bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Conversion in Ottoman Balkans: A Historiographical Survey
Authors: Kirmizialtin Suphan
Published: March 2007

This article surveys the Islamization of South‐eastern Europe under the Ottoman rule. In Balkan history writing the question of conversion to Islam was, and still is, a highly charged political issue. It is intrinsically linked to the issues of formation of national identities and rival territorial claims of the Balkan states. The nationalist discourse of the current Balkan historiography defines all forms of Islamization as results of the Ottoman government's centrally organized policy of forced conversion. This study argues against this position and maintains that Islamization in each Balkan country took place in the course of many centuries and its nature and phase was determined not by the Ottoman government but by the specific conditions of each locality.
The York Play: Expanding the Boundaries of Civic Drama1
Authors: Christie Sheila
Published: March 2007

While current scholarship on late medieval, civic cycle drama warns against assuming an either antagonistic or unifying function of that drama, scholars continue to reinscribe a conflictual relationship negotiated through cycle production. Examining assumptions about both participants and the pageant route, this article reveals how pre‐conceived notions of the York cycle's cultural function have limited our interpretations of the text and context. The article concludes with a brief case study which demonstrates that, during a time of economic recession, sources of pageant funding expanded to include all civic labourers, altering the very conception of ‘civic’ negotiated by and through the play.
Mitochondrial respiratory chain disorders and the liver
Authors: Morris Andrew A. M.
Published: March 2007

Abstract: Mitochondrial respiratory chain disorders are an established cause of liver failure in early childhood but they are probably under‐diagnosed, partly due to under‐recognition and partly due to the difficulty of investigation. It is particularly important to look for mitochondrial disorders if the liver disease presents with hypoglycaemia and lactic acidaemia or if it is accompanied by neurological, muscle or renal tubular abnormalities. Respiratory chain defects have been demonstrated in a number of patients who die of liver failure following severe epilepsy; this includes at least some cases of Alpers syndrome or ‘progressive neuronal degeneration of childhood’. In mitochondrial liver disease, histology usually shows steatosis, often accompanied by fibrosis, cholestasis and loss of hepatocytes. Unless the clinical picture suggests a particular syndrome, such as Pearson syndrome, biochemical assays and histochemistry should be the initial investigations. Ideally, investigations should be carried out on liver as well as more standard tissues, such as muscle, since defects can be tissue‐specific. Nuclear defects and mtDNA point mutations are probably responsible for many cases of mitochondrial liver disease but, as yet, the only identified molecular abnormalities are mtDNA rearrangements and mtDNA depletion. Treatment of mitochondrial liver disease is unsatisfactory. If the disease is confined to the liver, transplantation may be appropriate but in several patients transplantation has been followed by the appearance of disease in other organs, particularly the brain.
Effects of nicotinamide‐related agents on the growth of primary rat hepatocytes and formation of small hepatocyte colonies
Authors: Sate Fumihiko , Mitaka Toshihiro , Mizuguchi Tom , Mochizuki Yohichi , Hirata Koichi
Published: March 2007

Abstract: Aims/Background: We report in this study that, 10 mM nicotinamide can stimulate the proliferation of primary rat hepatocytes in serum‐free Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium supplemented with 10 ng/ml epidermal growth factor and that small hepatocyte colonies appear from 4 to 5 days after plating. We examined the effects of nicotinamide‐related agents on the growth and differentiation of primary rat hepatocytes and on the appearance of small hepatocyte colonies. Methods: As nicotinamide is an aqueous vitamin named niacin and known to act as an inhibitor of poly (ADP‐ribose) polymerase (PARP), we therefore chose to examine the effects on hepatocytes of three nicotinamide‐related agents, nicotinic acid (NA) which is also a niacin, 3‐aminobenzamide (3‐AB) which is a strong inhibitor of PARP but is not a niacin, and 3‐acetylpyridine (3‐AP) which is a weak inhibitor of PARP and also not a niacin. To examine their effects on the growth of the cells and on the formation of the colony, immunocytochemistry for BrdU was carried out. Expression of albumin, tryptophan 2,3‐dioxygenase (TO), and connexin 32 (Cx32) mRNAs were used as marks of hepatic differentiation. Intracellular NAD+ content was also measured. Results: At concentration of 10 mM, NA could not enhance the proliferation of mature hepatocytes but induced the appearance of small hepatocyte colonies. At concentration of 5 mM, 3‐AB enhanced the proliferation of the hepatocytes but did not induce small hepatocyte colonies. On the other hand, although 10 mM 3‐AP remarkably inhibited the DNA synthesis of the cells, the expression not only of albumin but also of TO and Cx32 mRNAs in the cells was well maintained for more than one week. The intracellular NAD+ concentration was correlated with the proliferation of the hepatocytes. Conclusion: These results suggest that the intracellular NAD+ content may be correlated with the proliferation of primary hepatocytes and that the supplementation of niacin in the medium may be important for the appearance of small hepatocyte colonies.
Transient Overdrive Pacing Upon Standing Prevents Orthostatic Hypotension in Elderly Pacemaker Patients with Chronotropic Incompetence
Authors: TSE HUNG‐FAT , LAU CHU‐PAK , PARK EULJOON , BORNZIN GENE A. , YU CANNAS , BENSER MICHAEL E. , BLOOMFIELD DANIEL M. , PADELETTI LUIGI
Published: March 2007

Background: Elderly pacemaker patients with chronotropic incompetence (CI) may experience orthostatic hypotension (OH) upon standing. The objective of this study was to determine whether a transient increase in heart rate (HR) by overdrive pacing upon standing prevents OH in elderly pacemaker patients.

Methods: We studied the effect of transient overdrive pacing upon standing in mitigating the drop in blood pressure (BP) in 62 pacemaker patients (77 ± 6 years, 32 F) implanted with DDD pacemaker for sick sinus syndrome (n = 40) or atrioventricular block (n = 22). All patients underwent two standing procedures in random order: a control, with backup (60 bpm) pacing and another with overdrive DDD pacing (at 35 bpm above their baseline rate) for 2 minutes upon standing. Systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and HR were measured while supine (baseline) and 1, 2, and 3 minutes after standing. OH was defined as a drop in SBP ≥20 mmHg or DBP ≥10 mmHg during standing. Chronotropic incompetence (CI) was defined as an absence of HR increase of ≥10 bpm during standing.

Results: A total of 17 (27%) patients developed OH upon standing during backup pacing. Baseline clinical characteristics (age, sex, prevalence of diabetes, use of vasoactive medications, and sick sinus syndrome) were similar between patients with or without OH. In patients with or without OH, transient overdrive pacing upon standing increased HR and DBP as compared with baseline (P < 0.05). However, in patients with OH, transient overdrive pacing did not prevent decrease in SBP upon standing and avoided the development of OH in only 10/17 patients (59%). Among those patients with OH, 10/17 (59%) patients had CI. In OH patients with CI, transient overdrive pacing upon standing maintained SBP and DBP as compared to baseline and prevented OH in the majority of patients (80%). By contrast, transient overdrive pacing in OH patients without CI had no significant effect on the decrease in SBP upon standing and prevented OH in only 20% of patients.

Conclusions: OH is common (27%) in the elderly pacemaker population. In a subgroup of these patients, CI may be responsible for the occurrence of OH, and OH can be prevented by transient overdrive pacing upon standing.
Permanent Cardiac Pacing for Severe Pallid Breath‐Holding Spells
Authors: DI PINO ALFREDO , CALABRÒ MARIA PIA , GITTO PLACIDO , BIANCA INNOCENZO , ORETO GIUSEPPE
Published: March 2007

We report the case of an infant affected by frequent episodes of loss of consciousness with the clinical features of pallid breath‐holding attacks. Prolonged asystole, up to 26 seconds, was demonstrated by Holter monitoring. The patient was treated with permanent pacemaker implantation, followed by complete symptom resolution during a 26‐month follow‐up.
Theoretical explanations for social inequalities in oral health
Authors: Sisson Kelly Lorraine
Published: March 2007

Abstract –  Social inequalities in health and oral health continue to present a major challenge to public health. Progress towards the development of interventions to reduce health inequalities is currently being hampered by an incomplete understanding of the causes of inequalities in health. This paper aims to provide oral health researchers with an overview of four current explanations for inequalities in oral health and to suggest further areas of research needed to advance our understanding of the causes of social inequalities in oral health.
Elemental analysis of otoliths, fin rays and scales: a comparison of bony structures to provide population and life‐history information for the Arctic grayling (Thymallus arcticus)
Authors: Clarke A. D. , Telmer K. H. , Mark Shrimpton J.
Published: March 2007

Abstract –  We used laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry line scans to determine the elemental composition of otoliths, pectoral fin rays and scales of Arctic grayling. Elemental signatures of otoliths and pectoral fin rays effectively provide life‐history information on individual fish, important for management of grayling, and potentially all freshwater teleosts. Bulk elemental signatures measured in the otoliths and fin rays were highly correlated to the stream chemistries where the fish were captured. A surprising result of this study was that fin rays showed the strongest relationship with water chemistry for strontium. Scale strontium concentrations were not correlated to water chemistries suggesting that other physiological mechanisms, or remobilisation, may be influencing the deposition of trace elements within scales. Linear discriminant function analyses for otolith and fin ray elemental signatures (and intriguingly also for scales) separated fish from different rivers for all three structures; thus, this technique can be used effectively as a means to discriminate origin of capture.
The Plasma Membrane Calcium ATPase MCA‐3 is Required for Clathrin‐Mediated Endocytosis in Scavenger Cells of Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Bednarek Ewa M. , Schaheen Lara , Gaubatz Jayne , Jorgensen Erik M. , Fares Hanna
Published: March 2007

Plasma membrane Ca2+ ATPases (PMCAs) maintain proper intracellular Ca2+ levels by extruding Ca2+ from the cytosol. PMCA genes and splice forms are expressed in tissue‐specific patterns in vertebrates, suggesting that these isoforms may regulate specific biological processes. However, knockout mutants die as embryos or undergo cell death; thus, it is unclear whether other cell processes utilize PMCAs or whether these pumps are largely committed to the control of toxic levels of calcium. Here, we analyze the role of the PMCA gene, mca‐3, in Caenorhabditis elegans. We report that partial loss‐of‐function mutations disrupt clathrin‐mediated endocytosis in a class of scavenger cells called coelomocytes. Moreover, components of early endocytic machinery are mislocalized in mca‐3 mutants, including phosphatidylinositol‐4,5‐bisphosphate, clathrin and the Eps15 homology (EH) domain protein RME‐1. This defect in endocytosis in the coelomocytes can be reversed by lowering calcium. Together, these data support a function for PMCAs in the regulation of endocytosis in the C. elegans coelomocytes. In addition, they suggest that endocytosis can be blocked by high calcium levels.
Rail Safety and Rail Privatization
Authors: Evans Andrew
Published: March 2007

Privatisation of the state-owned British railway system was completed in 1997. The following 6 years saw four serious fatal train accidents, leading to 49 deaths. These were the train collisions at Southall in 1997 and Ladbroke Grove in 1999, each caused by trains passing red signals, and the derailments at Hatfield in 2000 and Potters Bar in 2002, each caused by defective track. Has safety been compromised by the sell-off of the railways? Andrew Evans looks at the evidence and asks has privatisation led to more accidents?
Career Story: Climatological Statistician
Authors: Perry Matthew , Champkin Julian
Published: March 2007

Matthew Perry works for the Meterological Office. He tells Julian Champkin what he does and how he got there.
The Role of the Octarepeat Region in Neuroprotective Function of the Cellular Prion Protein
Authors: Mitteregger Gerda , Vosko Milan , Krebs Bjarne , Xiang Wei , Kohlmannsperger Veronika , Nölting Svenja , Hamann Gerhard F. , Kretzschmar Hans A.
Published: March 2007

Structural alterations of the cellular prion protein (PrPC) seem to be the core of the pathogenesis of prion diseases. However, the physiological function of PrPC remains an enigma. Cell culture experiments have indicated that PrPC and in particular its N‐terminal octarepeat region together with the phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathways have a fundamental involvement in neuroprotection and oxidative stress reactions. We used wild‐type mice, PrP knockout (Prnp−/−) animals and transgenic mice that lack the octarepeat region (C4/−) and subjected them to controlled ischemia. We identified an increased cleavage and synthesis of PrPC in ischemic brain areas of wild‐type mice compared with sham controls. The infarct size in Prnp−/− animals was increased threefold when compared with wild‐type mice. The infarct size in C4/− animals was identical to Prnp−/− mice, that is, around three times larger than in wild‐type mice. We showed that the PrP in C4/− mice does not functionally rescue the Prnp−/− phenotype; furthermore it is unable to undergo β cleavage, although an increased amount of C1 fragments was found in ischemic brain areas compared with sham controls. We demonstrated that the N‐terminal octarepeat region has a lead function in PrPC physiology and neuroprotection against oxidative stress in vivo.
Exposure to a hot environment can activate spinally projecting and nitrergic neurones in the lower brainstem in the rat
Authors: Cham Joo Lee , Badoer Emilio
Published: March 2007

Reflex responses to hyperthermia include sweating, salivation and a redirection of blood flow from the viscera to the periphery, and involve changes in peripheral nerve activity mediated by the central nervous system (CNS), including specific areas of the ventral lower brainstem. The lower brainstem contains nitrergic neurones and neurones that project to intermediolateral cell column; however, it is not known whether these populations of neurones in the lower brainstem are activated following hyperthermia. The aims of the present study were to determine whether lower brainstem neurones activated by acute hyperthermia are nitrergic and/or whether they also project to the spinal cord. Retrogradely transported rhodamine‐tagged beads were microinjected into the spinal cord. The rats were heated (environmental temperature 39°C) for 1 h. Following perfusion/fixation, brain sections were processed to detect Fos (a marker of neuronal activation) and NADPH‐diaphorase activity (a marker of nitrergic neurones). The results showed a significant increase in activated neurones in the mid‐line (by fivefold), ventromedial (by eightfold) and ventrolateral lower brainstem (by ninefold). Some of these neurones were nitrergic, particularly in the ventromedial lower brainstem (5% of the activated neurones in this region were nitrergic). A small proportion of activated neurones were spinally projecting neurones (2–3% of activated neurones were spinally projecting). There were no triple‐labelled neurones at any level of the lower brainstem examined. These findings indicate that only a small proportion of nitrergic neurones and spinally projecting neurones are activated by hyperthermia.
Carbon Assimilation Profiles as a Tool for Identification of Zygomycetes
Authors: Schwarz Patrick , Lortholary Olivier , Dromer Françoise , Dannaoui Eric
Published: March 2007

Identification of Zygomycetes is difficult and time-consuming by standard microbiological procedures. Carbon assimilation profiles are commonly used for yeast-and bacterial-species identification but rarely for filamentous-fungus identification. Carbon assimilation profiles were evaluated using the commercialized kits ID32C and API 50 CH, which contain 31 and 49 tests, respectively, to serve as simple tools for species identification of Zygomycetes in clinical microbiology laboratories. Fifty-seven strains belonging to 15 species and varieties of Zygomycetes, including
Rhizopus
,
Absidia
,
Mucor
, and
Rhizomucor
species, were tested for intra- and interspecies variability based on their carbon assimilation profiles. Using ID32C strips, 6 tests were always positive, 7 were never positive, and 18 showed consistently different results between species. With API 50 CH strips, 15 tests were positive for all species, 13 were never positive, and 21 showed different results between species. Nevertheless, assimilation patterns were highly variable among
Rhizopus oryzae
isolates, and it was not possible to define a specific carbon assimilation profile. With both ID32C and API CH 50 strips, intraspecies variation was found to be low, while large differences were found between genera and species. The clustering of isolates based on their carbon assimilation profiles was in accordance with DNA-based phylogeny of Zygomycetes. In conclusion, carbon assimilation profiles allowed precise and accurate identification of most Zygomycetes to the species level.
Development and Evaluation of an Oligonucleotide Ligation Assay for Detection of Drug Resistance-Associated Mutations in the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 2
pol
Gene
Authors: Jallow Sabelle , Kaye Steve , Schutten Martin , Brandin Eleonor , Albert Jan , McConkey Samuel J. , Corrah Tumani , Whittle Hilton , Vanham Guido , Rowland-Jones Sarah , Janssens Wouter
Published: March 2007

Human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2) is naturally resistant to several antiretroviral drugs, including all of the non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors and the entry inhibitor T-20, and may have reduced susceptibility to some protease inhibitors. These resistance properties make treatment of HIV-2 patients difficult, with very limited treatment options. Therefore, early detection of resistance mutations is important for understanding treatment failures and guiding subsequent therapy decisions. With the Global Fund Initiative, a substantial number of HIV-2 patients in West Africa will receive antiretroviral therapy. Therefore, development of cheaper and more sustainable resistance assays, such as the oligonucleotide ligation assay (OLA), is a priority. In this study, we designed oligonucleotide probes to detect the Q151M mutation, associated with phenotypic resistance to zidovudine, didanosine, zalcitabine, and stavudine, and the M184V mutation, associated with phenotypic resistance to lamivudine and emtricitabine, in HIV-2. The assay was successfully developed and evaluated with 122 samples from The Gambia, Guinea Bissau, The Netherlands, and Sweden. The overall sensitivity of the assay was 98.8%, with 99.2% for Q151M and 98.4% for M184V. OLA results were compared with sequencing to give high concordances of 98.4% (Q151M) and 97.5% (M184V). OLA demonstrated a higher sensitivity for detection of minor variants as a mixture of wild-type and mutant viruses in cases when sequencing detected only the major population. In conclusion, we have developed a simple, easy-to-use, and economical assay for genotyping of drug resistance in HIV-2 that is more sustainable for use in resource-poor settings than is consensus sequencing.
Effect of Plasmid DNA Vaccine Design and In Vivo Electroporation on the Resulting Vaccine-Specific Immune Responses in Rhesus Macaques
Authors: Luckay Amara , Sidhu Maninder K. , Kjeken Rune , Megati Shakuntala , Chong Siew-Yen , Roopchand Vidia , Garcia-Hand Dorys , Abdullah Rashed , Braun Ralph , Montefiori David C. , Rosati Margherita , Felber Barbara K. , Pavlakis George N. , Mathiesen Iacob , Israel Zimra R. , Eldridge John H. , Egan Michael A.
Published: March 2007

Since human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-specific cell-mediated immune (CMI) responses are critical in the early control and resolution of HIV infection and correlate with postchallenge outcomes in rhesus macaque challenge experiments, we sought to identify a plasmid DNA (pDNA) vaccine design capable of eliciting robust and balanced CMI responses to multiple HIV type 1 (HIV-1)-derived antigens for further development. Previously, a number of two-, three-, and four-vector pDNA vaccine designs were identified as capable of eliciting HIV-1 antigen-specific CMI responses in mice (M. A. Egan et al., Vaccine 24:4510-4523, 2006). We then sought to further characterize the relative immunogenicities of these two-, three-, and four-vector pDNA vaccine designs in nonhuman primates and to determine the extent to which in vivo electroporation (EP) could improve the resulting immune responses. The results indicated that a two-vector pDNA vaccine design elicited the most robust and balanced CMI response. In addition, vaccination in combination with in vivo EP led to a more rapid onset and enhanced vaccine-specific immune responses. In macaques immunized in combination with in vivo EP, we observed a 10- to 40-fold increase in HIV-specific enzyme-linked immunospot assay responses compared to those for macaques receiving a 5-fold higher dose of vaccine without in vivo EP. This increase in CMI responses translates to an apparent 50- to 200-fold increase in pDNA vaccine potency. Importantly, in vivo EP enhanced the immune response against the less immunogenic antigens, resulting in a more balanced immune response. In addition, in vivo EP resulted in an approximate 2.5-log10increase in antibody responses. The results further indicated that in vivo EP was associated with a significant reduction in pDNA persistence and did not result in an increase in pDNA associated with high-molecular-weight DNA relative to macaques receiving the pDNA without EP. Collectively, these results have important implications for the design and development of an efficacious vaccine for the prevention of HIV-1 infection.
Cross-Clade Inhibition of Recombinant Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1), HIV-2, and Simian Immunodeficiency Virus SIVcpz Reverse Transcriptases by RNA Pseudoknot Aptamers
Authors: Held Daniel M. , Kissel Jay D. , Thacker Sarah J. , Michalowski Daniel , Saran Dayal , Ji Jianfei , Hardy Richard W. , Rossi John J. , Burke Donald H.
Published: March 2007

Reverse transcriptase (RT) remains a primary target in therapies directed at human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). RNA aptamers that bind RT from HIV-1 subtype B have been shown to protect human cells from infection and to reduce viral infectivity, but little is known about the sensitivity of the inhibition to amino sequence variations of the RT target. Therefore, we assembled a panel of 10 recombinant RTs from phylogenetically diverse lentiviral isolates (including strains of HIV-1, simian immunodeficiency virus SIVcpz, and HIV-2). After validating the panel by measuring enzymatic activities and inhibition by small-molecule drugs, dose-response curves for each enzyme were established for four pseudoknot RNA aptamers representing two structural subfamilies. All four aptamers potently inhibited RTs from multiple HIV-1 subtypes. For aptamers carrying family 1 pseudoknots, natural resistance was essentially all-or-none and correlated with the identity of the amino acid at position 277. In contrast, natural resistance to aptamers carrying the family 2 pseudoknots was much more heterogeneous, both in degree (gradation of 50% inhibitory concentrations) and in distribution across clades. Site-directed and subunit-specific mutagenesis identified a common R/K polymorphism within the p66 subunit as a primary determinant of resistance to family 1, but not family 2, pseudoknot aptamers. RNA structural diversity therefore translates into a nonoverlapping spectrum of mutations that confer resistance, likely due to differences in atomic-level contacts with RT.
Progression of Fibrosis during Chronic Hepatitis C Is Associated with Rapid Virus Evolution
Authors: Wang Xiao-Hong , Netski Dale M. , Astemborski Jacquie , Mehta Shruti H. , Torbenson Michael S. , Thomas David L. , Ray Stuart C.
Published: March 2007

Hepatic fibrosis is the primary mediator of disease due to chronic infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV). HCV exists as a quasispecies in each infected individual, and longitudinal viral sequence changes may reveal viral dynamics and the selection pressures applied by the host immune system. Thus, we hypothesized that patterns of sequence change might reveal the immunopathogenesis of fibrosis progression. We tested this hypothesis by studying individuals enrolled in a prospective study of chronic HCV-related hepatic fibrosis with little or no fibrosis at first biopsy (stage 0 or 1) and a second planned liver biopsy sample obtained 4 years later. Serum was obtained from five individuals with fast progression (FP; defined as a >2-stage change between visits) and 10 carefully matched individuals with slow progression (SP; defined as a <2-stage change between visits). We sequenced multiple cloned hemigenomic cDNAs from each person spanning six genes (core through NS3). Phylogenetic analysis revealed temporal shifts in phylogenetic clustering over time, suggesting frequent quasispecies replacement rather than simple diversification. In addition, mixed infections were detected in three subjects, with coexistence in two subjects (one FP, one SP) of subtypes 1a and 1b throughout the 4-year biopsy interval. Subjects with FP had a higher rate of evolution than subjects with SP, with a preponderance of synonymous changes, suggesting purifying selection, except in hypervariable region 1, where positive selection pressure is frequently detected. Thus, in a small but carefully matched cohort we found evidence for rapid neutral evolution of HCV in persons with rapid progression of hepatic fibrosis, suggesting higher turnover of infected cells.
Enhanced Detection of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1) Nef-Specific T Cells Recognizing Multiple Variants in Early HIV-1 Infection
Authors: Malhotra Uma , Li Fusheng , Nolin Jessica , Allison Megan , Zhao Hong , Mullins James I. , Self Steve , McElrath M. Juliana
Published: March 2007

A human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-preventive vaccine will likely need to induce broad immunity that can recognize antigens expressed within circulating strains. To understand the potentially relevant responses that T-cell based vaccines should elicit, we examined the ability of T cells from early infected persons to recognize a broad spectrum of potential T-cell epitopes (PTE) expressed by the products encoded by the HIV type 1 (HIV-1)nefgene, which is commonly included in candidate vaccines. T cells were evaluated for gamma interferon (IFN-γ) secretion using two peptide panels: subtype B consensus (CON) peptides and a novel peptide panel providing 70% coverage of PTE in subtype B HIV-1 Nef. Eighteen of 23 subjects’ T cells recognized HIV-1 Nef. In one subject, Nef-specific T cells were detected with the PTE but not with the CON peptides. The greatest frequency of responses spanned Nef amino acids 65 to 103 and 113 to 147, with multiple epitope variants being recognized. Detection of both the epitope domain number and the response magnitude was enhanced using the PTE peptides. On average, we detected 2.7 epitope domains with the PTE peptides versus 1.7 domains with the CON peptides (P= 0.0034). The average response magnitude was 2,169 spot-forming cells (SFC)/106peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) with the PTE peptides versus 1,010 SFC/106PBMC with CON peptides (P= 0.0046). During early HIV-1 infection, Nef-specific T cells capable of recognizing multiple variants are commonly induced, and these responses are readily detected with the PTE peptide panel. Our findings suggest that Nef responses induced by a given vaccine strain before HIV-1 exposure may be sufficiently broad to recognize most variants within subtype B HIV-1.
The CD8+T-Cell Response to Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus Involves the L Antigen: Uncovering New Tricks for an Old Virus
Authors: Kotturi Maya F. , Peters Bjoern , Buendia-Laysa Fernando , Sidney John , Oseroff Carla , Botten Jason , Grey Howard , Buchmeier Michael J. , Sette Alessandro
Published: March 2007

CD8+T-cell responses control lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) infection in H-2bmice. Although antigen-specific responses against LCMV infection are well studied, we found that a significant fraction of the CD8+CD44hiT-cell response to LCMV in H-2bmice was not accounted for by known epitopes. We screened peptides predicted to bind major histocompatibility complex class I and overlapping 15-mer peptides spanning the complete LCMV proteome for gamma interferon (IFN-γ) induction from CD8+T cells derived from LCMV-infected H-2bmice. We identified 19 novel epitopes. Together with the 9 previously known, these epitopes account for the total CD8+CD44hiresponse. Thus, bystander T-cell activation does not contribute appreciably to the CD8+CD44hipool. Strikingly, 15 of the 19 new epitopes were derived from the viral L polymerase, which, until now, was not recognized as a target of the cellular response induced by LCMV infection. The L epitopes induced significant levels of in vivo cytotoxicity and conferred protection against LCMV challenge. Interestingly, protection from viral challenge was best correlated with the cytolytic potential of CD8+T cells, whereas IFN-γ production and peptide avidity appear to play a lesser role. Taken together, these findings illustrate that the LCMV-specific CD8+T-cell response is more complex than previously appreciated.
Cardiorespiratory fitness and metabolic syndrome: US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999–2002
Authors: Brien Susan E. , Janssen Ian , Katzmarzyk Peter T.
Published: March 2007

Increasing physical activity is recommended as a therapeutic lifestyle change in the treatment of metabolic syndrome (MetS); however, little evidence exists for a relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and MetS in representative samples. Using data from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999–2002, the relationship between CRF and MetS was examined in 692 men and 608 women between the ages of 18 and 49 y who were free of major disease and disability. In men, the odds of MetS were significantly lower in moderate and high CRF categories versus the low CRF category, whereas in women there were no significant relationships between CRF and MetS.
ON LEFT NILALGEBRAS OF LEFT NILINDEX FOUR SATISFYING AN IDENTITY OF DEGREE FOUR
Authors: HENTZEL IRVIN ROY , LABRA ALICIA
Published: March 2007

We extend the concept of commutative nilalgebras to commutative algebras which are not power associative. We shall study commutative algebras A over fields of characteristic ≠ 2, 3 which satisfy the identities x(x(xx)) = 0 and β{x(y(xx)) - x(x(xy))} + γ{y(x(xx)) - x(x(xy))} = 0. In these algebras the multiplication operator was shown to be nilpotent by Correa, Hentzel and Labra [2]. In this paper we prove that for every x ∈ A we have A(A((xx)(xx))) = 0. We prove that there is an ideal I of A satisfying AI = IA = 0 and A/I is power associative.
ELEMENTARY p-GROUPS WITH THE RÉDEI PROPERTY
Authors: ÖSTERGÅRD PATRIC R. J. , SZABÓ SÁNDOR
Published: March 2007

It is known that an elementary 3-group of rank k has the Rédei property for k ≤ 4 and does not have the Rédei property for k ≥ 6. The last open case, rank 5, is settled here by using a computer-aided approach to show that such a group has the Rédei property.
NORMALIZED EXPRESSIONS AND FINITE AUTOMATA
Authors: CHAMPARNAUD J.-M. , OUARDI F. , ZIADI D.
Published: March 2007

There exist two well-known quotients of the position automaton of a regular expression. The first one, called the equation automaton, was first introduced by Mirkin from the notion of prebase and has been redefined by Antimirov from the notion of partial derivative. The second one, due to Ilie and Yu and called the follow automaton, can be obtained by eliminating ε-transitions in an ε-NFA that is always smaller than the classical ε-NFAs (Thompson, Sippu and Soisalon–Soininen). Ilie and Yu discussed the difficulty of succeeding in a theoretical comparison between the size of the follow automaton and the size of the equation automaton and concluded that it is very likely necessary to realize experimental studies. In this paper we solve the theoretical question, by first defining a set of regular expressions, called normalized expressions, such that every regular expression can be normalized in linear time, and proving then that the equation automaton of a normalized expression is always smaller than its follow automaton.
OSCILLATION DEATH IN A TWO-NEURON NETWORK WITH DELAY IN A SELF-CONNECTION
Authors: MONTEIRO L. H. A. , FILHO A. PELLIZARI , CHAUI-BERLINCK J. G. , PIQUEIRA J. R. C.
Published: March 2007

We analytically study the dynamical behavior of a two-neuron network with a time-delayed self-connection. The effect of the time delay on the stability of the trivial solution and on the existence of self-sustained periodic solution are investigated. These results could be applied to understand the temporal activity appearing in the olfactory bulb.
KERNEL-BASED NAIVE BAYES CLASSIFIER FOR BREAST CANCER PREDICTION
Authors: NAHAR JESMIN , CHEN YI-PING PHOEBE , ALI SHAWKAT
Published: March 2007

The classification of breast cancer patients is of great importance in cancer diagnosis. Most classical cancer classification methods are clinical-based and have limited diagnostic ability. The recent advances in machine learning technique has made a great impact in cancer diagnosis. In this research, we develop a new algorithm: Kernel-Based Naive Bayes (KBNB) to classify breast cancer tumor based on memography data. The performance of the proposed algorithm is compared with that of classical navie bayes algorithm and kernel-based decision tree algorithm C4.5. The proposed algorithm is found to outperform in the both cases. We recommend the proposed algorithm could be used as a tool to classify the breast patient for early cancer diagnosis.
NOVEL HYDROPHILIC RESIN APPLIED IN HEAT-RESISTANT WATER-BORNE COATINGS
Authors: LIU Z. Y. , WANG J. Y. , YAN Q. L. , KOU Y. , JIAN X. G.
Published: March 2007

Poly(phthalazinone ether nitrile ketone)s (PPENK) was modified with NaOH in N,N-dimethyl acetamide (DMAc) in order to find a hydrophilic resin applied in heat-resistant water-borne coatings. The properties of hydrolyzates (HPPENK) in different hydrolysis time were characterized by FT-IR and 1H-NMR, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), contact angle (water) as well as solubility measurements. The results indicated that, along with the prolonged hydrolysis time, nitrile groups conversion ratio and glass transition temperature (T g ) of hydrolyzates increase, whereas weight loss ratio of HPPENK decreases. As expected, the hydrophilicity of HPPENK was improved greatly, e.g., when CN conversion ratio was 93.82%, the water contact angles were found to decrease from 75.3° of PPENK to 54.4° of HPPENK. HPPENKc dispersion has no separation more than 20 days in terms of shelf-life.
THE ELECTRIC FIELD DEPENDENCE OF THE PHOTOIONIZATION CROSS-SECTION OF SHALLOW DONOR IMPURITIES IN QUANTUM DOTS: INFINITE AND FINITE MODEL
Authors: KASAPOGLU E. , SARI H. , YESILGUL U. , SÖKMEN I.
Published: March 2007

Using a variational approach, we have calculated the photo-ionization cross-section of a shallow donor impurity in a quantum dot with finite and infinite potential barriers in the presence of an electric field as a function of the photon energy. Our calculations have revealed the dependence of the photoionization cross-section on the electric field, the size of the quantum dot and the impurity position.
EFFECTS OF NANOSCALE SURFACE DEFECTS ON ELECTROPOLYMERIZATION
Authors: EFTEKHARI ALI , KAZEMZAD MAHMOOD , KEYANPOUR-RAD MANSOOR
Published: March 2007

Surface defects on the substrate electrode have significant effects on electropolymerization processes. Influence of surface defects mechanically formed on a Pt electrode on electrochemical polymerization of aniline was investigated. Interestingly, it was found that existence of such surface defects leads to more favorable electropolymerization. In this case, surface defects acts as nucleation centers for subsequent growth of the conductive polymer. This is accompanied by the formation of denser polymer film with smoother surface. This smoothness also exists in nanoscale. These are interesting advantages for application purposes.
EFFECT OF SUBSTRATE BIAS ON FRICTION COEFFICIENT, ADHESION STRENGTH AND HARDNESS OF TiN-COATED TOOL STEEL
Authors: HAMZAH ESAH , ALI MUBARAK , TOFF MOHD RADZI HJ. MOHD
Published: March 2007

In the present study, TiN coatings have been deposited on D2 tool steel substrates by using cathodic arc physical vapor deposition technique. The objective of this research work is to determine the usefulness of TiN coatings in order to improve the micro-Vickers hardness and friction coefficient of TiN coating deposited on D2 tool steel, which is widely used in tooling applications. A Pin-on-Disc test was carried out to study the coefficient of friction versus sliding distance of TiN coating deposited at various substrate biases. The standard deviation parameter during tribo-test result showed that the coating deposited at substrate bias of -75 V was the most stable coating. A significant increase in micro-Vickers hardness was recorded, when substrate bias was reduced from -150 V to zero. Scratch tester was used to compare the critical loads for coatings deposited at different bias voltages and the adhesion achievable was demonstrated with relevance to the various modes, scratch macroscopic analysis, critical load, acoustic emission and penetration depth. A considerable improvement in TiN coatings was observed as a function of various substrate bias voltages.
EFFECT OF γ-IRRADIATION ON THE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF AL–CU ALLOY
Authors: ABO-ELSOUD M. , ISMAIL H. , SOBHY MAGED S.
Published: March 2007

SEM observations and Vickers hardness tests were performed to identify the irradiation effects. γ-irradiation effect during the aging hardening process can be explained depending on the composition of the alloy and is used to derive quantitative information on the kinetics of the transformation precipitates. Increasing the Cu content of an Al – Cu alloy can improve the aging hardness. The present results of the hardness behavior, with SEM observations of surveillance specimens at different doses, suggest that the radiation-induced defects are probably complex valence-solute clusters. These clusters act as nuclei for the precipitation of θ- Al 2 Cu type. This can be effectively utilized to study the systematics of nucleation of precipitates at vacancy-type defects. γ-irradiation probably plays the key role in defects responsible for material strengthening and embrittlement.
THEORETICAL ANALYSES FOR LASER MACHINING MICROCHANNELS AND DEMONSTRATION OF THEIR USES IN MANUFACTURE OF A MICROFLUIDIC OPTICAL SWITCH
Authors: LIM DANIEL , SANTOSO ERNA GONDO , TEH KIM MING , WAN STEPHEN , ZHENG H. Y.
Published: March 2007

Silicon has been widely used to fabricate microfluidic devices due to the dominance of silicon microfabrication technologies available. In this paper, theoretical analyses are carried out to suggest suitable laser machining parameters to achieve required channel geometries. Based on the analyses, a low-power CO 2 laser was employed to create microchannels in Acrylic substrate for the use of manufacturing an optical bubble switch. The developed equations are found useful for selecting appropriate machining parameters. The ability to use a low-cost CO 2 laser to fabricate microchannels provides an alternative and cost-effective method for prototyping fluid flow channels, chambers and cavities in microfluidic lab chips.
LIMITATIONS OF ELECTROCHEMICAL METHODS FOR SURFACE ANALYSIS AT SMALL FRACTALITY SCALES
Authors: EFTEKHARI ALI
Published: March 2007

Based on solid arguments, it was demonstrated that: (i) the fractality scale detected during electrochemical measurements depends only on the yardstick length, i.e., the diffusion layer width, and not on the size of the diffusing electroactive species; (ii) Fractal analysis cannot be performed by electrochemical methods at scales smaller than 100 nm, since the thickness of Helmholtz double layer is comparable with the diffusion layer width, and the diffusion layer width cannot be assumed to act as yardstick length. Indeed, it should be taken into account that the yardstick length is equal to "diffusion layer width + Helmholtz double layer." On the other hand, thin diffusion layers on rough surfaces lead to 3D diffusion; thus, the fundamental electrochemistry is no longer valid. In general, fractal analyses by electrochemical methods has severe limitations, which should be taken into account before applying it for different cases. In other words, surface analysis by this approach just senses microscale roughness, and ignores nanostructure.
PREPARATION OF INDIUM TIN OXIDE FILMS BY RADIO FREQUENCY MAGNETRON SPUTTERING UNDER LOW VACUUM LEVEL
Authors: ZHU H. B. , LI X. D. , HUANG S. Y. , JIN C. X. , SUN Z. , CHEN Y. W. , HUANG S. M.
Published: March 2007

Indium tin oxide (ITO) thin films were prepared by radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering and under a quite low vacuum level of 2.3 × 10-3 Pa . The sputtering was done in an Ar and O 2 gas mixture at a temperature of 200°C. A ceramic In 2 O 3: SnO 2 target (10 wt% SnO 2) was used. The microstructures of the films were investigated by a field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) and an X-ray diffractometer (XRD). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was performed to characterize the composition of the films. ITO films with a high transparency in the visible wavelength range (80–95%) were obtained. The dependency of the electrical, optical and structural properties of ITO films on both the O 2 flow ratio ( O 2/( O 2 + Ar )) and the working pressure was investigated. In the case of low working pressure (1 Pa), the more highly transparent and conducting films were produced at the lower O 2 flow ratio. High working pressure (2 Pa) gave rise to low quality, low transparency and amorphous films. Under RF sputtering at low vacuum level, the main contribution to the chamber atmosphere is due to water vapor. Oxygen originating from water vapor dissociation induced by plasma plays the same role as an oxygen or water vapor flux usually intentionally introduced in the system in order to have good quality films.
EFFECT OF RELAXATION ON THE ENERGETICS AND STRUCTURE OF ANATASETiO2(101) SURFACE
Authors: MA XIN-GUO , TANG CHAO-QUN , YANG XIAO-HUA
Published: March 2007

A systematic study of unrelaxed and relaxed surface characters on the TiO2(101) surface has been carried out by first-principles calculations using plane-wave pseudopotential method. We find that O2 catoms have an inward relaxation of 0.012 Å and Ti5 catoms have an outward relaxation of 0.155 Å by taking a 24-layer slab with 5 Å vacuum width to consider the atomic relaxations, in good agreement with other theoretical values. The slab thickness has significant effect on the quality of band structure and density of states, and 24-layer slab is sufficient to present the electronic properties of TiO2(101) surface. Atomic relaxations result in a large transfer of surface charges from outermost layer to inner layer, and the surface bonds have a rehybridization, which makes the ionization reduce and the covalence increase; we believe that it causes the surface bond shorten. A fine analysis of band structure and density of states of the TiO2(101) surface shows that the surface relaxation induces the transformation from semi-metallic to semiconducting characteristic.
INCOMMENSURATE METALLIC SURFACTANT LAYER ON TOP OF InN FILM
Authors: LIU Y. , WANG J. , XIE M. H. , WU H. S.
Published: March 2007

The surface structure of InN film heteroepitaxially grown on a GaN buffer layer by MBE is followed by low energy electron diffraction (LEED). The metallic surfactant layers on top of the InN surfaces show an incommensurate structure rather than being disordered. The metal in the incommensurate structure induces additional diffraction spots in the LEED. Based on the Auger experiments, not only In atoms but also Ga are present on the surface of the InN films.
FAIR ACTUARIAL VALUES FOR DEDUCTIBLE INSURANCE POLICIES IN THE PRESENCE OF PARAMETER UNCERTAINTY
Authors: HAREL ARIE , HARPAZ GIORA
Published: March 2007

This paper derives the multi-period fair actuarial values for six deductible insurance policies offered in today's insurance markets. The loss in any given period is generated by the Weibull distribution with a known shape parameter but an unknown scale parameter. The insurer is assumed to be a Bayesian decision maker, in the sense that he/she learns sequentially about the unknown scale parameter by observing the realizations of the filed claims. It is shown that the insurer's underlying predictive loss distributions belong to the Burr family, and the multi-period actuarially fair policy value can be derived. With a proper loading, an insurance premium can be quoted. Our major contribution is the analytical derivations of the fair actuarial values for deductible insurance policies in the presence of parameter uncertainty and Bayesian learning.
THE RELATIVE RISK PERFORMANCE OF ISLAMIC FINANCE: A NEW GUIDE TO LESS RISKY INVESTMENTS
Authors: AL-ZOUBI HAITHAM A. , MAGHYEREH AKTHAM I.
Published: March 2007

We examine the relative risk performance of the Dow Jones Islamic Index (DJIS) and find that the index outperforms the Dow Jones (DJIM) WORLD Index in terms of risk. Using the most recent Value-at-Risk (VaR) methodologies (RiskMetrics, Student-t APARCH, and skewed Student-t APARCH) on the 1996–2005 period, and assuming one-day holding period for both indices with a moving window of 500 day data, we show that the value of VaR is greater for DJIM WORLD than for DJIS Islamic. We interpret the results mainly to the profit-and-loss sharing principle of Islamic finance where banks share the profits and bear losses (Mudarabah) or share both profits and losses (Musharaka) with the firm.
TIME VARYING SENSITIVITIES ON A GRID ARCHITECTURE
Authors: D'ADDONA STEFANO , CIPRIAN MATTIA
Published: March 2007

We investigate the gains obtained by using GRID, an innovative web-based technology for parallel computing, in a Risk Management application. We show, by estimating a parametric Value at Risk, how GRID computing offers an opportunity to enhance the solution of computationally demanding problems with decentralized data retrieval. Furthermore, we also provide an analysis of the risk factors in the US market, by empirically testing, on the Fama and French database, a classic one factor model augmented with a time varying specification of beta.