bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A comparative study of different cluster validity indexes
Authors: Liu Ruochen , Sun Xiaojuan , Jiao Licheng , Li Yangyang
Published: November 2011

The cluster validity index plays an important role in most clustering algorithm based natural computations. So far, four typical cluster validity indexes have been proposed for clustering data with different structures, including the Euclid distance based Pakhira–Bandyopadhyay–Maulik index, the kernel function induced Chou–Su measure, the point symmetry distance based index and the manifold distance (MD) induced index. However, there is no detailed comparison made among these indexes. This paper compares these four cluster validity indexes by using a simple clustering technique based on particle swarm optimization (PSO). Extensive experiments on a large number of artificial synthesized data sets and UC Irvine data sets, texture images and synthetic-aperture radar images are performed in order to make a comprehensive comparison. Experimental results show that the PSO-based clustering algorithm using the MD induced index has a good performance on most of the data sets.
Stigma Building Blocks
Authors: Kang Sonia K. , Inzlicht Michael
Published: November 2011

Gaining an understanding of intergroup relations and outgroup rejection is an important childhood development. Children learn about rejection by outgroups via their own experiences and external instruction. A comparison of the impact of experience and instruction on first-, third-, and fifth-grade children’s evaluations of rejection by outgroups in a minimal-groups paradigm suggests that the relative impact of experience and instruction differs as children age. In Study 1, younger children were more influenced by instruction, and older children were more influenced by what they experienced for themselves. In Study 2, younger children were more influenced by instruction, even when that instruction conflicted with what they experienced; older children were more influenced by their own experiences, even when those experiences contradicted what they were told to expect. These findings suggest that children begin learning about outgroup rejection through instruction but start to rely more on their own experiences as they age.
Transnational mobilities and urban spatialities
Authors: Collins Francis Leo
Published: November 2011

Recent debates in migration studies have emphasized the importance of attending to the urban as part of an effort to respatialize the study of mobility and transnationalism. This paper critically expands on these interventions through a more detailed engagement with ideas of relationality and territoriality moving beyond permanent settlement to consider temporary migrants, and considering urban centres outside North America and Europe through discussion of cities in the Asia-Pacific. The paper discusses two potential avenues towards a more sophisticated conceptualization of transnational mobilities and urban spatialities: moving beyond rupture in analysis of migrant settlement, and interrogating transnational and urban mobilities.
Geographies of health and climate change
Authors: Curtis S.E. , Oven K.J.
Published: November 2011

Climate change presents significant challenges for human health and well-being and geography is contributing a growing field of knowledge relating to these processes. We outline here key dimensions of the debate, pointing to areas where human geographers can make a particularly strong contribution. These include: issues of adaptation and resilience; sustainability; environmental justice and socially unequal impacts of climate change; and psychological as well as physical impacts of environment on health. Key themes in the emerging research agenda include the significance of affect and emotion for the perception and communication of hazard and risk associated with the health impacts of climate change. Also, understanding exposure to health risks of climate change requires knowledge of complex and individually variable daily action spaces and residential mobility over the lifecourse. We argue for research that considers complex processes operating at various geographical scales, linking arguments about ‘global health’ with the more local and individual processes that contribute to health determinants. Much of the literature on health impacts of climate change demonstrates socially and geographically unequal effects, which often exacerbate existing health disparities. This highlights the links between this field of health geography and other geographical research concerned with sustainability and environmental justice.
Synthesis and thermal stability studies of polyaniline/silver nanocomposite based on reduction of silver ions using polyaniline
Authors: Ghorbani Mohsen , Lashkenari Mohammad Soleimani , Eisazadeh Hossein
Published: November 2011

This study investigated the preparation and properties of polyaniline/silver (PAn/Ag2O) nanocomposite in aqueous media by chemical polymerization of aniline in the presence of ammonium peroxydisulphate as an oxidant. The products were investigated in terms of morphology, chemical structure, thermal stability and thermal degradation using scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared, thermal gravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry, respectively. The results indicated that the properties of products were dependent on the nanocomposite structure.
Studs: a squat-type defect in rails
Authors: Grassie S L , Fletcher D I , Gallardo Hernandez E A , Summers P
Published: November 2011

In the mid-2000s, a new rail defect that was initially classified as a squat became increasingly common on London Underground's track. By 2006, there were about 600 of these and they had become the Underground’s single most common rail defect. This defect occurred almost exclusively on lines carrying relatively new rolling stock. The work reported here was undertaken initially to characterize this defect, advise as to whether it was indeed a squat, and propose a hypothesis that explained its mechanism of formation. This paper includes observations and track measurements made in the field and initial results of a metallurgical analysis. The hypothesis for formation of the defects is presented, and both similarities and differences are discussed between these defects and the classical ‘squat’. The defect on London Underground appears to be the same as that described by Marich and his colleagues in Australia and by Li and his colleagues in the Netherlands. It is evidently not a conventional rolling contact fatigue defect. In order to avoid confusion arising from simple misuse of an established term, it is proposed that these defects be given a different name, for which ‘stud’ is proposed. Evidence to date is that the ‘stud' is a significantly more benign defect than the ‘squat’.
Muscle discretization affects the loading transferred to bones in lower-limb musculoskeletal models
Authors: Valente Giordano , Martelli Saulo , Taddei Fulvia , Farinella Giovanna , Viceconti Marco
Published: November 2011

Modelling the mechanical effect of muscles is important in several research and clinical contexts. However, few studies have investigated the effect of different muscle discretizations from a mechanical standpoint. The present study evaluated the errors of a reduced discretization of the lower-limb muscles in reproducing the muscle loading transferred to bones. Skeletal geometries and a muscle data collection were derived from clinical images and dissection studies of two cadaver specimens. The guidelines of a general method previously proposed for a different anatomical district were followed. The data collection was used to calculate the mechanical effect of muscles, i.e. the generalized force vectors, and the errors between a large and a reduced discretization, in a reference skeletal pose and in the extreme poses of the range of motion of joints. The results showed that the errors committed using a reduced representation of muscles could be significant and higher than those reported for a different anatomical region. In particular, the calculated errors were found to be dependent on the individual anatomy and on the skeletal pose. Since different biomechanical applications may require different discretization levels, care is suggested in identifying the number of muscle lines of action to be used in musculoskeletal models.
Applicability of sheep and pig models for cancellous bone in human vertebral bodies
Authors: Jabbary Aslani Farnaz , Hukins David WL , Shepherd Duncan ET
Published: November 2011

The mineral content of cancellous bone from sheep and pig vertebral bodies was determined by ashing at 800 °C. The results were compared with published results for human vertebral cancellous bone. The results for sheep (0.37 ± 0.06 g cm−3, mean ± standard deviation) were not significantly different ( p = 0.127) to those from pigs (0.33 ± 0.03 g cm−3). The results from both species were significantly higher ( p < 0.001) than those from human bones (0.15 ± 0.02 g cm−3). This means that cancellous bone from sheep and pig vertebral bodies is not a good model for corresponding human bone. However, sheep and pig bone are useful, for example, for providing stringent tests of cutting instruments to be used in human spinal surgery.
Potential Costs to Asia of the Middle Income Trap
Authors: Kohli Harpaul Alberto , Mukherjee Natasha
Published: November 2011

Asian countries have the ability to dramatically improve their standards of living in coming decades, so much so that by 2050 the “converging” middle-income countries could become affluent societies. Historically, however, many fast-growing countries have stagnated upon reaching middle-income status, a phenomenon known as the “Middle Income Trap.” This article quantifies possible opportunity costs of Asian countries falling into or staying in the Middle Income Trap rather than sustaining or emulating current successes. Opportunity costs are quantified in terms of income and affluence, output and Asia’s share of the world’s economy, infrastructure critical to health (population without access to an improved water source, population without access to improved sanitation, and non-urban road net-work density), and infrastructure related to consumption (port and airport activity). However, there are further obstacles in addition to the Middle Income Trap—five other “mega”-challenges—and if those were not to be overcome the opportunity costs would be worse.
Topology design of slender piezoelectric actuators with repetitive component patterns
Authors: Wang Xiaoming , Kang Zhan , Wang Yiqiang
Published: November 2011

This article presents a study on topology optimization of planar piezoelectric actuators assembled with repetitive component patterns. Repetitive configuration has the advantage of ease of engineering implementation, especially for relatively slender structures. For realizing this concept in the design of piezoelectric actuators, topology optimization techniques are employed for seeking the optimal layout within the design domain of the structural components. The design objective is to maximize the work delivered by the displacement output port, while constraints are imposed on the actuation energy consumption and the material volume. Both the distributions of the actuation voltage and the topologies of the host layer and the piezoelectric layers are optimized. Power-law penalization functions are used to suppress intermediate values of material densities and actuation voltage. Numerical techniques for a sensitivity analysis of structural response are presented, and the proposed optimization problem is solved with a gradient-based mathematical programming approach. Two numerical examples are given to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed approach. Compared with the method directly treating the whole design domain, this approach is shown to have a better convergence behavior and is able to provide final topologies that are better acceptable from engineering point of view.
A modified zero-power control and its application to vibration isolation system
Authors: Hoque Md Emdadul , Mizuno Takeshi , Ishino Yuji , Takasaki Masaya
Published: November 2011

In this paper we present an improved zero-power controlled magnetic suspension system that has the capability to adjust stiffness. The conventional zero-power control system produces constant negative stiffness, and the stiffness solely depends on the capacity of the permanent magnets or the gap–force coefficient of the magnets. This becomes an obstacle to the fields of application of zero-power control where the adjustment of stiffness is necessary, such as developing a vibration isolation system. In this research, the basic zero-power control system is modified such that it can adjust stiffness by adding a minor proportional feedback of displacement to the zero-power controller. Finally, a vibration isolation system is developed by combining a positive stiffness spring in series with a negative stiffness suspension realized by the modified zero-power controller. The proposed control system and the developed vibration isolation system are investigated both analytically and experimentally.
Month of birth is associated with multiple sclerosis but not with HLA-DR15 in Finland
Authors: Saastamoinen Kari-Pekka , Auvinen Marja-Kaisa , Tienari Pentti J
Published: November 2011

Background: Spring birth has been found to be associated with increase in the risk of MS. However, this effect is reportedly found particularly in HLA-DR15 positive patients.

Objective: Examine the month of birth (MOB) effect in Finnish MS patients and its association with HLA-DR15.

Methods: Using the national register on hospitalizations during 1979–2004 we identified 8359 MS patients. We used a χ2-analysis to compare the distribution of MOB in MS patients versus age-adjusted controls. Patients were subdivided into 10-year birth cohorts to analyse temporal variations in MOB. A subgroup of HLA-typed MS patients ( n = 657) and a population sample of healthy donors from the Finnish Bone Marrow Donor Registry ( n = 19,805) were included to analyse connections between HLA-DR15 and MOB.

Results: An April birth was associated with a 9.4% increased risk of MS ( p = 0.008), whereas November birth was associated with an 11.1% decreased risk ( p = 0.004) compared with the expected birth distribution. No temporal clustering in the MOB effect was found during 1900–1988. Both HLA-DR15 positive (34% increase, p = 0.043) and DR15 negative (48% increase, p = 0.0095) MS patients exhibited an increase in spring births (in May). HLA-DR15 in healthy subjects was not associated with MOB.

Conclusions: We confirm that spring birth increases MS risk. This phenomenon was not associated with HLA-DR15 and there was no evidence of temporal clustering. The MOB effect suggests that early developmental processes may modulate MS risk.
How older women who live alone with dementia make sense of their experiences: An interpretative phenomenological analysis
Authors: Frazer Soraya M. , Oyebode Jan R. , Cleary Adam
Published: November 2011

This paper investigates the subjective experiences of older women living alone with Alzheimer’s disease, vascular or mixed dementia. Eight women were interviewed to explore how they managed their identities and coped with day-to-day living, in the absence of a significant co-resident other who might reflect them back to themselves. Through interpretative phenomenological analysis themes emerged about loss, embodiment, adapting, awareness, safety, relationships, exclusion and loneliness. Memory loss had the most significant impact through loss of independence. However, the women were actively engaged in re-constructing their sense of self, using a variety of coping strategies. Relationships with friends, neighbours and attendance at memory clubs were important. A search for meaningful relationships was apparent, conflicting with feeling vulnerable and a consequent desire for self protection.
Tidal stream device reliability comparison models
Authors: Delorm T M , Zappalà D , Tavner P J
Published: November 2011

Tidal stream devices are a new technology for extracting renewable energy from the sea. Various tidal stream device models have been proposed and, if they are installed at chosen high tidal stream velocity sites, they may face extreme climatic, current, and wave load conditions. As they contain complex mechanical, electrical, control, and structural systems, reliability and survivability will be a challenge. Data on their reliability have been scarce, as only a few prototypes have been built and operated. However, reliability prediction of new devices could minimize risk in prototype work. A practicable tidal stream device reliability prediction method could assist the development of cost-effective and viable future options. The present study proposes such a method and derives system reliability models for four generic-design, horizontal-axis, tidal stream devices, all rated 1–2 MW. Historical reliability data from similarly rated wind turbines and other relevant marine databases were used to populate the devised reliability models. The work shows that tidal stream devices can expect to have a lower reliability than wind turbines of comparable size and that failure rates increase with complexity. The work also shows that with these predictions, few devices can expect to survive more than a year in the water. This suggests that either predicted failure rates must be reduced dramatically or that methods for raising reliability – by the use of twin axes or improving maintenance access by unmooring or the use of a seabed pile and turbine raising – will be needed to achieve better survivor rates. The purpose of this work is not to predict definitive individual device failure rates but to provide a comparison between the reliabilities of a number of different device concepts.
Comparison of montelukast and mometasone furoate in the prevention of recurrent nasal polyps
Authors: Vuralkan Erkan , Saka Cem , Akin Istemihan , Hucumenoglu Sema , Unal Binnur Uzmez , Kuran Gokhan , Ocal Berrak
Published: November 2011

Background: The aim of our study was to compare the effects of montelukast and mometasone furoate nasal spray on the postoperative course of patients with nasal polyposis.

Patients and methods: Fifty patients diagnosed with nasal polyposis between March 2006 and August 2007 were included in the study. All patients underwent bilateral endoscopic sphenoethmoidectomy and were randomized postoperatively into two groups. Group A ( n = 25) received 10 mg montelukast per day and group B ( n = 25) received 400 µg mometasone furoate nasal spray twice daily. All patients were followed up for 6 months. Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT)-22 scores, polyp grades, computerized tomography (CT) scores (Lund–Mackay), eosinophils in peripheral blood and polyp tissue were evaluated before and after surgery.

Results: There was a significant reduction in SNOT-22 scores in both groups throughout the study period. There was a significant difference in the recurrence rate between both groups with a marginal advantage of mometasone furoate nasal spray. Eosinophils in peripheral blood were found to be effective on the recurrence rate ( p < 0.05).

Conclusions: In conclusion, both drugs seem to have a complementary action and further studies are needed to determine which patients should receive which treatment.
An overview of the c-MET signaling pathway
Authors: Organ Shawna Leslie , Tsao Ming-Sound
Published: November 2011

c-MET is a receptor tyrosine kinase that, after binding with its ligand, hepatocyte growth factor, activates a wide range of different cellular signaling pathways, including those involved in proliferation, motility, migration and invasion. Although c-MET is important in the control of tissue homeostasis under normal physiological conditions, it has also been found to be aberrantly activated in human cancers via mutation, amplification or protein overexpression. This paper provides an overview of the c-MET signaling pathway, including its role in the development of cancers, and provides a rationale for targeting the pathway as a possible treatment option.
c-MET as a potential therapeutic target and biomarker in cancer
Authors: Sierra J. Rafael , Tsao Ming-Sound
Published: November 2011

The receptor tyrosine kinase c-MET and its ligand, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), regulate multiple cellular processes that stimulate cell proliferation, invasion and angiogenesis. This review provides an overview of the evidence to support c-MET or the HGF/c-MET signaling pathway as relevant targets for personalized cancer treatment based on high frequencies of c-MET and/or HGF overexpression, activation, amplification in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC), gastric, ovarian, pancreatic, thyroid, breast, head and neck, colon and kidney carcinomas. Additionally, the current knowledge of small molecule inhibitors (tivantinib [ARQ 197]), c-MET/HGF antibodies (rilotumumab and MetMAb) and mechanisms of resistance to c-MET-targeted therapies are discussed.
Noninvasive management of the diabetic foot with critical limb ischemia: current options and future perspectives
Authors: Weck Mathias , Slesaczeck Torsten , Rietzsch Hannes , Münch Dirk , Nanning Thomas , Paetzold Hartmut , Florek Hans-Joachim , Barthel Andreas , Weiss Norbert , Bornstein Stefan
Published: November 2011

Foot ulcers are a major complication in patients with diabetes mellitus and involve dramatic restrictions to quality of life and also lead to enormous socio-economical loss due to the high amputation rate. The poor and slow wound healing is often aggravated by the frequent comorbidity of foot ulcers with peripheral arterial disease, making the treatment of this condition even more complicated. While the local treatment of foot ulcers is mainly based on mechanical relief and prevention or treatment of infection, improving perfusion of the impaired tissue remains the major challenge in peripheral arterial disease. While focal arterial stenosis is the domain of interventional angioplasty or vascular surgery, patients with critical limb ischemia and lacking options for revascularization have a much worse prognosis, because current treatment options avoiding amputation are scarce. However, based on recent research efforts, there is rising hope for promising and more-effective therapeutic approaches for these patients. Here, we discuss the current improvements of established therapies aimed at an improvement of limb perfusion, as well as the development of novel cutting-edge therapies based on stem-cell technology. The experiences of a ‘high-volume center’ for treatment of diabetic foot syndrome with a current major amputation rate of 4% are discussed.
Dependency on the polycomb gene Ezh2 distinguishes fetal from adult hematopoietic stem cells
Authors: Mochizuki-Kashio Makiko , Mishima Yuta , Miyagi Satoru , Negishi Masamitsu , Saraya Atsunori , Konuma Takaaki , Shinga Jun , Koseki Haruhiko , Iwama Atsushi
Published: November 2011

Polycomb-group (PcG) proteins are essential regulators of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). In contrast to Bmi1, a component of Polycomb repressive complex 1 (PRC1), the role of PRC2 and its components in hematopoiesis remains elusive. Here we show that Ezh2, a core component of PRC2, is essential for fetal, but not adult, HSCs. Ezh2-deficient embryos died of anemia because of insufficient expansion of HSCs/progenitor cells and defective erythropoiesis in fetal liver. Deletion of Ezh2 in adult BM, however, did not significantly compromise hematopoiesis, except for lymphopoiesis. Of note, Ezh2-deficient fetal liver cells showed a drastic reduction in trimethylation of histone H3 at lysine 27 (H3K27me3) accompanied by derepression of a large cohort of genes, whereas on homing to BM, they acquired a high level of H3K27me3 and long-term repopulating capacity. Quantitative RT-PCR revealed that Ezh1, the gene encoding a backup enzyme, is highly expressed in HSCs/progenitor cells in BM compared with those in fetal liver, whereas Ezh2 is ubiquitously expressed. These findings suggest that Ezh1 complements Ezh2 in the BM, but not in the fetal liver, and reveal that the reinforcement of PcG-mediated gene silencing occurs during the transition from proliferative fetal HSCs to quiescent adult HSCs.
Defining the role of TORC1/2 in multiple myeloma
Authors: Maiso Patricia , Liu Yi , Morgan Brittany , Azab Abdel Kareem , Ren Pingda , Martin Michel B. , Zhang Yong , Liu Yang , Sacco Antonio , Ngo Hai , Azab Feda , Quang Phong , Rodig Scott J. , Lin Charles P. , Roccaro Aldo M. , Rommel Christian , Ghobrial Irene M.
Published: November 2011

Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a downstream serine/threonine kinase of the PI3K/Akt pathway that integrates signals from the tumor microenvironment to regulate multiple cellular processes. Rapamycin and its analogs have not shown significant activity in multiple myeloma (MM), likely because of the lack of inhibition of TORC2. In the present study, we investigated the baseline activity of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway TORC1/2 in MM cell lines with different genetic abnormalities. TORC1/2 knock-down led to significant inhibition of the proliferation of MM cells, even in the presence of BM stromal cells. We also tested INK128, a dual TORC1/2 inhibitor, as a new therapeutic agent against these MM cell lines. We showed that dual TORC1/2 inhibition is much more active than TORC1 inhibition alone (rapamycin), even in the presence of cytokines or stromal cells. In vitro and in vivo studies showed that p-4EBP1 and p-Akt inhibition could be predictive markers of TORC2 inhibition in MM cell lines. Dual TORC1/2 inhibition showed better inhibition of adhesion to BM microenvironmental cells and inhibition of homing in vivo. These studies form the basis for further clinical testing of TORC1/2 inhibitors in MM.
miR-135b mediates NPM-ALK–driven oncogenicity and renders IL-17–producing immunophenotype to anaplastic large cell lymphoma
Authors: Matsuyama Hironori , Suzuki Hiroshi I. , Nishimori Hikaru , Noguchi Masaaki , Yao Takashi , Komatsu Norio , Mano Hiroyuki , Sugimoto Koichi , Miyazono Kohei
Published: November 2011

Many transformed lymphoma cells show immune-phenotypes resembling the corresponding normal lymphocytes; thus, they provide a guide for proper diagnosis and present promising routes to improve their pathophysiologic understanding and to identify novel therapeutic targets. However, the underlying molecular mechanism(s) of these aberrant immune-phenotypes is largely unknown. Here, we report that microRNA-135b (miR-135b) mediates nucleophosmin-anaplastic lymphoma kinase (NPM-ALK)–driven oncogenicity and empowers IL-17–producing immunophenotype in anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL). NPM-ALK oncogene strongly promoted the expression of miR-135b and its host gene LEMD1 through activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 3. In turn, elevated miR-135b targeted FOXO1 in ALCL cells. miR-135b introduction also decreased chemosensitivity in Jurkat cells, suggesting its contribution to oncogenic activities of NPM-ALK. Interestingly, miR-135b suppressed T-helper (Th) 2 master regulators STAT6 and GATA3, and miR-135b blockade attenuated IL-17 production and paracrine inflammatory response by ALCL cells, indicating that miR-135b–mediated Th2 suppression may lead to the skewing to ALCL immunophenotype overlapping with Th17 cells. Furthermore, antisense-based miR-135b inhibition reduced tumor angiogenesis and growth in vivo, demonstrating significance of this “Th17 mimic” pathway as a therapeutic target. These results collectively illuminated unique contribution of oncogenic kinase-linked microRNA to tumorigenesis through modulation of tumor immune-phenotype and microenvironment.
Dual functions of cell-autonomous and non–cell-autonomous ADAM10 activity in granulopoiesis
Authors: Yoda Masaki , Kimura Tokuhiro , Tohmonda Takahide , Uchikawa Shinichi , Koba Takeshi , Takito Jiro , Morioka Hideo , Matsumoto Morio , Link Daniel C. , Chiba Kazuhiro , Okada Yasunori , Toyama Yoshiaki , Horiuchi Keisuke
Published: November 2011

Previous studies have revealed various extrinsic stimuli and factors involved in the regulation of hematopoiesis. Among these, Notch-mediated signaling has been suggested to be critically involved in this process. Herein, we show that conditional inactivation of ADAM10, a membrane-bound protease with a crucial role in Notch signaling (S2 cleavage), results in myeloproliferative disorder (MPD) highlighted by severe splenomegaly and increased populations of myeloid cells and hematopoietic stem cells. Reciprocal transfer of bone marrow cells between wild-type and ADAM10 mutant mice revealed that ADAM10 activity in both hematopoietic and nonhematopoietic cells is involved in the development of MPD. Notably, we found that MPD caused by lack of ADAM10 in nonhematopoietic cells was mediated by G-CSF, whereas MPD caused by ADAM10-deficient hematopoietic cells was not. Taken together, the present findings reveal previously undescribed nonredundant roles of cell-autonomous and non–cell-autonomous ADAM10 activity in the maintenance of hematopoiesis.
Related transplantation with HLA-1 Ag mismatch in the GVH direction and HLA-8/8 allele-matched unrelated transplantation: a nationwide retrospective study
Authors: Kanda Junya , Saji Hiroh , Fukuda Takahiro , Kobayashi Takeshi , Miyamura Koichi , Eto Tetsuya , Kurokawa Mineo , Kanamori Heiwa , Mori Takehiko , Hidaka Michihiro , Iwato Koji , Yoshida Takashi , Sakamaki Hisashi , Tanaka Junji , Kawa Keisei , Morishima Yasuo , Suzuki Ritsuro , Atsuta Yoshiko , Kanda Yoshinobu
Published: November 2011

To clarify which is preferable, a related donor with an HLA-1 Ag mismatch at the HLA-A, HLA-B, or HLA-DR loci in the graft-versus-host (GVH) direction (RD/1AG-MM-GVH) or an HLA 8/8-allele (HLA-A, HLA-B, HLA-C, and HLA-DRB1)–matched unrelated donor (8/8-MUD), we evaluated 779 patients with acute leukemia, chronic myelogenous leukemia, or myelodysplastic syndrome who received a T cell–replete graft from an RD/1AG-MM-GVH or 8/8-MUD. The use of an RD/1AG-MM-GVH donor was significantly associated with a higher overall mortality rate than the use of an 8/8-MUD in a multivariate analysis (hazard ratio, 1.49; P < .001), and this impact was statistically significant only in patients with standard-risk diseases (P = .001). Among patients with standard-risk diseases who received transplantation from an RD/1AG-MM-GVH donor, the presence of an HLA-B Ag mismatch was significantly associated with a lower overall survival rate than an HLA-DR Ag mismatch because of an increased risk of treatment-related mortality. The HLA-C Ag mismatch or multiple allelic mismatches were frequently observed in the HLA-B Ag-mismatched group, and were possibly associated with the poor outcome. In conclusion, an 8/8-MUD should be prioritized over an RD/1AG-MM-GVH donor during donor selection. In particular, an HLA-B Ag mismatch in the GVH direction has an adverse effect on overall survival and treatment-related mortality in patients with standard-risk diseases.
Berry-Esséen bound of sample quantiles for negatively associated sequence
Authors: Yang Wenzhi , Hu Shuhe , Wang Xuejun , Zhang Qinchi
Published: November 2011

In this paper, we investigate the Berry-Esséen bound of the sample quantiles for the negatively associated random variables under some weak conditions. The rate of normal approximation is shown as O(n
-1/9).

2010 Mathematics Subject Classification: 62F12; 62E20; 60F05.
Predicting complex quantitative traits with Bayesian neural networks: a case study with Jersey cows and wheat
Authors: Gianola Daniel , Okut Hayrettin , Weigel Kent A , Rosa Guilherme JM
Published: November 2011

Background

In the study of associations between genomic data and complex phenotypes there may be relationships that are not amenable to parametric statistical modeling. Such associations have been investigated mainly using single-marker and Bayesian linear regression models that differ in their distributions, but that assume additive inheritance while ignoring interactions and non-linearity. When interactions have been included in the model, their effects have entered linearly. There is a growing interest in non-parametric methods for predicting quantitative traits based on reproducing kernel Hilbert spaces regressions on markers and radial basis functions. Artificial neural networks (ANN) provide an alternative, because these act as universal approximators of complex functions and can capture non-linear relationships between predictors and responses, with the interplay among variables learned adaptively. ANNs are interesting candidates for analysis of traits affected by cryptic forms of gene action.

Results

We investigated various Bayesian ANN architectures using for predicting phenotypes in two data sets consisting of milk production in Jersey cows and yield of inbred lines of wheat. For the Jerseys, predictor variables were derived from pedigree and molecular marker (35,798 single nucleotide polymorphisms, SNPS) information on 297 individually cows. The wheat data represented 599 lines, each genotyped with 1,279 markers. The ability of predicting fat, milk and protein yield was low when using pedigrees, but it was better when SNPs were employed, irrespective of the ANN trained. Predictive ability was even better in wheat because the trait was a mean, as opposed to an individual phenotype in cows. Non-linear neural networks outperformed a linear model in predictive ability in both data sets, but more clearly in wheat.

Conclusion

Results suggest that neural networks may be useful for predicting complex traits using high-dimensional genomic information, a situation where the number of unknowns exceeds sample size. ANNs can capture nonlinearities, adaptively. This may be useful when prediction of phenotypes is crucial.
Mitochondrial genome sequencing helps show the evolutionary mechanism of mitochondrial genome formation in Brassica
Authors: Chang Shengxin , Yang Tiantian , Du Tongqing , Huang Yongjuan , Chen Jianmei , Yan Jiyong , He Jianbo , Guan Rongzhan
Published: November 2011

Background

Angiosperm mitochondrial genomes are more complex than those of other organisms. Analyses of the mitochondrial genome sequences of at least 11 angiosperm species have showed several common properties; these cannot easily explain, however, how the diverse mitotypes evolved within each genus or species. We analyzed the evolutionary relationships of Brassica mitotypes by sequencing.

Results

We sequenced the mitotypes of cam (Brassica rapa), ole (B. oleracea), jun (B. juncea), and car (B. carinata) and analyzed them together with two previously sequenced mitotypes of B. napus (pol and nap). The sizes of whole single circular genomes of cam, jun, ole, and car are 219,747 bp, 219,766 bp, 360,271 bp, and 232,241 bp, respectively. The mitochondrial genome of ole is largest as a resulting of the duplication of a 141.8 kb segment. The jun mitotype is the result of an inherited cam mitotype, and pol is also derived from the cam mitotype with evolutionary modifications. Genes with known functions are conserved in all mitotypes, but clear variation in open reading frames (ORFs) with unknown functions among the six mitotypes was observed. Sequence relationship analysis showed that there has been genome compaction and inheritance in the course of Brassica mitotype evolution.

Conclusions

We have sequenced four Brassica mitotypes, compared six Brassica mitotypes and suggested a mechanism for mitochondrial genome formation in Brassica, including evolutionary events such as inheritance, duplication, rearrangement, genome compaction, and mutation.
Epidemiology and cost of herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia among patients treated in primary care centres in the valencian community of Spain
Authors: Cebrián-Cuenca Ana M , Díez-Domingo Javier , San-Martín-Rodríguez María , Puig-Barberá Joan , Navarro-Pérez Jorge ,   the Herpes Zoster Research Group of the Valencian Community
Published: November 2011

Background

Data on the epidemiology and costs related to herpes zoster (HZ) and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) in Spain are scarce; therefore, studies are needed to evaluate the epidemiological and economic impact of HZ and its most common complication, PHN. The present study aimed to estimate the clinical and economic burden of HZ and PHN in Valencia (Spain).

Methods

We prospectively analyzed the burden of HZ and PHN and their attributable costs in patients from 25 general practices in the Autonomous Community of Valencia serving 36,030 persons aged > 14 years. All patients with a clinical diagnosis of HZ who attended these centers between December 1st 2006 and November 30th 2007 were asked to participate. Patients included were followed for 1 year.

Results

Of the 130 cases of HZ followed up, continued pain was experienced by 47.6% (95% confidence interval (CI) = 35.6-56.7%) at 1 month after rash onset, by 14.5% (95% CI = 7.8-1.2%) at 3 months, by 9.0% (95% CI = 3.7-14.3%) at 6 months, and by 5.9% (95% CI = 1.5-10.3%) at 12 months. The percentage of patients with PHN increased with age, from 21.4% (95% CI = 8.3-40) in patients < 50 years to 59.2% (95% CI = 44.4-74) in patients ≥ 70 years. The estimated total cost for the 130 HZ cases during the follow-up period was €49,160 ($67,349). Mean cost per patient was €378 (range 53-2,830) ($517, range 73-3,877).

Conclusions

This study shows that PHN is a relatively common complication of HZ and that both conditions combined give rise to a significant clinical and economic burden for patients and providers.
An increased response to experimental muscle pain is related to psychological status in women with chronic non-traumatic neck-shoulder pain
Authors: Sjörs Anna , Larsson Britt , Persson Ann L , Gerdle Björn
Published: November 2011

Background

Neck-shoulder pain conditions, e.g., chronic trapezius myalgia, have been associated with sensory disturbances such as increased sensitivity to experimentally induced pain. This study investigated pain sensitivity in terms of bilateral pressure pain thresholds over the trapezius and tibialis anterior muscles and pain responses after a unilateral hypertonic saline infusion into the right legs tibialis anterior muscle and related those parameters to intensity and area size of the clinical pain and to psychological factors (sleeping problems, depression, anxiety, catastrophizing and fear-avoidance).

Methods

Nineteen women with chronic non-traumatic neck-shoulder pain but without simultaneous anatomically widespread clinical pain (NSP) and 30 age-matched pain-free female control subjects (CON) participated in the study.

Results

NSP had lower pressure pain thresholds over the trapezius and over the tibialis anterior muscles and experienced hypertonic saline-evoked pain in the tibialis anterior muscle to be significantly more intense and locally more widespread than CON. More intense symptoms of anxiety and depression together with a higher disability level were associated with increased pain responses to experimental pain induction and a larger area size of the clinical neck-shoulder pain at its worst.

Conclusion

These results indicate that central mechanisms e.g., central sensitization and altered descending control, are involved in chronic neck-shoulder pain since sensory hypersensitivity was found in areas distant to the site of clinical pain. Psychological status was found to interact with the perception, intensity, duration and distribution of induced pain (hypertonic saline) together with the spreading of clinical pain. The duration and intensity of pain correlated negatively with pressure pain thresholds.
Effects of silver impurity on the structural, electrical, and optical properties of ZnO nanowires
Authors: Kim Kyoungwon , Debnath Pulak Chandra , Lee Deuk-Hee , Kim Sangsig , Lee Sang Yeol
Published: November 2011

1, 3, and 5 wt.% silver-doped ZnO (SZO) nanowires (NWs) are grown by hot-walled pulsed laser deposition. After silver-doping process, SZO NWs show some change behaviors, including structural, electrical, and optical properties. In case of structural property, the primary growth plane of SZO NWs is switched from (002) to (103) plane, and the electrical properties of SZO NWs are variously measured to be about 4.26 × 106, 1.34 × 106, and 3.04 × 105 Ω for 1, 3, and 5 SZO NWs, respectively. In other words, the electrical properties of SZO NWs depend on different Ag ratios resulting in controlling the carrier concentration. Finally, the optical properties of SZO NWs are investigated to confirm p-type semiconductor by observing the exciton bound to a neutral acceptor (A0X). Also, Ag presence in ZnO NWs is directly detected by both X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy. These results imply that Ag doping facilitates the possibility of changing the properties in ZnO NWs by the atomic substitution of Ag with Zn in the lattice.
Optimality and Duality Theorems in Nonsmooth Multiobjective Optimization
Authors: Bae Kwan Deok , Kim Do Sang
Published: November 2011

In this paper, we consider a class of nonsmooth multiobjective programming problems. Necessary and sufficient optimality conditions are obtained under higher order strongly convexity for Lipschitz functions. We formulate Mond-Weir type dual problem and establish weak and strong duality theorems for a strict minimizer of order m.
An improved EZBC algorithm based on block bit length
Authors: Wang Renlong , Ruan Shuangchen , Liu Chengxiang , Wang Wenda , Zhang Li
Published: November 2011

Embedded ZeroBlock Coding and context modeling (EZBC) algorithm has high compression performance. However, it consumes large amounts of memory space because an Amplitude Quadtree of wavelet coefficients and other two link lists would be built during the encoding process. This is one of the big challenges for EZBC to be used in real time or hardware applications. An improved EZBC algorithm based on bit length of coefficients was brought forward in this article. It uses Bit Length Quadtree to complete the coding process and output the context for Arithmetic Coder. It can achieve the same compression performance as EZBC and save more than 75% memory space required in the encoding process. As Bit Length Quadtree can quickly locate the wavelet coefficients and judge their significance, the improved algorithm can dramatically accelerate the encoding speed. These improvements are also beneficial for hardware.

PACS: 42.30.Va, 42.30.Wb
Remarkable changes in the choice of timing to discuss organ donation with the relatives of a patient: a study in 228 organ donations in 20 years
Authors: de Groot Yorick J , Lingsma Hester F , van der Jagt Mathieu , Bakker Jan , IJzermans Jan NM , Kompanje Erwin JO
Published: November 2011

Introduction

We studied whether the choice of timing of discussing organ donation for the first time with the relatives of a patient with catastrophic brain injury in The Netherlands has changed over time and explored its possible consequences. Second, we investigated how thorough the process of brain death determination was over time by studying the number of medical specialists involved. And we studied the possible influence of the Donor Register on the consent rate.

Methods

We performed a retrospective chart review of all effectuated brain dead organ donors between 1987 and 2009 in one Dutch university hospital with a large neurosurgical serving area.

Results

A total of 271 medical charts were collected, of which 228 brain dead patients were included. In the first period, organ donation was discussed for the first time after brain death determination (87%). In 13% of the cases, the issue of organ donation was raised before the first EEG. After 1998, we observed a shift in this practice. Discussing organ donation for the first time after brain death determination occurred in only 18% of the cases. In 58% of the cases, the issue of organ donation was discussed before the first EEG but after confirming the absence of all brain stem reflexes, and in 24% of the cases, the issue of organ donation was discussed after the prognosis was deemed catastrophic but before a neurologist or neurosurgeon assessed and determined the absence of all brain stem reflexes as required by the Dutch brain death determination protocol.

Conclusions

The phases in the process of brain death determination and the time at which organ donation is first discussed with relatives have changed over time. Possible causes of this change are the introduction of the Donor Register, the reintroduction of donation after circulatory death and other logistical factors. It is unclear whether the observed shift contributed to the high refusal rate in The Netherlands and the increase in family refusal in our hospital in the second studied period. Taking published literature on this subject into account, it is possible that this may have a counterproductive effect.
Editorial: Switching on arginase in M2 macrophages
Authors: Briken Volker , Mosser David M
Published: November 2011

Discussion on report that SOCS levels may play an important role in determining macrophage phenotype and function.
Editorial: Neutrophil apoptosis: hot on the TRAIL of inflammatory resolution
Authors: Leitch Andrew E , Lucas Christopher D , Rossi Adriano G
Published: November 2011

Discussion on the wider implications of the death receptor ligand, TRAIL, in relation to neutrophil apoptosis and the resolution of inflammation.
Developing integrated mental health services for adults with ADHD
Authors: Crimlisk Helen
Published: November 2011

The article discusses the issues and challenges for mental health services in providing care for adults with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Based on work developed in Sheffield (UK), it describes the contribution that services integrated into community mental health teams may be able to provide. Given the likely increase in numbers of referrals of adults with ADHD (both ‘graduates’ from children's services and adults seeking diagnosis) and the pressures on resources, it is unlikely that current specialist services will be able to address the growing demand. A local service that can link with other mental health services and that has close links to primary care is most likely to provide a sustainable service model, but there are still considerable training needs for this model to be put into practice.
Pharmacotherapy for obsessive—compulsive disorder
Authors: Fineberg Naomi , Brown Angus
Published: November 2011

We present a narrative review of evidence-based treatment for obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD), covering first-line pharmacological treatment, augmentation strategies, approaches for treatment-refractory OCD and the management of OCD in special populations (children and adolescents, pregnant and breast-feeding women, and elderly people).
Short-term management of repeated self-harm in secure institutions
Authors: Sarkar Jaydip
Published: November 2011

The challenge of managing repeated self-harm and the high risk of morbidity and mortality are compounded in forensic patients, where there are additional risks of harm to others, absconding and security breaches. There is an urgent need for clinically sound, practice-based and theoretically grounded strategies for managing these associated risks. This is essential as available UK guidelines appear inadequate for this group of patients. This article promotes a pragmatic approach to assessing the risk of self-harm clinically to arrive at hierarchical risk judgements. It further suggests an algorithmic approach to managing these risks and provides testable strategies that can be adapted for use in various secure institutions.
Empathy, the song and the singer: a legacy of Robert Schumann
Authors: Cox John
Published: November 2011

In this article it is suggested that empathy is a core component of musical appreciation and particularly of the relationship between the singer and the audience. The brain pathways activated in musical appreciation are outlined and the nature of the empathic process considered with reference to Robert Schumann's songs and his experience of severe mental disorder. The article suggests that listening to Schumann's song cycleDichterliebe (Poet's Love), or to other great music, is a useful component of continuing professional development and that such experience enhances therapeutic effectiveness and empathy, as well as increasing the understanding of the relationship between creativity and mental health.