bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
OsRAN2, essential for mitosis, enhances cold tolerance in rice by promoting export of intranuclear tubulin and maintaining cell division under cold stress
Authors: CHEN NA , XU YUNYUAN , WANG XIN , DU CHENG , DU JIZHOU , YUAN MING , XU ZHIHONG , CHONG KANG
Published: September 2010

With global climate change, abnormally low temperatures have affected the world's rice production. Many genes have been shown to be essential for molecular improvement of rice cold‐tolerance traits. However, less is known about the molecular cellular mechanism of their response to cold stress. Here, we investigated OsRAN2 involved in regulation of cell division during cold stress in rice. Expression of OsRAN2 was increased under cold treatment, but not during salt and drought stress. The mean root mitotic index was closely related to the expression level of OsRAN2. Knockdown transgenic rice lines showed an aberrant organization of spindles during mitosis and stunted growth during development. Overexpression of OsRAN2 enhanced cold tolerance in rice. The transgenic rice overexpressing OsRAN2 showed maintained cell division, decreased proportion of cells with intranuclear tubulin and formation of a normal nuclear envelope under the cold condition. Our study suggests a mechanism for OsRAN2 in regulating cold resistance in rice by maintaining cell division through promoting the normal export of intranuclear tubulin at the end of mitosis. This insight could help improve the cold‐tolerance trait in rice.
Living donor liver transplantation using a graft from a donor with Dubin–Johnson syndrome
Authors: Liu Chinsu , Niu Dau‐Ming , Hsia Cheng‐Yuan , Loong Che‐Chuan , Lin Niang‐Cheng , Tsai Hsin‐Lin , Tsou Mei‐Yung , Chin Taiwai
Published: September 2010

Liu C, Niu D‐M, Hsia C‐Y, Loong C‐C, Lin N‐C, Tsai H‐L, Tsou M‐Y, Chin T. Living donor liver transplantation using a graft from a donor with Dubin–Johnson syndrome.  Pediatr Transplantation 2012: 16: E25–E29. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Abstract:  DJS is an autosomal recessive disorder that causes an increase in conjugated bilirubin without elevation of liver enzymes. Most patients are asymptomatic and have normal life spans, but to the best of our knowledge, their livers have never been reported to be grafts in liver transplantation. Herein, we report an infant patient with MMA that received a partial liver graft from his mother, who had DJS. A biliary anastomosis stricture was noted five months after transplantation and was successfully treated with radiological interventions. Otherwise, the patient’s liver functions were normal, and a liver biopsy showed a pathognomonic picture of DJS nine months after the transplantation. The patient was followed for one yr, and the results were satisfactory for an increase in oral intake and protein uptake, no recurrence of metabolic stroke and there was a gradual catch‐up with regard to physical development despite having a persistently abnormal profile of amino acid analysis. From the experience of our case, we suggest that a liver from a donor with DJS can be used as a graft for liver transplantation, although long‐term follow‐up is mandatory to examine the grafted liver under the use of immunosuppressive medications.
Derivation and Validation of a MEDLINE Search Strategy for Research Studies That Use Administrative Data
Authors: Van Walraven Carl , Bennett Carol , Forster Alan J.
Published: September 2010

Objective. To derive and validate a search strategy that identifies administrative database research (ADR) in the MEDLINE database.

Design. Analytical survey.

Methods. We downloaded all articles published between January 1, 2008 and October 7, 2009 in 20 top journals in internal medicine, cardiovascular medicine, public health, and health services research. These were reviewed to determine whether they were ADR (in which the study cohort, exposure, or outcome was defined using electronic data created for or during the processing of patients through their health care). We used chi‐squared recursive partitioning to create a search strategy that maximized sensitivity based on publication type, MeSH headings, and text words.

Main Outcome Measures. Sensitivity and positive predictive value of the search strategy for true ADR in three samples: derivation (n=5,513); internal validation (n=2,710); and external validation (n=1,500).

Results. The prevalence of ADR in the derivation, internal validation, and external validation samples was 2.6, 2.9, and 2.2 percent, respectively. The sensitivity of our search strategy in these samples was 90.9 percent (95 percent confidence interval [CI] 85.0–95.1), 88.5 percent (79.2–94.6), and 100 percent (99.3–100), respectively. The positive predictive value in these samples was 10.7 percent (9.0–12.6), 11.5 percent (9.1–14.4), and 3.3 percent (2.3–4.6), respectively.

Conclusion. We derived and validated a search strategy that is highly sensitive for ADR in MEDLINE.
Effect of Atmosphere on Interconnect‐Seal Glass Interaction for Solid Oxide Fuel/Electrolyzer Cells
Authors: Mahapatra Manoj K. , Lu Kathy
Published: September 2010

In this study, the interaction of an alkaline earth‐based silicate glass (SABS‐0) with Crofer 22 APU and AISI 441 interconnects has been studied at 800°C for 100 h in argon, air, and H2/H2O atmospheres in order to understand the effect of atmospheres on the interfacial compatibility. Detailed microstructure, diffusion, and phase analyses show that the interfacial compatibility improves from air, to argon, and to H2/H2O atmosphere for the Crofer 22 APU alloy and from H2/H2O, to argon, and to air atmosphere for the AISI 441 alloy. The interfacial compatibility is better for the Crofer 22 APU alloy. Alloy oxidation, elemental interdiffusion, chemical reactions, and glass devitrification occur during the interface formation between the glass and the alloys. The thermal treatment atmospheres mainly affect chromium diffusion and glass devitrification while minor elements influence the oxidation of the alloys and chemical reactions. This work also demonstrates that the high iron content in the AISI 441 alloy is detrimental but the minor impurities such as silicon and aluminum may be beneficial for the interfacial compatibility.
Electric and Dielectric Behaviors of Y‐Doped Calcium Copper Titanate
Authors: Luo Fengchao , He Jinliang , Hu Jun , Lin Yuan‐Hua
Published: September 2010

Yttrium‐doped CaCu3Ti4−xYxO12−x/2(x=0–0.1) samples were fabricated by using solid‐state sintering, and their electric and dielectric properties were investigated. Yttrium addition has shown to reduce the dielectric loss remarkably while maintaining colossal permittivity. Atx=0.5, the loss (tan δ) is below 0.1 over the frequency range from 1 to 300 KHz, while that of the pure ceramic is above 0.1 over most measuring frequency range. The current density–electric field curves proved that yttrium doping can effectively enhance the varistor voltage, indicating a rise of the potential barrier height at the grain boudaries. Local measurement of impedance at the grain boundaries was performed by using microcontact probes. The results indicated that yttrium dramatically increases the resistance of the grain boundaries. The differences are attributed to the enhanced Cu segregation at grain boundaries, which is induced by yttrium doping.
Phenotypic flexibility of a southern African duck Alopochen aegyptiaca during moult: do northern hemisphere paradigms apply?
Authors: Ndlovu Mduduzi , Cumming Graeme S. , Hockey Philip A. R. , Bruinzeel Leo W.
Published: September 2010

Phenotypic flexibility during moult has never been explored in austral nomadic ducks. We investigated whether the body condition, organ (pectoral muscle, gizzard, liver and heart) mass and flight‐feather growth Egyptian geese Alopochen aegyptiaca in southern Africa show phenotypic flexibility over their 53‐day period of flightless moult. Changes in body mass and condition were examined in Egyptian geese caught at Barberspan and Strandfontein in South Africa. Mean daily change in primary feather length was calculated for moulting geese and birds were dissected for pectoral muscle and internal organ assessment. Mean body mass and condition varied significantly during moult. Body mass and condition started to decrease soon after flight feathers were dropped and continued to do so until the new feathers were at least two‐thirds grown, after which birds started to regain body mass and condition. Non‐moulting geese had large pectoral muscles, accounting for at least 26% of total body mass. Once moult started, pectoral muscle mass decreased and continued to do so until the flight feathers were at least one‐third grown, after which pectoral muscle mass started to increase. The regeneration of pectoral muscles during moult started before birds started to gain overall body mass. Gizzard mass started to increase soon after the onset of moult, reaching a maximum when the flight feathers were two‐thirds grown, after which gizzard mass again decreased. Liver mass increased significantly as moult progressed, but heart mass remained constant throughout moult. Flight feather growth was initially rapid, but slowed towards the completion of moult. Our results show that Egyptian geese exhibit a significant level of phenotypic flexibility when they moult. We interpret the phenotypic changes that we observed as an adaptive strategy to minimize the duration of the flightless period. Moulting Egyptian geese in South Africa undergo more substantial phenotypic changes than those reported for ducks in the northern hemisphere.
Absence of egg discrimination in a suitable cuckooCuculus canorushost breeding away from trees
Authors: Antonov Anton , Stokke Bård G. , Ranke Peter S. , Fossøy Frode , Moksnes Arne , Røskaft Eivin
Published: September 2010

There is at present considerable variation in the level of antiparasite defences among different host species of avian brood parasites, but in many potential hosts some individuals reject poorly matching parasite eggs. Here we present unique absence of egg discrimination behaviour backed up by a lack of egg recognition abilities in a suitable common cuckooCuculus canorushost, the skylarkAlauda arvensis. Skylarks did not show any clear rejection response to experimentally added highly non‐mimetic foreign eggs in any behavioural context, even before they had started laying or when the whole clutch was exchanged with foreign eggs. This absence of antiparasite defence can be explained by the breeding habitat of larks consisting of largely treeless open landscapes where cuckoos have little access to the nests, thereby eroding the possibility of coevolutionary interactions. Our results are strikingly consistent with the spatial habitat structure hypothesis proposed to explain the occurrence and extent of avian host‐parasite co‐adaptation.
Price, Rebate, and Returns Supply Contracts for Coordinating Supply Chains with Price‐Dependent Demands
Authors: Chiu Chun‐Hung , Choi Tsan‐Ming , Tang Christopher S.
Published: September 2010

Channel rebates and returns policies are common mechanisms for manufacturers to entice retailers to increase their order quantities and sales ultimately. However, when the underlying demand depends on the retail price, it has been known that channel coordination cannot be achieved if only one of these mechanisms is deployed. In this article, we show that a policy that combines the use of wholesale price, channel rebate, and returns can coordinate a channel with both additive and multiplicative price‐dependent demands. In addition to determining the sufficient conditions for the contract parameters associated with the equilibrium policy, we show that multiple equilibrium policies for channel coordination exist. We further explore how the equilibrium policy can be adjusted to achieve Pareto improvement. Other issues such as the maximum amount of expected profit that the manufacturer can share under the coordinated channel, the structural properties of the contracts under both the additive and multiplicative price‐dependent demand functions are also discussed.
The neural basis of visual attention
Authors: Bisley James W.
Published: September 2010

Visual attention is the mechanism the nervous system uses to highlight specific locations, objects or features within the visual field. This can be accomplished by making an eye movement to bring the object onto the fovea (overt attention) or by increased processing of visual information in neurons representing more peripheral regions of the visual field (covert attention). This review will examine two aspects of visual attention: the changes in neural responses within visual cortices due to the allocation of covert attention; and the neural activity in higher cortical areas involved in guiding the allocation of attention. The first section will highlight processes that occur during visual spatial attention and feature‐based attention in cortical visual areas and several related models that have recently been proposed to explain this activity. The second section will focus on the parietofrontal network thought to be involved in targeting eye movements and allocating covert attention. It will describe evidence that the lateral intraparietal area, frontal eye field and superior colliculus are involved in the guidance of visual attention, and describe the priority map model, which is thought to operate in at least several of these areas.
Burst Oscillations in the Accelerating Bicycle
Authors: Limebeer David J. N. , Sharma Amrit
Published: September 2010

The purpose of this paper is to study the dynamics of the accelerating bicycle. It is shown that time-scale separation can be used to study the oscillatory characteristics of the accelerating machine using time-invariant models. These models are used to explain practically observed wobble-mode bursting oscillations that are associated most frequently with down-hill riding. If the vehicle is cornering under constant acceleration, at a fixed roll angle, it is shown that for low values of acceleration (and braking), it follows closely a logarithmic spiral shaped trajectory. The studies presented are facilitated by a novel adaptive control scheme that centers the machine’s trajectory on any arbitrary point in the ground plane. The influences of cambered road surfaces are also investigated. The bicycle model employed is an extension of that originally developed by Whipple, and comprises two road wheels and two laterally-symmetric frame assemblies that are free to rotate relative to each other along an inclined steering axis. For the most part, the front frame is treated as being flexible and the bicycle is fitted with force generating road tires, rather than classical nonholonomic rolling constraints. This research provides the ground work required for generating more complex dynamic models for high-performance motorcycle studies.
Mistuning Forced Response Characteristics Analysis of Mistuned Bladed Disks
Authors: Liao Haitao , Wang Jianjun , Yao Jianyao , Li Qihan
Published: September 2010

The problem of determining the worst-case mistuning pattern and robust maximum mistuning forced response of a mistuned bladed rotor is formulated and solved as an optimization problem. This approach is exemplified on a two-degrees-of-freedom per blade disk model, two three-degrees-of-freedom per blade disk models, and a mistuned two-stage bladed rotor. The results of the optimum search of the worst-case mistuning patterns for the lumped parameter models are analyzed, which reveals that the maximum blade forced response in a mistuned bladed disk is associated with mistuning jump, which causes strong localization of the vibration response in a particular blade. The mistuning jump-localization phenomenon has been observed for all of the numerical examples, and it is also demonstrated that the highest response was always experienced by a blade of mistuning value jump. The two- and three-degrees-of-freedom per blade disk models are also for determination of its sensitivity coefficients with respect to mistuning variation. Studies show that there is not a threshold of mistuning beyond which the maximum forced response levels off, or even drops, as the degree of mistuning is increased further. The maximum magnification factor is found to increase as the mistuning level is increased and reaches a maximum value at the upper limit of the mistuning level. The influence of the multistage coupling is revealed by comparing the results of single-stage analysis with that of the multistage case. The computed results have been compared with the Monte Carlo simulation produced, and it is demonstrated that the accuracy and efficiency of the maximum amplitude magnification factor computed by the presented method can be better than that of Monte Carlo simulations.
Design of Three-Pad Hybrid Air Foil Bearing and Experimental Investigation on Static Performance at Zero Running Speed
Authors: Kim Daejong , Lee Donghyun
Published: September 2010

Air foil bearings (AFBs) have been explored for various micro- to midsized turbomachinery for decades, and many successful applications of the AFBs to small turbomachinery were also reported. As machine size increases, however, one of the critical technical challenges of AFBs is a wear on the top foil and rotor during starts/stops due to relatively heavy rotor weight compared with the size of the bearing. The wear on the foil increases with greater loading during starts/stops as a function of the coating performance. The hybrid air foil bearing (HAFB), which combines hydrodynamic pressure with hydrostatic lift, can help to minimize/eliminate the wear problem during the start/stops. This paper reports design and preliminary test results of hydrodynamically preloaded three-pad HAFB aimed for midsized airborne turbomachinery applications. Designed HAFB was manufactured and comprehensive parametric design simulations were performed using time-domain orbit simulations and frequency-domain linear perturbation analyses to predict performances of manufactured bearing. Static stiffness was measured at zero running speed to investigate the load capacity of hydrostatic operation when rotor is at stationary. The measured static stiffness showed good agreement with predictions.
Plane-Strain Bending With Isotropic Strain Hardening at Large Strains
Authors: Alexandrov Sergei , Hwang Yeong-Maw
Published: September 2010

Finite deformation elastic-plastic analysis of plane-strain pure bending of a strain hardening sheet is presented. The general closed-form solution is proposed for an arbitrary isotropic hardening law assuming that the material is incompressible. Explicit relations are given for most popular conventional laws. The stage of unloading is included in the analysis to investigate the distribution of residual stresses and springback. The paper emphasizes the method of solution and the general qualitative features of elastic-plastic solutions rather than the study of the bending process for a specific material. In particular, it is shown that rigid-plastic solutions can be used to predict the bending moment at sufficiently large strains.
Fouling Formation in 575 MV Tangential-Fired Pulverized-Coal Boiler
Authors: Bar-Ziv E. , Berman Y. , Saveliev R. , Perelman M. , Korytnyi E. , Davidson B. , Chudnovsky B.
Published: September 2010

Due to the liberalization of the energy markets and the globalization of coal procurement, fuel management became of substantial importance to power plant operators, which are faced with new challenges when operating with coal types different from the originally designed ones for the specific boiler. Environmental regulations, combustion behavior, possible malfunctions and low operation, and maintenance cost became of essential importance. Fouling is one of the major challenges when new coals are being used. For that purpose we initiated a comprehensive study of fouling on the water-wall tubes in a 575 MW tangential-fired pulverized-coal utility boiler. We developed a methodology to evaluate fouling propensity of coals and specifically tested two bituminous South African coals: Billiton-Prime and Anglo-Kromdraai. The methodology is based on the adherence of ash particles on the water walls. Adherence of the ash particle depends on the particle properties, temperature, and velocity vector at the boundary layer of the water walls. In turn, the flow and temperature fields were determined by computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. For CFD simulations we also needed the combustion kinetic parameters, emissivity, and thermal resistance, and they were all determined experimentally by a 50 kW test facility. Using this methodology we mapped off the locations where fouling is mostly to occur. It was found that our results fitted with the experience from the data obtained for these two coals in the Israel Electric Corporation utility boilers. The methodology developed was shown to be able to provide the fouling propensity of a certain coal, and yielded good prediction of the fouling behavior in utility boilers. Therefore, the methodology can assist in the optimization of the soot-blowing regime (location and frequency).
Characteristic Values in the Scaling of Differential Equations in Engineering
Authors: Mendez Patricio F.
Published: September 2010

This work introduces, for the first time, a formal approach to the estimation of characteristic values of differential and other related expressions in the scaling of engineering problems. The methodology introduced aims at overcoming the inability of the traditional approach to match the exact solution of asymptotic cases. This limitation of the traditional approach often leaves in doubt whether the scaling laws obtained actually represent the desired phenomena. The formal approach presented yields estimates with smaller error than traditional approaches; these improved estimates converge to the exact solution in simple asymptotic cases and do not diverge from the exact solution in cases in which the error of traditional approaches is unbounded. The significance of this contribution is that it extends the range of applicability of scaling estimates to problems for which traditional approaches were deemed unreliable, for example, cases in which the curvature of functions is large, or complex cases in which the accumulation of estimation errors exceeds reasonable limits. This research is part of a larger effort towards a computational implementation of scaling, and it is especially valuable for approximating multicoupled, multiphysics problems in continuum mechanics (e.g., coupled heat transfer, fluid flow, and electromagnetics) that are often difficult to analyze numerically or empirically.
Effect of light and temperature on germination of dimorphic achenes of Centautea solstitialis in California
Authors: Joley D. B. , Schoenig S. E. , Casanave K. A. , Maddox D. M. , Mackey B. E.
Published: September 2010

Centciurea solstitialis L. is a winter annual weed of Eurasian origin that is widespread in the western United States. Capitula produce dimorphic achenes that are dispersed at different times. Factors investigated in the laboratory that affected germination were light, temperature, achene type (plumed and nonplumed), collection date, dormancy, and storage. The presence of large interactions among the factors affecting germination was constant throughout these studies. Although some germination occurred in the dark, a daily (8 h light: 16 h dark) photoperiod of white light produced higher germination percentages in both fresh and stored achenes. Even a single brief (10-min) exposure to light was almost comparable with a daily 8-h photoperiod. Maximum germination of nearly 100% was achieved in light under constant temperatures of 10, 15, and 20 °C and alternating temperatures of 15:5 and 20:10 °C. Broadening of temperature optima related to afterripening occurred for July achenes stored for 2 months and August-fresh achenes under alternating temperatures. Germination differences between achene types were more prevalent under dark than under light conditions. In general, germination of plumed achenes was higher than that of nonplumed achenes. In darkness, nonplumed achenes showed a shift in optimum germination temperature (from 15 to 20 °C) from July to September. Germination of nonplumed achenes in intact capitula was never greater than 21%, regardless of time of collection, because of the presence of the involucral bracts. Key words: yellow starthistle, germination, light, temperature, dimorphic achenes.
FOURTH GENERATION WIRELESS REFLEX QUANTIFICATION SYSTEM FOR ACQUIRING TENDON REFLEX RESPONSE AND LATENCY
Authors: LEMOYNE ROBERT , MASTROIANNI TIMOTHY , KALE HALO , LUNA JORGE , STEWART JOSHUA , ELLIOT STEPHEN , BRYAN FILIP , COROIAN CRISTIAN , GRUNDFEST WARREN
Published: September 2010

An intrinsic aspect of the standard neurological examination is the deep tendon reflex. A clinician is tasked with qualitatively evaluating reflex parameters, such as reflex response and latency. The tendon reflex is capable of providing preliminary insight with respect to dysfunction of the central and peripheral nervous systems. The qualitative assessment of the tendon reflex can be classified through the implementation of an ordinal scale, such as the NINDS scale which spans five ordinal components from 0 to 4. The reliability and accuracy of the ordinal-scale method for classifying reflex characteristics have been demonstrated to be an issue of controversy. Ordinal scales lack the capacity to properly classify the temporal features of the tendon reflex. Electrodiagnostic testing traditionally provides higher fidelity evaluation of peripheral neuropathy; however, a study by Cocito et al., has discovered 28% of the prescriptions were inappropriate. The fourth-generation wireless reflex quantification system provides a less resource intensive, highly accurate, reliable, and reproducible alternative. The patellar tendon reflex is evoked through a predetermined potential energy derived swing arm attached to a standard reflex hammer. Tandem wireless 3D MEMS accelerometers quantify reflex response and latency. The reflex response maximum and minimum are acquired from the wireless 3D MEMS accelerometer positioned above the ankle joint. The latencies derived from the maximum and minimum of the reflex responses are derived from the temporal disparity relative to the acceleration waveforms of the reflex response and swing arm evoking the tendon reflex. The fourth-generation wireless reflex quantification system has been evolved with a more user-convenient wirelessly activated datalogger mode, which is subsequently downloaded to a local PC wirelessly. The wireless datalogger mode enables sampling at a greater rate relative to the real-time streaming data mode. An automated MATLAB software program is implemented for acquiring reflex parameters. Enclosed is the longitudinal study of the fourth-generation wireless reflex quantification system that demonstrates considerable precision for accuracy, reliability, and reproducibility. As a supplement to the research, a brief reflex modulation study is amended to the longitudinal study.
MULTI-FACTORIAL ANALYSIS OF CLASS PREDICTION ERROR: ESTIMATING OPTIMAL NUMBER OF BIOMARKERS FOR VARIOUS CLASSIFICATION RULES
Authors: KHONDOKER MIZANUR R. , BACHMANN TILL T. , MEWISSEN MURIEL , DICKINSON PAUL , DOBRZELECKI BARTOSZ , CAMPBELL COLIN J. , MOUNT ANDREW R. , WALTON ANTHONY J. , CRAIN JASON , SCHULZE HOLGER , GIRAUD GERARD , ROSS ALAN J. , CIANI ILENIA , EMBER STUART W. J. , TLILI CHAKER , TERRY JONATHAN G. , GRANT EILIDH , McDONNELL NICOLA , GHAZAL PETER
Published: September 2010

Machine learning and statistical model based classifiers have increasingly been used with more complex and high dimensional biological data obtained from high-throughput technologies. Understanding the impact of various factors associated with large and complex microarray datasets on the predictive performance of classifiers is computationally intensive, under investigated, yet vital in determining the optimal number of biomarkers for various classification purposes aimed towards improved detection, diagnosis, and therapeutic monitoring of diseases. We investigate the impact of microarray based data characteristics on the predictive performance for various classification rules using simulation studies. Our investigation using Random Forest, Support Vector Machines, Linear Discriminant Analysis and k-Nearest Neighbour shows that the predictive performance of classifiers is strongly influenced by training set size, biological and technical variability, replication, fold change and correlation between biomarkers. Optimal number of biomarkers for a classification problem should therefore be estimated taking account of the impact of all these factors. A database of average generalization errors is built for various combinations of these factors. The database of generalization errors can be used for estimating the optimal number of biomarkers for given levels of predictive accuracy as a function of these factors. Examples show that curves from actual biological data resemble that of simulated data with corresponding levels of data characteristics. An R package optBiomarker implementing the method is freely available for academic use from the Comprehensive R Archive Network ().
Neural Correlates of Correct and Errant Attentional Selection Revealed Through N2pc and Frontal Eye Field Activity
Authors: Heitz Richard P. , Cohen Jeremiah Y. , Woodman Geoffrey F. , Schall Jeffrey D.
Published: September 2010

The goal of this study was to obtain a better understanding of the physiological basis of errors of visual search. Previous research has shown that search errors occur when visual neurons in the frontal eye field (FEF) treat distractors as if they were targets. We replicated this finding during an inefficient form search and extended it by measuring simultaneously a macaque homologue of an event-related potential indexing the allocation of covert attention known as the m-N2pc. Based on recent work, we expected errors of selection in FEF to propagate to areas of extrastriate cortex responsible for allocating attention and implicated in the generation of the m-N2pc. Consistent with this prediction, we discovered that when FEF neurons selected a distractor instead of the search target, the m-N2pc shifted in the same, incorrect direction prior to the erroneous saccade. This suggests that such errors are due to a systematic misorienting of attention from the initial stages of visual processing. Our analyses also revealed distinct neural correlates of false alarms and guesses. These results demonstrate that errant gaze shifts during visual search arise from errant attentional processing.
CD9 Expression by Human Granulosa Cells and Platelets as a Predictor of Fertilization Success during IVF
Authors: Jaslow Carolyn R. , Patterson Kyle S. , Cholera Shila , Jennings Lisa K. , Ke Raymond W. , Kutteh William H.
Published: September 2010

Objective. To determine whether CD9 expression on human granulosa cells (GCs) and platelets could predict the success of conventional fertilization of human oocytes during in vitro fertilization (IVF). Methods. Thirty women undergoing IVF for nonmale factor infertility participated. Platelets from venous blood and GCs separated from retrieved oocytes were prepared for immunofluorescence. Flow cytometry quantified the percent of GCs expressing CD9, and CD9 surface density on GCs and platelets. Fertilization rate was determined for the total number of oocytes, and the number of mature oocytes per patient. Correlations tested for significant relationships (P < .05) between fertilization rates and CD9 expression. Results. CD9 surface density on human GCs is inversely correlated with fertilization rate of oocytes (P = .04), but the relationship was weak. Conclusion. More studies are needed to determine if CD9 expression on GCs would be useful for predicting conventional fertilization success during IVF.
Multiple-System Atrophy with Cerebellar Predominance Presenting as Respiratory Insufficiency and Vocal Cords Paralysis
Authors: de Mello Ramon Andrade Bezerra , Ferreira Diana , Dias da Costa José Manuel , Rosas Maria José , Quinaz João Manuel
Published: September 2010

Background. MSA (Multiple System Atrophy) may be associated either with Parkinsonism or with cerebellar ataxia (MSA-c subtype). It is considered a rare disease, but many patients are misdiagnosed as suffering from idiopathic Parkinson's disease. In this paper, we report a case of a patient admitted with respiratory failure and vocal cords paralysis due to MSA-c.Case Report. A 79-year-old Caucasian woman was admitted in March 2010 with dyspnea, asthenia, stridor, and respiratory failure needing noninvasive ventilation. She had orthostatic blood pressure decline, constipation, insomnia, daytime sleepiness, and snoring. The neurologic examination revealed cerebellar ataxia. A laryngoscopy revealed vocal cord paralysis in midline position and tracheostomy was performed. The Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging revealed atrophy of middle cerebellar peduncles and pons with the “hot cross bun sign.”Conclusion. Although Multiple-system atrophy is a rare disease, unexplained respiratory failure, bilateral vocal cord paralysis, or stridor should lead to consider MSA as diagnosis.
Facilitating Effects of Nanoparticles/Materials on Sensitive Immune-Related Lung Disorders
Authors: Inoue Ken-ichiro , Takano Hirohisa
Published: September 2010

Although the adverse health effects of nanoparticles/materials have been proposed and are being clarified, their facilitating effects on preexisting pathological conditions have not been fully examined. In this paper, we provide insights into the immunotoxicity of nanoparticles/materials as an aggravating factor in hypersusceptible subjects, especially those with immune-related respiratory disorders using ourin vivoexperimental model. We first exhibit the effects of nanoparticles/materials on lung inflammation induced by bacterial endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide: LPS)in vivoas a disease model in innate immunity, and demonstrated that nanoparticles instilled through both an intratracheal tube and an inhalation system can exacerbate the lung inflammation. Secondly, we introduce the effects of nanoparticles/materials on allergic asthmain vivoas a disease model in adaptive immunity, and showed that repetitive pulmonary exposure to nanoparticles has aggravating effects on allergic airway inflammation, including adjuvant effects on Th2-milieu. Taken together, nanoparticle exposure may synergistically facilitate pathological inflammatory conditions in the lung via both innate and adaptive immunological abnormalities.
Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts Enhance the Gland-Forming Capability of Prostate Cancer Stem Cells
Authors: Liao Chun-Peng , Adisetiyo Helty , Liang Mengmeng , Roy-Burman Pradip
Published: September 2010

Signals originating from cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) may positively regulate proliferation and tumorigenicity in prostate cancer. In this study, we investigated whether CAFs may regulate the biology of prostate cancer stem cells (CSC) by using a conditional Pten deletion mouse model of prostate adenocarcinoma to isolate both CAF cultures and CSC-enriched cell fractions from the tumors. CSCs that were isolated possessed self-renewal, spheroid-forming, and multipotential differentiation activities in tissue culture, segregating with a cell fraction exhibiting a signature expression phenotype, including SCA-1 (high), CD49f (high), CK5 (high), p63 (high), Survivin (high), RUNX2 (high), CD44 (low), CD133 (low), CK18 (low), and Androgen Receptor (low). CSC spheroid–forming efficiency was differentially influenced by the nature of fibroblasts in a coculture system: Compared with mouse urogenital sinus mesenchyme or normal prostate fibroblasts, CAFs enhanced spheroid formation, with the spheroids displaying generally larger sizes and more complex histology. Graft experiments showed that CSCs admixed with CAFs produced prostatic glandular structures with more numerous lesions, high proliferative index, and tumor-like histopathologies, compared with those formed in the presence of normal prostate fibroblasts. Together, our findings underscore a significant role of CAFs in CSC biology. Cancer Res; 70(18); 7294–303. ©2010 AACR.
Discovery and Characterization of Novel Mutant FLT3 Kinase Inhibitors
Authors: Weisberg Ellen , Choi Hwan Geun , Barrett Rosemary , Zhou Wenjun , Zhang Jianming , Ray Arghya , Nelson Erik A. , Jiang Jingrui , Moreno Daisy , Stone Richard , Galinsky Ilene , Fox Edward , Adamia Sophia , Kung Andrew L. , Gray Nathanael S. , Griffin James D.
Published: September 2010

For a subpopulation of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients, the constitutively activated tyrosine kinase, mutant FLT3, has emerged as a promising target for therapy. The development of drug resistance, however, is a growing concern for mutant FLT3 inhibitors, such as PKC412. Potential therapeutic benefit can arise from the combination of two structurally diverse inhibitors that target—but bind differently to—the same protein or from two inhibitors with completely different mechanisms of action. Thus, there is a need for identification and development of novel FLT3 inhibitors that have the ability to positively combine with PKC412 or standard chemotherapeutic agents used to treat AML as a way to suppress the development of drug resistance and consequently prolong disease remission. Here, we report the effects of the novel type II ATP-competitive inhibitors, HG-7-85-01 and HG-7-86-01, which potently and selectively target mutant FLT3 protein kinase activity and inhibit the proliferation of cells harboring FLT3-ITD or FLT3 kinase domain point mutants via induction of apoptosis and cell cycle inhibition. Antileukemic activity of HG-7-85-01 was shown in vivo to be comparable with that observed with PKC412 in a bioluminescence assay using NCr nude mice harboring Ba/F3-FLT3-ITD-luc+ cells. HG-7-85-01 was also observed to override PKC412 resistance. Finally, HG-7-85-01 and HG-7-86-01 synergized with PKC412 and standard chemotherapeutic agents against mutant PKC412-sensitive and some PKC412-resistant, FLT3-positive cells. Thus, we present a structurally novel class of FLT3 inhibitors that warrants consideration for clinical testing against drug-resistant disease in AML patients. Mol Cancer Ther; 9(9); 2468–77. ©2010 AACR.
Unequal Opportunities and Ethnic Origin: The Labor Market Outcomes of Second-Generation Immigrants in France
Authors: Lefranc Arnaud
Published: September 2010

This article makes two contributions to the empirical analysis of the socioeconomic achievement of ethnic minorities. The first contribution is methodological. The author relies on a discussion of the concept of equality of opportunity to analyze how the disadvantage suffered by ethnic minorities should be defined and empirically measured. The second contribution is empirical. The author estimates the disadvantage suffered by second-generation immigrants in the access to education, employment, and earnings in France. Contrary to most papers in this area, the author identifies second-generation immigrants in a consistent way, using information of parental geographic and national origin. He also discusses the extent to which measured earnings differentials reflect ethnic discrimination or ethnic-blind social inequalities.
The properties of cotton-Tencel and cotton-Promodal blended yarns spun in different spinning systems
Authors: Kilic Musa , Okur Ayşe
Published: September 2010

In this study, structural, physical and mechanical properties of cotton-Tencel and cotton-Promodal blended ring, compact and vortex spun yarns were compared. Yarn properties such as hairiness, unevenness, imperfections, diameter, density, roughness, roundness, breaking force and elongation were evaluated. In general, hairiness values of ring yarns are the highest and vortex yarns are the lowest. In regard to unevenness, compact yarns have the best and vortex yarns have the worst values. When the effect of spinning systems is evaluated in terms of breaking force and elongation, results show that compact yarns have the highest values whereas vortex yarns have the lowest. In addition, effects of different blend ratios on a yarn’s structural, physical and mechanical properties were examined by using 100% cotton, 100% regenerated cellulosic fibre and 67%—33%, 50%—50%, 33%—67% cotton-regenerated cellulosic fibre blended yarns. In general, an increasing ratio of regenerated cellulosic fibre content in the blend decreases unevenness, imperfections, diameter and roughness values; on the other hand it increases breaking force, elongation, density and shape values. Effect of blend type is also statistically significant for many yarn properties. Mainly, it can be seen that while cotton-Promodal yarns have better physical properties, cotton-Tencel yarns have better mechanical properties.
The Relationship Between Residential Land Use Patterns and the Educational Outcomes of Economically Disadvantaged Students in Texas
Authors: Van Zandt Shannon , Wunneburger Douglas F.
Published: September 2010

Disparate outcomes resulting from economic segregation in public primary schools have been the subject of much debate and litigation. Little research, however, examines whether negative outcomes may be exacerbated by inequities in the distribution of housing across metropolitan areas. This article explores connections between residential land use patterns and educational outcomes for economically disadvantaged students in Texas’s four largest metropolitan areas. Analysis of Texas Education Agency data finds that economically disadvantaged students in schools with low levels of such students perform better on standardized tests. Metropolitan school districts exhibit moderate levels of economic segregation, following patterns similar to the underlying housing market.
Rental Values in UK Shopping Malls
Authors: Yuo Tony Shun-Te , Lizieri Colin , McCann Phillip , Crosby Neil
Published: September 2010

This paper employs a unique dataset to analyse the retail rental levels of 1108 retail tenants in 148 UK regional shopping malls. The dataset integrates information regarding the characteristics of the shopping centre, the individual retailer, the brand, the individual unit occupied, the tenancy term and the regional location of the centre. Econometric analysis suggests that retail rents behave largely as predicted by theory although there are particular features of the UK rental market which may be somewhat distinct from other countries.
Multi-agent Cooperative Cleaning of Expanding Domains
Authors: Altshuler Yaniv , Yanovski Vladimir , Wagner Israel A , Bruckstein Alfred M
Published: September 2010

Several recent works considered multi-a(ge)nt robotics in static environments. In this work we examine ways of operating in dynamic environments, where changes take place independently of the agents’ activity. The work focuses on a dynamic variant of the cooperative cleaners problem, a problem that requires several simple agents to clean a connected region of “dirty” pixels inZ2 . A number of simple agents move in this dirty region, each having the ability to “clean” the place it is located in. Their goal is to jointly clean the given dirty region. The dynamic variant of the problem involves a deterministic expansion of dirt in the environment, simulating spreading of contamination or fire. Theoretical lower bounds for the problem are presented, as well as various impossibility results. A cleaning protocol for the problem is presented, and a wealth of experimental results testing its performance in comparison to the lower bounds. Several analytic upper bounds for the proposed protocol are also presented, accompanied with appropriate experimental results.
A mechatronic analysis of the classical position-force controller based on bounded environment passivity
Authors: Willaert B. , Corteville B. , Reynaerts D. , Van Brussel H. , Vander Poorten E.B.
Published: September 2010

Bounded Environment Passivity, presented in this paper, allows one to design teleoperation systems that behave passively provided that the environment with which interaction takes place belongs to an a priori defined range of environments. The use of such a priori knowledge on the environment reduces conservativeness with respect to classical design approaches. An additional advantage lies in its capability to get a clearer insight on which type of environments are problematic for the specific controller under investigation. On the basis of a case study, i.e. the well-known Position-Force controller, this paper describes and compares different passivity-based methods. First, the traditional methods of two-port passivity and absolute stability are applied. The restrictions of these methods to come up with useful design rules are explicitly demonstrated. Second, the Bounded Environment Passivity conditions of the Position-Force controller are derived. These conditions describe the relation between the specific controller implementation, the teleoperator dynamics and the environment characteristics. In addition, the effects of structural resonance frequencies and low-pass filters, often present in realistic teleoperator setups, are described. This analysis reveals fundamental mechatronic rules of thumb for the design of a teleoperator system with a Position-Force control architecture. The theoretical results are verified experimentally on a one-degree-of-freedom teleoperation system.
A Time Use Diary Study of Adult Everyday Writing Behavior
Authors: Cohen Dale J. , White Sheida , Cohen Steffaney B.
Published: September 2010

The present study documents everyday adult writing by type of text and medium (computer or paper) in an in vivo diary study. The authors compare writing patterns by gender, race/ethnicity, educational attainment, age and working status. The study results reveal that (a) writing time varied with demographic variables for networkers, but these variations disappear for workers; (b) all demographic groups spent more time writing documents than prose; (c) most demographic groups spent an equal amount of time writing using computers and paper, but younger and higher educated groups spent more writing time on the computer, while older and less educated groups spent more time writing using paper than the computer; and (d) workers spent more time writing using computers than paper. Implications of the study findings are discussed, and suggestions for future research are also given.
Preparation and Interfacial Properties of Glass Fiber/Polypropylene Microcomposites
Authors: Min C.-Y. , Chen Q. , Yuan X.-H. , Xu Z.-W.
Published: September 2010

Glass fiber/polypropylene (PP) microcomposites with different kind of binder coverage were prepared. Scanning electron microscopy—energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy were applied to analyze the morphology of the surface of the glass fiber. The relationship among the loss on ignition of the sizing, the morphology of the surface of the glass fiber and the interfacial shear stress (IFSS) of glass fiber/PP microcomposites were investigated. From the results of the aging experiments, it was possible to note that the temperature and the water are helpful to increase toughness between fiber and resin at lower temperature. When the temperature reaches the reaction temperature, hydrolysis starts and destroys the structure of coating, resulting in lower IFSS.