bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Experimental verification of antagonistic stiffness planning for a planar parallel mechanism with 2-DOF force redundancy
Authors: Lee Sungcheul , Kim Sitae , In Woosung , Kim Moonki , Jeong Jay I. , Kim Jongwon 
Published: August 2010

SUMMARYIn this paper, an experimental verification of antagonistic stiffness planning is presented for a 2-DOF parallel mechanism with four actuators. With 2-DOF force redundancy, the magnitude and direction of the stiffness enhancement can be controlled by the additional actuators, where the internal torques of the mechanism exist on the two-dimensional null space. In the experiments, the passive and active stiffness are measured, respectively, during endowing the external force at the end-effector. Two stiffness assignment methods for a given pathway are suggested and are verified by the experiments.
Performance of community-based natural resource governance for the Kafue Flats (Zambia)
Authors: NKHATA BIMO A. , BREEN CHARLES M. 
Published: August 2010

SUMMARYThe performance obstacles surrounding community-based natural resource management (CBNRM) in southern Africa have much to do with understanding of environmental governance systems and how these are devolved. CBNRM appears to be failing because of flawed environmental governance systems compounded by their ineffective devolution. A case study in Zambia is used to illustrate why and how one CBNRM scheme for the most part faltered. It draws on practical experiences involving the devolution of decision-making and benefit-distribution processes on a floodplain wetland known as the Kafue Flats. While this CBNRM scheme was designed to facilitate the devolution of key components of an environmental governance system, the resultant efforts were largely unsuccessful because of the poor social relationships between government actors and local rural communities. It is argued that in Zambia, at least from an environmental governance system perspective, CBNRM has mostly failed. While generally bringing some marginal improvements to local communities, the construction and execution of an effective environmental governance system have been largely flawed.
Haplotype diversity in the Antarctic springtailGressittacantha terranovaat fine spatial scales - a Holocene twist to a Pliocene tale
Authors: Hawes T.C. , Torricelli G. , Stevens M.I. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractThe mitochondrial COI gene of the Antarctic springtail,Gressittacantha terranova, was sequenced across a polar coastal landscape at Terra Nova Bay, northern Victoria Land. Samples from two altitudinal transects in the foothills directly south of Campbell Glacier were compared with samples from Springtail Valley (northern foothills) as an external reference population. We found that mtDNA haplotypes clustered into two lineages (clades) with a mean sequence divergence of 10% (uncorrected distance). However, there was no phylogeographic structure found at this spatial (landscape) scale with haplotypes from both divergent clades found sympatric across most populations. At the landscape scale, the considerable genetic divergence revealed withinG. terranovais around five times greater than any other continental Antarctic springtail examined to date. These data indicate a Pliocene divergence event inG. terranovaaround 4–5 million years ago. The unusual distributional profile of haplotypes - occurrence of multiple haplotypes at single sites and genetic contiguity between sites that are not physically contiguous - suggests a subsequent ‘reshuffling’ of haplotypes in the Holocene that has an ecological basis.
Bootstrap Percolation in High Dimensions
Authors: BALOGH JÓZSEF , BOLLOBÁS BÉLA , MORRIS ROBERT 
Published: August 2010

Inr-neighbour bootstrap percolation on a graphG, a set of initially infected verticesA⊂V(G) is chosen independently at random, with densityp, and new vertices are subsequently infected if they have at leastrinfected neighbours. The setAis said to percolate if eventually all vertices are infected. Our aim is to understand this process on the grid, [n]d, for arbitrary functionsn=n(t),d=d(t) andr=r(t), ast→ ∞. The main question is to determine the critical probabilitypc([n]d,r) at which percolation becomes likely, and to give bounds on the size of the critical window. In this paper we study this problem whenr= 2, for all functionsnanddsatisfyingd≫ logn.The bootstrap process has been extensively studied on [n]dwhendis a fixed constant and 2 ⩽r⩽d, and in these casespc([n]d,r) has recently been determined up to a factor of 1 +o(1) asn→ ∞. At the other end of the scale, Balogh and Bollobás determinedpc([2]d, 2) up to a constant factor, and Balogh, Bollobás and Morris determinedpc([n]d,d) asymptotically ifd≥ (log logn)2+ϵ, and gave much sharper bounds for the hypercube.Here we prove the following result. Let λ be the smallest positive root of the equationso λ ≈ 1.166. Thenifdis sufficiently large, and moreoverasd→ ∞, for every functionn=n(d) withd≫ logn.
Atmospheric particulate transport modelling in a controlled burn event
Authors: Leslie Lance M , Speer Milton S 
Published: August 2010

AbstractSmoke pollution from controlled burning of forested areas can be a major problem for populated areas, even those at some distance from the site of the burning. In particular, Perth, the largest city in Western Australia, is affected by smoke from controlled forest burns to the south of the city when meteorological conditions advect smoke over the city. Such controlled burns are extensively carried out on an annual basis in spring, early summer and late autumn by the Western Australian Department of Conservation and Land Management (CALM) in the southwest forests, in order to reduce flammable fuels and mitigate the undesirable social, economic, environmental and human problems caused by destructive wildfires. In this article, results are presented from a mesoscale model prediction of smoke trajectories from a controlled burn event that took place in November, 1995. In this example, two meteorological factors, a strong sea‐breeze front and a mesoscale low pressure system, unexpectedly turned the smoke back from its initial trajectory over the ocean to directly over Perth itself. The result was very high smoke concentration levels over the city and associated health concerns to residents as well as disruption to transport including the closing of Perth airport. The mesoscale guidance was very accurate and can provide valuable guidance when run routinely. Copyright © 1998 Royal Meteorological Society
Is participation in food and income assistance programmes associated with obesity in California adults? Results from a state-wide survey
Authors: Leung Cindy W , Villamor Eduardo 
Published: August 2010

AbstractObjectivePublic assistance programmes may increase risk of obesity among adults. The current study assessed whether participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP; formerly the Food Stamp Program), Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or California Work Opportunities and Responsibilities to Kids (CalWorks) was associated with obesity, independent of socio-economic status and food insecurity.DesignA cross-sectional analysis of the 2007 Adult California Health Interview Survey. Outcome measures included BMI and obesity. Distribution of BMI and prevalence of obesity were compared by participation in each programme, using weighted linear and binomial regression models in which BMI or obesity was the outcome, respectively, and programme participation was the predictor.SettingA population survey of various health measures.SubjectsNon-institutionalized adults (n 7741) whose household income was ≤130 % of the federal poverty level.ResultsThe prevalence of obesity was 27·4 %. After adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, food insecurity and participation in other programmes, the prevalence of obesity was 30 % higher in SNAP participants (95 % CI 6 %, 59 %; P = 0·01) than in non-participants. This association was more pronounced among men than women. SSI participation was related to an adjusted 50 % higher prevalence of obesity (95 % CI 27 %, 77 %; P < 0·0001) compared with no participation. SNAP and SSI participants also reported higher soda consumption than non-participants of any programme. CalWorks participation was not associated with obesity after multivariable adjustment.ConclusionsParticipation in SNAP or SSI was associated with obesity independent of food insecurity or socio-economic status. The suggestion that these associations may be mediated by dietary quality warrants further investigation among low-income populations.
Young urban women and the nutrition transition in Jordan
Authors: Madanat Hala N , Lindsay Ryan , Campbell Tiffany 
Published: August 2010

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the nutrition transition stage of female Jordanian college students.DesignA cross-sectional survey was used to assess eating styles, disordered eating attitudes and behaviours, body esteem and dissatisfaction, and media influence.SettingPublic and private universities in Jordan.SubjectsA total of 255 subjects were recruited through a government-initiated youth campaign.ResultsThe majority of participants had a normal BMI (70·6 %) with almost all (99·4 %) reporting restrained eating behaviour. Scores on the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) indicated that 45·2 % of these female college students should be screening for eating disorders. Subscales of the Body Esteem Scale (BES) showed that these women did not have substantial body esteem issues and mean scores on the Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire (SATAQ-3) indicated that overall these women did not feel the media was dictating the way their body should look. Where Jordanian women did feel pressure from Western media, there was a 6·7-fold increase in the likelihood that they wanted to lose weight. In addition, 48·2 % of the female college students desired to lose weight and 14·4 % desired weight gain, indicating a certain level of body dissatisfaction.ConclusionsWith low levels of overweight and obesity and a propensity towards eating based on external hunger cues, college-aged Jordanian women may be less advanced in their development through the nutrition transition than the general population of women. However, high levels of restrained eating and disordered eating attitudes and behaviours indicate the need for an intervention to address healthy weight-loss strategies, assess eating disorders and help maintain healthy body esteem.
‘Candidatus Accumulibacter’ gene expression in response to dynamic EBPR conditions
Authors: He Shaomei , McMahon Katherine D 
Published: August 2010

Abstract
Enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) activated sludge communities enriched in ‘Candidatus Accumulibacter’ relatives are widely used in wastewater treatment, but much remains to be learned about molecular-level controls on the EBPR process. The expression of genes found in the carbon and polyphosphate metabolic pathways in Accumulibacter was investigated using reverse transcription quantitative PCR. During a normal anaerobic/aerobic EBPR cycle, gene expression exhibited a dynamic change in response to external acetate, oxygen, phosphate concentrations and probably internal chemical pools. Anaerobic acetate addition induced expression of genes associated with the methylmalonyl-CoA pathway enabling the split mode of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. Components of the full TCA cycle were induced after the switch to aerobic conditions. The induction of a key gene in the glyoxylate shunt pathway was observed under both anaerobic and aerobic conditions, with a higher induction by aeration. Polyphosphate kinase 1 from Accumulibacter was expressed, but did not appear to be regulated by phosphate limitation. To understand how Accumulibacter responds to disturbed electron donor and acceptor conditions, we perturbed the process by adding acetate aerobically. When high concentrations of oxygen were present simultaneously with acetate, phosphate-release was almost completely inhibited, and polyphosphate kinase 1 transcript abundance decreased. Genes associated with the methylmalonyl-CoA pathway were repressed and genes associated with the aerobic TCA cycle exhibited higher expression under this perturbation, suggesting that more acetyl-CoA was metabolized through the TCA cycle. These findings suggest that several genes involved in EBPR are tightly regulated at the transcriptional level.
TENTATIVE DETECTION OF QUASAR FEEDBACK FROM WMAP AND SDSS CROSS-CORRELATION
Authors: Chatterjee Suchetana , Ho Shirley , Newman Jeffrey A. , Kosowsky Arthur 
Published: August 2010

ABSTRACT
We perform a cross-correlation analysis of microwave data from the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe and photometric quasars from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, testing for the Sunyaev–Zeldovich (SZ) effect from quasars. A statistically significant (2.5σ) temperature decrement exists in the 41 GHz microwave band. A two-component fit to the cross-correlation spectrum incorporating both dust emission and SZ yields a best-fit y parameter of (7.0 ± 3.4) × 10−7. A similar cross-correlation analysis with the luminous red galaxy sample from Sloan gives a best-fit y parameter of (5.3 ±  2.5) × 10−7. We discuss the possible physical origin of these signals, which is likely a combination of SZ effects from quasars and galaxy clusters. Both the Planck Surveyor satellite and the current ground-based arcminute-resolution microwave experiments will detect this signal with a higher statistical significance.
Automated analysis of time-lapse fluorescence microscopy images: from live cell images to intracellular foci
Authors: Dzyubachyk Oleh , Essers Jeroen , Cappellen Wiggert A. van , Baldeyron Céline , Inagaki Akiko , Niessen Wiro J. , Meijering Erik 
Published: August 2010

Abstract
Motivation: Complete, accurate and reproducible analysis of intracellular foci from fluorescence microscopy image sequences of live cells requires full automation of all processing steps involved: cell segmentation and tracking followed by foci segmentation and pattern analysis. Integrated systems for this purpose are lacking.
Results: Extending our previous work in cell segmentation and tracking, we developed a new system for performing fully automated analysis of fluorescent foci in single cells. The system was validated by applying it to two common tasks: intracellular foci counting (in DNA damage repair experiments) and cell-phase identification based on foci pattern analysis (in DNA replication experiments). Experimental results show that the system performs comparably to expert human observers. Thus, it may replace tedious manual analyses for the considered tasks, and enables high-content screening.
Availability and implementation: The described system was implemented in MATLAB (The MathWorks, Inc., USA) and compiled to run within the MATLAB environment. The routines together with four sample datasets are available at http://celmia.bigr.nl/. The software is planned for public release, free of charge for non-commercial use, after publication of this article.
Contact: meijering@imagescience.org
Genevar: a database and Java application for the analysis and visualization of SNP-gene associations in eQTL studies
Authors: Yang Tsun-Po , Beazley Claude , Montgomery Stephen B. , Dimas Antigone S. , Gutierrez-Arcelus Maria , Stranger Barbara E. , Deloukas Panos , Dermitzakis Emmanouil T. 
Published: August 2010

Abstract
Summary: Genevar (GENe Expression VARiation) is a database and Java tool designed to integrate multiple datasets, and provides analysis and visualization of associations between sequence variation and gene expression. Genevar allows researchers to investigate expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) associations within a gene locus of interest in real time. The database and application can be installed on a standard computer in database mode and, in addition, on a server to share discoveries among affiliations or the broader community over the Internet via web services protocols.
Availability: http://www.sanger.ac.uk/resources/software/genevar
Contact: emmanouil.dermitzakis@unige.ch
A Bayesian method for 3D macromolecular structure inference using class average images from single particle electron microscopy
Authors: Jaitly Navdeep , Brubaker Marcus A. , Rubinstein John L. , Lilien Ryan H. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractMotivation: Electron cryo-microscopy can be used to infer 3D structures of large macromolecules with high resolution, but the large amounts of data captured necessitate the development of appropriate statistical models to describe the data generation process, and to perform structure inference. We present a new method for performing ab initio inference of the 3D structures of macromolecules from single particle electron cryo-microscopy experiments using class average images.Results: We demonstrate this algorithm on one phantom, one synthetic dataset and three real (experimental) datasets (ATP synthase, V-type ATPase and GroEL). Structures consistent with the known structures were inferred for all datasets.Availability: The software and source code for this method is available for download from our website: http://compbio.cs.toronto.edu/cryoem/Contact: ndjaitly@cs.toronto.edu; lilien@cs.toronto.eduSupplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Reduction of Interstitial Cells of Cajal in Esophageal Atresia
Authors: Midrio Paola , Alaggio Rita , Strojna Aleksandra , Gamba Piergiorgio , Giacomelli Luciano , Pizzi Sara , Faussone‐Pellegrini Maria Simonetta 
Published: August 2010

ABSTRACTObjectives:Postrepair esophageal dysmotility and gastroesophageal reflux are well‐known consequences in patients with congenital esophageal atresia (EA) with or without distal tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF). The interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC), considered the intestinal pacemaker, are altered in congenital diseases with abnormal peristalsis, but no data are available for EA. Therefore, presence and maturation of ICC was verified in EA‐TEF newborns.Patients and Methods:Fifteen full‐term neonates underwent repair of EA‐TEF. Control specimens were from 10 newborns who died of nonesophageal diseases. Specimens from upper pouch, fistula, proximal, and distal esophagus were processed for hematoxylin and eosin, c‐kit immunohistochemistry for ICC identification, and transmission electron microscopy. Frequency of c‐kit–positive cells was evaluated in 20 fields per slide using a visual score (absent, very low, low, medium, high, very high). Morphocytometry and statistical analysis were also performed.Results:In the proximal normal esophagus, ICC frequency was very high (3 cases), high (5), and medium (2); distally, it was high (4) and medium (6). In EA‐TEF upper pouch, it was high (2) and medium (13); in the fistula, it was medium (5), low (6), very low (3), and absent (1). Morphocytometry confirmed these results. Comparison between pouch and fistula versus proximal and lower esophagus, respectively, showed statistically significant differences. Transmission electron microscopy demonstrated ICC immaturity in EA‐TEF.Conclusions:The significant lower ICC density in EA‐TEF is in favor for the pathogenesis of esophageal dysmotility frequently observed in such patients.
Healing of Erosive Esophagitis and Improvement of Symptoms of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease After Esomeprazole Treatment in Children 12 to 36 Months Old
Authors: Tolia Vasundhara , Gilger Mark A , Barker Peter N , Illueca Marta 
Published: August 2010

ABSTRACTObjectives:The aim of the study was to evaluate erosive esophagitis healing and symptom improvement with once‐daily esomeprazole in children ages 12 to 36 months with endoscopically or histologically proven gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).Patients and Methods:Data from children ages 12 to 36 months were included in a post‐hoc analysis of an 8‐week, multicenter, randomized, and double‐blind by dose strata study of patients ages 1 to 11 years with endoscopically or histologically confirmed GERD. Children were randomized to receive esomeprazole 5 or 10 mg once daily. Patients underwent endoscopy and, if required, mucosal biopsy at baseline. Patients who had erosive esophagitis (graded using the Los Angeles classification system) at baseline underwent a follow‐up endoscopy at final study visit to assess healing of erosive esophagitis. Investigators scored severity of GERD symptoms at baseline and every 2 weeks using the Physician Global Assessment.Results:Thirty‐one of 109 primary study patients ages 12 to 36 months were included in the post hoc analysis. At baseline, 15 patients (48.4%) had erosive esophagitis, underwent follow‐up endoscopy, and were healed after 8 weeks of esomeprazole treatment. Of the 19 patients with moderate‐to‐severe baseline Physician Global Assessment symptom scores, 84.2% had lower scores by the final visit. Following esomeprazole treatment, GERD symptoms were significantly improved from baseline to final visit (P ≤ 0.0018).Conclusions:Esomeprazole 5 or 10 mg may be used to successfully treat erosive esophagitis and symptoms of GERD in children as young as 1 year. Moreover, although not yet validated in pediatric patients, the Los Angeles classification system was useful in grading erosive esophagitis in children ages 12 to 36 months.
A Million‐dollar Work‐up for Abdominal Pain: Is It Worth It?
Authors: Dhroove Gati , Chogle Ashish , Saps Miguel 
Published: August 2010

ABSTRACTBackground and Aim:Pain‐predominant‐functional gastrointestinal disorders (PP‐FGIDs) are common. The diagnosis is clinical and there are no biological markers to characterize these conditions. Despite limited evidence, investigations are commonly performed. The aim of the study was to investigate diagnostic practices, yield, and costs in children with PP‐FGIDs.Patients and Methods:Charts of all of the children older than 4 years diagnosed as having abdominal pain were reviewed. Results and costs of diagnostic investigations were analyzed.Results:Of 243 children with abdominal pain, 122 (50.2%) had PP‐FGIDs (79 girls, mean age 12.7 years). All of the children underwent diagnostic work‐up. Complete blood cell count was done in 91.8% of patients. None had elevated white blood cells, platelets, and low albumin. Six had either elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate or C‐reactive protein, but none had elevation of both; 4 of these 6 cases underwent endoscopies with normal results in 3 cases; Helicobacter pylori was found in 1 case. One child had elevated tissue transglutaminase 1 only antibodies with normal endoscopy. Amylase, lipase, direct bilirubin, stool cultures, and ova or parasites were always normal. One child had intermittent elevation of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine transaminase. There were no significant abnormalities in urinalysis or electrolytes. Abdominal x‐rays were done in 38.5%, showing only retained stools in 13% of these patients. Abdominal ultrasound and computed tomography scan were done in 23.7% and 9% of cases, respectively, but were of no clinical value; 33.6% patients had esophagogastroduodenoscopy (9.7% abnormal: Helicobacter pylori, chemical gastritis, esophagitis) and 17.2% had colonoscopy (9.5% abnormal: rare fork crypts, lymphoid hyperplasia). Total costs: $744,726. Average cost per patient: $6104.30.Conclusions:In children with PP‐FGIDs, investigations are common, costs are substantial, and yield is minimal.