bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Micromechanism and Kinetic Formulation of Vertically Aligned ZnO Nanorods Grown on Catalytic Bilayers
Authors: Kuo Dong-Hau , He Jheng-Yu
Published: October 2012

Vertically aligned ZnO nanorods were grown at 700°C for 2 h on sapphire substrates with catalysts in bilayer configurations of Sn (top)/Ni (bottom) and Sn/In, where the top layer is formed by sputtering and the bottom one is deposited by spin coating. The effects of bilayer catalysts on growth kinetics of nucleation and growth, growth micromechanism, and vertical alignment of growing ZnO nanorods have been investigated. The vertical alignment of the Sn/Ni‐catalyzing ZnO nanorods is determined at the initial nucleation stage, where the nuclei are formed as regular candlestick‐like platforms. The reason for the formation of the candlestick‐like nuclei is due to the contribution of strain energy built in the underlying catalyst bilayers. The variations of axial and radial dimensions with growth duration for the growth of ZnO rods were explained and data fitting with the aids of kinetic growth equations, which are based upon the well‐known ledge model for crystal growth from vapor and diffusion kinetics.
Evaluation of Protein Concentration and Limiting Amino Acids Including Lysine and Met + Cys in Prestarter Diet on Performance of Broilers
Authors: Farkhoy Mohsen , Modirsanei Mehrdad , Ghavidel Omid , Sadegh Majid , Jafarnejad Sadegh
Published: October 2012

Four experiments were conducted, in two stages, to evaluate protein and limiting amino acids' (lysine and methionine + cystine) levels in pre-starter diets on broilers’ performance. In each experiment of Stage 1, 640 new-born male Ross 308 cockerels were randomly allocated to eight dietary treatments with a 2 × 4 factorial arrangement. In experiment 1-1, two levels of crude protein (CP: 21% and 23.2%) and four levels of Lys (1.2, 1.3, 1.4, and 1.5%) and in experiment 1-2, two levels of CP (21 and 23.2%) and four levels of Met + Cys (0.85, 0.90, 0.95, and 1.00%) were used. In Stage 2, the optimum levels of Lys and Met + Cys obtained from Stage 1 (1.3 and 1.5% Lys, 0.90 and 1.00% Met + Cys in experiment 1-1 and 1-2, resp.) with two levels of CP (21 and 23.2%) were used in two separate simultaneous experiments with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement for male and female birds. The levels of CP significantly influenced BWG and FCR in experiment 1-1. Dietary levels of Lys affect BWG (experiment 1-1) and FI (experiments 1-1 and 2-1) significantly. In experiments 1-2 and 2-2, the different levels of Met + Cys did not affect BWG, FI, and FCR of male or female broilers. The results of these experiments indicated that the optimal level of dietary protein and Lys were 23.2% and 1.5%, respectively. Diets with 1% Met + Cys caused optimal performance.
Evolution of Mesopores in Monolithic Macroporous Ethylene-Bridged Polysilsesquioxane Gels Incorporated with Nonionic Surfactant
Authors: Mushiake Atsushi , Kanamori Kazuyoshi , Nakanishi Kazuki
Published: October 2012

By combining the micellar templating in nanometer scale with the polymerization-induced phase separation in micrometer scale, ethylene-bridged polysilsesquioxane gels with hierarchical macropores and mesopores are prepared. The difference of mesopore structures depending on the method of the solvent removal has been observed by the X-ray diffraction and the nitrogen adsorption-desorption measurements. During the hydrothermal treatment under the basic condition, the reorganization of the polysilsesquioxane gel network occurred differently depending on the alkoxy group contained in the precursors. From29Si CP/MAS NMR measurements, it was revealed that the crosslinking density of the hydrothermally treated gels was increased so that the highly ordered mesostructure of the wet gel could be preserved even after the evaporative drying of solvent.
Synthetic Archaeosome Vaccines Containing Triglycosylarchaeols Can Provide Additive and Long-Lasting Immune Responses That Are Enhanced by Archaetidylserine
Authors: Sprott G. Dennis , Yeung Angela , Dicaire Chantal J. , Yu Siu H. , Whitfield Dennis M.
Published: October 2012

The relation between archaeal lipid structures and their activity as adjuvants may be defined and explored by synthesizing novel head groups covalently linked to archaeol (2,3-diphytanyl-sn-glycerol). Saturated archaeol, that is suitably stable as a precursor for chemical synthesis, was obtained in high yield fromHalobacterium salinarum. Archaeosomes consisting of the various combinations of synthesized lipids, with antigen entrapped, were used to immunize mice and subsequently determine CD8+and CD4+-T cell immune responses. Addition of 45 mol% of the glycolipids gentiotriosylarchaeol, mannotriosylarchaeol or maltotriosylarchaeol to an archaetidylglycerophosphate-O-methyl archaeosome, significantly enhanced the CD8+T cell response to antigen, but diminished the antibody titres in peripheral blood. Archaeosomes consisting of all three triglycosyl archaeols combined with archaetidylglycerophosphate-O-methyl (15/15/15/55 mol%) resulted in approximately additive CD8+T cell responses and also an antibody response not significantly different from the archaetidylglycerophosphate-O-methyl alone. Synthetic archaetidylserine played a role to further enhance the CD8+T cell response where the optimum content was 20–30 mol%. Vaccines giving best protection against solid tumor growth corresponded to the archaeosome adjuvant composition that gave highest immune activity in immunized mice.
Pleural Empyema due to Group D Salmonella
Authors: Kam Jennifer C. , Abdul-Jawad Sami , Modi Chintan , Abdeen Yazan , Asslo Fady , Doraiswamy Vikram , DePasquale Joseph R. , Spira Robert S. , Baddoura Walid , Miller Richard A.
Published: October 2012

Non-typhiSalmonellanormally presents as a bacteremia, enterocolitis, and endovascular infection but rarely manifests as pleuropulmonary disease. We present a case of a 66-year-old female with underlying pulmonary pathology, secondary to an extensive smoking history, who presented with a left-sided pleural effusion. The causative agent was identified as being group DSalmonella. Decortication of the lung was performed and the patient was discharged on antibiotics with resolution of her symptoms. This case helps to support the inclusion ofSalmonellagroup D as a possible etiological agent of infection in the differential causes of exudative pleural effusions.
A Node Model Capturing Turning Lane Capacity and Physical Queuing for the Dynamic Network Loading Problem
Authors: Gao Mingxia
Published: October 2012

An analytical dynamic node‐based model is proposed to represent flows on a traffic network and to be utilized as an integral part of a dynamic network loading (DNL) process by solving a continuous DNL problem. The proposed model formulation has an integrate base to be structured with a link load computing component, where physical queuing and its influence were explicitly taken into account by dividing a link into two parts: running part and queuing part. The solution to the model is obtained by a hybridization algorithm of simulation and analytical approach, where an iteration process is conducted to update time‐dependent network flow conditions after a reasonable discretization of the problem. The performance of the proposed model, as a DNL model, is tested on a sample network. It is seen that the proposed model provides consistent approximations to link flow dynamics. The dynamic node model proposed in this paper is unique in that it explicitly models directional queue in each turning lane and the First‐In‐First‐Out (FIFO) rule at lane level rather than link level is pursued.
Dual Pathology in Rasmussen’s Encephalitis: A Report of Coexistent Focal Cortical Dysplasia and Review of the Literature
Authors: Prayson Richard A.
Published: October 2012

Rasmussen’s encephalitis is a well-established, albeit rare cause of medically intractable epilepsy. In a small number of Rasmussen's cases, a second pathology is identified, which independently can cause medically intractable seizures (dual pathology). This paper documents a case of a 13-year-old male who presented with medically intractable epilepsy. The patient underwent a series of surgical resections, early on resulting in a diagnosis of focal cortical dysplasia and later yielding a diagnosis of coexistent Rasmussen’s encephalitis, marked by chronic inflammation, microglial nodules, and focal cortical atrophy, combined with focal cortical dysplasia (Palmini et al. type IIA, ILAE type IIA). The literature on dual pathology in the setting of Rasmussen’s encephalitis is reviewed.
Long-Term Survival of a Patient with Brainstem and Recurrent Brain Metastasis from Stage IV Nonsmall Cell Lung Cancer Treated with Multiple Gamma Knife Radiosurgeries and Craniotomies: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Lamm Andrew F. , Elaimy Ameer L. , Mackay Alexander R. , Fairbanks Robert K. , Demakas John J. , Cooke Barton S. , Lee Christopher M. , Taylor Blake S. , Lamoreaux Wayne T.
Published: October 2012

The prognosis of patients diagnosed with stage IV nonsmall cell lung cancer that have brain and brainstem metastasis is very poor, with less than a third surviving a year past their initial date of diagnosis. We present the rare case of a 57-year-old man who is a long-term survivor of brainstem and recurrent brain metastasis, after aggressive treatment. He is now five and a half years out from diagnosis and continues to live a highly functional life without evidence of disease. Four separate Gamma Knife stereotactic radiosurgeries in conjunction with two craniotomies were utilized since his initial diagnosis to treat recurrent brain metastasis while chemoradiation therapy and thoracic surgery were used to treat his primary disease in the right upper lung. In his situation, Gamma Knife radiosurgery proved to be a valuable, safe, and effective tool for the treatment of multiply recurrent brain metastases within critical normal structures.
Bupropion and Citalopram in the APP23 Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease: A Study in a Dry-Land Maze
Authors: Neumeister Katharina L. , Riepe Matthias W.
Published: October 2012

Background. Incipient Alzheimer's disease is often disguised as depressive disorder. Over the course of AD, depressive symptoms are even more frequent. Hence, treatment with antidepressants is common in AD. It was the goal of the present study to assess whether two common antidepressants with different mechanisms of action affect spatial learning in a transgenic animal model of Alzheimer's disease.Methods. We assessed spatial memory of male wild-type and B6C3-Tg(APPswe,PSEN1dE9)85Dbo (APP23) transgenic animals in a complex dry-land maze. Animals were treated with citalopram (10 mg/kg) and bupropion (20 mg/kg).Results. Moving and resting time until finding the goal zone decreased in 4.5-month-old sham-treated wild-type animals and, to a lesser extent, in APP23 animals. Compared with sham-treated APP23 animals, treatment with bupropion reduced resting time and increased speed. On treatment with citalopram, moving and resting time were unchanged but speed decreased. Length of the path to the goal zone did not change on either bupropion or citalopram.Conclusion. Bupropion increases psychomotor activity in APP23 transgenic animals, while citalopram slightly reduces psychomotor activity. Spatial learning per se is unaffected by treatment with either bupropion or citalopram.
Pyelonephritis and Bacteremia fromLactobacillus delbrueckii
Authors: DuPrey Kevin M. , McCrea Leon , Rabinowitch Bonnie L. , Azad Kamran N.
Published: October 2012

Lactobacilli are normal colonizers of the oropharynx, gastrointestinal tract, and vagina. Infection is rare, but has been reported in individuals with predisposing conditions. Here we describe the case of a woman with pyelonephritis and bacteremia in whichLactobacillus delbrueckiiwas determined to be the causative agent.
A Rare Case of Adult Medulloblastoma with Spinal Metastasis
Authors: Quenum K. , Ntalaja J. , Onen J. , Arkha Y. , Derraz S. , El Ouahabi A. , Sefiani S. , ElKhamlichi A.
Published: October 2012

Medulloblastoma is a relatively common malignant brain tumor of childhood and relatively rare in adulthood, with a propensity for neuraxial spread via cerebrospinal fluid pathways. Osseous extraneural metastasis is uncommon and when it happens, radiologic findings are of sclerotic (60%), lytic (35%), and mixed patterns (5%) (Algra et al. (1992)). In this paper, we present a case of medulloblastoma metastiaszing to the lumbar spine and describe the magnetic resonance appearance, with emphasis on the image findings mimicking spondylodiscitis.
Dynamical Analysis for High‐Order Delayed Hopfield Neural Networks with Impulses
Authors: Li Dengwang
Published: October 2012

The global exponential stability and uniform stability of the equilibrium point for high‐order delayed Hopfield neural networks with impulses are studied. By utilizing Lyapunov functional method, the quality of negative definite matrix, and the linear matrix inequality approach, some new stability criteria for such system are derived. The results are related to the size of delays and impulses. Two examples are also given to illustrate the effectiveness of our results.
Pachyonychia Congenita-Associated Alopecia
Authors: Nikoo Azita
Published: October 2012

A 5-year-old female, known case of pachyonychia congenita, presented with diffuse hair loss; remaining hairs were easily plucked kinky hairs. Hair samples from patient were investigated using a light microscope. The hairs of the patients were mainly anagen hairs and unlike normal plucked anagen hairs, showed keratinization and cornification of their hair bulbs. No specific hair shaft abnormality was found.
Cylindrical Magnetorheological Fluid Variable Transmission Controlled by Shape-Memory Alloy
Authors: Chen Song , Jian Kailin , Peng Xianghe
Published: October 2012

Centrifugal fan is an important component of a ventilation system in a nuclear power plant. In this paper, we proposed a magnetorheological speed-adjustment system controlled by shape-memory alloy for centrifugal fan. A theoretical analysis of the effect of the applied magnetic field on the viscoplastic flow between two cylinders in the speed-adjustment system is presented. The expressions for the velocity in viscoplastic flow and the torque transmitted by MR fluids are derived. A sliding mode SMA switch is proposed to modify the magnetic field acting on working gap under thermal effect. The results indicate that with the increases of applied magnetic field, the torque transmitted by MR fluid goes up rapidly.
Evaluating Ethical Responsibility in Inverse Decision Support
Authors: Kabil Ahmad M.
Published: October 2012

Decision makers have considerable autonomy on how they make decisions and what type of support they receive. This situation places the DSS analyst in a different relationship with the client than his colleagues who support regular MIS applications. This paper addresses an ethical dilemma in “Inverse Decision Support,” when the analyst supports a decision maker who requires justification for a preconceived selection that does not correspond to the best option that resulted from the professional resolution of the problem. An extended application of the AHP model is proposed for evaluating the ethical responsibility in selecting a suboptimal alternative. The extended application is consistent with the Inverse Decision Theory that is used extensively in medical decision making. A survey of decision analysts is used to assess their perspective of using the proposed extended application. The results show that 80% of the respondents felt that the proposed extended application is useful in business practices. 14% of them expanded the usability of the extended application to academic teaching of the ethics theory. The extended application is considered more usable in a country with a higher Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index (TICPI) than in a country with a lower one.
Usefulness of Patients-Reported Outcomes in Rheumatoid Arthritis Focus Group
Authors: Amaya-Amaya Jenny , Botello-Corzo Diana , Calixto Omar-Javier , Calderón-Rojas Rolando , Domínguez Aura-Maria , Cruz-Tapias Paola , Montoya-Ortiz Gladis , Mantilla Ruben-Dario , Anaya Juan-Manuel , Rojas-Villarraga Adriana
Published: October 2012

Objective. Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) have become an essential part of the assessment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We aimed to evaluate the agreement and correlation between PROs and the physician's measurements. Methods. This was a cross-sectional analytical study in which 135 patients with RA were clinically evaluated during two different sessions of focus group interviews. Rheumatologist recorded 28 swollen (SJCs) and tender joint counts (TJCs). The patients filled out the PROs instruments (MDHAQ, RADAI, RAPID3, 4, and 5 and self-report articular index (SAI) diagram for pain and joint swelling). DAS28 was calculated (C-reactive protein). An adjusted multiple lineal regression model was done (DAS28 as dependent variable). Results. Highly significant agreements were found between SJC and TJC registered by the physician and patient. There was moderate correlation between DAS28 with patient SJC (r=0.52), patient TJC (r=0.55), RADAI (r=0.56), RAPID3 (r=0.52), RAPID4 (r=0.56), RAPID5 (r=0.66), and VAS-Global (r=0.51). Likewise, we found moderate to high correlations between CDAI and SDAI with all variable measurements done by the patients. The resulting predictive equation was DAS28(CRP)=2.02+0.037×RAPID4+0.042× patient SJC. Conclusion. PROs applied in focus groups interview are a useful tool for managing patients with RA regardless of gender, educational level, and duration of disease.
Lymphoma Presenting as Cancer of the Glans Penis: A Case Report
Authors: Stamatiou Konstantinos , Pierris Nikolaos
Published: October 2012

Penile lymphoma is a very rare neoplasm. We report the case of an 82-year-old man who presented with phimosis. The patient also complained of frequent and painful urination. Upon examination a painless penile ulcer and multiple enlarged inguinal lymph nodes were found. The shaft of the penis and the prostate were hard on palpation. Abdominal and transrectal ultrasound examination confirmed the involvement of the penis shaft and the prostate and also revealed involvement of the urinary bladder. Biopsy showed diffuse, large B-cell lymphoma. The patient was treated with systemic chemotherapy with full remission of the disease. We review the literature relevant to penile lymphoma and discuss this uncommon condition.
An Unusual Cause of Coma
Authors: Ovallath Sujith , Raj R. S. , Rahman Abdu , Girija A. S.
Published: October 2012

This case report is an unusual presentation of fibroid uterus as coma. The patient developed a recurrent hypoglycemia possibly secondary to the insulin-like growth factor secreted from the fibroid. The hypoglycemic symptoms disappeared on removal of the fibroid. The histopathological examination revealed no evidence of malignancy.
Clinical, Bacteriological, and Histopathological Findings of a Testicular Fibrosis in a 6-Year-Old Lusitano Stallion
Authors: Rocha A. , Guimarães T. , Duarte J. C. , Cosinha C. , Lopes V. T. A. , Faria F. , Amorim I. , Gärtner F.
Published: October 2012

A 6-year-old Lusitano stallion was referred to our centre due to an enlarged left testicle. Anamnesis indicated that the stallion had a chronic hypertrophy of the left testicle, with no apparent ill effect on work (dressage training) or semen production. Prolonged use of anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and antibiotics were probable. Upon examination of the animal, it was found that clinical signs were compatible with chronic testicular degeneration or fibrosis. Ultrasound scanning did not evidence the exuberant macroscopic lesions seen upon hemicastration of the left testicle, but it showed in the left spermatic cord a conspicuous absence of the typical hypoechogenic areas representing the pampiniform plexus. Swabbing of the penis, prepuce, and distal urethra resulted in the isolation ofRhodococcus equiandCorynebacteriumspp. However, histopathological examination did not support infectious orchitis as cause of the lesions and no bacterial growth was obtained from swabbing of the parenchyma in the excised testicle. Histopathological findings were compatible with chronic orchitis with fibrosis and necrosis, probably secondary to ischemia of the testicular parenchyma. After hemi-castration, the stallion resumed semen production at acceptable levels.
Online Spectroscopic Study on the Positive and the Negative Electrolytes in Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries
Authors: Liu Le , Xi Jingyu , Wu Zenghua , Zhang Wenguang , Zhou Haipeng , Li Weibin , He Yonghong
Published: October 2012

Traditional spectroscopic analysis based on the Beer-Lambert law cannot analyze the analyte with high concentration and interference between different compositions, such as the electrolyte in vanadium redox flow batteries (VRBs). Here we propose a new method for online detection of such analytes. We demonstrate experimentally that, by comparing the transmittance spectrum of the analyte with the spectra in a preprepared database using our intensity-corrected correlation coefficient (ICCC) algorithm, parameters such as the state of charge (SOC) of both the positive and the negative electrolytes in the VRB can be online monitored. This method could monitor the level of the electrolytes imbalance in the VRB, which is useful for further rebalancing the electrolyte and restoring the capacity loss of the VRB. The method also has the potential to be used in the online detection of other chemical reactions, in which the chemical reagents have high concentration and interferences between different compositions.
Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts Drive the Progression of Metastasis through both Paracrine and Mechanical Pressure on Cancer Tissue
Authors: Karagiannis George S. , Poutahidis Theofilos , Erdman Susan E. , Kirsch Richard , Riddell Robert H. , Diamandis Eleftherios P.
Published: October 2012

Neoplastic cells recruit fibroblasts through various growth factors and cytokines. These “cancer-associated fibroblasts” (CAF) actively interact with neoplastic cells and form a myofibroblastic microenvironment that promotes cancer growth and survival and supports malignancy. Several products of their paracrine signaling repertoire have been recognized as tumor growth and metastasis regulators. However, tumor-promoting cell signaling is not the only reason that makes CAFs key components of the “tumor microenvironment,” as CAFs affect both the architecture and growth mechanics of the developing tumor. CAFs participate in the remodeling of peritumoral stroma, which is a prerequisite of neoplastic cell invasion, expansion, and metastasis. CAFs are not present peritumorally as individual cells but they act orchestrated to fully deploy a desmoplastic program, characterized by “syncytial” (or collective) configuration and altered cell adhesion properties. Such myofibroblastic cohorts are reminiscent of those encountered in wound-healing processes. The view of “cancer as a wound that does not heal” led to useful comparisons between wound healing and tumorigenesis and expanded our knowledge of the role of CAF cohorts in cancer. In this integrative model of cancer invasion and metastasis, we propose that the CAF-supported microenvironment has a dual tumor-promoting role. Not only does it provide essential signals for cancer cell dedifferentiation, proliferation, and survival but it also facilitates cancer cell local invasion and metastatic phenomena. Mol Cancer Res; 10(11); 1403–18. ©2012 AACR.
Cerebral Hemodynamic Changes Induced by a Lumbar Puncture in Good-Grade Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Authors: Schmidt Eric A. , Silva Stein , Albucher Jean François , Luzi Aymeric , Loubinoux Isabelle , Januel Anne Christine , Cognard Christophe , Payoux Pierre , Chollet François
Published: October 2012

Background: Patients with good-grade subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) are those without initial neurological deficit. However, they can die or present severe deficit due to secondary insult leading to brain ischemia. After SAH, in a known context of energy crisis, vasospasm, hydrocephalus and intracranial hypertension contribute to unfavorable outcome. Lumbar puncture (LP) is sometimes performed in an attempt to reduce intracranial pressure (ICP) and release headaches. We hypothesize that in good-grade SAH patients, a 20-ml LP releases headaches, reduces ICP and improves cerebral blood flow (CBF) as measured with O15 PET scan. Methods: Six good-grade (WFNS grade 1or 2) SAH patients (mean age 48 years, 2 women, 4 men) were prospectively included. All aneurysms (4 anterior communicating artery and 2 right middle cerebral artery) were coiled at day 1. Patients were managed according to our local protocol. LP was performed for severe headache (VAS >7) despite maximal painkiller treatment. Patients were included when the LP was clinically needed. The 20-ml LP was done in the PET scan (mean delay between SAH and LP: 3.5 days). LP allows hydrostatic measurement of ICP. Arterial blood pressure (ABP) was noninvasively gauged with photoplethysmography. Every signal was monitored and analyzed off-line. Regional CBF (rCBF) was measured semiquantitatively with O15 PET before and after LP. Then we calculated the difference between baseline and post-LP condition for each area: positive value means augmentation of rCBF after the LP, negative value means reduction of rCBF. Individual descriptive analysis of CBF was first performed for each patient; then a statistical group analysis was done with SPM for all voxels using t statistics converted to Z scores (p < 0.01, Z score >3.2). Results: A 20-ml LP yielded a reduction in pain (–4), a drop in ICP (24.3 ± 12.5 to 6.9 ± 4.7 mm Hg), but no change in ABP. Descriptive and statistical image analysis showed a heterogeneous and biphasic change in cerebral hemodynamics: rCBF was not kept constant and either augmented or decreased after the drop in ICP. Hence, cerebrovascular reactivity was spatially heterogeneous within the brain. rCBF seems to augment in the brain region roughly close to the bleed and to be reduced in the rest of the brain, with a rough plane of symmetry. Conclusions: In good-grade SAH, LP releases headaches and lowers ICP. LP and the drop in ICP have a heterogeneous and biphasic effect on rCBF, suggesting that cerebrovascular reactivity is not spatially homogeneous within the brain.
Increased Time Exposure to Tenofovir Is Associated with a Greater Decrease in Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate in HIV Patients with Kidney Function of Less than 60 ml/min/1.73 m2
Authors: Fafin C. , Pugliese P. , Durant J. , Mondain V. , Rahelinirina V. , De Salvador F. , Ceppi C. , Perbost I. , Rosenthal E. , Roger P.M. , Cua E. , Dellamonica P. , Esnault V. , Pradier C. , Moranne O.
Published: October 2012

Tenofovir (TDF), atazanovir (ATAZ) and indinavir (IND) have been reported as possible risk factors for incident chronic kidney disease (CKD) in HIV-infected patients. We investigated the relationship between the duration of antiretroviral exposure and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) evolution in CKD patients. In a cohort of 1,750 HIV-infected patients, we identified 121 CKD patients with a mean follow-up of 44 ± 35 months. The relationship between mean eGFR at baseline, eGFR slope and time exposure to antiretroviral treatment as well as confounding factors were investigated using a joint modeling procedure. Seventy (58%), 30 (25%) and 33 patients (27%), with a mean age of 50.3 ± 11.7 years, mean eGFR at baseline of 53.0 ± 0.8 (ml/min/1.73 m2) and eGFR slope of 0.46 ± 0.07 ml/min/1.73 m2/year, were exposed to TDF, ATAZ and IND, respectively. In univariate analysis, hepatitis C virus infection, decreased nadir of log CD4 count, high blood pressure at baseline, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor treatment and greater time exposure to TDF during follow-up were associated with a higher slope, whereas greater time exposure to IND was associated with a lower slope. In multivariate analysis, higher TDF time exposure was still significantly associated with eGFR decline, with a dose-effect relationship (slope ± standard error of the mean: 1.1 ± 0.1, 0.5 ± 0.1, –0.07 ± 0.08 and –0.87 ± 0.06 ml/min/1.73 m2/year for no time exposure, <34, 34–67 and ≥67%, respectively; trend test: p < 0.001), whereas the IND time exposure association was abolished. In HIV patients with CKD, a greater TDF time exposure was independently associated, in a graded manner, with a greater eGFR decline.
Francisella Is Sensitive to Insect Antimicrobial Peptides
Authors: Vonkavaara Malin , Pavel Shaikh Terkis Islam , Hölzl Kathrin , Nordfelth Roland , Sjöstedt Anders , Stöven Svenja
Published: October 2012

Francisella tularensis causes the zoonotic disease tularemia. Arthropod vectors are important transmission routes for the disease, although it is not known how Francisella survives the efficient arthropod immune response. Here, we used Drosophila melanogaster as a model host for Francisella infections and investigated whether the bacteria are resistant to insect humoral immune responses, in particular to the antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) secreted into the insect hemolymph. Moreover, we asked to what extent such resistance might depend on lipopolysaccharide (LPS) structure and surface characteristics of the bacteria. We analyzed Francisella novicida mutant strains in genes, directly or indirectly involved in specific steps of LPS biosynthesis, for virulence in wild-type and RelishE20 immune-deficient flies, and tested selected mutants for sensitivity to AMPs in vitro. We demonstrate that Francisella is sensitive to specific fly AMPs, i.e. Attacin, Cecropin, Drosocin and Drosomycin. Furthermore, six bacterial genes, kpsF, manB, lpxF, slt, tolA and pal, were found to be required for resistance to Relish-dependent immune responses, illustrating the importance of structural details of Francisella lipid A and Kdo core for interactions with AMPs. Interestingly, a more negative surface charge and lack of O-antigen did not render mutant bacteria more sensitive to cationic AMPs and did not attenuate virulence in flies.
Targeted Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Ca
2+
ATPase 2a Gene Delivery to Restore Electrical Stability in the Failing Heart
Authors: Cutler Michael J. , Wan Xiaoping , Plummer Bradley N. , Liu Haiyan , Deschenes Isabelle , Laurita Kenneth R. , Hajjar Roger J. , Rosenbaum David S.
Published: October 2012

Background—

Recently, we reported that sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca
2+
ATPase 2a (SERCA2a), the pump responsible for reuptake of cytosolic calcium during diastole, plays a central role in the molecular mechanism of cardiac alternans. Heart failure (HF) is associated with impaired myocardial calcium handling, deficient SERCA2a, and increased susceptibility to cardiac alternans. Therefore, we hypothesized that restoring deficient SERCA2a by gene transfer will significantly reduce arrhythmogenic cardiac alternans in the failing heart.

Methods and Results—

Adult guinea pigs were divided into 3 groups: control, HF, and HF+AAV9.SERCA2a gene transfer. HF resulted in a decrease in left ventricular fractional shortening compared with controls (
P
<0.001). As expected, isolated HF myocytes demonstrated slower sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium uptake, decreased Ca
2+
release, and increased diastolic Ca
2+
(
P
<0.05) compared with controls. Moreover, SERCA2a, cardiac ryanodine receptor 2, and sodium-calcium exchanger protein expression was decreased in HF compared with control (
P
<0.05). As predicted, HF increased susceptibility to cardiac alternans, as evidenced by decreased heart rate thresholds for both V
m
alternans and Ca alternans compared with controls (
P
<0.01). Interestingly, in vivo gene transfer of AAV9.SERCA2a in the failing heart improved left ventricular contractile function (
P
<0.01), suppressed cardiac alternans (
P
<0.01), and reduced ryanodine receptor 2 P
o
secondary to reduction of ryanodine receptor 2–P
S2814
(
P
<0.01). This ultimately resulted in a decreased incidence of inducible ventricular arrhythmias (
P=
0.05).

Conclusions—

These data show that SERCA2a gene transfer in the failing heart not only improves contractile function but also directly restores electric stability through the amelioration of key arrhythmogenic substrate (ie, cardiac alternans) and triggers (ie, sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca
2+
leak).
Circulation
Editors' Picks
Authors:   The Editors
Published: October 2012

The following articles are being highlighted as part of
Circulation's
Topic Review series. This series will summarize the most important manuscripts, as selected by the editors, published in
Circulation
and the
Circulation
subspecialty journals. The studies included in this article represent the most read manuscripts published on the topic of hypertension within the last two years.
Planning estimates for the provision of core mental health services in Queensland 2007 to 2017
Authors: Harris Meredith G , Buckingham William J , Pirkis Jane , Groves Aaron , Whiteford Harvey
Published: October 2012

Objective:

To derive planning estimates for the provision of public mental health services in Queensland 2007–2017.

Method:

We used a five-step approach that involved: (i) estimating the prevalence and severity of mental disorders in Queensland, and the number of people at each level of severity treated by health services; (ii) benchmarking the level and mix of specialised mental health services in Queensland against national data; (iii) examining 5-year trends in Queensland public sector mental health service utilisation; (iv) reviewing Australian and international planning benchmarks; and (v) setting resource targets based on the results of the preceding four steps. Best available evidence was used where possible, supplemented by value judgements as required.

Results:

Recommended resource targets for inpatient service were: 20 acute beds per 100,000 population, consistent with national average service provision but 13% above Queensland provision in 2005; and 10 non-acute beds per 100,000, 65% below Queensland levels in 2005. Growth in service provision was recommended for all other components. Adult residential rehabilitation service targets were 10 clinical 24-hour staffed beds per 100,000, and 18 non-clinical beds per 100,000. Supported accommodation targets were 35 beds per 100,000 in supervised hostels and 35 places per 100,000 in supported public housing. A direct care clinical workforce of 70 FTE per 100,000 for ambulatory care services was recommended. Fifteen per cent of total mental health funding was recommended for community support services provided by non-government organisations.

Conclusions:

The recommended targets pointed to specific areas for priority in Queensland, notably the need for additional acute inpatient services for older persons and expansion of clinical ambulatory care, residential rehabilitation and supported accommodation services. The development of nationally agreed planning targets for public mental health services and the mental health community support sector were identified as priorities.
Choosing Colors for Map Display Icons Using Models of Visual Search
Authors: Shive Joshua , Francis Gregory
Published: October 2012

Objective:

We show how to choose colors for icons on maps to minimize search time using predictions of a model of visual search.

Background:

The model analyzes digital images of a search target (an icon on a map) and a search display (the map containing the icon) and predicts search time as a function of target-distractor color distinctiveness and target eccentricity.

Method:

We parameterized the model using data from a visual search task and performed a series of optimization tasks to test the model’s ability to choose colors for icons to minimize search time across icons. Map display designs made by this procedure were tested experimentally. In a follow-up experiment, we examined the model’s flexibility to assign colors in novel search situations.

Results:

The model fits human performance, performs well on the optimization tasks, and can choose colors for icons on maps with novel stimuli to minimize search time without requiring additional model parameter fitting.

Conclusion:

Models of visual search can suggest color choices that produce search time reductions for display icons.

Application:

Designers should consider constructing visual search models as a low-cost method of evaluating color assignments.
The Impact of Transfer Setup on the Performance of Independent Wheelchair Transfers
Authors: Toro Maria Luisa , Koontz Alicia M. , Cooper Rory A.
Published: October 2012

Objective:

The aim of this study was to determine how selected environmental factors affect transfers and to compare our results to the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG).

Background:

Few data are available to support standards development related to transfers in the built environment.

Method:

Participants were 120 wheeled mobility device (WMD) users who transferred to and from a modular transfer station that consisted of a height-adjustable platform with a lateral grab bar, optional obstacle to the transfer, and an optional height-adjustable front grab bar. Maximum and minimum vertical heights of the transfer surface, maximum gap distance between the WMD and transfer surface, grab bar use, and WMD space needs were recorded.

Results:

The 95th percentile lowest and highest heights attained were similar to the median WMD seat-to-floor height (56 cm). We found that 42% (47/113) could not perform a transfer with the obstacle present. Participants transferred higher when the front grab bar was added to the setup ( p = .005) and higher and lower with the front grab bar than without it when the obstacle was present in the setup ( p = .003 and p = .005, respectively). We found that 95% of participants performed a transfer across an 8.9-cm gap. ADAAG recommendations fall short for the height and clear-space needs of the 50th-percentile WMD users.

Conclusion:

Revisions concerning transfer heights, gaps, clear spaces, and grab bar heights are necessary to make transfers more accessible to WMD users.

Application:

The data will be used to revise the guidelines related to transfers and to enable designers and engineers to create an environment that is more accessible.
Effects of Headset, Flight Workload, Hearing Ability, and Communications Message Quality on Pilot Performance
Authors: Casto Kristen L. , Casali John G.
Published: October 2012

Objective:

This study was designed to determine the effects of hearing loss, aviation headset type, flight workload complexity, and communication signal quality on pilots’ performance in an army rotary-wing flight simulator.

Background:

To maintain flight status, army aviators who do not meet current audiometric standards require a hearing loss waiver, which is based on speech intelligibility in quiet conditions. Because hearing loss characteristics of hearing-impaired aviators can vary greatly, and because performance is likely also influenced by degree of flight workload and communication demand, it was expected that performance among hearing-impaired aviators would also vary.

Method:

Participants were 20 army helicopter pilots. Pilots flew three flights in a full motion-based helicopter simulator, with a different headset configuration and varying flight workload levels and communication signal quality characterizing each flight. Objective flight performance parameters of heading, altitude, and airspeed deviation and air traffic control command read-backs were measured.

Results:

Statistically significant results suggest that high levels of flight workload, especially in combination with poor communications signal quality, lead to deficits in flight performance and speech intelligibility.

Conclusion:

These results support a conclusion that factors other than hearing thresholds and speech intelligibility in quiet should be considered when evaluating helicopter pilots’ flight safety. The results also support a recommendation that hearing-impaired pilots use assistive communication technology and not fly with strictly passive headsets.

Application:

The combined effects of flight environment with individual hearing levels should be considered when making recommendations concerning continued aviation flight status and those concerning communications headsets used in high-noise cockpits.
The Significance of Constantinople II’s Alteration of Chalcedon’s Formula About Christ’s Natures ‘Coinciding In One Prosôpon’
Authors: McLeod Frederick G.
Published: October 2012

The Fathers at the Council of Chalcedon declared in their dogmatic formula that Christ’s two natures ‘coincide in one prosôpon and one hypostasis.’ The Fathers at the Second Council of Constantinople interpreted this differently to mean the existence of only one hypostasis or prosôpon in Christ. The question then to be answered: Is there any real theological significance in the substitution of ‘or’ for ‘and’ in the Chalcedonian’s formula? In other words, do the Fathers at Chalcedon and Constantinople actually mean the same thing when they speak differently about how hypostasis and prosôpon ought to be linked? More to the point, did the Fathers at Chalcedon intend to introduce an Antiochene christological phrase into their dogmatic formula when they chose to include ‘one prosôpon’ there? If so, did the inclusion of this phrase support the non-Chalcedonian charge that the Fathers at Chalcedon had been infected with the Nestorian heresy?
Burning Love: St Bonaventure and the Problem of Christ’s Earthly Beatitude
Authors: Dillard Peter
Published: October 2012

The Christology of St Bonaventure contains the paradoxical claim that during his Passion Christ simultaneously possesses perfect beatitude and experiences immeasurable suffering. Against Bonaventure’s claim, Caroline Walker Bynum argues that the bliss of beatitude cannot coexist with the intense physical and mental agony of the Passion. This article develops a reply to her objection on Bonaventure’s behalf that identifies beatific love of the divine essence revealed in the vision of glory not with any specific feelings or emotions but with a complex habit or disposition that responds in different ways under varying circumstances. This reply is also defended against some possible objections. The article concludes by explaining the sense in which Bonaventure understands the sufferings of Christ to be not only literally immeasurable but also particularly fitting.
Are Those-Who-Do-Not-Count Capable of Reason? Thinking Political Subjectivity in the (Neo-)Colonial World and the Limits of History
Authors: Neocosmos Michael
Published: October 2012

This article is concerned to show that the historical science of the (neo-)colonial world is unable to allow for an analysis of the political subjectivities of ‘those-who-do-not-count’ or ‘subalterns’ as rational beings. Rather, it can only think such subjectivities as the products of people who are merely bearers of their social location, not thinking subjects. As a result, such history can only be a history of place, not a history of the transcending of place; it therefore amounts to colonial or state history. Historical objectivity invariably produces state history. The thought of the possibility of emancipatory politics, which always exceeds place, is thus precluded. This is an unavoidable epistemic problem in history and the social sciences in their current form. Following the work of Lazarus, I argue for an alternative historical methodology in Africa in terms of an internal analysis of the idioms of politics as discontinuous subjective sequences.
Where Does Sadness Come From? Politics, Potentiality and a Possible Humanities
Authors: Lalu Premesh
Published: October 2012

If, as Spinoza suggests, sadness is an inadequate idea, how do we account for its mobilization in nationalist and post-colonial critiques of colonialism, neo-colonialism and neo-liberalism? How, in other words, might we see in the inadequate idea of sadness the very conditions for thinking our way into a discussion of political subjectivity that loosens the grip of biopolitics on African subjectivity? Drawing on aesthetic practices of art and film, this article argues that a fundamental shift is discernable in the careful ways in which the affect of sadness has been worked over by artists and filmmakers in Africa. This is a site of productive reworking, which not only eclipses the exhausted political sphere in Africa, but offers ways to theorize its reconstitution. To this end, the article asks that we attend to the ways in which potentiality and impotentiality are rendered as central premises for tackling the question of the renewal of political subjectivity in Africa.
The Possibility of Care: Medical Ethics and the Death of Steve Biko
Authors: Bucher Jesse
Published: October 2012

This article analyzes the debates surrounding the inadequate medical care reportedly offered to Steve Biko during the final weeks of his life in 1977. For the past three decades, medical ethicists have used the so-called ‘Biko Case’ to define the ethical obligations of medical practitioners who operate under systems of authoritarian rule. This evaluation of Biko’s death has reduced the history of apartheid to a narrative of political repression. This article argues that this process of clarifying ethical medical practices through a contrast with repressive power fails to account for the ways in which medical care itself acts as a form of power. In other words, a narrow focus on the effects of repressive power provides an insufficient strategy for evaluating both the history of Steve Biko’s death and of apartheid power more broadly.
Examination of Hashin’s failure criteria for Part B of the second world-wide failure exercise: Comparison with test data
Authors: Kress G
Published: October 2012

The Second World-Wide Failure Exercise is an international activity, organized by Hinton and Kaddour [The background to the Second World-Wide Failure Exercise (WWFE-II). 2012.], aiming at a better understanding of the limitations of existing failure criteria to predict failure under triaxial stressing. Part A of the exercise was to apply the failure criteria to the 12 test cases defined by the organizers of second world-wide failure exercise to predict strength. The presently reported Part B is to compare the predictions with the before unknown strength measurements, also provided by the organizers of second world-wide failure exercise. Hashin’s [Failure criteria for unidirectional fiber composites. J Appl Mech 1980; 47(6): 329–334.] model is used in its original form with one exception which is explained in the article. Problems with inhomogeneous stress distributions, arising in certain samples, are addressed. The deviations between predictions and measurements are quantified and explanations for those are given for the individual load cases.
Micromechanical-based hybrid mesoscopic three-dimensional approach for non-linear progressive failure analysis of composite structures—Part B: Comparison with experimental data
Authors: Carrere N , Laurin F , Maire J-F
Published: October 2012

This paper presents a comparison between the experimental results provided in the PART B of the second World Wide Failure Exercise and the predictions obtained from a Micromechanical-based hybrid mesoscopic 3D approach described in the PART A of this exercise. This hybrid damage and failure approach is based on physical principles and introduces micromechanical aspects (such as the effect of the local debonding on the non-linear behaviour and on the strengths) at the mesoscopic scale. The behaviour of the UD ply is described by a thermo-viscoelastic model. For the failure phenomena, a distinction is made between different modes of failure: failure in fibre mode, in-plane interfibre mode and through-the-thickness interfibre mode. A fine damage model, that describes the evolution of the crack density and of the associated local delamination, is used to take into account the degradation of the mechanical properties of a failed ply in in-plane interfibre mode until the final failure of the laminate. Finally, the final failure of the specimen is defined as a critical loss of rigidity of the laminate. The predictions are in quite good agreement with the experimental results.