bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Leptin on Peritoneal Macrophages of Patients with Endometriosis
Authors: Wu Meng‐Hsing , Huang Mei‐Feng , Chang Fong‐Ming , Tsai Shaw‐Jenq
Published: December 2009

Citation Wu M‐H, Huang M‐F, Chang F‐M, Tsai S‐J. Leptin on peritoneal macrophages of patients with endometriosis. Am J Reprod Immunol 2010; 63: 214–221

Problem  The expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)‐2 is considered as a marker of macrophage activation and has been implicated in the development of endometriosis. Leptin is an immunomodulator, which may also affect the development of endometriosis. However, how leptin contributes to these pathological processes has not been completely understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of leptin on peritoneal macrophages and its relationship with endometriosis.

Methods of study  Peritoneal fluid from 60 women of reproductive age was obtained while they underwent laparoscopy. Forty patients had endometriosis and 20 patients did not have endometriosis. The concentration of leptin in the peritoneal fluid and prostaglandin F2α levels was measured by ELISA, and the other protein expression using Western blot when peritoneal macrophages were stimulated with leptin.

Results  Concentration of leptin in peritoneal fluid was increased in patients with endometriosis compared with disease‐free normal control. Functional leptin receptor was present in peritoneal macrophages. Treatment of peritoneal macrophages with leptin induced COX‐2 expression. Production of prostaglandin F2α by peritoneal macrophages was increased after leptin stimulation in women with endometriosis.

Conclusion  Elevated concentration of leptin in peritoneal fluid may contribute to the pathological process of endometriosis through activation of peritoneal macrophages.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Role of Inflammatory Cytokines and eNOS Gene Polymorphism in Pathophysiology of Pre‐Eclampsia
Authors: Singh Archana , Sharma Deepika , Raghunandan Chitra , Bhattacharjee Jayashree
Published: December 2009

Citation Singh A, Sharma D, Raghunandan C, Bhattacharjee J. Role of inflammatory cytokines and eNOS gene polymorphism in pathophysiology of pre‐eclampsia. Am J Reprod Immunol 2010; 63: 244–251

Problem  Pre‐eclampsia involves endothelial vascular dysfunction. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that (i) endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase Glu298Asp gene polymorphism limits constitutive NO production causing endothelial dysfunction and (ii) inflammatory cytokines impairs endothelium dependent relaxation in pre‐eclampsia.

Method of study  This cross‐sectional study included 50 women with pre‐eclampsia and 50 healthy pregnant women. Their blood samples were analyzed for NO, inflammatory cytokines and endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) gene polymorphism.

Result  Decreased NO levels whereas increased tumor necrosis factor‐α, interleukin (IL)‐6 and interleukin‐2 were found in pre‐eclampsia (P < 0.001). No significant differences were found in genotype/allele distribution between two groups. Significant negative correlation was observed between NO and IL‐6 in pre‐eclamptic group (P = 0.001).

Conclusion  An IL‐6‐mediated endothelium dependent NO‐cyclic guanine monophosphate‐mediated relaxation pathway may be inhibited in systemic vessels in pre‐eclampsia. As observed in this study Glu298Asp eNOS gene polymorphism did not showed significant association with pre‐eclampsia.
OPINION: Some Severe Maternal Diseases Might be Caused by Fetal‐Versus‐Maternal Disease (FVMD)
Authors: Yan Lei , Zuo Changting , Wei Deying , Zhao Xingbo
Published: December 2009

Citation Yan L, Zuo C, Wei D, Zhao X. Some severe maternal diseases might be caused by fetal‐versus‐maternal disease (FVMD). Am J Reprod Immunol 2010; 63: 189–192

Pregnancy‐related disease is a common challenging clinical problem. From our review and clinical experience, we hypothesize that many severe pregnancy‐related complications might be caused by a fetal‐versus‐maternal disease (FVMD), based on the fact that maternal disease is related to immunity and that fetal cells are present in maternal blood. Fetus is a semi‐antigen and can be considered as a tumor or graft. The pathophysiology of FVMD must be complex. We speculate it to be a three‐step process: impaired maternal immunological function, fetal T‐cell activation and injury of target organs. More experiments and research will be needed to prove our hypothesis.
Fluoxetine Induces Apoptosis in Ovarian Carcinoma Cell Line OVCAR‐3 Through Reactive Oxygen Species‐Dependent Activation of Nuclear Factor‐κB
Authors: Lee Chung Soo , Kim Yun Jeong , Jang Eun Ra , Kim Wonyong , Myung Soon Chul
Published: December 2009

Abstract:  The apoptotic effect of fluoxetine (FLX), an antidepressant, against human epithelial ovarian cancer cell lines OVCAR‐3 and SK‐OV‐3 was investigated in relation to the mitochondria‐mediated cell death process and nuclear factor (NF)‐κB activation. FLX‐induced mitochondrial membrane permeability change and formation of reactive oxygen species, leading to cell death. FLX‐induced increase in mitochondrial Bax levels, decrease in cytosolic Bid and Bcl‐2 levels, loss of the mitochondrial transmembrane potential, cytochrome c release, caspase‐3 activation and up‐regulation of p53. Oxidant scavengers and Bay 11‐7085 [an inhibitor of nuclear factor kappaB (NF‐κB) activation] prevented the FLX‐induced cell death, increase in phosphorylated inhibitory κB‐α and NF‐κB p65 levels, and binding of NF‐κB p65 to DNA. Results from this study suggest that FLX may exhibit apoptotic effect against ovarian cancer cell lines by inducing the mitochondrial membrane permeability change, which leads to cytochrome c release and subsequent caspase‐3 activation, through reactive oxygen species‐dependent activation of NF‐κB.
On Setting the First Dose in Man: Quantitating Biotherapeutic Drug‐Target Binding through Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Models
Authors: Lowe Philip J. , Tannenbaum Stacey , Wu Kai , Lloyd Peter , Sims Jennifer
Published: December 2009

Abstract:  Although the three (perhaps four) phases of clinical drug development are well known, it is relatively unappreciated that there are similar phases in pre‐clinical development. These consist of ‘Phase I’ the initial, normally Research Discovery driven pharmacology; ‘Phase II’ non‐good laboratory practice (GLP) dose range finding, followed by pivotal ‘Phase III’ GLP toxicology. Together with an array of in vitro experiments comparing species, these stages should enable an integrated safety assessment prior to entry into man, documenting to investigators and authorities evidence that the new pharmaceutic is unlikely to cause harm. Following the lessons learned from TeGenero TGN1412 and subsequent updates to regulatory guidelines, there are aspects peculiar to biotherapeutics, especially those that target key body systems, where calculations could be made for doses for human studies using pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic models. Two of these are exemplified in this paper. In the first, target‐mediated drug disposition, where the binding of the drug to a cellular target quantitatively affects the pharmacokinetics, enables occupancy to be estimated without recourse to independent assays. In the second, assaying captured soluble target, as drug‐target complexes, allows estimation of the concentration of the free ligand ensuring that in initial clinical studies, soluble targets are not overly suppressed. To support this methodology, it has been demonstrated using omalizumab, free and total IgE data that such analyses do predict the suppression of the free unbound ligand with reasonable accuracy. Overall, the objective of the process is to deliver a justification, through consideration of drug‐target binding, of a safe starting and therapeutically relevant escalation doses for human studies.
Pharmacodynamic Effects of Haematopoietic Cytokines: The View of a Clinical Oncologist
Authors: Held Thomas K. , Gundert‐Remy Ursula
Published: December 2009

Abstract:  The production of haematopoietic cells is under the tight control of a group of haematopoietic cytokines. Each cytokine has multiple actions mediated by receptors whose cytoplasmic domains contain specialized regions initiating survival, proliferation, differentiation commitment, maturation and functional activation. Granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF), erythropoietin (EPO), and thrombopoiesis‐stimulating agents are in routine clinical use to stimulate cell production and in total have been used in the management of many millions of patients. G‐CSF regulates neutrophil production to maintain blood neutrophil counts in the normal range. G‐CSF is used to prevent febrile neutropenia or to increase dose‐density in chemotherapy regimens. Despite consistently showing a shorter duration of neutropenia, multiple prospective randomized trials have documented only modest clinical benefit. A clinical advantage of dose‐dense chemotherapy has been shown only in specific chemotherapy regimens. Professional recommendations tailor the use of CSFs to patients with a high risk of adverse outcome of febrile neutropenia. EPO was used to prevent anaemia requiring red blood cell transfusion. However, recent studies strongly suggest a negative overall effect on mortality, without a plausible biological explanation. It is now proposed that its use should be restricted to patients in clinical trials. Thrombopoiesis‐stimulating agents have only been recently introduced into the market for splenectomized and non‐splenectomized patients with immune thrombocytopenic purpura, a rare disease. Before widely used in other conditions such as chemotherapy‐induced thrombocytopenia, the lessons learned from the example of G‐CSF and EPO should be taken seriously.
Effect of Isaria fumosoroseus on mortality and fecundity of Bemisia tabaci and Plutella xylostella
Authors: Huang Zhen , Ali Shaukat , Ren Shun‐Xiang , Wu Jian‐Hui
Published: December 2009

Abstract  Entomopathogenic fungi have been used recently for the management of whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) and diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella). In previous studies, Isaria fumosoroseus has shown some potential to control these insect pests. In this paper, the effects of I. fumosoroseus (strain PF01‐N4) on the mortality, fecundity and other life table parameters were observed under laboratory conditions. As a first step, the susceptibility of second instars of B. tabaci and P. xylostella was examined in dose‐response experiments, which was followed by the studies on the effect of I. fumosoroseus on reproduction. Both B. tabaci and P. xylostella, were susceptible to I. fumosoroseus having median lethal concentration values of 1.10 × 104 and 0.48 × 104 conidia/mL after 12 and 11 days treatment, respectively. The fungal infection significantly reduced the longevity and fecundity of B. tabaci. At 1 × 107 conidia/mL, a minimum average longevity of 9 days was observed as compared to 16.3 days for the control. Similar results were also observed in P. xylostella with an average longevity of 5.6 days as compared to 17.68 days in the control. In case of reproduction, the number of progeny produced by B. tabaci and P. xylostella decreased with an increase in conidial concentration, with the average values of 83.67 and 26.85, 10.92 and 225.51, 112.08 and 31.02 eggs/female for control, 1 × 104 and 1 × 107 conidial/mL, respectively. There was a significant effect of I. fumosoroseus on intrinsic rate of natural increase.
Life cycle and nymphal feeding of Besdolus ravizzarum (Plecoptera: Perlodidae), a threatened stonefly
Authors: Fenoglio Stefano , Bo Tiziano , López‐Rodríguez Manuel Jesús , Tierno de Figueroa José Manuel
Published: December 2009

Abstract  We have studied some aspects of Besdolus ravizzarum biology in the Apennines. This stonefly has a very localized distribution in southeastern France and northern Italy. This species is considered threatened. For this reason it is especially relevant to improve knowledge about its natural history, previously unknown. Despite the large size of nymphs, this species shows a univoltine life cycle. The growth is slow but uniform from October to April or May when the short flight period occurs. The analysis of the gut contents indicates this species is a predator, feeding mainly on Baetidae and Chironomidae. It is notable that the development of this carnivorous species through cold periods coincides with the season with higher richness and density of potential prey in Apennine streams. Further studies are needed to improve knowledge of the distribution of the species and to start planning effective conservation efforts.
Influence of age at mating on the reproductive performance of Parthenium beetle, Zygogramma bicolorata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)
Authors: Omkar  , Pandey Pooja , Rastogi Shruti , Mishra Geetanjali
Published: December 2009

Abstract  Age‐specific mating incidence, sexual maturation and effect of age at mating on reproductive performance of the Parthenium beetle, Zygogramma bicolorata Pallister, was studied. Based on 50% mating incidence the calculated age of sexual maturation of males and females was 10.5 and 11.1 days, respectively, which was not statistically significant. However, on the basis of age at first mating, that is, sexual maturity, females matured 2 days earlier than males. Fecundity, pre‐oviposition, oviposition and post‐oviposition period and female longevity appear to be influenced by female age at mating with reproductive performance peaking at 30 days. On the other hand, egg viability was influenced by male age and was highest when males mated at the age of 40 days. To summarise, egg production and timing of egg deposition was female age‐dependent, whereas egg fertility was male age‐dependent. It was also observed that females mated at a later age and laid a higher number of eggs immediately after mating than did earlier mated females. This was ostensibly in a bid to increase fitness by maximizing reproductive output in the reduced life span available. This is the first investigation on the effect of age of females at mating on reproduction in this beetle.
EFFECT OF POST PACKAGE REHEATING ON THE QUALITY OF HURDLE TREATED PORK SAUSAGES AT AMBIENT TEMPERATURE (37 ± 1C) STORAGE
Authors: THOMAS R. , ANJANEYULU A.S.R. , KONDAIAH N.
Published: December 2009

The study was aimed at optimizing the post package reheating (pasteurization) hurdle for processing shelf stable pork sausages. The temperatures evaluated were 80, 90 and 100C. Reheating resulted in an increase in pH, which was slight at 80C while significant (P < 0.05) at 90 and 100C. Moisture and fat contents decreased significantly while protein content increased significantly with increase in reheating temperature. Reheating of the sausages up to 90C significantly improved their hardness and shear force values. Reheating to 90 and 100C increased the redness (a‐values) and decreased yellowness (b‐values) of the sausages. Despite a lower initial value, the pH of the control sausages increased by 0.3 units on day 3 of storage, while that of reheated samples showed only a slight increase (0.04–0.05 units). About 10 times increase (0.05–0.50) in thiobarbituric acid reacting substances values observed for control sausages during 3 days storage at ambient temperature (37 ± 1C) while the increase in reheated samples was significantly (P < 0.01) lower. Total plate counts reached about 7 log cfu/g on day 3 of storage in control sausages, but it took about 9 days and 12 days, respectively, for those reheated to 80 and 90C and 100C. Post package reheating of pork sausages resulted in initial reduction in most of the sensory attributes, but helped to maintain these attributes for longer time during storage at 37 ± 1C and the sausages subjected to 90C maintained higher overall acceptability compared to other treatments throughout the storage period of 12 days.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Development of a meat product that could be stored at ambient temperature will save the expenses on refrigeration energy and cooler space requirement which is of importance in developing countries, where electricity is a major problem. Further, the successfully evolved process can be tried for developing different shelf stable meat products with other meats.
MOLECULAR AND BIOLOGICAL FACTORS AFFECTING SKELETAL MUSCLE CELLS AFTER SLAUGHTERING AND THEIR IMPACT ON MEAT QUALITY: A MINI‐REVIEW
Authors: MOHANTY T.R. , PARK K.M. , PRAMOD A.B. , KIM J.H. , CHOE H.S. , HWANG I.H.
Published: December 2009

The postmortem factors like rate of glycolysis and muscle shortening have a major role on meat characteristics and these have been efficiently manipulated by methods like chilling regime, electrical stimulation and different hanging. These methods have been optimized with time leaving a little scope for further improvement. During the harvesting process of meat there is a generalized cell death often referred to as necrosis or apoptosis. This process of cell death has been well studied with respect to various physiological functions in vivo but its role in postmortem meat quality has received little attention. It is mainly regulated by caspases and also probably by calpains, cathepsins, proteasomes, lysosomal enzymes and other molecules, antioxidants and stress proteins. The term apoptosis appears to be more appropriate as evident by involvement of the enzyme systems and cell shrinkage. Further, examination of postmortem events effecting meat quality and correlating them to understand the cell death process may reveal the possible involvement of both apoptosis and necrosis processes, one preceding the other. This manuscript is an attempt to review the apoptotic process of various cell lines and possible implication for muscle cells after slaughter and meat quality control.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Understanding the intricate biochemical mechanisms governing cell death processes after slaughter may help us provide better solutions for pre‐slaughter animal handling and postslaughter interventions to manage meat toughness. Investigations on these tracks would distinguish muscle cell death processes after slaughter from apoptosis or necrosis, and consequently may lead to enhanced technological meat quality as available literature suggests that a number of molecules such as caspase family are likely to be involved in cell death process after slaughter and also in meat tenderization.
EFFECTS OF pH, LACTATE CATION (K, Na, Ca), AND LACTATE ION CONCENTRATION ON IN VITRO METMYOGLOBIN‐REDUCING ACTIVITY
Authors: HUTCHISON S. , SEYFERT M. , HUNT M.C. , HIGGINS J.J.
Published: December 2009

Lactic acid salts with three different cations (K, Na, Ca) were investigated at three lactate (L) concentrations (0.1, 0.3 and 0.6 M) to evaluate in vitro metmyoglobin‐reducing activity (MRA) at three pH levels (5.7, 6.4 and 7.4). All lactates generated MRA at normal meat pH (5.7), with greater MRA at pH 7.4 than at both pH 6.4 and 5.7 (P < 0.05). No consistent differences were noted among lactates for generating MRA, except at pH 7.4 where CaL was greatest (P < 0.05). At pH 6.4 and 7.4, MRA increased (P < 0.05) as lactate concentration increased. This study provides evidence that lactate oxidation at postmortem muscle pH generates reducing equivalents and that addition of CaL, NaL or KL should increase MRA and color stability.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Lactate products are commonly used by the meat industry for microbial control, specifically of Listeria monocytogenes. Previous research has shown lactates to increase meat color stability as well. This research examines whether lactate products, with three different cations, can generate metmyoglobin‐reducing activity (MRA) to a similar extent. Results of this study indicate that the three lactates increase MRA in vitro, even at postmortem meat pH (5.7). These data should lead to further testing of lactate products in both fresh and processed meat systems in different packaging formats, which would add additional information to meat processors' decision‐making process.
EFFECTS OF ENHANCEMENT SOLUTION RECYCLING ON MICROBIOLOGICAL QUALITY OF BEEF STRIP LOINS
Authors: PAULSON D.D. , WICKLUND R.A. , ROJAS M.C. , BREWER M.S.
Published: December 2009

The objective of this study was to determine whether recycling of the enhancement solution would increase the microbial load in the solution and in enhanced steaks, and whether sodium lactate (SL) or a sodium lactate/diacetate mixture would counteract this microbial buildup. Strip loins were cut into 7.5‐cm‐thick strip steaks, then inoculated with 104 cfu/mL Escherichia coli K12. Five steaks were injected to 110% over initial weight with each of three enhancement solutions: 0.4% salt + 0.4% phosphate (C; control), salt + phosphate + 3% SL or salt + phosphate + SL + 0.25% sodium diacetate. After injection, the enhancement solution runoff from the steaks was returned to the feed tank, and the injection process was repeated three more times recycling the solution each time. Total plate counts (TPCs) and coliform counts were determined on the enhancement solution runoff from the steaks, the enhancement solution in the feed tank and the enhanced steaks. Shelf life‐enhancing ingredients had no inhibitory effects on the initial TPCs when compared with the control. The enhancement solution feed tank had significantly more total bacteria after each recycling round than during the previous recycling round.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Total plate counts (TPCs) in steaks were affected by both enhancement solution ingredients and by the number of times the enhancement solution was recycled. Steaks had higher TPCs after the solution had been recycled two or three times than prior to recycling or after the solution was recycled once. Steaks enhanced with the salt + phosphate (no shelf life enhancers) solution had higher TPCs than those enhanced with the solutions containing sodium lactate and sodium lactate/sodium diacetate. Using shelf life enhancers in enhancement solutions had positive effects on plate counts. Recycling, possibly because of microbial dilution, did not appear to result in buildup of microbes.
A rapid column‐based ancient DNA extraction method for increased sample throughput
Authors: ROHLAND NADIN , SIEDEL HEIKE , HOFREITER MICHAEL
Published: December 2009

Genetic analyses using museum specimens and ancient DNA from fossil samples are becoming increasingly important in phylogenetic and especially population genetic studies. Recent progress in ancient DNA sequencing technologies has substantially increased DNA sequence yields and, in combination with barcoding methods, has enabled large‐scale studies using any type of DNA. Moreover, more and more studies now use nuclear DNA sequences in addition to mitochondrial ones. Unfortunately, nuclear DNA is, due to its much lower copy number in living cells compared to mitochondrial DNA, much more difficult to obtain from low‐quality samples. Therefore, a DNA extraction method that optimizes DNA yields from low‐quality samples and at the same time allows processing many samples within a short time frame is immediately required. In fact, the major bottleneck in the analysis process using samples containing low amounts of degraded DNA now lies in the extraction of samples, as column‐based methods using commercial kits are fast but have proven to give very low yields, while more efficient methods are generally very time‐consuming. Here, we present a method that combines the high DNA yield of batch‐based silica extraction with the time‐efficiency of column‐based methods. Our results on Pleistocene cave bear samples show that DNA yields are quantitatively comparable, and in fact even slightly better than with silica batch extraction, while at the same time the number of samples that can conveniently be processed in parallel increases and both bench time and costs decrease using this method. Thus, this method is suited for harvesting the power of high‐throughput sequencing using the DNA preserved in the millions of paleontological and museums specimens.
Genetic barcoding of commercial Bêche‐de‐mer species (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea)
Authors: UTHICKE SVEN , BYRNE MARIA , CONAND CHANTAL
Published: December 2009

There are more than 47 species of holothurians used for bêche‐de‐mer production, many of which are locally overfished. With three exceptions, all bêche‐de‐mer species are Aspidochirotida and species identification of many of these is difficult. We analysed available genetic information and newly generated sequences to determine if genetic barcoding with the mitochondrial COI gene can be used to identify bêche‐de‐mer species. Although genetic data were available for ∼50% of bêche‐de‐mer species, sufficient information and within‐species replication were only available for six species. We generated 96 new COI sequences extending the existing database to cover most common species. COI unambiguously identified most bêche‐de‐mer species providing a genetic barcode for the identification of known species. In addition, conspecific (1.3%) variation and congeneric (16.9%) divergence were well separated (‘barcoding‐gap’) albeit with a small overlap, which may lead to some error if genetic sampling alone was applied for species discovery. In addition to identification of adults, COI sequences were useful to identify juveniles that are often morphologically different. Sequence data showed that large (deep) and small (shallow) morphotypes of Holothuria atra are the same species, but suggested potential cryptic species within this taxon. For bêche‐de‐mer, the COI barcode proved useful in species clarification and discovery, but further genetic and taxonomic work is essential for several species. Some bêche‐de‐mer clades were problematic with morphologically disparate specimens sharing the same barcode. Our study indicated the presence of undescribed species (Bohadschia sp.) and species that constitute separate species in the Indian and Pacific Ocean (e.g. Holothuria fuscogilva).
Current experiences with robotic surgery at Severance Hospital, Yonsei University in Korea
Authors: Lee WJ , Hyung WJ , Chung WY , Rha KH , Kim YT , Song HJ , Lee YA , Chi HS
Published: December 2009

We started performing laparoscopic cholecystectomies in 1991. Since that time, many surgeons have been trained in laparoscopic and minimally invasive surgery, and laparoscopic surgery has been used in numerous procedures, with patients benefitting as a result.

We performed the first automated surgery in Korea using Automated Endoscopic System for Optimal Positioning in June 1996. Inspired by Inbae Yoon and assisted by his generous donation, our hospital started the IB Yoon Multi‐Specialty Endoscopic Research & Training Center in 1998. Subsequently in March 2005, we started the Severance Robotic and Minimally Invasive Surgery Center. The establishment of these centers has enabled us to widen the use of laparoscopic surgery and to teach many surgeons the principles of and the techniques involved in laparoscopic and robotic surgery.

We performed our first robotic surgery using the da Vinci Surgical System in July 2005. In the 4 years since introducing the da Vinci Surgical System, we have successfully performed more than 2600 robotic surgical procedures. As the collaboration between medicine and robotic engineering produces more technically advanced results, we hopefully can develop our own version of the robotic system in the near future.
The Effect of Earnings‐Based Metrics on Vertical Efficiency
Authors: Arya Anil , Mittendorf Brian
Published: December 2009

The tendency to rely on accounting earnings as the primary metric of corporate performance has been subject to criticism in recent times. A key concern is that earnings misrepresent changes in value in that cash outlays occur upfront but expenses are recognized only over time. While recognized expenses indeed add up to the initial cash outflow, the equality holds only in undiscounted (nominal), not discounted (real), terms. Accordingly, corporate earnings figures suffer from a form of money illusion. In this paper, we demonstrate that such money illusion can have an upside when it is present in vertical relationships subject to self‐interest. In particular, a buyer who focuses on earnings has incentives to increase purchases since it does not immediately encounter the full cost of cash outflows. These added incentives can promote more efficient trade. We also show that the increased incentives to buy can also lead to Pareto improvements by spurring the supplier to invest more in developing technology. Finally, we demonstrate that judiciously chosen inventory valuation rules can lead to efficient supply chain outcomes. Thus, efficiency can be achieved when supply chain parties freely trade and regulators specify only the accounting rules under which they operate.
Lowest Cost May Not Lower Total Cost: Using “Spackling” to Smooth Mass‐Customized Production
Authors: Cattani Kyle D. , Dahan Ely , Schmidt Glen M.
Published: December 2009

Consider a manufacturer who mass customizes variants of a product in make‐to‐order fashion, and also produces standard variants as make‐to‐stock. A traditional manufacturing strategy would be to employ two separate manufacturing facilities: a flexible plant for mass‐customized items and an efficient plant for standard items. We contrast this traditional focus strategy with an alternative that better utilizes capacity by combining production of mass‐customized and standard items in one of two alternate spackling strategies: (1) a pure‐spackling strategy, where the manufacturer produces everything in a (single) flexible plant, first manufacturing custom products as demanded each period, and then filling in the production schedule with make‐to‐stock output of standard products; or (2) a layered‐spackling strategy, which uses an efficient plant to make a portion of its standard items and a separate flexible plant where it spackles. We identify the optimal production strategy considering the tradeoff between the cost premium for flexible (versus efficient) production capacity and the opportunity costs of idle capacity. Spackling amortizes fixed costs of capacity more effectively and thus can increase profits from mass customization vis‐à‐vis a focus strategy, even with higher cost production for the standard goods. We illustrate our framework with data from a messenger bag manufacturer.
Crystallinity and resistivity of ZnO thin films with indium implantation and postannealing
Authors: Matsuda Tokiyoshi , Furuta Mamoru , Hiramatsu Takahiro , Furuta Hiroshi , Hirao Takashi
Published: December 2009

Ion implantation experiments of indium (In) into sputter-deposited undoped ZnO films were carried out to control the resistivity for n+-ZnO layers of electronic device. Improvement of ZnO crystallinity after the ion implantation was revealed by x-ray diffraction patterns including a shift of lattice parameter, enhancement of peak intensity, and a decrease in full width at half maximum in 2θ. In-implanted ZnO crystallinity was greatly improved compared to results of the Ga and Al-implanted ZnO experiments. The resistivity of 1×1016ions∕cm2 implanted ZnO film was decreased with over 11 orders of magnitude to 5.1×10−2Ωcm with postimplantation annealing at 400°C. The ratio of resistivity between unimplanted ZnO and In-implanted one at 1×1015ions∕cm2 was seven orders of magnitude after annealing at 300°C. The In-implanted ZnO would be suitable for fabricating source and drain regions of ZnO thin film transistors.
“SensArray” voltage sensor analysis in an inductively coupled plasma
Authors: Titus M. J. , Hsu C. C. , Graves D. B.
Published: December 2009

A commercially manufactured PlasmaVolt™ sensor wafer was studied in an inductively coupled plasma reactor in an effort to validate sensor measurements. A pure Ar plasma at various powers (25–420W), for a range of pressures (10–80mT), and bias voltages (0–250V) was utilized. A numerical sheath simulation was simultaneously developed in order to interpret experimental results. It was found that PlasmaVolt™ sensor measurements are proportional to the rf-current through the sheath. Under conditions such that the sheath impedance is dominantly capacitive, sensor measurements follow a scaling law derived from the inhomogeneous sheath model of Lieberman and Lichtenberg, [Principles of Plasma Discharges and Materials Processing (Wiley, New York, 2005)]. Under these conditions, sensor measurements are proportional to the square root of the plasma density at the plasma-sheath interface, the one-fourth root of the electron temperature, and the one-fourth root of the rf bias voltage. When the sheath impedance becomes increasingly resistive, the sensor measurements deviate from the scaling law and tend to be directly proportional to the plasma density. The measurements and numerical sheath simulation demonstrate the scaling behavior as a function of changing sheath impedance for various plasma conditions.
Influences of sulfur segregation to permeability in Pd-D2 permeation system
Authors: Gao J. S. , Hioki T. , Takahashi N. , Motohiro T.
Published: December 2009

The influence of segregated sulfur on palladium permeability was investigated using deuterium permeation through palladium membrane, which was pretreated by annealing in vacuum and/or in air. It has been found that the palladium membrane is almost impermeable after vacuum annealing, while it is permeable after air annealing. A combination of vacuum annealing of a Pd membrane followed by annealing in air leads to better and more stable D2 permeation because S has been depleted from the Pd bulk. In fact, cleaning S from Pd in spell out (UHV) normally proceeds via cycles of high T annealing to drive S to the surface, followed by burning off the S as SO2 by heating in an O2 environment. The results in this study well demonstrate the influence of sulfur on the deuterium-permeation rate and on the behavior of sulfur segregation from Pd bulk to the surface.
Position of segregated Al atoms and the work function: Experimental low energy electron diffraction intensity analysis and first-principles calculation of the (√3×√3)R30° superlattice phase on the (111) surface of a Cu–9at.%Al alloy
Authors: Yoshitake M. , Karas I. , Houfek J. , Madeswaran S. , Song W. , Matolín V.
Published: December 2009

The position of segregated Al atoms in the ordered (√3×√3)R30° superlattice phase on the (111) surface of a Cu–9at.%Al alloy was precisely determined by tensor low energy electron diffraction (LEED) analysis. Work function values of the superlattice phase, the alloy without Al segregation, and Cu (111) were measured and compared. Both the position of segregated Al atoms and the work function values were computed using first-principles calculations. The conclusion from the tensor LEED analysis that the segregated Al atoms, occupying substitutional positions in bulklike lattice sites within the top layer, were located outward by 6% with respect to the plane of the top layer Cu agreed well with the calculations. The results that the work function of the alloy surface with substitutional Al segregation was very close to that without Al segregation were obtained from both the experiments and the calculations. The effect of segregation of atoms and the position of segregants on the work function value was also discussed.
Assessing Niche Separation among Coexisting
Limnohabitans
Strains through Interactions with a Competitor, Viruses, and a Bacterivore
Authors: Šimek Karel , Kasalický Vojtěch , Horňák Karel , Hahn Martin W. , Weinbauer Markus G.
Published: December 2009

We investigated potential niche separation in two closely related (99.1% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity) syntopic bacterial strains affiliated with the R-BT065 cluster, which represents a subgroup of the genus
Limnohabitans
. The two strains, designated B4 and D5, were isolated concurrently from a freshwater reservoir. Differences between the strains were examined through monitoring interactions with a bacterial competitor,
Flectobacillus
sp. (FL), and virus- and predator-induced mortality. Batch-type cocultures, designated B4+FL and D5+FL, were initiated with a similar biomass ratio among the strains. The proportion of each cell type present in the cocultures was monitored based on clear differences in cell sizes. Following exponential growth for 28 h, the cocultures were amended by the addition of two different concentrations of live or heat-inactivated viruses concentrated from the reservoir. Half of virus-amended treatments were inoculated immediately with an axenic flagellate predator,
Poterioochromonas
sp. The presence of the predator, of live viruses, and of competition between the strains significantly affected their population dynamics in the experimentally manipulated treatments. While strains B4 and FL appeared vulnerable to environmental viruses, strain D5 did not. Predator-induced mortality had the greatest impact on FL, followed by that on D5 and then B4. The virus-vulnerable B4 strain had smaller cells and lower biomass yield, but it was less subject to grazing. In contrast, the seemingly virus-resistant D5, with slightly larger grazing-vulnerable cells, was competitive with FL. Overall, our data suggest contrasting ecophysiological capabilities and partial niche separation in two coexisting
Limnohabitans
strains.
OPEN BOOK DECOMPOSITIONS OF LINKS OF SIMPLE SURFACE SINGULARITIES
Authors: BHUPAL MOHAN
Published: December 2009

We describe open book decompositions of links of simple surface singularities that support the corresponding unique Milnor fillable contact structures. The open books we describe are isotopic to Milnor open books.
SPSM: A NEW HYBRID DATA CLUSTERING ALGORITHM FOR NONLINEAR DATA ANALYSIS
Authors: WATTANACHON UREERAT , LURSINSAP CHIDCHANOK
Published: December 2009

Existing clustering algorithms, such as single-link clustering, k-means, CURE, and CSM are designed to find clusters based on predefined parameters specified by users. These algorithms may be unsuccessful if the choice of parameters is inappropriate with respect to the data set being clustered. Most of these algorithms work very well for compact and hyper-spherical clusters. In this paper, a new hybrid clustering algorithm called Self-Partition and Self-Merging (SPSM) is proposed. The SPSM algorithm partitions the input data set into several subclusters in the first phase and, then, removes the noisy data in the second phase. In the third phase, the normal subclusters are continuously merged to form the larger clusters based on the inter-cluster distance and intra-cluster distance criteria. From the experimental results, the SPSM algorithm is very efficient to handle the noisy data set, and to cluster the data sets of arbitrary shapes of different density. Several examples for color image show the versatility of the proposed method and compare with results described in the literature for the same images. The computational complexity of the SPSM algorithm is O(N2), where N is the number of data points.
DIAGNOSE EFFECTIVE EVOLUTIONARY PROTOTYPE SELECTION USING AN OVERLAPPING MEASURE
Authors: GARCÍA SALVADOR , CANO JOSÉ-RAMÓN , BERNADÓ-MANSILLA ESTER , HERRERA FRANCISCO
Published: December 2009

Evolutionary prototype selection has shown its effectiveness in the past in the prototype selection domain. It improves in most of the cases the results offered by classical prototype selection algorithms but its computational cost is expensive. In this paper, we analyze the behavior of the evolutionary prototype selection strategy, considering a complexity measure for classification problems based on overlapping. In addition, we have analyzed different k values for the nearest neighbour classifier in this domain of study to see its influence on the results of PS methods. The objective consists of predicting when the evolutionary prototype selection is effective for a particular problem, based on this overlapping measure.
HYPERSPHERICAL PROTOTYPES FOR PATTERN CLASSIFICATION
Authors: FAYED HATEM A. , ATIYA AMIR F. , HASHEM SHERIF M. R.
Published: December 2009

The nearest neighbor method is one of the most widely used pattern classification methods. However its major drawback in practice is the curse of dimensionality. In this paper, we propose a new method to alleviate this problem significantly. In this method, we attempt to cover the training patterns of each class with a number of hyperspheres. The method attempts to design hyperspheres as compact as possible, and we pose this as a quadratic optimization problem. We performed several simulation experiments, and found that the proposed approach results in considerable speed-up over the k-nearest-neighbor method while maintaining the same level of accuray. It also significantly beats other prototype classification methods (Like LVQ, RCE and CCCD) in most performance aspects.
AN ENHANCED LIPSCHITZ EMBEDDING CLASSIFIER FOR MULTI-EMOTION SPEECH ANALYSIS
Authors: YOU MINGYU , LI GUO-ZHENG , YANG JACK Y. , YANG MARY QU
Published: December 2009

This paper proposes an Enhanced Lipschitz Embedding based Classifier (ELEC) for the classification of multi-emotions from speech signals. ELEC adopts geodesic distance to preserve the intrinsic geometry at all scales of speech corpus, instead of Euclidean distance. Based on the minimal geodesic distance to vectors of different emotions, ELEC maps the high dimensional feature vectors into a lower space. Through analyzing the class labels of the neighbor training vectors in the compressed low space, ELEC classifies the test data into six archetypal emotional states, i.e. neutral, anger, fear, happiness, sadness and surprise. Experimental results on clear and noisy data set demonstrate that compared with the traditional methods of dimensionality reduction and classification, ELEC achieves 15% improvement on average for speaker-independent emotion recognition and 11% for speaker-dependent.
AUTOMATION OF INDIAN POSTAL DOCUMENTS WRITTEN IN BANGLA AND ENGLISH
Authors: VAJDA S. , ROY K. , PAL U. , CHAUDHURI B. B. , BELAID A.
Published: December 2009

In this paper, we present a system towards Indian postal automation based on pin-code and city name recognition. Here, at first, using Run Length Smoothing Approach (RLSA), non-text blocks (postal stamp, postal seal, etc.) are detected and using positional information, Destination Address Block (DAB) is identified from postal documents. Next, lines and words of the DAB are segmented. In India, the address part of a postal document may be written by a combination of two scripts: Latin (English) and a local (State/region) script. It is very difficult to identify the script by which pin-code part is written. To overcome this problem on pin-code part, we have used a two-stage artificial neural network based general scheme to recognize pin-code numbers written in any of the two scripts. To identify the script by which a word/city name is written, we propose a water reservoir concept based feature. For recognition of city names, we propose an NSHP-HMM (Non-Symmetric Half Plane-Hidden Markov Model) based technique. At present, the accuracy of the proposed digit numeral recognition module is 93.14% while that of city name recognition scheme is 86.44%.
DOUBLY PERIODIC TEXTILE STRUCTURES
Authors: MORTON HUGH R. , GRISHANOV SERGEI
Published: December 2009

Knitted and woven textile structures are examples of doubly periodic structures in a thickened plane made out of intertwining strands of yarn. Factoring out the group of translation symmetries of such a structure gives rise to a link diagram in a thickened torus, as in [2]. Such a diagram on a standard torus in S3 is converted into a classical link by including two auxiliary components which form the cores of the complementary solid tori. The resulting link, called a kernel for the structure, is determined by a choice of generators u, v for the group of symmetries.

A normalized form of the multi-variable Alexander polynomial of a kernel is used to provide polynomial invariants of the original structure which are essentially independent of the choice of generators u and v. It gives immediate information about the existence of closed curves and other topological features in the original textile structure. Because of its natural algebraic properties under coverings we can recover the polynomial for kernels based on a proper subgroup from the polynomial derived from the full symmetry group of the structure. This enables two structures to be compared at similar scales, even when one has a much smaller minimal repeating cell than the other.

Examples of simple traditional structures are given, and their Alexander data polynomials are presented to illustrate the techniques and results.
KHOVANOV HOMOLOGY AND THE TWIST NUMBER OF ALTERNATING KNOTS
Authors: TODD ROBERT G.
Published: December 2009

In A Volumish Theorem for the Jones Polynomial, by O. Dasbach and X. S. Lin, it was shown that the sum of the absolute value of the second and penultimate coefficient of the Jones polynomial of an alternating knot is equal to the twist number of the knot. Here we give a new proof of this result using Khovanov homology. The proof is by induction on the number of crossings using the long exact sequence in Khovanov homology corresponding to the Kauffman bracket skein relation.
DETERMINING THE COMPONENT NUMBER OF LINKS CORRESPONDING TO LATTICES
Authors: JIN XIAN'AN , DONG FENGMING , TAY ENG GUAN
Published: December 2009

It is well known that there is a one-to-one correspondence between signed plane graphs and link diagrams via the medial construction. The component number of the corresponding link diagram is however independent of the signs of the plane graph. Determining this number may be one of the first problems in studying links by using graphs. Some works in this aspect have been done. In this paper, we investigate the component number of links corresponding to lattices. Firstly we provide some general results on component number of links. Then, via these results, we proceed to determine the component number of links corresponding to lattices with free or periodic boundary conditions and periodic lattices with one cap (i.e. spiderweb graphs) or two caps.
ROOTS OF UNITY ASSOCIATED TO STRONGLY DETECTED BOUNDARY SLOPES
Authors: KUPPUM SRIKANTH , ZHANG XINGRU
Published: December 2009

We found a family of infinitely many hyperbolic knot manifolds each member of which has a strongly detected boundary slope with associated root of unity of order 4.
AN IMPULSIVE DIFFERENTIAL MODEL ON POST EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS TO HIV-1 EXPOSED INDIVIDUAL
Authors: LOU JIE , CHEN LI , RUGGERI TOMMASO
Published: December 2009

An impulsive differential model for post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) to HIV-1 exposure is proposed with presence of drugs. Two therapy strategies (the Drugs Perfect Adherence strategy and the Drugs Therapy Breaks strategy) are studied. The threshold [Formula: see text] is obtained for the model. The safe-dose threshold ([Formula: see text]) and the unsafe-dose threshold ([Formula: see text]) for PEP treatment are evaluated for the impulsive model under the Drugs Prefect Adherence strategy. The numerical simulations show that, in addition to the sufficient dosing of drug and to the sufficiently frequent dosing of drug, the basic reproduction number Rcis also responsible for the different final outcome of PEP treatment.