bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Load and Stress Analysis for the Swash Plate of an Axial Piston Pump/Motor
Authors: Norhirni M. Z. , Hamdi M. , Nurmaya Musa S. , Saw L. H. , Mardi N. A. , Hilman N.
Published: November 2011

In an axial piston pump design, the swash plate plays an important role in controlling the displacement of the pump, especially in a closed loop system. In this paper, the axial piston pump is incorporated into the design of a hydraulic regenerative braking system for hybrid vehicles. The pump in this configuration should function in dual mode, as a pump and as a motor. For this to occur, the swash plate should swing in two opposite directions. The swash plate presented in this paper is designed for stability and ease of control. Analytical analysis of torque and forces were conducted using MATLAB software to verify the motion of the swash plate. Furthermore, finite element analysis was also carried out to evaluate the rigidity and stress in the system. The analytical evaluation has shown that as the swash plate angle increases, the required control force and torque increase almost linearly. However, the change of the plate angle was found to have no effect on the force exerted on the X-axis and the torque exerted on the Z-axis.
Laboratory Activity: Specific Heat by Change in Internal Energy of Silly Putty
Authors: Koser John
Published: November 2011

Students in introductory physics courses often don't study thermodynamics or thermodynamic events. If any thermal physics is taught in introductory courses (e.g., Physics 101 for Liberal Arts Majors), it usually involves the concepts of specific heat and various temperature scales. Seldom are the first and second laws of thermodynamics taught in detail. In this article, we look at a means to obtain real-time data that will lead to clarifying the first law.
Chromosomal Integration and Location on IncT Plasmids of the
bla
CTX-M-2
Gene in Proteus mirabilis Clinical Isolates
Authors: Harada Sohei , Ishii Yoshikazu , Saga Tomoo , Kouyama Yuichi , Tateda Kazuhiro , Yamaguchi Keizo
Published: November 2011

Analysis of five CTX-M-2-producing
Proteus mirabilis
isolates in Japan demonstrated that
bla
CTX-M-2
was located on the chromosome in four isolates and on IncT plasmids in three isolates, including two isolates that also carried the gene on the chromosome. In all four isolates with chromosomal
bla
CTX-M-2
, IS
Ecp1
was responsible for the integration of the gene into the chromosome. Three different sites in the
P. mirabilis
genomic sequence were utilized as integration sites.
Global Analysis of the Staphylococcus aureus Response to Mupirocin
Authors: Reiß Swantje , Pané-Farré Jan , Fuchs Stephan , François Patrice , Liebeke Manuel , Schrenzel Jacques , Lindequist Ulrike , Lalk Michael , Wolz Christiane , Hecker Michael , Engelmann Susanne
Published: November 2011

In the present study, we analyzed the response of
S. aureus
to mupirocin, the drug of choice for nasal decolonization. Mupirocin selectively inhibits the bacterial isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase (IleRS), leading to the accumulation of uncharged isoleucyl-tRNA and eventually the synthesis of (p)ppGpp. The alarmone (p)ppGpp induces the stringent response, an important global transcriptional and translational control mechanism that allows bacteria to adapt to nutritional deprivation. To identify proteins with an altered synthesis pattern in response to mupirocin treatment, we used the highly sensitive 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis technique in combination with mass spectrometry. The results were complemented by DNA microarray, Northern blot, and metabolome analyses. Whereas expression of genes involved in nucleotide biosynthesis, DNA metabolism, energy metabolism, and translation was significantly downregulated, expression of isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase, the branched-chain amino acid pathway, and genes with functions in oxidative-stress resistance (
ahpC
and
katA
) and putative roles in stress protection (the
yvyD
homologue
SACOL0815
and
SACOL1759
and
SACOL2131
) and transport processes was increased. A comparison of the regulated genes to known regulons suggests the involvement of the global regulators CodY and SigB in shaping the response of
S. aureus
to mupirocin. Of particular interest was the induced transcription of genes encoding virulence-associated regulators (i.e.,
arlRS
,
saeRS
,
sarA
,
sarR
,
sarS
, and
sigB
), as well as genes directly involved in the virulence of
S. aureus
(i.e.,
fnbA
,
epiE
,
epiG
, and
seb
).
In VivoGrowth Rates Are Poorly Correlated with Phage Therapy Success in a Mouse Infection Model
Authors: Bull J. J. , Otto G. , Molineux I. J.
Published: November 2011

Two classes of phages yield profoundly different levels of recovery in mice experimentally infected with anEscherichia coliO18:K1:H7 strain. Phages requiring the K1 capsule for infection (K1-dep) rescue virtually all infected mice, whereas phages not requiring the capsule (K1-ind) rescue modest numbers (∼30%). To rescue infected mice, K1-ind phages require at least a 106-fold-higher inoculum than K1-dep phages. Yet theirin vivogrowth dynamics are only modestly inferior to those of K1-dep phages, and competition between the two phage types in the same mouse reveals only a slight growth advantage for the K1-dep phage. Thein vivogrowth rate seems unlikely to be the primary determinant of phage therapy success. An alternative explanation is that the success of K1-dep phages is due substantially to their proteomic composition. They encode an enzyme that degrades the K1 capsule, which has been shown in other work to be sufficient to cure infection in the complete absence of phages.
Comparison of Asymptomatic Bacteriuria Escherichia coli Isolates from Healthy Individuals versus Those from Hospital Patients Shows that Long-Term Bladder Colonization Selects for Attenuated Virulence Phenotypes
Authors: Salvador Ellaine , Wagenlehner Florian , Köhler Christian-Daniel , Mellmann Alexander , Hacker Jörg , Svanborg Catharina , Dobrindt Ulrich
Published: November 2011

Asymptomatic bacteriuria (ABU) is a condition where bacteria stably colonize the urinary tract, in a manner closely resembling commensalism at other mucosal sites. The patients carry >105CFU/ml for extended periods of time and rarely develop symptoms. Contrasting the properties of ABU strains to those of uropathogenic isolates causing symptomatic infection is therefore highly relevant to understand mechanisms of bacterial adaptation. The prototype ABU strainEscherichia coli83972 has a smaller genome than uropathogenicE. coli(UPEC) strains with deletions or point mutations in several virulence genes, suggesting that ABU strains undergo a programmed reductive evolution within human hosts. This study addressed if these observations can be generalized. Strains causing ABU in outpatients or hospitalized patients after catheterization or other invasive procedures were compared to commensalE. coliisolates from the intestinal flora of healthy individuals. Notably, clonal complex 73 (CC73) was a prominent phylogenetic lineage dominated by ABU isolates. ABU isolates from outpatients and hospitalized patients had a similar overall virulence gene repertoire, which distinguished them from many commensals, but typical UPEC virulence genes were less frequently attenuated in hospital strains than in outpatient strains or commensals. The decreased virulence potential of outpatient ABU isolates relative to that of ABU strains from hospitalized patients supports the hypothesis that loss of expression or decay of virulence genes facilitates long-term carriage and adaptation to host environments.
3D IMAGING OF SEA QUARKS AND GLUONS AT AN ELECTRON-ION COLLIDER
Authors: GUZEY VADIM
Published: November 2011

We outline key objectives and capabilities of an Electron-Ion Collider (EIC) — a high-energy and high-luminosity electron-proton/nucleus collider with polarized electron and proton beams. One of goals of a future EIC is to map the 3D (in configuration and momentum spaces) structure of sea quarks and gluons in the nucleon and nuclei. We briefly present and discuss key observables and measurements pertaining to the program of 3D imaging at an EIC.
COMPUTING EARLY-TIME DYNAMICS IN HEAVY ION COLLISIONS: STATUS, PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS
Authors: VENUGOPALAN RAJU
Published: November 2011

We discuss some recent developments towards a quantitative understanding of the production and early-time evolution of bulk quark-gluon matter in ultrarelativistic heavy ion collisions.
NLO EVOLUTION OF STRUCTURE FUNCTIONS AT SMALL x
Authors: CHIRILLI GIOVANNI ANTONIO
Published: November 2011

Using the high-energy Operator Product Expansion of the T-product of two electromagnetic currents, we calculate the Photon Impact Factor for Deep Inelastic Scattering at small value of the Bjorken variable x B at the next-to-leading order (NLO) accuracy in αs. We provide for the first time an analytic expression in coordinate space and in Mellin space of the NLO impact factor for the forward unpolarized structure functions.
HIGH-ENERGY FACTORIZATION AND EVOLUTION WITH IMPROVED KINEMATICS
Authors: BEUF GUILLAUME
Published: November 2011

The high-energy factorization and the associated B-JIMWLK or BK evolution equations are presented, using the example of DIS structure functions. The necessity of taking gluon saturation into account is discussed, and also the various approximations underlying high-energy factorization. The appearance of large NLL corrections in such a framework with or without gluon saturation is recalled, and their physical origin is explained. Finally, old and new results are presented about the resummation of some of those large corrections, related to kinematical approximations.
Investigating the Determinants of Nonperforming Loans in the Romanian Banking System: An Empirical Study with Reference to the Greek Crisis
Authors: Vogiazas Sofoklis D. , Nikolaidou Eftychia
Published: November 2011

This paper aims to investigate the determinants of nonperforming loans in the Romanian banking sector by means of time series modelling. It is motivated by the hypothesis that macroeconomic‐cyclical indicators, monetary aggregates, interest rates, financial markets, and bank‐specific variables influence the nonperforming loans in the Romanian banking system. Using monthly series that span from December 2001 to November 2010, we cover both the booming period and the recent financial crisis. Given the significant presence of the Greek banks in Romania, the novelty of the paper lies in the introduction of variables that proxy the Greek crisis. Thus, we examine the existence of a potential transmission channel to the Romanian banking system by investigating the impact of the Greek crisis to the Romanian nonperforming loans. Our findings indicate that macroeconomic variables, specifically the construction and investment expenditure, the inflation and the unemployment rate, and the country′s external debt to GDP and M2 jointly with Greek crisis‐specific variables influence the credit risk of the Romanian banking system. The results have several implications for policymakers, regulators, and managers as the most recent published stress tests on the Romanian banking system are based on end 2008 data.
Clinical Manifestations and Distribution of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Pakistan
Authors: Afghan Abaseen Khan , Kassi Masoom , Kasi Pashtoon Murtaza , Ayub Adil , Kakar Niamatullah , Marri Shah Muhammad
Published: November 2011

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a rising epidemic in Pakistan. It is a major public health problem in the country especially alongside regions bordering the neighboring Afghanistan and cities that have had the maximum influx of refugees. The purpose of our paper is to highlight the diverse clinical manifestations of the disease seen along with the geographic areas affected, where the hosts are particularly susceptible. This would also be helpful in presenting the broad spectrum of the disease for training of health care workers and help in surveillance of CL in the region. The increased clinical diversity and the spectrum of phenotypic manifestations noted underscore the fact that the diagnosis of CL should be not only considered when dealing with common skin lesions, but also highly suspected by dermatologists and even primary care physicians even when encountering uncommon pathologies. Hence, we would strongly advocate that since most of these patients present to local health care centers and hospitals, primary care practitioners and even lady health workers (LHWs) should be trained in identification of at least the common presentations of CL.
Stochastic Finite‐Time Guaranteed Cost Control of Markovian Jumping Singular Systems
Authors: Zhang Yingqi , Liu Caixia , Mu Xiaowu
Published: November 2011

The problem of stochastic finite‐time guaranteed cost control is investigated for Markovian jumping singular systems with uncertain transition probabilities, parametric uncertainties, and time‐varying norm‐bounded disturbance. Firstly, the definitions of stochastic singular finite‐time stability, stochastic singular finite‐time boundedness, and stochastic singular finite‐time guaranteed cost control are presented. Then, sufficient conditions on stochastic singular finite‐time guaranteed cost control are obtained for the family of stochastic singular systems. Designed algorithms for the state feedback controller are provided to guarantee that the underlying stochastic singular system is stochastic singular finite‐time guaranteed cost control in terms of restricted linear matrix equalities with a fixed parameter. Finally, numerical examples are given to show the validity of the proposed scheme.
Vapor Pressure of Saturated Aqueous Solutions of Potassium Sulfate from 310 K to 345 K
Authors: Maggiolo Matias O. , Passamonti Francisco J. , Chialvo Abel C.
Published: November 2011

The experimental evaluation of the vapor pressure of saturated aqueous solutions of potassium sulfate was carried out in the range of temperatures 310 K ≤ T ≤ 345 K. The experimental data were used to determine the corresponding values of the water activity in such solutions. The analytical expressions as a function of temperature of both, vapor pressure and water activity, were obtained from the correlation of the experimental results. The vapor pressure expression was also extrapolated to a different temperature range in order to make a comparison with the results obtained by other authors.
A Randomized Controlled Trail Comparing the Efficacy of 0.5% Centbucridine to 2% Lignocaine as Local Anesthetics in Dental Extractions
Authors: Mansuri Samir , Bhayat Ahmed , Omar Esam , Jarab Fadi , Ahmed Mohammad Sami
Published: November 2011

The development of local anesthesia in dentistry has marked the beginning of a new era in terms of pain control. Lignocaine is the most commonly used local anesthetic (LA) agent even though it has a vasodilative effect and needs to be combined with adrenaline. Centbucridine is a non-ester, non amide group LA and has not been comprehensively studied in the dental setting and the objective was to compare it to Lignocaine. This was a randomized study comparing the onset time, duration, depth and cardiovascular parameters between Centbucridine (0.5%) and Lignocaine (2%). The study was conducted in the dental outpatient department at the Government Dental College in India on patients attending for the extraction of lower molars. A total of 198 patients were included and there were no significant differences between the LAs except those who received Centbucridine reported a significantly longer duration of anesthesia compared to those who received Lignocaine. None of the patients reported any side effects. Centbucridine was well tolerated and its substantial duration of anesthesia could be attributed to its chemical compound. Centbucridine can be used for dental procedures and can confidently be used in patients who cannot tolerate Lignocaine or where adrenaline is contraindicated.
Structure and Properties of - Nanocomposite Films for Biomedical Applications
Authors: Zhang Lin , Sun Zhi-Hua , Yu Feng-Mei , Chen Hong-Bin
Published: November 2011

The hemocompatibility of La2O3-doped TiO2films with different concentration prepared by radio frequency (RF) sputtering was studied. The microstructures and blood compatibility of TiO2films were investigated by scan electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and UV-visible optical absorption spectroscopy, respectively. With the increasing of the La2O3concentrations, the TiO2films become smooth, and the grain size becomes smaller. Meanwhile, the band gap of the samples increases from 2.85 to 3.3 eV with increasing of the La2O3content in TiO2films from 0 to 3.64%. La2O3-doped TiO2films exhibit n-type semiconductor properties due to the existence of Ti2+and Ti3+. The mechanism of hemocompatibility of TiO2film doped with La2O3was analyzed and discussed.
A New Roper‐Suffridge Extension Operator on a Reinhardt Domain
Authors: Wang Jianfei , Gao Cailing
Published: November 2011

We introduce a new Roper‐Suffridge extension operator on the following Reinhardt domain
given by where f is a normalized locally biholomorphic function on the unit disc D, pj are positive integer, aj are complex constants, and j = 2, …, n. Some conditions for aj are found under which the operator preserves almost starlike mappings of order α and starlike mappings of order α, respectively. In particular, our results reduce to many well‐known results when all αj = 0.
Improved Regularization Method for Backward Cauchy Problems Associated with Continuous Spectrum Operator
Authors: Djezzar Salah , Teniou Nihed
Published: November 2011

We consider in this paper an abstract parabolic backward Cauchy problem associated with an unbounded linear operator in a Hilbert space H, where the coefficient operator in the equation is an unbounded self‐adjoint positive operator which has a continuous spectrum and the data is given at the final time t = T and a solution for 0 ≤ t < T is sought. It is well known that this problem is illposed in the sense that the solution (if it exists) does not depend continuously on the given data. The method of regularization used here consists of perturbing both the equation and the final condition to obtain an approximate nonlocal problem depending on two small parameters. We give some estimates for the solution of the regularized problem, and we also show that the modified problem is stable
and its solution is an approximation of the exact solution of the original problem. Finally, some other convergence results including some explicit convergence rates are also provided.
The Problem of Confounding in Studies of the Effect of Maternal Drug Use on Pregnancy Outcome
Authors: Källén Bengt
Published: November 2011

In most epidemilogical studies, the problem of confounding adds to the uncertainty in conclusions drawn. This is also true for studies on the effect of maternal drug use on birth defect risks. This paper describes various types of such confounders and discusses methods to identify and adjust for them. Such confounders can be found in maternal characteristics like age, parity, smoking, use of alcohol, and body mass index, subfertility, and previous pregnancies including previous birth of a malformed child, socioeconomy, race/ethnicity, or country of birth. Confounding by concomitant maternal drug use may occur. A geographical or seasonal confounding can exist. In rare instances, infant sex and multiple birth can appear as confounders. The most difficult problem to solve is often confounding by indication. The problem of confounding is less important for congenital malformations than for many other pregnancy outcomes.
Asymptotic Stability of Impulsive Reaction‐Diffusion Cellular Neural Networks with Time‐Varying Delays
Authors: Zhang Yutian
Published: November 2011

This work addresses the asymptotic stability for a class of impulsive cellular neural networks with time‐varying delays and reaction‐diffusion. By using the impulsive integral inequality of Gronwall‐Bellman type and Hardy‐Sobolev inequality as well as piecewise continuous Lyapunov functions, we summarize some new and concise sufficient conditions ensuring the global exponential asymptotic stability of the equilibrium point. The provided stability criteria are applicable to Dirichlet boundary condition and showed to be dependent on all of the reaction‐diffusion coefficients, the dimension of the space, the delay, and the boundary of the spatial variables. Two examples are finally illustrated to demonstrate the effectiveness of our obtained results.
Circulating Insulin-Like Growth Factors and IGF-Binding Proteins in PSA-Detected Prostate Cancer: The Large Case–Control Study ProtecT
Authors: Rowlands Mari-Anne , Holly Jeff M.P. , Gunnell David , Donovan Jenny , Lane J. Athene , Hamdy Freddie , Neal David E. , Oliver Steven , Smith George Davey , Martin Richard M.
Published: November 2011

Circulating insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) has been studied extensively in prostate cancer, but there is still little information about IGFs and IGF-binding proteins (IGFBP) in cancers detected by the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. Here, we report the findings of a U.K.-based case–control study to investigate circulating IGFs and IGFBPs in PSA-detected prostate cancer with regard to their potential associations with different cancer stages or grades. PSA testing was offered to 110,000 men aged 50 to 69 years from 2002 to 2009. Participants with an elevated level of PSA (≥3.0 ng/mL) underwent prostate biopsy and measurements of blood serum IGF-I, IGF-II, IGFBP-2, and IGFBP-3 obtained at recruitment. We found that serum levels of IGF-II (OR per SD increase: 1.16; 95% CI: 1.08–1.24; Ptrend < 0.001), IGFBP-2 (1.18; 1.06–1.31; Ptrend < 0.01) and IGFBP-3 (1.27; 1.19–1.36; Ptrend < 0.001), but not IGF-I (0.99; 0.93–1.04; Ptrend = 0.62), were associated with PSA-detected prostate cancer. After controlling for IGFBP-3, IGF-II was no longer associated (0.99; 0.91–1.08; Ptrend = 0.62) and IGF-I was inversely associated (0.85; 0.79–0.91; Ptrend < 0.001) with prostate cancer. In addition, no strong associations existed with cancer stage or grade. Overall, these findings suggest potentially important roles for circulating IGF-II, IGFBP-2, and IGFBP-3 in PSA-detected prostate cancer, in support of recent in vitro evidence. Although our findings for IGF-I agree with previous results from PSA screening trials, they contrast with positive associations in routinely detected disease, suggesting that reducing levels of circulating IGF-I might not prevent the initiation of prostate cancer but might, nonetheless, prevent its progression. Cancer Res; 72(2); 503–15. ©2011 AACR.
Higher Executive Control and Visual Memory Performance Predict Treatment Completion in Borderline Personality Disorder
Authors: Fertuck Eric A. , Keilp John , Song Inkyung , Morris Melissa C. , Wilson Scott T. , Brodsky Beth S. , Stanley Barbara
Published: November 2011

Background: Non-completion of a prescribed course of treatment occurs in 20–60% of individuals diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD). While symptom severity, personality traits and environmental factors have been implicated as predictors of treatment non-completion (TNC), there have been no studies of neuropsychological predictors in this population. Methods: From a randomized controlled trial, a subsample of 31, unmedicated outpatients diagnosed with BPD with recent self-injurious behavior was assessed on 5 neuropsychological domains. Patients were also assessed for general IQ, demographic and other salient clinical variables. Patients were randomized to one of four treatment conditions, which lasted up to 1 year. Number of weeks in treatment (WIT) up to 1 year was utilized as the index of TNC. Results: Thirty-three percent of the subsample (n = 12) did not complete 1 year of treatment. However, more WIT were predicted by better baseline executive control (Trails B; p < 0.01) and visual memory performance (Benton visual retention; p < 0.001); other neuropsychological domains did not predict WIT. Conclusion: In the treatment of outpatients with BPD, better executive control and visual memory performance predict more WIT. Assessing and addressing these neurocognitive factors in treatment may reduce TNC in this high-risk population.
Structural and Functional Properties of an Upper Airway Dilator Muscle in Aged Obese Male Rats
Authors: Skelly J. Richard , O’Connell Ruth A. , Jones James F.X. , O’Halloran Ken D.
Published: November 2011

Background: Age, obesity and male sex are risk factors for the development of obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome. Objective: We examined structural and functional properties of the sternohyoid muscle in young lean and aged obese male rats. We hypothesized that the aged muscle would be vulnerable to oxidative stress (hypoxia). Methods: Isometric contractile and endurance properties of the sternohyoid muscle were assessed in vitro with or without the superoxide scavenger Tempol (10 mM). Muscle fibre size and density were determined by myosin heavy chain immunofluorescence. Succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) and glycerol-3- phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH) enzyme activities were determined. Results: Fibre hypertrophy, increased fast twitch (type 2X) fibre density, decreased SDH activity and increased GPDH activity, together with increased force and fatigue, were observed in aged obese muscles compared to young lean muscles. Tempol treatment increased strength and sensitivity to stimulation. Hypoxic depression of force was ameliorated by antioxidant treatment with equivalent effects in young lean and aged obese muscle. Conclusions: We conclude that the rat sternohyoid exhibits indefinite growth and is protected from oxidative stress as the animal ages.
Effect of Ketorolac Add-On Treatment on Intra-Ocular Pressure in Glaucoma Patients Receiving Prostaglandin Analogues
Authors: Turan-Vural Ece , Torun-Acar Banu , Acar Suphi
Published: November 2011

Background/Aims: While topical ocular hypotensive agents cause secretion of endogenous prostaglandin (PG), systemic and topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents inhibit its production; thus, they may interfere with therapeutic efficacy. This study aimed to investigate the effect of add-on treatment with ketorolac on intra-ocular pressure (IOP)-lowering effects of three different PG analogues. Methods: This study included 30 adult bilateral glaucoma patients who had been receiving PG analogues for primary open-angle glaucoma (n = 25) or pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (n = 5). Ketorolac tromethamine 0.5% and placebo drops were administered to the right and left eyes of the patients, respectively, 4 times a day for 1 week. IOP measurements were performed at baseline, within the first 4 h after application, on days 1, 3 and 7, and 1 and 7 days after discontinuation of the treatment. Results: Eyes receiving ketorolac had significantly lower IOP throughout the treatment period (p < 0.001). Patients who were on latanoprost, travoprost and bimatoprost did not differ with regard to the change in IOP (p = 0.780). After discontinuation, pressures became similar on day 1 (p = 0.796) and day 7 (p = 0.314). Conclusion: In glaucoma patients, ketorolac significantly enhances the IOP-lowering effects of latanoprost, travoprost and bimatoprost.
Loss of R-Spondin1 and Foxl2 Amplifies Female-to-Male Sex Reversal in XX Mice
Authors: Auguste A. , Chassot A.-A. , Grégoire E.P. , Renault L. , Pannetier M. , Treier M. , Pailhoux E. , Chaboissier M.-C.
Published: November 2011

In vertebrates, 2 main genetic pathways have been shown to regulate ovarian development. Indeed, a loss of function mutations in Rspo1 and Foxl2 promote partial female-to-male sex reversal. In mice, it has been shown that the secreted protein RSPO1 is involved in ovarian differentiation and the transcription factor FOXL2 is required for follicular formation. Here, we analysed the potential interactions between these 2 genetic pathways and have shown that while Rspo1 expression seems to be independent of Foxl2 up-regulation, Foxl2 expression partly depends of Rspo1 signalisation. This suggests that different Foxl2-positive somatic cell lineages exist within the ovaries. In addition, a combination of both mutated genes in XX Foxl2–/–/Rspo1–/– gonads promotes sex reversal, detectable at earlier stages than in XX Rspo1–/– mutants. Ectopic development of the steroidogenic lineage is more pronounced in XX Foxl2–/–/Rspo1–/– gonads than in XX Rspo1–/– embryos, suggesting that Foxl2 is involved in preventing ectopic steroidogenesis in foetal ovaries.
Relationship Between Sympathetic Baroreflex Sensitivity and Arterial Stiffness in Elderly Men and Women
Authors: Okada Yoshiyuki , Galbreath M. Melyn , Shibata Shigeki , Jarvis Sara S. , VanGundy Tiffany B. , Meier Rhonda L. , Vongpatanasin Wanpen , Levine Benjamin D. , Fu Qi
Published: November 2011

Previous human studies have shown that large-artery stiffness contributes to an age-related decrease in cardiovagal baroreflex sensitivity. Whether this is also true with sympathetic baroreflex sensitivity is unknown. We tested the hypothesis that sympathetic baroreflex sensitivity is associated with the stiffness of baroreceptor segments (the carotid artery and the aorta) in elderly individuals and that sex affects this relationship. Sympathetic baroreflex sensitivity was assessed from the spontaneous changes in beat-by-beat diastolic pressure and corresponding muscle sympathetic nerve activity (microneurography) during supine rest in 30 men (mean±SEM: 69±1 years) and 31 women (68±1 years). Carotid artery stiffness (B-mode ultrasonography) and aortic stiffness (MRI) were also determined. We found that elderly women had lower sympathetic baroreflex sensitivity than elderly men (−2.33±0.25 versus −3.32±0.25 bursts · 100 beats
−1
· mm Hg
−1
;
P
=0.007). β-Stiffness indices of the carotid artery and the aorta were greater in elderly women than in men (6.68±0.48 versus 5.10±0.50 and 4.03±0.47 versus 2.68±0.42; both
P
<0.050). Sympathetic baroreflex sensitivity was inversely correlated with carotid artery stiffness in both men and women (
r
=0.49 and 0.50; both
P
<0.05), whereas this relation was shifted in parallel upward (toward a reduced sensitivity) in women with no changes in the slope (0.26 versus 0.24 arbitrary units). Sympathetic baroreflex sensitivity and aortic stiffness showed similar trends. Thus, barosensory artery stiffness seems to be one independent determinant of sympathetic baroreflex sensitivity in elderly men and women. The lower sympathetic baroreflex sensitivity in elderly women may predispose them to an increased prevalence of hypertension.
Microsomal Prostaglandin E Synthase 1 Deletion Retards Renal Disease Progression But Exacerbates Anemia in Mice With Renal Mass Reduction
Authors: Jia Zhanjun , Wang Haiping , Yang Tianxin
Published: November 2011

Microsomal prostaglandin E synthase 1 (mPGES-1) is a cytokine-inducible enzyme responsible for generation of prostaglandin E
2
(PGE
2
) during the inflammatory response. In the present study, we investigated the role of mPGES-1 in the development of chronic renal failure in mice with 5/6 nephrectomy (Nx). After 4 weeks of Nx, wild-type mice with renal mass reduction exhibited increased blood urea nitrogen, plasma creatinine and phosphorus concentrations, and defective urine concentrating capability, all of which were significantly attenuated by mPGES-1 deletion. The Nx wild-type mice developed a 2.6-fold increase in urinary albumin excretion, accompanied by glomerulosclerosis and reduction of nephrin and wild-type 1 expression in the remnant kidney. In contrast, the Nx KO mice had normal albuminuria with improvement of glomerular injury. Nx-induced increases in circulating and renal tumor necrosis factor 1α and renal interleukin 1β and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 expressions were all remarkably attenuated or abolished by mPGES-1 deletion. Paradoxically, the Nx knockout mice developed worsened anemia, accompanied by impaired erythropoietin synthesis. The coinduction of mPGES-1 and cyclooxygenase 2 but not cyclooxygenase 1 mRNA expressions, along with increased PGE
2
synthesis, was demonstrated in the remnant kidney of wild-type mice. mPGES-1 deletion remarkably reduced renal PGE
2
content and urinary PGE
2
excretion after renal ablation but had a limited effect on the baseline PGE
2
production. We conclude that mPGES-1 deletion ameliorates chronic renal failure in the mouse model of renal mass reduction, and mPGES-1 deletion paradoxically exacerbates anemia in this model likely via suppression of erythropoietin synthesis.
Assessing the Performance of Multiple Regional Climate Model Simulations for Seasonal Mountain Snow in the Upper Colorado River Basin
Authors: Salzmann Nadine , Mearns Linda O.
Published: November 2011

This study assesses the performance of the regional climate model (RCM) simulations from the North American Regional Climate Change Assessment Program (NARCCAP) for the Upper Colorado River basin (UCRB), U.S. Rocky Mountains. The UCRB is a major contributor to the Colorado River’s runoff. Its significant snow-dominated hydrological regime makes it highly sensitive to climatic changes, and future water shortage in this region is likely. The RCMs are evaluated with a clear RCM output user’s perspective and a main focus on snow. Snow water equivalent (SWE) and snow duration, as well as air temperature and precipitation from five RCMs, are compared with snowpack telemetry (SNOTEL) observations, with National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP)–National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) Reanalysis II (R2), which provides the boundary conditions for the RCM simulations, and with North American Regional Reanalysis (NARR). Overall, most RCMs were able to significantly improve on the results from the NCEP–NCAR reanalysis. However, in comparison with spatially aggregated point observations and NARR, the RCMs are generally too dry, too warm, simulate too little SWE, and have a too-short snow cover duration with a too-late start and a too-early end of a significant snow cover. The intermodel biases found are partly associated with inadequately resolved topography (at the spatial resolution of the RCMs), imperfect observational data, different forcing techniques (spectral nudging versus no nudging), and the different land surface schemes (LSS). Attributing the found biases to specific features of the RCMs remains difficult or even impossible without detailed knowledge of the physical and technical specification of the models.
Development and Validation of a Virtual Reality Simulator
Authors: Johnson Sheena Joanne , Guediri Sara M. , Kilkenny Caroline , Clough Peter J.
Published: November 2011

Objective: This study developed and validated a virtual reality (VR) simulator for use by interventional radiologists.

Background: Research in the area of skill acquisition reports practice as essential to become a task expert. Studies on simulation show skills learned in VR can be successfully transferred to a real-world task. Recently, with improvements in technology, VR simulators have been developed to allow complex medical procedures to be practiced without risking the patient.

Method: Three studies are reported. In Study 1, 35 consultant interventional radiologists took part in a cognitive task analysis to empirically establish the key competencies of the Seldinger procedure. In Study 2, 62 participants performed one simulated procedure, and their performance was compared by expertise. In Study 3, the transferability of simulator training to a real-world procedure was assessed with 14 trainees.

Results: Study 1 produced 23 key competencies that were implemented as performance measures in the simulator. Study 2 showed the simulator had both face and construct validity, although some issues were identified. Study 3 showed the group that had undergone simulator training received significantly higher mean performance ratings on a subsequent patient procedure.

Conclusion: The findings of this study support the centrality of validation in the successful design of simulators and show the utility of simulators as a training device.

Application: The studies show the key elements of a validation program for a simulator. In addition to task analysis and face and construct validities, the authors highlight the importance of transfer of training in validation studies.
Continuously Informing Vibrotactile Displays in Support of Attention Management and Multitasking in Anesthesiology
Authors: Ferris Thomas K. , Sarter Nadine
Published: November 2011

Objective: A novel vibrotactile display type was investigated to determine the potential benefits for supporting the attention and task management of anesthesiologists.

Background: Recent research has shown physiological monitoring and multitasking performance can benefit from displaying patient data via alarm-like tactile notifications and via continuously informing auditory displays (e.g., sonifications). The current study investigated a novel combination of these two approaches: continuously informing tactile displays.

Method: A tactile alarm and two continuously informing tactile display designs were evaluated in an anesthesia induction simulation with anesthesiologists as participants. Several performance measures were collected for two tasks: physiological monitoring and anesthesia induction. A multi-task performance score equivalently weighted components from each task, normalized across experimental scenarios. Subjective rankings of the displays were also collected.

Results: Compared to the baseline (visual and auditory only) display configuration, each tactile display significantly improved performance in several objective measures, including multitask performance score. The continuously informing display that encoded the severity of patient health into the salience of its signals supported significantly better performance than the other two tactile displays. Contrasting the objective results, participants subjectively ranked the tactile alarm display highest.

Conclusion: Continuously informing tactile displays with alarm-like properties (e.g., salience mapping) can better support anesthesiologists’ physiological monitoring and multitasking performance under the high task demands of anesthesia induction. Adaptive display mechanisms may improve user acceptance.

Application: This study can inform display design to support multitasking performance of anesthesiologists in the clinical setting and other supervisory control operators in work domains characterized by high demands for visual and auditory resources.
Social Tie Characteristics and Psychiatric Rehabilitation Outcomes Among Adults With Serious Mental Illness
Authors: Chou Chih-Chin , Chronister Julie Ann
Published: November 2011

Social support has achieved national attention as a key component of the mental health recovery paradigm for persons with serious mental illness (SMI). The aim of this study was to investigate the amount of variance accounted for by four social tie characteristics (social network orientation, emotional support, tangible support, and negative exchange) in three outcomes (mental health recovery, loneliness, and quality of life [QOL]). This study also investigated whether social tie characteristics mediated the link between symptom distress and rehabilitation outcomes. Participants were 101 adults with SMI, living in New York City and Boston. Eight measures were used to assess the above constructs. Bivariate correlations and hierarchical regression were conducted. Social tie characteristics contribute significantly to loneliness and recovery, with the amount of variance accounted for by symptom distress in loneliness and mental health recovery increasing significantly when social tie characteristics were added to the model. Mediator analyses revealed that emotional support and negative social exchange mediate the relationship between symptom distress and loneliness. Tangible support mediates the relationship between symptom distress and recovery. Rehabilitation counselors need to assess and inquire about social tie characteristics. Future researchers should investigate the types of support/nonsupport specific to people with SMI.
Neutrophils and Intravascular Immunity in the Liver during Infection and Sterile Inflammation
Authors: McDonald Braedon , Kubes Paul
Published: November 2011

The liver is a target of many inflammatory pathologies of both infectious and noninfectious etiology. As key effectors of the innate immune system, neutrophils are critical for defense against microbial infections but are often the source of profound collateral damage to host tissues during disease states. In this article based on the authors’ presentation at the 2011 Society of Toxicologic Pathology Annual Symposium, they review the molecular mechanisms of neutrophil recruitment to the liver in response to sepsis/endotoxemia, as well as sterile inflammation, and discuss variations in the molecular choreography of neutrophil trafficking in response to these different insults. Furthermore, the authors discuss the functional contributions of neutrophils within the liver microvasculature during severe sepsis, including their contributions to both host defense and organ damage. Given that inappropriate neutrophilic inflammation contributes to the pathogenesis of many liver diseases, a thorough understanding of the molecular mechanisms that regulate the recruitment of neutrophils to the liver, and their functions therein, may reveal new avenues for therapeutic interventions to treat inflammatory liver pathologies.
The Role of Fear of Crime in Donating and Volunteering
Authors: Britto Sarah , Van Slyke David M. , Francis Teresa I.
Published: November 2011

Extensive empirical studies have established that women fear crime more than men and theoretical arguments have suggested this difference produces consequences ranging from increased medical and psychological problems to restricted movement and limited exposure to social networks and opportunities resulting in restrictive informal social control and reduced social capital. More recently, a number of studies have begun to test the theoretical link between fear and behavior, with some suggesting fear will restrict prosocial behavior and others suggesting fear will motivate behavior that improves personal and communal well-being. This study adds to this emerging literature by exploring how fear of crime affects two measures of philanthropic behavior—donating and volunteerism. Using a stratified random telephone survey of 2,361 individuals living in the 20 counties that compose the greater Metro Atlanta area, the authors explore the role of fear of crime as an independent variable in models of donating and volunteering time to a charitable organization. Additionally, interaction terms are included in models of volunteering to control for the possibility that the strength of the relationship may vary based on sex. The results indicate that fear of crime is an important predictor of volunteering, but not donating, and that the effects are stronger for women than men.
Effects of nano α-Al2O3 fillers and dispersant on thermal and dynamic mechanical properties of polypropylene/nano α-Al2O3 composite
Authors: Mirjalili F , Chuah L , Khalid M , Hasmaliza M
Published: November 2011

This article presents a comparative study on the effects of nano α-alumina on thermal degradation and dynamic mechanical properties of polypropylene (PP) nanocomposites. In this respect, two types of composites were prepared, with dispersant and without dispersant. Thermogravimetric analysis of both composites showed a drastic shift in the weight loss curve toward higher temperature, which led to reduction in the PP heat release rate in both composites. Differential scanning calorimetry results showed that the crystallinity of the nanocomposites was increased especially in the presence of dispersant. The storage modulus of the nanocomposites was found to be higher than that of pure PP, because nanofiller increased the stiffness of the nanocomposites. The glass transition temperatures of the nanocomposites were not significantly changed and damping factor of the nanocomposites was decreased.
The Bellevue Teachers Strike and Its Implications for the Future of Postindustrial Reform Unionism
Authors: Jacoby Daniel F. , Nitta Keith
Published: November 2011

Striking for nine days in 2008, teachers in Bellevue carved a distinctive path through the contradictory movements for professional reform unionism and national accountability. In addition to compensation, Bellevue’s teachers struck over the top-down prescriptive management epitomized by the Gates Foundation supported “Curriculum Web.” Where district administrators envisioned the web as a community resource, teachers complained that its detailed daily lesson plans hamstrung their ability to teach effectively. Teachers returned to work only when a memorandum of understanding was signed recognizing their authority to deviate from the district’s web-based curriculum. To achieve reform minded goals, teachers relied upon traditional union militancy.
Organoclay-reinforced polyethersulfone-modified epoxy-based hybrid nanocomposites
Authors: Wang Yang , Zhang Boming , Ye Jinrui
Published: November 2011

Hybrid nanocomposites were successfully prepared by the incorporation of polyethersulfone (PES) and organoclay into epoxy resin. They had higher fracture toughness than the prepared PES/epoxy blend and organoclay/epoxy nanocomposites. The microstructures of the hybrid nanocomposites were studied. They were comprised of homogeneous PES/epoxy semi-interpenetrating network (semi-IPN) matrices and organoclay micro-agglomerates made up of tactoid-like regions composed of ordered exfoliated organoclay with various orientations. The former was confirmed with dynamic mechanical analysis, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, while the latter was successfully observed with X-ray diffraction measurements, optical microscope, scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope. The improvement of their fracture toughness was due to the synergistic toughening effect of the PES and the organoclay and related to their microstructures.
Breaking body hair boundaries: Classroom exercises for challenging social constructions of the body and sexuality
Authors: Fahs Breanne
Published: November 2011

Courses in women’s studies and gender studies within US contexts have long prioritized content that critically examines the social construction of bodies and sexualities, consciousness-raising about how social identities interface with disciplinary and institutional practices, and the notion that ‘the personal is political.’ This article examines the social and pedagogical implications of an extra-credit assignment where I asked women to grow out their body hair and men to remove their body hair for 10 weeks in several upper-division women’s studies courses. Students’ response papers and weekly logs from 87 students over four semesters highlighted the social policing of gender and sexual identity, pervasive disgust and misinformation about body hair, raced and classed dimensions of students’ experiences, configurations of masculinity as agentic and powerful, and postexperiential reflections on challenging social norms. This assignment showed how temporary excursions into rebelling against body norms can generate sociopolitical awareness, particularly for living as Other (e.g. queerness, fatness, disability). I also consider implications for ‘ripple effect pedagogy’ and ‘peer generated pedagogy,’ along with pedagogical reflections about using the assignment as a consciousness-raising tool in feminist classrooms.