bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Behavioral Foundations of Trade Secrets: Tangibility, Authorship, and Legality
Authors: Feldman Yuval
Published: June 2006

This article examines whether the nature of information protected by trade secret law affects departing employees' normative judgments of obedience to trade secret law. This examination assesses two main dimensions: tangibility (whether the employee downloaded the confidential information) and authorship (whether the employee developed the confidential information by himself or herself). The data was collected from a nonrandom multi‐sourced sample of 260 high‐tech employees in Silicon Valley. Tangibility affected almost all the factors that were measured (such as the perceived consensus and participants' own intention to share information), while authorship affected only participants' moral perceptions. Further analysis revealed that the expected social approval of a new employer was the most important mediator of the effect of tangibility on the intention to share trade secrets.
Regulatory Blueprint for a Chordate Embryo
Authors: Imai Kaoru S. , Levine Michael , Satoh Nori , Satou Yutaka
Published: June 2006

Ciona
is an emerging model system for elucidating gene networks in development. Comprehensive in situ hybridization assays have identified 76 regulatory genes with localized expression patterns in the early embryo, at the time when naïve blastomeres are determined to follow specific cell fates. Systematic gene disruption assays provided more than 3000 combinations of gene expression profiles in mutant backgrounds. Deduced gene circuit diagrams describing the formation of larval tissues were computationally visualized. These diagrams constitute a blueprint for the
Ciona
embryo and provide a foundation for understanding the evolutionary origins of the chordate body plan.
Molecular Imaging in Cancer
Authors: Weissleder Ralph
Published: June 2006

Medical imaging technologies have undergone explosive growth over the past few decades and now play a central role in clinical oncology. But the truly transformative power of imaging in the clinical management of cancer patients lies ahead. Today, imaging is at a crossroads, with molecularly targeted imaging agents expected to broadly expand the capabilities of conventional anatomical imaging methods. Molecular imaging will allow clinicians to not only see where a tumor is located in the body, but also to visualize the expression and activity of specific molecules (e.g., proteases and protein kinases) and biological processes (e.g., apoptosis, angiogenesis, and metastasis) that influence tumor behavior and/or response to therapy. This information is expected to have a major impact on cancer detection, individualized treatment, and drug development, as well as our understanding of how cancer arises.
Targeting Tyrosine Kinases in Cancer: The Second Wave
Authors: Baselga Jose
Published: June 2006

One of the most exciting developments in cancer research in recent years has been the clinical validation of molecularly targeted drugs that inhibit the action of pathogenic tyrosine kinases. Treatment of appropriately selected patients with these drugs can alter the natural history of their disease and improve survival. The clinical validation of these “first-generation” tyrosine kinase inhibitors has been the prelude to a second wave of advances in molecular targeting that is expected to further change the way we classify and treat cancer. Efforts are now being directed at identifying the tumor subtypes and patients who will benefit the most from these drugs. In addition, new compounds that circumvent acquired resistance to the first-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors are being tested in patients with refractory disease. Agents directed against new molecular targets are also being explored.
A Regulatory SNP Causes a Human Genetic Disease by Creating a New Transcriptional Promoter
Authors: De Gobbi Marco , Viprakasit Vip , Hughes Jim R. , Fisher Chris , Buckle Veronica J. , Ayyub Helena , Gibbons Richard J. , Vernimmen Douglas , Yoshinaga Yuko , de Jong Pieter , Cheng Jan-Fang , Rubin Edward M. , Wood William G. , Bowden Don , Higgs Douglas R.
Published: June 2006

We describe a pathogenetic mechanism underlying a variant form of the inherited blood disorder α thalassemia. Association studies of affected individuals from Melanesia localized the disease trait to the telomeric region of human chromosome 16, which includes the α-globin gene cluster, but no molecular defects were detected by conventional approaches. After resequencing and using a combination of chromatin immunoprecipitation and expression analysis on a tiled oligonucleotide array, we identified a gain-of-function regulatory single-nucleotide polymorphism (rSNP) in a nongenic region between the α-globin genes and their upstream regulatory elements. The rSNP creates a new promoterlike element that interferes with normal activation of all downstream α-like globin genes. Thus, our work illustrates a strategy for distinguishing between neutral and functionally important rSNPs, and it also identifies a pathogenetic mechanism that could potentially underlie other genetic diseases.
Cell Wall-Mediated Neuronal Damage in Early Sepsis
Authors: Orihuela Carlos J. , Fillon Sophie , Smith-Sielicki S. Hope , El Kasmi Karim C. , Gao Geli , Soulis Konstantinos , Patil Avinash , Murray Peter J. , Tuomanen Elaine I.
Published: June 2006

Neuronal dysfunction can occur in the course of sepsis without meningitis. Sepsis-associated neuronal damage (SAND) was observed in the hippocampus within hours in experimental pneumococcal bacteremia. Intravascular challenge with purified bacterial cell wall recapitulated SAND. SAND persisted in PAFr−/−mice but was partially mitigated in mice lacking cell wall recognition proteins TLR2 and Nod2 and in mice overexpressing interleukin-10 (IL-10) in macrophages. Thus, cell wall drives SAND through IL-10-repressible inflammatory events. Treatment with CDP-choline ameliorated SAND, suggesting that it may be an effective adjunctive therapy to increase survival and reduce organ damage in sepsis.
Oxidized ATP Protection against Anthrax Lethal Toxin
Authors: Moayeri Mahtab , Wickliffe Katherine E. , Wiggins Jason F. , Leppla Stephen H.
Published: June 2006

Bacillus anthracislethal toxin (LT) induces rapid lysis (<90 min) of murine macrophages from certain inbred strains. The mechanism for LT-induced cytolysis is currently unknown. We hypothesized that the ATP-activated macrophage P2X7 receptors implicated in nucleotide-mediated macrophage lysis could play a role in LT-mediated cytolysis and discovered that a potent P2X7 antagonist, oxidized ATP (o-ATP), protects macrophages against LT. Other P2X7 receptor antagonists, however, had no effect on LT function, while oxidized nucleotides, o-ADP, o-GTP, and o-ITP, which did not act as receptor ligands, provided protection. Cleavage of the LT substrates, the mitogen-activated protein kinases, was inhibited by o-ATP in RAW274.6 macrophages and CHO cells. We investigated the various steps in the intoxication pathway and found that binding of the protective-antigen (PA) component of LT to cells and the enzymatic proteolytic ability of the lethal factor (LF) component of LT were unaffected by o-ATP. Instead, the drug inhibited formation of the sodium dodecyl sulfate-resistant PA oligomer, which occurs in acidified endosomes, but did not prevent cell surface PA oligomerization, as evidenced by binding and translocation of LF to a protease-resistant intracellular location. We found that o-ATP also protected cells from anthrax edema toxin and diphtheria toxin, which also require an acidic environment for escape from endosomes. Confocal microscopy using pH-sensitive fluorescent dyes showed that o-ATP increased endosomal pH. Finally, BALB/cJ mice injected with o-ATP and LT were completely protected against lethality.
A Set of Glycosylphosphatidyl Inositol-Anchored Membrane Proteins ofPlasmodium falciparumIs Refractory to Genetic Deletion
Authors: Sanders Paul R. , Kats Lev M. , Drew Damien R. , O'Donnell Rebecca A. , O'Neill Matthew , Maier Alexander G. , Coppel Ross L. , Crabb Brendan S.
Published: June 2006

Targeted gene disruption has proved to be a powerful approach for studying the function of important ligands involved in erythrocyte invasion by the extracellular merozoite form of the human malaria parasite,Plasmodium falciparum. Merozoite invasion proceeds via a number of seemingly independent alternate pathways, such that entry can proceed with parasites lacking particular ligand-receptor interactions. To date, most focus in this regard has been on single-pass (type 1) membrane proteins that reside in the secretory organelles. Another class of merozoite proteins likely to include ligands for erythrocyte receptors are the glycosylphosphatidyl inositol (GPI)-anchored membrane proteins that coat the parasite surface and/or reside in the apical organelles. Several of these are prominent vaccine candidates, although their functions remain unknown. Here, we systematically attempted to disrupt the genes encoding seven of the known GPI-anchored merozoite proteins ofP. falciparumby using a double-crossover gene-targeting approach. Surprisingly, and in apparent contrast to other merozoite antigen classes, most of the genes (six of seven) encoding GPI-anchored merozoite proteins are refractory to genetic deletion, with the exception being the gene encoding merozoite surface protein 5 (MSP-5). No distinguishable growth rate or invasion pathway phenotype was detected for themsp-5knockout line, although its presence as a surface-localized protein was confirmed.
Identification of Markers forHelicobacter pyloriStrains Isolated from Children with Peptic Ulcer Disease by Suppressive Subtractive Hybridization
Authors: Oleastro Mónica , Monteiro Lurdes , Lehours Philippe , Mégraud Francis , Ménard Armelle
Published: June 2006

Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) occurs after a long-termHelicobacter pyloriinfection. However, the disease can develop earlier, and rare cases have been observed in children, suggesting that theseH. pyloristrains may be more virulent. We used suppressive subtractive hybridization for comparative genomics betweenH. pyloristrains isolated from a 5-year-old child with duodenal ulcer and from a sex- and age-matched child with gastritis only. The prevalence of the 30 tester-specific subtracted sequences was determined on a collection ofH. pyloristrains from children (15 ulcers and 30 gastritis) and from adults (46 ulcers and 44 gastritis). Two of these sequences, jhp0562 (80.0% versus 33.3%,P= 0.008) and jhp0870 (80.0% versus 36.7%,P= 0.015), were highly associated with PUD in children and a third sequence, jhp0828, was less associated (40.0% versus 10.0%,P= 0.048). Among adult strains, none of the 30 sequences was associated with PUD. However, both jhp0562 and jhp0870 were less prevalent in adenocarcinoma strains than in PUD strains from children and adults, the difference being statistically significant for jhp0870. In conclusion, twoH. pylorigenes were identified as being strongly associated with PUD in children, and their putative roles as an outer membrane protein for jhp0870 and in lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis for jhp0562, suggest that they may be novel virulence factors ofH. pylori.
Characterization of Phagosome Trafficking and Identification of PhoP-Regulated Genes Important for Survival ofYersinia pestisin Macrophages
Authors: Grabenstein Jens P. , Fukuto Hana S. , Palmer Lance E. , Bliska James B.
Published: June 2006

The transcriptional activator PhoP is important for survival ofYersinia pestisin macrophage phagosomes. However, the phagosomes inhabited byY. pestishave not been well characterized, and the mechanism by which PhoP promotes bacterial survival in these vacuoles is not fully understood. Lysosomal tracers, as well as antibodies to late endosomal or lysosomal proteins, were used in conjunction with confocal or electron microscopy to study the trafficking of phagosomes containingphoP+orphoPmutantY. pestisstrains or latex beads in J774A.1 macrophages. Phagosomes containingphoP+orphoPmutantY. pestisacquired lysosomal markers to the same degree that phagosomes containing latex beads acquired these markers after 1.5 h of infection, showing that nascent phagosomes containingY. pestisfuse with lysosomes irrespective of thephoPgenotype. Similar results were obtained when phagosomes containing viable or deadphoP+Y. pestiscells or beads were analyzed at 8 h postinfection, indicating that theY. pestisvacuole does not become secluded from the lysosomal compartment. However, only viablephoP+bacteria induced the formation of spacious phagosomes at 8 h postinfection, suggesting thatY. pestiscan actively direct the expansion of its vacuole. PhoP-regulated genes that are important for survival ofY. pestisin phagosomes were identified by Tn5-lacZmutagenesis and oligonucleotide microarray analysis. Three such genes were identified, and the products of these genes are predicted to promote resistance to antimicrobial peptides (ugdandpmrK) or low-Mg2+conditions (mgtC) found in phagosomes. Viable count assays carried out withY. pestis ugd,mgtC, andugd mgtCmutants revealed that the products ofugdandmgtCfunction independently to promote early survival ofY. pestisin macrophage phagosomes.
Bacillus anthracisPhospholipases C Facilitate Macrophage-Associated Growth and Contribute to Virulence in a Murine Model of Inhalation Anthrax
Authors: Heffernan Brian J. , Thomason Brendan , Herring-Palmer Amy , Shaughnessy Lee , McDonald Rod , Fisher Nathan , Huffnagle Gary B. , Hanna Philip
Published: June 2006

Several models of anthrax pathogenesis suggest that early in the infectious processBacillus anthracisendospores germinate and outgrow into vegetative bacilli within phagocytes before being released into the blood. Here, we define the respective contributions of three phospholipases C (PLCs) to the pathogenesis ofB. anthracis. Genetic deletions of the PLCs were made in the Sterne 7702 background, resulting in the respective loss of their activities. The PLCs were redundant both in tissue culture and in murine models of anthrax. Deletion of all three PLC genes was required for attenuation of virulence in mice after intratracheal inoculation. This attenuation may be attributed to the inability of the PLC-null strain to grow in association with the macrophage. Complementation of these defects in both models of anthrax was achieved by expression of the PLC genes intrans. The functional redundancy between PLCs in the virulence ofB. anthracisimplies that their activities are important for anthrax pathogenesis.
In Vivo Role of Dendritic Cells in a Murine Model of Pulmonary Cryptococcosis
Authors: Wozniak Karen L. , Vyas Jatin M. , Levitz Stuart M.
Published: June 2006

Dendritic cells (DC) have been shown to phagocytose and killCryptococcus neoformansin vitro and are believed to be important for inducing protective immunity against this organism. Exposure toC. neoformansoccurs mainly by inhalation, and in this study we examined the in vivo interactions ofC. neoformanswith DC in the lung. Fluorescently labeled liveC. neoformans and heat-killedC. neoformans were administered intranasally to C57BL/6 mice. At specific times postinoculation, mice were sacrificed, and lungs were removed. Single-cell suspensions of lung cells were prepared, stained, and analyzed by microscopy and flow cytometry. Within 2 h postinoculation, fluorescently labeledC. neoformanshad been internalized by DC, macrophages, and neutrophils in the mouse lung. Additionally, lung DC from mice infected for 7 days showed increased expression of the maturation markers CD80, CD86, and major histocompatibility complex class II. Finally, ex vivo incubation of lung DC from infected mice withCryptococcus-specific T cells resulted in increased interleukin-2 production compared to the production by DC from naïve mice, suggesting that there was antigen-specific T-cell activation. This study demonstrated that DC in the lung are capable of phagocytosingCryptococcusin vivo and presenting antigen toC. neoformans-specific T cells ex vivo, suggesting that these cells have roles in innate and adaptive pulmonary defenses against cryptococcosis.
Active Genetic Elements Present in the Locus of Enterocyte Effacement in
Escherichia coli
O26 and Their Role in Mobility
Authors: Muniesa Maite , Schembri Mark A. , Hauf Nadja , Chakraborty Trinad
Published: June 2006

The locus of enterocyte effacement (LEE) is a large multigene chromosomal segment encoding gene products responsible for the generation of attaching and effacing lesions in many diarrheagenic
Escherichia coli
strains. A recently sequenced LEE harboring a pathogenicity island (PAI) from a Shiga toxin
E. coli
serotype O26 strain revealed a LEE PAI (designated LEE O26) almost identical to that obtained from a rabbit-specific enteropathogenic O15:H− strain. LEE O26 comprises 59,540 bp and is inserted at 94 min within the mature
pheU
tRNA locus. The LEE O26 PAI is flanked by two direct repeats of 137 and 136 bp (DR1 and DR2), as well as a gene encoding an integrase belonging to the P4 integrase family. We examined LEE O26 for horizontal gene transfer. By generating mini-LEE plasmids harboring only DR1 or DR2 with or without the integrase-like gene, we devised a simple assay to examine recombination processes between these sequences. Recombination was shown to be integrase dependent in a Δ
recA E. coli
K-12 strain background. Recombinant plasmids harboring a single direct repeat cloned either with or without the LEE O26 integrase gene were found to insert within the chromosomal
pheU
locus of
E. coli
K-12 strains with equal efficiency, suggesting that an endogenous P4-like integrase can substitute for this activity. An integrase with strong homology to the LEE O26 integrase was detected on the K-12 chromosome associated with the
leuX
tRNA locus at 97 min. Strains deleted for this integrase demonstrated a reduction in the insertion frequency of plasmids harboring only the DR into the
pheU
locus. These results provide strong evidence that LEE-harboring elements are indeed mobile and suggest that closely related integrases present on the chromosome of
E. coli
strains contribute to the dynamics of PAI mobility.
Escherichia coli
Strain Nissle 1917 Ameliorates Experimental Colitis via Toll-Like Receptor 2- and Toll-Like Receptor 4-Dependent Pathways
Authors: Grabig A. , Paclik D. , Guzy C. , Dankof A. , Baumgart D. C. , Erckenbrecht J. , Raupach B. , Sonnenborn U. , Eckert J. , Schumann R. R. , Wiedenmann B. , Dignass A. U. , Sturm A.
Published: June 2006

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are key components of the innate immune system that trigger antimicrobial host defense responses. The aim of the present study was to analyze the effects of probiotic
Escherichia coli
Nissle strain 1917 in experimental colitis induced in TLR-2 and TLR-4 knockout mice. Colitis was induced in wild-type (wt), TLR-2 knockout, and TLR-4 knockout mice via administration of 5% dextran sodium sulfate (DSS). Mice were treated with either 0.9% NaCl or 10
7
E. coli
Nissle 1917 twice daily, followed by the determination of disease activity, mucosal damage, and cytokine secretion. wt and TLR-2 knockout mice exposed to DSS developed acute colitis, whereas TLR-4 knockout mice developed significantly less inflammation. In wt mice, but not TLR-2 or TLR-4 knockout mice,
E. coli
Nissle 1917 ameliorated colitis and decreased proinflammatory cytokine secretion. In TLR-2 knockout mice a selective reduction of gamma interferon secretion was observed after
E. coli
Nissle 1917 treatment. In TLR-4 knockout mice, cytokine secretion was almost undetectable and not modulated by
E. coli
Nissle 1917, indicating that TLR-4 knockout mice do not develop colitis similar to the wt mice. Coculture of
E. coli
Nissle 1917 and human T cells increased TLR-2 and TLR-4 protein expression in T cells and increased NF-κB activity via TLR-2 and TLR-4. In conclusion, our data provide evidence that
E. coli
Nissle 1917 ameliorates experimental induced colitis in mice via TLR-2- and TLR-4-dependent pathways.
EshA Accentuates ppGpp Accumulation and Is Conditionally Required for Antibiotic Production in
Streptomyces coelicolor
A3(2)
Authors: Saito Natsumi , Xu Jun , Hosaka Takeshi , Okamoto Susumu , Aoki Hiroyuki , Bibb Mervyn J. , Ochi Kozo
Published: June 2006

Disruption of
eshA
, which encodes a 52-kDa protein that is produced late during the growth of
Streptomyces coelicolor
A3(2), resulted in elimination of actinorhodin production. In contrast, disruption of
eshB
, a close homologue of
eshA
, had no effect on antibiotic production. The
eshA
disruptant accumulated lower levels of ppGpp than the wild-type strain accumulated. The loss of actinorhodin production in the
eshA
disruptant was restored by expression of a truncated
relA
gene, which increased the ppGpp level to the level in the wild-type strain, indicating that the reduced ppGpp accumulation in the
eshA
mutant was solely responsible for the loss of antibiotic production. Antibiotic production was also restored in the
eshA
mutant by introducing mutations into
rpoB
(encoding the RNA polymerase β subunit) that bypassed the requirement for ppGpp, which is consistent with a role for EshA in modulating ppGpp levels. EshA contains a cyclic nucleotide-binding domain that is essential for its role in triggering actinorhodin production. EshA may provide new insights and opportunities to unravel the molecular signaling events that occur during physiological differentiation in streptomycetes.
FppA, a Novel
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Prepilin Peptidase Involved in Assembly of Type IVb Pili
Authors: de Bentzmann Sophie , Aurouze Marianne , Ball Geneviève , Filloux Alain
Published: June 2006

Several subclasses of type IV pili have been described according to the characteristics of the structural prepilin subunit. Whereas molecular mechanisms of type IVa pilus assembly have been well documented for
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
and involve the PilD prepilin peptidase, no type IVb pili have been described in this microorganism. One subclass of type IVb prepilins has been identified as the Flp prepilin subfamily. Long and bundled Flp pili involved in tight adherence have been identified in
Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans
, for which assembly was due to a dedicated machinery encoded by the
tad-rcp
locus. A similar
flp-tad-rcp
locus containing
flp
,
tad
, and
rcp
gene homologues was identified in the
P. aeruginosa
genome. The function of these genes has been investigated, which revealed their involvement in the formation of extracellular Flp appendages. We also identified a gene (designated by open reading frame PA4295) outside the
flp-tad-rcp
locus, that we named
fppA
, encoding a novel prepilin peptidase. This is the second enzyme of this kind found in
P. aeruginosa
; however, it appears to be truncated and is similar to the C-terminal domain of the previously characterized PilD peptidase. In this study, we show that FppA is responsible for the maturation of the Flp prepilin and belongs to the aspartic acid protease family. We also demonstrate that FppA is required for the assembly of cell surface appendages that we called Flp pili. Finally, we observed an Flp-dependent bacterial aggregation process on the epithelial cell surface and an increased biofilm phenotype linked to Flp pilus assembly.
Non-fatal occupational injuries in British agriculture
Authors: Solomon Christine , Poole Jason , Palmer Keith T , Coggon David
Published: June 2006

Objectives:To investigate the incidence, nature and determinants of non-fatal occupational injuries in British agriculture.

Methods:As part of a postal survey, data on lifetime histories of work in agriculture and occupational accidents were obtained from men born between 1933 and 1977 and residing in three rural areas of England and Wales. Incidence rates for different categories of accident were compared with those derived from statutory reporting. Associations with risk factors were explored by Poisson regression, and summarised by incidence rate ratios (IRRs).

Results:Of the 10 765 responders (response rate = 31%), 3238 (30%) reported at least one occupational accident at the ages of 14–64 years, leading to absence from work for ⩾3 days, including 1492 accidents that could be linked to a specific job listed in the history of agricultural work. The reported incidence of injuries in agriculture was markedly higher than that derived from statutory reporting, particularly for self-employed farmers. During 1996–2003, the highest rates of agricultural accidents were from handling, lifting or carrying (4.9/1000 person-years), falls from a height (4.6/1000 person-years) and injury by animals (3.4/1000 person-years). After adjustment for calendar period and age, the risk of accidents was elevated in men who had only recently entered agricultural work (IRR 3.7, 95% CI 2.7 to 5.1 for men who had worked in agriculture for up to 1 year relative to those who had entered the industry >25 years earlier), and in those who carried out forestry (IRR 1.7, 95% CI 1.5 to 1.9).

Conclusion:Our findings confirm the substantial underascertainment of serious accidental injuries in agriculture through statutory reporting, particularly for the self-employed. The risk of accidents is highest in new recruits to the industry and in those undertaking forestry, and these groups should be a target for further preventive action.
Optimizing the medium components in bioemulsifiers production byCandida lipolyticawith response surface method
Authors: Albuquerque C D.C , Filetti A M.F , Campos-Takaki G M
Published: June 2006

A response surface methodology was used to study bioemulsifier production by Candida lipolytica. A 24full experimental design was previously carried out to investigate the effects and interactions of the concentrations of corn oil, urea, ammonium sulfate, and potassium dihydrogen orthophosphate on the emulsification activity (EA) of the bioemulsifier produced by C. lipolytica. The best EA value (3.727 units of emulsification activity (UEA)) was obtained with a medium composed of 0.4 g of urea, 1.1 g of ammonium sulfate, 2.04 g of potassium dihydrogen orthophosphate, 5 mL of corn oil, 50 mL of distilled water, and 50 mL of seawater. A curvature check was performed and revealed a lack of fit of the linear approximation. The proximity of the optimum point was evident, as was the need for quadratic model and second-order designs that incorporate the effect of the curvature. Medium constituents were then optimized for the EA using a three-factor central composite design and response surface methodology. The second-order model showed statistical significance and predictive ability. It was found that the maximum EA produced was 4.415 UEA, and the optimum levels of urea, ammonium sulfate, and potassium dihydrogen orthophosphate were, respectively, 0.544% (m/v), 2.131% (m/v), and 2.628% (m/v).Key words: emulsification activity, factorial design, central composite design, optimization, biosurfactant.
IDENTIFICATION OF REDUNDANT OBJECTIVE FUNCTIONS IN MULTI-OBJECTIVE STOCHASTIC FRACTIONAL PROGRAMMING PROBLEMS
Authors: CHARLES V. , DUTTA D.
Published: June 2006

Redundancy in constraints and variables are usually studied in linear, integer and non-linear programming problems. However, main emphasis has so far been given only to linear programming problems. In this paper, an algorithm that identifies redundant objective functions in multi-objective stochastic fractional programming problems is provided. A solution procedure is also illustrated. This reduces the number of objective functions in cases where redundant objective functions exist.
AHARONOV–BOHM EFFECT AND DISCLINATIONS IN AN ELASTIC MEDIUM
Authors: FURTADO CLAUDIO , DE M. CARVALHO A. M. , DE LIMA RIBEIRO C. A.
Published: June 2006

In this work we investigate quasiparticles in the background of defects in solids using the geometric theory of defects. We use the parallel transport matrix to study the Aharonov–Bohm effect in this background. For quasiparticles moving in this effective medium we demonstrate an effect similar to the gravitational Aharonov–Bohm effect. We analyze this effect in an elastic medium with one and N defects.
Jardine Matheson Group's Delisting from the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong: Evidence on International Market Integration/Segmentation
Authors: Carverhill Andrew , Chan Alex W. H.
Published: June 2006

In 1994–1995, Jardine Matheson Group delisted its five major group members from the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong, so that their trading was transferred to Singapore. We document that the trading volume of these five stocks fell after the delisting, and that they became less correlated with the Hong Kong market. We use a multivariate GARCH framework, which also allows us to present the correlations dynamically. We argue that this is evidence in favor of international market segmentation, since the delisting was not associated with a change in the business strategy of the Group.
Financial Distress Prediction in China
Authors: Chen Jianguo , Marshall Ben R. , Zhang Jenny , Ganesh Siva
Published: June 2006

We use four alternative prediction models to examine the usefulness of financial ratios in predicting business failure in China. China has unique legislation regarding business failure so it is an interesting laboratory for such a study. Earnings Before Interest and Tax to Total Assets (EBITTA), Earning Per Share (EPS), Total Debt to Total Assets (TDTA), Price to Book (PB), and the Current Ratio (CR), are shown to be significant predictors. Prediction accuracy achieves a range from 78% to 93%. Logit and Neural Network models are shown to be the optimal prediction models.
AN INTEGRATED APPROACH FOR SELECTING A VENDOR USING GREY RELATIONAL ANALYSIS
Authors: NOORUL HAQ A. , KANNAN G.
Published: June 2006

This paper develops a new model for evaluating and selecting the vendor using an integrated approach of Grey Relational Analysis (GRA) along with an Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) in a Forward Supply Chain Model (FSCM). The paper aims to demonstrate how the model can help in solving such decisions in practice. It also examines the structure of the decision hierarchy, whether it can represent vendor selection decisions in reality and whether it covers all key factors affecting vendor selection choices. The effectiveness of the GRA model is illustrated with an Original Equipment Manufacturing (OEM) industry in southern part of India and the results of GRA were validated using the result obtained from AHP. The proposed model helps the industry to effectively select the vendor.
EIA THEORIES AND PRACTICE: BALANCING CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT IN SRI LANKA
Authors: VIDYARATNE HERATH
Published: June 2006

This paper presents a study of the performance of the EIA cell of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Sri Lanka as a Project Approving Agency (PAA) according to the provisions of National Environmental Act (Amended) No. 56 of 1988. The study identifies and analyses efficiencies and failures of the EIA cell of the Ministry approving and monitoring 62 projects from the private sector and 30 projects from public sector in balancing concerns of nature and development. As a result recommendations to augment the capacities and efficiencies of EIA cell in approving and monitoring projects are made with reference to analyzing relevant policies, objectives and perceptions of line institutions and project proponents for balanced development.
ACE2 gene transfer attenuates hypertension-linked pathophysiological changes in the SHR
Authors: Díez-Freire Carlos , Vázquez Jorge , Correa de Adjounian María F. , Ferrari Merari F. R. , Yuan Lihui , Silver Xeve , Torres Raquel , Raizada Mohan K.
Published: June 2006

Recently discovered, angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) is an important therapeutic target in the control of cardiovascular diseases as a result of its proposed central role in the control of angiotensin peptides. Thus our objective in the present study was to determine whether ACE2 gene transfer could decrease high blood pressure (BP) and would improve cardiac dysfunctions induced by hypertension in the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) model. Five-day-old SHR and normotensive WKY rats received a single intracardiac bolus injection of lentiviral vector containing either murine ACE2 (ACE2) or control enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) genes. Systolic BP, cardiac functions, and perivascular fibrosis were evaluated 4 mo after ACE2 gene transduction. ACE2 gene transfer resulted in a significant attenuation of high BP in the SHR (149 ± 2 mmHg in lenti-ACE2 vs. 180 ± 9 mmHg in lenti-EGFP, P < 0.01). In contrast, no significant effect of lenti-ACE2 on BP of WKY rats was observed. Lenti-ACE2-treated SHR showed an 18% reduction in left ventricular wall thickness (1.52 ± 0.04 vs. 1.86 ± 0.04 mm in lenti-EGFP, P < 0.01). In addition, there was a 12% increase in left ventricular end diastolic and a 21% increase in end systolic diameters in lenti-ACE2-treated SHR. Finally, lenti-ACE2 treatment resulted in a significant attenuation of perivascular fibrosis in the SHR. In contrast, ACE2 gene transfer did not influence any of these parameters in WKY rats. These observations demonstrate that ACE2 overexpression exerts protective effects on high BP and cardiac pathophysiology induced by hypertension in the SHR.
Boundedness of higher‐order Marcinkiewicz‐Typeintegrals
Authors: Lu Shanzhen , Mo Huixia
Published: June 2006

Let A
be a function with derivatives of order m
and
.
The authors in the paper proved that if Ω ∈ Ls(Sn−1) (s ≥ n/(n − β))
is homogeneous of degree zero and
satisfies a vanishing condition, then both the higher‐order
Marcinkiewicz‐type integral
and its variation

are bounded from
Lp(ℝn)
to Lq(ℝn)
and from
L1(ℝn)
to
Ln/(n−β),∞(ℝn), where 1 < p < n/β
and
1/q = 1/p − β/n. Furthermore, if Ω satisfies some kind of
Ls‐Dini condition, then both and

are bounded on Hardy spaces, and

is also bounded from Lp(ℝn)
to
certain Triebel‐Lizorkin space.
Approximation of fixed points of stronglypseudocontractive mappings in uniformly smooth Banach spaces
Authors: Zhiqun Xue
Published: June 2006

Let E be a real uniformly smooth Banach space, and K a
nonempty closed convex subset of E. Assume that T1 + T2:
K → K
is a continuous and strongly pseudocontractive
mapping, where T1 : K → K
is Lipschitz and T2 : K → K
has the bounded range mapping. Then the Ishikawa
iterative sequence converges strongly to the unique fixed point of
T1 + T2.
Ideals and Green′s relations in ordered semigroups
Authors: Kehayopulu Niovi
Published: June 2006

Exactly as in semigroups, Green′s relations play an important role
in the theory of ordered semigroups—especially for
decompositions of such semigroups. In this paper we deal with the
ℐ‐trivial ordered semigroups which are defined via the
Green′s relation ℐ, and with the nil and
Δ‐ordered semigroups. We prove that every nil ordered
semigroup is ℐ‐trivial which means that there is no
ordered semigroup which is 0‐simple and nil at the same time. We
show that in nil ordered semigroups which are chains with respect
to the divisibility ordering, every complete congruence is a Rees
congruence, and that this type of ordered semigroups are
△‐ordered semigroups, that is, ordered semigroups for
which the complete congruences form a chain. Moreover, the
homomorphic images of △‐ordered semigroups are
△‐ordered semigroups as well. Finally, we prove that the
ideals of a nil ordered semigroup S form a chain under inclusion
if and only if S is a chain with respect to the divisibility
ordering.
The equivalence between the convergences of Mann and Ishikawa iteration methods with errors for demicontinuous φ‐strongly accretive operators in uniformly smooth Banach spaces
Authors: Liu Zeqing , Wang Li , Ume Jeong Sheok , Kang Shin Min
Published: June 2006

We investigate the equivalence between the convergences of the Mann iteration method and the Ishikawa iteration method with errors for demicontinuous φ‐strongly accretive operators in uniformly smooth Banach spaces. A related result deals with the equivalence of the Mann iteration method and the Ishikawa iteration method for φ‐pseudocontractive operators in nonempty closed convex subsets of uniformly smooth Banach spaces. The results presented in this paper extend and improve the corresponding results in the literature.
Critical convective‐type equations on ahalf‐line
Authors: Kaikina Elena I.
Published: June 2006

We are interested in the global existence and large‐time behavior
of solutions to the initial‐boundary value problem for critical
convective‐type dissipative equations
, (x, t) ∈ ℝ+ × ℝ+,
u(x, 0) = u0(x), x ∈ ℝ+,

for j = 1, …, m/2, where the
constants an, am ∈ ℝ, n, m are integers, the
nonlinear term ℕ(u, ux)
depends on the unknown
function u
and its derivative ux
and satisfies the estimate
|ℕ(u, v)| ≤ C|u|ρ|v|σ
with
σ ≥ 0, ρ ≥ 1, such that
((n + 2)/2n)(σ + ρ − 1) = 1, ρ ≥ 1, σ ∈ [0, m).
Also we suppose that .
The aim of this paper is to prove the global existence of
solutions to the inital‐boundary value problem above‐mentioned. We
find the main term of the asymptotic representation of solutions
in critical case. Also we give some general approach to obtain
global existence of solution of initial‐boundary value problem in
critical convective case and elaborate general sufficient
conditions to obtain asymptotic expansion of solution.
Hyers‐Ulam‐Rassias stability of generalized derivations
Authors: Moslehian Mohammad Sal
Published: June 2006

The generalized Hyers‐Ulam‐Rassias stability of generalized derivations on unital Banach algebras into Banach bimodules is established.
Acanthamoeba Keratitis and Contact Lens Disinfecting Solutions
Authors: Tzanetou K. , Miltsakakis D. , Droutsas D. , Alimisi S. , Petropoulou D. , Ganteris G. , Dolapsaki E. , Markomichelakis N. , Mallias I. , Malamou-Lada E.
Published: June 2006

Objectives: To report cases of culture-proved Acanthamoeba keratitis in Greece over a 10-year period and to evaluate the effectiveness of the commonly used commercial contact lens disinfecting systems in clinical cases of Acanthamoeba keratitis. Material and Methods: During the years1994–2004, 45 contact lens wearers and 3 non-contact lens wearers presenting with symptoms and signs of keratitis underwent corneal sampling. The scrapings obtained were inoculated directly onto appropriate culture media for bacteria, fungi and Acanthamoeba. All proved positive for Acanthamoeba. The contact lenses and contact lens disinfecting solutions (16 one-step 3% hydrogen peroxide and 3 multipurpose solutions) of 19/45 patients with culture-proven Acanthamoeba keratitis were cultured for bacteria, fungi and Acanthamoeba.Results:Acanthamoeba was isolated from contact lenses and contact lens disinfecting solutions in all 19 cases of Acanthamoeba keratitis studied. Conclusions: The main risk factorfor corneal infection in contact lens wearers isthe use of contact lens disinfecting systems ineffective at killing Acanthamoeba cysts and trophozoites, as well as bacteria and fungi. Improvement or development of new contact lens disinfecting systems by manufacturers is needed to prevent Acanthamoeba keratitis
The Effects of Droperidol in Perforating Keratoplasty
Authors: Garzozi Hanna J. , Shehadeh-Masha’our Raneen , Somri Mostafa , Kagemann Larry , Harris Alon
Published: June 2006

Purpose: To evaluate the intraoperative and postoperative effects of droperidol administered with general anesthesia during perforating keratoplasty. Methods: A prospective, randomized, double-masked clinical trial. Twenty-seven patients undergoing penetrating keratoplasty under general anesthesia were included. Patients were assigned randomly to two groups. Fifteen subjects received droperidol during induction of general anesthesia. Twelve control patients received general anesthesia without droperidol. Results: Droperidol significantly reduced fellow eye intraocular pressure (p < 0.0001). Intraoperative anterior chamber depth was significantly deeper with droperidol (p = 0.0002). Iris bulging was observed in 25% of the control group and 0% with droperidol. There was significantly less postoperative nausea in the droperidol group (p = 0.038). There was less postoperative vomiting in the droperidol group, although the difference was not significant (p = 0.07). Postoperative wound gaping was observed in 2 patients; both of them did not receive droperidol. Conclusions: Droperidol effectively reduces intraoperative and postoperative complications in keratoplasty surgery.
Different Plasma Levels of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Nitric Oxide between Patients with Choroidal and Retinal Neovascularization
Authors: Tsai Der-Chong , Charng Min-Ji , Lee Fenq-Lih , Hsu Wen-Ming , Chen Shih-Jen
Published: June 2006

Because the blood flow is much more intense in the choroid than in the retina, it is interesting to explore whether choroidal neovascularization (CNV) is more influenced by plasma angiogenic factors than retinal neovascularization. The aim of this study was to investigate plasma profiles of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and nitric oxide (NO) in patients with CNV due to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and in those with retinal neovascularization due to proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). Seventy-seven subjects with AMD, 22 with PDR, and 42 nondiabetic, non-AMD controls were enrolled in this comparative case series. AMD subjects were classified into three groups: dry type (dry AMD, n = 17), wet type with active CNV (CNV/AMD, n = 42), and disciform scar due to advanced wet AMD (scar/AMD, n = 18). Plasma VEGF and NO levels of each subject were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and chemiluminescence, respectively. Plasma VEGF level in CNV/AMD (median 256.0 pg/ml, interquartile range 146.4–375.3 pg/ml) was significantly higher than in PDR (124.8 pg/ml, 75.7–215.3 pg/ml; p = 0.004) and controls (120.3 pg/ml, 82.8–168.2 pg/ml, p =0.001). CNV/AMD also had the highest VEGF level among the AMD subgroups. Plasma NO level was significantly elevated in PDR (137.4 µM, 63.7–240.1 µM) when compared with CNV/AMD (71.8 µM, 42.4–113.3 µM; p = 0.004) and controls (62.6 µM, 39.0–114.9 µM; p = 0.002). There was no significant difference in NO levels among the AMD subgroups. No significant correlation between VEGF and NO levels was noted. These findings indicate that both circulating VEGF and NO may play different roles in the pathogenesis of retinal neovascularization and CNV.
A Community-Based Epidemiologic Study of Gender Differences in the Relationship between Insulin Resistance/β-Cell Dysfunction and Diabetic Retinopathy among Type 2 Diabetic Patients in Kinmen, Taiwan
Authors: Liu Jorn-Hon , Tung Tao-Hsin , Tsai Shih-Tzer , Chou Pesus , Chuang Shao-Yuan , Chen Shih-Jen , Lee Fenq-Lih , Shih Hui-Chuan , Li Wen-Ling
Published: June 2006

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore whether there were gender differences in the relation of insulin resistance and β-cell dysfunction to diabetic retinopathy among type 2 diabetic patients. Methods: From 1999 to 2002, a screening regimen for diabetic retinopathy was performed by a panel of ophthalmologists using ophthalmoscopy and 45-degree color fundus photography to examine the fundus in a total of 971 type 2 diabetic patients examined between 1991 and 1993 in Kinmen, Taiwan. Seven hundred and twenty-five type 2 diabetic patients (301 males and 424 females) attended ophthalmological fundus checkup. Results: The response rate in males and females was 71.3 and 77.2%. The proportion of diabetic retinopathy at the first eye screening was 16.3% in males and 20.1% in females. From the multiple logistic regression, the type of diabetes (known cases vs. new cases) was a significant factor of diabetic retinopathy in both males (OR = 3.65, 95% CI: 1.59–8.37) and females (OR = 3.66, 95% CI: 2.01–6.70). Diabetic retinopathy was also strongly affected by the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA IR) and homeostasis model assessment of β-cell dysfunction (HOMA β-cell) (p < 0.0001 for trend test). In males, those who were in the 2nd quartile, 3rd quartile, and 4th quartile of HOMA IR had 4.87 times (95% CI: 1.18–20.11), 6.83 times (95% CI: 1.91–24.46), and 10.15 times (95% CI: 2.42–42.56) the risk for diabetic retinopathy as compared to those in the 1st quartile. There was a reduced risk for diabetic retinopathy in relation to HOMA β-cell for the 2nd quartile, 3rd quartile, and 4th quartile of 86% (95% CI: 37–97%), 95% (95% CI: 77–99%), and 96% (95% CI: 78–99%) as compared to that in the 1st quartile. Only the 4th quartile had a significant risk (OR = 2.62, 95% CI: 1.17–5.86) for diabetic retinopathy as compared to that in the 1st quartile in females. The reduced risk for diabetic retinopathy found in relation to HOMA β-cell for the 3rd and 4th quartiles were 66% (95% CI: 6–88%) and 66% (95% CI: 10–87%) as compared to that in the 1st quartile. Conclusions: Gender differences in the relationship between insulin resistance/β-cell dysfunction and diabetic retinopathy were demonstrated in type 2 diabetic patients.
Intersession Reproducibility of Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness Measurements by GDx-VCC in Healthy and Glaucomatous Eyes
Authors: Iacono Pierluigi , Da Pozzo Stefano , Fuser Mirko , Marchesan Roberta , Ravalico Giuseppe
Published: June 2006

Background: To assess intersession reproducibility of retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness measurements on scanning laser polarimetry with variable corneal compensation (GDx-VCC) in a sample of healthy subjects and glaucoma patients. Methods: One eye each from 29 healthy and 29 glaucomatous subjects was selected and underwent RNFL scanning by the same operator at baseline and 1 week later. Glaucoma diagnosis relied on the presence of a reproducible defect on automated perimetry. GDx-VCC parameters considered were those available on page 1 of the printout [TSNIT average and standard deviation (SD), superior and inferior average (SA, IA), Nerve Fiber Indicator]. Reproducibility was assessed by calculating coefficient of variation and intraclass correlation coefficient separately for the two groups and for each parameter. The percentage of eyes with an intersession difference in thickness parameters of more than 5% was also calculated. Results: Coefficient of variation was <6% for TSNIT average, SA and IA in both groups. Corresponding values for TSNIT SD in healthy subjects and in glaucoma patients were 13.7 and 11.4%, respectively, whereas for Nerve Fiber Indicator they were 82.9 and 13.3%. Intraclass correlation coefficient ranged from 0.794 to 0.907 in healthy subjects and from 0.924 to 0.972 in glaucoma patients. In healthy subjects, TSNIT average, SA and IA intersession difference was 5% or less in 55–69% of eyes, whereas the value for TSNIT SD was 34.5%. Corresponding values in glaucomatous eyes ranged from 69 to 79.3% for TSNIT average, SA and IA and was 37.9% for TSNIT SD. Conclusions: Intersession reproducibility of RNFL thickness measurements on GDx-VCC is high, both in healthy and in glaucomatous eyes. In a few cases, however, intersession variation may be larger than 10%. Caution is necessary while interpreting these changes during follow-up, in order to separate physiological variability from real RNFL thickness variations.