bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CCL19 is a specific ligand of the constitutively recycling atypical human chemokine receptor CRAM‐B
Authors: Leick Marion , Catusse Julie , Follo Marie , Nibbs Robert J. , Hartmann Tanja N. , Veelken Hendrik , Burger Meike
Published: December 2009

The human chemokine receptor CRAM (chemokine receptor on activated macrophages), encoded by the gene CCRL2, is a new candidate for the atypical chemokine receptor family that includes the receptors DARC, D6 and chemocentryx chemokine receptor (CCX‐CKR). CRAM is maturation‐stage‐dependently expressed on human B lymphocytes and its surface expression is up‐regulated upon short‐term CCL5 exposure. Here, we demonstrate that the homeostatic chemokine CCL19 is a specific ligand for CRAM. In radioactive labelling studies CCL19 bound to CRAM‐expressing cells with an affinity similar to the described binding of its other receptor CCR7. In contrast to the known CCL19/CCR7 ligand/receptor pair, CRAM stimulation by CCL19 did not result in typical chemokine‐receptor‐dependent cellular activation like calcium mobilization or migration. Instead, we demonstrate that CRAM is constitutively recycling via clathrin‐coated pits and able to internalize CCL19 as well as anti‐CRAM antibodies. As this absence of classical chemokine receptor responses and the recycling and internalization features are characteristic for non‐classical chemokine receptors, we suggest that CRAM is the newest member of this group. As CCL19 is known to be critically involved in lymphocyte and dendritic cell trafficking, CCL19‐binding competition by CRAM might be involved in modulating these processes.
Myostatin and follistatin expression in skeletal muscles of rats with chronic heart failure
Authors: Lima Aline Regina Ruiz , Martinez Paula Felippe , Okoshi Katashi , Guizoni Daniele Mendes , Zornoff Leonardo A. Mamede , Campos Dijon Henrique Salomé , Oliveira Jr Sílvio Assis , Bonomo Camila , Pai‐Silva Maeli Dal , Okoshi Marina Politi
Published: December 2009

Skeletal muscle abnormalities can contribute to decreased exercise capacity in heart failure. Although muscle atrophy is a common alteration in heart failure, the mechanisms responsible for muscle mass reduction are not clear. Myostatin, a member of TGF‐β family (transforming growth factor), regulates muscle growth and mass. Several studies have shown a negative correlation between myostatin expression and muscle mass. The aim of this study was to evaluate myostatin expression in skeletal muscles of rats with heart failure. As myostatin gene expression can be modulated by follistatin, we also evaluated its expression. Heart failure was induced by myocardial infarction (MI, n = 10); results were compared to Sham‐operated group (n = 10). Ventricular function was assessed by echocardiogram. Gene expression was analyzed by real‐time PCR and protein levels by Western blotting in the soleus and gastrocnemius muscles; fibre trophism was evaluated by morphometric analysis. MI group presented heart failure evidence such as pleural effusion and right ventricular hypertrophy. Left ventricular dilation and dysfunction were observed in MI group. In the soleus muscle, cross‐sectional area (P = 0.006) and follistatin protein levels (Sham 1.00 ± 0.36; MI 0.18 ± 0.06 arbitrary units; P = 0.03) were lower in MI and there was a trend for follistatin gene expression to be lower in MI group (P = 0.085). There was no change in myostatin expression between groups. In gastrocnemius, all MI group parameters were statistically similar to the Sham. In conclusion, our data show that during chronic heart failure, decreased skeletal muscle trophism is combined with unchanged myostatin and reduced follistatin expression.
Oxidized laminin‐1 induces increased monocyte attachment and expression of ICAM‐1 in endothelial cells
Authors: Kostidou Elena , Topouridou Konstantina , Daniilidis Angelos , Kaloyianni Martha , Koliakos George
Published: December 2009

Atherosclerosis has been associated with increased oxidative stress and monocyte recruitment by endothelial cells. Sub‐endothelial basement membrane proteins, such as laminins that play a central role in cell adhesion, are exposed to reactive oxygen species. In the present study monocyte attachment on human umbilical cord vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) that were preattached to oxidized or native laminin, was investigated. Intracellular cell adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1) expression by HUVEC was estimated by an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. HUVEC attachment to oxidized or native laminin‐1 was examined using the Hemacolor kit. Anti‐alphaL, anti‐alphaM, anti‐alpha2 and anti‐beta2 integrin subunit antibodies were used in order to further investigate the above phenomena. HUVEC that were preattached to oxidized laminin expressed higher levels of ICAM‐1 and monocytes attached at a higher degree to these cells as compared to HUVEC that were preattached to native laminin. Incubation of monocytes with monoclonal antibodies against the alphaM and beta2 integrin subunits equalized the above mentioned differences. Moreover, HUVEC attached to oxidized laminin at a higher degree as compared to native laminin. This difference was equalized after incubation with the antibody against the alpha2 integrin subunit. These results indicate a modified interaction between HUVEC and the basement membranes in cases where laminin is oxidatively modified. This modified interaction results in increased ICAM‐1 expression by endothelial cells and consequently increased monocyte recruitment capacity.
Fell‐Muir Lecture: Proteoglycans and more – from molecules to biology
Authors: Heinegård Dick
Published: December 2009

In this article the organization and functional details of the extracellular matrix, with particular focus on cartilage, are described. All tissues contain a set of molecules that are arranged to contribute structural elements. Examples are fibril‐forming collagens forming major fibrillar networks in most tissues. The assembly process is regulated by a number of proteins (thrombospondins, LRR‐proteins, matrilins and other collagens) that can bind to the collagen molecule and in many cases remain bound to the formed fibre providing additional stability and enhancing networking to other structural networks. One such network is formed by collagen VI molecules assembled to beaded filaments in the matrix catalysed by interactions with small proteoglycans of the LRR‐family, which remain bound to the filament providing for interactions via a linker of a matrilin to other matrix constituents like collagen fibres and the large proteoglycans, e.g. aggrecan in cartilage. Aggrecan is contributing an extreme anionic charge density to the extracellular matrix, which by osmotic effects leads to water retention and strive to swelling, resisted by the tensile properties of the collagen fibres. Aggrecan is bound via one end to hyaluronan, including such molecules retained at the cell surface, to form very large molecular entities that interact with other constituents of the matrix, e.g. fibulins that can form their own network. Other important interactions are those with cell surface receptors such as integrins, heparan sulphfate proteoglycans, hyaluronan receptors and others. Many of the molecules with an ability to interact with these receptors can also bind to molecules in the matrix and provide a bridge from the matrix to the cell and induce various responses. In pathology, there is an imbalance in matrix turnover with often excessive proteolytic breakdown. This results in the formation of protein fragments, where cleavage provides information on the active enzyme. Those fragments released can be specifically detected employing antibodies specific to the cleavage site and used to diagnose and monitor e.g. joint disease at early stages.
Interacting effects of density and temperature on body size in multiple populations of Chinook salmon
Authors: Crozier Lisa G. , Zabel Richard W. , Hockersmith Eric E. , Achord Stephen
Published: December 2009

1. The size individuals attain reflects complex interactions between food availability and quality, environmental conditions and ecological interactions. A statistical interaction between temperature and the density of conspecifics is expected to arise from various ecological dynamics, including bioenergetic constraints, if population density affects mean consumption rate or activity level. Density effects on behaviour or size‐selective predation could also generate this pattern. This interaction plays an important role in bioenergetic models, in particular, and yet has not been documented in natural populations.

2. The lengths of 131 286 juvenile wild Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) across 13 populations spread throughout the Salmon River Basin, Idaho, USA over 15 years were compared to test whether juvenile density alters the relationship between body size and temperature.

3. Strong evidence for a negative interaction between mean summer temperature and density emerged, despite the relatively cool temperatures in this high elevation habitat. Growth correlated positively with temperature at lower densities, but the correlation was negative at the highest densities.

4. This is the first study to document this interaction at such a large spatial and temporal scale, and suggests that warmer temperatures might intensify some density‐dependent processes. How climate change will affect individual growth rates in these populations will depend intimately on ecological conditions, particularly food availability and population dynamics. More broadly, the conditions that led to the interactions observed in our study – limited food availability and temperatures that ranged above those optimal for growth – likely exist for many other natural populations, and warrant broader exploration.
Phylogeography of white spruce (Picea glauca) in eastern North America reveals contrasting ecological trajectories
Authors: de Lafontaine Guillaume , Turgeon Julie , Payette Serge
Published: December 2009

Aim  The main objective of this study was to investigate the origin of white spruce (Picea glauca) range discontinuities in eastern North America. A first analysis aimed at uncovering the glacial origin and post‐glacial migration route of white spruce in the eastern part of the range. A second analysis aimed at evaluating whether disjunct white spruce populations in central Québec result from a recent expansion or are remnant stands following a northern range contraction.

Location  The first analysis covered the North American transcontinental boreal distribution of white spruce, and the second focused on the eastern part of its range.

Methods  A total of 589 P. glauca individuals from 51 populations, 24 of which were from a previous published source, were analysed for variation in three chloroplast DNA regions (trnT/L, trnL/F and ndhK/C). At the continental scale, haplotypic diversity, zones of genetic discontinuities, clustering analysis and analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) were employed. In the eastern part of the range, haplotypic diversity was assessed with a permutation procedure, demographic history with mismatch analyses, and genetic structure with AMOVA.

Results  At the continental scale, various lines of evidence (genetic‐diversity hotspots, endemic haplotypes, zones of genetic discontinuities, and pattern of molecular variation) show that different lineages migrated from three glacial refugia (Beringian, Mississippian, east Appalachian). Strong genetic discontinuities, low diversity and lack of evidence for demographic expansion were found among stands from isolated high hills in central Québec.

Main conclusions  White spruce in the eastern part of its range has an east Appalachian origin, a lineage genetically distinct from populations west of the Great Lakes. Previous studies have shown that the northward migration of white spruce is still ongoing as the northernmost populations expand into the tundra. In contrast, mixed white spruce and balsam fir (Abies balsamea) stands from isolated high hills in central Québec have already reached their Holocene maxima and are currently declining. This range contraction is probably a result of increased wildfire disturbance, which gradually creates a pattern of regional white spruce isolation and replacement by fire‐prone black spruce (Picea mariana) forest.
Principles of depth‐resolved Kikuchi pattern simulation for electron backscatter diffraction
Authors: WINKELMANN A.
Published: December 2009

This paper presents a tutorial discussion of the principles underlying the depth‐dependent Kikuchi pattern formation of backscattered electrons in the scanning electron microscope. To illustrate the connections between various electron diffraction methods, the formation of Kikuchi bands in electron backscatter diffraction in the scanning electron microscope and in transmission electron microscopy are compared with the help of simulations employing the dynamical theory of electron diffraction. The close relationship between backscattered electron diffraction and convergent beam electron diffraction is illuminated by showing how both effects can be calculated within the same theoretical framework. The influence of the depth‐dependence of diffuse electron scattering on the formation of the experimentally observed electron backscatter diffraction contrast and intensity is visualized by calculations of depth‐resolved Kikuchi patterns. Comparison of an experimental electron backscatter diffraction pattern with simulations assuming several different depth distributions shows that the depth‐distribution of backscattered electrons needs to be taken into account in quantitative descriptions. This should make it possible to obtain more quantitative depth‐dependent information from experimental electron backscatter diffraction patterns via correlation with dynamical diffraction simulations and Monte Carlo models of electron scattering.
Biochemical, immunological and clinical characterization of a cross‐reactive nonspecific lipid transfer protein 1 from mulberry
Authors: Ciardiello M. A. , Palazzo P. , Bernardi M. L. , Carratore V. , Giangrieco I. , Longo V. , Melis M. , Tamburrini M. , Zennaro D. , Mari A. , Colombo P.
Published: December 2009

To cite this article: Ciardiello MA, Palazzo P, Bernardi ML, Carratore V, Giangrieco I, Longo V, Melis M, Tamburrini M, Zennaro D, Mari A, Colombo P. Biochemical, immunological and clinical characterization of a cross‐reactive nonspecific lipid transfer protein 1 from mulberry. Allergy 2010; 65: 597–605.

Background:  Mulberry (Morus spp.) is a genus comprising several species of deciduous trees whose fruits are commonly eaten in southern Europe. Subjects with severe systemic reaction have been described. The aim of this study was to isolate the allergens of this species.

Methods:  A nonspecific lipid transfer protein 1 (ns‐LTP1) was purified from black mulberry by ion exchange and reverse phase high‐performance liquid chromatography, and the primary structure was elucidated by direct protein sequencing. Its allergenic activity was evaluated in vivo by skin prick test and in vitro by Western Blot, CD203c basophil activation assay and high throughput multiplex inhibition method on immunosolid‐phase allergen chip (ISAC).

Results:  Mulberry ns‐LTP (Mor n 3) comprises 91 amino acids producing a molecular mass of 9246 Da. This protein shows high sequence identity with several allergenic ns‐LTP1. Immunoblot analysis and CD203c activation assay demonstrated its allergenic activity in symptomatic subjects and in ns‐LTP allergic patients who are not mulberry consumers. Immunological co‐recognition was studied in vivo on a selected group of well‐characterized ns‐LTP allergic patients showing a high percentage of nMor n 3+ subjects (88.46%) even in patients who have never eaten mulberry before. IgE inhibition on ISAC micro‐array demonstrated an almost complete cross‐reactivity to nArt v 3, rCor a 8 and a very high percentage of inhibition to nPru p 3.

Conclusions:  Mor n 3 is the first allergen isolated in black mulberry and immunologically characterized. It displayed allergenic activity among symptomatic and nonconsumer patients and a pattern of cross‐reactivity to other plant‐derived LTPs.
Mutation detection rate and spectrum in familial hypercholesterolaemia patients in the UK pilot cascade project
Authors: Taylor A , Wang D , Patel K , Whittall R , Wood G , Farrer M , Neely RDG , Fairgrieve S , Nair D , Barbir M , Jones JL , Egan S , Everdale R , Lolin Y , Hughes E , Cooper JA , Hadfield SG , Norbury G , Humphries SE
Published: December 2009

Taylor A, Wang D, Patel K, Whittall R, Wood G, Farrer M, Neely RDG, Fairgrieve S, Nair D, Barbir M, Jones JL, Egan S, Everdale R, Lolin Y, Hughes E, Cooper JA, Hadfield SG, Norbury G, Humphries SE. Mutation detection rate and spectrum in familial hypercholesterolaemia patients in the UK pilot cascade project.

Cascade testing using DNA‐mutation information is now recommended in the UK for patients with familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH). We compared the detection rate and mutation spectrum in FH patients with a clinical diagnosis of definite (DFH) and possible (PFH) FH. Six hundred and thirty‐five probands from six UK centres were tested for 18 low‐density lipoprotein receptor gene (LDLR) mutations, APOB p.Arg3527Gln and PCSK9 p.Asp374Tyr using a commercial amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS) kit. Samples with no mutation detected were screened in all exons by single strand conformation polymorphism analysis (SSCP)/denaturing high performance liquid chromatography electrophoresis (dHPLC)/direct‐sequencing, followed by multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification (MLPA) to detect deletions and duplications in LDLR.The detection rate was significantly higher in the 190 DFH patients compared to the 394 PFH patients (56.3% and 28.4%, p > 0.00001). Fifty‐one patients had inadequate information to determine PFH/DFH status, and in this group the detection rate was similar to the PFH group (25.5%, p = 0.63 vs PFH). Overall, 232 patients had detected mutations (107 different; 6.9% not previously reported). The ARMS kit detected 100 (44%) and the MLPA kit 11 (4.7%). Twenty‐eight (12%) of the patients had the APOB p.Arg3527Gln and four (1.7%) had the PCSK9 p.Asp374Tyr mutation. Of the 296 relatives tested from 100 families, a mutation was identified in 56.1%. In 31 patients of Indian/Asian origin 10 mutations (two previously unreported) were identified. The utility of the ARMS kit was confirmed, but sequencing is still required in a comprehensive diagnostic service for FH. Even in subjects with a low clinical suspicion of FH, and in those of Indian origin, mutation testing has an acceptable detection rate.
Holocarboxylase synthetase deficiency: novel clinical and molecular findings
Authors: Tammachote R , Janklat S , Tongkobpetch S , Suphapeetiporn K , Shotelersuk V
Published: December 2009

Tammachote R, Janklat S, Tongkobpetch S, Suphapeetiporn K and Shotelersuk V. Holocarboxylase synthetase deficiency: novel clinical and molecular findings.

Multiple carboxylase deficiency (MCD) is an autosomal recessive metabolic disorder caused by defective activity of biotinidase or holocarboxylase synthetase (HLCS) in the biotin cycle. Clinical symptoms include skin lesions and severe metabolic acidosis. Here, we reported four unrelated Thai patients with MCD, diagnosed by urine organic acid analysis. Unlike Caucasians, which biotinidase deficiency has been found to be more common, all of our four Thai patients were affected by HLCS deficiency. Instead of the generally recommended high dose of biotin, our patients were given biotin at 1.2 mg/day. This low‐dose biotin significantly improved their clinical symptoms and stabilized the metabolic state on long‐term follow‐up. Mutation analysis by polymerase chain reaction‐sequencing of the entire coding region of the HLCS gene revealed the c.1522C>T (p.R508W) mutation in six of the eight mutant alleles. This suggests it as the most common mutation in the Thai population, which paves the way for a rapid and unsophisticated diagnostic method for the ethnic Thai. Haplotype analysis revealed that the c.1522C>T was on three different haplotypes suggesting that it was recurrent, not caused by a founder effect. In addition, a novel mutation, c.1513G>C (p.G505R), was identified, expanding the mutational spectrum of this gene.
Two missense mutations in SLC26A4 gene: a molecular and functional study
Authors: Rebeh I Ben , Yoshimi N , Hadj‐Kacem H , Yanohco S , Hammami B , Mnif M , Araki M , Ghorbel A , Ayadi H , Masmoudi S , Miyazaki H
Published: December 2009

Ben Rebeh I, Yoshimi N, Hadj‐Kacem H, Yanohco S, Hammami B, Mnif M, Araki M, Ghorbel A, Ayadi H, Masmoudi S and Miyazaki H. Two missense mutations in SLC26A4 gene: a molecular and functional study.

Mutations in the SLC26A4 gene encoding pendrin, an anion transporter, are responsible for non‐syndromic hearing loss (HL) (DFNB4) and Pendred syndrome (PS). PS is a genetic disorder that causes early HL and affects the thyroid gland. Here, we report eight Tunisian families affected with profound HL. Clinical investigations revealed goiter in few patients. Genotyping using microsatellite makers showed linkage to SLC26A4, and missense mutations p.L445W and p.M147T were identified by sequencing and polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism. The p.L445W mutation segregated in seven families and haplotype analysis suggested its founder effect. In order to understand the molecular pathogenic mechanisms of p.L445W and p.M147T mutations, SLC26A4 wild‐type and mutant cDNA constructs were transiently expressed in COS7 cells and several human cell lines including Thyroid 8305C cells. Reverse transcription‐PCR, western blot and immunofluorescence demonstrated that these two mutations abolished complex glycosylation of pendrin and prevented its targeting to the plasma membrane.
Review article: Managing sleep apnoea in kidney diseases
Authors: SIM JOHN J , RASGON SCOTT A , DEROSE STEPHEN F
Published: December 2009

A higher prevalence of sleep apnoea (SA) has been observed in the chronic kidney disease (CKD) population compared with estimates in the general population. Increased rates of SA have been described in patients with various renal‐related diagnoses including dialysis, renal transplant, early‐stage CKD and proteinuria. The mechanism or underlying aetiology for this association is different for each type of kidney disease. The extracellular fluid volume and metabolic derangements that characterize the uremic state likely contributes to SA in the dialysis population. SA causing direct renal insults from haemodynamic changes, ischaemic stress, or an intermediary condition such as hypertension, can lead to early CKD and proteinuria. While renal transplantation has cured SA in some patients, the post‐transplant state is itself a risk factor for SA. The high prevalence of SA in kidney disease and the associated clinical implications warrant vigilance in diagnosis and treatment of SA in the CKD patient. This review focuses on the prevalence of SA in patients with CKD including dialysis and transplant patients, and those with early‐stage CKD and proteinuria. SA may vary in form and aetiology depending on type or stage of CKD. Based on these associations, we discuss our rationale for recommendations on screening and management of SA specific to the CKD population.
Investigation of skeletal muscle quantity and quality in end‐stage renal disease
Authors: CHEEMA BIRINDER , ABAS HAIFA , SMITH BENJAMIN , O'SULLIVAN ANTHONY J , CHAN MARIA , PATWARDHAN ADITI , KELLY JOHN , GILLIN ADRIAN , PANG GLEN , LLOYD BRAD , BERGER KLAUS , BAUNE BERNHARD T , SINGH MARIA FIATARONE
Published: December 2009

Aim: A more precise understanding of the aetiology and sequelae of muscle wasting in end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) is required for the development of effective interventions to target this pathology.

Methods: We investigated 49 patients with ESRD (62.6 ± 14.2 years, 0.3–16.7 years on haemodialysis). Thigh muscle cross‐sectional area (CSA), intramuscular lipid and intermuscular adipose tissue (IMAT) were measured via computed tomography as indices of muscle quantity (i.e. CSA) and quality (i.e. intramuscular lipid and IMAT). Additional health and clinical measures were investigated to determine associations with these variables.

Results: Age, energy intake, disease burden, pro‐inflammatory cytokines, nutritional status, strength and functioning were related to muscle quantity and quality. Potential aetiological factors entered into forward stepwise regression models indicated that hypoalbuminaemia and lower body mass index accounted significantly and independently for 32% of the variance in muscle CSA (r = 0.56,P < 0.001), while older age and interleukin‐8 accounted for 41% of the variance in intramuscular lipid (r = 0.64,P < 0.001) and body mass index accounted for 45% of the variance in IMAT (r = 0.67,P < 0.001). Stepwise regression models revealed that intramuscular lipid was independently predictive of habitual gait velocity and 6 min walk distance, while CSA was independently predictive of maximal isometric strength (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Ageing, poor nutritional status and elevated interleukin‐8 are factors potentially contributing to the loss of muscle quality and quantity in ESRD. These deficits can predict functional impairments, with intramuscular lipid accumulation most closely related to decline of submaximal musculoskeletal performance (walking), and low muscle CSA most closely related to decline of maximal performance (peak isometric strength).
Comparisons of the gait parameters of young Korean women carrying a single‐strap bag
Authors: An Duk‐Hyun , Yoon Ji‐Yeon , Yoo Won‐Gyu , Kim Kyeong‐Mi
Published: December 2009

This study compared the gait parameters of young women using various methods to carry a single‐strap bag during walking. Twenty‐one Korean healthy women walked on a GAITRite‐instrumented carpet at a self‐paced speed for each of the four following conditions in random order: no bag, carrying a bag over the shoulder, carrying a bag on the forearm, and carrying a bag by the hand on the dominant (right) side. There was a significant reduction in the stride length for the contralateral leg when carrying a bag on the forearm, a significant decrease in the heel‐to‐heel base of support, and a significant increase in the toe angle on the ipsilateral leg when carrying a bag by hand. The results of our study suggest that, among the asymmetric bag‐carrying methods preferred by Korean young women during walking, the “over‐the‐shoulder” method has the least effect on gait parameters relative to not carrying a bag.
Experiences of nurse leaders surviving Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
Authors: Danna Denise , Bernard Marirose , Schaubhut Rose , Mathews Pamela
Published: December 2009

Hurricane Katrina left New Orleans, Louisiana, USA destroyed by its impact on 29 August 2005. Working during a hurricane was nothing new to these authors. Having lived in New Orleans all our lives, we were used to preparing our homes and our families to weather the storm. Nurses are in leadership positions before, during, and after any disaster. Nurses are called upon to report to duty, leaving their loved ones to care for themselves while the nurses care for the sick and frail in unbelievably difficult situations. The purpose of this article is to share our experiences as nurse survivors during Hurricane Katrina, reflecting on 10 major aspects of disaster planning from the perspective of the “Then” (during the storm) and the “Now” (current recommendations).
Temporal and spatial trigger of post‐exponential virulence‐associated regulatory cascades by Legionella pneumophila after bacterial escape into the host cell cytosol
Authors: Molmeret Maëlle , Jones Snake , Santic Marina , Habyarimana Fabien , Garcia Esteban Maria Teresa , Abu Kwaik Yousef
Published: December 2009

During late stages of infection and prior to lysis of the infected macrophages or amoeba, the Legionella pneumophila‐containing phagosome becomes disrupted, followed by bacterial escape into the host cell cytosol, where the last few rounds of bacterial proliferation occur prior to lysis of the plasma membrane. This coincides with growth transition into the post‐exponential (PE) phase, which is controlled by regulatory cascades including RpoS and the LetA/S two‐component regulator. Whether the temporal expression of flagella by the regulatory cascades at the PE phase is exhibited within the phagosome or after bacterial escape into the host cell cytosol is not known. We have utilized fluorescence microscopy‐based phagosome integrity assay to differentiate between vacuolar and cytosolic bacteria/or bacteria within disrupted phagosomes. Our data show that during late stages of infection, expression of FlaA is triggered after bacterial escape into the macrophage cytosol and the peak of FlaA expression is delayed for few hours after cytosolic residence of the bacteria. Importantly, bacterial escape into the host cell cytosol is independent of flagella, RpoS and the two‐component regulator LetA/S, which are all triggered by L. pneumophila upon growth transition into the PE phase. Disruption of the phagosome and bacterial escape into the cytosol of macrophages is independent of the bacterial pore‐forming activity, and occurs prior to the induction of apoptosis during late stages of infection. We conclude that the temporal and spatial engagement of virulence‐associated regulatory cascades by L. pneumophila at the PE phase is temporally and spatially triggered after phagosomal escape and bacterial residence in the host cell cytosol.
Cross‐sectional determinants of post‐IPO stock performance: evidence from China
Authors: Chang Xin , Lin Shi Hua , Tam Lewis H. K. , Wong George
Published: December 2009

This paper examines the cross‐sectional determinants of post‐IPO long‐term stock returns in China. We document that the aftermarket P/E ratio has the most robust negative association with post‐IPO stock returns. The negative relation indicates that the market corrects the aftermarket overvaluation of IPO firms in the long run. Underwriter reputation has a positive effect on post‐IPO stock returns, while board size has a negative impact, consistent with the views that reputable underwriters mitigate the information asymmetry in IPO pricing and over‐sized boards reduce the effectiveness of corporate governance. However, we find little evidence indicating that the equity ownership structure is significantly associated with post‐IPO stock returns.
Determinants of executive compensation in privately held firms
Authors: Banghøj Jesper , Gabrielsen Gorm , Petersen Christian , Plenborg Thomas
Published: December 2009

We examine what determines executive compensation in privately held firms. Our study is motivated by the fact that most studies in this area rely on data from publicly traded firms. Further, the few studies that are based on data from privately held firms only examine a limited number of determinants of executive compensation. Our findings indicate that the pay‐to‐performance relation is weak. Board size and ownership concentration are the only corporate governance characteristics that explain variations in executive compensation. Executive characteristics like skills, title and educational attainment all explain variations in executive compensation. Contrary to our expectations, we do not find a stronger pay‐to‐performance relation in firms with better designed bonus plans.
Assessing the Costs of a Haulage Regime
Authors: Wills‐Johnson Nick
Published: December 2009

Third‐party access to rail infrastructure in Western Australia's Pilbara region is a contentious issue due to concerns about how third‐party trains might impact on incumbents' operations. A recent State Government proposal involves a haulage regime, rather than access by third‐party trains. This article explores the ramifications of haulage by examining voluntary haulage in the United States. It finds, with some caveats, that haulage seems more appropriate to the Pilbara situation than access.
Strengthening the special educational needs element of initial teacher training and education
Authors: Golder Gill , Jones Nicky , Quinn Erica Eaton
Published: December 2009

In the academic year 2006–2007, the Training and Development Agency (TDA) set up a development programme to enable Initial Teacher Training and Education (ITTE) placements in specialist special education provision. The goal of the programme was to enhance the knowledge, skills and understanding of inclusive practice for special educational needs and disability among those joining and those who are relatively new to the teaching workforce. This article, by Gill Golder, Nicky Jones and Erica Eaton Quinn, all Senior Lecturers at the College of St Mark and St John in Plymouth, outlines one project related to this TDA programme. The authors explore the outcomes of their work on a three‐year BEd (Honours) Secondary Physical Education course in the south‐west against the TDA's objectives for both trainee teachers and the special schools to which they were attached. Results confirm the importance of preparing trainee teachers for a future career in more inclusive schools.
HPCCD: Hybrid Parallel Continuous Collision Detection using CPUs and GPUs
Authors: Kim Duksu , Heo Jae‐Pil , Huh Jaehyuk , Kim John , Yoon Sung‐eui
Published: December 2009

We present a novel, hybrid parallel continuous collision detection (HPCCD) method that exploits the availability of multi‐core CPU and GPU architectures. HPCCD is based on a bounding volume hierarchy (BVH) and selectively performs lazy reconstructions. Our method works with a wide variety of deforming models and supports self‐collision detection. HPCCD takes advantage of hybrid multi‐core architectures – using the general‐purpose CPUs to perform the BVH traversal and culling while GPUs are used to perform elementary tests that reduce to solving cubic equations. We propose a novel task decomposition method that leads to a lock‐free parallel algorithm in the main loop of our BVH‐based collision detection to create a highly scalable algorithm. By exploiting the availability of hybrid, multi‐core CPU and GPU architectures, our proposed method achieves more than an order of magnitude improvement in performance using four CPU‐cores and two GPUs, compared to using a single CPU‐core. This improvement results in an interactive performance, up to 148 fps, for various deforming benchmarks consisting of tens or hundreds of thousand triangles.
Affective Modelling: Profiling Geometrical Models with Human Emotional Responses
Authors: Lo Cheng‐Hung , Chu Chih‐Hsing
Published: December 2009

In this paper, a novel concept, Affective Modelling, is introduced to encapsulate the idea of creating 3D models based on the emotional responses that they may invoke. Research on perceptually‐related issues in Computer Graphics focuses mostly on the rendering aspect. Low‐level perceptual criteria taken from established Psychology theories or identified by purposefully‐designed experiments are utilised to reduce rendering effort or derive quality evaluation schemes. For modelling, similar ideas have been applied to optimise the level of geometrical details. High‐level cognitive responses such as emotions/feelings are less addressed in graphics literatures. This paper investigates the possibility of incorporating emotional/affective factors for 3D model creations. Using a glasses frame model as our test case, we demonstrate a methodological framework to build the links between human emotional responses and geometrical features. We design and carry out a factorial experiment to systematically analyse how certain shape factors individually and interactively influence the viewer's impression of the shape of glasses frames. The findings serve as a basis for establishing computational models that facilitate emotionally‐guided 3D modelling.
ProcDef: Local‐to‐global Deformation for Skeleton‐free Character Animation
Authors: Ijiri Takashi , Takayama Kenshi , Yokota Hideo , Igarashi Takeo
Published: December 2009

Animations of characters with flexible bodies such as jellyfish, snails, and, hearts are difficult to design using traditional skeleton‐based approaches. A standard approach is keyframing, but adjusting the shape of the flexible body for each key frame is tedious. In addition, the character cannot dynamically adjust its motion to respond to the environment or user input. This paper introduces a new procedural deformation framework (ProcDef) for designing and driving animations of such flexible objects. Our approach is to synthesize global motions procedurally by integrating local deformations. ProcDef provides an efficient design scheme for local deformation patterns; the user can control the orientation and magnitude of local deformations as well as the propagation of deformation signals by specifying line charts and volumetric fields. We also present a fast and robust deformation algorithm based on shape‐matching dynamics and show some example animations to illustrate the feasibility of our framework.
Procedural Synthesis using Vortex Particle Method for Fluid Simulation
Authors: Yoon Jong‐Chul , Kam Hyeong Ryeol , Hong Jeong‐Mo , Kang Shin Jin , Kim Chang‐Hun
Published: December 2009

We propose a fast and effective technique to improve sub‐grid visual details of the grid based fluid simulation. Our method procedurally synthesizes the flow fields coming from the incompressible Navier‐Stokes solver and the vorticity fields generated by vortex particle method for sub‐grid turbulence. We are able to efficiently animate smoke which is highly turbulent and swirling with small scale details. Since this technique does not solve the linear system in high‐resolution grids, it can perform fluid simulation more rapidly. We can easily estimate the influence of turbulent and swirling effect to the fluid flow.
Automatic Correction of Saturated Regions in Photographs using Cross‐Channel Correlation
Authors: Masood Syed Z. , Zhu Jiejie , Tappen Marshall F.
Published: December 2009

Incorrectly setting the camera's exposure can have a significant negative effect on a photograph. Over‐exposing photographs causes pixels to exhibit unpleasant artifacts due to saturation of the sensor. Saturation removal typically involves user intervention to adjust the color values, which is tedious and time‐consuming. This paper discusses how saturation can be automatically removed without compromising the essential details of the image. Our method is based on a smoothness prior: neighboring pixels have similar channel ratios and color values. We demonstrate that high quality saturation‐free photos can be obtained from a simple but effective approach.
Edit Propagation on Bidirectional Texture Functions
Authors: Xu Kun , Wang Jiaping , Tong Xin , Hu Shi‐Min , Guo Baining
Published: December 2009

We propose an efficient method for editing bidirectional texture functions (BTFs) based on edit propagation scheme. In our approach, users specify sparse edits on a certain slice of BTF. An edit propagation scheme is then applied to propagate edits to the whole BTF data. The consistency of the BTF data is maintained by propagating similar edits to points with similar underlying geometry/reflectance. For this purpose, we propose to use view independent features including normals and reflectance features reconstructed from each view to guide the propagation process. We also propose an adaptive sampling scheme for speeding up the propagation process. Since our method needn't any accurate geometry and reflectance information, it allows users to edit complex BTFs with interactive feedback.
Texture Splicing
Authors: Liu Yiming , Wang Jiaping , Xue Su , Tong Xin , Kang Sing Bing , Guo Baining
Published: December 2009

We propose a new texture editing operation called texture splicing. For this operation, we regard a texture as having repetitive elements (textons) seamlessly distributed in a particular pattern. Taking two textures as input, texture splicing generates a new texture by selecting the texton appearance from one texture and distribution from the other. Texture splicing involves self‐similarity search to extract the distribution, distribution warping, context‐dependent warping, and finally, texture refinement to preserve overall appearance. We show a variety of results to illustrate this operation.
Interactive Rendering of Interior Scenes with Dynamic Environment Illumination
Authors: Yue Yonghao , Iwasaki Kei , Chen Bing‐Yu , Dobashi Yoshinori , Nishita Tomoyuki
Published: December 2009

A rendering system for interior scenes is proposed in this paper. The light reaches the interior scene, usually through small regions, such as windows or abat‐jours, which we call portals. To provide a solution, suitable for rendering interior scenes with portals, we extend the traditional precomputed radiance transfer approaches. In our approach, a bounding sphere, which we call a shell, of the interior, centered at each portal, is created and the light transferred from the shell towards the interior through the portal is precomputed. Each shell acts as an environment light source and its intensity distribution is determined by rendering images of the scene, viewed from the center of the shell. By updating the intensity distribution of the shell at each frame, we are able to handle dynamic objects outside the shells. The material of the portals can also be modified at run time (e.g. changing from transparent glass to frosted glass). Several applications are shown, including the illumination of a cathedral, lit by skylight at different times of a day, and a car, running in a town, at interactive frame rates, with a dynamic viewpoint.
Flow‐Based Automatic Generation of Hybrid Picture Mazes
Authors: Wong Fernando J. , Takahashi Shigeo
Published: December 2009

A method for automatically generating a picture maze from two different images is introduced throughout this paper. The process begins with the extraction of salient contours and edge tangent flow information from the primary image in order to build the overall maze. Thus, mazes with passages flowing in the main edge directions and walls that effectively represent an abstract version of the primary image can be successfully created. Furthermore, our proposed approach makes possible the use of their solution path as a means of illustrating the main features of the secondary image, while attempting to keep its image motif concealed until the maze has been finally solved. The contour features and intensity of the secondary image are also incorporated into our method in order to determine the areas of the maze to be shaded by allowing the solution path to go through them. Moreover, an experiment has been conducted to confirm that solution paths can be successfully hidden from the participants in the mazes generated using our method.
Generalized Discrete Ricci Flow
Authors: Yang Yong‐Liang , Guo Ren , Luo Feng , Hu Shi‐Min , Gu Xianfeng
Published: December 2009

Surface Ricci flow is a powerful tool to design Riemannian metrics by user defined curvatures. Discrete surface Ricci flow has been broadly applied for surface parameterization, shape analysis, and computational topology. Conventional discrete Ricci flow has limitations. For meshes with low quality triangulations, if high conformality is required, the flow may get stuck at the local optimum of the Ricci energy. If convergence to the global optimum is enforced, the conformality may be sacrificed.

This work introduces a novel method to generalize the traditional discrete Ricci flow. The generalized Ricci flow is more flexible, more robust and conformal for meshes with low quality triangulations. Conventional method is based on circle packing, which requires two circles on an edge intersect each other at an acute angle. Generalized method allows the two circles either intersect or separate from each other. This greatly improves the flexibility and robustness of the method. Furthermore, the generalized Ricci flow preserves the convexity of the Ricci energy, this ensures the uniqueness of the global optimum. Therefore the algorithm won't get stuck at the local optimum.

Generalized discrete Ricci flow algorithms are explained in details for triangle meshes with both Euclidean and hyperbolic background geometries. Its advantages are demonstrated by theoretic proofs and practical applications in graphics, especially surface parameterization.
Curvature Aware Fundamental Cycles
Authors: Diaz‐Gutierrez P. , Eppstein D. , Gopi M.
Published: December 2009

We present a graph algorithm to find fundamental cycles aligned with the principal curvature directions of a surface. Specifically, we use the tree‐cotree decomposition of graphs embedded in manifolds, guided with edge weights, in order to produce these cycles. Our algorithm is very quick compared to existing methods, with a worst case running time ofO(nlogn+gn) wherenis the number of faces andgis the surface genus. Further, its flexibility to accommodate different weighting functions and to handle boundaries may be used to produce cycles suitable for a variety of applications and models.
When Do Siblings Compromise? Associations with Children's Descriptions of Conflict Issues, Culpability, and Emotions
Authors: Recchia Holly E. , Howe Nina
Published: December 2009

This study examined associations between children's descriptions of sibling conflicts and their resolutions during a structured negotiation task. A sample of 58 sibling dyads (older sibling M age = 8.39 years, younger sibling M = 6.06 years) were privately interviewed about an actual conflict. Each child provided a narrative that was coded for conflict issues, identified who was at fault, and described each sibling's conflict emotions. Children's subsequent conflict negotiations were coded for whether compromise outcomes were reached. Compromises were more likely when conflicts implicated physical harm and children reported experiencing sadness during their fights. Compromises were less likely when children believed that their sibling was solely culpable for a fight or they attributed more anger to self than to their sibling. Results also revealed various birth order, age group, and gender effects. Findings are discussed in light of moral domain theory, children's interpretive understanding of conflict, and goal‐based theories of emotions.
Parish apprenticeship and the old poor law in London
Authors: LEVENE ALYSA
Published: December 2009

This article offers an examination of the patterns and motivations behind parish apprenticeship in late eighteenth‐ and early nineteenth‐century London. It stresses continuity in outlook from parish officials binding children, which involved placements in both the traditional and industrializing sectors of the economy. Evidence on the ages, employment types, and locations of 3,285 pauper apprentices bound from different parts of London between 1767 and 1833 indicates a variety of local patterns. The analysis reveals a pattern of youthful age at binding, a range of employment experiences, and parish‐specific links to particular trades and manufactures.
Public Education Financing Trends and the Gray Peril Hypothesis
Authors: LAMBERT DAYTON M. , CLARK CHRISTOPHER D. , WILCOX MICHAEL D. , PARK WILLIAM M.
Published: December 2009

The effects of migrating seniors on the provision of local public services in rural communities is growing in importance because of the large number of retiring baby boomers and the increasing rate at which these retirees are locating outside traditional retirement destinations. Some communities are optimistic about attracting and retaining retirees as an economic development strategy, but others are concerned that inmigrating seniors may be reluctant to support local public services, such as education, bringing with them “Gray Peril.” This article attempts to clarify questions regarding the Gray Peril hypothesis and local ability and willingness to fund education in Tennessee, an increasingly popular retirement destination. To this end, county per pupil education expenditure growth is explained by growth trends in local property tax assessment and sales tax revenue, and migration patterns of the retirement‐aged population from 1962 to 2002.