bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
AnImaginedDrama ofCompetitiveOpposition inCarter'sScrivo inVento,withNotes onNarrative, Symmetry, QuantitativeFlux andHeraclitus
Authors: MAILMAN JOSHUA B.
Published: April 2011

Carter's music poses struggles of opposition, for instance in timbre (Double Concerto), space (String Quartet No. 3) or pulse (String Quartet No. 5). His preference for the all‐interval tetrachords, 4–Z15 [0, 1, 4, 6] and 4–Z29 [0, 1, 3, 7], is also well known. From these facets of Carter's music, I develop a narrative interpretation of his Petrarch sonnet–inspired solo flute piece,Scrivo in Vento(1991). Specifically, I forge narrative pathways by imagining the two tetrachords as active agents opposed in competition. PreviousScrivoanalyses (Capuzzo 2002;Childs 2006) stress continuity by revealing Q‐transforms and common‐note voice leading between the tetrachords. While acknowledging such features, my analysis emphasises oppositional struggle by tracing the tetrachords as separate entities which cooperate and conflict as they manoeuvre to outdo each other.

The analysis advances three theses: (1) it guides listening to and readingScrivoin a way which resonates with Carter's concern for the aesthetics of oppositional struggle, his choice of a sonnet as inspiration and his affinity for all‐interval tetrachords; (2) it shows that music‐analytical detail can be organised into dramatic narratives by (a) projecting dramatic roles onto categories asserted by a formal theory and (b) treating the formal theory's relations metaphorically as actions performed by each role as the musical work unfolds; and (3) it shows how detailed pc‐set analysis can support a Heraclitean view of music: a flux of opposing forces seeking and resisting unity.
Steadily Increasing Control: The Professionalization of Mass Death
Authors: Stoney Christopher , Scanlon Joseph , Kramar Kirsten , Peckmann Tanya , Brown Ian , Cormier Cynthia Lynn , van Haastert Coen
Published: April 2011

Recent mass death incidents in Japan and Haiti have again focused attention on the challenge of dealing with large numbers of dead. Focusing on mass death incidents involving large numbers of Canadian victims, including the Titanic, Halifax explosion, Air India bombing and the 2004 Tsunami, the paper researches incidents dating back to the beginning of the 20th Century. By examining each stage of the process including initial response, identification, funerals, communication, religious services and inquests, the paper identifies key changes in the way that mass death incidents are handled. For example, the research identifies greater professionalization and state control of mass death incidents, increased reliance on experts and technology and increased emphasis on accurate identification, through forensics, and causes, through inquests and inquiries.
Genetic control of plant organ growth
Authors: Johnson Kim , Lenhard Michael
Published: April 2011

The growth of plant organs is under genetic control. Work in model species has identified a considerable number of genes that regulate different aspects of organ growth. This has led to an increasingly detailed knowledge about how the basic cellular processes underlying organ growth are controlled, and which factors determine when proliferation gives way to expansion, with this transition emerging as a critical decision point during primordium growth. Progress has been made in elucidating the genetic basis of allometric growth and the role of tissue polarity in shaping organs. We are also beginning to understand how the mechanisms that determine organ identity influence local growth behaviour to generate organs with characteristic sizes and shapes. Lastly, growth needs to be coordinated at several levels, for example between different cell layers and different regions within one organ, and the genetic basis for such coordination is being elucidated. However, despite these impressive advances, a number of basic questions are still not fully answered, for example, whether and how a growing primordium keeps track of its size. Answering these questions will likely depend on including additional approaches that are gaining in power and popularity, such as combined live imaging and modelling.

Contents

Summary
319

I.
Introduction
320

II.
The cell biology and biophysics of growth
320

III.
Timing is everything: what determines when proliferation gives way to expansion?
323

IV.
Anisotropic growth and the importance of polarity
325

V.
How does organ identity and developmental patterning modulate growth behaviour?
326

VI.
Coordination of growth at different scales
327

VII.
Conclusions
329

Acknowledgements
329

References
330
Neuroinflammatory and behavioural changes in the Atp7B mutant mouse model of Wilson’s disease
Authors: Terwel Dick , Löschmann Yi‐Na , Schmidt Hartmut H.‐J. , Schöler Hans R. , Cantz Tobias , Heneka Michael T.
Published: April 2011

J. Neurochem. (2011) 10.1111/j.1471‐4159.2011.07278.x

Wilson’s disease (WD) is caused by mutations in the copper transporting ATPase 7B (Atp7b). Patients present with liver pathology or behavioural disturbances. Studies on rodent models for WD so far mainly focussed on liver, not brain. The effect of knockout of atp7b on sensori‐motor and cognitive behaviour, as well as neuronal number, inflammatory markers, copper and synaptic proteins in brain were studied in so‐called toxic milk mice. Copper accumulated in striatum and hippocampus of toxic milk mice, but not in cerebral cortex. Inflammatory markers were increased in striatum and corpus callosum, but not in cerebral cortex and hippocampus, whereas neuronal numbers were unchanged. Toxic milk mice were mildly impaired in the rotarod and cylinder test and unable to acquire spatial memory in the Morris water maze. Despite the latter observation only synaptophysin of a number of synaptic proteins, was altered in the hippocampus of toxic milk mice. In addition to disturbances in neuronal signalling by increased brain copper, inflammation and inflammatory signalling from the periphery to the brain might add to the behavioural disturbances in the toxic milk mice. These mice can be used to evaluate therapeutic strategies to alleviate behavioural disturbances and cerebral pathology observed in WD.
NMDA receptor regulates migration of newly generated neurons in the adult hippocampus via Disrupted‐In‐Schizophrenia 1 (DISC1)
Authors: Namba Takashi , Ming Guo‐li , Song Hongjun , Waga Chikako , Enomoto Atsushi , Kaibuchi Kozo , Kohsaka Shinichi , Uchino Shigeo
Published: April 2011

J. Neurochem. (2011) 10.1111/j.1471‐4159.2011.07282.x

In the mammalian brain, new neurons are continuously generated throughout life in the dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus. Previous studies have established that newborn neurons migrate a short distance to be integrated into a pre‐existing neuronal circuit in the hippocampus. How the migration of newborn neurons is governed by extracellular signals, however, has not been fully understood. Here, we report that NMDA receptor (NMDA‐R)‐mediated signaling is essential for the proper migration and positioning of newborn neurons in the DG. An intraperitoneal injection of the NMDA‐R antagonists, memantine, or 3‐(2‐carboxypiperazin‐4‐yl)propyl‐1‐phosphonic acid (CPP) into adult male mice caused the aberrant positioning of newborn neurons, resulting in the overextension of their migration in the DG. Interestingly, we revealed that the administration of NMDA‐R antagonists leads to a decrease in the expression of Disrupted‐In‐Schizophrenia 1 (DISC1), a candidate susceptibility gene for major psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, which is also known as a critical regulator of neuronal migration in the DG. Furthermore, the overextended migration of newborn neurons induced by the NMDA‐R antagonists was significantly rescued by exogenous expression of DISC1. Collectively, these results suggest that the NMDA‐R signaling pathway governs the migration of newborn neurons via the regulation of DISC1 expression in the DG.
Detection of tumour necrosis factor‐alpha in dogs with lymphoma*
Authors: Hofer J. , DeFrancesco T. C. , Williams L. E.
Published: April 2011

Tumour necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) production by malignant lymphoblasts has been identifiedin vitroandin vivoin mice and humans, respectively. The goals of this study were (1) to evaluate a novel single‐sample TNF‐αassay and (2) to determine whether TNF‐αis increased in dogs with lymphoma prior to and following treatment. Canine TNF‐αwas analysed concurrently using the novel Siemens Immulite®single‐sample automated ELISA and the previously validated Quantikine®standard ELISA. Serum from dogs with lymphoma and from breed‐, age‐ and gender‐matched control dogs was evaluated at two time points. Three of 25 (12%) dogs with lymphoma had detectable TNF‐αat diagnosis, whereas none had detectable TNF‐αfollowing complete or partial remission. TNF‐αwas not detectable in control dogs. Despite 91% homology between human and canine TNF‐α, the Immulite®automated ELISA failed to detect canine TNF‐α. Serum TNF‐αappears to have limited value as a tumour marker in dogs with lymphoma.
The local pathology of interstitial edema: Surface tension increases hydration potential in heat‐damaged skin
Authors: McGee Maria P. , Morykwas Michael J. , Argenta Louis C.
Published: April 2011

The local pathogenesis of interstitial edema in burns is incompletely understood. This ex vivo study investigates the forces mediating water‐transfer in and out of heat‐denatured interstitial matrix. Experimentally, full‐thickness dermal samples are heated progressively to disrupt glycosaminoglycans, kill cells, and denature collagen under conditions that prevent water loss/gain; subsequently, a battery of complementary techniques including among others, high‐resolution magnetic resonance imaging, equilibrium vapor pressure and osmotic stress are used to compare water‐potential parameters of nonheated and heated dermis. The hydration potential (HP) determined by osmotic stress is a measure of the total water‐potential defined empirically as the pressure at which no net water influx/efflux into/from the dermis is detected. Results show that after heat denaturation, the HP, the intensity of T2‐weighed magnetic resonance images, and the vapor pressure increase indicating higher water activity and necessarily, smaller contributions from colloidosmotic forces to fluid influx in burned relative to healthy dermis. Concomitant increases in HP and in water activity implicate local changes in interfacial and metabolic energy as the source of excess fluid‐transfer potential. These ex vivo findings also show that these additional forces contributing to abnormal fluid‐transfer in burned skin develop independently of inflammatory and systemic hydrodynamic responses.
Using Tournaments to Reduce Agency Problems: The Case of Franchising
Authors: Gillis William E. , McEwan Ellen , Crook T. Russell , Michael Steven C.
Published: April 2011

Anecdotal evidence suggests that franchisors use multiunit franchising to reward franchisees. In this paper, we model multiunit franchising as the reward in a tournament—one solution to the franchising agency problem. We use a unique database of 68 restaurant franchisors and find support for the tournament model. Franchisors that seek franchisees with managerial experience and franchisors that build routines to share knowledge use more multiunit franchising. Also, franchisors that grow faster use more multiunit franchising than franchisors that grow more slowly, suggesting that faster–growing franchisors use multiunit franchising as a reward in a tournament to reduce agency problems.
Hyperbaric oxygen improves ultraviolet B irradiation‐induced melanin pigmentation and diminishes senile spot size
Authors: Nishizaka Takahiro , Nomura Tomoko , Sano Tomohiko , Higuchi Kazuhiko , Nagatomo Fumiko , Ishihara Akihiko
Published: April 2011

Background: The effects of exposure to hyperbaric oxygen on ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation‐induced melanin pigmentations of skins and on senile spot sizes of faces were investigated.

Methods: In the first experiment, male subjects were irradiated with UVB on their upper arms for inducing erythema and the subsequent melanin pigmentation. They were exposed to a hyperbaric environment at 1.25 atmospheres absolute (ATA) with 32% oxygen for 1 h/day, three times per week. In the second experiment, female subjects were exposed to a hyperbaric environment at 1.25 ATA with 32% oxygen for 1 h/day, two times per week.

Results: In the first experiment, melanin pigmentations lightened after 4 weeks of exposure to hyperbaric oxygen. In the second experiment, senile spot sizes became small after 12 weeks of exposure to hyperbaric oxygen.

Conclusion: We concluded that exposure to hyperbaric oxygen used in this study accelerates both the fading in melanin pigmentation and the decrease in senile spot size.
Sun‐induced changes of stratum corneum hydration vary with age and gender in a normal Chinese population
Authors: Liu Zhili , Song Shunpeng , Luo Wenhai , Elias Peter M. , Man Mao‐Qiang
Published: April 2011

Background/objectives: Previous studies have demonstrated that sun‐induced alteration of epidermal permeability barrier function varies with gender and age. In the present study, we assess the stratum corneum (SC) hydration in sun‐exposed males and females.

Methods: A total of 168 subjects (84 males and 84 females) aged 19–75 years were enrolled. A multifunctional skin physiology monitor was used to measure SC hydration.

Results: In comparison with non‐sun exposure, sun exposure does not cause a significant change in SC hydration in either young males or young females, whereas in aged females, a significant reduction of SC hydration is seen on the forehead and the dorsal hand of sun‐exposed subjects. SC hydration on the canthus of both aged males and aged females is significantly lower than that of young subjects. Additionally, SC hydration on the dorsal hand of aged females is also significantly lower as compared with young females. Sun‐induced reduction of SC hydration is more evident on the dorsal hand of aged females than that of males (P<0.001). Moreover, the SC rehydration capacity is significantly lower in sun‐exposed aged females than in age‐matched males.

Conclusion: These results demonstrated that sun‐induced changes of the SC hydration property vary with age and gender.
Effects of the feeding of wild Yeso sika deer (Cervus nippon yesoensis) on the prevention of damage due to bark stripping and the use of feeding sites
Authors: MASUKO Takayoshi , SOUMA Kousaku , KUDO Hirofumi , TAKASAKI Yukari , FUKUI Emi , KITAZAWA Reiko , NISHIDA Rikihiro , NIIDA Toshimitsu , SUZUKI Teiji , NIBE Akio
Published: April 2011

Feeding sites for wild Yeso sika deer around Lake Akan, Japan, were established. Effects on the number of deer using the feeding sites, the prevention of bark stripping damage, the amount of feeding, and eating time in a 5‐year period (1999–2003) were evaluated. The number of deer using feeding sites increased with years during the feeding period. The damaged tree ratio after the initiation of feeding markedly decreased compared with 16.5% before the initiation of feeding. After the start of feeding, there were no trees with damage the entire circumference. According to tree species, the number of damaged trees of Ulmus laciniata Mayr as a percentage of all investigated trees was high (5.2%). The total amount of beet pulp feeding increased with the feeding year, showing 4.5‐fold increase. At feeding sites in deer culling, eating behavior was observed during the night. The preventive effects on bark stripping damage continued during the 5‐year feeding period. However, with the course of feeding years, the number of deer using feeding sites and the level of feeding increased.
Family Ownership and the International Involvement of Taiwan's High-Technology Firms: The Moderating Effect of High-Discretion Organizational Slack
Authors: Liu Yunshi , Lin Wen-Ting , Cheng Kuei-Yang
Published: April 2011

This study examined the combined effect of family ownership and high-discretion organizational slack on the international involvement of Taiwanese firms. Employing a sample of 179 publicly listed high-tech firms in Taiwan over a period of 6 years (2000–2005), we found that firms with high levels of international involvement, that is, a higher degree of internationalization, (i) were not closely held, and (ii) were not excessively controlled by the family. Further, high-discretion organizational slack (indicated by resources that can be deployed in a flexible fashion such as in cash and receivables) moderated the negative relationship between family control and international involvement. This relationship is stronger with a higher level of high-discretion slack. The results support the hypothesis that family control and high-discretion organizational slack negatively influence the decision to internationalize.
An Analysis of the Potential Impact of Decoupled Payments: An Irish Case Study  Une analyse de l’impact potentiel des paiements découplés : une étude de cas irlandaise  Eine Analyse der potenziellen Auswirkung von entkoppelten Zahlungen: Eine Fallstudie aus Irland
Authors: Howley Peter , Donnellan Trevor , Hanrahan Kevin
Published: April 2011

summary

An Analysis of the Potential Impact of Decoupled Payments: An Irish Case Study

Decoupled payments are in the World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) ‘green box’ of agriculture‐related subsidies and thus must adhere to the fundamental requirement that the policy has no, or at most minimal, trade‐distorting effects. The question as to whether decoupled payments affect production is an important issue in the context of international trade, as these payments can be exempt from WTO limits if they have none or at most, minimal, trade distorting effects. Using a dynamic multi‐product partial equilibrium model, this article provides projections for cereal and beef production in Ireland between 2005 and 2020 under the alternate assumptions of full (decoupled payments have the same impact as output prices) and zero (decoupled payments have no impact on production) coupling. The projections from the model were then compared with actual real market data in Ireland. The results suggest that if decoupled payments are treated by farmers as being ‘truly’ decoupled then there is likely to be a substantial decline in agricultural production in Ireland. Our model results suggest, however, that grain and cattle farmers in Ireland do not consider these payments as fully decoupled which calls into question the appropriateness of decoupled payments being included as a ‘green box’ policy.
Conjunctivochalasis: associations with pinguecula in a hospital‐based study
Authors: Mimura Tatsuya , Mori Mikiro , Obata Hiroto , Usui Tomohiko , Yamagami Satoru , Funatsu Hideharu , Noma Hidetaka , Amano Shiro
Published: April 2011

Purpose:  To assess the relationship between the prevalence and severity of conjunctivochalasis and pinguecula.

Methods:  Cross‐sectional, consecutive case study conducted at the university hospital of University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine. A total of 1061 patients aged from 1 to 94 years were enrolled. The grade and other parameters of conjunctivochalasis (classified into three locations: nasal, middle and temporal) and the grade of pinguecula located on the nasal or temporal conjunctiva were determined in all subjects. Patients were also divided into 5 or 10 age groups.

Results:  The severity of conjunctivochalasis affecting the nasal and temporal bulbar conjunctiva was significantly correlated with the grade of pinguecula located on the nasal and temporal conjunctiva in each age group (p < 0.05). Pinguecula was independently associated with conjunctivochalasis (nasal: odds ratio [OR] = 1.44; temporal: OR = 1.43) after adjustment for age.

Conclusion:  This was the first assessment of the relation between the grade of conjunctivochalasis and pinguecula in a large consecutive series of patients. Our results suggest that the prevalence and severity of conjunctivochalasis are related to the presence of pinguecula.
Local and regional factors influencing bacterial community assembly
Authors: Lindström Eva S. , Langenheder Silke
Published: April 2011

The classical view states that microbial biogeography is not affected by dispersal barriers or historical events, but only influenced by the local contemporary habitat conditions (species sorting). This has been challenged during recent years by studies suggesting that also regional factors such as mass effect, dispersal limitation and neutral assembly are important for the composition of local bacterial communities. Here we summarize results from biogeography studies in different environments, i.e. in marine, freshwater and soil as well in human hosts. Species sorting appears to be the most important mechanism. However, this result might be biased since this is the mechanism that is easiest to measure, detect and interpret. Hence, the importance of regional factors may have been underestimated. Moreover, our survey indicates that different assembly mechanisms might be important for different parts of the total community, differing, for example, between generalists and specialists, and between taxa of different dispersal ability and motility. We conclude that there is a clear need for experimental studies, first, to clearly separate regional and local factors in order to study their relative importance, and second, to test whether there are differences in assembly mechanisms depending on different taxonomic or functional groups.
Conflicted Corporates: Rethinking the Role of Business in Global Security
Authors: Martin Mary
Published: April 2011

Corporate responsibility and the social behaviour of transnational business towards vulnerable individuals have become a significant part of the global governance agenda, yet an emphasis on self‐regulation and the proliferation of different voluntary codes of conduct have produced disappointing results. At the same time there is a lack of systematic effort to engage transnational companies (TNCs) in comprehensive approaches to conflict and securing successful transitions to peace. The article argues for a back‐to‐basics step of re‐examining the complex roles companies play in conflict‐affected societies and proposes a human security perspective to address gaps in the current conceptualisation of corporate responsibility and to develop policy which constrains and conscripts corporate power more effectively in fragile environments. The article draws on two case studies of international business in conflict‐affected areas to illustrate how a human security approach might indicate new avenues for policy making.

Policy Implications

 A commitment should be made by the UN and the EU to involve business in their initiatives at both strategic and tactical levels to ensure that conflict resolution programmes are not unwittingly undermined by TNCs.

 A multi‐actor forum should be created involving the UN Special Representative, states, civil society and TNCs to extend the Ruggie agenda, monitor and advise on specific cases of conflict and transition, from a human security perspective.

 To address the lack of awareness by companies of the impact of their activities, training in conflict sensitivity, human rights and human security should be developed for senior management as well as operatives on the ground. To enhance comprehensive and multilateral approaches, TNCs should be trained alongside other civilian and military actors in conflict zones.

 Ethical and human rights audits of companies should be expanded to include human security principles in conflict zones.

 Programmes should be developed to help local community awareness of TNC behaviour and assist them cognitively as well as financially and legally in holding TNCs to account.
Computing with Nilpotent Orbits in Simple Lie Algebras of Exceptional Type
Authors: de Graaf Willem A.
Published: April 2011

Let G be a simple algebraic group over an algebraically closed field with Lie algebra g. Then the orbits of nilpotent elements of g under the adjoint action of G have been classified. We describe a simple algorithm for finding a representative of a nilpotent orbit. We use this to compute lists of representatives of these orbits for the Lie algebras of exceptional type. Then we give two applications. The first one concerns settling a conjecture by Elashvili on the index of centralizers of nilpotent orbits, for the case where the Lie algebra is of exceptional type. The second deals with minimal dimensions of centralizers in centralizers.
Modeling Species Inhibition of NO Oxidation in Urea-SCR Catalysts for Diesel Engine NOx Control
Authors: Devarakonda Maruthi , Tonkyn Russell , Tran Diana , Lee Jong , Herling Darrell
Published: April 2011

Urea-selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalysts are regarded as the leading NOx aftertreatment technology to meet the 2010 NOx emission standards for on-highway vehicles running on heavy duty diesel engines. However, issues such as low NOx conversion at low temperature conditions still exist due to various factors, including incomplete urea thermolysis, inhibition of SCR reactions by hydrocarbons, and H2O. We have observed a noticeable reduction in the standard SCR reaction efficiency at low temperature with increasing water content. We observed a similar effect when hydrocarbons are present in the stream. This effect is absent under fast SCR conditions where NO∼NO2 in the feed gas. As a first step in understanding the effects of such inhibition on SCR reaction steps, kinetic models that predict the inhibition behavior of H2O and hydrocarbons on NO oxidation are presented in the paper. A one-dimensional SCR model was developed based on the conservation of species equations and was coded as a C-language S-function and implemented in MATLAB/SIMULINK environment. NO oxidation and NO2 dissociation kinetics were defined as a function of the respective adsorbate’s storage in the Fe–zeolite SCR catalyst. The corresponding kinetic models were then validated on temperature ramp tests that showed good match with the test data. Such inhibition models will improve the accuracy of the model based control design for integrated diesel particulate filter-SCR aftertreatment systems.
Microchannels With Manufacturing Roughness Levels
Authors: Weaver S. A. , Barringer M. D. , Thole K. A.
Published: April 2011

There are heat transfer advantages to reducing the size of channels used for internal cooling gas turbine components. As channel sizes decrease, however, there are concerns as to how manufacturing surface roughness may affect the channels’ expected pressure drop and heat transfer. For microchannel size scales, in particular, there is relatively little data indicating the effect of manufacturing roughness levels. The focus of this paper is to describe the development and validation of a testing method for microchannels as well as to determine the effect of manufacturing roughness levels on these small channels. Convective heat transfer coefficients and friction factors were deduced based on measured flow conditions and known boundary conditions. It was shown that at an average roughness height of 6.1 μm, which corresponded to 2.2% of the channel height, heat transfer was augmented by 1.1–1.2, while the friction factor was augmented significantly more by 2.1–2.6 over a smooth channel.
Selective, Nickel-Catalyzed Hydrogenolysis of Aryl Ethers
Authors: Sergeev Alexey G. , Hartwig John F.
Published: April 2011

A catalyst that cleaves aryl-oxygen bonds but not carbon-carbon bonds may help improve lignin processing.
High-Performance Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Reduction Derived from Polyaniline, Iron, and Cobalt
Authors: Wu Gang , More Karren L. , Johnston Christina M. , Zelenay Piotr
Published: April 2011

Fuel cell catalysts synthesized from abundant metals approach the performance and durability of platinum at lower cost.
Progranulin Resolves Inflammation
Authors: Wu Hao , Siegel Richard M.
Published: April 2011

A molecule binds to a cytokine receptor and limits the cytokine from eliciting inflammatory responses by immune cells.
Are Telomere Tests Ready for Prime Time?
Authors: Leslie Mitch
Published: April 2011

Companies are offering tests to gauge the length of telomeres, which they say may foretell our health. But some researchers question how useful they will be.
Searching for Syphilis's Origins
Authors: Lawler Andrew
Published: April 2011

Researchers reported at the Society for American Archaeology meeting that they have pinpointed the presence of bejel, a relative of syphilis, in the New World before Columbus—and that the wrecks of Japanese junks suggest a mechanism for its transmission from Asia to North America.
Evaluation of a Diagnostic Algorithm for Acute Q Fever in an Outbreak Setting
Authors: Jager Mischa M. , Weers-Pothoff Gezina , Hermans Mirjam H. A. , Meekelenkamp Jamie C. E. , Schellekens Jeroen J. A. , Renders Nicole H. M. , Leenders Alexander C. A. P. , Schneeberger Peter M. , Wever Peter C.
Published: April 2011

In the peak of the 2009 Q fever outbreak in the Netherlands, we introduced a diagnostic algorithm for acute Q fever with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for immunoglobulin M antibodies toCoxiella burnetiiphase II antigens (MII screen) as an initial step. Subsequently, an immunofluorescence assay or PCR was performed depending on the MII screen outcome, date of onset of disease, and inpatient or outpatient setting. The impact of MII screen on the number of immunofluorescence assays performed and the contribution of PCR to diagnosis were retrospectively evaluated in 825 patients referred in a 17-day period. Acute Q fever was diagnosed in 256 patients. The introduction of MII screen reduced the number of immunofluorescence assays performed by more than 80%. In 103 patients, PCR analysis contributed to the diagnosis of acute Q fever. Q fever diagnostics were hampered by the fact that for a high number of patients the date of onset of disease was not provided and the requested follow-up serum samples were not received.
Comparative Study of Immune Status to Infectious Agents in Elderly Patients with Multiple Myeloma, Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia, and Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance
Authors: Karlsson Johanna , Andréasson Björn , Kondori Nahid , Erman Evelina , Riesbeck Kristian , Hogevik Harriet , Wennerås Christine
Published: April 2011

Whereas patients with multiple myeloma (MM) have a well-documented susceptibility to infections, this has been less studied in other B-cell disorders, such as Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia (WM) and monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). We investigated the humoral immunity to 24 different pathogens in elderly patients with MM (n= 25), WM (n= 16), and MGUS (n= 18) and in age-matched controls (n= 20). Antibody titers against pneumococci, staphylococcal alpha-toxin, tetanus and diphtheria toxoids, and varicella, mumps, and rubella viruses were most depressed in MM patients, next to lowest in WM and MGUS patients, and highest in the controls. In contrast, levels of antibodies specific for staphylococcal teichoic acid,Moraxella catarrhalis, candida, aspergillus, and measles virus were similarly decreased in MM and MGUS patients. Comparable titers in all study groups were seen againstHaemophilus influenzaetype b (Hib), borrelia, toxoplasma, and members of the herpesvirus family. Finally, a uniform lack of antibodies was noted againstStreptococcus pyogenes, salmonella, yersinia, brucella, francisella, and herpes simplex virus type 2. To conclude, although MM patients displayed the most depressed humoral immunity, significantly decreased antibody levels were also evident in patients with WM and MGUS, particularly againstStaphylococcus aureus, pneumococci, and varicella. Conversely, immunity was retained for Hib and certain herpesviruses in all study groups.
Rapid Decline of OspC Borreliacidal Antibodies following Treatment of Patients with Early Lyme Disease
Authors: Jobe Dean A. , Kowalski Todd J. , Bloemke Marissa , Lovrich S. D. , Callister Steven M.
Published: April 2011

We determined whether the levels of OspC borreliacidal antibodies declined following treatment of early Lyme disease and whether the OspC7 peptide enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) could be used as an alternative test for detecting the response. Serum samples were collected from 37 subjects at the onset of illness and 2 and 6 months after treatment with doxycycline. The ELISA detected IgM and IgG OspC7 antibodies within 2 months in 18 (49%) and 5 (14%) sera, respectively. Moreover, the sera from 12 subjects who tested positive by the ELISA also showed borreliacidal activity which was completely abrogated when the antibodies to OspC7 were removed. The borreliacidal activity decreased greater than 4-fold in each seropositive patient within 6 months after treatment, and the findings were accurately predicted by the IgM ELISA. The results confirmed that the ELISA was an effective alternative for detection of OspC borreliacidal antibodies produced during early Lyme disease in humans and also provided strong evidence that a significant decline in the response coincides with successful treatment of the illness.
Identification of False-Positive Syphilis Antibody Results Using a Semiquantitative Algorithm
Authors: Yen-Lieberman Belinda , Daniel Juliet , Means Cathy , Waletzky Joan , Daly Thomas M.
Published: April 2011

Screening patients for syphilis serology using a “treponemal assay-first” approach presents unique challenges, particularly when applied to low-prevalence populations. The use of a screening algorithm that incorporates semiquantitative values from treponemal antibody test results can help to identify potential false-positive results while requiring a minimum of repeat testing.
False-Positive Plasmodium falciparum Histidine-Rich Protein 2 Immunocapture Assay Results for Acute Schistosomiasis Caused by Schistosoma mekongi
Authors: Leshem Eyal , Keller Nathan , Guthman Daphna , Grossman Tamar , Solomon Michal , Marva Esther , Schwartz Eli
Published: April 2011

We report seven cases of false-positive
Plasmodium falciparum
histidine-rich protein 2 (PfHRP2) malaria assay results in patients with acute schistosomiasis caused by
Schistosoma mekongi
. PfHRP2 assays were negative in travelers infected with
Schistosoma mansoni
or
Schistosoma haematobium
(
n
= 13). Malaria was ruled out and rheumatoid factor was negative in all patients.
Performance of the BD GeneOhm MRSA Achromopeptidase Assay for Real-Time PCR Detection of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Nasal Specimens
Authors: Patel Parul A. , Ledeboer Nathan A. , Ginocchio Christine C. , Condon Susan , Bouchard Stephanie , Qin Peibing , Karchmer Tobi , Peterson Lance R.
Published: April 2011

We evaluated the BD GeneOhm MRSA achromopeptidase (ACP) assay, which incorporates a new specimen preparation approach. A total of 1,216 leftover nasal samples were tested; using culture as the gold standard, the sensitivity and specificity were 92% and 94.6%, respectively. The new lysis method provides good sensitivity and simplifies specimen preparation.
Comparison of Two Multiplex Methods for Detection of Respiratory Viruses: FilmArray RP and xTAG RVP
Authors: Rand Kenneth H. , Rampersaud Howard , Houck Herbert J.
Published: April 2011

We compared the FilmArray RP (Idaho Technology, Inc., Salt Lake City, UT) and the xTAG RVP (Luminex Corporation, Toronto, Canada) multiplex respiratory virus PCR methods for the detection of respiratory viruses in a set of 200 patient specimens frozen at −70°C after standard viral culture and antigen detection methods were done. Both systems detected between 40 to 50% more viruses than traditional methods, primarily rhinoviruses and human metapneumovirus. The FilmArray RP detected significantly more total viruses either alone or as part of mixed infections than the xTAG RVP, as well as an additional 21.6% more respiratory syncytial viruses. The xTAG RVP requires 5 to 6 h with 2.5 to 3 h of hands-on time, while the FilmArray RP takes about an hour with 3 to 5 min of hands-on time, making it much easier to perform.
Moral erosion: how can medical professionals safeguard against the slippery slope?
Authors: Liebowitz Jason
Published: April 2011

The extensive participation of German physicians in the atrocities of the Holocaust raises many questions concerning the potential for moral erosion in medicine. What circumstances and methods of rationalisation allowed doctors to turn from healers into accomplices of genocide? Are physicians still vulnerable to corruption of their guiding principles and, if so, what can be done to prevent this process from occurring? With these thoughts in mind, the author reflects on his experiences participating in the Fellowships at Auschwitz for the Study of Professional Ethics program and offers a medical student's perspective on the ethical issues encountered in clinical training and the practice of medicine.
MODIFIED CHARGE FLUCTUATION NOISE MODEL FOR ELECTROLYTE-INSULATOR-SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES
Authors: GASPARYAN F. V. , VITUSEVICH S. A. , OFFENHÄUSSER A. , SCHÖNING M. J.
Published: April 2011

A modified charge fluctuation low-frequency noise model for an electrolyte-insulator-semiconductor (EIS) structure is developed. Physical processes in the semiconductor, insulator and electrolyte medium responsible for low-frequency charge fluctuation are discussed based on an electrical equivalent scheme for the EIS structure. Noise spectral density dependence on charge concentration fluctuation related to processes on the electrolyte-insulator, insulator-semiconductor interfaces and bulk semiconductor are analyzed.
GENERALIZED QUANTUM TWO-QUBIT STATE SHARING VIA POSITIVE OPERATOR-VALUED MEASURE
Authors: WANG ZHANG-YIN , YANG XING-QIANG
Published: April 2011

By using a proper positive operator-valued measure (POVM), we present a new scheme for probabilistically implementing quantum state sharing of an arbitrary unknown two-qubit state with two non-maximally entangled three-qubit states. In this paper, the sender Alice averagely partitions its unknown original state with two Bell-state measurements and publishes her measurement results via a classical channel. Then by performing a proper POVM, it is shown that either of the two agents Bob or Charlie can recover the original state in a probabilistic manner provided that he/she gets another one's help. Lastly, we concisely generalize the tripartite scheme to a multi-party case.
A MULTI-AGENT STRATEGY FOR A SIMPLE COOPERATIVE BEHAVIOR
Authors: DJEBRANI SALIMA , ABDESSEMED FOUDIL , BENALI ABDERRAOUF
Published: April 2011

This paper presents an application of the multi-agent system approach to mobile manipulators that cooperate to achieve displacement of heavy and large objects. Therefore, the task is distributed between agents, and each agent offers and negotiates its services that help in accomplishing the mission. The multi-agent system has been developed using the oRis platform. The main components of such a system include communication and negotiation protocols. Hence we present the behavior of robots, their interaction, and their behavior toward obstacles. Computer simulations are conducted in order to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed approach.
DISPERSION STUDY OF AXIALLY SYMMETRIC WAVES IN CYLINDRICAL BONE FILLED WITH MARROW
Authors: REDDY P. MALLA , RANI B. SANDHYA , TAJUDDIN M.
Published: April 2011

Bone filled with marrow is modeled as poroelastic bore filled with a fluid in the frame work of Biot's theory in wave propagation phenomena. Axially symmetric unattentuated waves are considered. Frequency equations are derived in the cases of permeable boundary and impermeable boundary, and are found to be dispersive. The existing data of bony materials has been exploited. Phase velocity versus ratio of wavelength to bone diameter curves are plotted. From this model and analytical results, some conclusions are drawn.
AN EFFICIENT PARTIAL DOMAIN ENRICHED ELEMENT-FREE GALERKIN METHOD CRITERION FOR CRACKS IN NONCONVEX DOMAINS
Authors: SINGH I. V. , MISHRA B. K. , PANT MOHIT
Published: April 2011

In the present work, an efficient partial domain, intrinsic, enriched element-free Galerkin criterion has been extended to simulate the cracks lying in nonconvex domains. According to this criterion, only a part of the domain near the crack tip has been enriched. A linear ramp function has been used to avoid the sudden truncation of the enrichment effect. Some cases of cracks lying in convex as well as in nonconvex domains have been solved by both full and partial domain enrichment criteria under plane stress conditions. For the cracks lying in convex domain, the results obtained by full domain enrichment criterion are found in good agreement with those obtained by partial domain enrichment criterion, whereas for cracks lying in nonconvex domain, the results obtained by full domain enrichment criterion are found to be misleading. The partial domain enrichment not only accurately simulates the cracks in nonconvex domains but also reduces the computational cost of the method.
Impact of Dot-Size and Dot-Location Variations on Capacitance–Voltage Characteristics and Flat-Band Voltage Shift of Quantum-Dot Non-Volatile Memory Cells
Authors: Omura Yasuhisa , Horikawa Yuta
Published: April 2011

This article performs three-dimensional simulations to analyze capacitance versus voltage (C–V) characteristics of metal–oxide–semiconductor (MOS) capacitors including nano-scale Si quantum dots inside the insulator. It is anticipated that performance of nonvolatile memory in use of Si quantum dots is strongly influenced by the dot-size variation, the dot-depth variation, and the dot-layout variation. Accordingly, the impacts of the variation in the physical parameters of Si quantum dots on C–V characteristics are simulated assuming symmetric and asymmetric distributions of the physical parameters. It is shown that the C–V characteristics of a MOS capacitor with Si quantum dots whose depths are somewhat distributed can be approximately estimated by assuming that the Si quantum dots are uniformly allocated with averaged depth. It is also revealed that the impact of the size variation of quantum dots on the C–V characteristics becomes more significant as the average size of the quantum dots increases. On the other hand, it is demonstrated that the C–V characteristics of a MOS capacitor having Si quantum dots with a certain size variation can be well reproduced by summing some typical capacitance components that are weighed with the quantum dot size distribution function. It is revealed that in-plane variation of quantum dot allocation yields a weak impact on the C–V characteristic. Quantum mechanical simulations suggest that reverse engineering can be applied to analysis of the variation of quantum dot size and depth.
Transparent Cell for Protein Crystallization under Low Applied Voltage
Authors: Wakamatsu Takashi , Ohnishi Yuuki
Published: April 2011

A transparent cell with the ability to apply a uniform internal electric field has been designed for protein crystallization. The parallel configuration of two plate electrodes coated with transparent conductive films provides a cell where the growth of protein crystals can be observed. In addition, the electrodes allow the formation of parallel electric fields in the protein solution, which can be applied at a very low voltage so that the electrolysis of the solution does not occur.
Changes in fetal ovine metabolism and oxygen delivery with fetal bypass
Authors: Lam Christopher T. , Baker R. Scott , Clark Kenneth E. , Eghtesady Pirooz
Published: April 2011

Since the 1980s, attempts at experimental fetal cardiac bypass for the purpose of correcting severe congenital heart defects in the womb have been hampered by deterioration of placental function. This placental pathophysiology in turn affects transplacental transport of nutrients and gas exchange. To date, the effects of bypass on fetal metabolism and oxygen delivery have not been studied. Nine Suffolk sheep fetuses from 109–121 days gestation were instrumented and placed on fetal bypass for 30 min and followed postbypass for 2 h. Blood gases, glucose, and lactate were serially measured in the fetal arterial and umbilical venous circulations throughout the procedure. Insulin and glucagon levels were serially measured by immunoassay in fetal plasma. Fetal-placental hemodynamics were measured continuously. The expression of glycogen content was examined in fetal liver. Oxygen delivery to the fetus and fetal oxygen consumption were significantly deranged after the conduct of bypass (in-group ANOVA ( P = 0.001) and overall contrast ( P = 0.072) with planned contrast ( P < 0.05) for delivery and consumption, respectively). There were significant alterations in fetal glucose metabolism in the postbypass period; however, insulin and glucagon levels did not change. Fetal liver glycogen content appeared lower after bypass. This is the first report documenting fetal metabolic dysregulation that occurs in response to the conduct of fetal bypass. The significant alterations in fetal oxygen and glucose delivery coupled with hepatic glycogen depletion complicate and impede fetal recovery. These initial findings warrant further investigation of interventions to restore metabolic and hemodynamic homeostasis after fetal bypass.
Regulation of the expression of the avian uncoupling protein 3 by isoproterenol and fatty acids in chick myoblasts: possible involvement of AMPK and PPARα?
Authors: Joubert Romain , Métayer-Coustard Sonia , Crochet Sabine , Cailleau-Audouin Estelle , Dupont Joëlle , Duclos Michel Jacques , Tesseraud Sophie , Collin Anne
Published: April 2011

The avian uncoupling protein 3 (UCP3), mainly expressed in muscle tissue, could be involved in fatty acid (FA) metabolism, limitation of reactive oxygen species production, and/or nonshivering thermogenesis. We recently demonstrated that UCP3 mRNA expression was increased by isoproterenol (Iso), a β-agonist, in chicken Pectoralis major. This upregulation was associated with changes in FA metabolism and variations in the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and in the expression of the transcription factors peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)α, PPARβ/δ, and PPARγ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α). The aim of the present study was to elucidate the mechanisms involving AMPK and PPARα in UCP3 regulation in primary cultures of chick myoblasts. Avian UCP3 mRNA expression, associated with p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) activation, was increased by Iso and/or FAs. The PKA pathway mediated the effects of Iso on UCP3 expression. FA stimulation also led to AMPK activation. Furthermore, the direct involvement of AMPK on UCP3 regulation was shown by using 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxyamide ribonucleoside and Compound C. The use of the p38 MAPK inhibitor SB202190, which was associated with AMPK activation, also dramatically enhanced UCP3 mRNA expression. Finally the PPARα agonist WY-14643 strongly increased UCP3 mRNA expression. This study highlights the control of UCP3 expression by the β-adrenergic system and FA in chick myoblasts and demonstrates that its expression is directly regulated by AMPK and by PPARα. Overexpression of avian UCP3 might modulate energy utilization or limit oxidative stress when mitochondrial metabolism of FA is triggered by catecholamines.