the unloading and reloading curve in an oedometric compression test is discussed.
Field investigation of the effect of installation method on the shaft resistance of piles in clay
Authors: Gavin Kenneth , Gallagher David , Doherty Paul , McCabe Bryan
Published: July 2010

This paper presents the results of a series of field experiments performed to study the effect of installation method on the shaft resistance developed by a pile installed in soft clayey silt. Tests were performed on piles that experienced different levels of cyclic loading during installation. The test results indicate that the radial total stress, pore-water pressure, and shear stress on the pile shaft during installation were strongly affected by the installation procedure; all three were found to increase when the jacking stroke length used during installation increased (or the number of cyclic load applications decreased). However, equalized radial effective stresses that control the long-term pile shaft capacity were found to be insensitive to the installation method. A simple expression that requires the results of a cone penetration test, laboratory measurements of the interface friction angle, and the pile geometry is proposed to calculate the shaft resistance.
The Meisenheimer model for predicting the principal site for nucleophilic substitution in aromatic perfluorocarbons — Generalization to include ring-nitrogen atoms and non-fluorine ring substituents
Authors: Baker Jon , Muir Max
Published: July 2010

Our recent simple model for predicting the principal site for nucleophilic substitution in aromatic perfluorocarbons (J. Fluorine Chem. 2005, 126, 727) is generalized to include both ring-nitrogen atoms and non-fluorine ring substituents. The model is based on the relative stabilities of the Meisenheimer complexes as calculated using Hartree–Fock theory with a modest basis set. Calculations on a wide range of fluorine-containing aromatics demonstrate the general applicability of the model; in over 70 systems examined, we found only one where the predicted primary substitution site did not agree with the experimental findings. We demonstrate that criticism by Chambers et al. to the effect that the model is incapable of reproducing experimental substitution patterns, and, in particular, cannot distinguish between the different activating effects of ortho- and para-fluorines, are entirely unfounded. The observed substitution patterns for six reactions involving attack by aniline on perfluoropyridine and various non-fluorine-substituted derivatives, selected by Chambers et al. to highlight the failings of our model, are, on the contrary, accurately predicted by it.
Synthesis and biological evaluation of acyclic nucleotide analogues with a furo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-2(3H)-one base
Authors: Janeba Zlatko , Holý Antonín , Pohl Radek , Snoeck Robert , Andrei Graciela , De Clercq Erik , Balzarini Jan
Published: July 2010

As a part of a broader structure–activity relationship (SAR) study of bicyclic nucleoside analogues (BCNAs) [anti-varicella-zoster virus (anti-VZV) and anti-human cytomegalovirus (anti-HCMV) agents], a novel series of 2-(phosphonomethoxy)ethyl (PME) substituted furo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-2(3H)-ones was synthesized. The target acyclic nucleotide analogues were prepared by Sonogashira coupling of protected 5-iodo-1-[2-(phosphonomethoxy)ethyl]uracil with various 1-alkynes, followed by in situ Cu(I)-promoted intramolecular cyclization and standard removal of the isopropyl ester groups. None of the prepared PME analogues were active at subtoxic concentrations against VZV thymidine kinase competent (TK+), VZV thymidine kinase deficient (TK–), HCMV, or any other viruses tested.
Novel lariat calix[4]-1,3-aza-crowns with two branched chains — The excellent phase transfer catalysts for nucleophilic substitution reaction
Authors: Yang Fafu , Wang Yanhua , Guo Hongyu , Xie Jianwei , Liu Zhiqiang
Published: July 2010

By reacting calix[4]-1,3-diethoxylaminoethyl derivative (2) with phenyl isothiocyanate, novel dendritic calix[4]arene derivative (3) with two different branched chains was synthesized in a yield of 78%. By reacting compound 2 with 1,6-diisocyanatohexane or N,N′-bis(2-chloracetamide)ethylene in a “1 + 1” intermolecular addition mode, novel lariat calix[4]-1,3-aza-crowns (4 and 5, respectively) with two branched ethoxyl chains were prepared in reasonable yields. The composition, structures, and conformations of all new compounds were confirmed by elemental analyses, IR, ESI-MS, 1H NMR, and so forth. The liquid–liquid extraction experiments showed that all new hosts possessed good extraction abilities towards soft and hard metal cations. The liquid membrane transport experiments suggested that they had good transport abilities for K+ and Ag+. The experiments of phase transfer catalysis indicated that they possessed excellent catalytic properties of aromatic nucleophilic substitution reaction and benzyl nucleophilic substitution. The optimum yields of products in catalytic reaction were as high as approximately 100%.
Spatial Pattern of Trees in the Major Forest Types of Northern Ontario
Authors: Payandeh Bijan
Published: July 2010

This paper describes the spatial pattern, expressed by Pielou's nonrandomness index, of trees within 13 sampled tracts from the major forest types of northern Ontario. Results indicate that: (a) the majority of natural coniferous or mixedwood stands have highly clustered patterns; (b) hardwood stands or the hardwood component of the mixedwood stands show nearly 'random' spatial patterns; and (c) uniform spacing in natural stands is very rare. Results also indicate that spatial patterns vary considerably during stand development for the various species group – size class combinations within a stand and between different forest types. The importance of spatial pattern and stand population dynamics is pointed out with regard to growth simulation modelling and mechanized harvesting and thinning studies.
Root System Morphology of Western Hemlock, Western Red Cedar, and Douglas-fir
Authors: Eis S.
Published: July 2010

Root systems of nine western hemlock (Tsugaheterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.), nine western red cedar, (Thujaplicata (Donn), and six Douglas-fir (Pseudotsugamenziesii (Mirb.) Franco) trees were hydraulically excavated in the Cowichan Lake area on Vancouver Island. All three species were similar in depth of root penetration, presence of oblique laterals and sinkers, concentration of rope-like, higher-order laterals, and fine absorbing roots below the organic–mineral interphase, on top of the hardpan and in pockets of organic or fine mineral material. Dominants had proportionally larger and more symmetrical root systems than trees of lower canopies; asymmetry generally increased with increasing stoniness and decreasing soil depth. All three species showed a somewhat greater root development on the downhill side, but exceptions were frequent. Douglas-fir had a larger root spread, roots of larger diameters and smaller taper, and proportionally greater root weight than cedar or hemlock. The density of thin, rope-like roots and absorbing roots was highest on cedar and lowest on Douglas-fir. Hemlock roots followed old decaying roots more frequently than cedar or fir, but root channels were equally used by all species.
Growth Response of White-Engelmann Spruce Provenances to Extended Photoperiod Using Continuous and Intermittent Light
Authors: Arnott J. T.
Published: July 2010

Four white-Engelmann spruce provenances (latitudes ca. 49–54 °N and elevations 430–1770 m) were grown outdoors in containers from seed at low elevation in southwest British Columbia (48°26′N). Five photoperiod treatments were applied: three combinations of intermittent light (150 ft-c (1600 lux)) through the dark period, viz. A 2 min light every 30 min; B 1 min light every 10 min; C 15 s light every 6 min, and D an 18-h photoperiod (natural day length extended by 150 ft-c (1600 lux) supplemental light), plus E a control (natural day length).All control-grown provenances, except the southern latitude – low-elevation source, formed terminal resting buds and ceased height growth early in the growing season. Light treatments delayed this event. The most effective treatment in terms of height growth and total plant weight was A, usually followed by D, C, B, and E. It is suggested that white and Engelmann spruce from northern latitudes and high elevations in British Columbia can be successfully propagated in southern coastal container nurseries if the photoperiod is extended.
Economics of Forest Fire Control: Trading Planned Cut for Protection Expenditure
Authors: Nautiyal J. C. , Doan G. E.
Published: July 2010

The existing levels of fire protection expenditures, if considered adequate by the forest manager, give an idea of the nonwood values of a forest as seen by him. The decisions regarding future protection expenditures can be improved by considering them together with the decisions on the amount of timber to be cut from the area. In most cases it may be desirable to spend a large sum on protection and partly finance the expenditure by increasing the planned cut.
Volume par unité de surface terrière, comme moyen d'évaluer la productivité de stations et la production des plantations d'épinette blanche au Québec
Authors: Popovich S.
Published: July 2010

This paper presents a method of evaluating site productivity by volume per square foot of basal area, comparing it with the method of dominant height. Based on this method, this study also offers tables for estimating the production of plantations in relation to the average height, the average form quotient, and to the average basal area of the stand. Moreover, this study gives practical instructions about several factors influencing growth and yield of white spruce (Piceaglauca, Moench.) plantations in the province of Quebec.
Growth Loss Caused by a Needle Rust (Pucciniastrumgoeppertianum) of Balsam Fir
Authors: Sickle G. A. Van
Published: July 2010

Young seedlings of balsam fir (Abiesbalsamea (L.) Mill.) infected by needle rust (Pucciniastrumgoeppertianum (Kühn) Kleb.) in two consecutive years had reduced radial growth both years, and the decrease was proportional to the level of infection.
Resistance of Stump Tops to Colonization by Fomesannosus
Authors: Hunt R. S. , Wilcox W. W. , Cobb F. W.
Published: July 2010

Stumps of manzanita, incense-cedar, and California black oak were not colonized by Fomesannosus through the stump surface under the same conditions that permitted colonization of ponderosa pine. In incense-cedar, this resistance appears to be correlated with preformed toxic chemicals. Implications of stump surface resistance are discussed.
A Method for Studying the Relationship of Wounding and Microorganisms to the Discoloration Process in Living Trees
Authors: Sharon Edward M. , Shigo Alex L.
Published: July 2010

A plug was designed to allow the exchange of atmospheric air and moisture but suppress infection by microorganisms during the development of discoloration associated with wounds in living trees. The design is described.
A HYBRID FUZZY-PROMETHEE METHOD FOR LOGISTICS SERVICE SELECTION: DESIGN OF A DECISION SUPPORT TOOL
Authors: ALOINI DAVIDE , DULMIN RICCARDO , MININNO VALERIA
Published: July 2010

Among the traditional logistics services, transportation is one of the most commonly outsourced activities. Nevertheless the carrier selection process is critic presenting its own peculiarities which should be accurately managed. This paper presents a hybrid multi-criteria/fuzzy method for the selection of the carrier among a number of pre-selected logistics service providers. The method was developed and applied to the case of Power-One Inc., a multinational company in the Power-electronic market. Finally, an automated system supporting the decision making process was designed to support users.
TESTING FOR REMAINING AUTOCORRELATION OF THE RESIDUALS IN THE FRAMEWORK OF FUZZY RULE-BASED TIME SERIES MODELLING
Authors: AZNARTE JOSÉ LUIS , MEDEIROS MARCELO C. , BENÍTEZ JOSÉ M.
Published: July 2010

In time series analysis remaining autocorrelation in the errors of a model implies that it is failing to properly capture the structure of time-dependence of the series under study. This can be used as a diagnostic checking tool and as an indicator of the adequacy of the model.

Through the study of the errors of the model in the Lagrange Multiplier testing framework, in this paper we derive (and validate using simulated and real world examples) a hypothesis test which allows us to determine if there is some left autocorrelation in the error series. This represents a new diagnostic checking tool for fuzzy rule-based modelling of time series and is an important step towards statistically sound modelling strategy for fuzzy rule-based models.
A SITUATION-AWARE RESOURCE RECOMMENDER BASED ON FUZZY AND SEMANTIC WEB RULES
Authors: CIARAMELLA ALESSANDRO , CIMINO MARIO G. C. A. , LAZZERINI BEATRICE , MARCELLONI FRANCESCO
Published: July 2010

Nowadays, a huge quantity of resources for mobile users are made available on the most important marketplaces. Further, handheld devices can accommodate plenty of these resources, such as applications, documents and web pages, locally. Thus, to search for resources suitable for specific circumstances often requires a considerable effort and rarely brings to a completely satisfactory result. A tool able to recommend suitable resources at the right time in each situation would be of great help for the mobile users and would make the use of the handheld devices less boring and more attractive. To this aim, new levels of granularity, together with some degree of self-awareness, are needed to assist mobile users in managing and using resources. In this paper, we propose an efficient situation-aware resource recommender (SARR), which helps mobile users to timely locate resources proactively. Situations are determined by a semantic reasoner that exploits domain knowledge expressed in terms of ontologies and semantic rules. This reasoner works in synergy with a fuzzy engine, which is in charge of handling the vagueness of some conditions in the semantic rules, computing a certainty degree for each inferred situation. These degrees are used to rank the situations and consequently to assign a priority to the resources associated with the specific situations. The application of SARR to two real business cases is also shown and discussed.
USING COLLABORATIVE FILTERING FOR DEALING WITH MISSING VALUES IN NUCLEAR SAFEGUARDS EVALUATION
Authors: RODRÍGUEZ ROSA M. , MARTÍNEZ LUIS , RUAN DA , LIU JUN
Published: July 2010

Nuclear safeguards evaluation aims to verify that countries are not misusing nuclear programs for nuclear weapons purposes. Experts of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) carry out an evaluation process in which several hundreds of indicators are assessed according to the information obtained from different sources, such as State declarations, on-site inspections, IAEA non-safeguards databases and other open sources. These assessments are synthesized in a hierarchical way to obtain a global assessment. Much information and many sources of information related to nuclear safeguards are vague, imprecise and ill-defined. The use of the fuzzy linguistic approach has provided good results to deal with such uncertainties in this type of problems. However, a new challenge on nuclear safeguards evaluation has attracted the attention of researchers. Due to the complexity and vagueness of the sources of information obtained by IAEA experts and the huge number of indicators involved in the problem, it is common that they cannot assess all of them appearing missing values in the evaluation, which can bias the nuclear safeguards results. This paper proposes a model based on collaborative filtering (CF) techniques to impute missing values and provides a trust measure that indicates the reliability of the nuclear safeguards evaluation with the imputed values.
HOW TO SUPPORT CONSENSUS REACHING USING ACTION RULES: A NOVEL APPROACH
Authors: KACPRZYK JANUSZ , ZADROŻNY SŁAWOMIR , RAŚ ZBIGNIEW W.
Published: July 2010

We consider a consensus reaching process in a group of individuals meant as an attempt to make preferences of the individuals more and more similar, that is, getting closer and closer to consensus. We assume a general form of intuitionistic fuzzy preferences and a soft definition of consensus that is basically meant as an agreement of a considerable (e.g., most, almost all) majority of individuals in regards to a considerable majority of alternatives. The consensus reaching process is meant to be run by a moderator who tries to get the group of individuals closer and closer to consensus by argumentation, persuasion, etc. The moderator is to be supported by some additional information, exemplified by more detailed information on which individuals are critical as, for instance, they are willing to change their testimonies or are stubborn, which pairs of options make the reaching of consensus difficult, etc. In this paper we extend this paradigm proposed and employed in our former works with the use of a novel data mining tool, so called action rules which make it possible to more clearly indicate and suggest to the moderator with which experts and with respect to which option it may be expedient to deal. We show the usefulness of this new approach.
INTERVAL METHODS IN KNOWLEDGE REPRESENTATION
Authors: Kreinovich Vladik
Published: July 2010

This section is maintained by Vladik Kreinovich. Please send your abstracts (or copies of papers that you want to see reviewed here) to vladik@utep.edu, or by regular mail to: Vladik Kreinovich, Department of Computer Science, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968, USA.
SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF A NEW NANOCOMPOSITE BY FILLING OF CNT WITH CoFe2O4 MAGNETIC NANOPARTICLES AND GRAFTING TO POLYMER
Authors: SEPAHVAND R. , ADELI M. , ACTINCHAP B. , BAHARI A.
Published: July 2010

In this work, the synthesis and characterization of a new nanocomposite from carbon nanotubes-graft-polymer (CNTs-g-P) is reported. The products were obtained by the filling of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) (inner diameter 20–40 nm) with CoFe2O4 magnetic nanoparticles, been grafted with poly (caprolactone). The filling process was carried out by using acid treatment through wet chemistry. The structure and the properties of the new nanocomposite were studied with TEM, VSM, TGA, and spectroscopic techniques.
MOLECULAR SPIN DEVICES: CURRENT UNDERSTANDING AND NEW TERRITORIES
Authors: TYAGI PAWAN
Published: July 2010

Molecular spin devices (MSDs) are the most promising candidate for futuristic quantum computation, having potential to resolve spin scattering issue which compromise the utility of conventional spin devices. The MSDs have been extensively reviewed from the view points of device physics and the application of target molecules, such as single molecular magnets. Fabrication of a competent MSD still remains an intractable task. In this review, we first describe the experimental studies where spin state of molecule and/or electrode affected the device transport, especially under magnetic field. Then, we correlated the number of theoretical and experimental results from various domains of nanomagnetism to highlight the scope and future directions panoramically. Finally, the key designs of various MSDs, including our recently developed multilayer edge molecular electrode, have been discussed. A multilayer edge molecular electrode, prepared by bridging the molecular clusters on the exposed edges of a customized ferromagnet–insulator–ferromagnet junction, can be a promising platform for testing the variety of molecular magnets.
SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF THERMOTROPIC LIQUID CRYSTALLINE POLYESTER/MULTI-WALLED CARBON NANOTUBE NANOCOMPOSITES
Authors: WANG J. J. , ZHAO W. F. , HE J. G. , DONG Z. P. , LI R.
Published: July 2010

A thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer (TLCP) was synthesized from 4, 4'-Oxobisbenzoic acid and methylhydroquinone by low-temperature solution polycondensation. Nanocomposites of TLCP with the content of MWNTs from 0 wt% to 10 wt% were prepared by in situ polymerization. Scanning electron microscopy images showed that the MWNTs were well-separated in the TLCP matrix. Differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analyzer, X-ray diffraction, and polarized optical microscopy were used to investigate the thermal behavior, crystalline structure and liquid crystalline properties of the pure TLCP and TLCP/MWNT nanocomposites. The thermogravimetric analyses indicated that a small amount of MWNTs could improve the thermal stability of TLCP matrix. Furthermore, the result of differential scanning calorimetry demonstrated that both melt transition temperatures and isotropic transition temperatures of the hybrids were enhanced. Our study provided a design guide for CNT-filled TLCP composites which could be favorable for industrial use.
FLOATING CATALYST CVD SYNTHESIS OF CARBON NANOTUBES USING IRON (III) CHLORIDE: INFLUENCES OF THE GROWTH PARAMETERS
Authors: KHAVARIAN MEHRNOUSH , CHAI SIANG-PIAO , TAN SOON HUAT , MOHAMED ABDUL RAHMAN
Published: July 2010

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were synthesized by a low-cost floating catalyst (FC) chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method in a horizontal reactor. It was found that iron (III) chloride ( FeCl3 ) is a high efficient FC precursor for methane CVD to grow CNTs. In this study, the effects of reaction temperature and flow ratio of methane to nitrogen ( CH4:N2 ) on the morphology of the CNTs were investigated. The morphological analysis by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed that increasing the reaction temperature and flow ratio of CH4:N2 grew CNTs of larger diameters. Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were employed to study the purity of the produced CNTs. As shown by the TGA, the highest yield of 74.19% was recorded for the CNTs grown at 1000°C and flow ratio CH4:N2 of 300:200.
SOLVING PARTIAL FRACTIONAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS USING THE $\mathcal{L}_A $-TRANSFORM
Authors: Aghili A. , Ansari A.
Published: July 2010

In this article, the authors introduce the [Formula: see text]-transform and derive the complex inversion formula and a convolution theorem for the transform. Furthermore, the fundamental solution of the Cauchy type fractional diffusion equation on fractals is given by means of the [Formula: see text]-transform in terms of the Wright functions. Also, the Cauchy fractional disturbance equation with continuous or discrete distribution of time fractional derivative is introduced and by using the [Formula: see text]-transform, its solution is expressed in terms of the Laplace type integral.
APPROXIMATE SOLUTION FOR TIME-DELAYED CONVECTIVE FISHER EQUATION BY ADM-PADÉ TECHNIQUE
Authors: Alharbi A. , Fahmy E. S.
Published: July 2010

We present an approximate solution to the time-delayed convective Fisher equation using ADM-Padé technique which is a combination of Adomian decomposition method and Padé approximation. This technique gives the approximate solution with faster convergence and higher accuracy than using ADM alone.
INTERPOLATION FOR P-ADIC ENTIRE FUNCTIONS
Authors: Boussaf Kamal
Published: July 2010

Let K be a complete ultrametric algebraically closed field. This paper is aimed at studying problems of interpolation for entire functions on K. We prove an analogue of M . Lazard's divisors theorem for entire functions and then we show that sequences of interpolation are the injective sequences (ai)i∈ N in K such that lim i→∞ |ai| = +∞. This result does not assume K to be spherically complete. In order to construct concrete entire interpolation functions, we introduce Lagrange entire functions and define L-sequences. We show that a sequence (ai)i∈ N in K defines a Lagrange entire function if and only if (ai)i∈ N is an L-sequence.
MODULAR ABELIAN GROUP ALGEBRAS
Authors: Danchev Peter
Published: July 2010

Suppose FG is the F-group algebra of an arbitrary multiplicative abelian group G with p-component of torsion Gpover a field F of char (F) = p ≠ 0. Our theorems state thus: The factor-group S(FG)/Gpof all normed p-units in FG modulo Gpis always totally projective, provided G is a coproduct of groups whose p-components are of countable length and F is perfect. Moreover, if G is a p-mixed coproduct of groups with torsion parts of countable length and FH ≅ FG as F-algebras, then there is a totally projective p-group T of length ≤ Ω such that H × T ≅ G × T. These are generalizations to results by Hill-Ullery (1997). As a consequence, if G is a p-splitting coproduct of groups each of which has p-component with length < Ω and FH ≅ FG are F-isomorphic, then H is p-splitting. This is an extension of a result of May (1989). Our applications are the following: Let G be p-mixed algebraically compact or p-mixed splitting with torsion-complete Gpor p-mixed of torsion-free rank one with torsion-complete Gp. Then the F-isomorphism FH ≅ FG for any group H implies H ≅ G. Moreover, letting G be a coproduct of torsion-complete p-groups or G be a coproduct of p-local algebraically compact groups, then [Formula: see text]-isomorphism [Formula: see text] for an arbitrary group H over the simple field [Formula: see text] of p-elements yields H ≅ G. These completely settle in a more general form a question raised by May (1979) for p-torsion groups and also strengthen results due to Beers-Richman-Walker (1983).
CATEGORY OF M-ALGEBRAS AND INTERNAL HOMOMORPHISMS
Authors: Ebrahimi M. M. , Mahmoudi M.
Published: July 2010

Recall that for (universal) algebras A and B in a category [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] is usually an external object, in the sense that it is just a set and is neither an algebra nor an (internal) object of the base category [Formula: see text]. Ebrahimi introduced an object [A, B] inside [Formula: see text] to be the best counterpart of Hom(A, B), for universal algebras A, B in a Grothendieck topos [Formula: see text].

In this paper, taking a monoid M and an equational category of algebras [Formula: see text], we introduce the category [Formula: see text] of universal algebras in the category [Formula: see text], of sets with an action of a monoid M, together with members of [A, B], called internal homomorphisms, as the M-set of homomorphisms from A to B.

We study some algebraic and categoric ingredients, monomorphisms, epimorphisms, limits and colimits, of the category [Formula: see text]. Among other things, we show that in this category equalizers do not exist in general while all colimits exist.
SQUARES IN (22 - 1)…(n2 - 1) AND p-ADIC VALUATION
Authors: Hong Shaofang , Liu Xingjiang
Published: July 2010

In this paper, we determine all the squares in the sequence [Formula: see text]. From this, one deduces that there are infinitely many squares in this sequence. We also give a formula for the p-adic valuation of the terms in this sequence.
PSEUDO-COMPLEMENTATION ON GENERALIZED ALMOST DISTRIBUTIVE LATTICES
Authors: Rao G. C. , Bandaru Ravi Kumar , Rafi N.
Published: July 2010

The concept of a pseudo-complementation on a Generalized Almost Distributive Lattice (GADL) with 0 is introduced and proved that there is a one-to-one correspondence between the pseudo-complementations on a GADL L with 0 and left identity elements of L. The concept of *–GADL, disjunctive GADL is also introduced. We characterized *–GADL in terms of disjunctive GADL.
Toxicity Assessment of Sediments with Natural Anomalous Concentrations in Heavy Metals by the Use of Bioassay
Authors: Martín Francisco , Escoto Marlon , Fernández Juan , Fernández Emilia , Arco Elena , Sierra Manuel , Dorronsoro Carlos
Published: July 2010

The potential toxicity in riverbed sediments was assessed with a bioassay using the bioluminescent bacteriaVibrio fischeri. The selected area was characterized by the presence of ultramafic rocks (peridotites), and the sediments had high values in Ni, Cr, and Co. For the toxicity bioassay withVibrio fischeri, water-soluble forms were used. The results indicated that most of the samples had a very low degree of toxicity, with 10% of reduction in luminescence in relation to the control; meanwhile 25% of the samples had a moderate degree of toxicity with a reduction in luminescence between 13 and 21% in relation to the control. The toxicity index correlated significantly with the concentrations of Ni and Cr in the water extracts. This toxicity bioassay was proved to be a sensitive and useful tool to detect potential toxicity in solutions, even with anomalous concentrations in heavy metals of natural origin.
Intracellular and Extracellular Effects of S100B in the Cardiovascular Response to Disease
Authors: Tsoporis James N. , Mohammadzadeh Forough , Parker Thomas G.
Published: July 2010

S100B, a calcium-binding protein of the EF-hand type, exerts both intracellular and extracellular functions. S100B is induced in the myocardium of human subjects and an experimental rat model following myocardial infarction. Forced expression of S100B in neonatal rat myocyte cultures and high level expression of S100B in transgenic mice hearts inhibit cardiac hypertrophy and the associated phenotype but augments myocyte apoptosis following myocardial infarction. By contrast, knocking out S100B, augments hypertrophy, decreases apoptosis and preserves cardiac function following myocardial infarction. Expression of S100B in aortic smooth muscle cells inhibits cell proliferation and the vascular response to adrenergic stimulation. S100B induces apoptosis by an extracellular mechanism via interaction with the receptor for advanced glycation end products and activating ERK1/2 and p53 signaling. The intracellular and extracellular roles of S100B are attractive therapeutic targets for the treatment of both cardiac and vascular diseases.
Parental Influence on Young Children's Physical Activity
Authors: Zecevic Cheryl A. , Tremblay Line , Lovsin Tanya , Michel Lariviere
Published: July 2010

Parents influence on their young children's physical activity (PA) behaviours was examined in a sample of 102 preschool-aged children (54 boys). Questionnaires regarding family sociodemographics and physical activity habits were completed. Results showed that children who received greater parental support for activity (B=.78,P<.10) and had parents who rated PA as highly enjoyable (B=.69,P<.05) were significantly more likely to engage in one hour or more of daily PA. Being an older child (B=−.08,P<.01), having older parents (B=−.26,P<.01), and watching more than one hour of television/videos per day (B=1.55,P<.01) reduced the likelihood that a child would be rated as highly active. Children who received greater parental support for PA were 6.3 times more likely to be highly active than inactive (B=1.44,P<.05). Thus, parents can promote PA among their preschoolers, not only by limiting TV time but also by being highly supportive of their children's active pursuits.
Interleukin-6 Contributes to Age-Related Alteration of Cytokine Production by Macrophages
Authors: Gomez Christian R. , Karavitis John , Palmer Jessica L. , Faunce Douglas E. , Ramirez Luis , Nomellini Vanessa , Kovacs Elizabeth J.
Published: July 2010

Here, we studiedin vitrocytokine production by splenic macrophages obtained from young and aged BALB/c wild type (WT) and IL-6 knockout (IL-6 KO) mice. Relative to macrophages obtained from young WT mice given lipopolysaccharide (LPS), those from aged WT mice had decreased production of proinflammatory cytokines. In contrast, when compared to macrophages from young IL-6 KO mice, LPS stimulation yielded higher levels of these cytokines by cells from aged IL-6 KO mice. Aging or IL-6 deficiency did not affected the percentage of macrophages, or the surface expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and components of the IL-6 receptor. Overall, our results indicate that IL-6 plays a role in regulating the age-related defects in macrophages through alteration of proinflammatory cytokines, adding to the complexity of IL-6-mediated impairment of immune cell function with increasing age.
Thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) Stimulates Expression of Integrinα6 in Human Breast Carcinoma Cells: A Downstream Modulator of TSP-1-Induced Cellular Adhesion
Authors: John Anitha S. , Rothman Vicki L. , Tuszynski George P.
Published: July 2010

Thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) is involved in a variety of different cellular processes including cell adhesion, tumor progression, and angiogenesis. This paper reports the novel finding that TSP-1 upregulates integrinα6 subunit in human keratinocytes and human breast cancer cells resulting in increased cell adhesion and tumor cell invasion. The effect of TSP-1 onα6 subunit expression was examined in human keratinocytes and breast adenocarcinoma cell lines (MDA-MB-231) treated with TSP-1 and in TSP-1 stably transfected breast cancer cells. TSP-1 upregulatedα6 message and protein in these cells as revealed by differential display, Northern and Western blot analysis and immunohistochemical localization studies. The increased expression ofα6 was shown to mediate adhesion and invasion of these cells to laminin, a major component of the basement membrane and extracellular matrix (ECM). These data suggest that TSP-1 plays an integral role in the attachment of cells to the ECM facilitating cell motility and angiogenesis.
Exact Decomposition Approaches for Markov Decision Processes: A Survey
Authors: Daoui Cherki , Abbad Mohamed , Tkiouat Mohamed
Published: July 2010

As classical methods are intractable for solving Markov decision processes (MDPs) requiring a large state space, decomposition and aggregation techniques are very useful to cope with large problems. These techniques are in general a special case of the classic Divide-and-Conquer framework to split a large, unwieldy problem into smaller components and solving the parts in order to construct the global solution. This paper reviews most of decomposition approaches encountered in the associated literature over the past two decades, weighing their pros and cons. We consider several categories of MDPs (average, discounted, and weighted MDPs), and we present briefly a variety of methodologies to find or approximate optimal strategies.
Sexual Dysfunction before and after Cardiac Rehabilitation
Authors: Schumann Jörg , Zellweger Michael J. , Di Valentino Marcello , Piazzalonga Simone , Hoffmann Andreas
Published: July 2010

Background. The aim of this study was to assess sexual function before and after cardiac rehabilitation in relation to medical variables.Methods. Analysis of patients participating in a 12-week exercise-based outpatient cardiac rehabilitation program (OCR) between April 1999 and December 2007. Exercise capacity (ExC) and quality of life including sexual function were assessed before and after OCR.Results. Complete data were available in 896 male patients. No sexual activity at all was indicated by 23.1% at baseline and 21.8% after OCR, no problems with sexual activity by 40.8% at baseline and 38.6% after OCR. Patients showed an increase in specific problems (erectile dysfunction and lack of orgasm) from 18% to 23% () during OCR. We found the following independent positive and negative predictors of sexual problems after OCR: hyperlipidemia, age, CABG, baseline ExC and improvement of ExC, subjective physical and mental capacity, and sense of affiliation.Conclusions. Sexual dysfunction is present in over half of the patients undergoing OCR with no overall improvement during OCR. Age, CABG, low exercise capacity are independent predictors of sexual dysfunction after OCR.
The Efficacy of the Novel Dual PI3-Kinase/mTOR Inhibitor NVP-BEZ235 Compared with Rapamycin in Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Cho Daniel C. , Cohen Matthew B. , Panka David J. , Collins Michael , Ghebremichael Musie , Atkins Michael B. , Signoretti Sabina , Mier James W.
Published: July 2010

Purpose: Inhibitors of TORC1 have been shown to be active in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC). As the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway activates numerous other kinases, transcription factors, and proteins associated with cell growth and survival besides mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), disruption of this pathway upstream of mTOR may be more effective than inhibition of TORC1 alone.

Experimental Design: To investigate this possibility, the dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor NVP-BEZ235 was compared with rapamycin in RCC cell lines and xenografts generated from 786-O and A498 cells.

Results: Treatment of RCC cell lines with NVP-BEZ235 in vitro resulted in the nuclear translocation of p27, greater reduction in tumor cell proliferation, and more complete suppression of Akt, Mnk-1, eIF4E, and 4EBP-1 phosphorylation and cyclin D1 and hypoxia-inducible factor 2α (HIF2α) expression than that achieved with rapamycin. The reduction of HIF2α levels correlated with reduced HIF activity as determined by luciferase assay. NVP-BEZ235 induced growth arrest in both the 786-O and A498 xenografts that was associated with inhibition of Akt and S6 phosphorylation as well as the induction of apoptosis and reduction in markers of tumor cell proliferation. In contrast, rapamycin induced only minimal growth retardation.

Conclusion: Dual inhibition of PI3K/mTOR with NVP-BEZ235 induced growth arrest in RCC cell lines both in vitro and in vivo more effectively than inhibition of TORC1 alone. These results provide the rationale for the clinical assessment of agents such as NVP-BEZ235 in patients with advanced RCC. Clin Cancer Res; 16(14); 3628–38. ©2010 AACR.
Effective Therapeutic Targeting of the Overexpressed HER-2 Receptor in a Highly Metastatic Orthotopic Model of Esophageal Carcinoma
Authors: Gros Stephanie J. , Kurschat Nina , Dohrmann Thorsten , Reichelt Uta , Dancau Ana-Maria , Peldschus Kersten , Adam Gerhard , Hoffman Robert M. , Izbicki Jakob R. , Kaifi Jussuf T.
Published: July 2010

This study aimed to determine the targeted efficacy of trastuzumab (Herceptin) on human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2)-overexpressing metastatic esophageal cancer in an orthotopic mouse model. HER-2 overexpression and amplification of human esophageal primary and metastatic tumors were shown with HER-2–fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis and HER-2 immunostaining. Following orthotopic implantation with the HER-2–overexpressing OE19 human esophageal cancer cell line, mice were treated with trastuzumab. Sequential magnetic resonance imaging was used to monitor primary tumor and metastasis during treatment. After six weeks, a significant inhibition of primary tumor development was imaged in trastuzumab-treated animals in comparison with the control group. Trastuzumab treatment also led to a reduction of lymphatic metastasis. Thus, HER-2 targeted therapy with trastuzumab resulted in a significant primary tumor growth reduction as well as a decrease of lymph node metastases in the orthotopic model of metastatic esophageal carcinoma. The results of the present study suggest the clinical use of trastuzumab for HER-2–overexpressing esophageal cancer, which is a significant fraction of the patient population. Treatment of this highly treatment-resistant disease with trastuzumab in the adjuvant setting to prevent lymph node metastasis after primary tumor resection is suggested by the data in this report. Mol Cancer Ther; 9(7); 2037–45. ©2010 AACR.
Degrasyn Potentiates the Antitumor Effects of Bortezomib in Mantle Cell Lymphoma Cells In vitro and In vivo: Therapeutic Implications
Authors: Pham Lan V. , Tamayo Archito T. , Li Changping , Bornmann William , Priebe Waldemar , Ford Richard J.
Published: July 2010

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is an aggressive histotype of B-cell non–Hodgkin lymphoma that has increased in incidence over the past few decades and is incurable, usually poorly responsive to standard chemotherapy combinations, and associated with poor prognoses. Discovering new therapeutic agents with low toxicity that produce better outcomes in patients with MCL is an ongoing challenge. Recent studies showed that degrasyn, a novel small-molecule inhibitor of the Janus kinase/signal transducer and activation of transcription (JAK/STAT) pathway, exerts antitumor activity in lymphoid tumors by inhibiting key growth and survival signaling (JAK/STAT) pathways. In the present study, we found that treatment of both typical and blastoid-variant MCL cells with degrasyn in combination with bortezomib resulted in synergistic growth inhibition and apoptosis induction in vitro. The apoptosis in these cells was correlated with the downregulation of constitutive NF-κB and phosphorylated STAT3 activation, leading to the inhibition of c-Myc, cyclin D1, and bcl-2 protein expression and the upregulation of bax protein expression. In vivo, degrasyn and bortezomib interacted to synergistically prevent tumor development and prolong survival durations in a xenotransplant severe combined immunodeficient mouse model of MCL. These findings suggest that agents such as degrasyn that can pharmacologically target constitutively expressed NF-κB and STAT3 in MCL cells may be useful therapeutic agents for MCL when administered together with bortezomib. Mol Cancer Ther; 9(7); 2026–36. ©2010 AACR.
No Association between Endogenous Retinoic Acid and Human Papillomavirus Clearance or Incident Cervical Lesions in Brazilian Women
Authors: Siegel Erin M. , Salemi Jason L. , Craft Neal E. , Villa Luisa L. , Ferenczy Alex S. , Franco Eduardo L. , Giuliano Anna R.
Published: July 2010

Although oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) infections have been established as the necessary cause of cervical cancer, most HPV infections are transient and rarely progress to squamous cervical lesions. The activity of HPV is tightly associated with epithelial cell differentiation; therefore, regulators of differentiation, such as retinoic acid (RA), have been considered targets for the prevention of HPV-associated squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL) development. The purpose of this study was to determine the association between circulating RA and early events in cervical carcinogenesis, specifically type-specific HPV clearance and SIL detection. Archived blood samples from 643 women participating in the Ludwig-McGill Cohort in São Paulo, Brazil, were analyzed by high-pressure liquid chromatography for three RA isomers (all-trans, 13-cis, and 9-cis-RA). A type-specific HPV clearance event was defined as two consecutive visits negative for an HPV type during follow-up for 364 HPV-positive women. Among the 643 women in this analysis, 78 were diagnosed with incident SIL. The probability of clearing an oncogenic HPV infection was not significantly different across RA isomer quartiles. There was a suggestion that increasing all-trans-RA increased the rate of nononcogenic HPV clearance (P-trend = 0.05). There was no association observed between serum RA levels and incident SIL. Our results suggest that elevated circulating RA isomer levels do not increase the rate of HPV clearance or reduce the risk of incident SIL. The role of RA in the inhibition of HPV-induced carcinogenesis, as shown in vitro, lacks confirmatory evidence within epidemiologic studies among women. Cancer Prev Res; 3(8); 1007–14. ©2010 AACR.
Immunomodulatory Effects of in vitroStress Hormones on FoxP3, Th1/Th2 Cytokine and Costimulatory Molecule mRNA Expression in Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells
Authors: Xiang Lianbin , Marshall, Jr. Gailen D.
Published: July 2010

Background: Stress influences immune function through mechanisms including an impact on regulatory elements. We have previously demonstrated that glucocorticoids (GCs) and catecholamines can influence immunomodulation including changes in Th1/Th2 cytokine production. These immunoregulatory imbalances are associated with elevated cortisol in vivo and in the presence of GCs in vitro. Methods: We examined the effects of dexamethasone (DEX) and epinephrine (EPI) on the balance of regulatory T cells (Tregs), Th1/Th2 cytokine gene expression by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 16 normal subjects after 24-hour and 11-day cultures with tetanus toxoid. We wished to determine whether the immunomodulatory effects of stress hormones involved differences in costimulatory signal pathways including CD28, CTLA-4 (CD152), and CD80/86. Results: Our results revealed that FoxP3 mRNA expression (representing Tregs) was decreased in PBMCs cultured with DEX relative to the control within 24 h (short term). DEX decreased the Th1/Th2 cytokine mRNA balance after 11 days (long term). CD28 and CD80 mRNA were decreased in short-term incubation with DEX whereas the effect of inhibition by DEX on CTLA-4 mRNA was detected only in long-term cultures. Conclusions: These results suggest that the Treg (FoxP3 mRNA) and CD28/CD80 costimulatory signal pathway may be a target of stress hormones in acute stress while the CTLA-4/CD80–86 pathway may be more susceptible in chronic stress.