bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Salinity-Dependent Switching of Osmolyte Strategies in a Moderately Halophilic Bacterium: Glutamate Induces Proline Biosynthesis in
Halobacillus halophilus
Authors: Saum Stephan H. , Müller Volker
Published: July 2007

The moderately halophilic bacterium
Halobacillus halophilus
copes with the salinity in its environment by the production of compatible solutes. At intermediate salinities of around 1 M NaCl, cells produce glutamate and glutamine in a chloride-dependent manner (S. H. Saum, J. F. Sydow, P. Palm, F. Pfeiffer, D. Oesterhelt, and V. Müller, J. Bacteriol. 188:6808-6815, 2006). Here, we report that
H. halophilus
switches its osmolyte strategy and produces proline as the dominant solute at higher salinities (2 to 3 M NaCl). The proline biosynthesis genes
proH
,
proJ
, and
proA
were identified. They form a transcriptional unit and encode the pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase, the glutamate-5-kinase, and the glutamate-5-semialdehyde dehydrogenase, respectively, catalyzing proline biosynthesis from glutamate. Expression of the genes was clearly salinity dependent and reached a maximum at 2.5 M NaCl, indicating that the
pro
operon is involved in salinity-induced proline biosynthesis. To address the role of anions in the process of
pro
gene activation and proline biosynthesis, we used a cell suspension system. Chloride salts lead to the highest accumulation of proline. Interestingly, chloride could be substituted to a large extent by glutamate salts. This unexpected finding was further analyzed on the transcriptional level. The cellular mRNA levels of all three
pro
genes were increased up to 90-fold in the presence of glutamate. A titration revealed that a minimal concentration of 0.2 M glutamate already stimulated
pro
gene expression. These data demonstrate that the solute glutamate is involved in the switch of osmolyte strategy from glutamate to proline as the dominant compatible solute during the transition from moderate to high salinity.
The invisible hand: how British American Tobacco precluded competition in Uzbekistan
Authors: Gilmore Anna B , McKee Martin , Collin Jeff
Published: July 2007

Background:Tobacco industry documents provide a unique opportunity to explore the role transnational corporations (TNCs) played in shaping the poor outcomes of privatisation in the former Soviet Union (FSU). This paper examines British American Tobacco’s (BAT’s) business conduct in Uzbekistan where large-scale smuggling of BAT’s cigarettes, BAT’s reversal of tobacco control legislation and its human rights abuses of tobacco farmers have been documented previously. This paper focuses, instead, on BAT’s attitude to competition, compares BAT’s conduct with international standards and assesses its influence on the privatisation process.

Methods:Analysis of BAT documents released through litigation.

Results:BAT secured sole negotiator status precluding the Uzbekistan government from initiating discussions with other parties. Recognising that a competitive tender would greatly increase the cost of investment, BAT went to great lengths to avoid one, ultimately securing President Karimov’s support and negotiating a monopoly position in a closed deal. It simultaneously secured exclusion from the monopolies committee, ensuring freedom to set prices, on the basis of a spurious argument that competition would exist from imports.

Other anticompetitive moves comprised including all three plants in the deal despite intending to close down two, exclusive dealing and implementing measures designed to prevent market entry by competitors. BAT also secured a large number of exemptions and privileges that further reduced the government’s revenue both on a one-off and ongoing basis.

Conclusions:BAT’s corporate misbehaviour included a wide number of anticompetitive practices, contravened Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development’s and BAT’s own business standards on competition and restricted revenue arising from privatisation. This suggests that TNCs have contributed to the failure of privatisation in the FSU. Conducting open tenders and using enforceable codes to regulate corporate conduct would help deal with some of the problems identified.
Second-hand tobacco smoke in public places in urban and rural China
Authors: Stillman Frances , Navas-Acien Ana , Ma Jiemin , Ma Shaojun , Avila-Tang Erika , Breysse Patrick , Yang Gonghuan , Samet Jonathan
Published: July 2007

Objective:To assess airborne nicotine concentrations as an indicator of second-hand smoke (SHS) exposure in public places in both urban and rural areas of China.

Design:Measurement of vapour-phase nicotine concentration using a common protocol in all locations. A total of 273 samplers were placed for 7 days in urban and rural areas of China, including Beijing and the capital city, and a county (rural) area of the following provinces: Sichuan (Chengdu/Mianzhu), Jiangxi (Nanchang/Anyi) and Henan (Zhengzhou/Xin’an).

Setting:Samplers were placed in hospitals, secondary schools, city government buildings, train stations, restaurants and entertainment establishments (internet cafes, mahjong parlours and karaoke bars) in each location.

Main outcome measure:The time-weighted average airborne concentration of nicotine (μg/m3) was measured by gas chromatography.

Results:Airborne nicotine was detected in 91% of the locations sampled. Beijing had the highest nicotine concentrations in most indoor environments (median 3.01 μg/m3) and Chengdu had the lowest concentrations (median 0.11 μg/m3). Overall, restaurants and entertainment establishments had the highest nicotine concentrations (median 2.17 and 7.48 μg/m3, respectively). High nicotine concentrations were also found in government buildings and in train stations.

Conclusions:The data collected in this study provide evidence that SHS exposure is frequent in public places in China. Environmental nicotine concentrations in China provide evidence for implementation and enforcement of smoke-free initiatives in public places in China and indicate the need for protecting the public from exposure to SHS.
Tobacco industry lawyers as “disease vectors”
Authors: Guardino Sara D , Daynard Richard A
Published: July 2007

Objective:Despite their obligation to do so, tobacco companies often failed to conduct product safety research or, when research was conducted, failed to disseminate the results to the medical community and to the public. The tobacco company lawyers’ role in these actions was investigated with a focus on their involvement in company scientific research, claims of attorney-client privilege and work-product cover, document concealment, and litigation tactics.

Methods:Searches of previously secret internal tobacco industry documents located at Tobacco Documents Online. Additional searches included court transcripts, legal cases and articles obtained through Westlaw, PubMed, and the internet.

Results:Tobacco company lawyers have been involved in activities having little or nothing to do with the practice of law, including gauging and attempting to influence company scientists’ beliefs, vetting in-house scientific research, and instructing in-house scientists not to publish potentially damaging results. Additionally, company lawyers have taken steps to manufacture attorney-client privilege and work-product cover to assist their clients in protecting sensitive documents from disclosure, have been involved in the concealment of such documents, and have employed litigation tactics that have largely prevented successful lawsuits against their client companies.

Conclusions:Tobacco related diseases have proliferated partly because of tobacco company lawyers. Their tactics have impeded the flow of information about the dangers of smoking to the public and the medical community. Additionally, their extravagantly aggressive litigation tactics have pushed many plaintiffs into dropping their cases before trial, thus reducing the opportunities for changes to be made to company policy in favour of public health. Stricter professional oversight is needed to ensure that this trend does not continue.
Occasional tobacco use among young adult women: a longitudinal analysis of smoking transitions
Authors: McDermott Liane , Dobson Annette , Owen Neville
Published: July 2007

Objective:To describe prospective transitions in smoking among young adult women who were occasional smokers, and the factors associated with these transitions, by comparing sociodemographic, lifestyle and psychosocial characteristics of those who changed from occasional smoking to daily smoking, non-daily smoking or non-smoking.

Design:Longitudinal study with mailed questionnaires.

Participants/setting:Women aged 18–23 years in 1996 were randomly selected from the Medicare Australia database, which provides the most complete list of people in Australia.

Main outcome measures:Self-reported smoking status at survey 1 (1996), survey 2 (2000) and survey 3 (2003), for 7510 participants who took part in all three surveys and who had complete data on smoking at survey 1.

Results:At survey 1, 28% (n = 2120) of all respondents reported smoking. Among the smokers, 39% (n = 829) were occasional smokers. Of these occasional smokers, 18% changed to daily smoking at survey 2 and remained daily smokers at survey 3; 12% reported non-daily smoking at surveys 2 and 3; 36% stopped smoking and remained non-smokers; and 33% moved between daily, non-daily and non-smoking over surveys 2 and 3. Over the whole 7-year period, approximately half stopped smoking, one-quarter changed to daily smoking and the remainder reported non-daily smoking. Multivariate analysis identified that a history of daily smoking for ⩾6 months at baseline predicted reversion to daily smoking at follow-up. Being single and using illicit drugs were also associated with change to daily or non-daily smoking, whereas alcohol consumption was associated with non-daily smoking only. Compared with stopping smoking, the change to daily smoking was significantly associated with having intermediate educational qualifications. No significant associations with depression and perceived stress were observed in the multivariate analysis.

Conclusions:Interventions to reduce the prevalence of smoking among young women need to take account of occasional smokers, who made up 39% of all smokers in this study. Targeted interventions to prevent the escalation to daily smoking and to promote cessation should allow for the social context of smoking with alcohol and other drugs, and social and environmental influences in vocational education and occupational settings.
Legislation reduces exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke in New Zealand bars by about 90%
Authors: Fernando Dinusha , Fowles Jefferson , Woodward Alistair , Christophersen Annemarie , Dickson Stuart , Hosking Matthew , Berezowski Richard , Lea Rod A
Published: July 2007

Aim:To measure exposure to second-hand smoke (SHS) in New Zealand bars before and after comprehensive smoke-free legislation enacted on 10 December 2004.

Methods:Cotinine is the main specific metabolite of nicotine and a well-established biomarker for SHS exposure. We measured cotinine levels in saliva of non-smoking volunteers before and after a 3 h visit to 30 randomly selected bars in 3 cities across the country. Two measures of cotinine before the smoke-free law change during winter and spring 2004, and two follow-up measurements in the same volunteers and venues during winter and spring 2005, were included.

Results:Before the smoke-free law change, in all bars and in all volunteers, exposure to SHS was evident with an average increase in saliva cotinine of 0.66 ng/ml (SE 0.03 ng/ml). Increases in cotinine correlated strongly with the volunteers’ subjective observation of ventilation, air quality and counts of lit cigarettes. However, even venues that were judged to be “seemingly smoke free” with “good ventilation” produced discernable levels of SHS exposure. After the law change, there remained some exposure to SHS, but at much lower levels (mean saliva cotinine increase of 0.08 ng/ml, SE 0.01 ng/ml). Smoking indoors in bars was almost totally eliminated: in 2005 only one lit cigarette was observed in 30 visits.

Conclusions:Comprehensive smoke-free legislation in New Zealand seems to have reduced exposure of bar patrons to SHS by about 90%. Residual exposures to SHS in bars do not result from illicit smoking indoors.
Implications of the federal court order banning the terms “light” and “mild”: what difference could it make?
Authors: Anderson Stacey J , Ling Pamela M , Glantz Stanton A
Published: July 2007

Federal District Judge Gladys Kessler found that the major American tobacco companies violated the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, defrauding the public by deceptively marketing “light” cigarettes. Judge Kessler’s ruling prohibits the defendant tobacco companies from implying health benefits through using misleading terms such as “light”, “mild” or “low-tar”, or through other indirect means. This ruling could be interpreted narrowly as simply prohibiting certain words, or could be interpreted broadly as prohibiting implying health benefits by any other means, including colour, numbers or images. It is important to include indirect communications, as tobacco companies easily circumvent narrow advertising bans. A narrow interpretation would be inconsistent with the court’s comprehensive factual findings of fraudulent intent by the industry. A broad interpretation of the Order, including existing brands, line extensions and new tobacco products such as potential reduced exposure products that are marketed as “cigarettes”, Judge Kessler’s order could make a substantial contribution to protecting health.
THE INDONESIAN ECONOMY: GROWTH, CRISIS AND RECOVERY
Authors: HILL HAL
Published: July 2007

Indonesia, Southeast Asia's most populous state and its largest economy, was deeply affected by the economic crisis of 1997–1998. Its economic contraction in 1998, of over 13%, was the sharpest among all four crisis-affected East Asian economies. This followed three decades of virtually uninterrupted, rapid economic growth. The country's economic crisis was accompanied by regime collapse, resulting in the departure of then President Suharto after 32 years of authoritarian rule. This paper examines the country's socioeconomic development in the decade since the crisis, in the context of the earlier growth, and the very different institutions of economic governance operating under the new democratic regime of weakened central authority and many more economic policy actors. The main conclusions are that growth and macroeconomic stability have been restored surprisingly quickly, but that microeconomic policy and the investment climate are less predictable.
ARE TAX CUTS EFFECTIVE EVEN IN ANTICIPATION OF A FUTURE TAX INCREASE? EVIDENCE FROM JAPAN'S UNIQUE EPISODES IN THE 1990S
Authors: HORI MASAHIRO , SHIMIZUTANI SATOSHI
Published: July 2007

This paper empirically investigates the effects of the 1995 and 1996 tax cuts in Japan. Both tax cuts were introduced to compensate consumers for an impending consumption tax rate increase from 3% to 5% in 1997. We use micro-level data of the Family Income and Expenditure Survey to evaluate effects of these tax cuts on household consumption, focusing on the differences between the two episodes. Our estimates indicate that the Ricardian equivalence largely holds. Only the 1995 tax cut distinctly stimulated consumption on its impact, while the 1996 tax cut had almost no effect on the consumption, presumably because it was implemented much closer to the coming tax increase.
BUDGET DEFICITS AND INTEREST RATES: THE US EVIDENCE SINCE 1946
Authors: QUAYES SHAKIL , JAMAL A. M. M.
Published: July 2007

Many economists believe that federal government's budget deficits result in higher interest rates. This increase in interest rates can stifle private investment and impede the real rate of economic growth for the economy. This paper examines the potential impact of federal budget deficits on long-term interest rates for corporate bonds. The study is based on post-war annual US data, and employs a standard demand-supply model. The empirical results in our study provide evidence that the increasing budget deficits lead to higher interest rate for corporate bonds. In this regard, our study supports arguments for the crowding out theory.
DOES TRADE IN INTERMEDIATE GOODS INCREASE OR DECREASE WAGE INEQUALITY?
Authors: CHENG WENLI , ZHANG DINGSHENG
Published: July 2007

This paper develops two models to study the impact of trade in intermediate goods on wage inequality between skilled and unskilled labor in a developed country and a developing country. The first model assumes symmetric production technologies in the intermediate good. It predicts that trade in the intermediate good will increase wage inequality in the developed country, but decrease wage inequality in the developing country. The second model assumes asymmetric technologies in the intermediate good. It predicts that trade in the intermediate good can lead to an increase in wage inequality in both the developed country and the developing country.
STRENGTHENING INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS GLOBALLY: IMPACT ON INDIA'S PHARMACEUTICAL EXPORTS
Authors: PRADHAN JAYA PRAKASH
Published: July 2007

This paper examines the impact of stronger protection for intellectual property on the exports of a technologically imitative country such as India. The Indian experience in pharmaceutical exports can further add to the existing literature, which is otherwise largely limited to the experience of OECD countries and the USA. The empirical analysis suggests that even an imitative developing country's exports need not be negatively affected by strengthening patent regime globally, and in fact, in the case of pharmaceuticals, India stands to benefit from market expansion effects. However, this finding in the case of pharmaceutical products cannot be argued to hold for other sectors of the Indian economy, and any generalization on overall impact of stronger patent regime on aggregate exports from the Indian economy must be based on further sectoral studies.
THE SCARCITY OF ENVIRONMENTAL CAPITAL AND ECONOMIC GROWTH: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF AUSTRALIA AND THE UNITED STATES
Authors: THAMPAPILLAI DODO J.
Published: July 2007

The paper employs a methodology that enables the elicitation of the price and quantity of environmental capital (KN) at an aggregate macroeconomic level. The stock of KN considered here is confined to the air-shed of an economy that gets utilized in the process of economic growth. A time series study of the prices and quantities of KN enables an appreciation of the changing value of nature in economic growth. Despite improvements in the rate of utilization of KN, there is insufficient evidence of decreasing scarcity of KN in the case of both Australia and the United States.
LOCAL HIGH-ORDER ABSORBING BOUNDARY CONDITIONS FOR TIME-DEPENDENT WAVES IN GUIDES
Authors: HAGSTROM THOMAS , DE CASTRO MANUELA L. , GIVOLI DAN , TZEMACH DINA
Published: July 2007

The scalar wave equation in a two-dimensional semi-infinite wave guide is considered. The recently proposed Hagstrom–Warburton (H–W) local high-order absorbing boundary conditions (ABCs), which are based on a modification of the Higdon ABCs, are presented in this context. The P-order ABC involves the free parameters 0 < aj ≤ 1, for j = 0, 1, …, P, which have to be chosen. The choice aj = 1 for all j is shown to be satisfactory, in general, although not necessarily optimal. The optimal choice of the parameters is discussed via both theoretical analysis and numerical experiments. In addition, an adaptive scheme which controls the time-varying values of P and aj is presented and tested.
USE OF RIGID REFLECTORS FOR THE VIRTUAL INCREASE OF FIELD DATA IN THE NEAR-FIELD ACOUSTICAL HOLOGRAPHY
Authors: KIM SUNG-IL , IH JEONG-GUON , JEONG JI-HOON
Published: July 2007

This paper suggests the use of rigid reflectors to provide additional information for source reconstruction in near-field acoustical holography based on the inverse boundary element method. The additional field pressure and transfer matrix equations introduced provide a virtual increase in the measurement data without increasing the number of sensors or altering their arrangement, which could cost more than using reflectors. In order to validate this method, we successfully reconstruct a vibrating ellipse.
NONLINEAR APPROACH TO APPROXIMATE ACOUSTIC BOUNDARY ADMITTANCE IN CAVITIES
Authors: ANDERSSOHN ROBERT , MARBURG STEFFEN
Published: July 2007

In this paper, an algorithm is derived to solve a problem of inverse acoustics. It considers the damped acoustic boundary value problem, i.e. the Helmholtz equation and admittance boundary condition, in order to approximate the boundary admittance of interior domains. The algorithm is implemented by using a finite element method and tested for two-dimensional cavities with arbitrary shapes. The admittance condition is reconstructed based on sound pressure measurements. The solution of the arising nonlinear system of equations is obtained by applying the Newton method following a presetting method for finding reasonable initial boundary admittance values. A residual norm accounts for the objective function. Its first- and second-order sensitivities are determined analytically by using a modal decomposition in order to avoid direct inversion of the system matrix. The experiment is simulated by taking sound pressure data of the forward solution as inputs for the inverse problem. Test examples show that very few measurement points are necessary to reproduce piecewise constant boundary admittance values very accurately. Then, the admittance boundary condition is applied to reproduce the sound pressure distribution in the cavity. Again, it becomes obvious that only a few measurement points are required to reconstruct the sound pressure field.
ALTERNATE INTEGRAL-FORMULATION METHOD FOR PREDICTING ACOUSTIC RADIATION
Authors: NI ZHI , WU SEAN
Published: July 2007

Algorithms for an alternative integral-formulation method (AIM) are developed for predicting acoustic radiation from an arbitrary source in a free field. The main advantages of these algorithms are that the solution is always unique and the efficiency in numerical computations is very high. The input data to these algorithms consist of the normal and tangential components of the particle velocities that are specified on a hypothetical surface enclosing the source, and output data are the acoustic quantities that include the acoustic pressure, particle velocity, and acoustic intensity on and beyond the enclosure. To speed up the numerical computations, the Dijistra algorithm is adopted that searches automatically the shortest path between two neighboring nodes in carrying out line integral. Experiments in both interior and exterior regions are conducted, and the predicted acoustic pressure is checked against the benchmark value measured at the same location. The efficiency of AIM is examined and compared with that of conventional boundary element method (BEM) based Helmholtz integral formulations.
STABILIZED DISCONTINUOUS GALERKIN METHODS FOR FLOW–SOUND INTERACTION
Authors: RICHTER ANDREAS , STILLER JÖRG , GRUNDMANN ROGER
Published: July 2007

The wave propagation in musical instruments is considered. A high-order discontinuous Galerkin method for solving the Euler equations is presented, and an alternative concept for supplying local non-reflecting boundary conditions is introduced. This concept is based on local extrapolation in conjunction with a stabilizing slope limiting. The practicability of this method is discussed via numerical tests, and the results are compared with classical characteristic boundary treatment. Investigations of wave propagation phenomena in musical instruments like the bassoon are performed, and the results are presented.
MULTI CRITERIA QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF PRODUCTS BY INTEGRATED DEA-PCA APPROACH
Authors: AZADEH A. , GHADERI S. F. , FAZLI AHMADABAD M.
Published: July 2007

The objective of this study is to analyze and assess multi criteria quality of products by an integrated multivariate approach. The integrated multivariate method is based on data envelopment analysis (DEA), principle component analysis (PCA) and numerical taxonomy (NT). To achieve the objective of this study 51-product quality indicators were identified. These indicators (inputs and outputs) were classified as direct and indirect product quality indices and they were classified according to balanced score card (BSC) arrangements. To show the applicability of the proposed approach, five random indicators were considered for seventeen workshops within a large machinery manufacturer. Moreover, PCA, DEA and NT were applied to the set of data. Furthermore, PCA and NT are used to verify and validate the findings of DEA. The results (ranking) of the three approaches were then compared by non-parametric Spearman and Kendall Tau correlation techniques. The results of the non-parametric analysis show should high level of correlation between the three approaches. Previous studies evaluate quality characteristics based on a set of selected criteria that does not reflect total quality characteristics, whereas this study proposes a total multi criteria quality approach to overcome these shortcomings. Moreover, this is the first study to utilize and apply an integrated multivariate approach based on DEA, PCA and Numerical Taxonomy for assessment, ranking and verification and validation of industrial units based on multi criteria quality characteristics. This means that DEA is used for ranking, PCA is used for evaluation of the importance of each indicator and NT is used for validation and verification purpose. The approach of this study may be applied to other manufacturers for total quality assessment of quality characteristics.
RELIABILITY ANALYSIS OF PROJECT AND PRODUCT TYPE SOFTWARE IN OPERATIONAL PHASE INCORPORATING THE EFFECT OF FAULT REMOVAL EFFICIENCY
Authors: KAPUR P. K. , GUPTA ANSHU , JHA P. C.
Published: July 2007

Since the early 1970's numerous Software Reliability Growth Models (SRGM) have been proposed in the literature to estimate the software reliability measures such as the remaining number of faults, failure rate and reliability growth during the testing phase. These models are applied to the software testing data collected during the testing phase and then are often used to predict the software failures in operational phase. In practice simulating mirror image of the diverse testing environment representative of the operational environment is difficult in practice and hence the simulated testing environment during the testing phase may not be similar to the conditions that exist in the operational phase. During testing phase testing is performed under a controlled environment whereas during the operational phase failure phenomenon depends on the operational environment and usage of software. Therefore an SRGM developed for the testing phase is not suitable for estimating the reliability growth during the operational phase. In this paper, we propose a generalized Software Reliability Growth Model, which can be used to estimate number of faults during the testing phase and can be easily extended to the operation phase. In the testing phase, it is appropriate to estimate the reliability growth with respect to the amount of testing resources spent on testing whereas in the operational phase the amount of effort to be spent on removing a fault reported by a user is fixed by the developer. The number of failures detected and hence the reliability growth during the user phase depends on the usage of software. The proposed model appropriately incorporates these changes. Further we categorize the software into two-categories- (a) project and (b) product type software. Appropriate usage functions are linked to both project and product type software. To describe the fault removal phenomenon, imperfect debugging environment is incorporated into the model building. The paper highlights an interdisciplinary mathematical modeling approach in Software Reliability Engineering and Marketing. The proposed model is validated for both phases using the software failure data sets obtained from different sources. Model describes the failure phenomenon for these data sets fairly.
DEPLOYING CUSTOMER REQUIREMENTS VIA FOUR-STAGE TEAM APPROACH IN BUSINESS PLANNING
Authors: PAPIC LJUBISA
Published: July 2007

Expansion of world economy brings changes in the way of thinking which can be seen in customers' demands. This directly influences the increase in demands at designing of a new or modifications of the existing products. Quality Function Deployment is a method directed towards revealing customers' wishes, which guarantees that these wishes have a positive effect on the product design and on the development of manufacturing process. Using and interpreting certain surveys of different types in the right way, additional advantages can be achieved in increasing of competitiveness in free markets. The most significant advantage is the possibility of using those specialists' expressions most often used by potential customers. Another problem of market experts and designers is translation from the "language" of customers to the "language" of quality characteristics. This problem is solved by using quality matrixes called the "house of quality" by Japanese. The "house of quality" is very appropriate and clear form of concise presenting of numerous data which refer to quality analysis, planning and decision making. Basically speaking the method of quality function deployment serves to improve customers' satisfaction with the product quality. What can this method contribute in comparison with already achieved results by using traditional methods in quality improvement? In this way the enterprise gets connected with its customers, and within the enterprise itself communication among different departments is improved so the new product has real chances to satisfy demands and needs of the customers. Taking into account that method of quality function deployment uses customers' demands as input data it means that the enterprise understands customers better and their understanding of product quality. Thus, even in the phase of planning, awareness of what should be done is raised in order to increase the degree of customers' satisfaction. Four-stage quality function deployment process in the automotive industry implemented and presented in the paper. A car represents a very complex product. A great number of parts, diversity of applicable materials, numerous and complex technology processes in manufacturing, on the one side, as well as a lot of demands from developed and less developed markets, on the other hand, make car manufacturing very complex in production, economic, and technological sense. Quality Function Deployment method can be used at designing of a new car, but also at solving of some of the existing problems. When carrying out reliability testing we came to the opening of the engine lid during driving the tested car. Taking into account that it was nonconformity which endangers traffic safety, the analysis of the stated problem was carried outimmediately.
PRIORITIZING FEEDERS FOR MAINTENANCE ACTIVITIES USING AHP IN NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
Authors: SRIVIDYA A. , SURESH H. N.
Published: July 2007

The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) is a powerful and flexible decision making process to help people set priorities and make the best decision when both qualitative and quantitative aspects are to be considered. In this paper, a procedure of prioritizing the outlet feeders under multiple criteria using Saaty's priority theory is presented. In priority theory, weights are assigned to the decision criteria via pair wise comparison of criteria. Seven outlet feeders (alternatives) and three decision criteria have been considered and the prioritization process is illustrated with an example case.
ON OPTIMUM MODULE SIZE FOR SOFTWARE INSPECTIONS
Authors: JALOTE PANKAJ , MITTAL ASHOK K. , PRAJAPAT RAM GOPAL
Published: July 2007

Inspection is widely believed to be one of the most cost-effective methods for detection of defects in the work products produced during software development. However, the inspection process, by its very nature, is labor intensive and for delivering value, they have to be properly executed and controlled. While controlling the inspection process, the inspection module size is a key control parameter. Larger module size can lead to an increased leakage of defects which increases the cost since rework in the subsequent phases is more expensive. Small module size reduces the defect leakage but increases the number of inspections. In this paper, we formulate a cost model for an inspection process using which the total cost can be minimized. We then use the technique of Design of Experiments to study how the optimum module size varies with some of the key parameters of the inspection process, and determine the optimum module size for different situations.
Frontiers in glucagon-like peptide-2: multiple actions, multiple mediators
Authors: Dubé Philip E. , Brubaker Patricia L.
Published: July 2007

Glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) is a pleiotropic hormone that affects multiple facets of intestinal physiology, including growth, barrier function, digestion, absorption, motility, and blood flow. The mechanisms through which GLP-2 produces these actions are complex, involving unique signaling mechanisms and multiple indirect mediators. As clinical trials have begun for the use of GLP-2 in a variety of intestinal disorders, the elucidation of such mechanisms is vital. The GLP-2 receptor (GLP-2R) is a G protein-coupled receptor, signaling through multiple G proteins to affect the cAMP and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways, leading to both proliferative and antiapoptotic cellular responses. The GLP-2R also demonstrates unique mechanisms for receptor trafficking. Expression of the GLP-2R in discrete sets of intestinal cells, including endocrine cells, subepithelial myofibroblasts, and enteric neurons, has led to the hypothesis that GLP-2 acts indirectly through multiple mediators to produce its biological effects. Indeed, several studies have now provided important mechanistic data illustrating several of the indirect pathways of GLP-2 action. Thus, insulin-like growth factor I has been demonstrated to be required for GLP-2-induced crypt cell proliferation, likely involving activation of β-catenin signaling. Furthermore, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide modulates the actions of GLP-2 in models of intestinal inflammation, while keratinocyte growth factor is required for GLP-2-induced colonic mucosal growth and mucin expression. Finally, enteric neural GLP-2R signaling affects intestinal blood flow through a nitric oxide-dependent mechanism. Determining how GLP-2 produces its full range of biological effects, which mediators are involved, and how these mediators interact is a continuing area of active research.
Role of α1β1-integrin in arterial stiffness and angiotensin-induced arterial wall hypertrophy in mice
Authors: Louis Huguette , Kakou Augustine , Regnault Veronique , Labat Carlos , Bressenot Aude , Gao-Li Jacqueline , Gardner Humphrey , Thornton Simon N. , Challande Pascal , Li Zhenlin , Lacolley Patrick
Published: July 2007

We examined the arterial phenotype of mice lacking α1-integrin (α1−/−) at baseline and after 4 wk of ANG II or norepinephrine (NE) administration. Arterial mechanical properties were determined in the carotid artery (CA). Integrin expression, MAPK kinases, and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) were assessed in the aorta. No change in arterial pressure was observed in α1−/−mice. Elastic modulus-wall stress curves were similar in α1−/−and α1+/+animals, indicating no change in arterial stiffness. The rupture pressure was lower in α1−/−mice, demonstrating decreased mechanical strength. Lack of α1-integrin was accompanied by an increase in β1-, αv-, and α5-integrins but no change in α2-integrin. ANG II increased medial cross-sectional area of the CA in α1+/+, but not α1−/−, mice, whereas equivalent pressor doses of NE did not produce a significant increase in either group. In α1+/+mice, ANG II induced α1-integrin expression and smooth muscle cell (SMC) hypertrophy in the CA in association with increased aortic expression of α-smooth muscle actin and smooth muscle myosin heavy chain and phosphorylation of ERK1/2, p38 MAPK, and FAK. ANG II did not induce SMC hypertrophy or phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and FAK in α1−/−mice. A functional anti-α1-integrin antibody inhibited in vitro the ANG II-induced phosphorylation of FAK and p38 MAPK. In conclusion, α1−/−mice exhibit a reduced mechanical strength at baseline and a lack of ANG II-induced SMC hypertrophy. These results emphasize the importance of α1β1-integrin in p38 MAPK and FAK phosphorylation during vascular hypertrophy in response to ANG II.
Trophic effects induced by α1D-adrenoceptors on endothelial cells are potentiated by hypoxia
Authors: Vinci Maria Cristina , Bellik Lydia , Filippi Sandra , Ledda Fabrizio , Parenti Astrid
Published: July 2007

Catecholamines have been shown to be involved in vascular remodeling through the stimulation of α1-adrenoceptors (α1-ARs). Recently, it has been demonstrated that catecholamines can stimulate angiogenesis in pathological conditions, even if the mechanisms and the AR subtypes involved still remain unclear. We investigated the influence of hypoxia (3% O2) on the ability of picomolar concentrations of phenylephrine (PHE), which are unable to induce any vascular contraction, to induce a trophic effect in human endothelial cells through stimulation of the α1D-subtype ARs. PHE, at picomolar concentrations, significantly promoted pseudocapillary formation from fragments of human mature vessels in vitro. Exposure to hypoxia significantly potentiated this effect, which was inhibited by the selective α1D-AR antagonist BMY-7378 and by the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor l-NAME, suggesting that α1D-ARs were involved in this effect through activation of the nitric oxide pathway. Proliferation and migration of HUVEC were also affected by picomolar PHE concentrations. Again, these effects were significantly potentiated in cells exposed to hypoxia and were inhibited by BMY-7378 and by NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester. Conversely, the α1A-AR-selective antagonist ( S)-(+)-niguldipine hydrochloride and the α1B-AR antagonist chloroethylclonidine dihydrochloride did not modify endothelial cell migration and proliferation in response to PHE. These results demonstrate that the stimulation of α1D-ARs, triggered by picomolar PHE concentrations devoid of any contractile vascular effects, induces a proangiogenic phenotype in human endothelial cells that is enhanced in a hypoxic environment. The role of α1D-ARs may become more prominent in the adaptive responses to hypoxic vasculature injury.
Cutaneous neuronal nitric oxide is specifically decreased in postural tachycardia syndrome
Authors: Stewart Julian M. , Medow Marvin S. , Minson Christopher T. , Taneja Indu
Published: July 2007

Low flow postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS), is associated with reduced nitric oxide (NO) activity assumed to be of endothelial origin. We tested the hypothesis that cutaneous microvascular neuronal NO (nNO) is impaired, rather than endothelial NO (eNO), in POTS. We performed three sets of experiments on subjects aged 22.5 ± 2 yr. We used laser-Doppler flowmetry response to sequentially increase acetylcholine (ACh) doses and the local cutaneous heating response of the calf as bioassays for NO. During local heating we showed that when the selective neuronal nNO synthase (nNOS) inhibitor Nω-nitro-l-arginine-2,4-l-diaminobutyric amide ( Nω, 10 mM) was delivered by intradermal microdialysis, cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC) decreased by an amount equivalent to the largest reduction produced by the nonselective NO synthase (NOS) inhibitor nitro-l-arginine (NLA, 10 mM). We demonstrated that the response to ACh was minimally attenuated by nNOS blockade using Nωbut markedly attenuated by NLA, indicating that eNO largely comprises the receptor-mediated NO release by ACh. We further demonstrated that the ACh dose response was minimally reduced, whereas local heat-mediated NO-dependent responses were markedly reduced in POTS compared with control subjects. This is consistent with intact endothelial function and reduced NO of neuronal origin in POTS. The local heating response was highly attenuated in POTS [60 ± 6 percent maximum CVC(%CVCmax)] compared with control (90 ± 4 %CVCmax), but the plateau response decreased to the same level with nNOS inhibition (50 ± 3 %CVCmaxin POTS compared with 47 ± 2 %CVCmax), indicating reduced nNO bioavailability in POTS patients. The data suggest that nNO activity but not NO of endothelial NOS origin is reduced in low-flow POTS.
Kv1.5 potassium channel gene regulation by Sp1 transcription factor and oxidative stress
Authors: Fountain Samuel J. , Cheong Alex , Li Jing , Dondas Naciye Y. , Zeng Fanning , Wood Ian C. , Beech David J.
Published: July 2007

KV1.5, a voltage-gated potassium channel, has functional importance in regulating blood vessel tone and cardiac action potentials and is a target for numerous therapeutic drug development programs. Despite the importance of KV1.5, there is little knowledge of the mechanisms controlling expression of its underlying gene, Kcna5. We identified a 5′ flanking region of the murine Kcna5 gene that drives expression of a luciferase reporter gene in primary smooth muscle cells and a smooth muscle cell line. The promoter contained CACCC nucleotide motifs, which we have shown to bind the Sp1 transcription factor in the aorta under physiological conditions in vivo. Inhibition of Sp1- Kcna5 promoter interactions using mithramycin A, a dominant-negative Sp1 mutant, or disruption of the CACCC boxes by mutagenesis inhibited promoter activity. Conversely, expression of exogenous Sp1 augmented promoter activity. Sp1 has known sensitivity to oxidative stress and, consistent with this property, Kcna5 promoter activity was suppressed by hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress. Our results show that Kcna5 promoter activity in vascular smooth muscle is critically dependent on Sp1 regulation via CACCC box motifs and identify mechanisms that potentially influence the expression of KV1.5 channel expression in physiological or pathological conditions.
Skeletal myoblasts transplanted in the ischemic myocardium enhance in situ oxygenation and recovery of contractile function
Authors: Khan Mahmood , Kutala Vijay Kumar , Vikram Deepti S. , Wisel Sheik , Chacko Simi M. , Kuppusamy M. Lakshmi , Mohan Iyyapu K. , Zweier Jay L. , Kwiatkowski Pawel , Kuppusamy Periannan
Published: July 2007

It is unclear whether oxygen plays a role in stem cell therapy. Hence, the determination of local oxygenation (Po2) in the infarct heart and at the site of transplantation may be critical to study the efficacy of cell therapy. To demonstrate this, we have developed an oxygen-sensing paramagnetic spin probes (OxySpin) to monitor oxygenation in the region of cell transplantation using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. Skeletal myoblast (SM) cells isolated from thigh muscle biopsies of mice were labeled with OxySpin by coculturing the cells with submicron-sized (270 ± 120 nm) particulates of the probe. Myocardial infarction was created by left coronary artery ligation in mice. Immediately after ligation, labeled SM cells were transplanted in the ischemic region of the heart. The engraftment of the transplanted cells and in situ Po2in the heart were monitored weekly for 4 wk. EPR measurements revealed the retention of cells in the infarcted tissue. The myocardial Po2at the site of SM cell therapy was significantly higher compared with the untreated group throughout the 4-wk period. Histological studies revealed differentiation and engraftment of SM cells into myotubes and increased incidence of neovascularization in the infarct region. The infarct size in the treated group was significantly decreased, whereas echocardiography showed an overall improvement in cardiac function when compared with untreated hearts. To our knowledge, this the first report detailing changes in in situ oxygenation in cell therapy. The increased myocardial Po2positively correlated with neoangiogenesis and cardiac function.
CB2-receptor stimulation attenuates TNF-α-induced human endothelial cell activation, transendothelial migration of monocytes, and monocyte-endothelial adhesion
Authors: Rajesh Mohanraj , Mukhopadhyay Partha , Bátkai Sándor , Haskó György , Liaudet Lucas , Huffman John W. , Csiszar Anna , Ungvari Zoltan , Mackie Ken , Chatterjee Subroto , Pacher Pál
Published: July 2007

Targeting cannabinoid-2 (CB2) receptors with selective agonists may represent a novel therapeutic avenue in various inflammatory diseases, but the mechanisms by which CB2 activation exerts its anti-inflammatory effects and the cellular targets are elusive. Here, we investigated the effects of CB2-receptor activation on TNF-α-induced signal transduction in human coronary artery endothelial cells in vitro and on endotoxin-induced vascular inflammatory response in vivo. TNF-α induced NF-κB and RhoA activation and upregulation of adhesion molecules ICAM-1 and VCAM-1, increased expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein, enhanced transendothelial migration of monocytes, and augmented monocyte-endothelial adhesion. Remarkably, all of the above-mentioned effects of TNF-α were attenuated by CB2 agonists. CB2 agonists also decreased the TNF-α- and/or endotoxin-induced ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expression in isolated aortas and the adhesion of monocytes to aortic vascular endothelium. CB1 and CB2 receptors were detectable in human coronary artery endothelial cells by Western blotting, RT-PCR, real-time PCR, and immunofluorescence staining. Because the above-mentioned TNF-α-induced phenotypic changes are critical in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis and restenosis, our findings suggest that targeting CB2 receptors on endothelial cells may offer a novel approach in the treatment of these pathologies.
Serotonin increases L-type Ca2+ current and SR Ca2+ content through 5-HT4 receptors in failing rat ventricular cardiomyocytes
Authors: Birkeland Jon Arne Kro , Swift Fredrik , Tovsrud Nils , Enger Ulla , Lunde Per Kristian , Qvigstad Eirik , Levy Finn Olav , Sejersted Ole M. , Sjaastad Ivar
Published: July 2007

Rats with congestive heart failure (CHF) develop ventricular inotropic responsiveness to serotonin (5-HT), mediated through 5-HT2A and 5-HT4 receptors. Human ventricle is similarly responsive to 5-HT through 5-HT4 receptors. We studied isolated ventricular cardiomyocytes to clarify the effects of 5-HT on intracellular Ca2+ handling. Left-ventricular cardiomyocytes were isolated from male Wistar rats 6 wk after induction of postinfarction CHF. Contractile function and Ca2+ transients were measured in field-stimulated cardiomyocytes, and L-type Ca2+ current ( ICa,L) and sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ content were measured in voltage-clamped cells. Protein phosphorylation was measured by Western blotting or phosphoprotein gel staining. 5-HT4- and 5-HT2A-receptor stimulation induced a positive inotropic response of 33 and 18% (both P < 0.05) and also increased the Ca2+ transient (44 and 6%, respectively; both P < 0.05). ICa,L and SR Ca2+ content increased only after 5-HT4-receptor stimulation (57 and 65%; both P < 0.05). Phospholamban serine16 (PLB-Ser16) and troponin I phosphorylation increased by 26 and 13% after 5-HT4-receptor stimulation ( P < 0.05). 5-HT2A-receptor stimulation increased the action potential duration and did not significantly change the phosphorylation of PLB-Ser16 or troponin I, but it increased myosin light chain 2 (MLC2) phosphorylation. In conclusion, the positive inotropic response to 5-HT4 stimulation results from increased ICa,L and increased phosphorylation of PLB-Ser16, which increases the SR Ca2+ content. 5-HT4 stimulation is thus, like β-adrenoceptor stimulation, possibly energetically unfavorable in CHF. 5-HT2A-receptor stimulation, previously studied in acute CHF, induces a positive inotropic response also in chronic CHF, probably mediated by MLC2 phosphorylation.