bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Degradation Issues in Solid Oxide Cells During High Temperature Electrolysis
Authors: Sohal M. S. , O’Brien J. E. , Stoots C. M. , Sharma V. I. , Yildiz B. , Virkar A.
Published: December 2011

Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is performing high-temperature electrolysis research to generate hydrogen using solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOECs). The project goals are to address the technical and degradation issues associated with the SOECs. This paper provides a summary of various ongoing INL and INL sponsored activities aimed at addressing SOEC degradation. These activities include stack testing, post-test examination, degradation modeling, and a list of issues that need to be addressed in future. Major degradation issues relating to solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) are relatively better understood than those for SOECs. Some of the degradation mechanisms in SOFCs include contact problems between adjacent cell components, microstructural deterioration (coarsening) of the porous electrodes, and blocking of the reaction sites within the electrodes. Contact problems include delamination of an electrode from the electrolyte, growth of a poorly (electronically) conducting oxide layer between the metallic interconnect plates and the electrodes, and lack of contact between the interconnect and the electrode. INL’s test results on high temperature electrolysis (HTE) using solid oxide cells do not provide clear evidence of whether different events lead to similar or drastically different electrochemical degradation mechanisms. Post-test examination of the solid oxide electrolysis cells showed that the hydrogen electrode and interconnect get partially oxidized and become nonconductive. This is most likely caused by the hydrogen stream composition and flow rate during cool down. The oxygen electrode side of the stacks seemed to be responsible for the observed degradation due to large areas of electrode delamination. Based on the oxygen electrode appearance, the degradation of these stacks was largely controlled by the oxygen electrode delamination rate. Virkar and co-workers have developed a SOEC model based on concepts in local thermodynamic equilibrium in systems otherwise in global thermodynamic nonequilibrium. This model is under continued development. It shows that electronic conduction through the electrolyte, however small, must be taken into account for determining local oxygen chemical potential, within the electrolyte. The chemical potential within the electrolyte may lie out of bounds in relation to values at the electrodes in the electrolyzer mode. Under certain conditions, high pressures can develop in the electrolyte just under the oxygen electrode (anode)/electrolyte interface, leading to electrode delamination. This theory is being further refined and tested by introducing some electronic conduction in the electrolyte.
A New Method for Dynamic Modeling of Flexible-Link Flexible-Joint Manipulators
Authors: Vakil M. , Fotouhi R. , Nikiforuk P. N.
Published: December 2011

In this article, by combining the assumed mode shape method and the Lagrange’s equations, a new and efficient method is introduced to obtain a closed-form finite dimensional dynamic model for planar Flexible-link Flexible-joint Manipulators (FFs). To derive the dynamic model, this new method separates (disassembles) a FF into two subsystems. The first subsystem is the counterpart of the FF but without joints’ flexibilities and rotors’ mass moment of inertias; this subsystem is referred to as a Flexible-link Rigid-joint manipulator (FR). The second subsystem has the joints’ flexibilities and rotors’ mass moment of inertias, which are excluded from the FR; this subsystem is called Flexible-Inertia entities (FI). While the method proposed here employs the Lagrange’s equations, it neither requires the derivation of the lengthy Lagrangian function nor its complex derivative calculations. This new method only requires the Lagrangain function evaluation and its derivative calculations for a Single Flexible link manipulator on a Moving base (SFM). By using the dynamic model of a SFM and the Lagrange multipliers, the dynamic model of the FR is first obtained in terms of the dependent generalized coordinates. This dynamic model is then projected into the tangent space of the constraint manifold by the use of the natural orthogonal complement of the Jacobian constraint matrix. Therefore, the dynamic model of the FR is obtained in terms of the independent generalized coordinates and without the Lagrange multipliers. Finally, the joints’ flexibilities and rotors’ mass moment of inertias, which are included in the FI, are added to the dynamic model of the FR and a closed-form dynamic model for the FF is derived. To verify this new method, the results of simulation examples, which are obtained from the proposed method, are compared with those of a full-nonlinear finite element analysis, where the comparisons indicate sound agreement
A Two-Dimensional Modeling Study of a Planar SOFC Using Actual Cell Testing Geometry and Operating Conditions
Authors: DiGiuseppe Gianfranco , Gowda Yeshwanth J. , Honnagondanahalli Naveen K.
Published: December 2011

This paper reports a new electrochemical performance study performed on a planar SOFC cell. This study consists of a 2D model developed using a commercial software, namely Comsol Multiphysics. The model includes fluid dynamics, electrochemistry, electrical conduction, and diffusion physics. This model was built using the actual button cell testing geometry and using experimental data for validation purposes. The objective of this study is to understand the effects of the testing setup used on the cell performance and to recommend an improved design or geometry where the cell performance is independent of any flow maldistribution in both the air and fuel side of the SOFC cell. The air and fuel flow rates are studied to determine the effects on the cell performance. The effects of electrode porosities are studied together with the fuel and air flow rates. The distance from the SOFC cell to the discharge fuel feed tube and air chamber geometry are studied as well. The modeling results indicate that the SOFC electrochemical performance becomes independent of any flow maldistribution at relatively high flow rates for both fuel and air. Reduced electrode porosities play a role in the cell performance, and larger flow rates are required in order to achieve a cell performance independent of flow rates. The cell performance is also affected by the distance from the SOFC cell to the fuel discharge tube and the air chamber geometry. The behavior seen in the cell performance can be explained by a non-uniform mole fraction of reactants near the electrode surface.
The Monoamine Oxidase A Inhibitor Clorgyline Is a Broad-Spectrum Inhibitor of Fungal ABC and MFS Transporter Efflux Pump Activities Which Reverses the Azole Resistance of Candida albicans and Candida glabrata Clinical Isolates
Authors: Holmes Ann R. , Keniya Mikhail V. , Ivnitski-Steele Irena , Monk Brian C. , Lamping Erwin , Sklar Larry A. , Cannon Richard D.
Published: December 2011

Resistance to the commonly used azole antifungal fluconazole (FLC) can develop due to overexpression of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) and major facilitator superfamily (MFS) plasma membrane transporters. An approach to overcoming this resistance is to identify inhibitors of these efflux pumps. We have developed a pump assay suitable for high-throughput screening (HTS) that uses recombinant
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
strains hyperexpressing individual transporters from the opportunistic fungal pathogen
Candida albicans
. The recombinant strains possess greater resistance to azoles and other pump substrates than the parental host strain. A flow cytometry-based HTS, which measured increased intracellular retention of the fluorescent pump substrate rhodamine 6G (R6G) within yeast cells, was used to screen the Prestwick Chemical Library (PCL) of 1,200 marketed drugs. Nine compounds were identified as hits, and the monoamine oxidase A inhibitor (MAOI) clorgyline was identified as an inhibitor of two
C. albicans
ABC efflux pumps, CaCdr1p and CaCdr2p. Secondary
in vitro
assays confirmed inhibition of pump-mediated efflux by clorgyline. Clorgyline also reversed the FLC resistance of
S. cerevisiae
strains expressing other individual fungal ABC transporters (
Candida glabrata
Cdr1p or
Candida krusei
Abc1p) or the
C. albicans
MFS transporter Mdr1p. Recombinant strains were also chemosensitized by clorgyline to other azoles (itraconazole and miconazole). Importantly, clorgyline showed synergy with FLC against FLC-resistant
C. albicans
clinical isolates and a
C. glabrata
strain and inhibited R6G efflux from a FLC-resistant
C. albicans
clinical isolate. Clorgyline is a novel broad-spectrum inhibitor of two classes of fungal efflux pumps that acts synergistically with azoles against azole-resistant
C. albicans
and
C. glabrata
strains.
Comparative Pharmacodynamics and Antimutant Potentials of Doripenem and Imipenem with Ciprofloxacin-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa in an
In Vitro
Model
Authors: Firsov Alexander A. , Gilbert Deborah , Greer Kenneth , Portnoy Yury A. , Zinner Stephen H.
Published: December 2011

To compare the antipseudomonal efficacy of doripenem and imipenem as well as their abilities to restrict the enrichment of resistant
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
, multiple-dosing regimens of each drug were simulated at comparable values of the cumulative percentages of a 24-h period that the drug concentration exceeds the MIC under steady-state pharmacokinetic conditions (
T
>MIC
) and ratios of the 24-hour area under the curve (AUC
24
) to the MIC. Three clinical isolates of ciprofloxacin-resistant
P. aeruginosa
(MIC of doripenem, 1 μg/ml; MICs of imipenem, 1, 2, and 2 μg/ml) were exposed to thrice-daily doripenem or imipenem for 3 days at AUC
24
/MIC ratios of from 50 to 170 h (doripenem) and from 30 to 140 h (imipenem). The antimicrobial effects for susceptible and resistant subpopulations of bacteria were expressed by the areas between control growth and time-kill curves (
I
E
s) and areas under the bacterial mutant concentration curves (AUBC
M
s), respectively. With each antibiotic, the
I
E
and AUBC
M
versus log AUC
24
/MIC relationships were bacterial strain independent. At similar AUC
24
/MIC ratios, doripenem was slightly less efficient than imipenem against susceptible and resistant subpopulations of bacteria. However, doripenem appeared to be somewhat more efficient than imipenem at clinically achievable AUC
24
s related to the means of the MICs for the three studied strains and had higher antimutant potentials for two of the three strains.
Complete Genome Sequence of a Novel Species of Porcine Bocavirus, PBoV5
Authors: Li Bin , Ma Junjie , Xiao Shaobo , Fang Liurong , Zeng Songlin , Wen Libin , Zhang Xuehan , Ni Yanxiu , Guo Rongli , Yu Zhengyu , Zhou Junming , Mao Aihua , Lv Lixin , Wang Xiaoming , He Kongwang
Published: December 2011

Porcine bocavirus 5 is a novel porcine bocavirus species found in a pig with clinical diarrhea from a farm in China. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of strain PBoV5/JS677, which will help toward understanding the molecular and evolutionary characteristics of the porcine bocavirus.
THE DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF G-CODE CHECKER AND CUTTING SIMULATOR FOR CNC TURNING
Authors: ARTHAYA BAGUS , SETIAWAN ARI , SUNARDI SANTOSO
Published: December 2011

CNC machines have become popular in the manufacturing sector in the last three decades. It is still expensive to afford all aspects related to the operations of these machines. One important aspect is the programming stage, which requires a skilful programmer and an appropriate programming media. Hiring a good programmer is not the cheap and the best solution, while having a commercial programming media is also not affordable for SME in Indonesia. This research is focusing on the design and development of a program checker to see whether the program for a CNC turning machine is correct and ready to be fed to the machine. At once, this program is also capable of displaying cutting simulation of how the product is to be cut in the machine. Therefore, this program will help a small manufacturing company to avoid hiring an expensive expert or buying special programming media. This program is specifically developed for a CNC Okuma Howa ACT 3 turning machine. Some results show that the program can easily point out error location if there is a logical or syntax error in the NC program. Moreover, the simulation can be executed only if all errors have been corrected. This feature ensures that the simulation can run properly. To run the simulation, one has to set up some variables such as workpiece dimension, tool position with respect to the machine, and cutter dimension.
Emergency Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair in a Patient with Failing Heart: Axillofemoral Bypass Using a Centrifugal Pump Combined with Levosimendan for Inotropic Support
Authors: Michalek Pavel , Sebesta Pavel , Stern Michael
Published: December 2011

We describe the case of an 83-year-old patient requiring repair of a large symptomatic abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). The patient was known to have coronary artery disease (CAD) with symptoms and signs of significant myocardial dysfunction, left-heart failure, and severe aortic insufficiency. The procedure was performed with the help of both mechanical and pharmacological circulatory support. Distal perfusion was provided by an axillofemoral bypass with a centrifugal pump, with dobutamine and levosimendan administered as pharmacological inotropic support. The patient's hemodynamic status was monitored with continuous cardiac output monitoring and transesophageal echocardiography. No serious circulatory complications were recorded during the perioperative and postoperative periods. This paper suggests a potential novel approach to combined circulatory support in patients with heart failure, scheduled for open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.
Terahertz Harmonic Operation of Microwave Fresnel Zone Plate Lens and Antenna: Frequency Filtering and Space Resolution Properties
Authors: Hristov Hristo D.
Published: December 2011

This paper examines the binary Fresnel zone plate (FZP) lens frequency-harmonic and space-resolution focusing, and its application as a FZP lens antenna. A microwave FZP lens antenna (FZPA) radiates both at design (90 GHz) and terahertz (THz) odd harmonic frequencies. Frequency and space domain antenna operation are studied analytically by use of the vector diffraction integral applied to a realistic printed FZPA. It is found that all harmonic gain peaks are roughly identical in form, bandwidth, and top values. At each harmonic frequency, the FZPA has a beamwidth that closely follows the Rayleigh resolution criterion. If the lens/antenna resolution is of prime importance and the small aperture efficiency is a secondary problem the microwave-design FZP lens antenna can be of great use at much higher terahertz frequencies. Important feature of the microwave FZP lens is its broader-zone construction compared to the equal in resolution terahertz-design FZP lens. Thus, unique and expensive microtechnology for the microwave FZP lens fabrication is not required. High-order harmonic operation of the FZP lens or lens antenna could find space resolution and frequency filtering applications in the terahertz and optical metrology, imaging tomography, short-range communications, spectral analysis, synchrotron facilities, and so on.
N-Myc Regulates Expression of the Detoxifying Enzyme Glutathione Transferase GSTP1, a Marker of Poor Outcome in Neuroblastoma
Authors: Fletcher Jamie I. , Gherardi Samuele , Murray Jayne , Burkhart Catherine A. , Russell Amanda , Valli Emanuele , Smith Janice , Oberthuer André , Ashton Lesley J. , London Wendy B. , Marshall Glenn M. , Norris Murray D. , Perini Giovanni , Haber Michelle
Published: December 2011

Amplification of the transcription factor MYCN is associated with poor outcome and a multidrug-resistant phenotype in neuroblastoma. N-Myc regulates the expression of several ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter genes, thus affecting global drug efflux. Because these transporters do not confer resistance to several important cytotoxic agents used to treat neuroblastoma, we explored the prognostic significance and transcriptional regulation of the phase II detoxifying enzyme, glutathione S-transferase P1 (GSTP1). Using quantitative real-time PCR, GSTP1 gene expression was assessed in a retrospective cohort of 51 patients and subsequently in a cohort of 207 prospectively accrued primary neuroblastomas. These data along with GSTP1 expression data from an independent microarray study of 251 neuroblastoma samples were correlated with established prognostic indicators and disease outcome. High levels of GSTP1 were associated with decreased event-free and overall survival in all three cohorts. Multivariable analyses, including age at diagnosis, tumor stage, and MYCN amplification status, were conducted on the two larger cohorts, independently showing the prognostic significance of GSTP1 expression levels in this setting. Mechanistic investigations revealed that GSTP1 is a direct transcriptional target of N-Myc in neuroblastoma cells. Together, our findings reveal that N-Myc regulates GSTP1 along with ABC transporters that act to control drug metabolism and efflux. Furthermore, they imply that strategies to jointly alter these key multidrug resistance mechanisms may have therapeutic implications to manage neuroblastomas and other malignancies driven by amplified Myc family genes. Cancer Res; 72(4); 845–53. ©2011 AACR.
Risk Factors for Disease Progression in Advanced Jejunoileal Neuroendocrine Tumors
Authors: Panzuto Francesco , Campana Davide , Fazio Nicola , Brizzi Maria Pia , Boninsegna Letizia , Nori Francesca , Di Meglio Giovanni , Capurso Gabriele , Scarpa Aldo , Dogliotti Luigi , De Braud Filippo , Tomassetti Paola , Delle Fave Gianfranco , Falconi Massimo
Published: December 2011

Background: Knowledge of clinical course in advanced jejunoileal neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) is poor. Aim: To investigate progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and possible predictors for disease progression (DP) in advanced jejunoileal NETs. Patients and Methods: We carried out a multicenter, retrospective analysis of incoming patients with sporadic advanced jejunoileal NETs. PFS and OS were assessed by Kaplan-Meier analysis. Risk factors for progression were analyzed by the Cox proportional hazards method. Results: Of the 114 patients enrolled, 46.5% had functioning tumors, 93.9% had stage IV disease, and 57.3 and 42.7% were G1 and G2 tumors, respectively. During a median follow-up of 48 months (interquartile range 29–84 months), DP occurred in 61.4% of patients, after 19 months (interquartile range 10–41 months) from diagnosis. Median PFS was 36 months. The 2-year and 5-year PFS were 59 and 33%, respectively, while 5-year OS was 77.5%. Ki67 was the sole strong independent risk factor for unfavorable outcome according to multivariate analysis, being significantly associated with both PFS and OS. Conclusions: DP occurred in the majority of patients with advanced jejunoileal NETs, with median PFS being 36 months. Ki67 was a significant predictor of DP and should be considered in determining appropriate treatments and planning follow-up for these patients.
Discrimination of Healthy and Glaucomatous Eyes Based on the Ocular Pulse Amplitude: A Diagnostic Case-Control Study
Authors: Robert Yves C.A. , Wild Andreas , Kessels Alfons G. , Backes Walter H. , Zollinger Andreas , Bachmann Lucas M.
Published: December 2011

By measuring the ocular pulse amplitude (OPA), the dynamic contour tonometer (DCT) assesses intraocular pressure (IOP). Hypothesizing that OPA is characteristic for the IOP when considered with the systemic arterial blood pressure, we assumed the ratio of ocular and arterial pulsation amplitudes is larger in glaucoma patients. Bi-ocular DCT-OPA assessment was synchronized with arterial pulsations using Finapres® technology, thereby enabling blood pressure determination for each corresponding IOP value every 0.01 s for 12 s. Based on measurements and calculations in 10 healthy subjects and 11 glaucoma patients, we conclude that the ratio of the OPA and blood pressure variances is a strong glaucoma diagnostic indicator, thereby justifying further investigation.
NADPH Oxidase and PKC Contribute to Increased Na Transport by the Thick Ascending Limb During Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Yang Jing , Pollock Jennifer S. , Carmines Pamela K.
Published: December 2011

—Type 1 diabetes triggers protein kinase C (PKC)-dependent NADPH oxidase activation in the renal medullary thick ascending limb (mTAL), resulting in accelerated superoxide production. As acute exposure to superoxide stimulates NaCl transport by the mTAL, we hypothesized that diabetes increases mTAL Na
+
transport through PKC-dependent and NADPH oxidase–dependent mechanisms. An O
2
-sensitive fluoroprobe was used to measure O
2
consumption by mTALs from rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes and sham rats. In sham mTALs, total O
2
consumption was evident as a 0.34±0.03 U change in normalized relative fluorescence (ΔNRF)/min per mg protein. Ouabain (2 mmol/L) reduced O
2
consumption by 69±4% and 500 μmol/L furosemide reduced O
2
consumption by 58±8%. Total O
2
consumption was accelerated in mTAL from diabetic rats (0.74±0.07 ΔNRF/min/mg protein;
P
<0.05 versus sham), reflecting increases in ouabain- and furosemide-sensitive O
2
consumption. NADPH oxidase inhibition (100 μmol/L apocynin) reduced furosemide-sensitive O
2
consumption by mTAL from diabetic rats to values not different from sham. The PKC inhibitor calphostin C (1 μmol/L) or the PKCα/β inhibitor Gö6976 (1 μmol/L) decreased furosemide-sensitive O
2
consumption in both groups, achieving values that did not differ between sham and diabetic. PKCβ inhibition had no effect in either group. Similar inhibitory patterns were evident with regard to ouabain-sensitive O
2
consumption. We conclude that NADPH oxidase and PKC (primarily PKCα) contribute to an increase in O
2
consumption by the mTAL during type 1 diabetes through effects on the ouabain-sensitive Na
+
-K
+
-ATPase and furosemide-sensitive Na
+
-K
+
-2Cl
−
cotransporter that are primarily responsible for active transport Na
+
reabsorption by this nephron segment.
Smoking Prevalence Among Monks in Thailand
Authors: Kungskulniti Nipapun , Charoenca Naowarut , Kengganpanich Tharadol , Kusolwisitkul Wilai , Pichainarong Natchaporn , Kerdmongkol Patcharaporn , Silapasuwan Phimpan , Hamann Stephen L. , Arpawong Thalida Em
Published: December 2011

Previous studies among Buddhist monks in Thailand have reported smoking rates to be as high as 55%. Because 95% of Thais are Buddhist, monks are highly influential in establishing normative behavioral patterns. As the first population-based study on smoking among Buddhist monks in Thailand, this study aims to determine the smoking prevalence in six regions of the country, and to examine smoking knowledge, risk perceptions, behaviors, and associated demographics among full-fledged and novice monks ( n = 6,213). Results demonstrated that the overall prevalence for current smoking monks is 24.4% (95% confidence interval [24.453, 24.464]), with regional differences ranging from 14.6% (North) to 40.5% (East). Findings suggest that integrating prevention and cessation programming into religious courses may be one avenue for reaching many incoming monks. Further, involving monks in tobacco control education and setting a nonsmoking standard among them is vital to the success of reducing smoking rates among the general population in Thailand.
The Most Frequent Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Brazilian Aged 80 Years or Older
Authors: Gomes Igor Conterato , Santos Vanessa Ribeiro , Christofaro Diego Giulliano Destro , Santos Lionai Lima , Freitas Júnior Ismael Forte
Published: December 2011

To identify the most frequent cardiovascular risk factors (CRFs) in Brazilian participants. Sample of 113 individuals aged 80 to 95 years (83.4 + 2.9 years), of both sexes, from Presidente Prudente, São Paulo state. Waist circumference (WC), body mass index, percentage of total body fat (% BF), hypertension, total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides, and glucose were used for characterization of risk factors. The chi-square test was used to assess proportions of risk factors and Student’s t test to compare the results between the sexes. High prevalence of risk factor was observed, mainly hypertension (67.3%) and % BF (79.6%). Male participants presented higher weight, height, and WC ( p < .001), and female participants, higher TC and % BF ( p < .001). Only 7.1% of male and 4.2% of female participants showed no risk factors, and 71.3% of male and 85.9% of female participants had three or more. The participants presented a high prevalence of CRFs, particularly percentage of body fat and hypertension, and, in addition, female participants also presented TC.
Beat Crohn's! Getting to Remission With Enteral Nutrition
Authors: JeVenn Andrea Kozak
Published: December 2011

Contributing Editor—Pam Charney, PhD, RD Oppenheimer MA. Beat Crohn's! Getting to Remission With Enteral Nutrition. Long Island City, NY: Solutions; 2009. Restruture page‐count as size[@units=“page”] 290 pp. $16.95. ISBN 978‐0‐9821234‐4‐7.
National Clinical Guidelines and Home Parenteral Nutrition
Authors: Ross Vicki M. , Smith Carol E.
Published: December 2011

Research‐based guidelines provide the best evidence and are the cornerstones of achieving quality outcomes for home parenteral nutrition (HPN) patients and their families. However, evidence about the implementation of HPN guideline recommendations is rarely reported. The purpose of this clinical practice project was to compare HPN clinical guidelines with baseline data reported by HPN patients from 1990–2010 and to explore possible facilitators or barriers to the implementation of guidelines in clinical practice. Methods included PubMed literature searches for HPN clinical guidelines and comparison of the retrieved guidelines with HPN clinical data reported by HPN patients from 3 separate studies conducted in the United States from 1990–2010. Results of reviewing published HPN guidelines found recommendations based primarily on expert opinion and included the appropriate use of HPN, coordination of care by teams of experts, use of dedicated ports, salvaging catheters when possible, and bowel transplantation. Comparison of baseline data over the 2 decades indicated that guidelines for the appropriate use and types of central venous catheters were being implemented, but there was little evidence that most HPN patients had their care coordinated by multidisciplinary teams. Conclusions are that most HPN guideline recommendations were being implemented in practice except for the care delivered by multidisciplinary experts. To ensure quality HPN outcomes, multidisciplinary teams of HPN experts are needed as are large data sets that will provide indicators of guideline use and outcomes. Furthermore, research is needed so that recommendations are not based totally on expert consensus.
Early Enteral Nutrition Improves Outcomes of Open Abdomen in Gastrointestinal Fistula Patients Complicated With Severe Sepsis
Authors: Yuan Yujie , Ren Jianan , Gu Guosheng , Chen Jun , Li Jieshou
Published: December 2011

Background: Although nutrition therapy is favorably considered as an assistant therapeutic measure in critical illness, little data evaluate its role in gastrointestinal fistula patients with severe sepsis after an open abdomen. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the role of early nutrition therapy in that population. Methods: This is a retrospective review of patients who underwent open abdomen management for gastrointestinal fistula and severe sepsis from January 2001 to June 2009. Nutrition therapy, fistula, abdominal closure, and demographics were noted. Succus entericus reinfusion (SER) was performed for high‐output volume or multiple fistulae. Patients were divided into two groups based on whether enteral nutrition (EN) was initiated within 14 days after admission. Delivery route of nutrients, mortality, complications, and time to abdominal closure were compared among groups. Results: Eighty‐two patients were included. Fifty‐six (68.3%) patients survived to discharge. Forty‐one (50%) patients received SER. EN was initiated within 14 days in 36 patients, with a mean initiation time at 8.3 ± 3.4 days; 46 patients did not start any EN within 14 days (29.9 ± 20.9 days). The mean age, BMI, APACHE II score, and fistula characteristics were similar between groups. The abdominal closure was accomplished more rapidly in patients fed within 14 days (142.8 vs 184.5 days, P = .017), with decreased mortality (11.1% vs 47.8%, P < .001). Conclusions: Nutrition therapy plays an important role in the management of gastrointestinal fistula with severe sepsis. Early EN could be successfully delivered for that population, with improved mortality risk.
Psychiatric Correlates of Medical Care Costs Among Veterans Receiving Mental Health Care
Authors: Simpson Tracy L. , Moore Sally A. , Luterek Jane , Varra Alethea A. , Hyerle Lynne , Bush Kristen , Mariano Mary Jean , Liu Chaun-Fen , Kivlahan Daniel R.
Published: December 2011

Research on increased medical care costs associated with posttraumatic sequelae has focused on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, the provisional diagnosis of Disorders of Extreme Stress Not Otherwise Specified (DESNOS) encompasses broader trauma-related difficulties and may be uniquely related to medical costs. We investigated whether DESNOS severity was associated with greater nonmental health medical care costs in veterans receiving mental health care. Participants were 106 men and 105 women receiving VA outpatient mental health treatment. A standardized interview assessed DESNOS severity. The dependent variables consisted of primary and specialty medical treatment costs. Sequential zero-inflated negative binomial regression was used to evaluate the variance in medical costs accounted for by DESNOS severity, controlling for PTSD severity and established predisposing, enabling, and need-based health care factors. Contrary to our hypothesis, in fully adjusted models, DESNOS severity independently added a significant amount of variance to lower specialty medical care costs, whereas PTSD did not consistently account for significant variance in medical care costs. Greater DESNOS severity appears to be associated with lower specialty medical care costs but not primary care costs. These findings may indicate that patients with DESNOS symptoms are at risk for being underreferred for specialty care.
Local Political Structures and Violent Crime in U.S. Cities
Authors: Ren Ling , Zhao Jihong , Lovrich Nicholas P.
Published: December 2011

To date, few criminological studies have explored the patterned ways in which local political structures might affect crime. The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of local political structures on variations in violent crime rates in U.S. cities. A longitudinal data set collected from the same 280 cities in 1993, 1996, 2000, and 2003 is used to look into this question. Results from negative binomial fixed-effects panel analyses indicate that local government structures make only a limited contribution to variation in violent crime and that impact on violent crime is a conditioned effect in association with a relative deprivation index. Socioeconomic variables associated with relative deprivation consistently predict violent crime levels across U.S. cities, largely irrespective of the character of their local political structures.
The Self-Transcendence Scale
Authors: Haugan Gørill , Rannestad Toril , Garåsen Helge , Hammervold Randi , Espnes Geir Arild
Published: December 2011

Purpose: Self-transcendence, the ability to expand personal boundaries in multiple ways, has been found to provide well-being. The purpose of this study was to examine the dimensionality of the Norwegian version of the Self-Transcendence Scale, which comprises 15 items. Background: Reed’s empirical nursing theory of self-transcendence provided the theoretical framework; self-transcendence includes an interpersonal, intrapersonal, transpersonal, and temporal dimension. Design: Cross-sectional data were obtained from a sample of 202 cognitively intact elderly patients in 44 Norwegian nursing homes. Results: Exploratory factor analysis revealed two and four internally consistent dimensions of self-transcendence, explaining 35.3% (two factors) and 50.7% (four factors) of the variance, respectively. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the hypothesized two- and four-factor models fitted better than the one-factor model (c x2, root mean square error of approximation, standardized root mean square residual, normed fit index, nonnormed fit index, comparative fit index, goodness-of-fit index, and adjusted goodness-of-fit index). Conclusions: The findings indicate self-transcendence as a multifactorial construct; at present, we conclude that the two-factor model might be the most accurate and reasonable measure of self-transcendence. Implications: This research generates insights in the application of the widely used Self-Transcendence Scale by investigating its psychometric properties by applying a confirmatory factor analysis. It also generates new research-questions on the associations between self-transcendence and well-being.
An appraisal of the European Cluster Observatory
Authors: Crawley Andrew , Pickernell David
Published: December 2011

This paper considers the work of the European Cluster Observatory (ECO) in light of current debates around the notion of clusters. Examining the definitions employed by the ECO, questions are posed about how effective policy can be when using highly restrictive means of analysis. Further, the work contends that, far from this being purely an analytical problem, there also exists a fundamental semantic issue regarding the term ‘economic cluster’.
Racial, Ethnic, and Gender Differences in Perceptions of the Police
Authors: Cochran Joshua C. , Warren Patricia Y.
Published: December 2011

Prior research has consistently demonstrated the salience of minority status in understanding racial and ethnic differences in perceptions of the police. This research has overwhelmingly shown that Blacks and Latinos hold lower levels of trust and confidence in the police than do Whites and other racial minorities. The increased skepticism of the police expressed by minority citizens is commonly associated with racial profiling and documented racial disparities in police behavior. Although policing research has empirically demonstrated the influence of race on perceptions of the police, few studies have explored the relevance of officer race in shaping citizens’ evaluations of police encounters. Using data from the BJS Police–Public Contact Survey, the purpose of this study is to examine whether racial variation in evaluations of police behavior is moderated by the race of the officer. The results suggest that officer race may be an important factor in shaping citizen perceptions of police stops, particularly when it comes to Black citizens. This finding is important as it provides some evidence that increasing the number of minority officers may be one viable option for improving citizen–officer relations.
An Empirical Review of Internet Addiction Outcome Studies in China
Authors: Liu Chennan , Liao Minli , Smith Douglas C.
Published: December 2011

Objectives: The authors systematically reviewed the outcomes and methodological quality of 24 Internet addiction (IA) treatment outcome studies in China. Method: The authors used 15 attributes from the quality of evidence scores to evaluate 24 outcome studies. These studies came from both English and Chinese academic databases from 2000 to 2010. Results: Among the 15 attributes, only sequence generation and intention-to-treat were reported by more than 50% of the 24 studies. None of the studies contained treatment adherence ratings or collateral reports. Cognitive behavior therapy combined with family therapy or group therapy emerged as possibly efficacious treatments. Conclusions: More rigorously designed studies, accompanied by transparent reporting of methods and findings are needed to identify promising IA treatments.
Mental Health, Substance Use, and Delinquency Among Truant Youth in a Brief Intervention Project
Authors: Dembo Richard , Briones-Robinson Rhissa , Barrett Kimberly , Winters Ken C. , Schmeidler James , Ungaro Rocío Aracelis , Karas Lora , Belenko Steven , Gulledge Laura
Published: December 2011

The relationship between substance use, mental health disorders, and delinquency among youth is well documented. What has received far less attention from researchers is the relationship between these issues among truant youth, in spite of studies that document truants are a population at risk for negative outcomes. This study bridges this gap by (a) examining psychosocial functioning and delinquency among truants and (b) assessing the efficacy of a brief intervention (BI) in reducing delinquent behavior over time. To meet these objectives, data were collected from 183 truant youth enrolled in an ongoing National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)–funded BI project. Informed by a developmental damage perspective, a structural equation model was formulated and estimated. Interim results provide overall support for the model and suggest that the BI may be a promising, innovative intervention for truant youth. Service delivery implications and directions for future analyses are discussed.
JAK2V617F Mutation Is Not Associated with Thrombosis in Behcet Syndrome
Authors: Ar M. Cem , Hatemi Gülen , Ekizoğlu Seda , Bilgen Hülya , Saçlı Sevgi , Buyru A. Nur , Soysal Teoman , Ülkü Birsen , Yazıcı Hasan
Published: December 2011

The Janus kinase 2V617F ( JAK2V617F) mutation is an acquired genetic defect that is considered to enhance thrombosis in Philadelphia chromosome-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). Thrombosis is also a well-defined component of Behcet syndrome (BS). The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of JAK2 V617F mutation in BS-associated thrombosis. A total of 152 patients with BS (62 with thrombosis and 90 without thrombosis) were enrolled. An additional 186 patients with MPNs and 107 healthy blood donors were included to serve as diseased and healthy controls, respectively. None of the patients with BS and healthy controls carried the JAK2V617F mutation, whereas 67% of patients with MPNs were positive for JAK2 V617F. The frequency of thrombosis in patients with MPNs was not statistically different between carriers and non-carriers of JAK2 V617F mutation. Our data suggest that JAK2V617F is not directly related to thrombosis in MPNs and in other thrombotic entities, such as BS.
Effects of Tissue Factor Pathway Inhibitor-2 Expression on Biological Behavior of BeWo and JEG-3 Cell Lines
Authors: Zhou Qiongjie , Xiong Yu , Chen Yan , Du Yingying , Zhang Jin , Mu Jingui , Guo Qisang , Wang Huijun , Ma Duan , Li Xiaotian
Published: December 2011

Objectives: To investigate the effect of tissue factor pathway inhibitor-2 (TFPI-2) expression on biological behavior of BeWo and JEG-3 cell lines. Material and Methods: The expression of TFPI-2 in BeWo and JEG-3 cells was upregulated by pEGFP-N3-TFPI-2 and downregulated by small interference RNA transfection, confirmed by Western blotting assay and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Boyden chamber, Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), and Hoechst 33258/terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated UTP end labeling (TUNEL) assays were used for migration, invasion, and proliferation/apoptosis analysis, respectively. Results: In Western blotting and RT-PCR assay, protein and messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of TFPI-2 in transfected BeWo and JEG-3 cells were confirmed. Expression of TFPI-2 inhibited BeWo and downregulated JEG-3 cell migration, invasion, proliferation, and induced apoptosis ( P < .05) in Boyden chamber, CCK-8, Hoechst 33258, and TUNEL detection, respectively. Conclusions: TFPI-2 expression caused invasion and proliferation impair and induced apoptosis in TFPI-2 regulated BeWo and JEG-3 cells. It provides a clue for potential role of TFPI-2 in trophoblast.
The Beneficial Role of Vitamin D in Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Lu’o’ng Khanh Vinh Quốc , Nguyễn Lan Thi Hoàng
Published: December 2011

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia in the elderly individuals and is associated with progressive neurodegeneration of the human neocortex. Patients with AD have a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, which is also associated with low mood and impaired cognitive performance in older people. Genetic studies have provided the opportunity to determine which proteins link vitamin D to AD pathology (ie, the major histocompatibility complex class II molecules, vitamin D receptor, renin–angiotensin system, apolipoprotein E, liver X receptor, Sp1 promoter gene, and the poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1gene). Vitamin D also exerts its effect on AD through nongenomic factors, that is, L-type voltage-sensitive calcium channels, nerve growth factor, the prostaglandins, cyclooxygenase 2, reactive oxygen species, and nitric oxide synthase. In conclusion, vitamin D clearly has a beneficial role in AD and improves cognitive function in some patients with AD. Calcitriol, 1αα,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, is best used for AD because of its active form of vitamin D3 metabolite and its receptor in the central nervous system.
High-Stakes Testing and the Moral Decisions of Leaders
Authors: Willis Chris
Published: December 2011

As a charter school faces continued poor performance and the need to show drastic improvement in its data, school leaders are faced with a moral dilemma. To help the schools testing data, leaders consider being selective with whom they test. They consider whether they can help the short-term outcomes of the school while risking later consequences for the school and its students. This case exposes the dilemma of leaders trying to keep the doors of the school open while being pulled to do the right thing for the students they currently serve.
Evolutionary history of barley cultivation in Europe revealed by genetic analysis of extant landraces
Authors: Jones Huw , Civáň Peter , Cockram James , Leigh Fiona J , Smith Lydia MJ , Jones Martin K , Charles Michael P , Molina-Cano José-Luis , Powell Wayne , Jones Glynis , Brown Terence A
Published: December 2011

Background

Understanding the evolution of cultivated barley is important for two reasons. First, the evolutionary relationships between different landraces might provide information on the spread and subsequent development of barley cultivation, including the adaptation of the crop to new environments and its response to human selection. Second, evolutionary information would enable landraces with similar traits but different genetic backgrounds to be identified, providing alternative strategies for the introduction of these traits into modern germplasm.

Results

The evolutionary relationships between 651 barley landraces were inferred from the genotypes for 24 microsatellites. The landraces could be divided into nine populations, each with a different geographical distribution. Comparisons with ear row number, caryopsis structure, seasonal growth habit and flowering time revealed a degree of association between population structure and phenotype, and analysis of climate variables indicated that the landraces are adapted, at least to some extent, to their environment. Human selection and/or environmental adaptation may therefore have played a role in the origin and/or maintenance of one or more of the barley landrace populations. There was also evidence that at least some of the population structure derived from geographical partitioning set up during the initial spread of barley cultivation into Europe, or reflected the later introduction of novel varieties. In particular, three closely-related populations were made up almost entirely of plants with the daylength nonresponsive version of the photoperiod response gene PPD-H1, conferring adaptation to the long annual growth season of northern Europe. These three populations probably originated in the eastern Fertile Crescent and entered Europe after the initial spread of agriculture.

Conclusions

The discovery of population structure, combined with knowledge of associated phenotypes and environmental adaptations, enables a rational approach to identification of landraces that might be used as sources of germplasm for breeding programs. The population structure also enables hypotheses concerning the prehistoric spread and development of agriculture to be addressed.
Polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer conjugate specifically activates the A3 adenosine receptor to improve post-ischemic/reperfusion function in isolated mouse hearts
Authors: Wan Tina C , Tosh Dilip K , Du Lili , Gizewski Elizabeth T , Jacobson Kenneth A , Auchampach John A
Published: December 2011

Background

When stimulated by small molecular agonists, the A3 adenosine receptor (AR) mediates cardioprotective effects without inducing detrimental hemodynamic side effects. We have examined pharmacologically the protective properties of a multivalent dendrimeric conjugate of a nucleoside as a selective multivalent agonist for the mouse A3AR.

Results

A PAMAM dendrimer fully substituted by click chemistry on its peripheral groups with 64 moieties of a nucleoside agonist was shown to be potent and selective in binding to the mouse A3AR and effective in cardioprotection in an isolated mouse heart model of ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. This conjugate MRS5246 and a structurally related model compound MRS5233 displayed binding Ki values of 0.04 and 3.94 nM, respectively, and were potent in in vitro functional assays to inhibit cAMP production. A methanocarba (bicyclo[3.1.0]hexane) ring system in place of ribose maintained a North conformation that is preferred at the A3AR. These analogues also contained a triazole linker along with 5'-N-methyl-carboxamido and 2-alkynyl substitution, previously shown to be associated with species-independent A3AR selectivity. Both MRS5233 and MRS5246 (1 and 10 nM) were effective at increasing functional recovery of isolated mouse hearts after 20 min ischemia followed by 45 min reperfusion. A statistically significant greater improvement in the left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP) by MRS5246 compared to MRS5233 occurred when the hearts were observed throughout reperfusion. Unliganded PAMAM dendrimer alone did not have any effect on functional recovery of isolated perfused mouse hearts. 10 nM MRS5246 did not improve functional recovery after I/R in hearts from A3AR gene "knock-out" (A3KO) mice compared to control, indicating the effects of MRS5246 were A3AR-specific.

Conclusions

Covalent conjugation to a versatile drug carrier enhanced the functional potency and selectivity at the mouse A3AR and maintained the cardioprotective properties. Thus, this large molecular weight conjugate is not prevented from extravasation through the coronary microvasculature.