bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cromwell, Parliament, Ireland and a Commonwealth in Crisis: 1652 Revisited*
Authors: MORRILL JOHN
Published: June 2011

This article investigates an episode in 1652 which is usually ignored and has never been explained. On 19 May 1652 the Rump Parliament, without forewarning, voted not to renew the office of lord lieutenant and thereby stripped the lord general, Oliver Cromwell of one of his highest and most significant offices. The article seeks to penetrate the wall of silence in the press and in the parliamentary records to see what lay behind this decision, which split the Commons down the middle. It seeks to relate the decision to two very different visions of the settlement to be imposed on Ireland following the rebellion of 1641 and the ‘Cromwellian conquest’ and it suggests that it is likely that the subsequent act of the Rump, which sought the execution of tens of thousands of Irish royalists, the exiling of many tens of thousands more and the herding of almost all of the rest of the catholic population into four counties in the west of England – known to history as the ‘Cromwellian settlement’– was precisely a settlement Cromwell did not want.
DNA Hypermethylation and Histone Modifications Downregulate the Candidate Tumor Suppressor Gene RRP22 on 22q12 in Human Gliomas
Authors: Schmidt Natalie , Windmann Sonja , Reifenberger Guido , Riemenschneider Markus J.
Published: June 2011

RRP22 (Ras‐related protein on chromosome 22) has been suggested as a candidate tumor suppressor in human cancers. Investigating a panel of 70 human gliomas, we found a frequent decrease in the RRP22 mRNA expression levels (67%), preferentially in high‐grade gliomas [World Health Organization (WHO) grades III and IV] as compared with low‐grade gliomas (WHO grade II). Moreover, reduced RRP22 mRNA expression was associated with shorter overall survival in 180 glioblastoma patients included in the National Institutes of Health Repository for Molecular Brain Neoplasia Data (NIH REMBRANDT) database. Decreased RRP22 expression levels were in part explained by 5'‐CpG island hypermethylation and increased by the treatment with the demethylating agent 5‐aza‐2'‐deoxycytidine in glioblastoma cell lines. In addition, the in vitro treatment with the histone deacetylase inhibitor trichostatin A alone resulted in RRP22 reexpression as well as a significant increase in the levels of RRP22 promoter DNA bound to pan‐acetylated histone H3 and H4. Moreover, in primary human glioblastomas, we observed an increase of H3K9me3‐bound and a decrease of pan‐Ac‐H3‐bound RRP22 in comparison with non‐neoplastic brain tissue, consistent with a heterochromatinization of the RRP22 promoter. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that both 5'‐CpG island hypermethylation and histone modifications contribute to the frequent and prognostically unfavorable transcriptional downregulation of RRP22 in malignant gliomas.
Antibacterial Activity and Mechanism of Action of Chlorogenic Acid
Authors: Lou Zaixiang , Wang Hongxin , Zhu Song , Ma Chaoyang , Wang Zhouping
Published: June 2011

Abstract:  In this study, the antibacterial activity and mechanism of action of chlorogenic acid against bacteria were assessed. The data from minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values showed that chlorogenic acid effectively inhibited the growth of all tested bacterial pathogens, and the MIC values were ranging from 20 to 80 μg/mL. An investigation into action mode of chlorogenic acid against the pathogen indicated that chlorogenic acid significantly increased the outer and plasma membrane permeability, resulting in the loss of the barrier function, even inducing slight leakage of nucleotide. The leakage of cytoplasmic contents was also observed by electron micrographs. These results supported our hypothesis that chlorogenic acid bound to the outer membrane, disrupted the membrane, exhausted the intracellular potential, and released cytoplasm macromolecules, which led to cell death.
The principles, competencies, and curriculum for educating dental therapists: a report of the American Association of Public Health Dentistry Panel
Authors: Evans Caswell
Published: June 2011

A panel of academicians was formed to develop an educational plan for dental therapists. The panel met over a 14‐month period of time (2010‐2011). The panel interviewed leadership from dental therapy educational programs in New Zealand, Canada, Alaska, and the University of Minnesota. The panel was structured into three subcommittees – principles, competencies, and curriculum to develop an educational plan for a 2‐year postsecondary school dental therapy program. Reports from the three subcommittees are presented in this article along with introductory information and a discussion about the reports. A fourth subcommittee considered career pathways, and its report is presented as a separate article in this special issue. The final work of the panel was to consider accreditation issues regarding dental therapist programs, and its report is also presented in this issue.
THE AUDACITY OF TRUTH: THE ANTIGONE OF ARIS ALEXANDROU, A PLAY OF ISLAND DETENTION FROM THE GREEK CIVIL WAR
Authors: VAN STEEN GONDA
Published: June 2011

This article offers a thematic reading of the Antigone play that the Greek poet Aris Alexandrou finished writing in 1951, while pushed into isolation on the prison islands for leftist detainees of the Greek Civil War. It also discusses the 2003 stage production of the play by director Victor Arditti and the State Theatre of Northern Greece. Alexandrou's free adaptation of Sophocles' Antigone delivers the complex other side of the radical resistance that inspired postwar Greek politics and culture. The playwright's political views made him suffer exile within the ‘internal exile’ of his detainment on the prison islands, and the same holds true for his young and idealist protagonist Antigone. Thus the play becomes an essential piece of the less well documented debate between the Greek Left and those pushed out from within. Therefore, too, it has been particularly vulnerable to criticism – or to a fate worse than criticism: oblivion.
Group identity and peer relations: A longitudinal study of group identity, perceived peer acceptance, and friendships amongst ethnic minority English children
Authors: Rutland Adam , Cameron Lindsey , Jugert Philipp , Nigbur Dennis , Brown Rupert , Watters Charles , Hossain Rosa , Landau Anick , Le Touze Dominique
Published: June 2011

This research examined whether peer relationships amongst ethnic minority status children reflect the social groups to which children belong and the degree to which they identify with these groups. A longitudinal study was conducted to investigate the influence of group identities (i.e., ethnic and national) on children's perceived peer acceptance and preference for same‐ethnic friendships. Measures of ethnic and English identification, perceived peer acceptance, and friendship choice were administered to 207 south‐Asian English children, aged between 5 and 11, at two time points 6 months apart. In line with predictions, longitudinal analysis showed that bicultural identification (i.e., higher ethnic and English identity) was related to higher perceived peer acceptance and less preference for same‐ethnic friendships. Importantly, as hypothesized, this finding was limited to the older children with more advanced social‐cognitive abilities. The results suggest that older children who adopted a bicultural identity were able to strategically ‘flag’ their multiple group identities, within their multicultural peer groups, to obtain acceptance amongst the maximum number of peers and show less preference for same‐ethnic friendships. This study extends previous peer relations research, which has typically focused on individual social deficits or classroom norms, by showing that group identities influence peer relationships amongst ethnic minority status children.
Constraint-Based Limb Synthesis and Mobility-Change-Aimed Mechanism
Construction
Authors: Gan Dongming , Dai Jian S. , Caldwell Darwin G.
Published: June 2011

This paper proposes a new synthesis approach by using constraints for limb synthesis to target mobility-change in the mechanism construction. The limbs therefore produced have the facility to reconfigure the limb twist-system to change the screw system order for reconfigurability. This presents various reconfigurable limbs with geometric constraints of their joints based on the newly invented reconfigurable Hook (rT) joints. The procedure of the limb synthesis is put forward to fully utilize the property of the new joint for generating the reconfigurable limbs. The paper further presents a mobility-change condition to construct a metamorphic mechanism with the reconfigurable limbs. This gives a family of metamorphic parallel mechanisms that have the facility to change mobility in the range of 3– 6. A further family of metamorphic parallel mechanisms is proposed with a central strut. Their topological configuration change is investigated by examining the constraint change stemming from the phase alteration of the reconfigurable Hooke rT joint.
Effects of thermal annealing on the microstructure of sputtered Al2O3 coatings
Authors: Edlmayr V. , Harzer T. P. , Hoffmann R. , Kiener D. , Scheu C. , Mitterer C.
Published: June 2011

The morphology and microstructure of Al2O3 thin films deposited by pulsed direct current magnetron sputtering were studied in the as-grown state and after vacuum annealing at 1000 °C for 12 h using transmission electron microscopy. For the coating deposited under low ion bombardment conditions, the film consists of small γ- and/or δ-Al2O3 grains embedded in an amorphous matrix. The grain size at the region close to the interface to the substrate was much larger than that of the remaining layer. Growth of the γ-Al2O3 phase is promoted during annealing but no transformation to α-Al2O3 was detected. For high-energetic growth conditions, clear evidence for γ-Al2O3 formation was found in the upper part of the coating with grain size much larger than for low-energetic growth, but the film was predominately amorphous at the interface region. Annealing resulted in the transformation of γ-Al2O3 to α-Al2O3, while the mainly amorphous part crystallized to γ-Al2O3.
Comparative study of low dielectric constant material deposited using different precursors
Authors: Wei Bor-Jou , Cheng Yi-Lung , Lu Fu-Hsing , Chiu Tai-Jung , Shih Han-Chang
Published: June 2011

Two kinds of organosilicate precursors, trimethylsilane (3MS) and diethoxymethylsilane (DEMS), were used to produce low-k films by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition in this work. The experimental results indicate that DEMS-based low-k films have superior electrical and reliability performances than 3MS-based low-k films. Furthermore, the DEMS-based low-k films exhibit a higher mechanical strength, chemical and thermal stability, and better adhesion strength on various barrier films. Therefore, the DEMS-based films are promising low-k materials, which can be integrated in a very large scale integration circuit as an interlayer dielectric material.
Observing the Average Trajectories of Single Photons in a Two-Slit Interferometer
Authors: Kocsis Sacha , Braverman Boris , Ravets Sylvain , Stevens Martin J. , Mirin Richard P. , Shalm L. Krister , Steinberg Aephraim M.
Published: June 2011

An experiment determined the trajectories of single photons through a two-slit interferometer.
Two-Dimensional Mott-Hubbard Electrons in an Artificial Honeycomb Lattice
Authors: Singha A. , Gibertini M. , Karmakar B. , Yuan S. , Polini M. , Vignale G. , Katsnelson M. I. , Pinczuk A. , Pfeiffer L. N. , West K. W. , Pellegrini V.
Published: June 2011

A collective electron excitation displays an unusual dependence on an applied magnetic field.
Evaluation of Oral Immunization with Recombinant Avian Influenza Virus HA1 Displayed on the Lactococcus lactis Surface and Combined with the Mucosal Adjuvant Cholera Toxin Subunit B
Authors: Lei Han , Sheng Zhina , Ding Qian , Chen Jian , Wei Xiaohui , Lam Dominic Man-Kit , Xu Yuhong
Published: June 2011

The development of safe and efficient avian influenza vaccines for human and animal uses is essential for preventing virulent outbreaks and pandemics worldwide. In this study, we constructed a recombinant (pgsA-HA1 gene fusion)Lactococcus lactisstrain that expresses and displays the avian influenza virus HA1 antigens on its surface. The vectors were administered by oral delivery with or without the addition of cholera toxin subunit B (CTB). The resulting immune responses were analyzed, and the mice were eventually challenged with lethal doses of H5N1 viruses. Significant titers of hemagglutinin (HA)-specific serum IgG and fecal IgA were detected in the group that also received CTB. Cellular immunities were also shown in both cell proliferation and gamma interferon (IFN-γ) enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISpot) assays. Most importantly, the mice that received theL. lactispgsA-HA1 strain combined with CTB were completely protected from lethal challenge of the H5N1 virus. These findings support the further development ofL. lactis-based avian influenza virus vaccines for human and animal uses.
Comparative Immunogenicities of Full-Length Plasmodium falciparum Merozoite Surface Protein 3 and a 24-Kilodalton N-Terminal Fragment
Authors: Imam Maryam , Devi Yengkhom Sangeeta , Verma Akhilesh K. , Chauhan Virander Singh
Published: June 2011

RecombinantPlasmodium falciparummerozoite surface protein 3 (PfMSP3F) and a 24-kDa fragment from its N terminus (MSP3N) that includes the essential conserved domain, which elicits the maximum antibody (Ab)-dependent cellular inhibition (ADCI), were expressed as soluble proteins inEscherichia coli. Both proteins were found to be stable in both soluble and lyophilized forms. Immunization with MSP3F and MSP3N formulated separately with two human-compatible adjuvants, aluminum hydroxide (Alhydrogel) and Montanide ISA 720, produced significant antibody responses in mice and rabbits. Polyclonal Abs against both antigens recognized native MSP3 in the parasite lysate. These two Abs also recognized two synthetic peptides, previously characterized to possess B cell epitopes from the N-terminal region. Antibody depletion assay showed that most of the IgG response is directed toward the N-terminal region of the full protein. Anti-MSP3F and anti-MSP3N rabbit antibodies did not inhibit merozoite invasion or intraerythrocytic development but significantly reduced parasitemia in the presence of human monocytes. The ADCI demonstrated by anti-MSP3N antibodies was comparable to that exhibited by anti-MSP3F antibodies (both generated in rabbit). These results suggest that the N-terminal fragment of MSP3 can be considered a vaccine candidate that can form part of a multigenic vaccine against malaria.
KSAC, the First Defined Polyprotein Vaccine Candidate for Visceral Leishmaniasis
Authors: Goto Yasuyuki , Bhatia Ajay , Raman Vanitha S. , Liang Hong , Mohamath Raodoh , Picone Alessandro F. , Vidal Silvia E. Z. , Vedvick Thomas S. , Howard Randall F. , Reed Steven G.
Published: June 2011

A subunit vaccine using a defined antigen(s) may be one effective solution for controlling leishmaniasis. Because of genetic diversity in target populations, including both dogs and humans, a multiple-antigen vaccine will likely be essential. However, the cost of a vaccine to be used in developing countries must be considered. We describe herein a multiantigen vaccine candidate comprised of antigens known to be protective in animal models, including dogs, and to be recognized by humans immune to visceral leishmaniasis. The polyprotein (KSAC) formulated with monophosphoryl lipid A, a widely used adjuvant in human vaccines, was found to be immunogenic and capable of inducing protection againstLeishmania infantum, responsible for human and canine visceral leishmaniasis, and againstL. major, responsible for cutaneous leishmaniasis. The results demonstrate the feasibility of producing a practical, cost-effective leishmaniasis vaccine capable of protecting both humans and dogs against multipleLeishmaniaspecies.
Utility of Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization–Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry following Introduction for Routine Laboratory Bacterial Identification
Authors: Neville Stephen A. , LeCordier Annabelle , Ziochos Helen , Chater Mathew J. , Gosbell Iain B. , Maley Michael W. , van Hal Sebastiaan J.
Published: June 2011

Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) was evaluated prospectively in a diagnostic laboratory. Nine hundred twenty-seven organisms were tested in triplicate; 2,351/2,781 (85%) species and 2,681/2,781 (96%) genus identifications were correct. Known issues such as the misidentification of alpha-hemolytic streptococci as
Streptococcus pneumoniae
were easily corrected. Identifications cost AUD$0.45 per isolate and were available in minutes. MALDI-TOF MS is rapid, accurate, and inexpensive.
Travel-Related Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome Caused by
emm
Type 78 Streptococcus pyogenes
Authors: Tappe Dennis , Schulze Marco H. , van der Linden Mark , Ziegler Uwe , Müller Andreas , Stich August
Published: June 2011

Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome is a serious health problem in developed and developing countries. We here report a case of severe protracted disease after a minor skin infection in a young traveler returning from West Malaysia which was caused by an unusual
emm
-type strain harboring
speG
and
smeZ
superantigen genes.
Neutralizing Anti-gH Antibody of Varicella-Zoster Virus Modulates Distribution of gH and Induces Gene Regulation, Mimicking Latency
Authors: Shiraki Kimiyasu , Daikoku Tohru , Takemoto Masaya , Yoshida Yoshihiro , Suzuki Kazuhiro , Akahori Yasushi , Okuno Toshiomi , Kurosawa Yoshikazu , Asano Yoshizo
Published: June 2011

The anti-glycoprotein H (gH) monoclonal antibody (anti-gH-MAb) that neutralizes varicella-zoster virus (VZV) inhibited cell-to-cell infection, resulting in a single infected cell without apoptosis or necrosis, and the number of infectious cells in cultures treated with anti-gH-MAb declined to undetectable levels in 7 to 10 days. Anti-gH-MAb modulated the wide cytoplasmic distribution of gH colocalized with glycoprotein E (gE) to the cytoplasmic compartment with endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and Golgi markers near the nucleus, while gE retained its cytoplasmic distribution. Thus, the disintegrated distribution of gH and gE caused the loss of cellular infectivity. After 4 weeks of treatment with anti-gH-MAb, no infectious virus was recovered, even after cultivation without anti-gH-MAb for another 8 weeks or various other treatments. Cells were infected with Oka varicella vaccine expressing hepatitis B surface antigen (ROka) and treated with anti-gH-MAb for 4 weeks, and ROka was recovered from the quiescently infected cells by superinfection with the parent Oka vaccine. Among the genes 21, 29, 62, 63, and 66, transcripts of gene 63 were the most frequently detected, and products from the genes 63 and 62, but not gE, were detected mainly in the cytoplasm of quiescently infected cells, in contrast to their nuclear localization in lytically infected cells. The patterns of transcripts and products from the quiescently infected cells were similar to those of latent VZV in human ganglia. Thus, anti-gH-MAb treatment resulted in the antigenic modulation and dormancy of infectivity of VZV. Antigenic modulation by anti-gH-MAb illuminates a new aspect in pathogenesis in VZV infection and the gene regulation of VZV during latency in human ganglia.
A Single Amino Acid in Nonstructural Protein NS4B Confers Virulence to Dengue Virus in AG129 Mice through Enhancement of Viral RNA Synthesis
Authors: Grant Dixon , Tan Grace K. , Qing Min , Ng Jowin K. W. , Yip Andy , Zou Gang , Xie Xuping , Yuan Zhiming , Schreiber Mark J. , Schul Wouter , Shi Pei-Yong , Alonso Sylvie
Published: June 2011

Dengue (DEN) is a mosquito-borne viral disease that has become an increasing economic and health burden for the tropical and subtropical world. The lack of an appropriate animal model of DEN has greatly impeded the study of its pathogenesis and the development of vaccines/antivirals. We recently reported a DEN virus 2 (DENV-2) strain (D2Y98P) that lethally infects immunocompromised AG129 mice, resulting in organ damage or dysfunction and increased vascular permeability, hallmarks of severe DEN in patients (G. K. Tan et al., PLoS Negl. Trop. Dis. 4:e672, 2010). Here we report the identification of one critical virulence determinant of strain D2Y98P. By mutagenesis, we showed that a Phe-to-Leu alteration at amino acid position 52 in nonstructural protein NS4B completely abolished the pathogenicity of the D2Y98P virus, as evidenced by a lack of lethality and the absence of histological signs of disease, which correlated with reduced viral titers and intact vascular permeability. Conversely, a Leu-to-Phe alteration at position 52 of NS4B in nonvirulent DENV-2 strain TSV01 led to 80% lethality and increased viremia. The NS4B(Phe52) viruses displayed enhanced RNA synthesis in mammalian cells but not in mosquito cells. The increased viral RNA synthesis was independent of the ability of NS4B to interfere with the host type I interferon response. Overall, our results demonstrate that Phe at position 52 in NS4B confers virulence in mice on two independent DENV-2 strains through enhancement of viral RNA synthesis. In addition to providing further insights into the functional role of NS4B protein, our findings further support a direct relationship between viral loads and DEN pathogenesis
in vivo
, consistent with observations in DEN patients.
Characterization of the bacterial community structure of Sydney Tar Ponds sediment
Authors: Yeung C. William , Woo Monica , Lee Kenneth , Greer Charles W.
Published: June 2011

The Sydney Tar Ponds is one of the largest toxic waste sites in Canada. The bacterial diversity and abundance in the Sydney Tar Ponds sediment was examined using a 16S rRNA gene clone library and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) with four different primer sets. The clone library was grouped into 19 phylotypes that could be divided into five phyla: Proteobacteria (56.9%), Actinobacteria (35%), Acidobacteria (4.9%), Firmicutes (2.4%), and Verrucomicrobia (0.8%). Members of the phyla Actinobacteria (represented mainly by Mycobacterium spp.) and Alphaproteobacteria (represented by Acidocella spp.) comprised the majority of the clone library. This study also revealed that the phylogenetic results obtained from clone library analysis and from DGGE analysis, with all the primer sets, showed some variability. However, similar Mycobacterium spp. and Acidocella spp. were found in all the different DGGE analyses, again suggesting that these two genera are dominant in the Sydney Tar Ponds sediment. In addition, DGGE analysis indicated that primer sets targeting the V3 region produced results that were the most similar to those obtained with the clone library.
The effect ofN-acetylcysteine on the antitumor activity of ifosfamide
Authors: Chen Nancy , Hanly Lauren , Rieder Michael , Yeger Herman , Koren Gideon
Published: June 2011

Ifosfamide-induced nephrotoxicity is a serious adverse effect in children undergoing chemotherapy. Our previous cell and rodent models have shown that the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC), used extensively as an antidote for acetaminophen poisoning, protects renal tubular cells from ifosfamide-induced nephrotoxicity at a clinically relevant concentration. For the use of NAC to be clinically relevant in preventing ifosfamide nephrotoxicity, we must ensure there is no effect of NAC on the antitumor activity of ifosfamide. Common pediatric tumors that are sensitive to ifosfamide, human neuroblastoma SK-N-BE(2) and rhabdomyosarcoma RD114-B cells, received either no pretreatment or pretreatment with 400 µmol/L of NAC, followed by concurrent treatment with NAC and either ifosfamide or the active agent ifosfamide mustard. Ifosfamide mustard significantly decreased the growth of both cancer cell lines in a dose-dependent manner (p < 0.001). The different combined treatments of NAC alone, sodium 2-mercaptoethanesulfonate alone, or NAC plus sodium 2-mercaptoethanesulfonate did not significantly interfere with the tumor cytotoxic effect of ifosfamide mustard. These observations suggest that NAC may improve the risk/benefit ratio of ifosfamide by decreasing ifosfamide-induced nephrotoxicity without interfering with its antitumor effect in cancer cells clinically treated with ifosfamide.
Simulation of differential drug pharmacokinetics under heat and exercise stress using a physiologically based pharmacokinetic modeling approach
Authors: Sidhu Pardeep , Peng Henry T. , Cheung Bob , Edginton Andrea
Published: June 2011

Under extreme conditions of heat exposure and exercise stress, the human body undergoes major physiological changes. Perturbations in organ blood flows, gastrointestinal properties, and vascular physiology may impact the body’s ability to absorb, distribute, and eliminate drugs. Clinical studies on the effect of these stressors on drug pharmacokinetics demonstrate that the likelihood of pharmacokinetic alteration is dependent on drug properties and the intensity of the stressor. The objectives of this study were to use literature data to quantify the correlation between exercise and heat exposure intensity to changing physiological parameters and further, to use this information for the parameterization of a whole-body, physiologically based pharmacokinetic model for the purposes of determining those drug properties most likely to demonstrate altered drug pharmacokinetics under stress. Cardiac output and most organ blood flows were correlated with heart rate using regression analysis. Other altered parameters included hematocrit and intravascular albumin concentration. Pharmacokinetic simulations of intravenous and oral administration of hypothetical drugs with either a low or high value of lipophilicity, unbound fraction in plasma, and unbound intrinsic hepatic clearance demonstrated that the area under the curve of those drugs with a high unbound intrinsic clearance was most affected (up to a 130% increase) following intravenous administration, whereas following oral administration, pharmacokinetic changes were smaller (<40% increase in area under the curve) for all hypothetical compounds. A midazolam physiologically based pharmacokinetic model was also used to demonstrate that simulated changes in pharmacokinetic parameters under exercise and heat stress were generally consistent with those reported in the literature.
Response of Bicknell’s Thrush (Catharus bicknelli) to boreal silviculture and forest stand edges: a radio-tracking study
Authors: Aubry Yves , Desrochers André , Seutin Gilles
Published: June 2011

Society and regulatory regimes require that biodiversity conservation, and especially the protection of threatened species, be integrated into land-use planning and management. Bicknell’s Thrush ( Catharus bicknelli (Ridgway, 1882)) is an at-risk species breeding in montane balsam fir ( Abies balsamea (L.) P. Mill.) dominated areas of northeastern North America. We monitored 34 individual Bicknell’s Thrushes by radio telemetry in southern Quebec to examine the size, location, and habitat composition of their home ranges in areas where clear-cutting and precommercial thinning occurred. Home ranges of Bicknell’s Thrush comprised more dense balsam fir stands and fewer thinned stands than available. Within home ranges, thrushes were found more frequently in unthinned balsam fir stands than in thinned stands, and they did not avoid edges. In fact, they were found disproportionately near edges of recently thinned stands. We conclude that Bicknell’s Thrushes may coexist with forest management practices that maintain a landscape mosaic dominated by dense balsam fir patches interspersed with thinned stands.
Measuring growth patterns in the field: effects of sampling regime and methods on standardized estimates
Authors: Martin J.G.A. , Pelletier F.
Published: June 2011

Although mixed effects models are widely used in ecology and evolution, their application to standardized traits that change within season or across ontogeny remains limited. Mixed models offer a robust way to standardize individual quantitative traits to a common condition such as body mass at a certain point in time (within a year or across ontogeny), or parturition date for a given climatic condition. Currently, however, most researchers use simple linear models to accomplish this task. We use both empirical and simulated data to underline the application of mixed models for standardizing trait values to a common environment for each individual. We show that mixed model standardizations provide more accurate estimates of mass parameters than linear models for all sampling regimes and especially for individuals with few repeated measures. Our simulations and analyses on empirical data both confirm that mixed models provide a better way to standardize trait values for individuals with repeated measurements compared with classical least squares regression. Linear regression should therefore be avoided to adjust or standardize individual measurements
Phylogenetic history of mustelid fauna in Taiwan inferred from mitochondrial genetic loci
Authors: Hosoda T. , Sato J.J. , Lin L.-K. , Chen Y.-J. , Harada M. , Suzuki H.
Published: June 2011

Phylogenetic relationships among species of the family Mustelidae were examined using the combined nucleotide sequences of the three mitochondrial genetic loci (cytochrome b (MT-CYB; 1140 bp), NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 (MT-ND2; 1044 bp), and displacement loop (MT-DLOOP; 540 bp)), with special emphasis on the phylogenetic history of four Taiwanese mustelid species: Martes flavigula (Boddaert, 1785), Melogale moschata (Gray, 1831), Mustela nivalis L., 1766, and Mustela sibirica Pallas, 1773. Maximum likelihood phylogenetic analysis of the combined sequences of the mitochondrial genetic loci produced a topology largely congruent with that of previous studies at the species level. Analyses of intraspecific genetic variations revealed two Melogale moschata individuals from Taiwan and Vietnam that showed genetic distances comparable with interspecific variations within the mustelid lineages. Furthermore, Mustela nivalis, recently discovered in Taiwan, was not as genetically differentiated from other continental conspecific individuals as a previous morphological survey suggested. Divergence time estimations for the mustelid lineages of Taiwan and the Eurasian continent by the Bayesian relaxed molecular clock approach suggested multiple colonization of Taiwan by mustelids from the continent during the Pleistocene, creating a hierarchical pattern of endemism based on the differential isolation history of the mustelid species in Taiwan.
SEGMENTATION-FREE ONLINE ARABIC HANDWRITING RECOGNITION
Authors: BIADSY FADI , SAABNI RAID , EL-SANA JIHAD
Published: June 2011

Arabic script is naturally cursive and unconstrained and, as a result, an automatic recognition of its handwriting is a challenging problem. The analysis of Arabic script is further complicated in comparison to Latin script due to obligatory dots/stokes that are placed above or below most letters. In this paper, we introduce a new approach that performs online Arabic word recognition on a continuous word-part level, while performing training on the letter level. In addition, we appropriately handle delayed strokes by first detecting them and then integrating them into the word-part body. Our current implementation is based on Hidden Markov Models (HMM) and correctly handles most of the Arabic script recognition difficulties. We have tested our implementation using various dictionaries and multiple writers and have achieved encouraging results for both writer-dependent and writer-independent recognition.
PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF DISTANCE METRICS: APPLICATION TO FINGERPRINT RECOGNITION
Authors: BHARKAD SANGITA D. , KOKARE MANESH
Published: June 2011

Distance metric is widely used in similarity estimation which plays a key role in fingerprint recognition. In this work we propose the detailed comparison of 29 distinct distance metrics. Features of fingerprint images are extracted using Fast Fourier Transform (FFT). Recognition rate, receiver operating curve (ROC), time and space complexity parameters are used for evaluation of each distance metric. To consolidate our conclusion we used the standard fingerprint database available at Bologna University and FVC2000 databases. After evaluation of 29 distinct distance metrics we found Sorgel distance metric performs best. Genuine acceptance rate (GAR) of Sorgel distance metric is observed to be ~5% higher than traditional Euclidean distance metric at low false acceptance rate (FAR). Sorgel distance gives good GAR at low FAR with moderate computational complexity.
SKELETONIZING CHARACTER IMAGES USING A MODIFIED MEDIAL AXIS-BASED STRATEGY
Authors: BAG SOUMEN , HARIT GAURAV
Published: June 2011

In this paper we propose a thinning methodology applicable to character images. It is novel in terms of its ability to adapt to local character shape while constructing the thinned skeleton. Our method does not produce many of the distortions in the character shapes which normally result from the use of existing thinning algorithms. The proposed thinning methodology is based on the medial axis of the character. The skeleton has a width of one pixel. As a by-product of our thinning approach, the skeleton also gets segmented into strokes in vector form. Hence further stroke segmentation is not required. We have conducted experiments with printed and handwritten characters in several scripts such as English, Bengali, Hindi, Kannada and Tamil. We obtain less spurious branches compared to other thinning methods. Our method does not use any kind of post processing.
USING GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEMS TO TEST EXTENSIONS OF GENERAL RELATIVITY
Authors: BERTOLAMI ORFEU , PÁRAMOS JORGE
Published: June 2011

We consider the feasibility of using the Galileo Navigation Satellite System to constrain possible extensions or modifications to general relativity, by assessing the impact of the related additions to the Newtonian potential and comparing with the available observables: the relative frequency shift and the time-delay of light propagation. We address the impact of deviations from General Relativity based on the parametrized Post-Newtonian parameters due to the presence of a cosmological constant, of a constant acceleration like the putative Pioneer anomaly, a Yukawa potential term due to massive scalar fields and a power-law potential term, which can arise from Ungravity or f(R) theories.
MODELING A RELATION BETWEEN SHOWER AGE AND LATERAL DISTRIBUTION PARAMETERS OF EXTENSIVE AIR SHOWERS OF COSMIC RAYS
Authors: IVANOV A. A. , PRAVDIN M. I. , SABOUROV A. V.
Published: June 2011

The lateral distribution (LD) of particles in extensive air showers (EAS) of cosmic rays (CRs) broadens as the cascade propagates in the atmosphere. A universal relation between LD parameters and shower age can be used to estimate the age and/or maximum depth, Xmax, basing on EAS measurements with surface arrays. We have simulated this relation using a Monte Carlo method implemented in the CORSIKA code. Our aim is to specify an algorithm applicable in particular to Yakutsk array data analysis.
CERVICAL SPINE PNEUMATOCYST: CASE REPORT AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE
Authors: Siddiqui Nasir A. , Almusa Emad , Britton Cynthia A.
Published: June 2011

Introduction: Cervical pneumatocyst is an important entity that has been rarely reported in the literature. Less than 20 cases have been reported in the English literature. This entity is an important differential consideration when evaluating cervical spine lesions. The purpose of our study is to characterize the imaging features of cervical pneumatocysts. Methods: We report a case of a cervical pneumatocyst in a 51-year-old female patient, which mimicked a sclerotic lesion on magnetic resonance evaluation. Additionally, a dedicated literature review was performed evaluating the location, signal alterations, and imaging characteristics of 16 cervical pneumatocysts. Results: Fifteen of the sixteen cases in the cervical spine were found in the vertebral body. One case was identified in the lateral mass of the cervical spine. Two pneumatocysts were identified in C4, eight in C5, four in C6, and one in C7. Nine of the sixteen cases demonstrated disruption of the endplate with likely communication with either the spinal canal or intravertebral disc, with the remaining seven cases appearing isolated from the vertebral body. Conclusions: Cervical pneumatocysts are benign lesions that do not require urgent treatment. Based on their imaging appearance alone, they can be differentiated from more serious lesions such as neoplasms or osteomyelitis.
MODELING THE IMPACT OF VOLUNTARY TESTING AND TREATMENT ON TUBERCULOSIS TRANSMISSION DYNAMICS
Authors: MUSHAYABASA S. , BHUNU C. P.
Published: June 2011

A deterministic model for evaluating the impact of voluntary testing and treatment on the transmission dynamics of tuberculosis is formulated and analyzed. The epidemiological threshold, known as the reproduction number is derived and qualitatively used to investigate the existence and stability of the associated equilibrium of the model system. The disease-free equilibrium is shown to be locally-asymptotically stable when the reproductive number is less than unity, and unstable if this threshold parameter exceeds unity. It is shown, using the Centre Manifold theory, that the model undergoes the phenomenon of backward bifurcation where the stable disease-free equilibrium co-exists with a stable endemic equilibrium when the associated reproduction number is less than unity. The analysis of the reproduction number suggests that voluntary tuberculosis testing and treatment may lead to effective control of tuberculosis. Furthermore, numerical simulations support the fact that an increase voluntary tuberculosis testing and treatment have a positive impact in controlling the spread of tuberculosis in the community.
Methoxybenzene as an Electrolyte Solvent for the Primary Lithium Metal Air Battery
Authors: Crowther Owen , Meyer Benjamin , Salomon Mark
Published: June 2011

Primary lithium metal air (Li-air) batteries using aprotic organic electrolyte solutions containing methoxybenzene are reported for the first time. Methoxybenzene demonstrates an increased solubility of lithium oxide, the reduction product with an extremely low solubility that leads to cell failure due to pore blocking in the carbon cathode. Primary Li-air batteries with electrolytes containing methoxybenzene demonstrate significantly high discharge capacities than cells with electrolytes containing no methoxybenzene. Cell performance is presented for both 10 cm2 pouch type cells and 100 cm2 fixtured cells and the effect of electrode area is discussed.
Detecting Ca2+ sparks on stationary and varying baselines
Authors: Bankhead Peter , Scholfield C. Norman , Curtis Tim M. , McGeown J. Graham
Published: June 2011

Studies concerning the physiological significance of Ca2+ sparks often depend on the detection and measurement of large populations of events in noisy microscopy images. Automated detection methods have been developed to quickly and objectively distinguish potential sparks from noise artifacts. However, previously described algorithms are not suited to the reliable detection of sparks in images where the local baseline fluorescence and noise properties can vary significantly, and risk introducing additional bias when applied to such data sets. Here, we describe a new, conceptually straightforward approach to spark detection in linescans that addresses this issue by combining variance stabilization with local baseline subtraction. We also show that in addition to greatly increasing the range of images in which sparks can be automatically detected, the use of a more accurate noise model enables our algorithm to achieve similar detection sensitivities with fewer false positives than previous approaches when applied both to synthetic and experimental data sets. We propose, therefore, that it might be a useful tool for improving the reliability and objectivity of spark analysis in general, and describe how it might be further optimized for specific applications.
Expression, localization, and functional role for synaptotagmins in pancreatic acinar cells
Authors: Falkowski Michelle A. , Thomas Diana D. H. , Messenger Scott W. , Martin Thomas F. , Groblewski Guy E.
Published: June 2011

Secretagogue-induced changes in intracellular Ca2+play a pivotal role in secretion in pancreatic acini yet the molecules that respond to Ca2+are uncertain. Zymogen granule (ZG) exocytosis is regulated by soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) complexes. In nerve and endocrine cells, Ca2+-stimulated exocytosis is regulated by the SNARE-associated family of proteins termed synaptotagmins. This study examined a potential role for synaptotagmins in acinar secretion. RT-PCR revealed that synaptotagmin isoforms 1, 3, 6, and 7 are present in isolated acini. Immunoblotting and immunofluorescence using three different antibodies demonstrated synaptotagmin 1 immunoreactivity in apical cytoplasm and ZG fractions of acini, where it colocalized with vesicle-associated membrane protein 2. Synaptotagmin 3 immunoreactivity was detected in membrane fractions and colocalized with an endolysosomal marker. A potential functional role for synaptotagmin 1 in secretion was indicated by results that introduction of synaptotagmin 1 C2AB domain into permeabilized acini inhibited Ca2+-dependent exocytosis by 35%. In contrast, constructs of synaptotagmin 3 had no effect. Confirmation of these findings was achieved by incubating intact acini with an antibody specific to the intraluminal domain of synaptotagmin 1, which is externalized following exocytosis. Externalized synaptotagmin 1 was detected exclusively along the apical membrane. Treatment with CCK-8 (100 pM, 5 min) enhanced immunoreactivity by fourfold, demonstrating that synaptotagmin is inserted into the apical membrane during ZG fusion. Collectively, these data indicate that acini express synaptotagmin 1 and support that it plays a functional role in secretion whereas synaptotagmin 3 has an alternative role in endolysosomal membrane trafficking.
Do season and distribution affect thermal energetics of a hibernating bat endemic to the tropics and subtropics?
Authors: Stawski Clare , Geiser Fritz
Published: June 2011

Although many tropical and subtropical areas experience pronounced seasonal changes in weather and food availability, few studies have examined and none have compared the thermal physiology and energetics of a hibernating mammal that is restricted to these regions. We quantified thermal energetics of northern long-eared bats ( Nyctophilus bifax; body mass ∼10 g) during summer, winter, and spring from a subtropical habitat, and also during winter from a tropical habitat, to determine how N. bifax cope with climate and seasonal changes in weather. We captured bats in the wild and measured metabolic rates via open-flow respirometry. The basal metabolic rate of subtropical bats at an ambient temperature (Ta) of 32.6 ± 0.7°C was 1.28 ± 0.06 ml O2·g−1·h−1during both summer and winter, similar to other species of Nyctophilus. Resting metabolic rates below the thermoneutral zone increased similarly with decreasing Taduring all seasons and in both regions. All individuals showed a high proclivity to enter torpor at Tavalues below the thermoneutral zone. Metabolic rates in torpid thermoconforming bats fell with Taand body temperature, and mean minimum metabolic rates during torpor were similar during all seasons and in both regions and as predicted from body mass in temperate zone hibernators. At very low Ta, torpid N. bifax thermoregulated, and this threshold Tadiffered significantly between subtropical (Ta= 3.5 ± 0.3°C) and tropical (Ta= 6.7 ± 0.7°C) individuals, but not between seasons. Our data show that thermal energetics of N. bifax do not vary seasonally and in many aspects are similar in tropical and subtropical bats; however, torpid individuals from the subtropics allow body temperature to fall to significantly lower values than those from the tropics.
Renovascular hypertension using a modified two-kidney, one-clip approach in mice is not dependent on the α1 or α2 Na-K-ATPase ouabain-binding site
Authors: Lorenz John N. , Lasko Valerie M. , Nieman Michelle L. , Damhoff Thomas , Prasad Vikram , Beierwaltes William H. , Lingrel Jerry B.
Published: June 2011

Endogenous cardiotonic steroids, through their interaction with the ouabain-binding site of the Na-K-ATPase α-subunit, have been implicated in a variety of cardiovascular disease states including hypertension. We have previously shown that ACTH-induced hypertension is abolished in mutant mice expressing ouabain-resistant α1- and α2-subunits. To further evaluate hypertension resistance in these mutant mice, we examined blood pressure changes in a modified model of 2-kidney, 1-clip (2K1C) renovascular hypertension. To reliably generate 2K1C hypertension, we used polyvinyl tubing (inner diameter: ∼0.27 mm) to accurately gauge the degree of renal artery stenosis. Using this method, virtually all of the clipped mice became hypertensive and there was no incidence of apparent renal ischemia. By telemetry, in response to renal artery clipping, blood pressure in wild-type mice (α1 ouabain-resistant, α2 ouabain-sensitive) increased from 97 ± 3 to 136 ± 7 mmHg. In α1-resistant, α2-resistant mice, pressure increased from 93 ± 2 to 123 ± 4 mmHg, and in α1-sensitive, α2-resistant mice, blood pressure increased from 95 ± 2 to 139 ± 5 mmHg. Blood pressure changes were equivalent in all three groups. In sham mice, blood pressure did not change (96 ± 1 to 95 ± 2 mmHg). Renin mRNA expression was dramatically elevated in the left vs. the right kidney, and plasma renin concentration was elevated similarly in all genotypes. These data indicate that sensitivity of the α1- or α2-Na-K-ATPase binding site to cardiotonic steroids is not a prerequisite for the development of 2K1C renovascular hypertension. In addition, use of a polyurethane cuff to constrict the renal artery provides a reliable method for producing 2K1C hypertension in mice.
Role for pAKT in rat urinary bladder with cyclophosphamide (CYP)-induced cystitis
Authors: Arms Lauren , Vizzard Margaret A.
Published: June 2011

AKT phosphorylation following peripheral nerve injury or inflammation may play a role in somatic pain processes and visceral inflammation. To examine such a role in micturition reflexes with bladder inflammation, we induced bladder inflammation in adult female Wistar rats (200–300 g) by injecting cyclophosphamide (CYP) intraperitoneally at acute (150 mg/kg; 4 h), intermediate (150 mg/kg; 48 h), and chronic (75 mg/kg; every third day for 10 days) time points. Western blot analyses of whole urinary bladders showed significant increases ( P ≤ 0.01) in phosphorylated (p) AKT at all time points; however, the magnitude of AKT phosphorylation varied with duration of CYP treatment. Immunohistochemical analyses of pAKT immunoreactivity (pAKT-IR) in cryostat bladder sections demonstrated duration-dependent, significant ( P ≤ 0.01) increases in pAKT-IR in both the urothelium and detrusor smooth muscle of CYP-inflamed bladders. Additionally, a suburothelial population of pAKT-IR macrophages (CD68-, MAC2-, and F4/80-positive) was present in chronic CYP-treated bladders. The functional role of pAKT in micturition was evaluated using open, conscious cystometry with continuous instillation of saline in conjunction with administration of an inhibitor of AKT phosphorylation, deguelin (1.0 μg/10 μl), or vehicle (1% DMSO in saline) in control (no inflammation) and CYP (48 h)-treated rats. Bladder capacity, void volume, and intercontraction void interval increased significantly ( P ≤ 0.05) following intravesical instillation of deguelin in CYP (48 h)-treated rats. These results demonstrate increased AKT phosphorylation in the urinary bladder with urinary bladder inflammation and that blockade of AKT phosphorylation in the urothelium improves overall bladder function.