bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
R&D MANAGEMENT OF JAPANESE PHARMACEUTICAL FIRMS
Authors: MAHLICH JÖRG
Published: July 2011

We analyze how Japanese pharmaceutical firms internationalized their research and development (R&D) investments during the 1980 and 1990s. In order to tap into foreign knowledge bases, they heavily invested in setting up R&D centers abroad. However, knowledge transfer, evidenced by international patent applications, was very limited during the early phase of globalization. As a response, Japanese firms have shifted their R&D strategy toward a better organizational integration of their foreign units.
IT GOVERNANCE DECISION SUPPORT USING THE IT ORGANIZATION MODELING AND ASSESMENT TOOL
Authors: SIMONSSON MÅRTEN , JOHNSON PONTUS , EKSTEDT MATHIAS , FLORES WALDO ROCHA
Published: July 2011

This paper describes the information technology (IT) organization modeling and assessment tool (ITOMAT) and how it can be used for IT governance decision making. The ITOMAT consists of an enterprise architecture metamodel that describes IT organizations. Further, ITOMAT contains a Bayesian network for making predictions on how changes to IT organization models will affect the IT governance performance as perceived by business stakeholders. Thorough case studies at 20 different companies have been conducted in order to calibrate the network. Finally, the paper describes a case study where ITOMAT was used to analyze the future impact of two IT organization change scenarios in a medium-sized engineering company.
R&D, RISK, AND PERFORMANCE IN THE SPANISH PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY: A STRATEGIC GROUP ANALYSIS
Authors: SUÁREZ-SERRANO EUGENIA , PIÑA-MAVAREZ ENZO
Published: July 2011

This paper shows an analysis of strategic groups in the Spanish pharmaceutical industry. The first results reveal that differences between company performance and strategic groups do not exist. However, taking into account the innovative process in the pharmaceutical industry, when considering the risk-adjusted results we have confirmed the existence of differences among the strategic groups for some of the used indicators. The combination of radical and low-impact innovations, production for third parties, and commercialization under licenses can offer a better performance than other groups focused exclusively in innovation or in specific market segments.
AN INNOVATIVE APPROACH TO EVALUATE GREEN SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT (GSCM) DRIVERS BY USING INTERPRETIVE STRUCTURAL MODELING (ISM)
Authors: REHMAN MINHAJ AHEMAD ABDUL , SHRIVASTAVA RAKESH L.
Published: July 2011

Green supply chain management (GSCM) comprises of the Manufacturing process that minimizes waste and pollution. It also integrates environmental thinking into supply chain management; from conceptual product design to the delivery of final product to the consumers, and also involves end-of-life management. Many business organizations have implemented GSCM and many more are in the process to put into practice. Its implementation is supported by few factors which are known as GSCM drivers. These drivers could assist in adoption of Green supply chain management. The aim of this paper is to develop a relationship amongst the identified GSC drivers; including management commitments, regulatory pressure etc. This paper is also helpful in understanding mutual influences of drivers, it helps in identifying those drivers which support other drivers as well as those drivers which are most influenced by other drivers (dependent) using interpretive structural modeling (ISM) and it classifies these drivers depending upon their driving and dependency on power.
NON-INVASIVE MEASUREMENT OF DEEP TISSUE TEMPERATURE CHANGES CAUSED BY APOPTOSIS DURING BREAST CANCER NEOADJUVANT CHEMOTHERAPY: A CASE STUDY
Authors: CHUNG SO HYUN , MEHTA RITA , TROMBERG BRUCE J. , YODH A. G.
Published: July 2011

Treatment-induced apoptosis of cancer cells is one goal of cancer therapy. Interestingly, more heat is generated by mitochondria during apoptosis, especially the uncoupled apoptotic state,1,2compared to the resting state. In this case study, we explore these thermal effects by longitudinally measuring temperature variations in a breast lesion of a pathological complete responder during neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). Diffuse Optical Spectroscopic Imaging (DOSI) was employed to derive absolute deep tissue temperature using subtle spectral features of the water peak at 975 nm.3A significant temperature increase was observed in time windows during the anthracycline and cyclophosphamide (AC) regimen but not in the paclitaxel and bevacizumab regimen. Hemoglobin concentration changes generally did not follow temperature, suggesting the measured temperature increases were likely due to mitochondrial uncoupling rather than a direct vascular effect. A simultaneous increase of tissue oxygen saturation with temperature was observed, suggesting that oxidative stress also contributes to apoptosis. Although preliminary, this study indicates longitudinal DOSI tissue temperature monitoring provides information that can improve our understanding of the mechanisms of tissue response during NAC.
Hypoxia elicits broad and systematic changes in protein subcellular localization
Authors: Henke Robert Michael , Dastidar Ranita Ghosh , Shah Ajit , Cadinu Daniela , Yao Xiao , Hooda Jagmohan , Zhang Li
Published: July 2011

Oxygen provides a crucial energy source in eukaryotic cells. Hence, eukaryotes ranging from yeast to humans have developed sophisticated mechanisms to respond to changes in oxygen levels. Regulation of protein localization, like protein modifications, can be an effective mechanism to control protein function and activity. However, the contribution of protein localization in oxygen signaling has not been examined on a genomewide scale. Here, we examine how hypoxia affects protein distribution on a genomewide scale in the model eukaryote, the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae . We demonstrate, by live cell imaging, that hypoxia alters the cellular distribution of 203 proteins in yeast. These hypoxia-redistributed proteins include an array of proteins with important functions in various organelles. Many of them are nuclear and are components of key regulatory complexes, such as transcriptional regulatory and chromatin remodeling complexes. Under hypoxia, these proteins are synthesized and retained in the cytosol. Upon reoxygenation, they relocalize effectively to their normal cellular compartments, such as the nucleus, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, and cell periphery. The resumption of the normal cellular locations of many proteins can occur even when protein synthesis is inhibited. Furthermore, we show that the changes in protein distribution induced by hypoxia follow a slower trajectory than those induced by reoxygenation. These results show that the regulation of protein localization is a common and potentially dominant mechanism underlying oxygen signaling and regulation. These results may have broad implications in understanding oxygen signaling and hypoxia responses in higher eukaryotes such as humans.
Rescue of the mutant CFTR chloride channel by pharmacological correctors and low temperature analyzed by gene expression profiling
Authors: Sondo Elvira , Tomati Valeria , Caci Emanuela , Esposito Alessia Isabella , Pfeffer Ulrich , Pedemonte Nicoletta , Galietta Luis J. V.
Published: July 2011

The F508del mutation, the most frequent in cystic fibrosis (CF), impairs the maturation of the CFTR chloride channel. The F508del defect can be partially overcome at low temperature (27°C) or with pharmacological correctors. However, the efficacy of correctors on the mutant protein appears to be dependent on the cell expression system. We have used a bronchial epithelial cell line, CFBE41o−, to determine the efficacy of various known treatments and to discover new correctors. Compared with other cell types, CFBE41o− shows the largest response to low temperature and the lowest one to correctors such as corr-4a and VRT-325. A screening of a small-molecule library identified 9-aminoacridine and ciclopirox, which were significantly more effective than corr-4a and VRT-325. Analysis with microarrays revealed that 9-aminoacridine, ciclopirox, and low temperature, in contrast to corr-4a, cause a profound change in cell transcriptome. These data suggest that 9-aminoacridine and ciclopirox act on F508del-CFTR maturation as proteostasis regulators, a mechanism already proposed for the histone deacetylase inhibitor suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA). However, we found that 9-aminoacridine, ciclopirox, and SAHA, in contrast to corr-4a, VRT-325, and low temperature, do not increase chloride secretion in primary bronchial epithelial cells from CF patients. These conflicting data appeared to be correlated with different gene expression signatures generated by these treatments in the cell line and in primary bronchial epithelial cells. Our results suggest that F508del-CFTR correctors acting by altering the cell transcriptome may be particularly active in heterologous expression systems but markedly less effective in native epithelial cells.
The α7β1-integrin accelerates fiber hypertrophy and myogenesis following a single bout of eccentric exercise
Authors: Lueders Tara N. , Zou Kai , Huntsman Heather D. , Meador Benjamin , Mahmassani Ziad , Abel Megan , Valero M. Carmen , Huey Kimberly A. , Boppart Marni D.
Published: July 2011

The α7β1-integrin is a heterodimeric transmembrane protein that adheres to laminin in the extracellular matrix, representing a critical link that maintains structure in skeletal muscle. In addition to preventing exercise-induced skeletal muscle injury, the α7-integrin has been proposed to act as an intrinsic mechanosensor, initiating cellular growth in response to mechanical strain. The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which the α7-integrin regulates muscle hypertrophy following eccentric exercise. Wild-type (WT) and α7-integrin transgenic (α7Tg) mice completed a single bout of downhill running exercise (−20°, 17 m/min, 60 min), and gastrocnemius-soleus complexes were collected 1, 2, 4, and 7 days (D) postexercise (PE). Maximal isometric force was maintained and macrophage accumulation was suppressed in α7Tg muscle 1D PE. Mean fiber cross-sectional area was unaltered in WT mice but increased 40% in α7Tg mice 7D PE. In addition, a rapid and striking fivefold increase in embryonic myosin heavy chain-positive fibers appeared in α7Tg mice 2D PE. Although Pax7-positive satellite cells were increased in α7Tg muscle 1D PE, the number of nuclei per myofiber was not altered 7D PE. Phosphorylation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) was significantly elevated in α7Tg 1D PE. This study provides the first demonstration that the presence of the α7β1-integrin in skeletal muscle increases fiber hypertrophy and new fiber synthesis in the early time course following a single bout of eccentric exercise. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the precise mechanism by which the α7-integrin can enhance muscle hypertrophy following exercise.
ENaC structure and function in the wake of a resolved structure of a family member
Authors: Kashlan Ossama B. , Kleyman Thomas R.
Published: July 2011

Our understanding of epithelial Na+channel (ENaC) structure and function has been profoundly impacted by the resolved structure of the homologous acid-sensing ion channel 1 (ASIC1). The structure of the extracellular and pore regions provide insight into channel assembly, processing, and the ability of these channels to sense the external environment. The absence of intracellular structures precludes insight into important interactions with intracellular factors that regulate trafficking and function. The primary sequences of ASIC1 and ENaC subunits are well conserved within the regions that are within or in close proximity to the plasma membrane, but poorly conserved in peripheral domains that may functionally differentiate family members. This review examines functional data, including ion selectivity, gating, and amiloride block, in light of the resolved ASIC1 structure.
Effect of hypokalemia on renal expression of the ammonia transporter family members, Rh B Glycoprotein and Rh C Glycoprotein, in the rat kidney
Authors: Han Ki-Hwan , Lee Hyun-Wook , Handlogten Mary E. , Bishop Jesse M. , Levi Moshe , Kim Jin , Verlander Jill W. , Weiner I. David
Published: July 2011

Hypokalemia is a common electrolyte disorder that increases renal ammonia metabolism and can cause the development of an acid-base disorder, metabolic alkalosis. The ammonia transporter family members, Rh B glycoprotein (Rhbg) and Rh C glycoprotein (Rhcg), are expressed in the distal nephron and collecting duct and mediate critical roles in acid-base homeostasis by facilitating ammonia secretion. In the current studies, the effect of hypokalemia on renal Rhbg and Rhcg expression was examined. Normal Sprague-Dawley rats received either K+-free or control diets for 2 wk. Rats receiving the K+-deficient diet developed hypokalemia and metabolic alkalosis associated with significant increases in both urinary ammonia excretion and urine pH. Rhcg expression increased in the outer medullary collecting duct (OMCD). In OMCD intercalated cells, hypokalemia resulted in more discrete apical Rhcg expression and a marked increase in apical plasma membrane immunolabel. In principal cells, in the OMCD, hypokalemia increased both apical and basolateral Rhcg immunolabel intensity. Cortical Rhcg expression was not detectably altered by immunohistochemistry, although there was a slight decrease in total expression by immunoblot analysis. Rhbg protein expression was decreased slightly in the cortex and not detectably altered in the outer medulla. We conclude that in rat OMCD, hypokalemia increases Rhcg expression, causes more polarized apical expression in intercalated cells, and increases both apical and basolateral expression in the principal cell. Increased plasma membrane Rhcg expression in response to hypokalemia in the rat, particularly in the OMCD, likely contributes to the increased ammonia excretion and thereby to the development of metabolic alkalosis.
Neural decoding of treadmill walking from noninvasive electroencephalographic signals
Authors: Presacco Alessandro , Goodman Ronald , Forrester Larry , Contreras-Vidal Jose Luis
Published: July 2011

Chronic recordings from ensembles of cortical neurons in primary motor and somatosensory areas in rhesus macaques provide accurate information about bipedal locomotion (Fitzsimmons NA, Lebedev MA, Peikon ID, Nicolelis MA. Front Integr Neurosci 3: 3, 2009). Here we show that the linear and angular kinematics of the ankle, knee, and hip joints during both normal and precision (attentive) human treadmill walking can be inferred from noninvasive scalp electroencephalography (EEG) with decoding accuracies comparable to those from neural decoders based on multiple single-unit activities (SUAs) recorded in nonhuman primates. Six healthy adults were recorded. Participants were asked to walk on a treadmill at their self-selected comfortable speed while receiving visual feedback of their lower limbs (i.e., precision walking), to repeatedly avoid stepping on a strip drawn on the treadmill belt. Angular and linear kinematics of the left and right hip, knee, and ankle joints and EEG were recorded, and neural decoders were designed and optimized with cross-validation procedures. Of note, the optimal set of electrodes of these decoders were also used to accurately infer gait trajectories in a normal walking task that did not require subjects to control and monitor their foot placement. Our results indicate a high involvement of a fronto-posterior cortical network in the control of both precision and normal walking and suggest that EEG signals can be used to study in real time the cortical dynamics of walking and to develop brain-machine interfaces aimed at restoring human gait function.
Physiological evidence that d-aspartate activates a current distinct from ionotropic glutamate receptor currents in Aplysia californica neurons
Authors: Carlson Stephen L. , Fieber Lynne A.
Published: July 2011

d-Aspartate (d-Asp) activates an excitatory current in neurons of Aplysia californica. Although d-Asp is presumed to activate a subset of l-glutamate (l-Glu) channels, the identities of putative d-Asp receptors and channels are unclear. Whole cell voltage- and current-clamp studies using primary cultures of Aplysia buccal S cluster (BSC) neurons were executed to characterize d-Asp-activated ion channels. Both d-Asp and l-Glu evoked currents with similar current-voltage relationships, amplitudes, and relatively slow time courses of activation and inactivation when agonists were pressure applied. d-Asp-induced currents, however, were faster and desensitized longer, requiring 40 s to return to full amplitude. Of cells exposed to both agonists, 25% had d-Asp- but not l-Glu-induced currents, suggesting a receptor for d-Asp that was independent of l-Glu receptors. d-Asp channels were permeable to Na+ and K+, but not Ca2+, and were vulnerable to voltage-dependent Mg2+ block similarly to vertebrate NMDA receptor (NMDAR) channels. d-Asp may activate both NMDARs and non-l-Glu receptors in the nervous system of Aplysia.
Bilateral oscillatory hip movements induce windup of multijoint lower extremity spastic reflexes in chronic spinal cord injury
Authors: Onushko Tanya , Hyngstrom Allison , Schmit Brian D.
Published: July 2011

After spinal cord injury (SCI), alterations in intrinsic motoneuron properties have been shown to be partly responsible for spastic reflex behaviors in human SCI. In particular, a dysregulation of voltage-dependent depolarizing persistent inward currents (PICs) may permit sustained muscle contraction after the removal of a brief excitatory stimulus. Windup, in which the motor response increases with repeated activation, is an indicator of PICs. Although windup of homonymous stretch reflexes has been shown, multijoint muscle activity is often observed following imposed limb movements and may exhibit a similar windup phenomenon. The purpose of this study was to identify and quantify windup of multijoint reflex responses to repeated imposed hip oscillations. Ten chronic SCI subjects participated in this study. A custom-built servomotor apparatus was used to oscillate the legs about the hip joint bilaterally and unilaterally from 10° of extension to 40° flexion for 10 consecutive cycles. Surface electromyograms (EMGs) and joint torques were recorded from both legs. Consistent with a windup response, hip and knee flexion/extension and ankle plantarflexion torque and EMG responses varied according to movement cycle number. The temporal patterns of windup depended on the muscle groups that were activated, which may suggest a difference in the response of neurons in different spinal pathways. Furthermore, because windup was seen in muscles that were not being stretched, these results imply that changes in interneuronal properties are also likely to be associated with windup of spastic reflexes in human SCI.
Inkjet-Printed Organic Field-Effect Transistor by Using Composite Semiconductor Material of Carbon Nanoparticles and Poly(3-Hexylthiophene)
Authors: Lin Chih-Ting , Hsu Chun-Hao , Lee Chang-Hung , Wu Wen-Jung
Published: July 2011

Poly(3-hexylthiophene), P3HT, has been widely used in organic electronics as a semiconductor material. It suffers from the low carrier mobility characteristics. This limits P3HT to be employed in applications. Therefore, the blending semiconductor material, carbon nanoparticle (CNP), and P3HT, are developed and examined by inkjet-printing organic field-effect transistor technology in this work. The effective carrier mobility of fabricated OFETs can be enhanced by 8 folds with adding CNP and using O2plasma treatment. At the same time, the transconductance of fabricated OFETs is also raised by 5 folds. Based on the observations of SEM, XRD, and FTIR, these improvements are contributed to the local field induced by the formation of CNP/P3HT complexes. This observation presents an insight of the development in organic semiconductor materials. Moreover, this work also offers a low-cost and effective semiconductor material for inkjet-printing technology in the development of organic electronics.
An Analysis of Vegetation Change Trends and Their Causes in Inner Mongolia, China from 1982 to 2006
Authors: Li Baolin , Yu Wanli , Wang Juan
Published: July 2011

This paper presents the vegetation change trends and their causes in the Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region, China from 1982 to 2006. We used National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) data to determine the vegetation change trends based on regression model by fitting simple linear regression through the time series of the integrated Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) in the growing season for each pixel and calculating the slopes. We also explored the relationship between vegetation change trends and climatic and anthropogenic factors. This paper indicated that a large portion of the study area (17%) had experienced a significant vegetation increase at the 0.05 level from 1982 to 2006. The significant vegetation increase showed no positive link with precipitation and was mainly caused by human activities. In or to the south of Horqin Sandy Land, in the Hetao Plain, and at the northern foothills of the YinshanMountain, the significant NDVI increase trends were mainly caused by the increase of the millet yield per unit of cropland. In the east of Ordos Plateau, the significant NDVI increase trends were mainly determined by the fencing and planting of grasses and trees on grassland.
Sharp Estimates of m‐Linear p‐Adic Hardy and Hardy‐Littlewood‐Pólya Operators
Authors: Wu Qingyan , Fu Zunwei
Published: July 2011

The sharp estimates of the m‐linear p‐adic Hardy and Hardy‐Littlewood‐Pólya operators on Lebesgue spaces with power weights are obtained in this paper.
Diagnosis of Single- or Multiple-Canal Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo according to the Type of Nystagmus
Authors: Balatsouras Dimitris G. , Koukoutsis George , Ganelis Panayotis , Korres George S. , Kaberos Antonis
Published: July 2011

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is a common peripheral vestibular disorder encountered in primary care and specialist otolaryngology and neurology clinics. It is associated with a characteristic paroxysmal positional nystagmus, which can be elicited with specific diagnostic positional maneuvers, such as the Dix-Hallpike test and the supine roll test. Current clinical research focused on diagnosing and treating various types of BPPV, according to the semicircular canal involved and according to the implicated pathogenetic mechanism. Cases of multiple-canal BPPV have been specifically investigated because until recently these were resistant to treatment with standard canalith repositioning procedures. Probably, the most significant factor in diagnosis of the type of BPPV is observation of the provoked nystagmus, during the diagnostic positional maneuvers. We describe in detail the various types of nystagmus, according to the canals involved, which are the keypoint to accurate diagnosis.
Pregnancy after Bariatric Surgery: A Review
Authors: Hezelgrave N. L. , Oteng-Ntim Eugene
Published: July 2011

Maternal obesity is a major cause of obstetric morbidity and mortality. With surgical procedures to facilitate weight loss becoming more widely available and demanded and increasing number of women becoming pregnant after undergoing bariatric surgery, it is important and timely to consider the outcome of pregnancy following bariatric surgery. This paper aims to synthesize the current evidence regarding pregnancy outcomes after bariatric surgery. It concludes that bariatric surgery appears to have positive effects on fertility and reduces the risk of gestational diabetes and preeclampsia. Moreover, there appears to be a reduced incidence of fetal macrosomia post-bariatric procedure, although there remains uncertainty about the increased rates of small-for-gestational age and intrauterine growth restricted infants, as well as premature rupture of membranes in this group. A number of case reports highlight that pregnancy following bariatric surgery is not without complications and it must be managed as high risk by the multidisciplinary team.
Direct Laser Cladding of Cobalt on Ti-6Al-4V with a Compositionally Graded Interface
Authors: Dutta Majumdar Jyotsna
Published: July 2011

Direct laser cladding of cobalt on Ti-6Al-4V with and without a graded interface has been attempted using a continuous wave CO2laser. Graded interface is developed by depositing a thin copper layer on Ti-6Al-4V substrate prior to multiple laser cladding of cobalt on it. Presence of copper interlayer was found to suppress the formation of brittle intermetallics of Ti and Co. The effect of process parameters on the microstructures, compositions, and phases of the interface was studied in details. Finally, the mechanical and electrochemical properties of the interface processed under optimum process parameters are reported.
Dormancy Breaking inOrmosia arboreaSeeds
Authors: Gonçalves Edilma Pereira , Soares Franklim Sales de Jesus , Silva Sérgio dos Santos , Tavares Débora de Souza , Viana Jeandson Silva , Cardoso Brenda Colleen Clifton
Published: July 2011

Ormosia arboreais a tree species planted in urban areas and used to restore degraded areas. Its seeds are dormant and propagation is difficult. This study compares different dormancy breaking methods and physiological seed quality and seedling production. The seeds were germinated in sand in the laboratory of the Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Ilhéus, Bahia, Brazil. The following dormancy breaking treatments were applied: control (intact seeds), 100°C water immersion; boiling water immersion followed by 24 hours of soaking; scarification with number 100 and number 50 sandpaper opposite from root emergence; sulfuric acid immersion for 1 hour, 50, 45, and 30 minutes. Seed immersion in 100°C and boiling water did not break the dormancy. The study species showed a greater vigor of seedling when its seeds were submitted to treatments associated with tegument rupturing by sandpaper or sulfuric acid. On the other hand, seed scarification with sulfuric acid for 1 hour, 50, 45, and 30 minutes or sandpaper favored seed germination and vigor.
Case Report: Gastric Carcinoma Diagnosed at the Second Trimester of Pregnancy
Authors: Cift Tayfur , Aydogan Begüm , Akbaş Murat , Aydın Burcu , Demirkiran Fuat , Bakkaloglu Dogu V. , Ilvan Sennur
Published: July 2011

We report a rare case of gastric cancer in pregnancy. A 26-year-old woman presented at the 20th week of pregnancy complaining of nausea and vomiting. Although the patient considered the condition to be related with pregnancy and underestimated its importance, her complaints persisted over the following weeks and she was hospitalized for investigation. The diagnostic workup revealed a metastatic gastric cancer. Gastric cancer is very rare in pregnancy, and therefore it may be left out of differential diagnosis by physicians. Diagnosis may be further delayed because of overlapping symptoms occurring during normal pregnancy (nausea, vomiting, and fatigue). All these factors may contribute to a very high mortality of this malignancy during pregnancy.
Dynamics and Control of High-Rise Buildings under Multidirectional Wind Loads
Authors: Aly Aly Mousaad , Zasso Alberto , Resta Ferruccio
Published: July 2011

This paper presents a procedure for the response prediction and reduction in high-rise buildings under multidirectional wind loads. The procedure is applied to a very slender tall building that is instructive. The structure is exposed to both cross-wind and along-wind loads obtained from pressure measurements on a rigid model (scaled 1 : 100) that was tested in a wind tunnel with two different configurations of the surroundings. In the theoretical formulation, dynamic equations of the structure are introduced by finite element and 3D lumped mass modeling. The lateral responses of the building in the two directions are controlled at the same time using tuned mass dampers (TMDs) and active tuned mass dampers (ATMDs) commanded by LQR and fuzzy logic controllers, while the effects of the uncontrolled torsional response of the structure are simultaneously considered. Besides their simplicity, fuzzy logic controllers showed similar trend as LQR controllers under multidirectional wind loads. Nevertheless, the procedure presented in this study can help decision makers, involved in the design process, to choose among innovative solutions like structural control, different damping techniques, modifying geometry, or even changing materials.
Weather Derivatives and Stochastic Modelling of Temperature
Authors: Benth Fred Espen , Šaltytė Benth Jūratė
Published: July 2011

We propose a continuous-time autoregressive model for the temperature dynamics with volatility being the product of a seasonal function and a stochastic process. We use the Barndorff-Nielsen and Shephard model for the stochastic volatility. The proposed temperature dynamics is flexible enough to model temperature data accurately, and at the same time being analytically tractable. Futures prices for commonly traded contracts at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange on indices like cooling- and heating-degree days and cumulative average temperatures are computed, as well as option prices on them.
Characterizations of InN Thin Films Grown on Si (110) Substrate by Reactive Sputtering
Authors: Amirhoseiny M. , Hassan Z. , Ng S. S. , Ahmad M. A.
Published: July 2011

Indium nitride (InN) thin films were deposited onto Si (110) by reactive sputtering and pure In target at ambient temperature. The effects of the Ar–N2sputtering gas mixture on the structural properties of the films were investigated by using scanning electron microscope, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and X-ray diffraction techniques. The optical properties of InN layers were examined by micro-Raman and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) reflectance spectroscopy at room temperature. Structural analysis specified nanocrystalline structure with crystal size of 15.87 nm, 16.65 nm, and 41.64 nm for InN films grown at N2 : Ar ratio of 100 : 0, 75 : 25, and 50 : 50, respectively. The Raman spectra indicates well defined peaks at 578, 583, and 583 cm−1, which correspond to the A1(LO) phonon of the hexagonal InN films grown at gas ratios of 100 : 0, 75 : 25 and 50 : 50 N2 : Ar, respectively. Results of FTIR spectroscopy show the clearly visible TO [E1(TO)] phonon mode of the InN at 479 cm−1just for film that were deposited at 50 : 50 N2 : Ar. The X-ray diffraction results indicate that the layers consist of InN nanocrystals. The highest intensity of InN (101) peak and the best nanocrystalline InN films can be seen under the deposition condition with N2 : Ar gas mixture of 50 : 50.
Complications, Urinary Continence, and Oncologic Outcomes of Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy: Single-Surgeon Experience for the First 100 Cases
Authors: Imamoto Takashi , Goto Yusuke , Utsumi Takanobu , Fuse Miki , Kawamura Koji , Kamiya Naoto , Naya Yukio , Suzuki Hiroyoshi , Kondo Yukihiro , Ichikawa Tomohiko
Published: July 2011

Objective. The aim of the present study was to evaluate initial learning curves of laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) with regard to complications, urinary continence, and oncologic outcome.Materials and Methods. We retrospectively reviewed 100 consecutive patients with clinically localized prostate cancer. All 100 patients underwent LRP performed by the same urologist at one institution.Results: Mean operating time (208.4±48.6 min), estimated blood loss (495.8±436.5 mL), allogeneic blood transfusion rate (0%), and intraoperative complications diminished with surgical experience. Positive margin rate varied greatly among pathological stage (positive margin rates: pT2 = 20.5%; pT3 = 63.0%). A trend towards reduction of positive surgical margins in pT2 cases was apparent with increasing experience. Intraoperative and early complications occurred in 2.0% of patients. In all patients, 85.9% used none or no more than one pad per 24 h at 6 months postoperatively. Prostate-specific antigen recurrence was seen in only 2 patients.Conclusions. In the present series of 100 patients, our retrospective evaluation confirms that LRP provides satisfactory results.
Precessing Ball Solitons in Kinetics of a Spin-Flop Phase Transition
Authors: Nietz V. V.
Published: July 2011

The fundamentals of precessing ball solitons (PBS), arising as a result of the energy fluctuations during spin-flop phase transition induced by a magnetic field in antiferromagnets with uniaxial anisotropy, are presented. The PBS conditions exist within a wide range of amplitudes and energies, including negative energies relative to an initial condition. For each value of the magnetic field, there exists a precession frequency for which a curve of PBS energy passes through a zero value (in bifurcation point), and hence, in the vicinity of this point the PBS originate with the highest probability. The characteristics of PBS, including the time dependences of configuration, energy, and precession frequency, are considered. As a result of dissipation, the PBS transform into the macroscopic domains of a new phase.
Oxidative Toxicity in Neurodegenerative Diseases: Role of Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Therapeutic Strategies
Authors: Facecchia Katie , Fochesato Lee-Anne , Ray Sidhartha D. , Stohs Sidney J. , Pandey Siyaram
Published: July 2011

Besides fluorine, oxygen is the most electronegative element with the highest reduction potential in biological systems. Metabolic pathways in mammalian cells utilize oxygen as the ultimate oxidizing agent to harvest free energy. They are very efficient, but not without risk of generating various oxygen radicals. These cells have good antioxidative defense mechanisms to neutralize these radicals and prevent oxidative stress. However, increased oxidative stress results in oxidative modifications in lipid, protein, and nucleic acids, leading to mitochondrial dysfunction and cell death. Oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction have been implicated in many neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and stroke-related brain damage. Research has indicated mitochondria play a central role in cell suicide. An increase in oxidative stress causes mitochondrial dysfunction, leading to more production of reactive oxygen species and eventually mitochondrial membrane permeabilization. Once the mitochondria are destabilized, cells are destined to commit suicide. Therefore, antioxidative agents alone are not sufficient to protect neuronal loss in many neurodegenerative diseases. Combinatorial treatment with antioxidative agents could stabilize mitochondria and may be the most suitable strategy to prevent neuronal loss. This review discusses recent work related to oxidative toxicity in the central nervous system and strategies to treat neurodegenerative diseases.
Inhalation ofOrtho-Phthalaldehyde Vapor Causes Respiratory Sensitization in Mice
Authors: Johnson Victor J. , Reynolds Jeffrey S. , Wang Wei , Fluharty Kara , Yucesoy Berran
Published: July 2011

Ortho-Phthalaldehyde (OPA) has been approved for high-level sterilization of heat-sensitive medical instruments and is increasingly being used as a replacement in the healthcare industry for glutaraldehyde, a known sensitizer. Numerous case reports have been published indicating workers and patients experiencing respiratory problems, anaphylaxis, skin reactivity, and systemic antibody production. Our laboratory previously demonstrated that OPA is a dermal sensitizer in mice. The goal of the present study was to determine if OPA is a respiratory sensitizer following inhalation exposure. Mice were exposed to OPA vapor and airway and lymph nodes were examined for cytokine gene expression and alterations in lymphocyte populations. Inhalation of OPA for 3 days resulted in a concentration-dependent increase in lymphocyte proliferation, mainly B lymphocytes, in the draining lymph nodes. A secondary challenge of mice with OPA resulted in a dramatic increase in the population of B lymphocytes expressing IgE. Expression of Th2 (IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13) and anti/proinflammatory (IL-10, TNFα, and IL-1β) cytokine genes was upregulated in the lymph nodes and the nasal mucosa. Mice exposed to the higher concentrations of OPA-produced OPA-specific IgG1antibodies indicating systemic sensitization. These findings provide evidence that OPA has the potential to cause respiratory sensitization in mice.
On a Batch Arrival Queuing System Equipped with a Stand‐by Server during Vacation Periods or the Repairs Times of the Main Server
Authors: Khalaf Rehab F. , Madan Kailash C. , Lukas Cormac A.
Published: July 2011

We study a queuing system which is equipped with a stand‐by server in addition to the main server. The stand‐by server provides service to customers only during the period of absence of the main server when either the main server is on a vacation or it is in the state of repairs due to a sudden failure from time to time. The service times, vacation times, and repair times are assumed to follow general arbitrary distributions while the stand‐by service times follow exponential distribution. Supplementary variables technique has been used to obtain steady state results in explicit and closed form in terms of the probability generating functions for the number of customers in the queue, the average number of customers, and the average waiting time in the queue while the MathCad software has been used to illustrate the numerical results in this work.
SPECT Imaging of Epilepsy: An Overview and Comparison with F-18 FDG PET
Authors: Kim Sunhee , Mountz James M.
Published: July 2011

Epilepsy surgery is highly effective in treating refractory epilepsy, but requires accurate presurgical localization of the epileptogenic focus. Briefly, localization of the region of seizure onset traditionally dependents on seizure semiology, scalp EEG recordings and correlation with anatomical imaging modalities such as MRI. The introduction of noninvasive functional neuroimaging methods, including single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET) has dramatically changed the method for presurgical epilepsy evaluation. These imaging modalities have become powerful tools for the investigation of brain function and are an essential part of the evaluation of epileptic patients. Of these methods, SPECT has the practical capacity to image blood flow functional changes that occur during seizures in the routine clinical setting. In this review we present the basic principles of epilepsy SPECT and PET imaging. We discuss the properties of the SPECT tracers to be used for this purpose and imaging acquisition protocols as well as the diagnostic performance of SPECT in addition to SPECT image analysis methods. This is followed by a discussion and comparison to F-18 FDG PET acquisition and imaging analysis methods.
Bacterial Isolates and Antibiotic Sensitivity among Gambian Children with Severe Acute Malnutrition
Authors: Okomo Uduak A. , Garba Danlami , Fombah Augustin E. , Secka Ousman , Ikumapayi Usman N. A. , Udo Jacob. J. , Ota Martin O. C.
Published: July 2011

Background. Establishing the pattern of infection and antimicrobial sensitivities in the local environment is critical to rational use of antibiotics and the development of management algorithms.Methods. Morbidity history and physical examination of 140 children with severe acute malnutrition were recorded. Their blood, stool, and urine samples were cultured and antibiotic sensitivity patterns determined for any bacterial pathogens isolated.Results. Thirty-eight children had a pathogen isolated from blood culture, 60% of which were considered contaminants. Coagulase negative staphylococcus was the predominant contaminant, while the major causes of bacteraemia were nontyphoidalSalmonella(13%),S. pneumoniae(10%), andE. coli(8%).E. coliaccounted for 58% of the urinary isolates. No pathogen was isolated from stool. In vitro sensitivity by disk diffusion showed that 87.5% of the isolates were sensitive to ampicillin and/or gentamicin and 84.4% (27/32) to penicillin and/or gentamicin.Conclusions. A combination of ampicillin and gentamicin provides adequate antibiotic cover for severely malnourished children in The Gambia.
Evaluation of Heart Rate Variation Analysis during Rest and Tilting in Patients with Temporal Lobe Epilepsy
Authors: Ansakorpi Hanna , Korpelainen Juha T. , Suominen Kalervo , Tolonen Uolevi , Bloigu Risto , Myllylä Vilho V. , Isojärvi Jouko I. T.
Published: July 2011

Objective. To evaluate spectral heart rate (HR) variation using short-term ECG recordings at rest and during the tilt table test.Methods. The values of spectral components of total power (TP), high-frequency power (HF), low-frequency power (LF) and LF: HF ratio were measured at rest and during the head-up tilt in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and their control subjects.Results. Compared to the control subjects, patients with TLE had lower HF () and LF : HF ratio () at rest and lower TP (), HF (), and LF () during the head-up tilt. Upon changing from supine to standing position TP () and LF () were attenuated in patients with TLE compared to the control subjects.Conclusion. These results suggest that spectral analysis of HR variation from ECG recordings of short duration may add value to assessment of autonomic nervous system function using autonomic cardiac tests in patients with TLE.
Approximation for the Finite‐Time Ruin Probability of a General Risk Model with Constant Interest Rate and Extended Negatively Dependent Heavy‐Tailed Claims
Authors: Yang Yang , Ma Xin , Lin Jin-guan
Published: July 2011

We propose a general continuous‐time risk model with a constant interest rate. In this model, claims arrive according to an arbitrary counting process, while their sizes have dominantly varying tails and fulfill an extended negative dependence structure. We obtain an asymptotic formula for the finite‐time ruin probability, which extends a corresponding result of Wang (2008).
Involvement of Phosphatases in Proliferation, Maturation, and Hemoglobinization of Developing Erythroid Cells
Authors: Fibach Eitan
Published: July 2011

Production of RBCs is triggered by the action of erythropoietin (Epo) through its binding to surface receptors (Epo-R) on erythroid precursors in the bone marrow. The intensity and the duration of the Epo signal are regulated by several factors, including the balance between the activities of kinesase and phosphatases. The Epo signal determines the proliferation and maturation of the precursors into hemoglobin (Hb)-containing RBCs. The activity of various protein tyrosine phosphatases, including those involved in the Epo pathway, can be inhibited by sodium orthovanadate (Na3VO4, vanadate). Adding vanadate to cultured erythroid precursors of normal donors and patients withβ-thalassemia enhanced cell proliferation and arrested maturation. This was associated with an increased production of fetal hemoglobin (HbF). Increased HbF in patients withβ-hemoglobinopathies (β-thalassemia and sickle cell disease) ameliorates the clinical symptoms of the disease. These results raise the possibility that specific and nontoxic inhibitors of phosphatases may be considered as a therapeutic modality for elevating HbF in patients withβ-hemoglobinopathies as well as for intensifying the Epo response in other forms of anemia.
Diagnosis of Bilateral Tonsil Cancers via Staging PET/CT: Case Report and Review
Authors: Mannina Edward M. , Pejavar Sunanda M. , Glastonbury Christine M. , van Zante Annemieke , Wang Steven J. , Yom Sue S.
Published: July 2011

Diagnostic workup of metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma of unknown primary site has traditionally included CT and/or MRI imaging and endoscopic biopsies. Routine bilateral tonsillectomy is highly controversial and the role of PET/CT is evolving, both for identification of potential primary sites and the detection of distant metastases. We report a case of cervical nodal metastasis of squamous cell carcinoma from an unknown primary site, in which dual-modality PET/CT led to the unexpected diagnosis of synchronous bilateral tonsillar cancers. In addition, PET/CT correctly distinguished pulmonary sarcoidosis from metastatic disease in this patient.
Generalized Systems of Variational Inequalities and Projection Methods for Inverse‐Strongly Monotone Mappings
Authors: Kumam Wiyada , Junlouchai Prapairat , Kumam Poom
Published: July 2011

We introduce an iterative sequence for finding a common element of the set of fixed points of a nonexpansive mapping and the solutions of the variational inequality problem for three inverse‐strongly monotone
mappings. Under suitable conditions, some strong convergence theorems for approximating a common element of the above two sets are obtained. Moreover, using the above theorem, we also apply to find solutions of a general system of variational inequality and a zero of a maximal monotone operator in a real Hilbert space. As applications, at the end of the paper we utilize our results to study some convergence problem
for strictly pseudocontractive mappings. Our results include the previous results as special cases extend
and improve the results of Ceng et al., (2008) and many others.
Antiangiogenic Therapy for Patients with Recurrent and Newly Diagnosed Malignant Gliomas
Authors: Shirai Katsuyuki , Siedow Michael R. , Chakravarti Arnab
Published: July 2011

Malignant gliomas have a poor prognosis despite advances in diagnosis and therapy. Although postoperative temozolomide and radiotherapy improve overall survival in glioblastoma patients, most patients experience a recurrence. The prognosis of recurrent malignant gliomas is dismal, and more effective therapeutic strategies are clearly needed. Antiangiogenesis is currently considered an attractive targeting therapy for malignant gliomas due to its important role in tumor growth. Clinical trials using bevacizumab have been performed for recurrent glioblastoma, and these studies have shown promising response rates along with progression-free survival. Based on the encouraging results, bevacizumab was approved by the FDA for the treatment of recurrent glioblastoma. In addition, bevacizumab has shown to be effective for recurrent anaplastic gliomas. Large phase III studies are currently ongoing to demonstrate the efficacy and safety of the addition of bevacizumab to temozolomide and radiotherapy for newly diagnosed glioblastoma. In contrast, several other antiangiogenic drugs have also been used in clinical trials. However, previous studies have not shown whether antiangiogenesis improves the overall survival of malignant gliomas. Specific severe side effects, difficult assessment of response, and lack of rational predictive markers are challenging problems. Further studies are warranted to establish the optimized antiangiogenesis therapy for malignant gliomas.