bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preribosomal RNA processing in Archaea: characterization of the RNP endonuclease mediated processing of precursor 16S rRNA in the thermoacidophileSulfolobus acidocaldarius
Authors: Potter Simon , Durovic Peter , Russell Anthony , Wang Xin , Jong-Wong Deidre de , Dennis Patrick P.
Published: December 2009

The hyperthermophilic archaeon Sulfolobus acidocaldarius uses a novel RNA-containing endonuclease to excise and mature 16S rRNA from the precursor (pre) rRNA transcript. A cell-free processing system has been developed using an in vitro transcribed RNA substrate containing the entire 144 nucleotide 5′ external transcribed spacer (5′ ETS) and the first 72 nucleotides of 16S rRNA. The cell-free extract cleaves in the 5′ ETS at positions −99, −31, and +1 (i.e., the 5′ ETS–16S junction). These positions are at or near the positions cleaved in vivo during processing of the pre rRNA transcript. The processing activity has been purified between 100 and 200-fold and appears to contain five or six polypeptide components and perhaps as many as 10 different small RNA components. Using combined reverse transcription–PCR amplification, full or partial cDNA copies of two of the RNA components have been obtained. One of the RNAs exhibits sequence and structural similarities to eukaryotic U3 snoRNA. The processing activity has been shown to be inactivated by micrococcal nuclease. It can be reactivated by reconstituting using bulk RNA from S. acidocaldarius but not bulk RNA from distantly related organisms. The activity is also abolished by RNase H digestion in the presence of oligonucleotides complementary to the U3-like RNA. These results demonstrate that the U3-like RNA is an essential component of the pre rRNA processing RNP endonuclease. Furthermore, this RNP endonuclease is not a derived eukaryotic feature, instead its existence predates the divergence of archaea and eukaryotes.Key words: Sulfolobus acidocaldarius, archaebacteria, mature RNA, U3 snoRNA, ribonucleoprotein.
Disruption of the NAD+-specific glutamate dehydrogenase gene ofNeurospora crassaby means of the RIP (repeat-induced point mutations) process
Authors: Vijayaraghavan Y. , Kapoor M.
Published: December 2009

The structural gene for the catabolite-repressed, substrate-induced NAD+-specifïc glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh-1) of Neurospora crassa was disrupted using the process of repeat-induced point mutation (RIP). Plasmids containing incomplete copies of the gene, along with selectable markers, were introduced into germinated conidia by electroporation. The sexual progeny of a transformant containing an ectopically integrated copy of a plasmid, harbouring the 5′ flanking region and a part of the coding sequence of gdh-1 DNA, was examined for the occurrence of RIP by (i) Southern blot analysis of the genomic DNA digested with the isoschizomers MboI and Sau3A, (ii) Northern blot analysis of total RNA in cultures subjected to repression and induction conditions for NAD–GDH, (iii) direct assessment of enzymatic activity, and (iv) evaluation of protein levels by Western blot analysis using a polyclonal anti-GDH IgG preparation. Attempts were made at delineating different regions of the gene exhibiting RIP by using32P-labelled DNA probes, corresponding to (i) the complete gene, (ii) a fragment containing the 5′ flanking region plus two-thirds of the coding sequence, and (iii) the 5′ flanking segment alone. The extent and relative location of RIP, as revealed by these hybridization probes, appeared to correlate with changes in specific activity under repression and derepression conditions. Mutant progeny, thus recovered, included isolates with altered regulatory features, such as constitutive expression, inability to elicit derepression, higher-than-wildtype GDH levels under derepression and inefficient repression.Key words: glutamate dehydrogenase, Neurospora, repeat-induced point mutations, RIP, regulatory mutants.
Activities of enzymes in platelet activating factor biosynthetic pathways in the gerbil model of cerebral ischemia
Authors: Siegel Andre , Baker R. Roy
Published: December 2009

The activities of enzymes in platelet activating factor (PAF) biosynthetic pathways were analyzed in hippocampal and cerebral cortical regions of normal and ischemic gerbil brain to assess changes in enzyme activities and potential modulators that could explain the accentuated production of PAF seen in ischemia. Global forebrain ischemia was produced by bilateral carotid artery ligation, and the effectiveness of the ligation was shown by free fatty acid release and ATP depletion. Specific activities of 1-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol (AAG) choline phosphotransferase, 1-alkyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphate (AGP) acetyl transferase, and 1-alkyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (lyso PAF) acetyl transferase in tissue homogenates were in the ratio 4:1:0.1, respectively. Sham-operated and ischemic or ischemic–reperfused tissues showed similar activities for individual enzymes, indicating that enzyme levels or activation states did not change in ischemic or reperfused tissues. However, small metabolites (relevant to ischemia) added to the in vitro assays did modify enzyme activities. Physiological concentrations of MgATP severely inhibited AGP acetyl transferase activity, and this resulted in the ratio of AGP acyl transferase to AGP acetyl transferase activities changing from 48:1 in the presence of 2.5 mM MgATP to 6:1 in the absence of MgATP. This suggests that falling ATP levels in cerebral ischemia may promote the de novo pathway of PAF biosynthesis by releasing inhibition of AGP acetyl transferase. Lyso PAF acetyl transferase was much less active than AGP acetyl transferase and was also inhibited by MgATP. AAG choline phosphotransferase was not inhibited by MgATP but was inhibited by calcium. However the superior specific activity of the choline phosphotransferase in comparison with the AGP acetyl transferase suggested that the lowered choline phosphotransferase activity in the presence of rising intracellular calcium would not seriously compromise the synthesis of PAF by the de novo route. Both acetyl transferase enzymes were also inhibited by oleoyl CoA.Key words: gerbil, cerebral ischemia, platelet activating factor, enzymes.
A monoclonal antibody against human lipoprotein lipase inhibiting heparin binding without affecting catalytic activity
Authors: Cadelis François , Julien Pierre , Lupien Paul J. , Valet Jean-Paul , Deshaies Yves , Murthy M. R. Ven
Published: December 2009

A fragment of the human lipoprotein lipase (LPL) cDNA (405 bp, 5′ terminal end) was cloned in an expression vector to produce a ~17 kDa fusion peptide and was used as antigen to produce a high titre anti-LPL monoclonal antibody (10C3 MAb). This antibody reacts with both native and denatured forms of LPL from different tissue and animal sources. Competition studies with heparin indicate that 10C3 MAb is specific for an epitope at a heparin binding site. The antibody does not inhibit LPL enzyme activity, indicating that the antigenic epitope is not situated within or in the proximity of the LPL catalytic region. With these characteristics, 10C3 MAb should prove to be a useful immunochemical tool in clinical as well as in fundamental investigations on the metabolism of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins and in studies on the functional anatomy of LPL.Key words: lipoprotein lipase, monoclonal antibody, LPL cDNA, heparin, immunoassay, ELISA.
Laminin mediates basement membrane induced differentiation of HEC 1B endometrial adenocarcinoma cells
Authors: Behrens Peter , Hopfer Helmut , Schümann Jan , Tan Marselina I. , Ellerbrake Nicola , Strunck Elisabeth , Vollmer Günter , Meißner Christoph
Published: December 2009

In vitro studies on endometrial carcinogenesis have been hampered by limited differentiation of the cells in culture. Using the endometrial carcinoma cell lines HEC 1B and its subclone HEC 1B(L), we established and characterized cell culture conditions that preserve a more differentiated state of the tumor cells. Randomly seeded HEC 1B(L) cells, if grown in a serum-free defined medium on top of a reconstituted basement membrane (Matrigel), within a few hours assembled themselves to weblike structures. In a thick layer of Matrigel, they showed an even more pronounced morphological differentiation. Functionally, two additional secretory proteins, about 31 and 77 kDa in size, became apparent as a response to matrigel. To further investigate the regulatory role of the extracellular matrix in the process of in vitro differentiation of endometrial adenocarcinoma cells, we addressed two specific problems. First, we investigated if the capacity of in vitro differentiation is a specific feature of HEC 1B(L) cells or if it is common to all endometrial adenocarcinoma cells. Second, we tried to identify the Matrigel component(s) responsible for in vitro differentiation. The assembly of HEC 1B and HEC 1B(L) cells into spatially organized web-like structures and the expression of the 77 kDa protein were thereby used as an assay. All endometrial adenocarcinoma cell lines tested to a variable degree formed web-like structures on Matrigel. Although the pattern of de novo synthesized secretory proteins changed as a response to Matrigel, only HEC 1A, HEC 1B, HEC 1B(L), and Ishikawa cells responded to culture on Matrigel by an increased expression of the 77 kDa protein. Functionally, polyclonal anti-laminin antibodies, but not anti-collagen type IV antibodies, disrupted formation of web-like structures by HEC 1B cells. The laminin-specific peptides YIGSR and SIKVAV but none of the RGD-peptides RGDS, GRGDSP, or GRADSP affected the three-dimensional assembly of these cells in vitro. Both anti-laminin antibodies and laminin-specific peptides suppressed Matrigel-induced formation of the 77-kDa secretory protein by HEC 1B cells. These findings suggest the involvement of laminin in the in vitro differentiation of the HEC 1B endometrial adenocarcinoma cell line. In a mechanistic view, laminin appears to play a crucial role in the regulation of this in vitro differentiation process.Key words: laminin, extracellular matrix, differentiation, endometrium, cancer.
EMULSION-ASSISTED SYNTHESIS OF NICKEL SULFIDE HIERARCHICAL ARCHITECTURES
Authors: LU PAI , XUE DONGFENG
Published: December 2009

We herein demonstrated the preparation of nickel sulfide hierarchical architectures via an emulsion-assisted route in hydrothermal system. Scanning electron microscope images of the products at different reaction stages indicated that the construction of the nanostructured hierarchical nickel sulfide was accomplished through oriented attachment accompanied by an encapsulation procedure, and the as-obtained products exhibited uniform architectures assembled by various primary units (e.g. nanorods, nanosheets). In addition, the effect of different surfactants on the shape of nickel sulfide nanostructures was further studied. The results indicated that the hierarchical architectures can only be achieved with the assistance of anionic surfactant (e.g. sodium dodecyl sulfate). These as-prepared novel hierarchical nanostructures may be used in various areas, including industrial catalysis, and energy storage etc.
ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF EPOXY-NANOCLAY COMPOSITE
Authors: NOH HYUN-JI , NAM SUNG-PILL , LEE SUNG-GAP , AHN BYEONG-LIB , WON WOO-SIK , WOO HYOUNG-GWAN , PARK SANG-MAN
Published: December 2009

In this study, we investigated the effects of nanoclay additives on the electrical and mechanical properties of diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) epoxy resin. Epoxy-clay nanocomposites were synthesized using organically modified two montmorillonite clays (MMT) with different interlamellar spacing (31.5 Å and 18.5 Å). The electrical and mechanical properties of epoxy-clay nanocopomosites were measured with variation of the amount and type of clay. The nanocomposites were found to be homogenous materials although the nanocomposites still have clay aggregates with increasing nanoclay contents. The dielectric constant showed between 3.2 ~ 3.5 and the dielectric loss showed between 3.2 ~ 5.7% in all nanocoposites. The dielectric strength and tensile strength of the 5 wt% Cloisite 15A added epoxy-oclay nanocomposite were 23.9 kV/mm and 86.7 MPa, respectively.
A VECTOR-VALUED VERSION OF RUSSO–DYE THEOREM
Authors: NAVARRO-PASCUAL J. C. , SÁNCHEZ-LIROLA M. G.
Published: December 2009

In this paper, we will study the extremal structure of the unit ball of U(M,X), the space of uniformly continuous and bounded functions, from a not necessarily compact metric space M into a normed space X. Concretely, if X is uniformly convex and dim X ≥ 2, where dim X denotes the dimension of X as a real vector space, it is proved that every element y in U(M,X), with ‖y‖ < 1, is a convex combination of a finite number of extreme points of the unit ball. As a result, the unit ball of U(M,X) coincides with the closed-convex hull of its extreme points.
Book Review: "情緒管理與精神健康 ― 認知治療小組介入手法與技巧 Emotional Management and Mental Health. A Cognitive-Behavioural Group Intervention Approach", 黃富強 (Daniel S.K. Wong)、孫玉傑 (Stephen Y.K. Sun)
Authors: 梁 玉麒 , 游 達裕
Published: December 2009

未提供摘要。
Book Review: "我們活著 依然精彩—讓影像訴說長者的日常生活"，郭恩慈、古學斌
Authors: 蔡 偉略
Published: December 2009

未提供摘要。
VOLUNTEERISM AND SELF-ESTEEM OF YOUNG PEOPLE
Authors: LEE FRANCIS WING-LIN , CHIM BOBY MOON-CHEUNG
Published: December 2009

Studies on the relationship of volunteerism and self-esteem of young people have been scarcely conducted in Hong Kong. This paper reports such a study. Conceptually, Borba's five building blocks of self-esteem — Security, Selfhood, Affiliation, Competence and Mission — were employed in this study. Based on the concepts of the five building blocks, a measuring inventory was developed. Some 218 young respondents, who had more than a year of volunteer experience, were invited to complete a questionnaire. Their responses were compared to a control group of 129 young respondents who had no volunteer experience. The findings indicate that volunteer experience of young people can promote their self-esteem. Based on the findings, some recommendations on working with young people in order to promote their volunteerism and directions of further studies are suggested.
BOOK REVIEW: "精神病臨床個案管理 — 致病性、壓力模式", 黃富強
Authors: 吳 觀勝
Published: December 2009

未提供摘要。
香港協助網絡成癮青少年的工作成效評估
Authors: 葉 穎思 , 陳 志慧 , 何 錦超 , 曾 國良 , 孔 憲正
Published: December 2009

香港基督教服務處樂Teen會自2004年開始，開展了「網開新一面」計劃，協助沉迷網絡的青少年健康使用網絡，並向各界推廣健康使用網絡之訊息。本論文將分享此計劃中「online特攻–網絡成癮者小組」在2006–2007年掌握到網絡成癮青少年的基本統計資料、使用網絡的形態和服務前後的改變的情況。「 online特攻–網絡成癮者小組」的目的爲協助沉迷網絡的中學生及小學生重拾有節制使用電腦的能力。透過小組前後的個別訪談，計劃發現參加者無論在網絡成癮情況和使用電腦時數兩方面，在統計學上都有明顯改善，證明小組有效地改善組員上網成癮的情況。而且參加者在參與本計劃後，他們均表示在個人發展、人際關係、學業成績及家庭關係上也有所改善。文章除了詳述小組的成效外，亦會分享「網開新一面」計劃的主要內容和當中「online特攻–網絡成癮者小組」模式引發的建議。

"Online New Page Project" has been launched by Hong Kong Christian Service since 2004. The aim of this project was to assist young internet addicts to regain control on computer usage and to disseminate the message of healthy computer use among the public. This study 1) explores the characteristic of young internet addicts, such as their basic demographic information and their pattern of using internet before and after using our service, and 2) evaluates the effectiveness of the therapeutic groups for this group of service users. The results from in-depth interviews before and after the group revealed that service users had improvement on controlling themselves from internet addiction, with a significant decrease in the time spending on the internet daily. The results also indicate significant improvement in individual development, interpersonal relationship, academic performance and family relationship. Furthermore, this study also shares the major service components of "Therapeutic Group for Internet Addicts" under "Online New Page Project" (2004-2007) and reflections gained in the project for further service development.
UNCOVERING THE ETIOLOGICAL ASSUMPTIONS OF THE RESPONSE TO JUVENILE DELINQUENCY IN HONG KONG
Authors: WONG DENNIS S.-W.
Published: December 2009

This paper highlights the profiles of juvenile crime and the responses to juvenile delinquency in Hong Kong in the last few decades. With the aid of criminological literature and policy documents, the author uncovers the underlying etiological assumptions of delinquency. The assumptions are biased in favour of the functionalist perspective. Until the publication of a recent study on the social causes of delinquency, interactionist theories seemed to have no part in explaining crime in Hong Kong. The author argues that under the dominance of the positive non-interventionist political culture in Hong Kong, the academics are prone to be conservative. This paper suggests that future research should focus on testing interactional effects among the social variables derived from the social control, strain, labelling and differential association theories.

这篇文章讨论本港青少年犯罪概念的转变及社会对青少年犯罪的对策。透过分析本港之犯罪研究及政策文件，作者发掘解释青少年犯罪的背后假设。这些假设大部份是倾向功能主义学派的。直至近年，作者才发现以互动学派的论点来解释犯罪渐被社会人士所重视。作者建议未来的研究应朝向探讨社会契约、社会压力、负面标签及朋辈关系等因素与犯罪行为的交互影响。
人民调解工作的性质、实践和发展
Authors: 莫 邦豪 , 张 时飞
Published: December 2009

人民调解工作是具有中国文化和社会主义特色的民间纠纷解决样式。九十年代以来人民调解委员会在民间纠纷总量攀升的前提下处理的个案却减少，有政策和制度上的原因。民间纠纷的上述变化，为社会工作专业在中国的发展开拓了制度性生存空间。重新检讨社会冲突的概念，促进人民调解工作向专业化方向发展是本文的启示。

Community mediation in China is an approach of conflict resolution with distinct characteristics of the Chinese culture and socialist ideology. Since the 1990s, family disputes and conflicts among residents have substantially increased but the number of cases handled by the community mediation committees throughout China decreased. The reasons are related to both policy and institutional changes. The increase in family disputes and residents' conflicts have significant implications for the development of social work as a helping profession in China. The authors believe that the term "social conflict" needs to be reconceptualised and that community mediation as an approach should be professionalised.
REDISTRIBUTION OF DOPANT DURING OVERGROWTH OF A DELTA-LAYER
Authors: PANKRATOV E. L.
Published: December 2009

In this paper, we analyze redistribution of dopant in δ-doped are during overgrowth of the layer. New explanation of asymmetrization of δ-dopant distribution is presented. The explanation was based on model with some inhomogeneous parameters. The inhomogeneities of parameters are native effects of the considered technological process and inhomogeneity of the doped heterostructure. We calculated spatial distribution of Mn concentration in δ-doped area in heterostructure GaAs/InGaAs/GaAs for overlayer GaAs and estimated spreading of the δ-layer as a function of temperature of overgrowth and depth of the overlayer.
Dual Boundary Element Method Applied to Antiplane Crack Problems
Authors: Wu Wei-Liang
Published: December 2009

This paper is concerned with an efficient dual boundary element
method for 2d crack problems under antiplane shear loading. The dual equations are the displacement and the traction boundary integral equations. When the displacement equation is applied on the outer boundary and the traction equation on one of the crack surfaces, general crack problems with anti‐plane shear loading can be solved with a single region formulation. The outer boundary is discretised with continuous quadratic elements; however, only one of the crack surfaces needs to be discretised with discontinuous quadratic elements. Highly accurate results are obtained, when the stress intensity factor is evaluated with the discontinuous quarter point element method. Numerical examples are provided to demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency of the present formulation.
Applications of the Moore‐Penrose Inverse in Digital Image Restoration
Authors: Chountasis Spiros , Katsikis Vasilios N. , Pappas Dimitrios
Published: December 2009

This paper presents a fast computational method that finds application in a broad scientific field such as digital image restoration. The proposed method provides a new approach to the problem of image reconstruction by using the Moore‐Penrose inverse. The resolution of the reconstructed image remains at a very high level but the main advantage of the method was found on the computational load that has been decreased considerably compared to the classic techniques.
Total Pesticide Exposure Calculation among Vegetable Farmers in Benguet, Philippines
Authors: Lu Jinky Leilanie
Published: December 2009

This was a cross-sectional study that investigated pesticide exposure and its risk factors targeting vegetable farmers selected through cluster sampling. The sampling size calculated with was 211 vegetable farmers and 37 farms. The mean usage of pesticide was 21.35 liters. Risk factors included damaged backpack sprayer (34.7%), spills on hands (31.8%), and spraying against the wind (58%). The top 3 pesticides used were pyrethroid (46.4%), organophosphates (24.2%), and carbamates (21.3%). Those who were exposed to fungicides and insecticides also had higher total pesticide exposure. Furthermore, a farmer who was a pesticide applicator, mixer, loader, and who had not been given instructions through training was at risk of having higher pesticide exposure. The most prevalent symptoms were headache (64.1%), muscle pain (61.1%), cough (45.5%), weakness (42.4%), eye pain (39.9%), chest pain (37.4%), and eye redness (33.8%). The data can be used for the formulation of an integrated program on safety and health in the vegetable industry.
K-nacciSequences in Finite Triangle Groups
Authors: Karaduman Erdal , Deveci Ömür
Published: December 2009

Ak‐nacci sequencein a finite group is a sequence of group elementsx0,x1,x2, …,xn, … for which, given an initial (seed) setx0,x1,x2, …,xj−1, each element is defined byxn=x0x1…xn−1,  for   j≤n<k,  and  xn=xn−kxn−k+1…xn−1,  for   n≥k. We also require that the initial elements of the sequence,x0,x1,x2, …,xj−1, generate the group, thus forcing thek-naccisequence to reflect the structure of the group. TheK-naccisequence of a group generated byx0,x1,x2, …,xj−1is denoted byFk(G;x0,x1, …,xj−1) and its period is denoted byPk(G;x0,x1, …,xj−1) . In this paper, we obtain the period ofK-naccisequences in finite polyhedral groups and the extended triangle groups.
Characterizations of Strongly Compact Spaces
Authors: Al-Omari Ahmad , Noiri Takashi , Noorani Mohd. Salmi Md.
Published: December 2009

A topological space (X, τ) is said to be strongly compact if every preopen cover of (X, τ) admits a finite subcover. In this paper, we introduce a new class of sets called 𝒩‐preopen sets which is weaker than both open sets and 𝒩‐open sets. Where a subset A
is said to be 𝒩‐preopen if for each x ∈ A
there exists a preopen set Ux
containing x such that Ux − A is a finite
set. We investigate some properties of the sets. Moreover, we obtain new characterizations and preserving theorems of strongly compact spaces.
Dispersal and Differentiation of Deep-Sea Mussels of the GenusBathymodiolus(Mytilidae, Bathymodiolinae)
Authors: Kyuno Akiko , Shintaku Mifue , Fujita Yuko , Matsumoto Hiroto , Utsumi Motoo , Watanabe Hiromi , Fujiwara Yoshihiro , Miyazaki Jun-Ichi
Published: December 2009

We sequenced the mitochondrial ND4 gene to elucidate the evolutionary processes ofBathymodiolusmussels and mytilid relatives. Mussels of the subfamily Bathymodiolinae from vents and seeps belonged to 3 groups and mytilid relatives from sunken wood and whale carcasses assumed the outgroup positions to bathymodioline mussels. Shallow water mytilid mussels were positioned more distantly relative to the vent/seep mussels, indicating an evolutionary transition from shallow to deep sea via sunken wood and whale carcasses.Bathymodiolus platifronsis distributed in the seeps and vents, which are approximately 1500 km away. There was no significant genetic differentiation between the populations. There existed high gene flow betweenB. septemdierumandB. breviorand low but not negligible gene flow betweenB. marisindicusandB. septemdierumorB. brevior, although their habitats are 5000–10 000 km away. These indicate a high adaptability to the abyssal environments and a high dispersal ability ofBathymodiolusmussels.
Some Considerations about the Rotating Cell Structure
Authors: Nurzia Franco , Palomba Chiara , Puddu Pierpaolo
Published: December 2009

Rotating stall instability in axial flow compressors arises when the mass flow is reduced at constant rotational speed. Despite the number of experimental and
theoretical work already published in the scientific literature, many questions still remain unanswered. A
complete model that could be of help both in the design process and in the modelling process of existing engines
is not yet available. A fundamental research program has been carried out at the Department of Mechanical
Engineering of the University of Cagliari with the scope of reaching a better understanding of the basic flow field structures and of the global performance in stall. The cinematic structure of the cell during abrupt full 1‐cell stall in a two‐stage
axial flow compressor with IGV has been analysed with the aid of hot‐wire anemometer and of a total pressure
probe. The results have revealed interesting features about the cell flow structures and their variations along
the stalled performance branch of the compressor. The present paper aims at pursuing further the flow analysis
including the investigation of upstream flow field. Therefore, the inlet duct has been extended to perform the
measurements. The complete flow field measurements will allow to obtain a complete cinematic description of
the cell.
Computational Procedures for a Class of GI/D/k Systems in Discrete Time
Authors: Rahman Md. Mostafizur , Alfa Attahiru Sule
Published: December 2009

A class of discrete time GI/D/k
systems is considered for which the interarrival times have finite support and customers are served in first‐in first‐out (FIFO) order. The system is formulated as a single server queue with new general independent interarrival times and constant service duration by assuming cyclic assignment of customers to the identical servers. Then the queue length is set up as a quasi‐birth‐death (QBD) type Markov chain. It is shown that this transformed GI/D/1
system has special structures which make the computation of the matrix R simple and efficient, thereby reducing the number of multiplications in each iteration significantly. As a result we were able to keep the computation time very low. Moreover, use of the resulting structural properties makes the computation of the distribution of queue length of the transformed system efficient. The computation of the distribution of waiting time is also shown to be simple by exploiting the special structures.
Bilateral Pneumothoraces Following Central Venous Cannulation
Authors: Pazos F. , Masterson K. , Inan C. , Robert J. , Walder B.
Published: December 2009

We report the occurrence of a bilateral pneumothoraces after unilateral central venous catheterization of the right subclavian vein in a 70-year-old patient. The patient had no history of pulmonary or pleural disease and no history of cardiothoracic surgery. Two days earlier, she had a median laparotomy under general and epidural anaesthesia. Prior to the procedure, the patient was hemodynamically stable and her transcutaneous oxygen saturation was 97% in room air. We punctured the right pleural space before cannulation of the right subclavian vein. After the procedure, the patient slowly became hemodynamically instable with respiratory distress. A chest radiograph revealed a complete left-side pneumothorax and a mild right-side pneumothorax. The right-side pneumothorax became under tension after left chest tube insertion. The symptoms finally resolved after insertion of a right chest tube. After a diagnostic work-up, we suspect a congenital “Buffalo chests” explaining bilateral pneumothoraces and a secondary tension pneumothorax.
Some Combined Relations between Contractive Mappings, Kannan Mappings, Reasonable Expansive Mappings, and "Equation missing" -Stability
Authors: De la Sen M.
Published: December 2009

In recent literature concerning fixed point theory for self-mappings "Equation missing" in metric spaces "Equation missing", there are some new concepts which can be mutually related so that the inherent properties of each one might be combined for such self-mappings. Self-mappings "Equation missing" can be referred to, for instance, as Kannan-mappings, reasonable expansive mappings, and Picard "Equation missing"-stable mappings. Some relations between such concepts subject either to sufficient, necessary, or necessary and sufficient conditions are obtained so that in certain self-mappings can exhibit combined properties being inherent to each of its various characterizations.
Characterization of Follicular Lymphoma in the Small Intestine Using Double-Balloon Endoscopy
Authors: Chowdhury Manzurul , Endo Masaki , Chiba Toshimi , Kudara Norihiko , Oana Shuhei , Sato Kunihiko , Akasaka Risaburo , Tomita Kazumitsu , Fujiwara Saori , Mizutani Tomomi , Sugai Tamotsu , Takikawa Yasuhiro , Suzuki Kazuyuki
Published: December 2009

Follicular lymphomas occur rarely in the gastrointestinal tract, representing only 1–3% of all gastrointestinal tract B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas. We describe endoscopic analysis of 3 cases of follicular lymphoma in the small intestine using double-balloon endoscopy. Double-balloon endoscopy revealed multiple nodular lesions and elevated white patches, multiple polypoid lesions, and scattered white polypoid and nodular lesions in the duodenum and small intestine. Fuji Intelligent Chromo Endoscopy demonstrated small, whitish nodules, and narrow-band imaging showed a coiled, elongated vascular pattern within the elevated lesions. These cases are the first follicular lymphomas in the small intestine evaluated using narrow-band imaging or Fuji Intelligent Chromo Endoscopy to be reported.
Matrix Measures in the Qualitative Analysis of Parametric Uncertain Systems
Authors: Pastravanu Octavian , Matcovschi Mihaela-Hanako
Published: December 2009

The paper considersparametric uncertain systemsof the form , whereℳis either aconvex hull, or apositive coneof matrices, generated by the set of vertices𝒱= {M1, M2, …,MK} ⊂ℝn×n. Denote byμ∥  ∥the matrix measure corresponding to a vector norm ∥  ∥. Whenℳis a convex hull, the conditionμ∥  ∥(Mk) ≤r< 0, 1 ≤k≤K, is necessary and sufficient for the existence ofcommon strong Lyapunov functionsandexponentially contractive invariant setswith respect to the trajectories of the uncertain system. Whenℳis a positive cone, the conditionμ∥  ∥(Mk) ≤ 0, 1 ≤k≤K, is necessary and sufficient for the existence ofcommon weak Lyapunov functionsandconstant invariant setswith respect to the trajectories of the uncertain system. Both Lyapunov functions and invariant sets are described in terms of the vector norm ∥  ∥ used for defining the matrix measureμ∥  ∥. Numerical examples illustrate the applicability of our results.
State-Space Algorithms for Estimating Spike Rate Functions
Authors: Smith Anne C. , Scalon Joao D. , Wirth Sylvia , Yanike Marianna , Suzuki Wendy A. , Brown Emery N.
Published: December 2009

The accurate characterization of spike firing rates including the determination of when changes in activity occur is a fundamental issue in the analysis of neurophysiological data. Here we describe a state-space model for estimating the spike rate function that provides a maximum likelihood estimate of the spike rate, model goodness-of-fit assessments, as well as confidence intervals for the spike rate function and any other associated quantities of interest. Using simulated spike data, we first compare the performance of the state-space approach with that of Bayesian adaptive regression splines (BARS) and a simple cubic spline smoothing algorithm. We show that the state-space model is computationally efficient and comparable with other spline approaches. Our results suggest both a theoretically sound and practical approach for estimating spike rate functions that is applicable to a wide range of neurophysiological data.
Metallic Light Absorbers Produced by Femtosecond Laser Pulses
Authors: Vorobyev Anatoliy Y. , Guo Chunlei
Published: December 2009

Using high-intensity femtosecond laser pulses for surface structuring, technologically important metallic light absorbers (dark Au, W, and Ti alloy) with absorption of about 85–95% over a broad wavelength range from ultraviolet to infrared were produced. It was found that the enhanced absorption of the dark metals is caused by a rich variety of nano-/microscale surface structures. The dark metals produced in this study may find a variety of applications in the fields of renewable energy and energy efficiency, such as thermophotovoltaics, solar energy absorbers, thermal radiation sources, and radiative heat transfer devices.
Single strand conformation polymorphism based SNP and Indel markers for genetic mapping and synteny analysis of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)
Authors: Galeano Carlos H , Fernández Andrea C , Gómez Marcela , Blair Matthew W
Published: December 2009

Background

Expressed sequence tags (ESTs) are an important source of gene-based markers such as those based on insertion-deletions (Indels) or single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Several gel based methods have been reported for the detection of sequence variants, however they have not been widely exploited in common bean, an important legume crop of the developing world. The objectives of this project were to develop and map EST based markers using analysis of single strand conformation polymorphisms (SSCPs), to create a transcript map for common bean and to compare synteny of the common bean map with sequenced chromosomes of other legumes.

Results

A set of 418 EST based amplicons were evaluated for parental polymorphisms using the SSCP technique and 26% of these presented a clear conformational or size polymorphism between Andean and Mesoamerican genotypes. The amplicon based markers were then used for genetic mapping with segregation analysis performed in the DOR364 × G19833 recombinant inbred line (RIL) population. A total of 118 new marker loci were placed into an integrated molecular map for common bean consisting of 288 markers. Of these, 218 were used for synteny analysis and 186 presented homology with segments of the soybean genome with an e-value lower than 7 × 10-12. The synteny analysis with soybean showed a mosaic pattern of syntenic blocks with most segments of any one common bean linkage group associated with two soybean chromosomes. The analysis with Medicago truncatula and Lotus japonicus presented fewer syntenic regions consistent with the more distant phylogenetic relationship between the galegoid and phaseoloid legumes.

Conclusion

The SSCP technique is a useful and inexpensive alternative to other SNP or Indel detection techniques for saturating the common bean genetic map with functional markers that may be useful in marker assisted selection. In addition, the genetic markers based on ESTs allowed the construction of a transcript map and given their high conservation between species allowed synteny comparisons to be made to sequenced genomes. This synteny analysis may support positional cloning of target genes in common bean through the use of genomic information from these other legumes.
The T cell receptor-mediated phosphorylation of Pyk2 tyrosines 402 and 580 occurs via a distinct mechanism than other receptor systems
Authors: Collins Michaela , Tremblay Mikaela , Chapman Nicole , Curtiss Miranda , Rothman Paul B , Houtman Jon C D
Published: December 2009

The T cell receptor has a distinct mechanism for the site-specific phosphorylation of Pyk2 that requires Src family kinases, but not other pathways.

The tyrosine kinase Pyk2 is vital for integrating receptor-mediated signals controlling adhesion and motility in neuronal, epithelial, and hematopoietic cell types. In T cells, the stimulation of the TCR and costimulatory, chemokine, cytokine, and integrin receptors leads to the phosphorylation of Pyk2 and the induction of its catalytic activity. However, our understanding of the mechanism of the TCR-induced, site-specific phosphorylation of this kinase is incomplete and contradictory. To address this issue, the role of individual signaling pathways in the phosphorylation of Pyk2 tyrosines 402 and 580 upon TCR activation was assessed in human T cells. In contrast to other receptor systems, the TCR-induced phosphorylation of Pyk2 tyrosines 402 and 580 was dependent on the Src family kinases, Fyn or Lck. Interestingly, the TCR-mediated phosphorylation of Pyk2 tyrosines 402 and 580 did not require Ca2+ influx, ZAP-70 activation, actin cytoskeleton rearrangement, or PI3K function. These observations are different than other receptor systems, which require the induction of one or more of these pathways. Together, these data have defined more fully the mechanism for the TCR-induced phosphorylation of specific sites on Pyk2, suggesting that the TCR has a distinct pathway for the activation of Pyk2 compared with other receptor systems.
CCR7 regulates lymphocyte egress and recirculation through body cavities
Authors: Höpken Uta E , Winter Susann , Achtman Ariel H , Krüger Kerstin , Lipp Martin
Published: December 2009

CCR7 plays a crucial role in lymphocyte exit from the peritoneal cavity.

T and B lymphocytes recirculate among blood, lymph, and extralymphoid tissues to ensure immune surveillance and the establishment of self-tolerance. The underlying mechanisms regulating homeostatic lymphocyte recirculation through body cavities are not fully understood. Here, we demonstrate that the homeostatic chemokine receptor CCR7 regulates homeostatic recirculation of lymphocytes through body cavities. CCR7 deficiency results in massive accumulation of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and B-2 B cells in the peritoneal and pleural cavities. The increase in B-2 B and T lymphocytes is not associated with an altered maturation and/or activation status of these cells. Mechanistically, an increase in peritoneal lymphocyte numbers is caused by impaired egress of CCR7-deficient lymphocytes from body cavities. These results establish that CCR7 plays a crucial role in lymphocyte exit from the PerC.
Technology Skills Assessment for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students in Secondary School
Authors: Luft Pamela , Bonello Mary , Zirzow Nichole K.
Published: December 2009

To be competitive in the workplace, deaf and hard of hearing students must not only possess basic computer literacy but also know how to use and care for personal assistive and listening technology. An instrument was developed and pilot-tested on 45 middle school and high school deaf and hard of hearing students in 5 public school programs, 4 urban and 1 suburban, to assess these students’ current technology skills and to prepare them for post–high school expectations. The researchers found that the students’ computer skills depended on their access to technology, which was not always present in the schools. Many students also did not know basic care practices or troubleshooting techniques for their own personal hearing aids (if worn), or how to access or use personal assistive technology.
Social Studies Instruction in Signing Programs for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students: An Ecobehavioral Assessment
Authors: Woolsey M. Lynn , Herring Tina J. , Satterfield Susan T.
Published: December 2009

Social studies is a devalued subject in public schools. Worse, apparently no research exists on social studies instruction for students in deaf education. The researchers investigated the allocation of time for social studies in 7 residential schools and 1 day school. Using an ecobehavioral assessment tool, they observed 30 deaf students (grades 3–5) and 17 teachers for 60 school days. Three questions guided the study: (a) How much time was used for social studies? (b) What activities were more prevalent during social studies instruction? (c) Were there differences in the target of teacher attention between high- and low-performing students? Results showed that yoking social studies and language arts resulted in a doubling of the amount of time devoted to social studies content. Hands-on activities were most prevalent across grades. Practices that meets the recommendations of the National Council for the Social Studies are suggested.
Phonology Is Necessary, but Not Sufficient: A Rejoinder
Authors: Paul Peter V. , Wang Ye , Trezek Beverly J. , Luckner John L.
Published: December 2009

Paul, wang, trezek, and luckner offer a rebuttal to an article by Allen, Clark, del Giudice, Koo, Lieberman, Mayberry, and Miller published in the same issue of the American Annals of the Deaf (Fall 2009) that is critical of an article by Wang, Trezek, Luckner, and Paul that was published in the Fall 2008 Annals. Major themes from the article by Wang and colleagues are reiterated, and the research and theoretical support for the qualitative-similarity hypothesis is emphasized. In addition, specific assertions made in the four sections of the article by Allen and colleagues, which are mostly overgeneralizations and misunderstandings, are addressed. Finally, concluding remarks regarding the importance of phonology are provided.
Are Deaf Students’ Reading Challenges Really About Reading?
Authors: Marschark Marc , Sapere Patricia , Convertino Carol M. , Mayer Connie , Wauters Loes , Sarchet Thomastine
Published: December 2009

Reading achievement among deaf students typically lags significantly behind hearing peers, a situation that has changed little despite decades of research. This lack of progress and recent findings indicating that deaf students face many of the same challenges in comprehending sign language as they do in comprehending text suggest that difficulties frequently observed in their learning from text may involve more than just reading. Two experiments examined college students’ learning of material from science texts. Passages were presented to deaf (signing) students in print or American Sign Language and to hearing students in print or auditorially. Several measures of learning indicated that the deaf students learned as much or more from print as they did from sign language, but less than hearing students in both cases. These and other results suggest that challenges to deaf students’ reading comprehension may be more complex than is generally assumed.
Teaching Phonological Skills to a Deaf First Grader: A Promising Strategy
Authors: Syverud Susan M. , Guardino Caroline , Selznick Dana N.
Published: December 2009

The researchers analyzed the effectiveness of teaching phonological skills to a deaf child using the Direct Instruction curriculum titled Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons (Engelmann, Haddox, & Bruner, 1983). There are few studies that support the use of phonological interventions with students who are deaf or hard of hearing. The present study extends this research base. The study participant was a 7-year-old male first grader with moderate-to-severe mixed bilateral progressive hearing loss. A case study design was implemented for a period of 8 weeks. Detailed journal entries and tests of nonsense words were used to track participant progress. Results indicate that the participant’s phonological decoding skills improved. Implications for practitioners and future research are addressed.
From the Editor
Authors: Armstrong Dorsey
Published: December 2009

When Arthuriana made the move from Southern Methodist University to Purdue, the journal took up residence in Room 419 of Heavilon Hall. This is significant, because for many years this was the office of Professor Thomas H. Ohlgren, scholar of Old English literature and art, medieval iconography, and the legend of Robin Hood. Professor Ohlgren's contributions to the study of the Middle Ages are many and include the founding of the Medieval Studies program at Purdue—which he oversaw for more than two decades as chair of the program. Perhaps his most enduring contribution to the field, however, is the incredible slide collection of images from medieval manuscripts that he amassed over the course of his career. Numbering well over 20,000, the images Tom collected, organized, and cross-referenced in a massive printed index are a unique and invaluable resource that have served as the basis for numerous seminars on iconography, graduate student research projects, and visual aids for faculty teaching medieval subjects.
The Bodleian Library Slide Collection at Purdue: Guides to Illustrated Prose Lancelot Manuscripts
Authors: Kelly Thomas E. , Ohlgren Thomas H.
Published: December 2009

Founded by Thomas H. Ohlgren in the early 1970s, by the year 2000 the Bodleian Slide Collection at Purdue University had grown to 1099 slide sets of the illuminated pages and partial texts from the chief Western manuscripts and early printed books—dating from the ninth through the sixteenth centuries—in the Bodleian, several Oxford College libraries, and several other libraries. Sold as unmounted rolls of color transparency film, the 35 mm transparencies were mounted as slides for use by faculty and students in the Medieval Studies program at Purdue and have proved an invaluable resource for those in the university community interested in exploring the images and iconography of the medieval world. Today, the slides in the collection number well over 20,000 and include images ranging from medieval maps, luxurious carpet pages, herbals, bestiaries, marginalia, objects excavated at archaelogical digs, and more. For a time in the mid-1970s to the mid-1980s the slide sets were available for rental by people outside Purdue University, but this practice was stopped because of the high maintenance costs. (For an online list of the collection, go to http://www.cla.purdue.edu/medieval-studies/Ohlgren/index.html .)
Heroes and Bulls: A Black-Figure Oinochoe in Winnipeg
Authors: Tamm John
Published: December 2009

La collection du Musée de l'Homme et de la Nature du Manitoba comprend une oinochoe attique à figure noire représentant un homme attachant un taureau. Ce vase est un don d'Edward Schreyer, Gouverneur Général du Canada de 1979 à 1984, qui l'a reçu de la Grèce au cours d'une visite officielle en 1982. Cet article, première publication de ce vase, pose les questions relatives à son histoire, son iconograhie, son style et sa datation.
The Fieldwork of the Canadian Institute in Greece, 2007
Authors: Rupp David
Published: December 2009

Les activités de l'Institut canadien en Grèce en 2007 comprennent des campagnes de prospection (Anticythère, l'Est de la Béotie et Karystos en Eubée), des fouilles à Ayaia Sotira et à Kastro Kallithea, et des saisons d'étude (Argilos, Karystos, Eubée et Zaraka).
Excavations at Nysa on the Meander, 2008: The West Portico of the Gymnasium
Authors: Beckmann Martin
Published: December 2009

En 2008, une équipe de la University of Western Ontario a entrepris la fouille du gymnase de Nysa sur le Méandre, en Turquie du sud-ouest. Nous avons localisé les fondations du portique ouest du gymnase et mis au jour certain de ses composantes architecturales. Deux autres découvertes n'ont pas manqué de nous surprendre. Premièrement, dans des niveaux datables des V e et VI e siècles par la céramique, une concentration de conduites d'eau en terre cuite indique que le portique ouest du gymnase a été transformé en un important axe nord-sud de distribution d'eau dans l'Antiquité tardive. L'autre découverte était plus inattendue, soit un fragment d'architrave apparemment inscrit du nom de Pluton. Si cette interprétation est juste, il s'agirait d'une preuve de la continuation d'une connexion, attestée par Strabon à l'époque d'Auguste, entre le gymnase de Nysa et le sanctuaire de Pluton à Acharaka dans le II e siècle avancé.
Why Do Some Images Begin to Tremble? Cinema Revisits Militant Politics
Authors: Power Nina
Published: December 2009

This essay discusses three films which in different ways reflect on left-wing militancy in the late 1960s and 70s—Uli Edel's The Baader Meinhof Complex, Chris Marker's reissued A Grin Without a Cat, Barbet Schroeder's Terror's Advocate—and argues that Marker's is the most insightful.
A Subtle Story: 35 Shots of Rum
Authors: Bíró Yvette
Published: December 2009

This review argues that Claire Denis's 35 Shots of Rum combines repetition and ellipsis to harmonious effect in telling a minimalist story about a Parisian father and daughter. Comparison is made with Beau Travail and Nénette and Boni.