bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prenatal Alcohol Exposure, Attention‐Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, and Sluggish Cognitive Tempo
Authors: Graham Diana M. , Crocker Nicole , Deweese Benjamin N. , Roesch Scott C. , Coles Claire D. , Kable Julie A. , May Philip A. , Kalberg Wendy O. , Sowell Elizabeth R. , Jones Kenneth L. , Riley Edward P. , Mattson Sarah N. ,   the CIFASD
Published: July 2012

Background

Children with heavy prenatal alcohol exposure often meet criteria for attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). ADHD research has examined subtype differences in symptomatology, including sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT). This construct is defined by behavioral symptoms including hypoactivity and daydreaming and has been linked to increased internalizing behaviors. The current study examined whether similar findings are displayed in children with prenatal alcohol exposure.

Methods

As part of a multisite study, caregivers of 272 children (8 to 16 years) completed the SCT Scale and Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Four groups were included: alcohol‐exposed children with ADHD (ALC+; n = 75), alcohol‐exposed children without ADHD (ALC−; n = 35), nonexposed children with ADHD (ADHD; n = 60), and nonexposed children without ADHD (CON; n = 102). SCT and CBCL scores were analyzed using 2 (exposure) × 2 (ADHD) analyses of variance. Pearson's correlations measured the relationships between SCT, CBCL, and Full Scale IQ (FSIQ). Discriminant function analysis examined whether SCT items could accurately classify groups.

Results

Analyses revealed significant main effects of exposure and ADHD on SCT and internalizing and externalizing scores and significant interaction effects on SCT and internalizing scores. SCT significantly correlated with internalizing, externalizing, and attention ratings in all groups and with FSIQ in ALC+. Discriminant function analysis indicated that specific SCT items could distinguish ALC− from CON.

Conclusions

Alcohol‐exposed children exhibited elevated SCT scores. Elevations were related to increased parent ratings of internalizing and externalizing behaviors and attention. These findings are observed in alcohol‐exposed children regardless of ADHD symptoms and specific SCT items proved useful in distinguishing exposed children, suggesting clinical utility for this measure in further defining the neurobehavioral profile related to prenatal alcohol exposure.
Evaluation of Submucosally Injected Polyethylene Glycol‐Based Hydrogel and Bovine Cross‐Linked Collagen in the Canine Urethra using Cystoscopy, Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Histopathology
Authors: Sumner Julia P. , Hardie Robert J. , Henningson Jamie N. , Drees Randi , Markel Mark D. , Bjorling Dale
Published: July 2012

Objective

To (1) investigate the tissue response to a novel urethral bulking agent, polyethylene glycol carboxymethyl cellulose hydrogel (PEG‐CMC) injected submucosally in the canine urethra and (2) compare PEG‐CMC with bovine collagen (BC), the current standard for urethral bulking.

Study design

Experimental study.

Animals

Purpose‐bred female hound dogs (n = 8).

Methods

Standardized submucosal urethral injections of BC and PEG‐CMC were performed in 8 female dogs. Injection sites were evaluated by cystoscopy on days 0 (n = 8), 30 (n = 4), and 90 (n = 4), magnetic resonance imaging on days 0 (n = 8), 30 (n = 8), and 90 (n = 4) and by histopathology on days 30 (n = 4) and 90 (n = 4).

Results

Both PEG‐CMC and BC were detectable on MRI as hyperintense foci on T2‐weighted images. Grossly, PEG‐CMC formed more prominent blebs than BC. On follow‐up cystoscopic examination, 6/8 PEG‐CMC injection needle tracts were visible, and 3 of these sites had mucosal erosions. Histopathologic scores for foreign body reaction and inflammation were significantly higher for PEG‐CMC compared with BC (P < 0.005). BC elicited a lymphoplasmacytic reaction whereas PEG‐CMC incited a granulomatous response.

Conclusions

The overall physical characteristics and histologic response associated with PEG‐CMC support its use as a urethral bulking agent; however, the current formulation needs to be adjusted for clinical use.
A Multicity Neighborhood Analysis of Foreclosure and Crime
Authors: Baumer Eric P. , Wolff Kevin T. , Arnio Ashley N.
Published: July 2012

Objective

We examine whether there is a significant effect of foreclosure on robbery and burglary across neighborhoods, and whether this varies systematically across cities. Specifically, we consider whether several city‐level attributes—overall foreclosure rates, levels of socioeconomic disadvantage and prior vacancy rates, the degree of recent new housing construction, housing affordability, and the quantity and quality of policing—moderate the relationship between neighborhood levels of foreclosure and crime.

Methods

We examine our research questions with a rich database on foreclosure, crime, and other attributes for 5,517 census tracts situated within 50 large U.S. cities. We estimate multilevel overdispersed Poisson regression to explore city‐level variability in the neighborhood‐level effects of foreclosure on crime.

Results

We find significant between‐city variation in the estimated effects of neighborhood‐level rates of foreclosure on crime. High neighborhood foreclosure rates yield elevated robbery rates primarily in cities with relatively low foreclosure rates and high levels of socioeconomic disadvantage. Foreclosure is more strongly related to burglary rates in cities with little new home construction and declining police forces.

Conclusions

The broader city‐level context in which neighborhoods are located is important for shaping whether high rates of foreclosure yield elevated crime rates.
Foreclosure Depresses Voter Turnout: Neighborhood Disruption and the 2008 Presidential Election in California
Authors: Estrada‐Correa Vanesa , Johnson Martin
Published: July 2012

Objective

We investigate whether voters in communities with high rates of foreclosure will find it more difficult to participate in elections, given social disruptions associated with home loss in their neighborhoods.

Methods

We estimate the community‐level effects of foreclosure on turnout rates in California ZIP Codes during the 2008 presidential election and an individual‐level turnout model using housing data merged with California voter data.

Results

Foreclosure rates are associated with reduced participation independent of local economic conditions, rates of education, ethnic composition, or individual partisanship, age, and habitual participation.

Conclusion

Given the relationship between the foreclosure crisis and political participation, this research suggests the need for further investigation. We are especially interested in the potential that housing foreclosure further exacerbates ethnic and economic inequality due to the preponderance of subprime loans, distressed mortgages, and foreclosures in communities of color and lower socioeconomic status.
Hippocampal Magnetization Transfer Ratio at 3T: Validation of Automated Postprocessing and Comparison of Quantification Metrics
Authors: Sidharthan Shawn , Hutten Ryan , Glielmi Christopher , Du Hongyan , Malone Fiona , Ragin Ann B. , Edelman Robert R. , Wu Ying
Published: July 2012

BACKGROUND

To investigate the reliability of a novel magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) postprocessing technique for the hippocampus using histogram analysis, and compare results to more established volumetric measurements. This study is conducted in healthy volunteers as a precursor to future applications regarding progressive neurologic diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease.

METHODS

Eight healthy subjects were scanned twice with interval of 1 week using quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Automated pixel‐wise analysis was performed for the hippocampal regions of each patient. Reliability was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), coefficients of variation (COVs), and instrumental standard deviation (ISD).

RESULTS

Reliable metrics were 25th percentile, median, 75th percentile, peak location, and mean approach (ranges: ICC = .93‐.96, COV = 2.71‐3.88%, ISD .78‐1.01). Histogram peak height had ICC below .7, and a COV above 10%. Volumetric measurements had (ICC = .95‐.97, COV = 1.43‐3.39%).

CONCLUSION

Excellent scan‐rescan reproducibility (ICC > .9, COV < 10%) was observed for specific MTR histogram metrics and the mean MTR approach. These results are comparable to the volumetric approach. Future studies can examine the possibility that MTR changes precede morphological changes as this study suggests that both MTR and volumetric measurements of the hippocampus can be used as reliable imaging tools.
Prevalence of Symptomatic Intracranial Atherosclerosis in Caucasians: A Prospective, Multicenter, Transcranial Doppler Study
Authors: Tsivgoulis Georgios , Vadikolias Konstantinos , Heliopoulos Ioannis , Katsibari Chaido , Voumvourakis Konstantinos , Tsakaldimi Soultana , Boutati Eleni , Vasdekis Spyros N. , Athanasiadis Dimitrios , Al‐Attas Omar S. , Charalampidis Paris , Stamboulis Elefterios , Piperidou Charitomeni
Published: July 2012

BACKGROUND

There are limited data available regarding symptomatic intracranial atherosclerosis (SIA) prevalence in Caucasians. We sought to investigate SIA prevalence among Caucasian patients hospitalized with acute cerebral ischemia (ACI) in a prospective, multicenter Transcranial Doppler sonography (TCD) study.

METHODS

Consecutive patients with ACI were prospectively evaluated with TCD over a 24‐month‐period. The previously validated criteria of SONIA trial were used for detection of >50% intracranial stenosis with TCD. Brain angiography was performed to confirm the diagnosis in cases with abnormal TCD findings. SIA was diagnosed when there was evidence of a cerebral infarction in the territory of the stenotic artery (identified by TCD and confirmed by Magnetic resonance angiography [MRA]/Computed tomography angiography [CTA]).

RESULTS

A total of 467 consecutive patients with ACI (60.4% men, mean age 58 ± 14 years) were evaluated. SIA was documented in 43 patients (9.2%; 95%CI: 6.9%‐12.2%). The most common SIA location was M1MCA (34.9%) followed by TICA (18.8%). Diabetes mellitus (OR: 4.25, 95%CI: 2.18‐8.26; P < .001) and hypertension (OR: 2.41, 95%CI: 1.02‐5.67; P = .045) were independently associated with SIA on multivariate models adjusting for potential confounders.

CONCLUSIONS

SIA was identified in almost 10% of patients admitted with symptoms of ACI. These preliminary findings support further collaborative initiatives among stroke physicians to increase the yield of SIA detection in Caucasian patients with ACI.
The Use of Reflection in Emergency Medicine Education
Authors: Bernard Aaron W. , Gorgas Diane , Greenberger Sarah , Jacques Andrew , Khandelwal Sorabh
Published: July 2012

ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2012; 19:978–982 © 2012 by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Reflection is a cognitive process in which new information and experiences are integrated into existing knowledge structures and mental models, resulting in meaningful learning. Reflection often occurs after an experience is over, promoting professional development and lifelong learning. However, a reflective emergency physician (EP) is also able to apply reflection in real time: self‐monitoring, coping with the unexpected, and quickly thinking on his or her feet to solve complicated, unique, and challenging clinical problems. Reflection is a skill that can be taught and developed in medical education. Evidence demonstrating the value of teaching reflection is emerging that substantiates longstanding educational theories. While a few educators have started to explore the use of reflection for emergency medicine (EM) learners, the potential for broader application exists. This review summarizes the literature regarding reflection in medical education and provides a basic primer for teaching reflection.
Is tissue CA125 expression in epithelial ovarian adenocarcinoma heterogenic?
Authors: Sparholt Morten H. , Høgdall Claus K. , Nedergaard Lotte , Heeran Mel C. J. , Christensen Ib J. , Høgdall Estrid V. S.
Published: July 2012

To evaluate if heterogeneity of tissue cancer antigen 125 (CA125) expression is present in epithelial serous adenocarcinomas. Furthermore, to investigate whether there is a correlation between levels of CA125 tissue expression, serum level of CA125, stage, and grade. A total of 10 patients diagnosed with serous ovarian adenocarcinomas were included. Preoperative blood samples were collected to determine serum CA125 levels. Tumor tissue from primary surgery was collected and processed for immunohistochemical analyses. CA125 was expressed in varying degrees in tumor tissues from all patients. Mean tissue CA125 expression for each patient ranged from 36% to 98%. Intrapatient variations in tissue expression ranged from 10% to 90% point. No significant correlations between levels of CA125 tissue expression, serum level of CA125, stage, and grade were found. We found that the tissue expression of CA125 is heterogenic. Although most patients had a high mean expression, it covers a large intrapatient variation in expression. This suggests that if using CA125 as a tissue marker and anti‐CA125 (oregovomab) as immunotherapy treatment in future studies, it will be necessary to take heterogeneity into consideration and examine a larger number of biopsies. Therefore, the study demonstrates the need for heterogeneity studies in future translational research.
Sensitive and High Resolution Localization and Tracking of Membrane Proteins in Live Cells with BRET
Authors: Lan Tien‐Hung , Liu Qiuju , Li Chunman , Wu Guangyu , Lambert Nevin A.
Published: July 2012

Peripheral and integral membrane proteins can be located in several different subcellular compartments, and it is often necessary to determine the location of such proteins or to track their movement in living cells. Image‐based colocalization of labeled membrane proteins and compartment markers is frequently used for this purpose, but this method is limited in terms of throughput and resolution. Here we show that bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) between membrane proteins of interest and compartment‐targeted BRET partners can report subcellular location and movement of membrane proteins in live cells. The sensitivity of the method is sufficient to localize a few hundred protein copies per cell. The spatial resolution can be sufficient to determine membrane topology, and the temporal resolution is sufficient to track changes that occur in less than 1 second. BRET requires little user intervention, and is thus amenable to large‐scale experimental designs with standard instruments.
Impaired neutralizing activity by transplacental measles antibodies in infants born to HIV‐1‐infected mothers
Authors: Farouk S , Navér L , Smedman L
Published: July 2012

Aim:  Growing numbers of newborns are saved from HIV infection through increased access to mother‐to‐child transmission prevention programmes. The maternally derived humoral immunity of these children might be impaired, both in terms of quantity and in terms of quality, with consequences for the timing of immunization against measles.

Methods:  A cell‐ELISA technique compared the neutralizing activity on Edmonston strain measles virus of sera from 1‐ to 4‐month‐old infants. Ten serum specimens came from noninfected infants of HIV‐infected mothers and another 10 from infants of healthy mothers. The sera were matched for the level of conventional ELISA measles antibodies.

Results:  Reflecting infection of the Vero cells by non‐neutralized virus, optical density values were significantly higher for the sera from the children of the HIV‐infected mothers than for those of the noninfected mothers (p < 0.001).

Conclusion:  Maternally derived protection against measles may be impaired by the mother’s HIV infection, relating to the quality rather than to the quantity of transplacental antibodies. Selective, early immunization with live attenuated measles vaccine should be evaluated in noninfected children of HIV‐1‐infected mothers.
Photoinduced CC‐coupling Reactions of Rigid Diastereomeric Benzophenone‐Methionine Dyads
Authors: Lewandowska‐Andralojc Anna , Kazmierczak Franciszek , Hug Gordon L. , Hörner Gerald , Marciniak Bronislaw
Published: July 2012

The reactions of ketone/methionine systems are widely used as efficient and selective sources of biorelevant radical species. In this study, we address intramolecular variants of this couple with respect to its photosynthetic utility and as a mechanistic model of underlying elementary reaction steps of biological importance, especially with respect to the study of photoinitiated electron transport in complex peptides. The outcomes of this study are two‐fold: (1) steady‐state irradiation of sterically constrained benzophenone/methionine dyads afforded stable photocyclization products with high yield and product selectivity. (2) Mechanistic insights into the triplet‐triggered product formation were obtained from an analysis of the flash photolysis results and the molecular structure of the stable product formed upon irradiation. Time‐resolved experiments identified (net) hydrogen‐atom transfer from the methionine as the mechanism of the triplet quenching and the resulting biradicals as the major precursor of the isolated stable product. Both the analyses of triplet quenching and stable‐product formation in the diastereomeric pairs point to effects of chiral center configuration, i.e., significant stereoselectivity is observed for all elementary steps. The underlying stereochemical restraints were quantitatively addressed by means of molecular dynamics simulations.
Biodiversity and phytochemical quality in indigenous and state‐supported tea management systems of Yunnan, China
Authors: Ahmed Selena , Peters Charles M. , Chunlin Long , Meyer Rachel , Unachukwu Uchenna , Litt Amy , Kennelly Edward , Stepp John Richard
Published: July 2012

The Chinese government initiated one of the world's largest conservation programs involving agricultural ecosystems with the implementation of the ‘Grain for Green’ (Tui Geng Huan Lin) forest policy between 1999 and 2003. This is the first study to systematically quantify multiple dimensions of biodiversity, phytochemical quality and economic benefits associated with (1) the Grain for Green's tea (Camellia sinensis; Theaceae) initiative; (2) the state's previous forest policy involving tea populations in protected areas and; (3) the indigenous tea agro‐ecosystems replaced or overlooked by this conservation program. There are several novel and unexpected findings. While forest populations contained the greatest ecological diversity, agro‐forests and mixed crop plots were associated with the greatest genetic diversity, phytochemical quality and economic benefits. Indigenous management practices should be incorporated into conservation in China in order to create policies that are more aligned towards biodiversity conservation and sustainable livelihoods while allowing local communities to maintain their cultural identity through agrarian practices.
More than multiple introductions: Multiple taxa contribute to the genesis of the invasive California's wild artichoke thistle
Authors: LEAK‐GARCIA Janet , HOLT Jodie S. , KIM Seung‐Chul , MU Lisa , MEJÍAS José A. , ELLSTRAND Norman C.
Published: July 2012

The history of some invasive species is so complex that their origins can be difficult to determine. One example of such invasive species is the California invasive known as “wild artichoke thistle” (Cynara cardunculusvar.sylvestris), found in natural and disturbed ecosystems. Wild artichoke thistle is a Mediterranean native and the progenitor of two domesticated horticultural taxa, artichoke and cardoon. Different hypotheses regarding the origins of California plants have included introductions by 19th century Italian immigrants and the de‐domestication (evolutionary reversion to wild‐type morphology) of feral (escaped, free‐living) cultivars. Using microsatellite markers, we compared the genetic constitutions of 12 artichoke thistle populations in California with possible progenitor populations: 17 Spanish and Italian wild populations and eight different artichoke and cardoon cultivars. Each California population was compared with its putative progenitors using STRUCTURE analysis. Our results suggest that California's artichoke thistle populations are polyphyletic. Surprisingly, two‐thirds of California's populations closely matched populations from the Iberian Peninsula. Three populations matched domesticated artichoke. One population appears to have wild and cultivar hybrid ancestry. Alleles specific to Italian populations were found at low frequencies in some California plants, suggesting that Italian wild plants may have been in California, but have left a trivial genetic legacy. Given that the de‐domesticated plants in this study appear to be as invasive as the wild taxon, we conclude with a discussion of the role that ferality and de‐domestication may have in plant invasions.
Evaluation of Polymorphisms in the Sulfonamide Detoxification Genes CYB5A and CYB5R3 in Dogs with Sulfonamide Hypersensitivity
Authors: Funk‐Keenan J. , Sacco J. , (Amos) Wong Y.Y. , Rasmussen S. , Motsinger‐Reif A. , Trepanier L.A.
Published: July 2012

Background

Delayed hypersensitivity (HS) reactions to potentiated sulfonamide antimicrobials occur in both dogs and humans, and involve an intermediate hydroxylamine metabolite that is detoxified by cytochrome b5 and NADH cytochrome b5 reductase.

Hypothesis/Objectives

We hypothesized that polymorphisms in the genes (CYB5A and CYB5R3) encoding these 2 enzymes would be associated with risk of sulfonamide HS in dogs.

Animals

A total of 18 dogs with delayed HS to potentiated sulfonamide antimicrobials and 16 dogs that tolerated (TOL) a therapeutic course of these drugs without adverse effect.

Methods

CYB5A and CYB5R3 were sequenced from canine liver, and the promoter, exons, and 3′ untranslated regions of both genes were resequenced from genomic DNA obtained from all dogs.

Results

Multiple polymorphisms were found in both genes. When controlled for multiple comparisons, the 729GG variant in CYB5R3 was significantly overrepresented in dogs with sulfonamide HS (78% of dogs), compared to TOL dogs (31%; P = .003).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

The CYB5R3 729GG variant may contribute to the risk of sulfonamide HS in dogs. Functional characterization of this polymorphism, as well as genotyping in a larger number of HS and TOL dogs, is warranted.
Prospective Study of Thrombospondin‐1 Mimetic Peptides, ABT‐510 and ABT‐898, in Dogs with Soft Tissue Sarcoma
Authors: Sahora A.I. , Rusk A.W. , Henkin J. , McKeegan E.M. , Shi Y. , Khanna C.
Published: July 2012

Background

Exposure to anti‐angiogenic thrombospondin‐1 (TSP‐1) mimetic peptides (MPs) has resulted in sporadic anti‐tumor activity in humans and dogs.

Hypothesis

Novel TSP‐1 MPs formulations will be safe, tolerated, and clinically active in soft tissue sarcoma (STS) in dogs.

Animals

Sixty‐two client‐owned dogs with measurable STS were enrolled, excluding hemangiosarcoma.

Methods

A prospective, single agent, multicenter, open‐label study assessing ABT‐510 bolus, ABT‐898 bolus, or ABT‐898 depot formulations of TSP‐1 in dogs. Endpoints included tolerability, antitumor activity, and the assessment of ability of clinical covariates and circulating endothelial cells (CEC) concentration to predict tumor response.

Results

Two non‐dose‐limiting toxicoses possibly attributed to treatment were observed (keratitis and osteoarthritis). Antitumor activity (10/44 = 23% responses) was observed in study subjects who received treatment for >28 days (n = 44) including both partial (7) and minimal responses (3). Responses were disproportionately seen in dogs receiving ABT‐898 formulations (9/28 = 32%) versus those receiving ABT‐510 (1/16 = 6%; P < .045). Disease stabilization for >84 days was also documented (8/44 = 18%). Slow rates of tumor progression before study entry correlated with anti‐tumor activity in treated dogs, whereas no significant association was found between changes in total CEC concentration and tumor response (P = .28) or time to progression (P = .42).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Safely achieved antitumor activity was documented with TSP‐1 MPs in dogs with STS. The most notable activity was achieved with the ABT‐898 formulations.
GLOBAL WARMING, IMPACT ON AGRICULTURE AND ADAPTATION STRATEGY
Authors: PAUDEL KRISHNA P. , HATCH L. UPTON
Published: July 2012

Abstract Sensitivity of the Southeastern US agriculture sector to temperature increases will be based largely on accompanying changes in precipitation, extent of the warming, and relative impact on competing crops grown in the area. The impact of climate change in 10 Southeastern US counties was investigated under three different climate scenarios for two different reference years (2030 and 2090). Seven major crops grown in the area were selected to study the impact on crop yield, irrigation acreage, and optimal choice of crops in a representative farm in each of the southeastern states. If warming is moderate and also brings a considerable increase in precipitation—as indicated by the Hadley model—then, the effect on yields, water use, and income will be mostly benign. If warming is moderate without increased precipitation and the water for irrigation is available, then the effects on the agriculture sector are still mostly negligible. If warming is not moderate and no increased precipitation materializes, farmers could realize quite dramatic negative consequences for row crop agriculture in the Southeastern United States.
MODELING THE EFFECTS OF PREDATOR EXCLOSURES ON A WESTERN SNOWY PLOVER POPULATION
Authors: WATTS CHRISTINA M. , CAO JING , PANZA CHRISTOPHER , DUGAW CHRISTOPHER , COLWELL MARK , BURROUGHS ELIZABETH A.
Published: July 2012

Abstract In Humboldt County, California, nest exclosures were used between 2001 and 2006 to reduce the predation of eggs aiding in the recovery of a threatened population segment of western snowy plovers (Charadrius nivosus). Due to a sudden increase in adult mortality in 2006, field biologists abandoned the use of nest exclosures. This paper describes a discrete‐time stochastic model designed to compare two different management strategies (with and without exclosures) to predict the change in the plover population. The model uses beta distributions to model demographic parameters, and whenever possible, these distributions were fit to survey data of these populations. The model shows nest exclosures to be effective in increasing chick fledging rates. However, the model also shows that an increase in adult mortality potentially caused by the nest exclosures would counteract this increase in fledging rates. The model predicts that there will be a net negative effect on the population if these exclosures reduce adult survival to 90% of its unexclosed rate. The model also demonstrates that the population is dependent on immigration.
Computational Analysis of Marine-Propeller Performance Using Transition-Sensitive Turbulence Modeling
Authors: Wang Xiao , Walters Keith
Published: July 2012

Almost all computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations of flow around marine propellers use turbulence models that are only well suited for fully turbulent flows, which in some cases may lead to accuracy degradation in the prediction of propeller performance characteristics. The discrepancy between computed thrust and torque and corresponding experimental data increases with increasing propeller load. This is due in part to the fact that a large laminar flow region is found to exist and turbulence transition takes place on propeller blades of model scale and/or under high-load conditions. In these cases, it may be necessary to consider boundary-layer transition to obtain accurate results from CFD simulations. The objective of this work is to perform simulations of a marine propeller using a transition-sensitive turbulence model to better resolve the propeller flow characteristics. Fully turbulent flow simulations are also performed for comparison purposes at various propeller load conditions. Computational results are analyzed and compared with water-tunnel and open-water experimental data. It is found that the applied transition-sensitive turbulence model is better able to resolve blade-surface stresses, flow separations, and tip-vortex originations, and, consequently, improve the prediction accuracy in propeller performance, especially under high-load conditions. Furthermore, solutions obtained using the transition-sensitive turbulence model show tip-vortex flows of higher strength, whereas results by the standard k-ω SST turbulence model indicate excessive dissipation of the vortex core.
Creating nanoscale Ag patterns on the Si(111)–(√3 × √3)R30°-Ag surface via guided self-assembly
Authors: Belianinov Alex , Ünal Barış , Tringides Michael C. , Thiel Patricia A.
Published: July 2012

Patterns of Ag nanostructures can be created on the Si(111)–(√3 × √3)R30°-Ag surface, using a simple two-step process in ultrahigh vacuum. First, patterns are created using the tip of a scanning tunneling microscope. Second, Ag is deposited at room temperature. The Ag diffuses over long distances on the surface and selectively aggregates at the patterned regions. The size of the Ag features is ∼3–4 nm.
Influence of mask material and process parameters on etch angle in a chlorine-based GaN dry etch
Authors: Hahn Herwig , Gruis Jan Berend , Ketteniss Nico , Urbain Felix , Kalisch Holger , Vescan Andrei
Published: July 2012

The vertical structuring of GaN layers for power application purposes is a key step for successful device operation. Thus, the dry etching of GaN becomes a crucial step. While etch rates and surface roughness have been analyzed well, the sidewall angle of the etched GaN has drawn less attention. In this paper, the authors report on the influence of mask material and etch parameters in an inductively coupled plasma reactive ion etching process on the angle of the etched GaN sidewall. Deep etches up to 3.3 μm are shown. The authors show how the sidewall angle can either be adjusted to high values up to 80° or, if necessary, to small angles down to 46°.
In vivo assessment of optimal b‐value range for perfusion‐insensitive apparent diffusion coefficient imaging
Authors: Freiman Moti , Voss Stephan D. , Mulkern Robert V. , Perez‐Rossello Jeannette M. , Callahan Michael J. , Warfield Simon K.
Published: July 2012

Purpose:

To assess the optimalb‐values range for perfusion‐insensitive apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) imaging of abdominal organs using short‐duration DW‐MRI acquisitions with currently available ADC estimation methods.

Methods:

DW‐MRI data of 15 subjects were acquired with eightb‐values in the range of 5–800 s/mm2. The reference‐standard, a perfusion insensitive, ADC value (ADCIVIM), was computed using an intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) model with all acquired diffusion‐weighted images. Simulated DW‐MRI data was generated using an IVIM model with b‐values in the range of 0–1200 s/mm2. Monoexponential ADC estimates were calculated using: (1) Two‐point estimator (ADC2); (2) least squares three‐point (ADC3) estimator and; (3) Rician noise model estimator (ADCR). The authors found the optimal b‐values for perfusion‐insensitive ADC calculations by minimizing the relative root mean square error (RRMS) between the ADCIVIM and the monoexponential ADC values for each estimation method and organ.

Results:

Lowb‐value = 300 s/mm2 and high b‐value = 1200 s/mm2 minimized the RRMS between the estimated ADC and the reference‐standard ADCIVIM to less than 5% using the ADC3 estimator. By considering only the in vivo DW‐MRI data, the combination of low b‐value = 270 s/mm2 and high b‐value of 800 s/mm2 minimized the RRMS between the estimated ADC and the reference‐standard ADCIVIM to <7% using the ADC3 estimator. For all estimators, the RRMS between the estimated ADC and the reference standard ADC correlated strongly with the perfusion‐fraction parameter of the IVIM model (r = [0.78–0.83], p ≤ 0.003).

Conclusions:

The perfusion compartment in DW‐MRI signal decay correlates strongly with the RRMS in ADC estimates from short‐duration DW‐MRI. The impact of the perfusion compartment on ADC estimations depends, however, on the choice ofb‐values and estimation method utilized. Likewise, perfusion‐related errors can be reduced to <7% by carefully selecting the b‐values used for ADC calculations and method of estimation.
Characterization of a cable‐free system based on p‐type MOSFET detectors for “in vivo” entrance skin dose measurements in interventional radiology
Authors: Falco Maria Daniela , D'Andrea Marco , Strigari Lidia , D'Alessio Daniela , Quagliani Francesco , Santoni Riccardo , Bosco Alessia Lo
Published: July 2012

Purpose:

During radiological interventional procedures (RIP) the skin of a patient under examination may undergo a prolonged x‐ray exposure, receiving a dose as high as 5 Gy in a single session. This paper describes the use of the OneDoseTM cable‐free system based on p‐type MOSFET detectors to determine the entrance skin dose (ESD) at selected points during RIP.

Methods:

At first, some dosimetric characteristics of the detector, such as reproducibility, linearity, and fading, have been investigated using a C‐arc as a source of radiation. The reference setting (RS) was: 80 kV energy, 40 cm × 40 cm field of view (FOV), current‐time product of 50 mAs and source to skin distance (SSD) of 50 cm. A calibrated PMX III solid state detector was used as the reference detector and Gafchromic® films have been used as an independent dosimetric system to test the entire procedure. A calibration factor for the RS and correction factors as functions of tube voltage and FOV size have been determined.

Results:

Reproducibility ranged from 4% at low doses (around 10 cGy as measured by the reference detector) to about 1% for high doses (around 2 Gy). The system response was found to be linear with respect to both dose measured with the PMX III and tube voltage. The fading test has shown that the maximum deviation from the optimal reading conditions (3 min after a single irradiation) was 9.1% corresponding to four irradiations in one hour read 3 min after the last exposure. The calibration factor in the RS has shown that the system response at the kV energy range is about four times larger than in the MV energy range. A fifth order and fourth order polynomial functions were found to provide correction factors for tube voltage and FOV size, respectively, in measurement settings different than the RS. ESDs measured with the system after applying the proper correction factors agreed within one standard deviation (SD) with the corresponding ESDs measured with the reference detector. The ESDs measured with Gafchromic® films were in agreement within one SD compared to the ESDs measured using the OneDoseTM system, as well. The global uncertainty associated to the OneDoseTM system established in our experiments, ranged from 7% to 10%, depending on the duration of the RIP due to fading. These values are much lower than the uncertainty commonly accepted for general diagnostic practices (20%) and of about the same size of the uncertainty recommended for practices with high risk of deterministic side effects (7%).

Conclusions:

The OneDoseTM system has shown a high sensitivity in the kV energy range and has been found capable of measuring the entrance skin dose in RIP.
Phonologically determined asymmetries in vocabulary structure across languages
Authors: Cutler Anne , Otake Takashi , Bruggeman Laurence
Published: July 2012

Studies of spoken-word recognition have revealed that competition from embedded words differs in strength as a function of where in the carrier word the embedded word is found and have further shown embedding patterns to be skewed such that embeddings in initial position in carriers outnumber embeddings in final position. Lexico-statistical analyses show that this skew is highly attenuated in Japanese, a noninflectional language. Comparison of the extent of the asymmetry in the three Germanic languages English, Dutch, and German allows the source to be traced to a combination of suffixal morphology and vowel reduction in unstressed syllables.
The first reported case of non-compacted cardiomyopathy in a preterm infant with Ebstein's anomaly
Authors: Nimeri Nuha AGM , Abou Nahia Foaud F , Ibrahim Amani S , Khella Aymen Y
Published: July 2012

Non-compaction of the ventricular myocardium is a congenital dysfunction of ventricular morphogenesis caused by the arrest of normal embryogenesis of the ventricles. It is considered as a rare disease and can involve both ventricles but commonly the left ventricle. It is classified into isolated non-compaction of the ventricles and non-compaction associated with other congenital heart defects. Its association with Ebstein's anomaly is very rare. We are reporting a rare case of severe heart failure and complex cardiac anomaly including biventricular non-compaction cardiomyopathy, Ebstein's anomalies and large patent ductus arteriosus with severe persistent pulmonary hypertension in a 31-weeks-old preterm infant. The infant recovered smoothly and continued to be asymptomatic and off medications throughout his 2 years follow-up period. Up to our knowledge, this is the youngest and first patient yet reported to have this disease at this age with good recovery.
Colonic mucosal microbiome differs from stool microbiome in cirrhosis and hepatic encephalopathy and is linked to cognition and inflammation
Authors: Bajaj Jasmohan S. , Hylemon Phillip B. , Ridlon Jason M. , Heuman Douglas M. , Daita Kalyani , White Melanie B. , Monteith Pamela , Noble Nicole A. , Sikaroodi Masoumeh , Gillevet Patrick M.
Published: July 2012

Although hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is linked to the gut microbiota, stool microbiome analysis has not found differences between HE and no-HE patients. This study aimed to compare sigmoid mucosal microbiome of cirrhotic patients to controls, between HE vs. no-HE patients, and to study their linkage with cognition and inflammation. Sixty cirrhotic patients (36 HE and 24 no-HE) underwent cognitive testing, stool collection, cytokine (Th1, Th2, Th17, and innate immunity), and endotoxin analysis. Thirty-six patients (19 HE and 17 no-HE) and 17 age-matched controls underwent sigmoid biopsies. Multitag pyrosequencing (including autochthonous genera, i.e., Blautia, Roseburia, Fecalibacterium, Dorea) was performed on stool and mucosa. Stool and mucosal microbiome differences within/between groups and correlation network analyses were performed. Controls had significantly higher autochthonous and lower pathogenic genera compared with cirrhotic patients, especially HE patients. HE patients had worse MELD (model for end-stage liver disease) score and cognition and higher IL-6 and endotoxin than no-HE. Mucosal microbiota was different from stool within both HE/no-HE groups. Between HE/no-HE patients, there was no difference in stool microbiota but mucosal microbiome was different with lower Roseburia and higher Enterococcus, Veillonella, Megasphaera, and Burkholderia abundance in HE. On network analysis, autochthonous genera ( Blautia, Fecalibacterium, Roseburia, and Dorea) were associated with good cognition and decreased inflammation in both HE/no-HE, whereas genera overrepresented in HE ( Enterococcus, Megasphaera, and Burkholderia) were linked to poor cognition and inflammation. Sigmoid mucosal microbiome differs significantly from stool microbiome in cirrhosis. Cirrhotic, especially HE, patients' mucosal microbiota is significantly different from controls with a lack of potentially beneficial autochthonous and overgrowth of potentially pathogenic genera, which are associated with poor cognition and inflammation.
Pomegranate seed oil reduces intestinal damage in a rat model of necrotizing enterocolitis
Authors: Coursodon-Boyiddle Christine F. , Snarrenberg Chelsea L. , Adkins-Rieck Camille K. , Bassaganya-Riera Josep , Hontecillas Raquel , Lawrence Peter , Brenna J. Thomas , Jouni Zeina E. , Dvorak Bohuslav
Published: July 2012

Pomegranate seed oil (PSO), which is the major source of conjugated linolenic acids such as punicic acid (PuA), exhibits strong anti-inflammatory properties. Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a devastating disease associated with severe and excessive intestinal inflammation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of orally administered PSO on the development of NEC, intestinal epithelial proliferation, and cytokine regulation in a rat model of NEC. Premature rats were divided into three groups: dam fed (DF), formula-fed rats (FF), or rats fed with formula supplemented with 1.5% of PSO (FF + PSO). All groups were exposed to asphyxia/cold stress to induce NEC. Intestinal injury, epithelial cell proliferation, cytokine production, and trefoil factor 3 (Tff3) production were evaluated in the terminal ileum. Oral administration of PSO (FF+PSO) decreased the incidence of NEC from 61 to 26%. Feeding formula with PSO improved enterocyte proliferation in the site of injury. Increased levels of proinflammatory IL-6, IL-8, IL-12, IL-23, and TNF-α in the ileum of FF rats were normalized in PSO-treated animals. Tff3 production in the FF rats was reduced compared with DF but not further affected by the PSO. In conclusion, administration of PSO protects against NEC in the neonatal rat model. This protective effect is associated with an improvement of intestinal epithelial homeostasis and a strong anti-inflammatory effect of PSO on the developing intestinal mucosa.
Medicinal lavender modulates the enteric microbiota to protect against Citrobacter rodentium-induced colitis
Authors: Baker J. , Brown K. , Rajendiran E. , Yip A. , DeCoffe D. , Dai C. , Molcan E. , Chittick S. A. , Ghosh S. , Mahmoud S. , Gibson D. L.
Published: July 2012

Inflammatory bowel disease, inclusive of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, consists of immunologically mediated disorders involving the microbiota in the gastrointestinal tract. Lavender oil is a traditional medicine used to relieve many gastrointestinal disorders. The goal of this study was to examine the therapeutic effects of the essential oil obtained from a novel lavender cultivar, Lavandula × intermedia cultivar Okanagan lavender (OLEO), in a mouse model of acute colitis caused by Citrobacter rodentium . In colitic mice, oral gavage with OLEO resulted in less severe disease, including decreased morbidity and mortality, reduced intestinal tissue damage, and decreased infiltration of neutrophils and macrophages, with reduced levels of TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-22, macrophage inflammatory protein-2α, and inducible nitric oxide synthase expression. This was associated with increased levels of regulatory T cell populations compared with untreated colitic mice. Recently, we demonstrated that the composition of the enteric microbiota affects susceptibility to C. rodentium -induced colitis. Here, we found that oral administration of OLEO induced microbiota enriched with members of the phylum Firmicutes, including segmented filamentous bacteria, which are known to protect against the damaging effects of C. rodentium . Additionally, during infection, OLEO treatment promoted the maintenance of microbiota loads, with specific increases in Firmicutes bacteria and decreases in γ-Proteobacteria. We observed that Firmicutes bacteria were intimately associated with the apical region of the intestinal epithelial cells during infection, suggesting that their protective effect was through contact with the gut wall. Finally, we show that OLEO inhibited C. rodentium growth and adherence to Caco-2 cells, primarily through the activities of 1,8-cineole and borneol. These results indicate that while OLEO promoted Firmicutes populations, it also controlled pathogen load through antimicrobial activity. Overall, our results reveal that OLEO can protect against colitis through the microbial-immunity nexus and that a pharmacological agent, in this case OLEO, alters the normal enteric microbiota.
CD18 is required for optimal lymphopenia-induced proliferation of mouse T cells
Authors: Sarin Ritu , Abraham Clara
Published: July 2012

Lymphocyte numbers are tightly regulated; with acute lymphopenia, T cell numbers are reestablished through lymphopenia-induced proliferation. In contrast to the costimulation requirements of antigen-driven proliferation, a number of costimulatory molecules are not required for lymphopenia-induced proliferation. However, the requirement for major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-T cell receptor (TCR) interactions and the enhanced lymphopenia-induced proliferation in T cells with higher TCR affinity argue for a role for surface molecules that contribute to efficient MHC-TCR interactions, in particular adhesion molecules. CD18 is an integrin that contributes to the activation of peripheral and intestinal T cells through adhesive and costimulatory mechanisms. We found that CD18 is required for optimal polyclonal and monoclonal CD4+T cell lymphopenia-induced proliferation in recombination-activating gene 1-deficient (RAG-1−/−) mice; this requirement persisted over time. Uniquely, the dependency on CD18 in CD4+T cells is in the rapid proliferation in RAG-1−/−recipients and in the slow homeostatic proliferation in irradiated Balb/c recipients. Consistent with the proposed role for intestinal microbiota in lymphopenia-induced rapid proliferation in RAG−/−mice, we observed a significant reduction in rapid proliferation upon treatment of mice with antibiotics; however, the dependency on CD18 for optimal lymphopenia-induced proliferation persisted. Moreover, the dependency for CD18 is maintained over a wide range of numbers of initially transferred T cells, including a low number of initially transferred T cells, when the drive for proliferation is very strong and proliferation is more rapid. Overall, these data argue for an essential and broad role for CD18 in lymphopenia-induced proliferation.
TNF-α impairs endothelial function in adipose tissue resistance arteries of mice with diet-induced obesity
Authors: Donato Anthony J. , Henson Grant D. , Morgan R. Garrett , Enz Ryley A. , Walker Ashley E. , Lesniewski Lisa A.
Published: July 2012

We tested the hypothesis that high fat (HF) feeding results in endothelial dysfunction in resistance arteries of epididymal white adipose tissue (eWAT) and is mediated by adipose tissue inflammation. When compared with normal chow (NC)-fed mice ( n = 17), HF-fed male B6D2F1 mice were glucose intolerant and insulin resistant as assessed by glucose tolerance test (area under the curve; HF, 18,174 ± 1,889 vs. NC, 15,814 ± 666 mg·dl−1·min−1; P < 0.05) and the homeostatic model assessment (HF, 64.1 ± 4.3 vs. NC, 85.7 ± 6.4; P = 0.05). HF diet-induced metabolic dysfunction was concomitant with a proinflammatory eWAT phenotype characterized by greater macrophage infiltration (HF, 3.9 ± 0.8 vs. NC, 0.8 ± 0.4%; P = 0.01) and TNF-α (HF, 22.6 ± 4.3 vs. NC, 11.4 ± 2.5 pg/dl; P < 0.05) and was associated with resistance artery dysfunction, evidenced by impaired endothelium-dependent dilation (EDD) (maximal dilation; HF, 49.2 ± 10.7 vs. NC, 92.4 ± 1.4%; P < 0.01). Inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) synthase by Nω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME) reduced dilation in NC (28.9 ± 6.3%; P < 0.01)- and tended to reduce dilation in HF (29.8 ± 9.9%; P = 0.07)-fed mice, eliminating the differences in eWAT artery EDD between NC- and HF-fed mice, indicative of reduced NO bioavailability in eWAT resistance arteries after HF feeding. In vitro treatment of excised eWAT arteries with recombinant TNF-α (rTNF) impaired EDD ( P < 0.01) in NC (59.7 ± 10.9%)- but not HF (59.0 ± 9.3%)-fed mice. l-NAME reduced EDD in rTNF-treated arteries from both NC (21.9 ± 6.4%)- and HF (29.1 ± 9.2%)-fed mice (both P < 0.01). In vitro treatment of arteries with a neutralizing antibody against TNF-α (abTNF) improved EDD in HF (88.2 ± 4.6%; P = 0.05)-fed mice but was without effect on maximal dilation in NC (89.0 ± 5.1%)-fed mice. l-NAME reduced EDD in abTNF-treated arteries from both NC (25.4 ± 7.5%)- and HF (27.1 ± 16.8%)-fed mice (both P < 0.01). These results demonstrate that inflammation in the visceral adipose tissue resulting from diet-induced obesity impairs endothelial function and NO bioavailability in the associated resistance arteries. This dysfunction may have important implications for adipose tissue blood flow and appropriate tissue function.