bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
U.S. Security and Border Protection Policy before and after 9/11: A Policy Impact Assessment
Authors: Ramírez Héctor Ramón 
Published: June 2009

This study utilizes key analytical concepts from complex interdependence theory to examine the impact of U.S. security and border protection policy on the U.S.–Mexico land border before and after 9/11. It seeks to answer whether post‐9/11 U.S. security and border protection policy responses make any difference to the protection of the U.S.–Mexican land border. The results of the analysis demonstrate that, other things being equal, post‐9/11 U.S. security and border protection policy responses have had only marginal effects on the protection of the U.S.–Mexican land border compared to the pre‐9/11 period. In other words, those policy responses make little difference when their performance is compared before and after 9/11. I conclude that the U.S.–Mexico land border is more secure, but is not completely safe in the aftermath of 9/11.Este estudio utiliza conceptos analíticos claves de la teoría de interdependencia compleja para examinar el impacto de la seguridad estadounidense y la política de protección de la frontera en la tierra límite de E.U.–México antes y después del 11/9. Busca responder si las respuestas de seguridad estadounidense y políticas de protección posteriores hicieron alguna diferencia en la protección de la frontera de E.U.–México. Los resultados del análisis demuestran que, ceteris paribus, la seguridad estadounidense y las respuestas de protección fronteriza posteriores han tenido sólo efectos marginales en la protección de la misma comparados con el periodo anterior. En otras palabras, estas políticas de respuesta hicieron poca diferencia después del 11/9 en comparación con las condiciones que prevalecían antes de 11/9. Concluyo que la frontera E.U.–México es más segura, pero no completamente en el contexto que dejó el 11/9.
Performance of influenza rapid point‐of‐care tests in the detection of swine lineage A(H1N1) influenza viruses
Authors: Hurt Aeron C. , Baas Chantal , Deng Yi‐Mo , Roberts Sally , Kelso Anne , Barr Ian G. 
Published: June 2009

Background  In April 2009, an A(H1N1) influenza virus of swine lineage was detected in humans in the USA, and in just over a month has infected over 10 000 people in more than 40 countries.Objectives  To determine the performance of the Binax Now, BD Directigen EZ, and the Quidel QuickVue influenza rapid point‐of‐care (POC) tests for the detection of the recently emerged swine lineage A(H1N1) virus.Methods  Swine lineage A(H1N1) and human seasonal influenza strains were cultured and then diluted to specific infectivity titres. Viral dilutions were assayed by the rapid POC tests and by real‐time RT‐PCR.Results  All three of the rapid POC tests successfully detected the swine lineage A(H1N1) viruses at levels between 103 and 105 TCID50/ml (tissue culture infectious dose50), with the BD Directigen test demonstrating marginally greater sensitivity than the other two tests. Viral infectivity and RNA load data for viruses at the detection limit of the rapid test kits, suggested that both the Quidel and the Binax tests were less sensitive for the detection of swine lineage A(H1N1) viruses than for human seasonal strains. In comparison the BD Directigen demonstrated similar sensitivity when detecting swine lineage A(H1N1) and human seasonal viruses.Conclusions  The three rapid POC tests all detected the emergent swine lineage A(H1N1) virus when it was present at high virus concentrations. Early diagnosis of infection can assist in the rapid treatment. However the tests are significantly less sensitive than PCR assays and as such, negative results should be verified by a laboratory test.
What heat is telling us about microbial conversions in nature and technology: from chip‐ to megacalorimetry
Authors: Maskow Thomas , Kemp Richard , Buchholz Friederike , Schubert Torsten , Kiesel Baerbel , Harms Hauke 
Published: June 2009

SummaryThe exploitation of microorganisms in natural or technological systems calls for monitoring tools that reflect their metabolic activity in real time and, if necessary, are flexible enough for field application. The Gibbs energy dissipation of assimilated substrates or photons often in the form of heat is a general feature of life processes and thus, in principle, available to monitor and control microbial dynamics. Furthermore, the combination of measured heat fluxes with material fluxes allows the application of Hess' law to either prove expected growth stoichiometries and kinetics or identify and estimate unexpected side reactions. The combination of calorimetry with respirometry is theoretically suited for the quantification of the degree of coupling between catabolic and anabolic reactions. New calorimeter developments overcome the weaknesses of conventional devices, which hitherto limited the full exploitation of this powerful analytical tool. Calorimetric systems can be integrated easily into natural and technological systems of interest. They are potentially suited for high‐throughput measurements and are robust enough for field deployment. This review explains what information calorimetric analyses provide; it introduces newly emerging calorimetric techniques and it exemplifies the application of calorimetry in different fields of microbial research.
Reactive oxygen‐derived free radicals are key to the endothelial dysfunction of diabetes
Authors: SHI Yi , VANHOUTTE Paul Michel 
Published: June 2009

AbstractVascular complications are an important pathological issue in diabetes that lead to the further functional deterioration of several organs. The balance between endothelium‐dependent relaxing factors and endothelium‐dependent contracting factors (EDCFs) is crucial in controlling local vascular tone and function under normal conditions. Diabetic endothelial dysfunction is characterized by reduced endothelium‐dependent relaxations and/or enhanced endothelium‐dependent contractions. Elevated levels of oxygen‐derived free radicals are the initial source of endothelial dysfunction in diabetes. Oxygen‐derived free radicals not only reduce nitric oxide bioavailability, but also facilitate the production and/or action of EDCFs. Thus, the endothelial balance tips towards vasoconstrictor responses over the course of diabetes.
Improvement of cardiovascular risk assessment in Type 2 diabetes by the addition of carotid artery intima–media thickness to Framingham risk score: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: ATAOGLU Hayriye Esra , SALER Tayyibe , UZUNHASAN Isil , YENIGUN Mustafa , YIGIT Zehra , TEMIZ Levent Umit , SAGLAM Zuhal , CETIN Faik , KUMBASAR Baki , SAR Fuat 
Published: June 2009

AbstractBackground:  The intima–media thickness (IMT) of the carotid artery is highly correlated with cardiovascular events in Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The aim of the present study was to undertake a cardiovascular risk assessment in a group of patients (n = 102) who had been followed‐up for 10 years.Methods:  Framingham risk score (FRS), IMT, and various other clinical parameters were evaluated retrospectively using Student’s t‐test, regression analysis, and χ2 tests. Primary endpoints were defined as cardiovascular death, non‐fatal myocardial infarction, angina, and ischemic stroke.Results:  The IMT (1.09 ± 0.32 vs 0.89 ± 0.25; P < 0.001) and percentage coronary risk as determined by the FRS (24.33 ± 11.07 vs 16.54 ± 8.35; P = 0.001) were significantly higher in patients presenting with any of the primary endpoints compared with patients in whom no cardiovascular morbidity or mortality was recorded. Other factors that significantly predicted cardiovascular mortality and morbidity included diastolic blood pressure and urinary albumin excretion (UAE; P < 0.001). The likelihood of primary endpoints could be predicted by UAE >30 mg/day, carotid artery IMT ≥0.9 mm, and FRS ≥20 (odds ratios 8.800, 3.377, and 2.807, respectively).Conclusion:  Although FRS predicts 10‐year risk for cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in T2DM, we suggest that UAE and carotid artery IMT should also be considered in risk assessments.
The critical role of alpha‐folate receptor in the resistance of melanoma to methotrexate
Authors: Sánchez‐del‐Campo Luís , Montenegro María F. , Cabezas‐Herrera Juan , Rodríguez‐López José Neptuno 
Published: June 2009

SummaryAlthough methotrexate (MTX) is an effective drug for several types of cancer, it is not active against melanoma. Experiments following methotrexate treatment indicated a reduced accumulation of the drug in the cytosolic compartment in melanoma cells, suggesting that the mechanisms that control the transport and retention of this drug could be altered in melanoma. For this reason, we analyzed the presence and function of folate receptor‐α (FRα) in melanoma cells. In this study, we have identified the presence of FRα in normal and pathological melanocytes and demonstrated that MTX is preferentially transported through this receptor in melanoma cells. FRα‐induced endocytic transport of MTX, together with drug melanosomal sequestration and cellular exportation, ensures reduced accumulation of this cytotoxic compound in intracellular compartments. The critical role of FRα in this mechanism of resistance and the therapeutic consequences of these findings are also discussed.
Future energy potential of Miscanthus in Europe
Authors: HASTINGS ASTLEY , CLIFTON‐BROWN JOHN , WATTENBACH MARTIN , MITCHELL C. PAUL , STAMPFL PAUL , SMITH PETE 
Published: June 2009

AbstractEuropean field experiments have demonstrated Miscanthus can produce some of the highest energy yields per hectare of all potential energy crops. Previous modelling studies using MISCANMOD have calculated the potential energy yield for the EU27 from mean historical climate data (1960–1990). In this paper, we have built on the previous studies by further developing a new Miscanthus crop growth model MISCANFOR in order to analyse (i) interannual variation in yields for past and future climates, (ii) genotype‐specific parameters on yield in Europe. Under recent climatic conditions (1960–1990) we show that 10% of arable land could produce 1709 PJ and mitigate 30 Tg of carbon dioxide‐carbon (CO2‐C) equivalent greenhouse gasses (GHGs) compared with EU27 primary energy consumption of 65 598 PJ, emitting 1048 Tg of CO2‐C equivalent GHGs in 2005. If we continue to use the clone Miscanthus×giganteus, MISCANFOR shows that, as climate change reduces in‐season water availability, energy production and carbon mitigation could fall 80% by 2080 for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change A2 scenario. However, because Miscanthus is found in a huge range of climates in Asia, we propose that new hybrids will incorporate genes conferring superior drought and frost tolerance. Using parameters from characterized germplasm, we calculate energy production could increase from present levels by 88% (to 2360 PJ) and mitigate 42 Tg of CO2‐C equivalent using 10% arable land for the 2080 mid‐range A2 scenario. This is equivalent to 3.6% of 2005 EU27 primary energy consumption and 4.0% of total CO2 equivalent C GHG emissions.
Pharmacodynamics of SMP-601 (PTZ601) against Vancomycin-ResistantEnterococcus faeciumand Methicillin-ResistantStaphylococcus aureusin Neutropenic Murine Thigh Infection Models
Authors: Eguchi Ken , Kanazawa Katsunori , Eriguchi Yoshiro , Ueda Yutaka 
Published: June 2009

ABSTRACTSMP-601 (also known as PTZ601, PZ-601, or SM-216601) is a novel parenteral carbapenem with potent activity against multidrug-resistant gram-positive pathogens, including vancomycin-resistantEnterococcus faecium(VREF) and methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA). The pharmacodynamics of SMP-601 against VREF and MRSA were investigated in neutropenic murine thigh infection models. The percentage of the dosing interval that the unbound SMP-601 concentration exceeded the MIC (f%T>MIC) was the pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic parameter that correlated most closely with efficacy withR2values of 0.81 to 0.84 for two strains of VREF and 0.92 to 0.93 for two strains of MRSA, whereas theR2values for the area under the concentration-time curve from 0 to 24 h divided by the MIC were 0.12 to 0.89, and theR2values for the peak level divided by the MIC were 0 to 0.22. Thef%T>MIC levels required for static or killing efficacy against two strains of VREF (9 to 19%) apparently were lower than those against two strains of MRSA (23 to 37%). These results suggested that SMP-601 showed time-dependent in vivo efficacy against VREF and MRSA, and SMP-601 had a sufficient therapeutic effect against VREF infections at lower exposure conditions compared to those for with MRSA infections.
The Capability of Catabolic Utilization of
N
-Acetylneuraminic Acid, a Sialic Acid, Is Essential for
Vibrio vulnificus
Pathogenesis
Authors: Jeong Hee Gon , Oh Man Hwan , Kim Byoung Sik , Lee Min Young , Han Ho Jae , Choi Sang Ho 
Published: June 2009

ABSTRACT

N
-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac, sialic acid) could provide a good substrate for enteropathogenic bacteria in the intestine, when the bacteria invade and colonize in human gut. In order to analyze the role of Neu5Ac catabolism in
Vibrio vulnificus
pathogenesis, a mutant with disruption of the
nanA
gene encoding Neu5Ac lyase was constructed by allelic exchanges. The
nanA
mutant was not able to utilize Neu5Ac as a sole carbon source and revealed an altered colony morphotype with reduced opacity in the presence of Neu5Ac. Compared to the wild type, the
nanA
mutant exhibited a low level of cytotoxicity toward INT-407 epithelial cells in vitro and reduced virulence in a mouse model. The disruption of
nanA
also resulted in a substantial decrease in histopathological damage in jejunum and colon tissues from the mouse intestine. These results indicated that NanA plays an important role in
V. vulnificus
pathogenesis. In addition, the
nanA
mutant was significantly diminished in growth with and adherence to INT-407 epithelial cells in vitro, and was defective for intestinal colonization, reflecting the impaired ability of the mutant to grow and survive with, persist in, and adhere to the intestine in vivo. Consequently, the combined results suggest that NanA and the capability of catabolic utilization of Neu5Ac contribute to
V. vulnificus
virulence by ensuring growth, adhesion, and survival during infection.
Interval-Specific Congenic Lines Reveal Quantitative Trait Loci with Penetrant Lyme Arthritis Phenotypes on Chromosomes 5, 11, and 12
Authors: Ma Ying , Miller Jennifer C. , Crandall Hillary , Larsen Eric T. , Dunn Diane M. , Weiss Robert B. , Subramanian Meenakumari , Weis John H. , Zachary James F. , Teuscher Cory , Weis Janis J. 
Published: June 2009

ABSTRACTThe observation thatBorrelia burgdorferi-induced arthritis is severe in C3H mice and milder in C57BL/6 (B6) mice has allowed a forward genetics approach for the identification of genetic elements that regulate the arthritis response. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) on five chromosomes (Chr) were identified previously in segregating crosses between C3H and B6 mice and collectively designatedB. burgdorferiarthritis-associated (Bbaa) QTL. Reciprocal interval-specific congenic lines (ISCL) that encompassBbaa1,Bbaa2-Bbaa3,Bbaa4,Bbaa6, andBbaa12on Chr 4, 5, 11, 12, and 1, respectively, have now been generated. Bidirectional transfer of the arthritis severity phenotype in association withBbaa2-Bbaa3andBbaa4was observed, and unidirectional transfer with the B6 allele ofBbaa6was noted. These findings confirm the existence of polymorphic loci withinBbaa2-Bbaa3,Bbaa4, andBbaa6that regulate the severity ofB. burgdorferi-induced arthritis. ISCL were used to assess the regulation of a previously identified interferon transcriptional profile associated with severe disease in C3H mice. The regulation of this transcriptional signature was found to be independent of penetrantBbaaQTL, both in joint tissues and in isolated macrophages. These results clearly demonstrate the utility of forward genetics for the discovery of novel genes and pathways involved in the regulation of the severity of Lyme arthritis and predict the involvement of regulatory elements not evident from other experimental approaches.
A Genetically Engineered Live Attenuated Vaccine ofCoccidioides posadasiiProtects BALB/c Mice against Coccidioidomycosis
Authors: Xue Jianmin , Chen Xia , Selby Dale , Hung Chiung-Yu , Yu Jieh-Juen , Cole Garry T. 
Published: June 2009

ABSTRACTCoccidioidomycosis (also known as San Joaquin Valley fever) is an occupational disease. Workers exposed to outdoor dust which contains spores of the soil-inhabiting fungus have a significantly increased risk of respiratory infection. In addition, people with compromised T-cell immunity, the elderly, and certain racial groups, particularly African-Americans and Filipinos, who live in regions of endemicity in the southwestern United States have an elevated incidence of symptomatic infection caused by inhalation of spores ofCoccidioides posadasiiorCoccidioides immitis. Recurring epidemics and escalation of medical costs have helped to motivate production of a vaccine against valley fever. The major focus has been the development of a defined, T-cell-reactive, recombinant protein vaccine. However, none of the products described to date have provided full protection to coccidioidal disease-susceptible BALB/c mice. Here we describe the first genetically engineered, live, attenuated vaccine that protects both BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice against coccidioidomycosis. Two chitinase genes (CTS2andCTS3) were disrupted to yield the attenuated strain, which was unable to endosporulate and was no longer infectious. Vaccinated survivors mounted an immune response characterized by production of both T-helper-1- and T-helper-2-type cytokines. Histology revealed well-formed granulomas and markedly diminished inflammation. Significantly fewer organisms were observed in the lungs of survivors than in those of nonvaccinated mice. Additional investigations are required to further define the nature of the live, attenuated vaccine-induced immunity againstCoccidioidesinfection.
DESIGN OF A VLSI HAMMING NEURAL NETWORK FOR ARRHYTHMIA CLASSIFICATION
Authors: GHANAVTI BEHZAD , SHOMALNASAB GHOLAMREZA 
Published: June 2009

The implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) detect and treat dangerous cardiac arrhythmia. This paper describes a VLSI neural network chip to be implemented using 0.35 μ CMOS technology which acts as an intercardia tachycardia classification system. The Hamming network used to classify non binary input pattern and also reduce impact of noise, drift and offset inherent in analog application. Simulation result using HSPICE and level 49 parameters (BSIM3V3) that verify the functionality of circuit are presented.
Tools and experiments supporting a testing-based theory of component composition
Authors: Hamlet Dick 
Published: June 2009

Development of software using off-the-shelf components seems to offer a chance for improving product quality and developer productivity. This article reviews a foundational testing-based theory of component composition, describes tools that implement the theory, and presents experiments with functional and nonfunctional component/system properties that validate the theory and illuminate issues in component composition.
The context for this work is an ideal form of Component-Based Software Development (CBSD) supported by tools. Component developers describe their components by measuring approximations to functional and nonfunctional behavior on a finite collection of subdomains. Systems designers describe an application-system structure by the component connections that form it. From measured component descriptions and a system structure, a CAD tool synthesizes the system properties, predicting how the system will behave. The system is not built, nor are any test executions performed. Neither the component sources nor executables are needed by systems designers. From CAD calculations a designer can learn (approximately) anything that could be learned by testing an actual system implementation. The CAD tool is often more efficient than it would be to assemble and execute an actual system.
Using tools that support an ideal separation between component- and system development, experiments were conducted to investigate two related questions: (1) To what extent can unit (that is, component) testing replace system testing? (2) What properties of software and subdomains influence the quality of subdomain testing?
Haskell session types with (almost) no class
Authors: Pucella Riccardo , Tov Jesse A. 
Published: June 2009

We describe an implementation of session types in Haskell. Session types statically enforce that client-server communication proceeds according to protocols. They have been added to several concurrent calculi, but few implementations of session types are available.
Our embedding takes advantage of Haskell where appropriate, but we rely on no exotic features. Thus our approach translates with minimal modification to other polymorphic, typed languages such as ML and Java. Our implementation works with existing Haskell concurrency mechanisms, handles multiple communication channels and recursive session types, and infers protocols automatically.
While our implementation uses unsafe operations in Haskell, it does not violate Haskell's safety guarantees. We formalize this claim in a concurrent calculus with unsafe communication primitives over which we layer our implementation of session types, and we prove that the session types layer is safe. In particular, it enforces that channel-based communication follows consistent protocols.
Measure of synonymous codon usage diversity among genes in bacteria
Authors: Suzuki Haruo , Saito Rintaro , Tomita Masaru 
Published: June 2009

Abstract

Background
In many bacteria, intragenomic diversity in synonymous codon usage among genes has been reported. However, no quantitative attempt has been made to compare the diversity levels among different genomes. Here, we introduce a mean dissimilarity-based index (D mean) for quantifying the level of diversity in synonymous codon usage among all genes within a genome.

Results
The application of D mean to 268 bacterial genomes shows that in bacteria with extremely biased genomic G+C compositions there is little diversity in synonymous codon usage among genes. Furthermore, our findings contradict previous reports. For example, a low level of diversity in codon usage among genes has been reported for Helicobacter pylori, but based on D mean, the diversity level of this species is higher than those of more than half of bacteria tested here. The discrepancies between our findings and previous reports are probably due to differences in the methods used for measuring codon usage diversity.

Conclusion
We recommend that D mean be used to measure the diversity level of codon usage among genes. This measure can be applied to other compositional features such as amino acid usage and dinucleotide relative abundance as a genomic signature.