bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Temperature dependence of nanometer-size metallic phase texture and its correlation with bulk magnetic and transport properties and defects of a (La0.4Pr0.6)0.67Ca0.33MnO3 film
Authors: Singh Surendra , Fitzsimmons M. R. , Jeen H. , Biswas A. , Hawley M. E.
Published: July 2012

Using conductive atomic force microscopy, we observed non-uniform distributions of metallic and insulating domains on the surface of a single crystalline (La0.4Pr0.6)0.67Ca0.33MnO3 film grown on a (110) NdGaO3 substrate. Metallic phase texture is confined to stripes corresponding to ∼100 nm lateral dimension between terrace steps. The electronic properties of the surface exhibit thermal hysteresis, and the hysteresis is similar to that of the transport and magnetism of the film bulk.
Localising Activity within the Context of Relational Complexity: Exploring the Relevance of Rural Centre and Town Centre Conceptions
Authors: Powe Neil Adrian , Bek Dave
Published: July 2012

The planning practice of focusing most rural development within larger settlements has failed to achieve goals of rural activity colocation. In a society where quality of opportunity has become dominant in location decisions, a broader imaginative perspective than the physical proximity of functions is required if meaningful activity colocation is to occur. The extent to which residents and employees can be encouraged to localise their activity is explored through case studies of three very different small towns within the English county of Norfolk. Although not of universal appeal, small towns provide an important niche for many rural actors. Rather than abandoning policy endeavours, there is potential to improve their effectiveness by ensuring that the possible benefits arising from the colocation of activity are realised. By adopting a more flexible approach to policy application, utilising complementary conceptions which are attentive to the specific characteristics of individual places, potential exceptions to policies of development concentration can be identified. However, in the UK context ongoing cutbacks in local authority budgets are likely to prejudice the conduct of the type of fine-grained local policy development required to achieve these objectives.
Style Representation in Design Grammars
Authors: Ahmad Sumbul , Chase Scott C
Published: July 2012

The concept of style is relevant for both the analysis and synthesis of designs. New styles are often formed by the adaptation of previous ones based on changes in design criteria and context. A formal characterization of style is given by shape grammars, which describe the compositional rules underlying a set of designs. Stylistic change can be modelled by grammar transformations, which allow the transformation of the structure and vocabulary of a grammar that is used to describe a particular style. In order for grammars to be useful beyond a single application, they should have the capability to be transformed according to changing design style needs. Issues of formalizing stylistic change necessitate a lucid and formal definition of style in the design language generated by a grammar. Furthermore, a significant aspect of the definition of style is the representation of aesthetic qualities attributed to the style. We focus on grammars for representing and generating styles of design and review the use of grammar transformations for modelling changes in style and design language. We identify a gap in knowledge in the representation of style in grammars and in driving strategic style change using grammar transformations.
Genome‐wide study identifies the regulatory gene networks and signaling pathways from chondrocyte and peripheral blood monocyte of Kashin–Beck disease
Authors: Wang Sen , Guo Xiong , Wang Weizhuo , Wang Shuang
Published: July 2012

This investigation was designed to unravel gene networks in Kashin–Beck disease (KBD) and better identify target genes of KBD for gene therapy development. RNA was isolated separately from cartilage and peripheral blood samples of patients with KBD and healthy controls. Agilent 44K human whole‐genome oligonucleotide microarrays were used to detect differentially expressed genes. Three significant canonical pathways and nine chondrocyte networks from chondrocytic gene expression profiles were screened using ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA), but only one network and no canonical pathways from peripheral blood monocytic gene profile were identified. Bak1, APAF‐1, CASP6, IGFBP2, Col5a2 and TGFBI extracted from significant genes that involved in chondrocytic canonical pathways and networks may have closer relationship with the etiopathogenesis of KBD. Those genes may be potential targets for gene diagnosis and treatment. Six physiological functions were predominant and unique to the chondrocytic genes, whereas two were unique to peripheral blood monocytic genes. The identified genes may represent a source of potentially novel molecular targets, which may provide a better understanding of the molecular details in KBD pathogenesis and also provide useful pathways and network maps for the future research in osteochondrosis.
The effect of proanthocyanidins on the bond strength and durability of resin sealer to root dentine
Authors: Kalra M. , Iqbal K. , Nitisusanta L. I. , Daood U. , Sum C. P. , Fawzy A. S.
Published: July 2012

Aim

To investigate the effect of proanthocyanidins (PAs)‐rich grape seed extract on the biodegradation resistance of demineralized root dentine and on the bond strength and durability between resin‐based sealer and root dentine.

Methodology

Single‐rooted premolars (n = 28) were divided into PAs‐treated and nontreated specimens. Root canals were instrumented to apical size 40, filled with RealSeal SE sealer/Core, sectioned into slices of 1 mm thickness from middle and coronal thirds and stored for 1 week or 3 months in distilled water. Specimens were subjected to push‐out strength testing with the load applied perpendicularly in an apical to coronal direction using a universal testing machine. Remaining apical thirds were viewed by scanning electron microscopy after 3‐months storage. Additional root canals were filled with rhodamine‐B‐labelled sealer and viewed by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Unfilled roots (n = 6) were sliced, demineralized, PAs‐treated or left untreated and exposed to 24 h collagenase to determine hydroxyproline release in the supernatant. Two‐way anova was used to test the effect of both dentine treatment with PAs and anatomical locations on bond strength and hydroxyproline release. Tukey–Kramer multiple comparison post hoc test was used to compare between groups.

Results

No difference in bond strength was found after 1‐week storage between both PAs‐treated (crosslinked) and untreated (noncrosslinked) groups in the coronal thirds. However, treatment with PAs revealed higher 1‐week bond strength values (P ≤ 0.05) in the middle thirds. Generally, 3‐month storage decreased the bond strength compared to 1‐week within each of the crosslinked and noncrosslinked groups. However, the decrease in the bond strength after 3 months was less for the crosslinked specimens compared to the noncrosslinked specimens. Confocal images revealed a relatively uniform fluorescent interfacial layer and tubular penetration after 1 week in both groups. SEM images revealed more intact resin sealer/dentine interfaces with PAs crosslinking after 3 months. In addition, hydroxyproline release was significantly less (P ≤ 0.05) with crosslinked specimens.

Conclusion

Treating root dentine with PAs‐rich grape seed extracts improved the biodegradation resistance of demineralized root dentine and enhanced the bond strength and durability between resin‐based sealer and root dentine after short‐term water storage.
Contemporary cryptic sexuality in Trypanosoma cruzi
Authors: RAMÍREZ JUAN DAVID , GUHL FELIPE , MESSENGER LOUISA A. , LEWIS MICHAEL D. , MONTILLA MARLENY , CUCUNUBA ZULMA , MILES MICHAEL A. , LLEWELLYN MARTIN S.
Published: July 2012

Clonal propagation is considered to be the predominant mode of reproduction among many parasitic protozoa. However, this assumption may overlook unorthodox, infrequent or cryptic sexuality. Trypanosoma cruzi, which causes Chagas disease, is known to undergo non‐Mendelian genetic exchange in the laboratory. In the field, evidence of extant genetic exchange is limited. In this study, we undertook intensive sampling of T. cruzi Discrete Typing Unit I in endemic eastern Colombia. Using Fluorescence‐activated cell sorting, we generated 269 biological clones from 67 strains. Each clone was genotyped across 24 microsatellite loci. Subsequently, 100 representative clones were typed using 10 mitochondrial sequence targets (3.76 Kbp total). Clonal diversity among humans, reservoir hosts and vectors suggested complex patterns of superinfection and/or coinfection in oral and vector‐borne Chagas disease cases. Clonal diversity between mother and foetus in a congenital case demonstrates that domestic TcI genotypes are infective in utero. Importantly, gross incongruence between nuclear and mitochondrial markers is strong evidence for widespread genetic exchange throughout the data set. Furthermore, a confirmed mosaic maxicircle sequence suggests intermolecular recombination between individuals as a further mechanism of genetic reassortment. Finally, robust dating based on mitochondrial DNA indicates that the emergence of a widespread domestic TcI clade that we now name TcIDOM (formerly TcIa/VENDom) occurred 23 000 ± 12 000 years ago and was followed by population expansion, broadly corresponding with the earliest human migration into the Americas.
Do kidney histology lesions predict long‐term kidney function after liver transplantation?
Authors: Kamar Nassim , Maaroufi Chakib , Guilbeau‐Frugier Céline , Servais Aude , Meas‐Yedid Vannary , Tack Ivan , Thervet Eric , Cointault Olivier , Esposito Laure , Guitard Joelle , Lavayssière Laurence , Panterne Clarisse , Muscari Fabrice , Bureau Christophe , Rostaing Lionel
Published: July 2012

Histological renal lesions observed after liver transplantation are complex, multifactorial, and interrelated. The aims of this study were to determine whether kidney lesions observed at five yr after liver transplantation can predict long‐term kidney function. Ninety‐nine liver transplant patients receiving calcineurin inhibitor (CNI)‐based immunosuppression, who had undergone a kidney biopsy at 60 ± 48 months post‐transplant, were included in this follow‐up study. Kidney biopsies were scored according to the Banff classification. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was assessed at last follow‐up, that is, 109 ± 48 months after liver transplantation. eGFR decreased from 92 ± 33 mL/min at transplantation to 63 ± 19 mL/min after six months, to 57 ± 17 mL/min at the kidney biopsy, to 54 ± 24 mL/min at last follow‐up (p < 0.0001). At last follow‐up, only three patients required renal replacement therapy. After the kidney biopsy, 13 patients were converted from CNIs to mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors, but no significant improvement in eGFR was observed after conversion. Elevated eGFR at six months post‐transplant and a lower fibrous intimal thickening score (cv) observed at five yr post‐transplant were the two independent predictive factors for eGFR ≥60 mL/min at nine yr post‐transplant. Long‐term kidney function seems to be predicted by the kidney vascular lesions.
Differences in phosphorylation patterns of intracellular signaling proteins in T cells from kidney transplant patients with different outcomes
Authors: Ortiz Yaneth M. , García Luis F. , Álvarez Cristiam M.
Published: July 2012

Transplant patients with long‐term graft survival (LTS) may have developed mechanisms that prevent rejection and allow graft function under low or no immunosuppressive therapy. In murine models, T cell tolerance is associated with alterations in the expression/activation of proteins involved in T cell signaling. These alterations have not been reported in transplanted patients with different outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate calcium mobilization, the phosphorylation of different proteins involved in T cell signaling and the expression of molecules associated with anergy, in T cells from kidney transplant patients. No differences were observed in calcium mobilization, although transplanted patients had a tendency toward augmented calcium flux. Chronic rejection patients (ChrRx) displayed lower Lck basal phosphorylation levels compared with LTS patients, and the phosphorylation profile of proteins evaluated was different. Among the groups, phosphorylation of Zap‐70 was higher in LTS patients compared with ChrRx, and LAT phosphorylation was lower in LTS and ChrRx patients compared with healthy controls. The expression of molecules related to the anergic phenotype was similar among the study groups. Results suggest that phosphorylation patterns, rather than phosphorylation levels, may correlate with transplant outcome and that anergy may not be the main mechanism mediating LTS.
Successful unrelated bone marrow transplantation in two siblings with alpha‐mannosidosis
Authors: Yesilipek Akif M. , Akcan Mediha , Karasu Gulsun , Uygun Vedat , Kupesiz Alphan , Hazar Volkan
Published: July 2012

Yesilipek AM, Akcan M, Karasu G, Uygun V, Kupesiz A, Hazar V. Successful unrelated bone marrow transplantation in two siblings with alpha‐mannosidosis.

Abstract:  Alpha‐mannosidosis is a rare lysosomal storage disorder with an autosomal recessive inheritance. Deficient alpha‐mannosidase activity leads to lysosomal accumulation of mannose‐rich oligosaccharides. The disease characterized by mental retardation, skeletal changes, hearing impairment, and recurrent infections. Stem cell transplantation has been shown to be an effective treatment. It works by providing increased levels of α‐mannosidase in the localized extracellular milieu to provide improvements in skeletal malformations, neurocognitive, and sensorineural function. In this case report, we describe a pair of siblings with α‐mannosidosis who successfully underwent HSCT from matched unrelated donors. In both siblings, enzyme levels reached to normal limits and improvements in clinical symptoms were recognized early after HSCT. We conclude that HSCT should be considered as a therapeutic approach in patients with alpha‐mannosidosis before disease‐related complications have developed.
Response to artificial drying until drought‐induced death in different elevation populations of a high‐mountain plant
Authors: García‐Fernández Alfredo , Iriondo Jose M. , Bartels Dorothea , Escudero Adrián
Published: July 2012

Climate change is imposing warmer and more arid conditions on high‐mountain Mediterranean pastures. The severity of these conditions is more intense in lower elevation populations and may be critical for their survival. In this context, we asked whether local adaptation plays an important role in the response of these populations to climate change, and if so, what mechanisms are involved. Previous works, involving reciprocal sowings suggested the existence of local adaptation in lower elevation populations ofSilene ciliata, a perennial representative of high‐mountain Mediterranean pastures. To determine if this local advantage is due to better adaptation to more intense water stress conditions, an experiment was conducted in whichS. ciliataplants from three populations located at different elevations (Low, Intermediate and High) were subjected to severe artificial water stress. Results showed that plants from the Low population had greater tolerance to water stress than plants from the High population in the earliest stages of water shortage. Furthermore, responses of proteins to specific antibodies related to drought were evaluated. Two representative late‐embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins known to play a role in water stress tolerance were expressed throughout the drought treatment in plants from the three populations, with some pattern differences among individuals within populations. This study detected slight evidence of local adaptation to water stress in populations from different elevations.
Comparison of the response to treatment between Asian and Caucasian men with benign prostatic hyperplasia: Long‐term results from the combination of dutasteride and tamsulosin study
Authors: Chung Byung‐Ha , Lee Seung Hwan , Roehrborn Claus G , Siami Paul F , Major‐Walker Kim , Wilson Timothy H , Montorsi Francesco ,   on behalf of the CombAT Study Group
Published: July 2012

The Combination of Avodart and Tamsulosin study was a 4‐year, randomized, double‐blind study of the efficacy and safety of dutasteride and tamsulosin, alone or in combination, in men with moderate‐to‐severe benign prostatic hyperplasia. In this post‐hoc investigation, we analyzed primary and secondary end‐points from the Combination of Avodart and Tamsulosin study in Asian (n = 325) and Caucasian men (n = 4259). The incidence of acute urinary retention or benign prostatic hyperplasia‐related surgery did not differ significantly between treatment groups in the Asian subpopulation. In Caucasian men, the incidence of acute urinary retention/benign prostatic hyperplasia‐related surgery was significantly lower in the combination therapy group compared with the tamsulosin monotherapy group (P < 0.001), but not compared with dutasteride monotherapy. Combination therapy significantly increased the time to benign prostatic hyperplasia clinical progression and resulted in improved International Prostate Symptom Score, maximum urinary flow rate, quality of life, and reduced prostate volume in Asian and Caucasian men who received combination therapy compared with tamsulosin monotherapy. Combination therapy also significantly improved (P < 0.05) time to benign prostatic hyperplasia clinical progression, International Prostate Symptom Score, maximum urinary flow rate and quality of life versus dutasteride in the Caucasian subpopulation. The adverse‐event profile was comparable between subpopulations. In conclusion, Asian and Caucasian men respond similarly to these treatments, despite apparent racial differences in 5α‐reductase activity.
Investigating the effects of background knowledge on Chinese word processing during text reading: evidence from eye movements
Authors: Jian Yu‐Cin , Ko Hwa‐Wei
Published: July 2012

This study investigates the effects of background knowledge on Chinese word processing during silent reading by monitoring adult readers’ eye movements. Both higher knowledge (physics major) and lower knowledge (nonphysics major) graduate students were given physics texts to read. Higher knowledge readers spent less time rereading and had lower regression rates on unfamiliar physics words and common words in physics texts than did lower knowledge readers; they also had shorter gaze durations and fewer first‐pass fixations on familiar physics words than on unfamiliar physics words. For unfamiliar physics words and common words, both groups predominantly fixated first on the beginnings of words when they made multiple fixations on a word and on a left‐of‐centre location when they fixated only once on a word. These findings suggest that both groups comprise mature readers with strong language concepts. However, differences in background knowledge led to different reading processes at different stages of reading.
Examining the Interplay of Career, Migration and National Cultural Identity: The Case of Indian Scientists
Authors: Cohen Laurie , Duberley Joanne , Ravishankar M.N.
Published: July 2012

In this paper, we examine individuals’ career migration across international borders. It is widely recognized that globalization has fundamental implications for the careers of people across geographical and cultural boundaries. However, our understanding of the interplay of migration, career development and national/cultural identities remains undeveloped within the extant literature. In this paper, we seek to offer insights into this relationship. Focusing on Indian scientists, an occupational group whose careers have long been associated with movement around the world, in this paper we examine these issues. Empirically, we examine three themes: why Indian scientists see international mobility as important in the development of their careers; continued links with India; and the interplay of national/cultural affiliation and respondents’ career experiences. In light of our findings, in the discussion section we argue that considering Indian scientists as a career diaspora highlights three important features that in the main have received only limited attention in the extant literature: career as a social form and process; the notion of the scientific career as a cultural product; and the interrelationship of career and national/cultural affiliation as ongoing facets of individuals’ identities as they develop diasporic careers.
Histamine in brain development
Authors: Molina‐Hernández Anayansi , Díaz Néstor Fabián , Arias‐Montaño José‐Antonio
Published: July 2012

J. Neurochem. (2012) 122, 872–882.

The function of histamine in the adult central nervous system has been extensively studied, but data on its actions upon the developing nervous system are still scarce. Herein, we review the available information regarding the possible role for histamine in brain development. Some relevant findings are the existence of a transient histaminergic neuronal system during brain development, which includes serotonergic neurons in the midbrain and the rhombencephalon that coexpress histamine; the high levels of histamine found in several areas of the embryo nervous system at the neurogenic stage; the presence of histaminergic fibers and the expression of histamine receptors in various areas of the developing brain; and the neurogenic and proliferative effects on neural stem cells following histamine H1‐ and H2‐receptor activation, respectively. Altogether, the reviewed information supports a significant role for histamine in brain development and the need for further research in this field.
Variation: Use it or Misuse it – Replication and its Variants
Authors: DRUMMOND GORDON B. , VOWLER SARAH L.
Published: July 2012

Please cite this paper as: Drummond GB, Vowler SL. Variation: use it or misuse it ‐ replication and its variants. Microcirculation 19: 468–471, 2012.
Deforestation and precipitation patterns in the arid Chaco forests of central Argentina
Authors: Hoyos L.E. , Cingolani A.M. , Zak M.R. , Vaieretti M.V. , Gorla D.E. , Cabido M.R.
Published: July 2012

Aims

(1) to compare two series of precipitation data from different periods (1930–1950 and 1950–2000) in three sectors of the southern dry Chaco in the arid and semi‐arid sub‐regions; (2) construct maps showing the distribution of land‐cover units for 1979, 1999, 2004 and 2010 for the same three sectors; and (3) assess the changes in land‐cover units occurred between 1979 and 2010 in the three sectors.

Location

Southern extreme of the dry Chaco in NE and NW Córdoba Province, central Argentina.

Methods

We compared annual and growth period (November–March) precipitation among the three sectors and between two series of data corresponding to different periods (1930–1950 and 1950–2000) using repeated measures ANOVA, with the station as the subject variable, period as the within‐factor and sector as the between factor. Using three Landsat MSS (1979) and nine Landsat TM (1999, 2004 and 2010) images we mapped the distribution of eight land‐cover units for the whole study area. For each sector (NE, NW and W), we performed a change detection analysis between 1979 and 2010.

Results

The classification of Landsat MSS and TM images resulted in reliable land‐cover maps (overall accuracy 80%). Our results showed that vegetation cover in the area is highly disturbed and that the present status of vegetation cover differs among the three sectors. In the more humid sector, the land‐cover changes have been dominated by replacement of closed forests by crops, while in the driest portion of the study area forest loss was not related to agriculture. Additionally, we found that significant increases in precipitation have occurred in all three sectors, but the increase was highest in the humid sector.

Conclusions

The differences observed among the three sectors suggest that precipitation may have effectively played a dominant role in the process of forest conversion to agriculture.
COURT‐CONNECTED ADR—A TIME OF CRISIS, A TIME OF CHANGE
Authors: Boyarin Yishai
Published: July 2012

The report, which is based on the conference titled The Future of Court ADR: Mediation and Beyond co‐sponsored by AFCC, RSI and Marquette and hosted by Marquette, examines the status of court ADR programs—both in the family context as well as the general, civil, one—and challenges faced by them, the primary challenge being the lack of appropriate institutional support needed to run high‐quality court ADR programs. The report attempts to help with cross‐fertilization between these at times disconnected groups, emphasizing new ADR options as they relate to the ever‐evolving use of the mediation process and other Hybrid ADR processes. The report outlines the conference participants' ideas for the future of court‐connected ADR.

Key Points for the Family Court Community:

The main challenge faced by court‐connected ADR programs is how to balance between efficiency, fairness and justice. Currently, the overall trend is to over‐emphasize efficiency at the expense of fairness and justice.

ADR programs should include ADR interventions that maximize self‐determination but also provide other ADR interventions that might be more directive and potentially coercive but also more appropriate in some instances.

Where self‐determination is diminished, whether within the ADR process itself or in the manner in which the parties enter into the ADR process, ADR programs and the courts that manage such programs have a duty to ensure that the ADR interventions provide for fairness protections and ensure a just result.
Improved He I emissivities in the case B approximation
Authors: Porter R. L. , Ferland G. J. , Storey P. J. , Detisch M. J.
Published: July 2012

We update our prior work on the case B collisional-recombination spectrum of He i to incorporate ab initio photoionization cross-sections. This large set of accurate, self-consistent cross-sections represents a significant improvement in He i emissivity calculations because it largely obviates the piecemeal nature that has marked all modern works. A second, more recent set of ab initio cross-sections is also available, but we show that those are less consistent with bound-bound transition probabilities than our adopted set. We compare our new effective recombination coefficients with our prior work and our new emissivities with those by other researchers, and we conclude with brief remarks on the effects of the present work on the He i error budget. Our calculations cover temperatures 5000 ≤ Te 25 000 K and densities 101 ≤ ne ≤ 1014 cm−3. Full results are available online (see Supporting Information).
Flawed Processing of Airborne EM Data Affecting Hydrogeological Interpretation
Authors: Viezzoli Andrea , Jørgensen Flemming , Sørensen Camilla
Published: July 2012

Airborne electromagnetics (AEMs) is increasingly being used across the globe as a tool for groundwater and environmental management. Focus is on ensuring the quality of the source data, their processing and modeling, and the integration of results with ancillary information to generate accurate and relevant products. Accurate processing and editing of raw AEM data, the topic of this article, is one of the crucial steps in obtaining quantitative information for groundwater modeling and management. In this article, we examine the consequences that different levels of processing of helicopter transient electromagnetic method data have on the resulting electrical models and subsequently on hydrogeological models. We focus on different approaches used in the industry for processing of the raw data and show how the electrical resistivity–depth models, which is the end “geophysical” product (after data inversion) of an AEM survey, change with different levels of processing of the raw data. We then extend the study to show the impact on some of the hydrogeological parameters or models, which can be derived from the geophysical results. The consequences of improper handling of raw data to groundwater and environmental management can be significant and expensive.
Detecting crater ejecta‐blanket boundaries and constraining source crater regions for boulder tracks and elongated secondary craters on Eros
Authors: DURDA Daniel D. , CHAPMAN Clark R. , MERLINE William J. , ENKE Brian L.
Published: July 2012

Abstract– We present results of a numerical model of the dynamics of ejecta emplacement on asteroid 433 Eros. Ejecta blocks represent the coarsest fraction of Eros’ regolith and are important, readily visible, “tracer particles” for crater ejecta‐blanket units that may be linked back to specific source craters. Model results show that the combination of irregular shape and rapid rotation of an asteroid can result in markedly asymmetric ejecta blankets (and, it follows, ejecta block spatial distribution), with locally very sharp/distinct boundaries. We mapped boulder number densities in NEAR‐Shoemaker MSI images across a portion of a predicted sharp ejecta‐blanket boundary associated with the crater Valentine and confirm a distinct and real ejecta‐blanket boundary, significant at least at the 3‐sigma level. Using our dynamical model, we “back track” the landing trajectories of three ejecta blocks with associated landing tracks in an effort to constrain potential source regions where those blocks were ejected from Eros’ surface in impact events. The observed skip distances of the blocks upon landing on Eros’ surface and the landing speeds and elevation angles derived from our model allow us to estimate the coefficient of restitution, ε, of Eros’ surface for impacts of 10‐m‐scale blocks at approximately 5 m s−1 impact speeds. We find mean values of ε of approximately 0.09–0.18.
GFAJ-1 Is an Arsenate-Resistant, Phosphate-Dependent Organism
Authors: Erb Tobias J. , Kiefer Patrick , Hattendorf Bodo , Günther Detlef , Vorholt Julia A.
Published: July 2012

Resisting Arsenic

The discovery of a bacterium living in the extreme conditions of Mono Lake, California, created a major controversy because it was claimed to be able to grow solely on arsenic and could substitute arsenate for phosphate in its key macromolecules, including DNA. Working with the same
Halomonas
spp. bacterium, known as GFAJ-1, and ultrapure reagents,

Erb
et al.

(p.
467
) found that the bacterium needed a low level of phosphate (1.6 µM) to grow at all. Rather than significant specific arsenic incorporation, when the organism was grown in 40 mM arsenic, its nucleic acids acquired a trace of arsenic. Similarly,

Reaves
et al.

(p.
470
) found that GFAJ-1 could not grow in the absence of phosphate and, moreover, that its growth was not stimulated by the addition of arsenate, although a trace amount of arsenic was also detected in DNA. Thus, GFAJ-1 shows no particular facility to substitute arsenic for phosphate, when phosphate is limiting, but it can tolerate high concentrations of the poison while efficiently scavenging phosphate.
Absence of Detectable Arsenate in DNA from Arsenate-Grown GFAJ-1 Cells
Authors: Reaves Marshall Louis , Sinha Sunita , Rabinowitz Joshua D. , Kruglyak Leonid , Redfield Rosemary J.
Published: July 2012

Resisting Arsenic

The discovery of a bacterium living in the extreme conditions of Mono Lake, California, created a major controversy because it was claimed to be able to grow solely on arsenic and could substitute arsenate for phosphate in its key macromolecules, including DNA. Working with the same
Halomonas
spp. bacterium, known as GFAJ-1, and ultrapure reagents,

Erb
et al.

(p.
467
) found that the bacterium needed a low level of phosphate (1.6 µM) to grow at all. Rather than significant specific arsenic incorporation, when the organism was grown in 40 mM arsenic, its nucleic acids acquired a trace of arsenic. Similarly,

Reaves
et al.

(p.
470
) found that GFAJ-1 could not grow in the absence of phosphate and, moreover, that its growth was not stimulated by the addition of arsenate, although a trace amount of arsenic was also detected in DNA. Thus, GFAJ-1 shows no particular facility to substitute arsenic for phosphate, when phosphate is limiting, but it can tolerate high concentrations of the poison while efficiently scavenging phosphate.
COMPLEX NETWORK FOR A CRISIS CONTAGION ON AN INTERBANK SYSTEM
Authors: TIRADO MARIANO
Published: July 2012

The main focus of this research is the contagion of a financial crisis on an interbank debt network. In order to simulate the crisis propagation a weighted community complex network based on growth strategy has been created. The contagion is described by a new way of disease propagation perspective based on the concept of a financial virus. The model reproduces the existence of TBTF banks and shows the impact that an initial TBTF bank crash produces in the interbank network depending on the magnitude of the initial crash and on the resistance that the network offers against the contagion propagation.
CONNECTION BETWEEN TWO FORMS OF EXTRA DIMENSIONAL METRIC REVISITED
Authors: IOFA MIKHAIL Z.
Published: July 2012

5D cosmological model with 3-brane with matter is considered. The brane divides the bulk in two AdS half-spaces. Geometry of the model can be described by two types of coordinate systems: in the first setting the metric is static and the brane is moving in the bulk, in the second approach the metric is time-dependent and the brane is located at a fixed position in the bulk. Coordinate transformation connecting two coordinate systems is constructed.
RISK GOVERNANCE OF URBAN RAIL SYSTEMS USING FUZZY AHP: THE CASE OF ISTANBUL
Authors: SARI IREM UCAL , BEHRET HULYA , KAHRAMAN CENGİZ
Published: July 2012

The urban rail system in Istanbul carries in total more than 700.000 passengers per a day on different types of lines which require well organized risk governance. This paper evaluates the urban rail systems in Istanbul under different risk factors using Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) to uncover the critical risk criteria of these systems and to make a multi-criteria evaluation of existing rail systems for the assignment of the scarce resources. Linguistic variables are used in the pairwise comparisons of criteria and alternatives. The risk factors considered are regional criticality, line characteristics, line safety and station structure. The evaluation results imply that the most risky critical urban rail system in Istanbul is the subway line from Sishane to Darussafaka.
AN EXPLORATORY STUDY INTO ADVANCED MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY (AMT) USAGE IN MALAYSIAN SMALL- AND MEDIUM-SIZED ENTERPRISES (SMEs)
Authors: SABERI SARA , YUSUFF ROSNAH MOHD.
Published: July 2012

For manufacturing companies, to gain competitive advantage in the global market is not always a simple matter of just purchasing and installing new technologies. New technologies require careful planning and persistent efforts to integrate operating and organizational systems to support these operations. It is more important for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that have more obstacles in implementing new technologies compared to big companies. Using data collected from 30 SMEs in Malaysia, this paper assesses their situation in terms of advanced manufacturing technology (AMT) investment planning and implementation and its relationship to companies' performance and obstacles. This is an exploratory study with the purpose of providing background data to direct future research in building up a contingency study for technology management and implementation for SMEs in Malaysia. The results revealed that in spite of different levels of AMT usage, there were no significant differences between the companies in terms of performance and obstacles. The analysis outcomes implied that technology per se did not make a big difference in its users.
Current Evidence on Atypical Odontalgia: Diagnosis and Clinical Management
Authors: Abiko Yoshihiro , Matsuoka Hirofumi , Chiba Itsuo , Toyofuku Akira
Published: July 2012

Patients with atypical odontalgia (AO) complain of medically unexplained toothache. No evidence-based diagnostic criteria or treatment guidelines are yet available. The present paper addresses seven clinical questions about AO based on current knowledge in the literature and discusses diagnostic criteria and guidelines for treatment and management. The questions are (i) What is the prevalence of AO in the community? (ii) What psychological problems are experienced by patients with AO? (iii) Are there any comorbidities of AO? (iv) Is local anesthesia effective for the relief of pain in AO? (v) Are there any characteristic symptoms of AO other than spontaneous pain? (vi) Are antidepressants effective for treatment of AO? (vii) Are anticonvulsants effective for treatment of AO? Our literature search provided answers for these questions; however, there is insufficient evidence-based data to establish guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of AO. Overall, some diagnostic criteria for neuropathic pain and persistent dentoalveolar pain disorder may be applied to AO patients. The patient's psychogenic background should always be considered in the treatment and/or management of AO. The clinicians may need to treat AO patients using Patient-Oriented Evidence that Matters approach.
Globus Pallidus Interna Deep Brain Stimulation Improves Chorea and Functional Status in a Patient with Chorea-Acanthocytosis
Authors: Shin Hyeeun , Ki Chang-Seok , Cho Ah Ra , Lee Jung-Il , Ahn Jin Young , Lee Jae-Hyeok , Cho Jin Whan
Published: July 2012

We report a 39-year-old woman with chorea-acanthocytosis (ChAc) who was referred with refractory hyperkinetic movement and truncal bending spasm. She was diagnosed with ChAc with clinical features and laboratory findings of acanthocytosis in peripheral blood smear, and genetic studies revealed novel mutations in the VPS13 gene. Because her symptoms did not respond well to medical treatment, she was in a totally dependent state. We decided to perform globus pallidus interna deep brain stimulation (GPi-DBS) for symptom control. After the operation her hyperkinetic movement, bradykinesia, and truncal bending motion were improved, the preoperative total score of the motor section on the Unified Huntington’s Disease Rating Scale (UHDRS) was 44, the independence scale was 50, and functional capacity was 1. However, a year after GPi-DBS, the postoperative score on the motor section was 12, the independence scale was 80, functional capacity was 9, and she had become capable of independent daily life. Although there is currently no curative treatment for ChAc, GPi-DBS represents a promising option for symptomatic control.
Phosphate Mass Removal during Hemodialysis: A Comparison between eKT/V-Matched Conventional and Extended Dialysis
Authors: Sampaio M.S. , Ruzany F. , Dorigo D.M. , Suassuna J.H.R.
Published: July 2012

Background and Objectives: The control of hyperphosphatemia is an unmet need in dialysis care. Compared to conventional hemodialysis (cHD), extended hemodialysis (eHD) appears to more easily control blood phosphate levels in chronically dialyzed patients. Here, we sought to compare eKT/V-matched cHD and eHD procedures in order to quantify the contribution of dialysis prescription and time in the mass removal of phosphate. Methods: Eight stable hemodialysis patients with negligible residual renal function underwent cHD and eHD sessions adjusted to provide the same eKT/Vurea. Total dialysate, total and hourly partial dialysate and blood samples were collected for comparison of mass extraction of urea, creatinine, and phosphate. Results: Mean eKT/Vurea was similar in eHD and cHD (1.30 vs. 1.28, p = nonsignificant). Likewise, mass removal of urea and creatinine during cHD and eHD were not significantly different. Conversely, phosphate mass removal was 40% higher with eHD as compared to cHD (1,219 ± 262 vs. 858 ± 186 mg, p = 0.015). Although hourly mass removal of phosphate was higher during cHD, the prolonged period of lesser but continuous removal was responsible for higher total phosphate elimination during eHD. Conclusion: In dialysis sessions matched to provide a similar eKT/Vurea, removal of phosphate increases by 40% when time is extended from 4 to 8 h. Urea-based adequacy models cannot be used to predict the amount of phosphorus removal during hemodialysis.
Synchronous Occurrence of a Hemorrhagic Hypothalamic Hamartoma and a Suprasellar Teratoma
Authors: Sai Kiran Narayanam Anantha , Ghosal Nandita , Thakar Sumit , Hegde Alangar S.
Published: July 2012

Hypothalamic hamartomas have been reported to coexist with lesions like Rathke’s cleft cyst and arachnoid cysts in the suprasellar or temporo-sylvian regions. This is the first report in indexed literature describing its association with a suprasellar teratoma. A 7-year-old girl presented with long-standing precocious puberty and generalized tonic-clonic seizures and recent-onset raised intracranial pressure. MRI done prior to the onset of symptomatic raised intracranial pressure revealed 2 distinct lesions in the suprasellar region. One was a midline, pedunculated lesion arising from the hypothalamus, with evidence of an old bleed within it. A separate lesion, with a wide base near the tuberculum sellae and a posteriorly directed conical tip, was noted in an adjacent sagittal cut. CT scan done at the time of admission demonstrated a re-bleed in the suprasellar region with blood in the lateral and third ventricles and gross hydrocephalus. The child was taken up for a ventriculoperitoneal shunt followed by complete excision of the lesions. Histopathologic examination confirmed the pedunculated lesion to be a hypothalamic hamartoma with evidence of hemorrhage, and the other to be a mature teratoma. Postoperative MRI confirmed complete excision of both the lesions. The child reported regression of precocious puberty and remained seizure-free until the last follow-up 6 months after surgery. A hypothesis based on a dysontogenetic mechanism is discussed to explain the unusual occurrence of the dual, seemingly unrelated pathologies. Hemorrhage into the hamartoma was an added oddity in this case.
Perioperative Factors Associated with Prolonged Intensive Care Unit and Hospital Length of Stay after Pediatric Neurosurgery
Authors: Mekitarian Filho Eduardo , Brunow de Carvalho Werther , Cavalheiro Sérgio , Horigoshi Nelson Kazunobu , Freddi Norberto Antonio
Published: July 2012

Objectives: This study aims to describe the association between different postoperative complications and the length of hospital stay among children undergoing neurosurgical procedures. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was carried out between May 2004 and May 2009 in a tertiary community hospital. All postoperative complications following neurosurgical procedures and their association with the main outcomes [length of intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital stay] were investigated in a univariate and multivariate analysis. Results: The medical records of 198 patients treated during the study period were reviewed. The most frequently performed surgeries were ventriculoperitoneal shunting (16.7%), correction of craniosynostosis (30%) and brain tumor resections (28.3%). Of the 198 patients eligible for this analysis, 79 (39.9%) suffered from at least one complication. The most frequent complications were fever (30.3%), hypothermia (16%), postextubation laryngitis (15.1%) and postoperative bleeding (7%). Factors independently associated with a longer pediatric ICU stay were fever (odds ratio 1.39, 95% confidence interval 1.1–3.2; p = 0.001), laryngitis (odds ratio 2.24, 95% confidence interval 1.8–5.2; p = 0.001), postoperative bleeding requiring reoperation (odds ratio 1.8, 95% confidence interval 1.4–3.9; p < 0.001) and infection (odds ratio 3.71, 95% confidence interval 1.8–12.4; p = 0.033). Fever (odds ratio 2.54, 95% confidence interval 2–7.4; p = 0.001) and infection (odds ratio 11.23, 95% confidence interval 4–22.4; p = 0.003) were related to the total length of the patient’s hospital stay. Conclusions: In this study population, most elective neurosurgical procedures were not associated with significant complications, and morbidity and mortality were low. Some complications significantly influenced patients’ outcomes and should be monitored for early diagnosis. This study may improve our understanding and identification of postoperative outcomes in pediatric neurosurgery.
Blister-Like Supraclinoid Internal Carotid Artery Pseudoaneurysm in a 15-Year-Old Male: Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Haji Faizal Aminmohamed , Boulton Melfort R. , de Ribaupierre Sandrine
Published: July 2012

With an incidence of less than 1–3 per million, pediatric aneurysms are rare clinical entities. A traumatic etiology is implicated in a large proportion of these cases, leading to the formation of both ‘false’ and ‘true’ aneurysms. These occur most often in the distal circulation, but have also been described in the supraclinoid distal internal carotid artery (ICA). Blood blister aneurysms are also found in this location; however, they have not been described in the pediatric population. We report the case of a 15-year-old male who presented following cranial trauma with diffuse basal subarachnoid hemorrhage and limited additional intracranial pathology. Computed tomography angiography demonstrated a small, 2-mm blister-like aneurysm arising from the dorsal surface of the left supraclinoid ICA at a non-branching site. Despite early endovascular treatment with Guglielmi detachable coils, the lesion continued to grow over subsequent studies, necessitating open surgical clipping. At the time of surgery, gross pathology of the native ICA was observed, raising the possibility of a preexisting blood-blister aneurysm. We review the epidemiology, pathophysiology and diagnostic considerations of these lesions. The endovascular and surgical management of these complex non-branching supraclinoid ICA aneurysms is also discussed.
Evaluating Statewide Climate Extremes for the United States
Authors: Shein Karsten A. , Todey Dennis P. , Akyuz F. Adnan , Angel James R. , Kearns Timothy M. , Zdrojewski James L.
Published: July 2012

The NOAA National Climatic Data Center maintains tables for temperature and precipitation extremes in each of the U.S. states. Many of these tables were several years out of date, however, and therefore did not include a number of recent record-setting meteorological observations. Furthermore, there was no formal process for ensuring the currency of the tables or evaluating observations that might tie or break a statewide climate record. This paper describes the evaluation and revision of the statewide climate-extremes tables for all-time maximum and minimum temperature, greatest 24-h precipitation and snowfall, and greatest snow depth (the five basic climate elements observed on a daily basis by the NOAA Cooperative Weather Network). The process resulted in the revision of 40% of the values listed in those tables and underscored both the necessity of manual quality-assurance methods and the importance of continued climate-monitoring and data-rescue activities to ensure that potential record values are not overlooked.