bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Serbo-Bulgarian relations at the end of the 13th century
Authors: Misic Sinisa
Published: October 2009

Relations between the Serbs and the Bulgarians at the end of the 13th century has been a part of global international relations in the Balkans and in the Danube region. The Tatars (Mongols) as the powerful warring people represent external factor that highly influenced those relations. They also made powerful impact on the Serbian and Bulgarian states of the time. The relations between the Serbs and the Bulgarians had not been at the time determined by their attitude toward the Byzantine Empire which was of the Serbian state, while Bulgaria went through tough period of disintegration of the central power. The internal affaires of those two states influenced their mutual relations. During the war with the Byzantine Empire, king Milutin tried to keep Bulgaria on his side, which is the reason why he became related by the marriage to the Bulgarian imperial family. However, strong involvement of Nogay made this alliance non-useful. After 1299 Serbia lost interest for Bulgaria, and behavior toward the queen Ana made two states enter the 14th century as the enemies. The close relations would be maintained with Vidin. In the frame of those relations Milutin's marriage and release of the Bulgarian princess Ana should be regarded, while Stefan's marriage had been motivated differently and happened around 1305/1306.
Juznoslavjanskata liturgiceska kniznina prez XIII vek
Authors: Jovceva Marija
Published: October 2009

(bugarski) V statijata se razglezdat procesite v juznoslavjanskata bogosluzebna kniznina prez XIII v. Osnovnite obsci tendencii se otkrivat v tri nasoki: v'zproizvezdane na arhaicen korpus ot vremeto na Kirilo-Metodievite ucenici, casticni redaktiranija s cel obnovjavaneto na s'stava, formirane na slavjanski svetitelski fond s b'lgarski, sr'bski i ruski pameti. Razlikite mezdu sr'bskoto i b'lgarskoto liturgicesko tvorcestvo prez stoletieto izp'kvat naj-vece v nacina na izgrazdane na novite sr'bski i b'lgarski kultove i predpocitanijata k'm opredeleni zanrove pri tjahnoto modelirane.
'Nizovata' kniznina prez XIII vek: Sbornici, proizvedenija i cikli v b'lgarskata i v sr'bskata tradicija
Authors: Miltenova Anisava
Published: October 2009

(bugarski) V statijata se razglezdat v sravnitelen plan sbornici ot XIII i ot XIV v. ot sr'bskata i ot b'lgarskata r'kopisna tradicija, v koito preobladavat apokrifi. Ocertavat se tendenciite za preantologizirane na proizvedenija i cikli ot 'nizovata' kniznina, s'zdadeni prez po-rannite epohi (X v. i osobeno XI-XII v) i s'zdavaneto na novi kompilativni, prevodni i originalni tvorbi. Specialno mjasto se otdelja na istoriko-apokalipticnite s'cinenija, aktualni za XIII v. Sr'bskite i b'lgarskite r'kopisi svidetelstvat, ce v prod'lz enie na vekove apokrifite sa se vkljucvali sred dusepoleznite cetiva za izv'nbogosluzebna upotreba, bez da se pravi razlika mezdu kanonicno i nekanonic no. T. nar. parabiblejska literatura (v obscohristijanski aspekt), pritez ava za balkanskite knizovnici ne po-malko znacenie i dostojnstvo ot ucitelnata hristijanska literatura.
Experimental Tests of a Descriptive Theory of Combined Auditee Risk Assessment
Authors: Vandervelde Scott D. , Tubbs Richard M. , Schepanski Albert , Messier William F.
Published: October 2009

SUMMARY: This research experimentally investigates how auditors make combined auditee risk judgments during the planning of the audit of an account balance in a client's financial statements. Experimental tests were performed of whether the predictions of the AICPA model of auditee risk determination are descriptive of auditors' judgments. In addition, tests were performed of other plausible descriptive models using the methods of psychological measurement. The results indicate that the AICPA model is not descriptive of auditors' judgments, and that auditors' judgments of combined auditee risk are best explained by the range model, a revised-weight model, as compared to the alternative descriptive models tested. The results of the experiment extend the prior literature in this area by (1) facilitating the resolution of the conflicting conclusions from prior research regarding the descriptive validity of the audit-risk model, and (2) by identifying the range model that describes an idiosyncratic, yet plausible, judgment strategy used by auditors in making combined auditee risk assessments. The prior literature did not test other descriptive models of combined auditee risk assessment. Implications for the theory and practice of combined auditee risk assessment are also discussed.
Why Do Some Accelerated Filers with SOX Section 404 Material Weaknesses Provide Early Warning under Section 302?
Authors: Hermanson Dana R. , Ye Zhongxia (Shelly)
Published: October 2009

SUMMARY: During the first year of the SOX Section 404 reporting requirements (effective November 15, 2004), many adverse Section 404 audit reports were a “surprise” in that management had not previously warned investors of the internal control deficiencies (ICDs) in SEC filings under Section 302 (effective August 29, 2002). Based on 451 accelerated filers with adverse initial Section 404 reports, we look back in time to previous disclosures under Section 302 and find that only 27 percent of the companies provided early warning of any of the ICDs during the fiscal year. We examine the association of early warning during the fiscal year under Section 302 with material weakness characteristics, litigation risk, subsequent financing, auditor characteristics, and management and governance traits. We find that early warning of ICDs is positively associated with the severity and number of material weaknesses, prior earnings restatements, auditor independence and effort, CFO change, the number of institutional investors, and the number of audit committee meetings, and negatively associated with future equity financing activities and CEO/board chair duality. Overall, the results underscore previous research documenting the effect of management incentives on disclosure behavior and the benefits of rigorous auditing and monitoring. We offer implications and directions for future research.
Assessing France's Joint Audit Requirement: Are Two Heads Better than One?
Authors: Francis Jere R. , Richard Chrystelle , Vanstraelen Ann
Published: October 2009

SUMMARY: We examine auditor choice for listed companies in France where two (joint) auditors are required by law. This unique setting creates more complex auditor choice than the typical Big 4/non-Big 4 dichotomy in other countries, and we study if a firm's ownership structure affects its auditor-pair choice as well the consequences on earning quality. The findings are consistent with agency theory and indicate that a Big 4 auditor (paired with a non-Big 4 auditor) is more likely to be used when there is greater information asymmetry (less family control and more diversified ownership structures), and that these associations are even stronger for firms with two Big 4 auditors conducting the joint audit. We also test if a firm's auditor-pair choice affects earnings quality and find that firms using one Big 4 auditor (paired with a non-Big 4 auditor) have smaller income-increasing abnormal accruals compared to firms that use no Big 4 auditors and, once again, find that this effect is even stronger for firms that use two Big 4 auditors.
Resolving Disputed Financial Reporting Issues: Effects of Auditor Negotiation Experience and Engagement Risk on Negotiation Process and Outcome
Authors: Brown Helen L. , Johnstone Karla M.
Published: October 2009

SUMMARY: In an experiment involving a dyadic negotiation between a computer-simulated client and practicing auditors, we examine the effects of engagement risk and auditor negotiation experience on the process and outcomes of client-auditor negotiations. We find that auditors with lower negotiation experience who encounter a high risk client use a more concessionary negotiation strategy, achieve a negotiated outcome that is more aggressive (consistent with the client's aggressive preference), and are less confident that the outcome they negotiate is acceptable under GAAP compared with the negotiation process and outcome results of auditors with higher negotiation experience. In contrast, auditors with higher negotiation experience use a less concessionary strategy, achieve an outcome that is more conservative regardless of risk context, and are more confident that the outcome they negotiate is acceptable under GAAP. This study illustrates the important roles that engagement risk, task-specific negotiation experience, and pressure from the client regarding an aggressive financial reporting preference play in the process and outcomes of client-auditor negotiation.
Risk Shifts in the Market for Audits: An Examination of Changes in Risk for “Second Tier” Audit Firms
Authors: Hogan Chris E. , Martin Roger D.
Published: October 2009

SUMMARY: The market for audit services has been affected in recent years by significant changes like the demise of Andersen and the implementation of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. One impact of these market changes has been an increase in the frequency of auditor switches, and in particular, the frequency of clients switching from Big 4 auditors to smaller audit firms. We examine whether this switching activity has resulted in changes in the risk characteristics of publicly traded clients of Second Tier audit firms. This analysis is important as regulators are concerned about audit market concentration and would like to see the Second Tier audit firms expand their share of the publicly traded client market. Results indicate that Second Tier firms are accepting clients with potentially increased audit and client business risk characteristics relative to their existing client base, but they also appear to be “shedding” clients that have increased audit and client business risk characteristics relative to their existing client base. Some of the differences in risk characteristics for those departing clients are more pronounced in the period after 2000, when we expect the most significant changes in the audit market occurred. Second Tier auditors are increasingly exposed to more business risk as they accept larger clients coming from Big 4 predecessor auditors, which may increase their exposure to litigation.
Incentive System Design Based on Accrual Accounting: A Summary and Analysis
Authors: Pfeiffer Thomas , Velthuis Louis
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT: This paper provides a formal analysis on how to design accrual-based incentive systems so that a manager's and owner's interests are properly aligned. We introduce a general framework to summarize the literature, provide various extensions to it, and point to some of its limitations. We characterize the entire class of goal-congruent and preference-similar incentive systems when the owner has perfect as well as imperfect information about the manager's preferences. This allows us to show how compensation functions and performance measures are interrelated and to demonstrate what information should be incorporated into compensation functions and performance measures. We illustrate how robust these results are, especially with respect to gaming and transaction smoothing. Furthermore, we show how to produce consistent performance measures by capitalizing investment costs and constructing appropriate depreciation schedules. Finally, we analyze the flexibility of accrual-versus cash-based allocation rules and highlight connections to the notion of conservatism.
Tension Relevance
Authors: Demski Joel S. , Fellingham John C. , Lin Haijin H.
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT: Performance evaluation with multiple tasks and multiple measures is a favorite indoor sport, replete with coaches, clinics, and Monday morning quarterbacks. Here we tweak the familiar LEN setting to exhibit a modest reluctance to feed it an ever increasing supply of measures.
Agency Theory and Participative Budgeting Experiments
Authors: Brown Jason L. , Evans John H. , Moser Donald V.
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT: A series of participative budgeting experiments has examined the effect of incentive structures and/or information environments on employees' reporting and production decisions. We analyze the previous experiments in terms of the insights they offer regarding agency theory. We expand the previous analyses of the incentive contracting experiments in three ways. First, we classify the earliest set of participative budgeting experiments based on the type of incentive and information structures examined in each study. Second, from the 21 papers we review, we identify eight specific cases for which the experimental evidence contradicts an agency theory prediction (i.e., anomalies). Third, we develop a classification scheme that can be used to organize hypotheses in terms of whether they rely on an agency theory prediction, a competing behavioral prediction, or a combination of the two. We use this classification to illustrate why we believe that studies that test both an agency theory prediction and a competing behavioral prediction are more likely to advance the development of theory than those that do not.
Influence Diagrams for Capacity Planning and Pricing under Uncertainty
Authors: Cobb Barry R.
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT: Influence diagrams are presented as a complement to analytical methods for solving capacity-planning and pricing problems under uncertainty. An influence diagram model that permits continuous decision variables is used to determine optimal decision rules for a single product monopolist making capacity and price selections once per period. Solutions under different scenarios based on the timing of actual demand observations and the ability to adjust initial capacity are compared to previous solutions in the literature. The results demonstrate that optimal decision rules for capacity and price determined using influence diagrams closely approximate those found using analytical approaches. The influence diagram is used to determine the effect of changing demand function parameters on the optimal solutions. Additionally, the influence diagram model can be adapted to solve capacity-planning problems that do not meet the assumptions required to obtain analytical solutions or heuristics in previous studies.
Management Control in New Product Development: The Dynamics of Managing Flexibility and Efficiency
Authors: Jørgensen Brian , Messner Martin
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT: Several studies in management control have drawn upon the concepts of coercive and enabling forms of bureaucracy (Adler and Borys 1996) to discuss how the features of a control system may affect employees' attitudes toward control. This question is relevant because enabling forms of control allow organizations to better manage tensions between efficiency and flexibility, which is arguably a key issue in many organizations today. Our paper contributes to this stream of research by detailing how enabling control functions in the particular setting of new product development. To this end, we draw upon empirical material collected through an in-depth field study carried out in a manufacturing organization. We use data from interviews, participant observation, and internal documentation in this firm to demonstrate how the combination of different control mechanisms helps the organization balance efficiency and flexibility. In addition, our paper sets out to explore how strategic change can influence the operation of enabling control. Focusing on the introduction of a new product strategy in our case organization, we describe employees' repair efforts in adapting the control system to their own needs. We find that these repair efforts are perceived as not wholly satisfactory, which suggests that, in the case of important strategic changes, repair may require more top-down management intervention.
Chronic Maternal Dietary Chromium Restriction Modulates Visceral Adiposity
Authors: Padmavathi Inagadapa J.N. , Rao K. Rajender , Venu Lagishetty , Ganeshan Manisha , Kumar K. Anand , Rao Ch. Narasima , Harishankar Nemani , Ismail Ayesha , Raghunath Manchala
Published: October 2009

OBJECTIVE

We demonstrated previously that chronic maternal micronutrient restriction altered the body composition in rat offspring and may predispose offspring to adult-onset diseases. Chromium (Cr) regulates glucose and fat metabolism. The objective of this study is to determine the long-term effects of maternal Cr restriction on adipose tissue development and function in a rat model.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Female weanling WNIN rats received, ad libitum, a control diet or the same with 65% restriction of Cr (CrR) for 3 months and mated with control males. Some pregnant CrR mothers were rehabilitated from conception or parturition and their pups weaned to control diet. Whereas some CrR offspring were weaned to control diet, others continued on CrR diet. Various parameters were monitored in the offspring at three monthly intervals up to 15–18 months of age.

RESULTS

Maternal Cr restriction significantly increased body weight and fat percentage, especially the central adiposity in both male and female offspring. Further, the expression of leptin and 11 β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 genes were significantly increased in CrR offspring of both the sexes. Adipocytokine levels were altered in plasma and adipose tissue; circulating triglyceride and FFA levels were increased, albeit in female offspring only. Rehabilitation regimes did not correct body adiposity but restored the circulating levels of lipids and adipocytokines.

CONCLUSIONS

Chronic maternal Cr restriction increased body adiposity probably due to increased stress and altered lipid metabolism in WNIN rat offspring, which may predispose them to obesity and associated diseases in later life.
Adipocyte Turnover: Relevance to Human Adipose Tissue Morphology
Authors: Arner Erik , Westermark Pål O. , Spalding Kirsty L. , Britton Tom , Rydén Mikael , Frisén Jonas , Bernard Samuel , Arner Peter
Published: October 2009

OBJECTIVE

Adipose tissue may contain few large adipocytes (hypertrophy) or many small adipocytes (hyperplasia). We investigated factors of putative importance for adipose tissue morphology.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Subcutaneous adipocyte size and total fat mass were compared in 764 subjects with BMI 18–60 kg/m2. A morphology value was defined as the difference between the measured adipocyte volume and the expected volume given by a curved-line fit for a given body fat mass and was related to insulin values. In 35 subjects, in vivo adipocyte turnover was measured by exploiting incorporation of atmospheric 14C into DNA.

RESULTS

Occurrence of hyperplasia (negative morphology value) or hypertrophy (positive morphology value) was independent of sex and body weight but correlated with fasting plasma insulin levels and insulin sensitivity, independent of adipocyte volume (β-coefficient = 0.3, P < 0.0001). Total adipocyte number and morphology were negatively related (r = −0.66); i.e., the total adipocyte number was greatest in pronounced hyperplasia and smallest in pronounced hypertrophy. The absolute number of new adipocytes generated each year was 70% lower (P < 0.001) in hypertrophy than in hyperplasia, and individual values for adipocyte generation and morphology were strongly related (r = 0.7, P < 0.001). The relative death rate (∼10% per year) or mean age of adipocytes (∼10 years) was not correlated with morphology.

CONCLUSIONS

Adipose tissue morphology correlates with insulin measures and is linked to the total adipocyte number independently of sex and body fat level. Low generation rates of adipocytes associate with adipose tissue hypertrophy, whereas high generation rates associate with adipose hyperplasia.
Insulin Causes Hyperthermia by Direct Inhibition of Warm-Sensitive Neurons
Authors: Sanchez-Alavez Manuel , Tabarean Iustin V. , Osborn Olivia , Mitsukawa Kayo , Schaefer Jean , Dubins Jeffrey , Holmberg Kristina H. , Klein Izabella , Klaus Joe , Gomez Luis F. , Kolb Hartmuth , Secrest James , Jochems Jeanine , Myashiro Kevin , Buckley Peter , Hadcock John R. , Eberwine James , Conti Bruno , Bartfai Tamas
Published: October 2009

OBJECTIVE

Temperature and nutrient homeostasis are two interdependent components of energy balance regulated by distinct sets of hypothalamic neurons. The objective is to examine the role of the metabolic signal insulin in the control of core body temperature (CBT).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

The effect of preoptic area administration of insulin on CBT in mice was measured by radiotelemetry and respiratory exchange ratio. In vivo 2-[18F]fluoro-2-deoxyglucose uptake into brown adipose tissue (BAT) was measured in rats after insulin treatment by positron emission tomography combined with X-ray computed tomography imaging. Insulin receptor–positive neurons were identified by retrograde tracing from the raphe pallidus. Insulin was locally applied on hypothalamic slices to determine the direct effects of insulin on intrinsically warm-sensitive neurons by inducing hyperpolarization and reducing firing rates.

RESULTS

Injection of insulin into the preoptic area of the hypothalamus induced a specific and dose-dependent elevation of CBT mediated by stimulation of BAT thermogenesis as shown by imaging and respiratory ratio measurements. Retrograde tracing indicates that insulin receptor–expressing warm-sensitive neurons activate BAT through projection via the raphe pallidus. Insulin applied on hypothalamic slices acted directly on intrinsically warm-sensitive neurons by inducing hyperpolarization and reducing firing rates. The hyperthermic effects of insulin were blocked by pretreatment with antibodies to insulin or with a phosphatidylinositol 3–kinase inhibitor.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings demonstrate that insulin can directly modulate hypothalamic neurons that regulate thermogenesis and CBT and indicate that insulin plays an important role in coupling metabolism and thermoregulation at the level of anterior hypothalamus.
Degenerate Sklyanin algebras
Authors: Smirnov Andrey
Published: October 2009

New trigonometric and rational solutions of the quantum Yang-Baxter equation (QYBE) are obtained by applying some singular gauge transformations to the known Belavin-Drinfeld elliptic R-matrix for sl(2;?). These solutions are shown to be related to the standard ones by the quasi-Hopf twist. We demonstrate that the quantum algebras arising from these new R-matrices can be obtained as special limits of the Sklyanin algebra. A representation for these algebras by the difference operators is found. The sl(N;?)-case is discussed.
The immunogenicity of the liposome-associated outer membrane proteins (OMPs) of Moraxella catarrhalis
Authors: Augustyniak Daria , Mleczko Józef , Gutowicz Jan
Published: October 2009

The outer membrane proteins (OMPs) are the most immunogenic and attractive of the Moraxella catarrhalis vaccine antigens that may induce the protective immune response. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of two types of OMP-associated phosphatidylcholine (PC) liposomal formulations (OMPs-PC, PC-OMPs) and of Zwittergent-based proteomicelles (OMPs-Z) in potentiating an anti-OMP systemic immune response in mice. The immunogenicities of the above preparations were evaluated by assessing serum anti-OMP IgG and IgA reactivity in the post-immunized mouse antisera using ELISA and Western blotting. Additionally, the cross-reactivity of the most effective anti-OMP response was determined using heterologous sera from both humans and mice. Both the proteoliposomes and the proteomicelles showed high immunogenic properties and did not elicit any distinct quantitative differences in the antibody titer or qualitative differences in the pattern of the mouse antisera. The post-immunized mouse antisera predominantly recognized a ∼60-kDa OMP of M. catarrhalis. That protein was also found to be a highly cross-reactive antigen interacting with a panel of pooled mouse antisera produced by immunization either with whole cells or the purified OMPs of heterologous M. catarrhalis strains. Furthermore, normal sera collected from healthy children were found to be preferentially reactive with the 60-kDa OMP. The serum-specific IgG, IgA and IgM were respectively detected via immunoblotting in 90%, 85% and 30% of heterologous human sera. This similar immunogenic effectiveness of both OMP-associated liposomal formulations could contribute to the practical use of such formulations in the future in human vaccination. Moreover, the highly cross-reactive 60-kDa OMP seems to be an important antigenic marker of M. catarrhalis, and, as it is responsible for the induction of an antibody-mediated and long-lasting immune response, studying it may partially aid us in understanding the relatively low degree of pathogenicity of the bacterium in immunocompetent individuals.
Displacement washing of kraft pulp cooked from a blend of hardwoods
Authors: Potůček František , Miklík Jozef
Published: October 2009

The aim of this work was to investigate the displacement washing of kraft pulp manufactured from a blend of hardwoods. The experiments were carried out in a laboratory washing cell. In order to characterise the pulp fibres, the degree of freeness, kappa number, fibre length, as well as the specific volume and specific surface of swollen fibres were determined. The displacement washing process was described by displacement washing curves recorded for alkali lignin as a tracer. Mathematical treatment of the washing curves, obtained as a response to the step input signal, gave the Péclet number characterising the displacement of alkali lignin from the pulp pad. For detailed description of the displacement washing process, further parameters, such as the traditional wash yield, axial dispersion coefficient as well as the mean residence time and the space time were also evaluated. The results obtained for hardwood pulp were compared with those for softwood pulp published earlier. With respect to different chemical composition and morphological characteristics affecting both concentration of alkali lignin in mother liquor and physical properties of pulp pad, the displacement washing efficiency of hardwood pulp was found to be unambiguously greater in comparison with softwood pulp.
Synthesis and characterization of conducting copolymer of (N 1,N 3-bis(thiophene-3-ylmethylene)benzene-1,3-diamine-co-3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)
Authors: Kümbül Altuğ , Turaç Ersen , Dursun Tuğba , Şahmetlioğlu Ertuğrul
Published: October 2009

Electrochemical copolymerization of N 1,N 3-bis(thiophene-3-ylmethylene)benzene-1,3-diamine (TMBA) with 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) was carried out in a CH3CN/LiClO4 (0.1 M) solvent-electrolyte via potentiodynamic electrolysis. Chemical structure of the monomer was determined by nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The resulting copolymer was characterized by cyclic voltammetry (CV), FTIR, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermogravimetry analyses (TGA). Conductivity measurements of the copolymer and PEDOT (poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)) were carried out by the four-probe technique.
New Models for Primary Care Are Needed for Osteoarthritis
Authors: Dziedzic Krysia S. , Hill Jonathan C. , Porcheret Mark , Croft Peter R.
Published: October 2009

Musculoskeletal problems are the most common cause of restriction in daily life in most countries. Most health care for musculoskeletal problems is provided in primary care settings, and back pain and joint problems together represent the largest workload of cases of chronic disease seen and managed there. This article reflects on aspects of the occurrence, natural history, prognosis, and management of common joint problems in primary care. Although the biomedical model has contributed to major advances, a model that embraces chronic pain management and its psychological and social components is needed. In particular, primary care is the ideal arena to achieve high-impact secondary prevention of pain and disability in people with osteoarthritis. Physical therapists are in a crucial position in primary care to provide support for self-management of this condition, especially for interventions related to exercise and behavioral change.
A Lower-Bound for the Maximin Redundancy in Pattern Coding
Authors: Garivier Aurélien
Published: October 2009

We show that the maximin average redundancy in pattern coding is eventually larger than 1.84 (n/log n)1/3 for messages of length n. This improves recent results on pattern redundancy, although it does not fill the gap between known lower- and upper-bounds. The pattern of a string is obtained by replacing each symbol by the index of its first occurrence. The problem of pattern coding is of interest because strongly universal codes have been proved to exist for patterns while universal message coding is impossible for memoryless sources on an infinite alphabet. The proof uses fine combinatorial results on partitions with small summands.
In-TFT-Array-Process Micro Defect Inspection Using Nonlinear Principal Component Analysis
Authors: Liu Yi-Hung , Wang Chi-Kai , Ting Yung , Lin Wei-Zhi , Kang Zhi-Hao , Chen Ching-Shun , Hwang Jih-Shang
Published: October 2009

Defect inspection plays a critical role in thin film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) manufacture, and has received much attention in the field of automatic optical inspection (AOI). Previously, most focus was put on the problems of macro-scale Mura-defect detection in cell process, but it has recently been found that the defects which substantially influence the yield rate of LCD panels are actually those in the TFT array process, which is the first process in TFT-LCD manufacturing. Defect inspection in TFT array process is therefore considered a difficult task. This paper presents a novel inspection scheme based on kernel principal component analysis (KPCA) algorithm, which is a nonlinear version of the well-known PCA algorithm. The inspection scheme can not only detect the defects from the images captured from the surface of LCD panels, but also recognize the types of the detected defects automatically. Results, based on real images provided by a LCD manufacturer in Taiwan, indicate that the KPCA-based defect inspection scheme is able to achieve a defect detection rate of over 99% and a high defect classification rate of over 96% when the imbalanced support vector machine (ISVM) with 2-norm soft margin is employed as the classifier. More importantly, the inspection time is less than 1 s per input image.
Progress to a Gallium-Arsenide Deep-Center Laser
Authors: Pan Janet L.
Published: October 2009

Although photoluminescence from gallium-arsenide (GaAs) deep-centers was first observed in the 1960s, semiconductor lasers have always utilized conduction-to-valence-band transitions. Here we review recent materials studies leading to the first GaAs deep-center laser. First, we summarize well-known properties: nature of deep-center complexes, Franck-Condon effect, hotoluminescence. Second, we describe our recent work: insensitivity of photoluminescence with heating, striking differences between electroluminescence and photoluminescence, correlation between transitions to deep-states and absence of bandgap-emission. Room-temperature stimulated-emission from GaAs deep-centers was observed at low electrical injection, and could be tuned from the bandgap to half-the-bandgap (900–1,600 nm) by changing the electrical injection. The first GaAs deep-center laser was demonstrated with electrical injection, and exhibited a threshold of less than 27 mA/cm2 in continuous-wave mode at room temperature at the important 1.54 μm fiber-optic wavelength. This small injection for laser action was explained by fast depopulation of the lower state of the optical transition (fast capture of free holes onto deep-centers), which maintains the population inversion. The evidence for laser action included: superlinear L-I curve, quasi-Fermi level separations satisfying Bernard-Duraffourg’s criterion, optical gains larger than known significant losses, clamping of the optical-emission from lossy modes unable to reach laser action, pinning of the population distribution during laser action.
Evolution of Sustainability in American Forest Resource Management Planning in the Context of the American Forest Management Textbook
Authors: Straka Thomas J.
Published: October 2009

American forest resource management and planning goes back to the European roots of American Forestry. Timber management plans, documents based on forest regulation for timber production, were the foundation of American forestry. These types of management plans predominated until World War II. Multiple use forestry developed after World War II and issues like recreation, wildlife, water quality, and wilderness became more important. In the 1970’s harvest scheduling became part of the planning process, allowing for optimization of multiple goals. By 2001 social, environmental, and economic goals were integrated into the timber production process. American forestry experienced distinct historical periods of resource planning, ranging from classic sustained yield timber production, to multiple use-sustained yield, to sustainable human-forest systems. This article traces the historical changes in forest management planning philosophy using the forest management textbooks of the time. These textbooks provide insight into the thought process of the forestry profession as changes in the concept of sustainability occurred.
HBV and HCV Therapy
Authors: Lampertico Pietro , Aghemo Alessio , Viganò Mauro , Colombo Massimo
Published: October 2009

One year of interferon therapy inhibits HBV replication in one third of the patients whereas long-term administration of oral nucleos(t)ide analogues is efficient in most of them, as long as early treatment adaptation in patients with partial virological response and resistance is provided. Following the demonstration of a more potent antiviral effect in terms of sustained virological response (SVR) rates, Pegylated-IFN coupled with Ribavirin has become the standard treatment for chronic hepatitis C, with nearly 65% of all treated patients achieving a SVR. Long-term suppression of HBV and eradication of HCV would halt the progression of chronic hepatitis to cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma and liver decompensation.
One-kilohertz Eye Tracker and Active Intraoperative Torsion Detection in the NIDEK CXIII and Quest Excimer Lasers
Authors: Waring George O.
Published: October 2009

Purpose:

To describe recent technological additions to the NIDEK CXIII and Quest excimer lasers.

Methods:

A summary article with data from previous published studies outlining the benefits of newer technology.

Results:

The addition of a 1-kHz infrared eye tracker decreased the spread of laser spot placement from a mean of 228.79 µm without a tracker to 38.47 µm with the eye tracker. The addition of real-time torsion error correction produced a statistically significantly lower cylinder dispersion, mean manifest refractive cylinder, and error of angle postoperatively in eyes that underwent LASIK.

Conclusions:

The incorporation of an ultrahigh speed eye tracker and active cyclotorsion correction surpasses the minimal technology criteria required for accurate wavefront-based ablations. [
J Refract Surg
. 2009;25: S931–S933.]
Both TRIF- and MyD88-Dependent Signaling Contribute to Host Defense against Pulmonary Klebsiella Infection
Authors: Cai Shanshan , Batra Sanjay , Shen Li , Wakamatsu Nobuko , Jeyaseelan Samithamby
Published: October 2009

Klebsiella pneumoniae causes extensive lung damage. TLR signaling involves adaptors TRIF and MyD88. However, the relative contribution of TRIF and MyD88 signaling in host defense against pulmonary K. pneumoniae infection has not been elucidated. Therefore, we investigated the role of TRIF and MyD88 in K. pneumoniae pneumonia. TRIF−/− mice infected with K. pneumoniae showed impaired survival and reduced bacterial clearance, neutrophil influx, histopathologic evidence of inflammation, and TNF-α, IL-6, KC, MIP-2, but not LIX, expression in the lungs. In addition, K. pneumoniae-induced late NF-κB activation and phosphorylation of MAPKs was attenuated in the lungs of TRIF−/− mice. However, MyD88−/− mice infected with K. pneumoniae showed a much more remarkable phenotype, including impaired survival and reduced bacterial clearance, histopathology, and TNF-α, IL-6, KC, MIP-2, and LIX expression with almost no neutrophil influx in the lungs. In MyD88−/− mice, K. pneumoniae-induced early NF-κB and MAPK activation in the lungs was also reduced. Furthermore, the role of MyD88 is dominant over TRIF because TRIF/MyD88 double knockout mice displayed a more pronounced phenotype than TRIF−/− mice. Moreover, human alveolar macrophages pretreated with MyD88 blocking peptide showed attenuated TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-8 expression. Also, C57BL/6 mice pretreated with MyD88 blocking peptide exhibited attenuation in K. pneumoniae-induced neutrophil influx and enhanced bacterial burden in the lungs and dissemination. Overall, this investigation provides new insights into the TRIF and MyD88 signaling triggered by pulmonary K. pneumoniae infection in the lungs and demonstrate the therapeutic potential of MyD88 in reducing excessive neutrophil influx in human disease during Gram-negative bacterial pneumonia.
Epigenetic Regulation of TLR4 Gene Expression in Intestinal Epithelial Cells for the Maintenance of Intestinal Homeostasis
Authors: Takahashi Kyoko , Sugi Yutaka , Hosono Akira , Kaminogawa Shuichi
Published: October 2009

Intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) are continuously exposed to large numbers of commensal bacteria but are relatively insensitive to them, thereby averting an excessive inflammatory reaction. In this study, we show that the low responsiveness of human IEC lines to LPS was mainly brought about by a down-regulation of TLR4 gene transcription. Additionally, the presence of an IEC-specific repressor element in the 5′ region of the TLR4 gene and binding of a NF to the element was shown. The transcription factor ZNF160, which was expressed more abundantly in a LPS-low responder IEC line than in a LPS-high responder IEC line, repressed TLR4 gene transcription. ZNF160 is known to interact with the scaffold protein KAP1 via its N terminus to recruit histone deacetylase. Histone deacetylation, as well as DNA methylation, at the 5′ region of the TLR4 gene was significantly higher in LPS-low responder IEC lines than in a monocyte line or a LPS-high responder IEC line. It was demonstrated that TLR4 gene transcription was repressed by these epigenetic regulations, which were, at least in part, dependent on ZNF160. Down-regulaton of TLR4 gene expression by these mechanisms in IECs possibly contributes to the maintainance of homeostasis in the intestinal commensal system.
Expansion of Functionally Skewed CD56-Negative NK Cells in Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection: Correlation with Outcome of Pegylated IFN-α and Ribavirin Treatment
Authors: Gonzalez Veronica D. , Falconer Karolin , Björkström Niklas K. , Blom Kim G. , Weiland Ola , Ljunggren Hans-Gustaf , Alaeus Annette , Sandberg Johan K.
Published: October 2009

NK cells are important innate immune effector cells, normally characterized as CD56+CD3− lymphocytes. In this study, we report that CD56−CD16+ NK cells expand in many patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection. These CD56− NK cells were functionally impaired with respect to cytokine production upon target cell recognition, in comparison to CD56dim and CD56bright NK cell subsets. In particular, CD56− NK cells were strikingly defective in their polyfunctional response as measured by the coexpression of MIP-1β, IFN-γ, TNF-α, and CD107a degranulation. The ability of these cells to mediate three or four of these functions was poor; expression of MIP-1β alone dominated their response. CD56− NK cells retained expression of receptors such as the natural cytotoxicity receptors and NKG2D, whereas the expression of CD57 and perforin was lower when compared with CD56dim NK cells. Interestingly, pretreatment levels of CD56− NK cells correlated with the outcome of pegylated IFN-α and ribavirin treatment. In patients with CD56− NK cells in the range of healthy subjects, 80% reached a sustained virological response to treatment, whereas only 25% of patients with levels clearly above those in healthy subjects experienced a sustained virological response. Thus, chronic hepatitis C virus infection is associated with an expansion of CD56− NK cells functionally skewed toward MIP-1β production only. Furthermore, high levels of these cells reveal a disturbance in innate cellular immunity that is associated with an impaired ability to respond to antiviral treatment with IFN-α and ribavirin.
Activated CD4+ T Cells Dramatically Enhance Chemotherapeutic Tumor Responses In Vitro and In Vivo
Authors: Radfar Soroosh , Wang Yixiang , Khong Hung T.
Published: October 2009

Chemoimmunotherapy has been widely studied in melanoma, with various degrees of success. One of the most common approaches is the so-called biochemotherapy, which is associated with increased toxicities, but without overall survival benefit. Another conventional strategy is the use of chemotherapy as an immunomodulator to enhance the effect of cancer vaccines or adoptive cell transfer therapy. Based on this approach, recent studies using chemotherapy to prepare the host before the infusion of ex vivo-activated, melanoma Ag-specific tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and high dose IL-2 resulted in an impressive response rate. However, the development of immunotherapy for the treatment of a broad range of cancer type is still lacking. In this study, we report the development of a simple yet universal approach termed “chemocentric chemoimmunotherapy” that has potential application in the treatment of all cancer types. This technique uses nonspecifically activated CD4+ T cells as a chemosensitizer before the administration of chemotherapy. Dramatic enhancement of the cytotoxic effect of chemotherapeutic drugs, either active or nonactive as single agents, was observed both in in vitro and in vivo human tumor xenograft models. Soluble factors secreted from activated CD4+ T cells, likely acting on the tumor and its microenvironment, were responsible for the observed effect. Although IFN-γ played a major role in the therapeutic outcome, it was consistently found to be inferior to the use of activated CD4+ T cells in tumor chemosensitization. Our model may provide a plausible mechanism to facilitate further understanding, design and development of improved chemoimmunotherapy in the treatment of cancer.
Immunomodulatory Activity of Oenothein B Isolated from Epilobium angustifolium
Authors: Schepetkin Igor A. , Kirpotina Liliya N. , Jakiw Larissa , Khlebnikov Andrei I. , Blaskovich Christie L. , Jutila Mark A. , Quinn Mark T.
Published: October 2009

Epilobium angustifolium has been traditionally used to treat of a number of diseases; however, not much is known regarding its effect on innate immune cells. In this study, we report that extracts of E. angustifolium activated functional responses in neutrophils and monocyte/macrophages. Activity-guided fractionation, followed by mass spectroscopy and NMR analysis, resulted in the identification of oenothein B as the primary component responsible for phagocyte activation. Oenothein B, a dimeric hydrolysable tannin, dose-dependently induced a number of phagocyte functions in vitro, including intracellular Ca2+ flux, production of reactive oxygen species, chemotaxis, NF-κB activation, and proinflammatory cytokine production. Furthermore, oenothein B was active in vivo, inducing keratinocyte chemoattractant production and neutrophil recruitment to the peritoneum after intraperitoneal administration. Biological activity required the full oenothein B structure, as substructures of oenothein B (pyrocatechol, gallic acid, pyrogallol, 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid) were all inactive. The ability of oenothein B to modulate phagocyte functions in vitro and in vivo suggests that this compound is responsible for at least part of the therapeutic properties of E. angustifolium extracts.
Could mindfulness decrease anger, hostility, and aggression by decreasing rumination?
Authors: Borders Ashley , Earleywine Mitch , Jajodia Archana
Published: October 2009

Research suggests that rumination increases anger and aggression. Mindfulness, or present‐focused and intentional awareness, may counteract rumination. Using structural equation modeling, we examined the relations between mindfulness, rumination, and aggression. In a pair of studies, we found a pattern of correlations consistent with rumination partially mediating a causal link between mindfulness and hostility, anger, and verbal aggression. The pattern was not consistent with rumination mediating the association between mindfulness and physical aggression. Although it is impossible with the current nonexperimental data to test causal mediation, these correlations support the idea that mindfulness could reduce rumination, which in turn could reduce aggression. These results suggest that longitudinal work and experimental manipulations mindfulness would be worthwhile approaches for further study of rumination and aggression. We discuss possible implications of these results. Aggr. Behav. 36:28–44, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ruthenium Catalysts for Controlled Mono‐ and Bis‐Allylation of Active Methylene Compounds with Aliphatic Allylic Substrates
Authors: Zhang Hui‐Jun , Demerseman Bernard , Xi Zhenfeng , Bruneau Christian
Published: October 2009

The allylation of 1,3‐dicarbonyl compounds and malononitrile with aliphatic allylic substrates is achieved under mild conditions in the presence of new ruthenium catalysts. The ruthenium complex [Ru(C5Me5)(2‐quinolinecarboxylato)(CH2CHCH‐n‐Pr)] [BF4] as a precatalyst, allows the synthesis of mono‐allylated branched derivatives. On the other hand, the parent complex [Ru(C5Me5)(MeCN)3] [PF6] as a precatalyst, straightforwardly favours the bis‐allylation of the procarbonucleophiles leading to bis‐allylated bis‐linear products. The involvement of the two precatalysts provides a sequential synthesis of unsymmetrical mixed linear‐branched bis‐allylated derivatives.
Screening Xanthene Dyes for Visible Light‐Driven Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Regeneration and Photoenzymatic Synthesis
Authors: Lee Sahng Ha , Nam Dong Heon , Park Chan Beum
Published: October 2009

Regeneration of the nicotinamide cofactor is a critical issue in biocatalysis. Herein we have screened xanthene dyes for a highly efficient, visible light‐driven photochemical regeneration of cofactors and enzymatic synthesis. Superior catalytic performance was observed with several xanthene dyes such as phloxine B, erythrosine B, eosin Y, and rose bengal. We found that the photo‐ and electrochemical properties of the xanthene dyes were affected by the halogen atom substitution, which is a key factor in the efficient light‐induced electron transfer from the donor molecule to the catalytic mediator.
Stochastic modeling of particle motion along a sliding conveyor
Authors: Cronin Kevin , Catak Muammer , Dempsey Sean , Ollagnier Remi
Published: October 2009

The sliding conveyor consists of a plane surface, known as the track, along which particles are induced to move by vibrating the bed sinusoidal with respect to time. The forces on the particle include gravity, bed reaction force and friction. Because friction coefficients are inherently variable, particle motion along the bed is erratic and unpredictable. A deterministic model of particle motion (where friction is considered to be known and invariant) is selected and its output validated by experiment. Two probabilistic solution techniques are developed and applied to the deterministic model, in order to account for the randomness that is present. The two methods consider particle displacement to be represented by discrete time and continuous time random processes, respectively, and permits analytical solutions for mean and variance in displacement versus time to be found. These are compared with experimental measurements of particle motion. Ultimately this analysis can be employed to calculate residence‐time distributions for such items of process equipment. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2010