bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Current Status of Brown Planthopper (BPH) Resistance and Genetics
Authors: Jena Kshirod K. , Kim Suk-Man 
Published: September 2010

AbstractAmong the planthoppers of rice, the brown planthopper (BPH) is a major threat to rice production and causes significant yield loss annually. Host-plant resistance is an important strategy to reduce the damage caused by BPH and increase rice productivity. Twenty-one major genes for BPH resistance have been identified by using standard evaluation methods developed at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) to distinguish resistance or susceptibility of rice genotypes to BPH biotypes/populations. These genes are from diverse genetic resources such as land race cultivars and wild species ofOryza. Of the 21 resistance genes, 18 genes have been localized on specific region of six rice chromosomes using molecular genetic analysis and genomics tools. Some of these resistance genes are clustered together such asBph1,bph2,Bph9,Bph10,Bph18, andBph21on the long arm of chromosome 12;Bph12,Bph15,Bph17andBph20on the short arm of chromosome 4;bph11andBph14on the long arm of chromosome 3 andBph13(t) andbph19on the short arm of chromosome 3. Six genes (Bph11,bph11,Bph12,bph12,Bph13andBph13) originated from wildOryzaspecies have either duplicate chromosome locations or wrong nomenclature. The discrepancy should be confirmed by allelism tests. Besides identification of major resistance genes, some quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with BPH resistance have also been identified on eight chromosomes. Most of the rice cultivars developed at IRRI possess one or two of the major resistance genes and the variety IR64 has many QTLs and confers strong resistance to BPH. More BPH resistance genes need to be identified from the wealth of gene pool available in the wild species ofOryza. Two BPH resistance genes (Bph14andBph18) have been cloned, and a snow drop lectin gene (GNA) has been identified and used in the development of BPH-resistant transgenic plants. Efficient introgression of resistance genes (Bph1,bph2,Bph3,Bph14,Bph15,Bph18,Bph20, andBph21) into elite rice cultivars by marker-assisted selection together with strategic deployment of these genes can be an important approach to develop stable resistance to BPH and sustain rice production in the tropical and temperate rice growing regions.
Market Dynamics and Momentum Profits
Authors: Asem Ebenezer , Tian Gloria Y. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractRecent evidence indicates that momentum profits are sensitive to market conditions. We find that the profits are higher when the markets continue in the same state than when they transition to a different state. These findings support Daniel, Hirshleifer, and Subrahmanyam (1998), who suggest that investor overconfidence is higher when the markets continue in the same state (UP or DOWN) than when they reverse, predicting higher momentum profits in the former. In contrast, our evidence following DOWN markets is not consistent with the other competing models for the market-state conditional momentum profits.
Darwin's Doubt, Non-deterministic Darwinism and the Cognitive Science of Religion
Authors: Attfield Robin 
Published: September 2010

AbstractAlvin Plantinga, echoing a worry of Charles Darwin which he calls ‘Darwin's doubt’, argues that given Darwinian evolutionary theory our beliefs are unreliable, since they are determined to be what they are by evolutionary pressures and could have had no other content. This papers surveys in turn deterministic and non-deterministic interpretations of Darwinism, and concludes that Plantinga's argument poses a problem for the former alone and not for the latter. Some parallel problems arise for the Cognitive Science of Religion, and in particular for the hypothesis that many of our beliefs, including religious beliefs, are due to a Hypersensitive Agency-Detection Device, at least if this hypothesis is held in a deterministic form. In a non-deterministic form, however, its operation need not cast doubt on the rationality or reliability of the relevant beliefs.
Methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureuscolonization in HIV-infected outpatients is common and detection is enhanced by groin culture
Authors: PETERS P. J. , BROOKS J. T. , LIMBAGO B. , LOWERY H. K. , McALLISTER S. K. , MINDLEY R. , FOSHEIM G. , GORWITZ R. J. , GUEST J. L. , HAGEMAN J. , FRIDGE J. , RIMLAND D. 
Published: September 2010

SUMMARYAlthough high rates of clinical infection with methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) have been reported in HIV-infected adults, data on MRSA colonization are limited. We enrolled HIV-infected adults receiving care at the Atlanta VA Medical Center. Swabs from each participant's nares and groin were cultured with broth enrichment forS. aureus. Of 600 HIV-infected adults, 79 (13%) were colonized with MRSA and 180 (30%) with methicillin-susceptibleS. aureus. MRSA pulsed-field gel electrophoresis types USA300 (n=44, 54%) and USA500/Iberian (n=29, 35%) predominated. Inclusion of groin swabs increased MRSA detection by 24% and USA300 detection by 38%. In multivariate analysis, MRSA colonization compared to no MRSA colonization was associated with a history of MRSA clinical infection, rarely or never using condoms, and contact with prisons and jails. In summary, the prevalence of MRSA colonization was high in this study of HIV-infected adults and detection of USA300 was enhanced by groin culture.
Microarray-based detection of virulence genes in verotoxigenicEscherichia coliO157:H7 strains from Swedish cattle
Authors: SÖDERLUND R. , ASPÁN A. , RAGIONE R. M. LA , ERIKSSON E. , BOQVIST S. 
Published: September 2010

SUMMARYVerotoxigenicEscherichia coli(VTEC) serotype O157:H7 strains from a Swedish cattle prevalence study (n=32), and livestock-derived strains linked to human disease (n=13), were characterized by microarray and PCR detection of virulence genes. The overall aim of the study was to investigate the distribution of known virulence determinants and determine which genes are linked to increased pathogenicity in humans. A core set of 18 genes or gene variants were found in all strains, while seven genes were variably present. This suggests that the majority of VTEC O157:H7 found in Swedish cattle carry a broad repertoire of virulence genes and should be considered potentially harmful to humans. A single virulence gene type was significantly associated with strains linked to human disease cases (P=0·012), but no genetic trait to explain the increased virulence of this genotype could be found.
An extensive gastroenteritis outbreak after drinking-water contamination by sewage effluent, Finland
Authors: LAINE J. , HUOVINEN E. , VIRTANEN M. J. , SNELLMAN M. , LUMIO J. , RUUTU P. , KUJANSUU E. , VUENTO R. , PITKÄNEN T. , MIETTINEN I. , HERRALA J. , LEPISTÖ O. , ANTONEN J. , HELENIUS J. , HÄNNINEN M.-L. , MAUNULA L. , MUSTONEN J. , KUUSI M. ,   Pirkanmaa Waterborne Outbreak Study Group
Published: September 2010

SUMMARYAn inappropriate cross-connection between sewage- and drinking-water pipelines contaminated tap water in a Finnish town, resulting in an extensive waterborne gastroenteritis outbreak in this developed country. According to a database and a line-list, altogether 1222 subjects sought medical care as a result of this exposure. Seven pathogens were found in patient samples of those who sought treatment. To establish the true disease burden from this exposure, we undertook a population-based questionnaire investigation with a control population, infrequently used to study waterborne outbreaks. The study covered three areas, contaminated and uncontaminated parts of the town and a control town. An estimated 8453 residents fell ill during the outbreak, the excess number of illnesses being 6501. Attack rates were 53% [95% confidence interval (CI) 49·5–56·4] in the contaminated area, 15·6% (95% CI 13·1–18·5) in the uncontaminated area and 6·5% (95% CI 4·8–8·8) in the control population. Using a control population allowed us to differentiate baseline morbidity from the observed morbidity caused by the water contamination, thus enabling a more accurate estimate of the disease burden of this outbreak.
Salmonella prevalence in commercial raw shell eggs in Japan: a survey
Authors: SASAKI Y. , TSUJIYAMA Y. , ASAI T. , NODA Y. , KATAYAMA S. , YAMADA Y. 
Published: September 2010

SUMMARYWe examined 20 300 raw shell chicken eggs sold at retail stores in Japan for Salmonella outside and inside eggs. The eggs were purchased at 220 retail stores throughout Japan between August 2007 and January 2008. Of 2030 pooled egg samples (10 eggs/sample), Salmonella was isolated from five shell samples (0·25%), but not from any of egg-content samples. The serovars of the isolates were Salmonella Enteritidis (2), S. Derby, S. Livingstone and S. Cerro. The samples positive for Salmonella originated from five different egg grading and packaging (GP) centres. All the GP centres washed their egg shells according to government guidelines for hygienic practice in GP centres. Thus, practical control measures at GP centres need to be reviewed and implemented to diminish Salmonella prevalence of egg shells because Salmonella contamination on eggs is a potential hazard for foodborne salmonellosis in Japan.
Stably compact spaces
Authors: LAWSON JIMMIE 
Published: September 2010

The purpose of this paper is to develop the basic theory of stably compact spaces (viz. compact, locally compact, coherent sober spaces) and introduce in an accessible manner and with a minimum of prerequisites some significant new lines of investigation and application arising from recent research, which has arisen primarily in the theoretical computer science community. Three primary themes have developed:(i)the property of stable compactness is preserved under a large variety of constructions involving powerdomains, hyperspaces and function spaces;(ii)the underlying de Groot duality of stably compact spaces, which finds varied expression, is reflected by duality theorems involving the just mentioned constructions; and(iii)the notion of inner and outer pavings is a useful and natural tool for such studies of stably compact spaces.
Socio-economic circumstances and food habits in Eastern, Central and Western European populations
Authors: Boylan Sinéad , Lallukka Tea , Lahelma Eero , Pikhart Hynek , Malyutina Sofia , Pajak Andrzej , Kubinova Ruzena , Bragina Oksana , Stepaniak Urszula , Gillis-Januszewska Aleksandra , Simonova Galina , Peasey Anne , Bobak Martin 
Published: September 2010

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the relationship between several socio-economic indicators and frequency of consumption of seven predefined healthy foods (consumption of fruit, vegetables, wholegrain bread, vegetable-fat spread, vegetable cooking fat, low-fat milk and low-fat cheese) in populations from Eastern, Central and Western Europe.DesignAnalysis of baseline data collected in two cross-sectional cohort studies between 2000 and 2005: the Health, Alcohol and Psychosocial factors In Eastern Europe (HAPIEE) study and the Finnish Helsinki Health Study (HHS).SettingUrban populations in the Czech Republic, Russia, Poland and Finland.SubjectsIn the HAPIEE study, random samples of men and women aged 45–69 years were drawn from population registers and electoral lists of selected cities. In the HHS, men and women aged 40–60 years employed by the City of Helsinki were recruited. Data on 21 326 working subjects from both cohorts were analysed.ResultsHealthy food habits were, in general, positively associated with higher education, occupational position and fewer economic difficulties, but there were differences in the strength of the gradient by food and country. Fruit consumption showed the most consistent gradients, especially in relation to socio-economic status among men (country-specific relative index of inequality (RII) = 2·02–5·17) and women (RII = 2·09–3·57).ConclusionsThe associations between socio-economic indicators and healthy food habits showed heterogeneity between countries. Future studies of dietary behaviours should consider multiple measures of socio-economic position.
Aspects of simulator cone-beam CT for radiotherapy treatment planning
Authors: Irvine Denise , McJury Mark 
Published: September 2010

AbstractBackground and purpose: Following a recent major upgrade in cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) software and functionality, we have reassessed aspects of our Varian Acuity simulator performance for use in treatment planning. The feasibility of using CBCT for treatment planning has been assessed and here we report specifically on Hounsfield number (HN) accuracy and related dose errors, and digitally reconstructed radiograph (DRR) image quality.Methods: Using a Catphan® 600 CT phantom, HN accuracy and uniformity were investigated for a range of CBCT imaging modes. This included the variation in HNs with scan length and phantom position. Results were compared with those acquired from conventional CT. Treatment plans for three sites were generated using the Rando phantom, and results from CBCT-based data were compared to that from CT-based data using a gamma analysis. Image quality of DRRs based on CBCT data were compared with those from CT data both quantitatively, by calculating the modulation transfer function (MTF) and qualitatively, by counting the number of line pairs visible on a phantom.Results and conclusions: Catphan data showed that for certain cases, the HN calibration of the Acuity CBCT was out of tolerance and could lead to errors in dose calculation of >2%. HNs were only acceptable for scan lengths >10 cm. In multi-scan mode, geometric shifts and differences in HNs were seen on CT slices on either side of the interface between the two acquisitions. However, comparisons between treatment plans calculated using CBCT data and conventional CT data from Rando phantoms showed that head, pelvis and thorax plans were acceptable. CBCT DRR image quality compared favourably with a conventional CT scanner in some respects; however, image uniformity and low contrast resolution were poorer due to the ‘cupping’ artefact obtained with CBCT scans.
Training needs of radiographers for implementing Tomotherapy in NHS practice
Authors: Dean June C. , Routsis Donna S. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractBackground: Addenbrooke’s was awarded Department of Health funding for Tomotherapy in 2006, to evaluate the functionality and application of the image guidance element of Tomotherapy. No Tomotherapy unit had been implemented into a National Health Service (NHS) working environment before, so there was no model to follow. An education and training program needed to be created to ensure accurate and efficient delivery of radiotherapy using Tomotherapy.Method: The educational needs of radiographers had to be derived from first principles. An assessment of Tomotherapy treatment delivery process was made, identifying the tasks within the process and then the skills and knowledge required to achieve each task. The process was derived from site visits to non-NHS centres using Tomotherapy, nationally and internationally. This was supplemented by educational courses for specific aspects of Tomotherapy Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT) and Image Guided Radiotherapy (IGRT).Results: The core skills and knowledge required were identified and an in-house educational programme created. Competencies for Tomotherapy delivery were assessed against image matching accuracy and speed. All radiographers were able to meet these standards so that Tomotherapy IGRT on the treatment unit required no input from clinical oncologists, making effective and efficient use of staff resources.Conclusion: The educational and training needs of radiographer staff were identified and a Tomotherapy training program was devised to enable image registration to be radiographer driven.
Preparing to Replace the Official Horizontal and Vertical Datums in the United States: Federal Geospatial Summit on Improving the National Spatial Reference System; Silver Spring, Maryland, 11–12 May 2010
Authors: Smith Dru , Shields Renee 
Published: September 2010

The National Spatial Reference System (NSRS) contains both the official “horizontal” and “vertical” datums of the United States: the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD83) and the North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD88). Horizontal datums provide reference latitude and longitude on Earth's surface; vertical datums are used for describing elevation. The responsibility for defining, maintaining, and providing access to these datums falls to the National Geodetic Survey (NGS), an office within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).These datums were created to correct deficiencies in the previous (1920's era) datums. Still, they relied almost exclusively on terrestrial surveying and the use of passive marks for their realization. Once the Global Positioning System (GPS) and other space geodetic techniques were widely operational, some significant issues became apparent. First, NAD83 has a nongeocentricity (i.e., its origin differs from the known center of Earth's mass) of approximately 2.2 meters. Second, the use of NAVD88's unmonitored passive control benchmarks to determine elevations lacks critical vertical velocity information. Additionally, the zero‐elevation surface of NAVD88 is now known to be biased (50 centimeters) and tilted (2 meters from Florida to Alaska) relative to the geoid.
Arachidonic acid actions on functional integrity and attenuation of the negative effects of palmitic acid in a clonal pancreatic β-cell line
Authors: Keane Deirdre C. , Takahashi Hilton K. , Dhayal Shalinee , Morgan Noel G. , Curi Rui , Newsholme Philip 
Published: September 2010

Chronic exposure of pancreatic β-cells to saturated non-esterified fatty acids can lead to inhibition of insulin secretion and apoptosis. Several previous studies have demonstrated that saturated fatty acids such as PA (palmitic acid) are detrimental to β-cell function compared with unsaturated fatty acids. In the present study, we describe the effect of the polyunsaturated AA (arachidonic acid) on the function of the clonal pancreatic β-cell line BRIN-BD11 and demonstrate AA-dependent attenuation of PA effects. When added to β-cell incubations at 100 μM, AA can stimulate cell proliferation and chronic (24 h) basal insulin secretion. Microarray analysis and/or real-time PCR indicated significant AA-dependent up-regulation of genes involved in proliferation and fatty acid metabolism [e.g. Angptl (angiopoietin-like protein 4), Ech1 (peroxisomal Δ3,5,Δ2,4-dienoyl-CoA isomerase), Cox-1 (cyclo-oxygenase-1) and Cox-2, P&lt;0.05]. Experiments using specific COX and LOX (lipoxygenase) inhibitors demonstrated the importance of COX-1 activity for acute (20 min) stimulation of insulin secretion, suggesting that AA metabolites may be responsible for the insulinotropic effects. Moreover, concomitant incubation of AA with PA dose-dependently attenuated the detrimental effects of the saturated fatty acid, so reducing apoptosis and decreasing parameters of oxidative stress [ROS (reactive oxygen species) and NO levels] while improving the GSH/GSSG ratio. AA decreased the protein expression of iNOS (inducible NO synthase), the p65 subunit of NF-κB (nuclear factor κB) and the p47 subunit of NADPH oxidase in PA-treated cells. These findings indicate that AA has an important regulatory and protective β-cell action, which may be beneficial to function and survival in the ‘lipotoxic’ environment commonly associated with Type 2 diabetes mellitus.
The Radio-FIR Correlation in the Milky Way
Authors: Zhang J. , Hopkins A. , Barnes P. J. , Cagnes M. , Yonekura Y. , Fukui Y. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractWe investigate the scale on which the correlation arises between the 843 MHz radio and the 60 μm far-infrared (FIR) emission from star forming regions in the Milky way. The correlation, which exists on the smallest scales investigated (down to ≈ 4 pc), becomes noticeably tight on fields of size 30′, corresponding to physical scales of ≈ 20–50 pc. The FIR to radio flux ratio on this scale is consi stent with the radio emission being dominated by thermal emission. We also investigate the location dependence of qmean, a parameter measuring the mean FIR to radio flux ratio, of a sample of star forming regions. We show that qmean displays a modest dependence on galactic latitude. If this is interpreted as a dependence on the intensity of star formation activity, the result is consistent with studies of the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) and other near by galaxies that show elevated values for q in regions of enhanced star formation.
Characterisation of the Mopra Radio Telescope at 16–50 GHz
Authors: Urquhart J. S. , Hoare M. G. , Purcell C. R. , Brooks K. J. , Voronkov M. A. , Indermuehle B. T. , Burton M. G. , Tothill N. F. H. , Edwards P. G. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractWe present the results of a programme of scanning and mapping observations of astronomical masers and Jupiter designed to characterise the performance of the Mopra Radio Telescope at frequencies between 16 and 50 GHz using the 12-mm and 7-mm receivers. We use these observations to determine the telescope beam size, beam shape, and overall telescope beam efficiency as a function of frequency. We find that the beam size is well fit by λ/D over the frequency range with a correlation coefficient of ∼90%. We determine the telescope main beam efficiencies are between ∼48 and 64% for the 12-mm receiver and reasonably flat at ∼50% for the 7-mm receiver. Beam maps of strong H2O (22 GHz) and SiO masers (43 GHz) provide a means to examine the radial beam pattern of the telescope. At both frequencies, the radial beam pattern reveals the presence of three components: a central ‘core’, which is well fit by a Gaussian and constitutes the telescopes main beam; and inner and outer error beams. At both frequencies, the inner and outer error beams extend out to ∼2 and ∼3.4 times the full-width half maximum of the main beam, respectively. Sources with angular sizes of a factor of two or more larger than the telescope main beam will couple to the main and error beams, and therefore the power contributed by the error beams needs to be considered. From measurements of the radial beam power pattern we estimate the amount of power contained in the inner and outer error beams is of order one-fifth at 22 GHz, rising slightly to one-third at 43 GHz.
Optical Turbulence Measurements and Models for Mount John University Observatory
Authors: Mohr J. L. , Johnston R. A. , Cottrell P. L. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractSite measurements were collected at Mount John University Observatory in 2005 and 2007 using a purpose-built scintillation detection and ranging system. C2N(h) profiling indicates a weak layer located at 12–14 km above sea level and strong low altitude turbulence extending up to 5 km. During calm weather conditions, an additional layer was detected at 6–8 km above sea level. V(h) profiling suggests that tropopause layer velocities are nominally 12–30m s−1, and near-ground velocities range between 2 and 20m s−1, dependent on weather. Little seasonal variation was detected in either C2N(h) and V(h) profiles. The average coherence length, r0, was found to be 7±1 cm for the full profile at a wavelength of 589 nm. The average isoplanatic angle, θ0, was 1.0±0.1 arcsec. The mean turbulence altitude, , was found to be 2.0±0.7 km above sea level. No average in the Greenwood frequency, fG, could be established due to the gaps present in the V(h) profiles obtained. A modified Hufnagel-Valley model was developed to describe the C2N(h) profiles at Mount John, which estimates r0 at 6 cm and θ0 at 0.9 arcsec. A series of V(h) models were developed, based on the Greenwood wind model with an additional peak located at low altitudes. Using the C2N(h) model and the suggested V(h) model for moderate ground wind speeds, fG is estimated at 79 Hz.