bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Semi-analytical solutions for two-dimensional elastic capsules in Stokes flow
Authors: Higley Michael , Siegel Michael , Booty Michael R.
Published: May 2012

Elastic capsules occur in nature in the form of cells and vesicles and are manufactured for biomedical applications. They are widely modelled, but there are few analytical results. In this paper, complex variable techniques are used to derive semi-analytical solutions for the steady-state response and time-dependent evolution of two-dimensional elastic capsules with an inviscid interior in Stokes flow. This provides a complete picture of the steady response of initially circular capsules in linear strain and shear flows as a function of the capillary number
Ca
. The analysis is complemented by spectrally accurate numerical computations of the time-dependent evolution. An imposed nonlinear strain that models the far-field velocity in Taylor's four-roller mill is found to lead to cusped steady shapes at a critical capillary number
Ca
c
for Hookean capsules. Numerical simulation of the time-dependent evolution for
Ca
>
Ca
c
shows the development of finite-time cusp singularities. The dynamics immediately prior to cusp formation are asymptotically self-similar, and the similarity exponents are predicted analytically and confirmed numerically. This is compelling evidence of finite-time singularity formation in fluid flow with elastic interfaces.
A fracture mechanics model for a crack problem of functionally graded materials with stochastic mechanical properties
Authors: Guo Licheng , Wang Zhihai , Noda Naotake
Published: May 2012

This study aimed to develop a method to build a ‘bridge’ between the macro fracture mechanics model and stochastic micromechanics-based properties so that the macro fracture mechanics model can be expanded to the fracture mechanics problem of functionally graded materials (FGMs) with stochastic mechanical properties. An analytical fracture mechanics model is developed to predict the stress intensity factors (SIFs) in FGMs with stochastic uncertainties in phase volume fractions. Considering the stochastic description of the phase volume fractions, a micromechanics-based method is developed to derive the explicit probabilistic characteristics of the effective properties of the FGMs so that the stochastic mechanical properties can be combined with the macro fracture mechanics model. A thought for choosing the samples efficiently is proposed so that the stable probabilistic characteristic of SIFs can be obtained with a very small sample size. The probability density function of SIFs can be determined by developing a histogram from the generated samples. The present method may provide a thought to establish an analytical model for the crack problems of FGMs with stochastic properties.
The extended evolutionary synthesis and the role of soft inheritance in evolution
Authors: Dickins Thomas E. , Rahman Qazi
Published: May 2012

In recent years, a number of researchers have advocated extending the modern synthesis in evolutionary biology. One of the core arguments made in favour of an extension comes from work on soft inheritance systems, including transgenerational epigenetic effects, cultural transmission and niche construction. In this study, we outline this claim and then take issue with it. We argue that the focus on soft inheritance has led to a conflation of proximate and ultimate causation, which has in turn obscured key questions about biological organization and calibration across the life span to maximize average lifetime inclusive fitness. We illustrate this by presenting hypotheses that we believe incorporate the core phenomena of soft inheritance and will aid in understanding them.
Wildlife disease elimination and density dependence
Authors: Potapov Alex , Merrill Evelyn , Lewis Mark A.
Published: May 2012

Disease control by managers is a crucial response to emerging wildlife epidemics, yet the means of control may be limited by the method of disease transmission. In particular, it is widely held that population reduction, while effective for controlling diseases that are subject to density-dependent (DD) transmission, is ineffective for controlling diseases that are subject to frequency-dependent (FD) transmission. We investigate control for horizontally transmitted diseases with FD transmission where the control is via culling or harvest that is non-selective with respect to infection and the population can compensate through DD recruitment or survival. Using a mathematical model, we show that culling or harvesting can eradicate the disease, even when transmission dynamics are FD. Eradication can be achieved under FD transmission when DD birth or recruitment induces compensatory growth of new, healthy individuals, which has the net effect of reducing disease prevalence by dilution. We also show that if harvest is used simultaneously with vaccination, and there is high enough transmission coefficient, application of both controls may be less efficient than vaccination alone. We illustrate the effects of these control approaches on disease prevalence for chronic wasting disease in deer where the disease is transmitted directly among deer and through the environment.
New insights into the evolutionary rate of HIV-1 at the within-host and epidemiological levels
Authors: Lythgoe Katrina A. , Fraser Christophe
Published: May 2012

Over calendar time, HIV-1 evolves considerably faster within individuals than it does at the epidemic level. This is a surprising observation since, from basic population genetic theory, we would expect the genetic substitution rate to be similar across different levels of biological organization. Three different mechanisms could potentially cause the observed mismatch in phylogenetic rates of divergence: temporal changes in selection pressure during the course of infection; frequent reversion of adaptive mutations after transmission; and the storage of the virus in the body followed by the preferential transmission of stored ancestral virus. We evaluate each of these mechanisms to determine whether they are likely to make a major contribution to the mismatch in phylogenetic rates. We conclude that the cycling of the virus through very long-lived memory CD4+T cells, a process that we call ‘store and retrieve’, is probably the major contributing factor to the rate mismatch. The preferential transmission of ancestral virus needs to be integrated into evolutionary models if we are to accurately predict the evolution of immune escape, drug resistance and virulence in HIV-1 at the population level. Moreover, early infection viruses should be the major target for vaccine design, because these are the viral strains primarily involved in transmission.
A new technique for obtaining mitotic chromosome spreads from fishes in the field
Authors: Blanco D. R. , Bertollo L. A. C. , Lui R. L. , Vicari M. R. , Margarido V. P. , Artoni R. F. , Moreira‐Filho O.
Published: May 2012

This study presents an adaptation of current methodologies for preparing mitotic chromosomes from fishes, optimized for use in the field. The high‐quality preparations obtained using this modified methodology is suitable for subsequent chromosomal analysis. Importantly, this method is particularly useful when specimen collection sites are far from research laboratories or when researchers are working with highly sensitive species that do not survive long outside of their natural habitats.
Diagnostic and prognostic impact of serum‐soluble UL16‐binding protein 2 in lung cancer patients
Authors: Yamaguchi Kosuke , Chikumi Hiroki , Shimizu Asuka , Takata Miyako , Kinoshita Naoki , Hashimoto Kiyoshi , Nakamoto Masaki , Matsunaga Shinji , Kurai Jun , Miyake Naomi , Matsumoto Shingo , Watanabe Masanari , Yamasaki Akira , Igishi Tadashi , Burioka Naoto , Shimizu Eiji
Published: May 2012

UL16‐binding protein 2 (ULBP2) is one of the ligands for NKG2D (NKG2DL). ULBP2 expression is induced in transformed cells and is recognized by immune effector cells via the activating NKG2D immunoreceptor. Soluble forms of NKG2DL have been reported in the serum of patients with several types of cancer. The present study investigated the diagnostic and prognostic significance of serum‐soluble ULBP2 (sULBP2) in lung cancer patients. We used flow cytometry to evaluate the surface expression of NKG2DL by various lung cancer cells, while sULBP2 was measured using our original ELISA. In addition, the immunological effect of sULBP2 on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was examined by the 51Cr release assay. We found that ULBP2 was highly expressed and that the sULBP2 level was elevated in supernatants of cultured non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells as well as in the serum of NSCLC patients. ULBP2 levels were especially high in squamous cell carcinoma (SQ) patients. Clinical stage IIIB and IV NSCLC patients with a sULBP2 level ≥8.7 pg/mL showed significantly shorter survival than patients with sULBP2 <8.7 pg/mL. In multivariate analysis, a sULBP2 level ≥8.7 pg/mL (hazard ratio [HR], 2.13; P = 0.038) and clinical stage IV (HR, 2.65; P = 0.019) were independent determinants of a poor outcome. As a possible mechanism, we demonstrated that sULBP2 directly suppresses the cytolytic activity of PBMC. In conclusion, ULBP2 is the most significant NKG2DL for lung cancer, and sULBP2 is useful in the diagnosis of SQ and as a prognostic indicator for patients with advanced NSCLC. (Cancer Sci, doi: 10.1111/j.1349‐7006.2012.02330.x, 2012)
Anti‐angiogenesis effect of 3′‐sulfoquinovosyl‐1′‐monoacylglycerol via upregulation of thrombospondin 1
Authors: Matsuki Kayo , Tanabe Atsushi , Hongo Ayumi , Sugawara Fumio , Sakaguchi Kengo , Takahashi Nobuaki , Sato Noriyuki , Sahara Hiroeki
Published: May 2012

We previously reported that 3′‐sulfoquinovosyl‐1′‐monoacylglycerol (SQMG) effectively suppresses the growth of solid tumors, likely via its anti‐angiogenic activity. To investigate how SQMG affects angiogenesis, we performed DNA microarray analysis and quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction. Consequently, upregulation of thrombospondin 1 (TSP‐1) in SQMG‐treated tumors in vitro and in vivo was confirmed. To address the mechanisms of TSP‐1 upregulation by SQMG, we established stable TSP‐1‐knockdown transformants (TSP1‐KT) by short hairpin RNA induction and performed reporter assay and in vivo assessment of anti‐tumor assay. On the reporter assay, transcriptional upregulation of TSP‐1 in TSP1‐KT could not be induced by SQMG, thus suggesting that TSP‐1 upregulation by SQMG occurred via TSP‐1 molecule. In addition, growth of TSP1‐KT xenografted tumors in vivo was not inhibited by SQMG, thus suggesting that anti‐angiogenesis via TSP‐1 upregulation induced by SQMG did not occur, as the SQMG target molecule TSP‐1 was knocked down in TSP1‐KT transformants. These data provide that SQMG is a promising candidate for the treatment of tumor‐induced angiogenesis via TSP‐1 upregulation. (Cancer Sci, doi: 10.1111/j.1349‐7006.2012.02333.x, 2012)
Molecular characterization of swine leukocyte antigen gene diversity in purebred Pietrain pigs
Authors: Essler Sabine E. , Ertl Werner , Deutsch Julia , Ruetgen Barbara C. , Groiss Sandra , Stadler Maria , Wysoudil Bhuma , Gerner Wilhelm , Ho Chak‐Sum , Saalmueller Armin
Published: May 2012

The porcine major histocompatibility complex (MHC) harbors the highly polymorphic swine leukocyte antigen (SLA) class I and II gene clusters encoding glycoproteins that present antigenic peptides to T cells in the adaptive immune response. In Austria, the majority of commercial pigs are F
2 descendants of F
1 Large White/Landrace hybrids paired with Pietrain boars. Therefore, the repertoire of SLA alleles and haplotypes present in Pietrain pigs has an important influence on that of their descendants. In this study, we characterized the SLA class I (
SLA‐1
, SLA‐2
, SLA‐3
) and class II (
SLA‐DRB1
, SLA‐DQB1
, SLA‐DQA
) genes of 27 purebred Pietrain pigs using a combination of the high‐resolution sequence‐based typing (SBT) method and a low‐resolution (Lr) PCR‐based method using allele‐group, sequence‐specific primers (PCR‐SSP). A total of 15 class I and 13 class II haplotypes were identified in the studied cohort. The most common SLA class I haplotype Lr‐43.0 (
SLA‐1
*11XX–
SLA‐3
*04XX–
SLA‐2
*04XX) was identified in 11 animals with a frequency of 20%. For SLA class II, the most prevalent haplotype, Lr‐0.14 [
SLA‐DRB1
*0901–
SLA‐DQB1
*0801–
SLA‐DQA
*03XX], was found in 14 animals with a frequency of 26%. Two class II haplotypes, tentatively designated as Lr‐Pie‐0.1 [
SLA‐DRB1
*01XX/be01/ha04–
SLA‐DQB1
*05XX–
SLA

‐
DQA*blank] and Lr‐Pie‐0.2 [
SLA‐DRB1
*06XX–
SLA‐DQB1
*03XX–
SLA‐DQA
*03XX], appeared to be novel and have never been reported so far in other pig populations. We showed that SLA genotyping using PCR‐SSP‐based assays represents a rapid and cost‐effective way to study SLA diversity in outbred commercial pigs and may facilitate the development of more effective vaccines or identification of disease‐resistant pigs in the context of SLA antigens to improve overall swine health.
Haem oxygenase 1 expression is altered in monocytes from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Herrada Andrés A. , Llanos Carolina , Mackern‐Oberti Juan P. , Carreño Leandro J. , Henriquez Carla , Gómez Roberto S. , Gutierrez Miguel A. , Anegon Ignacio , Jacobelli Sergio H. , Kalergis Alexis M.
Published: May 2012

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by multiple functional alterations affecting immune cells, such as B cells, T cells, dendritic cells (DCs) and monocytes. During SLE, the immunogenicity of monocytes and DCs is significantly up‐regulated, promoting the activation of self‐reactive T cells. Accordingly, it is important to understand the contribution of these cells to the pathogenesis of SLE and the mechanisms responsible for their altered functionality during disease. One of the key enzymes that control monocyte and DC function is haem oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1), which catalyses the degradation of the haem group into biliverdin, carbon monoxide and free iron. These products possess immunosuppressive and anti‐inflammatory capacities. The main goal of this work was to determine HO‐1 expression in monocytes and DCs from patients with SLE and healthy controls. Hence, peripheral blood mononuclear cells were obtained from 43 patients with SLE and 30 healthy controls. CD14+ monocytes and CD4+ T cells were sorted by FACS and HO‐1 expression was measured by RT‐PCR. In addition, HO‐1 protein expression was determined by FACS. HO‐1 levels in monocytes were significantly reduced in patients with SLE compared with healthy controls. These results were confirmed by flow cytometry. No differences were observed in other cell types, such as DCs or CD4+ T cells, although decreased MHC‐II levels were observed in DCs from patients with SLE. In conclusion, we found a significant decrease in HO‐1 expression, specifically in monocytes from patients with SLE, suggesting that an imbalance of monocyte function could be partly the result of a decrease in HO‐1 expression.
Enzymatic hydrolysates from tuna backbone and the subsequent Maillard reaction with different ketohexoses
Authors: Zeng Yan , Zhang Xiaoxi , Guan Yuping , Sun Yuanxia
Published: May 2012

Enzymatic hydrolysates from tuna backbone were prepared, and the subsequent Maillard reaction with rare sugars (d‐psicose, d‐sorbose and d‐tagatose) was investigated. The hydrolysates were found to contain a large number of short peptides under 1000 Da and were good sources of essential amino acids. In assays of free radical scavenging activity and reducing power, the Maillard reaction products from rare sugars, especially d‐tagatose, performed better than that from d‐fructose. After heating at 55 °C for 48 h, the scavenging capacity of the hydrolysates for 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picryl‐hydrazyl radicals improved by 8.9‐ and 16‐fold in the presence of d‐fructose and d‐tagatose. Hence, hydrolysates with high nutrient contents could be prepared from fish by‐products via proteolysis, and the Maillard reaction of rare sugars may greatly promote the antioxidant activity of the hydrolysates.
Long‐term responses of Mediterranean birds to forest fuel management
Authors: Santana Joana , Porto Miguel , Gordinho Luís , Reino Luís , Beja Pedro
Published: May 2012

1. Mechanical management of forest fuels is increasingly used in the Euro‐Mediterranean region in response to the abandonment of traditional agroforestry and the concurrent increase in fire hazard. Although fuel management may have positive side effects for biodiversity, its long‐term impacts remain largely unknown.

2. We used a 70‐year post‐management chronosequence to investigate the influence of time since fuel management and management frequency on bird assemblages in cork oak Quercus suber forests.

3. Fuel management strongly affected bird species richness, abundances and assemblage composition, with rapid changes often occurring during the first 10–20 years, followed in the next decades by a slow convergence to pre‐management levels.

4. In winter, overall species richness and abundance, and that of frugivores and shrub foragers, were negatively affected by recent and recurrent management, only recovering in stands unmanaged for >50 years. In spring, insectivore abundance and the richness and abundance of shrub foragers declined immediately following management, increased to a maximum about 20 years later, and declined thereafter. Breeding granivores and ground foragers were the only groups that benefitted from fuel management. There were no overall effects on species of conservation concern, although a few species with unfavourable status benefitted from fuel management.

5. Synthesis and applications. Our study confirmed that mechanical fuel management has positive effects on some early‐successional bird species of conservation concern, although its effects were limited. These benefits should be compared with the strong negative impacts on key bird species such as wintering frugivores, which play a pivotal role in ecosystems by promoting seed dispersal. To reconcile the positive and negative aspects, fuel management should be used to create heterogeneous mosaics of forest patches encompassing a range of sizes (10–100 ha) and successional stages of understorey vegetation, including stands undisturbed for >50 years. This management strategy will likely maintain conditions for a wide range of species with contrasting ecological requirements while also reducing fire hazard.
Segmentation and tracking of live cells in phase‐contrast images using directional gradient vector flow for snakes
Authors: SEROUSSI I. , VEIKHERMAN D. , OFER N. , YEHUDAI‐RESHEFF S. , KEREN K.
Published: May 2012

Cell shape is an important characteristic of the physiological state of a cell and is used as a primary read‐out of cell behaviour in various assays. Automated accurate segmentation of cells in microscopy images is hence of large practical importance in cell biology. We report a simple algorithm for automated cell segmentation in high‐magnification phase‐contrast images, which takes advantage of the characteristic directionality of the local image intensity gradient at cellular boundaries due to the ‘halo‐effect’. We employ a two‐step algorithm in which a gradient vector flow (GVF) field is first used to direct active contours to an approximate cell boundary. A directional GVF (DGVF) field is then calculated by considering only edges for which the image intensity gradient is directed outwards with respect to the approximate cell contour. Subsequently, the DGVF field is used to refine the cell contour, by directing active contours to edges with the desired gradient directionality. This method allows us to accurately segment cells in an image series, as well as follow the dynamics of cell shape over time in an automated fashion.
Variable mesophyll conductance revisited: theoretical background and experimental implications
Authors: THOLEN DANNY , ETHIER GILBERT , GENTY BERNARD , PEPIN STEEVE , ZHU XIN‐GUANG
Published: May 2012

The CO2 concentration at the site of carboxylation inside the chloroplast stroma depends not only on the stomatal conductance, but also on the conductance of CO2 between substomatal cavities and the site of CO2 fixation. This conductance, commonly termed mesophyll conductance (gm), significantly constrains the rate of photosynthesis. Here we show that estimates of gm are influenced by the amount of respiratory and photorespiratory CO2 from the mitochondria diffusing towards the chloroplasts. This results in an apparent CO2 and oxygen sensitivity of gm that does not imply a change in intrinsic diffusion properties of the mesophyll, but depends on the ratio of mitochondrial CO2 release to chloroplast CO2 uptake. We show that this effect (1) can bias the estimation of the CO2 photocompensation point and non‐photorespiratory respiration in the light; (2) can affect the estimates of ribulose 1·5‐bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) kinetic constants in vivo; and (3) results in an apparent obligatory correlation between stomatal conductance and gm. We further show that the amount of photo(respiratory) CO2 that is refixed by Rubisco can be directly estimated through measurements of gm.
The granulocytes in neutropenia 1 (GIN 1) study: a safety study of granulocytes collected from whole blood and stored in additive solution and plasma
Authors: Massey Edwin , Harding Kay , Kahan Brennan C. , Llewelyn Charlotte , Wynn Robert , Moppett John , Robinson Stephen P. , Green Ann , Lucas Geoff , Sadani Deepak , Liakopoulou Effie , Bolton‐Maggs Paula , Marks David I. , Stanworth Simon
Published: May 2012

Objective/Aim: To evaluate the safety of transfusing pooled, whole blood‐derived granulocytes in additive solution and plasma (GASP) in 30 recipients.

Background: Demand for granulocytes in England has increased five‐fold. With the advantages of reduced red cell, plasma and overall volume, GASP maintains function in vitro.

Methods and Materials: Observations were recorded prior to and post transfusion. Increments were recorded at 1 h and the following morning. Leucocyte antibody screening was undertaken prior to and at 1–6 months following transfusion.

Results: Thirty patients aged between 8 months and 68 years received 221 GASP in 148 transfusion episodes. GASP contained an average of 1·0 ×1010 granulocytes in 207 mL. Adults usually received two packs and children 10–20 mL kg–1. Children and adults received a median [interquartile range (IQR)] dose of 12·5 (9·1–25·3) and 19·7 (12·0–25·8) ×109 granulocytes per transfusion, respectively. There was one episode of transfusion‐associated circulatory overload (TACO) in a patient with chronic cardiac failure following 600 mL of unpooled granulocytes, other fluids and one GASP. New leucocyte alloimmunisation occurred in 3/30 recipients 10%. No other significant reactions were reported. Median peripheral blood neutrophil increments at 1 h post transfusion were 0·06 (IQR, 0·01–0·17) in children and (0·03) (IQR, 0–0·16) in adults.

Conclusion: GASP has a similar safety profile to other sources of granulocytes for patients with refractory infection or in need of secondary prophylactic transfusion. Further studies are required to clarify the role of GASP in the treatment of neutropenic patients.
Mortality of HIV‐infected and uninfected children in a longitudinal cohort in rural south‐west Uganda during 8 years of follow‐up
Authors: Munyagwa Mary , Baisley Kathy , Levin Jonathan , Brian Michael , Grosskurth Heiner , Maher Dermot
Published: May 2012

Objectives  To determine the impact of HIV on child mortality and explore potential risk factors for mortality among HIV‐infected and HIV‐exposed uninfected children in a longitudinal cohort in rural Uganda.

Methods  From July 2002 to March 2010, HIV‐infected and HIV‐exposed uninfected children aged 6 weeks–13 years were enrolled in an open population‐based clinical cohort. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) was introduced in 2005. Clinical and laboratory data were collected every 3 months. Person‐years at risk were calculated from time of enrolment until earliest date of ART initiation, death or last visit. Cox regression was used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) for mortality.

Results  Eighty‐nine (30.2%) HIV‐infected and 206 (69.8%) HIV‐exposed but uninfected children were enrolled. Twenty‐one children died. The mortality rate was six times higher in ART‐naive HIV‐infected children than in HIV‐exposed but uninfected children (HR = 6.4, 95% CI = 2.4–16.6). Among HIV‐infected children, mortality was highest in those aged <2 years. Decreasing weight‐for‐age Z (WAZ) score was the strongest risk factor for mortality among HIV‐infected children (HR for unit decrease in WAZ = 2.6, 95% CI = 1.6–4.1). Thirty‐five children (aged 7 months–15.6 years; median, 5.4 years) started ART.

Conclusions  Mortality among HIV‐infected children was highest among those aged <2 years. Intensified efforts to prevent mother‐to‐child transmission of HIV and ensure early HIV diagnosis and treatment are required to decrease child mortality caused by HIV in rural Africa.
Automated intelligent rotor tine cultivation and punch planting to improve the selectivity of mechanical intra‐row weed control
Authors: RASMUSSEN J , GRIEPENTROG HW , NIELSEN J , HENRIKSEN CB
Published: May 2012

RasmussenJ, GriepentrogHW, NielsenJ & HenriksenCB (2012). Automated intelligent rotor tine cultivation and punch planting to improve the selectivity of mechanical intra‐row weed control.Weed Research52, 327–337.

There is much research on technical aspects related to sensor and mapping techniques, which enable so‐called intelligent cultivators to target the intra‐row spaces within crop rows. This study investigates (i) an expected advantage of an intelligent rotor tine cultivator (the cycloid hoe) in terms of crop‐weed selectivity and (ii) an expected synergistic effect between punch planting and post‐emergence weed harrowing, in terms of improved crop‐weed selectivity. Selectivity is defined as the relationship between weed density decline and associated crop density decline 1 week after cultivation. Punch planting is a sowing technique where holes are created in the ground with a minimum of soil disturbance, and seeds are inserted into them, without soil disturbance outside the holes. Two experiments were carried out with the cycloid hoe in organic sugar beet. The rotation tines were guided by RTK‐GPS relative to geo‐referenced sugar beets. Tines were moved into the row when there was enough space between crop plants to cultivate and kept outside when they were predicted to strike a crop plant. The selectivity of the cycloid hoe was tested against two machine variants without intelligent guidance: the rotor tine cultivator in a locked mode, where tines rotate within the crop row without taking crop plants into consideration, and an ordinary flex tine weed harrow. The experiments showed no differences between the three machine variants in terms of selectivity. Five experiments with punch planting in sugar beet and carrot crops showed no synergistic effects between plant establishment procedures and selectivity of post‐emergence weed harrowing. Even if punch planting and automated intelligent rotor tine cultivation were not combined, the results indicated that there was no reason to believe that a combination contributes significantly in mechanical intra‐row weed control in direct sown crops to the solution of the main problem of low selectivity, which still remains a major challenge. Future studies on precision intra‐row cultivation should focus on cutting implements, instead of tine implements that mainly work through soil burial.
TIM3 gene polymorphisms in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection: impact on disease susceptibility and hepatocellular carcinoma traits
Authors: Li Z. , Liu Z. , Zhang G. , Han Q. , Li N. , Zhu Q. , Lv Y. , Chen J. , Xing F. , Wang Y. , Li F.
Published: May 2012

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is associated with the development of acute and chronic liver diseases including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). T‐cell immunoglobulin domain and mucin domain‐containing molecule‐3 (Tim‐3), which negatively regulates T‐cell response and mediates phagocytosis of apoptotic cells, has been implicated in HBV infection and cancers. This study explored the polymorphisms of TIM3 gene in 535 patients with HBV‐related liver diseases including 213 chronic hepatitis, 178 cirrhosis and 144 HCC, 72 HBV infection resolvers and 182 healthy controls and analyzed the effects of these polymorphisms on the disease susceptibility and HCC traits. TIM3‐1541C/T, ‐1516G/T, ‐882C/T, ‐574G/T and +4259T/G polymorphisms were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism. Of the five polymorphisms genotyped, the allele T‐containing genotypes (GT + TT), allele T and allele T‐containing haplotype (CTCGT) of ‐1516G/T polymorphism were more frequent in HBV patients than in controls [P = 0.005, odds ratio (OR) = 2.300, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.294‐4.088; P = 0.004, OR = 2.266, 95% CI: 1.297‐3.962; and P = 0.005, OR = 2.203, 95% CI: 1.260‐3.854, respectively]. The allele T‐containing genotypes and allele T of ‐1516G/T were associated with HCC tumor grade (P = 0.023 and P = 0.017, respectively) and lymph node metastasis (P = 0.024 and P = 0.017, respectively). These findings suggest that ‐1516G/T polymorphism in the promoter region of TIM3 gene may affect the disease susceptibility and HCC traits associated with HBV infection, potentially supporting the role of Tim‐3 in T‐cell dysfunction and exhaustion involved in persistent HBV infection and HCC development.
Report on the 15th International Society of Blood Transfusion platelet immunology workshop
Authors: Sachs U. J. , Kiefel V. , Kroll H. , Bein G. , Santoso S.
Published: May 2012

Background and Objectives  The aim of the 15th ISBT Platelet Immunology Workshop was to evaluate the detection of free platelet‐reactive autoantibodies from ITP patients by the use of a standardized MAIPA protocol, to compare sensitivity and specificity of antibody detection for anti‐HPA‐1a and serologically difficult‐to‐assess antibodies against HPA‐3, to identify whether anti‐HPA‐1a titration results can be compared between laboratories, and to evaluate HPA genotyping methods.

Materials and Methods  Workshop materials were shipped from the organizing laboratory in Giessen, Germany. Thirty laboratories from 19 countries participated.

Results  Results for the detection of autoantibodies differed greatly between the laboratories and no consensus was reached for one of the two sera. Detection and titration of antibodies against HPA‐1a, in contrast, gave largely congruent results. Serologically difficult‐to‐assess antibodies recognizing HPA‐3a and HPA‐3b were not detected by many laboratories. For genotyping, good agreement was achieved.

Conclusions  Detection of HPA‐1a antibodies, titration of anti‐HPA‐1a, and HPA genotyping are well performed in most participating laboratories. The workshop has identified two specific areas with room and need for improvement: the detection of autoantibodies and the detection of HPA‐3 alloantibodies. Recommendations of the Working Party on techniques that can help to overcome these problems are desirable.
Structural alterations of the mucosa stroma in the Barrett's esophagus metaplasia‐dysplasia‐adenocarcinoma sequence
Authors: Bobryshev Yuri V , Killingsworth Murray C , Lord Reginald V N
Published: May 2012

Background and Aim:  Accumulating evidence suggests that the extracellular matrix play important roles in intercellular communications and contribute to the development of a number of diseases, including diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. The present study examined the structural characteristics and alterations of the extracellular matrix of the mucosa stroma in the Barrett's esophagus metaplasia‐dysplasia‐adenocarcinoma sequence.

Methods:  A total of 41 esophageal tissue specimens (15 esophageal adenocarcinoma, 10 Barrett's esophagus intestinal metaplasia, seven dysplasia and nine normal esophagus) were studied. The present study used transmission electron microscopy and computerized quantitative electron‐microscopic analysis in order to investigate the characteristics of the extracellular matrix of the mucosa.

Results:  The study revealed that marked structural alterations of the mucosa stroma, relating to changes in the distribution and appearance of collagen fibers as well as to changes in numbers of matrix microvesicles, occur in Barrett's esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma. It was found that there were 3.1 times more microvesicles in the stroma in Barrett's esophagus than in the stroma of the normal esophagus (P < 0.0001) and that there were 5.8 times more microvesicles in esophageal adenocarcinoma than in the normal esophagus (P < 0.0001). There were 1.9 times more microvesicles in esophageal adenocarcinoma than in Barrett's esophagus (P = 0.0043).

Conclusions:  The study demonstrates distinctive alterations of the mucosa stroma extracellular matrix in the metaplasia‐dysplasia‐adenocarcinoma sequence. The findings suggest that the redistribution of collagen fibers and increases in numbers of matrix microvesicles may play roles in the formation of specialized intestinal metaplasia and the development of adenocarcinoma.
Lung transplant infection
Authors: BURGUETE SERGIO R. , MASELLI DIEGO J. , FERNANDEZ JUAN F. , LEVINE STEPHANIE M.
Published: May 2012

Lung transplantation has become an accepted therapeutic procedure for the treatment of end‐stage pulmonary parenchymal and vascular disease. Despite improved survival rates over the decades, lung transplant recipients have lower survival rates than other solid organ transplant recipients. The morbidity and mortality following lung transplantation is largely due to infection‐ and rejection‐related complications. This article will review the common infections that develop in the lung transplant recipient, including the general risk factors for infection in this population, and the most frequent bacterial, viral, fungal and other less frequent opportunistic infections. The epidemiology, diagnosis, prophylaxis, treatment and outcomes for the different microbial pathogens will be reviewed. The effects of infection on lung transplant rejection will also be discussed.
Dynamic cohesive crack propagation modelling using the scaled boundary finite element method
Authors: OOI E. T. , YANG Z. J. , GUO Z. Y.
Published: May 2012

This study develops a scaled boundary finite element method (SBFEM)‐based approach for modelling fast cohesive crack propagation in quasi‐brittle materials subjected to transient dynamic loadings. In this approach, the elastic bulk material is modelled by SBFEM subdomains and the cracks by nonlinear cohesive interface finite elements that are automatically inserted by a remeshing procedure. The global equation system is solved using an implicit time integration algorithm. Because all the solutions (displacements, stresses, velocities, accelerations) are semi‐analytical in an SBFEM subdomain, this approach offers a few advantages over other methods, such as accurate calculation of dynamic stress intensity factors and T‐stress without using fine crack‐tip meshes, simpler remeshing, more accurate and efficient mesh mapping, and the need of much fewer degrees of freedom for the same accuracy. The approach is validated by modelling two concrete beams under impact, subjected to mode‐I and mixed‐mode fracture, respectively.
Self‐monitoring of blood glucose in Type 2 diabetes: cross‐sectional analyses in 1993, 1999 and 2009
Authors: Evans J. M. M. , Mackison D. , Emslie‐Smith A. , Lawton J.
Published: May 2012

Diabet. Med. 29, 792–795 (2012)

Aim  To characterize the numbers of reagent strips dispensed for self‐monitoring of blood glucose to patients with Type 2 diabetes in Tayside, Scotland, in 1993, 1999 and 2009.

Methods  A diabetes clinical information system in Tayside, record‐linked to electronic dispensed prescribing records, was used to collate all dispensed prescribing records for three cross‐sectional samples of patients with Type 2 diabetes in 1993 (n = 5728), 1999 (n = 8109) and at 1 January 2009 (n = 16 450). The numbers of reagent strips dispensed during the relevant calendar year were calculated and patients stratified by treatment. We also explored whether age, sex or material and social deprivation were associated with whether a patient received strips.

Results  Proportions of people who received self‐monitoring reagent strips increased from 15.5% in 1993, to 24.2% in 1999 to 29.8% in 2009, as did numbers of strips dispensed. While the proportion of diet‐treated patients who received reagent strips was still very low in 2009 (5.6%), the proportion among those treated with oral agents tripled from 9.4 to 27.4% between 1993 and 2009. Over 90% of patients treated with insulin received reagent strips and, among non‐insulin‐treated patients, this was more common among women, younger people and less deprived groups.

Conclusions  The numbers of reagent strips dispensed for self‐monitoring of blood glucose has increased and almost all insulin‐treated patients receive strips. While few diet‐treated patients receive strips, they are more extensively dispensed to those treated with oral agents. Given that self‐monitoring of blood glucose is no longer routinely recommended in non‐insulin treated patients, strategies to reduce unnecessary dispensing of reagent strips are needed.
MULTILEVEL APPROACHES AND THE FIRM‐AGGLOMERATION AMBIGUITY IN ECONOMIC GROWTH STUDIES
Authors: van Oort Frank G. , Burger Martijn J. , Knoben Joris , Raspe Otto
Published: May 2012

Abstract Empirical studies in spatial economics have shown that agglomeration economies may be a source of the uneven distribution of economic activities and economic growth across cities and regions. Both localization and urbanization economies are hypothesized to foster agglomeration and growth, but recent meta‐analyses of this burgeoning body of empirical research show that the results are ambiguous. Recent overviews show that this ambiguity is fueled by measurement issues and heterogeneity in terms of scale of time and space, aggregation, growth definitions and the functional form of the models applied. Alternatively, in this paper, we argue that ambiguity may be due to a lack of research on firm‐level performance in agglomerations. This research is necessary because the theories that underlie agglomeration economies are microeconomic in nature. Hierarchical or multilevel modeling, which allows micro levels and macro levels to be modeled simultaneously, is becoming an increasingly common practice in the social sciences. As illustrated by detailed Dutch data on firm‐level productivity, employment growth and firm survival, we argue that these approaches are also suitable for reducing the ambiguity surrounding the agglomeration–firm performance relationship and for addressing spatial, sectoral and cross‐level heterogeneity.
A SURVEY OF THE INNOVATION SURVEYS
Authors: Hong Shangqin , Oxley Les , McCann Philip
Published: May 2012

AbstractBoth theoretical and conceptual understanding of innovation has developed significantly since the early 1980s. More noticeable, however, are the major changes that have been experienced in empirically‐oriented innovation research as a result of the introduction of firm level innovation surveys. Collecting innovation related data via firm based surveys has now become a common practice for many countries for example, Canada, United States, Malaysia, Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand as well as almost all EU countries. These survey‐lead approaches have transformed our understanding of the nature and determinants of innovation and also increased our understanding of the role played by innovation in growth. At the same time, the surveys themselves have also been adapted as our conceptual understanding of innovation has increased. As such, the balance of innovation‐related research has shifted from a theoretical to a primarily empiricist‐lead agenda, and increasingly combined both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The objective of this paper is examine how our understanding of innovation has evolved over the last few decades, to identify the major theoretical and empirical influences on our understanding, and to assess the role which innovation surveys have played in this evolution.
AN ‘INTEGRATED’ FRAMEWORK FOR THE COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE TERRITORIAL INNOVATION DYNAMICS OF DEVELOPED AND EMERGING COUNTRIES
Authors: Crescenzi Riccardo , Rodríguez‐Pose Andrés
Published: May 2012

Abstract This paper discusses recent developments in the literature on local and regional innovative performance to show how an ‘integrated’ conceptual framework based on the cross‐fertilization of different theories can serve as a foundation for the comparative analysis of territorial innovation dynamics in both developed and developing countries. The paper outlines a conceptual framework to explain the differences between innovation systems and their geography by drawing on elements of endogenous growth, new economic geography and regional innovation systems. This framework forms the basis of the subsequent analysis of the differences in innovative capacity between the European Union (EU), the United States (US) – as the leader system to be challenged – and China and India as emerging competitors for international technological leadership. The systematic analysis of a large body of empirical literature shows important differences between the spatial patterning of ‘emerging’ (China and India) and ‘mature’ (EU and US) innovation systems.
A RELATIONAL APPROACH TO THE GEOGRAPHY OF INNOVATION: A TYPOLOGY OF REGIONS
Authors: Moreno Rosina , Miguélez Ernest
Published: May 2012

Abstract The aim of this study was to devise a method for computing a composite indicator that measures the regional degree of exposure to external knowledge sources. On the basis of this indicator, we propose a typology of regions according to their potential capacity to access extra‐local items of knowledge, which might help them to recombine complementary elements of such an asset to produce a higher number of new ideas. Building on various research streams that have been relatively independent to date, we summarize a nonexhaustive instrumental list of recent studies that motivates our approach and the construction of our complex indicator, which can be used to appraise the extent to which each region is in an optimal position to access external innovative resources.
Gendered Identification: Between Idealization and Admiration
Authors: Kelan Elisabeth K. , Mah Alice
Published: May 2012

While much of the literature on gender focuses on role models, this paper extends the understanding of gendered professional identification processes by exploring these processes through the lenses of idealization and admiration. Using the method of discourse analysis to analyse MBA students' accounts of people with whom they identify, this paper explores discourses of idealization, defined as aggrandizing a person, and of admiration, which means discussing positive as well as negative and neutral characteristics of a person. It is shown, first, that most male and female MBA students idealized the self‐made ‘authentic’ CEO or founder of an organization and, second, that women mainly admired other women through naming their positive, neutral and negative attributes. The paper thereby adds to understanding of how gendered identification processes are structured by idealization and admiration.
Contribution of Temporal Processing Skills to Reading Comprehension in 8‐Year‐Olds: Evidence for a Mediation Effect of Phonological Awareness
Authors: Malenfant Nathalie , Grondin Simon , Boivin Michel , Forget‐Dubois Nadine , Robaey Philippe , Dionne Ginette
Published: May 2012

This study tested whether the association between temporal processing (TP) and reading is mediated by phonological awareness (PA) in a normative sample of 615 eight‐year‐olds. TP was measured with auditory and bimodal (visual–auditory) temporal order judgment tasks and PA with a phoneme deletion task. PA partially mediated the association between both auditory and bimodal TP and reading, above nonverbal abilities, vocabulary, and processing speed. PA explained a larger proportion of the association between auditory TP and reading (56% vs. 39% for bimodal TP), and most of the association between bimodal TP and reading was direct. This finding is consistent with a dual—phonological and visual—pathway model of the association between TP and reading in normative reading skills.
SEMISUPERVISED MULTIMODAL DIMENSIONALITY REDUCTION
Authors: Zhang Zhao , Chow Tommy W.S. , Ye Ning
Published: May 2012

The problem of learning from both labeled and unlabeled data is considered. In this paper, we present a novel semisupervised multimodal dimensionality reduction (SSMDR) algorithm for feature reduction and extraction. SSMDR can preserve the local and multimodal structures of labeled and unlabeled samples. As a result, data pairs in the close vicinity of the original space are projected in the nearby of the embedding space. Due to overfitting, supervised dimensionality reduction methods tend to perform inefficiently when only few labeled samples are available. In such cases, unlabeled samples play a significant role in boosting the learning performance. The proposed discriminant technique has an analytical form of the embedding transformations that can be effectively obtained by applying the eigen decomposition, or finding two close optimal sets of transforming basis vectors. By employing the standard kernel trick, SSMDR can be extended to the nonlinear dimensionality reduction scenarios. We verify the feasibility and effectiveness of SSMDR through conducting extensive simulations including data visualization and classification on the synthetic and real‐world datasets. Our obtained results reveal that SSMDR offers significant advantages over some widely used techniques. Compared with other methods, the proposed SSMDR exhibits superior performance on multimodal cases.
Going Round in Circles: Circular Migration, Poverty Alleviation and Marginality
Authors: Skeldon Ronald
Published: May 2012

Circular migration has come into vogue in policy circles, particularly in Europe. However, if circular migration is to be the object of policy intervention, it will have to be clearly identifiable as a particular type of population mobility. In this paper, I consider both internal and international migrations. I examine the antecedents of the idea of circulation, together with the difficulties of separating and identifying it as a migration type. I argue that the form and composition of circular migration change over time, making it difficult to design policies specific to that type of mobility. I examine the consequences of circular migration for human welfare. While circular migration extends the resource base of households and helps minimize risk and support subsistence, long‐term rather than shorter‐term circulatory movements may provide the more reliable pathway to improving welfare, although the available data are hardly robust. I consider the issues of free versus unfree labour and the likelihood of becoming trapped in marginal positions in destination areas in relation to defining circular migration. Circular migration may be a more useful conceptual approach in migration theory than a tool for policy prescription. Hence, I advocate a cautious approach to the role of policy intervention in circular migration in this paper, although I recognize that attempts to limit its scope will be counterproductive. Equally, attempts to regulate it within some form of institutional framework are likely to turn circular migration into a form of temporary labour migration. Nevertheless, I argue that creating an environment in which circular migration is a rational response may have a greater potential to foster development in places of origin than designing policies to manage circulatory movements directly.