bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
THE ERGATIVE CONSTRUCTION AS ONE POSSIBILITY FOR PATIENT ACTUALIZATION
Authors: Asatiani Rusudan
Published: November 2008

A general semantic relation is the orientation to patient for transitive verb objects, and to agent for intransitive verb subjects, e. g. if we have the general meaning of ‘moving’ (intransitive semantics), and the subject is a man, the verb will be goes; for the subject a bird, the verb becomes flies, and so on. When, however, the general meaning is intransitive (e. g. ‘creating’), the patient (and not the agent) influences the lexical form of the verb: a letter→to write, a picture→to draw, a house→to build, etc.
AGREEMENT AS HEAD VISIBLE FEATURE GOVERNMENT
Authors: Sigurdsson Halldór Ármann
Published: November 2008

Abstract. This paper discusses cross‐linguistic agreement variation that is difficult to account for under the Spec‐head approach to agreement, in particular participle agreement variation in Germanic languages. It is suggested that participle agreement makes theta government head visible and that such head visibility is both subject to parametric variation and affected by morphological case. The proposed analysis makes it possible to generalize over participle agreement in languages that at first sight would seem to apply rather different agreement strategies. In addition, it is suggested, finite verb agreement should be analyzed along lines similiar to participle agreement, namely as head visible Case government
THE MORPHOLOGY AND DISTRIBUTION OF OBJECT CLITICS IN WEST FLEMISH
Authors: Haegeman Liliane
Published: November 2008

Abstract. The paper focuses on the distribution of object clitics in West Flemish. The morphology of the clitics suggests that they are characterized by the lack of number specification. It is proposed that in order to be referential and to be assigned a thematic role clitics must associate with an AGR head. The movement of the clitic to this functional head is a two‐step process: (i) scrambling of XP‐scrambling being A‐movement in West Flemish, (ii) movement of the head of XP to the functional head, with possible further head to head movement. Such an approach leads us to postulate a recursive head‐initial functional projection in the IP domain in West Flemish. The head of this functional projection will host clitics; the specifier is the landing site for scrambled NPs.
CLITICS IN SLAVIC*
Authors: Dimitrova‐Vulchanova Mila
Published: November 2008

Abstract. In this paper I examine the rules for placement of clitics in a selected number of Slavic languages. I propose that the placement of argument clitics is dictated by a functional category, Finiteness, whereas for extended clitic chsters it is dictated by clause‐initial structure, analysed in terms of a construct preliminarily called FRONT. I argue that it is the language particular requirements on FRONT that determine the distribution of extended clitic clusters.
PERSON MARKING AND DISCOURSE IN NORTH ARAWAK LANGUAGES
Authors: Aikhenvald Alexandra Y.
Published: November 2008

Abstract. A number of North Arawak languages show a connection between discourse‐pragmatic properties of constituents and the way they are cross‐referenced on the predicate. Baniwa and Bare have a special cross‐referencing prefix used to mark a focussed subject (A/Sa). In Warekena and Bare cross‐referencing prefixes on the verb may be totally suppressed if the subject (A/Sa) undergoes preverbal fronting as a contrastive focus. This property shows a certain analogy with other languages (e.g., Chamorro), and contributes to an over‐all typology of discourse‐marking devices in the languages of the world.
Physical Properties of Gelidium corneum–Gelatin Blend Films Containing Grapefruit Seed Extract or Green Tea Extract and Its Application in the Packaging of Pork Loins
Authors: Hong Y.‐H. , Lim G.‐O. , Song K. B.
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACT:  Edible Gelidium corneum–gelatin (GCG) blend films containing grapefruit seed extract (GFSE) or green tea extract (GTE) were manufactured, and the quality of pork loins packed with the film during storage was determined. Tensile strength (TS) and water vapor permeability (WVP) of the films containing GFSE or GTE were better than those of the control. The film's antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Listeria monocytogenes increased with increasing antimicrobial concentration, resulting in a decrease in the populations of bacteria by 0.77 to 2.08 and 0.91 to 3.30 log CFU/g, respectively. Pork loin samples were inoculated with E. coli O157:H7 and L. monocytogenes. The samples packed with the GCG film containing GFSE (0.08%) or GTE (2.80%) had a decrease in the populations of E. coli O157:H7 and L. monocytogenes of 0.69 to 1.11 and 1.05 to 1.14 log CFU/g, respectively, compared to the control after 4 d of storage. The results showed that the quality of pork loins during storage could be improved by packaging them with the GCG film containing GFSE or GTE.
Nuclear Deterrence and Animosity in Japan‐North Korean Relations: Steps to Coexistence
Authors: DiFilippo Anthony
Published: November 2008

The relationship between Japan and North Korea continues to be characterized by a considerable amount of animus and distrust, their geographical proximity notwithstanding. While the “history problem” still creates antagonism in the bilateral relationship, several other matters, such as the North Korean nuclear crisis and the missile and abduction issues, have not made the prospects for rapprochement especially good. Also not helping to better this very strained bilateral relationship is Japan's recent willingness to strengthen its security alliance with the United States and Washington's policy toward North Korea, which Pyongyang sees as uncompromising and hubristic. Of particular concern is that both Japan and North Korea reason that a real or claimed nuclear deterrent force is necessary for the purpose of national security. This article argues that Tokyo and Pyongyang need to implement bold measures that palpably demonstrate their commitment to improving bilateral ties, stressing that trust‐building actions are important for them to experience peaceful coexistence.
Chromosome numbers of goldenrods, Euthamia and Solidago (Compositae-Astereae)
Authors: Semple J. C. , Brammall R. A. , Chmielewski J.
Published: November 2008

Chromosome number determinations were made from 227 populations of 43 taxa of Euthamia and Solidago. Nearly all were confirmations of previous reports. The majority of the populations sampled were from Ontario. First report: Solidago hispida Muhl. var. tonsa Fern., 2n = 18.
Dinitrogen fixation in pea beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) as affected by growth stage and temperature regime
Authors: Rennie R. J. , Kemp G. A.
Published: November 2008

Tolerance of beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) to low temperatures is essential for growth under Canadian growing conditions. At air temperatures typical of a southern Alberta growing season (10–23 °C), 'Aurora' fixed 433 mg N per plant, more than 'Sanilac' and 'Comtesse,' which averaged 307 mg N per plant, and 'Kentwood,' which fixed the least: 214 mg N per plant. At a higher temperature regime (15–23 °C), typical of a southern Ontario growing season, 'Aurora' again fixed the most N2 (456 mg N per plant), while the other three cultivars fixed an average of 370 mg N per plant. The amount of N2 fixed increased as the time to reach maximum acetylene (C2H2) reducing activity lengthened. This suggested that it may be advantageous to select beans that have a longer vegetative stage to prolong the time of active N2 fixation within the limits of acceptable season length to ensure maturity. 'Aurora' was not affected by the lower temperature regime, and although these temperatures delayed the initiation of N2 fixation by 21 days, 'Aurora' compensated by producing 26% greater nodule dry weight and 40% higher maximum C2H2-reducing activity than that observed at the higher temperature regime. Growth and N2 fixation of the other three cultivars were adversely affected by the lower temperature regime, not because of lower nodule numbers or mass but because of lower nodule activity. The good root growth of 'Aurora' at low temperatures may explain its superiority for N2 fixation at lower temperatures. C2H2 reduction and nodule dry weight were acceptable indicators of N2 fixation only during early plant growth when all nodules were new and uniformly active. The ideal time to select the bean cultivars for N2-fixing ability was just before the peak of maximum C2H2-reducing activity and corresponded to the stage from buds-near-breaking to anthesis for both temperature regimes. Molar ratios of C2H2 reduced to N2 fixed suggested that the relative efficiency of N2 fixation varied with temperature and growth stage but not with bean cultivar.
A subcuticular endoparasite impaling bdelloid rotifers using three-pronged spores
Authors: Barron G. L. , Tzean S. S.
Published: November 2008

Triacutus subcuticularis is described as an endoparasite of bdelloid rotifers. The infection hypha does not establish in the visceral tissue but grows in the pseudocoel between the cuticle and the epidermis. In this location the thallus grows and divides repeatedly to produce numerous unicellular assimilative segments which pack the subcuticular space of the living host. After death, each hyphal segment produces one or several filiform extensions which bear solitary one-celled, three-pronged spores at the apex. Infection is initiated by the spore impaling the rotifers in the mouth region.
Collapsing Aphanizomenon flos-aquae blooms: possible contributions of photo-oxidation, O2 toxicity, and cyanophages
Authors: Coulombe Annette M. , Robinson G. G. C.
Published: November 2008

Triggering mechanisms for collapse of Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (L.) Ralfs blooms in three shallow eutrophic pothole lakes (L 885, L 958, and L 522), located within an aquaculture project study area in southwestern Manitoba, Canada, were examined. Three of the collapses observed (L 885, mid-July 1979; L 958, mid-August 1979; and L 522, mid-July 1979) were initiated during periods of lake thermal stability when conditions conducive to photo-oxidation and (or) death due to O2 toxicity were operable. A fourth collapse (L 958, mid-August 1973) was initiated during a period of lake thermal instability when photo-oxidation and O2 toxicity could be dismissed as triggering mechanisms. The possibility of cyanophage-induced algal lysis causing bloom collapse was considered and morphological evidence for the occurrence of viruslike particles (vlps) within Aphanizomenon cells from L 885 (1979) and L 958 (1978, 1979) are presented. Since transmission and isolation of the vlps has not been substantiated, the verification of a virus infection of the Aphanizomenon populations studied is not yet possible. It is demonstrated that no single triggering mechanism can account for all of the algal collapses described.
Evaluating the potential for trophodynamic control of fish by the longfin inshore squid (Loligo pealeii) in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean
Authors: Hunsicker Mary E. , Essington Timothy E.
Published: November 2008

Many marine apex predator populations have been depleted via targeted fishing, potentially enhancing the productivity of lower trophic-level species such as squid. Squid may be predators of juvenile stages of fish stocks, so fishing could induce depensatory juvenile mortality. Here we evaluate the energetic potential of the longfin inshore squid ( Loligo pealeii ) to exert trophodynamic control on recruitment of several commercially important fish populations. We estimated the population prey consumption of L. pealeii by developing bioenergetics and population models based on previously published data. Our predictions of population consumption showed that squid consume high quantities of prey on daily and seasonal time scales. Further, comparisons between our estimates of population consumption and fish recruitment biomass indicate that L. pealeii may potentially exert a trophodynamic control on the recruitment success of commercially exploited fish species even if these species are only a minor prey item of squid. Overall, our findings suggest that the predation interactions of L. pealeii should be considered when managing and rebuilding fish stocks in the northwest Atlantic continental shelf ecosystem.
Back-calculation of previous fish size using individually tagged and marked Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua)
Authors: Li L. , Høie H. , Geffen A. J. , Heegaard E. , Skadal J. , Folkvord A.
Published: November 2008

The performance of five back-calculation (B-C) models was tested with individually tagged and multiple alizarin-marked Atlantic cod ( Gadus morhua ) reared at seasonally varying water temperature and food regimes over a 10-month period. The otoliths were transversely sectioned and the otolith growth between marks was measured along the dorsal, distal, and ventral radii and across the otolith width. Observed fish lengths at each marking time were compared with back-calculated lengths using linear and nonlinear scale and body proportional hypotheses (SPH and BPH) and biological intercept (BI) models. Measurements along the dorsal and distal radius with SPH and BI provided more accurate fish length estimates but with lower precision, whereas measurements of the ventral radius consistently produced greater overestimations by any model. Otolith width measurements produced moderately overestimated fish length estimates but with the highest precision and were significantly affected by temperature in all models. Certain combinations of model and otolith dimension were more sensitive to the length of the back-calculation time interval, whereas varying feeding regime induced temporary biases only. The selection of B-C model and otolith dimension thus depends not only on the environmental conditions that the fish experience, but also on the requirements of the application for which the B-C is used.
Experimental evaluation of the compressive resistance of non-stress-relieved solid round steel columns
Authors: Sennah K. , Saliba M. , Al-Hashimy M. , Wahba J.
Published: November 2008

Solid round steel columns are commonly used as legs and also as diagonal and horizontal members of communication towers. The Canadian standard Antennas, towers, and antenna supporting structures, CSA S37–01, specifies empirical expressions for the compressive resistance of solid round columns based on the Structural Stability Research Council (SSRC) column curves for non solid round columns as well as the results from experimental investigations on solid rounds that have been carried out since 1965. As such, it was felt necessary to conduct an experimental study on non-stress-relieved steel solid round columns to refine the available design equations for such columns. This paper provides a summary of a recent test program on the compressive resistance of non-stress-relieved steel solid rounds. Correlation between the results from these tests and the current practice for the design of solid rounds is investigated. The paper concludes with a proposed compressive resistance equation for economical design of such columns.
Environmental innocuousness of the activation of a microbial consortium from creosote-contaminated soil in a slurry bioreactor
Authors: D’Amours Dominic , Samson Réjean , Deschênes Louise
Published: November 2008

A laboratory study was conducted to assess the environmental innocuousness of an inoculum production (soil activation) to be used in the bioaugmentation of creosote-contaminated soils. The activation was carried out through multiple creosote addition. The increased biodegradation and mineralisation rates of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) indicate that the metabolic capabilities of the microbial consortium were enhanced during activation. The PAH mass balance shows a removal of 96.4%. Biodegradation contributed to the removal of the 3-ring (37%–67%), 4-ring (50%–73%), and 5&6-ring (1%–53%) PAHs. Abiotic losses were significant in 2 and 3-ring PAHs. An increase in phenanthrene degraders from 2.1 × 105 to 1.0 × 108 CFU mL–1 was observed. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analyses indicate the occurrence of a selection of microbial strains, but biodiversity is probably unaffected by creosote addition. Results suggest that soil activation may have the potential to ensure the environmental safety of the bioaugmentation of creosote-contaminated soil.
Microbial distribution and diversity in saturated, high pH, uranium mine tailings, Saskatchewan, Canada
Authors: Wolfaardt G.M. , Hendry M.J. , Korber D.R.
Published: November 2008

Microbiological analyses were conducted on core samples collected along a vertical profile (0–66 m below surface) from the tailings management facility (TMF) at the Rabbit Lake uranium mine in northern Saskatchewan, Canada. Bacterial numbers in the core materials were similar to surrounding soils and surface waters, regardless of the seemingly unfavorable pH (mean = 9.9) and temperature (∼0 °C) in the TMF. The greatest number of viable cells (105CFU/g) was detected at the interface between the tailings and overlying standing water, below which cell counts decreased rapidly with depth. Whole-community metabolic profiles for samples from the different depths grouped into 3 clusters; however, these groups could not be positively correlated with sampling depth, temperature, redox potential, pH, or ore-mill feed. Flow-cell studies demonstrated microbial communities in the tailings surface water could develop biofilms and maintain cell activity at both pH 10 and 7, and altering the pH between these 2 values had little effect on biofilm viability. These results demonstrate the resilience and adaptive nature of naturally occurring microbial communities and signify a potential role of microbial activity in the long-term geochemical evolution of the TMF.
Intersexual niche divergence in northern map turtles (Graptemys geographica): the roles of diet and habitat
Authors: Bulté G. , Gravel M.-A. , Blouin-Demers G.
Published: November 2008

Sexual dimorphism in body size and in trophic morphology are common in animals and are often concordant with patterns of habitat use and diet. Proximate factors leading to intersexual differences in habitat use, however, are challenging to unravel because these differences may stem from sexual dimorphism or may be caused by intersexual competition. Intersexual differences in diet and habitat use are common in size dimorphic reptiles. In this study, we investigated factors contributing to intersexual differences in diet and habitat use in a population of northern map turtles ( Graptemys geographica (Le Sueur, 1817)) from Ontario, Canada. Using radiotelemetry, we showed that in a lake map turtles do not exhibit intersexual differences in habitat use, in contrast to river populations. Patterns of habitat use were also inconsistent with prey distribution. The lack of intersexual habitat use differences in our lake population, despite marked differences in prey distribution, also indicated that intersexual habitat use differences documented in river populations are a consequence of sexual dimorphism in swimming capacity. Using stable isotope analysis and fecal analysis, we found a large dietary overlap between males and females, indicating no intersexual competition for food. Patterns of prey selection in females, however, were concordant with the reproductive role hypothesis.
AN INEQUALITY RELATED TO UNCERTAINTY PRINCIPLE IN VON NEUMANN ALGEBRAS
Authors: GIBILISCO PAOLO , ISOLA TOMMASO
Published: November 2008

Recently Kosaki proved an inequality for matrices that can be seen as a kind of new uncertainty principle. Independently, the same result was proved by Yanagi et al. The new bound is given in terms of Wigner–Yanase–Dyson informations. Kosaki himself asked if this inequality can be proved in the setting of von Neumann algebras. In this paper we provide a positive answer to that question and moreover we show how the inequality can be generalized to an arbitrary operator monotone function.
EXISTENCE OF COHERENT SYSTEMS II
Authors: TEIXIDOR I BIGAS MONTSERRAT
Published: November 2008

A coherent system of type (r, d, k) on a curve consists of a vector bundle of rank r and degree d together with a vector space of dimension k of the sections of this vector bundle. There is a stability condition depending on a positive real parameter α that allows to construct moduli spaces for these objects. This paper shows non-emptiness of these moduli spaces when k > r for any α under some mild conditions on the degree and genus.
STEADY-STATE SPIN DENSITIES AND CURRENTS
Authors: CULCER DIMITRIE
Published: November 2008

This article reviews steady-state spin densities and spin currents in materials with strong spin-orbit interactions. These phenomena are intimately related to spin precession due to spin-orbit coupling, which has no equivalent in the steady state of charge distributions. The focus will initially be on effects originating from the band structure. In this case, spin densities arise in an electric field because a component of each spin is conserved during precession. Spin currents arise because a component of each spin is continually precessing. These two phenomena are due to independent contributions to the steady-state density matrix, and scattering between the conserved and precessing spin distributions has important consequences for spin dynamics and spin-related effects in general. In the latter part of the article, extrinsic effects such as skew scattering and side jump will be discussed, and it will be shown that these effects are also modified considerably by spin precession. Theoretical and experimental progress in all areas will be reviewed.
Simultaneous absence of surfactant proteins A and D increases lung inflammation and injury after allogeneic HSCT in mice
Authors: Gram Kendra , Yang Shuxia , Steiner Marie , Somani Arif , Hawgood Samuel , Blazar Bruce R. , Panoskaltsis-Mortari Angela , Haddad Imad Y.
Published: November 2008

The relative contributions of the hydrophilic surfactant proteins (SP)-A and -D to early inflammatory responses associated with lung dysfunction after experimental allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) were investigated. We hypothesized that the absence of SP-A and SP-D would exaggerate allogeneic T cell-dependent inflammation and exacerbate lung injury. Wild-type, SP-D-deficient (SP-D−/−), and SP-A and -D double knockout (SP-A/D−/−) C57BL/6 mice were lethally conditioned with cyclophosphamide and total body irradiation and given allogeneic bone marrow plus donor spleen T cells, simulating clinical HSCT regimens. On day 7, after HSCT, permeability edema progressively increased in SP-D−/− and SP-A/D−/− mice. Allogeneic T cell-dependent inflammatory responses were also increased in SP-D−/− and SP-A/D−/− mice, but the altered mediators of inflammation were not identical. Compared with wild-type, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) levels of nitrite plus nitrate, GM-CSF, and MCP-1, but not TNF-α and IFN-γ, were higher in SP-D-deficient mice before and after HSCT. In SP-A/D−/− mice, day 7 post-HSCT BALF levels of TNF-α and IFN-γ, in addition to nitrite plus nitrate and MCP-1, were higher compared with mice lacking SP-D alone. After HSCT, both SP-A and SP-D exhibited anti-inflammatory lung-protective functions that were not completely redundant in vivo.
Demonstration of Mother-to-Child Transmission of Streptococcus mutans Using Multilocus Sequence Typing
Authors: Lapirattanakul J. , Nakano K. , Nomura R. , Hamada S. , Nakagawa I. , Ooshima T.
Published: November 2008

A new reliable genotyping method, multilocus sequence typing (MLST), was used to evaluate vertical transmission of the cariogenic pathogen Streptococcus mutans. A total of 136 S. mutans strains were isolated from saliva samples of 20 Japanese mother-child pairs, including 5 girls and 5 boys with primary dentition, and 5 girls and 5 boys with mixed dentition. The nucleotide sequences of 8 partial housekeeping genes, aroE, murI, gltA, glnA, glk, tkt, lepC, and gyrA, were analyzed and a similarity for all of those sequences between strains from a mother-child pair was regarded as indicating transmission, which was shown in 70% of the pairs. Interestingly, the rate of transmitted strains from mothers was significantly higher in the girls (90%) than in the boys (p = 0.001). Furthermore, the S. mutans sequence type (ST) with the highest distribution percentage in each maternal saliva sample was found to be transferred to their children. In addition, variations in two large conjugative-transfer associated regions, TnSmu1 and TnSmu2, were determined and compared with the STs defined by MLST. No variations in those two regions shown by PCR patterns were present in any of the strains isolated from the same families with the same STs, though isolates of some STs from different families showed distinct patterns for TnSmu2. Our results indicate that mothers are the main source for transmission of S. mutans to their children, while the present MLST method was also shown to be useful for investigating bacterial transmission.
Sound Jewelry
Authors: Yamauchi Takuya , Iwatake Toru
Published: November 2008

The Sound Jewelry concept occurred to co-author Toru Iwatake, a composer, a few years ago. Since then, its realization has become a collaborative project with co-author Takuya Yamauchi, an interaction designer. Sound Jewelry is an evolving project, therefore the actual method of its realization may differ in one way or another with each use, but the essential concept of creating an interactive sound environment using sensing capabilities remains the same.
Gene Expression and Isoform Variation Analysis using Affymetrix Exon Arrays
Authors: Bemmo Amandine , Benovoy David , Kwan Tony , Gaffney Daniel J , Jensen Roderick V , Majewski Jacek
Published: November 2008

Background

Alternative splicing and isoform level expression profiling is an emerging field of interest within genomics. Splicing sensitive microarrays, with probes targeted to individual exons or exon-junctions, are becoming increasingly popular as a tool capable of both expression profiling and finer scale isoform detection. Despite their intuitive appeal, relatively little is known about the performance of such tools, particularly in comparison with more traditional 3' targeted microarrays. Here, we use the well studied Microarray Quality Control (MAQC) dataset to benchmark the Affymetrix Exon Array, and compare it to two other popular platforms: Illumina, and Affymetrix U133.

Results

We show that at the gene expression level, the Exon Array performs comparably with the two 3' targeted platforms. However, the interplatform correlation of the results is slightly lower than between the two 3' arrays. We show that some of the discrepancies stem from the RNA amplification protocols, e.g. the Exon Array is able to detect expression of non-polyadenylated transcripts. More importantly, we show that many other differences result from the ability of the Exon Array to monitor more detailed isoform-level changes; several examples illustrate that changes detected by the 3' platforms are actually isoform variations, and that the nature of these variations can be resolved using Exon Array data. Finally, we show how the Exon Array can be used to detect alternative isoform differences, such as alternative splicing, transcript termination, and alternative promoter usage. We discuss the possible pitfalls and false positives resulting from isoform-level analysis.

Conclusion

The Exon Array is a valuable tool that can be used to profile gene expression while providing important additional information regarding the types of gene isoforms that are expressed and variable. However, analysis of alternative splicing requires much more hands on effort and visualization of results in order to correctly interpret the data, and generally results in considerably higher false positive rates than expression analysis. One of the main sources of error in the MAQC dataset is variation in amplification efficiency across transcripts, most likely caused by joint effects of elevated GC content in the 5' ends of genes and reduced likelihood of random-primed first strand synthesis in the 3' ends of genes. These effects are currently not adequately corrected using existing statistical methods. We outline approaches to reduce such errors by filtering out potentially problematic data.
Novel Automated Biomarker Discovery Work Flow for Urinary Peptidomics
Authors: Balog Crina I , Hensbergen Paul J , Derks Rico , Verweij Jaco J , van Dam Govert J , Vennervald Birgitte J , Deelder André M , Mayboroda Oleg A
Published: November 2008

Background: Urine is potentially a rich source of peptide biomarkers, but reproducible, high-throughput peptidomic analysis is often hampered by the inherent variability in factors such as pH and salt concentration. Our goal was to develop a generally applicable, rapid, and robust method for screening large numbers of urine samples, resulting in a broad spectrum of native peptides, as a tool to be used for biomarker discovery.

Methods: Peptide samples were trapped, desalted, pH-normalized, and fractionated on a miniaturized automatic reverse-phase strong cation exchange (RP-SCX) cartridge system. We analyzed eluted peptides using MALDI-TOF, Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance, and liquid chromatography-iontrap mass spectrometry. We determined qualitative and quantitative reproducibility of the system and robustness of the method using BSA digests and urine samples, and we used a selected set of urine samples from Schistosoma haematobium-infected individuals to evaluate clinical applicability.

Results: The automated RP-SCX sample cleanup and fractionation system exhibits a high qualitative and quantitative reproducibility, with both BSA standards and urine samples. Because of the relatively high cartridge binding capacity (1–2 mL urine), eluted peptides can be measured with high sensitivity using multiple mass spectrometric techniques. As proof of principle, hemoglobin-derived peptides were identified in urine samples from S. haematobium-infected individuals, even when the microhematuria test was negative.

Conclusions: We present a practical, step-by-step method for screening and identification of urinary peptides. Alongside the analytical method evaluation on standard samples, we demonstrate its feasibility with actual clinical material.
‘A “new music” from nothing’: György Ligeti’s Musica ricercata
Authors: Kerékfy Márton
Published: November 2008

The beginning of the 1950s marks a turning-point in György Ligeti’s early career. By that time Ligeti had become disappointed regarding his rather marginal position in Hungarian musical life, and he might well have felt some dissatisfaction with his own artistic output, as well. He recognized that he should leave his former style and build up his own expressive means and musical language from elementary material. For this purpose, he set himself certain compositional tasks, and imposed restrictions on pitch content, intervals, and rhythms ‘as if to build up a “new music” from nothing’. Accordingly,
Musica ricercata
, which is the first fruit of his experimental project, marks a renewal of Ligeti’s musical thinking primarily on terms of the compositional technique. The present study examines the main problems of compositional technique raised in
Musica ricercata
(primarily that of chromaticism and dense polyphony) and points out significant influences shown in the work (such as those of Bartók, Stravinsky, and Romanian folklore).
Bartók: ‘Bear Dance’
Authors: Vikárius László
Published: November 2008

‘Bear Dance’ (German ‘Bärentanz’) appears to have been a lesser-known nineteenth-century character piece exemplified by Schumann’s two related compositions in A minor,
Twelve Pieces for Four Hands
, op. 85, no. 2 and its early version, for piano solo, composed for the
Album for the Young
but left unpublished, as well as Mendelssohn’s F-major occasional piece. These pieces are all characterized by a very low ostinato-like tone-repetition in the base (recalling the clumsy movements of the bear in Schumann’s pieces while imitating the leader’s drumming in Mendelssohn’s) and a melody in high register in imitation of the leader’s pipe tune. Bartók must have had this particular genre in mind when composing his closing piece for the
Ten Easy Piano Pieces
(1908), herald of later fast ‘ostinato’ movements, in which the amusing topic, a market place event, is turned into something wild and eerie. The composition and publication history of the piece is reinvestigated on the basis of documents, letters and compositional manuscripts, partly unpublished so far. ‘Bear Dance’ is closely related to the compositions, such as
Bagatelles
nos. 13 and 14, resulting from the composer’s personal crisis in 1908, due to his unrequited love to the violinist Stefi Geyer, and it also uses a version of the leitmotiv generally named after Geyer by theorists. The employment of characteristics derived from folk music (
kanásztánc
[herdsman’s dance] or
kolomeika
rhythm, strophic structure, etc.) is analyzed as well as the composer’s modernist preference for harmonies integrating minor second/major seventh clash and large-scale tritonal tensions. Bartók’s encounter with a special (but distinctly different) musical type accompanying ritual peasant dances in Romanian villages of Transylvania is also briefly discussed as one of his arrangements of a violin piece, the second movement of the Sonatina for piano (1915) was also entitled as ‘Bear Dance’.
Finding displacements from measured strains in 2D frames
Authors: Metje N. , Little G. H. , Kamtekar A. G. , Chapman D. N.
Published: November 2008

Sometimes it is difficult to measure the deflections of structure directly when investigating its behaviour. Thisis particularly true when the measurements are to be made on a structure in service. In such cases it may be much easier to measure the strains that develop in the structure under load and to infer the deflections of the structure from these measurements. The analytical procedures for doing this are given in the paper: they are a relatively straightforward extension of well-known structural theory, but they do not seem to have been published before. In this paper, attention is focused on two-dimensional beams and frames. Two methods for calculating the deflections are described: method 1 is a simplified, version which is effective for a particular class of beam/frame, whereas method 2 can be applied to any frame. The results obtained also serve as a check on the accuracy of the strain measurements, and on whether the structure is behaving as expected. The proposed methods are applied to problems for which the strains are known, and it is shown that both methods predict the exact deflected shape of thestructure. The effect of errors in the strain measurements is also considered. The way the procedure could be used in a real situation is considered in the final example. The extension of method 2 to three-dimensional frames is straightforward. It is believed that the proposed methods would be useful both to research workers and to engineers involved in structural assessment.
Novel passive treatment for mine water discharges
Authors: Burke S. P. , Banwart S. A.
Published: November 2008

This paper describes the research and development of a novel passive treatment system to remove iron and acidity from water discharging from coal mines. The system aims to remove Fe(aq) at the point of discharge, rather than allowing the dissolved iron load to impact the ecology of receiving streams. Field-test results show that the surface-catalysed oxidation of iron occurs and is best suited to alkaline mine water discharges with the influent pH, alkalinity and the Fe(II)aq concentration having a strong influence on the performance of this technology. The results also demonstrate the suitability of a model developed to assist in understanding the processes that have occurred in the reactor. The data presented show that by using this reactor system, some dissolved iron may also be removed at acidic discharges and demonstrate the importance of the microbially mediated oxidation of Fe(II)aq as expected at low pH.
Assessing performance of a permeable biobarrier
Authors: Wilson R. D. , Yip W. C. , Naas C. N.
Published: November 2008

While the past 15 years have seen rapid development of permeable reactive barriers and other in situ systems for the treatment of groundwater contamination, assessing performance has not received the same attention. In some cases the long-screened monitoring wells installed as part of initial site investigations are used to monitor treatment, while in others a few additional wells may be installed to serve as sentinels. Performance is assessed based on differences in contaminant concentrations, which is unreliable where plumes are spatially complex and/or temporally unstable. In this work, a standard concentration performance metric is compared with that based on mass flux, using data collected during an evaluation of a discontinuous aerobic biobarrier treating a near-source (and spatially complex) BTEX plume. The data were derived from high-resolution multilevel samplers installed up- and down-gradient of the treatment system. Concentrations in screened monitoring wells of various lengths were approximated by interval-weighted concentrations from these multilevels. The accuracy of the different performance assessment methods was measured based on estimated uncertainty generated as a result of observed spatial plume complexity. While more data intensive, mass flux proved to be a more reliable performance metric. Assessment using data from few long-screened wells could not reliably match that of the flux fences, but did come within acceptable limits when the number of wells approached the number of multilevels.
Effects of Total and Selective Bonding on Marginal Adaptation and Microleakage of Class I Resin Composite Restorations In Vitro
Authors: Schmidlin P. R. , Huber T. , Göhring T. N. , Attin T. , Bindl A.
Published: November 2008

Clinical Relevance

Within the limitations of the current study, the use of glass ionomer liners improves the margin quality of Class I resin composite restorations and reduces leakage.
The Effect of the Presence and Presentation Mode of Co-Initiators on the Microtensile Bond Strength of Dual-Cured Adhesive Systems Used in Indirect Restorations
Authors: Cavalcanti S. C. S. X. B. , Arais C. A. G. , Oliveira M. T. , Giannini M.
Published: November 2008

Clinical Relevance

The presentation mode of co-initiators added to bonding agents may affect the bond strength of indirect composite restorations to dentin.
Maximizing the Chances of Passing the College Examinations
Authors: Macdonald Joanna
Published: November 2008

What follows constitutes personal opinions and observations based on almost 10 years as a pre-examination supervisor in Wellington and 6 years on the Examinations Committee of the RANZCP. Having been asked to present this information at the recent ANZAPIT Conference in Wellington, and also quite frequendy less formally, it seemed potentially useful to disseminate the information more widely. I will examine each of the separate components of the examination in order, using the format that has existed for candidates sitting under the 1987 By-laws. Candidates under the 1992 By-laws will need to reorder some of the information.
Improving the Labour Market Incentives of Canada's Public Pensions
Authors: Milligan Kevin , Schirle Tammy
Published: November 2008

Dans cet article, nous analysons les mesures incitatives à la retraite imposées par le régime de retraite public au Canada. Une série de stimulants illustrent les diverses composantes du régime de retraite qui motivent les Canadiens âgés à continuer de travailler ou qui, au contraire, les dissuadent de le faire. Nous montrons d’abord que les mesures de dissuasion les plus importantes sont reliées aux prestations fondées sur le revenu du Supplément de revenu garanti, qui, interagissant avec le Régime de pensions du Canada/Régime de rentes du Québec et avec le revenu gagné, fait que, pour les moins nantis, le choix de continuer à travailler est moins rentable sur le plan financier. Ensuite, nous illustrons comment diverses réformes des politiques pourraient atténuer certains aspects du problème des mesures incitatives, et éliminer partiellement les barrières qui démotivent les Canadiens âgés de continuer à participer au marché du travail.
Electronic Health Record Population Health Management for Chronic Kidney Disease Care
Authors: Jhamb Manisha , Weltman Melanie R. , Devaraj Susan M. , Lavenburg Linda-Marie Ustaris , Han Zhuoheng , Alghwiri Alaa A. , Fischer Gary S. , Rollman Bruce L. , Nolin Thomas D. , Yabes Jonathan G.
Published: April 2024

Importance

Large gaps in clinical care in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) lead to poor outcomes.

Objective

To compare the effectiveness of an electronic health record–based population health management intervention vs usual care for reducing CKD progression and improving evidence-based care in high-risk CKD.

Design, Setting, and Participants

The Kidney Coordinated Health Management Partnership (Kidney CHAMP) was a pragmatic cluster randomized clinical trial conducted between May 2019 and July 2022 in 101 primary care practices in Western Pennsylvania. It included patients aged 18 to 85 years with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of less than 60 mL/min/1.73m2 with high risk of CKD progression and no outpatient nephrology encounter within the previous 12 months.

Interventions

Multifaceted intervention for CKD comanagement with primary care clinicians included a nephrology electronic consultation, pharmacist-led medication management, and CKD education for patients. The usual care group received CKD care from primary care clinicians as usual.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome was time to 40% or greater reduction in eGFR or end-stage kidney disease.

Results

Among 1596 patients (754 intervention [47.2%]; 842 control [52.8%]) with a mean (SD) age of 74 (9) years, 928 (58%) were female, 127 (8%) were Black, 9 (0.6%) were Hispanic, and the mean (SD) estimated glomerular filtration rate was 36.8 (7.9) mL/min/1.73m2. Over a median follow-up of 17.0 months, there was no significant difference in rate of primary outcome between the 2 arms (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.67-1.38; P = .82). Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker exposure was more frequent in intervention arm compared with the control group (rate ratio, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.02-1.43). There was no difference in the secondary outcomes of hypertension control and exposure to unsafe medications or adverse events between the arms. Several COVID-19–related issues contributed to null findings in the study.

Conclusion and Relevance

In this study, among patients with moderate-risk to high-risk CKD, a multifaceted electronic health record–based population health management intervention resulted in more exposure days to angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers but did not reduce risk of CKD progression or hypertension control vs usual care.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03832595
Interval parity relations design for fault diagnosis
Authors: Zhirabok Alexey , Zuev Alexander , Filaretov Vladimir
Published: April 2024

The problem of interval parity relations design for systems described by linear and nonlinear models under the external disturbances is considered. The problem is solved based on the reduced‐order model of the original system. The relations allowing designing interval parity relations insensitive or having minimal sensitivity to the disturbances are obtained. The obtained interval parity relations are used to solve the problem of fault diagnosis. Theoretical results are illustrated by example.
Machine learning‐based data fusion method for wireless sensor networks
Authors: Liang Chunda , Yao Qi
Published: April 2024

For wireless sensor networks (WSNs), sensor nodes lose a certain amount of energy during the information collection and transmission process, and sensor nodes powered by non‐replaceable batteries have limited energy and need to be controlled for energy consumption. In the face of the energy consumption issue in WSN data transmission, research has been conducted to analyze data fusion methods in order to reduce energy consumption. Based on machine learning techniques, a Deep Stacked Auto‐Encoder (DSAE) model is constructed and trained using a layer‐wise greedy approach. By combining this model with WSN, an algorithm based on the DSAE model, called Deep Stacked Auto‐Encoder Data Fusion Algorithm (DSAEDFA), is obtained to do data fusion. The results show that compared to other algorithms, the proposed fusion algorithm has better fusion performance. When the number of iterations is set to 500, the DSAEDFA has 281 surviving nodes, which is 10 more than the Back‐Propagation Data Fusion Algorithm (BPDFA) and 144 more than the Low Energy Adaptive Clustering Hierarchy (LEACH) algorithm. When the number of failed nodes is 40, the DSAEDFA has a network survival time of 2562 rounds, which is 746 rounds longer than the LEACH algorithm. The research method effectively extends the lifespan of wireless sensor networks and reduces data transmission energy consumption. Compared to previous methods, the proposed method consider the factors of node residual energy and distance on the basis of traditional routing protocols, making the selection of cluster heads more reasonable. The proposed method can organically combine the DSAE model with the clustering model, optimize the data fusion method, and improve the performance of the algorithm. In addition, by combining the DSAE model, a machine learning technique with clustering models has been expanded in terms of the application scope.
Thickness‐Dependent Crystal Structure, Synthesis, and Magnetism of Thin Film Chromium Chalcogenides: A Review
Authors: Liu Xinghui , Gebredingle Yisehak , Guo Xiang , Zhang Fuchun , Kim Nammee
Published: April 2024

In the search for two‐dimensional (2D) magnets operating under ambient conditions, quasi‐2D non‐van der Waals (vdW) materials have attracted considerable research interest over the last five years. In addition to their high Curie temperature (TC), their superior air stability to that of vdW 2D magnets has made them potential candidates for future room‐temperature spintronics applications. Furthermore, recent progress in the thickness‐dependent crystal lattice and magnetic properties of non‐vdW Cr2X3 (X = S, Se, or Te) has brought them to areas that are once set aside for 2D vdW magnets in fundamental research and applications. Despite covalent bonding between magnetic layers, various bottom‐up synthesis methods produced thickness‐controlled flakes of Cr2X3. Moreover, layer‐dependent structural and magnetic properties are among the novel research directions in these materials. This review systematically summarizes recent studies on Cr2X3 crystal structure, their controllable synthesis, and their respective magnetic properties. A summary of some significant results on thickness‐controlled synthesis in Cr2X3 and thickness‐dependent magnetism in Cr2Te3 is presented. Additionally, experimental and theoretical reports are presented to explain interlayer magnetic interaction. The work reveals the interaction between synthesis, structure, and magnetism. Finally, future research directions of new Cr2X3‐based materials, rich magnetism in Cr2X3, and their potential application are discussed.