bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A New Proof of Friedman's Conjecture
Authors: Yu Liang
Published: July 2011

We give a new proof of Friedman's conjecture that every uncountable set of reals has a member of each hyperdegree greater than or equal to the hyperjump.
On dp-minimality, strong dependence and weight
Authors: Onshuus Alf , Usvyatsov Alexander
Published: July 2011

We study dp-minimal and strongly dependent theories and investigate connections between these notions and weight.
Weak representations of relation algebras and relational bases
Authors: Hirsch Robin , Hodkinson Ian , Maddux Roger D.
Published: July 2011

It is known that for all finite n ≥ 5, there are relation algebras with n-dimensional relational bases but no weak representations. We prove that conversely, there are finite weakly representable relation algebras with no n-dimensional relational bases. In symbols: neither of the classes RAn and wRRA contains the other.
Splitting definably compact groups in o-minimal structures
Authors: Mamino Marcello
Published: July 2011

An argument of A. Borel [Bor-61, Proposition 3.1] shows that every compact connected Lie group is homeomorphic to the Cartesian product of its derived subgroup and a torus. We prove a parallel result for definably compact definably connected groups definable in an o-minimal expansion of a real closed field. As opposed to the Lie case, however, we provide an example showing that the derived subgroup may not have a definable semidirect complement.
Completely metrisable groups acting on trees
Authors: Rosendal Christian
Published: July 2011

We consider actions of completely metrisable groups on simplicial trees in the context of the Bass–Serre theory. Our main result characterises continuity of the amplitude function corresponding to a given action. Under fairly mild conditions on a completely metrisable groupG, namely, that the set of elements generating a non-discrete or finite subgroup is somewhere dense, we show that in any decomposition as a free product with amalgamation,G=A*cB, the amalgamated groupsA,BandCare open inG.
Class Relations and All-Cause Mortality: A Test of Wright's Social Class Scheme Using the Barcelona 2000 Health Interview Survey
Authors: Muntaner Carles , Borrell Carme , Solà Judit , Marí-Dell'Olmo Marc , Chung Haejoo , Rodríguez-Sanz Maica , Benach Joan , Rocha Kátia B. , Ng Edwin
Published: July 2011

The aim of this study is to test the effects of neo-Marxian social class and potential mediators such as labor market position, work organization, material deprivation, and health behaviors on all-cause mortality. The authors use longitudinal data from the Barcelona 2000 Health Interview Survey (N = 7,526), with follow-up interviews through the municipal census in 2008 (95.97% response rate). Using data on relations of property, organizational power, and education, the study groups social classes according to Wright's scheme: capitalists, petit bourgeoisie, managers, supervisors, and skilled, semi-skilled, and unskilled workers. Findings indicate that social class, measured as relations of control over productive assets, is an important predictor of mortality among working-class men but not women. Workers (hazard ratio = 1.60; 95% confidence interval, 1.10–2.35) but also managers and small employers had a higher risk of death compared with capitalists. The extensive use of conventional gradient measures of social stratification has neglected sociological measures of social class conceptualized as relations of control over productive assets. This concept is capable of explaining how social inequalities are generated. To confirm the protective effect of the capitalist class position and the “contradictory class location hypothesis,” additional efforts are needed to properly measure class among low-level supervisors, capitalists, managers, and small employers.
Health, Safety and Environmental Education at the Canadian Labour Congress
Authors: Bennett Dave
Published: July 2011

This piece describes involvement and reflections by Dave Bennett in three areas: 1) union education at the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) from the late 1970s onwards; 2) insights regarding how the CLC moved into health and safety education in the early 1980s; and 3) further thoughts on how the CLC moved from health and safety into environmental protection education in the early 1990s, and consequent changes in the perspective adopted by health and safety courses. There are two types of critical comment on these educational processes, one which examines the educational dilemmas at the time, with an evaluation of the decisions reached, and the other a retrospective view of the educational process as a result of reflective hindsight.
Theoretical and Empirical Studies on the Catalytic Partial Oxidation of Methane Promoted by FeY and Fe(piperazine)Y Complexes (Y = Y-zeolite)
Authors: Berezuk Marcio Eduardo , Rossi Carla C. R. S. , Carvalho Nakédia M. F. , Arroyo Pedro Augusto , Dariva Cláudio , Horn Adolfo , Cardozo-Filho Lúcio
Published: July 2011

In this study, we synthesized and characterized zeolite-encapsulated Fe(III) complexes containing piperazine-derived ligands. The catalytic activity of these complexes was tested in the partial oxidation of methane to methanol using O2 as a low-pressure oxidant. Values for methane conversion of up to 1.2% with methanol selectivity of up to 6.7% were obtained. The experimental data were compared with thermodynamic simulation results for the reaction that takes place as a basic principle, the minimization of Gibbs free energy.
The Analysis of Changes in the Contract Zone on Pre-Trial Bargaining Outcome under Incomplete Information
Authors: Kim Helena Hye-Young
Published: July 2011

It has been often argued in industrial relations and law and economics literature that enlarging the contract zone, by increasing the costs of disagreement, helps to reduce the bargaining impasse improving the bargaining result. For example, when the costs of disagreement rise, such as the costs of a trial, this will make a pre-trial settlement more attractive for disputing parties in a civil lawsuit. But the paper shows that this is not necessarily true, that the increase in the costs of disagreement may have a perverse effect of increasing the probability that the bargaining ends in disagreements.
Market Definition of Long Distance Transportation Market in Japan: An Event Study Approach
Authors: Mizuno Tomomichi , Hanabusa Kunihiro
Published: July 2011

After the September 11th attacks, passengers avoided air travel. Hence, companies competing with air carriers may have benefited from the terrorist attacks. Using the market model with a dummy variable and generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (GARCH) for an event study, we examine the impact of the attacks on Japanese airline and high-speed railway industries. We show that terrorist attacks negatively impacted the stock prices of the airline industry but increased those of the high-speed railway industry. Thus, because of the competition between air carriers and railway companies, terrorist attacks benefited the high-speed railway industry. We conclude that the Japanese transportation market can be defined as a market containing both air carriers and railway companies.
Voice activity detection method based on multivalued coarse-graining Lempel-Ziv complexity
Authors: Zhao Huan , Wang Gangjin , Xu Cheng , Yu Fei
Published: July 2011

One of the key issues in practical speech processing is to locate precisely
endpoints of the input utterance to be free of nonspeech regions. Although
lots of studies have been performed to solve this problem, the operation of
existing voice activity detection (VAD) algorithms is still far away from
ideal. This paper proposes a novel robust feature for VAD method that is
based on multi-valued coarsegraining Lempel-Ziv Complexity (MLZC), which is
an improved algorithm of the binary coarse-graining Lempel-Ziv Complexity
(BLZC). In addition, we use fuzzy c-Means clustering algorithm and the
Bayesian information criterion algorithm to estimate the thresholds of the
MLZC characteristic, and adopt the dual-thresholds method for VAD.
Experimental results on the TIMIT continuous speech database show that at low
SNR environments, the detection performance of the proposed MLZC method is
superior to the VAD in GSM ARM, G.729 and BLZC method.
Delayed School Entry in Uganda
Authors: Moyi Peter
Published: July 2011

Since 1997 Uganda has seen a large increase in school enrolment. Despite this increased enrolment, universal education has remained elusive. Many children enrol in school, but not at the recommended age, and they drop out before completing school. This article focuses on one of these problems – delayed school entry. What household factors are associated with delayed school entry? Delaying school entry is likely to hinder the achievement of universal education and the development of the cognitive competencies of Ugandan children. Using 2006 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey data, this study examines the household factors associated with school entry. The results show that the survivorship of the mother, female headship, and the head's level of education are all associated with a lower probability of delayed enrolment.
Metabolic Syndrome and Erectile Dysfunction
Authors: Schipilliti Mirko , Caretta Nicola , Palego Pierfrancesco , Selice Riccardo , Ferlin Alberto , Foresta Carlo
Published: July 2011

OBJECTIVE

To study the relation between metabolic syndrome (MS), cavernosal morphological vasculopathy, and peripheral vascular alterations (carotid and femoral wall) in patients with erectile dysfunction.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A total of 207 patients and 50 control subjects were evaluated for cardiovascular risk factors, physical examination, reproductive hormones, ultrasound analysis of cavernosal, carotid and femoral arteries (intima-media thickness), and cavernosal flow measurement (peak systolic velocity).

RESULTS

A total of 28% of patients had MS, and they presented with a high prevalence of cavernosal alterations (70.3%) and systemic vascular impairment (59.3%), whereas patients with cavernosal alterations (44%) showed the higher prevalence of MS (48.9%). The number of MS components was related to the prevalence of penile vasculopathy. However, multivariate analysis showed that MS is not an independent predictor for cavernosal vasculopathy.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with cavernosal vasculopathy have an increased cardiometabolic risk, and screening for MS components might identify individuals with a higher risk for cavernosal and systemic atherosclerosis.
Vitamin D deficiency is related to worse emotional state
Authors: Lašaite Lina , Gailyte Ieva , Puzinas Paulius , Preikša Romualdas , Kazanavičius Gintautas
Published: July 2011

The aim was to evaluate vitamin D levels in young healthy Lithuanian males in winter and to find possible associations of vitamin D concentration to body composition, cognitive functioning, emotional state.

Subjects and Methods A total of 130 healthy males (age range, 18–26 years) were divided into the subgroups according to vitamin D concentration. The Profile of Mood States (POMS) questionnaire and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale were employed in the assessment of emotional state. Cognitive functioning was assessed by the Trail Making Test and the Digit Symbol Test of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale.

Results The mean concentration of vitamin D for the entire sample was 13.0±5.3 ng/ml. Only 2 persons (1.6%) had the recommended vitamin D level. Nearly half (45.4%) of study participants had vitamin D deficiency. Lower concentrations were associated with a significantly higher score on the POMS confusion-bewilderment scale. A tendency toward a lower mean depression-dejection score in the participants with a sufficient vitamin D level was observed. Vitamin D concentration correlated positively with body mass index (BMI) and inversely with the confusion-bewilderment score.

In conclusion almost half of the young healthy males participating in the study were detected to have vitamin D deficiency in winter. Low vitamin D concentrations are associated with a worse emotional state.
A procedure for the determination of dichloromethane and tetrachloroethene in water using pervaporation and gas chromatography
Authors: Rutkiewicz Irena , Kujawski Wojciech , Namieśnik Jacek
Published: July 2011

In the present study, pervaporation was applied to the determination of tetrachloroethene (PCE) and dichloromethane (DCM) in liquid samples. PCE is the most commonly used solvent in drycleaning processes. PCE belongs to group 2A of carcinogens (probably carcinogenic to humans) according to the classification of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). DCM is also widely used as an industrial solvent for the purification and isolation of intermediates or products. DCM is classified as a “possible” human carcinogen by the IARC. The aim of this study was to evaluate a new procedure for the determination of DCM and PCE in liquid samples based on the pervaporative removal of DCM and PCE from liquid samples as an analyte isolation/enrichment technique, followed by a direct aqueous injection of the extracts onto the column of a gas chromatograph equipped with an electron capture detector (DAI-GC-ECD). The basic parameters of the new PV-DAI-GC-ECD procedure were evaluated.
Simulating pile load-settlement behavior from CPT data using intelligent computing
Authors: Alkroosh I. , Nikraz H.
Published: July 2011

Analysis of pile load-settlement behavior is a complex problem due to the participation of many factors involved. This paper presents a new procedure based on artificial neural networks (ANNs) for simulating the load-settlement behavior of pile foundations embedded in sand and mixed soils (subjected to axial loads). Three ANN models have been developed, a model for bored piles and two other models for driven piles (a model for each of concrete and steel piles). The data used for development of the ANN models is collected from the literature and comprise a series of in-situ piles load tests as well as cone penetration test (CPT) results. The data of each model is divided into two subsets: Training set for model calibration and independent validation set for model verification. Predictions from the ANN models are compared with the results of experimental data and with predictions of number of currently adopted load-transfer methods. Statistical analysis is used to verify the performance of the models. The results indicate that the ANN model performs very well and able to predict the pile load-settlement behaviour accurately.
Morphometric Study for Estimation and Validation of Trunk Transverse Surface Area To Assess Human Drag Force on Water
Authors: Morais Jorge , Costa Mário , Mejias Erik , Marinho Daniel , Silva António , Barbosa Tiago
Published: July 2011

Morphometric Study for Estimation and Validation of Trunk Transverse Surface Area To Assess Human Drag Force on Water

The aim of this study was to compute and validate estimation equations for the trunk transverse surface area (TTSA) to be used in assessing the swimmer's drag force in both genders. One group of 133 swimmers (56 females, 77 males) was used to compute the estimation equations and another group of 131 swimmers (56 females, 75 males) was used for its validations. Swimmers were photographed in the transverse plane from above, on land, in the upright and hydrodynamic position. The TTSA was measured from the swimmer's photo with specific software. Also measured was the height, body mass, biacromial diameter, chest sagital diameter (CSD) and the chest perimeter (CP). With the first group of swimmers, it was computed the TTSA estimation equations based on stepwise multiple regression models from the selected anthropometrical variables. For males TTSA=6.662*CP+17.019*CSD-210.708 (R2=0.32; Ra
2=0.30; P<0.01) and for females TTSA=7.002*CP+15.382*CSD-255.70 (R2=0.34; Ra
2=0.31; P<0.01). For both genders there were no significant differences between assessed and estimated mean TTSA. Coefficients of determination for the linear regression models between assessed and estimated TTSA were R2=0.39 for males and R2=0.55 for females. More than 80% of the plots were within the 95% interval confidence for the Bland-Altman analysis in both genders.
Kinesiophobia - Introducing a New Diagnostic Tool
Authors: Knapik Andrzej , Saulicz Edward , Gnat Rafał
Published: July 2011

Kinesiophobia - Introducing a New Diagnostic Tool

Technical development of human civilisation brings about a decrease of adaptation potential of an individual, which is directly linked to deficient motor activity. Only precise identification of factors leading to hypokinesia would make prophylactic and therapeutic actions possible. In this article, authors would like to introduce a new, original tool aiming at diagnosing limitations of motor activity in adults. They propose a synthetic diagnosis of hypokinesia in two domains: biological and psycho-social, which is based on the contemporary model of health.
Determination of Strength Exercise Intensities Based on the Load-Power-Velocity Relationship
Authors: Jandačka Daniel , Beremlijski Petr
Published: July 2011

Determination of Strength Exercise Intensities Based on the Load-Power-Velocity Relationship

The velocity of movement and applied load affect the production of mechanical power output and subsequently the extent of the adaptation stimulus in strength exercises. We do not know of any known function describing the relationship of power and velocity and load in the bench press exercise. The objective of the study is to find a function modeling of the relationship of relative velocity, relative load and mechanical power output for the bench press exercise and to determine the intensity zones of the exercise for specifically focused strength training of soccer players. Fifteen highly trained soccer players at the start of a competition period were studied. The subjects of study performed bench presses with the load of 0, 10, 30, 50, 70 and 90% of the predetermined one repetition maximum with maximum possible speed of movement. The mean measured power and velocity for each load (kg) were used to develop a multiple linear regression function which describes the quadratic relationship between the ratio of power (W) to maximum power (W) and the ratios of the load (kg) to one repetition maximum (kg) and the velocity (m•s-1) to maximal velocity (m•s-1). The quadratic function of two variables that modeled the searched relationship explained 74% of measured values in the acceleration phase and 75% of measured values from the entire extent of the positive power movement in the lift. The optimal load for reaching maximum power output suitable for the dynamics effort strength training was 40% of one repetition maximum, while the optimal mean velocity would be 75% of maximal velocity. Moreover, four zones: maximum power, maximum velocity, velocity-power and strength-power were determined on the basis of the regression function.
The Influence of Aerobic Power on Repeated Anaerobic Exercise in Junior Soccer Players
Authors: Cipryan Lukas , Gajda Vojtech
Published: July 2011

The Influence of Aerobic Power on Repeated Anaerobic Exercise in Junior Soccer Players

The main purpose of the present study is to investigate the relationship between anaerobic power achieved in repeated anaerobic exercise and aerobic power. The study group consisted of 40 soccer players (age 17.3 ± 1.36 years). All participants performed 3 tests: a running-based anaerobic sprint test (RAST), a graded treadmill test (GXT), and a multistage fitness test (20mPST). A statistically significant correlation was found among peak power in the GXT and the maximum (r = 0.365, p=0.02), minimum (r=0.334, p=0.035) and average (r=0.401, p=0.01) power in the RAST. No relationships were found between VO2max obtained from both aerobic tests and any performance indices in the RAST. A statistically significant correlation was found between the VO2max obtained from the spiroergometry examination (GXT) and the calculated VO2max of 20mPST (r=0.382, p=0.015). In conclusion, the level of VO2max does not influence the performance indices in the RAST in elite junior soccer players. It is possible that the modification of anaerobic test protocol or a more heterogeneous study group would influence the results. The estimation of the VO2max in the 20mPST is too inaccurate and should not replace the laboratory spiroergometry examination.
Altitude Training and its Influence on Physical Endurance in Swimmers
Authors: Strzała Marek , Ostrowski Andrzej , Szyguła Zbigniew
Published: July 2011

Altitude Training and its Influence on Physical Endurance in Swimmers

It is possible to plan an altitude training (AT) period in such a way that the enhanced physical endurance obtained as a result of adaptation to hypoxia will appear and can be used to improve performance in competition. Yet finding rationales for usage of AT in highly trained swimmers is problematic. In practice AT, in its various forms, is still controversial, and an objective review of research concentrating on the advantages and disadvantages of AT has been presented in several scientific publications, including in no small part the observations of swimmers. The aim of this article is to review the various methods and present both the advantageous and unfavourable physiological changes that occur in athletes as a result of AT. Moreover, AT results in the sport of swimming have been collected. They include an approach towards primary models of altitude/hypoxic training: live high + train high, live high + train low, live low + train high, as well as subsequent methods: Intermittent Hypoxic Exposure (IHE) and Intermittent Hypoxic Training (IHT). Apnoea training, which is descended from freediving, is also mentioned, and which can be used with, or as a substitute for, the well-known IHE or IHT methods. In conclusion, swimmers who train using hypoxia may be among the best-trained athletes, and that even a slight improvement in physical endurance might result in the shortening of a swimming time in a given competition, and the achievement of a personal best, which is hard to obtain by normal training methods, when the personal results of the swimmer have reached a plateau.
Gender Differences in Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior and BMI in the Liberec Region: the IPAQ Study in 2002-2009
Authors: Dagmar Sigmundová , Erik Sigmund , Karel Frömel , Aleš Suchomel
Published: July 2011

Gender Differences in Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior and BMI in the Liberec Region: the IPAQ Study in 2002-2009

The occurrence of overweight, obesity and physical activity (PA) belongs to major factors influencing health. However, information on the longitudinal development of PA in Europe has been, up until now, insufficient. The aim of the study was to describe the changes in PA, sedentary behavior and BMI in the inhabitants of the Liberec region during the surveybetween 2002 - 2009. The data were obtained in 2002-2004 using the short version of the IPAQ questionnaire, in 2005-2009 using the long version of the IPAQ. The sample of participants comprised 957 males and 1066 females aged 25-60 years. A significant decrease in sitting accounting for minutes on working days has been recorded both in men and women. A significant increase of PA both in men and women was reported, however the interpretation of the increase needs to be done cautiously due to the application of the short and long version of the IPAQ. Regarding PA intensity, men show more PA in total than women, which can be explained mainly by the differences in vigorous PA. Women show significantly lower values of BMI in all years in which surveys were conducted than men (p<0.001). Based on self-reported data, we have recorded an increase in the number of overweight and obese people. Time spent sitting on working days has had a tendency to decrease, yet a negative trend in the decrease in self-reported total PA has not been confirmed. Despite the fact that there has been an increase in self-reported PA, no decrease in BMI was registered.
A Method of Hyper-sphere Cover in Multidimensional Space for Human Mocap Data Retrieval
Authors: Wei Xiaopeng , Xiao Boxiang , Zhang Qiang , Liu Rui
Published: July 2011

A Method of Hyper-sphere Cover in Multidimensional Space for Human Mocap Data Retrieval

A method of hyper-sphere cover in multidimensional space for human Mocap (Motion Capture) data retrieval is presented in this paper. After normalization and feature extraction, both the retrieval instance and the motion data are mapping into a multidimensional space. Several hyper-spheres are constructed according to the retrieval instance, and the domain covered by these hyper-spheres can be considered as the distribution range of a same kind of motions. By use of CMU free motion database, the retrieval algorithm has been implemented and examined and the experimental results are illustrated. At the same time, the main contributions and limitations are discussed.
Labor Market Regulation and its Characteristics: Comparison Between Czech Republic and Austria
Authors: Železník Martin
Published: July 2011

Labor Market Regulation and its Characteristics: Comparison Between Czech Republic and Austria

In this paper, we are trying to compare the labor market regulation in the Czech Republic and Austria and its structural parameters that characterize the given labor markets. In order to do that, we estimate the New-Keynesian model with matching frictions and nominal wage rigidities. Labor market regulation is proxied by worker's bargaining power over the wage. This main parameter is moving inside the interval and express a share of the total surplus that arises from filling the vacancy. In fact it expresses the state of who gains more from the added value that the vacancy is filled (worker or employer). Results indicate that workers in Austria and the Czech Republic have almost the same bargaining power that arises from the labor market settings.
Automated Tablet Quality Assurance and Identification for Hospital Pharmacies
Authors: Chaczko Zenon , Kale Anup
Published: July 2011

Automated Tablet Quality Assurance and Identification for Hospital Pharmacies

The tablet quality checking and identification in hospital pharmacies is done manually and does not use any automated solution. Manual sorting and handling makes this activity laborious and error-prone. This paper describes a low cost solution that is characterised by a small size of the infrastructure involved. Discussed are design and implementation details of Tablet Inspection System based on Machine Vision. The described process uses a dedicated sequence of operation to perform dispensing, scanning and sorting using mini factory setup. Machine Vision System uses a novel Genetic Evolution algorithm. The algorithm provides robust and scalable output. Due to its versatile nature and easy shape recognition ability the approach can be easily adapted to a large variety of medical tablets. The proposed solution attempts to follow the concept of single objective with multiple optima in GA that is designed to scan multiple number of tablets in one cycle of operation.
Undergraduate Studies in Physical Education in Students' Opinion
Authors: Buchta Krystyna , Lisicki Tomasz
Published: July 2011

Undergraduate Studies in Physical Education in Students' Opinion

Introduction.
The aim of this study was to assess the effects of the undergraduate studies in physical education at the Academy of Physical Education and Sport (APE&S) in Gdańsk and Faculty of Physical Education and Sport (FPE&S) in Biała Podlaska of the Warsaw University of Physical Education (UPE).
Material and methods.
The study included a total of 247 last semester students of full-time education course. The paper uses a method of diagnostic survey with auditorium questionnaire technique. Referring to the provisions of the Bologna Declaration on the implementation of two-degree studies and based on students' opinions, research was conducted in form of comparative studies. Evaluation included circumstances of the choice of study, conditions of study, expectations of respondents to the education and degree of their implementation.
Results.
Subjects taking physical education studies are mainly motivated by interests. They hoped to gain knowledge and skills for further education and professional competence. They highly appreciated the degree of fulfilment of expectations in this regard.
Conclusions.
There was a large convergence of views presented by students of both universities on the education process and its outcomes.
Extracellular NM23 Signaling in Breast Cancer: Incommodus Verum
Authors: Buxton Iain L.O. , Yokdang Nucharee
Published: July 2011

The notion that breast cancers can survive in an individual patient in a dormant state only to grow as metastatic disease in the future, is in our view incontrovertibly established. Convincing too is the evidence that surgery to remove the primary tumor often terminates dormancy resulting in accelerated relapses. Accepting that many deaths due to breast cancer might be averted were we to understand the cellular mechanisms underlying escape from dormancy, we have examined the extracellular signals produced by breast cancers derived from women with metastatic breast disease. In this perspective, we explore the role of extracellular nucleotide signaling that we have proposed constitutes a pathological axis from the transformed tumor cell to the endothelium in the service of intravasation, dissemination, extravasation and angiogenesis. A role for the dinucleotide kinase NM23/NDPK (nucleoside diphosphate kinase) secreted by breast tumor cells in the generation of signals that stimulate vascular leakiness, anti-thrombosis, endothelial migration and growth, constitutes a mechanistic basis for escape from latency and offers putative therapeutic targets for breast cancer management not previously appreciated.
Architecture and Design for Virtual Conferences: A Case Study
Authors: Sempere Andrew
Published: July 2011

This paper presents a case study of the design issues facing a large multi-format virtual conference. The conference took place twice in two different years, each time using an avatar-based 3D world with spatialized audio including keynote, poster and social sessions. Between year 1 and 2, major adjustments were made to the architecture and design of the space, leading to improvement in the nature of interaction between the participants. While virtual meetings will likely never supplant the effectiveness of face-to-face meetings, this paper seeks to outline a few design principles learned from this experience, which can be applied generally to make computer mediated collaboration more effective.
Antiviral Activities of Sulfated Polysaccharides Isolated from Sphaerococcus coronopifolius (Rhodophytha, Gigartinales) and Boergeseniella thuyoides (Rhodophyta, Ceramiales)
Authors: Bouhlal Rhimou , Haslin Camille , Chermann Jean-Claude , Colliec-Jouault Sylvia , Sinquin Corinne , Simon Gaelle , Cerantola Stephane , Riadi Hassane , Bourgougnon Nathalie
Published: July 2011

Water-soluble sulfated polysaccharides isolated from two red algae Sphaerococcus coronopifolius (Gigartinales, Sphaerococcaceae) and Boergeseniella thuyoides (Ceramiales, Rhodomelaceae) collected on the coast of Morocco inhibited in vitro replication of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) at 12.5 µg/mL. In addition, polysaccharides were capable of inhibiting the in vitro replication of Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) on Vero cells values of EC50 of 4.1 and 17.2 µg/mL, respectively. The adsorption step of HSV-1 to the host cell seems to be the specific target for polysaccharide action. While for HIV-1, these results suggest a direct inhibitory effect on HIV-1 replication by controlling the appearance of the new generations of virus and potential virucidal effect. The polysaccharides from S. coronopifolius (PSC) and B. thuyoides (PBT) were composed of galactose, 3,6-anhydrogalactose, uronics acids, sulfate in ratios of 33.1, 11.0, 7.7 and 24.0% (w/w) and 25.4, 16.0, 3.2, 7.6% (w/w), respectively.
Comparative Composition and Antioxidant Activity of Peptide Fractions Obtained by Ultrafiltration of Egg Yolk Protein Enzymatic Hydrolysates
Authors: Chay Pak Ting Bertrand P. , Mine Yoshinori , Juneja Lekh R. , Okubo Tsutomu , Gauthier Sylvie F. , Pouliot Yves
Published: July 2011

The objective of the study was to compare the antioxidant activity of two distinct hydrolysates and their peptide fractions prepared by ultrafiltration (UF) using membranes with molecular weight cut-off of 5 and 1 kDa. The hydrolysates were a delipidated egg yolk protein concentrate (EYP) intensively hydrolyzed with a combination of two bacterial proteases, and a phosphoproteins (PPP) extract partially hydrolyzed with trypsin. Antioxidant activity, as determined by the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay, was low for EYP and PPP hydrolysates with values of 613.1 and 489.2 µM TE×g−1 protein, respectively. UF-fractionation of EYP hydrolysate increased slightly the antioxidant activity in permeate fractions (720.5–867.8 µM TE×g−1 protein). However, ORAC values were increased by more than 3-fold in UF-fractions prepared from PPP hydrolysate, which were enriched in peptides with molecular weight lower than 5 kDa. These UF-fractions were characterized by their lower N/P atomic ratio and higher phosphorus content compared to the same UF-fractions obtained from EYP-TH. They also contained high amounts of His, Met, Leu, and Phe, which are recognized as antioxidant amino acids, but also high content in Lys and Arg which both represent target amino acids of trypsin used for the hydrolysis of PPP.
Antioxidant Activity of Ixora parviflora in a Cell/Cell-Free System and in UV-Exposed Human Fibroblasts
Authors: Wen Kuo-Ching , Chiu Hua-Hsien , Fan Pei-Ching , Chen Chien-Wen , Wu Shih-Mei , Chang Jung-Hsiang , Chiang Hsiu-Mei
Published: July 2011

Polyphenols and flavonoids possess a variety of biological activities including antioxidant and anti-tumor activities. Ixora parviflora is a member of the flavonoid-rich Rubiaceae family of flowering plants and used as folk medicine in India. The aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant activity of Ixora parviflora extract (IPE) in a cell-free system and erythrocytes, and the ability of IPE to inhibit reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in human fibroblasts (Hs68) after ultraviolet (UV) exposure. Various in vitro antioxidant assays were employed in this study. The extraction yield of IPE was 17.4 ± 3.9%, the total phenolic content of IPE was 26.2 μg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/mg leaves dry weight and the total flavonoids content was 54.2 ± 4.4 μg quercetin equvalent (QE)/mg extract. The content of chlorogenic acid was 9.7 ± 1.2 mg/g extract. IPE at 1000 μg/mL exhibited a reducing capacity of 90.5 ± 0.6%, a 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazy (DPPH) radical scavenging activity of 96.0 ± 0.4%, a ferrous chelating activity of 72.2 ± 3.5%, a hydroxyl radical scavenging activity of 96.8 ± 1.4%, and a hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity of 99.5 ± 3.3%. IPE at 500 μg/mL also possessed inhibitory activity against 2,2'-azobis (2-methylpropionamidine) dihydrochloride (AAPH)-induced hemolysis of erythrocytes (89.4 ± 1.8%) and resulted in a 52.9% reduction in ROS generation in UV-exposed fibroblasts. According to our findings, IPE is a potent antioxidant and a potential anti-photoaging agent.
Drozdowska D., New Solid Phase Synthesis of Distamycin Analogues. Molecules, 2011, 16, 3066-3076
Authors: Drozdowska Danuta
Published: July 2011

The author wishes to make the following correction to this paper [1]: The correct author’s name is: Danuta Drozdowska. [...]
Evaluating the Remote Sensing and Inventory-Based Estimation of Biomass in the Western Carpathians
Authors: Main-Knorn Magdalena , Moisen Gretchen G. , Healey Sean P. , Keeton William S. , Freeman Elizabeth A. , Hostert Patrick
Published: July 2011

Understanding the potential of forest ecosystems as global carbon sinks requires a thorough knowledge of forest carbon dynamics, including both sequestration and fluxes among multiple pools. The accurate quantification of biomass is important to better understand forest productivity and carbon cycling dynamics. Stand-based inventories (SBIs) are widely used for quantifying forest characteristics and for estimating biomass, but information may quickly become outdated in dynamic forest environments. Satellite remote sensing may provide a supplement or substitute. We tested the accuracy of aboveground biomass estimates modeled from a combination of Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) imagery and topographic data, as well as SBI-derived variables in a Picea abies forest in the Western Carpathian Mountains. We employed Random Forests for non-parametric, regression tree-based modeling. Results indicated a difference in the importance of SBI-based and remote sensing-based predictors when estimating aboveground biomass. The most accurate models for biomass prediction ranged from a correlation coefficient of 0.52 for the TM- and topography-based model, to 0.98 for the inventory-based model. While Landsat-based biomass estimates were measurably less accurate than those derived from SBI, adding tree height or stand-volume as a field-based predictor to TM and topography-based models increased performance to 0.36 and 0.86, respectively. Our results illustrate the potential of spectral data to reveal spatial details in stand structure and ecological complexity.
Measurement of Fluorescence in a Rhodamine-123 Doped Self-Assembled “Giant” Mesostructured Silica Sphere Using a Smartphone as Optical Hardware
Authors: Canning John , Lau Angelica , Naqshbandi Masood , Petermann Ingemar , Crossley Maxwell J.
Published: July 2011

The blue OLED emission from a mobile phone was characterised, revealing a sharp emission band centred at λ = 445 nm with a 3dB bandwidth Δλ ~ 20 nm. It was used to excite Rhodamine 123 doped within a “giant” mesostructured silica sphere during fabrication through evaporative self-assembly of silica nanoparticles. Fluorescence was able to be detected using a standard optical microscope fitted with a green transmission pass filter and cooled CCD and with 1 ms exposure time demonstrating the potential of mobile platforms as the basis for portable diagnostics in the field.
T Cells and Pathogenesis of Hantavirus Cardiopulmonary Syndrome and Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome
Authors: Terajima Masanori , Ennis Francis A.
Published: July 2011

We previously hypothesized that increased capillary permeability observed in both hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS) and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) may be caused by hantavirus-specific cytotoxic T cells attacking endothelial cells presenting viral antigens on their surface based on clinical observations and in vitro experiments. In HCPS, hantavirus-specific T cell responses positively correlated with disease severity. In HFRS, in one report, contrary to HCPS, T cell responses negatively correlated with disease severity, but in another report the number of regulatory T cells, which are thought to suppress T cell responses, negatively correlated with disease severity. In rat experiments, in which hantavirus causes persistent infection, depletion of regulatory T cells helped infected rats clear virus without inducing immunopathology. These seemingly contradictory findings may suggest delicate balance in T cell responses between protection and immunopathogenesis. Both too strong and too weak T cell responses may lead to severe disease. It is important to clarify the role of T cells in these diseases for better treatment (whether to suppress T cell functions) and protection (vaccine design) which may need to take into account viral factors and the influence of HLA on T cell responses.
Simple theoretical analysis of the photoemission from quantum confined effective mass superlattices of optoelectronic materials
Authors: De Debashis , Bhattacharya Sitangshu , Adhikari S M , Kumar A , Bose P K , Ghatak K P
Published: July 2011

The photoemission from quantum wires and dots of effective mass superlattices of optoelectronic materials was investigated on the basis of newly formulated electron energy spectra, in the presence of external light waves, which controls the transport properties of ultra-small electronic devices under intense radiation. The effect of magnetic quantization on the photoemission from the aforementioned superlattices, together with quantum well superlattices under magnetic quantization, has also been investigated in this regard. It appears, taking HgTe/Hg1−xCdxTe and InxGa1−xAs/InP effective mass superlattices, that the photoemission from these quantized structures is enhanced with increasing photon energy in quantized steps and shows oscillatory dependences with the increasing carrier concentration. In addition, the photoemission decreases with increasing light intensity and wavelength as well as with increasing thickness exhibiting oscillatory spikes. The strong dependence of the photoemission on the light intensity reflects the direct signature of light waves on the carrier energy spectra. The content of this paper finds six different applications in the fields of low dimensional systems in general.
Cationic gold(I) axially chiral biaryl bisphosphine complex-catalyzed atropselective synthesis of heterobiaryls
Authors: Shibuya Tetsuro , Nakamura Kyosuke , Tanaka Ken
Published: July 2011

It has been established that a cationic gold(I)/(R)-DTBM-Segphos or (R)-BINAP complex catalyzes the atropselective intramolecular hydroarylation of alkynes leading to enantioenriched axially chiral 4-aryl-2-quinolinones and 4-arylcoumarins with up to 61% ee.
Effect of Host and Viral Factors on Hepatitis B E Antigen-Positive Chronic Hepatitis B Patients Receiving Pegylated Interferon-α-2A Therapy
Authors: Tseng Tai-Chung , Yu Ming-Lung , Liu Chun-Jen , Lin Chih-Lin , Huang Yi-Wen , Hsu Ching-Sheng , Liu Chen-Hua , Kuo Stephanie Fang-Tzu , Pan Corinna Jen-Hui , Yang Sheng-Shun , Su Chien-Wei , Chen Pei-Jer , Chen Ding-Shinn , Kao Jia-Horng
Published: July 2011

Background

Pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN)-α-2a improves the hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion rate in HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B patients. However, baseline factors predicting favourable responses to PEG-IFN-α-2a remain largely unknown.

Methods

A total of 115 HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B patients who had a pre-therapy serum alanine amino-transferase (ALT) level over two times the upper limit of normal and received PEG-IFN-α-2a for 6–12 months were consecutively enrolled according to the local reimbursed guidelines. HBeAg seroconversion and combined response defined as HBeAg seroconversion, HBV-DNA level <20,000 IU/ml as well as ALT normalization at 6 months off therapy were primary and secondary therapeutic end points, respectively. Baseline viral factors, including viral load, genotype and major sequences of precore stop codon/ basal core promoter (BCP), and host factors, including three single nucleotide polymorphisms among the HLA-DPA1, HLA-DPB1 and IL28B regions, were determined to correlate with therapeutic end points.

Results

HBeAg seroconversion and combined response rates were 26.1% and 18.3%, respectively. By multivariate analysis, BCP mutation (OR 8.04, 95% CI 2.00-32.28) and rs3077 G/G genotype (OR 3.49, 95% CI 1.12-10.84) were associated with a higher HBeAg seroconversion rate; BCP mutation (OR 9.28, 95% CI 1.92-44.99) and baseline viral load <2x106 IU/ml (OR 4.78, 95% CI 1.37-16.69) were associated with a higher combined response rate.

Conclusions

BCP mutation is associated with higher HBeAg seroconversion and combined response rates at 6 months off therapy in HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B patients treated with PEG-IFN-α-2a. Genetic variants in the HLA-DPA1 region may also affect treatment-induced HBeAg seroconversion.
Pegylated Interferon-α Monotherapy Leads to Low Response Rates in HIV-Infected Patients with Acute Hepatitis C
Authors: Arends Joop E , van Assen Sander , Stek Cari J , Wensing Annemarie MJ , Fransen Justin H , Schellens Ingrid M , Spijkers Sanne NM , Mudrikova Tania , van Baarle Debbie , Sprenger Herman G , Hoepelman Andy IM
Published: July 2011

Background

Despite a rising incidence of acute HCV in patients infected with HIV, the optimal therapeutic strategy (pegylated interferon-α [PEG-IFN-α] monotherapy or in combination with ribavirin) is still under debate.

Methods

A total of 23 HIV-infected patients were prospectively diagnosed with acute HCV and treated with PEG-IFN-α2a monotherapy (180 μg/week) for 24 or 48 weeks. Add-on ribavirin was allowed from week 4 of therapy onwards. There were three patients who were not included for different reasons. Blood samples were routinely drawn for viral load measurement and IL28B polymorphism analysis.

Results

Spontaneous viral clearance occurred in 1 (4%) patient. Nineteen patients (13 genotype 1 and 6 genotype 4) received treatment with PEG-IFN-α monotherapy (3 with add-on ribavirin) resulting in a rapid virological response (HCV RNA<50 IU/ml at week 4) in 7 (37%) patients. A sustained virological response (SVR) was reached in 7 (37%) patients, whereas 9 (47%) patients were null-responders to treatment (that is, <2 log10 drop in HCV RNA at week 12 of therapy). The unfavourable G allele of the IL28B polymorphism rs8099917 was detected in 66% of the non-responders. In case of re-emergence of HCV viraemia after treatment discontinuation, sequence analysis of quasispecies confirmed an HCV relapse in 3 patients while 2 patients were re-infected by their previously non-responding partner.

Conclusions

PEG-IFN-α monotherapy resulted in a low SVR rate and a high percentage of null-response, whereas non-SVR was associated with a polymorphism in the IL28B gene (rs8099917).
Polyglot nationalism. Alternative perspectives on language in 19th century Hungary
Authors: Gal Susan
Published: July 2011

Résumé Bien qu’hégémonique en Europe au XXe siècle, le nationalisme monolingue était un développement relativement récent. Au cours du XIXe siècle, certaines idéologies nationalistes n’accordaient pas de centralité à la « langue maternelle » et encourageaient les « échanges d’enfants » afin de rendre ces derniers multilingues. L’emploi de plusieurs langues dans la Hongrie du XIXe siècle était compatible avec la loyauté envers l’Etat national hongrois ; en effet, certaines catégories identitaires étaient même indexées sur le multilinguisme. De plus, le multilinguisme du XIXe n’était pas toujours lié à l’idéologie standardisante basée sur l’opposition entre authenticité et instrumentalité, dans laquelle est ancré aussi bien le monolinguisme du XXe siècle que l’idéologie multilingue propagée actuellement dans l’Union européenne. Cet article expose les différents approches et débats idéologiques d’où a émergé l’hégémonie du monolinguisme. La conclusion suggère que les chercheurs devraient non pas se focaliser sur les phénomènes du monolinguisme ou du multilinguisme en tant que tels, mais sur les axes idéologiques de différentiation, changeants, autour desquels ils sont organisés.