bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Genetic Architecture of Biofilm Formation in a Clinical Isolate of Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Granek Joshua A , Murray Debra , Kayrkçi Ömür , Magwene Paul M
Published: November 2012

Biofilms are microbial communities that form on surfaces. They are the primary form of microbial growth in nature and can have detrimental impacts on human health. Some strains of the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae form colony biofilms, and there is substantial variation in colony architecture between biofilm-forming strains. To identify the genetic basis of biofilm variation, we developed a novel version of quantitative trait locus mapping, which leverages cryptic variation in a clinical isolate of S. cerevisiae. We mapped 13 loci linked to heterogeneity in biofilm architecture and identified the gene most closely associated with each locus. Of these candidate genes, six are members of the cyclic AMP–protein kinase A pathway, an evolutionarily conserved cell signaling network. Principal among these is CYR1, which encodes the enzyme that catalyzes production of cAMP. Through a combination of gene expression measurements, cell signaling assays, and gene overexpression, we determined the functional effects of allelic variation at CYR1. We found that increased pathway activity resulting from protein coding and expression variation of CYR1 enhances the formation of colony biofilms. Four other candidate genes encode kinases and transcription factors that are targets of this pathway. The protein products of several of these genes together regulate expression of the sixth candidate, FLO11, which encodes a cell adhesion protein. Our results indicate that epistatic interactions between alleles with both positive and negative effects on cyclic AMP–protein kinase A signaling underlie much of the architectural variation we observe in colony biofilms. They are also among the first to demonstrate genetic variation acting at multiple levels of an integrated signaling and regulatory network. Based on these results, we propose a mechanistic model that relates genetic variation to gene network function and phenotypic outcomes.
Patterns of Transcriptome Divergence in the Male Accessory Gland of Two Closely Related Species of Field Crickets
Authors: Andrés Jose A , Larson Erica L , Bogdanowicz Steven M , Harrison Richard G
Published: November 2012

One of the central questions in evolutionary genetics is how much of the genome is involved in the early stages of divergence between populations, causing them to be reproductively isolated. In this article, we investigate genomic differentiation in a pair of closely related field crickets (Gryllus firmus and G. pennsylvanicus). These two species are the result of allopatric divergence and now interact along an extensive hybrid zone in eastern North America. Genes encoding seminal fluid proteins (SFPs) are often divergent between species, and it has been hypothesized that these proteins may play a key role in the origin and maintenance of reproductive isolation between diverging lineages. Hence, we chose to scan the accessory gland transcriptome to enable direct comparisons of differentiation for genes known to encode SFPs with differentiation in a much larger set of genes expressed in the same tissue. We have characterized differences in allele frequency between two populations for >6000 SNPs and >26,000 contigs. About 10% of all SNPs showed nearly fixed differences between the two species. Genes encoding SFPs did not have significantly elevated numbers of fixed SNPs per contig, nor did they seem to show larger differences than expected in their average allele frequencies. The distribution of allele frequency differences across the transcriptome is distinctly bimodal, but the relatively high proportion of fixed SNPs does not necessarily imply “ancient” divergence between these two lineages. Further studies of linkage disequilibrium and introgression across the hybrid zone are needed to direct our attention to those genome regions that are important for reproductive isolation.
Neurodevelopmental Burden at Age 5 Years in Patients With Univentricular Heart
Authors: Sarajuuri Anne , Jokinen Eero , Mildh Leena , Tujulin Anna-Mari , Mattila Ilkka , Valanne Leena , Lönnqvist Tuula
Published: November 2012

BACKGROUND:

Despite increasing survival, patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) and other forms of functionally univentricular heart defects (UVHs) remain at increased risk of long-term neurodevelopmental deficits.

METHODS:

A nationwide sample of 23 patients with HLHS, 13 with UVH, and 40 controls were followed prospectively until the age of 5 years, when neurologic, neuropsychological, and motor examinations and brain MRI were performed.

RESULTS:

The median full-scale IQ was significantly lower in patients with HLHS (97, P < .001) and patients with UVH (112, P = .024) compared with controls (121). Major neurodevelopmental impairment was found in 26% of the patients with HLHS and 23% of those with UVH, and minor neurologic dysfunction was found in 43% and 46%, respectively. MRI revealed abnormalities, mostly ischemic changes of different degrees, in 82% of the patients with HLHS and in 56% of those with UVH. Prominent changes were significantly associated with neurodevelopmental findings and parental reports of adaptive behavior. In linear regression, significant risk factors for a worse outcome were a history of clinical seizures in connection with the primary operation, a lower diameter of the neonatal ascending aorta, and several pre-, peri-, and postoperative factors related to the primary and bidirectional Glenn operations.

CONCLUSIONS:

Although median cognitive performance was within the normal range, neurodevelopmental and brain MRI abnormalities were found in the majority of the patients with UVH, and especially in those with HLHS, at preschool age. Both a narrowed ascending aorta and operation-related factors contributed to these findings.
Effectiveness of Lifestyle Interventions in Child Obesity: Systematic Review With Meta-analysis
Authors: Ho Mandy , Garnett Sarah P. , Baur Louise , Burrows Tracy , Stewart Laura , Neve Melinda , Collins Clare
Published: November 2012

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

The effects of lifestyle interventions on cardio-metabolic outcomes in overweight children have not been reviewed systematically. The objective of the study was to examine the impact of lifestyle interventions incorporating a dietary component on both weight change and cardio-metabolic risks in overweight/obese children.

METHODS:

English-language articles from 1975 to 2010, available from 7 databases, were used as data sources. Two independent reviewers assessed articles against the following eligibility criteria: randomized controlled trial, participants overweight/obese and ≤18 years, comparing lifestyle interventions to no treatment/wait-list control, usual care, or written education materials. Study quality was critically appraised by 2 reviewers using established criteria; Review Manager 5.1 was used for meta-analyses.

RESULTS:

Of 38 eligible studies, 33 had complete data for meta-analysis on weight change; 15 reported serum lipids, fasting insulin, or blood pressure. Lifestyle interventions produced significant weight loss compared with no-treatment control conditions: BMI (−1.25kg/m2, 95% confidence interval [CI] −2.18 to −0.32) and BMI z score (−0.10, 95% CI −0.18 to −0.02). Studies comparing lifestyle interventions to usual care also resulted in significant immediate (−1.30kg/m2, 95% CI −1.58 to −1.03) and posttreatment effects (−0.92 kg/m2, 95% CI −1.31 to −0.54) on BMI up to 1 year from baseline. Lifestyle interventions led to significant improvements in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (−0.30 mmol/L, 95% CI −0.45 to −0.15), triglycerides (−0.15 mmol/L, 95% CI −0.24 to −0.07), fasting insulin (−55.1 pmol/L, 95% CI −71.2 to −39.1) and blood pressure up to 1 year from baseline. No differences were found for high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.

CONCLUSIONS:

Lifestyle interventions can lead to improvements in weight and cardio-metabolic outcomes. Further research is needed to determine the optimal length, intensity, and long-term effectiveness of lifestyle interventions.
Harvesting tree biomass at the stand level to assess the accuracy of field and airborne biomass estimation in savannas
Authors: Colgan Matthew S. , Asner Gregory P. , Swemmer Tony
Published: November 2012

Tree biomass is an integrated measure of net growth and is critical for understanding, monitoring, and modeling ecosystem functions. Despite the importance of accurately measuring tree biomass, several fundamental barriers preclude direct measurement at large spatial scales, including the facts that trees must be felled to be weighed and that even modestly sized trees are challenging to maneuver once felled. Allometric methods allow for estimation of tree mass using structural characteristics, such as trunk diameter. Savanna trees present additional challenges, including limited available allometry and a prevalence of multiple stems per individual. Here we collected airborne lidar data over a semiarid savanna adjacent to the Kruger National Park, South Africa, and then harvested and weighed woody plant biomass at the plot scale to provide a standard against which field and airborne estimation methods could be compared. For an existing airborne lidar method, we found that half of the total error was due to averaging canopy height at the plot scale. This error was eliminated by instead measuring maximum height and crown area of individual trees from lidar data using an object‐based method to identify individual tree crowns and estimate their biomass. The best object‐based model approached the accuracy of field allometry at both the tree and plot levels, and it more than doubled the accuracy compared to existing airborne methods (17% vs. 44% deviation from harvested biomass). Allometric error accounted for less than one‐third of the total residual error in airborne biomass estimates at the plot scale when using allometry with low bias. Airborne methods also gave more accurate predictions at the plot level than did field methods based on diameter‐only allometry. These results provide a novel comparison of field and airborne biomass estimates using harvested plots and advance the role of lidar remote sensing in savanna ecosystems.
Reframing Knowledge Work: Shared Governance in the Postdigital Age
Authors: Porter-O'Grady Tim
Published: November 2012

Shared governance is a structural model for framing professional practice within an organizational format. After 25 years of research and development, basic principles that undergird the appropriate and sustaining structures of shared governance have become well established. Understanding, translating, and applying these principles will help those implementing nursing shared governance to build a strong professional structure, which can serve as a framework for constructing and expressing professional practices, processes, and relationships.
Creating a Culture of Shared Governance Begins with Developing the Nurse as Scholar
Authors: Donohue-Porter Patricia
Published: November 2012

The relationship between shared governance and nursing scholarship is investigated with an emphasis on the connection between stages of scholarly development and nursing action in the evolution of professional practice models. The scholarly image of nursing is described and four critical stages of scholarship (scholarly inquiry, conscious reflection, persistent critique, and intellectual creation) are presented. The development of nursing scholars is described with emphasis on intellectual virtues as described by philosophers and values as described by nursing theorists that are foundational to this process. Shared governance is viewed holistically as a true scholarly process when these elements are in place and are used by nurses.
Partners Advancing Clinical Excellence: Building Professional Councils for Quality Improvement at Six Community Hospitals
Authors: Ann Sakowski Julie , Hooper Lynda , Holton Thomas , Brody Abraham A.
Published: November 2012

Engaging bedside clinicians, especially nurses, is essential for the success of sustainable process improvement programs and thus for improving the quality of health care. Studies have shown that properly implemented professional councils can be effective in engaging and empowering bedside clinicians to create lasting and meaningful improvements. This case study describes a 5-year program to implement and operate staff-led councils to lead evidence-based practice (EBP) quality improvement initiatives at 6 community hospitals. The outcomes presented in this case study demonstrate that staff-led councils have the potential to improve patient safety and quality of care as evidenced by observed reductions in ventilator-associated pneumonias, central line–associated bloodstream infections, and mortality from acute myocardial infarction and severe sepsis.
Pilot-scale demonstration of the hybrid zero-valent iron process for treating flue-gas-desulfurization wastewater: Part II
Authors: Huang Yong H. , Peddi Phani K. , Zeng Hui , Tang Ci-Lai , Teng Xinjun
Published: November 2012

The hybrid zero-valent-iron (hZVI) process is a novel chemical treatment process that has shown promise for removing heavy metals and nutrients from industrial wastewaters. In this study, a pilot-scale demonstration was conducted to continuously treat 3.8–7.6 L/min (1–2 gpm) of the flue-gas-desulfurization (FGD) wastewater at a coal-fired power plant for 5 months. In this paper, a spike test was conducted to evaluate performance of the hZVI process for removing selected toxic metals at artificially elevated concentrations. The results showed that a multiple-stage hZVI process could decrease selenate-Se from 22 mg/L to ∼10 μg/L and dissolved Hg2+ from 1.15 mg/L to ∼10 ng/L. In addition, the process simultaneously removed a broad spectrum of heavy metals such as As(III), As(V), Cr(VI), Cd(II), Pb(II) and Cu(II) from mg/L to near or sub-ppb (μg/L) level after a single-stage treatment. The process consumed about 0.3 kg ZVI per 1 m3 FGD wastewater treated at a cost of about US$0.6/m3. Solid waste production and energy consumption were reasonably low. The successful pilot study demonstrated that the hZVI technology can be a low-cost, high-performance treatment platform for solving some of the toughest heavy metal water problems.
The hydrolysis and biogas production of complex cellulosic substrates using three anaerobic biomass sources
Authors: Keating C. , Cysneiros D. , Mahony T. , O'Flaherty V.
Published: November 2012

In this study, the ability of various sludges to digest a diverse range of cellulose and cellulose-derived substrates was assessed at different temperatures to elucidate the factors affecting hydrolysis. For this purpose, the biogas production was monitored and the specific biogas activity (SBA) of the sludges was employed to compare the performance of three anaerobic sludges on the degradation of a variety of complex cellulose sources, across a range of temperatures. The sludge with the highest performance on complex substrates was derived from a full-scale bioreactor treating sewage at 37 °C. Hydrolysis was the rate-limiting step during the degradation of complex substrates. No activity was recorded for the synthetic cellulose compound carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) using any of the sludges tested. Increased temperature led to an increase in hydrolysis rates and thus SBA values. The non-granular nature of the mesophilic sludge played a positive role in the hydrolysis of solid substrates, while the granular sludges proved more effective on the degradation of soluble compounds.
The effect of photosensitizer on diclofenac photodegradation under simulated sunlight
Authors: Zhang N. , Liu G. G. , Liu H. J. , Wang Y. L. , Li T.
Published: November 2012

This paper studies the effect of photosensitizer (acetone, H2O2, surfactant and pigment) on photodegradation of diclofenac (DCF) under simulated sunlight. The results demonstrate that degradation pathways proceed via pseudo first-order kinetics in all cases. The photodegradation rate was found to increase with increasing acetone and H2O2. Surfactant and pigment inhibited the photodegradation of DCF. Finally, four kinds of main degradation products were observed by high performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry and their chemical structures were suggested.
Efficiency of molar distalization associated with second and third molar eruption stage
Authors: Flores-Mir Carlos , McGrath Lisa , Heo Giseon , Major Paul W.
Published: November 2012

Objective:

To evaluate the efficiency of molar distalization associated with the second and third molar eruption stage.

Materials and Methods:

A systematic computerized database search was conducted using several databases. Adaptations of the terms molar distalization and distalizing appliances were used. The reference lists of all the selected articles were also searched for any potential articles that might have been missed in the electronic search. The data provided in the selected publications were grouped and analyzed in terms of molar distalization with respect to various eruption stages of maxillary second and third molars.

Results:

Out of the 13 initially identified articles only four fulfilled the final selection criteria. Three of the four studies showed no statistical significance in linear molar distalization based on the eruptive stage of the second and/or third molars, while one study found that the amount of distal movement of the first molars was significantly greater in the group with unerupted second molars. Only one study found that the amount of molar tipping that occurred as a result of distalization was related to the eruption stage of the maxillary molars. Similarly, three of the four studies found that molar distalization time was not significantly affected by eruption of the second or third molars.

Conclusion:

The effect of maxillary second and third molar eruption stage on molar distalization—both linear and angular distalization—appears to be minimal. This conclusion is only based on low–level of evidence clinical trials. The large variability in the outcomes should be considered clinically.
Real-Time Improvement of Continuous Glucose Monitoring Accuracy
Authors: Facchinetti Andrea , Sparacino Giovanni , Guerra Stefania , Luijf Yoeri M. , DeVries J. Hans , Mader Julia K. , Ellmerer Martin , Benesch Carsten , Heinemann Lutz , Bruttomesso Daniela , Avogaro Angelo , Cobelli Claudio ,   on behalf of the AP@home Consortium
Published: November 2012

OBJECTIVE

Reliability of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) sensors is key in several applications. In this work we demonstrate that real-time algorithms can render CGM sensors smarter by reducing their uncertainty and inaccuracy and improving their ability to alert for hypo- and hyperglycemic events.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

The smart CGM (sCGM) sensor concept consists of a commercial CGM sensor whose output enters three software modules, able to work in real time, for denoising, enhancement, and prediction. These three software modules were recently presented in the CGM literature, and here we apply them to the Dexcom SEVEN Plus continuous glucose monitor. We assessed the performance of the sCGM on data collected in two trials, each containing 12 patients with type 1 diabetes.

RESULTS

The denoising module improves the smoothness of the CGM time series by an average of ∼57%, the enhancement module reduces the mean absolute relative difference from 15.1 to 10.3%, increases by 12.6% the pairs of values falling in the A-zone of the Clarke error grid, and finally, the prediction module forecasts hypo- and hyperglycemic events an average of 14 min ahead of time.

CONCLUSIONS

We have introduced and implemented the sCGM sensor concept. Analysis of data from 24 patients demonstrates that incorporation of suitable real-time signal processing algorithms for denoising, enhancement, and prediction can significantly improve the performance of CGM applications. This can be of great clinical impact for hypo- and hyperglycemic alert generation as well in artificial pancreas devices.
Powers of sovereignty
Authors: Ong Aihwa
Published: November 2012

Hardt and Negri's trilogy describes an American Empire as shaping a world split between global capital and disenfranchised multitude, leading to a final confrontation between the Empire of capital and the counter-Empire of workers everywhere. However, their interpretation is limited by their philosophical abstraction and revolutionary vision, which fails to recognize the implications of actually existing processes of sovereignty and capital at this global juncture. The situation found in Asia challenges their analysis. In contemporary China, experimental assemblages of sovereign powers, capital, techne, and ethics have not weakened, but, in fact, have strengthened political sovereignty, nationalist sentiments, and collectivist ethos, presenting a different picture of biopolitics from that of Hardt and Negri's global theory. The authoritarian outcomes in China are political solutions forged in circumstances that mingle the global, the historical, and the situated. This article argues that Asian aspirations are rearranging capitalism and political sovereignty as Hardt and Negri understand them.
"We have to transform ourselves first"
Authors: Jun Euyryung
Published: November 2012

Multiculturalism has often been articulated through imperial and civilizational discourses that identify tolerance with the liberal West and intolerance with nonliberal societies and cultures. This article explores how the focus of the civilizational gaze is turned on the allegedly “not yet tolerant self“ in the neoliberal developmental state of South Korea. The mode of the liberal government that recently emerged in South Korea has been shaped not in the self-celebratory rhetoric of “what we are“ but in the self-critical, developmentalist rhetoric of “what we lack.“ Drawing from my fieldwork among local civic actors working in the field of migration, I discuss how the civic discourse of damunhwa, or “multiculturalism,“ that emerged in opposition to the “governmental objectification“ of migrant groups redirects the focus onto the ethical improvement of the general population, relying on another form of reified otherness that captures migrants and their presence in the country as “opportunities“ for South Korea's moral ventures.
Distributed Semantic Architecture for Smart Grids
Authors: Penya Yoseba K. , Nieves Juan Carlos , Espinoza Angelina , Borges Cruz E. , Peña Aitor , Ortega Mariano
Published: November 2012

The smart grid revolution demands a huge effort in redesigning and enhancing current power networks, as well as integrating emerging scenarios such as distributed generation, renewable energies or the electric vehicle. This novel situation will cause a huge flood of data that can only be handled, processed and exploited in real-time with the help of cutting-edge ICT (Information and Communication Technologies). We present here a new architecture that, contrary to the previous centralised and static model, distributes the intelligence all over the grid by means of individual intelligent nodes controlling a number of electric assets. The nodes own a profile of the standard smart grid ontology stored in the knowledge base with the inferred information about their environment in RDF triples. Since the system does not have a central registry or a service directory, the connectivity emerges from the view of the world semantically encoded by each individual intelligent node (i.e., profile + inferred information). We have described a use-case both with and without real-time requirements to illustrate and validate this novel approach.
Eclipsed Acetaldehyde as a Precursor for Producing Vinyl Alcohol
Authors: Osman Osman I. , Alyoubi Abdulrahman O. , Elroby Shabaan A. K. , Hilal Rifaat H. , Aziz Saadullah G.
Published: November 2012

The MP2 and DFT/B3LYP methods at 6-311++G(d,p) and aug-cc-pdz basis sets have been used to probe the origin of relative stability preference for eclipsed acetaldehyde over its bisected counterpart. A relative energy stability range of 1.02 to 1.20 kcal/mol, in favor of the eclipsed conformer, was found and discussed. An NBO study at these chemistry levels complemented these findings and assigned the eclipsed acetaldehyde preference mainly to the vicinal antiperiplanar hyperconjugative interactions. The tautomeric interconversion between the more stable eclipsed acetaldehyde and vinyl alcohol has been achieved through a four-membered ring transition state (TS). The obtained barrier heights and relative stabilities of eclipsed acetaldehyde and the two conformers of vinyl alchol at these model chemistries have been estimated and discussed.
A Study of the Effect of Djurliete, Bornite and Chalcopyrite during the Dissolution of Gold with a Solution of Ammonia-Cyanide
Authors: Deschênes Guy , Guo Hai , Xia Chen , Pratt Allen , Fulton Mike , Choi Yeonuk , Price Judith
Published: November 2012

The high solubility of copper sulphide minerals is an issue in the cyanidation of gold ores. The objective of this study was to quantify the effect of individual copper sulphide minerals on the Hunt process, which showed advantages over cyanidation. High purity djurleite, bornite and chalcopyrite, with a P70 of 70–74 microns, were mixed with fine quartz and gold powder (3–8 micron) to obtain a copper concentration of 0.3%. The ammonia-cyanide leaching of slurry with djurleite proved to be more effective than cyanidation; producing comparable extraction of gold (99%), while reducing the cyanide consumption from 5.8 to 1.2 kg/t NaCN. Lead nitrate improved the Hunt leaching. The lower cyanide consumption is associated to a significant reduction of copper dissolved. XPS surface analysis of djurleite showed that lead nitrate favored the formation of Cu(OH)2 species. Lead was also detected on the surface (oxide or hydroxide). Sulphide and copper compounds (cyanide and sulphide) were reaction products responsible for inhibiting the dissolution of gold. Lead nitrate added in the Hunt leaching of bornite produced 99% gold extraction. Surface reaction products were similar to djurleite. The cyanide consumption (~4.4 kg/t NaCN) was not reduced by the addition of ammonia. Cyanidation of chalcopyrite showed a lower consumption of cyanide 0.33 kg/t NaCN compared to 0.21 kg/t NaCN for Hunt. No significant interferences were observed in gold leaching with a slurry containing chalcopyrite.
A Quantitative Approach for Analyzing the Relationship between Urban Heat Islands and Land Cover
Authors: Ogashawara Igor , Bastos Vanessa
Published: November 2012

With more than 80% of Brazilians living in cities, urbanization has had an important impact on climatic variations. São José dos Campos is located in a region experiencing rapid urbanization, which has produced a remarkable Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect. This effect influences the climate, environment and socio-economic development on a regional scale. In this study, the brightness temperatures and land cover types from Landsat TM images of São José dos Campos from 1986, 2001 and 2010 were analyzed for the spatial distribution of changes in temperature and land cover. A quantitative approach was used to explore the relationships among temperature, land cover areas and several indices, including the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI) and Normalized Difference Built-up Index (NDBI). The results showed that urban and bare areas correlated positively with high temperatures. Conversely, areas covered in vegetation and water correlated positively with low temperatures. The indices showed that correlations between the NDVI and NDWI and temperature were low (<0.5); however, a moderate correlation was found between the NDBI and temperature.
Cytokine Profiles in Various Graft-Versus-Host Disease Target Organs following Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
Authors: Lai Hsiu-Yu , Chou Teh-Ying , Tzeng Cheng-Hwai , Lee Oscar Kuang-Sheng
Published: November 2012

Previous studies using genetic-deficient murine models suggest that different T-helper subsets may contribute to different types of tissue damages in graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). However, there is limited information available on the distribution of T-helper cytokines in the various GvHD target tissues. In the current study, an acute GvHD murine model was set up to directly assess the in situ cytokine profiles in various GvHD tissue lesions; in addition, we also studied GvHD tissues from patients who had undergone bone marrow transplantation procedures. We observed that interferon-γ (IFN-γ was dominant in murine liver and gastrointestinal tissue lesions, whereas IFN-γ and interleukin 17 (IL-17) were abundant in murine skin lesions. Furthermore, in human GvHD tissues, interleukin 4 (IL-4) and IFN-γ were predominant in liver lesions and colon lesions, respectively, while no specific cytokine was prevalent in human GvHD skin lesions. In addition, a low ratio of CD4+T helper (Th) versus CD8+T cytotoxic (Tc) cells in human GvHD tissue lesions, especially in the liver, was detected, and this contrasts with the situation in murine GvHD tissues where CD4+Th cells were predominant. Dual staining for CD markers and cytokine expression showed that IFN-γ-secreting T cells were enriched in all murine GvHD target tissue lesions, and Tc1 and Tc2 cells were predominant in human GvHD colon and liver sections, respectively. However, IFN-γ+Th1, IL-17+Th17, IFN-γ+Tc1, and IL-17+Tc17 cells were slightly more frequent in human skin lesions compared to IL-4+Th2 and IL-4+Tc2 cells. To sum up, these results suggest that differences in cytokine imbalances may significantly contribute to tissue-specific pathogenesis in GvHD target organs, and CD8+Tc cells may play an important role in human GvHD induction.
THE HEATING LOAD DETERMINATION OF LOW ENERGY BUILDINGS IN NORTHERN CLIMATE
Authors: Venckus Nerijus , Bliūdžius Raimondas , Poderytė Jurga , Burlingis Arūnas
Published: November 2012

Low energy buildings require an efficient thermal insulation of the envelopes ensuring minor heat losses; such buildings must be tight in order to avoid heat losses due to over-infiltration. Installation of a heating recovery system compensates for some heat used for heating the ventilation air. The design solution of transparent envelopes of low energy buildings determines significant solar heat gains that compensate for a part of heat losses through the envelopes and ventilation systems. Taking into account these properties of low energy buildings, the modeling of indoor temperatures of such building was carried out at varying outdoor temperatures and power of the heating system. On the grounds of the obtained results, it was determined that a lower heat source power than the one determined according to the outdoor temperature of the coldest five-day period can be used to meet the indoor microclimate requirements in a low energy building. In this way, the expenses of heating system installation are reduced and the operational efficiency of the heat source is increased.
WORKFORCE INFORMATION DATABASE SYSTEM TO SUPPORT PRODUCTION PLANNING IN CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
Authors: Kim Sang-Chul , Kim Yong-Woo
Published: November 2012

Information on the capacity of available workforce is important in production planning because a production unit's quantitative and qualitative capacities need to match its assigned loads. In the planning process, assigned loads and quantitative capacity are well defined quantitatively through quantity takeoff and database estimation. However, tracking and managing such workforce information, including skills, accident history and experiences, is a challenging task. This research seeks to develop a prototype workforce information database system that defines not only quantitative data but also qualitative measures in relation to load and capacity. A workforce information database system is described for use in workforce-level production planning. This database system tracks the daily quantitative and qualitative production capacities of each worker. The paper also explored the benefits and its applicability in production planning through a survey.
Optimum Design of Hybrid EDFA/FRA by Particle Swarm Optimization
Authors: Mowla Alireza , Granpayeh Nosrat , Hormozi Azadeh Rastegari
Published: November 2012

In this chapter, the authors introduce the hybrid erbium-doped fiber amplifier (EDFA)/fiber Raman amplifier (FRA) and its optimization procedure by particle swarm optimization (PSO). EDFAs, FRAs, and their combinations, which have the advantages of both, are the most important optical fiber amplifiers that overcome the signal power attenuations in the long-haul communication. After choosing a proper configuration for a hybrid EDFA/FRA, users have to choose its numerous parameters such as the lengths, pump powers, number and wavelengths of pumps, number of signal channels and their wavelengths, the signal input powers, the kind of the fibers and their characteristics such as the radius of the core, numerical apertures, and the density of Er3+ ions in the EDFA. As can be seen, there are many parameters that need to be chosen properly. Here, efficient heuristic optimization method of PSO is used to solve this problem.
Nondestructive Analysis of Dielectric Bodies by Means of an Ant Colony Optimization Method
Authors: Pastorino Matteo , Randazzo Andrea
Published: November 2012

Electromagnetic approaches based on inverse scattering are very important in the field of nondestructive analysis of dielectric targets. In most cases, the inverse scattering problem related to the reconstruction of the dielectric properties of unknown targets starting from measured field values can be recast as an optimization problem. Due to the ill-posedness of this inverse problem, the application of global optimization techniques seems to be a very suitable choice. In this chapter, the authors review the use of the Ant Colony Optimization method, which is a stochastic optimization algorithm that has been found to provide very good results in a plethora of applications in the area of electromagnetics as well as in other fields of electrical engineering.
Analyzing the Lead Time and Shipping Lot-Size in a Chaotic Supply Network
Authors: Tarokh Mohammad Jafar , Golara Sina
Published: November 2012

Supply network issues recently have attracted a lot of attention from industrial practitioners and academics worldwide. Supply networks are highly complex systems. The oscillations in demand and inventory as orders pass through the system have been widely studied in literature. Studies have shown that supply networks can display some of the key characteristics of chaotic systems. Chaos theory is the study of complex, nonlinear, dynamic systems; therefore it can be useful for studying the dynamics of supply networks. In this paper the authors implemented a system dynamic approach and simulated a chaotic multi-level supply network. The authors analyzed the effects of decision parameters, delivery lead time and shipping lot-size on chaotic behavior of the whole supply network. The simulation revealed that an increment in lead times or shipping lot-size has a similar impact on chaotic behavior of the system and reduces the chance of chaotic behavior occurrence.
Dynamic Formation of Business Networks
Authors: Eurich Markus , Villalonga Claudia , Boutellier Roman
Published: November 2012

New business opportunities rarely conform to the way the industry traditionally approached the market, which is an opportunity for newcomers and flexible small and medium-sized enterprises to be the first in recognizing and taking advantage of emerging market opportunities. However, newcomers and small and medium-sized enterprises may be too young or too small to possess all the required competencies and resources. They need to organize themselves in business networks, in which business partners complement each other. This article suggests a sketch of the form and methods of a framework that allows the ‘Quality of Information’-based discovery of potential business partners who can offer resources like sensors, actuators, and processing services. In the Real World Internet, this would enable small and medium-sized enterprises to create an appropriate business network and to quickly react to emerging business opportunities.
Atlantic Salmon Type I IFN Subtypes Show Differences in Antiviral Activity and Cell-Dependent Expression: Evidence for High IFNb/IFNc–Producing Cells in Fish Lymphoid Tissues
Authors: Svingerud Tina , Solstad Terese , Sun Baojian , Nyrud May Liss J. , Kileng Øyvind , Greiner-Tollersrud Linn , Robertsen Børre
Published: November 2012

This work reveals distinct roles of the two-cysteine–containing type I IFNs, IFNa and IFNd, and the four-cysteine–containing IFNb and IFNc in antiviral immunity of Atlantic salmon. IFNa and IFNc showed similar antiviral activities and ability to induce antiviral genes, IFNb was less active, and IFNd showed no activity. Expression of IFNs was compared by treatment of cells or fish with the dsRNA polyinosinic–polycytidylic acid [poly(I:C)], which induces IFNs via the viral RNA receptors MDA5 and TLR3/TLR22 and with the imidazoquinoline R848, which induces IFNs via TLR7. Poly(I:C) strongly induced IFNa in cell lines, whereas the other IFNs showed little response, indicating that IFNa is the main IFN subtype induced through the RIG-I/MDA5 pathway. In contrast, IFNb and IFNc are the main IFNs induced through the TLR7 pathway because R848 induced high transcript levels of IFNb and IFNc and low transcript levels of IFNa in the head kidney and spleen. IFNd was constitutively expressed in cells and organs but showed no response to poly(I:C) or R848. Fluorescence in situ hybridization studies showed that poly(I:C) induced IFNa and IFNc in a variety of cells in the head kidney, spleen, gills, liver, and heart, whereas R848 induced coexpression of IFNb and IFNc in distinct cells in head kidney and spleen. These cells are likely to be specialized high IFN producers because they were few in numbers despite high IFNb/IFNc transcript levels in the same organs. High IFN expression in response to TLR7 ligation is a feature shared by mammalian plasmacytoid dendritic cells.
Bybelkunde as eiesoortige teologiese dissipline binne 'n veranderende Suid-Afrikaanse konteks
Authors: Joubert S.J.
Published: November 2012

Biblical Studies as a distinctive theological discipline within a changing South-African context. Biblical Studies balances on the dividing line between different realities: between the religious experiences expressed in the Bible and contemporary theological interpretations thereof, and between the scientific activities of modem universities and reflections on God's saving acts in history in different religious communities. Within these spheres Biblical Studies must carve out its own niche as a functionally independent theological discipline, by making its own theoretical reflections on the Bible relevant within the changing South-African context. This can be achieved through, amongst others, the study of the history and theology of the Old Testament and the New Testament, the intercultural communication of Biblical values, the exposure of students to different religions on phenomenological level, and the activation of students' creative abilities through a study of the impact of the Bible on various art forms.
William Nicol - praktiese gelo\vige in diens van die Kerk
Authors: Du Plessis P.J.S.G.
Published: November 2012

William Nicol - practical believer in service of the Church This article focuses on ~Villiam Nicol as practical believer in his own time and comext. The aim is to indicate his permanent contributions to the Dutch Refonned Church of the last decades of the twentieth cenrury. He was tml)' a man who lived according to the love-commandment. He endeavoured to make Jesus Lord ill all walks of life. He was no great theologian, but a man of action. He represented the body of Christ, the Church, amongst his people. He sen'ed and led his people in a time of distress. He helped his people to regain their pride and to realise the importance of faith.
What makes theological education "theological"? A South African story on the integrity of theological education
Authors: Robinson P.J. , Smit D.J.
Published: November 2012

What  makes  theological  education  "theological"?  A  South  Mrican story on the iniegrity of  theological education David  Tracy  claims  that  the  contemporary  emergence  of a  sociological imagination  is  as  crucial for  theological  self-consciousness  as  the  earlier rise of  historical consciousness among  theologians.  The  authors are of  the opinion  that  the  rapid  and fundamental  social  changes  in  South  African society  over  the  past few  years  have  accelerated  this  "emergence  of a sociological  imagination"  amongst  Sout~  African  theologians.  In  three sections,  they  point  to  three  clusters  of questions  that  have  therefore become  increasingly  important,  namely  questions  related  to  the  growing awareness  of the  crucial  role  of social  location  or  context,  questions arising  from  a  growing  acknowledgement  of public  responsibility,  and questions concerning  the  integrity of  theological education,  i e the question on what makes theological education  "theological".
A tradition-historical analysis of Psalm 55
Authors: Human D.J.
Published: November 2012

A tradition-historical analysis of Psalm 55. The text of Psalm 55 will be remembered for its musical setting by Felix Mendelsohn and others and also for the fact that it is one of the most difficult psalms to analyse. A tradition-historical analysis of the traditions and history of the poem confinns the unique and independent character of the text. The content of the psalm is characterised by vague allusions to well-known salvational and historical traditions as well as the psalm's characteristic fonnulations. Themes from the primeval history and desert wanderings of Israel are identifiable. Moreover, tenninology with a socalled priestly background, reflect the psalm's cultic setting and junction, while a theme from the Zion tradition is also evident. Prophetic language is evident in both legal concepts and tenninology which expresses guilt. Relationships with wisdom texts are also evident. This article is an attempt to identify and detennine the function of the above-mentioned traditionsgeschichtliche themes in order to gain a better understanding of the text.
History reconstruction: Third century parallels to 20th century South African Church 'History Origen Adamantinus
Authors: Maritz P.J.
Published: November 2012

History reconstruction: Third century parallels to 20th century South African Church History - Origen Adamantinus. In this paper a possible third century contribution to Church History reconstruction is considered. This is employed as an example for South African church historians who are dedicated to history interpretation, whether it be from the perspective of: acceptance on face value; justification; verification; criticism or renunciation of twentieth century historical events and the WG)'S in which they have influenced the prophetic task of the church in South Africa. To this end, a parallel is drawn between third century Origen and a few South African church figures from the twentieth century, which will highlight the church's continuing prophetic ministry.
Hervormers wat ons nie mag vergeet nie
Authors: Van der Merwe J.M.
Published: November 2012

Church Reformers we should not forget. On thefifth of November 1980, the Reformed Day Witness was published in Die Kerkbode by eight theologians of the Dutch Reformed Church. The Witness, as it became known, soon had storm clouds gathering in the church, because of it's content. It was a wakeup call to the church about it's prophetic call, it's guidance to government and it's role in reconciliation. Many ministers and members of the church supported The Witness while church leadership was mainly against it. In the end The Witness was silenced but the seed were sown. Many ministers and church members now knew that the Dutch Reformed Church had to take a new approach with regard to it's prophetic call and it's role in society. When we look back over what happened in the past seventeen years, history tells us that these men were prophets of their time, men that we must not forget.
Micah 1, an apt introduction to power talks
Authors: Wessels W.J.
Published: November 2012

Power and the abuse of it, is often an integral part of discussions in any society. The prophets of the Old Testament felt strongly about this issue and often spoke out against the abuse of power and the suffering caused by it. Micah particularly addresses this issue in chapters 2 and 3. He blames the leaders in society, who should look out for the ordinary people, that they in particular are guilty of this transgression. In chapter 1 Micah proclaims Yahweh as the sovereign power who they should take note off. On the very basis of Yahweh's sovereign power he then proclaims oracles of judgment on the people of Judah. Micah 1 seems to form an apt introduction to the talks of the abuse of power in the society of Judah.
Paulus se gewetenskonsep
Authors: Desk P.R. Bosman
Published: November 2012

This survey article introduces the reader to Paul's concept of conscience via an analysis of the word ([Foreign font omitted] in his letters. It is argued that Paul uses the word within an inherited conceptual framework, but that he also introduces significant changes. The concept is basically understood as an inner monitor which spontaneously registers lack of integrity and discrepancies between thoughts, words and deeds. As an aspect of man's rational make-up, the conscience reacts on the basis of knowledge available to the individual, and plays the role of witness within a metaphorical inner court of law. Brief observations on how Paul's concept of conscience interacts with other aspects of his thinking conclude the paper.
"Hy wat is en wat was en wat kom": Die God van betrokkenheid volgens Openbaring
Authors: DuRand J.A.
Published: November 2012

The one who is and who was and who is to come: The God of commitment according to the book of Revelation The theocentricity of Revelation makes an imperative of the placement of the committed One who is and who was and who is to come in the centre of history of mankind. God's character, as depicted in Revelation, is developed through interaction with all creation. The response of nondivine characters to their creator shapes the hearer's/readers' perception of God, who is both revealed and shrouded in mystery through the apocalyptic visions. Through direct, indirect and interdividual characterisation, the focus falls on the expression "who is to come" to emphasise God's commitment, through the sacrifice of the Lamb.
Eksegetiese eo homiletiese oorwegiogs vir '0 dooppreek
Authors: Vos C.J.A.
Published: November 2012

Exegetical and homeletic considerations for a baptismal sermon This contribution pays attention to exegetical and homeletic considerations for a baptismal sermon. The contribution is dedicated with much appreciation, to Prof Wil Vosloo.
Verandering en vernuwing in die pastoraat met vroue
Authors: Dreyer Y.
Published: November 2012

The aim of the article is to describe and explain the paradigm shift from a modern to a postmodern mindset regarding pastoral counseling with women. Modernistic thinking contributed to the non-identity of women, though more rights were gradually granted to women. The perspective from which theology approached women was still embedded is a premodern biblical mindset. This article elaborates on the hermeneutic of suspicion with the aim to enhanCing a more symmetrical pastoral interaction. This symmetry is conducive to authentic communication, genuine respect for women as persons and for their stories. This provides an optimum environment for healing.