bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Artifact Authentication: Principles and Practice
Authors: Howard Calvin D.
Published: August 2009

The continuous production and accumulation of replicated artifacts represent a detriment to the archaeological study of non-excavated artifact collections. Over time, some of these replicas undoubtedly end up polluting regional collections of value to archaeological study, and institutional collections as well. Because of this overall scenario, there is an increase in need for effective artifact authentication. Principles and practices applicable to proper and efficient authentication analyses are identified.
Clovis Blade Manufacture: Analytical Procedure to Infer “Technique”
Authors: Boldurian Anthony T. , Hoffman Ellen E.
Published: August 2009

Based on an experiment in prismatic blade manufacture, coupled with lithic analysis, a new attribute— point of maximum blade curvature—is proposed for the analysis of Clovis blades. Also, a laboratory procedure for its calculation is described. Comparisons of three sets of experimental blades suggest this attribute is helpful for inferring how artisans held the core and applied force during blade manufacture. Among the findings, experimental blades made by indirect percussion with the core firmly clamped without a rest were distinguished from those made by direct percussion whereby the core was hand-cradled. Though results of the experiment are preliminary, they may provide a basis for detecting variability in “technique,” as defined by Newcomer (1975) in his study of Clovis blade technology. Archaeologists are encouraged to measure this new attribute for Clovis blades.
Riker-Todd: A Salvaged Ohio Hopewell Mound
Authors: Tankersley Kenneth B. , Tench Patricia A.
Published: August 2009

Riker-Todd was a Middle Woodland Hopewell Mound located on a glaciated upland in Union Township, Butler County, Ohio. Radiocarbon dating and anthropogenic stratigraphy indicate that there were at least three different mound building episodes between ca. 5 B.C. to A.D. 631. Stylistically distinctive artifacts and mtDNA from Riker-Todd Mound fall within the range of other Middle Woodland Hopewell sites in North America and most closely resemble those from Mound 25 of the Hopewell Mound Group, including a large corner-notched, flaked-stone biface manufactured from Knife River flint. Although maize was part of the Hopewell diet, stable carbon obtained from human bone collagen failed to find an isotopic signature.
Regression Analysis of Marketing Time Series: A Wavelet Approach with Some Frequency Domain Insights
Authors: Michis Antonis A
Published: August 2009

Regression analysis with time series data is frequently used in marketing research. However, despite its popularity and ease of interpretation it cannot provide any information regarding the relations between marketing time series over different frequencies. This article proposes a new research tool, wavelet analysis, that when incorporated in regression analysis can provide some frequency domain insights about the effectiveness of marketing instruments over different cycles. In addition, by adopting appropriate regression-modeling techniques, wavelets can provide increased estimation and prediction accuracy of marketing causal effects.
Development of a Microcontrolled Instrument to Determinate Thermal Conductivity of Foods
Authors: Chaves Modesto Antonio , Almeida Alexsandro Oliveira de
Published: August 2009

This work was done to develop a device of easy utilization and low cost that is able to determine the thermal conductivity of foods. It is based on the utilization of the hot wire transient method. The device has a hypodermic needle. In this needle, a wire of Nickel-Chromium (that is responsible for the probe heating) and a thermistor (used to read the temperature) were inserted. The constructive system of the device is based on the use of a Basic Stamp microcontroller which controls all the analysis-related events, like temperature readings during the time, needle heating, solving equations involving the collected temperature data and showing the analysis results through a display of liquid crystal. So, the developed equipment does not need any kind of extra device to accomplish the analysis. The developed prototype was calibrated using glycerin A. P. and related to the values of thermal conductivity of three kinds of food: ketchup, condensed milk and cream milk. The thermal conductivities of these products were determined using a renowned commercial device. The results obtained with the prototype were similar to the commercial one.
Student Engagement: Contested Concepts in Two Continents
Authors: McMahon Brenda J. , Zyngier David
Published: August 2009

The challenge of student engagement has been recognised as a serious issue in both Australian and Canadian education. This empirical and qualitative study seeks to understand the experiences of two groups of students; the first beginning their high school years and the second reflecting back on successful university and less than successful high school experiences. Students are traditionally objectified and omitted from the discourse on student engagement. Providing a forum for student voice in both continents, we compare and contrast the various and sometimes contested understandings of what an authentic or generative student engagement might mean for both school leadership and classroom practice. Adopting a critical pedagogical perspective, this descriptive article seeks to compare answers to the following question: How is engagement defined and enacted by students within these different environments?
Adjusting a Significance Test for Clustering in Designs With Two Levels of Nesting
Authors: Hedges Larry V.
Published: August 2009

A common mistake in analysis of cluster randomized experiments is to ignore the effect of clustering and analyze the data as if each treatment group were a simple random sample. This typically leads to an overstatement of the precision of results and anticonservative conclusions about precision and statistical significance of treatment effects. This article gives a simple adjustment to the t statistic that would be computed if clustering were (incorrectly) ignored in an experiment with two levels of nesting (e.g., classrooms and schools) where treatment assignment is made at the highest (e.g., school) level. The adjustment is a multiplicative factor depending on the number of clusters and subclusters, the cluster and subcluster sample sizes, and the cluster and subcluster intraclass correlations ρ S and ρ C. The adjusted t statistic has Student's t distribution with reduced degrees of freedom. The adjusted statistic reduces to the t statistic computed by ignoring clustering when ρ S = ρ C = 0. It reduces to the t statistic computed using cluster means when ρ S = 1. If ρ S and ρ C are between 0 and 1, the adjusted t statistic lies between these two and the degrees of freedom are in between those corresponding to these two extremes.
Rat Strains Bred for Low and High Aerobic Running Capacity Do Not Differ in Their Survival Time to Hemorrhage
Authors: Klemcke Harold G. , Ryan Kathy L. , Britton Steven L. , Koch Lauren G. , Dubick Michael A. , Convertino Victor A.
Published: August 2009

Hemorrhagic shock reflects low tissue perfusion that is inadequate to maintain normal metabolic functions. Often associated with this condition are impairments in cellular oxygen delivery and utilization. Rat strains divergent in their running endurance have been artificially selected over 12 generations. As these rats bred for high (HCR) vs low (LCR) aerobic running capacity have greater tissue O2 utilization capacity and improved cardiovascular function, we hypothesized that HCR would be more tolerant (i.e., have greater survivability) to the global ischemia of hemorrhagic shock than LCR. To address this hypothesis, survival time to a severe—as substantiated by dramatic changes in plasma lactate, HCO3, and base deficit—controlled hemorrhage was measured. Male rats were catheterized and, ~24 h later, an estimated >35% of the calculated blood volume was removed during a 26-min period while the rats were conscious and unrestrained. Rats were observed for 6 h or until death. Contrary to our hypothesis, survival time in HCR (220 ± 63 min; n = 6) did not differ statistically ( P = 0.46) from that in LCR (279 ± 53 min; n = 7). Similarly, there were no statistical differences ( P ≥ 0.08) between rat lines in blood pH, lactate, HCO3, and base deficit pre- or post-hemorrhage. In addition, few significant differences between lines in response to hemorrhage were detected by measures of cellular antioxidant status in heart, liver, or lung. Since animals with genetically greater tissue oxygen utilization capacity failed to show longer survival times, our results suggest that other mechanisms must play a more dominant role in determining survivability to hemorrhage under conditions of this hemorrhage.
The Potential of Dual Camera Systems for Multimodal Imaging of Cardiac Electrophysiology and Metabolism
Authors: Holcomb Mark R. , Woods Marcella C. , Uzelac Ilija , Wikswo John P. , Gilligan Jonathan M. , Sidorov Veniamin Y.
Published: August 2009

Fluorescence imaging has become a common modality in cardiac electrodynamics. A single fluorescent parameter is typically measured. Given the growing emphasis on simultaneous imaging of more than one cardiac variable, we present an analysis of the potential of dual camera imaging, using as an example our straightforward dual camera system that allows simultaneous measurement of two dynamic quantities from the same region of the heart. The advantages of our system over others include an optional software camera calibration routine that eliminates the need for precise camera alignment. The system allows for rapid setup, dichroic image separation, dual-rate imaging, and high spatial resolution, and it is generally applicable to any two-camera measurement. This type of imaging system offers the potential for recording simultaneously not only transmembrane potential and intracellular calcium, two frequently measured quantities, but also other signals more directly related to myocardial metabolism, such as [K+]e, NADH, and reactive oxygen species, leading to the possibility of correlative multimodal cardiac imaging. We provide a compilation of dye and camera information critical to the design of dual camera systems and experiments.
Aortic Pulse Wave Analysis Is Not a Surrogate for Central Arterial Pulse Wave Velocity
Authors: Gurovich Alvaro N. , Beck Darren T. , Braith Randy W.
Published: August 2009

Arterial Stiffness (AS) is a primary cardiovascular risk factor. AS increases myocardial oxygen demand and LV work and decreases coronary perfusion. Pulse Wave Velocity (PWV) is considered the gold standard for assessing AS. However, PWV testing is time consuming and impractical in the clinical setting. The purpose of this study was to determine if Pulse Wave Analysis (PWA) parameters obtained with applanation tonometry can be used to predict PWV. Radial artery PWA testing and aortic PWV measurements were performed on 77 apparently healthy subjects. A correlation matrix between all the studied variables and a stepwise multiple regression were performed. The best regression equation was obtained with central PWV as the dependent variable and Age, Height, Weight, Brachial Systolic and Diastolic Blood pressures, normalized and non-normalized Augmentation Index, Cardiac Cycle time, Ejection Duration, reflected wave round trip travel time, and time to peak pressure as independent variables. Finally, a Bland-Altman test was performed to determine the agreement between measured and predicted PWV. No significant correlations between PWV and PWA parameters were found. The resulting stepwise regression equation was PWV = 1.76 + 0.044*Age + 0.023*SBP ( R = 0.544, Adj- R 2 = 0.28, P < 0.001). No agreement between measured and predicted PWV was observed using the Bland-Altman test. Although the regression equation is significant, the adjusted coefficient of determination shows that the model could explain just 28% of PWV variability. These findings suggest that PWA should not be used as a surrogate measure for assessing aortic PWV and stiffness.
Interaction Between Pre- and Postconditioning in the In Vivo Rat Heart
Authors: Manintveld Olivier C. , Hekkert Maaike te Lintel , van der Ploeg Nathalie T. , Verdouw Pieter D. , Duncker Dirk J.
Published: August 2009

Patients with an impending myocardial infarction may be preconditioned by pre-infarct angina. Hence, it is important to establish whether ischemic postconditioning is still effective in preconditioned hearts. We therefore studied in anesthetized rats the effect of postconditioning after coronary artery occlusions (CAO) of 60 min in control hearts, hearts preconditioned by a single 15-min CAO (1IPC15) or a triple 3-min CAO (3IPC3). Furthermore, we studied the effect of postconditioning in hearts that had been pharmacologically preconditioned with intravenous adenosine and in hearts that had become tolerant to 1IPC15. Postconditioning limited infarct size in control hearts, but did not afford additional protection in preconditioned hearts, irrespective of the IPC stimulus. NO synthase inhibition abolished the cardioprotection by postconditioning, both IPC stimuli, and the combination of postconditioning and either IPC stimulus. Postconditioning also failed to afford cardioprotection in hearts protected by adenosine, and in hearts that had become tolerant to cardioprotection by 1IPC15. In accordance with previous observations, postconditioning paradoxically increased infarct size following a 30-min CAO. This detrimental effect was prevented by either IPC stimulus, in a NO synthase–dependent manner. In conclusion, postconditioning does not afford additional protection in preconditioned hearts, irrespective of the preconditioning stimulus and the presence of tolerance to preconditioning. Lack of additional protection may be related to the observation that postconditioning and preconditioning are both mediated via NO synthase. In contrast, the increase in infarct size by postconditioning following a 30-min CAO is abolished by either IPC stimulus. These findings indicate that the interaction between preconditioning and postconditioning is highly dependent on the duration of index ischemia, but independent of the preconditioning stimulus.
Modern Greek V V dvandva compounds: A linguistic innovation in the history of the Indo-European languages
Authors: Ralli Angela
Published: August 2009

This paper deals with [V V] dvandva compounds, which are frequently used in East and Southeast Asian languages but also in Greek and its dialects: Greek is in this respect uncommon among Indo-European languages. It examines the appearance of this type of compounding in Greek by tracing its development in the late Medieval period, and detects a high rate of productivity in most Modern Greek dialects. It argues that the emergence of the [V V] dvandva pattern is not due to areal pressure or to a language-contact situation, but it is induced by a language internal change. It associates this change with the rise of productivity of compounding in general, and the expansion of verbal compounds in particular. It also suggests that the change contributes to making the compound-formation patterns of the language more uniform and systematic.

Claims and proposals are illustrated with data from Standard Modern Greek and its dialects. It is shown that dialectal evidence is crucial for the study of the rise and productivity of [V V] dvandva compounds, since changes are not usually portrayed in the standard language.
Portuguese converted deverbal nouns: Constraints on their bases
Authors: Soares Rodrigues Alexandra
Published: August 2009

The aim of this paper is to analyse the constraints that govern the formation of Portuguese converted deverbal nouns (‘CDNs’). To this end, we have analysed a total of 1323 converted deverbal nouns. The first type of constraints investigated are those found at the prosodic level: these deal with the configurational formatting of the minimal root. We will focus on the relationship between these constraints and the semantic and phonological identification of the lexical item in perceptual terms. The second level of constraints may be characterised as morphophonological-pragmatic. Many verbs contain morphological units that block the formation of CDNs because their [+Latinate] character has a certain stylistic effect in terms of pragmatic usage. The third level of constraints pertains to lexical-conceptual structure combined with argument structure.

We will show that (i) the constraints on the bases of CDNs are not exclusively founded on morphological incompatibilities between derivational affixes and other morphological units with which they join. Thus, a derivational mechanism that does not involve affixation, such as conversion, is also ruled by restrictions on the bases. (ii) Structural constraints – based on argument structures and on prosodic, morphological and lexical-semantic structures – are interwoven with processing and pragmatic conditions. (iii) Word formation is organised in structures that have interfaces with each other.
How big can case systems get? Evidence from Scottish Gaelic
Authors: Stewart Thomas W.
Published: August 2009

It is well known that case systems can be augmented by the accretion of adpositions to their objects. This paper documents and explores an extensive instance of such augmentation, far exceeding any studied to date, based on an analysis of a class of words in modern Scottish Gaelic (SG) the members of which have attributes of both prepositions and pronouns. Pedagogical materials tend to call these forms prepositional pronouns, yet present the forms in paradigms organized by prepositional element, as if they represented person-number inflections on prepositional bases. This approach does not translate well into a synchronic description, however, because deriving these forms from underlying sequences requires numerous ad hoc morphophonemic stipulations.

Regardless of diachronic source(s), these forms are synchronically pronominal in distribution. Shifting to a whole-heartedly pronominal analysis entails a targeted expansion of pronominal paradigms, beyond the traditional 3 nominal cases to 14. Although a number of languages present a richer array of distinct pronominal case forms than those found among nouns (e.g. English, Spanish), SG is unique in the extent to which pronoun case forms exceed those of nouns. Moreover, English and Spanish pronouns show the remnants of a case system, whereas SG has created these distinctions.
Public Health and the Environment: What Skills for Sustainability Literacy – And Why?
Authors: Ansari Walid  El , Stibbe Arran
Published: August 2009

This paper is an exploration and reflection on the question of what skills, values, attributes and dispositions learners will need to navigate their lives in the challenging conditions of the twenty first century, in relation to sustainability and well-being. First, an overview of the multiple concepts that are considered important for sustainability literacy is gradually built up. These include: multiple ‘bottom lines’ and contexts of wellbeing, climate change, collective action at various levels, good citizenship, community participation, information technology, psychological aspects, behavioral features and researching sustainability. Secondly, a wide range of skills that learners will require in order to interact with these concepts are explored. The emerging relationships between the given concepts and their attending skills are neither definitive nor prescriptive, but provide an indication of what sustainability literacy could be useful for learners and practitioners in order to enable them to contribute towards the wellbeing of sustainable societies. The paper concludes with that a fundamental overarching skill for sustainability is the ability to work constructively with others in building more sustainable communities, businesses and societies.
Using Group Theory to Obtain Eigenvalues of Nonsymmetric Systems by Symmetry Averaging
Authors: Ellzey Marion L.
Published: August 2009

If the Hamiltonian in the time independent Schrödinger equation, HΨ = EΨ, is invariant under a group of symmetry transformations, the theory of group representations can help obtain the eigenvalues and eigenvectors of H. A finite group that is not a symmetry group of H is nevertheless a symmetry group of an operator Hsym projected from H by the process of symmetry averaging. In this case H = Hsym + HR where HR is the nonsymmetric remainder. Depending on the nature of the remainder, the solutions for the full operator may be obtained by perturbation theory. It is shown here that when H is represented as a matrix [H] over a basis symmetry adapted to the group, the reduced matrix elements of [Hsym] are simple averages of certain elements of [H], providing a substantial enhancement in computational efficiency. A series of examples are given for the smallest molecular graphs. The first is a two vertex graph corresponding to a heteronuclear diatomic molecule. The symmetrized component then corresponds to a homonuclear system. A three vertex system is symmetry averaged in the first case to Cs and in the second case to the nonabelian C3v. These examples illustrate key aspects of the symmetry-averaging process.
In the Beginning: The Making of a Book about Some Beginnings of Tourism Study (Dennison J. Nash, Editor, The Study of Tourism: Anthropological and Sociological Beginnings, 2007)
Authors: Nash Dennison
Published: August 2009

This venture in reflexivity attempts to trace the production of an edited book that deals with the early history of the field of tourism research as seen through the personal histories of its founders. In a kind of ethnographic study of an unexpectedly new and unusual productive process
that involved a series of problems (e.g., culture shock) and opportunities (e.g., for creativity) experienced by the editor and other participants in the study, an insider's view of some researchers' constructive activity in laying out the emergence and development of a new field of science
was obtained.
An Assessment of the Outcomes of a Chinese-Language Interpretive Tour Experience at a Heritage Tourism Attraction
Authors: Van Dijk Pieter , Weiler Betty
Published: August 2009

This study uses the first translated version of an established and validated instrument to assess the impacts of an interpretive tour experience on Chinese visitors to a heritage tourism attraction in Australia. The study makes a significant methodological contribution by way of testing
the reliability of this instrument in a Chinese cultural context. In addition to its methodological contribution, the study represents the first known published research evaluating the impacts of Chinese-language interpretive tours on inbound visitors from China. Based on results from 285
self-completed surveys, the instrument reliably assessed that visitors' perceptions of their interpretive experience were average to very good on cognitive, affective, and behavioral constructs. Notwithstanding the fact that work still needs to continue in refining one of the ten indicators,
the instrument provides practitioners and researchers with a reliable and valid tool for assessing the outcomes of heritage interpretation in two very different cultural contexts.
How International is the International Academy for the Study of Tourism?
Authors: Dann Graham M. S.
Published: August 2009

When the International Academy for the Study of Tourism (IAST) was first launched at its charter meeting in 1988, its central stated mission was to foster tourism research internationally. This otherwise subjective insider study attempts to evaluate this goal longitudinally by applying
a series of objective indicators to the composition and primary activity of IAST during the past 19 years. In particular, it examines what changes have taken place over these two decades with respect to the source of ordinary membership and of the executive committee, the location of biennial
meetings, as well as the editorship and contributor profiles of its six official publications. Regarding the last, an additional chapter-by-chapter linguistic analysis of accompanying references is undertaken, which seeks to establish whether or not there are significant patterns of ethnocentrism.
The overall account thus highlights areas of over-representation as well as pointing to spheres of under-representation. Looking toward the future, the article explores the implications of a continuation of such trends for the organization as a whole.
Measurement of the Destination Evaluation Supporting Factors and their Effects on Behavioral Intention of Visitors: Antalya Region of Turkey
Authors: Aksu A. Akin , Caber Meltem , Albayrak Tahir
Published: August 2009

In this study, the authors tried to identify the basic destination attributes that affect visiting tourists most, by ignoring their pre-visit expectations and using a performance-only approach. Considering one year's tourism data of the Antalya region, five different structured questionnaires
(in English, German, Russian, Dutch, and French) were given to a sample of visiting tourists. In all, 4,493 out of 13,461 questionnaires were returned, representing a 33.37% rate of return. According to the results of exploratory factor analysis, five factors (health and hygiene, shopping,
information, local transportation, and accommodation) contributed to the differentation of the destination attributes. In addition to these, in order to understand the interrelationships between destinations evaluation supporting factors and behavioral intentions of the visitors, structural
equation modeling technique was used by the authors.
What are the Effects of Dyadic Relationships on Organizational Commitment?
Authors: Aktas Ahmet , Alan Aylin Aktas , Ekin Yakin
Published: August 2009

The purpose of the study is to investigate the quality of the relationship between leader-member exchange (LMX) theory and subordinates' organizational commitment. It aims to maximize organizational success by establishing positive interactions between subordinates and managers. A survey
was completed by 147 full-time employees in five-star hotels in the region of Kundu, Antalya, Turkey. Collected data were entered in SPSS 11.0 in order to perform statistical analysis. Factor, ANOVA, and correlation analysis were carried out. The study suggests that improving the quality of
LMX will increase subordinates' sense of commitment. Development and maintenance of a mature dyadic relationship will benefit not only supervisors and subordinates but also the organization as a whole in the achievement of organizational growth and success. The results are limited within the
sampled subordinates' views in five-star hotels. Due to the low season, time and budget constraints, and implementation of questionnaires to certain departments might be evaluated in the limitations of the study. This study examined LMX quality measurement in the tourism industry. Moreover,
it encompasses an attempt to measure organizational commitment of subordinates spontaneously. By doing so, it is the first application that handles these two topics together in Turkey.
Turkish Visitors to Italy: Notes on the Cultural Package Tourist
Authors: Ünal Özlem
Published: August 2009

This research analyzes characteristics and economic aspects of culture-oriented package tourism focusing on Turkish visitors traveling to Italy. Data references the package tour arrangements covering 2,278 visitors traveling in 82 package groups. This information was gathered via random
sampling in 2003. Although the number of travelers in each group ranged from 8 to 54, the average group size was 27.78. Seven- and four-night packages were the standard packages having 57.95% and 31.96% shares, respectively, followed by three-night packages at 4.08%. Results show that the
mean total cost of holiday per person was €260.00 (US$308.20) and mean total cost per person per night was €45.37 (US$53.78). Study results also indicate that if the number of nights stayed increased, the mean cost of package per person per night decreased. The overall
findings contribute toward a better understanding of the Turkish package tourism characteristics and show that package tourism generates economies of scale that keep the prices relatively low and allow more people—especially from developing countries, in this case being Turkey—to
be involved in international tourism. Finally, the paper suggests future research.
Tourists' Attitudes Toward the Use of Animals in Tourist Attractions
Authors: Shani Amir , Pizam Abraham
Published: August 2009

To identify tourists' opinions and attitudes on the use of animals in tourist attractions, a qualitative exploratory study was conducted with three focus groups of tourists who visited Orlando, Florida. The findings indicated that the participants' ethical perceptions of animal-based
tourist attractions were made up of three hierarchically ordered layers: (1) general justifications for operating such venues, (2) a belief in the driving forces leading to an ethical operation, and (3) the specific conditions required for the ethical operation of animal-based tourist attractions.
The results and their meanings are discussed as a framework for future research in this field.
Remote Laboratories Framework : Focus on Reusability and Security in m-Learning Situations
Authors: Fayolle Jacques , Gravier Christophe , Ates Mikael , Lardon Jeremy
Published: August 2009

Remote laboratories is a spreading concept which allows the remote use of devices through Internet connexion. The paper deals with the providing of a framework which is reusable for many devices, from different end-user media such as phone, computer or TV and acceptable in industry, therefore taking into account multi information systems securities.

The problem is addressed through the point of view of m-learning situations which involves the lack of rich user interactions and the fact that the user belongs to external information systems when he interacts with the remote device.

The modelisation of the remote device with ontologies, the use of a central application server, message oriented middleware and standard web services (database, authentication) are the keys allowing the independence of the framework to the device.

The adaptation of the GUI to the end-user device is made through a proxy which refactor the requests and responses according to the capabilities of the end-user device (size of screen, interactions tools).

The use of a user-centric model of identities federation allows us to provide an efficient way to reach the goal of transparency to security constraints.
Manageable and Extensible Video Streaming Systems for On-Line Monitoring of Remote Laboratory Experiments
Authors: Lai Yuan-Cheng , Lin Jian-Wei
Published: August 2009

To enable clients to view real-time video of the involved instruments during a remote experiment, two real-time video streaming systems are devised. One is for the remote experiments which instruments locate in one geographic spot and the other is for those which instruments scatter over different places. By means of running concurrent streaming processes at a server, multiple instruments can be monitored simultaneously by different clients. The proposed systems possess excellent extensibility, that is, the systems can easily add new digital cameras for instruments without modifying any software. Also they are well-manageable, meaning that an administrator can conveniently adjust the quality of the real-time video depending on system load and visual requirements. Finally, some evaluation concerning CPU utilization and bandwidth consumption of the systems have been evaluated to verify the effectiveness of the proposed solutions.
Adaptive Electronic Quizzing Method for Introductory Electrical Circuit Course
Authors: Amarin Ruba Akram , Batarseh Feras , Batarseh Issa
Published: August 2009

The interactive technical electronic book, TechEBook, currently under development at the University of Central Florida, provides a useful tool for engineers and scientists through unique features compared to the most used traditional electrical circuit textbooks available in the market. TechEBook has comprised the two worlds of classical circuit books and an interactive operating platform such as laptops and desktops utilizing Java Virtual Machine operator. The TechEBook provides an interactive applets screen that holds many modules, in which each had a specific application in the self learning process.

This paper describes one of the interactive techniques in the TechEBook known as, QuizMe, for evaluating the readersâ?? performance and the overall understanding for all subjects at any stage. The QuizMe will be displayed after each section in the TechEBook for the user to evaluate his/her understanding, which introduces the term me-learning, as a comprehensive full experience for self or individualized education.

In this paper, a practical example of applying the QuizMe feature is discussed as part of a basic electrical engineering course currently given at the University of Central Florida.
Secondary Lymphoid Organs: Responding to Genetic and Environmental Cues in Ontogeny and the Immune Response
Authors: Ruddle Nancy H. , Akirav Eitan M.
Published: August 2009

Secondary lymphoid organs (SLOs) include lymph nodes, spleen, Peyer’s patches, and mucosal tissues such as the nasal-associated lymphoid tissue, adenoids, and tonsils. Less discretely anatomically defined cellular accumulations include the bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue, cryptopatches, and isolated lymphoid follicles. All SLOs serve to generate immune responses and tolerance. SLO development depends on the precisely regulated expression of cooperating lymphoid chemokines and cytokines such as LTα, LTβ, RANKL, TNF, IL-7, and perhaps IL-17. The relative importance of these factors varies between the individual lymphoid organs. Participating in the process are lymphoid tissue initiator, lymphoid tissue inducer, and lymphoid tissue organizer cells. These cells and others that produce crucial cytokines maintain SLOs in the adult. Similar signals regulate the transition from inflammation to ectopic or tertiary lymphoid tissues.
Survival and Migration of Human Dendritic Cells Are Regulated by an IFN-α-Inducible Axl/Gas6 Pathway
Authors: Scutera Sara , Fraone Tiziana , Musso Tiziana , Cappello Paola , Rossi Silvia , Pierobon Daniele , Orinska Zane , Paus Ralf , Bulfone-Paus Silvia , Giovarelli Mirella
Published: August 2009

Axl, a prototypic member of the transmembrane tyrosine kinase receptor family, is known to regulate innate immunity. In this study, we show that Axl expression is induced by IFN-α during human dendritic cell (DC) differentiation from monocytes (IFN/DC) and that constitutively Axl-negative, IL-4-differentiated DC (IL-4/DC) can be induced to up-regulate Axl by IFN-α. This effect is inhibited by TLR-dependent maturation stimuli such as LPS, poly(I:C), TLR7/8 ligand, and CD40L. LPS-induced Axl down-regulation on the surface of human IFN-α-treated DC correlates with an increased proteolytic cleavage of Axl and with elevated levels of its soluble form. GM6001 and TAPI-1, general inhibitors of MMP and ADAM family proteases, restored Axl expression on the DC surface and diminished Axl shedding. Furthermore, stimulation of Axl by its ligand, Gas6, induced chemotaxis of human DC and rescued them from growth factor deprivation-induced apoptosis. Our study provides the first evidence that Gas6/Axl-mediated signaling regulates human DC activities, and identifies Gas6/Axl as a new DC chemotaxis pathway. This encourages one to explore whether dysregulation of this novel pathway in human DC biology is involved in autoimmunity characterized by high levels of IFN-α.
Mannose-Binding Lectin (MBL) Substitution: Recovery of Opsonic Function In Vivo Lags behind MBL Serum Levels
Authors: Brouwer Nannette , Frakking Florine N. J. , van de Wetering Marianne D. , van Houdt Michel , Hart Margreet , Budde Ilona Kleine , Strengers Paul F. W. , Laursen Inga , Houen Gunnar , Roos Dirk , Jensenius Jens C. , Caron Huib N. , Dolman Koert M. , Kuijpers Taco W.
Published: August 2009

Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) deficiency is often associated with an increased risk of infection or worse prognosis in immunocompromised patients. MBL substitution in these patients might diminish these risks. We therefore performed an open, uncontrolled safety and pharmacokinetic MBL-substitution study in 12 pediatric oncology patients with chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. Twice weekly MBL infusions with plasma-derived MBL yielded MBL trough levels >1.0 μg/ml. We tested whether MBL substitution in vivo increased MBL-dependent complement activation and opsonophagocytosis of zymosan in vitro. Upon MBL substitution, opsonophagocytosis by control neutrophils increased significantly (p < 0.001) but remained suboptimal, although repeated MBL infusions resulted in improvement over time. The MBL-dependent MBL-associated serine protease (MASP)-mediated complement C3 and C4 activation also showed a suboptimal increase. To explain these results, complement activation was studied in detail. We found that in the presence of normal MASP-2 blood levels, MASP-2 activity (p < 0.0001) was reduced as well as the alternative pathway of complement activation (p < 0.05). This MBL-substitution study demonstrates that plasma-derived MBL infusions increase MBL/MASP-mediated C3 and C4 activation and opsonophagocytosis, but that higher circulating levels of plasma-derived MBL are required to achieve MBL-mediated complement activation comparable to healthy controls. Other patient cohorts should be considered to demonstrate clinical efficacy in phase II/III MBL-substitution studies, because we found a suboptimal recovery of (in vitro) biological activity upon MBL substitution in our neutropenic pediatric oncology cohort.
The MHC Haplotype H2b Converts Two Pure Nonlupus Mouse Strains to Producers of Antinuclear Antibodies
Authors: Hannestad Kristian , Scott Helge
Published: August 2009

Studies of mouse lupus models have linked the MHC H2b haplotype with the earlier appearance of antinuclear autoantibodies and the worsening of nephritis. However, it is unknown whether H2b by itself, in the context of pure nonlupus strains, is “silent” or sufficient with regard to loss of tolerance to chromatin (nucleosomes). In this study we show that, beginning ∼6–9 mo of age, H2b-congenic BALB/c (denoted BALB.B) mice, unlike BALB/c (H2d) and H2k-congenic BALB/c (denoted BALB.K) mice, develop strikingly increased serum levels of anti-chromatin Ab dominated by the IgG2a subclass, along with minor increase of Abs to DNA and moderately increased total serum IgG2a. The BALB.B mice did not have glomerulonephritis or an increased mortality rate. H2b-congenic C3H/He mice (designated C3.SW mice), unlike C3H/He (H2k) mice, showed low but measurable serum levels of chromatin-reactive IgG2a Abs and minor but significant hypergammaglobulinemia. By immunofluorescence, IgG2a of sera from both H2b-congenic strains stained HEp-2 cell nuclei, confirming the presence of antinuclear autoantibodies. Thus, in the context of two pure nonlupus genomes, the MHC H2b haplotype in homozygous form is sufficient to induce loss of tolerance to chromatin.
Best domain for an elliptic problem in cartesian coordinates by means of shape‐measure
Authors: Fakharzadeh Jahromi Alireza , Rubio Julior E.
Published: August 2009

In (ZAA J. Anal. Appl., Vol. 16, No. 1, pp. 143–155) we introduced a method to determine the optimal domains for elliptic optimal‐shape design problems in polar coordinates. However, the same problem in cartesian coordinates, which are more applicable, is found to be much harder, therefore we had to develop a new approach for these designs. Herein, the unknown domain is divided into a fixed and a variable part and the optimal pair of the domain and its optimal control, is characterized in two stages. Firstly, the optimal control for the each given domain is determined by changing the problem into a measure‐theoretical one, replacing this with an infinite dimensional linear programming problem and approximating schemes; then the nearly optimal control function is characterized. Therefore a function that offers the optimal value of the objective function for a given domain, is defined. In the second stage, by applying a standard optimization method, the global minimizer pair will be obtained. Some numerical examples are also given. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley and Sons Asia Pte Ltd and Chinese Automatic Control Society
Identification of seven metabolites of oxyresveratrol in rat urine and bile using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Huang Huilian , Chen Guangtong , Lu Zhiqiang , Zhang Jinqiang , Guo De‐An
Published: August 2009

Oxyresveratrol (trans‐2,4,3′,5′‐tetrahydroxystilbene) is a major compound isolated fromSmilax china, a Chinese herbal medicine. The rat urine and bile samples were pretreated by solid‐phase extraction method after oral administration at a dose of 100 mg/kg of oxyresveratrol. Seven metabolites were identified by LC‐MS/MS method with electrospray ionization in negative ion mode. The results indicated that main metabolites of oxyresveratrol were monoglucuronided and monosulfated oxyresveratrol. Based on the results, the metabolic pathway of oxyresveratrol in rat urine and bile was proposed. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Expression and localization of the calmodulin‐binding protein neurogranin in the adult mouse olfactory bulb
Authors: Gribaudo S. , Bovetti S. , Garzotto D. , Fasolo A. , De Marchis S.
Published: August 2009

Neurogranin (Ng) is a brain‐specific postsynaptic protein involved in activity‐dependent synaptic plasticity through modulation of Ca2+/calmodulin (CaM)‐dependent signal transduction in neurons. In this study, using biochemical and immunohistochemical approaches, we demonstrate Ng expression in the adult mouse olfactory bulb (OB), the first relay station in odor information processing. We show that Ng is principally associated with the granule cell layer (GCL), which is composed of granule cell inhibitory interneurons. This cell type is continuously renewed during adult life and plays a key role in OB circuits, integrating and modulating the activity of mitral/tufted cells. Our results indicate that Ng localizes in the soma and dendrites of a defined subpopulation of mature GABAergic granule cells, enriched in the deep portion of the GCL. Ng‐immunopositive cells largely coexpress the Ca+/CaM‐dependent kinase IV (CaMKIV), a downstream protein of CaM signaling cascade, whereas no colocalization was observed between Ng and the calcium‐binding protein calretinin. Finally, we demonstrate that adult neurogenesis contributes to the Ng‐expressing population, with more newly generated Ng‐positive cells integrated in the deep GCL. Together, these results provide a new specific neurochemical marker to identify a subpopulation of olfactory granule cells and suggest possible functional implications for Ng in OB plasticity mechanisms. J. Comp. Neurol. 517:683–694, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Photoreceptor and ganglion cell topographies correlate with information convergence and high acuity regions in the adult pigeon (Columba livia) retina
Authors: Querubin Angeliza , Lee Hie Rin , Provis Jan M. , O'Brien Keely M. Bumsted
Published: August 2009

The fovea and area dorsalis are high acuity vision regions in the pigeon retina. However, the degree of neural convergence (an important determinant of acuity) has not been quantified consistently in this bird. The purpose of the study was to determine the topographic density changes and degree of photoreceptor to ganglion cell convergence in the fovea and the area dorsalis. Total photoreceptor and ganglion cell densities were calculated on the horizontal and vertical meridia. In four eyes, retinal topography was mapped for photoreceptors and ganglion cells. Rod density was quantified by counting anti‐rod opsin‐stained outer segments across the retina. The ratio of cone photoreceptors to ganglion cells, a rough measure of information convergence, was calculated. The fovea and the red field contained significantly higher mean cone and ganglion cell densities compared with the yellow field. Rods were missing from the fovea. Outside the fovea, rods comprised 20% of the photoreceptor population, with no significant density changes across the retina. The ratio of photoreceptors to ganglion cells was highest in the yellow field, suggesting a high degree of information convergence and low acuity. Our data indicate that convergence of cones onto ganglion cells in the red field is similar to that observed in the fovea. Convergence ratios in both the fovea and red field suggest greater visual acuity compared to that of the surrounding yellow field, which is consistent with the higher visual acuities that have been reported in these regions. J. Comp. Neurol. 517:711–722, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Distribution and axonal projections of neurons coexpressing thyrotropin‐releasing hormone and urocortin 3 in the rat brain
Authors: Wittmann Gábor , Füzesi Tamás , Liposits Zsolt , Lechan Ronald M. , Fekete Csaba
Published: August 2009

Thyrotropin‐releasing hormone (TRH) decreases food intake when administered intracerebroventricularly or into the ventromedial hypothalamus. However, it is unknown which population of TRH neurons exerts this anorexigenic function. In the rostral perifornical area, the pattern of TRH‐expressing neurons is reminiscent of the distribution of neurons expressing urocortin3 (Ucn3) that also inhibits feeding when injected into the hypothalamic ventromedial nucleus (VMN). Since colocalization of TRH and Ucn3 may help to identify feeding‐related TRH neurons, the putative coexpression of the two peptides was examined using fluorescent in situ hybridization combined with immunofluorescence. Almost all (95.5 ± 0.2%) Ucn3‐immunoreactive neurons in the perifornical area expressed pro‐TRH mRNA, while 50.2 ± 1.6% Ucn3 neurons were double‐labeled in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST). Only a few Ucn3/pro‐TRH neurons were found outside these two areas. The distribution of axons containing both Ucn3 and TRH was examined by dual immunofluorescence. Ucn3/TRH fibers heavily innervated the VMN. In addition, high densities of double‐labeled axons were observed in the lateral septal nucleus, posterior division of the BNST, medial amygdaloid nucleus, amygdalohippocampal area, and ventral hippocampus, forebrain areas associated with psychological stress and anxiety. We conclude that Ucn3 and TRH are coexpressed in a discrete, continuous population of neurons in the perifornical area and BNST, making Ucn3 a neurochemical marker to define a distinct subset of TRH neurons. The distribution of their axons suggests that Ucn3/TRH neurons may coordinate feeding and behavioral responses to stressful stimuli. J. Comp. Neurol. 517:825–840, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.