bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Multivariate Logistical Model for Identifying the Compressive Sensitivity of Single Rat Tactile Receptors as Nanobiosensors
Authors: Kohles Sean S. , Bradshaw Sam , Mason Shelley S. , Looft Fred J.
Published: December 2010

Tactile sensation is a complex manifestation of mechanical stimuli applied to the skin. At the most fundamental level of the somatosensory system is the cutaneous mechanoreceptor. The objective here was to establish a framework for modeling afferent mechanoreceptor behavior as a nanoscale biosensor under dynamic compressive loads using multivariate regression techniques. A multivariate logistical model was chosen because the system contains continuous input variables and a singular binary-output variable corresponding to the nerve action potential. Subsequently, this method was used to quantify the sensitivity of ten rapidly adapting afferents from rat hairy skin due to the stimulus metrics of compressive stress, strain, their respective time derivatives, and interactions. In vitro experiments involving compressive stimulation of isolated afferents using pseudorandom and nonrepeating noise sequences were completed. An analysis of the data was performed using multivariate logistical regression producing odds ratios (ORs) as a metric associated with mechanotransduction. It was determined that cutaneous mechanoreceptors are preferentially sensitive to stress (mean ORmax=26.10), stress rate (mean ORmax=15.03), strain (mean ORmax=12.01), and strain rate (mean ORmax=7.29) typically occurring within 7.3 ms of the nerve response. As a novel approach to receptor characterization, this analytical framework was validated for the multiple-input, binary-output neural system.
High Temperature Aging and Corrosion Study on Alloy 617 and Alloy 230
Authors: Mo Kun , Lovicu Gianfranco , Tung Hsiao-Ming , Chen Xiang , Stubbins James F.
Published: December 2010

The very high temperature gas-cooled reactor (VHTR), with dual capacities of highly efficient electricity generation and thermochemical production of hydrogen, is considered as one of the most promising Gen-IV nuclear systems. The primary candidate materials for construction of the intermediate heat exchanger (IHX) for the VHTR are alloy 617 and alloy 230. To have a better understanding of the degradation process during high temperature long-term service and to provide practical data for the engineering design of the IHX, aging experiments were performed on alloy 617 and alloy 230 at 900°C and 1000°C. Mechanical properties (hardness and tensile strength) and microstructure were analyzed on post-aging samples after different aging periods (up to 3000 h). Both alloys attained increased hardness during the early stages of aging and dramatically soften after extended aging times. Microstructural analysis including transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and electron backscatter diffraction was carried out to investigate the microstructure evolution during aging. A carbide particle precipitation, growth, and maturing process was observed for both alloys, which corresponds to the changes of the materials’ mechanical properties. Few changes in grain boundary character distribution and grain size distribution were observed after aging. In addition, high temperature corrosion studies were performed at 900°C and 1000°C for both alloys. Alloy 230 exhibits much better corrosion resistance at elevated temperature compared with alloy 617.
Experimental Comparisons of 3D Reconstructed Pin-Power Distributions in Full-Scale BWR Fuel Assemblies
Authors: Giust Flavio D. , Grimm Peter , Chawla Rakesh
Published: December 2010

In this paper, reconstructed local fission rates obtained with the two-group nodal diffusion program PRESTO-2, used at the Leibstadt Nuclear Power Plant (KKL) in Switzerland, are compared with experimental results and MCNPX calculations. The experimental facility consists of a test zone, where the measurements are made, surrounded by a buffer zone and two driver zones that render the system critical and also contain the control rods. The test zone consists of a tank that contains a 3×3 array of BWR fuel assemblies of type SVEA-96+. Four cases are considered, all corresponding to a 1.23 m high active zone moderated with light water at room temperature: (1) axially uniform enrichment and gadolinium content, (2) like case 1 but with an L-shaped control blade completely inserted, (3) enrichment and gadolinium content change at the core midplane, and (4) like case 2 but with the control blade partially inserted. The comparisons give insight into the accuracy of the pin-power reconstruction methodology. The axially uniform case without control blade shows a good radial agreement and a well predicted axial curvature of the flux. On the other hand, systematic deviations are observed in the radial direction for the controlled cases, with the axial heterogeneities causing deviations around the discontinuity and also in the axial curvature of the flux.
Coordinating Metabolism with Oxygen Supply
Authors: Gough Nancy R.
Published: December 2010

Hypoxic conditions activate the kinase ATM to inhibit a complex central to metabolism, mTORC1.
Myc-Nick: The Force Behind c-Myc
Authors: Mousavi Kambiz , Sartorelli Vittorio
Published: December 2010

A cytoplasmic form of c-Myc promotes microtubule stability and cell differentiation.
Distribution of Fusidic Acid Resistance Determinants in Methicillin-Resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: McLaws F. B. , Larsen A. R. , Skov R. L. , Chopra I. , O'Neill A. J.
Published: December 2010

The prevalence of resistance to fusidic acid in clinical isolates of
Staphylococcus aureus
, including methicillin-resistant
S. aureus
(MRSA), has increased in the past 2 decades. However, there are limited data regarding the relative importance in this process of the different staphylococcal determinants that mediate resistance to fusidic acid. Furthermore, the roles played by clonal dissemination of fusidic acid-resistant strains versus horizontal transmission of fusidic acid resistance determinants have not been investigated in detail. To gain insight into both issues, we examined fusidic acid resistance in 1,639 MRSA isolates collected in Denmark between 2003 and 2005. Resistance to fusidic acid (MIC, >1 μg/ml) was exhibited by 291 (17.6%) isolates. For the majority of these isolates (∼87%), resistance was attributed to carriage of
fusB
or
fusC
, while the remainder harbored mutations in the gene (
fusA
) encoding the drug target (EF-G). The CC80-MRSA-IV clone carrying
fusB
accounted for ∼61% of the resistant isolates in this collection, while a single CC5 clone harboring
fusC
represented ∼12% of the resistant strains. These findings emphasize the importance of clonal dissemination of fusidic acid resistance within European MRSA strains. Nonetheless, the distribution of
fusB
and
fusC
across several genetic lineages, and their presence on multiple genetic elements, indicates that horizontal transmission of fusidic acid resistance genes has also played an important role in the increasing prevalence of fusidic acid resistance in MRSA.
Destabilization of YopE by the Ubiquitin-Proteasome Pathway Fine-Tunes Yop Delivery into Host Cells and Facilitates Systemic Spread of
Yersinia enterocolitica
in Host Lymphoid Tissue
Authors: Gaus Kristin , Hentschke Moritz , Czymmeck Nicole , Novikova Lena , Trülzsch Konrad , Valentin-Weigand Peter , Aepfelbacher Martin , Ruckdeschel Klaus
Published: December 2010

Pathogenic
Yersinia
species inject a panel of Yop virulence proteins by type III protein secretion into host cells to modulate cellular defense responses. This enables the survival and dissemination of the bacteria in the host lymphoid tissue. We have previously shown that YopE of the
Y. enterocolitica
serogroup O8 is degraded in the host cell through the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. YopE normally manipulates rearrangements of the actin cytoskeleton and triggers phagocytosis resistance. To shed light into the physiological role of YopE inactivation, we mutagenized the lysine polyubiquitin acceptor sites of YopE in the
Y. enterocolitica
serogroup O8 virulence plasmid. The resulting mutant strain escaped polyubiquitination and degradation of YopE and displayed increased intracellular YopE levels, which was accompanied by a pronounced cytotoxic effect on infected cells. Despite its intensified activity on cultured cells, the
Yersinia
mutant with stabilized YopE showed reduced dissemination into liver and spleen following enteral infection of mice. Furthermore, the accumulation of degradation-resistant YopE was accompanied by the diminished delivery of YopP and YopH into cultured,
Yersinia
-infected cells. A role of YopE in the regulation of Yop translocation has already been described. Our results imply that the inactivation of YopE by the proteasome could be a tool to ensure intermediate intracellular YopE levels, which may effectuate optimized Yop injection into host cells. In this regard,
Y. enterocolitica
O8 appears to exploit the host ubiquitin proteasome system to destabilize YopE and to fine-tune the activities of the Yop virulence arsenal on the infected host organism.
Knowledge and practice of confidential data handling in the Welsh Deanery: a brief report
Authors: Jackson L E , Lim M W
Published: December 2010

Recent large-scale personal data loss incidents highlighted the need for public bodies to more securely handle confidential data. We surveyed trainees from all specialties in the Welsh Deanery for their knowledge and practice. All registered trainees were invited to participate in an online anonymised survey. There were 880 completed and non-duplicated responses (52.9% response rate). Responses were analysed using Microsoft Access. Over 40% (388/880 (44.1%)) did not use formal guidelines on storage or disposal of confidential data. The majority appeared to dispose of confidential paper documents securely, that is, using shredders and white shredder bags. However, there were significant numbers of unmarked responses. Clinical documents, such as theatre lists, were taken home by 281/880 (31.9%) of trainees. The majority secured their computers (569/871 (65.3%)) by either not keeping patient identifiable data on them or using encryption. However, 302/871 (34.7%) did not adequately secure their computers. The surgical and anaesthetic specialties were least aware of formal confidentiality guidelines (95/178 (53.4%)) and 52/102 (51.0%) respectively) and least secured their computers (106/178 (59.6%) and 63/102 (61.8%) respectively). Education is needed to improve knowledge and practice of confidential data handling. This may be delivered through workshops during induction programmes or as part of European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) modules. Training is especially indicated for the surgical and anaesthetic specialties.
EIGENVALUE ANALYSIS OF THIN PLATE WITH COMPLICATED SHAPES BY A NOVEL MESH-FREE METHOD
Authors: BUI TINH QUOC , NGUYEN MINH NGOC
Published: December 2010

Further development of a novel mesh-free method for eigenvalue analysis of thin plate structures with complicated shapes is presented in this paper. A mesh-free method used the moving Kriging interpolation technique for constructing the shape functions, which possess the Kronecker's delta property, is formulated. Thus, it makes the present method efficient in enforcing the essential boundary conditions and none of any special techniques are required. The present plate theory followed the classical Kirchhoff's assumption and the deflection is in general approximated through the moving Kriging interpolation. Also, the mesh-free formulations for the vibration problem are formed in a simple way as finite element methods. The orthogonal transformation technique is used to implement the essential boundary conditions in the eigenvalue equation. A standard weak form is adopted to discrete the governing partial differential equation of plates. Some numerical examples are attempted to demonstrate the applicability, the effectiveness, and the accuracy of the method.
THERMOPIEZOELECTRIC ANALYSIS OF A FUNCTIONALLY GRADED PIEZOELECTRIC MEDIUM
Authors: AKBARZADEH A. H. , BABAEI M. H. , CHEN Z. T.
Published: December 2010

The thermopiezoelectrical behavior of a functionally graded piezoelectric medium (FGPM) is investigated in the present work. For the special case, the dynamic response of an FGPM rod excited by a moving heat source is studied. The material properties of the FGPM rod are assumed to vary exponentially through the length, except for specific heat and thermal relaxation time which are held constant for simplicity. The governing differential equations in terms of displacement, temperature, and electric potential are obtained in a general form that includes coupled and uncoupled thermoelasticity. The coupled formulation considers classical thermoelasticity as well as generalized thermoelasticity. Employing the Laplace transform and successive decoupling method, unknowns are given in the Laplace domain. Employing a numerical Laplace inversion method, the solutions are gained in the time domain. Numerical examples for the transient response of the FGPM rod are displayed to clarify the differences among the results of the generalized, coupled, and uncoupled theories for various nonhomogeneity indices. The results are verified with those reported in the literature.
THE GEOMETRY-CRITICAL FUNCTIONAL DEPENDENCE OFM. GASTROCNEMIUS
Authors: ERTELT THOMAS , ERTELT HANS JUERGEN , BLICKHAN REINHARD
Published: December 2010

The change in length of a muscle usually leads to a change in segment position. If a muscle is shortened the joint is being flexed. However bi-articular muscles are able to bend a joint as well as to stretch it by its contraction because of varied geometrical conditions. This phenomenon has already been analyzed in different surveys on M. biceps femoris. Until today such a consideration cannot be found for M. gastrocnemius, which is a bi-articular muscle, too. The weight- and speed-dependent activities of this muscle during fast and slow hopping, and also during running and walking, suggest that a movement-relevant function exists. This behavior pattern was the reason for a closer look on the actions of M. gastrocnemius from a geometrical point of view. The results clearly show a knee angle-dependent function. Moreover, a so-called critical angle area of the knee joint, from which the shortening of M. gastrocnemius leads from joint flexion to joint stretching, can be specified for the first time. At this, the position of the ankle joint seems to have little influence on the function of M. gastrocnemius.
GEOMETRIC EFFECTS ON EARTHQUAKE NUCLEATION ON BENT DIP-SLIP FAULTS
Authors: FANG ZIJUN , XU GUANSHUI , OGLESBY DAVID D.
Published: December 2010

The geometric effects on earthquake nucleation processes on bent dip-slip faults are studied using a slip strengthening and weakening friction law implemented in a two-dimensional quasi-static boundary integral model. The results show that the bend causes normal stress variations under tectonic loading on both the upper and lower segments. These stress variations differ from those on planar faults, leading to significant effects on earthquake nucleation location and time. Earthquakes tend to nucleate at shallower locations on thrust faults and at deeper locations on normal faults for steeper dipping angles on the lower fault segments. The elapsed time until nucleation on both thrust and normal faults is increased considerably as the bend angle becomes larger. For a thrust fault with a nearly horizontal lower segment, the time until nucleation can be more than 10 times larger than that for a corresponding planar fault. These findings may provide important insights for earthquake hazard analysis by taking the fault geometry effect into account when estimating hypocenter positions and time to instability.
THERMOMECHANICAL EFFECT IN VIBRATION ANALYSIS OF ONE-LAYERED AND TWO-LAYERED PLATES
Authors: BRISCHETTO S. , CARRERA E.
Published: December 2010

The free vibration problem of one-layered and two-layered metallic plates is investigated in this work. The thermomechanical effect is evaluated using a fully coupled thermomechanical model. The free frequency values of fully coupled problems are compared to the values of the pure mechanical problems. In pure mechanical models, the displacement is the only primary variable of the problem, while in fully coupled thermomechanical models, the temperature is also considered as a primary variable and the effect of the thermomechanical stiffness is evaluated. The thermoelastic coupling usually provides higher frequencies with respect to the pure mechanical case because it acts like a thermal source, which is proportional to the strain rate, which leads to a bigger global stiffness of the structure. Both thermomechanical and mechanical models are developed in the framework of Carrera's Unified Formulation (CUF). CUF permits several refined two-dimensional theories to be obtained with orders of expansion in the thickness direction, from linear to fourth-order, for both displacements and temperature. Both equivalent single layer and layer-wise approaches are considered for the multilayered plates. The thermomechanical effect is investigated, in terms of frequencies, for thick and thin one-layered and two-layered plates, and for lower and higher modes. It has mainly been concluded that the thermomechanical coupling: (a) Is correctly determined if both the thermal and mechanical parts are correctly approximated; (b) Is small for each investigated case; (c) Influences the various vibration modes in different ways; and (d) Has a limited dependence on the considered case, but this dependence vanishes if a global coupling is considered. Only fully coupled thermomechanical models allow to analyze this type of problem. The effect of the thermomechanical coupling on higher-order modes can only be investigated using refined two-dimensional theories.
Dataset acquisition to support geoscience
Authors: Giles J. R. A. , Marsh S. H. , Napier B.
Published: December 2010

Environmental scientists are both producers and consumers of data. Numerous studies have shown that significant amounts of scientists’ time can be consumed in acquiring, managing and transforming data prior to their use. To facilitate the work of its scientists, the British Geological Survey (BGS) has identified a series of national datasets that are required by scientists across the organization. The BGS then seeks to acquire and manage these centrally, and to supply them to the scientists in formats that they normally use. Making these datasets readily available helps to:

enhance the quality of the science;

promote interdisciplinary working;

reduce costs.
The accuracy of ASTER digital elevation models: a comparison with NEXTMap Britain
Authors: Hall M. , Tragheim D. G.
Published: December 2010

In many overseas geological surveying projects an accurate elevation model is often required for analysis, image orthorectification, navigation and the generation of contours. Acquiring an accurate elevation model can be a difficult and expensive task. One possible solution is to generate a digital elevation model (DEM) from Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) satellite imagery. However, to fully understand the potential of ASTER DEMs the accuracy of these models needs to be established. The DEM was created using the Sulsoft ASTER DTM add-on ENVI module.

NEXTMap provides an ideal reference dataset for comparison. In this study the accuracy of an ASTER generated DEM was assessed for a 50×50 km area in central Wales. A total of 2.4 million points were compared.

Visual and statistical assessments were made, including profile and contour comparisons, allowing the spatial variation in accuracy to be explored. A mean vertical difference of –0.98 m and a standard deviation of
c
. 9 m were calculated. This suggests that 95% of the ASTER DEM points are within ±20 m of the NEXTMap DEM. Considering these accuracy levels, contours from ASTER can be generated at 40 m intervals.
Approximation algorithms for the sex-equal stable marriage problem
Authors: Iwama Kazuo , Miyazaki Shuichi , Yanagisawa Hiroki
Published: December 2010

The stable marriage problem is a classical matching problem introduced by Gale and Shapley. It is known that for any instance, there exists a solution, and there is a polynomial time algorithm to find one. However, the matching obtained by this algorithm is man-optimal, that is, the matching is favorable for men but unfavorable for women, (or, if we exchange the roles of men and women, the resulting matching is woman-optimal). The sex-equal stable marriage problem, posed by Gusfield and Irving, seeks a stable matching “fair” for both genders. Specifically it seeks a stable matching with the property that the sum of the men's scores is as close as possible to that of the women's. This problem is known to be strongly NP-hard.

In this paper, we give a polynomial time algorithm for finding
a near optimal
solution for the sex-equal stable marriage problem. Furthermore, we consider the problem of optimizing an additional criterion: among stable matchings that are near optimal in terms of the sex-equality, find a minimum egalitarian stable matching. We show that this problem is strongly NP-hard, and give a polynomial time algorithm whose approximation ratio is less than two.
Additive spanners and (α, β)-spanners
Authors: Baswana Surender , Kavitha Telikepalli , Mehlhorn Kurt , Pettie Seth
Published: December 2010

An (α, β)-spanner of an unweighted graph
G
is a subgraph
H
that distorts distances in
G
up to a multiplicative factor of α and an additive term β. It is well known that any graph contains a (multiplicative) (2
k
−1, 0)-spanner of size
O
(
n

1+1/
k

) and an (additive) (1,2)-spanner of size
O
(
n
3/2
). However no other additive spanners are known to exist.

In this article we develop a couple of new techniques for constructing (α, β)-spanners. Our first result is an additive (1,6)-spanner of size
O
(
n
4/3
). The construction algorithm can be understood as an economical agent that assigns
costs
and
values
to paths in the graph,
purchasing
affordable paths and ignoring expensive ones, which are intuitively well approximated by paths already purchased. We show that this
path buying
algorithm can be parameterized in different ways to yield other sparseness-distortion tradeoffs. Our second result addresses the problem of which (α, β)-spanners can be computed efficiently, ideally in linear time. We show that, for any
k
, a (
k
,
k
−1)-spanner with size
O
(
kn

1+1/
k

) can be found in linear time, and, further, that in a distributed network the algorithm terminates in a constant number of rounds. Previous spanner constructions with similar performance had roughly twice the multiplicative distortion.
On the online unit clustering problem
Authors: Epstein Leah , Stee Rob Van
Published: December 2010

We continue the study of the online unit clustering problem, introduced by Chan and Zarrabi-Zadeh (
Workshop on Approximation and Online Algorithms 2006
, LNCS 4368, p. 121--131. Springer, 2006). We design a deterministic algorithm with a competitive ratio of 7/4 for the one-dimensional case. This is the first deterministic algorithm that beats the bound of 2. It also has a better competitive ratio than the previous randomized algorithms. Moreover, we provide the first non-trivial deterministic lower bound, improve the randomized lower bound, and prove the first lower bounds for higher dimensions.
I/O-efficient batched union-find and its applications to terrain analysis
Authors: Agarwal Pankaj K. , Arge Lars , Yi Ke
Published: December 2010

In this article we present an I/O-efficient algorithm for the batched (off-line) version of the union-find problem. Given any sequence of
N
union and find operations, where each union operation joins two distinct sets, our algorithm uses
O
(SORT(
N
)) =
O
(
N
/
B
log

M/B

N
/
B
) I/Os, where
M
is the memory size and
B
is the disk block size. This bound is asymptotically optimal in the worst case. If there are union operations that join a set with itself, our algorithm uses
O
(SORT(
N
) + MST(
N
)) I/Os, where MST(
N
) is the number of I/Os needed to compute the minimum spanning tree of a graph with
N
edges. We also describe a simple and practical
O
(SORT(
N
) log(
N
/
M
))-I/O algorithm for this problem, which we have implemented.

We are interested in the union-find problem because of its applications in terrain analysis. A terrain can be abstracted as a height function defined over R
2
, and many problems that deal with such functions require a union-find data structure. With the emergence of modern mapping technologies, huge amount of elevation data is being generated that is too large to fit in memory, thus I/O-efficient algorithms are needed to process this data efficiently. In this article, we study two terrain-analysis problems that benefit from a union-find data structure: (i) computing topological persistence and (ii) constructing the contour tree. We give the first
O
(SORT(
N
))-I/O algorithms for these two problems, assuming that the input terrain is represented as a triangular mesh with
N
vertices.
Taxes for linear atomic congestion games
Authors: Caragiannis Ioannis , Kaklamanis Christos , Kanellopoulos Panagiotis
Published: December 2010

We study congestion games where players aim to access a set of resources. Each player has a set of possible strategies and each resource has a function associating the latency it incurs to the players using it. Players are non--cooperative and each wishes to follow a strategy that minimizes her own latency with no regard to the global optimum. Previous work has studied the impact of this selfish behavior on system performance. In this article, we study the question of how much the performance can be improved if players are forced to pay taxes for using resources. Our objective is to extend the original game so that selfish behavior does not deteriorate performance. We consider atomic congestion games with linear latency functions and present both negative and positive results. Our negative results show that optimal system performance cannot be achieved even in very simple games. On the positive side, we show that there are ways to assign taxes that can improve the performance of linear congestion games by forcing players to follow strategies where the total latency suffered is within a factor of 2 of the minimum possible; this result is shown to be tight. Furthermore, even in cases where in the absence of taxes the system behavior may be very poor, we show that the total disutility of players (latency plus taxes) is not much larger than the optimal total latency. Besides existential results, we show how to compute taxes in time polynomial in the size of the game by solving convex quadratic programs. Similar questions have been extensively studied in the model of non-atomic congestion games. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study of the efficiency of taxes in atomic congestion games.
Alias analysis for optimization of dynamic languages
Authors: Gorbovitski Michael , Liu Yanhong A. , Stoller Scott D. , Rothamel Tom , Tekle Tuncay K.
Published: December 2010

Dynamic languages such as Python allow programs to be written more easily using high-level constructs such as comprehensions for queries and using generic code. Efficient execution of programs then requires powerful optimizations - incrementalization of expensive queries and specialization of generic code. Effective incrementalization and specialization of dynamic languages require precise and scalable alias analysis.

This paper describes the development and experimental evaluation of a may-alias analysis for a full dynamic object-oriented language, for program optimization by incrementalization and specialization. The analysis is flow-sensitive; we show that this is necessary for effective optimization of dynamic languages. It uses precise type analysis and a powerful form of context sensitivity, called trace sensitivity, to further improve analysis precision. It uses a compressed representation to significantly reduce the memory used by flow-sensitive analyses.We evaluate the effectiveness of this analysis and 17 variants of it for incrementalization and specialization of Python programs, and we evaluate the precision, memory usage, and running time of these analyses on programs of diverse sizes. The results show that our analysis has acceptable precision and efficiency and represents the best trade-off between them compared to the variants.
Current Views of Toll-Like Receptor Signaling Pathways
Authors: Yamamoto Masahiro , Takeda Kiyoshi
Published: December 2010

On microbial invasion, the host immediately evokes innate immune responses. Recent studies have demonstrated that Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play crucial roles in innate responses that lead not only to the clearance of pathogens but also to the efficient establishment of acquired immunity by directly detecting molecules from microbes. In terms of intracellular TLR-mediated signaling pathways, cytoplasmic adaptor molecules containing Toll/IL-1R (TIR) domains play important roles in inflammatory immune responses through the production of proinflammatory cytokines, nitric oxide, and type I interferon, and upregulation of costimulatory molecules. In this paper, we will describe our current understanding of the relationship between TLRs and their ligands derived from pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites. Moreover, we will review the historical and current literature to describe the mechanisms behind TLR-mediated activation of innate immune responses.
Abruption Cross-Section and Bending Change of ACSR Energy Lines in Fire Environment
Authors: Halevidis C. D. , Anagnostatos S. D. , Polykrati A. D. , Koufakis E. I. , Bourkas P. D.
Published: December 2010

An ACSR (Aluminum Conductors Steel Reinforced) power line, when it lies in a fire environment, can manifest a permanent elongation and change in bending, as when the conductors attain a temperature of over 500°C, a drastic fall of the mechanical strength of the steel core is caused. This work is a study about the conductor cross-section at the position of the abruption, in case it occurs. This cross section appears to be approximately 62.5% of the original value. Subsequently, two approximative methods of calculating the bending change of overhead lines are shown.
Renal Failure Associated with APECED and Terminal 4q Deletion: Evidence of Autoimmune Nephropathy
Authors: Al-Owain Mohammed , Kaya Namik , Al-Zaidan Hamad , Bin Hussain Ibrahim , Al-Manea Hadeel , Al-Hindi Hindi , Kennedy Shelley , Iqbal M. Anwar , Al-Mojalli Hamad , Al-Bakheet Albandary , Puel Anne , Casanova Jean-Laurent , Al-Muhsen Saleh
Published: December 2010

Autoimmune polyendocrinopathy‐candidiasis‐ectodermal dystrophy (APECED) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in the autoimmune regulator gene (AIRE). Terminal 4q deletion is also a rare cytogenetic abnormality that causes a variable syndrome of dysmorphic features, mental retardation, growth retardation, and heart and limb defects. We report a 12‐year‐old Saudi boy with mucocutaneous candidiasis, hypoparathyroidism, and adrenocortical failure consistent with APECED. In addition, he has dysmorphic facial features, growth retardation, and severe global developmental delay. Patient had late development of chronic renal failure. The blastogenesis revealed depressed lymphocytes′ response to Candida albicans at 38% when compared to control. Chromosome analysis of the patient revealed 46,XY,del(4)(q33). FISH using a 4p/4q subtelomere DNA probe assay confirmed the deletion of qter subtelomere on chromosome 4. Parental chromosomes were normal. The deleted array was further defined using array CGH. AIRE full gene sequencing revealed a homozygous mutation namely 845_846insC. Renal biopsy revealed chronic interstitial nephritis with advanced fibrosis. In addition, there was mesangial deposition of C3, C1q, and IgM. This is, to the best of our knowledge, the first paper showing evidence of autoimmune nephropathy by renal immunofluorescence in a patient with APECED and terminal 4q deletion.
Design, Analysis, and Measurements of an Antenna Structure for 2.4 GHz Wireless Applications
Authors: Votis Constantinos I. , Kostarakis Panos , Alexandridis Antonis A.
Published: December 2010

This paper reports measured results of a multielement antenna implementation, we constructed, that performs at 2.4 GHz ISM band. Particular emphasis was given to the scattering parameters and validation characterization of this antenna structure. The constructed multielement antenna that was studied in both azimuth and elevation planes consists of a number of printed dipoles with integrated baluns. Due to its multielement construction, the proposed antenna structure is suitable for applications that require multielements nature such as MIMO, channel sounder, and digital beamforming.
Phylogeographic Investigations of the Widespread, Arid-Adapted AntlionBrachynemurus sackeniHagen (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae)
Authors: Wilson Joseph S. , Williams Kevin A. , Gunnell Clayton F. , Pitts James P.
Published: December 2010

Several recent studies investigating patterns of diversification in widespread desert-adapted vertebrates have associated major periods of genetic differentiation to late Neogene mountain-building events; yet few projects have addressed these patterns in widespread invertebrates. We examine phylogeographic patterns in the widespread antlion speciesBrachynemurus sackeniHagen (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae) using a region of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome oxidase I (COI). We then use a molecular clock to estimate divergence dates for the major lineages. Our analyses resulted in a phylogeny that shows two distinct lineages, both of which are likely distinct species. This reveals the first cryptic species-complex in Myrmeleontidae. The genetic split between lineages dates to about 3.8–4.7 million years ago and may be associated with Neogene mountain building. The phylogeographic pattern does not match patterns found in other taxa. Future analyses within this species-complex may uncover a unique evolutionary history in this group.
The Ethics of Traditional Chinese and Western Herbal Medicine Research: Views of Researchers and Human Ethics Committees in Australia
Authors: Smith Caroline A. , Priest Ros , Carmady Bridget , Bourchier Suzannah , Bensoussan Alan
Published: December 2010

Despite the growth of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and western herbal medicine (WHM) research in Australia, little is known
about how ethics committees (HRECs) assess the ethics of TCM or WHM research. The objectives of this study were to examine the experiences
of TCM and WHM researchers and HRECs with the evaluation of ethics applications. Two cross‐sectional surveys were undertaken of HRECs and
TCM and WHM researchers in Australia. Anonymous self‐completion questionnaires were administered to 224 HRECs and 117 researchers.
A response confirming involvement in TCM or WHM research applications was received from 20 HRECs and 42 researchers.
The most frequent ethical issues identified by HRECs related to herbal products including information gaps relating to mode of action of herbal
medicines and safety when combining herbal ingredients. Researchers concurred that they were frequently requested
to provide additional information on multiple aspects including safety relating to the side effects of herbs and herb‐drug interactions.
Overall adherence with the principles of ethical conduct was high among TCM and WHM researchers although
our study did identify the need for additional information regarding assessment of risk and risk management.
BACs as Tools for the Study of Genomic Imprinting
Authors: Tunster S. J. , Van De Pette M. , John R. M.
Published: December 2010

Genomic imprinting in mammals results in the expression of genes from only one parental allele. Imprinting occurs as a consequence of epigenetic marks set down either in the father′s or the mother′s germ line and affects a very specific category of mammalian gene. A greater understanding of this distinctive phenomenon can be gained from studies using large genomic clones, called bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs). Here, we review the important applications of BACs to imprinting research, covering physical mapping studies and the use of BACs as transgenes in mice to study gene expression patterns, to identify imprinting centres, and to isolate the consequences of altered gene dosage. We also highlight the significant and unique advantages that rapid BAC engineering brings to genomic imprinting research.
Gene Expression Profiling forIn SilicoMicrodissection of Hodgkin's Lymphoma Microenvironment and Identification of Prognostic Features
Authors: Bertucci François , Chetaille Bruno , Xerri Luc
Published: December 2010

Gene expression profiling studies based on DNA microarrays have demonstrated their ability to define the interaction pathways between neoplastic and nonmalignant stromal cells in cancer tissues. During the past ten years, a number of approaches including microdissection have tried to resolve the variability in DNA microarray measurements stemming from cancer tissue sample heterogeneity. Another approach, designated as virtual orin silicomicrodissection, avoids the laborious and time-consuming step of anatomic microdissection. It consists of confronting the gene expression profiles of complex tissue samples to those of cell lines representative of different cell lineages, different differentiation stages, or different signaling pathways. This strategy has been used in recent studies aiming to analyze microenvironment alterations using gene expression profiling of nonmicrodissected classical Hodgkin lymphoma tissues in order to generate new prognostic factors. These recent contributions are detailed and discussed in the present paper.
Tempering Expectations of Recovery for Previously Exploited Populations in a Fully Protected Marine Reserve
Authors: Schultz Jennifer K. , O'Malley Joseph M. , Kehn Elizabeth E. , Polovina Jeffrey J. , Parrish Frank A. , Kosaki Randall K.
Published: December 2010

Centuries of resource extraction have impacted coral reef ecosystems worldwide. In response, area and fishery closures are often enacted to restore previously exploited populations and reestablish diminished ecosystem function. During the 19th and 20th centuries, monk seals, pearl oysters, and two lobster species were overharvested in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, now managed as the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, one of the largest conservation areas in the world. Despite years of protection, these taxa have failed to recover. Here, we review each case, discussing possible factors that limit population growth, including: Allee effects, interspecific interactions, and time lags. Additionally, large-scale climate changes may have altered the overall productivity of the system. We conclude that overfishing of coral reef fauna may have broad and lasting results; once lost, valuable resources and services do not quickly rebound to pre-exploitation levels. In such instances, management options may be limited to difficult choices: waiting hundreds of years for recovery, actively restoring populations, or accepting the new, often less desirable, alternate state.
Role of Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography in Epilepsy
Authors: Jayalakshmi Sita , Sudhakar Pushpalatha , Panigrahi Manas
Published: December 2010

Molecular imaging with ictal single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) is an established functional imaging modality for the presurgical evaluation of patients with refractory partial onset seizures. SPECT coregistered on to the MRI has greater sensitivity to identify the ictal onset zone. Ictal SPECT should always be interpreted in the context of other presurgical investigations. Ictal SPECT is sensitive method for the lateralization of TLE, but ictal SPECT is more sensitive when MRI is normal. Ictal SPECT and interictal PET are complementary to each other in lateralizing the side in patients with TLE and normal MRI. In extratemporal epilepsy, ictal SPECT will guide the placement of surface grid and depth electrodes.
Socioecological Approaches for Combining Ecosystem-Based and Customary Management in Oceania
Authors: Aswani Shankar
Published: December 2010

This paper summarizes various integrated methodological approaches for studying Customary Management for the purpose of designing hybrid CM-Ecosystem-Based Management (EBM) systems in Oceania. Using marine conservation in the Western Solomon Islands as an example, the paper illustrates various interdisciplinary human ecological methods that can assist in designing hybrid conservation programs. The study of human-environmental interactions from a socio-ecological perspective allows us to discern people's understanding of their immediate environment, differential forms of local resource governance and use (e.g., sea tenure and foraging strategies), and existing conflicts between various stakeholders, among other social and ecological factors. More generally, the paper shows how coupled studies of natural and social processes can foster management regimes that are more adaptive and effective and that move toward holistic, ecosystem-based marine conservation in the Pacific Island region.
N -Acetyltransferase 2 Polymorphisms and Susceptibility to Infant Leukemia with Maternal Exposure to Dipyrone during Pregnancy
Authors: Zanrosso Crisiane Wais , Emerenciano Mariana , Gonçalves Bruno Alves de Aguiar , Faro Alessandra , Koifman Sérgio , Pombo-de-Oliveira Maria S.
Published: December 2010

Background: Maternal exposure to dipyrone during pregnancy has been associated with risk of infant leukemia (IL). N-Acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) enzyme acetylates dipyrone, resulting in a detoxified metabolite. We performed genotyping to identify the distribution of NAT2 polymorphisms in duo samples from mothers and children previously investigated in a case-controlled study of IL.

Methods: Samples from 132 IL, 131 age-matched controls, mothers of cases (n = 86), and mothers of controls (n = 36) were analyzed. PCR-RFLP assays were used to determine the NAT2 variants 191G>A, 282C>T, 341T>C, 481C>T, 590G>A, 803A>G, and 857G>A. The test for case-control differences in the distribution of genotypes was based on χ2 statistics. Unconditional logistic regression was used to examine the association between maternal exposure to dipyrone during the index pregnancy, IL, and NAT2 phenotypes. Crude and adjusted odds ratios (OR) are given with the 95% confidence interval (95% CI).

Results:NAT2 slow-acetylation haplotypes were associated with IL (OR, 8.90; 95% CI, 1.71-86.7). An association between IL and NAT2 phenotype was observed in IL whether the mothers reported dipyrone exposures (OR, 4.48; 95% CI, 1.88-10.7) or not (OR, 4.27; 95% CI, 1.75-10.5). The combination of NAT2 slow/slow (mother/child) phenotypes confers a higher risk of IL (OR, 30.0; 95% CI, 5.87-279.7).

Conclusion: NAT2 slow-acetylation profiles are associated with IL regardless of maternal exposure to dipyrone during pregnancy.

Impact: Further recommendations about medicine exposures during pregnancy should take into account that infants with the maternal NAT2 slow-acetylation genotypes might be particularly vulnerable to greater risk. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 19(12); 3037–43. ©2010 AACR.
Variant ABO Blood Group Alleles, Secretor Status, and Risk of Pancreatic Cancer: Results from the Pancreatic Cancer Cohort Consortium
Authors: Wolpin Brian M. , Kraft Peter , Xu Mousheng , Steplowski Emily , Olsson Martin L. , Arslan Alan A. , Bueno-de-Mesquita H. Bas , Gross Myron , Helzlsouer Kathy , Jacobs Eric J. , LaCroix Andrea , Petersen Gloria , Stolzenberg-Solomon Rachael Z. , Zheng Wei , Albanes Demetrius , Allen Naomi E. , Amundadottir Laufey , Austin Melissa A. , Boutron-Ruault Marie-Christine , Buring Julie E. , Canzian Federico , Chanock Stephen J. , Gaziano J. Michael , Giovannucci Edward L. , Hallmans Göran , Hankinson Susan E. , Hoover Robert N. , Hunter David J. , Hutchinson Amy , Jacobs Kevin B. , Kooperberg Charles , Mendelsohn Julie B. , Michaud Dominique S. , Overvad Kim , Patel Alpa V. , Sanchéz Maria-José , Sansbury Leah , Shu Xiao-Ou , Slimani Nadia , Tobias Geoffrey S. , Trichopoulos Dimitrios , Vineis Paolo , Visvanathan Kala , Virtamo Jarmo , Wactawski-Wende Jean , Watters Joanne , Yu Kai , Zeleniuch-Jacquotte Anne , Hartge Patricia , Fuchs Charles S.
Published: December 2010

Background: Subjects with non-O ABO blood group alleles have increased risk of pancreatic cancer. Glycosyltransferase activity is greater for the A1 versus A2 variant, whereas O01 and O02 variants are nonfunctioning. We hypothesized: 1) A1 allele would confer greater risk than A2 allele, 2) protective effect of the O allele would be equivalent for O01 and O02 variants, 3) secretor phenotype would modify the association with risk.

Methods: We determined ABO variants and secretor phenotype from single nucleotide polymorphisms in ABO and FUT2 genes in 1,533 cases and 1,582 controls from 12 prospective cohort studies. Adjusted odds ratios (OR) for pancreatic cancer were calculated using logistic regression.

Results: An increased risk was observed in participants with A1 but not A2 alleles. Compared with subjects with genotype O/O, genotypes A2/O, A2/A1, A1/O, and A1/A1 had ORs of 0.96 (95% CI, 0.72–1.26), 1.46 (95% CI, 0.98–2.17), 1.48 (95% CI, 1.23–1.78), and 1.71 (95% CI, 1.18–2.47). Risk was similar for O01 and O02 variant O alleles. Compared with O01/O01, the ORs for each additional allele of O02, A1, and A2 were 1.00 (95% CI, 0.87–1.14), 1.38 (95% CI, 1.20–1.58), and 0.96 (95% CI, 0.77–1.20); P, O01 versus O02 = 0.94, A1 versus A2 = 0.004. Secretor phenotype was not an effect modifier (P-interaction = 0.63).

Conclusions: Among participants in a large prospective cohort consortium, ABO allele subtypes corresponding to increased glycosyltransferase activity were associated with increased pancreatic cancer risk.

Impact: These data support the hypothesis that ABO glycosyltransferase activity influences pancreatic cancer risk rather than actions of other nearby genes on chromosome 9q34. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 19(12); 3140–9. ©2010 AACR.
Body Mass Index, Hormone Replacement Therapy, and Endometrial Cancer Risk: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Crosbie Emma J. , Zwahlen Marcel , Kitchener Henry C. , Egger Matthias , Renehan Andrew G.
Published: December 2010

Background: Body mass index (BMI) is a risk factor for endometrial cancer. We quantified the risk and investigated whether the association differed by use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), menopausal status, and histologic type.

Methods: We searched MEDLINE and EMBASE (1966 to December 2009) to identify prospective studies of BMI and incident endometrial cancer. We did random-effects meta-analyses, meta-regressions, and generalized least square regressions for trend estimations assuming linear, and piecewise linear, relationships.

Results: Twenty-four studies (17,710 cases) were analyzed; 9 studies contributed to analyses by HRT, menopausal status, or histologic type, all published since 2003. In the linear model, the overall risk ratio (RR) per 5 kg/m2 increase in BMI was 1.60 (95% CI, 1.52–1.68), P < 0.0001. In the piecewise model, RRs compared with a normal BMI were 1.22 (1.19–1.24), 2.09 (1.94–2.26), 4.36 (3.75–5.10), and 9.11 (7.26–11.51) for BMIs of 27, 32, 37, and 42 kg/m2, respectively. The association was stronger in never HRT users than in ever users: RRs were 1.90 (1.57–2.31) and 1.18 (95% CI, 1.06–1.31) with P for interaction = 0.003. In the piecewise model, the RR in never users was 20.70 (8.28–51.84) at BMI 42 kg/m2, compared with never users at normal BMI. The association was not affected by menopausal status (P = 0.34) or histologic type (P = 0.26).

Conclusions: HRT use modifies the BMI-endometrial cancer risk association.

Impact: These findings support the hypothesis that hyperestrogenia is an important mechanism underlying the BMI-endometrial cancer association, whilst the presence of residual risk in HRT users points to the role of additional systems. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 19(12); 3119–30. ©2010 AACR.