bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of sclerostin by systemic treatment with sclerostin antibody enhances healing of proximal tibial defects in ovariectomized rats
Authors: McDonald Michelle M. , Morse Alyson , Mikulec Kathy , Peacock Lauren , Yu Nicole , Baldock Paul A. , Birke Oliver , Liu Min , Ke Hua Zhu , Little David G.
Published: March 2012

Recent studies suggest a possible role for inhibitors of sclerostin such as sclerostin antibody (Scl‐Ab) as an anabolic treatment for osteoporosis. Since Scl‐Ab has also been shown to potentiate bone repair, we examined the effect of Scl‐Ab treatment in a metaphyseal defect repair model in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Four weeks after OVX or sham surgery, 3 mm circular defects were created bilaterally in the proximal tibia of all rats. After defect surgery, Saline or 25 mg/kg Scl‐Ab was administered twice weekly for 3 weeks. Of note, healing was advanced in the 1‐week post‐defect surgery in OVX controls over Sham controls, with increases in bone volume and fluorochrome labeling observed. However, by week 2, OVX controls fell significantly behind in the repair response compared with Sham controls. Scl‐Ab treatment significantly increased bone volume in the defect in OVX rats over the 3‐week time course as examined by either microCT or histology. Significant increases in bone formation via fluorochrome labeling of the new bone were observed with Scl‐Ab treatment, while osteoclast parameters were not different. With its powerful anabolic potential, bone‐specific activity, and potential for low dosing frequency, Scl‐Ab treatment could provide enhanced bone repair, particularly in situations of compromised bone repair such as osteoporotic bone. © 2012 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 30:1541–1548, 2012
Surgical management of frontal sinus inverted papilloma: A systematic review
Authors: Walgama Evan , Ahn Chul , Batra Pete S.
Published: March 2012

Objectives/Hypothesis:

Surgical management of frontal sinus (FS) inverted papilloma (IP) remains a significant challenge. This study systematically reviews the FS IP literature to delineate outcomes based on surgical strategy.

Study Design:

Systematic review.

Methods:

Cases for inclusion were identified by literature query for the terms frontal sinus and inverted papilloma between 1995 and 2010. Cases reported with sufficient outcomes data, defined as specific surgical approach and disease‐free follow‐up, were included. Statistical analysis was performed to identify significant risk factors for recurrence. The reported length of follow‐up for each surgical approach was analyzed as an indicator of the strength of the reported literature for each approach.

Results:

Fifty‐seven cases were identified in 13 studies, with 49 cases deemed adequate for additional analysis. Twenty‐four cases (49%) were primary, and 25 (51%) were secondary (residual or recurrent disease) IP. Bilateral FS involvement was reported in eight cases (16.3%). Surgical approaches employed included endoscopic frontal sinusotomy (EFS) in 21 (42.9%), endoscopic modified Lothrop (EML) in 10 (20.4%), osteoplastic flap in 13 (26.5%), and endoscopic trephination and EFS in five (10.2%) patients. The overall rate of recurrence was 22.4%. Mean follow‐up time was 27 months.

Conclusions:

The recent reported literature of FS IP demonstrates high prevalence of recurrent and bilateral cases. Although statistical analysis of this accrued data is unable to delineate the best surgical approach for FS IP, more aggressive approaches frequently employed for secondary or bilateral disease may facilitate better disease control.
Mitogenic Activity of Sulfated Chitosan and Cellulose Derivatives is Related to Protection of FGF‐2 from Proteolytic Cleavage
Authors: Weltrowski Annett , da Silva Almeida Marie‐Luise , Peschel Dieter , Zhang Kai , Fischer Steffen , Groth Thomas
Published: March 2012

Novel chitosan (CHS) and cellulose sulfates (CSs) are studied regarding their mitogenic activity and their protective effect against proteolytic digestion of FGF‐2. An intermediate degree of sulfation (DSS) and lower concentration of CHS have superior effect on 3T3 cell growth while the mitogenic activity of CS increases with DSS and concentration. Experiments with trypsin as model proteinase show that protection of FGF‐2 from proteolytic digestion depends on DSS and the concentration of derivatives in the same manner as cell growth. Studies on stability of FGF‐2 added to cultures of 3T3 cells show that the FGF‐2 concentration remains higher in the presence of derivatives. Results indicate that the mitogenic activity of CHS and CS is due to protection of FGF‐2 from proteolytic cleavage.

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Potential shifts in olive flowering according to climate variations in Southern Italy
Authors: Orlandi F. , Avolio E. , Bonofiglio T. , Federico S. , Romano B. , Fornaciari M.
Published: March 2012

Phenological investigations that adopt aerobiological monitoring methodologies are frequently used for species that rely on the wind for pollen grain dispersion, such as the olive in the Mediterranean basin. The present study of olive flowering dates was carried out in the Calabria region (southern Italy). These were calculated on the basis of a phenological study of pollen levels in the atmosphere in three typical olive‐growing areas over an 11 year study period (1999–2009). This phenological method provides olive flowering maps that are based on temperatures (as the growing degree days: GDDs), which are highly correlated with the release of the pollen grains. According to the model developed, the average GDDs corresponding to the flowering dates were calculated for the baseline period of 1981–2000. Moreover, with the use of meteorological data derived from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change scenarios, the future olive flowering dates are estimated for the 20 year period from 2081 to 2100. The close relationships between the spring temperature trends and the reproductive phenological phases in the olive are highly sensitive to climatic change, which has implications in terms of potential latitude and altitude shifts in the olive cultivation areas. In some cultivation areas in southern Italy, the present particular combination of microclimate, soil status and level of erosion is considered as limiting to regular vegetative plant development. However, the use of olive cultivars that are specifically adapted to extremely stressful environments, in terms of high temperatures and water deficit, might represent the main solution for the mitigation of the consequences of climatic change.
Feasibility of shutter‐speed DCE‐MRI for improved prostate cancer detection
Authors: Li Xin , Priest Ryan A. , Woodward William J. , Tagge Ian J. , Siddiqui Faisal , Huang Wei , Rooney William D. , Beer Tomasz M. , Garzotto Mark G. , Springer Charles S.
Published: March 2012

The feasibility of shutter‐speed model dynamic‐contrast‐enhanced MRI pharmacokinetic analyses for prostate cancer detection was investigated in a prebiopsy patient cohort. Differences of results from the fast‐exchange‐regime‐allowed (FXR‐a) shutter‐speed model version and the fast‐exchange‐limit‐constrained (FXL‐c) standard model are demonstrated. Although the spatial information is more limited, postdynamic‐contrast‐enhanced MRI biopsy specimens were also examined. The MRI results were correlated with the biopsy pathology findings. Of all the model parameters, region‐of‐interest‐averaged Ktrans difference [ΔKtrans ≡ Ktrans(FXR‐a) − Ktrans(FXL‐c)] or two‐dimensional Ktrans(FXR‐a) vs. kep(FXR‐a) values were found to provide the most useful biomarkers for malignant/benign prostate tissue discrimination (at 100% sensitivity for a population of 13, the specificity is 88%) and disease burden determination. (The best specificity for the fast‐exchange‐limit‐constrained analysis is 63%, with the two‐dimensional plot.) Ktrans and kep are each measures of passive transcapillary contrast reagent transfer rate constants. Parameter value increases with shutter‐speed model (relative to standard model) analysis are larger in malignant foci than in normal‐appearing glandular tissue. Pathology analyses verify the shutter‐speed model (FXR‐a) promise for prostate cancer detection. Parametric mapping may further improve pharmacokinetic biomarker performance. Magn Reson Med, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Reducing artifacts in one‐dimensional Fourier velocity encoding for fast and pulsatile flow
Authors: Lee Daeho , Santos Juan M. , Hu Bob S. , Pauly John M. , Kerr Adam B.
Published: March 2012

When evaluating the severity of valvular stenosis, the peak velocity of the blood flow is routinely used to estimate the transvalvular pressure gradient. One‐dimensional Fourier velocity encoding effectively detects the peak velocity with an ungated time series of spatially resolved velocity spectra in real time. However, measurement accuracy can be degraded by the pulsatile and turbulent nature of stenotic flow and the existence of spatially varying off‐resonance. In this work, we investigate the feasibility of improving the peak velocity detection capability of one‐dimensional Fourier velocity encoding for stenotic flow using a novel echo‐shifted interleaved readout combined with a variable‐density circular k‐space trajectory. The shorter echo and readout times of the echo‐shifted interleaved acquisitions are designed to reduce sensitivity to off‐resonance. Preliminary results from limited phantom and in vivo results also indicate that some artifacts from pulsatile flow appear to be suppressed when using this trajectory compared to conventional single‐shot readouts, suggesting that peak velocity detection may be improved. The efficiency of the new trajectory improves the temporal and spatial resolutions. To realize the proposed readout, a novel multipoint‐traversing algorithm is introduced for flexible and automated gradient‐waveform design. Magn Reson Med, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Urethral meatus deformities in girls as a factor in dysfunctional voiding
Authors: Klijn Aart J. , Bochove‐Overgaauw Deirdre , Winkler‐Seinstra Pauline L. , Dik Pieter , de Jong Tom P.V.M.
Published: March 2012

Purpose

Girls with an anterior deflected urinary stream (ADUS) cannot void in the ideal toileting position, resulting in lower success rates of behavioral training programs. Purpose was to study prospectively the clinical effects of surgical meatus correction for ADUS in girls with dysfunctional voiding (DV).

Methods

A cohort of 171 DV patients aged 6–12 years was investigated. All had recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs), staccato or interrupted uroflow, and >10% residual urine on ultrasound. For study purposes, all underwent a urodynamic study (UDS) to confirm DV. ADUS was recognized at first examination in 55 patients (32%) and a dorsally directed meatal correction was performed to achieve a normal direction of the urinary stream. The non‐ADUS group (116 girls) was given behavioral therapy (BT); however, a subgroup of 11 girls with ADUS was detected with persistent complaints after failed BT. These 11 girls also underwent a meatal correction.

Results

All DV complaints were resolved in 25 of the 55 (45%) girls from the original ADUS group and 8 of the 11 (73%) girls from the second group. During UDS, in the ADUS group free of complaints after meatal correction, a significantly higher Pmax (102 cmH2O) was found compared to those who did not benefit from correction (Pmax 76 cmH2O).

Conclusion

In this study, 39% of female DV patients had ADUS complaints. After surgical correction, 50% were free of all complaints without requiring any further behavioral training. The fast recovery into a normal voiding pattern in these girls shows that a meatus deformity needs to be looked for in all girls presenting with DV. Neurourol. Urodynam. 31:1161–1164, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Filler reaggregation and network formation time scale in extruded high‐density polyethylene/multiwalled carbon nanotube composites
Authors: Castillo Frank Yepez , Grady Brian P.
Published: March 2012

A high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) masterbatch containing 20.2 wt% multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) was melt diluted with neat HDPE using two different methods: a twin screw microcompounder and a single‐screw extruder. The electrical properties of these composites were assessed using bulk electrical conductivity measurements, their mechanical properties were evaluated using tensile tests and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and percent crystallinity was determined by wide angle x‐ray diffraction (WAXD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). A percolation threshold (pc) of 4.5 wt% MWNTs was found in compression‐molded samples. Extruded samples were prepared with nanotube concentrations below and above the compression‐molded percolation threshold (2 and 7 wt% MWNTs) and passed through the extruder twice before entering a low‐shear melt annealing zone. Different melt annealing times were used and their effects on the electrical and mechanical properties of the resulting quench‐cooled composites were evaluated. Results showed that extruded composites were nonconductive, indicating that a conductive nanotube network did not form on the time scale of these experiments. Annealing time also did not affect significantly the mechanical properties of the resulting solid composites. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers
Effect of injection speed on phase morphology, crystallization behavior, and mechanical properties of polyoxymethylene/poly(ethylene oxide) crystalline/crystalline blend in injection processing
Authors: Bai Shibing , Wang Qi
Published: March 2012

In this work, poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) was added into polyoxymethylene (POM) as a new modifier, and the effects of the injection speed on the phase morphology, crystallization behavior, and the mechanical properties of the POM/PEO crystalline/crystalline blend were investigated. The results showed that with the increase in the injection speed, the size of PEO phase decreased, and the location of PEO changed from the amorphous region between POM spherulites to that between crystal lamella fibers or between crystal lamellas in POM, which was favorable to prevent the craze growing to the crack and effectively absorb the impact energy. As a result, the notched impact strength of the blend increased from 7.8 to 11.3 kJ/m2. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 52:1938–1944, 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers
Combination of calcitriol and dietary soy exhibits enhanced anticancer activity and increased hypercalcemic toxicity in a mouse xenograft model of prostate cancer
Authors: Wang Jennifer Y. , Swami Srilatha , Krishnan Aruna V. , Feldman David
Published: March 2012

BACKGROUND

The potential role of vitamin D and soy in prostate cancer (PCa) prevention/treatment has gained much attention in recent years. In this study, we evaluated the anticancer activity of calcitriol, the active form of vitamin D, dietary soy, and their combinations in a mouse model of PCa.

METHODS

Athymic male nude mice bearing PC‐3 human PCa xenografts received diets containing 10 or 20 kcal% soy, calcitriol injections, or a combination of dietary soy and calcitriol. Changes in tumor growth, serum levels of 1,25(OH)2D and calcium, and regulation of tumor gene expression were examined.

RESULTS

The combination treatments resulted in substantially greater inhibition of tumor growth than either agent alone. Soy diets alone caused a modest elevation in serum 1,25(OH)2D, whereas the calcitriol‐soy combinations led to substantially elevated serum 1,25(OH)2D, hypercalcemia, and in some cases lethal toxicity. The combinations enhanced calcitriol activity in regulating target gene expression, including greater up‐regulation of anti‐proliferative (p21, IGFBP‐3) and pro‐apoptotic (Bax) genes, increased inhibition of anti‐apoptotic (Bcl‐2) and cell cycle promoting (cyclin D1) genes, and suppression of prostaglandin (PG) synthesis and signaling (COX‐2, 15‐PGDH, PG receptors). Increases in serum calcium were accompanied by elevated expression of intestinal calcium absorption genes (TRPV6, calbindin‐9k).

CONCLUSIONS

Soy increases the bioavailability of endogenous and administered calcitriol, thereby enhancing its anticancer effects and risk of hypercalcemia. Since both agents are easily available as dietary supplements, the increased potential for hypercalcemic toxicity becomes an important factor when considering the combined use of vitamin D and soy in PCa therapy. Prostate 72:1628–1637, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Zur Tragfähigkeit von Stabquerschnitten nach DIN EN 1993‐1‐1 (Teil 1)
Authors: Kindmann Rolf , Ludwig Christian
Published: March 2012

Die Regelungen in DIN EN 1993‐1‐1 zur Tragfähigkeit von Stabquerschnitten werden im Hinblick auf baupraktische Anwendungen und die bisher in Deutschland üblichen Nachweise kommentiert. Unklarheiten werden soweit wie möglich beseitigt und Orientierungshilfen für die Durchführung der erforderlichen Nachweise gegeben. Da die in DIN EN 1993‐1‐1 enthaltenen Interaktionsbeziehungen bereichsweise zu Bemessungsergebnissen führen, die auf der unsicheren Seite liegen (deutlich mehr als 10 %), werden alternative Nachweisbedingungen angegeben.

Bearing capacity of cross section according to DIN EN 1993‐1‐1 (part 1). The rules in DIN EN 1993‐1‐1 for the bearing capacity of cross sections are commented with regard to practical applications and the common verifications used in Germany. Ambiguities are eliminated as far as possible and guidance for the application of the necessary verifications are given. Due to the fact that the interaction conditions in DIN EN 1993‐1‐1 are partly on the unsafe side (more than 10 %), alternative verification are recommended.
Geschweißte Verbindungen nach DIN EN 1993‐1‐8
Authors: Volz Michael , Saal Helmut
Published: March 2012

Im Eurocode 3 wird im Gegensatz zu DIN 18800 die Bemessung von Verbindungen nicht in der Grundnorm DIN EN 1993‐1‐1, sondern in anderen Normenteilen geregelt. Dieser Beitrag behandelt die Bemessung geschweißter Verbindungen nach DIN EN 1993‐1‐8, die auch Hohlprofile, aber weder dünnwandige Bauteile noch Stähle höherer Festigkeit als S460 einschließt, vergleicht diese Bemessung mit der nach DIN 18800‐1, erläutert sie an Beispielen und hebt die wesentlichen Änderungen hervor. Da diese Änderungen auch die im Vergleich zu DIN 18800 viel stärkere Verknüpfung der in der Tragwerksplanung ansetzbaren Beanspruchbarkeiten mit dem Aufwand der Prüfung und Qualitätsüberwachung bei der Herstellung betreffen, werden abschließend wichtige Regelungen der DIN EN 1090‐2 zur Ausführung und Prüfung von Schweißnähten beschrieben, die auch der Tragwerksplaner kennen muss.

Welded connections according to DIN EN 1993‐1‐8. In contrast to DIN 18800 the design of welded connections in Eurocode 3 is not contained in the part for the general design rules but is given in special parts of this standard. This paper deals with the design rules of DIN EN 1993‐1‐8 for welded connections, which also include hollow sections, but exclude thin‐walled members and steel grades beyond S460. These design rules of DIN EN 1993‐1‐8 are explained in examples and compared to the design according DIN 18800‐1 with pointing out the essential differences. The interrelation between the resistance applicable for design calculation and the extent of inspection and testing with the execution of the structures is much stronger in DIN EN 1993‐1‐8 than in DIN 18800. Therefore finally the essential rules of DIN EN 1090‐2 concerning inspection and testing of welds which are relevant for the weld design are described.
Design of plated structures according to EN 1993‐1‐5 with the emphasis on longitudinal compression
Authors: Beg Darko
Published: March 2012

The paper describes the main features and advantages of Eurocode standard EN 1993‐1‐5 devoted to the design of plated structures. For unstiffened and longitudinally stiffened panels loaded with longitudinal compression stresses all three design approaches, the effective width method, the reduced stress method and numerical simulations based on FEM, are described and commented. With the help of numerical examples on plates with one and four longitudinal stiffeners in pure compression and on a plate girder with one stiffener in the compression zone a comparison among the methods is presented and some possible simplifications of the design procedure are commented. For plates in compression the effective width method and the reduced stress method give very similar results that are also in good correlation to the results of numerical simulations. For plate girders in bending the reduced stress method becomes over‐conservative because it does not take account of the stress redistribution.

Bemessung längsdruckbelasteter Plattentragwerke nach EN 1993‐1‐5. Der vorliegende Aufsatz beschreibt die wichtigsten Merkmale und Vorteile der Eurocode‐Norm EN 1993‐1‐5 zur Bemessung plattenförmiger Strukturen. Für nicht ausgesteifte und längs ausgesteifte Bleche unter Längsdruckbelastung werden alle drei Bemessungsverfahren beschrieben und kommentiert: die Methode der wirksamen Breite, die Methode der reduzierten Spannungen sowie die numerische Simulationen auf Grundlage der Finite‐Elemente‐Methode (FEM). Mit Hilfe numerischer Beispiele an Blechen mit einer und vier Längsaussteifungen unter reiner Druckbelastung sowie an einem Blechträger mit einer Aussteifung in der Druckzone werden die Methoden verglichen und einige mögliche Vereinfachungen der Bemessungsverfahren kommentiert. Für Bleche unter Druckbelastung liefern die Methoden der wirksamen Breite und der reduzierten Spannung sehr ähnliche Ergebnisse, die auch in guter Übereinstimmung mit den Ergebnissen der numerischen Simulationen stehen. Für Blechträger unter Biegebelastung ist die Methode der reduzierten Spannungen weniger geeignet, da sie Spannungsumlagerungen nicht berücksichtigt.
Making a difference
Authors: Kirby Roger
Published: March 2012

Most of us go into medicine with the intention of making a difference. However, this is not always achievable to the extent we might like. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons
Institution, network and elites’ political attitudes: An analysis of the “Wen Jiabao Phenomenon”
Authors: Lee Sangkuk
Published: March 2012

Unlike China’s other top leaders, PremierWen Jiabao has presented his political views after the 17th CCP Congress. Wen’s assertive attitude for further political reform has attracted attention from international as well as domestic media. This article utilizes both institutionalism and network analysis to explain this uncommon political phenomenon, while it illuminates the drawback of the attribute perspective which has been used popularly to infer the attitudes of China’s political elites. This study argues that Wen’s attitude with personality has been produced by some institutional and network factors. They include: the decline of a powerful rival, different functions of the party and state in China’s policy-making and implementation, division of policy work among Politburo Standing Committee leaders.
Pertusaria etayoi (lichenized Ascomycota: Pertusariaceae), a new lichen species from the Canary Islands
Authors: PÉREZ-VARGAS Israel , HERNÁNDEZ-PADRÓN Consuelo , PÉREZ DE PAZ Pedro L.
Published: March 2012

Pertusaria etayoi, found on lava flows and basaltic rocks from the Canary Islands, is described as new to science. It is the only species in the group of saxicolous Pertusaria with verruciform apothecia and 2 rough-walled ascospores to contain thiophaninic acid. A description of the species is given together with notes on its chemistry, distribution, ecology and taxonomy. Possible related lichen taxa are discussed briefly.
China, United States and Hegemonic Challenge in Latin America: An Overview and Some Lessons from Previous Instances of Hegemonic Challenge in the Region
Authors: Paz Gonzalo Sebastián
Published: March 2012

Has China been a hegemonic challenge to the United States in Latin America in recent years? The article explores this question by setting a comparison with historical cases of instances of hegemonic challenge in Latin America, searching for similarities and differences, and looking for makers of rivalry as a way to start to distinguish perception from reality. I stress the instrumentality of framing issues, since they serve for internal mobilization and for control of allies. The article also attempts to illuminate the issue of how the United States has reacted to China's growing presence in an area historically considered within its sphere of interests, or “backyard,” and about the dialogue between the United States and China about the region. It provides insights on the United States, China and Latin American countries’ policy makers’ thinking, collected through off-the- record interviews and closed-door debriefings.
Meeting places: the scientific congress and the host town in the south-west of England, 1836–1877
Authors: MISKELL LOUISE
Published: March 2012

This article presents a case-study of ‘parliaments of science’ and their impact on towns in the south-west of England in the second half of the nineteenth century. These were the week-long annual meetings of the British Association for the Advancement of Science and other national associations for different branches of knowledge which became a much publicized feature of the social and intellectual calendar of Victorian Britain. With particular reference to Exeter, it is argued that these events were used by towns and cities to assert their status and reputation and to compete with rival urban centres, and it is contended that they should be viewed, along with other cultural initiatives, as an important instrument in the shaping of urban and civic identity in mid-Victorian Britain. The study demonstrates the role of towns as scientific locations in the nineteenth century and suggests that they deserve attention in place-centred studies of Victorian science.
Parameterizations of some important characteristics of turbulent fluctuations and gusty wind disturbances in the atmospheric boundary layer
Authors: Cheng Xueling , Wu Lin , Hu Fei , Zeng Qing‐Cun
Published: March 2012

Parameterizations of several key characteristics of the high frequency turbulent fluctuations, the intermediate gusty wind disturbances, and their vertical profiles have been constructed with the physically based approach, and by the use of multilevel ultrasonic anemometer – thermometer observational data sets in the cold air mass. These characteristics are the kinetic energy and friction velocity of the turbulence and gust, the equivalent horizontal and vertical amplitudes and equivalent period of the gust train. The accuracy of parameterizations is statistically good (the coefficient of determination R2 > 0.5). Some problems about their further improvement and application were also discussed in this paper. Parameterization of gusty wind disturbances separated from the high frequency turbulence is important in the models for calculation and prediction of emission and entrainment of aerosol particles in the atmospheric boundary layer, because the role of turbulence is diffusion, but gusty wind disturbances act as small scale advection to entrain particles into the upper part of the atmospheric boundary layer.
Aerosol first indirect effects on non‐precipitating low‐level liquid cloud properties as simulated by CAM5 at ARM sites
Authors: Zhao Chuanfeng , Klein Stephen A. , Xie Shaocheng , Liu Xiaohong , Boyle James S. , Zhang Yuying
Published: March 2012

We quantitatively examine the aerosol first indirect effects (FIE) for non‐precipitating low‐level single‐layer liquid phase clouds simulated by the Community Atmospheric Model version 5 (CAM5) running in the weather forecast mode at three DOE Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) sites. The FIE is quantified in terms of a relative change in cloud droplet effective radius for a relative change in accumulation mode aerosol number concentration under conditions of fixed liquid water content (LWC). CAM5 simulates aerosol‐cloud interactions reasonably well for this specific cloud type, and the simulated FIE is consistent with the long‐term observations at the examined locations. The FIE in CAM5 generally decreases with LWC at coastal ARM sites, and is larger by using cloud condensation nuclei rather than accumulation mode aerosol number concentration as the choice of aerosol amount. However, it has no significant variations with location and has no systematic strong seasonal variations at examined ARM sites.
In vitro shoot regeneration from cotyledon of redgram
Authors: Prasanthi Lakkireddi , Raghavendra Telugu , Sudhakar Palagiri , Balakrishna Reddy K , Venkaiah Keerthi , Latha Putta , NVKV Prasad Tollamadugu
Published: March 2012

Pigeonpea is one of the most popular legume grains in the world, especially in the Indian sub-continent. Keeping in view the importance of the crop, an efficient protocol for rapid in vitro plant regeneration from cotyledon of redgram has been reported in this paper. The concentraion of the hormones played an important role in shoot and root regeneration.
Advances in the chemical modification of epitaxial graphene
Authors: Bekyarova E , Sarkar S , Niyogi S , Itkis M E , Haddon R C
Published: March 2012

Chemistry will play an increasingly important role in the realization of graphene applications. The chemical formation of covalent carbon–carbon bonds involving the basal plane carbon atoms offers an alternative approach to the control of the electronic properties of graphene, and potentially allows the generation of insulating and semiconducting regions in graphene wafers. This review summarizes recent progress in the covalent modification of epitaxial graphene and the effect that chemistry has on the electronic and magnetic properties of the material.
Improvement of ICRF antenna loading by local gas injection on ASDEX Upgrade
Authors: Jacquet P. , Bobkov V. , Mayoral M.-L. , Monakhov I. , Noterdaeme J.M. , Scarabosio A. , Stepanov I. , Vrancken M. , Wolfrum E.
Published: March 2012

Local gas injection has recently been tested as a tool to improve coupling of ion cyclotron range of frequency (ICRF) waves to tokamak plasmas, which relies on the tunnelling of the fast wave between the antenna structure and the cut-off layer within the plasma. It is found that antenna loading resistance is substantially increased when using a local gas inlet at a deuterium gas injection rate of 5 × 1021 el s−1 or higher, and that the proximity of the gas inlet to the antenna is the key factor to optimize the improvement in coupling due to gas injection.
Xenobiotic- and Jasmonic Acid-Inducible Signal Transduction Pathways Have Become Interdependent at the Arabidopsis CYP81D11 Promoter
Authors: Köster Julia , Thurow Corinna , Kruse Kerstin , Meier Alexander , Iven Tim , Feussner Ivo , Gatz Christiane
Published: March 2012

Plants modify harmful substances through an inducible detoxification system. In Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), chemical induction of the cytochrome P450 gene CYP81D11 and other genes linked to the detoxification program depends on class II TGA transcription factors. CYP81D11 expression is also induced by the phytohormone jasmonic acid (JA) through the established pathway requiring the JA receptor CORONATINE INSENSITIVE1 (COI1) and the JA-regulated transcription factor MYC2. Here, we report that the xenobiotic- and the JA-dependent signal cascades have become interdependent at the CYP81D11 promoter. On the one hand, MYC2 can only activate the expression of CYP81D11 when both the MYC2- and the TGA-binding sites are present in the promoter. On the other hand, the xenobiotic-regulated class II TGA transcription factors can only mediate maximal promoter activity if TGA and MYC2 binding motifs, MYC2, and the JA-isoleucine biosynthesis enzymes DDE2/AOS and JAR1 are functional. Since JA levels and degradation of JAZ1, a repressor of the JA response, are not affected by reactive chemicals, we hypothesize that basal JA signaling amplifies the response to chemical stress. Remarkably, stress-induced expression levels were 3-fold lower in coi1 than in the JA biosynthesis mutant dde2-2, revealing that COI1 can contribute to the activation of the promoter in the absence of JA. Moreover, we show that deletion of the MYC2 binding motifs abolishes the JA responsiveness of the promoter but not the responsiveness to COI1. These findings suggest that yet unknown cis-element(s) can mediate COI1-dependent transcriptional activation in the absence of JA.
Keratin 10‐positive orthokeratotic dysplasia: a new leucoplakia‐type precancerous entity of the oral mucosa
Authors: Kobayashi Takanori , Maruyama Satoshi , Abé Tatsuya , Cheng Jun , Takagi Ritsuo , Saito Chikara , Saku Takashi
Published: March 2012

Kobayashi T, Maruyama S, Abé T, Cheng J, Takagi R, Saito C & Saku T  (2012) Histopathology 61, 910–920

Keratin 10‐positive orthokeratotic dysplasia: a new leucoplakia‐type precancerous entity of the oral mucosa

Aims:  We investigated a group of oral mucosal lesions with characteristic hyperorthokeratotic foci, which we termed orthokeratotic dysplasia (OKD), to determine if it could be identified as a distinct histopathological entity.

Methods and results:  We screened 282 surgical specimens from 200 patients with oral leucoplakia‐type squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) or carcinoma in situ (CIS). OKD was defined as an oral mucosal lesional focus in which hyperorthokeratosis was predominant in the presence of the granular cell layer. A total of 84 OKD foci from 62 cases found among the 200 SCC/CIS cases were analysed. According to its rete ridge shapes, OKD was classified into three subtypes: flat (14.3%), leg (63.1%) and intermediate (22.6%). Eighty per cent of OKD foci were adjacent to the main foci of SCC or CIS, and they were demarcated sharply from each other. Most of the OKD constituent cells were immunopositive for keratin 10, but not for keratins 13, 17 or 19. Numbers of Ki‐67‐positive cells in the first basal layer were greater in OKD than in normal epithelia.

Conclusions:  The findings indicate that OKD is a distinct variant of epithelial dysplasia related to malignancies, and hence that it is important to recognize its existence.
Species‐specific influences of shrubs on the non‐dormant soil seed bank of native and exotic plant species in central‐northern Monte Desert
Authors: ROLHAUSER ANDRÉS G. , D'ANTONI MARÍA J. , GATICA M. GABRIEL , PUCHETA EDUARDO
Published: March 2012

Deserts shrubs are well known to facilitate vegetation aggregation, mostly through seed trapping, and stress amelioration during and after plant establishment. Because vegetation aggregation effects are a by‐product of shrub presence, beneficiary species may not only be native, but also exotic. However, despite the high risk that exotic invasive species pose to ecosystem services, little is known of the role of desert shrubs on plant invasions. We assessed the influence of two shrub species on the non‐dormant soil seed bank (i.e. the number of seeds that readily germinate with sufficient water availability) of an invasive annual grass (Schismus barbatus) and of coexisting native species in a central‐northern Monte Desert (Argentina). Soil samples were collected beneath the canopies of two dominant shrub species (Bulnesia retama and Larrea divaricata) and in open spaces (i.e. intercanopies) in May 2001. Overall, the density of germinated seedlings of Schismus and that of the native species were negatively associated across microsite types. Schismus density was similar to that of all native species pooled together (mostly annuals), and was highest in Larrea samples (with no significant differences between Bulnesia and intercanopies). On the contrary, the density of all native species pooled together was highest in Bulnesia samples. Our results suggest that shrubs may contribute to plant invasions in our study system but, most importantly, they further illustrate that this influence can be species specific. Further research is needed to assess the relative importance of in situ seed production (and survival) and seed redistribution on soil seed bank spatial patterns.
“Largest Amplitude Ablation” is the Optimal Approach for Typical Atrial Flutter Ablation: A Subanalysis from the AURUM 8 Study
Authors: LEWALTER THORSTEN , LICKFETT LARS , WEISS CHRISTIAN , MEWIS CHRISTIAN , SPENCKER SEBASTIAN , JUNG WERNER , HAVERKAMP WILHELM , SCHWACKE HARALD , DENEKE THOMAS , PROFF JOCHEN , DORWARTH UWE , BAUER WOLFGANG
Published: March 2012

Voltage‐Guided Cavotricuspid Isthmus Ablation.

Introduction: The recently proposed “maximum voltage‐guided” (MVG) technique for radiofrequency catheter ablation of atrial flutter targets high‐voltage electrograms along cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI) to ablate the functionally important anatomic muscle bundles alone, without drawing a complete anatomic line across the CTI. This innovative approach may shorten ablation time and procedure duration.

Methods and Results:
Within the multicenter AURUM 8 study, which compared 8‐mm gold‐ and Pt‐Ir‐tip catheters in atrial flutter ablation, we made a post hoc comparison of procedural data from 72 patients treated with MVG technique with data from 281 patients undergoing anatomic CTI ablation (unmatched) and with data from 72 patients selected from among those 281 patients such that they were matched with the MVG group with respect to selected baseline parameters and catheter type (matched). The MVG technique markedly reduced (P < 0.001) ablation time (mean 6.9 minutes vs 10.9/9.7 minutes [unmatched/matched]), number of lesions (8.3 vs 13.7/12.9), fluoroscopy time (9.5 minutes vs 20.6/17.9 minutes), procedure duration (59 minutes vs 93/86 minutes), and energy delivered (19 kJ vs 34/30 kJ) compared with anatomic CTI ablation. The incidence of charring was higher for MVG than for anatomic ablation technique (31.9% vs 18.5/15.3%, P < 0.05), where Pt‐Ir tip catheters were 6‐fold more susceptible to charring than gold‐tip catheters (P < 0.001), likely because of a lower thermal conductivity of the Pt‐Ir material. The acute success rate was slightly better for MVG than for anatomic ablation technique (97.2% vs 92.2/91.7%, P = n.s.).

Conclusion:
Major procedural parameters are remarkably improved with MVG technique. Gold‐tip catheters are substantially less susceptible to charring and may therefore be preferred over Pt‐Ir‐tip catheters for MVG ablation technique.

(J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 23, pp. 479‐485, May 2012)
Current Trends in Nursing Theories
Authors: Im Eun‐Ok , Ju Chang Sun
Published: March 2012

Purpose: To explore current trends in nursing theories through an integrated literature review.

Organizing Construct and Methods: The literature related to nursing theories during the past 10 years was searched through multiple databases and reviewed to determine themes reflecting current trends in nursing theories.

Findings: The trends can be categorized into six themes: (a) foci on specifics; (b) coexistence of various types of theories; (c) close links to research; (d) international collaborative works; (e) integration to practice; and (f) selective evolution.

Conclusions: We need to make our continuous efforts to link research and practice to theories, to identify specifics of our theories, to develop diverse types of theories, and to conduct international collaborative works.

Clinical Relevance: Our paper gives implications for future theoretical development in diverse clinical areas of nursing research and practice.
Trends in Domestic Animal Medico‐Legal Pathology Cases Submitted to a Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory 1998–2010*
Authors: McEwen Beverly J.
Published: March 2012

Abstract:  Pathologists at veterinary diagnostic laboratories receive medico‐legal cases from a variety of animal species for postmortem examination. A search of computerized records of the Animal Health Laboratory, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada from 1998 to 2010 identified 1706 medicolegal cases. These were categorized according to the history as criminal investigations, anesthetic‐related deaths, insurance, litigation, malpractice cases, and regulatory cases. Statistically significant linear trends in the proportion of medicolegal cases for all animals and criminal cases for companion animals were identified over the 12 year period. Companion animals had significantly greater odds of being a medicolegal case in all categories except for insurance and regulatory cases, compared to noncompanion animals. Based on pathology reports for the 271 criminal cases, 43.1% were consistent with neglect, 29.2% were compatible with non‐accidental injury, 4.80% were poisonings, 10.7% were deemed to be due to natural disease, and 11.43% were inconclusive.
Capability Beliefs Regarding Evidence‐Based Practice are Associated with Application of EBP and Research Use: Validation of a New Measure
Authors: Wallin Lars , Boström Anne‐Marie , Gustavsson J. Petter
Published: March 2012

Background: Beliefs about capabilities, or self‐efficacy, is a construct originating in social cognitive psychology. Capability beliefs have been found to be positively associated with intention and healthcare practice behaviour. A measure of an individual's beliefs about his/her capability to apply the components of evidence‐based practice (EBP) has potential to be useful in implementation research.

Aims: To evaluate the concurrent validity and internal structure of a new scale measuring nurses’ capability beliefs regarding EBP.

Methods: Data were taken from a prospective longitudinal study in Sweden (the Longitudinal Analyses of Nursing Education and Entry in Worklife [LANE]). A cohort of nursing students who graduated in the autumn of 2004 that was followed up 2 years after their graduation was used (n= 1,256). Concurrent validity was tested relating different levels of capability beliefs to extent of research use and application of EBP. An item‐response approach was applied in the evaluation of internal structure of the proposed scale (six items).

Results: The psychometric analyses indicated that the six items could be summed to reflect a one‐dimensional scale. Nurses with the highest level of capability beliefs reported that they used research findings in clinical practice more than twice as often as those with lower levels of capability beliefs. They also participated in the implementation of evidence seven times more often.

Implications: There is a need for further studies of the construct and predictive validity of the scale. It should also be validated in other groups of health professionals. Learning including mastery experiences, role modelling, social persuasion, and manageable stress could be used in undergraduate education as well as practice development to increase beliefs about capabilities which might open the way to increased application of EBP in healthcare practice.

Conclusions: This new measure is well grounded in social cognitive theory, functions as a one‐dimensional scale and possesses promising properties of concurrent validity.
The Roles and Responsibilities of Physicians in Patients' Decisions about Unproven Stem Cell Therapies
Authors: Levine Aaron D. , Wolf Leslie E.
Published: March 2012

Stem cell science, using both embryonic and a variety of tissue-specific stem cells, is advancing rapidly and offers promise to improve medical care in the future. Yet, with the notable exception of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, a long-established approach to treating certain cancers of the blood system, this promise is long term and most stem cell research focuses on basic scientific questions or the collection of pre-clinical data. Although some clinical trials are underway, most are focused on safety, and novel effective therapy is likely a long way off. Despite the preliminary nature of most stem cell research, however, numerous clinics around the world offer stem cell “therapies” to patients today outside the context of a clinical trial. Although the number of patients who have received these stem cell-based interventions (SCBIs) is unknown, anecdotal reports suggest a substantial population of patients is willing to try them, despite unresolved questions about their safety and efficacy.
An Elastic-Plastic Spherical Contact Model Under Combined Normal and Tangential Loading
Authors: Wu Aizhong , Shi Xi , Polycarpou Andreas A.
Published: March 2012

Spherical contact under combined normal and tangential loading has been investigated by many researchers, and some physically based criteria were proposed to capture the sliding inception, e.g., the local yielding criterion of the Kogut-Etsion (KE) model and the tangential stiffness criterion of the Brizmer-Kligerman-Etsion (BKE) model. In this work, by utilizing the maximum frictional shear stress criterion for the sliding inception, a finite element model for obliquely loaded spherical contact has been developed, which realized a friction transition from the KE model to the BKE model, with an increasing normal approach. The stress, strain, tangential force, normal force, and contact area during tangential loading are investigated using different models. It was found that with an elastic normal displacement preload, material failure is initiated on the surface, while with an elastic-plastic normal displacement preload the failure is initiated under the surface and then extends to the surface with the increasing tangential load. With an elastic-plastic normal displacement preload, there is an obvious normal force release during tangential loading. Different from the full stick model, both the Coulomb friction model and the proposed model are partial slip models in nature. However, the Coulomb friction is more empirically determined with some arbitrary friction coefficient, whereas the proposed model is based on physics parameters. Furthermore, both the Coulomb friction model and the proposed model predict a lower tangential force at the same tangential displacement, a slower growth of the contact area under elastic normal displacement preload, and a faster growth of the contact area under an elastic-plastic normal displacement preload compared to the full stick model.
Spectral analysis of near‐infrared spectroscopy signals measured from prefrontal lobe in subjects at risk for stroke
Authors: Li Zengyong , Zhang Ming , Xin Qing , Chen Guoqiang , Liu Feifei , Li Jianping
Published: March 2012

Purpose:

The objective of this study was to assess the spontaneous cerebral oscillations based on the wavelet transform of near‐infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) signals in subjects at risk for atherosclerotic stroke.

Methods:

A total of 32 subjects were recruited from the university to participate in this study: 20 were normal subjects (age = 59.6 ± 10.2 year) and the other 12 were subjects at risk for ischemic stroke (age = 60.2 ± 10.1 year). The cerebral oxygenation signal was monitored for 10 min from the left prefrontal lobe using NIRS.

Results:

With spectral analysis based on wavelet transform, five frequency intervals were identified (I, 0.005–0.02 Hz; II, 0.02–0.06 Hz; III, 0.06–0.15 Hz; IV, 0.15–0.40 Hz; and V, 0.40–2.0 Hz). The amplitude of the [Hb] in the frequency intervals from I to V and of the [HbO2] in frequency intervals I and V in subjects at risk for stroke were found to be significantly lower compared to the amplitudes in normal subjects.

Conclusions:

The reduction of spontaneous oscillations in these subjects suggests an increased stiffness in the cerebral artery. This indicates the possibility of applying spontaneous oscillations, based on the wavelet transform of NIRS signals, to assess the risk in subjects with atherosclerosis.
DOE Derails Planning for Major Fermilab Experiment
Authors: Cho Adrian
Published: March 2012

This week, the U.S. Department of Energy cited a tight budget in putting the brakes on the development of the flagship project for the next decade at the country's sole particle physics lab.
Biomarker Tests Need Closer Scrutiny, IOM Concludes
Authors: Kaiser Jocelyn
Published: March 2012

An Institute of Medicine review of flawed research at Duke University found many missteps in how scientists and physicians there developed genetic signatures to guide cancer treatment.
North Korea Conundrum Overshadows Nuclear Summit
Authors: Stone Richard
Published: March 2012

Talks at the Nuclear Security Summit were overshadowed by North Korea's plans to launch a rocket that the United States and others assert would be a long-range ballistic missile test in violation of U.N. sanctions.