bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MOVING CAMERA MOVING OBJECT SEGMENTATION IN COMPRESSED VIDEO SEQUENCES
Authors: WANG J. , PATEL N. V. , GROSKY W. I. , FOTOUHI F.
Published: October 2009

In this paper, we address the problem of camera and object motion detection in the compressed domain. The estimation of camera motion and the moving object segmentation have been widely stated in a variety of context for video analysis, due to their capabilities of providing essential clues for interpreting the high-level semantics of video sequences. A novel compressed domain motion estimation and segmentation scheme is presented and applied in this paper. MPEG-2 compressed domain information, namely Motion Vectors (MV) and Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT) coefficients, is filtered and manipulated to obtain a dense and reliable Motion Vector Field (MVF) over consecutive frames. An iterative segmentation scheme based upon the generalized affine transformation model is exploited to effect the global camera motion detection. The foreground spatiotemporal objects are separated from the background using the temporal consistency check to the output of the iterative segmentation. This consistency check process can coalesce the resulting foreground blocks and weed out unqualified blocks. Illustrative examples are provided to demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed approach.
Pd–H AS AN ACTUATOR MATERIAL
Authors: SCHOOFS FRANK , STAPPERS LINDA , VAN HUMBEECK JAN , FRANSAER JAN
Published: October 2009

The volume expansion of palladium by electrochemical hydrogen absorption and desorption is used as an actuating mechanism. Palladium films are obtained by electrodeposition from aqueous solution. Actuation based on potentiostatic and galvanostatic signals is investigated in acid and alkaline solutions. Performance characteristics of the actuator are determined. The reversibility of the actuator is hindered by the embrittlement of the Pd layer. The response time strongly depends on the layer thickness (increases for thicker films) and potential (decrease for more cathodic values). The maximum theoretical energy density of the Pd–H actuator is about 5000 kJ/m3. In this work, it is experimentally determined to be around 100–200 kJ/m3.
PLASTICIZED PVA/PVP–KOH ALKALINE SOLID POLYMER BLEND ELECTROLYTE FOR ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
Authors: HATTA F. F. , KUDIN T. I. T. , SUBBAN R. H. Y. , ALI A. M. M. , HARUN M. K. , YAHYA M. Z. A.
Published: October 2009

Solid polymer electrolytes comprising a blend of poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and poly (vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) with different concentration of potassium hydroxide (KOH) as ionic dopant were prepared using a solution–casting technique. The conductivity was enhanced to (1.5 ± 1.1) × 10-4 S cm -1 when 40 wt.% KOH was added. The highest conductivity exhibited when 20 wt.% ethylene carbonate (EC) and 30 wt.% propylene carbonate (PC) was added into the PVA/PVP–KOH sample electrolytes. Conductivity–temperature dependence of the plasticized samples was established to obey an Arrhenian relationship with the activation energy of the order of 0.08–0.4 eV, depending on the plasticizer concentration. Electrochemical cells of Zn|PVA/PVP–KOH + EC|MnO2 and Zn|PVA/PVP–KOH + PC|MnO2 have been fabricated. The discharge characteristics of the cells are considered under a constant current of 1 mA. The open circuit voltage (OCV) and discharge capacity of the cells are measured.
NANOPOROUS NiO BASED ELECTROCHROMIC WINDOW
Authors: PURUSHOTHAMAN K. K. , MURALIDHARAN G.
Published: October 2009

Nickel oxide films were coated onto FTO substrate at optimum conditions. The coated NiO films exhibited nanopore structure. The cyclic stability of the NiO films was studied using cyclic voltammetry. An electrochromic device has been built with the structure G/FTO/NiO/PMMA–PC–H+/WO3/FTO/G . The device exhibits a change in optical transmission of 47.7% (colored 19.7% and bleached 67.4%) and optical density of 0.54 at 550 nm. The response time for coloration/bleaching of the device is 22.8 s/11.4 s. The device goes from transparent orange in the bleached state to gray color in the colored state.
β-Adrenergic modulation of arrhythmogenesis and identification of targeted sites of antiarrhythmic therapy in Timothy (LQT8) syndrome: a theoretical study
Authors: Sung Ruey J. , Wu Yung-Han , Lai Nathan Hsing-Jung , Teng Chun-Hao , Luo Ching-Hsing , Tien Hui-Chun , Lo Chu-Pin , Wu Sheng-Nan
Published: October 2009

Timothy syndrome (TS) is a malignant form of congenital long QT syndrome with a mode of arrhythmia onset often triggered by enhanced sympathetic tone. We sought to explore mechanisms by which β-adrenergic stimulation (BAS) modulates arrhythmogenesis and to identify potential targeted sites of antiarrhythmic therapy in TS. Using a dynamic Luo-Rudy ventricular myocyte model incorporated with detailed intracellular Ca2+ cycling, along with its one-dimensional multicellular strand, we simulated various clinical scenarios of TS, with stepwise increase in the percentage of G406R Cav1.2 channels from 0 to 11.5 and 23%, and to 38.5 and 77%, respectively, for heterozygous and homozygous states of TS1 and TS2. Progressive prolongation of action potential duration (APD) and QT interval, accompanied by amplification of transmural dispersion of repolarization, steepening of APD restitution, induction of delayed afterdepolariztions (DADs), and both DAD and phase 3 early afterdepolariztion-mediated triggered activities, correlated well with the extent of G406R Cav1.2 channel mutation. BAS amplified transmural dispersion of repolarization, steepened APD restitution, and facilitated inducibility of DAD-mediated triggered activity. Systematic analysis of intracellular Ca2+ cycling revealed that sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase (uptake current) played an essential role in BAS-induced facilitation of DAD-mediated triggered activity and, in addition to L-type calcium current, it could be an effective site of antiarrhythmic therapy under the influence of BAS. Thus G406R Cav1.2 channel mutation confers not only a trigger, but also a substrate for lethal ventricular arrhythmias, which can be exaggerated by BAS. It is suggested that, besides β-adrenergic blockers and L-type calcium current channel blockers, an agent aimed at reduction of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase uptake current may provide additional antiarrhythmic effect in patients with TS.
Improving insulin sensitivity via activation of PPAR-γ increases telomerase activity in the heart of OLETF rats
Authors: Makino Naoki , Maeda Toyoki , Oyama Jun-ichi , Higuchi Yosihiro , Mimori Koji
Published: October 2009

This study was conducted to examine telomere biology in terms of improving insulin sensitivity in a type 2 diabetic animal model: Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima fatty (OLETF) rats. To improve insulin sensitivity, pioglitazone (PG; 10 mg·kg−1·day−1) was administrated to OLETF rats from 20 to 40 wk of age, and the effects of treatment were compared with those in untreated OLETF or control Long-Evans Tokushima Otsuka fatty rats. At the end of the study, the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance significantly increased in OLETF rats but decreased in OLETF rats treated with PG. No shortening of telomere length was observed in the heart tissue of OLETF rats, whereas telomerase activity was decreased in OLETF heart tissue. The mRNA expression of both telomerase reverse transcriptase and telomere repeat binding factor 2 was downregulated in the hearts of OLETF rats. The protein expression of phospho-Akt, insulin-like growth factor, and endothelial nitric oxide synthase was reduced in OLETF rats. On the other hand, myocardial matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression was elevated in OLETF rats. The changes observed in OLETF rats were inhibited by PG treatment. However, protein and mRNA expression of Sirt1, a lifespan modulator, were attenuated in OLETF rat hearts, although they were enhanced in OLETF rats with PG treatement. Myocardial fibrosis was less extensive and diastolic dysfunction more greatly ameliorated in PG-treated OLETF rats than in OLETF rats. These findings suggest that improving insulin sensitivity via the activation of peroxisom proliferator-activated receptor-γ may exert regulatory effects on cardiac telomere biology and may have desirable morphological and functional effects on the diabetic heart.
Mechanisms of aortic valve calcification: the LDL-density-radius theory: a translation from cell signaling to physiology
Authors: Rajamannan Nalini M.
Published: October 2009

Recent epidemiologic studies have revealed the risk factors associated for vascular atherosclerosis, including the male sex, smoking, hypertension, and elevated serum cholesterol, similar to the risk factors associated with the development of AV stenosis. An increasing number of models of experimental hypercholesterolemia demonstrate features of atherosclerosis in the AV, which are similar to the early stages of vascular atherosclerotic lesions. Experimental and clinical studies demonstrate that the hypercholesterolemic AV develops an atherosclerotic lesion which is proliferative and expresses high levels of osteoblast bone markers which mineralize over time to form bone. Calcification, the end-stage process of the disease, is necessary to understand as a prognostic indicator in the modification of this cellular process before it is too late. In summary, these findings suggest that medical therapies may have a potential role in patients in the early stages of this disease process to slow the progression to severe aortic stenosis and to delay the timing of the need for surgery. The translation of these experimental studies to clinical practice will be important to understand the potential for medical therapy for this disease process.
Prolonged mechanical ventilation with air induces apoptosis and causes failure of alveolar septation and angiogenesis in lungs of newborn mice
Authors: Mokres Lucia M. , Parai Kakoli , Hilgendorff Anne , Ertsey Robert , Alvira Cristina M. , Rabinovitch Marlene , Bland Richard D.
Published: October 2009

Defective lung septation and angiogenesis, quintessential features of neonatal chronic lung disease (CLD), typically result from lengthy exposure of developing lungs to mechanical ventilation (MV) and hyperoxia. Previous studies showed fewer alveoli and microvessels, with reduced VEGF and increased transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) signaling, and excess, scattered elastin in lungs of premature infants and lambs with CLD vs. normal controls. MV of newborn mice with 40% O2for 24 h yielded similar lung structural abnormalities linked to impaired VEGF signaling, dysregulated elastin production, and increased apoptosis. These studies could not determine the relative importance of cyclic stretch vs. hyperoxia in causing these lung growth abnormalities. We therefore studied the impact of MV for 24 h with air on alveolar septation (quantitative lung histology), angiogenesis [CD31 quantitative-immunohistochemistry (IHC), immunoblots], apoptosis [TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL), active caspase-3 assays], VEGF signaling [VEGF-A, VEGF receptor 1 (VEGF-R1), VEGF-R2 immunoblots], TGFβ activation [phosphorylated Smad2 (pSmad2) quantitative-IHC], and elastin production (tropoelastin immunoblots, quantitative image analysis of Hart's stained sections) in lungs of 6-day-old mice. Compared with unventilated controls, MV caused a 3-fold increase in alveolar area, ∼50% reduction in alveolar number and endothelial surface area, >5-fold increase in apoptosis, >50% decrease in lung VEGF-R2 protein, 4-fold increase of pSmad2 protein, and >50% increase in lung elastin, which was distributed throughout alveolar walls rather than at septal tips. This study is the first to show that prolonged MV of developing lungs, without associated hyperoxia, can inhibit alveolar septation and angiogenesis and increase apoptosis and lung elastin, findings that could reflect stretch-induced changes in VEGF and TGFβ signaling, as reported in CLD.
The Kerr Nonlinearity in an N-Type Four-Level System via Spontaneously Generated Coherence
Authors: Du Yingjie , Jin Kang , Zhang Junxiang
Published: October 2009

The Kerr nonlinearity is investigated in an N-type four-level atomic system whose both supper levels are degenerated or nearly degenerate. It is found that the spontaneously generated coherence as a result of the degenerate levels can change the Kerr nonlinearity dramatically depending on the angle between two spontaneous channels. In addition, we discover that the probe field makes its own contribution to the nonlinearity in comparison to indifference in general three-level systems.
Circumcision with the Plastibell Device in Hooded Prepuce or Glanular Hypospadias
Authors: Mousavi Seyed A. , Mohammadjafari Hamid
Published: October 2009

Purpose. To retrospectively review our experience in infants with glanular hypospadias or hooded prepuce without meatal anomaly, who underwent circumcision with the plastibell device. Although circumcision with the plastibell device is well described, there are no reported experiences pertaining to hooded prepuce or glanular hypospadias that have been operated on by this technique.Materials and Methods. Between September 2002 and September 2008, 21 children with hooded prepuce (age 1 to 11 months, mean 4.6 months) were referred for hypospadias repair. Four of them did not have meatal anomaly. Their parents accepted this small anomaly and requested circumcision without glanuloplasty. In all cases, the circumcision was corrected by a plastibell device.Results. No complications occurred in the circumcised patients, except delayed falling of bell in one case that was removed by a surgeon, after the tenth day.Conclusion. Circumcision with the plastibell device is a suitable method for excision of hooded prepuce. It can also be used successfully in infants, who have miniglanular hypospadias, and whose parents accepted this small anomaly.
Evaluation of Hexane Extract of Tuber of Root ofCyperus rotundusLinn (Cyperaceae) for Repellency against Mosquito Vectors
Authors: Singh S. P. , Raghavendra K. , Dash A. P.
Published: October 2009

Hexane extract of tuber of plantCyperus rotundus(Cyperaceae) was screened under laboratory conditions for repellent activity against mosquito vectorAnopheles culicifaciesGiles species A (Diptera: Culicidae),Anopheles stephensiListon (Diptera: Culicidae), andCulex quinquefasciatusSay (Diptera: Culicidae). TheCyperus rotundustuber extract was used to determine their effect on mosquito vector, and comparison with the DEET (NN Diethyl 1-3 methyl Benzamide, formerly known as diethyl 1-m-toluamide). The tuber extracts showed more effective at all the dose. Result obtained from the laboratory experiment showed that the tuber extracts are more effective for repellency of allthe mosquito vector even at low dose. Clear dose response relationships were established with the highest dose of 10% tuber extract evoking 100% repellency. Percent protection obtained againstAn. culicifaciesGiles species A 100% repellency in 4 hours, 6 hours,An. stephensi100% repellency in 6 hours andCx. quinquefasciatuswas 100% repellency in 6 hours at the 10% concentration. Against DEET- 2.5%An. culicifaciesA 100% repellency in 1 hour, 2 hours, 6 hours, An.stephensihave shown 100% repellency in 6 hours, andCulex quinquefasciatushave shown 100% repellency in 1 hour, 2 hours, 6 hours. The consolidated data of the repellency observed in different species is given and it is evident that the over all repellency rates varied between 80 and 100% for different repellents concentrations (2.5%, 5%, and 10%). The extract can be applied as an effective personal protective measure against mosquito bites.
Cytokines and Cytokine Profiles in Human Autoimmune Diseases and Animal Models of Autoimmunity
Authors: Kunz Manfred , Ibrahim Saleh M.
Published: October 2009

The precise pathomechanisms of human autoimmune diseases are still poorly understood. However, a deepened understanding of these is urgently needed to improve disease prevention and early detection and guide more specific treatment approaches. In recent years, many new genes and signalling pathways involved in autoimmunity with often overlapping patterns between different disease entities have been detected. Major contributions were made by experiments using DNA microarray technology, which has been used for the analysis of gene expression patterns in chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, among which were rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, psoriasis, systemic sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, and type-1 diabetes. In systemic lupus erythematosus, a so-called interferon signature has been identified. In psoriasis, researchers found a particular immune signalling cluster. Moreover the identification of a new subset of inflammatory T cells, so-called Th17 T cells, secreting interleukin (IL)-17 as one of their major cytokines and the identification of the IL-23/IL-17 axis of inflammation regulation, have significantly improved our understanding of autoimmune diseases. Since a plethora of new treatment approaches using antibodies or small molecule inhibitors specifically targeting cytokines, cellular receptors, or signalling mechanisms has emerged in recent years, more individualized treatment for affected patients may be within reach in the future.
Transient Environmental Sensitivities of Explicitly Simulated Tropical Convection
Authors: Tulich Stefan N. , Mapes Brian E.
Published: October 2009

A three-dimensional cloud-resolving model, maintained in a statistically steady convecting state by tropics-like forcing, is subjected to sudden (10 min) stimuli consisting of horizontally homogeneous temperature and/or moisture sources with various profiles. Ensembles of simulations are used to increase the statistical robustness of the results and to assess the deterministic nature of the model response for domain sizes near contemporary global model resolution. The response to middle- and upper-tropospheric perturbations is predominantly local in the vertical: convection damps the imposed stimulus over a few hours. Low-level perturbations are similarly damped, but also produce a vertically nonlocal response: enhancement or suppression of new deep convective clouds extending above the perturbed level. Experiments show that the “effective inhibition layer” for deep convection is about 4 km deep, far deeper than traditional convective inhibition defined for undilute lifted parcels. Both the local and nonlocal responses are remarkably linear but can be highly stochastic, especially if deep convection is only intermittently present (small domains, weak forcing). Quantitatively, temperature-versus-moisture perturbations in a ratio corresponding to adiabatic vertical displacements produce responses of roughly equal magnitude. However, moisture perturbations seem to provoke the nonlocal (upward spreading) type of response more effectively. This nonlocal part of the response is also more effective when background forcing intensity is weak. Only at very high intensity does the response approach the limits of purely local damping and pure determinism that would be most convenient for theory and parameterization.
A Conductivity Sensor for Nearbed Sediment Concentration Profiling
Authors: Puleo Jack A. , Faries Joe , Davidson Michael , Hicks Betsy
Published: October 2009

A new sensor that measures the vertical profile of nearbed sediment concentration is described. The conductivity-based sensor is composed of eight electrode pairs separated in the vertical by 2.5 × 10−3 m. Electrode pairs are sampled at 16 Hz, with higher rates achievable. Each electrode pair response is linear over the range of conductivity tested from 0.2 to 0.65 mS cm−1 that exceeds the range of conductivity values corresponding to sediment–water mixtures from clear water to the packed bed limit of 0.65 m3 m−3. A laboratory test over a planar sloping beach indicates the capability of the sensor to simultaneously quantify sediment concentration profiles from roughly 0.01 m below to 0.1 m above the at-rest bed. The data indicate that the upper few millimeters of the bed are highly mobile and that bed dilation and sediment mobility vary considerably over a swash cycle.
‘Babylon the Great Mother of Whores’ (Rev 17:5): A Postcolonial Feminist Perspective
Authors: Nelavala Surekha
Published: October 2009

This article attempts to read the image of Babylon the Whore in Revelation 17—18 from a postcolonial feminist point of view, assuming that Revelation is written in the context of Roman imperialism with a patriarchal mindset. Thus, the article will focus on the antithesis of whore and bride in Revelation, and question the binary approach of the author. From a postcolonial point of view, the image of the whore is read intertextually from a context in which women are scripturally interpreted and treated as promiscuous beings, prone to whoring.
The Impact of Caregiving on the Health and Well-being of Kenyan Luo Grandparents
Authors: Ice Gillian H. , Yogo Jaja , Heh Victor , Juma Elizabeth
Published: October 2009

As the HIV/AIDS pandemic progresses in Africa, elders are increasingly responsible for the care of orphans. Several reports suggest that elderly Africans do not have the resources to provide care and are at risk of poor health, but few studies have systematically measured health of caregivers. The Kenyan Grandparents Study is a longitudinal study designed to compare elder Luo caregivers to noncaregiving peers. Several measures of health were collected, including body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, glucose, and hemoglobin. In addition, self-perceived health and mental health were measured using the MOS Short-Form 36 (SF-36). It was hypothesized that caregivers would have poorer health than noncaregivers and that the difference in health would widen over the three waves of the study. Caregiving did not affect physical health but did act to decrease mental health and perceived health over time.
The Absence of Cooperation Is Not Necessarily Defection: Structural and Motivational Constraints of Knowledge Transfer in a Social Dilemma Situation
Authors: Wilkesmann Uwe , Wilkesmann Maximiliane , Virgillito Alfredo
Published: October 2009

There is a wealth of literature about knowledge transfer in general, but only a small amount deals with cultural and motivational factors of knowledge transfer. The main question of this article is: How can knowledge transfer be supported? First, we present a theoretical underpinning of knowledge transfer as a social dilemma situation. Second, we analyze how a situation of social dilemma can be overcome by means of structural and motivational solutions. Third, we provide empirical evidence from our survey in hospitals. These findings support three of our five hypotheses: direct channels for interaction, organizational culture, and intrinsic motivation are relevant requirements for knowledge transfer. Team size is not a significant factor for transferring knowledge in hospitals. Furthermore, our empirical findings differentiate between providing and obtaining knowledge. The last finding leads back to a modification of the theoretical framework.
Effectiveness of an integrated phonological awareness approach for children with childhood apraxia of speech (CAS)
Authors: McNeill Brigid C. , Gillon Gail T. , Dodd Barbara
Published: October 2009

This study investigated the effectiveness of an integrated phonological awareness approach for children with childhood apraxia of speech (CAS). Change in speech, phonological awareness, letter knowledge, word decoding, and spelling skills were examined. A controlled multiple single-subject design was employed. Twelve children aged 4—7 years with CAS participated in two 6-week intervention blocks (2 sessions per week), separated by a 6-week withdrawal block. Nine children with CAS made significant gains in their production of target speech sounds and these demonstrated transfer of skills to connected speech for at least one speech target. Eight children showed significant gains in at least one target phoneme awareness skill, and these children demonstrated transfer of skills to novel phoneme awareness tasks. As a group the children with CAS demonstrated improvement in phonological awareness, letter knowledge, word decoding, and spelling ability. An integrated phonological awareness programme was an effective method of simultaneously improving speech, phoneme awareness, word decoding, and spelling ability for some children with CAS.
‘Excusing the inexcusable’: justifying injustice in Nelson’s Sorry speech
Authors: Hastie Brianne
Published: October 2009

Political discourses reflect and shape public constructions of past and present events, and social ‘problems’. This article examines how Australia’s Opposition Leader, Brendan Nelson, worked to undermine the attempted reconstruction of the past by the Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, through a political apology designed to recognize injustice and reframe the ‘problem’ of Indigenous Australians. This is achieved through two strategies: (1) mitigating blame of those involved in removal of children; and (2) ascribing blame for the current circumstances of some Indigenous peoples to recent events. A number of discursive strategies are drawn upon to accomplish this, allowing Nelson to be seen to apologize, while at the same time justifying the injustices experienced by Indigenous peoples in the past and the present. This research adds to our knowledge of the ways in which resistance to redefinitions of the past are accomplished, by denying Indigenous peoples’ sovereignty and excluding explanations for current disadvantage grounded in the ongoing colonial project.
Work disability in systemic lupus erythematosus is prevalent and associated with socio-demographic and disease related factors
Authors: Baker K. , Pope J. , Fortin P. , Silverman E. , Peschken C. ,   1000 Faces of Lupus Investigators and CaNIOS (Canadian Network for Improved Outcomes in SLE)
Published: October 2009

Our objectives were to examine the prevalence of work disability (WD) and factors associated with job loss in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in a large, multi-centered Canadian sample to determine the current prevalence of WD and identify the contribution of disease activity, damage, and co-morbidities with respect to WD in this cohort. Cross-sectional data on WD status from the 1000 Canadian Faces of Lupus database (a multi-center multi-ethnic cohort of SLE patients) along with clinical measures (number of ACR criteria ever, SLICC Damage Index, SLAM, SLEDAI, SF-36 and Charlson Co-morbidity Index scores), demographic features (age, sex, high school education, household income, marital status, disease duration, employment status) and co-morbidities (including self-reported fibromyalgia, arthralgias, depression and fatigue) were used in bivariate and logistic regression analyses. The 1137 SLE patients had a mean age of 50 years (SE 0.75) and mean disease duration was 18 years (SE 0.70); 19.09% were work disabled and 49.78% were employed. Those with WD were more likely than non-WD SLE patients to have: a higher number of ACR criteria for SLE; not completed high school; older age; single marital status; a lower household income; longer disease duration; higher SLICC Damage Index and SLAM scores; lower SF-36 PCS and SF-36 MCS scores; less vigorous activity per week; and fibromyalgia, arthralgias, fatigue and depression (p < 0.05). This contemporary rate of WD is lower than many past reports. Socio-demographic factors, co-morbidities (fibromyalgia and fatigue) and disease related factors were strongly associated with WD. We cannot determine cause and effect as the study was cross-sectional. Lupus (2009) 18, 1281—1288.
Large Emergency-Response Exercises: Qualitative Characteristics - A Survey
Authors: Lee Yang-Im , Trim Peter , Upton Julia , Upton David
Published: October 2009

Exercises, drills, or simulations are widely used, by governments, agencies and commercial organizations, to simulate serious incidents and train staff how to respond to them. International cooperation has led to increasingly large-scale exercises, often involving hundreds or even thousands of participants in many locations. The difference between ‘large’ and ‘small’ exercises is more than one of size: (a) Large exercises are more ‘experiential’ and more likely to undermine any model of reality that single organizations may create; (b) they create a ‘play space’ in which organizations and individuals act out their own needs and identifications, and a ritual with strong social implications; (c) group-analytic psychotherapy suggests that the emotions aroused in a large group may be stronger and more difficult to control. Feelings are an unacknowledged major factor in the success or failure of exercises; (d) successful large exercises help improve the nature of trust between individuals and the organizations they represent, changing it from a situational trust to a personal trust; (e) it is more difficult to learn from large exercises or to apply the lessons identified; (f) however, large exercises can help develop organizations and individuals. Exercises (and simulation in general) need to be approached from a broader multidisciplinary direction if their full potential is to be realized.
The Hysteresis Effect as Creative Adaptation of the Habitus: Dissent and Transition to the ‘Corporate’ in Post-Soviet Ukraine
Authors: Kerr Ron , Robinson Sarah
Published: October 2009

How might Bourdieu’s concept of the hysteresis effect be operationalized in order to understand dissent from, and compliance with, domination in a specific period of social and organizational transition? We employ the Bourdieusian concepts, in particular ‘forms of capital’, ‘hysteresis effect’ and ‘habitus’ to examine the production and reproduction of domination within a British international organization (the ‘Corporation’) operating in transitional post-Soviet Ukraine. Our argument is that the communist-era dissident habitus was better adapted to the changed socio-economic circumstances of postcommunism and was able to creatively adapt to the Corporation through identifying homological processes of domination and adopting homological dissident strategies. The hysteresis effect might therefore provide an explanation of how workers make sense of their new environment based on their habitus, on their capacity to decipher homologies between the previous context and the new one, and on how the dominated that dissent reuse or adapt their strategies in and to this new context. This article makes contributions to the study of domination in organizational contexts at three levels. At the theoretical level, through organizational-based empirical work we build on and develop Bourdieu’s concept of the hysteresis effect by demonstrating the role of the hysteresis effect in the creative reproduction of dissent as a habitus. Our substantive contribution adds a new perspective to the literature on ‘transition’, providing a fine-grained study of how domination was produced within the Western organization in post-Soviet Ukraine.
Segmentation of the senior travel market by the means of travel motivations
Authors: Boksberger Philipp E. , Laesser Christian
Published: October 2009

The article reports on the segmentation of Swiss senior travellers on the basis of their travel motivation. Switzerland is considered a mature market which is why this country serves as a role model for future travel behaviour. In contrast to previous studies, which identified up to six clusters, the results reveal that in the case analysed there are three clusters. Two of them partially represent a life cycle concept: TIME HONOURED BON VIVANTS (phase 1; towards the end of a professional life), and GRIZZLED EXPLORERS (phase 2; from the start of a retired life). These two segments are complemented by RETRO TRAVELLERS, which incorporate many characteristics of the previous two but differentiate themselves in terms of education as well as professional positions.
The Influence of Family—Work Role Experience and Mastery on Psychological Health of Chinese Employed Mothers
Authors: Tang Catherine So-Kum
Published: October 2009

Four-hundred-and-thirty-five Chinese married nurses with children were surveyed on their family—work role experience, sense of mastery, and psychological distress. Hierarchical regression analyses showed spillover effects of role experience on psychological health as well as asymmetrical permeability of family and work boundaries. The hypothesis that mastery acted as a moderator between role experience and psychological health was supported. In general, a higher level of mastery augmented positive but mitigated negative influence of role experience on psychological functioning. Findings provide useful information to practitioners and policy makers on issues related to family—work stress and women’s health in contemporary Chinese society.
Illness Acceptance, Hospitalization Stress and Subjective Health in a Sample of Chronic Patients Admitted to Hospital
Authors: Karademas Evangelos C. , Tsagaraki Aggeliki , Lambrou Nikoleta
Published: October 2009

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of illness acceptance on the subjective health of hospitalized chronic medical patients. Participants were 128 patients with a previous diagnosis of chronic coronary artery disease, cancer, or chronic renal disease, who were admitted to a public hospital. Illness acceptance was associated with higher levels of subjective health. It was negatively related to psychological symptoms and positively to self-rated health, even after controlling for demographic variables, type of disease, years since diagnosis, health-related quality of life and hospitalization stress. Furthermore, acceptance mediated the effects of hospitalization stress on subjective health measures.
Strength of Exercise Identity and Identity-Exercise Consistency
Authors: Strachan Shaelyn M. , Brawley Lawrence R. , Spink Kevin S. , Jung Mary E.
Published: October 2009

This study examined Identity Theory hypotheses about identity—behaviour consistency. Exercise-identity strength and judgments about consistency were hypothesized to relate to perceptions of percent consistency and frequency of vigorous exercise. Identity strength and percent consistency were hypothesized to interact in their relationship with affective reactions to extent of consistency. Measures of exercise-identity strength, perceived consistency, exercise frequency, self-regulatory efficacy and consistency-related affect were completed by 528 exercisers. Exercise-identity strength and consistency judgments related to percent consistency and exercise frequency. Exercise-identity strength and percent consistency interacted in their relationship with consistency-related affect and also were related to self- regulatory efficacy.
From Discourse to Discord: Quality and Dramedy at the End of the Classic Network System
Authors: Sewell Philip W.
Published: October 2009

This article examines the struggle for cultural authority that occurred in critical and industrial discourse surrounding the so-called “dramedies” that premiered on network television in 1987, The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd (NBC, 1987—88, Lifetime, 1989—91), Frank’s Place (CBS, 1987—88), The Slap Maxwell Story (ABC, 1987—88), and Hooperman (ABC, 1987—89). It situates that dispute in the broader trends of the changing practices and understandings of “quality television” and the erosion of network power.The article builds on the existing scholarship on early eighties quality with a consideration of later challenges to this critical-industrial construct and specific attention to the imperatives and tactics that shaped various parties’ attempts to achieve discursive dominance. A close examination of the attempted linkage of dramedy to established markers of quality demonstrates both the contingency of the seemingly stable discourse of quality television and its reflexive resistance to change.
Molecular and functional analysis of the stem cell compartment of chronic myelogenous leukemia reveals the presence of a CD34− cell population with intrinsic resistance to imatinib
Authors: Lemoli Roberto M. , Salvestrini Valentina , Bianchi Elisa , Bertolini Francesco , Fogli Miriam , Amabile Marilina , Tafuri Agostino , Salati Simona , Zini Roberta , Testoni Nicoletta , Rabascio Cristina , Rossi Lara , Martin-Padura Ines , Castagnetti Fausto , Marighetti Paola , Martinelli Giovanni , Baccarani Michele , Ferrari Sergio , Manfredini Rossella
Published: October 2009

We show the molecular and functional characterization of a novel population of lineage-negative CD34-negative (Lin−CD34−) hematopoietic stem cells from chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) patients at diagnosis. Molecular karyotyping and quantitative analysis of BCR-ABL transcript demonstrated that approximately one-third of CD34− cells are leukemic. CML Lin−CD34− cells showed kinetic quiescence and limited clonogenic capacity. However, stroma-dependent cultures induced CD34 expression on some cells and cell cycling, and increased clonogenic activity and expression of BCR-ABL transcript. Lin−CD34− cells showed hematopoietic cell engraftment rate in 2 immunodeficient mouse strains similar to Lin-CD34+ cells, whereas endothelial cell engraftment was significantly higher. Gene expression profiling revealed the down-regulation of cell-cycle arrest genes and genes involved in antigen presentation and processing, while the expression of genes related to tumor progression, such as angiogenic factors, was strongly up-regulated compared with normal counterparts. Phenotypic analysis confirmed the significant down-regulation of HLA class I and II molecules in CML Lin−CD34− cells. Imatinib mesylate did not reduce fusion transcript levels, BCR-ABL kinase activity, and clonogenic efficiency of CML Lin−CD34− cells in vitro. Moreover, leukemic CD34− cells survived exposure to BCR-ABL inhibitors in vivo. Thus, we identified a novel CD34− leukemic stem cell subset in CML with peculiar molecular and functional characteristics.
Anticoagulant and antithrombotic properties of platelet protease nexin-1
Authors: Boulaftali Yacine , Adam Frédéric , Venisse Laurence , Ollivier Véronique , Richard Benjamin , Taieb Sabrina , Monard Denis , Favier Rémi , Alessi Marie-Christine , Bryckaert Marijke , Arocas Véronique , Jandrot-Perrus Martine , Bouton Marie-Christine
Published: October 2009

Protease nexin–1 (PN-1) is a serpin that inhibits plasminogen activators, plasmin, and thrombin. PN-1 is barely detectable in plasma but is expressed by platelets. Here, we studied platelet PN-1 in resting and activated conditions and its function in thrombosis. Studies on human platelets from healthy donors and from patients with a Gray platelet syndrome demonstrate that PN-1 is present both at the platelet surface and in α-granules. The role of PN-1 was investigated in vitro using human platelets incubated with a blocking antibody and using platelets from PN-1–deficient mice. Both approaches indicate that platelet PN-1 is active on thrombin and urokinase-type plasminogen activator. Blockade and deficiency of platelet PN-1 result in accelerated and increased tissue factor-induced thrombin generation as indicated by calibrated automated thrombography. Moreover, platelets from PN-1–deficient mice respond to subthreshold doses of thrombin, as assessed by P-selectin expression and platelet aggregation. Thrombus formation, induced ex vivo by collagen in blood flow conditions and in vivo by FeCl3-induced injury, is significantly increased in PN-1–deficient mice, demonstrating the antithrombotic properties of platelet PN-1. Platelet PN-1 is thus a key player in the thrombotic process, whose negative regulatory role has been, up to now, markedly underestimated.
An insight into the role of phosphotransacetylase (pta) and the acetate/acetyl-CoA node in Escherichia coli
Authors: Castaño-Cerezo Sara , Pastor José M , Renilla Sergio , Bernal Vicente , Iborra José L , Cánovas Manuel
Published: October 2009

Background

Acetate metabolism in Escherichia coli plays an important role in the control of the central metabolism and in bioprocess performance. The main problems related to the use of E. coli as cellular factory are i) the deficient utilization of carbon source due to the excretion of acetate during aerobic growth, ii) the inhibition of cellular growth and protein production by acetate and iii) the need for cofactor recycling (namely redox coenzymes and free CoASH) to sustain balanced growth and cellular homeostasis.

Results

This work analyzes the effect of mutations in the acetate excretion/assimilation pathways, acetyl-CoA synthethase (acs) and phosphotransacetylase (pta), in E. coli BW25113 grown on glucose or acetate minimal media. Biomass and metabolite production, redox (NADH/NAD+) and energy (ATP) state, enzyme activities and gene expression profiles related to the central metabolism were analyzed. The knock-out of pta led to a more altered phenotype than that of acs. Deletion of pta reduced the ability to grow on acetate as carbon source and strongly affected the expression of several genes related to central metabolic pathways.

Conclusion

Results showed that pta limits biomass yield in aerobic glucose cultures, due to acetate production (overflow metabolism) and its inefficient use during glucose starvation. Deletion of pta severely impaired growth on acetate minimal medium and under anaerobiosis due to decreased acetyl-coenzyme A synthethase, glyoxylate shunt and gluconeogenic activities, leading to lower growth rate. When acetate is used as carbon source, the joint expression of pta and acs is crucial for growth and substrate assimilation, while pta deletion severely impaired anaerobic growth. Finally, at an adaptive level, pta deficiency makes the strain more sensitive to environmental changes and de-regulates the central metabolism.
Co-transfection of plasmid DNA and laser-generated gold nanoparticles does not disturb the bioactivity of GFP-HMGB1 fusion protein
Authors: Petersen Svea , Soller Jan T , Wagner Siegfried , Richter Andreas , Bullerdiek Jörn , Nolte Ingo , Barcikowski Stephan , Escobar Hugo Murua
Published: October 2009

Ultrashort pulsed laser ablation in liquids represents a powerful tool for the generation of pure gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) avoiding chemical precursors and thereby making them especially interesting for biomedical applications. However, because of their electron accepting properties, laser-generated AuNPs might affect biochemical properties of biomolecules, which often adsorb onto the nanoparticles. We investigated possible effects of such laser-generated AuNPs on biological functionality of DNA molecules. We tested four differently sized and positively charged AuNPs by incubating them with recombinant eGFP-C1-HMGB1 DNA expression plasmids that code for eGFP fusion proteins and contain the canine architectural transcription factor HMGB1. We were able to show that successfully transfected mammalian cells are still able to synthesize and process the fusion proteins. Our observations revealed that incubation of AuNP with the plasmid DNA encoding the recombinant canine HMGB1 neither prevented the mediated uptake of the vector through the plasma membrane in presence of a transfection reagent nor had any effect on the transport of the synthesized fusion proteins to the nuclei. Biological activity of the recombinant GFP-HMGB1 fusion protein appears to have not been affected either, as a strong characteristic protein accumulation in the nucleus could be observed. We also discovered that transfection efficiencies depend on the size of AuNP. In conclusion, our data indicate that laser-generated AuNPs present a good alternative to chemically synthesized nanoparticles for use in biomedical applications.
The transplant iron score as a predictor of stem cell transplant survival
Authors: Storey Jonathan A , Connor Rebecca F , Lewis Zachary T , Hurd David , Pomper Gregory , Keung Yi K , Grover Manisha , Lovato James , Torti Suzy V , Torti Frank M , Molnár István
Published: October 2009

Recent studies have suggested that the presence of iron overload prior to stem cell transplantation is associated with decreased survival. Within these studies, the criteria used to define iron overload have varied considerably. Given the lack of consensus regarding the definition of iron overload in the transplant setting, we sought to methodically examine iron status among transplant patients. We studied 78 consecutive patients at risk for transfusion-related iron overload (diagnoses included AML, ALL, MDS, and aplastic anemia) who received either autologous or allogeneic stem cell transplant. Multiple measures of iron status were collected prior to transplantation and examined for their association with survival. Using this data, three potentially prognostic iron measures were identified and incorporated into a rational and unified scoring system. The resulting Transplant Iron Score assigns a point for each of the following variables: (1) greater than 25 red cell units transfused prior to transplantation; (2) serum ferritin > 1000 ng/ml; and (3) a semi-quantitative bone marrow iron stain of 6+. In our cohort, the score (range 0 to 3) was more closely associated with survival than any available single iron parameter. In multivariate analysis, we observed an independent effect of iron overload on transplant survival (p = 0.01) primarily attributable to an increase in early treatment-related deaths (p = 0.02) and lethal infections. In subgroup analysis, the predictive power of the iron score was most pronounced among allogeneic transplant patients, where a high score (≥ 2) was associated with a 50% absolute decrease in survival at one year. In summary, our results lend further credence to the notion that iron overload prior to transplant is detrimental and suggest iron overload may predispose to a higher rate of lethal infections.
Sialic Acid Modification of Adiponectin Is Not Required for Multimerization or Secretion but Determines Half-Life in Circulation
Authors: Richards Ayanthi A. , Colgrave Michelle L. , Zhang Jialiang , Webster Julie , Simpson Fiona , Preston Elaine , Wilks Donna , Hoehn Kyle L. , Stephenson Matthew , Macdonald Graeme A. , Prins John B. , Cooney Gregory J. , Xu Aimin , Whitehead Jonathan P.
Published: October 2009

Adiponectin is an adipocyte-secreted, insulin-sensitizing hormone the circulating levels of which are reduced in conditions of insulin resistance and diabetes. Previous work has demonstrated the importance of posttranslational modifications, such as proline hydroxylation and lysine hydroxylation/glycosylation, in adiponectin oligomerization, secretion, and function. Here we describe the first functional characterization of adiponectin sialylation. Using a variety of biochemical approaches we demonstrated that sialylation occurs on previously unidentified O-linked glycans on Thr residues of the variable domain in human adiponectin. Enzymatic removal of sialic acid or its underlying O-linked sugars did not affect adiponectin multimer composition. Expression of mutant forms of adiponectin (lacking the modified Thr residues) or of wild-type adiponectin in cells defective in sialylation did not compromise multimer formation or secretion, arguing against a structural role for this modification. Activity of desialylated adiponectin was comparable to control adiponectin in L6 myotubes and acute assays in adiponectin−/− mice. In contrast, plasma clearance of desialylated adiponectin was accelerated compared with that of control adiponectin, implicating a role for this modification in determining the half-life of circulating adiponectin. Uptake of desialylated adiponectin by isolated primary rat hepatocytes was also accelerated, suggesting a role for the hepatic asialoglycoprotein receptor. Finally, after chronic administration in adiponectin−/− mice steady-state levels of desialylated adiponectin were lower than control adiponectin and failed to recapitulate the improvements in glucose and insulin tolerance tests observed with control adiponectin. These data suggest an important role for sialic acid content in the regulation of circulating adiponectin levels and highlight the importance of understanding mechanisms regulating adiponectin sialylation/desialylation.