bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Iris spuria L. (Iridaceae) at two new localities in the Vojvodina Province
Authors: Vajgand Dragan , Vajgand Ljubica , Vajgand Karlo
Published: November 2010

Iris spuria L. was found at two new locations in the Vojvodina Province in 1997, both of them in the vicinity of Sombor: near the village of Krusevlje (CR59 according to 10x10 km UTM grid) and near the village of Backi Monostor in the Kozara Forest (CR47 according to 10x10 km UTM grid). Patches of the plants were sketched and observed until 2001. The populations in both locations had been stable, though under possible influence of humans (picking, burning) and animals: bloom-eater (Trapinota hirta), and wild pigs (Sus scrofa). Fencing off stand with Iris spuria L. population in the Kozara Forest is recommended.
The effect of milk consumption on bone mass density in obese and thin adult women
Authors: Habibzadeh Nasim
Published: November 2010

The effect of milk consumption on bone mass density in obese and thin adult women

Study aim: To assess the effect of milk consumption lasting two months on BMD of obese and thin young women.

Material and methods: A group of 38 untrained women (18 obese [O] - BMI>30, and 20 thin [T] - BMI<20), aged 20 - 25, years participated in the study. They were randomly assigned into BMI-matched experimental [E] or control [C] groups containing 9 obese and 10 thin subjects each. Experimental groups were given 2 glasses of milk (600 mg/day of calcium; fat content 1.5%) for 2 months, 3 days a week. At the beginning (Pre) and at the end (Post) of the study, bone mass density (BMD) at the hip and spine (L2-L4) was measured using DEXA technique, and oestrogens, calcium and phosphorus were determined in serum. Body fat content (%F) and lean body mass (LBM) were determined using the bioimpedance (BIA) technique.

Results: In both experimental groups BMD significantly (p<0.05 - 0.001) increased in both areas by 4 - 7%. In the TE group, %F significantly (p<0.05) decreased by 8% and LBM significantly (p<0.001) increased by 3%. Serum calcium decreased in all groups except OC by 3 - 5% (p<0.05 - 0.01) and oestrogens markedly increased in all groups except TC.

Conclusion: The data suggest that adequate milk intake (thus calcium) in adolescence is an indicator of attaining adequate bone mass density, thus preventing the risk of osteoporosis.
Advanced User Interface Generation in the Software Framework for Magnetic Measurements at Cern
Authors: Arpaia Pasquale , Fiscarelli Lucio , Commara Giuseppe
Published: November 2010

Advanced User Interface Generation in the Software Framework for Magnetic Measurements at Cern

A model-based approach, the Model-View-Interactor Paradigm, for automatic generation of user interfaces in software frameworks for measurement systems is proposed. The Model-View-Interactor Paradigm is focused on the "interaction" typical in a software framework for measurement applications: the final user interacts with the automatic measurement system executing a suitable high-level script previously written by a test engineer. According to the main design goal of frameworks, the proposed approach allows the user interfaces to be separated easily from the application logic for enhancing the flexibility and reusability of the software. As a practical case study, this approach has been applied to the flexible software framework for magnetic measurements at the European Organization for Nuclear research (CERN). In particular, experimental results about the scenario of permeability measurements are reported.
Do Indicated Preventive Interventions for Depression Represent Good Value for Money?
Authors: Mihalopoulos Cathrine , Vos Theo , Pirkis Jane , Smit Filip , Carter Rob
Published: November 2010

Objective: The prevention of depression is of growing interest to researchers and policy makers. However, the question of whether interventions designed to prevent depression provide value for money at a population level remains largely unanswered. The current study assesses the cost-effectiveness of two indicated interventions designed to prevent depression: a brief psychological intervention based on bibliotherapy and a more comprehensive group-based psychological intervention following opportunistic screening for sub-syndromal depression in general practice.

Method: Economic modelling using a cost utility framework was used to assess the incremental cost effectiveness ratios (ICERs) of the two interventions within the Australian population context, modelled as add-ons to current practice. The perspective was the health sector and outcomes were measured using disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). Uncertainty was measured using probabilistic uncertainty testing and important model assumptions were tested using univariate sensitivity testing.

Results: The brief bibliotherapy intervention had an ICER of AU$8600 per DALY and the group-based psychological intervention had an ICER of AU$20 000 per DALY. The majority of the uncertainty simulations for both interventions fell below the cost-effectiveness threshold value of $50 000 per DALY. Extensive sensitivity testing showed that the results were robust to the assumptions made in the analyses.

Conclusions: Following screening in general practice, both psychological interventions, particularly brief bibliotherapy, appear to be good value for money and worthy of further evaluation under routine care circumstances. Acceptability issues associated with such interventions, particularly to primary care practitioners as providers of the interventions and health system administrators, also need to be considered before wide-scale adoption is contemplated.
Vehicle and Pedestrian Safety at Light Rail Stops in Mixed Traffic
Authors: Currie Graham , Reynolds James
Published: November 2010

A significant flaw in light rail safety research is the omission of mixed traffic (or streetcar) environments despite evidence that these are a major safety challenge. The safety impacts of new tram stop designs in Melbourne, Australia, with one of the world's largest streetcar systems, were reviewed. A major finding was that 82% of safety incidents associated with streetcars were auto–pedestrian conflicts. Previous research did not consider these conflicts accidents and identified poor monitoring of such incidents. Before-and-after analysis shows that new platform stops reduced collision rates: auto–pedestrian (62%) and auto–tram stop (12%). Tram–pedestrian collisions did not change except at the busiest stop, where total incidents were reduced by 53%, but tram–pedestrian rates increased. However, patronage growth increased exposure at this stop. An alternative, poorer quality, incident database also showed a decline in tram–pedestrian (10%) and auto–tram stop (25%) incident rates after platform stops were introduced. These findings also suggest that auto–pedestrian incidents may have increased; however, data quality and inconsistency with other findings suggest caution about this result. A road safety audit of tram stops showed that new designs have reduced intolerable safety risks, compared with older designs. The new, easy access stop is particularly attractive because of the reduced speed of passing autos. Ironically, the older and inappropriately named, safety zone stop had the largest number of serious safety risks. Overall findings suggest that the new tram stop designs have resulted in significant safety benefits. Implications for further planning and research are also suggested.
Evaluating, Comparing, and Improving Metro Networks: Application to Plans for Toronto, Canada
Authors: Derrible Sybil , Kennedy Christopher
Published: November 2010

As public transportation systems become more complex, an analysis of their network features can be of substantial help for planners. This work is an application of a network design model that was validated previously. It uses three indicators relevant to ridership: coverage, directness, and connectivity. Coverage calculates the percentage of land covered by the network. Directness relates to the convenience to travel, to avoid unnecessary transfers. Connectivity appreciates the structure of networks by measuring the affluence of transfer stations. According to the 15- and 25-year transit plans produced by the Toronto, Canada, regional transportation authority, Metrolinx, the objectives were to apply the model to evaluate these plans, compare them with other transit systems worldwide, and propose possible improvements. The model is applied only to the plans for the city of Toronto (seven light rail lines, three metro extensions, and one new metro line). These plans significantly improve the current system; for example, the model predicts approximately 546 million boardings per year for the 25-year plan, compared with 265.3 million currently. Nonetheless, seven possible improvements are also suggested, which might bring Toronto to approximately 619 million boardings per year, a 134% increase over current levels.
Rail City Berlin: Rail Infrastructure Development and Intermodality in the Reunified German Capital
Authors: Peters Deike
Published: November 2010

Berlin is known for an expansive transit system featuring a variety of different rail services. But Berlin was divided by a heavily guarded concrete wall for a quarter century, with rail systems operations developing in quite different ways in East and West Berlin. Berlin's rail system was critically evaluated before, during, and after the times of the Berlin wall, with emphasis on the postreunification period. Several valuable lessons can be learned both from Berlin's best practices and from its less shining moments. Berlin is a particularly interesting example of rail transit redevelopment and expansion because of its repeated “zero hour” situations after war-related destruction and after the fall of the Berlin wall in 1989. After 1990, extraordinary sums were invested to completely restructure Berlin's urban and regional rail networks and to connect the city to the high-speed rail network in West Germany. In the end, postreunification Berlin's triple challenge of simultaneously developing new high-speed connections to other cities, completely overhauling and restructuring its internal rail system, and ensuring that the new system would be properly and intermodally connected to the rest of the transportation network, is not dissimilar to the situation many U.S. cities are facing today. The core issues that warrant critical discussion are the relationships and trade-offs between the various investments into long-distance, regional, and urban rail lines.
Renewable Energy Use Advantages of Maglev-Based Personal Rapid Transit
Authors: Baertsch Robert , Dunnmon Jared
Published: November 2010

Maglev personal rapid transit (MPRT) is a personal rapid transit (PRT) system that uses renewable energy in usage, distribution, and generation. A PRT system provides on-demand service in a manner similar to the automobile. Different types of PRT have different impacts on the electrical grid load. Recent advances in power electronics and maglev technology allow for the design of a novel MPRT system characterized not only by exceptionally low power requirements but also by a unique capacity to incorporate energy distribution and storage infrastructure into the greater transportation architecture. A hypothetical hybrid MPRT design incorporating energy storage and transmission capabilities is described. In addition, thorough carbon dioxide and cost analyses are undertaken to more fully understand the spectrum of benefits of an MPRT solution, in comparison to conventional vehicle and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle approaches. An MPRT system not only offers significant advantages over other technologies in efficiently using renewable energy but also represents the unique potential to address urgent energy challenges by incorporating power transmission, storage, and generation infrastructure.
Theoretical Maximum Capacity as Benchmark for Empty Vehicle Redistribution in Personal Rapid Transit
Authors: Lees-Miller John D. , Hammersley John C. , Wilson R. Eddie
Published: November 2010

A personal rapid transit system uses compact, computer-guided vehicles running on dedicated guideways to carry individuals or small groups directly between pairs of stations. Vehicles move on demand when a passenger requests service at his or her origin station. Because the number of trips requested from a station need not equal the number of trips ending there, some vehicles must run empty to balance the flows. The empty vehicle redistribution (EVR) problem is to decide which empty vehicles to move and when and where to move them; an EVR algorithm makes these decisions in real time, as passengers arrive and request service. A method was developed for finding the theoretical maximum demand (with a given spatial distribution) that a given system could serve with any EVR algorithm, which provides a benchmark against which particular EVR algorithms can be compared. The maximum passenger demand that a particular EVR algorithm can serve can be determined by simulation and then compared with the benchmark. The method is applied to two simple EVR heuristics on two example systems. The results suggest that this is a useful method for determining the strengths and weaknesses of a variety of EVR heuristics across a range of networks, passenger demands, and fleet sizes.
Organizational Regimes for Commuter Rail: Improving Train Service Worldwide
Authors: Allen John G. , Lu Alex
Published: November 2010

Developments in the ownership and control of railroads affect commuter rail. Vertical integration and open access are widely seen as mutually exclusive options for rail reform. North American railroads were relieved of passenger service obligations and granted commercial freedom to improve profitability—all within the vertically integrated tradition. In Europe, infrastructure separation aims to encourage competition on traditionally monolithic and unprofitable government railways. Australia and Argentina have opted for business sectors and vertically integrated operating concessions. These differing policy initiatives have triggered remarkably similar responses by commuter rail authorities. Commuter rail is now managed with more local control than previously, with governments providing necessary operating support and infrastructure investment. Separation between commuter rail operators and control of rail infrastructure has generally increased, and greater institutional coordination is now required to deliver effective commuter service. Regardless of national rail policy, commuter rail agencies can improve service by obtaining or retaining control of the carrier core functions. Under vertical integration, agencies may purchase control of rail infrastructure assets and invest in improvements as opportunities arise. Under open access, this must be accomplished by consolidating regionwide purchasing power for train paths to foster productive relationships with the infrastructure steward.
Impact of Rail Terminal Design on Transit Service Reliability
Authors: van Oort Niels , van Nes Rob
Published: November 2010

Ensuring reliable rail transit services is an important task for transit agencies. The effects of various terminal configurations on reliability of services were studied. The results could also be used for short-turning infrastructure. Short turning is a widespread measure to restore service after major disturbances; in many rail networks, additional switches are constructed to enable short turning. Calculations of the average delay per vehicle, regarding three main types of terminals, show the effect of frequency and occupancy time [determined by the distance from the switches to the platform (i.e., length of the terminal), technical turning time, and scheduled layover time]. The substantial effect of arrival variability and the number of lines using the terminal are also illustrated. With stochastic variables, delays will occur, although they are not to be expected in the static case. The best performance regarding reliability is achieved when double crossovers are situated after the platforms. Single tail tracks facilitating the turning process are acceptable only if frequencies are low, although they are often used in practice as short-tuning facilities for high frequency services. Occupancy time has a large impact on expected delays. This time can be minimized by designing short distances between switches and platform and tail tracks. Capacity management is not common in transit. However, increasing frequencies and large deviations force the consideration of limited capacity when planning infrastructure. If not, delays will occur, and additional measures will be necessary to solve them, which could be more expensive in the long term.
Mexico City, Mexico, Commuter Rail: Planning and Implementation of Multijurisdictional, Public–Private Partnership Project
Authors: Rutzen Beatriz , Hutson Nathan , Loftus-Otway Lisa
Published: November 2010

The Mexico City Metropolitan Area in Mexico has grown beyond the original confines of the Federal District and sprawled into surrounding cities located in Mexico State. This transition from a large but centralized city to a sprawling megalopolis means that the challenge of providing services, including adequate transportation options, to the population is growing exponentially. In response to the growing population of commuters, the government has invested in various mass transit projects to increase travel efficiency. The development of a commuter rail system capable of transporting hundreds of thousands of suburban commuters is a priority project that has spanned three Mexican presidencies with continued support. Since its opening in 2008, this suburban electric rail system, the Ferrocarril Suburbano, has been serving commuters between the Mexico City greater metropolitan area and municipalities in the northwest, greatly reducing passenger travel time and curtailing emissions. The project has been sponsored at all levels of government—federal, state, and local—and includes a public–private partnership. Apart from the project's uniqueness in its working collaboration between the different levels of government, as well as the successful concession process and the partnership with the concessionaire, it is also distinctive because it is the first commuter rail project of its kind in Mexico that uses existing rail infrastructure. This study examines the project's development, financing, and concession process.
Test Method and Model Development of Subbase Erosion for Concrete Pavement Design
Authors: Jung Youn su , Zollinger Dan G. , Wimsatt Andrew J.
Published: November 2010

The erosion of material beneath a concrete slab is an important performance-related factor. If applied to the selection of base materials, this factor can enhance the overall design process for concrete pavement systems. However, erosion of the subbase has not been included explicitly in analysis and design procedures because there is no well-accepted laboratory test or related erosion model suitable for design. Therefore, this paper focuses on advancing a simple laboratory test method to evaluate erodibility of a subbase material and then introducing and validating an erosion model that incorporates the results from the new laboratory test method. Erosion-related design procedures were reviewed relative to previous test methods. Erosion models were evaluated for their utility to characterize the erosion resistance of subbase materials. With this information, a new test configuration was devised; it used a rapid triaxial test and a Hamburg wheel-tracking device for evaluating erodibility in relation to the degree of stabilization, base type, and cement content. Test devices, procedures, and results are explained and summarized for application in mechanistic design processes. A proposed erosion model is validated by comparing erosion predictions to erosion results.
Evaluating Effectiveness of Dowels in Jointed-Concrete Pavements with Faulting Data from Rapid-Travel Profilers
Authors: Byrum Christopher R.
Published: November 2010

This paper presents a study that uses the data from FHWA's General Pavement Studies Three (GPS3) rapid-travel profiler for jointed-concrete pavement to quantify faulting at joints and cracks and to analyze the effectiveness of load transfer dowel bars for reducing faulting. A method for identifying and quantifying the fault size at each joint and crack is described. This profile-based fault quantification method has relatively high precision that results in smooth age trends for faulting growth over time at the GPS3 sites. Size estimates generally match manual Georgia fault meter trends. More time series faulting measurements are available from the rapid travel profile dates than from the lane closure Georgia fault meter survey dates. The paper offers design-oriented nonlinear regression models that can backpredict the age trends for fault growth at the GPS3 sites as viewed through the rapid-travel profiler data. Two regression models are provided, one for the sites with dowels at joints and one for sites with only aggregate interlock for load transfer across joints. In this study, the same regression model form was used for each population's data set. This method allows a fair and direct comparison of the apparent effectiveness of dowels in jointed-concrete pavement systems for a given set of design conditions. Some interesting trends observed from sensitivity analyses of the resulting regression models are presented.
Time-Dependent Behavior of Posttensioned Concrete Pavements under Environmental Loading
Authors: Choi Seongcheol , Won Moon C.
Published: November 2010

The performance of cast-in-place posttensioned concrete pavement (PTCP) constructed in 1985 on I-35 in Waco, Texas, has been excellent. Encouraged by the performance of the section, the Texas Department of Transportation began construction of another PTCP project in 2008 on I-35 in Hillsboro. In this study, the time-dependent behavior of PTCP under environmental loading was experimentally investigated and its implications in PTCP design investigated. Concrete strain and slab movement as well as temperature and relative humidity were measured. The effects of such factors as posttensioning (PT) force, friction, curling stress, creep, and shrinkage on the behavior of PTCP were investigated. The stress introduced by longitudinal PT varied along the slab length, with a maximum near the armor joint and a minimum at the center of the slab. The variations were induced by the friction between concrete and subbase. The concrete strain at middepth of the slab under environmental loading was also affected by friction. The concrete thermal strain restrained by friction was larger near the slab center, and the degree of restraint was 20%. The distribution of longitudinal slab movement was nonlinear along with the distance from the slab center, and 13% of free slab movement was restrained at the armor joint. Continued contraction of the concrete slab due to creep and shrinkage was observed, which will result in the opening of joint width. Because creep and shrinkage are long-term effects, slab movement monitoring will continue until their effects become insignificant and the information gained should be used for the design of initial joint width.
Expert System for Design of Low-Volume Roads over Expansive Soils
Authors: Wanyan Yaqi , Abdallah Imad , Nazarian Soheil , Puppala Anand J.
Published: November 2010

This paper summarizes the development of an expert system to assist pavement engineers in designing more realistic and practical low-volume roads in clayey areas. This expert system combines numerical and engineering analyses with heuristic information about the site to recommend optimal design, remediation, and construction alternatives. Common distress types are considered. In particular, numerical analysis is incorporated to predict the potential for longitudinal cracking of the section, which was reported in a survey throughout Texas to be the most prevailing distress. After assessment of the structural capacity, remediation methods are proposed to address the problem of premature failure of low-volume roads on clays with a high plasticity index. Cost–benefit analyses are added to compare cost-effectiveness of recommended alternative strategies. Finally, a case study is presented in detail to illustrate the use of the software. A preliminary study of typical low-volume roads built over expansive subsoils in Texas indicates that thicker and stronger pavement layers do not guarantee better performance. Instead, addressing the environmental factors related to changes in subgrade properties plays a bigger role in serviceability and performance.
Reliability Methods Applicable to Mechanistic–Empirical Pavement Design Method
Authors: Retherford Jennifer Q. , McDonald Mark
Published: November 2010

Pavement design incorporates a large number of variable design parameters. The combination of the variances associated with input variables contributes to component and system reliability, and this combination of variances can have a significant effect on the predicted performance of the pavement. Reliability analysis provides a solution to this design problem. Numerous reliability methods are available and applicable to pavement design. Previously implemented reliability methods incorporate only a few basic reliability concepts, typically by using the first and second moments of the random variables. Additional reliability methods are available to design engineers, and more advanced methods can be easily used in pavement design. Many advanced reliability methods were viewed as excessively and computationally expensive. Advancements in both the methods and the computational power available to the designer make a number of reliability methods cost-efficient. Ultimately, reliability analysis in pavement design is most useful if it can be efficiently and accurately applied to components of pavement design and the combination of these components in an overall system analysis. This study investigates potential reliability methods and discusses their advantages and disadvantages in the mechanistic–empirical design approach to pavement design. The mechanistic–empirical design procedure is used to establish failure limit states for the reliability analysis. The results from numerous reliability methods are compared with a Monte Carlo simulation. The accuracies of the methods in relation to the simulation method and the computational costs are then compared and discussed.
Effect of Grading on Degradation of Crushed-Rock Railway Ballast and on Permanent Axial Deformation
Authors: Nålsund Roar
Published: November 2010

A series of large-scale repeated-load triaxial tests on a crushed metasandstone railway ballast is described. The effects of different gradings on degradation and accumulation of permanent strain are investigated. The material tested was a mechanically strong ballast aggregate with grading curves similar to the envelope curves in the Norwegian railway ballast specification (EN13450, Category E) and the finer grading in the American Railroad Engineering and Maintenance of Way Association's (AREMA) ballast (AREMA 4) commonly used in the United States on railway mainline tracks. The scope of the research was to assess the influence of grading on ballast breakage and permanent vertical deformation. Breakage and production of fines influence ballast service life, and permanent strain from tamping affects the duration of track alignment. As an approach to simulate the impact from ballast tamping, each test specimen was loaded totally with 4 million load repetitions but dismantled and rebuilt after each 1 million load applications. The results of the study indicate that an increase in average grain size to a single-graded ballast material gives more permanent strain, more ballast breakage, and slightly more production of fines less than 0.063 mm. The recompaction after each tamping operation is the main cause of ballast breakage.
Dynamic Analysis of Thin Asphalt Pavements by Using Cross-Anisotropic Stress-Dependent Properties for Granular Layer
Authors: Al-Qadi Imad L. , Wang Hao , Tutumluer Erol
Published: November 2010

A three-dimensional (3-D) finite element (FE) model was developed to investigate the dynamic responses of thin, flexible pavement under impulsive loading similar to a falling weight deflectometer test. The FE model simulated the hot-mix asphalt (HMA) surface layer as a linear viscoelastic material and considered the cross-anisotropic stress dependent modulus for the unbound base layer. Implicit dynamic analysis was used to consider the effect of inertia on pavement structural responses. Using two thin-pavement structures of different HMA layer thicknesses, 76 and 127 mm, the study analyzed the effects of cross-anisotropic stress-dependent aggregate base modulus and dynamic analysis on pavement responses, including surface deflection, tensile strain at the bottom of the HMA layer, deviator stress in the base layer, and compressive strain on top of the subgrade. Results showed that use of the cross-anisotropic stress-dependent modulus for the unbound base layer resulted in greater predicted pavement responses and, hence, less estimated pavement life for rutting and fatigue cracking. It was found that as the thickness of HMA surface layer or the ratio of horizontal modulus to vertical modulus decreases, the effects of stress dependency and cross anisotropy become more significant. Analysis-predicted surface deflections were compared to field-measured values and they were in agreement when the stress dependency and cross anisotropy of the base layer and subgrade were considered.
Unbound Aggregate Deformation Behavior due to Traffic Wander
Authors: Donovan Phillip R. , Tutumluer Erol , Huang Hai
Published: November 2010

This paper reports the investigation of complex deformation trends observed in unbound aggregate layers of airport pavements and caused by traffic loading with wander, as seen in the flexible pavement sections at FAA's National Airport Pavement Test Facility. A discrete element modeling (DEM) approach was adopted to enable realistic movements (i.e., sliding, rotating, and shifting positions of individual particles in the unbound aggregate layer in response to offset wheel loads). The first DEM simulation involving a single rigid plate pushed into an assembly of generated unbound particles found that the particles moved downward and laterally from under the plate load. The lateral movement caused upward movement of particles adjacent to the plate. The DEM simulations of traffic wander involving three plates, with each plate loaded sequentially, found that the particles were forced back under the previously loaded plate due to the application of the next offset load, which caused upheaval of the first plate. Comparison of the single- and multiple-plate tests showed that wander resulted in less rutting under the middle plate over a 30-repetition test sequence due to the upheavals caused by offset loads. However, when the number of loads applied on the middle plate only (i.e., traffic coverage) was taken into account, similar rutting was observed due to both traffic wander and channelized loading. In the DEM simulations, wander caused substantially more particle rearrangement and movement, which could result in greater deformation upon further loading due to higher rutting rates and associated material degradation.
Glutamate clearance mechanisms in resected cortical dysplasia
Authors: González-Martínez Jorge A. , Ying Zhong , Prayson Richard , Bingaman William , Najm Imad
Published: November 2010

Object

Changes in the expression of glutamate transporters (GLTs) may play a role in the expression of epileptogenicity. Previous studies have shown an increased number of neuronal GLTs in human dysplastic neurons. The expression of glial and neuronal GLTs and glutamine synthetase (GS) in balloon cells (BCs) and BC-containing cortical dysplasia has not been studied.

Methods

The authors analyzed neocortical samples that were resected in 5 patients who had cortical dysplasia–induced medically intractable focal epilepsy and who underwent extraoperative prolonged electrocorticographic (ECoG) recordings. The expressions of glial (GLT1/EAAT2) and neuronal (EAAT3, EAAC1) GLTs and GS proteins were immunohistochemically studied in all 5 resected samples. The authors also assessed in situ colocalization of GLTs and GS with neuronal and glial markers.

Results

Balloon cell–containing cortical dysplasia lesions did not exhibit ictal patterns on prolonged extraoperative ECoG recordings. There was a differential expression of glial and neuronal GLTs in BCs and dysplastic neurons: the majority of BCs highly expressed glial but not neuronal GLTs. Dysplastic neurons showed increased immunohistochemical staining with neuronal EAAT3 but not with EAAT2/GLT1. Moreover, only glial fibrillary acidic protein–positive BCs also expressed GS.

Conclusions

There is a differential GLT expression in dysplastic and balloon cells. The presence of glial GLTs and GS in balloon cell cortical dysplasia suggests a possible antiepileptic role for BCs and is consistent with the reported increased epileptogenicity in GLT1-deficient animals.
Optimal cerebrospinal fluid magnesium ion concentration for vasodilatory effect and duration after intracisternal injection of magnesium sulfate solution in a canine subarachnoid hemorrhage model
Authors: Mori Kentaro , Yamamoto Takuji , Miyazaki Masahiro , Hara Yasukazu , Aiko Yasuhisa , Koike Nobuhiro , Sakamoto Shinsuke , Nakao Yasuaki , Esaki Takanori
Published: November 2010

Object

The optimal CSF Mg++ concentration for vasodilation of spastic cerebral arteries after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and its duration are unknown. The temporal profile of the vasodilatory effect and optimal CSF Mg++ concentration after the intracisternal injection of MgSO4 solution were investigated in an SAH model in canines.

Methods

Cerebral vasospasm was induced by experimental SAH using a 2-hemorrhage model in 26 female beagles. On Day 7, 0.5 ml/kg of 15, 10, 5, or 0 mmol/L MgSO4 in Ringer solution was injected into the cerebellomedullary cistern. Angiography was performed on Day 1 (before SAH) and before and 1, 3, and 6 hours after the intracisternal injection on Day 7 to measure arterial diameters of the basilar artery (BA), superior cerebellar artery (SCA), and vertebral artery (VA). Cerebrospinal fluid Mg++ was also measured at the same time.

Results

Arterial diameters of the BA, SCA, and VA were significantly decreased by vasospasm on Day 7. Arterial diameter ratios (ratio of arterial diameter after MgSO4 injection to diameter before injection on Day 7) of the BA and SCA at 1 and 3 hours after and the VA at 1 hour after intracisternal injection of the MgSO4 solution were positively correlated with the CSF Mg++ concentration. All arterial diameter ratios, except 1 point of the SCA, exceeded 1 if the CSF Mg++ concentration was > 3 mEq/L at 1 hour after injection. Animals with CSF Mg++ concentrations > 3 mEq/L at 1 hour after injection (11 dogs) showed significantly increased arterial diameters of the BA at 1 and 3 hours after and of the SCA and VA at 1, 3, and 6 hours after injection, as compared with the diameters before injection. The CSF Mg++ concentration significantly increased at 1 hour (3.73 ± 0.69 mEq/L, p < 0.01) and 3 hours (2.05 ± 0.35 mEq/L, p < 0.01) after the intracisternal injection as compared with the baseline value (1.41 ± 0.20 mEq/L).

Conclusions

The reversible effect of an intracisternal injection of MgSO4 solution on the spastic artery requires CSF Mg++ concentrations > 3 mEq/L. The vasodilatory effect continues for 3–6 hours after injection. These results suggest that the continuous infusion or intermittent intracisternal injection of MgSO4 is needed to maintain the optimal CSF Mg++ concentration and constantly ameliorate cerebral vasospasm.
Important Advances in the Field of Anti-Dengue Virus Research
Authors: Julander Justin G , Perry Stuart T , Shresta Sujan
Published: November 2010

There are currently no licensed antivirals available for the treatment of dengue virus (DENV), which causes significant morbidity and mortality throughout tropical areas of the world and is now encroaching on the southern United States. Recent improvements in existing animal models and cell culture systems have been very important in elucidating the mechanisms of DENV pathogenesis in humans, including the identification of potential viral and host proteins that might be targeted for the treatment of DENV infection. The AG129 mouse model is a major advance in the development of antiviral and vaccine candidates for clinical use. It allows for testing of potential therapeutics in a relevant system that exhibits some aspects of disease that are similar to those observed in humans. This review focuses on recent developments in the AG129 mouse model and discusses compounds that have been found to be active in available cell and animal model systems within the past year.
eProject User Experience: The Reality
Authors: Sandler John
Published: November 2010

Corporate eProjects have become fast-paced and increasingly demanding. More often than not, problems and challenges readily surface within technology projects. These can often stem from poor usability and user experience aspects of the development process, together with lack of adequate communications plans and strategies.

Successful forward planning and succinct on-going communication of development and testing processes is critical.

Clear communications across the range of impacted user work groups, together with the project team, ensuring an understanding of all roles in the development process is vital. Understanding the need to engage expert users and representatives from the impacted user groups is also critical.

This paper and associated presentation will look at what can happen in the real world, when even highly detailed project planning can be undermined by a lack of communications, understanding and unsatisfactory project team user experience. In effect, the user experience of project teams.
The contributions of self-efficacy, trait anxiety, and fear of falling to physical activity behavior among residents of continuing care retirement communities
Authors: Smith J. Carson , Zalewski Kathryn R. , Motl Robert W. , Van Hart Mark , Malzahn Jacob
Published: November 2010

Self-efficacy for exercise has been shown to be an independent predictor of physical activity (PA) in community dwelling older adults. There is relatively little known, however, regarding the strength and independence of the relationship between self-efficacy and objectively measured PA among residents of continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs). We examined the independent contribution of self-efficacy on PA behavior and assessed whether the explanation of variance in PA behavior was incrementally improved by considering trait anxiety and fear of falling as theoretical impediments to PA. Fifty-two men and women (83.5±5 yrs) residing in one of four CCRCs in metro Milwaukee wore an accelerometer on their ankle for 7 days to measure number of steps per day, the percentage of time spent active and inactive, and moderate and high intensity PA. Self-efficacy for exercise, self-efficacy for overcoming barriers to exercise, trait anxiety, and fear of falling were assessed. Multiple linear regression was utilized to examine the independently explained variance in PA. Exercise self-efficacy significantly and independently explained 13.4% of the variance in number of steps/day (P<0.05). The explanation of variance in moderate intensity activity was incrementally improved when trait anxiety was factored into the model. Overcoming barriers self-efficacy was significantly related to time spent in high intensity activity (r=0.30, P<0.05), but did not significantly and independently explain variance in high intensity PA behavior. Trait anxiety and fear of falling were not identified as significant impediments to PA in CCRC residents. Furthermore, trait anxiety was shown to facilitate, not impede, moderate intensity PA. Self-efficacy for physical activity may serve as a representative target for interventions aimed at increasing physical activity in CCRC residents.
Collagen Racemization and Deposition in the Lungs of Aged Rats
Authors: Kasai Akiko , Yamashita Naomi , Utsunomiya-Tate Naoko
Published: November 2010

Isomerization of amino acids in proteins has recently been identified as a part of the aging process. Increases in D-amino acids as a consequence of isomerization influence the function and structure of proteins. Senescence-related pulmonary diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, are thought to be caused by reductions of lung function with age. We hypothesized that changes of protein structure in lung tissue induced by the isomerization of amino acids could result in decreased lung function. Therefore, we examined whether isomerization of amino acids takes place in the lungs of rats as they age. We measured the content of L- and D-amino acids in collagen 1 by HPLC using a chiral column. We found that collagen 1 was increasingly racemized with age, so that significantly higher proportions of D-Ser were present in 12- and 24-month-old rats than in 8-week-old rats. D-Asp increased slightly but not significantly. We also investigated the localization of collagen 1 in lung tissue. Stacks of collagen 1 were observed in the parenchyma and airway wall, and age-dependent changes were especially prominent in the airway wall. Racemization of collagen 1 could therefore influence lung function and contribute to pulmonary diseases.
Risk Judgment by General Dental Practitioners: Rational but Uninformed
Authors: Ellervall Eva , Brehmer Berndt , Knutsson Kerstin
Published: November 2010

Background

Decisions by dentists to administer antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent infectious complications in patients involves professional risk assessment. While recommendations for rational use have been published, several studies have shown that dentists have low adherence to these recommendations.

Objective

To examine general dental practitioners’ (GDPs’) assessments of the risk of complications if not administering antibiotic prophylaxis in connection with dental procedures in patients with specific medical conditions.

Methods

Postal questionnaires in combination with telephone interviews. Risk assessments were made using visual analogue scales (VAS), where zero represented “insignificant risk” and 100 represented a “very significant risk”.

Results

Response rate: 51%. The mean risk assessments were higher for GDPs who administered antibiotics (mean = 54, SD = 23, range 26–72 mm on the VAS) than those who did not (mean =14, SD =12, range 7–31 mm) ( P < 0.05). Generally, GDPs made higher risk assessments for patients with medical conditions that are included in recommendations than those with conditions that are not included. Overall, risk assessments were higher for tooth removal than for scaling or root canal treatment, even though the risk assessments should be considered equal for these interventions.

Conclusions

GDPs’ risk assessments were rational but uninformed. They administered antibiotics in a manner that was consistent with their risk assessments. Their risk assessments, however, were overestimated. Inaccurate judgments of risk should not be expected to disappear in the presence of new information. To achieve change, clinicians must be motivated to improve behaviour and an evidence-based implementation strategy is required.
Immunohistochemistry as an Important Tool in Biomarkers Detection and Clinical Practice
Authors: De Matos Leandro Luongo , Trufelli Damila Cristina , De Matos Maria Graciela Luongo , Da Silva Pinhal Maria Aparecida
Published: November 2010

The immunohistochemistry technique is used in the search for cell or tissue antigens that range from amino acids and proteins to infectious agents and specific cellular populations. The technique comprises two phases: (1) slides preparation and stages involved for the reaction; (2) interpretation and quantification of the obtained expression. Immunohistochemistry is an important tool for scientific research and also a complementary technique for the elucidation of differential diagnoses which are not determinable by conventional analysis with hematoxylin and eosin. In the last couple of decades there has been an exponential increase in publications on immunohistochemistry and immunocytochemistry techniques. This review covers the immunohistochemistry technique; its history, applications, importance, limitations, difficulties, problems and some aspects related to results interpretation and quantification. Future developments on the immunohistochemistry technique and its expression quantification should not be disseminated in two languages–-that of the pathologist and another of clinician or surgeon. The scientific, diagnostic and prognostic applications of this methodology must be explored in a bid to benefit of patient. In order to achieve this goal a collaboration and pooling of knowledge from both of these valuable medical areas is vital
Assessment of Confounding Factors Affecting the Tumor Markers SMRP, CA125, and CYFRA21-1 in Serum
Authors: Weber Daniel Gilbert , Johnen Georg , Taeger Dirk , Weber Anne , Gross Isabelle Mercedes , Pesch Beate , Kraus Thomas , Brüning Thomas , Gube Monika
Published: November 2010

The purpose of this analysis was to evaluate if serum levels of potential tumor markers for the diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma and lung cancer are affected by confounding factors in a surveillance cohort of workers formerly exposed to asbestos. SMRP, CA125, and CYFRA21-1 concentrations were determined in about 1,700 serum samples from 627 workers formerly exposed to asbestos. The impact of factors that could modify the concentrations of the tumor markers was examined with linear mixed models. SMRP values increased with age 1.02-fold (95% CI 1.01–1.03) and serum creatinine concentration 1.32-fold (95% CI 1.20–1.45). Levels differed by study centers and were higher after 40 years of asbestos exposure. CA125 levels increased with longer storage of the samples. CYFRA21-1 values correlated with age 1.02-fold (95% CI 1.01–1.02), serum creatinine 1.21-fold (95% CI 1.14–1.30) and varied by study centers due to differences in sample handling. Tumor marker concentrations are influenced by subject-related factors, sample handling, and storage. These factors need to be taken into account in screening routine.
Detection of Homocysteine and C-Reactive Protein in the Saliva of Healthy Adults: Comparison with Blood Levels
Authors: Dillon Michael C. , Opris Daniel C. , Kopanczyk Rafal , Lickliter Jackie , Cornwell Hayley N. , Bridges Edward G. , Nazar Andrea M. , Bridges Kristie Grove
Published: November 2010

Inflammation and cardiovascular disease are associated with elevated serum levels of C-Reactive Protein (CRP) and homocysteine. The presence of both molecules in saliva provides an opportunity for development of non-invasive assessments of disease risk. However, salivary CRP and homocysteine reference ranges and their correlation with serum levels are unknown. This study investigated if CRP and homocysteine could be routinely detected in the saliva of healthy adults and the relationship between salivary and blood levels. CRP and homocysteine concentrations were determined using ELISA and enzymatic assays respectively. Homocysteine was detected in only two saliva samples (n = 55). CRP was measurable in all saliva samples (range: 0.05 to 64.3 μg/L; median =1.2 μg/L) and plasma samples (range: 0.14 to 31.1 mg/L; median = 2.0 mg/L). Regression analysis demonstrated no relationship between CRP concentration in saliva and plasma (R 2 = 0.001). Generalized linear models including variables such as saliva flow rate and time since eating or drinking also did not pass lack of fit testing. Therefore, a relationship between CRP concentration in saliva and blood could not be established in this group of subjects. More sensitive detection methods are needed to determine if a correlation between salivary and serum homocysteine levels exists.