bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
From epidemiology to lysyl oxidase like one (LOXL1) polymorphisms discovery: phenotyping and genotyping exfoliation syndrome and exfoliation glaucoma in Iceland
Authors: Jonasson Fridbert 
Published: July 2009

Abstract.The first Icelandic articles on exfoliation syndrome (XFS) and exfoliation glaucoma (XFG) appeared some 35 years ago in 1974. Articles since then have included epidemiology, pedigree‐based and twin‐studies as well as investigations into XFG response to medical therapy and XFS/XFG genetics. All studies found XFS/XFG to be common in Iceland and to be age‐related. The Reykjavik Eye Study (RES), a population‐based epidemiological study, was first conducted in 1996. The RES found that XFS and XFG prevalence in patients aged 50 years and older was 11% and that XFS/XFG was more common in women than in men. These results were confirmed in 5‐ and 12‐year incidence studies that also suggested that detailed characterization of the phenotype is important, including pupil dilation. In the RES, eyes with XFS were found to be clinically unilateral in about half of cases and to have higher mean intraocular pressure (IOP) than non‐XFS eyes. However, XFS was not found to be associated with central corneal thickness, corneal curvature, anterior chamber depth, lens thickness, lens opacification or optic disc morphology. About 15% of persons with XFS had XFG, and XFG eyes had higher risk of developing visual impairment and blindness than eyes with primary open‐angle glaucoma. The first genetic studies on Icelanders, conducted about 12 years ago, were linkage studies and were unsuccessful in discovering the genetics behind XFS/XFG. However, in 2007 a genome‐wide association study in Iceland using more than 300 000 markers [single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)] on a relatively small number of patients did discover that lysyl oxidase like 1 (LOXL1) on chromosome 15q24 is a major gene for XFS/XFG. These results have now largely been replicated world‐wide.
Design Procedure of a Novel Microturbine Low NOx Conical Wire-Mesh Duct Burner
Authors: Ramadan Omar B. , Gauthier J. E. Donald , Hughes Patrick M. , Brandon Robert 
Published: July 2009

Abstract
Nowadays, air pollution and climate change have become a global environmental problem. As a result, government regulations worldwide are becoming increasingly stringent. This has led to an urgent need to develop new designs and methods for improving combustion systems to minimize the production of toxic emissions, such as nitrogen oxides. Microturbine based cogeneration units are one of the interesting alternatives for combined electrical power and heat generation (CHP). Microturbine CHP technology still needs to be developed to increase efficiency and heat-to-power ratio and to improve operating flexibility. This can all be obtained by adding a duct burner to the CHP unit. This paper documents the design process for a novel low NOx conical wire-mesh duct burner for the development of a more efficient microcogeneration unit. This burner provides the thermal energy necessary to raise the microturbine exhaust gas temperature to increase the heat recovery capability. The duct burner implements both lean premixed and surface combustion techniques to achieve low NOx and CO emission levels. The design process includes a set of preliminary design procedures relating the use of empirical and semiempirical models. The preliminary design procedures were verified and validated for key components, such as the duct burner premixer, using the laser sheet illumination (LSI) technique. The LSI was used to study the mixing process inside the premixer fitted with different swirlers. The designed duct burner successfully operated in a blue flame mode over a wide range of conditions with NOx emissions of less than 5 ppmv and CO emissions of less than 10 ppmv (corrected to 15% O2).
Mixing Conditions in the Lower Plenum and Core Inlet of a Boiling Water Reactor
Authors: Tinoco Hernan , Ahlinder Stefan 
Published: July 2009

Abstract
A thermal mixing analysis of the downcomer, main recirculation pumps (MRPs) and lower plenum of Forsmark’s Unit 3 has been carried out with three separate computational fluid dynamics models. Several difficulties with the boundary conditions have been encountered, particularly with the MRP model. The results obtained predict stable temperature differences of around 8 K at the core inlet. Such large temperature differences have never been observed at Forsmark nuclear power plant (NPP). Temperature measurements at four positions above the reactor pressure vessel (RPV) bottom give the mean value used as the core inlet temperature for core analyses. Even if the temperature transmitters used are rather slow and inaccurate, they should be able to detect such large temperature differences that may lead to fuel damage. The only damage reported at Forsmark NPP since the implementation of liner cladding in fuel design is that caused by mechanically induced debris fretting (threadlike particles). Also, the difficulties with the connection of the models throw some doubt on the accuracy of these predictions. A completely connected model of the same RPV volume covered by the separate models predicts temperature differences at core inlet that are almost one-fourth of those mentioned above, i.e., approximately 2.5 K. Most of the mixing occurs downstream of the MRP diffusers, at the lower plenum “inlet.” This prediction divergence seems to arise from an impossibility of a correct transfer of complete three-dimensional flow field properties by means of boundary conditions defined at a two-dimensional inlet section.
New Variant of CTX-M-Type Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamases, CTX-M-71, with a Gly238Cys Substitution in a
K
lebsiella pneumoniae
Isolate from Bulgaria
Authors: Schneider Ines , Queenan Anne Marie , Markovska Rumyana , Markova Boyka , Keuleyan Emma , Bauernfeind Adolf 
Published: July 2009

ABSTRACT

A single
K
lebsiella pneumoniae
strain isolated in a Bulgarian hospital was found to produce CTX-M-71, a new CTX-M variant characterized by one amino acid substitution from glycine to cysteine at position 238 in comparison to CTX-M-15. This exchange decreased the hydrolytic activity of the β-lactamase for cefotaxime, ceftazidime, and cefepime.
D27-pLpxL, an Avirulent Strain of
Yersinia pestis
, Primes T Cells That Protect against Pneumonic Plague
Authors: Szaba Frank M. , Kummer Lawrence W. , Wilhelm Lindsey B. , Lin Jr-Shiuan , Parent Michelle A. , Montminy-Paquette Sara W. , Lien Egil , Johnson Lawrence L. , Smiley Stephen T. 
Published: July 2009

ABSTRACT

Vaccinating with live, conditionally attenuated, pigmentation (Pgm)-deficient
Yersinia pestis
primes T cells that protect mice against pneumonic plague. However, Pgm-deficient strains are not considered safe for human use because they retain substantial virulence in animal models.
Y. pestis
strains engineered to express
Escherichia coli
LpxL are avirulent owing to constitutive production of lipopolysaccharide with increased Toll-like receptor 4-activating ability. We generated an LpxL-expressing Pgm-deficient strain (D27-pLpxL) and demonstrate here that this avirulent strain retains the capacity to prime protective T cells. Compared with unvaccinated controls, mice immunized intranasally with live D27-pLpxL exhibit a decreased bacterial burden and increased survival when challenged intranasally with virulent
Y. pestis
. T cells provide a substantial degree of this protection, as vaccine efficacy is maintained in B-cell-deficient μMT mice unless those animals are depleted of CD4 and CD8 T cells at the time of challenge. Upon challenge with
Y. pestis
, pulmonary T-cell numbers decline in naive mice, whereas immunized mice show increased numbers of CD44
high
CD43
high
effector T cells and T cells primed to produce tumor necrosis factor alpha and gamma interferon; neutralizing these cytokines at the time of challenge abrogates protection. Immunization does not prevent dissemination of
Y. pestis
from the lung but limits bacterial growth and pathology in visceral tissue, apparently by facilitating formation of granuloma-like structures. This study describes a new model for studying T-cell-mediated protection against pneumonic plague and demonstrates the capacity for live, highly attenuated,
Y. pestis
vaccine strains to prime protective memory T-cell responses safely.
Nod1/Nod2-Mediated Recognition Plays a Critical Role in Induction of Adaptive Immunity to Anthrax after Aerosol Exposure
Authors: Loving Crystal L. , Osorio Manuel , Kim Yun-Gi , Nuñez Gabriel , Hughes Molly A. , Merkel Tod J. 
Published: July 2009

ABSTRACT

Toll-like receptors and Nod-like receptors (NLR) play an important role in sensing invading microorganisms for pathogen clearance and eliciting adaptive immunity for protection against rechallenge. Nod1 and Nod2, members of the NLR family, are capable of detecting bacterial peptidoglycan motifs in the host cytosol for triggering proinflammatory cytokine production. In the current study, we sought to determine if Nod1/Nod2 are involved in sensing
Bacillus anthracis
infection and eliciting protective immune responses. Using mice deficient in both Nod1 and Nod2 proteins, we showed that Nod1/Nod2 are involved in detecting
B. anthracis
for production of tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-1α (IL-1α), IL-1β, CCL5, IL-6, and KC. Proinflammatory responses were higher when cells were exposed to viable spores than when they were exposed to irradiated spores, indicating that recognition of vegetative bacilli through Nod1/Nod2 is significant. We also identify a critical role for Nod1/Nod2 in priming responses after
B. anthracis
aerosol exposure, as mice deficient in Nod1/Nod2 were impaired in their ability to mount an anamnestic antibody response and were more susceptible to secondary lethal challenge than wild-type mice.
Quantitative Comparison of Active and Latent Tuberculosis in the Cynomolgus Macaque Model
Authors: Lin Philana Ling , Rodgers Mark , Smith Le'kneitah , Bigbee Matthew , Myers Amy , Bigbee Carolyn , Chiosea Ion , Capuano Saverio V. , Fuhrman Carl , Klein Edwin , Flynn JoAnne L. 
Published: July 2009

ABSTRACT

We previously described that low-dose
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
infection in cynomolgus macaques results in a spectrum of disease similar to that of human infection: primary disease, latent infection, and reactivation tuberculosis (S. V. Capuano III, D. A. Croix, S. Pawar, A. Zinovik, A. Myers, P. L. Lin, S. Bissel, C. Fuhrman, E. Klein, and J. L. Flynn, Infect. Immun.
71:
5831-5844, 2003). This is the only established model of latent infection, and it provides a unique opportunity to understand host and pathogen differences across of range of disease states. Here, we provide a more extensive and detailed characterization of the gross pathology, microscopic histopathology, and immunologic characteristics of monkeys in each clinical disease category. The data underscore the similarities between human and nonhuman primate
M. tuberculosis
infection. Furthermore, we describe novel methods of quantifying gross pathology and bacterial burden that distinguish between active disease and latent infection, and we extend the usefulness of this model for comparative studies. Early in infection, an abnormal chest X ray,
M. tuberculosis
growth by gastric aspirate, and increased mycobacterium-specific gamma interferon (IFN-γ) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cells were associated with the development of active disease. At necropsy, disease was quantified with respect to pathology and bacterial numbers. Microscopically, a spectrum of granuloma types are seen and differ with disease type. At necropsy, monkeys with active disease had more lung T cells and more IFN-γ from PBMC, BAL, and mediastinal lymph nodes than monkeys with latent infection. Finally, we have observed a spectrum of disease not only in monkeys with active disease but also in those with latent infection that provides insight into human latent tuberculosis.
Burkholderia pseudomalleiIsocitrate Lyase Is a Persistence Factor in Pulmonary Melioidosis: Implications for the Development of Isocitrate Lyase Inhibitors as Novel Antimicrobials
Authors: van Schaik Erin J. , Tom Marina , Woods Donald E. 
Published: July 2009

ABSTRACTBurkholderia pseudomallei, the causative agent of melioidosis, has often been called the great “mimicker,” and clinical disease due to this organism may include acute, chronic, and latent pulmonary infections. Interestingly, chronic pulmonary melioidosis is often mistaken for tuberculosis, and this can have significant consequences, as the treatments for these two infections are radically different. The recurrent misdiagnosis of melioidosis for tuberculosis has caused many to speculate that these two bacterial pathogens use similar pathways to produce latent infections. Here we show that isocitrate lyase is a persistence factor forB. pseudomallei, and inhibiting the activity of this enzyme during experimental chronicB. pseudomalleilung infection forces the infection into an acute state, which can then be treated with antibiotics. We found that if antibiotics are not provided in combination with isocitrate lyase inhibitors, the resultingB. pseudomalleiinfection overwhelms the host, resulting in death. These results suggest that the inhibition of isocitrate lyase activity does not necessarily attenuate virulence as previously observed forMycobacterium tuberculosisinfections but does force the bacteria into a replicating state where antibiotics are effective. Therefore, isocitrate lyase inhibitors could be developed for chronicB. pseudomalleiinfections but only for use in combination with effective antibiotics.
Global software development
Authors: Conchúir Eoin Ó , Ågerfalk Pär J. , Olsson Helena H. , Fitzgerald Brian 
Published: July 2009

Introduction

Global Software Development (GSD) is increasingly becoming the normal practice in the software industry, readily evidenced by U.S. estimates that the value of the offshore software development market has increased 25-fold over the past 10 years, to the extent that one-quarter of U.S. spending on application development, integration and management services is expected to go off-shore according to recent predictions. There are many potential benefits that can arise from GSD. The most frequently cited one is that of reduced development costs due to the salary savings possible. Also, GSD can lead to reduced development duration due to greater time zone effectiveness as companies practice the so-called 'follow-the-sun' software development model. GSD also affords new opportunities for cross-site modularization of development work, potential access to a larger and better-skilled developer pool, and the possibility of greater innovation, learning and transfer of best practices. Finally, GSD can facilitate closer proximity to markets and customers.
However, GSD also introduces a number of challenges in relation to communication, coordination and control of the development process. These arise due to the distances involved in three dimensions -- geographical, temporal, and socio-cultural (See Figure 1). As a consequence, much research and practice has focused on trying to find ways to overcome the GSD challenges identified in Figure 1. In the literature to date, the potential benefits of GSD are usually just mentioned very briefly, if they are mentioned at all, and the realization of these benefits seems to be more or less taken for granted. The primary focus instead is on how the problems inherent in GSD might be addressed. Here, we reverse this trend and focus instead on the benefits and the extent to which they are actually being realized in practice in three global companies practicing GSD.
Old habits die hard: Mouse handling by a pitviper species on a rodent-free island
Authors: Sazima Ivan , Marques Otavio 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThe golden lancehead (Bothrops insularis) is endemic to Queimada Grande Island off the coast of southeastern Brazil. This pitviper feeds mainly on migratory birds, whereas mainland pitvipers in the genus Bothrops usually feed on rodents. Rodents are regarded as a dangerous prey type, and the habitual handling of rodents by pitvipers include its immediate release after the initial bite. However, bird prey is usually held within jaws after the initial bite. Presently there are no rodents in Queimada Grande Island, which is thought to have isolated from the mainland 11 000 yr ago. We staged encounters between B. insularis and house mice in the field to evaluate how the snake will behave when introduced to a supposedly unknown prey type. Mice were readily accepted as prey and the predatory behaviour of B. insularis was similar to that displayed by mainland pitvipers (strike-release). Although B. insularis has several morphological and ecological particularities that likely developed during its isolation on an island (some of these related to a specialized diet and/or arboreal habits), the handling behaviour of potentially dangerous prey such as rodents was retained – an indication of phylogenetic conservatism.
The reproduction of the Apennine yellow-bellied toad (Bombina pachypus) in central Italy
Authors: Venchi Alberto , Melletti Mario , Mirabile Marzia , Bologna Marco 
Published: July 2009

AbstractAmphibians are declining worldwide and many species are threatened for unknown reasons. In fact, information on ecology of several species are not available due to the lack of studies. The Apennine yellow-bellied toad (Bombina pachypus) is an Italian endemic species in progressive decline in many areas, often for unclear reasons. A two-year study of 116 temporary ponds in a grazing area of the Majella National Park (central Italy) from 2001 to 2002 revealed that: (a) Apennine yellow-bellied toads reproduced in small ponds characterized by high desiccation risk; (b) breeding activity occurred for a prolonged period (at least from May to the beginning of August), during which females spawned clutches of very few eggs in several, successive events; (c) the reproductive success was very low especially because of high egg mortality; and (d) the main cause of mortality was the desiccation of ponds. Consequently, the characteristics of breeding areas (i.e., small, ephemeral ponds) are the most important feature influencing the reproduction. The safeguard of temporary ponds is crucial for the conservation of this amphibian and could preserve also the other species using these pools.
Sexual dimorphism in the Italian endemic species Salamandrina perspicillata (Savi, 1821) and testing of a field method for sexing salamanders
Authors: Paoletti Carlo , Bruni Giacomo , Romano Antonio 
Published: July 2009

AbstractSalamandrina perspicillata is an endemic Italian salamander in which morphological sexual dimorphism is weak and sexes are almost indistinguishable in live specimens. We here report on a simple method for sexing these salamanders in the field on the basis of cloacal morphology and we present new data on the sexual dimorphism in this species. Nine morphological characters were used to assess the amount of sexual dimorphism using a multivariate approach (Mancova: Wilks' λ = 0.248, P < 0.001). Sexes differed significantly in both size (females are larger than males) and shape (females have proportionally longer distance between extremities, males have longer cloacal slit and wider head). The observed pattern of sexual dimorphism is discussed in an evolutionary context. Difference between sexes in the proportion of the V-shaped patch on the head was also tested. Finally, we also report the first preliminary data on the sex ratio of a S. perspicillata population in the wild.
Sexual size dimorphism in relation to age and growth based on skeletochronological analysis in a Tibetan frog
Authors: Lu Xin , Ma Xiaoyan 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThe number of lines of arrested growth (LAGs) in diaphyseal cross-sections of phalanges or femora was used to assess individual age and growth of 612 Nanorana parkeri, including 363 males, 143 females, 70 juveniles, and 36 tadpoles, in a population from central Tibet, China. The oldest immature frogs had an age of 6 years; both the youngest sexually mature males and females were 3 years old. However, the majority of individuals bred for the first time at 5 years in males and 6 years in females. Females had greater average age (6.27 years) and lifespan (11 years) than males (5.72 and 10 years). At the population level, females, on average, were significantly larger in body length (40.3 mm) than males (37.0 mm). However, the significant size difference only occurred when both sexes were over 6 years old, at which most frogs attained maturity. Growth curve and growth rate estimated for each sex based on a von Bertalanffy model showed that females had a larger asymptotic size (54.2 mm) but smaller growth coefficient k (0.16) than males (40.0 mm, 0.37), and that females had greater growth rate than males in all age classes, except at metamorphosis. According to these results, we concluded that the sexual difference of growth between pre- and post-maturation periods contributed to the age-specific sexual size dimorphism of N. parkeri.
The effect of preservation on lizard morphometrics – an experimental study
Authors: Vervust Bart , Van Dongen Stefan , Van Damme Raoul 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThe millions of conserved biological specimens that are stored upon the shelves of Natural History Museums across the world constitute a capital of biological information that is becoming increasingly accessible to students of various disciplines. Most students have taken measures of body size and shape of preserved museum specimens to test various elements of ecological and evolutionary theory. One possible hazard of using morphological measurements of museum specimens is that fixation and preservation may deform bodies or body parts, but most researchers implicitely assume that the magnitude of conservation-induced distortions are insufficient to jeopardize their analyses. However, no study to our knowledge has clearly quantified those possible distortions. In this study, we have measured 17 morphological variables on a set of 65 green iguanas (Iguana iguana), starting shortly after their death and then repeatedly over a two month period, a period during which they were fixated and preserved. Our aims were (1) to quantify and compare the deformation in different morphometrics frequently used in evolutionary studies; (2) to determine the amount of temporal variation that can be attributed to reader variability; and (3) to build conversion equations that should improve the reliability of morphological comparisons of life and conserved specimens. Conserved lizards revealed major reduction in snout vent length and body weight. Changes in other measured traits are more subtle, but persistent. These facts disturb analyses when using relative measurements, especially when comparing (often small) intraspecific differences or even morphological differences within populations in a temporal frame. We urge caution in using museum specimens as direct proxies for living organisms in ecological and taxonomic studies.