bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hearing Round Corners: Nick Cave and the Philosophy of Music
Authors: Boer Roland
Published: January 2013

Nick Cave and the philosophy of music – is that not an incongruous and improbable pairing? Possibly, but that is precisely what I propose to undertake in this study: an interpretation of Cave’s entire opus through the ears of Ernst Bloch’s philosophy of music. Why Bloch? There is a deep affinity between Bloch and Cave. Bloch combines philosophical rigour, Marxist analysis, a thorough interest in religion, especially the Bible, and an arresting approach to music. The first three elements of his work may be reasonably well-known, albeit not as well as they should be, but Bloch’s philosophy of music remains one of the hidden gems of his work. As for the affinity with Cave, they both deal with what may be called the ‘afterlives’ of the Bible, and more generally Christianity, deploying themes, reworking them, creating new and fascinating conjunctions. Further, that affinity relies on a deeper appreciation, a hearing around corners, in order to gain the sense that through their very modes of expression, their musical outlook, intensity and hope, they come close indeed. Above all, they share an appreciation of both the theological and utopian, or theo-utopian dimensions of music, a crucial feature of the analysis that follows.
Terminating Samson: the Sarah Connor Chronicles and the Rise of New Biblical Meaning
Authors: Myles Robert J.
Published: January 2013

The Terminator films (1984–2009) incorporate a number of theological and biblical themes, which are further developed in the franchise’s recent expansion into a television series, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (2008–2009). This article explores how the series appropriates biblical material and motifs, terminating them from their original contexts and adjusting them to create new meanings. After a brief survey of the biblical subtext of the franchise, the article focuses on one episode of the series, "Samson and Delilah," which echoes the story of Samson, to analyse its explicit and implicit retellings of the biblical narrative and to explore the wider implications of this appropriation in the context of apocalyptic science fiction.
Cliffs as Crosses: The Problematic Symbology of Colin McCahon
Authors: Alderton Zoe
Published: January 2013

This paper examines the schism between intended message and reception in the case of New Zealand artist Colin McCahon (1919–1987). McCahon was heavily influenced by Christianity, for him linked inextricably to a message of ecological conservation, and he considered painting to be a prophetic task. As such, McCahon hoped to bring about the religious and behavioural transformation of his audience. McCahon’s Necessary Protection artworks use Christian symbols as a means of communicating the importance of faith as well as his fear of environmental degradation and the necessity of loving one’s homeland. However, McCahon’s complex symbolic lexicon has often proven to be too esoteric to have the intended affect on its intended audience.
The Specter of Judeo-Christianity and the Politics of Gender Deviancy: From St. Paul of Tarsus to St. Paul, MN
Authors: Von Ehrenkrook Jason
Published: January 2013

With the 2012 presidential campaign monopolizing the national conversation, the present moment offers an ideal vantage point from which to reflect on the inescapable shadow of the "Judeo-Christian Tradition" in American political discourse. Nowhere, perhaps, is this imposing shadow more apparent than in the politics of sexuality. This essay explores the presence of deviant sexuality in American politics from two angles. I consider first the varied uses of the Judeo-Christian tradition to conjure a terrifying menace of rampant decadence threating to undo national stability. Second, I compare the rhetorical strategies apparent in this modern discourse with the poetics of gender deviancy in ancient Jewish and Christian contexts, probing the continuities and discontinuities evident in these two discursive contexts.
From Crisis to Epiphany: What firing a Research Assistant helped me appreciate about Agency and Muslim Women in Howrah, West Bengal, India
Authors: Gibson Lorena
Published: January 2013

In this article I reflect on how a moment of crisis – having to fire a research assistant – became an epiphany that triggered my interest in agency, which ultimately became the focus for my doctoral dissertation. The aims of this article are twofold: first, to contribute to literature illustrating how serendipity and unexpected difficulties can shape ethnographic practice (e.g. Andrews, 2005; Cottle, 2001; Konecki, 2005; Pieke, 2000); and second, to describe how I came to appreciate the ways in which agency is embedded within and informed by the historical, sociocultural, and religious structures that shape the lives of Muslim women living in areas of urban poverty in Howrah.
Contending with the Hyphen(s): Muslim women negotiating identity, gender and conflict in New Zealand
Authors: Dobson Stephanie
Published: January 2013

This article examines processes of identity creation in the lives of Muslim women in New Zealand who have experienced their young-to-mid adulthood after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Identity construction for these women has subsequently become increasingly complex negotiating between popular essentialist stereotypes often ascribed to Islam, and dynamic conditions of diaspora and minority contexts. These macroscopic issues are negotiated in the processes of the women’s identity articulations. Drawing on the narratives of individual women of Islamic faith, as well as theoretical perspectives regarding ‘hyphenated identities’, this article explores the syncretic formulations of identity that contradict stereotypical notions, and which advocate for women and create new avenues for the conceptualization of self–hood.
‘He Who Pays the Piper Calls the Tune:’ The Role of Organisations in Constructing, Developing and Maintaining Scottish Highland Bagpipe Culture in Otago, New Zealand
Authors: Milosavljevic Daniel , Johnson Henry
Published: January 2013

As a distinct symbol of Scottish cultural heritage and identity, this paper argues that the Scottish Highland bagpipe is of major historical significance to the Otago region, and shows that a number of influential cultural organisations helped establish and maintain its subcultural existence. An historical study of such overarching organisations reveals that they hold a particularly important place in nurturing an underpinning social dimension of this aspect of Otago’s and New Zealand’s Scottish cultural heritage. A mixed methods approach employing historical and ethnographic research has uncovered how these organisations helped shape Scottish Highland piping within Otago. This article also identifies how some key organisations connected with piping have helped shape the performance of the instrument and its associated culture. Otago has had a strong connection with Scottish settlement and piping since the mid 19th century, and the historical records of piping in Otago make it a particularly relevant historical case study. As piping is arguably a musical culture that relies on contextual performances within the community for it to survive, the role of organisations needs to be understood.
Sequence-Specific Peptide Synthesis by an Artificial Small-Molecule Machine
Authors: Lewandowski Bartosz , De Bo Guillaume , Ward John W. , Papmeyer Marcus , Kuschel Sonja , Aldegunde María J. , Gramlich Philipp M. E. , Heckmann Dominik , Goldup Stephen M. , D’Souza Daniel M. , Fernandes Antony E. , Leigh David A.
Published: January 2013

Ribosomal Rotaxane?

The ribosome is an extraordinarily sophisticated molecular machine, assembling amino acids into proteins based on the precise sequence dictated by messenger RNA.

Lewandowski
et al.

(p.
189
) have now taken a step toward the preparation of a stripped-down synthetic ribosome analog. Their machine comprises a rotaxane—a ring threaded on a rod—in which the ring bears a pendant thiol that can pluck amino acids off the rod; the terminal nitrogen then wraps around to form a peptide bond and liberate the thiol for further reaction. The system was able to link three amino acids in order from the preassembled rod.
Shape-Memory Nanopores Induced in Coordination Frameworks by Crystal Downsizing
Authors: Sakata Yoko , Furukawa Shuhei , Kondo Mio , Hirai Kenji , Horike Nao , Takashima Yohei , Uehara Hiromitsu , Louvain Nicolas , Meilikhov Mikhail , Tsuruoka Takaaki , Isoda Seiji , Kosaka Wataru , Sakata Osami , Kitagawa Susumu
Published: January 2013

Size Affects Shape

Porous molecular framework materials can adopt a different phase when guest molecules absorb and uniformly distort the framework. Usually the framework returns to its original shape when the guests desorb.

Sakata
et al.

(p.
193
) noted that because surface stress drives this process, it might be avoided in smaller crystals. Indeed, a flexible porous coordination polymer, [Cu
2
(dicarboxylate)
2
(amine)]

n

, could retain the structure induced by guest molecules such as methanol if crystallites were made sufficiently small (submicrometer scale) and did so to a greater degree as the crystallite dimensions decreased.
Minding the Gap
The Nature–Nurture Debates
Bridging the Gap

by Dale Goldhaber

Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2012. 188 pp. $85, £55. ISBN 9780521195362. Paper, $27.99, £17.99. ISBN 9780521148795.
Authors: Bolhuis Johan J.
Published: January 2013

Rejecting dichotomous views of development, Goldhaber suggests that a synthesis of evolutionary psychology and developmental systems theory will resolve long-standing debates.
How to Solve Protein Structures with an X-ray Laser
Authors: Helliwell John R.
Published: January 2013

Femtosecond pulses from an x-ray laser are used to solve the room-temperature structure of a protein.

[Also see Report by

Redecke
et al.

]
When Metabolism and Epigenetics Converge
Authors: Sassone-Corsi Paolo
Published: January 2013

Nutrition, energy metabolism, and the plasticity of gene expression are linked through the action of epigenetic modifiers that are modulated by cellular metabolites.

[Also see Reports by

Shimazu
et al.

and

Shyh-Chang
et al.

]
Comparative Effects of Vaccination against Porcine Circovirus Type 2 (PCV2) and Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV) in a PCV2-PRRSV Challenge Model
Authors: Park Changhoon , Oh Yeonsu , Seo Hwi Won , Han Kiwon , Chae Chanhee
Published: January 2013

The objective of the present study was to determine the effects of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) vaccinations in an experimental PCV2-PRRSV challenge model, based on virological (viremia), immunological (neutralizing antibodies [NAs], gamma interferon-secreting cells [IFN-γ-SCs], and CD4+CD8+double-positive cells), and pathological (lesions and antigens in lymph nodes and lungs) evaluations. A total of 72 pigs were randomly divided into 9 groups (8 pigs per group): 5 vaccinated and challenged groups, 3 nonvaccinated and challenged groups, and a negative-control group. Vaccination against PCV2 induced immunological responses (NAs and PCV2-specific IFN-γ-SCs) and reduced PCV2 viremia, PCV2-induced lesions, and PCV2 antigens in the dually infected pigs. However, vaccination against PCV2 did not affect the PRRSV immunological responses (NAs and PRRSV-specific IFN-γ-SCs), PRRSV viremia, PRRSV-induced lesions, or PRRSV antigens in the dually infected pigs. Vaccination against PRRSV did not induce immunological responses (PRRSV-specific IFN-γ-SCs) or reduce PRRSV viremia, PRRSV-induced lesions, or PRRSV antigens in the dually infected pigs. In addition, vaccination against PRRSV increased PCV2 viremia, PCV2-induced lesions, and PCV2 antigens in the dually infected pigs. In summary, vaccination against PCV2 reduced PCV2 viremia, PCV2-induced lesions, and PCV2 antigens in the dually infected pigs. However, vaccination against PRRSV increased PCV2 viremia, PCV2-induced lesions, and PCV2 antigens in the dually infected pigs. Therefore, the PCV2 vaccine decreased the potentiation of PCV2-induced lesions by PRRSV in dually infected pigs. In contrast, the PRRSV vaccine alone did not decrease the potentiation of PCV2-induced lesions by PRRSV in dually infected pigs.
Pathogen Chip for Respiratory Tract Infections
Authors: Simões Eric A. F. , Patel Champa , Sung Wing-Kin , Lee Charlie W. H. , Loh Kuan Hon , Lucero Marilla , Nohynek Hanna , Nai Geraldine , Thien Pei Ling , Koh Chee Wee , Chan Yang Sun , Ma Jianmin , Maurer-Stroh Sebastian , Carosone-Link Phyllis , Hibberd Martin L. , Wong Christopher W. ,   ARIVAC Consortium
Published: January 2013

Determining the viral etiology of respiratory tract infections (RTI) has been limited for the most part to specific primer PCR-based methods due to their increased sensitivity and specificity compared to other methods, such as tissue culture. However, specific primer approaches have limited the ability to fully understand the diversity of infecting pathogens. A pathogen chip system (PathChip), developed at the Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS), using a random-tagged PCR coupled to a chip with over 170,000 probes, has the potential to recognize all known human viral pathogens. We tested 290 nasal wash specimens from Filipino children <2 years of age with respiratory tract infections using culture and 3 PCR methods—EraGen, Luminex, and the GIS PathChip. The PathChip had good diagnostic accuracy, ranging from 85.9% (95% confidence interval [CI], 81.3 to 89.7%) for rhinovirus/enteroviruses to 98.6% (95% CI, 96.5 to 99.6%) for PIV 2, compared to the other methods and additionally identified a number of viruses not detected by these methods.
Hepatitis B and E Co-Primary Infections in an HIV-1-Infected Patient
Authors: Bouamra Yanis , Benali Souad , Tissot-Dupont Hervé , Tamalet Catherine , Colson Philippe
Published: January 2013

We report an autochthonous hepatitis E virus (HEV)-hepatitis B virus co-primary infection in a 41-year-old man having sex with men and infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This case prompts testing for HEV in HIV-infected patients with acute hepatitis even if primary infection with another hepatitis virus is diagnosed.
Klebsiella pneumoniae K1 Liver Abscess and Septic Endophthalmitis in a U.S. Resident
Authors: Sachdev Darpun D. , Yin Michael T. , Horowitz Jason D. , Mukkamala Sri Krishna , Lee Song Eun , Ratner Adam J.
Published: January 2013

Klebsiella pneumoniae
K1 is a major agent of hepatic abscess with metastatic disease in East Asia, with sporadic reports originating elsewhere. We report a case of abscess complicated by septic endophthalmitis caused by a
wzyA
KpK1-positive
Klebsiella
strain in a U.S. resident, raising concern for global emergence.
Filoviruses Utilize Glycosaminoglycans for Their Attachment to Target Cells
Authors: Salvador Beatriz , Sexton Nicole R. , Carrion Ricardo , Nunneley Jerritt , Patterson Jean L. , Steffen Imke , Lu Kai , Muench Marcus O. , Lembo David , Simmons Graham
Published: January 2013

Filoviruses are the cause of severe hemorrhagic fever in human and nonhuman primates. The envelope glycoprotein (GP), responsible for both receptor binding and fusion of the virus envelope with the host cell membrane, has been demonstrated to interact with multiple molecules in order to enhance entry into host cells. Here we have demonstrated that filoviruses utilize glycosaminoglycans, and more specifically heparan sulfate proteoglycans, for their attachment to host cells. This interaction is mediated by GP and does not require the presence of the mucin domain. Both the degree of sulfation and the structure of the carbohydrate backbone play a role in the interaction with filovirus GPs. This new step of filovirus interaction with host cells can potentially be a new target for antiviral strategies. As such, we were able to inhibit filovirus GP-mediated infection using carrageenan, a broad-spectrum microbicide that mimics heparin, and also using the antiviral dendrimeric peptide SB105-A10, which interacts with heparan sulfate, antagonizing the binding of the virus to cells.
The Absence of M1 Leads to Increased Establishment of Murine Gammaherpesvirus 68 Latency in IgD-Negative B Cells
Authors: Krug Laurie T. , Evans Andrew G. , Gargano Lisa M. , Paden Clinton R. , Speck Samuel H.
Published: January 2013

The secreted M1 protein of murine gammaherpesvirus 68 (MHV68) promotes effector Vβ4+CD8+T cell expansion to impact virus control and immune-mediated pathologies in C57BL/6 mice, but not BALB/c mice. We report a striking increase in the number of genome-positive, IgD−B cells during chronic infection of both mouse strains. This suggests a novel role for M1 in influencing long-term maintenance in a major latency reservoir irrespective of the degree of Vβ4+CD8+T cell expansion.
Toll-Like Receptor Expression and Induction of Type I and Type III Interferons in Primary Airway Epithelial Cells
Authors: Ioannidis Ioannis , Ye Fang , McNally Beth , Willette Meredith , Flaño Emilio
Published: January 2013

Interferons (IFNs) are a critical component of the first line of antiviral defense. The activation of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) expressed by dendritic cells triggers different signaling cascades that result in the production of large amounts of IFNs. However, the functional consequences of TLR activation and differential IFN production in specific cell populations other than antigen-presenting cells have not yet been fully elucidated. In this study, we investigated TLR expression and polarization in airway epithelial cells (AECs) and the consequences of TLR agonist stimulation for the production of type I (IFN-α/β) and type III (IFN-λ) IFNs. Our results show that the pattern of expression and polarization of all TLRs in primary AEC cultures mirrors that of the human airwaysex vivoand is receptor specific. The antiviral TLRs (TLR3, TLR7, and TLR9) are mostly expressed on the apical cell surfaces of epithelial cells in the human trachea and in primary polarized AECs. Type III IFN is the predominant IFN produced by the airway epithelium, and TLR3 is the only TLR that mediates IFN production by AECs, while all TLR agonists tested are capable of inducing AEC activation and interleukin-8 production. In response to influenza virus infection, AECs can produce IFN-λ in an IFNAR- and STAT1-independent manner. Our results emphasize the importance of using primary well-differentiated AECs to study TLR and antiviral responses and provide further insight into the regulation of IFN production during the antiviral response of the lung epithelium.
Innate Immune Defense Defines Susceptibility of Sarcoma Cells to Measles Vaccine Virus-Based Oncolysis
Authors: Berchtold Susanne , Lampe Johanna , Weiland Timo , Smirnow Irina , Schleicher Sabine , Handgretinger Rupert , Kopp Hans-Georg , Reiser Jeanette , Stubenrauch Frank , Mayer Nora , Malek Nisar P. , Bitzer Michael , Lauer Ulrich M.
Published: January 2013

The oncolytic potential of measles vaccine virus (MeV) has been demonstrated in several tumor entities. Here, we investigated the susceptibility of eight sarcoma cell lines to MeV-mediated oncolysis and found five to be susceptible, whereas three proved to be resistant. In the MeV-resistant cell lines, we often observed an inhibition of viral replication along with a strong upregulation of the intracellular virus-sensing molecule RIG-I and of the interferon (IFN)-stimulated gene IFIT1. Not only expression of IFIT1 but also phosphorylation of IFN-stimulated Stat1 took place rapidly and were found to be persistent over time. In contrast, susceptible cell lines showed a much weaker, delayed, or completely missing expression of IFIT1 as well as a delayed or only transient phosphorylation of Stat1, whereas exogenic stimulation with beta interferon (IFN-β) resulted in a comparable profound activation of Stat1 and expression of IFIT1 in all cell lines. Pretreatment with IFN-β rendered three of the susceptible cell lines more resistant to MeV-mediated oncolysis. These data suggest that differences in the innate immune defense often account for different degrees of susceptibility of sarcoma cell lines to MeV-mediated oncolysis. From a therapeutic perspective, we were able to overcome resistance to MeV by increasing the multiplicity of infection (MOI) and by addition of the prodrug 5-fluorocytosine (FC), thereby exploiting the suicide gene function of virotherapeutic vector MeV-SCD armed with the SCD fusion protein, which consists of yeast cytosine deaminase and yeast uracil phosphoribosyltransferase.
Henipavirus Pathogenesis in Human Respiratory Epithelial Cells
Authors: Escaffre Olivier , Borisevich Viktoriya , Carmical J. Russ , Prusak Deborah , Prescott Joseph , Feldmann Heinz , Rockx Barry
Published: January 2013

Hendra virus (HeV) and Nipah virus (NiV) are deadly zoonotic viruses for which no vaccines or therapeutics are licensed for human use. Henipavirus infection causes severe respiratory illness and encephalitis. Although the exact route of transmission in human is unknown, epidemiological studies and
in vivo
studies suggest that the respiratory tract is important for virus replication. However, the target cells in the respiratory tract are unknown, as are the mechanisms by which henipaviruses can cause disease. In this study, we characterized henipavirus pathogenesis using primary cells derived from the human respiratory tract. The growth kinetics of NiV-Malaysia, NiV-Bangladesh, and HeV were determined in bronchial/tracheal epithelial cells (NHBE) and small airway epithelial cells (SAEC). In addition, host responses to infection were assessed by gene expression analysis and immunoassays. Viruses replicated efficiently in both cell types and induced large syncytia. The host response to henipavirus infection in NHBE and SAEC highlighted a difference in the inflammatory response between HeV and NiV strains as well as intrinsic differences in the ability to mount an inflammatory response between NHBE and SAEC. These responses were highest during HeV infection in SAEC, as characterized by the levels of key cytokines (interleukin 6 [IL-6], IL-8, IL-1α, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 [MCP-1], and colony-stimulating factors) responsible for immune cell recruitment. Finally, we identified virus strain-dependent variability in type I interferon antagonism in NHBE and SAEC: NiV-Malaysia counteracted this pathway more efficiently than NiV-Bangladesh and HeV. These results provide crucial new information in the understanding of henipavirus pathogenesis in the human respiratory tract at an early stage of infection.
Inflammasome Adaptor Protein Apoptosis-Associated Speck-Like Protein Containing CARD (ASC) Is Critical for the Immune Response and Survival in West Nile Virus Encephalitis
Authors: Kumar Mukesh , Roe Kelsey , Orillo Beverly , Muruve Daniel A. , Nerurkar Vivek R. , Gale Michael , Verma Saguna
Published: January 2013

West Nile virus (WNV) is a neurotropic flavivirus that has emerged globally as a significant cause of viral encephalitis in humans. The WNV-induced innate immune response, including production of antiviral cytokines, is critical for controlling virus infection. The adaptor protein ASC mediates a critical step in innate immune signaling by bridging the interaction between the pathogen recognition receptors and caspase 1 in inflammasome complexes, but its role in WNV immunopathogenesis is not defined. Here, we demonstrate that ASC is essential for interleukin-1β (IL-1β) production and development of effective host immunity against WNV. ASC-deficient mice exhibited increased susceptibility to WNV infection, and reduced survival was associated with enhanced virus replication in the peripheral tissues and central nervous system (CNS). Infection of cultured bone marrow-derived dendritic cells showed that ASC was essential for the activation of caspase 1, a key component of inflammasome assembly. ASC
−/−
mice exhibited attenuated levels of proinflammatory cytokines in the serum. Intriguingly, infected ASC
−/−
mice also displayed reduced levels of alpha interferon (IFN-α) and IgM in the serum, indicating the overall protective role of ASC in restricting WNV infection. However, brains from ASC
−/−
mice displayed unrestrained inflammation, including elevated levels of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, such as IFN-γ, CCL2, and CCL5, which correlated with more pronounced activation of the astrocytes, enhanced infiltration of peripheral immune cells in the CNS, and increased neuronal cell death. Collectively, our data provide new insights into the role of ASC as an essential modulator of inflammasome-dependent and -independent immune responses to effectively control WNV infection.
A Virally Encoded Small Peptide Regulates RTA Stability and Facilitates Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus Lytic Replication
Authors: Jaber Tareq , Yuan Yan
Published: January 2013

In both mammalian and viral genomes, a large proportion of sequences are transcribed and annotated as noncoding RNAs. A polyadenylated RNA of 3.0 kb (T3.0) is transcribed from the opposite strand of the open reading frame 50 (ORF50) DNA template in the genome of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) and has been annotated previously as a noncoding RNA. ORF50 encodes the replication and transcription activator (RTA), which controls the switch of the virus between the latent and lytic phases of the life cycle. Here we show that T3.0 encodes a small peptide of 48 amino acids (designated viral small peptide 1 [vSP-1]). vSP-1 interacts with RTA at the protein abundance regulatory signal (PARS) motifs, and the association prevents RTA from being subjected to degradation through the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. As a consequence, vSP-1 facilitates KSHV gene expression and lytic replication. This finding reveals a novel mechanism of gene regulation in the viral life cycle.
T Cell Epitope Mapping of JC Polyoma Virus-Encoded Proteome Reveals Reduced T Cell Responses in HLA-DRB1*04:01+Donors
Authors: Jelčić Ilijas , Aly Lilian , Binder Thomas M. C. , Jelčić Ivan , Bofill-Mas Sílvia , Planas Raquel , Demina Victoria , Eiermann Thomas H. , Weber Thomas , Girones Rosina , Sospedra Mireia , Martin Roland
Published: January 2013

JC polyomavirus (JCV) infection is highly prevalent and usually kept in a persistent state without clinical signs and symptoms. It is only during immunocompromise and especially impaired CD4+T cell function in the brain, as seen in AIDS patients or natalizumab-treated multiple sclerosis patients, that JCV may cause progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), an often life-threatening brain disease. Since CD4+T cells likely play an important role in controlling JCV infection, we here describe the T cell response to JCV in a group of predominantly HLA-DR-heterozygotic healthy donors (HD) by using a series of overlapping 15-mer peptides spanning all JCV-encoded open reading frames. We identified immunodominant epitopes and compared T cell responses with anti-JCV VP1 antibody production and with the presence of urinary viral shedding. We observed positive JCV-specific T cell responses in 28.6% to 77.6%, humoral immune response in 42.6% to 89.4%, and urinary viral shedding in 36.4% to 45.5% of HD depending on the threshold. Four immunodominant peptides were mapped, and at least one immunogenic peptide per HLA-DRB1 allele was detected in DRB1*01+, DRB1*07+, DRB1*11+, DRB1*13+, DRB1*15+, and DRB1*03+individuals. We show for the first time that JCV-specific T cell responses may be directed not only against JCV VP1 and large T antigen but also against all other JCV-encoded proteins. Heterozygotic DRB1*04:01+individuals showed very low T cell responses to JCV together with normal anti-VP1 antibody levels and no urinary viral shedding, indicating a dominant-negative effect of this allele on global JCV-directed T cell responses. Our data are potentially relevant for the development of vaccines against JCV.
Adenovirus L-E1A Activates Transcription through Mediator Complex-Dependent Recruitment of the Super Elongation Complex
Authors: Vijayalingam S. , Chinnadurai G.
Published: January 2013

The adenovirus large E1A (L-E1A) protein is a prototypical transcriptional activator, and it functions through the action of a conserved transcriptional activation domain, CR3. CR3 interacts with a mediator subunit, MED23, that has been linked to the transcriptional activity of CR3. Our unbiased proteomic analysis revealed that human adenovirus 5 (HAdv5) L-E1A was associated with many mediator subunits. In MED23-depleted cells and in
Med23
knockout (KO) cells, L-E1A was deficient in association with other mediator subunits, suggesting that MED23 links CR3 with the mediator complex. Short interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated depletion of several mediator subunits suggested differential effects of various subunits on transcriptional activation of HAdv5 early genes. In addition to MED23, mediator subunits such as MED14 and MED26 were also essential for the transcription of HAdv5 early genes. The L-E1A proteome contained MED26-associated super elongation complex. The catalytic component of the elongation complex, CDK9, was important for the transcriptional activity of L-E1A and HAdv5 replication. Our results suggest that L-E1A-mediated transcriptional activation involves a transcriptional elongation step, like HIV Tat, and constitutes a therapeutic target for inhibition of HAdv replication.
Diagnostic pathway to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS): the significance of Babinski's sign in a unique patient and the necessity for a multidisciplinary approach
Authors: Bulthuis Vincent , Vlooswijk Marielle , Santbrink Henk van , Schijns Olaf
Published: January 2013

In this case report, we present a patient with rare diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In this patient, four different neurological disorders were diagnosed in a short-time period of 8 months. The first three diagnoses, chronic low back and leg pain, a left frontal gemistocytic astrocytoma WHO grade 2 and suspected Lyme's disease, could not fully explain the signs of physical examination. Finally, the diagnosis of ALS could reduce these signs to the same denominator.
Intrathoracic bifurcation of the right common carotid artery
Authors: Gomez Carrie K , Arnuk Omar J
Published: January 2013

Intrathoracic carotid artery bifurcation is a very rare condition and only six cases have been reported to the best of our knowledge. We present a case of a 52-year-old man who was found to have an atretic intrathoracic internal carotid originating at the T3 level. The recognition of an intrathoracic carotid bifurcation is essential in the planning of thoracic and vascular procedures to avoid unintentional iatrogenic injuries.
Herpes zoster as a cause of viral meningitis in immunocompetent patients
Authors: Kangath Raghesh Varot , Lindeman Tracey Einem , Brust Karen
Published: January 2013

A 30-year-old Caucasian woman, without significant medical history or immunosuppression, presented with a 7-day history of severe headache and neck pain. The patient was presumed to have tension headache versus migraine, but was admitted because her symptoms did not resolve. A lumbar puncture was performed showing lymphocytic pleocytosis suggestive of aseptic meningitis and the patient was started on broad-spectrum antibiotics and acyclovir. After admission, a rash was discovered on her left lumbar region with vesicles on top of an erythematous base. Varicella PCR was conducted on the patient's cerebrospinal fluid which was positive. Upon further history, patient was found to have previous varicella infection as a child, but no prior episodes of dermatomal zoster. Therefore, this patient was found to have aseptic meningitis and cutaneous manifestation of disseminated varicella-zoster despite immunocompetence. Antibacterial treatment was discontinued and she was continued on acyclovir for 7 days with transition to valacyclovir for 2 additional weeks with good treatment response and symptom resolution.
A complicated case of anticoagulation
Authors: Nathwani Rooshi
Published: January 2013

In this case of complex anticoagulation, a 60-year-old woman was treated with low-molecular-weight heparin for pulmonary embolism. As a result of anticoagulation, she then developed an acute subdural haemorrhage identified on CT brain scan requiring craniectomy. Subsequently, while continuing anticoagulation for treatment for pulmonary embolism, she additionally had a large intra-abdominal bleed within and around the psoas muscle identified on abdominal CT scan. Although the increased risk of bleeding is known with anticoagulation therapy, the case of both an intracerebral and intra-abdominal bleed is rare. However, the case does highlight how each individual has a unique physiological response to anticoagulation, in some cases more severe than others.
Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura during pregnancy
Authors: Inocêncio Gonçalo , Coutinho Lúcia , Buchner Graça , Zulmira Rosa
Published: January 2013

Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura is a very rare disease, especially during pregnancy. It is characterised by low platelet count and predominantly muco-cutaneous bleeding. There are many forms to monitor and treat these patients. Here, we present a case of a pregnant woman, with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, who was submitted to treatment only when the platelet count was below 10 000/μl, with human intravenous immunoglobulin. During the evolution of pregnancy, caesarean delivery and puerperium were favourable.
Non-umbilical cutaneous metastasis of a pancreatic adenocarcinoma
Authors: Kaoutzanis Christodoulos , Chang Myungwon C , Abdul Khalek Feras J , Kreske Edward
Published: January 2013

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is one of the deadliest human malignancies with the majority of cases diagnosed late in the course of the disease. Cutaneous metastases originating from pancreatic cancer are rare. The most common site reported is the umbilicus. Non-umbilical cutaneous metastases are far less common with only a few cases reported in the literature. Our case involved a 43-year-old man with pancreatic carcinoma who was offered resection and a Whipple procedure was planned. Intraoperatively, the patient was found to have a widely metastatic disease not seen on preoperative imaging. Postoperatively, cutaneous metastasis in the scalp was discovered. Although rare, the recognition of non-umbilical cutaneous metastases of pancreatic adenocarcinoma can be of value because they can not only detect an underlying tumour but also guide management.
Cranial aspergilloma masquerading as meningioma
Authors: Verma Ritu , Singh Prabhat , Kumar Achal , Paliwal Vimal Kumar
Published: January 2013

Cranial aspergillosis may present as meningitis, cerebral abscess, cerebral infarcts/haemorrhages or extra-axial mass. Extra-axial cranial aspergilloma may mimic meningioma owing to mass-like characteristics and intense contrast enhancement on MRI there by delaying the diagnosis and further worsening the already bad prognosis in these patients. We present a 45-year-old gentleman who presented with signs of raised intracranial hypertension, secondary optic atrophy and a contrast-enhancing mass arising from the planum sphenoidale. Postoperatively, mass was diagnosed as aspergilloma on histopathology and culture. Despite antifungal treatment, patient could not be saved due to large artery infarcts in the immediate postoperative period. We discuss the clinical and MRI features that could help to have sufficient and early suspicion of fungal aetiology in these patients.
Assessment of hypovolaemic shock at scene: is the PHTLS classification of hypovolaemic shock really valid?
Authors: Mutschler Manuel , Nienaber Ulrike , Münzberg Matthias , Fabian Tobias , Paffrath Thomas , Wölfl Christoph , Bouillon Bertil , Maegele Marc
Published: January 2013

Objective

Validation of the classification of hypovolaemic shock suggested by the prehospital trauma life support (PHTLS) in its sixth student course manual.

Methods

Adults, entered into the TraumaRegister DGU®database between 2002 and 2011, were classified into reference ranges for heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP) and Glasgow coma scale (GCS) according to the PHTLS classification of hypovolaemic shock. First, patients were grouped by a combination of all three parameters (HR, SBP and GCS) as suggested by PHTLS. Second, patients were classified by only one parameter (HR, SBP or GCS) according to PHTLS and alterations in the remaining two parameters were assessed. Furthermore, subgroup analysis for trauma mechanism and traumatic brain injury (TBI) were performed.

Results

Out of 46 689 patients, only 12 432 (26.5%) could be adequately classified according to PHTLS if a combination of all three criteria was assessed. In TBI patients, only 12.2% could be classified adequately, whereas trauma mechanism had no significant influence. When patients were grouped by HR, there was only a slight reduction in SBP. When grouped by SBP, GCS dropped from 14 to 8, while no significant tachycardia was observed in any group. In patients with a GCS less than 12, HR was unaltered whereas SBP was slightly reduced to 114 (±42) mm Hg. On average, GCS in TBI patients was lower within all shock groups. In penetrating trauma patients, changes in HR and SBP were more distinct, but still less than predicted by PHTLS.

Conclusions

The PHTLS classification of hypovolaemic shock displays substantial deficits in adequately risk-stratifying trauma patients.
Contrasting leaf phenology in two white oaks, Quercus magnoliifolia and Quercus resinosa, along an altitudinal gradient in Mexico
Authors: Hernández-Calderón Erasto , González-Rodríguez Antonio , Méndez-Alonzo Rodrigo , Vega-Peña Ernesto , Oyama Ken
Published: January 2013

In tropical latitudes, the analysis of leaf phenology in tree species of lineages with temperate origin can help better understanding the potential effects of climate change on these forests. Over three years (2008–2010), we recorded the timing of bud burst (BB), leaf unfolding (LU), and leaf spreading (LS) and their relation to temperature, precipitation, and soil water potential in two deciduous oak species (Quercus magnoliifolia Née and Quercus resinosa Liebm.) along an altitudinal gradient at the Tequila Volcano, central Mexico. Quercus magnoliifolia was monitored at three altitudes, 1450, 1667, and 1787 m, and Q. resinosa was monitored at 1787, 2055, and 2110 m. The onset of BB, LU, and LS occurred earlier at lower elevations with higher temperature in Q. magnoliifolia, but in Q. resinosa only the onset of BB occurred later at lower elevations with higher temperature. BB, LU, and LS were not correlated with rainfall and soil water potential in the two species. The total duration time of leaf development was not significantly correlated with rainfall in Q. magnoliifolia, but a significant negative correlation with rainfall was found in Q. resinosa. Results indicated that leaf phenology of the two examined oak species exhibited contrasting responses to temperature and precipitation.
Pressure-induced phase transition and thermophysical properties of cubic refractory metal nitrides: theory
Authors: Srivastava Anurag , Diwan Bhoopendra Dhar
Published: January 2013

The present paper reports the structural stability, pressure-induced phase transition, and thermophysical properties for refractory metal nitrides (viz: TiN, ZrN, HfN, VN, NbN, and TaN) computed using a three-body force potential model. The structural phase transitions from a parental NaCl (B1) type phase to the most stable CsCl (B2) type phase has been observed in the pressure range 162–370 GPa. Study includes the computation of thermophysical properties (U, f, θD, υ0,γ, β, αV/CV), where some of the properties are being reported for the first time on these materials.
THERMODYNAMICS AND SPECTROSCOPY OF SCHWARZSCHILD BLACK HOLE SURROUNDED BY QUINTESSENCE
Authors: THARANATH R. , KURIAKOSE V. C.
Published: January 2013

The thermodynamic and spectroscopic behavior of Schwarzschild black hole surrounded by quintessence are studied. We have derived the thermodynamic quantities and studied their behavior for different values of quintessence parameter. We put the background spacetime into the Kruskal-like coordinate to find the period with respect to Euclidean time. Also assuming that the adiabatic invariant obeys Bohr–Sommerfeld quantization rule, detailed study of area spectrum and entropy spectrum have been done for special cases of the quintessence state parameter. We find that the spectra are equally spaced.
REVIEW AND UPDATE OF THE COMPACTIFIED M/STRING THEORY PREDICTION OF THE HIGGS BOSON MASS AND PROPERTIES
Authors: KANE GORDON , LU RAN , ZHENG BOB
Published: January 2013

The August 2011 Higgs mass prediction was based on an ongoing six-year project studying M-theory compactified on a manifold of G2 holonomy, with significant contributions from Jing Shao, Eric Kuflik and others and particularly co-led by Bobby Acharya and Piyush Kumar. The M-theory results include stabilization of all moduli in a de Sitter vacuum, gauge coupling unification, derivation of TeV scale physics (solving the hierarchy problem), the derivation that generically scalar masses are equal to the gravitino mass which is larger than about 30 TeV, derivation of the Higgs mechanism via radiative electroweak symmetry breaking, absence of the flavor and CP problems, and the accommodation of string axions. The tan β and the μ parameter are part of the theory and are approximately calculated; as a result, the little hierarchy problem is greatly reduced. The heavy scalars imply that decoupling rare decays such as Bs →μ+ μ- should not deviate from their Standard Model values. This paper summarizes the results relevant to the Higgs mass prediction. A recent review [Int. J. Mod. Phys. A27, 1230012 (2012)] describes the program more broadly. Some of the results such as the scalar masses being equal to the gravitino mass and larger than about 30 TeV, derived early in the program, hold generically for compactified string theories as well as for compactified M-theory, while some other results may or may not. If the world is described by M-theory compactified on a G2 manifold and has a Higgs mechanism (so it could be our world) then Mh was predicted to be 126±2 GeV before the measurement. The derivation has some assumptions not related to the Higgs mass, but involves no free parameters.
Electronic Records Management in Institutions of Higher Learning in Libya: A Case Study
Authors: Galala Khdega A. Y. , Yusof Zawiyah M.
Published: January 2013

This study is executed in order to determine whether public institutions of higher learning in Libya have policy and guideline for managing electronic records and also to identify whether there are problems in managing electronic records. The study adopts survey as its method for employing the questionnaire as a technique to collect data. The study involves three institutions of higher learning in Al-Joufra, Libya namely College of Arts and Sciences, Teachers Preparatory College and College of Economics and Accounting. About 10% of their staff members (from the entire population of 1000) were chosen randomly as a study sample. The study revealed that institutions of higher learning in Al-Joufra do implement electronic record management but without clear policy and guidelines. Only 46% of the surveyed samples agree that they have a written policy and guidelines for managing records. In addition, the study also discovered institutions of higher learning (80%) in Al-Joufra face difficulties in handling and managing electronic records.
Interoperability of Knowledge Accumulation and Engineering Manpower Outsourcing in Enterprises
Authors: Lai Wen-Hsiang
Published: January 2013

In recent years, the global economy has moved away from considering capital as the main axis of the economic system and has gradually come to consider knowledge accumulation (KA) and innovation as the main driving forces of economic growth and increased productivity. Because at the same time companies chose to embrace skilled engineering manpower outsourcing (EMO), the global economy now confronts the issues of how to maintain an accumulation of knowledge within the organisation and how to manage outsourcing and external knowledge to achieve balance and maximise values. This paper reports on a research and analysis study of Taiwan's optical industry using a mathematical model of translog cost function that accomplishes EMO and KA and applying this mathematical model to the optical companies in Taiwan. This paper finds that KA and EMO influence each other; when EMO increases, the KA in the company decreases in response, and vice versa.
HIGHER-ORDER PARAMETER UNIFORM CONVERGENT SCHEMES FOR ROBIN TYPE REACTION-DIFFUSION PROBLEMS USING ADAPTIVELY GENERATED GRID
Authors: DAS PRATIBHAMOY , NATESAN SRINIVASAN
Published: January 2013

In this article, a singularly perturbed reaction-diffusion problem with Robin boundary conditions, is considered. In general, the solution of this problem possesses boundary layers at both the ends of the domain. To solve this problem, we propose a numerical scheme, involving the cubic spline scheme for boundary conditions and the classical central difference scheme for the differential equation (DE) at the interior points. The grid is generated by the equidistribution of a positive monitor function. It has been proved that classical forward–backward approximation for mixed type boundary conditions, gives first-order convergence, whereas our proposed cubic spline scheme provides second-order accuracy independent of the perturbation parameter. Numerical experiments have been provided to validate the theoretical results.
TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES: FACTORS AFFECTING THEIR USAGE AND THEIR IMPACT ON PERFORMANCE
Authors: CETINDAMAR DILEK , WASTI NAZLI S. , BEYHAN BERNA
Published: January 2013

This study investigates which technology management (TM) tools are used in practice, what determines their usage, and whether they affect the user firms' performance. Based on a survey of 52 electronics and machinery firms in Turkey, the study shows there are significant relationships between the number of TM tools and techniques that a firm uses and (i) the hierarchical level of the chief technology officer (CTO) or most senior manager responsible for technology, (ii) his/her field of education, and (iii) the size of the firm. The findings indicate a significant and linear relationship between the extent to which the firms have reached their growth targets and the number of TM tools and techniques used. This relationship is, however, not observed between firm profitability and the number of TM tools and techniques. The findings have important implications for the practice of TM.
MULTIPLICATIVE INVERSES IN SHORT INTERVALS
Authors: BAIER S.
Published: January 2013

We give an alternative proof of a recent result by T. D. Browning and A. Haynes (arXiv:1204.6374v1) on multiplicative inverses in sequences of intervals and improve this result under additional conditions on the spacing of these intervals.
ON A CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN JACOBI CUSP FORMS AND ELLIPTIC CUSP FORMS
Authors: RAMAKRISHNAN B. , SHANKHADHAR KARAM DEO
Published: January 2013

In this paper, we prove a generalization of a correspondence between holomorphic Jacobi cusp forms of higher degree (matrix index) and elliptic cusp forms obtained by K. Bringmann [Lifting maps from a vector space of Jacobi cusp forms to a subspace of elliptic modular forms, Math. Z.253 (2006) 735–752], for forms of higher levels (for congruence subgroups). To achieve this, we make use of the method adopted by M. Manickam and the first author in Sec. 3 of [On Shimura, Shintani and Eichler–Zagier correspondences, Trans. Amer. Math. Soc.352 (2000) 2601–2617], who obtained similar correspondence in the degree one case. We also derive a similar correspondence in the case of skew-holomorphic Jacobi forms (matrix index and for congruence subgroups). Such results in the degree one case (for the full group) were obtained by N.-P. Skoruppa [Developments in the theory of Jacobi forms, in Automorphic Functions and Their Applications, Khabarovsk, 1988 (Acad. Sci. USSR, Inst. Appl. Math., Khabarovsk, 1990), pp. 168–185; Binary quadratic forms and the Fourier coefficients of elliptic and Jacobi modular forms, J. Reine Angew. Math.411 (1990) 66–95] and by M. Manickam [Newforms of half-integral weight and some problems on modular forms, Ph.D. thesis, University of Madras (1989)].