bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Analysis of the Round-Trip Cost of Road Container Transportation in China
Authors: Wang Ling , Su Shong-Iee Ivan , Ruamsook Kusumal 
Published: June 2011

AbstractWith the rapid growth of China's foreign trade, the cargo consolidation and distribution through ports has created increasing demands on road container transportation. Road container transportation, however, has not played a big role in supporting the inland economy as expected, and some large companies have even exited the market. This study develops a roundtrip cost model to investigate the cost impact on road container transportation. Study results showed that freight rates have remained low, while fuel prices, which are one of the most important cost factors, have soared in recent years. The average cost per ton-kilometer (ton-km) under normal transportation conditions is almost equal to or even higher than the average freight rate. The fundamental issues of Chinese road container transportation are twofold. First, the fixed (regulated) freight rates prohibit road container transportation companies from raising revenue. Second, the continual rising cost factors have squeezed the profit margin of container trucking operators to zero or even negative levels. To increase their revenues, the road container transportation companies should develop more value-added services for customers or engage in industry alliances, rather than focusing on cutting their operational costs.
Holocene Vegetation and Climate of South Tripura Based on Palynological Analysis
Authors: Bhattacharyya Amalava , Mehrotra Nivedita , Shah Santosh K. 
Published: June 2011

Abstract:
Palynological analysis of sub surface samples at 1.20 m deep sediment profile from Srinagar, southwest Tripura, provides information on vegetation and climate during 7000-3000 years B.P. During this time span, the area is occupied by moist deciduous forest under warm humid climate with intermittent changes in precipitation regime i.e., comparatively less humid around 6.8 Kyr B.P. and 3.7-3.8 Kyr B.P.
Interpretation of Intensity Attenuation Relation of 1905 Kangra Earthquake with Epicentral Distance and Magnitude in the Northwest Himalayan Region
Authors: Ghosh G. K. , Mahajan A. K. 
Published: June 2011

Abstract:
Seismic intensity information of historical earthquake of NW Himalayas has been utilized for evaluating the attenuation of the intensity with the epicentral distance. Purposefully, the observed intensity of big historical earthquake may implicitly incorporate some site effects arising due to the near surface geology or deposited soil. The isoseismal map of the 1905 Kangra earthquake yields an area of perceptibility defined by the intensity VII (RF Scale), which is mainly elongated in the NNW-SSE direction. However, the higher isoseismals of intensity VIII and IX are more symmetrical and elongated in the SE direction. These isoseismals are more compressed in the northeast and northwest direction indicating fast attenuation characteristics, which may be either due to the presence of any transverse geotectonic feature or change in lithology. In the present study the regression relation has been derived to incorporate the attenuation of intensity with variable magnitudes at different epicentral distances. The derived attenuation relation is useful for assessing damage of a potential future earthquake (earthquake scenario-based planning purposes) for the Kangra region, Northwest Himalaya. The derived relation is mentioned below: I (R, Ms) = 2.856 + 1.31 * Ms - 0.0017 * R–0.9598*ln(R)
The decrease in intensity with distance has been used to calculate the PGA using the relation of Atkinson and Sonley (2000). The calculated values are quite in agreement with the values obtained by others around its epicentral zone. Another derived relation is used to calculate the size of the Kangra earthquake (Mw = 8.4) using intensity attenuation characteristic.
Neither height nor depth: discerning the cosmology of Romans
Authors: Gaventa Beverly Roberts 
Published: June 2011

AbstractAlthough the term cosmos in Romans is largely used in a neutral fashion to refer to humanity, as has been demonstrated by Edward Adams, the cosmos is nevertheless the location of a conflict between God and anti-God powers, most prominently the powers of Sin and Death. This conflict comes into view in Paul's repeated use of the language drawn from the arenas of slavery, statecraft and the military (especially in Romans 5–8). In the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, Sin and Death are themselves defeated (5:12–21; 6:8–11), but they are not yet destroyed. The conflict continues in the present as comes to expression in Romans 8, where Paul claims that the whole of creation (both human and non-human) waits for deliverance. And the conflict continues especially in 8:31–9, with its strong assertions that no power is powerful enough to separate humanity from its rightful Lord, assertions that would be unnecessary apart from the conviction that there are indeed anti-God powers whose goal is to reclaim human lives. Paul's cosmology, then, is less concerned with the order and wonder of the cosmos than with its need of redemption, a redemption begun but not yet complete. Cosmology and soteriology are inextricably connected to one another.
The Big Bang, modern cosmology and the fate of the Universe: impacts upon culture
Authors: Krauss Lawrence M. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractCosmological discoveries over the past century have completely changed our picture of our place in the universe. New observations have a realistic chance of probing nature on heretofore unimaginable scales, and as a result are changing the nature of fundamental science. Perhaps no other domain of science has an equal capacity to completely change our perspective of the world in which we live.
Cultural heritage of astronomical observatories
Authors: Wolfschmidt Gudrun 
Published: June 2011

AbstractWe present the results of the ICOMOS international symposium “Cultural Heritage of Astronomical Observatories (around 1900) – From Classical Astronomy to Modern Astrophysics” (Oct. 2008). The objective of the symposium was to discuss the relevance of modern observatories to the cultural heritage of humankind and to select partner observatories which, due to the date of their construction or to their architectural or scientific importance are comparable to Hamburg Observatory, as international cooperation partners for a serial trans-national application.
Planetariums, theatres of the Universe
Authors: Acker Agnès 
Published: June 2011

AbstractThe history of this magic instrument is complex, and the teaching goal was never forgotten. Technological developments of the planetarium enable it now to treat the major topics of astronomy and astrophysics. But by simplifying too much or badly, one is likely to bring confusion in the spirits. The development of the planetarium is a continual challenge, as long as the scientific culture is not integrated perfectly in the cultural landscape. In several countries, planetariums link their knowledge and their know-how, for better resisting to economic difficulties, and better speaking about astronomy to their public. In particular the great project ALMA will be celebrated in a show for the International Year of Astronomy. Today's planetarium works as a theater for all sciences, and can issue a passport to the various scales of the universe
Astronomy at the service of the Islamic society
Authors: Fernini Ilias M. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractThe Islamic society has great ties to astronomy. Its main religious customs (start of the Islamic month, direction of prayer, and the five daily prayers) are all related to two main celestial objects: the Sun and the Moon. First, the start of any Islamic month is related to the actual seeing of the young crescent after the new Moon. Second, the direction of prayer, i.e., praying towards Mecca, is related to the determination of the zenith point in Mecca. Third, the proper time for the five daily prayers is related to the motion of the Sun. Everyone in the society is directly concerned by these customs. This is to say that the major impetus for the growth of Islamic astronomy came from these three main religious observances which presented an assortment of problems in mathematical astronomy. To observe these three customs, a new set of astronomical observations were needed and this helped the development of the Islamic observatory. There is a claim that it was first in Islam that the astronomical observatory came into real existence. The Islamic observatory was a product of needs and values interwoven into the Islamic society and culture. It is also considered as a true representative and an integral par of the Islamic civilisation. Since astronomy interested not only men of science, but also the rulers of the Islamic empire, several observatories have flourished. The observatories of Baghdad, Cairo, Córdoba, Toledo, Maragha, Samarqand and Istanbul acquired a worldwide reputation throughout the centuries. This paper will discuss the two most important observatories (Maragha and Samarqand) in terms of their instruments and discoveries that contributed to the establishment of these scientific institutions.
Introducing Astronomy into Mozambican Society
Authors: Ribeiro V. A. R. M. , Paulo C. M. , Besteiro A. M. A. R. , Geraldes H. , Maphossa A. M. , Nhanonbe F. A. , Uaissine A. J. R. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractMozambique has been proposed as a host for one of the future Square Kilometre Array stations in Southern Africa. However, Mozambique does not possess a university astronomy department and only recently has there been interest in developing one. South Africa has been funding students at the MSc and PhD level, as well as researchers. Additionally, Mozambicans with Physics degrees have been funded at the MSc level. With the advent of the International Year of Astronomy, there has been a very strong drive, from these students, to establish a successful astronomy department in Mozambique. The launch of the commemorations during the 2008 World Space Week was very successful and Mozambique is to be used to motivate similar African countries who lack funds but are still trying to take part in the International Year of Astronomy. There hare been limited resources and funding, however there is a strong will to carry this momentum into 2009 and, with this, influence the Government to introduce Astronomy into its national curriculum and at University level. Mozambique's motto for the International Year of Astronomy is “Descobre o teu Universo”.
Subunit Stoichiometry, Evolution, and Functional Implications of an Asymmetric Plant Plastid ClpP/R Protease Complex in Arabidopsis
Authors: Olinares Paul Dominic B. , Kim Jitae , Davis Jerrold I. , van Wijk Klaas J. 
Published: June 2011

Abstract
The caseinolytic protease (Clp) protease system has been expanded in plant plastids compared with its prokaryotic progenitors. The plastid Clp core protease consists of five different proteolytic ClpP proteins and four different noncatalytic ClpR proteins, with each present in one or more copies and organized in two heptameric rings. We determined the exact subunit composition and stoichiometry for the intact core and each ring. The chloroplast ClpP/R protease was affinity purified from clpr4 and clpp3 Arabidopsis thaliana null mutants complemented with C-terminal StrepII-tagged versions of CLPR4 and CLPP3, respectively. The subunit stoichiometry was determined by mass spectrometry-based absolute quantification using stable isotope-labeled proteotypic peptides generated from a synthetic gene. One heptameric ring contained ClpP3,4,5,6 in a 1:2:3:1 ratio. The other ring contained ClpP1 and ClpR1,2,3,4 in a 3:1:1:1:1 ratio, resulting in only three catalytic sites. These ClpP1/R1-4 proteins are most closely related to the two subunits of the cyanobacterial P3/R complex and the identical P:R ratio suggests conserved adaptation. Furthermore, the plant-specific C-terminal extensions of the ClpP/R subunits were not proteolytically removed upon assembly, suggesting a regulatory role in Clp chaperone interaction. These results will now allow testing ClpP/R structure–function relationships using rationale design. The quantification workflow we have designed is applicable to other protein complexes.
Visual Coherence for Large‐Scale Line‐Plot Visualizations
Authors: Muigg Philipp , Hadwiger Markus , Doleisch Helmut , Gröller Eduard 
Published: June 2011

AbstractDisplaying a large number of lines within a limited amount of screen space is a task that is common to many different classes of visualization techniques such as time‐series visualizations, parallel coordinates, link‐node diagrams, and phase‐space diagrams. This paper addresses the challenging problems of cluttering and overdraw inherent to such visualizations. We generate a 2×2 tensor field during line rasterization that encodes the distribution of line orientations through each image pixel. Anisotropic diffusion of a noise texture is then used to generate a dense, coherent visualization of line orientation. In order to represent features of different scales, we employ a multi‐resolution representation of the tensor field. The resulting technique can easily be applied to a wide variety of line‐based visualizations. We demonstrate this for parallel coordinates, a time‐series visualization, and a phase‐space diagram. Furthermore, we demonstrate how to integrate a focus+context approach by incorporating a second tensor field. Our approach achieves interactive rendering performance for large data sets containing millions of data items, due to its image‐based nature and ease of implementation on GPUs. Simulation results from computational fluid dynamics are used to evaluate the performance and usefulness of the proposed method.
An Evaluation of Visualization Techniques to Illustrate Statistical Deformation Models
Authors: Caban J.J. , Rheingans P. , Yoo T. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractAs collections of 2D/3D images continue to grow, interest in effective ways to visualize and explore the statistical morphological properties of a group of images has surged. Recently, deformation models have emerged as simple methods to capture the variability and statistical properties of a collection of images. Such models have proven to be effective in tasks such as image classification, generation, registration, segmentation, and analysis of modes of variation. A crucial element missing from most statistical models has been an effective way to summarize and visualize the statistical morphological properties of a group of images. This paper evaluates different visualization techniques that can be extended and used to illustrate the information captured by such statistical models. First, four illustration techniques are described as methods to summarize the statistical morphological properties as captured by deformation models. Second, results of a user study conducted to compare the effectiveness of each visualization technique are presented. After comparing the performance of 40 subjects, we found that statistical annotation techniques present significant benefits when analyzing the structural properties of a group of images.
Stable Morse Decompositions for Piecewise Constant Vector Fields on Surfaces
Authors: Szymczak Andrzej 
Published: June 2011

AbstractNumerical simulations and experimental observations are inherently imprecise. Therefore, most vector fields of interest in scientific visualization are known only up to an error. In such cases, some topological features, especially those not stable enough, may be artifacts of the imprecision of the input. This paper introduces a technique to compute topological features of user‐prescribed stability with respect to perturbation of the input vector field. In order to make our approach simple and efficient, we develop our algorithms for the case of piecewise constant (PC) vector fields. Our approach is based on a super‐transition graph, a common graph representation of all PC vector fields whose vector value in a mesh triangle is contained in a convex set of vectors associated with that triangle. The graph is used to compute a Morse decomposition that is coarse enough to be correct for all vector fields satisfying the constraint. Apart from computing stable Morse decompositions, our technique can also be used to estimate the stability of Morse sets with respect to perturbation of the vector field or to compute topological features of continuous vector fields using the PC framework.
Validation of an influenza virus A 5′Taq nuclease assay for the detection of equine influenza virus A RNA in nasal swab samples
Authors: Oakey J , Hawkesford T , Smith C , Hewitson G , Tolosa X , Wright L , Moody N , Rodwell B , Corney B , Waltisbuhl D 
Published: June 2011

Objective  Describe the in‐house validation of a previously reported influenza virus type A 5′Taq nuclease assay for detecting equine influenza virus A RNA in nasal swab material.Methods  The validation compares the 5′Taq nuclease assay with a gel‐based reverse transcription nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) previously reported by the Irish Equine Centre for detection of H3N8 and H7N7 equine influenza viruses. This test was chosen because it targets a different region of the viral genome to the real‐time test, so it is not merely a repeat of the same test in a different format. Moreover, nested PCRs are commonly considered to have similar sensitivity to real‐time PCRs and are therefore ideal for evaluation comparisons.Results  The sensitivity of the nested PCR was comparable to the 5′Taq nuclease test. Known positive samples and known negative samples reacted with both tests with 100% correlation. Parallel testing of 276 nasal swab samples showed 98% agreement.Conclusion  The specificity of the nested amplicons was confirmed by nucleotide sequencing and showed >99.5% identity with the same region of previously published equine influenza virus A sequences. The results of this work are appropriate validation for the acceptance of the real‐time PCR for equine influenza A virus in equine nasal swabs.
Interleukin-7 Inhibits Tumor-Induced CD27−CD28− Suppressor T Cells: Implications for Cancer Immunotherapy
Authors: Zhang Yue , Pfannenstiel Lukas W. , Bolesta Elzbieta , Montes Carolina L. , Zhang Xiaoyu , Chapoval Andrei I. , Gartenhaus Ronald B. , Strome Scott E. , Gastman Brian R. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractPurpose: We have previously reported that many types of tumors can induce changes in human T cells that lead to the acquisition of suppressive function and phenotypic alterations resembling those found in senescent T cells. In the present study, we find a role for interleukin 7 (IL-7) in protecting T cells from these changes and further define involved signaling pathways.Experimental Design: We evaluated the ability of IL-7 treatment to prevent the gain of suppressive function and phenotypic alterations in human T cells after a short coculture with tumor cells in vitro. We then used inhibitors of components of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT pathway and short interfering RNA knockdown of Mcl-1 and Bim to evaluate the role of these signaling pathways in IL-7 protection.Results: We found that IL-7 inhibits CD27/CD28 loss and maintains proliferative capacity, IL-2 production, and reduced suppressive function. The protective ability of IL-7 depended on activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway, which inhibited activation of glycogen synthase kinase 3β, which, in turn, prevented the phosphorylation and loss of Mcl-1. We further showed a key role for Mcl-1 in that its knockdown or inhibition abrogated the effects of IL-7. In addition, knockdown of the Mcl-1 binding partner and proapoptotic protein Bim protected T cells from these dysfunctional alterations.Conclusion: These observations confirm the role for Bcl-2 family members in cytokine signaling and suggest that IL-7 treatment in combination with other immunotherapies could lead to new clinical strategies to maintain normal T-cell function and reduce tumor-induced generation of dysfunctional and suppressor T cells. Clin Cancer Res; 17(15); 4975–86. ©2011 AACR.
Novel Functional Germline Variants in the VEGF Receptor 2 Gene and Their Effect on Gene Expression and Microvessel Density in Lung Cancer
Authors: Glubb Dylan M. , Cerri Elisa , Giese Alexandra , Zhang Wei , Mirza Osman , Thompson Emma E. , Chen Peixian , Das Soma , Jassem Jacek , Rzyman Witold , Lingen Mark W. , Salgia Ravi , Hirsch Fred R. , Dziadziuszko Rafal , Ballmer-Hofer Kurt , Innocenti Federico 
Published: June 2011

Abstract
Purpose: VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR-2) plays a crucial role in mediating angiogenic endothelial cell responses via the VEGF pathway, and angiogenesis inhibitors targeting VEGFR-2 are in clinical use. As angiogenesis is a host-driven process, functional heritable variation in KDR, the gene encoding VEGFR-2, may affect VEGFR-2 function and, ultimately, the extent of tumor angiogenesis.
Experimental Design: We resequenced KDR using 24 DNAs each from healthy Caucasian, African American, and Asian groups. Nonsynonymous genetic variants were assessed for function by phosphorylation assays. Luciferase reporter gene assays were used to examine effects of variants on gene expression. KDR mRNA and protein expression and microvessel density (MVD) were measured in non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tumor samples, and matching patient DNA samples were genotyped to test for associations with variants of interest.
Results: KDR resequencing led to the discovery of 120 genetic variants, of which 25 had not been previously reported. Q472H had increased VEGFR-2 protein phosphorylation and associated with increased MVD in NSCLC tumor samples. −2854C and −2455A increased luciferase expression and associated with higher KDR mRNA levels in NSCLC samples. −271A reduced luciferase expression and associated with lower VEGFR-2 levels in NSCLC samples. −906C and 23408G associated with higher KDR mRNA levels in NSCLC samples.
Conclusions: This study has defined KDR genetic variation in 3 populations and identified common variants that impact on tumoral KDR expression and vascularization. These findings may have important implications for understanding the molecular basis of genetic associations between KDR variation and clinical phenotypes related to VEGFR-2 function. Clin Cancer Res; 17(16); 5257–67. ©2011 AACR.
Venous thromboembolism in pregnant and puerperal women in Denmark 1995–2005
Authors: Virkus Rie Adser , Løkkegaard Ellen Christine Leth , Bergholt Thomas , Mogensen Ulla , Langhoff-Roos Jens , Lidegaard øjvind 
Published: June 2011

SummaryVenous thromboembolism (VTE) is the leading cause of maternal death in the Western world, and the risk increases during pregnancy and puerperal period. It was the objective of the present study to estimate the absolute and the relative risk of VTE at different weeks of gestation and in the postnatal period as compared to non-pregnant women. This was a historical controlled national cohort study. The National Registry of Patients identified relevant diagnoses. These data were linked to The National Registry of Medical Products Statistics for information about current use of oral contraceptives. Danish women 15 to 49 years old during the period January 1995 through December 2005 were included in the study. In total 819,751 pregnant women were identified of whom 727 had a diagnosis of VTE. The absolute risk of VTE per 10,000 pregnancy-years increased from 4.1 (95% CI, 3.2 to 5.2) during week 1–11 up to 59.0 (95% CI: 46.1 to 76.4) in week 40 and decreased in the puerperal period from 60.0 (95% CI:47.2–76.4) during the first week after birth to 2.1 (95% CI:1.1 to 4.2) during week 9–12 after birth. Compared with non-pregnant women, the incidence rate ratio rose from 1.5 (95% CI:1.1 to1.9) in week 1–11, to 21.0 (95%CI16.7 to 27.4) in week 40 and 21.5 (95% CI:16.8 to 27.6) in the first week after delivery, declining to 3.8 (95% CI:2.5 to 5.8) 5–6 weeks after delivery. In conclusion, the risk of VTE increases almost exponentially through pregnancy and reaches maximum just after delivery and is no longer significantly increased six weeks after delivery.