bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relationships of grain carbon isotope discrimination (Δ) and ash content with yield and quality in dry bean
Authors: TSIALTAS J. T. , PAPADOPOULOS I. I. , TAMOUTSIDIS E. G. , TOKATLIDIS I. S.
Published: November 2010

Dry bean (Phaseolus vulgarisL.) is a traditional crop of north-western Macedonia, Greece, where two landraces (plaki PrespasandChrisoupoli) in particular are grown. The aim of this study was to test whether the grain carbon isotope discrimination (Δ) and ash content (ASH) are related to grain yield (GY), protein content (PC) and mean grain weight (MGW) in dry bean. As a part of a honeycomb selection programme, 21 genotypes (19 lines derived via intra-landrace honeycomb selection for single plant yield at low density plus the two original populations) were grown at two densities, 1·2 and 4·8 plants/m2under non-limiting water conditions in a glasshouse and in the field. Genotypes differed significantly for Δ, ASH and PC under the low density. In the dense stand, genotypes differed significantly only for ASH and PC. The environment (glasshouse or field conditions) affected all the traits significantly. Neither Δ nor ASH showed strong or consistent relationships with GY and thus, they cannot serve as reliable, indirect selection criteria for GY. Strong, negative relationships between Δ and PC were found especially in the dense stand, confirming analogous results in C3cereals. Inconsistent genotypic ranking for grain physiological traits under the different densities and environments was indicative of large genotype×environment interaction. Genotypes performed consistently for GY and MGW under both densities, showing the strong stability of these traits.
The anxiety disorders and suicidal ideation: accounting for co-morbidity via underlying personality traits
Authors: Naragon-Gainey K. , Watson D.
Published: November 2010

Background

The anxiety disorders are robust correlates/predictors of suicidal ideation, but it is unclear whether (a) the anxiety disorders are specifically associated with suicidal ideation or (b) the association is due to co-morbidity with depression and other disorders. One means of modeling co-morbidity is through the personality traits neuroticism/negative emotionality (N/NE) and extraversion/positive emotionality (E/PE), which account for substantial shared variance among the internalizing disorders. The current study examines the association between the internalizing disorders and suicidal ideation, after controlling for co-morbidity via N/NE and E/PE.

Method

The sample consisted of 327 psychiatric out-patients. Multiple self-report and interview measures were collected for internalizing disorders [depression, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), social anxiety, panic and specific phobia] and suicidal ideation, as well as self-report measures for N/NE and E/PE. A model was hypothesized in which each disorder and suicidal ideation was regressed on N/NE, and depression and social anxiety were regressed on E/PE. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to examine the unique association of suicidality with each disorder, beyond shared variance with N/NE and E/PE.

Results

The hypothesized model was an acceptable fit to the data. Although zero-order analyses indicated that suicidal ideation was moderately to strongly correlated with all of the disorders, only depression and PTSD remained significantly associated with suicidal ideation in the SEM analyses.

Conclusions

In a latent variable model that accounts for measurement error and a broad source of co-morbidity, only depression and PTSD were uniquely associated with suicidal ideation; panic, GAD, social anxiety and specific phobia were not.
Quantum walks and elliptic integrals
Authors: KONNO NORIO
Published: November 2010

Pólya showed in his 1921 paper that the generating function of the return probability for a two-dimensional random walk can be written in terms of an elliptic integral. In this paper we present a similar expression for a one-dimensional quantum walk.
Molecular basis of iron-loading disorders
Authors: Darshan Deepak , Frazer David M. , Anderson Gregory J.
Published: November 2010

Iron-loading disorders (haemochromatosis) represent an important class of human diseases. Primary iron loading results from inherited disturbances in the mechanisms regulating intestinal iron absorption, such that excess iron is taken up from the diet. Body iron load can also be increased by repeated blood transfusions (secondary iron loading), usually as part of the treatment for various haematological disorders. In these syndromes, an element of enhanced iron absorption is also often involved. The central regulator of body iron trafficking is the liver-derived peptide hepcidin. Hepcidin limits iron entry into the plasma from macrophages, intestinal enterocytes and other cells by binding to the sole iron-export protein ferroportin, and facilitating its removal from the plasma membrane. Mutations in hepcidin or its upstream regulators (HFE, TFR2, HFE2 and BMP6) lead to reduced or absent hepcidin expression and a concomitant increase in iron absorption. Mutations in ferroportin that prevent hepcidin binding produce a similar result. Increased ineffective erythropoiesis, which often characterises erythrocyte disorders, also leads to reduced hepcidin expression and increased absorption. Recent advances in our understanding of hepcidin and body iron homeostasis provide the potential for a range of new diagnostic and therapeutic tools for haemochromatosis and related conditions.
Childhood's Imperial Imagination: Edward Stratemeyer's Fiction Factory and the Valorization of American Empire
Authors: Rouleau Brian
Published: November 2010

Numerous studies have appeared in recent years that deal with the reasons and rationalizations that accompanied America's overseas acquisitions in 1898. This article uses juvenile series fiction to examine how the nation's youth—boys in particular—became targets of imperial boosterism. In the pages of adventure novels set against the backdrop of American interventions in the Caribbean and the Philippines, Edward Stratemeyer, the most successful author and publisher of youth series fiction, and other less well-known juvenile fiction producers offered sensationalistic dramas that advocated a racialist, expansionistic foreign policy. Stratemeyer and others offered American boys an imaginative space as participants in and future stewards of national triumph. Young readers, the article argues further, became active participants in their own politicization. An examination of the voluminous fan mail sent to series fiction authors by their juvenile admirers reveals boys' willingness, even eagerness, to participate in the ascendancy of the United States.
“The Mad Search for Beauty”: Actresses' Testimonials, the Cosmetics Industry, and the “Democratization of Beauty”
Authors: Schweitzer Marlis
Published: November 2010

“Actresses as a rule know no more about making themselves beautiful than does the average woman; neither are they naturally more beautiful,” wrote actress Margaret Illington Banes in a 1912 article entitled “The Mad Search for Beauty.” “The truth of the matter is,” she continued, “that no actress—or any woman—can impart the secrets of beauty to another, any more than the rich man can impart the secrets of business success to some other man.” Disturbed by recent trends in the theatrical profession that required actresses to present themselves as “beauty specialists,” Banes sought to expose the constructed nature of their on- and offstage performances. Stage stars captivated audiences because they had numerous opportunities to appear onstage dressed in the height of style; “under the same circumstances,” she concluded, most women “would look quite as well.”
Lithological composition of the North American continent and implications of lithological map resolution for dissolved silica flux modeling
Authors: Moosdorf Nils , Hartmann Jens , Dürr Hans H.
Published: November 2010

Lithological maps are important tools for applications sensitive to physical or chemical attributes of rocks. They aggregate rock types into a limited set of classes. Most studies on river elementary fluxes derived from chemical weathering use local lithological maps, and some upscale their results to global scales, using global lithological maps. It remains unclear if those maps sufficiently represent the heterogeneous local lithological settings. To analyze this in more detail a new lithological map of North America containing 262,111 polygons is presented and compared to three global lithological maps. The impact of the differences is demonstrated using four models of dissolved silica mobilization from the terrestrial land system into river systems (DSi mobilization), calibrated using each map. According to the new map, North America is composed of 62.8% sediments, 14.8% plutonics, 13.3% metamorphics, and 7.2% volcanics. In all four maps, the total proportions of rock types are comparable for North America, but their spatial distribution differs largely. The calculated DSi mobilization differs weakly between the maps (−20% to +9%) compared to the results of the model calibrated on the new map for North America but strongly (−59% to +38%) for tributary regions of regional seas around North America. The map comparison suggests that lithological classes of different data sets may represent different attributes although they may share the same name. Applications (e.g., Earth system models) considering lateral weathering derived matter fluxes should use data derived from different lithological source data sets with care.
Vestibular Stimulation Affects Optic-Flow Sensitivity
Authors: Edwards Mark , O'Mahony Simon , Ibbotson Michael R , Kohlhagen Stuart
Published: November 2010

Typically, multiple cues can be used to generate a particular percept. Our area of interest is the extent to which humans are able to synergistically combine cues that are generated when moving through an environment. For example, movement through the environment leads to both visual (optic-flow) and vestibular stimulation, and studies have shown that non-human primates are able to combine these cues to generate a more accurate perception of heading than can be obtained with either cue in isolation. Here we investigate whether humans show a similar ability to synergistically combine optic-flow and vestibular cues. This was achieved by determining the sensitivity to optic-flow stimuli while physically moving the observer, and hence producing a vestibular signal, that was either consistent with the optic-flow signal, eg a radially expanding pattern coupled with forward motion, or inconsistent with it, eg a radially expanding pattern with backward motion. Results indicate that humans are more sensitive to motion-in-depth optic-flow stimuli when they are combined with complementary vestibular signals than when they are combined with conflicting vestibular signals. These results indicate that in humans, like in non-human primates, there is perceptual integration of visual and vestibular signals.
Performance and Ease Influence Perceived Speed
Authors: Witt Jessica K , Sugovic Mila
Published: November 2010

According to the action-specific perception account, perception is a function of optical information and the perceiver's ability to perform the intended action. While most of the evidence for the action-specific perception account is on spatial perception, in the current experiments we examined similar effects in the perception of speed. Tennis players reproduced the time the ball traveled from the feeder machine to when they hit it. The players judged the ball to be moving faster on trials when they hit the ball out-of-bounds than on trials where they successfully hit the ball in-bounds. Follow-up experiments in the laboratory showed that participants judged virtual balls to be moving slower when they played with a bigger paddle in a modified version of Pong. These studies suggest that performance and task ease influence perceived speed.
The Brightness of Diamonds
Authors: Roncato Sergio
Published: November 2010

A brightness illusion and transparency effects are described for configurations comprising alternating black and white bars on which are superimposed mid-luminance shapes (diamonds and hexagons). The resulting phenomena are predictable by Anderson's ‘scission theory’, which is thus given further support.
Regulation of EGF‐Stimulated EGF Receptor Endocytosis During M Phase
Authors: Liu Lei , Shi Huaiping , Chen Xinmei , Wang Zhixiang
Published: November 2010

It has been generally accepted that endocytosis is inhibited during mitotic phase (M phase) as a means to insulate the cell from outside influences. Many endocytic/trafficking proteins are present during M phase, but are associated with partners that are distinct from those involved in trafficking pathways. These findings have led to the ‘moonlighting’ hypothesis. However, all these findings are based on the study of fluid‐phase and constitutive endocytosis. Here, we used epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) as a model system to study ligand‐induced receptor endocytosis in M phase. We found that EGF‐induced EGFR endocytosis still occurs during M phase, but follows different kinetics. EGF‐induced EGFR endocytosis is delayed/inhibited for a few minutes and is slower in M phase, especially at metaphase. However, consistent with previous reports, transferrin endocytosis is inhibited under the same conditions. We further showed that EGFR endocytosis is differentially regulated during the cell cycle: dependent on EGFR kinase activation in M phase, but independent of EGFR kinase activation in interphase. We conclude that cells have adopted a system for selective endocytosis in M phase.
Sexual Function and Depressive Symptoms among Male North American Medical Students
Authors: Smith James F. , Breyer Benjamin N. , Eisenberg Michael L. , Sharlip Ira D. , Shindel Alan W.
Published: November 2010

Introduction

The role of sexuality as an association of medical student well-being has not been extensively studied.

Aim

We explored the relationship between depressive symptoms, sexuality, and sexual dysfunction in male North American medical students.

Main Outcome Measure

North American medical students were invited to participate in an Internet-based survey. The Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) was utilized to screen for depressive symptoms.

Methods

Subjects completed an ethnodemographic survey, a sexuality survey, and instruments for the quantification of anxiety, sexuality, and psychosocial function. Descriptive statistics, odds ratios (ORs), and logistic regression were used to analyze our data.

Results

There were 844 male subjects with complete data on the CES-D and the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Index. Depressive symptoms (CES-D ≥ 16) were present in 37% of respondents and were more common in subjects with greater levels of anxiety. Subjects who were in sexual relationships and/or had frequent sexual activity were less likely to be depressed compared to other subjects. Erectile dysfunction (ED) was associated with significantly greater likelihood of depressive symptoms (OR 2.90 and 9.27 for depressive symptoms in men with mild or moderate/severe ED relative to men without ED, P <0.01). After adjusting for ethnodemographic and sexual history factors, ED remained significantly positively associated with depressive symptoms (OR 2.87 and 6.59 for depressive symptoms in men with mild or moderate/severe ED relative to men without ED after adjustment, P ≤ 0.01). Inclusion of data related to psychosocial/relationship factors in the multivariate model eliminated the significant association between ED and depressive symptoms (OR 1.59 and 2.29 for depressive symptoms in men with mild or moderate/severe ED relative to men without ED after adjustment with the Self-Esteem and Relationship quality instrument, P > 0.05), suggesting that psychosocial factors were more strongly associated with depressive symptoms than erectile function.

Conclusion

Healthy sexuality and relationships may be protective against depressive symptoms in medical students. Attention to these factors may enhance medical student well-being.
Therapeutic Effects of Matrine on Primary and Metastatic Breast Cancer
Authors: Li Hali , Tan Gang , Jiang Xian , Qiao Haiquan , Pan Shangha , Jiang Hongchi , Kanwar Jagat R. , Sun Xueying
Published: November 2010

Matrine, one of the main components extracted from a traditional Chinese herb, Sophora flavescens Ait, has displayed anti-cancer activity in several types of cancer cells. This study aims to evaluate the therapeutic benefits of matrine on primary and metastatic breast cancer. Matrine inhibited the viability of and induced apoptosis in human MCF-7 and mouse 4T1 breast cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner in vitro as shown by MTT assay, flow cytometry and laser scanning confocal microscopy. Administration of matrine inhibited the growth of primary tumors and their metastases to lungs and livers, in a dose-dependent manner, in a highly metastatic model of 4T1 breast cancer established in syngeneic Balb/c mice. Tumors from matrine-treated mice had a smaller proliferation index, shown by immunostaining with an anti-Ki-67 antibody, a greater apoptosis index, shown by TUNEL-staining, and a less microvessel density, shown by immunostaining with an anti-CD31 A antibody, compared to the controls. Western blot analysis of tumoral homogenates indicated that matrine therapy reduced the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax, downregulated the expressions of VEGF and VEGFR-2, and increased the activation of caspase-3 and caspase-9. This study suggests matrine may be a potent agent, from a natural resource, for treating metastatic breast cancer because of its anti-apoptotic, anti-proliferative and anti-angiogenic activities.
G1 Arrest and Caspase-Mediated Apoptosis in HL-60 Cells by Dichloromethane Extract of Centrosema pubescens
Authors: Ramadevi Mani Subramanireddy , Lakshmi Baddireddi Subhadra
Published: November 2010

Cell division and apoptosis are two crucial components of tumor biology and the importance of increased cell proliferation and reduced cell death have made them valid therapeutic targets. The plant kingdom is a relatively underexploited cache of novel drugs, and crude extracts of plants are known for their synergistic activity. The present study assessed the anti-proliferative activity of the medicinal plant Centrosema pubescens Benth. Centrosema pubescens dichloromethane extract (CPDE) inhibited the proliferation of HL-60 (promyelocytic acute leukaemia) cells with an IC 50 value of 5 μg/ml. Further studies also showed that CPDE induces growth arrest at the G1 phase and specifically down-regulates the expressions of cyclin E and CDK2 and up-regulates p27(CKI) levels. These events apparently lead to the induction of apoptosis, which was demonstrated qualitatively by a DNA fragmentation assay and propidium iodide staining. Quantitative assessment of the effective arrest of the cell cycle and of apoptosis was confirmed by flow cytometry. CPDE exhibited negligible cytotoxicity even at the highest dose tested (100 μg/ml) in both normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells and in an in vitro model (HL-60). Our results strongly suggest that CPDE arrests the cell cycle at the G1 phase and triggers apoptosis by caspase activation.
AdS/QCD, LIGHT-FRONT HOLOGRAPHY, AND THE NONPERTURBATIVE RUNNING COUPLING
Authors: BRODSKY STANLEY J. , DE TÉRAMOND GUY , DEUR ALEXANDRE
Published: November 2010

The combination of Anti-de Sitter space (AdS) methods with light-front (LF) holography provides a remarkably accurate first approximation for the spectra and wavefunctions of meson and baryon light-quark bound states. The resulting bound-state Hamiltonian equation of motion in QCD leads to relativistic light-front wave equations in terms of an invariant impact variable ζ which measures the separation of the quark and gluonic constituents within the hadron at equal light-front time. These equations of motion in physical space-time are equivalent to the equations of motion which describe the propagation of spin-J modes in anti–de Sitter (AdS) space. The eigenvalues give the hadronic spectrum, and the eigenmodes represent the probability distributions of the hadronic constituents at a given scale. A positive-sign confining dilaton background modifying AdS space gives a very good account of meson and baryon spectroscopy and form factors. The light-front holographic mapping of this model also leads to a non-perturbative effective coupling [Formula: see text] which agrees with the effective charge defined by the Bjorken sum rule and lattice simulations. It displays a transition from perturbative to nonperturbative conformal regimes at a momentum scale ~ 1 GeV. The resulting β-function appears to capture the essential characteristics of the full β-function of QCD, thus giving further support to the application of the gauge/gravity duality to the confining dynamics of strongly coupled QCD.
THE LIMITS OF CUSTODIAL SYMMETRY
Authors: CHIVUKULA R. SEKHAR , FOADI ROSHAN , SIMMONS ELIZABETH H. , DI CHIARA STEFANO
Published: November 2010

We introduce a toy model implementing the proposal of using a custodial symmetry to protect the [Formula: see text] coupling from large corrections. This "doublet-extended standard model" adds a weak doublet of fermions (including a heavy partner of the top quark) to the particle content of the standard model in order to implement an O(4) × U(1)X ~ SU(2)L × SU(2)R × PLR × U(1)X symmetry in the top-quark mass generating sector. This symmetry is softly broken to the gauged SU(2)L × U(1)Y electroweak symmetry by a Dirac mass M for the new doublet; adjusting the value of M allows us to explore the range of possibilities between the O(4)-symmetric (M → 0) and standard-model-like (M → ∞) limits.
CONTINUUM SUPERPARTNERS FROM SUPERSYMMETRIC UNPARTICLES
Authors: CHENG HSIN-CHIA
Published: November 2010

In an exact conformal theory there is no particle. The excitations have continuum spectra and are called "unparticles" by Georgi. We consider supersymmetric extensions of the Standard Model with approximate conformal sectors. The conformal symmetry is softly broken in the infrared which generates a gap. However, the spectrum can still have a continuum above the gap if there is no confinement. Using the AdS/CFT correspondence this can be achieved with a soft wall in the warped extra dimension. When supersymmetry is broken the superpartners of the Standard Model particles may simply be a continuum above gap. The collider signals can be quite different from the standard supersymmetric scenarios and the experimental searches for the continuum superpartners can be very challenging.
Geological factors effecting compartmentalization of Rotliegend gas fields in the Netherlands
Authors: Van Hulten F. F. N.
Published: November 2010

Since the discovery of the Groningen field, fifty years ago, more than 250 gas fields have been discovered in the Netherlands. A study of most of these fields shows that connected volumes are often smaller than expected from volumetric evaluation. Seismic uncertainty can often be argued as an explanation for the discrepancy, but there may be also a geological explanation. Most gas fields are found in the Permian Rotliegend and good drainage is expected because the reservoirs are relatively thick and homogeneous. Minor faulting is often thought to cause drainage problems, but this study shows it is likely in a number of cases. Twenty three Rotliegend fields with connectivity problems have been studied in part of the Dutch offshore. This analysis outlines a number of regions in the Rotliegend fairway that share a risk for fault seal and therefore reduced connected volumes. Fault seal analysis is important to understand compartmentalization but does not explain all discrepancies. In a number of regions, fault seal analysis is unsuccessful because cataclastic sand-to-sand sealing strike–slip faults are difficult to detect. Stratigraphic compartmentalization is seen to play a role in some well defined areas of the basin. A better understanding of the connectivity problems can highlight areas attractive for appraisal and near field exploration.
Multi-fault analysis scorecard: testing the stochastic approach in fault seal prediction
Authors: Corona F. V. , Davis J. S. , Hippler S. J. , Vrolijk P. J.
Published: November 2010

Multi-fault analysis is an ExxonMobil stochastic tool for analysing the impact and sensitivities of stratigraphic uncertainty and variability on cross-fault leakage of hydrocarbons in faulted traps. This juxtaposition-based method provides quantitative prediction of hydrocarbon contact levels through a complex system of structural spills and juxtaposition leak points in traps with stacked reservoir systems and one or more faults. Validation of the Multi-fault analysis technology was carried out by comparing pre-drill predictions to post-drill results from 41 faulted exploration prospects drilled from 1994–2001. Of the 41 prospects, 29 were valid tests in which we made 22 successful predictions. Of the 22 successful outcomes, 11 were discoveries and 11 were dry wells. Some of the dry wells were drilled assuming the presence of sealing fault-zone material to trap hydrocarbons despite a Multi-fault analysis failure prediction. The seven Multi-fault failures comprise four predicted successes that were failures and three predicted failures that were successes. Most of the Multi-fault prediction failures can be attributed to data quality and uncertainty; however, some may be associated with sealing fault-zone material. Other considerations in fault seal analysis (i.e. dip leak along faults and sealing fault zone materials), model input uncertainties, and using drill-well learnings are also discussed.
Compartmentalization of the Nelson field, Central North Sea: evidence from produced water chemistry analysis
Authors: Gill C. E. , Shepherd M. , Millington J. J.
Published: November 2010

Drainage cells are localized reservoir volumes that are bounded both laterally and vertically by permeability barriers. The subdivision of a reservoir volume into drainage cells provides a framework that allows a mature producing field to be screened for remaining oil volumes. Nine drainage cells have been defined in the Nelson field. The lateral edges of these drainage cells are stratigraphic in nature and correspond to the boundaries between individual macroforms, for instance, between channel complexes and interchannel sediments.

A very large dataset of produced water chemical analyses has been used to help define the extent of the drainage cells. Provinciality, shown by areal variations in produced water compositions, is consistent with the inferred location of the cells. The Nelson field shows variation in the chloride ion concentration of produced water both vertically and laterally. Vertical variation can be detected by changes in produced water chemistry after water shut-off events at shale horizons which are thought to be laterally extensive within the reservoir. Lateral variation corresponds to patchwork areas that are consistent with individual macroforms such as channel complexes.

An additional technique has been used to confirm the location and extent of drainage cells within the field. This involves the compilation of drainage charts, a quantitative volumetric method that involves comparing theoretical and actual oil–water contact changes within particular field areas.
Dynamics and Thresholds of a Simple Epidemiological Model: Example of HIV/AIDS in Mali
Authors: Diallo Ouaténi , Koné Yaya , Pousin Jérôme
Published: November 2010

The dynamics of many epidemiological models for infectious diseases that
spread in the sexually active population presents a crucial period: the period of the influx
or recruitment of susceptible. In this paper, we assume that the recruitment of susceptible
is done among the juvenile group. We propose a dynamical system to modelize the disease
spread, and we study the dynamical behavior of this system. Then, the controllability of
the system is studied. We prove that the survival rate allows to control the dynamic of the
system. Numerical simulations are given to illustrate the results.
Urine Cotinine Underestimates Exposure to the Tobacco-Derived Lung Carcinogen 4-(Methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-Pyridyl)-1-Butanone in Passive Compared with Active Smokers
Authors: Benowitz Neal , Goniewicz Maciej Lukasz , Eisner Mark D. , Lazcano-Ponce Eduardo , Zielinska-Danch Wioleta , Koszowski Bartosz , Sobczak Andrzej , Havel Christopher , Jacob Peyton
Published: November 2010

Objectives: Cotinine and 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNAL) are widely used biomarkers for tobacco-derived nicotine and the lung carcinogen 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK), respectively. The discrepancy between cotinine levels in relation to disease risk comparing active versus passive smoking suggests a nonlinear tobacco smoke dose-response and/or that cotinine is not providing an accurate measure of exposure to the toxic constituents of secondhand tobacco smoke.

Methods: Cotinine and NNAL were measured in the urine of 373 active smokers and 228 passive smokers.

Results: Average cotinine levels were 1,155 (interquartile range, 703-2,715) for active smokers and 1.82 (0.45-7.33) ng/mg creatinine for passive smokers. Average NNAL levels were 183 (103-393) and 5.19 (2.04-11.6) pg/mg creatinine, respectively. NNAL/cotinine ratio in urine was significantly higher for passive smokers when compared with active smokers (2.85 × 103 versus 0.16 × 103, P < 0.0001).

Conclusions: Passive smoking is associated with a much higher ratio of NNAL/cotinine in the urine compared with active smoking.

Impact: Cotinine measurement leads to an underestimation of exposure to the carcinogen NNK from secondhand smoke when compared with active smoking. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 19(11); 2795–800. ©2010 AACR.
Exposure to Diagnostic Radiological Procedures and the Risk of Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Authors: Bailey Helen D. , Armstrong Bruce K. , de Klerk Nicholas H. , Fritschi Lin , Attia John , Lockwood Liane , Milne Elizabeth
Published: November 2010

Background: Diagnostic irradiation of the mother during pregnancy increases the risk of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). There is inconsistent evidence on associations between ALL and other parental or childhood diagnostic irradiation. The aim of this analysis is to investigate whether diagnostic X-rays of the mother before birth, of the father before conception, or of the child increased the risk of childhood ALL.

Methods: Data from 389 cases and 876 frequency-matched controls were analyzed using unconditional logistic regression, adjusting for study matching factors and potential confounders. A meta-analysis of our findings in relation to paternal X-rays before conception with the published findings of previous studies was also conducted.

Results: There was no evidence of an increased risk with maternal abdominal X-rays before the birth of the index child or with the child having any X-rays more than 6 months before the censoring date. The odds ratio (OR) for any paternal abdominal X-ray before conception was 1.17 [95% confidence interval (95% CI), 0.88-1.55], and 1.47 (95% CI, 0.98-2.21) for more than one X-ray. The OR for any paternal intravenous pyelogram before conception was 3.56 (95% CI, 1.59-7.98). The pooled OR for this study with previous studies of any paternal abdominal X-rays before conception was 1.17 (95% CI, 0.92-1.48).

Conclusions: There was some evidence of an increased risk of ALL in the offspring if the father had more than one abdominal X-ray before conception or had ever had an intravenous pyelogram.

Impact: We plan to repeat this analysis by using pooled data to improve precision. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 19(11); 2897–909. ©2010 AACR.
Psychosocially Influenced Cancer: Diverse Early-Life Stress Experiences and Links to Breast Cancer
Authors: Schuler Linda A. , Auger Anthony P.
Published: November 2010

This perspective on Boyd et al. (beginning on page 1398 in this issue of the journal) discusses recent published research examining the interplay between social stress and breast cancer. Cross-disciplinary studies using genetically defined mouse models and established neonatal and peripubertal paradigms of social stress are illuminating biological programming by diverse early-life experiences for the risk of breast cancer. Understanding the mechanisms underlying this programming can lead to the identification of risk factors and sensitive developmental windows, enabling improved prevention and treatment strategies for this devastating disease. Cancer Prev Res; 3(11); 1365–70. ©2010 AACR.
Antebellum Farm-Settlement Patterns: A Three-Level Approach to Assessing the Effects of Soils
Authors: Mitchell Robert E.
Published: November 2010

Different soil classes offered varying economic results for farmers. The use of multiple data sets to analyze the connection between soils, economic benefits, and settlement patterns at three geographical levels—the five states of the Old Northwest, the sixty-eight counties in Michigan's Lower Peninsula, and the individual farms in one mid-Michigan county—tends to confirm that soils were a significant motivating factor in the locational decisions of antebellum farmers at the state, county, and intra-county levels of the north-central United States during the mid-nineteenth century.
Beat of Frequency Modes with an Artificial Negative Frequency in Spectrogram Analysis
Authors: Yabushita Atsushi , Kao Chih-Hsien , Lee Yu-Hsien , Kobayashi Takayoshi
Published: November 2010

Spectrograms have been used for time-resolved analysis of Fourier power spectra in various fields. We have performed spectrogram analysis for two neighboring modes and a low frequency mode changing gate width of the time gate function. The obtained spectrogram of the former showed both amplitude and frequency modulations between two neighboring modes. A contamination appearing on the spectrogram of the latter reflects an artifact showing beat between the signal mode and a negative frequency mode whose sign was inverted from the signal mode. Surprising results from the amplitude and phase modulations were observed in the simulation even in the case of single mode. This puzzling result was explained in terms of the interference between the single mode and the “negative” frequency composing the single mode with the corresponding “positive frequency.”
Assessment of Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Enterococcus Faecalis Isolated From Chronic Periodontitis in Biofilm Versus Planktonic Phase
Authors: Sun Jinglu , Song Xiaobo
Published: November 2010

Background: Enterococci are often associated with chronic and recurrent infectious diseases because of their antimicrobial resistance. The aim of this study is to assess antimicrobial susceptibility of Enterococcus faecalis in chronic periodontitis.

Methods: Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined on 23 E. faecalis strains isolated from patients with chronic periodontitis. Ampicillin, erythromycin, gentamicin, tetracycline, triclosan, and vancomycin were prepared in two‐fold serial dilution up to 8,192 μg/mL. Enterococcal biofilm was established by a biofilm device and observed by confocal laser microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum biofilm inhibitory concentration, and minimum biofilm eradication concentration were determined by spectrophotometer at optical density650.

Results: A few patches of monolayer early biofilm were observed on the surfaces of biofilm device pegs. The colony‐forming units of biofilm per peg were 1.2 × 103 to 1.7 × 104 and 0 to 20 post‐triclosan treatment. The MIC50 was higher than the MIC epidemiologic cut‐off for tetracycline and the MIC90 was higher than the cut‐off for erythromycin and tetracycline, respectively. In biofilm, minimum biofilm eradication concentrations were extremely high for all of the drugs except triclosan.

Conclusions: The E. faecalis strains of chronic periodontitis exhibited weak biofilm formation ability at the early stage. Over 50% of the strains were resistant to tetracycline, and a few strains were highly resistant to erythromycin or gentamicin. E. faecalis cells in biofilm were hardly eradicated by most of the agents, even in high concentrations. Triclosan was effective in inhibiting E. faecalis growth in both biofilm and planktonic phase.
On the applicability of the equipartition theorem
Authors: Bormashenko Edward , Gendelman Oleg
Published: November 2010

Generalization of the equipartition theorem is presented for a broad range of
potentials U(x) with quadratic minimum. It is shown, that the equipartition
of energy in its standard form appears at the low temperatures limit. For
potentials demonstrating the quadratic behavior for large displacements from
the equilibrium the equipartition holds also in the high temperature limit.
The temperature range of applicability of the equipartition theorem for the
potential U = ax2 + bx4 was established.
Le régime des incendies de forêt en Valais: influences climatiques et anthropiques | Forest fire regimes in Valais: climatic and human influences
Authors: Zumbrunnen Thomas , Bürgi Matthias , Bugmann Harald
Published: November 2010

Forest fire regimes are particularly sensitive to variations in the climate and to human influences. In the Alps both the manner in which the land is used and climatic changes, in particular rises in temperature and the frequency of drought periods, are probably going to bring about considerable modifications in fire regimes. The history of these fires in Valais in the 20th century is however still little known, as is the influence of the different determining factors.

From a study of documentary archives we have therefore reconstituted the history of forest fires in Valais from 1904 to 2008. We then tried to establish whether or not the fire regime had evolved during this time by comparing descriptive statistics from the first and the second halves of the period under study. By means of correlation analyses we could then find what factors had a significant influence on the occurrence of fires.

What emerges is that forest fire activity moved towards the plain in the course of the 20 century, probably on account of the increase in population density at lower altitudes. The seasonality of the fires also evolved: there was an outbreak of fires in the spring during the second half of the period under study, whereas in the first half fires mostly occurred in summer. On the other hand the frequency of the fires and the surface area burned annually did not differ significantly in the periods before and after 1955.

As for the balance between factors determining the frequency of fires and the surface burned annually, there has been a modification in the period under study. Although drought was a decisive factor in the first decades of the 20 century, afterwards it seems to have declined in importance, being supplanted by other factors, notably the availability of combustible material.

The fact that at present the forest fire regime is apparently regulated by factors other than the climate means it is possible to envisage concrete measures in order to limit fire risks.
Historical text archives and prosopography: the COEL database system
Authors: Keats-Rohan K. S. B.
Published: November 2010

The COEL database and database software, a combined reference and research tool created by historians for historians, is presented here through Screenshots illustrating the underlying theoretical model and the specific situation to which that has been applied. The key emphases are upon data integrity, and the historian's role in interpreting and manipulating what is often contentious data. From a corpus of sources (Level 1) certain core data are extracted for separate treatment at an interpretive level (Level 3), based upon a master list of the core data (Level 2). The core data are interdependent: each record in Level 2 is of interest in itself; and it either could or should be associated with an(other) record(s) as a specific entity. Sometimes the sources are ambiguous and the association is contentious, necessitating a probabilty-coding approach. The entities created by the association process can then be treated at a commentary level, introducing material external to the database, whether primary or secondary sources. A full discussion of the difficulties is provided within a synthesis of available information on the core data. Direct access to the source texts is only ever a mouse click away. Fully query able, COEL is formidable look-up and research tool for users of all levels, who remain free to exercise an alternative judgement on the associations of the core data. In principle, there is no limit on the type of text or core data that could be handled in such a system.
Feasibility Evaluation of Smart Stretcher to Improve Patient Safety during Transfers
Authors: Kurihara Y. , Watanabe K. , Ohno-Machado L. , Tanaka H. , Ohashi K.
Published: November 2010

Objectives: The integration of noninvasive vital sign sensors and wireless sensor networks into intelligent alarm systems has the potential to improve patient safety. We developed a wireless network-based system (“Smart Stretcher”), which was designed to constantly monitor patient vital signs and detect apnea during transfers within a hospital. The system alerts medical staff in case of an emergency through a wireless network.

Methods: A small-scale technical feasibility study was conducted to assess the performance of the system in a simulated hospital environment. Smart Stretcher consists of three components: a small air-mat type pressure sensor measuring respiratory rate and detecting apnea, a patient identification system using RFID technology, and an indoor positioning system using a ZigBee wireless network. In the feasibility experiment, two nurses transferred four subjects who stopped breathing for 10 seconds, after which we calculated the accuracy of apnea detections, repeating this at varying speeds and subject positions. We alsoperformed asubjective evaluation of perceptions and expectations of Smart Stretcher by nurses.

Results: The system could detect apnea in all subjects at a rate of over 90%, patient IDs and locations were correctly detected in real time, and the system could alert medical staff. In addition, the results of nurse’s evaluations were mostly positive.

Conclusions: The technical feasibility experiment and evaluation of Smart Stretcher suggest that the system could play a key role in monitoring patients during hospital transfers.
Diels–Alder reaction in water for the straightforward preparation of thermoresponsive hydrogels
Authors: Wei Hong‐Liang , Yang Jun , Chu Hui‐Juan , Yang Zhe , Ma Cun‐Cai , Yao Kai
Published: November 2010

Because the properties and applications of hydrogels are determined by the formation principle and conditions of the hydrogels, novel methods for preparing hydrogels have increasingly triggered scientists' interest. Here the Diels–Alder reaction was applied to the preparation of hydrogels. For the resultant polymeric diene and dienophile, the Diels–Alder reaction could be performed in water. The gelation time was found to be closely related to the temperature. The gelation time decreased with the temperature increasing. Moreover, the hydrogels were stable in water, and the retro‐Diels–Alder reaction could be performed in N,N‐dimethylformamide easily. A study of the swelling ratio indicated that the hydrogels were responsive to the temperature. The hydrogel formation method described here provides several advantages, such as mild reaction conditions, no initiator or catalyst, a tunable gelation rate, and thermal reversibility, and it has great potential for the preparation of biomaterials. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Extractive fermentation of clavulanic acid by Streptomyces DAUFPE 3060 using aqueous two‐phase system
Authors: Viana Marques D. A. , Pessoa‐Júnior A. , Lima‐Filho J. L. , Converti A. , Perego P. , Porto A. L. F.
Published: November 2010

The influence of four variables, specifically PEG molar mass (400, 1,000, and 8,000 g/mol), concentrations of PEG and phosphate salts (15, 20, and 25% for both), and agitation intensity (110, 150, and 200 rpm), on clavulanic acid (CA) extraction by extractive fermentation with PEG/phosphate salts aqueous two‐phase system was investigated in shaken flasks using a 24‐1‐fractional factorial design. After selection of the two most significant variables (agitation intensity and PEG molar mass), an optimization study conducted according to a 22‐central composite design revealed that 25% PEG 8,000 g/mol and phosphate salts at 240 rpm (run 6) were the best conditions for the extractive fermentation, leading to the best results in terms of partition coefficient (k = 8.2), yield of CA in the PEG‐rich phase (ηT = 93%) and productivity (P = 5.3 mg/Lh). As a first attempt to make a scale‐up of these results, the effectiveness of the extractive fermentation was then checked in a bench‐scale bioreactor under conditions as close as possible to the optimum ones determined in flasks. The highest CA concentration obtained in the PEG‐rich phase (691 mg/L) was 30% higher than in flasks, thus demonstrating the potential of such a new process, integrating the production and extraction steps, as a promising, low‐cost tool to obtain high yields of this and similar products. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2011
Conceptualizing agility of enterprises
Authors: Huumonen Juha
Published: November 2010

This article discusses and elaborates on the fourfold constituency of enterprise agility conceived by Trzcielinski (2007, 2009). With Trzcielinski (2009), agility consists of the following characteristics or properties of the enterprise: Brightness is the ability to quickly perceive market opportunities and threats emanating from the environment; flexibility is a feature of resources available for the enterprise, extending the repertoire of the tasks that can be executed with use of these company functions and finding intentional reactions in these situations; intelligence is the ability to understand the situations in which the company functions and to find intentional reactions in these situations; and shrewdness is the ability of an enterprise to quickly use the opportunities in a beneficial way. The article sets out from the viewpoint of opportunity theory and from that of entrepreneurial undertakings (i.e., actions directed toward them). A primary concern is to define in what sense and to what degree we can speak of opportunities and actions as factual in contrast to representational, and thus bridge conceptual notions and management praxis. Opportunities and actions are argued to have a factual and a representational aspect, which coincide in the enterprise praxis. The article suggests that, if validity and factuality claims are correctly addressed, both outer and inner aspects of actions and the representational and objective notions of opportunities can be treated as agility constituents of the enterprise and that their interaction provides for a comprehensive model of enterprise agility, where ontologically different constituents complement each other and interact. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.