bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
EFFECT OF APHOLATE AND HEMPA ON NUCLEIC ACID AND PROTEIN SYNTHESES IN THE YELLOW‐FEVER MOSQUITO
Authors: PILLAI M. K. K. , AGARWAL HARI C.
Published: April 2011

The growth curve, nucleic acid and protein content of the various life stages of Aedes aegypti were studied. The larvae of this mosquito were treated with sterilizing doses of the chemosterilants apholate and hempa, and their effects on the above parameters were also investigated. The body‐weight increased gradually in the earlier instars and showed a sharp rise from late‐fourth instar to the pupa. Adults weighed less than the pupae Females weighed more than the males. In the controls, DNA and RNA content generally followed the growth curve. RNA content was more than DNA up to the late‐fourth instar and the ratio reversed in the later stages. Protein content also followed the growth curve except in adult female, where it was more than in the pupa. In general the treatment with the chemosterilants. apholate and hempa did not seem to alter RNA, DNA and protein content in the whole insect.

DIE WIRKUNG VON APHOLATE UND HEMPA AUF NUKLEINSÄURE‐ UND PROTEIN‐SYNTHESEN BEI DER GELBFIEBER‐MÜCKE

Wachstumskurve, Nukleinsäure‐ und Eiweißgehalt verschiedener Entwicklungsstadien der Gelbfieber‐Mücke, Aedes aegypti, wurden untersucht. Die Larven dieser Mücke wurden mit sterilisierenden Dosen der Chemosterilantia Apholate und Hempa behandelt und ihre Wirkungen auf die genannten Parameter geprüft. Das Körpergewicht nahm in den frühen Stadien allmählich zu und zeigte vom Ende des 4. Stadiums bis zur Puppe einen steilen Anstieg. Adulte wogen weniger als die Puppen, Weibchen mehr als Männchen. In den Kontrollen folgte der DNS‐ und RNS‐Gehalt im allgemeinen der Wachstumskurve. Der RNS‐Gehalt war bis zum späten 4. Stadium größer als der DNS‐Gehalt, in den späteren Stadien kehrte sich das Verhältnis um. Der Eiweißgehalt folgte ebenfalls der Wachstumskurve mit Ausnahme bei den Weibchen, wo er höher war als in der Puppe. Im allgemeinen schien die Behandlung mit den Chemosterilantien Apholate und Hempa den RNS‐, DNS‐ und Eiweißgehalt im ganzen Insekt nicht zu verändern.
SOME PROPERTIES OF SALIVARY AMYLASES OF ADELPHOCORIS SUTURALIS (MIRIDAE), DOLYCORIS BACCARUM (PENTATOMIDAE), AND SEVERAL OTHER HETEROPTERAN SPECIES1
Authors: HORI K.
Published: April 2011

Some properties of salivary amylases of the adults of Adelphocoris suturalis Jakovlev and Dolycoris baccarum L. were studied in vitro and compared with those of several other heteropteran species. The reducing sugar produced by the action of the salivary amylase of D. baccarum increased in proportion to substrate concentration while the concentration was relatively low (below 0.67% in its final concentration). Its increase stopped at the concentrations from 0.67 to 2.0%, and then it increased again constantly but slowly. The optimum temperature for the action of the enzyme was found to be about 50° (in A. suturalis) and about 40° (in D. baccarum), and the optimal pH was 3.5–4.0 in A. suturalis and 6.0 in D. baccarum. The salivary amylase activity of D. baccarum was scarcely affected by NaCl, KNOA3, and other compounds, while the salivary amylase of A. suturalis was strongly activated by NaCl and moderately by KNOA3. It seems highly probable that taxonomically related heteropterous insects might well be grouped with respect to the degree of activation of the salivary amylase by CI‐ or NOA3‐.

EINIGE EIGENSCHAFTEN DER SPEICHELAMYLASE VON ADELPHOCORIS SUTURALIS (MIRIDAE), DOLYCORIS BACCARUM (PENTATOMIDAE) UND VERSCHIEDENEN ANDEREN HETEROPTERENARTEN

Einige Eigenschaften der Speichelamylase von Adelpkocoris suturalis und Dolycoris baccarum wurden im Reagenzglas studiert und mit denen anderer Heteropterenarten verglichen. Die durch die Wirkung der Speichelamylase von D. baccarum produzierten Stärkehydrolysate vermehrten sich im Verhältnis zur Substratkonzentration bei einer verhältnismäßig niedrigen Konzentration (weniger als 0,67% in der Schlußkonzentration). Diese Vermehrung wurde bei einer Konzentration von etwa 0,67 bis 2,0 unterbrochen, um sich dann wieder stetig, aber langsamer fortzusetzen. Die optimale Temperatur für die Wirkung des Fermentes lag für A. suturalis bei etwa 50° und für D. baccarum bei etwa 40°. Die optimale Wasserstoff‐Ionenkonzentration betrug für A. suturalis pH 3,5–4,0 und für D. baccarum pH 6,0. Die Aktivität der Speichelamylase von D. baccarum wurde durch NaCl, KNOA3 und andere Verbindungen kaum beeinflußt, während die Speichelamylase von A. suturalis durch NaCl stark und durch KNOA3 schwach aktiviert wurde. Es wird vermutet, daß, hinsichtlich des Aktivierungsgrades der Speichelamylase durch Cl‐ und NOA3‐, systematisch nahe verwandte Heteropterenarten der gleichen Gruppe angehören.
TOXICITY AND FEEDING DETERRENCY OF HYDROXAMIC ACIDS FROM GRAMINEAE IN SYNTHETIC DIETS AGAINST THE GREENBUG, SCHIZAPHIS GRAMINUM
Authors: ARGANDOÑA VICTOR H. , CORCUERA LUIS J. , NIEMEYER HERMANN M. , CAMPBELL BRUCE C.
Published: April 2011

2,4‐Dihydroxy‐7‐methoxy‐1,4‐benzoxazin‐3‐one (DIMBOA), the main hydroxamic acid isolated from maize extracts, increased the mortality of Schizaphis graminum when fed in artificial diets. Electrically‐monitored feeding assays showed that DIMBOA acted as a feeding deterrent at concentrations as low as 1 mM. On 12 mM DIMBOA diets, feeding by aphids was completely inhibited. Additional feeding experiments showed that when DIMBOA was ingested there was an increase in aphid mortality relative to that of aphids which did not ingest the compound. Thus, the deleterious effects of DIMBOA on aphids are due to feeding deterrency and toxicity. The 2‐ß‐0 glucoside of DIMBOA (DIMBOA‐Glc), the form in which DIMBOA naturally occurs in Gramineae, had a slight effect on lowering aphid survival and an appreciable feeding‐deterrent effect on diet‐fed aphids. The relevance of the effects of DIMBOA and DIMBOA‐Glc on aphids to resistance of certain graminaceous crops against aphids is discussed.

Toxicité et répulsion provoquées par des acides hydroxamiques de Gramineae dans des régimes synthétiques sur le puceron Schizaphis graminum

La 2,4‐dihydroxy‐6‐metoxy‐1,4‐benzoxazin‐3‐one (DIMBOA), acide hydroxamique le plus abondant dans des extraits de maïs, accroǐt la mortalité du puceron Schizaphis graminum nourri artificiellement. Des essais d'alimentation contrǒlés par des moyens électriques démontrent que DIMBOA agit comme un répulsif, měme à la concentration de 1 mM; dans des régimes à 12 mM, l'alimentation des pucerons est supprimée. Des expériences complémentaires indiquent une augmentation de la mortalité des individus nourris avec DIMBOA par rapport aux témoins. Par conséquent, les effets nuisibles de DIMBOA sur les pucerons sont dus à sa répulsion. Le 2‐ß‐0‐glucoside de DIMBOA (DIMBOA‐Glc) a un effet important de répulsion sur les pucerons nourris artificiellement, mais affecte peu leur survie. L'importance des effets des DIMBOA et DIMBOA‐Glc sur les pucerons par rapport à la resistance des céréales contre ces insectes est discutée.
COMPARISON OF MOVEMENT BEHAVIOR OF THREE STRAINS OF GERMAN COCKROACH, BLATTELLA GERMANICA
Authors: AKERS RODNEY C. , ROBINSON WILLIAM H.
Published: April 2011

Few comparisons of dispersal or locomotory ability have been made between field and laboratory‐reared German cockroaches, Blattella germanica (L.). The objective of the research presented here was to compare the nocturnal movement of 3 strains of German cockroach: blackbody mutant (BB), VPI‐Normal (WL), and a field strain (F). The movement behavior was studied in an observation chamber where the number of squares entered by an adult coackroach in a given time period was scored.

Earned movement points for F strain cockroaches were twice the amount earned by both laboratory‐reared strains (BB, WL). Analysis of the movement points indicated that the F strain adults moved significantly more (P ≤ 0.001) than the BB or WL strain adults. The use of BB and WL German cockroach adults to study German cockroach dispersal may require a correction factor to make up the difference between laboratory and field strains.

Comparaison du comportement locomoteur de 3 souches de Blattella germanica

Peu de comparaisons ont porté sur la dispersion et l'aptitude à la locomotion des Blattella germanica de la nature et d'élevage. L'objectif de ce travail est de comparer les mouvements nocturnes de 3 souches de B. germanica: mutant au corps noir (BB), normal VPI (WL) et une souche de la nature (F). Le comportement locomoteur a été étudié dans une cage d'observation où a été noté le nombre de cases dans lesquelles un adulte est entré en un temps donné. Le nombre obtenu avec la souche F était le double de ceux des souches de laboratoire BB ou WL. L'analyse a indiqué que les adultes de la souche F se déplaçaient significativement plus (P ≤ 0.001) que ceux des souches BB ou WL. L'utilisation d'adultes des souches BB ou WL pour étudier la dispersion de B. germanica peut nécessiter un facteur de correction pour combler la différence entre les souches de laboratoire et des souches de la nature.
Actin as target for modification by bacterial protein toxins
Authors: Aktories Klaus , Lang Alexander E. , Schwan Carsten , Mannherz Hans G.
Published: April 2011

Various bacterial protein toxins and effectors target the actin cytoskeleton. At least three groups of toxins/effectors can be identified, which directly modify actin molecules. One group of toxins/effectors causes ADP‐ribosylation of actin at arginine‐177, thereby inhibiting actin polymerization. Members of this group are numerous binary actin–ADP‐ribosylating exotoxins (e.g. Clostridium botulinum C2 toxin) as well as several bacterial ADP‐ribosyltransferases (e.g. Salmonella enterica SpvB) which are not binary in structure. The second group includes toxins that modify actin to promote actin polymerization and the formation of actin aggregates. To this group belongs a toxin from the Photorhabdus luminescens Tc toxin complex that ADP‐ribosylates actin at threonine‐148. A third group of bacterial toxins/effectors (e.g. Vibrio cholerae multifunctional, autoprocessing RTX toxin) catalyses a chemical crosslinking reaction of actin thereby forming oligomers, while blocking the polymerization of actin to functional filaments. Novel findings about members of these toxin groups are discussed in detail.
Chest pain in rural communities; balancing decisions and distance
Authors: Baker Tim , McCoombe Scott , Mercer‐Grant Cate , Brumby Susan
Published: April 2011

Objective: This pilot study examines the prevalence of cardiac risk factors in a cohort of agricultural workers, assesses their knowledge of local emergency health services and investigates their decision‐making abilities with regard to when and how they would seek help when experiencing chest pain.

Methods: Farm men and women were recruited from 20 rural Victorian sites and underwent health assessments for total cholesterol, blood glucose, weight, height and blood pressure. Participants completed a survey to determine their knowledge of chest pain treatment, local emergency services and likely response to chest pain.

Results: Cardiac risk factors within this cohort of 186 adult farming men and women were common, with 61% of men (58/95, 95% confidence interval [CI] 51–70) and 74% of women (68/91, 95% CI 65–83) either overweight or obese. When asked to name their nearest ED, 10% of participants (19/184, 95% CI 7–16) nominated health services or towns where no ED exists. Furthermore, 67% of respondents (123/185, 95% CI 59–73) believed it was safe to travel to hospital by car while potentially having a myocardial infarction.

Conclusions: This cohort of agricultural workers were at considerable risk of experiencing acute coronary events, but many would make decisions about when and how to seek medical help for chest pain that are at odds with published community guidelines. These results highlight the need for education to improve knowledge of local emergency services and address behavioural barriers to accessing care.
Reforming Fiscal Responsibility Legislation
Authors: Kirchner Stephen
Published: April 2011

Monetary and fiscal rules are complementary. Whereas monetary policy and monetary institutions have been reformed in line with developments in modern macroeconomics, fiscal policies and institutions have not kept pace with these developments. Murray’s (2008) review of Australia’s existing fiscal responsibility legislation, the Charter of Budget Honesty, has pointed out significant shortcomings. This paper outlines a proposal by Carling and Kirchner (2009) to reform Australia’s fiscal responsibility legislation. It proposes three fiscal policy rules that are designed primarily to tie‐down expectations in relation to the long‐run path of the Commonwealth government’s net debt. It also proposes the establishment of an independent Fiscal Commission to monitor and enforce compliance with the rules and to improve the transparency, independence and accountability of the federal budget process. The proposal aims to give politicians the commitment technology they need to address the fiscal challenges posed by an aging population and innovations in the terms of trade.
Epitaxial growth of (100)-oriented ceria film on c-plane GaN/Al2O3 using YSZ/TiO2 buffer layers by pulse laser molecular beam epitaxy
Authors: Zhu Jun , Jing Jing , Luo Wenbo , Zhang Yin , Li Yanrong
Published: April 2011

Ceria (CeO2) films with fluorite structures were grown on c-axial-oriented GaN/Al2O3 substrates with and without YSZ/TiO2 double-bridge layer using pulse laser molecular beam epitaxy, respectively. The growth behavior was in situ monitored by reflection high-energy electron diffraction (RHEED). The epitaxial orientation relationship was confirmed by the x-ray diffraction (XRD) technique. With the introduction of the YSZ/TiO2 double-buffer layer, high-quality a-axial-oriented CeO2 films were successfully grown on GaN substrate. The epitaxial relation-ships of this heterostructure were CeO2(200)∥YSZ(200)∥TiO2(200)∥GaN(0002) and CeO2[010]∥YSZ[010]//TiO2[001]//GaN[112¯0]. XRD and RHEED analyses reveal in-plane tensile strain in CeO2 film, which is mainly caused by lattice mismatch. The in-plane alignment of CeO2 film on YSZ/TiO2 bridge layer is attributed to the interface stress between the film and substrate. Furthermore, without the YSZ/TiO2 buffer layer, CeO2 film directly grown on GaN was oriented along the [111] direction. The different out-of-plane orientations of CeO2 films on GaN substrate could be explained by the different in-plane crystallographic symmetries of templates.
All Stressed Out Without ATM Kinase
Authors: Perry J. Jefferson P. , Tainer John A.
Published: April 2011

Oxidation activates ATM, allowing this kinase to mediate antioxidant responses.
Why Not Take Antibiotics for the Flu?
Authors: Adler Elizabeth M.
Published: April 2011

Some antibiotics dampen the immune response to respiratory infection with influenza virus.
Pseudoproteases as Inhibitors
Authors: Wong Wei
Published: April 2011

A group of rhomboid-like proteins lacking catalytic activity inhibit EGFR signaling by promoting degradation of EGF family ligands.
Artesunate Tolerance in Transgenic Plasmodium falciparum Parasites Overexpressing a Tryptophan-Rich Protein
Authors: Deplaine Guillaume , Lavazec Catherine , Bischoff Emmanuel , Natalang Onguma , Perrot Sylvie , Guillotte-Blisnick Micheline , Coppée Jean-Yves , Pradines Bruno , Mercereau-Puijalon Odile , David Peter H.
Published: April 2011

Due to their rapid, potent action on young and mature intraerythrocytic stages, artemisinin derivatives are central to drug combination therapies for
Plasmodium falciparum
malaria. However, the evidence for emerging parasite resistance/tolerance to artemisinins in southeast Asia is of great concern. A better understanding of artemisinin-related drug activity and resistance mechanisms is urgently needed. A recent transcriptome study of parasites exposed to artesunate led us to identify a series of genes with modified levels of expression in the presence of the drug. The gene presenting the largest mRNA level increase,
Pf10_0026
(
PArt
), encoding a hypothetical protein of unknown function, was chosen for further study. Immunodetection with PArt-specific sera showed that artesunate induced a dose-dependent increase of the protein level. Bioinformatic analysis showed that
PArt
belongs to a
Plasmodium
-specific gene family characterized by the presence of a tryptophan-rich domain with a novel hidden Markov model (HMM) profile. Gene disruption could not be achieved, suggesting an essential function. Transgenic parasites overexpressing PArt protein were generated and exhibited tolerance to a spike exposure to high doses of artesunate, with increased survival and reduced growth retardation compared to that of wild-type-treated controls. These data indicate the involvement of
PArt
in parasite defense mechanisms against artesunate. This is the first report of genetically manipulated parasites displaying a stable and reproducible decreased susceptibility to artesunate, providing new possibilities to investigate the parasite response to artemisinins.
In Vitro and In Vivo Profiles of ACH-702, an Isothiazoloquinolone, against Bacterial Pathogens
Authors: Pucci Michael J. , Podos Steven D. , Thanassi Jane A. , Leggio Melissa J. , Bradbury Barton J. , Deshpande Milind
Published: April 2011

ACH-702, a novel isothiazoloquinolone (ITQ), was assessed for antibacterial activity against a panel of Gram-positive and Gram-negative clinical isolates and found to possess broad-spectrum activity, especially against antibiotic-resistant Gram-positive strains, including methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA). For Gram-negative bacteria, ACH-702 showed exceptional potency against
Haemophilus influenzae
,
Moraxella catarrhalis
, and a
Neisseria
sp. but was less active against members of the
Enterobacteriaceae
. Good antibacterial activity was also evident against several anaerobes as well as
Legionella pneumophila
and
Mycoplasma pneumoniae
. Excellent bactericidal activity was observed for ACH-702 against several bacterial pathogens in time-kill assays, and postantibiotic effects (PAEs) of >1 h were evident with both laboratory and clinical strains of staphylococci at 10× MIC and similar in most cases to those observed for moxifloxacin at the same MIC multiple.
In vivo
efficacy was demonstrated against
S. aureus
with murine sepsis and thigh infection models, with decreases in the number of CFU/thigh equal to or greater than those observed after vancomycin treatment. Macromolecular synthesis assays showed specific dose-dependent inhibition of DNA replication in staphylococci, and biochemical analyses indicated potent dual inhibition of two essential DNA replication enzymes: DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV. Additional biological data in support of an effective dual targeting mechanism of action include the following: low MIC values (≤0.25 μg/ml) against staphylococcal strains with single mutations in both
gyrA
and
grlA
(
parC
), retention of good antibacterial activity (MICs of ≤0.5 μg/ml) against staphylococcal strains with two mutations in both
gyrA
and
grlA
, and low frequencies for the selection of higher-level resistance (<10
−10
). These promising initial data support further study of isothiazoloquinolones as potential clinical candidates.
Intravenous Peramivir for Treatment of Influenza A and B Virus Infection in High-Risk Patients
Authors: Kohno Shigeru , Kida Hiroshi , Mizuguchi Masashi , Hirotsu Nobuo , Ishida Tadashi , Kadota Junichi , Shimada Jingoro ,   the S-021812 Clinical Study Group
Published: April 2011

Influenza virus infections are known to persist longer in patients with underlying diseases, including respiratory tract diseases, and tend to become complicated by secondary influenza-associated infections, such as pneumonia. To assess the efficacy and safety of the novel anti-influenza virus drug peramivir in high-risk patients, we conducted a clinical trial of patients with diabetes or chronic respiratory tract diseases and patients being treated with drugs that suppress immune function. In this multicenter, uncontrolled, randomized, double-blind study, peramivir was intravenously administered at 300 or 600 mg/day for 1 to 5 days, as needed. Efficacy was investigated in 37 patients (300 mg,n= 18 patients; 600 mg,n= 19 patients). The median durations of influenza illness were 68.6 h (90% confidence interval, 41.5 to 113.4 h) overall, 114.4 h (90% confidence interval, 40.2 to 235.3 h) in the 300-mg group, and 42.3 h (90% confidence interval, 30.0 to 82.7 h) in the 600-mg group. The hazard ratio for the 600-mg group compared to the 300-mg group was 0.497 (90% confidence interval, 0.251 to 0.984), and the duration of influenza illness was significantly shorter in the 600-mg group than in the 300-mg group. Among the 42 patients in the safety analysis set, adverse events occurred in 73.8% and adverse drug reactions in 33.3%. No adverse events were particularly problematic clinically, and all patients recovered quickly from all events. The measured blood drug concentrations showed no tendency toward accumulation. Drug accumulation with repeated doses was thus considered to be of little concern. Intravenous peramivir appears to offer a potentially useful treatment for high-risk patients in the future.
Efficacy of Simulated Cefditoren versus Amoxicillin-Clavulanate Free Concentrations in Countering Intrastrain
ftsI
Gene Diffusion in Haemophilus influenzae
Authors: González Natalia , Aguilar Lorenzo , Sevillano David , Giménez Maria-Jose , Alou Luis , Cafini Fabio , Torrico Martha , López Ana-Maria , Coronel Pilar , Prieto Jose
Published: April 2011

This study explores the effects of cefditoren (CDN) versus amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (AMC) on the evolution (within a single strain) of total and recombined populations derived from intrastrain
ftsI
gene diffusion in β-lactamase-positive (BL
+
) and β-lactamase-negative (BL
−
)
Haemophilus influenzae
. DNA from β-lactamase-negative, ampicillin-resistant (BLNAR) isolates (DNA
BLNAR
) and from β-lactamase-positive, amoxicillin-clavulanate-resistant (BLPACR) (DNA
BLPACR
) isolates was extracted and added to a 10
7
-CFU/ml suspension of one BL
+
strain (CDN MIC, 0.007 μg/ml; AMC MIC, 1 μg/ml) or one BL
−
strain (CDN MIC, 0.015 μg/ml; AMC MIC, 0.5 μg/ml) in
Haemophilus
Test Medium (HTM). The mixture was incubated for 3 h and was then inoculated into a two-compartment computerized device simulating free concentrations of CDN (400 mg twice a day [b.i.d.]) or AMC (875 and 125 mg three times a day [t.i.d.]) in serum over 24 h. Controls were antibiotic-free simulations. Colony counts were performed; the total population and the recombined population were differentiated; and postsimulation MICs were determined. At time zero, the recombined population was 0.00095% of the total population. In controls, the BL
−
and BL
+
total populations and the BL
−
recombined population increased (from ≈3 log
10
to 4.5 to 5 log
10
), while the BL
+
recombined population was maintained in simulations with DNA
BLPACR
and was decreased by ≈2 log
10
with DNA
BLNAR
. CDN was bactericidal (percentage of the dosing interval for which experimental antibiotic concentrations exceeded the MIC [
ft
>MIC], >88%), and no recombined populations were detected from 4 h on. AMC was bactericidal against BL
−
strains (
ft
>MIC, 74.0%) in DNA
BLNAR
and DNA
BLPACR
simulations, with a small final recombined population (MIC, 4 μg/ml;
ft
>MIC, 30.7%) in DNA
BLPACR
simulations. When AMC was used against the BL
+
strain (in DNA
BLNAR
or DNA
BLPACR
simulations), the bacterial load was reduced ≈2 log
10
(
ft
>MIC, 44.3%), but 6.3% and 32% of the total population corresponded to a recombined population (MIC, 16 μg/ml;
ft
>MIC, 0%) in DNA
BLNAR
and DNA
BLPACR
simulations, respectively. AMC, but not CDN, unmasked BL
+
recombined populations obtained by transformation.
ft
>MIC values higher than those classically considered for bacteriological response are needed to counter intrastrain
ftsI
gene diffusion by covering recombined populations.
Potential of Recombinant Opa Proteins as Vaccine Candidates against Hyperinvasive Meningococci
Authors: Callaghan M. J. , Lewis S. , Sadarangani M. , Bailey S. E. S. , Chan H. , Ferguson D. J. P. , Derrick J. P. , Feavers I. , Maiden M. C. , Pollard A. J.
Published: April 2011

Neisseria meningitidiscauses half a million cases of septicemia and meningitis globally each year. The opacity (Opa) integral outer membrane proteins fromN. meningitidisare polymorphic and highly immunogenic. Particular combinations of Opa proteins are associated with the hyperinvasive meningococcal lineages that have caused the majority of serogroup B and C meningococcal disease in industrialized countries over the last 60 years. For the first time, this genetic structuring of a diverse outer membrane protein family has been used to select a novel combination of representative antigens for immunogenicity testing. Fourteen recombinant Opa variants were produced and used in murine immunizations inducing an increase in specific antimeningococcal total IgG levels. All 14 Opa proteins elicited bactericidal antibodies against at least one hyperinvasive meningococcal isolate, and most isolates from each hyperinvasive lineage were killed by at least one Opa antiserum at a titer of 1:16 or greater. Cross-reactive bactericidal antibody responses were observed among clonal complexes. A theoretical coverage of 90% can be achieved by using a particular combination of 6 Opa proteins against an isolate collection of 227 recent United Kingdom disease cases. This study indicates the potential of Opa proteins to provide broad coverage against multiple meningococcal hyperinvasive lineages.
Adsorptive cathodic stripping determination of minoxidil in pharmaceutical, cream and shampoo products
Authors: Ahmadi Farhad , Ghasemi Sahar , Rahimi-Nasrabadi Mehdi
Published: April 2011

The cyclic voltammetric behavior of minoxidil was studied in a buffer with pH 3. Contradictory to that mentioned in a previously published work, the cyclic voltammogram of minoxidil exhibited a single 2-electron irreversible reduction wave in a buffer with pH 3. This wave was attributed to the reduction of the N→O bond. The cathodic differential pulse wave height decreased on the increase of pH till it disappeared in solution with pH 7.2. The quantitative trace determination of minoxidil was studied at a hanging mercury drop electrode by adsorptive cathodic stripping voltammetry. A fully validated sensitive procedure based on controlled adsorptive accumulation of the drug onto a HMDE was developed for its direct determination. Accumulation of minoxidil was found to be optimized in 0.1 M Britton–Robinson buffer with pH 2.0 as supporting electrolyte under the following conditions: accumulation potential –0.2 V, accumulation time 40 s, scan rate 40 mV s–1 and pulse height 50 mV. The proposed procedure was applied successfully for determination of minoxidil in its topical solution and illegal shampoo and cream. The mean recoveries of the minoxidil were 99.8, 97.8 and 96.7% and with RSD of 0.86, 1.24 and 1.89% in pharmaceutical topical solution, shampoo and cream, respectively.
EFFECT OF SLOPES IN HIGHWAY ON TRAFFIC FLOW
Authors: LAN SHIYONG , LIU YIGUANG , LIU BINGBING , SHENG PENG , WANG TAO , LI XINSHENG
Published: April 2011

In this paper, we propose a novel slope cellular automaton (CA) model to depict some physical properties of traffic flow with slopes. In our model, we present the effect of slopes on the acceleration/deceleration capabilities and safety distance of the vehicles in highways as in real traffic situations. By numerical simulations, we investigate the dependence of the vehicle capacities in highways on the length and grade of slopes. It is shown that the larger the slope grade, the more significant the effect of slopes on the traffic flow is. Especially when the slope grade is beyond a certain value (i.e. |σ| > 3%), the effect of slopes on traffic flow becomes quite markedly.
AB INITIO STUDY OF STRUCTURAL STABILITY AND MAGNETIC PROPERTIES OF Con(n = 2 - 10): A STUDY BASED ON PSEUDOPOTENTIALS DFT
Authors: SAMAH M. , MOULA B.
Published: April 2011

The lowest-energy geometric and isomers of freestanding Co n clusters (n = 2 - 10) and their corresponding magnetic moments have been studied using the Siesta code based on pseudopotential density-functional theory. The calculated results show that there are many isomers near the ground state. Different isomers hold different magnetic moment. The stability study shows that among the investigated clusters, the hexamer one is the most stable and is the magic cluster. Dissociation channels energy are also studied.
A NEW BASIC ONE-DIMENSIONAL ONE-LAYER MODEL OBTAINS EXCELLENT AGREEMENT WITH THE OBSERVED EARTH TEMPERATURE
Authors: LINK RAINER , LÜDECKE HORST-JOACHIM
Published: April 2011

The Earth radiation and energy budget is calculated by a manifold of rather complex Global Circulation Models. Their outcome mostly cannot identify integral radiation or energy budget relations. Therefore it is reasonable to look at more basic models to identify the main aspects of the model results. The simplest one of all of those is a one-dimensional one-layer model. However, most of these models — two are discussed here — suffer the drawback that they do not include essential contributions and relations between the atmospheric layer and the Earth. The one-dimensional one-layer model presented here integrates sensible and latent heat, the absorption of solar radiation and the direct emission of the long wave radiation to space in addition to the standard correlations. For the atmospheric layer two different long wave fluxes are included, top of atmosphere to space and bulk emission to Earth. The reflections of long wave radiation are taken into account. It is shown that this basic model is in excellent agreement with the observed integrated global energy budget.
SOME BIANCHI TYPE-V MODELS OF ACCELERATING UNIVERSE WITH DARK ENERGY
Authors: KUMAR SURESH , YADAV ANIL KUMAR
Published: April 2011

The paper deals with a spatially homogeneous and anisotropic universe filled with perfect fluid and dark energy components. The two sources are assumed to interact minimally together with a special law of variation for the average Hubble's parameter in order to solve the Einstein's field equations. The law yields two explicit forms of the scale factor governing the Bianchi-V spacetime and constant values of deceleration parameter. The role of dark energy with variable equation of state parameter has been studied in detail in the evolution of Bianchi-V universe. It has been found that dark energy dominates the universe at the present epoch, which is consistent with the observations. The universe achieves flatness after the dominance of dark energy. The physical behavior of the universe has been discussed in detail.
DARBOUX TRANSFORMATION AND MULTI-SOLITON SOLUTIONS OF TWO-BOSON HIERARCHY
Authors: DAS ASHOK , SALEEM U.
Published: April 2011

We study Darboux transformations for the two boson (TB) hierarchy both in the scalar as well as in the matrix descriptions of the linear equation. While Darboux transformations have been extensively studied for integrable models based on SL (2, R) within the AKNS framework, this model is based on SL (2, R)⊗ U (1). The connection between the scalar and the matrix descriptions in this case implies that the generic Darboux matrix for the TB hierarchy has a different structure from that in the models based on SL (2, R) studied thus far. The conventional Darboux transformation is shown to be quite restricted in this model. We construct a modified Darboux transformation which has a much richer structure and which also allows for multi-soliton solutions to be written in terms of Wronskians. Using the modified Darboux transformations, we explicitly construct one-soliton/kink solutions for the model.
HIGH ENERGY LIMIT IN QCD
Authors: STASTO ANNA M.
Published: April 2011

We briefly review some selected topics in the small x physics. In particular, we discuss the progress in the problem related to the resummation at small x and the parton saturation phenomena. Finally we discuss some phenomenological applications to deep inelastic scattering, hadron and heavy ion collisions.
AN ECO-EPIDEMIOLOGICAL MODEL WITH INFECTIOUS DISEASE IN FOOD CHAIN
Authors: CHEN YONGXUE , JIANG YONG
Published: April 2011

In this paper, a model of predator-prey with disease in food chain is investigated — where, prey is infected by bacteria and then the infected prey in turn infects predator, but the disease does not spread among predators. The law for disease development and biodiversity conservation are the focus. Stability and persistence are deduced in terms of system parameters. Next, time required delay is incorporated into the model. Stability and bifurcation analysis of the delay differential equation model are carried out. Furthermore, stability and direction of the bifurcating periodic solutions are performed by the normal form theory and the center manifold argument. Finally, numerical simulations are included for illustrating the theoretical analysis.
A RENORMALIZED HVT APPROACH AND ENERGIES OF A Λ-PARTICLE IN HYPERNUCLEI
Authors: EFTHIMIOU C. A. , GRYPEOS M. E. , KOUTROULOS C. G. , OYEWUMI K. J. , PETRIDOU TH.
Published: April 2011

An investigation is carried out to consider a renormalized quantum mechanical HVT approach in the context of s-power series expansions for the Schrödinger energy eigenvalues of a particle moving in a central potential well belonging to a fairly wide class of potential wells. This approach is designed and applied in detail to estimate energies of a Λ in hypernuclei. The determination of the renormalization parameter is also discussed.
A STUDY OF TWO DIFFERENT EXPERIMENTAL SETTINGS FOR GROUP AWARENESS INFORMATION IN A WEB-BASED GROUP DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEM
Authors: JONGSAWAT NIPAT , PREMCHAISWADI WICHIAN
Published: April 2011

Group awareness information represents things such as group members' roles and responsibilities, their positions on an issue, their status, and the state of various group processes that group members know about when they work together. The group awareness information presented in this paper is designed to capture group member activities and their behaviors in web-based collaborative work. It consists of activity, availability, and commitment/disposition information. The first two parameters appear as a visual display representing cumulative data and changes accordingly when the group begins working together. The last parameter is captured during group work and is summarized at the end of the group work task. The application of this proposed scheme was designed and implemented in a web-based group decision support system. This paper reports on the results of a study in a controlled experiment and a field test experiment that examined group performance on a given task in a web-based group decision support system with and without group awareness information. In particular, the study examined how group awareness information impacts the quality of the work effort and a given task, group decision making by members in the same group and different groups, the communications among group members during the completion of an online collaborative authoring task, the cohesiveness among group members in a web-based group decision support system, and the commitment/disposition of engagement of each member of the work group.
APPLICATION OF PROBABILISTIC DECISION MODELS FOR SEISMIC REHABILITATION OF STRUCTURES
Authors: PARK JOONAM , BOSTROM ANN , GOODNO BARRY J. , CRAIG JAMES I.
Published: April 2011

This paper outlines a decision framework that incorporates state-of-the-art earthquake engineering information and decision maker preferences into multicriteria decision models to support earthquake risk mitigation decisions. Seismic risk analysis of a structure is utilized for probabilistic estimation of the anticipated seismic losses, which in turn is used as inputs to the decision analysis for seismic rehabilitation of the structure. Three decision models are used to provide insight into the value of system interventions to reduce earthquake risks: (1) an equivalent cost model, (2) multi-attribute utility theory, and (3) joint probability decision making. Guidelines for selecting and applying multicriteria decision models for seismic rehabilitation of building structures are derived based on preferences for including risk attitudes and for measuring values. The detailed procedures for the selection and application of the decision models for seismic rehabilitation of building structures are demonstrated through a case study, where a collection of hospitals in a metropolitan area is examined.
FORECASTING IN FUZZY SYSTEMS
Authors: WANG HSIAO-FAN , TSAUR RUEY-CHYN
Published: April 2011

Fuzzy regression has been applied to marketing, management, and sales forecasting for many years. In this paper, two types of forecasting methods within the framework of fuzzy regression analysis are discussed. The first type is a conventional forecasting method, which intends to find the value of a dependent variable when the given values of independent variables are beyond the range covered by historical data. The second type considers forecasting in which the necessary values of independent variables are desired when the given value of a dependent variable does not fall within the range of historical data. While the first type can be applied in planning, the second one is useful for control and management. Numerical examples are provided for illustration.
Knowledge Management Adoption in Supply Chain: Sectorial Evidence from Indian Manufacturing Organisations
Authors: Kant R. , Singh M. D.
Published: April 2011

The objective of this paper is to investigate the similarities and dissimilarities in Knowledge Management (KM) practices in the supply chain (SC) among different selected sectors of Indian manufacturing organisations, through formulation and testing of some hypotheses. A questionnaire-based survey was conducted on four sectors, namely, automobile, engineering, process and fast moving consumer goods (FMCG). It is observed from this study that selected sectors do not significantly differ on types of SC knowledge and KM use in various SC performance indicators. It is also observed that selected sectors differ on use of KM in different SC functional areas and various supplier measurement criteria. The analysis reveals that selected sectors have fundamental similarities and dissimilarities in their operations and functioning. This might be the reason for the similarities and dissimilarities found in their KM practices in SC.
Flexible‐Segmentation‐Jumping Strategy to Reduce User‐Perceived Latency for Video on Demand
Authors: Li Jun , Li Fengbin , Jiang Xiaofeng
Published: April 2011

Traditionally, people usually watch a video from the beginning and continuously to the end; this is changed by the concept and application of Video‐On‐Demand (VOD). Users do not want to wait for a long time when they seek some specific content in a video; they want to instantly watch any part in a video according to their needs. To resolve this challenge, in this paper, we propose a Flexible‐Segmentation‐Jumping Strategy (FSJS). This scheme considers users′ randomly access behaviors, especially concerns the initial delay before watch point selection. By considering these behaviors and flexibly
selecting jumping point, our scheme can significantly reduce user waiting time, in most cases can reduce the waiting time to
zero. Our simulation implements the proposed FSJS scheme to the uniform segmentation and exponential segmentation algorithms
to show how FSJS improves a user′s perceived latency and reduces the extra average serving time. The simulation
results show that FSJS can have a significant improvement in user‐perceived latency.
Arthritic Hand‐Finger Movement Similarity Measurements: Tolerance Near Set Approach
Authors: Henry Christopher , Peters James F.
Published: April 2011

The problem considered in this paper is how to measure the degree of resemblance between
nonarthritic and arthritic hand movements during rehabilitation exercise. The solution to
this problem stems from recent work on a tolerance space view of digital images and the
introduction of image resemblance measures. The motivation for this work is both to quantify
and to visualize differences between hand‐finger movements in an effort to provide clinicians
and physicians with indications of the efficacy of the prescribed rehabilitation exercise. The more
recent introduction of tolerance near sets has led to a useful approach for measuring the
similarity of sets of objects and their application to the problem of classifying image sequences extracted from videos showing finger‐hand movement during rehabilitation exercise.
The approach to measuring the resemblance between hand movement images introduced in
this paper is based on an application of the well‐known Hausdorff distance measure and
a tolerance nearness measure. The contribution of this paper is an approach to measuring
as well as visualizing the degree of separation between images in arthritic and nonarthritic
hand‐finger motion videos captured during rehabilitation exercise.
Evaluation of Streamwise Waveform on a High-Speed Water Jet by Detecting Trajectories of Two Refracted Laser Beams
Authors: Itoh Kazuhiro , Iwata Yasuo , Kumamaru Hiroshige , Shimogonya Yuji
Published: April 2011

Free surface fluctuations on a high-speed water jet were measured by a laser beam refraction technique. This method can be used to obtain quantitative time-series data on local surface fluctuations. The developed system employs two pulsed laser diodes, and it uses a high-speed optical sensor to detect the instantaneous positions of the laser beams that are refracted at the free surface. Fluctuations in the slope angle are measured at two locations separated by 1.27 mm. The wave speed of each free surface wave, which is determined by the zero-upcrossing method, is experimentally evaluated by the cross-correlation method. A two-dimensional waveform is obtained by integrating the slope angle data. The local mean wavelength and mean wave steepness are evaluated for average jet velocities up to  m/s. Streamwise waveforms of the high-speed water jet at several locations exhibit appreciable asymmetry and have steep profiles.
Dark Signal Temperature Dependence Correction Method for Miniature Spectrometer Modules
Authors: Kuusk Joel
Published: April 2011

A dark signal temperature dependence correction method for miniature spectrometer modules is described in this paper. It is based on laboratory measurements of dark signal temperature dependence at few different integration times. A set of parameters are calculated which make it possible to estimate dark signal at any temperature and integration time within reasonable range. In field conditions, it is not always possible to take frequent dark signal readings during spectral measurements. If temperature is recorded during the measurement, this method can be used for estimating dark signal for every single spectral measurement. The method is validated on two different miniature spectrometers.
A New Spectrophotometric Method for Determination of Selenium in Cosmetic and Pharmaceutical Preparations after Preconcentration with Cloud Point Extraction
Authors: Soruraddin Mohammad Hosein , Heydari Rouhollah , Puladvand Morteza , Zahedi Mir Mehdi
Published: April 2011

A simple, rapid, and sensitive spectrophotometric method for the determination of trace amounts of selenium (IV) was described. In this method, all selenium spices reduced to selenium (IV) using 6 M HCl. Cloud point extraction was applied as a preconcentration method for spectrophotometric determination of selenium (IV) in aqueous solution. The proposed method is based on the complexation of Selenium (IV) with dithizone at pH < 1 in micellar medium (Triton X-100). After complexation with dithizone, the analyte was quantitatively extracted to the surfactant-rich phase by centrifugation and diluted to 5 mL with methanol. Since the absorption maxima of the complex (424 nm) and dithizone (434 nm) overlap, hence, the corrected absorbance, Acorr, was used to overcome the problem. With regard to the preconcentration, the tested parameters were the pH of the extraction, the concentration of the surfactant, the concentration of dithizone, and equilibration temperature and time. The detection limit is 4.4 ng mL-1; the relative standard deviation for six replicate measurements is 2.18% for 50 ng mL-1of selenium. The procedure was applied successfully to the determination of selenium in two kinds of pharmaceutical samples.
Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis in Asthma and Cystic Fibrosis
Authors: Knutsen Alan P. , Slavin Raymond G.
Published: April 2011

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is a Th2 hypersensitivity lung disease in response toAspergillus fumigatusthat affects asthmatic and cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Sensitization toA. fumigatusis common in both atopic asthmatic and CF patients, yet only 1-2% of asthmatic and 7–9% of CF patients develop ABPA. ABPA is characterized by wheezing and pulmonary infiltrates which may lead to pulmonary fibrosis and/or bronchiectasis. The inflammatory response is characterized by Th2 responses toAspergillusallergens, increased serum IgE and eosinophilia. A number of genetic risks have recently been identified in the development of ABPA. These include HLA-DR and HLA-DQ, IL-4 receptor alpha chain (IL-4RA) polymorphisms, IL-10-1082GA promoter polymorphisms, surfactant protein A2 (SP-A2) polymorphisms, and cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator gene (CFTR) mutations. The studies indicate that ABPA patients are genetically at risk to develop skewed and heightened Th2 responses toA. fumigatusantigens. These genetic risk studies and their consequences of elevated biologic markers may aid in identifying asthmatic and CF patients who are at risk to the development of ABPA. Furthermore, these studies suggest that immune modulation with medications such as anti-IgE, anti-IL-4 and/or IL-13 monoclonal antibodies may be helpful in the treatment of ABPA.
Running Characteristics of Aerodynamic Bearing with Self-Lifting Capability at Low Rotational Speed
Authors: Stolarski Tadeusz Adam
Published: April 2011

An aerodynamic journal bearing that is capable of self-generating squeeze-film pressure is presented and its dynamic characteristics investigated numerically and experimentally. A numerical method based on a time-marching static model was applied to assess the orbit trajectory path of the rotor upon a perturbation. Experimental results were obtained to validate the effect of the self-generated squeeze-film pressure on the stability of the rotor. Analyzing the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) responses of the rotor orbits enabled identification of self-excited whirling instabilities. Both numerical and experimental results showed that increasing the squeeze-film effect of the bearing could raise the threshold speed of instability.
Characterization of Synthetic Ni(II)-Xylenol Complex as a Photosensitizer for Wide-Band Gap ZnO Semiconductor Electrodes
Authors: Kushwaha Suman , Bahadur Lal
Published: April 2011

A synthetic NiIIL(H2O)2complex (L = xylenol orange, 3,3′-bis [N,N-di(carboxymethyl)-aminomethyl]-o-cresol sulphonapthalein (H2O)2), which is a water-soluble dye, has been studied for its photosensitizing properties atn-ZnO semiconductor electrodes prepared by sol-gel techniques. The absorption spectrum of aqueous solution of this complex exhibits a strong peak at 563 nm and a shoulder at 526 nm wavelength of light. The sandwich-type dye-sensitized solar cell using ZnO semiconducting thin film with test dye anchored onto it showed the cell output as follows:VOC=0.506 V,Jsc=1.68 mA cm−2, andFF=0.41under illumination with full spectrum of light (intensity 520 mW cm−2), while on illumination with visible light (λ>420 nm, intensity 480 mW cm−2),VOC=0.506 V,Jsc=1.4 mA cm−2, andFF=0.49were achieved. Maximum incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency for the present system was found to be 8.7% at wavelength (λmax=563 nm).