bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Occupational stress and family life: A comparison of male and female doctors
Authors: Swanson V. , Power K. G. , Simpson R. J.
Published: August 2011

Characteristics of medical work suggest that doctors are especially vulnerable to stress between work and home. The present study adopted a theoretical approach towards the study of the relationship between occupational stress and home life in doctors in Scotland, comparing male and female general practitioners (GPs) and specialist consultants. First, the relationship between role complexity and occupational stress, workload, job satisfaction and domestic stress and satisfaction was examined. Second, the theory of asymmetric permeability of occupational and domestic roles was used to compare the impact of work‐to‐home (WH) and home‐to‐work (HW) stress. Gender and medical speciality differences were considered as intervening variables.

Increased role complexity was related to stress for both male and female doctors in the study, suggesting an increasing convergence in the occupational and domestic roles of male and female doctors. Higher levels of occupational stress were also recorded for WH variables than HW variables for both male and female doctors, confirming the asymmetric permeability of such roles, and failing to identify significant gender differences in this asymmetry. Role complexity was related to reduced occupational workload for females only, and to increased domestic workload for male and female doctors. Aspects of occupational and domestic stress were significantly related to increased role complexity, although role complexity was not significantly related to job satisfaction. When medical specialities were compared, GPs were found to record greater stress in the home/work interface than consultants.
Research excellence and departmental climate in British universities
Authors: West Michael A. , Smith Heather , Feng Wen Lu , Lawthom Rebecca
Published: August 2011

In recent years, university departments in the United Kingdom have been externally rated according to their effectiveness in terms of research excellence. Organizational science research into the determinants of effective organizational performance has suggested a link between climate and effectiveness. This study therefore investigated this possible link by examining the relationship between university departmental climate and research excellence rating. A longitudinal design was used which involved gathering climate data from academics in 46 departments in 14 universities in 1992 and again in 1994. These climate measures were related to external Higher Education Funding Council ratings of research excellence made in 1989 and 1992. These departmental ratings predicted subsequent departmental climate, particularly in members' descriptions of degree of formalization, support for career development and support for innovation. Dimensions of climate, however, did not predict as strongly subsequent research excellence rating. It appears that climate may be an outcome as much as a cause of rated effectiveness, at least in this context.
Organizational controls and safety: The varieties of rule‐related behaviour
Authors: Reason James , Parker Dianne , Lawton Rebecca
Published: August 2011

Companies operating in hazardous environments employ a variety of organizational controls both to manage the enterprise as a whole and to minimize their risks. This paper critically reviews the use of procedures, rules and regulations to restrict individual behaviour to those courses of action considered safe and productive. In particular, it discusses the psychological, situational and organizational factors influencing compliant and non‐compliant behaviour (i.e. violations and circumventions of safe operating procedures). Ten kinds of rule‐related behaviour are identified. The paper concludes by arguing for the extended use of social and self‐controls to compensate for the inevitable limitations of prescriptive procedures in guiding safe behaviour.
Dimensionality and validity of the Burnout Measure
Authors: Enzmann Dirk , Schaufeli Wilmar B. , Janssen Peter , Rozeman Alfred
Published: August 2011

The dimensionality and validity of the BM (Burnout Measure) is investigated in Dutch samples of human services professionals and white‐collar workers (total N = 2190). Results show that, in contrast to the presumed dimensions ‘physical exhaustion’, ‘emotional exhaustion’ and ‘mental exhaustion’, the factors of the BM are ‘demoralization’, ‘exhaustion’, and ‘loss of motive’. The factorial structure is not affected by using different time frames although an unrestricted time frame results in significantly higher mean scores. A BM version with a seven‐point Likert scale results in more reliable subscales than a five‐point scale. The factor ‘loss of motive’ is substantially affected by inconsistent answering patterns of the respondents. The three‐factor model of the BM fits equally well in samples of professionals with and without patient contact. The BM subscales correlate highly with fatigue and with the dimension ‘emotional exhaustion’ of the Maslach‐Burnout‐Inventory (MBI) but cannot be distinguished from psychological strain and psychosomatic complaints. Problems in the conceptualization of burnout and its operationalization are discussed. It is concluded that the BM captures only a particular aspect of burnout and is rather a measure of general well‐being. Recommendations for further use of a modified BM are given.
Assessing the discriminant validity of transformational leader behaviour as measured by the MLQ1
Authors: Carless Sally A.
Published: August 2011

Bass's (1985) proposition that transformational leadership can be defined by distinct constructs (charisma, intellectual stimulation and individualized consideration) was tested. Using LISREL 8 confirmatory factor analysis, a three‐factor first‐order model (Model 1) was compared with a single‐factor model (Model 2) and a hierarchical model (Model 3). The sample consisted of 1440 subordinates who worked in Australia for an international bank. The Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ‐5X; Avolio, Bass & Jung, 1995) was used to assess transformational leadership. The findings showed that a multidimensional first‐order model and a hierarchical model both fitted the data. Based on the evidence presented, it was argued that the MLQ assesses a single higher order construct of transformational leadership and that there is little evidence to support the contention that the MLQ measures distinct transformational leader behaviours.
Turbulent Heat Transfer Over a Moving Surface Due to Impinging Slot Jets
Authors: Chattopadhyay Himadri , Cemal Benim Ali
Published: August 2011

In the present paper, turbulent heat transfer characteristics of submerged slot jets impinging on a moving surface at a constant temperature up to a Reynolds number of 50,000 have been studied. The turbulent flow field was resolved using the realizable k-ɛ model due to Shi et al. [1995, “A New k-ɛ Eddy-Viscosity Model for High Reynolds Number Turbulent Flows-Model Development and Validation,” Comput. Fluids, 24, pp. 227–238] after rigorously establishing the adequacy of the model by comparison with large-eddy simulation data. A periodic element from a jet-bank configuration was chosen in the direction of the surface movement. The distribution of heat transfer on impinging surface is found to be significantly affected by the plate motion. However, the mean velocity distribution along vertical direction in the stagnation region is not affected by the plate motion. With increasing surface motion, the initial symmetric distribution changes to an inclined-S type pattern in the direction of the surface movement up to a certain level of surface velocity and the average heat transfer reduces. When the surface motion crosses this level, the net heat transfer starts increasing. The amount of heat transfer was found to be linked with the level of turbulent kinetic energy close to the impingement surface. The surface velocity at which the heat transfer reaches the value corresponding to the fixed surface value increases with increasing Reynolds number.
Forced Convection Along the Wavy Surface
Authors: Chen Chao-Kuang , Yang Yue-Tzu , Chang Kuei-Hao
Published: August 2011

In this study, Prandtl’s transposition theorem is used to stretch the ordinary coordinate-system in certain direction. The small wavy surface can be transferred into a calculable plane coordinate-system. The new governing equations of turbulent forced convection along wavy surface are derived from complete Navier–Stokes equations. A simple transformation is proposed to transform the governing equations into boundary layer equations for solution by the cubic spline collocation method. The effects such as the wavy geometry, the local skin-friction and Nusselt number are studied. The results of the simulation show that it is more significant to increase heat transfer with small wavy surface than plat surface.
Evaluation of Annual Performance of 2-Tank and Thermocline Thermal Storage Systems for Trough Plants
Authors: Kolb Gregory J.
Published: August 2011

A study was performed to compare the annual performance of 50 MWe Andasol-like trough plants that employ either a 2-tank or a thermocline-type molten-salt thermal storage system. trnsys software was used to create the plant models and to perform the annual simulations. The annual performance of each plant was found to be nearly identical in the base-case comparison. The reason that the thermocline exhibited nearly the same performance is primarily due to the ability of many trough power blocks to operate at a temperature that is significantly below the design point. However, if temperatures close to the design point are required, the performance of the 2-tank plant would be significantly better than the thermocline.
Decoding Schizophrenia
Authors: Damani Samir
Published: August 2011

Exome sequencing illuminates the genetic landscape of schizophrenia.
A Snooze Button for the Biological Clock
Authors: Evans-Molina Carmella
Published: August 2011

Age-specific anti-Müllerian hormone concentrations can predict the future age of menopause.
Long‐term health effects of harness‐mounted radio transmitters in red kites (Milvus milvus) in England
Authors: Peniche G. , Vaughan‐Higgins R. , Carter Ian , Pocknell A. , Simpson D. , Sainsbury A.
Published: August 2011

In 1989, the Nature Conservancy Council and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds commenced reintroduction of the red kite (Milvus milvus) according to International Union for Conservation of Nature criteria. Following 22 years of intensive effort, the red kite reintroduction programme has been a success with an estimated 1000 pairs now breeding in England. Post‐release health surveillance is ongoing and has been achieved through radio‐tracking, monitoring breeding at nest sites and pathological examinations of any red kites found dead. Tail‐mounted radio transmitters were fitted from 1989 with harness‐mounted radio transmitters being preferentially used since 2000. Since 2000, 180 individuals have been recovered for postmortem examination. Eighteen of these birds had previously had a harness‐mounted radio transmitter fitted and four of these (22 per cent) had moderate to severe lesions associated with the presence of the harness and radio transmitter including chronic necrogranulomatous inflammation, deep muscular exposure and distorted muscular conformation. Failure to breed was also reported in two of these individuals over the preceding year(s), although it is not known whether the presence of the harness contributed to this failure. Duration of deployment may have been a significant factor in the formation of these lesions as those with lesions (n=4) had a statistically significant (P=0.009) longer duration of deployment compared to those without lesions (n=14). No lesions were reported in those red kites fitted with tail‐transmitters.
ELECTRICAL AND MAGNETO-TRANSPORT PROPERTIES OF La0.8Sr0.2MnO3
Authors: SHILAN S. T. , EWE L. S. , ABD-SHUKOR R.
Published: August 2011

The effects of sintering temperature on the electrical and magneto-transport properties of La 0.8 Sr 0.2 MnO 3 compounds prepared by employing a chemical co-precipitation route sintered at 1120°C, 1220°C and 1320°C are reported. The X-ray powder diffraction patterns for all samples can be indexed to the rhombohedra structure with R3C space group. The insulator–metal transition temperature remained nearly constant (~291 K) for all samples. The magneto resistance (MR) values were found to decrease noticeably as the sintering temperature was increased from 1120°C to 1320°C. Above 0.3 T, the magneto resistance was influenced by To values, which indicates the bending of Mn–O–Mn bond. The resistivity data were fitted with several equations in the metallic (ferromagnetic) region. In the insulating (paramagnetic) region, the variable range hopping and small polaron hopping models were used to compute the density of states at the Fermi level, N(EF), and activation energy (Ea) of the electrons. The resistivities can be fitted well with ρ–T2 and ρ–T2.5 curves. The variable range hopping model and small polaron hopping model fitted very well at high temperature regions, indicating that small polaron hopping might be responsible for the conduction. La 0.8 Sr 0.2 MnO 3 sintered at 1220°C demonstrated the highest MR of 6.5% in 1 T magnetic field.
MOLECULE-BASED ELECTRORHEOLOGICAL MATERIAL, ELECTRORHEOLOGICAL PERFORMANCE AND MOLECULE STRUCTURE
Authors: HUO LI , LIAO FU-HUI , LI JUN-RAN , ZHANG SHAOHUA
Published: August 2011

Molecule-based electrorheological (ER) materials as a novel type of ER materials, a series of compounds using melamine ( C 3 N 6 H 6) as the substrate, have been synthesized using orthophosphoric acid ( H 3 PO 4), oxalic acid ( H 2 C 2 O 4), 4-toluenesulfonic acid (PTA, C 7 H 8 O 3 S ) and 5-sulfosalicylic acid (SSA, C 7 H 6 O 6 S ), respectively as starting materials. The ER performance and dielectric property of materials have been studied. The results show that these materials have ER activity. The unusual relationship between dielectric property and ER property of these materials was found and discussed. The composition and structure of molecule are the dominant factors, the function group plays an important role, in influencing ER performance of the molecule-based ER material.
INJECTANCE AND A PARADOX
Authors: SATPATHI URBASHI , SINGHA DEO P.
Published: August 2011

Quantum mechanics manifests in experimental observations in several ways. Hauge et al. (1987) and Leavens et al. (1989) had pointed out that interference effects dominate a physical quantity called injectance. We show that, very paradoxically, the interference related term vanish in a quantum regime making semi-classical formula for injectance exact in this regime. This can have useful implications to experimentalists as semi-classical formulas are much more simple. There are other puzzling facts in this regime like an ensemble of particles that can be transmitted without any time delay or negative time delays.
EXCESS FLUCTUATION CONDUCTIVITY AND SUPERCONDUCTING PARAMETERS OF CaLa-DOPED Nd-123
Authors: GHORBANI S. R. , HOMAEI M.
Published: August 2011

Polycrystalline samples of Nd 1-x Ca x Ba 2-x La x Cu 3 O 7-δ (with 0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.15) were prepared by the standard solid state method. The co-doping effect was studied on the resistivity as a function of temperature and doping concentration x. The fluctuation conductivity was analyzed using the Aslamazov and Larkin model (AL). For all samples, three fluctuation regions; i.e. one-dimensional (1D), two-dimensional (2D), and three-dimensional (3D), were clearly observed with decreasing temperature. A critical region was also observed for high doping concentration (x ≥ 0.1). Superconductivity parameters such as the effective coherence length ξ p , the coherence length along the c-axis ξ c and ab plane ξ ab , the effective interlayer separation d, anisotropy parameter γ a , and the upper critical magnetic field B c2 along the c-axis and ab plane were obtained. It was also found that CuO x chains contribute to conducting.
THEORETICAL STUDY OF THE BAND GAP OF SrSe AND SrTe IN GW APPROXIMATION
Authors: ZHU XIAO LING , ZHANG HONG , CHENG XIN LU
Published: August 2011

Using the first-principles pseudopotential method within a generalized gradient approximation of the density functional theory, the structural and electronic properties of SrSe and SrTe have been studied. The calculated lattice parameters are in excellent agreement with experimental values, whereas the error in the minimum gap value is as high as 43.25% in SrSe . To get reliable band gap values of SrSe and SrTe , we employ the GW (G is the Green's function and W is the screened Coulomb interaction) approximation method. The result in GW approximation improves the band gap value of the SrSe greatly and agrees with the value of experimental measurement.
COOPERATION AND COMPETITION IN HISTORY-DEPENDENT PARRONDO'S GAME ON NETWORKS
Authors: YE YE , XIE NENG-GANG , WANG LIN-GANG , WANG LU , CEN YU-WAN
Published: August 2011

The paper studies a multi-agent Parrondo's game with history dependence. With the complex networks as the spatial carrier, the adaptation of cooperation and competition (coopetition for short) behaviors is analyzed and the impact of the degree distribution of the heterogeneity on the behavioral adaptation is investigated. The multi-agent Parrondo's game consists of a zero-sum game between individuals and a negative-sum game between individuals and environment based on the history of the game. In terms of relations of the zero-sum game, two behavioral patterns are determined: cooperation and competition. The simulation results show that: (1) Cooperation and competition in any forms are the adaptive behaviors. The coopetition behavior results in the variety of winning and losing states of the history, which makes the population develop toward the beneficial direction where nature affects. The positive average fitness of the population represents the paradoxical feature that the Parrondo's game is counterintuitive, (2) for the cooperation pattern, the average fitness of the population is the largest under Barabási–Albert (BA) network which is conducive to cooperation, (3) the heterogeneity has a positive impact on cooperation.
Mechanism for antioxidative effects of thiazolidinediones in pancreatic β-cells
Authors: Chung Sung Soo , Kim Min , Lee Ji Seon , Ahn Byung Yong , Jung Hye Seung , Lee Hak Mo , Park Kyong Soo
Published: August 2011

Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) are synthetic ligands of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ), a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily. TZDs are known to increase insulin sensitivity and also to have an antioxidative effect. In this study, we tested whether TZDs protect pancreatic β-cells from oxidative stress, and we investigated the mechanism involved in this process. To generate oxidative stress in pancreatic β-cells (INS-1 and βTC3) or isolated islets, glucose oxidase was added to the media. The extracellular and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured to directly determine the antioxidant effect of TZDs. The phosphorylation of JNK/MAPK after oxidative stress was detected by Western blot analysis, and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and cell viability were also measured. TZDs significantly reduced the ROS levels that were increased by glucose oxidase, and they effectively prevented β-cell dysfunction. The antioxidative effect of TZDs was abolished in the presence of a PPARγ antagonist, GW9662. Real-time PCR was used to investigate the expression levels of antioxidant genes. The expression of catalase, an antioxidant enzyme, was increased by TZDs in pancreatic β-cells, and the knockdown of catalase significantly inhibited the antioxidant effect of TZDs. These results suggest that TZDs effectively protect pancreatic β-cells from oxidative stress, and this effect is dependent largely on PPARγ. In addition, the expression of catalase is increased by TZDs, and catalase, at least in part, mediates the antioxidant effect of TZDs in pancreatic β-cells.
Intrathecal bombesin is sympathoexcitatory and pressor in rat
Authors: Zogovic Branimir , Pilowsky Paul M.
Published: August 2011

Bombesin, a 14 amino-acid peptide, is pressor when administered intravenously in rat and pressor and sympathoexcitatory when applied intracerebroventricularly. To determine the spinal effects of bombesin, the peptide was administered acutely in the intrathecal space at around thoracic spinal cord level six of urethane-anesthetized, paralyzed, and bilaterally vagotomized rats. Blood pressure, heart rate, splanchnic sympathetic nerve activity (sSNA), phrenic nerve activity, and end-tidal CO2 were monitored to evaluate changes in the cardiorespiratory systems. Bombesin elicited a long-lasting excitation of sSNA associated with an increase in blood pressure and tachycardia. There was a mean increase in arterial blood pressure of 52 ± 5 mmHg (300 μM; P < 0.01). Heart rate and sSNA also increased by 40 ± 4 beats/min ( P < 0.01) and 162 ± 33% ( P < 0.01), respectively. Phrenic nerve amplitude (PNamp, 73 ± 8%, P < 0.01) and phrenic expiratory period (+0.16 ± 0.02 s, P < 0.05) increased following 300 μM bombesin. The gain of the sympathetic baroreflex increased from −2.8 ± 0.7 to −5.4 ± 0.9% ( P < 0.01), whereas the sSNA range was increased by 99 ± 26% ( P < 0.01). During hyperoxic hypercapnia (10% CO2 in O2, 90 s), bombesin potentiated the responses in heart rate (−25 ± 5 beats/min, P < 0.01) and sSNA (+136 ± 29%, P < 0.001) but reduced PNamp (from 58 ± 6 to 39 ± 7%, P < 0.05). Finally, ICI-216,140 (1 mM), an in vivo antagonist for the bombesin receptor 2, attenuated the effects of 300 μM bombesin on blood pressure (21 ± 7 mmHg, P < 0.01). We conclude that bombesin is sympathoexcitatory at thoracic spinal segments. The effect on phrenic nerve activity may the result of spinobulbar pathways and activation of local motoneuronal pools.
Suppression of smooth pursuit eye movements induced by electrical stimulation of the monkey frontal eye field
Authors: Izawa Yoshiko , Suzuki Hisao , Shinoda Yoshikazu
Published: August 2011

This study was performed to characterize the properties of the suppression of smooth pursuit eye movement induced by electrical stimulation of the frontal eye field (FEF) in trained monkeys. At the stimulation sites tested, we first determined the threshold for generating electrically evoked saccades (Esacs). We then examined the suppressive effects of stimulation on smooth pursuit at intensities that were below the threshold for eliciting Esacs. We observed that FEF stimulation induced a clear deceleration of pursuit at pursuit initiation and also during the maintenance of pursuit at subthreshold intensities. The suppression of pursuit occurred even in the absence of catch-up saccades during pursuit, indicating that suppression influenced pursuit per se. We mapped the FEF area that was associated with the suppressive effect of stimulation on pursuit. In a wide area in the FEF, suppressive effects were observed for ipsiversive, but not contraversive, pursuit. In contrast, we observed the bilateral suppression of both ipsiversive and contraversive pursuit in a localized area in the FEF. This area coincided with the area in which we have previously shown that stimulation suppressed the generation of saccades in bilateral directions and also where fixation neurons that discharged during fixation were concentrated. On the basis of these results, we compared the FEF suppression of pursuit with that of saccades with regard to several physiological properties and then discussed the role of the FEF in the suppression of both pursuit and saccades, and particularly in the maintenance of visual fixation.
Hydrogen peroxide differentially affects activity in the pre-Bötzinger complex and hippocampus
Authors: Garcia Alfredo J. , Khan Shakil A. , Kumar Ganesh K. , Prabhakar Nanduri R. , Ramirez Jan-Marino
Published: August 2011

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) modulate neuronal excitability. In the present study we examined the effects of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), a well established ROS, on neuronal activity from two neonatal mouse brain regions, i.e., the pre-Bötzinger complex (preBötC) within the ventral respiratory column (VRC) and the CA1 area of the hippocampus. In the preBötC, 2.2 mM H2O2 evoked a transient depression followed by augmentation of neuronal activity. The iron chelator deferoxamine (500 μM) did not prevent H2O2-mediated neuronal augmentation but prevented the initial depression. Combined application of Fe2+ and H2O2 only caused depression of the preBötC rhythm. In contrast, H2O2 suppressed neuronal activity in the CA1 region, and this effect was accentuated by coapplication of Fe2+ and H2O2, suggesting that hydroxyl radical generated by Fenton reaction mediates the effects of H2O2 on CA1 neuronal activity. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were monitored as an index of lipid peroxidation in H2O2-treated preBötC and CA1 areas. MDA levels were unaltered in H2O2-treated preBötC, whereas MDA levels were markedly elevated in the CA1 region. These findings suggest that 1) exogenous administration of H2O2 exerts differential effects on neuronal activities of preBötC versus CA1 neuronal populations and 2) H2O2 is a potent modulator of respiratory rhythmogenesis from the preBötC without affecting global oxidative status.
Immortalized mouse embryo fibroblasts are resistant to miR-290-induced senescence regardless of p53 status
Authors: Rizzo Milena , Evangelista Monica , Mariani Laura , Simili Marcella , Rainaldi Giuseppe , Pitto Letizia
Published: August 2011

The prosenescence role of miR-290 and nocodazole has been documented in primary mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEF), while it is not clear whether immortal murine fibroblasts are still responsive to these senescence inducing stimuli. To establish this point, immortal murine fibroblasts with functional (NIH3T3) or nonfunctional p53 (I-MEF) and low levels of miR-290 were tested for their capability to undergo senescence after exposure to either nocodazole or miR-290. Our results clearly indicate that nocodazole induces senescence only in NIH3T3 cells with a functional p53 but not in I-MEF lacking a functional p53. miR-290 overexpression is unable to address any of the tested immortalized clones toward senescence, regardless of the p53 status, suggesting that the prosenescence role of miR-290 is specific for primary but not for immortal murine fibroblasts. Moreover our findings suggest that the mere downregulation of a potential tumor suppressor miRNA in a given cell type does not necessarily imply that it behaves as a tumor suppressor.
Effects of on the Lyotropic Liquid Crystalline Behavior in Nonaqueous and Aqueous Medium
Authors: Shukla Ravi K. , Raina K. K.
Published: August 2011

Effects of varying doping concentrations () of on the aggregation behaviour of cationic surfactant in nonaqueous and aqueous medium have been investigated. Mixed and pure lyotropic liquid crystalline LLC phases appeared in nonaqueous and aqueous ternary mixtures due to the fast quenching process and then characterized through polarizing optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction technique. The material parameters corresponding to these ternary nonaqueous and aqueous mixtures were evaluated to understand the mechanisms of deriving forces responsible for the modification of mesophases in the presence of metal salt.
A High-Speed Dynamic Partial Reconfiguration Controller Using Direct Memory Access Through a Multiport Memory Controller and Overclocking with Active Feedback
Authors: Hoffman John C. , Pattichis Marios S.
Published: August 2011

Dynamically reconfigurable computing platforms provide promising methods for dynamic management of hardware resources, power, and performance. Yet, progress in dynamically reconfigurable computing is fundamentally limited by the reconfiguration time overhead. Prior research in the development of dynamic partial reconfiguration (DPR) controllers has been limited by its use of the Processor Local Bus (PLB). As a result, the bus was unavailable during DPR. This resulted in significant time overhead. To minimize the overhead, we introduce the use of a multiport memory controller (MPMC) that frees the PLB during the reconfiguration process. The processor is thus allowed to switch to other tasks during the reconfiguration operation. This effectively limits the reconfiguration overhead. An interrupt is used to inform the processor when the operation is complete. Therefore, the system can multitask during the reconfiguration operation. Furthermore, to maximize performance, we introduce the use of overclocking with active feedback. During overclocking, the use of active feedback is used to ensure that the device voltage and temperature are within nominal operating conditions. All of these contributions lead to significant performance improvements over current partial reconfiguration subsystems. The portability of the system, demonstrated on the Virtex-4 and the Virtex-5, consists of four different hardware platforms.
S-Nitrosation of Cellular Proteins by NO Donors in Rat Embryonic Fibroblast 3Y1 Cells: Factors Affecting S-Nitrosation
Authors: Ryuman Norihiro , Watanabe Nobuo , Arai Takao
Published: August 2011

The mechanism of protein S-nitrosation in cells is not fully understood. Using rat 3Y1 cells, we addressed this issue. Among S-nitrosothiols and NO donors tested, only S-nitrosocysteine (CysNO) induced S-nitrosation when exposed in Hanks' balanced salt solution (HBSS) and not in serum-containing general culture medium. In HBSS, NO release from CysNO was almost completely abolished by sequestering metal ions with a metal chelator without affecting cellular S-nitrosation. In contrast, L-leucine, a substrate of L-type amino acid transporters (LATs), significantly inhibited S-nitrosation. The absence of S-nitrosation with CysNO in general culture medium resulted not only from a competition with amino acids in the medium for LATs but also from transnitrosation of cysteine residues in serum albumin. Collectively, these results suggest that in simple buffered saline, CysNO-dependent S-nitrosation occurs through a cellular incorporation-dependent mechanism, but if it occurs in general culture media, it may be through an NO-dependent mechanism.
Generalization of Some Simpson‐Like Type Inequalities via Differentiable s‐Convex Mappings in the Second Sense
Authors: Park Jaekeun
Published: August 2011

The author obtained new generalizations and refinements of some
inequalities based on differentiable s‐convex mappings in the second sense. Also,
some applications to special means of real numbers are given.
Crystallization Behavior and Microstructural Analysis of Strontium Rich () Glass Ceramics in Presence of
Authors: Gautam C. R. , Kumar Devendra , Parkash Om
Published: August 2011

Crystallization and microstructural behavior of various strontium-rich glass ceramics in the system 65[(PbxSr1−x)TiO3]-24[2SiO2B2O3]-5[BaO]-5[K2O]-1[La2O3] () with addition of 1% La2O3have been investigated. The addition of La2O3has been found to play an important role in crystallization of perovskite (Pb,Sr)TiO3as a solid solution phase. Also, it causes a change in the surface morphology of the fined crystallites of the major phase. Differential thermal analysis (DTA) shows only one exothermic crystallization peak, which shifts towards higher temperature with increasing amount of strontium oxide. Glasses were subjected to various heat treatment schedules for the crystallization. Very good crystallization of strontium-rich glass compositions is observed. X-ray diffraction studies confirm that cubic perovskite lead strontium titanate crystallizes as major phase. Lattice parameter decreases with increasing strontium content similar to lead strontium titanate ceramics. Uniform and interconnected crystallites are dispersed in glassy matrix.
Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Based onBi4Ti3O12
Authors: Chen Zeng , Li Shengjun , Zhang Weifeng
Published: August 2011

Bismuth titanate (Bi4Ti3O12) particles were synthesized by hydrothermal treatment and nanoporous thin films were prepared on conducting glass substrates. The structures and morphologies of the samples were examined with X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Significant absorbance spectra emerged in visible region which indicated the efficient sensitization of Bi4Ti3O12with N3 dye. Surface photovoltaic properties of the samples were investigated by surface photovoltage. The results further indicate that N3 can extend the photovoltaic response range of Bi4Ti3O12nanoparticles to the visible region, which shows potential application in dye-sensitized solar cell. As a working electrode in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), the overall efficiency reached 0.48% after TiO2modification.
Reinforcement of Natural Rubber with Core‐Shell Structure Silica‐Poly(Methyl Methacrylate) Nanoparticles
Authors: Wang Qinghuang , Luo Yongyue , Feng Chunfang , Yi Zhifeng , Qiu Quanfang , Kong L. X. , Peng Zheng
Published: August 2011

A highly performing natural rubber/silica (NR/SiO2) nanocomposite with a SiO2 loading of 2 wt% was prepared by combining similar dissolve mutually theory with latex compounding techniques. Before polymerization, double bonds were introduced onto the surface of the SiO2 particles with the silane‐coupling agent. The core‐shell structure silica‐poly(methyl methacrylate), SiO2‐PMMA, nanoparticles were formed by grafting polymerization of MMA on the surface of the modified SiO2 particles via in situ emulsion, and then NR/SiO2 nanocomposite was prepared by blending SiO2‐PMMA and PMMA‐modified NR (NR‐PMMA). The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy results show that PMMA has been successfully introduced onto the surface of SiO2, which can be well dispersed in NR matrix and present good interfacial adhesion with NR phase. Compared with those of pure NR, the thermal resistance and tensile properties of NR/SiO2 nanocomposite are significantly improved.
Prognostic and Predictive Impact of Intra- and Peritumoral Immune Infiltrates
Authors: Fridman Wolf Herman , Galon Jérôme , Pagès Franck , Tartour Eric , Sautès-Fridman Catheriné , Kroemer Guido
Published: August 2011

Leukocyte infiltrates into or around tumor cell nests are found in the context of protumorigenic inflammation and anticancer immunosurveillance. Hence, the detailed composition, density, architecture, and function of leukocyte infiltrates must be analyzed to understand their prognostic impact. The ectopic presence within tumors of high endothelial venule cells, which are normally characteristic for secondary lymphoid organs, correlates with a more pronounced infiltration by T lymphocytes and has a positive predictive impact on local advanced breast cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Recent progress in the field indicates that immune infiltrates of the primary tumors, as well as of metastases, are not only independent prognostic biomarkers but can also constitute predictive factors, suggesting that the pretherapeutic immune response can determine the efficacy of conventional chemotherapies. Moreover, accumulating evidence indicates that chemotherapy can stimulate anticancer immune responses coupled with an increased intratumoral lymphoid infiltration, which correlates with tumor mass reduction and patient survival. Improved methods for the automation of immunohistochemistry and digitalized image analyses will pave the way to an improved understanding of the complex interplay between cancer parenchyma, stroma, and immune effectors, as well as to the routine evaluation of immune-related parameters to the clinical management of cancer patients. Cancer Res; 71(17); 5601–5. ©2011 AACR.
Examination of Anomalous Self-Experience in First-Episode Psychosis: Interrater Reliability
Authors: Møller Paul , Haug Elisabeth , Raballo Andrea , Parnas Josef , Melle Ingrid
Published: August 2011

Background: The growing research focus on early detection of schizophrenia has fostered an increasing interest in the nonpsychotic experiential anomalies that may antedate schizophrenia spectrum disorders and assist early differential diagnosis. The Examination of Anomalous Self-Experience (EASE) is a phenomenologically inspired checklist, specifically designed to support the comprehensive assessment of these characteristic subjective experiences. Aim: To assess the interrater reliability of the EASE. Sampling and Methods: Twenty-five first-episode psychosis (FEP) patients were interviewed with the EASE. Videotaped interviews were blindly reevaluated. Internal consistency, overall interrater correlation and item interrater agreement (Cohen’s kappa) were estimated. Results: The EASE showed good to excellent internal consistency across the two raters (Cronbach’s alpha above 0.87) and an overall inter-rater correlation above 0.80 (Spearman’s rho, p < 0.001). The average kappa of the EASE was 0.65, ranging from 0.51 to 0.73 over the 5 domains; kappa values at an item level were very good in 9 items, good in 20 items, moderate in 11 items and fair in 4 items. Conclusion: The EASE provides a reliable and internally consistent clinical tool for the assessment of subjective experience in FEP patients, suggesting that this instrument could usefully supplement standard clinical assessments during the onset phase of psychosis.
The Negative Symptoms of Schizophrenia: Category or Continuum?
Authors: Kaiser Stefan , Heekeren Karsten , Simon Joe J.
Published: August 2011

Negative symptoms have been considered to be specific to schizophrenia or a subtype of schizophrenia: the deficit syndrome. In other words, these symptoms have been considered to be categorically different from other forms of human behavior and experience, whether they occur in healthy persons or patients with other psychiatric disorders. In this paper, we advocate a dimensional approach to negative symptoms, which is supported by two main arguments. First, enduring negative symptoms can even be observed in a variety of psychiatric disorders and they are not specific to schizophrenia. Second, we review evidence that negative symptoms show a continuous distribution from apparently healthy subjects to those with a fully developed clinical syndrome. Although the evidence does not allow for a definite decision concerning the dimensional distribution of negative symptoms, it certainly justifies exploring a dimensional approach with respect to its clinical and scientific utility. Understanding negative symptoms as a variation of normal mental processes will strengthen the development of neurocognitive models and treatment approaches.
Body Mass Index, Initial Neurological Severity and Long-Term Mortality in Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Ryu Wi-Sun , Lee Seung-Hoon , Kim Chi Kyung , Kim Beom Joon , Yoon Byung-Woo
Published: August 2011

Background: Obesity is believed to increase the risks of ischemic stroke or coronary heart disease; however, regarding outcome after established vascular diseases, recent unexpected evidence has suggested that an increased body mass index (BMI) might have beneficial effects (obesity paradox). The aim of this study was to evaluate the independent association between BMI and long-term mortality after ischemic stroke. Methods: A total of 1,592 consecutive patients with ischemic stroke were prospectively included through our stroke cohort. In this study, the levels of BMI were classified based on guidelines for the Asian-Pacific population. Initial neurological severity was estimated by the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score. Information on mortality was collected until the end of 2009, and the median follow-up period was 4 years. To examine the association between BMI and long-term mortality, we used Cox’s proportional regression analysis. Results: During follow-up, 23% of patients died. Linear regression analysis showed that the level of BMI was inversely related to initial neurological severity (p = 0.002). In the model of adjustment of age and gender using Cox’s proportional regression analysis, this inverse trend was also significant (reference, normal weight; hazard ratio of underweight, 2.45; overweight, 0.77; obesity, 0.60). However, after adjustment of all covariates, including initial neurological severity, only the harmful effect of underweight remained significant (2.79; 95% CI, 1.92–4.05); however, beneficial effects of overweight and obesity did not. Conclusion: Our study showed that an independent association between BMI and long-term mortality after ischemic stroke was found only in underweight patients. The obesity paradox phenomenon seems to be limited, and might not be interpreted as a direct causal relationship due to a strong association with initial neurological severity.
Matrix Metalloproteinase-13 Promotes Recovery from Experimental Liver Cirrhosis in Rats
Authors: Endo Hitoshi , Niioka Maki , Sugioka Yoshihiko , Itoh Johbu , Kameyama Kaori , Okazaki Isao , Ala-Aho Risto , Kähäri Veli-Matti , Watanabe Tetsu
Published: August 2011

Objective: To evaluate the role of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-13 gene expression in the early phase of recovery from liver fibrosis/cirrhosis. Methods: Liver fibrosis was induced in male Wistar rats by administration of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) for 10 weeks. Recombinant adenovirus-mediated human MMP-13 gene transfer (RAdMMP-13) was performed via the femoral vein on day 3 after the last CCl4 injection. The role of MMP-13 in stably expressing cell lines was also analyzed. Results: Fibrous deposition in the liver was decreased in RAdMMP-13-injected rats by day 3 after gene transfer compared with empty vector RAd66-injected rats. Furthermore, MMP-2 and MMP-9 enzymatic activity was markedly enhanced in the liver of RAdMMP-13 injected rats. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) induction was also increased in RAdMMP-13 injected rats. In established stable HT-1080 cells transfected with MMP-13, HGF-α expression and MMP-2 and MMP-9 enzymatic activity were increased. The conversion of precursor HGF into mature HGF was also increased in the MMP-13 expressing cell lines. Conclusion: Forced MMP-13 expression effectively accelerated recovery from liver cirrhosis via the effects of MMP-13-mediated HGF, MMP-2, and MMP-9 expression, which induced the degradation of collagen fibers and promoted hepatic regeneration.
Physical Mapping of 5S rDNA in Two Species of Knifefishes: Gymnotus pantanal and Gymnotus paraguensis (Gymnotiformes)
Authors: da Silva M. , Matoso D.A. , Vicari M.R. , de Almeida M.C. , Margarido V.P. , Artoni R.F.
Published: August 2011

Physical mapping of 5S rDNA in 2 species of knifefishes, Gymnotuspantanal and G. paraguensis (Gymnotiformes), was performed using fluorescence in situ hybridization with a 5S rDNA probe. The 5S rDNA PCR product from the genomes of both species was also sequenced and aligned to determine non-transcribed spacer sequences (NTS). Both species under study had different patterns of 5S rDNA gene cluster distribution. While in the karyotype of G. pantanal two 5S rDNA-bearing pairs were observed, the karyotype of G. paraguensis possessed as many as 19 such pairs. Such multiplication of 5S rDNA gene clusters might be caused by the involvement of transposable elements because the NTS of G. paraguensis was 400 bp long with high identity (90%) with a mobile transposable element called Tc1-like transposon, described from the cyprinid fish Labeo rohita.
Genome-Wide Analysis of Sox Genes in Medaka (Oryzias latipes) and Their Expression Pattern in Embryonic Development
Authors: Cui J. , Shen X. , Zhao H. , Nagahama Y.
Published: August 2011

Genes of the Sox family encode evolutionarily conserved high-mobility group box containing transcription factors, which play key roles in various events of developmental contexts. In this study, we identified 15 sox genes by searching for the high-mobility group domain in the medaka genome and by polymerase chain reaction using primers designed from the results obtained from homology protein alignment. All medaka sox genes except a novel sox gene, Olsox32, are encoded in 5 groups as follows: 4 sox genes in group B; 3 sox genes in group D and F, respectively; 2 sox genes in group C and E, respectively, while no sox genes were found in groups A, G, H, I, and J. The medaka Olsox32 does not fall within any of the previously defined groups A–J. Here we have assigned it to a new group K. Together with the Sox protein sequences of other species, the phylogenetic relationship was analyzed and compared. Our findings point to recent sox gene loss, duplication and divergence occurring during the evolution of tetrapod and teleost lineages. The expression pattern shows that sox genes play a variety of roles in the early embryonic development of medaka.
Cytotaxonomy, Morphology and Ecology of the Simulium nobile Species Group (Diptera: Simuliidae) in Thailand
Authors: Tangkawanit U. , Kuvangkadilok C. , Trinachartvanit W. , Baimai V.
Published: August 2011

The polytene chromosomes of 512 larvae of the Simulium nobile species group collected from 16 stream sites in northern, central and southern Thailand were examined. Band-by- band comparisons relative to the established standard chromosome map for the subgenus Simulium distinguished the 2 species of this group, S. nobile and S. nodosum. The differences are mainly due to the position of the nucleolar organizer, pseudochromocenter, and fixed and polymorphic inversions. S. nobile is a monomorphic species, while S. nodosum is a polymorphic species. The morphology of these taxa is described based on the gill filaments and the color of the antennae and female genitalia. S. nobile is distributed in southern Thailand at low altitudes, whereas the distribution of S. nodosum is in the north at higher altitudes.
Once versus Twice Daily Gentamicin Dosing for Infective Endocarditis: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Buchholtz Kristine , Larsen Carsten Toftager , Schaadt Bente , Hassager Christian , Bruun Niels Eske
Published: August 2011

Objectives: The aim of this randomized study was to investigate the effects of once versus twice daily gentamicin dosing on renal function and measures of infectious disease in a population with infective endocarditis (IE). Methods: Seventy-one IE patients needing gentamicin treatment according to guidelines were randomized to either once (n = 37) or twice daily (n = 34) doses of gentamicin. Kidney function (glomerular filtration rate, GFR) was measured with an isotope method (51Cr-EDTA) at the beginning of treatment and at discharge. Treatment efficacy was assessed by C-reactive protein (CRP) time to half-life, mean CRP and leukocytes. Results: Baseline GFR was similar in the two groups. Both groups displayed a significant fall in GFR from admission to discharge. The mean decrease in GFR was as follows: with once daily gentamicin, 17.0% (95% confidence interval 7.5–26.5), and with twice daily gentamicin, 20.4% (95% confidence interval 12.0–28.8). However, there was no significant difference in the GFR decrease between the once and twice daily regimens (p = 0.573). No difference in infection parameters was demonstrated between the two dosing regimens. Conclusions: A twice daily gentamicin dosing regimen is neither less nephrotoxic nor more efficient than a once daily regimen in the treatment of IE patients. When indicated, gentamicin may therefore also be administered as a single-dose regimen in the treatment of IE patients.