bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modeling the Psychosocial Effects of Terror or Natural Disasters for Response Preparation
Authors: Ding Amy (Wenxuan)
Published: June 2009

Protecting human health provides the crux of any response to a catastrophic event, such as a bio-attack or an influenza pandemic. In the event of a disaster, people's anxiety and perceptions of risk influence the amount of response efforts required to mitigate the threat. Their behavior may accumulate and become collective social anxiety. In this study, we use differential dynamics to model the potential psychosocial impacts of a disaster on the affected population. In particular, we model how individuals respond to a disaster event, as well as the population-level collective psychosocial impacts. We then explore how such psychosocial impacts may challenge the effectiveness of response efforts or social productivity. Applying the proposed model to examine the potential psychosocial effects of SARS on health care professionals demonstrates the great effectiveness of the proposed model. The proposed model therefore can be used as a framework for quick assessments of the psychological effects of a terror or natural disaster and provides a guide for response preparation, such as targeting interventions and resource allocations.
Optimization Framework for a Multiple Classifier System with Non-Registered Targets
Authors: Albrecht Timothy W. , Bauer Kenneth W.
Published: June 2009

A fundamental problem facing the designers of automatic target recognition (ATR) systems is how to deal with out-of-library or non-registered targets. This research extends a mathematical programming framework that selects the optimal classifier ensemble and fusion method across multiple decision thresholds subject to classifier performance constraints. The extended formulation includes treatment of exemplars from target classes on which the ATR system is not trained (non-registered targets).

Further, a multivariate Gaussian hidden Markov model (HMM) is developed and applied using real world synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data comprised of ten registered and five non-registered target classes. The framework is exercised in an experimental design across classifier fusion methods, prior probabilities of targets and non-targets, correlation between multiple sensor looks, and levels of target pose estimation error.
Remote Network Emulation for Defense Applications
Authors: Gu Yan , Fujimoto Richard
Published: June 2009

Many of today's military services and applications run on geographically distributed sites. Before these services and applications can be deployed in an actual network, they need to be tested and evaluated under realistic scenarios with many unpredictable factors. Existing experimental tools cannot meet the requirements for scale, accuracy and timeliness. A network emulation framework called ROSENET is proposed that can meet these requirements by using a remote parallel simulation server to model a wide area network and a local network emulator to provide timely QoS predictions for testing real world applications. This paper discusses the challenges faced in applying ROSENET to defense applications through two case studies. In the first case study we apply synthetic traffic workloads over DARPA's NMS network topology for a large scale simulation and define a metric called remote emulation delay to evaluate and quantify ROSENET's performance. In the second case study we illustrate the procedures using ROSENET to evaluate a contemporary real-time distributed VoIP application, Skype, and present experimental results.
Using Simulation to investigate a Non-Anthropomorphic Framework for Communications within a Human-Agent War-Fighting Team
Authors: Proctor Michael , Cardona Gilbert , Hollander Christopher
Published: June 2009

As complex, non-human agents become increasingly ubiquitous members of the US military war-fighting team, an effective and natural system of communications must be explored and developed to achieve human-agent collaboration across the entire team. A non-anthropomorphic communications framework does not exist that will support human-agent collaboration beyond current electronic control. This research surfaces a non-anthropomorphic framework of communications between human-human, human-agent, and agent-agent teams based on related literature review. The framework provides perspective on the potential breath of communication modalities that exist as well as the many challenges faced. Within this framework, this research uses simulation to explore the contribution to collaborative, covert military operations that non-verbal forms of communications between humans and agent team members might entail. Visual and audio cues considered include pose, motion, color, and non-speech sounds. In addition this article presents findings on contribution of these modalities to the military operation being considered as well as identifies issues for implementation, applications, implications, and areas for future research.
Using an Ontology for Entity Situational Awareness in a Simple Scenario
Authors: Nagle Joyce A. , Richmond Paul W. , Blais Curtis L. , Goerger Niki C. , Kewley Robert H. , Burk Robin K.
Published: June 2009

The use of ontologies to represent data and knowledge combined with service-based software provides new opportunities for the integration of command and control systems, simulations, and dynamic data. The U.S. Department of Defense's Global Information Grid (GIG) is envisioned to integrate complex communications networks, data from disparate sources, and services-oriented applications. The GIG will provide analysis, decision support, and information visualization to both human and automated users. This paper describes concepts and architecture for an experiment which demonstrates the use of knowledge-based technologies to support tactical maneuver. Open source and in-house software were linked together to conduct a simple simulation of a realistic mission (move from A to B along a “safe” route). Events which may affect the route are injected, reported, and stored in the knowledge base to simulate battlespace dynamics. Through the use of an automated reasoner, events which affect the route are identified and passed to the decision maker to stimulate possible replanning. Follow-on efforts will convert the maneuver related software into web services, moving closer to the GIG concept. Discussed is the value of a formal ontology within the domain of military maneuver, architectural approach, and lessons learned.
Vitamin D: Bone Health and Beyond
Authors: Lapp Julia L.
Published: June 2009

The “sunshine vitamin” or vitamin D has long been known to play an important role in the promotion and maintenance of strong, healthy bones. Vitamin D status has generally not been a focus of public health concern for many years; reasons include our endogenous manufacture of vitamin D in the skin, fortification of some foods, and the rarity of overt childhood vitamin D deficiency (“rickets”) in the United States and Europe. However, recent evidence suggests that the vitamin D status of many Americans may, in fact, be reason for significant concern. And it is not just bone health that is affected. Research indicates that vitamin D has many nonskeletal functions. Epidemiologic associations have linked vitamin D with the risk of developing a host of health conditions, including multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, some cancers, and forms of depression. At the same time, questions remain about the risks and benefits of exposure to sunlight, supplement use, and food fortification. Worldwide vitamin D insufficiency has been termed a “pandemic” by some experts. Yet most experts agree that, to date, insufficient data exist to support reliable assessment and supplementation guidelines for most subpopulations. This article describes the state of knowledge about vitamin D, clinical implications, screening criteria, dietary and supplemental sources, and recommendations.
Emotional Experience in the Computational Belief–Desire Theory of Emotion
Authors: Reisenzein Rainer
Published: June 2009

Based on the belief that computational modeling (thinking in terms of representation and computations) can help to clarify controversial issues in emotion theory, this article examines emotional experience from the perspective of the Computational Belief–Desire Theory of Emotion (CBDTE), a computational explication of the belief–desire theory of emotion. It is argued that CBDTE provides plausible answers to central explanatory challenges posed by emotional experience, including: the phenomenal quality, intensity and object-directedness of emotional experience, the function of emotional experience and its relation to cognition and motivation, and the relation between emotional experience and emotion. In addition, CBDTE avoids most objections that have been raised against cognitive theories of emotion. A remaining objection, that beliefs are not necessary for the emotions covered by CBDTE, is rejected as empirically unsupported.
Getting Feelings into Emotional Experience in the Right Way
Authors: Goldie Peter
Published: June 2009

I argue that emotional feelings are not just bodily feelings, but also feelings directed towards things in the world beyond the bounds of the body, and that these feelings ( feelings towards) are bound up with the way we take in the world in emotional experience.
Emotional Consciousness and Personal Relationships
Authors: Roberts Robert C.
Published: June 2009

Three kinds of emotional consciousness are distinguished in this article: feeling awareness, intellectual awareness, and bare awareness. All are important to three moral properties that emotions may have: epistemic, practical, and relational. The bulk of this article is devoted to the third dimension of moral value, that emotions are constitutive of personal relationships such as friendship, enmity, good and bad parenthood, and collegiality. The conception of emotions as concern-based construals (Roberts, 2003) is put to work to explain how felt and intellectually conscious emotions are constitutive of the qualities of such relationships. The relational value of emotions interacts with their epistemic and practical values.
Using Agent-based Simulation and Game Theory to Examine the WWII Bay of Biscay U-boat Campaign
Authors: Hill Raymond R. , Champagne Lance E. , Price Joseph C.
Published: June 2009

This paper presents research combining an agent-based modeling and simulation paradigm with game theory for an in silico historical analysis of the Bay of Biscay submarine war during WWII. The U-boat threat was of great concern to the Allies, prompting initial operational research efforts to devise counterstrategies. Focusing search efforts in the Bay of Biscay enabled an effective Allied response. Using the historical record as a means to create a reasonably accurate model of the U-boat campaign, we allow the resulting agents within the model to adapt their strategies to counter-opposition strategies. Model output data are examined with respect to the historical record and game theory. The results hold promise for extending the agent-based modeling paradigm into more complex military-based domains.
A Simulation-optimization Approach to Air Warfare Planning
Authors: Popken Douglas , Cox Louis
Published: June 2009

How can computer-aided planning systems deal with the complexities, uncertainties, and rapidly shifting information needed to support air warfare operational planning? This paper uses a hierarchical decomposition of decision-making, coupled to a predictive simulation model that estimates the probability distribution of the outcomes of candidate operational plans. The approach will generate, evaluate, and improve Blue plans while assuming that Red intelligently reallocates its forces, using stochastic optimization, to counter Blue's moves. Evaluation of each Blue plan is accomplished via a Stochastic Evaluator that draws multiple samples of potential outcomes and Red force levels for a given Blue force structure and combined target composition. The evaluation metric is the net discounted value from enemy targets hit. Linear programming heuristics and simulation generate Red's adaptively optimized responses, outcomes, and inferred relative marginal force values. The results of this two-player, multi-level simulation-optimization approach for operational planning and decision-making demonstrate that automated plan optimization and embedding of optimization algorithms into an operational planning cycle operating over a multi-period conflict can be made practical for current computers by hierarchical decomposition of planning and on-line decision and optimization problems into computationally practical tasks.
On the Need for Contextualized Introspective Models to Improve Reuse and Composability of Defense Simulations
Authors: Yilmaz Levent
Published: June 2009

Model reuse is a longstanding challenge within the defense simulation modeling community. While other disciplines successfully apply component-based approach to build systems, this approach has proven difficult to apply in simulation model development. The significance of employing explicit and distinct experimental frames to support reuse is already well recognized. Yet, characterization of the original context of a model is one of the least appreciated aspects and central to reuse and composability. Methods and tools are needed to provide mechanisms for structured representation and storage of context information, effective ways for retrieving it, and the possibility to relate it to the developer's intention. To this end, the basic model-simulator-experimental frame viewpoint is revisited to assert the role of context in reuse. The significance of separating concept, content, context, and simulator is discussed under the discrete-event system specification (DEVS) framework to provide a basis and rationale for contextualized simulation models. An abstract design strategy is presented to facilitate packaging and distribution of concept and context specification objects along with simulation models to improve reuse and composability.
Context-driven Near-term Intention Recognition
Authors: Gonzalez Avelino J. , Gerber William J. , DeMara Ronald F. , Georgiopoulos Michael
Published: June 2009

Recognizing the intention of others in real time is a critical aspect of many human tasks. This article describes a technique for interpreting the near-term intention of an agent performing a task in real time by inferring the behavioral context of the observed agent. Equally significant, the knowledge used in this approach can be captured semi-automatically through observation of an agent performing tasks on a simulator in the context to be recognized. A hierarchical, template-based reasoning technique is used as the basis for intention recognition, where there is a one-to-one correspondence between templates and behavioral contexts or sub-contexts. In this approach, the total weight associated with each template is critical to the correct selection of a template that identifies the agent's current intention. A template's total weight is based on the contributions of individual weighted attributes describing the agent's state and its surrounding environment. The investigation described develops and implements a novel means of learning these weight assignments by observing actual human performance. It accomplishes this using back-propagation neural networks and fuzzy sets. This permits early discrimination between different pre-categorized behavioral contexts/sub-contexts on the human-controlled agent such as a military or passenger vehicle. We describe an application of this concept and the experimentation to determine the viability of this approach.
Using Genetic Algorithms to Aid in a Vulnerability Analysis of National Missile Defense Simulation Software
Authors: Imsand Eric S. , Evans Gordon , Dozier Gerry , Hamilton J. A.
Published: June 2009

The National Strategy for Homeland Defense, published by the then U.S. Office of Homeland Security in July 2002, directs all U.S. government agencies to conduct vulnerability analyses of their sensitive systems. This policy applies to Department of Defense systems, including the simulation packages used to design and exercise national missile defense.

Many, if not most, of the previous vulnerability analyses of missile defense simulation platforms have utilized traditional reverse engineering techniques along with a review of all documentation and publicly available sources. These experiments have produced some useful information, though the amount of platform specific data recovered has been limited.

The use of genetic algorithms (GAs) has been shown to be an effective method of performing boundary analysis and parameter optimization. In this paper, we show how GAs can be used to extract information concerning how particular parameters affect heavily parameterized missile defense simulation system performance. This information would be very valuable to researchers as part of a greater vulnerability analysis of national missile defense software.
Toward a Meta-Level Framework for Agent-Supported Interoperation of Defense Simulations
Authors: Yilmaz Levent , Paspuleti Swetha
Published: June 2009

Interoperation and dynamic composability of disparate simulations is a long-standing challenge within the defense modeling and simulation community. While both issues are extensively studied, a unified and coherent strategy that facilitates achieving seamless and transparent congruity among conceptual and realization spaces of simulations is still an elusive goal. In this paper, an agent-supported meta-level interoperation architecture is proposed to address these challenges. The strategy involves the introduction of an agent framework independent of the simulation infrastructure for explicit separation of interoperation protocols from the simulation environment. To this end, agent-based mediation, brokering, matchmaking, and facilitation services are suggested as critical components for interoperation and composability. The proposed approach is based on the following premises: 1) deployment of brokering protocols improves transparency and balances the workload in interoperation, 2) partial matchmaking mechanisms provide more efficient and effective model and data qualification strategies than the conventional keyword-based matching mechanism, and 3) automated mediation facilities that are deployed independently from the simulation infrastructure improve transparency and runtime extensibility. Stand-alone prototypes of the matchmaker and broker agents are developed to facilitate testing these propositions. We conclude by discussing the extension of the applicability of the proposed strategy to DoDAF architectural views and associated products.
A Theoretical Model of Public Response to the Homeland Security Advisory System
Authors: Wenxuan Ding Amy
Published: June 2009

Using a differential equation modeling approach, this paper explores the issue of public response to, and confidence in, anti-threat warnings. The effects of anti-threat warnings and their associated public confidence levels are modeled as a group of nonlinear differential equations. The analytical solutions of these nonlinear differential equations are derived to show how warning frequency and the duration of a warning affect public confidence, and how the effects of anti-threat warnings are constrained by the degree of public concern as the threat level changes. Phase plane analysis suggests that the number of warnings for a particular type of threat has a threshold level. Below this threshold, increasing the number of reliable warnings can improve the credibility and effectiveness of the warning system. However, once the number of warnings exceeds the threshold, the greater the number of warnings issued the less the public responds and the lower public confidence becomes. The resulting graphic representation is an easy-to-understand method for authorities to use to issue advisory warnings while maintaining the public's confidence in the system.
Quantifying the Impact of Multiple Risks on Software-Intensive Programs
Authors: Els Sharon A. , Reichelt Kimberly Sklar , Cooper Kenneth G.
Published: June 2009

It is a rare program that is affected by just a single risk. There may be one risk that is of more concern than others, but there are almost always other risks that can compound the challenges and impacts of any single risk. If not foreseen and mitigated, compounding risk impacts can be a dangerous phenomenon. Our findings show that the program impact of a single risk can be significantly greater—by 20–30% or more—when it occurs in the presence of certain other risks.

The authors have developed an approach using system dynamics simulation to assess the impact of both isolated risks and the combined impact of risks. The model employed simulates the primary cost drivers of most programs— staffing, work schedules, the drivers of productivity, and the causes of rework.

This paper focuses on the dynamics that can cause compounding impacts in combinations of potentially interacting risks.
Verification and Validation Issues in a Generic Model of Electro-Optic Sensor Systems
Authors: Smith M. I. , Murray-Smith D. J. , Hickman D.
Published: June 2009

In general, questions of model credibility introduce more problems in a generic model than they do in models developed for one specific application since a generic formulation must allow for many applications of the model. This paper addresses the issues of model testing, verification, and validation for a generic electro-optic sensor system model. A structural approach to testing, verification, and validation is proposed that builds increasing confidence through bottom-up testing, structured verification procedures, and carefully selected validation metrics. These metrics are based on a geometrical view of model outputs that may be compared with measurements using qualitative methods or quantitative approaches involving image processing, artificial neural networks, or fuzzy pattern recognition. The advantage over traditional validation methods is most marked in the case of complex models with many key quantities where it not only provides insight about the validity but also about sensitivities. These validation tools have been applied, in conjunction with more traditional metrics, to the testing, verification, and validation of the generic model configured as a thermal imager system.
Performance Evaluation of Multi-Core Architectures in Training and Simulation: A Case Study with AMD and Intel Dual-Core Systems
Authors: Buboltz Jeremy , Engel Jacob , Kocak Taskin
Published: June 2009

The defence training and simulation industry is increasingly using server CPUs for processing data. Distributed simulation data creates a large number of small packets that must be processed at the network level before the higher level simulation processing is performed. As network traffic increases it becomes a burden on the server CPUs, which need to process more packets and still have room for application software. Multi-core processor systems are being introduced as a solution to the increase in processor utilization. In this work, we evaluate the performance of servers based on the dual-core AMD Opteron and the dual-core Intel Xeon processors while executing in a typical distributed simulation environment. First, we illustrate the high processing power needed to process a network stream with small packet sizes. Second, we specify the differences between two major competitors in the server chip market, Intel's dual-core Xeon processor and AMD's dual-core Opteron processor. We then test the maximum throughput of servers outfitted with the chips against a baseline dual single-core processor Intel server. The tests use three separate log files to characterize the effect that packet size has on the network throughput. Log files are used to make the test reproducible and are generated from the actual simulation along with the network simulation.
Modeling of Field Artillery Tasks with Live Sequence Charts
Authors: Özhan Gürkan , Oğuztüzün Halit , Evrensel Pinar
Published: June 2009

This article presents a formalized conceptual model for a portion of the Field Artillery (FA) domain. The structural part of the model identifies the entities in the FA domain along with their properties and associations. The behavioral part of the model describes the FA missions in the language of Live Sequence Charts (LSCs). The conceptual model is constructed as a metamodel by using the GME (Generic Modeling Environment) toolkit. Once the FA metamodel is loaded, GME automatically provides a customized environment to model particular FA missions. The intended application is to use the FA metamodel as the source for defining model transformations targeting FA federation architectures. This work is also intended to help evaluate the power and limitations of chart notations for describing military tasks visually yet precisely.
EST and EST-SSR marker resources for Iris
Authors: Tang Shunxue , Okashah Rebecca A , Cordonnier-Pratt Marie-Michele , Pratt Lee H , Ed Johnson Virgil , Taylor Christopher A , Arnold Michael L , Knapp Steven J
Published: June 2009

Background

Limited DNA sequence and DNA marker resources have been developed forIris(Iridaceae), a monocot genus of 200–300 species in the Asparagales, several of which are horticulturally important. We mined anI. brevicaulis-I. fulvaEST database for simple sequence repeats (SSRs) and developed ortholog-specific EST-SSR markers for genetic mapping and other genotyping applications inIris. Here, we describe the abundance and other characteristics of SSRs identified in the transcript assembly (EST database) and the cross-species utility and polymorphisms ofI. brevicaulis-I. fulvaEST-SSR markers among wild collected ecotypes and horticulturally important cultivars.

Results

Collectively, 6,530 ESTs were produced from normalized leaf and root cDNA libraries ofI. brevicaulis(IB72) andI. fulva(IF174), and assembled into 4,917 unigenes (1,066 contigs and 3,851 singletons). We identified 1,447 SSRs in 1,162 unigenes and developed 526 EST-SSR markers, each tracing a different unigene. Three-fourths of the EST-SSR markers (399/526) amplified alleles from IB72 and IF174 and 84% (335/399) were polymorphic between IB25 and IF174, the parents ofI. brevicaulis×I. fulvamapping populations. Forty EST-SSR markers were screened for polymorphisms among 39 ecotypes or cultivars of seven species – 100% amplified alleles from wild collected ecotypes of Louisiana Iris (I.brevicaulis,I.fulva,I. nelsonii, andI. hexagona), whereas 42–52% amplified alleles from cultivars of three horticulturally important species (I. pseudacorus,I. germanica, andI. sibirica). Ecotypes and cultivars were genetically diverse – the number of alleles/locus ranged from two to 18 and mean heterozygosity was 0.76.

Conclusion

Nearly 400 ortholog-specific EST-SSR markers were developed for comparative genetic mapping and other genotyping applications inIris, were highly polymorphic among ecotypes and cultivars, and have broad utility for genotyping applications within the genus.
The first clinical case due to AP92 like strain of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever virus and a field survey
Authors: Midilli Kenan , Gargılı Ayşen , Ergonul Onder , Elevli Murat , Ergin Sevgi , Turan Nesrin , Şengöz Gönül , Ozturk Recep , Bakar Mehmet
Published: June 2009

Background

Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) is a fatal infection, but no clinical case due to AP92 strain was reported. We described the first clinical case due to AP92 like CCHFV.

Methods

A case infected by a AP92 like CCHFV was detected in Balkanian part of Turkey. Diagnosis was confirmed by RT-PCR and sequencing. A human serologic and tick survey studies were performed in the region, where the case detected.

Results

Thirty eight individuals out of 741 were found to be anti CCHFV IgM positive. The attack rate for overall CCHFV was calculated as 5.2%. In univariate analyses, CCHFV IgM positivity was found to be associated with the age (p < 0.001), male gender (p = 0.001), agricultural activity (p = 0.036), and history of tick bite (p = 0.014). In multivariate analysis, older age (OR: 1.03, CI:1.01–1.05, p < 0.001), male gender were found to be the risk factors (OR: 2.5, CI:1.15–5.63, p = 0.020) for CCHFV infection.

Conclusion

This is the first human case with AP92 like CCHFV infection. Furthermore, this is the first report of AP92 like strain in Turkey. In the region, elderly males carry the highest risk for CCHFV infection.
Structural and phylogenetic analysis of a conserved actinobacteria-specific protein (ASP1; SCO1997) from Streptomyces coelicolor
Authors: Gao Beile , Sugiman-Marangos Seiji , Junop Murray S , Gupta Radhey S
Published: June 2009

Background

The Actinobacteria phylum represents one of the largest and most diverse groups of bacteria, encompassing many important and well-characterized organisms includingStreptomyces, Bifidobacterium, CorynebacteriumandMycobacterium. Members of this phylum are remarkably diverse in terms of life cycle, morphology, physiology and ecology. Recent comparative genomic analysis of 19 actinobacterial species determined that only 5 genes of unknown function uniquely define this large phylum [1]. The cellular functions of these actinobacteria-specific proteins (ASP) are not known.

Results

Here we report the first characterization of one of the 5 actinobacteria-specific proteins, ASP1 (Gene ID: SCO1997) fromStreptomyces coelicolor. The X-ray crystal structure of ASP1 was determined at 2.2 Ǻ. The overall structure of ASP1 retains a similar fold to the large NP-1 family of nucleoside phosphorylase enzymes; however, the function is not related. Further comparative analysis revealed two regions expected to be important for protein function: a central, divalent metal ion binding pore, and a highly conserved elbow shaped helical region at the C-terminus. Sequence analyses revealed that ASP1 is paralogous to another actinobacteria-specific protein ASP2 (SCO1662 fromS. coelicolor) and that both proteins likely carry out similar function.

Conclusion

Our structural data in combination with sequence analysis supports the idea that two of the 5 actinobacteria-specific proteins, ASP1 and ASP2, mediate similar function. This function is predicted to be novel since the structures of these proteins do not match any known protein with or without known function. Our results suggest that this function could involve divalent metal ion binding/transport.
Effect of a supplement rich in alkaline minerals on acid-base balance in humans
Authors: König Daniel , Muser Klaus , Dickhuth Hans-Hermann , Berg Aloys , Deibert Peter
Published: June 2009

Background

Western diets are considered acidogenic due to the high dietary acid load and a low intake of base-forming dietary minerals such as potassium, magnesium or calcium. In the present study we investigated the effect of a multimineral supplement (MMS) rich in alkaline minerals on acute and chronic regulation of acid-base balance with the pH of blood, urine and saliva as potential surrogate markers.

Methods

Parameters were measured (i) without MMS intake, (ii) in the three consecutive hours following ingestion (blood and urinary pH) and (iii) during one week with or without MMS intake (self-monitored using pH measurement strips).

Results

25 (15 female; 10 male) subjects (age 44 ± 14 y; BMI 23.9 ± 1.9 kg/m2) were enrolled in the investigation. Following acute administration of the MMS in the morning, blood ph (1 and 2 h after ingestion) rose from 7.40 to 7.41; p < 0.05, and also urinary pH 3 h after ingestion (5.94 to 6.57; p < 0.05) increased significantly.

Following longer-term supplementation, both the increase in urinary pH in the morning and in the evening occurred within 1 day. Compared to pH values without the MMS, average pH in urine was 11% higher in the morning and 5% higher in the evening. Analyses of food records showed that the increase in urinary pH was not related to dietary change.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that the ingestion of a multimineral supplement is associated with both a significant increase in blood and urinary pH. The health related consequences of this supplementation remain to be determined.
Divine intervention? A Cochrane review on intercessory prayer gone beyond science and reason
Authors: Jørgensen Karsten Juhl , Hróbjartsson Asbjørn , Gøtzsche Peter C
Published: June 2009

We discuss in this commentary a recent Cochrane review of 10 randomised trials aimed at testing the religious belief that praying to a god can help those who are prayed for. The review concluded that the available studies merit additional research. However, the review presented a scientifically unsound mixture of theological and scientific arguments, and two of the included trials that had a large impact on the findings had problems that were not described in the review. The review fails to live up to the high standards required for Cochrane reviews.
An aerobiological perspective of dust in cage-housed and floor-housed poultry operations
Authors: Just Natasha , Duchaine Caroline , Singh Baljit
Published: June 2009

The Canadian poultry production industry contributes nearly $10 billion to the Canadian economy and employs nearly 50,000 workers. However, modern poultry facilities are highly contaminated with airborne dust. Although there are many bioaerosols in the poultry barn environment, endotoxin is typically attributed with the negative respiratory symptoms observed in workers. These adverse respiratory symptoms have a higher prevalence in poultry workers compared to workers from other animal confinement buildings. Workers in cage-housed operations compared to floor-housed facilities report a higher prevalence of some respiratory symptoms. We review the current state of knowledge on airborne dust in poultry barns and respiratory dysfunction in poultry workers while highlighting the areas that need further investigation. Our review focuses on the aerobiological pathway of poultry dust including the source and aerosolization of dust and worker exposure and response. Further understanding of the source and aerosolization of dust in poultry operations will aid in the development of management practices to reduce worker exposure and response.
Sequential phosphorylation of Nedd1 by Cdk1 and Plk1 is required for targeting of the γTuRC to the centrosome
Authors: Zhang Xiaoyan , Chen Qiang , Feng Jia , Hou Junjie , Yang Fuquan , Liu Junjun , Jiang Qing , Zhang Chuanmao
Published: June 2009

Nedd1 is a new member of the γ-tubulin ring complex (γTuRC) and targets the γTuRC to the centrosomes for microtubule nucleation and spindle assembly in mitosis. Although its role is known, its functional regulation mechanism remains unclear. Here we report that the function of Nedd1 is regulated by Cdk1 and Plk1. During mitosis, Nedd1 is firstly phosphorylated at T550 by Cdk1, which creates a binding site for the polo-box domain of Plk1. Then, Nedd1 is further phosphorylated by Plk1 at four sites: T382, S397, S637 and S426. The sequential phosphorylation of Nedd1 by Cdk1 and Plk1 promotes its interaction with γ-tubulin for targeting the γTuRC to the centrosome and is important for spindle formation. Knockdown of Plk1 by RNAi decreases Nedd1 phosphorylation and attenuates Nedd1 accumulation at the spindle pole and subsequent γ-tubulin recruitment at the spindle pole for microtubule nucleation. Taken together, we propose that the sequential phosphorylation of Nedd1 by Cdk1 and Plk1 plays a pivotal role in targeting γTuRC to the centrosome by promoting the interaction of Nedd1 with the γTuRC component γ-tubulin, during mitosis.
A mutation in theArabidopsisγ-tubulin-containing complex causes helical growth and abnormal microtubule branching
Authors: Nakamura Masayoshi , Hashimoto Takashi
Published: June 2009

Plant cortical microtubules are mainly nucleated on previously established microtubules, grow at a narrow range of angles to the wall of mother microtubules, and eventually are released from the nucleation sites. These nucleation events are thought to be regulated by γ-tubulin-containing complexes. We here show that a null mutation of Arabidopsis GCP2, a core subunit of the γ-tubulin-containing complex, severely impaired the development of male and female gametophytes. However, a missense mutation in the conserved grip1 motif, called spiral3, caused a left-handed helical organization of cortical microtubule arrays, and severe right-handed helical growth. The spiral3 mutation compromises interaction between GCP2 and GCP3, another subunit of the complex, in yeast. In the spiral3 mutant, microtubule dynamics and nucleation efficiency were not markedly affected, but nucleating angles were wider and more divergently distributed. A spiral3 katanin double mutant had swollen and twisted epidermal cells, and showed that the microtubule minus ends were not released from the nucleation sites, although the nucleating angles distributed in a similar manner to those in spiral3. These results show that Arabidopsis GCP2 has an important role in precisely positioning the γ-tubulin-containing complex on pre-existing microtubules and in the proper organization of cortical arrays.
Tetraspanin CD151 regulates RhoA activation and the dynamic stability of carcinoma cell-cell contacts
Authors: Johnson Jessica L. , Winterwood Nicole , DeMali Kris A. , Stipp Christopher S.
Published: June 2009

Tetraspanins regulate integrin-dependent tumor cell interactions with the extracellular matrix. Here we show that tetraspanin CD151, which plays critical roles in regulating the adhesion and motility of individual tumor cells, is also an important regulator of collective tumor cell migration. Near total silencing of CD151 destabilizes E-cadherin-dependent carcinoma cell-cell junctions and enhances the collective migration of intact tumor cell sheets. This effect does not depend on reduced E-cadherin cell-surface expression or intrinsic adhesivity, or on obvious disruptions in the E-cadherin regulatory complex. Instead, the loss of CD151 causes excessive RhoA activation, loss of actin organization at cell-cell junctions, and increased actin stress fibers at the basal cell surface. Cell-cell contacts within CD151-silenced monolayers display a nearly threefold increase in remodeling rate and a significant reduction in lifespan as compared to cell-cell contacts within wild-type monolayers. CD151 re-expression restores junctional stability, as does acute treatment of CD151-silenced cells with a cell-permeable RhoA inhibitor. However, a CD151 mutant with impaired association with α3β1 integrin fails to restore junctional organization. These data reveal that, in addition to its roles in regulating tumor cell-substrate interactions, CD151 is also an important regulator of the stability of tumor cell-cell interactions, potentially through its interaction with α3β1 integrin. This could help to explain the phenotypes in human patients and mice lacking CD151.
Functional equivalence of the clathrin heavy chains CHC17 and CHC22 in endocytosis and mitosis
Authors: Hood Fiona E. , Royle Stephen J.
Published: June 2009

Clathrin is crucial for endocytosis and plays a recently described role in mitosis. Two clathrin heavy chains (CHCs) are found in humans: the ubiquitous CHC17, and CHC22, a CHC that is enriched in skeletal muscle. Functional differences have been proposed for these clathrins despite high sequence similarity. Here, we compared each paralogue in functional assays of endocytosis and mitosis. We find that CHC17 and CHC22 are functionally equivalent. We also describe how previous work on CHC22 has involved a splice variant that is not usually expressed in cells.
Potential role of miR-29b in modulation ofDnmt3aandDnmt3bexpression in primordial germ cells of female mouse embryos
Authors: Takada Shuji , Berezikov Eugene , Choi Young Lim , Yamashita Yoshihiro , Mano Hiroyuki
Published: June 2009

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a recently discovered class of small noncoding RNAs and are implicated in an increasing number of biological processes. To examine whether miRNAs might contribute to sexual differentiation, we performed expression profiling of miRNAs in mouse embryonic gonads with the use of a highly sensitive cloning method, mRAP. Our profiling data revealed substantial differences in the miRNA repertoire between male and female gonads at embryonic (E) day 13.5 (E13.5), suggesting that such differentially expressed miRNAs may function in sexual differentiation. Female-specific miRNAs included miR-29b, which also has been known to be expressed in a similar sex-dependent manner in the gonads of chicken embryos, suggestive of a conserved role in gonadogenesis. Transcripts of the human genes for the de novo methyltransferases DNMT3A and DNMT3B have been identified as targets of miR-29b, and we found that mouse miR-29b also negatively regulatesDnmt3aandDnmt3bexpression in luciferase reporter assays. We also found that miR-29b is expressed in mouse primordial germ cells (PGCs) at E13.5 and that its expression is up-regulated in a female-specific manner between E13.5 and E17.5, when male-specific de novo methylation of the PGC genome is known to occur. Our data thus suggest that miR-29b may play an important role in female gonadal development by targetingDnmt3aandDnmt3band thereby modulating methylation of genomic DNA in PGCs.
The aminoglycoside resistance methyltransferase Sgm impedes RsmF methylation at an adjacent rRNA nucleotide in the ribosomal A site
Authors: Čubrilo Sonja , Babić Fedora , Douthwaite Stephen , Maravić Vlahoviček Gordana
Published: June 2009

Ribosome-targeting antibiotics block protein synthesis by binding at functionally important regions of the bacterial rRNA. Resistance is often conferred by addition of a methyl group at the antibiotic binding site within an rRNA region that is already highly modified with several nucleotide methylations. In bacterial rRNA, each methylation requires its own specific methyltransferase enzyme, and this raises the question as to how an extra methyltransferase conferring antibiotic resistance can be accommodated and how it can gain access to its nucleotide target within a short and functionally crowded stretch of the rRNA sequence. Here, we show that the Sgm methyltransferase confers resistance to 4,6-disubstituted deoxystreptamine aminoglycosides by introducing the 16S rRNA modification m7G1405 within the ribosomal A site. This region ofEscherichia coli16S rRNA already contains several methylated nucleotides including m4Cm1402 and m5C1407. Modification at m5C1407 by the methyltransferase RsmF is impeded as Sgm gains access to its adjacent G1405 target on the 30S ribosomal subunit. An Sgm mutant (G135A), which is impaired in S-adenosylmethionine binding and confers lower resistance, is less able to interfere with RsmF methylation on the 30S subunit. The two methylations at 16S rRNA nucleotide m4Cm1402 are unaffected by both the wild-type and the mutant versions of Sgm. The data indicate that interplay between resistance methyltransferases and the cell's own indigenous methyltransferases can play an important role in determining resistance levels.
Strategic Resource Dynamics of Manufacturing Firms
Authors: Jayanthi Shekhar , Roth Aleda V. , Kristal Mehmet M. , Venu Lauren Carter-Roth
Published: June 2009

We conceptualize strategic decision-making processes within a manufacturing firm as streams of resources allocated to short- and long-term changes. The analogous ecological model, referred to as the Lotka-Volterra model, captures this dynamic tension between decisions made by the firm and its manufacturing operations. This representation leads to evolutionarily stable manufacturing strategies (ESMSs), which contribute to a firm's competitive advantage in different ways. Using a random sample of 30 firms from the U.S. semiconductor industry, we estimate parameters of the model and arrive at four ESMSs or strategic manufacturing groups that reflect theoretically and empirically distinctive adaptation patterns through their dynamic resource allocations. We observe that a majority of the firms were classified in one of the four groups, with relatively fewer firms in the other three. Notably, our classification based on ecology models agrees well with taxonomies in manufacturing and business strategy theory. Furthermore, our analysis shows significant differences among manufacturing practices and competitive capabilities of the four strategic groups. Managerially, these insights could provide the foundation to implement strategic changes that enable firms to leapfrog from one ESMS to another. This study also paves the way for development of a meso theory of the dynamics of manufacturing strategy.
Assessing the Clinical Efficacy of Sildenafil for the Treatment of Female Sexual Dysfunction
Authors: Brown Dana A , Kyle Jeffrey A , Ferrill Mary J
Published: June 2009

Objective:

To review the clinical data regarding the efficacy and safety of sildenafil for the treatment of female sexual dysfunction (FSD).

Data Sources:

A MEDLINE search from 1950 to February 2009 was conducted using the key words sildenafil and female sexual dysfunction. Human studies and publication in English were used as primary limits. A combination of several publication-type limits was used to locate the clinical trials (eg, clinical trial, controlled clinical trial, randomized clinical trial). A bibliographic search was also performed of all located articles.

Study Selection and Data Extraction:

Clinical trials involving sildenafil treatment of premenopausal and postmenopausal women with FSD and women with FSD due to concomitant medications and/or disease states were reviewed.

Data Synthesis:

An increasing number of clinical trials have been published regarding the treatment of FSD with sildenafil. Eight studies demonstrated a possible benefit from treatment for FSD in patients receiving sildenafil, regardless of dose, while 4 trials did not show any significant differences with treatment. It appears that sildenafil might be beneficial for women with FSD caused by diseases such as multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes, spinal cord injury, and use of antidepressant medications.

Conclusions:

Although data suggest a possible role of sildenafil for the treatment of FSD, the information should be interpreted cautiously, as many of the studies included small sample sizes, used inappropriate statistical tests, and used nonvalidated assessment tools. A better FSD classification system and consistent use of validated assessment tools might help alleviate differences among clinical trials and provide a more cohesive foundation for assessing the safety and efficacy of sildenafil for the treatment of FSD.
Valley of the Wolves as representative of Turkish popular attitudes towards Iraq
Authors: Al-Rawi Ahmed Khalid
Published: June 2009

In 2006, the Turkish film, Valley of the Wolves [Kurtlar Vadisi-Irak] (Serdar Akar, 2006), was released to audiences in Turkey and Europe. Costing US$10 million, it was the most expensive production in the history of Turkish cinema, breaking all box office records in the
country. A fantastical account of a Turkish victory over a fictional US invasion of the country, Valley of the Wolves has been interpreted as a reaction to the Sack Incident [uval olayi] of July 2003, in which eleven Turkish soldiers were hooded and arrested in northern Iraq shortly
after the US invasion. The film's title hence refers to a dark and dangerous place where howling and vicious wolves namely Americans and Kurds are gathered. This article argues that Valley of the Wolves confirms a reemergence of 1960s Turkish industry (Yeilam) films which emphasized
the historical conflict between Western and Islamic values. It discusses the extent to which Valley of the Wolves reflects popular Turkish attitudes towards the US war on Iraq, and it analyzes the film's projection of Turkish humiliation, anger and frustration following the Sack Incident.
The article also addresses how Valley of the Wolves engages USTurkish relations and Turkish concerns over current Iraq-related politics, especially the USKurdish alliance, the establishment of an independent Kurdistan, Turkmen and the issue of Kirkuk, US violations of international
law in Iraq, and the conflict between Islam and Christianity.