bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Is web-based supply chain integration right for your company?
Authors: Downing Charles E.
Published: April 2010

Introduction

The 1980s saw the advent of the personal computer, and the days of "Data Processing" departments solely dictating the timeline of office productivity solutions were gone. The 1990s saw the advent of enterprise resource planning (ERP) software packages, and organizations enthusiastically (even if sometimes slowly and painfully) moved from the silo mentality of departmental and unit-based information systems solutions to enterprise-wide information solutions. Today, companies are increasingly realizing that the progression from departmental to enterprise information systems has a logical next step: inter-organizational or supply chain solutions. While many pioneering companies have linked to their customers and suppliers for years, the improving reliability and security of the Web presents new opportunities for all organizations. Companies are increasingly moving to the Web or considering moving to the Web to conduct business transactions, connecting themselves with suppliers and customers.

Much of the recent research on electronic data interchange and information technology (IT) in the supply chain has focused on using the Web to conduct business-to-business (B2B) commerce across the supply chain, thus improving the older electronic data interchange ("EDI") model. The B2B market has grown steadily over the last several years. As an increasing portion of companies migrate to the Web it becomes important for both academics and practitioners to understand the benefits and pitfalls of such a migration. Numerous studies enumerate the benefits of electronic supply chain integration and B2B, and these benefits fall into the following categories: Reduction of process cost, improved operational efficiency, improved customer satisfaction, improved coordination, cooperation, and commitment between EDI partners, and improved overall process performance. However, a study has not been done which compares the process performance benefits of all three possible groups: Companies or processes (hereafter simply "companies") using no electronic supply chain integration (verbal and/or paper orders, invoices, etc.), companies using non-Web-based Supply Chain Integration (traditional EDI, using private or leased lines), and companies using Web-based supply chain integration. A notable exception occurred in a 2002 study, but this study was done on only 18 companies, a very small sample size. Also, many current studies claim that companies are misdiagnosing the advantages of B2B over existing ways of doing business. The absence of a three group comparison, along with a possible misdiagnosis of advantages, calls for further examination.

Thus, this research will attempt to determine differences in the performance of companies using no electronic supply chain integration, companies using non-Web-based supply chain integration, and companies using Web-based supply chain integration.
Storing and accessing live mashup content in the cloud
Authors: Ostrowski Krzysztof , Birman Ken
Published: April 2010

Today's
Rich Internet Application
(RIA) technologies such as Ajax, Flex, or Silverlight, are designed around the client-server paradigm and cannot easily take advantage of replication, publish-subscribe, or peer-to-peer mechanisms for better scalability or responsiveness. This is particularly true of storage: content is typically persisted in data centers and consumed via web services. We propose1 a
checkpointed channel
(CC) abstraction as an alternative model for storing and accessing content. CCs are architecture-agnostic: they could be implemented as web services, but also as replicated state machines running over peer-to-peer multicast protocols. They can seamlessly span across the data center boundaries, or live at the edge. They are a more natural way of consuming streaming content. CCs can store hierarchical documents with hyperlinks to other CCs, thus forming a web of interconnected CCs: a live scalable information space. We discuss the advantages of the new abstraction, challenges it poses, and the way it fits within the existing models for RIA development.
Are clouds ready for large distributed applications?
Authors: Sripanidkulchai Kunwadee , Sahu Sambit , Ruan Yaoping , Shaikh Anees , Dorai Chitra
Published: April 2010

Cloud computing carries the promise of providing powerful new models and abstractions that could transform the way IT services are delivered today. In order to establish the readiness of clouds to deliver meaningful enterprise-class IT services, we identify three key issues that ought to be addressed as first priority from the perspective of potential cloud users: how to deploy large-scale distributed services, how to deliver high availability services, and how to perform problem resolution on the cloud. We analyze multiple sources of publicly available data to establish cloud user expectations and compare against the current state of cloud offerings, with a focus on contrasting the different requirements from two classes of users -- the individual and the enterprise. Through this process, our initial findings indicate that while clouds are ready to support usage scenarios for individual users, there are still rich areas of future research to be explored to enable clouds to support large distributed applications such as those found in enterprise.
Architectural Heterogeneity in Tumors Caused by Differentiation Alters Intratumoral Drug Distribution and Affects Therapeutic Synergy of Antiangiogenic Organoselenium Compound
Authors: Rustum Youcef M. , Tóth Károly , Seshadri Mukund , Sen Arindam , Durrani Farukh A. , Stott Emily , Morrison Carl D. , Cao Shousong , Bhattacharya Arup
Published: April 2010

Tumor differentiation enhances morphologic and microvascular heterogeneity fostering hypoxia that retards intratumoral drug delivery, distribution, and compromise therapeutic efficacy. In this study, the influence of tumor biologic heterogeneity on the interaction between cytotoxic chemotherapy and selenium was examined using a panel of human tumor xenografts representing cancers of the head and neck and lung along with tissue microarray analysis of human surgical samples. Tumor differentiation status, microvessel density, interstitial fluid pressure, vascular phenotype, and drug delivery were correlated with the degree of enhancement of chemotherapeutic efficacy by selenium. Marked potentiation of antitumor activity was observed in H69 tumors that exhibited a well-vascularized, poorly differentiated phenotype. In comparison, modulation of chemotherapeutic efficacy by antiangiogenic selenium was generally lower or absent in well-differentiated tumors with multiple avascular hypoxic, differentiated regions. Tumor histomorphologic heterogeneity was found prevalent in the clinical samples studied and represents a primary and critical physiological barrier to chemotherapy.
Electrical and Optical Properties of :H Thin Films Prepared by Thermal Evaporation Method
Authors: Al-Douri A. A. J. , Alias M. F. A. , Alnajjar A. A. , Makadsi M. N.
Published: April 2010

Thin a-:H films were grown successfully by fabrication of designated ingot followed by evaporation onto glass slides. A range of growth conditions, Ge contents, dopant concentration (Al and As), and substrate temperature, were employed. Stoichiometry of the thin films composition was confirmed using standard surface techniques. The structure of all films was amorphous. Film composition and deposition parameters were investigated for their bearing on film electrical and optical properties. More than one transport mechanism is indicated. It was observed that increasing substrate temperature, Ge contents, and dopant concentration lead to a decrease in the optical energy gap of those films. The role of the deposition conditions on values of the optical constants was determined. Accordingly, models of the density of states for the :H thin films as pure, doped with 3.5% of Al (p-type) and that doped with 3.5% As (n-type), were proposed.
Well‐Posed Inhomogeneous Nonlinear Diffusion Scheme for Digital Image Denoising
Authors: Prasath V. B. Surya , Singh Arindama
Published: April 2010

We study an inhomogeneous partial differential equation which includes a separate edge detection part to control smoothing in and around possible discontinuities, under the framework of
anisotropic diffusion. By incorporating edges found at multiple scales
via an adaptive edge detector‐based indicator function, the proposed
scheme removes noise while respecting salient boundaries. We create
a smooth transition region around probable edges found and reduce
the diffusion rate near it by a gradient‐based diffusion coefficient. In
contrast to the previous anisotropic diffusion schemes, we prove the
well‐posedness of our scheme in the space of bounded variation. The
proposed scheme is general in the sense that it can be used with any
of the existing diffusion equations. Numerical simulations on noisy
images show the advantages of our scheme when compared to other
related schemes.
Sacred Scriptures as Trash:Biblical Papyri from Oxyrhynchus
Authors: Luijendijk AnneMarie
Published: April 2010

Most New Testament papyri with a known provenance were found at the site of the ancient Egyptian city of Oxyrhynchus, or more precisely: on that city’s rubbish mounds. The fact that sacred scriptures were discarded as garbage is surprising in view of the holiness of Christian biblical manuscripts, intrinsically and physically. Yet the trash aspect of provenance has never been adequately problematized or studied. Taking a social-historical and garbological approach, this article demonstrates that at Oxyrhynchus in antiquity entire manuscripts with biblical writings were deliberately discarded by Christians themselves, unrelated to persecution and issues of canonicity.
Revisiting the Single European Act (and the Common Wisdom on Globalization)
Authors: Parsons Craig
Published: April 2010

The European program of liberalization launched by the Single European Act (SEA) of 1987 is commonly seen as a powerful instance of “globalization” trends of economic integration, liberalization, and international institution building. This article revisits the origins of the SEA to argue that the extent and success of its liberalizing program depended on a causally distinct push for European institutional reform. A retracing of concrete political patterns behind the SEA greatly strengthens broader statistical and theoretical challenges to the notion of strong universal trends of globalization.
Potential Recruits Seek Information Online for Military Enlistment Decision Making: A Research Note
Authors: Yeung Douglas , Gifford Brian
Published: April 2010

What career information do potential military recruits seek? The Internet increasingly provides a medium for advertising and communication with recruiters and other potential recruits. The authors explored the influence of online information on enlistment decision making. Analysis of recent Army new recruit surveys showed that a sizable proportion of recruits have encountered military advertising or sought recruiting information online. The authors also examined online discussion forums—in which soldiers and prospective soldiers ask questions, trade insights, and vent frustrations—for postings indicating information seeking for enlistment decision making. Potential recruits were most interested in recruiting processes and what to expect from a military lifestyle, seeking opinions and details on job functions, duty stations, and benefits. These findings suggest that potential recruits may seek information online when unable or unwilling to find it from military websites or talking to recruiters.
Wives’ Economic Resources and Risk of Divorce
Authors: Teachman Jay
Published: April 2010

Using longitudinal data covering 25 years from 1979 to 2004, the author examines the relationship between wives’ economic resources and the risk of marital dissolution. The author considers the effects of labor force participation, income, and relative income while accounting for potential endogeneity of wives’ economic resources. The extent to which wives’ economic resources are differentially related to marital disruption for Whites and Blacks is also ascertained. The author finds that the economic resources of women are tightly linked to the risk of divorce, both negatively and positively, for Whites but not for Blacks.
Controlled low-flow reperfusion after warm brain ischemia reduces reperfusion injury in canine model
Authors: Munakata Hiroshi , Okada Kenji , Hasegawa Tomomi , Hino Yutaka , Kano Hiroya , Matsumori Masamichi , Okita Yutaka
Published: April 2010

Background: Acute occlusion of the carotid artery caused by acute type A aortic dissection (AAD) induces on-going warm brain ischemia. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the hypothesis that low-flow reperfusion could mitigate reperfusion injury after warm ischemic damage to the brain.

Methods: Experiments were performed using a canine global brain ischemia model, with 15 minutes of ischemia followed by 3 hours reperfusion, which was established by a simple brain reperfusion circuit with a roller pump. The right common carotid artery (RCCA) flow ratio was determined as the mean RCCA flow during reperfusion divided by the mean RCCA flow during pre-ischemia. Animals were divided into two groups according to the RCCA flow ratio; low RCCA flow ratio of 0.3 to 0.6 (Group L, n=5) and control RCCA flow ratio of 1.0 to 1.4 (Group C, n=5). At the 3-hour reperfusion time point, physiological and histopathological assessments were performed in both groups.

Results: Electroencephalographic activity recovered in four of five animals (80%) animals in Group L, whereas no recovery (0%) in activity was observed in Group C. Brain water content in Group L animals was significantly less than that in Group C. Apoptosis, number of perivascular edematous regions and NFκB expression were apparently suppressed in Group L compared with Group C. There were significant positive correlations of RCCA flow with brain water content, apoptosis and number of perivascular edematous regions.

Conclusions: Controlled low-flow reperfusion mitigated reperfusion-induced brain edema and apoptosis, leading to rescue of brain function in the canine model.
Nummular headache associated with focal hair heterochromia in a child
Authors: Dabscheck Gabriel , Ian Andrews Peter
Published: April 2010

Nummular headache (NH) is a recently described headache syndrome where continuous or intermittent pain is localised to a coin-shaped region of the skull. NH can be a primary headache disorder or secondary to intracranial or extracranial pathology. We report a four-year-old boy who presented with nummular headache co-localised with a patch of discoloured hair and propose a common aetiology.
The ‘‘Afterlife’’ of Parenting: Memory, Parentage, and Personal Identity in Britain c. 1760-1830
Authors: Bailey Joanne
Published: April 2010

Remembering parentage and parents in life writings in Britain c. 1760—1830 served four functions. First, recounting parentage enabled the writer to situate himself or herself in terms of social status, personal value, and worth. Second, memories of parents helped an individual understand and make meaning of the path his or her life had taken. Third, the process was bound up with a range of emotions, which gave parents power after childhood and had repercussions and meaning throughout the writer’s life. Finally, the memories selected and accorded specific significance were often those from times of emotional crisis and disruption and recalling them may have enabled writers to impose some stability upon the insecurities of life. Overall, such memories offer insights into attitudes toward family, indicate the emotional significance of the role that parents played in their offsprings’ lives from childhood to old age, and were important in the formation of personal identities.
The roots of a literary style: Joyce’s presentation of consciousness in Ulysses
Authors: Sotirova Violeta
Published: April 2010

In this article I explore the controversial issue of the origin of free indirect style. While its most rigorous analyst, Banfield (1982), claims that the style is purely literary and cannot be found in ordinary spoken discourse, Adamson (1994) has located its origin in everyday linguistic practices, such as empathetic deixis and quotative modality. I add a new dimension to the study of these issues by moving beyond the level of individual sentences. In particular, I focus on referential choices for the designation of characters. My case-study is Joyce’s Ulysses, a novel which Leavis (1948) once characterized with trademark polemic as a ‘dead end’. By way of contrast, Wales’s study of its language claims for it the highest praise by dint of the text’s exemplary Bakhtinian polyphony. I complicate the Bakhtinian reading of Joyce by not taking dialogicity to mean simply a co-existence of different discourse varieties, but by trying to find parallels between the presentation of character consciousness and spoken interaction. My examples of Joyce’s use of pronouns to refer to characters in free indirect style seem to create discourse inconsistencies (often interpreted with regard to the disintegration of the Modernist self), rather than allow readers to interpret pronominal references automatically. I argue that the best way to account for this bizarre strategy is by aligning it to spoken discourse where vague pronominal references, in the form of personal and demonstrative pronouns, are commonly found. The argument advanced by spoken discourse analysts, that the construction and understanding of reference is a joint endeavour of speaker and addressee, allows me to construct Joyce’s text as dialogical in Bakhtinian terms and thus locate once again the origin of free indirect style in everyday discourse.
A Comparison of Different Searching Strategies to Locate Sources of Odor in Turbulent Flows
Authors: Lo Iacono Giovanni
Published: April 2010

Four different searching strategies to locate the source of odor in turbulent flows have been computationally tested. These algorithms can be separated into two classes. One is based on the rate of odor patches encountered by the searcher, the other employs the variation of odor concentrations as well as the rate of odor patches experienced by the searcher. The concentration of odor has been simulated by using a stochastic model for the time-evolution of concentrations along the path of a moving observer in an inhomogeneous plume. For each algorithm, we released the searchers at a crosswind location away from the plume centerline; we then calculated the ensemble average position relative to the plume centerline and the distribution of the searchers along the crosswind direction at the source. Compared with strategies using rate of odor patches only, the algorithms that also employ the variation of concentrations are seen to be more effective in locating the source; that is, the average path of all searchers is more biased toward the plume centerline and their crosswind distribution is more skewed toward the source. The findings of this work can be used as guidelines to discriminate successful strategies that can be tested in future experiments.
Pathway discovery in mantle cell lymphoma by integrated analysis of high-resolution gene expression and copy number profiling
Authors: Hartmann Elena M. , Campo Elias , Wright George , Lenz Georg , Salaverria Itziar , Jares Pedro , Xiao Wenming , Braziel Rita M. , Rimsza Lisa M. , Chan Wing-Chung , Weisenburger Dennis D. , Delabie Jan , Jaffe Elaine S. , Gascoyne Randy D. , Dave Sandeep S. , Mueller-Hermelink Hans-Konrad , Staudt Louis M. , Ott German , Beà Sílvia , Rosenwald Andreas
Published: April 2010

The genome of mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is, in addition to the translocation t(11;14), characterized by a high number of secondary chromosomal gains and losses that probably account for the various survival times of MCL patients. We investigated 77 primary MCL tumors with available clinical information using high-resolution RNA expression and genomic profiling and applied our recently developed gene expression and dosage integrator algorithm to identify novel genes and pathways that may be of relevance for the pathobiology of MCL. We show that copy number neutral loss of heterozygosity is common in MCL and targets regions that are frequently affected by deletions. The molecular consequences of genomic copy number changes appear complex, even in genomic loci with identified tumor suppressors, such as the region 9p21 containing the CDKN2A locus. Moreover, the deregulation of novel genes, such as CUL4A, ING1, and MCPH1, may affect the 2 crucial pathogenetic mechanisms in MCL, the disturbance of the proliferation, and DNA damage response pathways. Deregulation of the Hippo pathway may have a pathogenetic role in MCL because decreased expression of its members MOBKL2A, MOBKL2B, and LATS2 was associated with inferior outcome, including an independent validation series of 32 MCLs.
Chemical modulators of the innate immune response alter gypsy moth larval susceptibility to Bacillus thuringiensis
Authors: Broderick Nichole A , Raffa Kenneth F , Handelsman Jo
Published: April 2010

Background

The gut comprises an essential barrier that protects both invertebrate and vertebrate animals from invasion by microorganisms. Disruption of the balanced relationship between indigenous gut microbiota and their host can result in gut bacteria eliciting host responses similar to those caused by invasive pathogens. For example, ingestion of Bacillus thuringiensis by larvae of some species of susceptible Lepidoptera can result in normally benign enteric bacteria exerting pathogenic effects.

Results

We explored the potential role of the insect immune response in mortality caused by B. thuringiensis in conjunction with gut bacteria. Two lines of evidence support such a role. First, ingestion of B. thuringiensis by gypsy moth larvae led to the depletion of their hemocytes. Second, pharmacological agents that are known to modulate innate immune responses of invertebrates and vertebrates altered larval mortality induced by B. thuringiensis. Specifically, Gram-negative peptidoglycan pre-treated with lysozyme accelerated B. thuringiensis-induced killing of larvae previously made less susceptible due to treatment with antibiotics. Conversely, several inhibitors of the innate immune response (eicosanoid inhibitors and antioxidants) increased the host's survival time following ingestion of B. thuringiensis.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that B. thuringiensis infection provokes changes in the cellular immune response of gypsy moth larvae. The effects of chemicals known to modulate the innate immune response of many invertebrates and vertebrates, including Lepidoptera, also indicate a role of this response in B. thuringiensis killing. Interactions among B. thuringiensis toxin, enteric bacteria, and aspects of the gypsy moth immune response may provide a novel model to decipher mechanisms of sepsis associated with bacteria of gut origin.
Low availability of carnitine precursors as a possible reason for the diminished plasma carnitine concentrations in pregnant women
Authors: Ringseis Robert , Hanisch Nicole , Seliger Gregor , Eder Klaus
Published: April 2010

Background

It has been shown that plasma carnitine concentrations decrease markedly during gestation. A recent study performed with a low number of subjects suggested that this effect could be due to a low iron status which leads to an impairment of carnitine synthesis. The present study aimed to confirm this finding in a greater number of subjects. It was moreover intended to find out whether low carnitine concentrations during pregnancy could be due to a reduced availability of precursors of carnitine synthesis, namely trimethyllysine (TML) and γ-butyrobetaine (BB).

Methods

Blood samples of 79 healthy pregnant women collected at delivery were used for this study.

Results

There was only a weak, non-significant (P > 0.05), correlation between plasma concentration of ferritin and those of free and total carnitine. There was no correlation between other parameters of iron status (plasma iron concentration, hemoglobin, MCV, MCH) and plasma concentration of free and total carnitine. There were, however, significant (P < 0.05) positive correlations between concentrations of TML and BB and those of free and total carnitine in plasma.

Conclusions

The results of this study suggest that an insufficient iron status is not the reason for low plasma carnitine concentrations observed in pregnant women. It is rather indicated that low plasma carnitine concentrations are caused by a low availability of precursors for carnitine synthesis during gestation.
Multiple barriers against successful care provision for depressed patients in general internal medicine in a Japanese rural hospital: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Ohtsuki Tsuyuka , Inagaki Masatoshi , Oikawa Yuetsu , Saitoh Akiyoshi , Kurosawa Mie , Muramatsu Kumiko , Yamada Mitsuhiko
Published: April 2010

Background

A general internist has an important role in primary care, especially for the elderly in rural areas of Japan. Although effective intervention models for depressed patients in general practice and primary care settings have been developed in the US and UK medical systems, there is little information regarding even the recognition rate and prescription rate of psychotropic medication by general internists in Japan. The present study surveyed these data cross-sectionally in a general internal medicine outpatient clinic of a Japanese rural hospital.

Methods

Patients were consecutively recruited and evaluated for major depressive disorder or any mood disorder using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ). Physicians who were blinded to the results of the PHQ were asked to diagnose whether the patients had any mental disorders, and if so, whether they had mood disorders or not. Data regarding prescription of psychotropic medicines were collected from medical records.

Results

Among 312 patients, 27 (8.7%) and 52 (16.7%) were identified with major depressive disorder and any mood disorder using the PHQ, respectively. Among those with major depressive disorder, 21 (77.8%) were recognized by physicians as having a mental disorder, but only three (11.1%) were diagnosed as having a mood disorder.

Only two patients with major depressive disorder (7.4%) had been prescribed antidepressants. Even among those (n = 15) whom physicians diagnosed with a mood disorder irrespective of the PHQ results, only four (26.7%) were prescribed an antidepressant.

Conclusions

Despite a high prevalence of depression, physicians did not often recognize depression in patients. In addition, most patients who were diagnosed by physicians as having a mood disorder were not prescribed antidepressants. Multiple barriers to providing appropriate care for depressed patients exist, such as recognizing depression, prescribing appropriate medications, and appropriately referring patients to mental health specialists.
Alterations in the homeostasis of phospholipids and cholesterol by antitumor alkylphospholipids
Authors: Jiménez-López José M , Ríos-Marco Pablo , Marco Carmen , Segovia Josefa L , Carrasco María P
Published: April 2010

The alkylphospholipid analog miltefosine (hexadecylphosphocholine) is a membrane-directed antitumoral and antileishmanial drug belonging to the alkylphosphocholines, a group of synthetic antiproliferative agents that are promising candidates in anticancer therapy. A variety of mechanisms have been suggested to explain the actions of these compounds, which can induce apoptosis and/or cell growth arrest. In this review, we focus on recent advances in our understanding of the actions of miltefosine and other alkylphospholipids on the human hepatoma HepG2 cell line, with a special emphasis on lipid metabolism. Results obtained in our laboratory indicate that miltefosine displays cytostatic activity and causes apoptosis in HepG2 cells. Likewise, treatment with miltefosine produces an interference with the biosynthesis of phosphatidylcholine via both CDP-choline and phosphatidylethanolamine methylation. With regard to sphingolipid metabolism, miltefosine hinders the formation of sphingomyelin, which promotes intracellular accumulation of ceramide. We have demonstrated for the first time that treatment with miltefosine strongly impedes the esterification of cholesterol and that this effect is accompanied by a considerable increase in the synthesis of cholesterol, which leads to higher levels of cholesterol in the cells. Indeed, miltefosine early impairs cholesterol transport from the plasma membrane to the endoplasmic reticulum, causing a deregulation of cholesterol homeostasis. Similar to miltefosine, other clinically-relevant synthetic alkylphospholipids such as edelfosine, erucylphosphocholine and perifosine show growth inhibitory effects on HepG2 cells. All the tested alkylphospholipids also inhibit the arrival of plasma-membrane cholesterol to the endoplasmic reticulum, which induces a significant cholesterogenic response in these cells, involving an increased gene expression and higher levels of several proteins related to the pathway of biosynthesis as well as the receptor-mediated uptake of cholesterol. Thus, membrane-targeted alkylphospholipids exhibit a common mechanism of action through disruption of cholesterol homeostasis. The accumulation of cholesterol within the cell and the reduction in phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin biosyntheses certainly alter the ratio of choline-bearing phospholipids to cholesterol, which is critical for the integrity and functionality of specific membrane microdomains such as lipid rafts. Alkylphospholipid-induced alterations in lipid homeostasis with probable disturbance of the native membrane structure could well affect signaling processes vital to cell survival and growth.
HP1γ function is required for male germ cell survival and spermatogenesis
Authors: Brown Jeremy P , Bullwinkel Jörn , Baron-Lühr Bettina , Billur Mustafa , Schneider Philipp , Winking Heinz , Singh Prim B
Published: April 2010

Background

HP1 proteins are conserved components of eukaryotic constitutive heterochromatin. In mammals, there are three genes that encode HP1-like proteins, termed HP1α, HP1β and HP1γ, which have a high degree of homology This paper describes for the first time, to our knowledge, the physiological function of HP1γ using a gene-targeted mouse.

Results

While targeting theCbx3gene (encoding the HP1γ protein) with a conditional targeting vector, we generated a hypomorphic allele (Cbx3hypo), which resulted in much reduced (barely detectable) levels of HP1γ protein. Homozygotes for the hypomorphic allele (Cbx3hypo/hypo) are rare, with only 1% ofCbx3hypo/hypoanimals reaching adulthood. Adult males exhibit a severe hypogonadism that is associated with a loss of germ cells, with some seminiferous tubules retaining only the supporting Sertoli cells (Sertoli cell-only phenotype). The percentage of seminiferous tubules that are positive for L1 ORF1 protein (ORF1p) inCbx3hypo/hypotestes is greater than that for wild-type testes, indicating that L1 retrotransposon silencing is reversed, leading to ectopic expression of ORF1p inCbx3hypo/hypogerm cells.

Conclusions

TheCbx3gene product (the HP1γ protein) has a non-redundant function during spermatogenesis that cannot be compensated for by the other two HP1 isotypes. TheCbx3hypo/hypospermatogenesis defect is similar to that found inMiwi2andDnmt3Lmutants. TheCbx3gene-targeted mice generated in this study provide an appropriate model for the study of HP1γ in transposon silencing and parental imprinting.
C-Reactive Protein and Risk of Lung Cancer
Authors: Chaturvedi Anil K. , Caporaso Neil E. , Katki Hormuzd A. , Wong Hui-Lee , Chatterjee Nilanjan , Pine Sharon R. , Chanock Stephen J. , Goedert James J. , Engels Eric A.
Published: April 2010

Purpose

Chronic inflammation could play a role in lung carcinogenesis, underscoring the potential for lung cancer prevention and screening. We investigated the association of circulating high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP, an inflammation biomarker) and CRP single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with prospective lung cancer risk.

Patients and Methods

We conducted a nested case-control study of 592 lung cancer patients and 670 controls with available prediagnostic serum and 378 patients and 447 controls with DNA within the screening arm of the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial (N = 77,464). Controls were matched to patients on age, sex, entry year, follow-up time, and smoking. We measured CRP levels in baseline serum samples and genotyped five common CRP SNPs.

Results

Elevated CRP levels were associated with increased lung cancer risk (odds ratio [OR], 1.98; 95% CI, 1.35 to 2.89; P-trend < .001 for fourth quartile [Q4, ≥ 5.6 mg/L] v Q1 [< 1.0 mg/L]). The CRP association did not differ significantly by histology, follow-up time, or smoking status, but was most apparent for squamous cell carcinomas (OR, 2.92; 95% CI, 1.30 to 6.54), 2 to 5 years before lung cancer diagnosis (OR, 2.33; 95% CI, 1.24 to 4.39), and among former smokers (OR, 2.48; 95% CI, 1.53 to 4.03) and current smokers (OR, 1.90; 95% CI, 1.06 to 3.41). Although CRP SNPs and haplotypes were associated with CRP levels, they were not associated with lung cancer risk. Ten-year standardized absolute risks of lung cancer were higher with elevated CRP levels among former smokers (Q4: 2.55%; 95% CI, 1.98% to 3.27% v Q1: 1.39%; 95% CI, 1.07% to 1.81%) and current smokers (Q4: 7.37%; 95% CI, 5.81% to 9.33% v Q1: 4.03%; 95% CI, 3.01% to 5.40%).

Conclusion

Elevated CRP levels are associated with subsequently increased lung cancer risk, suggesting an etiologic role for chronic pulmonary inflammation in lung carcinogenesis.
Complications of Chemonucleolysis for Lumbar Disc Disease
Authors: Watts Clark
Published: April 2010

In 13,700 patients who received one or more lumbar disc injections of chymopapain, 401 complications, adverse reactions, and delayed untoward events were recorded, including eight deaths. The deaths were secondary to anaphylaxis, pulmonary embolism, discitis with subacute bacterial endocarditis, ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (two patients), encephalitis (of unknown etiology), and myocardial infarction. Of these, the deaths secondary to anaphylaxis and discitis with subacute bacterial endocarditis can be attributed directly to the procedure of chemonucleolysis.
The Infratentorial-Supracerebellar Exposure of Tumors in the Pineal Area
Authors: Page Larry K.
Published: April 2010

Nine pineal area lesions were operated upon by the infratentorial-supracerebellar approach. There was one operative death and one death due to disseminated germinoma recurrence 2/12 years postoperatively. The remaining seven patients have shown no sign of recurrence and are neurologically normal. The surgical method that has evolved through these nine cases is discussed. The infratentorial-supracerebellar exposure is an excellent one for lesions in the region of the pineal gland, posterior 3rd ventricle, and superior cerebellar vermis. Access is less hampered by the major tributaries of the vein of Galen than with the supratentorial operations. This approach is also a useful extension of the standard posterior fossa exploration when dealing with primarily subtentorial lesions that involve the dorsal midbrain or herniate upward.
The Effects of Membrane Thickness on the Performance and Impedance of the Direct Methanol Fuel Cell
Authors: Seo S H , Lee C S
Published: April 2010

The purpose of this work is to investigate the effect of membrane thickness on direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) performance and impedance under various operating conditions including operating temperature, methanol concentration, cathode flowrate, and cathode backpressure. The experiments were conducted by using three membranes of NRE-212 (50.8 m), N-115 (127 m), and N-117 (183 m) loading Pt—Ru (4 mg/cm2) and Pt-black (4 mg/cm2) at the anode and the cathode, respectively. The DMFC performance was analysed in terms of a polarization curve expressed by measuring voltage and current density and power—current density. In order to analyse performance losses such as activation loss and ohmic loss, the real and imaginary components of impedance were measured by AC impedance measurement system at various frequencies. Also, the crossover current at the open circuit was measured by using humidified nitrogen at the cathode and power supply. It was shown that DMFC performance was improved by the reduction of resistance for proton transport at the thinner membrane under the same test conditions. The comparison of open circuit voltage shows that using of a thicker membrane results in a larger value than that of using a thin membrane due to the decrease in methanol crossover.
Calibration of the Stiffness and Damping Characteristics of a Magnetorheological Fluid Long Squeeze Film Damper in Terms of Reynolds Number
Authors: Jagadish H P , Ravikumar L
Published: April 2010

Magnetorheological (MR) fluids are suspensions of fine micron-sized magnetizable particles in a suitable carrier liquid. The rheological properties of the fluid can be controlled by application of a suitable magnetic field and can be used in a variety of applications where variable damping and stiffness characteristics are required, based on the requirements of the rotor dynamic system. In this work, the stiffness and damping characteristics of MR fluid long squeeze film damper operating at low eccentricity ratios are calibrated in terms of Reynolds number of the squeeze film for different clearance and L/D ratios. A theoretical constant magnetic field viscosity model is developed, based on the literature, and is subsequently used to evaluate the theoretical stiffness and damping coefficients, at a particular excitation frequency. The results indicate that the stiffness and damping coefficients decrease with increasing Reynolds number of the squeeze film and is found to be abysmally low, indicating that the flow has ceased and the film has solidified. This is in accordance with the literature that predicts the formation of chain-like semi-solid structures, restricting the flow, and consequently increasing the viscosity, under the influence of the magnetic field. This change in viscosity, in turn, influences the stiffness and damping coefficients and the Reynolds number of the squeeze film. The stiffness and damping coefficients are found to increase with decreasing clearance, increasing L/D ratio, and eccentricity ratio. The results of the investigation assist the designer in obtaining the stiffness and damping characteristics of the squeeze film damper based on the Reynolds number of the squeeze film. Conversely, the stiffness and damping characteristics of the squeeze film damper are calibrated in terms of the Reynolds number of the squeeze film for different damper configurations.
A Dynamics-Based Optimal Trajectory Generation for Controlling an Automated Excavator
Authors: Yoo S , Park C-G , You S-H , Lim B
Published: April 2010

This article presents a new methodology to generate optimal trajectories in controlling an automated excavator. By parameterizing all the actuator displacements with B-splines of the same order and with the same number of control points, the coupled actuator limits, associated with the maximum pump flowrate, are described as the finite-dimensional set of linear constraints to the motion optimization problem. Several weighting functions are introduced on the generalized actuator torque so that the solution to each optimization problems contains the physical meaning. Numerical results showing that the generated motions of the excavator are fairly smooth and effectively save energy, which can prevent mechanical wearing and possibly save fuel consumption, are presented. A typical operator's manoeuvre from experiments is referred to bring out the standing features of the optimized motion.
Parameter study for the finite element modelling of long bones with computed-tomography-imaging-based stiffness distribution
Authors: Wullschleger L , Weisse B , Blaser D , Fürst A E
Published: April 2010

Four radii of different horses were tested in three-point bending and in pure torsion. Detailed finite element (FE) models of these long bones were established by means of computed-tomography (CT) images and tests simulated for both load cases. For the allocation of the local isotropic material stiffness, individual exponential functions were applied whose factor and exponent were determined solely by fitting them to the measured torsional stiffness and bending stiffness of the entire bones. These stiffness functions referring directly to the CT number and having exponents between 1.5 and 2 were in good agreement with Young's moduli subsequently measured from small samples cut from the investigated bones. Based on a model with local orthotropic material definition, an additional parameter study was conducted to verify the sensitivities of the FE analysis results on single variations in the orthotropic elastic constants. This study revealed that the bending test simulations could be enhanced by substantial reduction in Young's moduli in the directions perpendicular to the bone axis; thus, orthotropic material definition is preferable for the FE analysis of long bones.
Reverse anatomy shoulder replacement: Comparison of two designs
Authors: Masjedi M , Johnson G R
Published: April 2010

The aim of this study was to use a biomechanical model of the shoulder to examine the characteristics of two concepts of reverse anatomy implant; those that preserve the natural glenohumeral centre such as the Bayley—Walker (B—W) replacement and those medializing it such as Delta. A biomechanical model of the shoulder was used to evaluate the biomechanical characteristics of these prostheses. The moment arms of the shoulder muscles were predicted for the implanted models over a wide workspace and were compared to those of natural anatomy. The deltoid muscle moment arms through almost all of the range of motion in the Delta model were greatest. As a result the shoulder joint contact force was decreased for this implant. Furthermore, although the B—W model predicted similar moment arms to natural anatomy, the contact force decreased owing to change in the joint constraints. Finally, it was concluded that the reverse anatomy can compensate for loss of rotator cuff muscles in terms of joint stability, yet the shoulder function depends on the individual's musculature.
Eye-Movement Patterns of Readers With Down Syndrome During Sentence-Processing: An Exploratory Study
Authors: Frenck-Mestre Cheryl , Zardan Nathalie , Colas Annie , Ghio Alain
Published: April 2010

Eye movements were examined to determine how readers with Down syndrome process sentences online. Participants were 9 individuals with Down syndrome ranging in reading level from Grades 1 to 3 and a reading-level-matched control group. For syntactically simple sentences, the pattern of reading times was similar for the two groups, with longer reading times found at sentence end. This “wrap-up” effect was also found in the first reading of more complex sentences for the control group, whereas it only emerged later for the readers with Down syndrome. Our results provide evidence that eye movements can be used to investigate reading in individuals with Down syndrome and underline the need for future studies.
Crack-Closure Behavior of 7050 Aluminum Alloy near Threshold Conditions for Wide Range in Load Ratios and ConstantKmax Tests
Authors: Newman J. C. , Yamada Y. , Newman J. A.
Published: April 2010

Fatigue-crack-growth rate tests were conducted on compact specimens made of a 7050-T7451 aluminum alloy to study the behavior over a range in load ratios (0.1≤R≤0.9) and constant Kmax test conditions. Previous research had suggested that differences in the threshold regime at high load ratios were attributed to Kmax effects. But recent measurements of crack-closure behavior under high R and constant Kmax test conditions near threshold conditions on a variety of materials have indicated that these tests may not be crack-closure free as suspected. Strain gages were placed near and ahead of the crack tip to measure crack-opening loads from local strain records. In addition, a back-face strain (BFS) gage was used to monitor crack sizes and to measure crack-opening loads from remote strain records during the same tests. The 7050 alloy produced very rough crack-surface profiles. For R=0.1, the BFS and local gages indicated very similar high crack-opening loads. For R≥0.7 and Kmax test results in the threshold regime, the BFS gages indicated lower crack-opening loads than the local gages. Based on local measurements, crack-closure-free fatigue-crack-growth data (ΔKeff against rate) were calculated. These results indicated that the ΔKeff against rate relation is nearly a unique function over a wide range of R values even in the threshold regime, if crack-opening loads were measured from local strain gages. At low R, all three major shielding mechanisms (plasticity, roughness, and fretting debris) are suspected to cause crack closure. But for high R and Kmax tests, roughness and fretting debris are suspected to cause crack closure above the minimum load. A strip-yield model was also used to correlate the data over a wide range in load ratios and rates, but required a very low constraint factor (α=1.3), due to the high crack-opening loads.
Mek1 Suppression of Meiotic Double-Strand Break Repair Is Specific to Sister Chromatids, Chromosome Autonomous and Independent of Rec8 Cohesin Complexes
Authors: Callender Tracy L , Hollingsworth Nancy M
Published: April 2010

During meiosis, recombination is directed to occur between homologous chromosomes to create connections necessary for proper segregation at meiosis I. Partner choice is determined at the time of strand invasion and is mediated by two recombinases: Rad51 and the meiosis-specific Dmc1. In budding yeast, interhomolog bias is created in part by the activity of a meiosis-specific kinase, Mek1, which is localized to the protein cores of condensed sister chromatids. Analysis of meiotic double-strand break (DSB) repair in haploid and disomic haploid strains reveals that Mek1 suppresses meiotic intersister DSB repair by working directly on sister chromatids. Rec8 cohesin complexes are not required, however, either for suppression of intersister DSB repair or for the repair itself. Regulation of DSB repair in meiosis is chromosome autonomous such that unrepaired breaks on haploid chromosomes do not prevent interhomolog repair between disomic homologs. The pattern of DSB repair in haploids containing Dmc1 and/or Rad51 indicates that Mek1 acts on Rad51-specific recombination processes.