bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A quantitative analysis of monochromaticity in genetic interaction networks
Authors: Hsu Chien-Hsiang , Wang Tse-Yi , Chu Hsueh-Ting , Kao Cheng-Yan , Chen Kuang-Chi
Published: December 2011

Background

A genetic interaction refers to the deviation of phenotypes from the expected when perturbing two genes simultaneously. Studying genetic interactions help clarify relationships between genes, such as compensation and masking, and identify gene groups of functional modules. Recently, several genome-scale experiments for measuring quantitative (positive and negative) genetic interactions have been conducted. The results revealed that genes in the same module usually interact with each other in a consistent way (pure positive or negative); this phenomenon was designated as monochromaticity. Monochromaticity might be the underlying principle that can be utilized to unveil the modularity of cellular networks. However, no appropriate quantitative measurement for this phenomenon has been proposed.

Results

In this study, we propose the monochromatic index (MCI), which is able to quantitatively evaluate the monochromaticity of potential functional modules of genes, and the MCI was used to study genetic landscapes in different cellular subsystems. We demonstrated that MCI not only amend the deficiencies of MP-score but also properly incorporate the background effect. The results showed that not only within-complex but also between-complex connections present significant monochromatic tendency. Furthermore, we also found that significantly higher proportion of protein complexes are connected by negative genetic interactions in metabolic network, while transcription and translation system adopts relatively even number of positive and negative genetic interactions to link protein complexes.

Conclusion

In summary, we demonstrate that MCI improves deficiencies suffered by MP-score, and can be used to evaluate monochromaticity in a quantitative manner. In addition, it also helps to unveil features of genetic landscapes in different cellular subsystems. Moreover, MCI can be easily applied to data produced by different types of genetic interaction methodologies such as Synthetic Genetic Array (SGA), and epistatic miniarray profile (E-MAP).
Lipopolysaccharide-enhanced transcellular transport of HIV-1 across the blood-brain barrier is mediated by luminal microvessel IL-6 and GM-CSF
Authors: Dohgu Shinya , Fleegal-DeMotta Melissa A , Banks William A
Published: December 2011

Elevated levels of cytokines/chemokines contribute to increased neuroinvasion of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). Previous work showed that lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which is present in the plasma of patients with HIV-1, enhanced transcellular transport of HIV-1 across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) through the activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling in brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs). Here, we found that LPS (100 μg/mL, 4 hr) selectively increased interleukin (IL)-6 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) release from BMECs. The enhancement of HIV-1 transport induced by luminal LPS was neutralized by treatment with luminal, but not with abluminal, antibodies to IL-6 and GM-CSF without affecting paracellular permeability as measured by transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER). Luminal, but not abluminal, IL-6 or GM-CSF also increased HIV-1 transport. U0126 (MAPK kinase (MEK)1/2 inhibitor) and SB203580 (p38 MAPK inhibitor) decreased the LPS-enhanced release of IL-6 and GM-CSF. These results show that p44/42 and p38 MAPK signaling pathways mediate the LPS-enhanced release of IL-6 and GM-CSF. These cytokines, in turn, act at the luminal surface of the BMEC to enhance the transcellular transport of HIV-1 independently of actions on paracellular permeability.
Macrophages are crucial for epithelial cell death and adipocyte repopulation during mammary gland involution
Authors: O'Brien Jenean , Martinson Holly , Durand-Rougely Clarissa , Schedin Pepper
Published: December 2011

Mammary gland development is dependent on macrophages, as demonstrated by their requirement during the expansion phases of puberty and pregnancy. Equally dramatic tissue restructuring occurs following lactation, when the gland regresses to a state that histologically resembles pre-pregnancy through massive programmed epithelial cell death and stromal repopulation. Postpartum involution is characterized by wound healing-like events, including an influx of macrophages with M2 characteristics. Macrophage levels peak after the initial wave of epithelial cell death, suggesting that initiation and execution of cell death are macrophage independent. To address the role of macrophages during weaning-induced mammary gland involution, conditional systemic deletion of macrophages expressing colony stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R) was initiated just prior to weaning in the Mafia mouse model. Depletion of CSF1R+ macrophages resulted in delayed mammary involution as evidenced by loss of lysosomal-mediated and apoptotic epithelial cell death, lack of alveolar regression and absence of adipocyte repopulation 7 days post-weaning. Failure to execute involution occurred in the presence of milk stasis and STAT3 activation, indicating that neither is sufficient to initiate involution in the absence of CSF1R+ macrophages. Injection of wild-type bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) or M2-differentiated macrophages into macrophage-depleted mammary glands was sufficient to rescue involution, including apoptosis, alveolar regression and adipocyte repopulation. BMDMs exposed to the postpartum mammary involution environment upregulated the M2 markers arginase 1 and mannose receptor. These data demonstrate the necessity of macrophages, and implicate M2-polarized macrophages, for epithelial cell death during normal postpartum mammary gland involution.
MCM-41 Porosity: Are Surface Corrugations Micropores?
Authors: Berenguer-Murcia Ángel , Cazorla-Amorós Diego , Linares-Solano Ángel
Published: December 2011

Since the discovery of MCM-41, the interpretation of its structure and porous texture has evolved from a simple model of straight parallel mesopores to a much more complex model with a rough surface. The physisorption of nitrogen at 77.3 K and 87.5 K and of carbon dioxide at 273 K was carried out on both MCM-41 and a precipitated silica (PSIL). This silica was prepared for comparison purposes under identical conditions to those for MCM-41 but without the use of the surfactant. The adsorption characteristics of both materials for both adsorptives were indistinguishable at low adsorption pressures independent of the adsorption temperature employed, suggesting similarities in parts of their porosity (i.e. excluding mesoporosity). We propose that, in addition to its well-acknowledged mesoporosity, MCM-41 includes considerable surface roughness and/or heterogeneities similar to that shown by microporous silica. This surface structure appears to have adsorption characteristics indistinguishable from classical microporosity, and may also be an important feature of this material which is very often not taken into consideration in most of its applications.
3D Flutter Analysis of Cable Supported Bridges Including Aeroelastic Effects of Cables
Authors: Yang De-Can , Ge Yao-Jun , Xiang Hai-Fan , Ma Zhongguo John
Published: December 2011

For 3D flutter analysis of cable supported bridges, the aeroelastic effects of cables include the aerodynamic forces acting on cables and local lateral vibrations of cables, as well as the interaction of both. In order to investigate the aeroelastic effects of cables, a 3D flutter analysis method by a commercial structural analysis software package is developed and verified by the simply supported thin plate example and two actual bridges. The developed method can treat the cable as a multi-link model, instead of a single link model, and therefore can show the lateral degrees of freedom along the cable. Also it can simulate the structural damping perfectly and solve the flutter modes successfully. The flutter behaviors including aeroelastic effects of cables of two example bridges, Yangpu Bridge and Jiangyin Bridge in China, are investigated based on the developed method. The calculated results show that for the Yangpu cable-stayed bridge with a 602 m main span, the flutter critical wind velocity can be increased by 20.2% with the consideration of aeroelastic effects of cables. For the Jiangyin suspension bridge of 1385 m main span, however, the impact of the aeroelastic effects of cables on the flutter critical wind velocity is neglectable. The mechanisms of the aeroelastic effects of cables are discussed in this paper.
Flexural Strengthening of RC Continuous Slab Strips Using NSM CFRP Laminates
Authors: Dalfré Gláucia M. , Barros Joaquim A.O.
Published: December 2011

To assess the effectiveness of the near surface mounted (NSM) technique, in terms of load carrying and moment redistribution capacities, for the flexural strengthening of continuous reinforced concrete (RC) slabs, an experimental program was carried out. The experimental program is composed of three series of three slab strips of two equal span length, in order to verify the possibility of increasing the negative (at the intermediate support region) resisting bending moment in 25% and 50% and maintaining moment redistribution levels of 15%, 30% and 45%. Though the flexural resistance of the NSM strengthened sections has exceeded the target values, the moment redistribution was relatively low, and the increase of the load carrying capacity of the strengthened slabs did not exceed 25%. This experimental program is analyzed to highlight the possibilities of NSM technique for statically indeterminate RC slabs in terms of flexural strengthening effectiveness, moment redistribution and ductility performance. Using a FEM-based computer program, which predictive performance was appraised using the obtained experimental results, a high effective NSM flexural strengthening strategy is proposed, capable of enhancing the slab's load carrying capacity and maintaining high levels of ductility.
An Anxiolytic Role for CRF Receptor Type 1 in the Globus Pallidus
Authors: Sztainberg Yehezkel , Kuperman Yael , Justice Nicholas , Chen Alon
Published: December 2011

Corticotropin-releasing factor receptor type 1 (CRFR1) plays a major role in the regulation of neuroendocrine and behavioral responses to stress and is considered a key mediator of anxiety behavior. The globus pallidus external (GPe), a main relay center within the basal ganglia that is primarily associated with motor and associative functions, is one of the brain nuclei with the highest levels of CRFR1 expression in the rodent brain. However, the role of CRFR1 in the GPe is yet unknown. In the present study, we used a lentiviral-based system of RNA interference to show that knockdown of CRFR1 mRNA expression in the GPe of adult mice induces a significant increase in anxiety-like behavior, as revealed by the light–dark transfer, open-field, and elevated plus-maze tests. This effect was further confirmed by pharmacological administration of the selective CRFR1 antagonist NBI 30775 (1.75 μg/side) directly into the GPe. In the marble-burying test, blockade of CRFR1 in the GPe increased the percentage of marbles buried and the duration of burying behavior. Additionally, we present evidence suggesting that the enkephalin system is involved in the effect of GPe-CRFR1 on anxiety-like behavior. In contrast to the well established anxiogenic role of CRFR1 in the extended amygdala, our data reveal a novel anxiolytic role for CRFR1 in the GPe.
An Introduction to Certifying Algorithms
Authors: Alkassar Eyad , Böhme Sascha , Mehlhorn Kurt , Rizkallah Christine , Schweitzer Pascal
Published: December 2011

A certifying algorithm is an algorithm that produces, with each output, a certificate or witness that the particular output is correct. A user of a certifying algorithm inputs x, receives the output y and the certificate w, and then checks, either manually or by use of a program, that w proves that y is a correct output for input x. In this way, he/she can be sure of the correctness of the output without having to trust the algorithm. We put forward the thesis that certifying algorithms are much superior to non-certifying algorithms, and that for complex algorithmic tasks, only certifying algorithms are satisfactory. Acceptance of this thesis would lead to a change of how algorithms are taught and how algorithms are researched. The widespread use of certifying algorithms would greatly enhance the reliability of algorithmic software. We also demonstrate that the formal verification of result checkers is within the reach of current verification technology. The combination of certifying algorithms and formal verification of result checkers leads to formally verified computations.
Optimum geometrical properties of active isolation
Authors: Jesmani Mehrab , Hamissi Ali , Kamalzare Mehrad , Vileh Reza Sadeghi
Published: December 2011

Vibratory waves generated by dynamic loads exerted on a foundation can be propagated to a noticeable distance through the soil, having detrimental effects on sensitive structures in the path of the wave train. The present work examines, for different cases, the efficiency of annular open trenches in screening vibration energy induced by a shallow foundation. The results obtained are verified by reference to published field test data and numerical research, and suggest that the depth of the trench is the most crucial factor in its effectiveness. The trench performance improves as its depth increases, but this effect is coupled in a complex manner with the effects of other parameters, such as trench width and location. A trench excavated in loose materials is observed to have more efficiency, and as the soil density decreases, an increase in trench efficiency is apparent. Placing a trench adjacent to the source causes larger displacement; at greater distances from the source, the vibration reduction level (trench efficiency) increases. To provide a quantitative evaluation of active isolation performance in two zones concurrently, in front of and behind the trench, a new criterion, the trench efficiency index, is introduced, and the optimum geometric trench parameters are discussed in the paper.
USING TRAINED POUCHED RATS TO DETECT LAND MINES: ANOTHER VICTORY FOR OPERANT CONDITIONING
Authors: Poling Alan , Weetjens Bart , Cox Christophe , Beyene Negussie W. , Bach Harvard , Sully Andrew
Published: December 2011

We used giant African pouched rats (Cricetomys gambianus) as land mine‐detection animals in Mozambique because they have an excellent sense of smell, weigh too little to activate mines, and are native to sub‐Saharan Africa, and therefore are resistant to local parasites and diseases. In 2009 the rats searched 93,400 m2 of land, finding 41 mines and 54 other explosive devices. Humans with metal detectors found no additional mines. On average, the rats emitted 0.33 false alarm for every 100 m2 searched, which is below the threshold given by International Mine Action Standards for accrediting mine‐detection animals. These findings indicate that Cricetomys are accurate mine‐detection animals and merit continued use in this capacity.
ANIMAL RESEARCH IN THE JOURNAL OF APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS
Authors: Edwards Timothy L. , Poling Alan
Published: December 2011

This review summarizes the 6 studies with nonhuman animal subjects that have appeared in the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis and offers suggestions for future research in this area. Two of the reviewed articles described translational research in which pigeons were used to illustrate and examine behavioral phenomena of applied significance (say—do correspondence and fluency), 3 described interventions that changed animals' behavior (self‐injury by a baboon, feces throwing and spitting by a chimpanzee, and unsafe trailer entry by horses) in ways that benefited the animals and the people in charge of them, and 1 described the use of trained rats that performed a service to humans (land‐mine detection). We suggest that each of these general research areas merits further attention and that the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis is an appropriate outlet for some of these publications.
Feasibility of large-scale cholesterol screening: experience with a portable capillary-blood testing device.
Authors: Greenland P , Levenkron J C , Radley M G , Baggs J G , Manchester R A , Bowley N L
Published: December 2011

We conducted a voluntary cholesterol screening in a medical/occupational setting using the Eastman Kodak Ektachem (desk top) blood analyzer. In 10 hours, five technicians performed a finger-stick puncture on 1,081 screenees, 17.7 per cent of whom were classified as moderate-to-high risk. The cost per screenee was under $3; cost per moderate-to-high risk case was under $16. Turn-around time from check-in to report of result was under one hour. This project suggests the feasibility and acceptability of large-scale cholesterol blood screening.
The socioeconomic correlates of hysterectomies in the United States.
Authors: Kjerulff K , Langenberg P , Guzinski G
Published: December 2011

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between incidence of prior hysterectomy and education, income, and race. Data concerning previous hysterectomy and socioeconomic information were collected from 12,465 women 18 years or older as part of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System conducted in 16 states in 1988. The results indicate that women with less education and lower incomes were more likely to have had a hysterectomy. Race was not related to hysterectomy rate.
Public health developments in colonial Malaya: colonialism and the politics of prevention.
Authors: Manderson L
Published: December 2011

In both African and Asian colonies until the late 19th century, colonial medicine operated pragmatically to meet the medical needs first of colonial officers and troops, immigrant settlers, and laborers responsible for economic development, then of indigenous populations when their ill health threatened the well-being of the expatriate population. Since the turn of the century, however, the consequences of colonial expansion and development for indigenous people's health had become increasingly apparent, and disease control and public health programs were expanded in this light. These programs increased government surveillance of populations at both community and household levels. As a consequence, colonial states extended institutional oversight and induced dependency through public health measures. Drawing on my own work on colonial Malaya, I illustrate developments in public health and their links to the moral logic of colonialism and its complementarity to the political economy.
The Effect of Gas Flow Rate on the Thin Film Deposition Rate on Carbon Steel Using Thermal CVD
Authors: Chowdhury Mohammad A. , Nuruzzaman Dewan M. , Rahaman Mohammad L.
Published: December 2011

Solid thin films have been deposited on carbon steel substrates in a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) reactor where natural gas, mostly methane (CH4), was used as a precursor gas. The effect of gas flow rate on the thin film deposition rate has been investigated experimentally. The effect of gap between activation heater and substrate on the deposition rate has also been observed. To do so, a hot filament thermal chemical vapor deposition unit is used. The flow rate of natural gas varies from 0.5 to 2 l/min at normal temperature and pressure (NTP) and the gap between activation heater and substrate varies from 4 to 6.5 mm. Results show that the deposition rate on carbon steel increases with the increase of gas flow rate. It is also seen that deposition rate increases with the decrease of gap between activation heater and substrate within the observed range. These results are analyzed by dimensional analysis to correlate the deposition rate with gas flow rate, surface roughness and film thickness. In addition, friction coefficient and wear rate of carbon steel sliding against SS 304 under different normal loads are also investigated before and after deposition. The obtained results reveal that in general, the values of friction coefficient and wear rate are lower after deposition than that of before deposition.
Clinical characterization of Staphylococcus schleiferi infections and identification of risk factors for acquisition of oxacillin-resistant strains in dogs: 225 cases (2003–2009)
Authors: Cain Christine L. , Morris Daniel O. , Rankin Shelley C.
Published: December 2011

Objective—To define clinical differences between coagulase-positive and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus schleiferi infections in dogs and to identify risk factors for the isolation of oxacillin-resistant S schleiferi.

Design—Retrospective case series.

Animals—225 dogs (yielding 225 S schleiferi isolates).

Procedures—Information obtained from affected dogs' medical records included isolate body site source, antimicrobial treatments, and primary disease. For each dog, the S schleiferi isolate was characterized and antimicrobial susceptibility data were recorded. Risk factors for infection based on coagulase status and for S schleiferi oxacillin resistance were investigated.

Results—Allergic dermatitis was the most common underlying disease (111/225 dogs). Ears (102 [45%]) and skin (95 [42%]) were sources of most of the 225 isolates. Isolate coagulase status was not significantly associated with any patient-level factors. Of the 225 isolates, 129 (57%) were oxacillin resistant. Coagulase-negative isolates were more likely to be oxacillin resistant than were coagulase-positive isolates (odds ratio [OR], 1.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1 to 3.0). Administration of penicillin-based or first-generation cephalosporin drugs (OR, 3.0; 95% CI, 1.8 to 5.9) and third-generation cephalosporins (OR, 3.7; 95% CI, 1.1 to 12.3) within 30 days prior to culture were risk factors for oxacillin resistance.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results suggested that coagulase-negative and coagulase-positive S schleiferi are potential pathogens in dogs and are often oxacillin resistant. Recent patient treatments with penicillin or cephalosporin were risk factors for oxacillin resistance. In clinical cases, full speciation of all Staphylococcus isolates should be performed and microbial treatments should be selected on the basis of results of susceptibility testing.
The Importance of Place in Corporate Identity. An Investigation on the Presence of Old Dutch Firms on the Internet
Authors: Brouwer Aleid E. , Pellenbarg Pieter
Published: December 2011

This paper investigates how old Dutch firms display their corporate identity on the Internet, with special attention paid to location and place. Several scholars argue that the Internet would create the ‘end-of-geography’. Current empirical investigation found that incumbent firms display a strong sense-of-place in the presentation of ‘self’ on their websites. Location is important for old firms' images, underlining the importance of embeddedness. Location remains important when firms compete on the ‘global level’ on the Internet. This paper therefore contributes to the understanding of place and local embeddedness of firms in the ‘global internet space’.
Public financing of nature conservation from the state budget in Polish forests compared with other selected European countries
Authors: Kaliszewski Adam
Published: December 2011

Finansowanie ochrony przyrody z budżetu państwa w lasach państwowych w Polsce i w wybranych krajach europejskich - analiza porównawcza
About the usefulness of employing the models of the Church in the study of canon law
Authors: Kroczek Piotr
Published: December 2011

About the usefulness of employing the models of the Church in the study of canon law

This article originated in an effort to explain the usefulness of employing the models of the Church in the study of canon law. The article consists of three parts. The first one offers general approach to model as a tool for understanding the reality. The second part of the text is presenting some models of the Church. The last section of this reflection centers on R. Sobański's model of the Church as a mystery. Summing up, it can be said that among many models of the Church, Sobański's model can be successfully used in the realm of canon law.
The Icon in the Byzantine Liturgy
Authors: Šimko Miroslav
Published: December 2011

The Icon in the Byzantine Liturgy

The icon is very connected with the liturgical mystery, therefore it can not be separated in any ways and looked for out of this mystery. It is an integral part of the liturgy in which the mission of the Church is revealed. In the church the icon, that speaks to the believer in spiritual language, helps the believer occurs higher, sublime world surrounded by heavenly beings. As we meet in the church with the world of the visible and the invisible, it is necessary to have boundary between these two worlds. However, this separation is only possible with the facts, which have dual possibilities of perception. And it is the iconostasis which is the boundary between the world of the visible and the invisible. This altar barrier divided two worlds, gives a vivid picture of understanding, indivisible Board of Saints which surrounds the throne of God. The iconostasis shows the Eucharist space. It reveals the entrance to another world and proclaims the kingdom of the heaven to the deaf ears. It is windows that reveals the fourth dimension to us. This an inseparable component of Byzantine churches is the Church's liturgical expression and history, too.
Publisher's Notice: Why One More New Journal?
Authors: Lin Shu-Kun
Published: December 2011

MDPI launched Molecules (http://www.mdpi.org/molecules) in 1995, which is the first electronic journal of experimental chemistry in the world.[...]
La sépulture mégalithique à entrée latérale de Beaumont à Saint-Laurent-sur-Oust (Morbihan) : Etudes anthropologique et pétrographique. Données complémentaires
Authors: Tinévez Jean-Yves , Baud Charles , Grévin Gilles , Lagier René , Giot Pierre-Roland , Morzadec Hervé
Published: December 2011

Ce second article sur la sépulture à entrée latérale, fouillée en 1986 et 1987, fait état des résultats des analyses effectuées sur les ossements humains brûles et sur certains éléments du mobilier archéologique (pétrographie des poteries et minéralogie des éléments de parure). A ceci s'ajoutent des données complémentaires sur l'architecture du monument (structure d'entrée et cellule terminale) et sur le mobilier archéologique mis au jour autour de la sépulture (Néolithique final et Second Age du Fer). L'étude anthropologique confirme l'existence d'un crématoire collectif et a déterminé un nombre minimum de trois individus, dont un enfant de moins de six ans. Les analyses pétrographiques indiquent une provenance des composants de la poterie orientée plutôt vers le sud du département du Morbihan.
Le gisement moustérien d'Houppeville - Les Hautes Terres sud (Seine-Maritime). Etude d'un assemblage lithique en milieu loessique
Authors: Vallin Luc
Published: December 2011

The excavation, over about 100 m2 of the settlement in the upon area of Houppeville (typical Mousterian), in Weichselian loams, showed that the acknowledgement of real flint workshops is possible in such sediments. Then again, thanks to many reassemblings, a technological study is possible, that prooves the use of technological methods previously known in the Mousterian of Near East.
Les cercueils de bois médiévaux et modernes en Anjou : Meubles précieux ou simples caisses?
Authors: Hunot Jean-Yves
Published: December 2011

An ethnobotanical methodology was used both during the excavation and the laboratory examination to study wood pseudomorphs, preserved by the corrosion of iron nails from coffins. A sampling technique developed and tested on three medieval and modem sites recently excavated in Anjou (western France). It consists of the precise recording of the position of the nails in space ; and enables us to analyse the structure of the coffin, the transversal section of wood remains and the localisation of each species within the coffin.

The identification of the woods species used to make the coffins shows that most of them have been made of two or three different species. The actual position of the nails reveals the way the planks were fixed and raises the probleme of the choice of timber. Among the ten taxons identified, the poplar, the oak, the walnut and the fir (which has been imported in Anjou) are the most used.

The timber preparation and particularly the way it is eut up are discussed. At last, the recording of the position of the nails and other remains during the excavation gives informations on the technology used to built the coffin, its structure, its finish andits possible decoration.

The study especiaîly focuses on the supply and preparation of timber in urban and rural settlements during the historic periods through the woods remains in burials.
Characterization of long transcribed microsatellites in Helianthus annuus (Asteraceae)
Authors: Pramod Sreepriya , Rasberry Armed B. , Butler Tiffini G. , Welch Mark E.
Published: December 2011

• Premise of the study: Research on the evolutionary role of exonic microsatellites currently lacks an understanding of the evolutionary pressures that promote or limit their expansion. Contrasting levels of variability and genetic structures at anonymous and transcribed microsatellite loci of varying lengths are likely to provide useful insights regarding the relative strength of selection acting on different classes of microsatellites. We have developed primers for long transcribed microsatellites in Helianthus annuus to make these comparisons.

• Methods and Results: Eight relatively long microsatellites from sequences in the expressed sequence tag database of H. annuus were characterized. A total of 63 individuals from three populations in Kansas were genotyped. The number of alleles per locus ranged from four to 11 with an average observed heterozygosity of 0.723.

• Conclusions: Our study has generated suitable tools for studying the population genetics of long transcribed microsatellites that are potentially influenced by selection.
Cytoplasmic Rods and Rings Autoantibodies Developed during Pegylated Interferon and Ribavirin Therapy in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C
Authors: Covini Giovanni , Carcamo Wendy C , Bredi Elena , von Mühlen Carlos A , Colombo Massimo , Chan Edward KL
Published: December 2011

Background

Serum autoantibodies are frequently detected in patients with chronic HCV infection, reflecting the wide spectrum of immune reactions related to this virus. In the present study, a novel autoantibody to cytoplasmic rods and rings (RR) in chronic HCV patients was characterized.

Methods

Sera from 75 previously untreated HCV patients were investigated by indirect immunofluorescence using HEp-2 cell substrate before and during pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN)/ribavirin (RBV) therapy. HEp-2 cells were cultured and fixed either following standard protocols or with the addition of RBV in culture medium.

Results

In 15 out of 75 (20%) patients, analysis revealed the presence of antibodies to rod-like cytoplasmic structures ranging approximately 3–10 mm in length and rings approximately 2–5 μm in diameter. These RR structures became detectable in >95% of cells after addition of RBV in culture medium, whereas they were absent in untreated cells. Anti-RR antibodies were found in sera collected during PEG-IFN/RBV treatment only, but never detected before antiviral therapy nor in control groups. More importantly, these anti-RR antibodies were more often detected in non-responder/relapsers than in responder patients (33% versus 11%; P-value =0.037).

Conclusions

An RBV-induced autoantibody was identified to a new cytoplasmic autoantigenic structure developed in HCV patients after PEG-IFN/RBV and this same structure can be induced by RBV in in vitro culture. Owing to the onset of anti-RR antibodies in PEG-IFN/RBV-treated patients and their association with a treatment failure, studies are deemed necessary to clarify whether anti-RR plays a role in the response to PEG-IFN/RBV therapy.
Conditions for success in lingua franca interaction
Authors: Shaw Philip
Published: December 2011

L’anglais est fréquemment utilisé dans des situations où aucun des participants n’est natif de langue anglaise au sens traditionnel du terme. Mais ces situations ainsi que les participants sont très variés, de telle sorte que sont inadéquats la condamnation en bloc de la progression de l’anglais langue impérialiste, tout comme les mérites attribués à l’anglais lingua franca, langue du meilleur des mondes décentralisés. En s’appuyant sur des études de cas, cet article vise à esquisser une typologie des situations et des participants. Les participants ne sont pas différenciés de façon binaire selon qu’ils sont locuteurs natifs ou non, mais d’une façon complexe qui tient compte de leur niveau de maîtrise et de fluidité, de leurs compétences de communication et du répertoire langagier dont ils disposent pour effectuer une tâche. Les situations sont caractérisées selon la proportion du type et du degré de compétence des participants, le but de l’interaction, le degré de familiarité des participants entre eux et leur intégration dans une communauté de pratiques, ainsi que selon la nature transactionnelle ou interactionnelle. L’usage généralisé de l’anglais est un aspect incontournable de la mondialisation et de la compréhension des situations et des buts spécifiques qui y sont liés avec ce que cela implique pour les enseignants de langues et les décideurs.
Exit proficiency: The proof of the pudding
Authors: Upjohn Jonathan
Published: December 2011

Une des composantes primordiales de la lecture est la maîtrise d’un lexique de base. Une étude sur la compréhension lexicale a été menée avec 4 groupes différents d’étudiants. Les résultats montrent que les étudiants ayant séjourné en pays anglophones ou ayant suivi un programme linguistique à orientation lexicale ont un niveau satisfaisant, alors que celui d’une proportion élevée d’étudiants de DESS, malgré 87 heures en moyenne de formation linguistique à l’Université, les met dans l’incapacité de se servir de l’anglais comme outil de travail. Les raisons qui pourraient expliquer ces lacunes sont passées en revue. Sauf amélioration, ces résultats semblent mettre en cause l’enseignement de l’anglais à des filières scientifiques.
Anciennes et nouvelles technologies : métaphores de l’esprit linguistique
Authors: Boulton Alex
Published: December 2011

L’enseignant de langues étrangères (L2) néglige souvent les connaissances psycholinguistiques, sous prétexte que le « module langue » est très complexe et difficile à cerner de façon compréhensible. Pour cette raison, de la civilisation grecque classique jusqu’à nos jours, l’esprit humain en général et nos fonctions linguistiques en particulier ont été imaginés à l’aide de métaphores. Nous commençons par une brève étude de la nature et du rôle de la métaphore dans le langage et dans la pensée, avant de passer en revue les différentes métaphores employées pour décrire nos fonctions psycholinguistiques, leurs avantages et désavantages relatifs, et ce que chacune apporte à notre compréhension de l’esprit linguistique de l’apprenant L2. Finalement, nous comparons les notions de « réseau » dans les métaphores de l’informatique et du cerveau et leur contribution aux modèles actuels des associations lexicales interlinguistiques.
Ambient Interface Design (AID) for the Ergonomically Challenged
Authors: Hegarty Rosaleen , Lunney Tom , Curran Kevin , Mulvenna Maurice
Published: December 2011

Mobile devices offer convenient communication capabilities and have the potential to create intermediary support for ergonomically challenged users. With the global proliferation of increasing longevity, assisting the elderly and those living with impediments through human engineering and computing technology is pivotal to biotechnological attainment. To remain independently empowered, seamless integrations through efficient affable interfaces are required to provide sedulous location-independent and appliance-sensitive media viewing for the user. The Ambient Interface Design (AID) system assists with finding personal preferences and provides a synchronisation framework, coordinating connectivity across various environmentally distributed devices via sensor data mapping. Cooperative interface communication coupled with context awareness will be abstracted to a representation that facilitates optimisation and customisation to these displays. To overcome personal challenges in the efficient selection and acquisition of online information, AID mediates between the needs of the user and the constraints of the technology to provide a singular customised encapsulation of ‘ability preference and device’ for each authenticated member. A particular emphasis is the application of a human-centered design ethos.
An Activity Monitoring Application for Windows Mobile Devices
Authors: Al Mushcab Hayat , Curran Kevin , Doherty Jonathan
Published: December 2011

Obesity is rising at an alarming rate. A great challenge facing the health community is introducing population-wide approaches to weight management as existing health and medical provisions do not have the capacity to cope. Technology is fast becoming an important tool to combat this trend. The use of activity monitors is becoming more common in health care as a device to measure everyday activity levels of patients as activity is often linked to weight. This paper outlines a research project where Bluetooth technology can be used to connect a commercial wrist-worn activity monitor with a Windows Mobile device to allow the user to upload the activity data to a remote server.
Exploring the Adoption of Technology Driven Services in the Healthcare Industry
Authors: Topacan Umit , Basoglu A. Nuri , Daim Tugrul
Published: December 2011

Recent developments in information and communication technologies have helped to accelerate the diffusion of electronic services in the medical industry. Health information services house, retrieve, and make use of medical information to improve service quality and reduce cost. Users—including medical staff, administrative staff, and patients—of these systems cannot fully benefit from them unless they can use them comfortably. User behavior is affected by various factors relating to technology characteristics, user characteristics, social environment, and organizational environment. Our research evaluated the determinants of health information service adoption and analyzed the relationship between these determinants and the behavior of the user. Health information service adoption was found to be influenced by service characteristics, user characteristics, intermediary variables, facilitating conditions, and social factors.
Predictive Models in Cybercrime Investigation
Authors: Murthy A. S. N. , Nagadevara Vishnuprasad , De’ Rahul
Published: December 2011

With increased access to computers across the world, cybercrime is becoming a major challenge to law enforcement agencies. Cybercrime investigation in India is in its infancy and there has been limited success in prosecuting the offenders; therefore, a need to understand and strengthen the existing investigation methods and systems for controlling cybercrimes is greatly needed. This study identifies important factors that will enable law enforcement agencies to reach the first step in effective prosecution, namely charge-sheeting of the cybercrime cases. Data on 300 cybercrime cases covering a number of demographic, technical and other variables related to cybercrime was analyzed using data mining techniques to identify and prioritize various factors leading to filing of the charge-sheet. These factors and the respective priority rankings are used to suggest various policy measures for improving the success rate of prosecution of cybercrimes.
Automatic Language Translation for Mobile SMS
Authors: Samanta S. K. , Achilleos A. , Moiron S. , Woods J. , Ghanbari M.
Published: December 2011

In any form of communication it is vital that both parties can understand the same language, if they cannot a translator is required. Currently mobile users engage the service of a third party provider to translate an SMS text into a different language. The existing services have a number of drawbacks e.g. high cost to the user, not user friendly, they reduce the message space, and are inefficient. To communicate with a foreign person the sender must know the recipients preferred language and device display capability. What is needed is a service where a sender can send message in their native language without regard for the target tongue. We show that a mobile operator can provide a transparent service where the text message is automatically converted to the recipients preferred language. In comparison to the existing system, our implementation is efficient and cost effective and has large implications for commerce, language learning and person-to-person communication. A large number of services such as health care management, education, emergency notification, news, weather, and traffic reports and commerce applications can be delivered to vast mobile populations who are not able to enjoy the benefit of these services due to language barriers.
Assimilation of Inter-Organizational Information Systems
Authors: Vaidya Kishor , Campbell John , Soar Jeffrey , Gardner Scott
Published: December 2011

Public electronic procurement is an Internet-based inter-organizational information system (IOIS) that is intended to facilitate government-to-business (G2B) or government-to-government (G2G) electronic communication, information exchange and transaction support through web access or value-added network. This chapter is primarily built upon theoretical work in the IOIS adoption and diffusion area, and in particular on theories of technology assimilation. Stages of the assimilation process and the aggregation strategy have been explained in the context of public electronic procurement. Resistance theory is also discussed. We have argued that understanding both resistance variables and relevant change management interventions or moderators can be very useful in determining the extent of public e-procurement assimilation.
Perceived Benefits from a Local Government Public Procurement Initiative
Authors: Rahim Md Mahbubur , Bantwal Adarsh P.
Published: December 2011

In recent years, government organisations are expressing a growing interest in the uptake of eProcurement systems in order to achieve many of the benefits that their counterparts in the private sector have reported. These systems represent a specific instance of internet-based inter-organisational initiatives that streamline organisational purchasing processes and facilitate electronic exchange of transactions and other procurement related documents between organisations and their suppliers. Although some literature exists on the adoption of e-procurement systems within the government sector, relatively little has been focused on the outcomes of these systems particularly within the Australian local government context. Furthermore, much of the attention of the existing eProcurement literature is on understanding adoption decisions of these systems from the perspective of senior management, and few research efforts have been made to examine how employees who actually use these systems perceive the benefits arising from these systems. In addition, although the role of demographic characteristics of users is recognised in the innovation adoption and broader IS/IT adoption literatures, it is not clearly known how the demographic characteristics of employees (who interact with such systems) may influence their perceptions about eProcurement benefits. To address this gap in the literature, we analyse the views captured from sixty employees working in three large city councils located in the state of Victoria, Australia. The findings indicate that the outcomes of eProcurement systems adoption were largely seen in a positive light as the employees reported favourably about the attainment of benefits from their use of these systems. More specifically, efficiency improvement and establishing control were perceived as the two most important benefits. However, except user type, popular demographic characteristics of employees (e.g. gender, job role, working experience at councils) were not related to their perceptions of eProcurement benefits. These findings offer limited support for the views expressed in the existing innovations and IS/IT adoption literatures. The implications of these findings are discussed, and future directions of research are proposed.
Predicting Stock Price Movement from Financial News Articles
Authors: Schumaker Robert P. , Chen Hsinchun
Published: December 2011

However, using computational approaches to predict stock prices using financial data is not unique. In recent years, interest has increased in Quantitative funds, or Quants, that automatically sift through numeric financial data and issue stock recommendations. While these systems are based on proprietary technology, they do differ in the amount of trading control they have, ranging from simple stock recommenders to trade executors. Using historical market data and complex mathematical models, these methods are constrained to make assessments within the scope of existing information. This weakness means that they are unable to react to unexpected events falling outside of historical norms. However, this disadvantage has not stopped fund managers at Federated, Janus, Schwab, and Vanguard from trusting billions of dollars of assets to the decisions of these computational systems.
Survey of Trading Systems for Individual Investors
Authors: Kersch M. , Schmidt G.
Published: December 2011

Trading decisions in financial markets can be supported by the use of trading algorithms. To evaluate trading algorithms and to generate orders to be executed on the stock exchange trading systems are used. In this chapter, we define the individual investors’ requirements on a trading system, and analyze 17 trading systems from an individual investor’s point of view. The results of our study point out that the best alternative for an individual investor is not one single trading system, but a combination of two different classes of trading systems.
Remotely Accessible Systems for Computing Sciences Disciplines
Authors: Stockman Mark
Published: December 2011

Like most other academic disciplines that require any amount of hands-on learning, requiring access to specific technologies, delivering computing curricula, and performing computing research online can be a difficult task. By using system virtualization and remotely accessible computing however, a near real world environment can be realized. When rolled out in tandem, these remotely accessible virtualization initiatives can use a common hardware set and/or existing computing resources within the academic organization or via cloud computing, thus reducing the initial and ongoing costs for servers, storage, and support. The goal of this chapter is to present a logical and technical framework from which educators can implement complex systems laboratories accessible at a distance. The chapter will also document the history of the use of virtualization in systems laboratories, the many benefits of virtualization, and future trends in the remoting and virtualization technologies.
Possible Futures for Remote Laboratories
Authors: Schulz Mark F. , Long Phillip
Published: December 2011

This chapter examines four emerging trends in the Internet that have the potential to influence the development of remote laboratories: the real-time web, the Internet of Things (IOT), geographically distributed collaboration, and scientific workflows. Each of these trends is examined and discussed, and a suggested research and development path is offered.