bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Texture analysis of cartilage T2 maps: individuals with risk factors for OA have higher and more heterogeneous knee cartilage MR T2 compared to normal controls - data from the osteoarthritis initiative
Authors: Joseph Gabby B , Baum Thomas , Carballido-Gamio Julio , Nardo Lorenzo , Virayavanich Warapat , Alizai Hamza , Lynch John A , McCulloch Charles E , Majumdar Sharmila , Link Thomas M
Published: September 2011

Introduction

The goals of this study were (i) to compare the prevalence of focal knee abnormalities, the mean cartilage T2 relaxation time, and the spatial distribution of cartilage magnetic resonance (MR) T2 relaxation times between subjects with and without risk factors for Osteoarthritis (OA), (ii) to determine the relationship between MR cartilage T2 parameters, age and cartilage morphology as determined with whole-organ magnetic resonance imaging scores (WORMS) and (iii) to assess the reproducibility of WORMS scoring and T2 relaxation time measurements including the mean and grey level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM) texture parameters.

Methods

Subjects with risk factors for OA (n = 92) and healthy controls (n = 53) were randomly selected from the Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI) incidence and control cohorts, respectively. The specific inclusion criteria for this study were (1) age range 45-55 years, (2) body mass index (BMI) of 19-27 kg/m2, (3) Western Ontario and McMaster University (WOMAC) pain score of zero and (4) Kellgren Lawrence (KL) score of zero at baseline. 3.0 Tesla MR images of the right knee were analyzed using morphological gradings of cartilage, bone marrow and menisci (WORMS) as well as compartment specific cartilage T2 mean and heterogeneity. Regression models adjusted for age, gender, and BMI were used to determine the difference in cartilage parameters between groups.

Results

While there was no significant difference in the prevalence of knee abnormalities (cartilage lesions, bone marrow lesions, meniscus lesions) between controls and subjects at risk for OA, T2 parameters (mean T2, GLCM contrast, and GLCM variance) were significantly elevated in those at risk for OA. Additionally, a positive significant association between cartilage WORMS score and cartilage T2 parameters was evident.

Conclusions

Overall, this study demonstrated that subjects at risk for OA have both higher and more heterogeneous cartilage T2 values than controls, and that T2 parameters are associated with morphologic degeneration.
Aberrant splicing of the hRasGRP4 transcript and decreased levels of this signaling protein in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells in a subset of patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Hashimoto Toko , Yasuda Shinsuke , Koide Hideyuki , Kataoka Hiroshi , Horita Tetsuya , Atsumi Tatsuya , Koike Takao
Published: September 2011

Introduction

An unidentified population of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) express Ras guanine nucleotide releasing protein 4 (RasGRP4). The aim of our study was to identify the cells in human blood that express hRasGRP4, and then to determine if hRasGRP4 was altered in any patient with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods

Monocytes and T cells were purified from PBMCs of normal individuals, and were evaluated for their expression of RasGRP4 mRNA/protein. The levels of RasGRP4 transcripts were evaluated in the PBMCs from healthy volunteers and RA patients by real-time quantitative PCR. The nucleotide sequences of RasGRP4 cDNAs were also determined. RasGRP4 protein expression in PBMCs/monocytes was evaluated. Recombinant hRasGRP4 was expressed in mammalian cells.

Results

Circulating CD14+ cells in normal individuals were found to express hRasGRP4. The levels of the hRasGRP4 transcript were significantly higher in the PBMCs of our RA patients relative to healthy individuals. Sequence analysis of hRasGRP4 cDNAs from these PBMCs revealed 10 novel splice variants. Aberrantly spliced hRasGRP4 transcripts were more frequent in the RA patients than in normal individuals. The presence of one of these abnormal splice variants was linked to RA. The levels of hRasGRP4 protein in PBMCs tended to be lower. As expected, the defective transcripts led to altered and/or nonfunctional protein in terms of P44/42 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase activation.

Conclusions

The identification of defective isoforms of hRasGRP4 transcripts in the PBMCs of RA patients raises the possibility that dysregulated expression of hRasGRP4 in developing monocytes plays a pathogenic role in a subset of RA patients.
Derivation and preliminary validation of an administrative claims-based algorithm for the effectiveness of medications for rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Curtis Jeffrey R , Baddley John W , Yang Shuo , Patkar Nivedita , Chen Lang , Delzell Elizabeth , Mikuls Ted R , Saag Kenneth G , Singh Jasvinder , Safford Monika , Cannon Grant W
Published: September 2011

Introduction

Administrative claims data have not commonly been used to study the clinical effectiveness of medications for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) because of the lack of a validated algorithm for this outcome. We created and tested a claims-based algorithm to serve as a proxy for the clinical effectiveness of RA medications.

Methods

We linked Veterans Health Administration (VHA) medical and pharmacy claims for RA patients participating in the longitudinal Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) RA registry (VARA). Among individuals for whom treatment with a new biologic agent or nonbiologic disease-modifying agent in rheumatic disease (DMARD) was being initiated and with registry follow-up at 1 year, VARA and administrative data were used to create a gold standard for the claims-based effectiveness algorithm. The gold standard outcome was low disease activity (LDA) (Disease Activity Score using 28 joint counts (DAS28) ≤ 3.2) or improvement in DAS28 by > 1.2 units at 12 ± 2 months, with high adherence to therapy. The claims-based effectiveness algorithm incorporated biologic dose escalation or switching, addition of new disease-modifying agents, increase in oral glucocorticoid use and dose as well as parenteral glucocorticoid injections.

Results

Among 1,397 patients, we identified 305 eligible biologic or DMARD treatment episodes in 269 unique individuals. The patients were primarily men (94%) with a mean (± SD) age of 62 ± 10 years. At 1 year, 27% of treatment episodes achieved the effectiveness gold standard. The performance characteristics of the effectiveness algorithm were as follows: positive predictive value, 76% (95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 71% to 81%); negative predictive value, 90% (95% CI = 88% to 92%); sensitivity, 72% (95% CI = 67% to 77%); and specificity, 91% (95% CI = 89% to 93%).

Conclusions

Administrative claims data may be useful in evaluating the effectiveness of medications for RA. Further validation of this effectiveness algorithm will be useful in assessing its generalizability and performance in other populations.
The Time of Poverty and the Image of Refusal
Authors: Canlas Ryan
Published: September 2011

This article looks at the 1990 documentary Masakit sa mata (Eyesores) as an instance of Filipino filmmaking that, in the aftermath of Lino Brocka's socialist realist cinema, explores the modalities of a postmodernist documentary style. It argues that the film founds the idea and practice of a radical collectivist cinema whose means of expression can be understood through Gilles Deleuze's notion of the cinematic “time-image” in its elaboration of a temporal order in which the interaction of filmmaker, subject, and apparatus produce, through a series of fragmentary images and tableaux that composes the film's narrative, a spatio-temporal “world” of stories, ideas, and subjects capable of giving rise to the idea of a collectivity whose existence is built upon nothing less than fighting against what the homeless child subjects of the film face daily: the punishing dialectics of late-twentieth-century capital accumulation.
Distinguished Lecture on Economics in Government: Public Policy, Values, and Consciousness
Authors: Aaron Henry J
Published: September 2011

Economists should pay more attention to value formation in economic analysis. First, preferences are not stable in any operationally meaningful sense. Any estimated micro behavior that does not take account of the consequences of the behavior on underlying preferences is incapable of serving as a guide to future action. Second, the economist's model of human psychology is inaccurate and misleading. Third, most analyses of complex social behavior start from models incapable of producing empirical results adequate for useful structural analyses. The paper suggests avenues for making progress on each of these issues, beginning with a different approach to utility maximization.
Universal Health Insurance in the Clinton Plan: Coverage as a Tax-Financed Public Good
Authors: Pauly Mark V
Published: September 2011

The financing arrangements embodied in the Clinton health reform plan involve some important differences in the way in which public goods are usually financed. The subsidies to small, low-wage firms mandated to provide benefits distort markets in both labor and products, and offer incentives for the creation of small firms. In addition, the financing scheme implicitly envisions a head tax on families at modest income levels but offers a possible rationale for it. Nevertheless, the main reason for many of the financing features appears to be an attempt to hold down the apparent budgetary cost of universal coverage.
Public Finance Principles and National Health Care Reform
Authors: Zeckhauser Richard
Published: September 2011

Public finance principles, though usually treated as a minor consideration, lie at the heart of effective national health care reform. Four principles are discussed: charge for a service where its cost is created; distinguish rents, resources, and transfers; know what services cost and pay accordingly; balance distributional and equity concerns. The principles’ implications include: since employment does not much affect health costs, financing (particularly of incremental insureds) need not be employer-based; health resources being immobile, many cutbacks in expenditure will not reflect real resource savings; and health care financing should mesh with an overall program of taxation and expenditure.
Nuclear Radiation Detection Scintillators based on ZnSe(Te) crystals.
Authors: Ryzhikov Volodymyr D.
Published: September 2011

We describe development of semiconductor scintillators (SCS) on the basis of AIIBVI compounds has bridged the gap in a series of “scintillator-photodiode” detectors used in modern multi-channel low-energy devices for visualization of hidden images (tomographs, introscopes). In accordance with the requirements of eventual applications, such SCS materials as ZnSe(Te) show the best matching of intrinsic radiation spectra to photosensitivity spectra of silicon photodiodes (PD) among the materials of similar kind. They are characterized by high radiation and thermal stability of their output parameters, as well as by high conversion efficiency. In this work, a thermodynamic model is described for interaction of isovalent dopants (IVD) with intrinsic point defects of AIIBVI semiconductor structures at different ratios of their charges, a decisive role of IVD is shown in formation of the luminescence centers, kinetics of solid-phase reactions and the role of a gas medium are considered under real preparation conditions of ZnSe(Te) scintillation crystals, and luminescence mechanisms in IVD-doped SCS are discussed.
Characterization of Pd Impurities and Finite-Sized Defects in Detector Grade CdZnTe
Authors: Duff M.C. , Bradley J.P. , Dai Z.R. , Teslich N. , Burger A. , Groza M. , Buliga V.
Published: September 2011

Synthetic CdZnTe or “CZT” crystals are highly suitable for γ-spectrometers operating at the room temperature. Secondary phases (SP) in CZT are known to inhibit detector performance, particularly when they are present in large numbers or dimensions. These SP may exist as voids or composites of non-cubic phase metallic Te layers with bodies of polycrystalline and amorphous CZT material and voids. Defects associated with crystal twining may also influence detector performance in CZT. Using transmission electron microscopy, we identify two types of defects that are on the nano scale. The first defect consists of 40 nm diameter metallic Pd/Te bodies on the grain boundaries of Te-rich composites. Although the nano-Pd/Te bodies around these composites may be unique to the growth source of this CZT material, noble metal impurities like these may contribute to SP formation in CZT. The second defect type consists of atom-scale grain boundary dislocations. Specifically, these involve inclined “finite-sized” planar defects or interfaces between layers of atoms that are associated with twins. Finite-sized twins may be responsible for the subtle but observable striations that can be seen with optical birefringence imaging and synchrotron X-ray topographic imaging.
Photoemission and Cathodoluminescence of Doped Lithium Tetraborate Crystals Being Developed for Neutron Detection
Authors: Dugan Christina L. , Hengehold Robert L. , McHale Stephen R. , Losovyj Yaroslav , McClory John W. , Petrosky James C.
Published: September 2011

Photoemission spectroscopy using synchrotron radiation was used to determine the energy level structure of Mn doped Li2B4O7crystals. Photoemission studies provided evidence of Mn in the bulk crystal at 47.2 eV. Valence band analysis provided the presence of surface states but no acceptor sites. Cathodoluminescence studies were also made on undoped and Mn doped Li2B4O7using various beam energies from 5 to 10 KeV at room temperature. Self trapped exciton emission states are evident in the undoped and Mn doped Li2B4O7 sample ranging in energies from 3.1 to 4.1 eV.
The Evolution of Nanothermoelectricity
Authors: Dresselhaus Mildred
Published: September 2011

A personal review is presented. We review the renaissance in thermoelectric materials research that started in 1993 with the introduction of the nanostructure concept as a potential method to both increase the power factor and decrease the thermal conductivity and to even do both at the same time. The earliest work was limited to model systems for the demonstration of proof of principle. More recently the focus has evolved into demonstration of embedding the phenomena into bulk samples based on composites and superlattices. We here review this evolution of the nanothermoelectricity field. The resulting current activity is attracting many new researchers, industrial interest and the emergence of new ideas. We now look to the further development of these new ideas, and to the introduction of more new ideas and new approaches, as the field is now approaching the stage of commercial relevance.
Protonic and Electronic Conduction in Proton Conductive Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
Authors: Schmidt V. Hugo , Tsai Chih-Long
Published: September 2011

Protons can fit into the perovskite structure because the O-O distance is approximately that of ice. However, to achieve charge balance, -2e charge must be added for every two protons added. If O2- vacancies are introduced, for instance by doping barium cerate with yttrium to obtain ${\it Ba}^{2 + } {\it Ce}_{1 - {\it x}}^{4 + } {\it Y}_{\it x}^{3 + } {\it O}_{3 - {\it x}/2}^{2 - }$ (BCY), each filled vacancy will add -2e charge. Proton concentration and conductivity can be increased by exposing BCY to steam molecules, which dissociate into 2 protons and an O2- ion. Our impedance spectroscopy measurements and solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) work shows that exposure to H2 on the anode side can add protons. This requires addition of O2- ions on the cathode side from O2 in air. Alternatively, electrons could be added because BCY is a weak electronic semiconductor. BCY is a hole conductor, and this conductivity decreases upon exposure to steam or H2. From our analysis of V(i) curves for SOFCs with BCY electrolyte, at low H2 concentration, increasing this concentration decreases electronic conductivity somewhat, consistent with adding electrons and reducing hole carrier concentration. At higher H2 concentrations, electronic conductivity remains constant.

Proton transfer in perovskites such as BCY resembles that in usual H‑bonded crystals. Such transfer requires two steps, both needed for dc conductivity. One is intrabond proton transfer, O‑H O→O H-O. The other is a proton jump from one H-bond to an adjacent bond, equivalent to rotation of an O-H unit about the O ion. The main difference from usual H-bonded crystals is that the adjacent O-O pair most likely has no proton between the O ions, so that the Pauling ice rule precluding 2 protons in one bond is not much of a restriction in perovskites because the proton concentration is typically below 0.2 per formula unit. Another difference is that, though protonic semiconductor activation energies are high, in the 0.5 to 1 eV range, the high operating temperatures of SOFCs, 600 to 900 oC, give useful amounts of power per unit area, or in the electrolysis mode, useful amounts of H2 out for steam and electric power input.

Two applications for proton-conducting perovskite ceramics are SOFCs and hydrogen separation membranes (HSMs). For SOFCs, we have modeled the V(i) behavior with almost no adjustable parameters, and have succeeded in coming close to the Nernst open‑circuit potential as well as fitting the V(i) curves for a variety of H2/O2 partial pressure combinations. For HSMs, unlike for SOFCs, an electronic conductivity comparable to the protonic conductivity is desirable, to avoid using a cermet which may crack because of differential thermal expansion.

In conclusion, many oxides and fluorides have O-O or F-F separations in the H‑bonding range and will provide a stimulating playground for further basic and applied research on proton incorporation and dynamics in solids.
Interfacial energy of calcite-MHA/MUA self-assembled monolayers during nucleation
Authors: Hu Qiaona , Nielsen Mike , Becker Udo , De Yoreo Jim
Published: September 2011

The interfacial energies between template-directed calcite nuclei and self-assembled monolayers of 16-mercaptohexadecanoic acid (MHA) and 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid (MUA) were measured. The results reveal that (1) the MHA and MUA significantly reduce the effective surface energy of calcite from about 97 mJ/m2 in solution to about 45.3 and 52.7 mJ/m2 on MHA and MUA respectively, providing a thermodynamic basis for the strong capacity of MHA and MUA to promote calcite nuclei; and (2) the barrier to nucleation is dominated by the free energy barrier which enhances the rate of surface nucleation on MHA and MUA.
Retardo de desenvolvimento associado à Osteopetrose
Authors: Khawali Cristina , Rezende Carmen A.C. , Castro Marise Lazaretti
Published: September 2011

A osteopetrose é uma doença genética rara, com variação na sua expressividade e no seu modo de herança e que caracteriza-se, básicamente, pela esclerose óssea generalizada resultado de um desequilibrio entre formação e reabsorçâo ósseas. Descreveremos um caso desta doença em que um retardo de desenvolvimento associado a fraturas ósseas iniciaram a investigação. E.D.C., 19 anos e 9 meses, foi encaminhado ao serviço médico por alteração esquelética e baixa estatura. Iniciou aumento de volume testicular e pilificaçâo pubiana aos 18 anos, com progressão lenta da puberdade. Há 6 meses apresentou fratura de antebraço após queda da própria altura. Ao exame físico apresentava estatura de 141,5 cm; peso 38,5 kg; estadiamento puberal em GIII PII com idade óssea de 13 anos e 6 meses. O exame radiológico do esqueleto apresentou uma hiperdensidade óssea com alterações típicas de osteopetrose , com sinais de fratura em ulna e colo de fémur, ambos à direita. A densitometria óssea encontrava-se 10,65 e 15,55 desvios-padrão acima da média para sua idade em coluna lombar e fêmur respectivamente. As dosagens hormonais revelaram níveis reduzidos de testosterona total para a idade cronológica (245 ng/dl) com gonadotrofinas basais normais; hormônio de crescimento (GH) responsivo à hipoglicemia e níveis de fator de crescimento semelhante a insulina-l (IGF-I) diminuídos para o estádio puberal. Os níveis de cálcio (Ca), fósforo (P), atividade de fosfatase alcalina (FA) e paratormônio intacto (PTH) plasmáticos estavam dentro da normalidade. A incidência de osteopetrose em nosso meio é bastante rara, e sua associação com baixa estatura e retardo puberal é conhecida, sendo provavelmente de origem multifatorial, afetando mais intensamente as formas graves da doença, onde a anemia crônica e infecções de repetição estão presentes. As alterações displásicas do tecido ósseo e das cartilagens de crescimento inerentes a osteopetrose certamente desempenham um papel importante na baixa estatura.
Interpolação de efemérides GPS
Authors: Cararo Angela Cristina , Ferreira Luiz Danilo Damasceno
Published: September 2011

Neste trabalho é aplicado o procedimento de interpolação ao caso das efemérides GPS, que são normalmente disponibilizadas em formato de tabelas, em intervalos de 5 ou 15 minutos. Algumas aplicações GPS necessitam de dados de efemérides a intervalos menores do que isto. Diversos métodos de interpolação têm sido usados para gerar posições e velocidades dos satélites GPS nos pontos intermediários das tabelas. Os métodos de interpolação abordados serão o polinomial e trigonométrico, e serão aplicados sobre as efemérides rápidas IGS, com 24 horas de dados, em intervalos de 5 minutos, contendo a posição (coordenadas x, y e z) dos satélites GPS em dois sistemas de coordenadas: geocêntrico rotacional (ou terrestre) e geocêntrico inercial. Testes para determinar o número ótimo de termos nas interpolações foram conduzidos. Os dois tipos de funções utilizadas se mostraram adequadas, mas a interpolação através de funções trigonométricas mostrou-se o método mais adequado a ser aplicado nas efemérides GPS disponibilizadas pelo IGS no formato SP3. Nesse caso o melhor desempenho do interpolador se deu com 7 termos, com as efemérides-fonte no sistema inercial. O melhor resultado para interpolação polinomial aconteceu no caso da função apresentar entre 9 e 11 termos.
Pharmacogenetics of OATP Transporters Reveals That SLCO1B1 c.388A>G Variant Is Determinant of Increased Atorvastatin Response
Authors: Rodrigues Alice C. , Perin Paula M. S. , Purim Sheila G. , Silbiger Vivian N. , Genvigir Fabiana D. V. , Willrich Maria Alice V. , Arazi Simone S. , Luchessi Andre D. , Hirata Mario H. , Bernik Marcia M. S. , Dorea Egidio L. , Santos Carla , Faludi Andre A. , Bertolami Marcelo C. , Salas Antonio , Freire Ana , Lareu Maria V. , Phillips Christopher , Porras-Hurtado Liliana , Fondevila Manuel , Carracedo Angel , Hirata Rosario D. C.
Published: September 2011

Aims: The relationship between variants in SLCO1B1 and SLCO2B1 genes and lipid-lowering response to atorvastatin was investigated. Material and Methods: One-hundred-thirty-six unrelated individuals with hypercholesterolemia were selected and treated with atorvastatin (10 mg/day/4 weeks). They were genotyped with a panel of ancestry informative markers for individual African component of ancestry (ACA) estimation by SNaPshot® and SLCO1B1 (c.388A>G, c.463C>A and c.521T>C) and SLCO2B1 (−71T>C) gene polymorphisms were identified by TaqMan® Real-time PCR. Results: Subjects carrying SLCO1B1 c.388GG genotype exhibited significantly high low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol reduction relative to c.388AA+c.388AG carriers (41 vs. 37%, p = 0.034). Haplotype analysis revealed that homozygous of SLCO1B1*15 (c.521C and c.388G) variant had similar response to statin relative to heterozygous and non-carriers. A multivariate logistic regression analysis confirmed that c.388GG genotype was associated with higher LDL cholesterol reduction in the study population (OR: 3.2, CI95%:1.3–8.0, p < 0.05). Conclusion: SLCO1B1 c.388A>G polymorphism causes significant increase in atorvastatin response and may be an important marker for predicting efficacy of lipid-lowering therapy.
Difference in TRI13 Gene Sequences between the 3-Acetyldeoxynivalenol Producing Fusarium graminearum Chemotypes from Canada and China
Authors: Amarasinghe Chami , Wang Jian-Hua , Liao Yu-Cai , Fernando W.G. Dilantha
Published: September 2011

Positive-negative PCR assays based on the genes involved in the trichothecene biosynthesis pathway are useful in assessing the risk of trichothecene contamination in grain and are important in epidemiological studies. A single PCR detection method based on the structural gene sequence of TRI13 gene has been developed to predict the 3-ADON, 15-ADON and NIV chemotypes in China. The chemotypic differences are based on the deletions within the TRI13 gene. The objective of this study was to assess the reliability of using this single primer based on the TRI13 gene to differentiate the F. graminearum chemotypes in Canada. In this study, we found that, this single PCR detection method based on the deletions in the TRI13 gene cannot be used to differentiate the 3-ADON and 15-ADON chemotypes in the Canadian F. graminearum isolates; further sequence analysis of the PCR products confirmed that both Canadian 3-ADON and 15-ADON chemotypes have the 61 bp deletion in the TRI13 gene. This 61 bp deletion was absent in the Chinese 3-ADON isolates. Therefore these findings revealed that there are genetic differences between the examined 3-ADON F. graminearum isolates from Canada and China. The observed genetic differences between the 3-ADON chemotype populations in Canada and China may be resulted from a random mutation (insertion/deletion) that took place in one of the populations and accumulated due to genetic drift and/or selection.
Stability of ternary reaction-diffusion dynamical systems
Authors: Rionero Salvatore
Published: September 2011

In view of the fundamental role played by the ternary reaction-di¤usion dynamical systems of P.D.Es for the description of the behaviour of continuous media and other phenomena (biological, chemical, …), this paper is devoted to their nonlinear _L_2-stability. General conditions guaranteeing the (local) nonlinear _L_2-stability via the stability of reduced or symmetric ternary linear systems of O.D.Es are found. The results obtained are applied to a triply convective-diffusive fluid mixture saturating a porous layer and to a biological problem.
Metodi topologici, disequazioni variazionali e traiettorie di rimbalzo elastico
Authors: Marino Antonio
Published: September 2011

The first part of this exposition briefly outlines the story of the encounter between two research streams active in Italy and particularly in Pisa in the second half of the twentieth century: Nonlinear Analysis led by Giovanni Prodi and Variational Inequalities led by Guido Stampacchia. This meeting was favoured by an independent proposal of Ennio De Giorgi. In the second part some recent outcomes concerning elastic bounce trajectories are reported.
Illustrations of Zanaboni’s formulation of Saint-Venant’s principle
Authors: Knops Robin J. , Villaggio Piero
Published: September 2011

Zanaboni in 1937 published three notes in the Rendiconti in which he proposed a modified version and new proof of Saint-Venant’s principle applicable to bodies not necessarily cylindrical in shape. Examples are presented to illustrate that Zanaboni’s version is not universally applicable.
Existence for wave equations on domains with arbitrary growing cracks
Authors: Dal Maso Gianni , Larsen Christopher J.
Published: September 2011

In this paper we formulate and study scalar wave equations on domains with arbitrary growing cracks. This includes a zero Neumann condition on the crack sets, and the only assumptions on these sets are that they have bounded surface measure and are growing in the sense of set inclusion. In particular, they may be dense, so the weak formulations must fall outside of the usual weak formulations using Sobolev spaces. We study both damped and undamped equations, showing existence and, for the damped equation, uniqueness and energy conservation.
The detailed snowpack scheme Crocus and its implementation in SURFEX v7
Authors: Vionnet V. , Brun E. , Morin S. , Boone A. , Faroux S. , Le Moigne P. , Martin E. , Willemet J.-M.
Published: September 2011

Abstract. Detailed studies of snow cover processes require models that offer a fine description of the snow cover properties. The detailed snowpack model Crocus is such a scheme, and has been run operationally for avalanche forecasting over the French mountains for 20 years. It is also used for climate or hydrological studies. To extend its potential applications, Crocus has been recently integrated within the framework of the externalized surface module SURFEX. SURFEX computes the exchanges of energy and mass between different types of surface, and the atmosphere and includes in particular the land surface scheme ISBA (Interactions between Soil, Biosphere, and Atmosphere). It allows Crocus to be run either in stand-alone mode, using a time series of forcing meteorological data or in fully coupled mode (explicit or fully implicit numerics) with atmospheric models ranging from meso-scale models to general circulation models. This approach also insures a full coupling between the snow cover and the soil beneath. Several applications of this new simulation platform are presented. They range from a 1D stand-alone simulation (Col de Porte, France) to fully-distributed simulations in complex terrain, either in forced mode over a whole mountain range (Massif des Grandes Rousses, France), or in coupled mode such as a snow transport simulation (Col du Lac Blanc, France), or a surface energy balance and boundary layer simulation over a polar ice cap (Dome C, Antarctica).
High‐Performance Integrated ZnO Nanowire UV Sensors on Rigid and Flexible Substrates
Authors: Bai Suo , Wu Weiwei , Qin Yong , Cui Nuanyang , Bayerl Dylan J. , Wang Xudong
Published: September 2011

Due to the large surface area‐to‐volume ratio and high quality crystal structure, single nanowire (NW)‐based UV sensors exhibit very high on/off ratios between photoresponse current and dark current. Practical applications require a large‐scale and low‐cost integration, compatibility to flexible electronics, as well as reasonably high photoresponse current that can be detected without high‐precision measurement systems. In this paper, NW‐based UV sensors were fabricated in large‐scale by integrating multiple NWs connected in parallel via the contact printing method. Linear scaling of the photoresponse current with the number of NWs is demonstrated. Integrated ZnO NW UV sensors were fabricated on rigid glass and flexible polyester (PET) substrates at the macroscopic scale. The flexible and rigid sensors performed comparably, exhibiting on/off current ratios approximately three orders of magnitude higher than sensors made from polycrystalline ZnO thin films. Under UV irradiance of 4.5 mW cm−2 and 3 V bias, photoresponse currents and on/off current ratios for the rigid and flexible UV sensors reached 12.22 mA and 82 000, and 14.1 mA and 120 000, respectively. This result suggests that lateral integration of semiconductor NWs is an effective approach to large‐scale fabrication of flexible NW sensors that inherit the merits of single‐NW‐based systems with unaffected performance compared to using rigid substrate.
Comment on “Strong signature of the active Sun in 100 years of terrestrial insolation data” by W. Weber
Authors: Feulner G.
Published: September 2011

An analysis of ground‐based observations of solar irradiance was recently published in this journal, reporting an apparent increase of solar irradiance on the ground of the order of 1 % between solar minima and maxima [1]. Since the corresponding variations in total solar irradiance on top of the atmosphere are accurately determined from satellite observations to be of the order of 0.1 % only [2], the one order of magnitude stronger effect in the terrestrial insolation data was interpreted as evidence for cosmic‐ray induced aerosol formation in the atmosphere. In my opinion, however, this result does not reflect reality. Using the energy budget of Earth's surface, I show that changes of ground‐based insolation with the solar cycle of the order of 1 % between solar minima and maxima would result in large surface air temperature variations which are inconsistent with the instrumental record. It would appear that the strong variations of terrestrial irradiance found by [1] are due to the uncorrected effects of volcanic or local aerosols and seasonal variations. Taking these effects into account, I find a variation of terrestrial insolation with solar activity which is of the same order as the one measured from space, bringing the surface energy budget into agreement with the solar signal detected in temperature data.
Well‐defined polymers containing 1,3‐dichloro‐tetra‐n‐butyl‐distannoxane moiety: Synthesis, mechanism, and applications in catalysis
Authors: Feng Gang , Jia Yong‐Guang , Liu Ling‐Yan , Chang Wei‐Xing , Li Jing
Published: September 2011

A series of well‐defined different chain lengths polymers, which contain the organometallic 1,3‐dichloro‐tetra‐n‐butyl‐distannoxane core in the main chain, was obtained in one‐pot via a novel 1,3‐dichloro‐tetra‐n‐butyl‐distannoxane (complex A)/azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) initiating system used in reverse atom transfer radical polymerization of styrene in different concentrations. The introduction of organotin complex A was supported by 1H‐NMR, 13C–NMR, and the Inductive Coupled Plasma Emission Spectrometer analysis of the organotin‐containing polymer. Moreover, the mechanism of polymerization was investigated by changing the ratio of complex A to AIBN. It was concluded that the complex A not only acted as an important part of the initiator system but also introduced the functional organometallic group into the polymer chain. Additionally, the organotin‐containing polymer could be used as catalyst for esterification, and the reaction products' conversion could reach high up to 99% and does not decrease after four successive cycles. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Synthesis and Anticancer Activity of Indolin‐2‐one Derivatives Bearing the 4‐Thiazolidinone Moiety
Authors: Wang Shuobing , Zhao Yanfang , Zhu Wufu , Liu Ying , Guo Kaixing , Gong Ping
Published: September 2011

A novel series of indolin‐2‐one derivatives containing the 4‐thiazolidinone moiety (5a—5p) was synthesized and the cytotoxicity of these derivatives was evaluated in vitro against three human cancer cell lines (HT‐29, H460 and MDA‐MB‐231) by standard MTT assay. Some prepared compounds exhibited significant cytotoxicity against different human cancer cell lines. Several potent compounds were further evaluated against one normal cell line (WI‐38). In particular, the promising compound 5h showed remarkable cytotoxicity and selectivity against the HT‐29 and H460 cancer cell lines (IC50 = 0.016 µmol/L, 0.0037 µmol/L, respectively).
Modern analysis of customer satisfaction surveys: comparison of models and integrated analysis
Authors: Kenett Ron S. , Salini Silvia
Published: September 2011

Customer satisfaction is a key dimension driving business outcomes and performance of processes in service and product organizations. Measuring customer satisfaction is typically based on self‐declared or interview‐based questionnaires where users or consumers are asked to express opinions on statements, or satisfaction scales, mapping out various interactions with the service provider or product supplier. The topic has gained importance in recent years with researchers proposing new models and methods for designing, implementing, and analyzing customer satisfaction surveys. This paper builds on material presented in a recent edited book entitled Modern Analysis of Customer Satisfaction Surveys (Kenett and Salini, 2011). The book provides a comprehensive exposition of a variety of models that have all been applied to the same data set by leading experts. These models generate a variety of management insights. Combining models opens up opportunities for further research and applications. Specifically, we suggest that an integrated analysis, aggregating several approaches to survey data analysis, may prove effective in increasing the information quality derived from of a customer satisfaction survey. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stereoselective effects of monoterpenes on the microviscosity and curvature of model membranes assessed by DPH steady‐state fluorescence anisotropy and light scattering analysis
Authors: Zunino María P. , Turina Anahi V. , Zygadlo Julio A. , Perillo María A.
Published: September 2011

Here, we evaluated stereoselectivity in monoterpenes (MTs) ability to disturb membrane dynamics. Correlations between molecular structure and physicochemical properties of pinenes, menthols, and carvones enantiomers were investigated through cluster and principal component analysis. Therefore, MTs' concentration‐dependent changes in light scattering and diphenylhexatriene (DPH) fluorescence polarization induced by MTs were measured on large unilamellar vesicles (LUVs) of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine. The behavior of the less polar compounds (hydrocarbons) was characterized by a membrane expansion (increase in light scattering), detectable within the low‐concentration range. They remained in the membrane up to the highest concentrations tested exhibiting a concentration‐dependent anisotropy decrease. Within the more polar terpenes (alcohols) prevailed a budding phenomenon with the production of small LUVs with roughly constant curvature (more evident at medium and high concentrations), which explains the slight change in microviscosity (DPH fluorescence anisotropy). These behaviors were compatible with the deeper localization within the membrane core of the formers compared with the latters as predicted from the corresponding polar charge distribution in their molecular structures. The enantioselectivity was expressed by neomenthol at low concentration and carvone at medium concentration. Inhibition and potentiation were evidenced, within the low‐concentration range, by the racemic mixtures in neomenthol and β‐pinenes, respectively. Chirality, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A systematic study of chiral homoprolinols and their derivatives in the catalysis of enantioselective addition of diethylzinc to aldehydes
Authors: Liu Chang‐Lu , Wei Chang‐Yong , Wang Shi‐Wen , Peng Yun‐Gui
Published: September 2011

Homoprolinol analogs, a class of optically active γ‐amino alcohols, were examined systematically in the enantioselective addition reactions of diethylzinc to aldehydes. By comparison of the results catalyzed by these γ‐amino alcohols with those by the β‐amino alcohols based on pyrrolidine architecture reported in the literature references, we have observed that the γ‐amino alcohols are superior to the corresponding β‐amino alcohols when the nitrogen and the oxygen are unsubstituted. Among the homoprolinols we tested, 2b gave the best results (45–88% yields, 44–81% ee) in the addition reactions. To the best of our knowledge, 2b has been noticed as one of the most efficient γ‐amino alcohol catalysts based on pyrrolidine framework. Chirality, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Antimetastatic activity of honokiol in osteosarcoma
Authors: Steinmann Patrick , Walters Denise K. , Arlt Matthias J. E. , Banke Ingo J. , Ziegler Urs , Langsam Bettina , Arbiser Jack , Muff Roman , Born Walter , Fuchs Bruno
Published: September 2011

BACKGROUND:

Metastasizing osteosarcoma has a mean 5‐year survival rate of only 20% to 30%. Therefore, novel chemotherapeutics for more effective treatment of this disease are required.

METHODS:

The antineoplastic activity of honokiol, which was demonstrated previously in numerous malignancies, was studied in vivo in C3H mice subcutaneously injected with syngeneic β‐galactosidase bacterial gene (lacZ)‐expressing LM8 osteosarcoma (LM8‐lacZ) cells. In vitro cytotoxic effects of honokiol were investigated in 8 human and 2 murine osteosarcoma cell lines with different in vivo metastatic potential.

RESULTS:

Seven days after subcutaneous flank injection of LM8‐lacZ cells, daily intraperitoneal treatment of mice with 150 mg/kg honokiol reduced the number of micrometastases in the lung by 41% and reduced the number of macrometastases in the lung and liver by 69% and 80%, respectively, compared with control. Primary tumor growth was not inhibited. In osteosarcoma cell lines, honokiol inhibited the metabolic activity with a half‐maximal concentration (IC50) between 8.0 μg/mL and 16 μg/mL. Cyclosporin A partially reversed the inhibition of metabolic activity in LM8‐lacZ cells. Cell proliferation and wound healing migration of LM8‐lacZ cells were inhibited by honokiol with an IC50 between 5.0 μg/mL and 10 μg/mL. Higher concentrations caused rapid cell death, which was distinct from necrosis, apoptosis, or autophagy but was associated with swelling of the endoplasmic reticulum, cytoplasmic vacuolation, and morphologically altered mitochondria.

CONCLUSIONS:

Honokiol exhibited prominent antimetastatic activity in experimental osteosarcoma and caused rapid cell death in vitro that was unrelated to necrosis, apoptosis, or autophagy. The authors concluded that honokiol has considerable potential for the treatment of metastasizing osteosarcoma. Cancer 2012. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
Subdivisions of the turtle Pseudemys scripta hypothalamus based on the expression of regulatory genes and neuronal markers
Authors: Moreno Nerea , Domínguez Laura , Morona Ruth , González Agustín
Published: September 2011

The patterns of distribution of a set of conserved brain developmental regulatory transcription factors and neuronal markers were analyzed in the hypothalamus of the juvenile turtle, Pseudemys scripta. Combined immunohistochemical techniques were used for the identification of the main boundaries and subdivisions in the optic, paraventricular, tuberal, and mammillary hypothalamic regions. The combination of Tbr1 and Pax6 with Nkx2.1 allowed identification of the boundary between the telencephalic preoptic area, rich in Nkx2.1 expression, and the prethalamic eminence, rich in Tbr1 expression. In addition, at this level Nkx2.2 expression defined the boundary between the telencephalon and the hypothalamus. The dorsalmost hypothalamic domain was the supraoptoparaventricular region that was defined by the expression of Otp/Pax6 and the lack of Nkx2.1/Isl1. It is subdivided into rostral, rich in Otp and Nkx2.2, and caudal, only Otp‐positive, portions. Ventrally, the suprachiasmatic area was identified by its catecholaminergic groups and the lack of Otp, and could be further divided into a rostral portion, rich in Nkx2.1 and Nkx2.2, and a caudal portion, rich in Isl1 and devoid of Nkx2.1 expression. The expressions of Nkx2.1 and Isl1 defined the tuberal hypothalamus, whereas only the rostral portion expressed Otp. Its caudal boundary was evident by the lack of Isl1 in the adjacent mammillary area, which expressed Nkx2.1 and Otp. All these results provide an important set of data on the interpretation of the hypothalamic organization in a reptile, and hence make a useful contribution to the understanding of hypothalamic evolution. J. Comp. Neurol., 2012;520:453–478. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Trust‐aware query routing in P2P social networks
Authors: Wang Qingjie , Wang Jianrong , Yu Jian , Yu Mei , Zhang Yan
Published: September 2011

Query efficiency is a significant challenge in peer‐to‐peer (P2P) social networks. In this paper, we build a trust‐aware semantic‐based query routing strategy to improve the searching efficiency and enhance the security. Based on the vector space model, similar semantic ordinary peers set up an unstructured semantic social community. Super peers in each community constitute a structured P2P network and store the keywords information in a global inverted file. We exploit Bloom filters to complete multikeyword query. Furthermore, malicious behaviors may take place in P2P social networks. We then build a community‐based trust mechanism. The intracommunity reputations of ordinary peers in a semantic social community are calculated, and the intercommunity reputations of super peers in the structured P2P network are evaluated. This mechanism combines the local trust and the global trust. The results show that the proposed query scheme is able to increase query efficiency and also decrease query cost with significantly reduced malicious behaviors. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optimization of sensing time in multichannel sequential sensing for cognitive radio
Authors: Zhang Xian , Wu Qihui , Wang Jinlong
Published: September 2011

This paper studies the design of sensing time in multichannel sequential sensing for cognitive radio under the multichannel sensing slots and one transmission slot scheme. Firstly, we consider the case where the channel idle probability is known. In this case, when the channels’ signal‐to‐noise ratios (SNRs) are equal, we prove that there exist optimal sensing times that maximize the achievable throughput for secondary user, while primary user is sufficiently protected. When the channels’ SNRs are different, brute‐force search is used to find the optimal sensing order that maximizes the achievable throughput of secondary user, and the corresponding optimal sensing times will be obtained. Then, a suboptimal and low‐complexity approach of one‐slot sensing time without knowing the channel idle probability is proposed. The proposed approach solves the problem of sensing order by selecting the channel with the minimum sensing time in the next sensing slot when the channels’ SNRs are different. Numerical results show that the proposed approach achieves a performance close to that of the optimal sensing time under different conditions and has significant performance improvement over the approach of fixed sensing time. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Disseminated Leishmaniasis: Clinical, immunological, and therapeutic aspects
Authors: Rosa Maria Elisa Alves , Machado Paulo Roberto Lima
Published: September 2011

Disseminated leishmaniasis (DL) is a distinct, severe, and emerging form of American tegumentary leishmaniasis. DL has been characterized by more than 10 multiple and pleomorphic cutaneous lesions, distributed in more than two noncontiguous parts of the body. Mucosal involvement is detected in up to 44% of cases. The development of the DL involves a complex and poorly understood network involving parasite, host immune response, and the environment, where L. braziliensis polymorphism plays a major role. A decrease in the type 1 immune response in the peripheral blood of DL patients appears to be caused by the attraction of Leishmania‐activated T cells to the multiple cutaneous lesions. DL is a difficult to cure disease and failure to pentavalent antimony therapy is observed in at least 60% of cases. Drug Dev Res 72:437–441, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.