bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improvement of Stunned Myocardium in Dogs with Olmesartan, an Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Antagonist, Is Independent of Type 2 Receptors
Authors: Kano Seiichiro , Satoh Kumi , Kaneta Shigeru , Ichihara Kazuo
Published: April 2008

Olmesartan is a selective angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1) antagonist. In pentobarbital-anesthetized open-chest dogs, ischemia/reperfusion was induced by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery for 20 min and releasing it for 60 min, respectively. The myocardial contraction in the ischemic area decreased and returned towards its pre-ischemic level during reperfusion but incompletely. Olmesartan improved the recovery of myocardial contraction during reperfusion associated with restoration of myocardial ATP. Angiotensin II repelled by AT1 receptors occupied by olmesartan can reach and stimulate the angiotensin II type 2 (AT2) receptors, resulting in some beneficial effects on the ischemic myocardium. In fact, AT2 receptor mRNA was found in the adult dog myocardium. In addition, the plasma level of angiotensin II was significantly increased by olmesartan. PD123319, a selective AT2 receptor antagonist, however, did not modify the effect of olmesartan on the cardiac contraction. The hypertensive response to exogenous angiotensin II was completely inhibited by olmesartan, whereas PD123319 did not abolish the effect of olmesartan. In conclusion, olmesartan protects the ischemic/reperfused heart against ischemic injury through inhibition of AT1 receptors but not indirect activation of AT2 receptors.
Minimally Invasive Video-Assisted Thyroidectomy: The Learning Curve
Authors: Del Rio P. , Sommaruga L. , Cataldo S. , Robuschi G. , Arcuri M.F. , Sianesi M.
Published: April 2008

Background: MIVAT (minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy) is a recent technique that requires a learning curve. Materials and Methods: From July 2005 to December 2006, we treated 100 from a total of 467 thyroidectomy patients with MIVAT. We divided the patients into 3 groups. The first 2 groups consisted of 25 patients each: group A (cases 1–25) and group B (26–50). We also divided patients into 2 groups based on our surgical experience: group A + B (cases 1–50) and group C (cases 51–100). Results: The operative times for groups A and B were 101.7 and 84.6 min, respectively (p < 0.03); those for groups A + B and C were 91.07 and 63.06 min, respectively (p < 0.004). Complications of hypocalcemia were observed in 6 cases (4 in the first 50 cases and 2 in the second 50), and complications of nerve palsy were observed in 2 cases from group A. Conclusions: After 25 cases, we observed that the MIVAT procedure allows for a lower mean operative time and a reduction of complications.
A Unique Amino Acid Substitution, L215Q, in the Hepatitis B Virus Small Envelope Protein of a Genotype F Isolate That Inhibits Secretion of Hepatitis B Virus Subviral Particles
Authors: Araujo Natalia M. , Vianna Carlos O.A. , Soares Caroline C. , Gomes Selma A.
Published: April 2008

The small (S) envelope protein is the major component of hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg). Some mutations in the S-HBsAg coding region may cause deficiency in the secretion of both viral and empty subviral particles (SVPs) and lead to accumulation of HBsAg inside the cells. In this study, we identified a unique amino acid substitution (L215Q) in the carboxyl-terminal end of S-HBsAg of an HBV genotype F isolate that provoked an inhibitory effect on secretion of SVPs. HBsAg levels were measured daily by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in the medium and cell extracts of HuH7 and CHO cells transiently transfected with plasmids containing wild-type or mutated S-HBsAg gene. Wild-type HBsAg was detectable in both medium and cell extracts of transfected cells. In contrast, extracellular levels of mutant HBsAg were not higher than cut-off values. By immunofluorescence with monoclonal antibody, it was shown that wild-type HBsAg was distributed throughout the cytoplasm, whereas mutant HBsAg was concentrated around the nucleus, suggesting retention in the endoplasmic reticulum. Amino acid substitutions that inhibit HBsAg secretion, such as that characterized in this study (L215Q), should have implications in HBV immunological diagnostics.
Cardiac Troponin T and Advanced Glycation End-Products in Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Taki Kentaro , Tsuruta Yoshinari , Niwa Toshimitsu
Published: April 2008

Background: Cardiac troponin T (cTnT) is used as a biomarker of myocardial damage for the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction and acute coronary syndrome. The aim was to investigate the association between advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and cTnT in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Methods: The plasma level of cTnT in 224 HD patients was measured using the electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. The plasma levels of NΕ-(carboxymethyl)lysine (CML) and pentosidine were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: The cTnT-positive group (>0.1 ng/ml) showed significantly high plasma levels of calcium, CML and pentosidine as compared with the cTnT-negative group. In multiple logistic regression analysis, the prevalence of patients with high plasma calcium (>median) was increased in the cTnT-positive group as compared with the cTnT-negative group (OR: 5.08, 95% CI: 1.62–15.92, p < 0.01). The prevalence of high plasma CML (>median) was increased in the cTnT-positive group (OR: 4.45, 95% CI: 1.41–14.03, p < 0.05). Further, the prevalence of high plasma pentosidine (>median) was also increased in the cTnT-positive group (OR: 4.94, 95% CI: 1.55–15.70, p < 0.01). Conclusion: In addition to calcium, AGEs such as CML and pentosidine were associated with cTnT, a marker of myocardial damage, in HD patients.
Non-Bone Marrow Origin of Neointimal Smooth Muscle Cells in Experimental In-Stent Restenosis in Rats
Authors: Groenewegen Hendrik C. , Onuta Geanina , Goris Maaike , Zandvoort André , Zijlstra Felix , van Gilst Wiek H. , Rozing Jan , de Smet Bart J.G.L. , Roks Anton J.M. , Hillebrands Jan-Luuk
Published: April 2008

Objective: To determine the contribution of bone marrow (BM)-derived cells in in-stent restenosis (ISR) and transplant arteriosclerosis (TA). Methods: Non-transgenic rats WT F344TG (n = 3) received stent implantation 6 weeks after lethal total body irradiation and suppletion with bone marrow from a R26-hPAP transgenic rat. After 4 weeks the abdominal aortas were harvested, the stent was quickly removed, the abdominal aorta was snap-frozen in liquid nitrogen and 5 µm cryosections for stainings were cut. Additionally, DA aortic allografts were transplanted into WT F344TG (n = 3) and R26-hPAPWT (n = 3) BM-chimeric recipients. Immunohistochemistry (hPAP staining) and immunofluorescence (hPAP, α-SMA and OX1) was performed on all sections. Results: Few hPAP-positive cells were observed in the neointima. Double stainings of hPAP-positive areas showed no α-SMA colocalization; OX-1 did show colocalization. Conclusions: Non-BM-derived cells are the predominant source of neointimal cells in ISR and TA. Vascular wall-derived progenitor cells may rather be the source of SMCs that contribute to ISR and TA, which may have implications for our quest for new therapeutic targets to treat these vasculopathies.
Effect of α-Allocryptopine on Transient Outward Potassium Current in Rabbit Ventricular Myocytes
Authors: Li Y. , Wang S. , Liu Y. , Li Z. , Yang X. , Wang H. , Wen Y. , Chen Y.
Published: April 2008

Objective: To investigate the mechanism of α-allocryptopine-induced inhibition of the transient outward potassium current (Ito) in rabbit left-ventricular myocytes. Methods: We used the whole-cell patch-clamp technique to record the Ito in the myocytes, which were isolated from the rabbit left ventricle by a Langendorff-perfusion device. Results: Allocryptopine decreased the amplitude and the density of the Ito in a concentration-dependent (range from 1 to 100 µM with an IC50 value of 37 ± 8 µM) and frequency- or use-independent manner. At a test potential of +50 mV, the peak current density of Ito was decreased from 21.56 ± 3.24 to 13.37 ± 2.86 pA/pF by 30 µM allocryptopine. The fast time constant of Ito inactivation was reduced from 9.8 ± 1.8 to 5.7 ± 0.7 ms and the slow time constant of Ito was reduced from 50.8 ± 9.0 to 32.2 ± 12.7 ms by 30 µM allocryptopine. The inactivated curve slope was changed from –19.2 ± 7.1 to –7.5 ± 0.6 mV, while the half-activated voltage and activated curve slope and half-inactivated voltage values were not affected by allocryptopine. Transmural heterogeneity of the Ito was decreased in the presence of allocryptopine. At a test potential of +50 mV, the densities of Ito were reduced by 28.6% (epimyocardium), 50.3% (midmyocardium) and 20.1% (endocardium) after expoure to 30 µM allocryptopine.Transmural dispersion of the Ito was reduced from 11.2 ± 1.2 to 4.7 ± 0.6 pA/pF by 30 µM allocryptopine. Conclusion: Allocryptopine produced a blocking effect on the Ito in cardiac myocytes, which may be an important mechanism in its antiarrhythmic effect.
Therapeutic Effect of Hyperoxygenated Solution on Acute Lung Injury Induced by Oleic Acid
Authors: Xu R.F. , Li T.T. , Feng X.Y. , Zhang H. , Song B. , Liu C.R. , Xu L.X.
Published: April 2008

Background/Aims: Hyperoxygenated solution (HOS) has been shown to protect the myocardium, spinal cord and brain from ischemic injury. In this study, we evaluated the effect of HOS on acute lung injury (ALI) induced by oleic acid in rabbits. Methods: 24 rabbits were randomized into four groups: control (C), oleic acid (OA), inhaled oxygen (OX), and HOS treatment (HOS). The ALI model was produced by administrating oleic acid intravenously. Half an hour after oleic acid infusion, animals received inhaled oxygen at 30% FiO2 or 20 ml/kg HOS intravenously. Various parameters were measured during the 2 h after oleic acid treatment. Results: After treatment with oleic acid, mean arterial pressure and PaO2 decreased significantly compared to group C (p < 0.01), while lung/body ratio, lung water content, and the levels of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and TNF-α in the serum and BALF increased significantly (p < 0.01). Histologically, interstitial edema, alveoli exudation and massive inflammatory cell infiltration were observed in the lung. However, when treated with 20 ml/kg HOS, PaO2 significantly increased compared to group OA (p < 0.05). The MPO and TNF-α levels in the serum and BALF were decreased (p < 0.01), pulmonary edema was reduced (p < 0.01). Improved pathological manifestations were observed. Conclusion: HOS at 20 ml/kg has therapeutic effects to ameliorate the biological and morphological changes to the lung induced by oleic acid. HOS is a safe, simple and effective measure to protect animals from ALI.
Training, Detraining and Retraining Effects after a Water-Based Exercise Program in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Tokmakidis Savvas P. , Spassis Apostolos T. , Volaklis Konstantinos A.
Published: April 2008

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the adaptations of a water-based training program as well as the detraining and retraining effects on physiological parameters in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods: Twenty-one patients were separated in an exercise group (n = 11) and a control group (n = 10). The exercise group followed three periods: training, detraining and retraining. Each period lasted 4 months. During the training and the retraining periods, the patients performed four sessions of water exercise (not swimming) per week. Results: The water-based program was well-accepted and no adverse effects were observed. The exercise group improved (p < 0.05) their stress-test time (+11.8%), VO2 peak (+8.4%) and total body strength (+12.2%) after the training period; detraining tended to reverse these positive adaptations. Resumption of training increased the beneficial effects obtained after the initial training period (exercise stress: +4.5%; VO2 peak: +6.6%; total strength: +7.0%). The patients in the control group did not show any significant alterations throughout the study. Conclusion: Water-based exercise is safe and induces positive physiological and muscular adaptations in low-risk patients with CAD. These could be reversed, however, after the cessation of exercise. This is why uninterrupted exercise throughout life is a must.
Variability in the Production of Words Containing Consonant Clusters by Typical 2- and 3-Year-Old Children
Authors: McLeod Sharynne , Hewett Sally R.
Published: April 2008

Objective: Variability describes speech differences within individual children, as well as differences between children. Variability within children has been used as an indicator of speech impairment, so knowledge of typical children’s variability enhances clinicians’ diagnostic and prognostic decisions. This study aimed to describe the extent of variability within children in the production of consonant clusters. Patients and Methods: Sixteen typically developing children aged between 2 and 3 years were studied monthly for 6 months. Spontaneous speech samples were used to construct variability profiles for repeated productions of words containing consonant clusters. Results: Variability between and within individuals featured prominently. Half (53.7%, range 42.4–77.6%) of all the words that were repeated were produced variably. As the children became older, they increased the accuracy of their productions overall; however, variability between and within individuals continued to occur. Conclusion: If the speech of typically developing children is highly variable, then the extent and nature of variability must be defined when it is used as a diagnostic marker of speech impairment.
Regional Weather Patterns during Anomalous Air–Sea Fluxes at the Kuroshio Extension Observatory (KEO)*
Authors: Bond Nicholas A. , Cronin Meghan F.
Published: April 2008

The weather patterns during periods of anomalous surface fluxes in the Kuroshio recirculation gyre of the western North Pacific are documented. Separate analyses are carried out for the cold season (October– March) when the net surface heat flux is controlled by the combination of the turbulent sensible and latent heat fluxes (Qturb), and for the warm season (May–August) when the net heating is dominated by the net radiative fluxes (Qrad). For analysis of high-frequency (daily to weekly) variations in the fluxes, direct measurements from the Kuroshio Extension Observatory (KEO) for the period June 2004–November 2005 are used to specify flux events. For analysis of interannual variations, these events are selected using NCEP–NCAR reanalysis estimates for Qturb in the cold season, and International Comprehensive Ocean–Atmosphere Data Set (ICOADS) data for cloud fraction, as a proxy for Qrad, in the warm season.

During the cold season, episodic high-frequency flux events are associated with significant anomalies in the east–west sea level pressure gradients, and hence meridional winds and lower-tropospheric air temperature, reflecting the dominance of the atmospheric forcing of the flux variability. On the other hand, interannual variations in Qturb are associated with relatively weak atmospheric circulation anomalies, implying a relatively important role for the ocean. During the warm season, high-frequency fluctuations in the net surface fluxes occur due to a mix of anomalies in Qturb and Qrad. Enhanced cloudiness in the vicinity of KEO, and hence reduced Qrad, tends to occur in association with weak cyclonic disturbances of extratropical origin. A regional atmospheric circulation favoring these types of events also was found for warm seasons that were cloudier on the whole. Results suggest that the ocean’s influence on air–sea fluxes at KEO is manifested mostly on interannual time scales during the cold season.
Impact of Dynamics and Atmospheric State on Cloud Vertical Overlap
Authors: Naud Catherine M. , Del Genio Anthony , Mace Gerald G. , Benson Sally , Clothiaux Eugene E. , Kollias Pavlos
Published: April 2008

The observation and representation in general circulation models (GCMs) of cloud vertical overlap are the objects of active research due to their impacts on the earth’s radiative budget. Previous studies have found that vertically contiguous cloudy layers show a maximum overlap between layers up to several kilometers apart but tend toward a random overlap as separations increase. The decorrelation length scale that characterizes the progressive transition from maximum to random overlap changes from one location and season to another and thus may be influenced by large-scale vertical motion, wind shear, or convection. Observations from the U.S. Department of Energy Atmospheric Radiation Measurement program ground-based radars and lidars in midlatitude and tropical locations in combination with reanalysis meteorological fields are used to evaluate how dynamics and atmospheric state influence cloud overlap. For midlatitude winter months, strong synoptic-scale upward motion maintains conditions closer to maximum overlap at large separations. In the tropics, overlap becomes closer to maximum as convective stability decreases. In midlatitude subsidence and tropical convectively stable situations, where a smooth transition from maximum to random overlap is found on average, large wind shears sometimes favor minimum overlap. Precipitation periods are discarded from the analysis but, when included, maximum overlap occurs more often at large separations. The results suggest that a straightforward modification of the existing GCM mixed maximum–random overlap parameterization approach that accounts for environmental conditions can capture much of the important variability and is more realistic than approaches that are only based on an exponential decay transition from maximum to random overlap.
Hydrological Cycles Change in the Yellow River Basin during the Last Half of the Twentieth Century
Authors: Tang Qiuhong , Oki Taikan , Kanae Shinjiro , Hu Heping
Published: April 2008

A distributed biosphere hydrological (DBH) model system was used to explore the internal relations among the climate system, human society, and the hydrological system in the Yellow River basin, and to interpret possible mechanisms for observed changes in Yellow River streamflow from 1960 to 2000. Several scenarios were evaluated to elucidate the hydrological response to climate system, land cover, and irrigation. The results show that climate change is the dominant cause of annual streamflow changes in the upper and middle reaches, but human activities dominate annual streamflow changes in the lower reaches of the Yellow River basin. The annual river discharge at the mouth is affected by climate change and by human activities in nearly equal proportion. The linear component of climate change contributes to the observed annual streamflow decrease, but changes in the climate temporal pattern have a larger impact on annual river discharge than does the linear component of climate change. Low flow is more significantly affected by irrigation withdrawals than by climate change. Reservoirs induce more diversions for irrigation, while at the same time the results demonstrate that the reservoirs may help to maintain environmental flows and counter what otherwise would be more serious reductions in low flows.
Large-Scale Atlantic Salinity Changes over the Last Half-Century: A Model–Observation Comparison
Authors: Pardaens Anne , Vellinga Michael , Wu Peili , Ingleby Bruce
Published: April 2008

Large-scale freshening of the northern Atlantic, and concurrent salinity increases in the low-latitude Atlantic upper layers, have been widely reported for the second half of the twentieth century. The role of anthropogenic and/or unforced variability processes in these changes, and the potential for the high-latitude freshening to slow the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (MOC), have been the subject of debate. These issues are investigated by comparing observed and simulated changes, using the Third Hadley Centre Coupled Model (HadCM3). This analysis suggests that a substantial part of the observed trends could be related to multidecadal variability of the MOC. Using an SST-derived proxy for historical MOC changes, in conjunction with model internal variability relationships, suggests that much of the observed evolution of northern Atlantic freshwater content can be explained as being driven by unforced MOC variability.

HadCM3 simulations with “external” historical time-varying forcings show anthropogenically forced increases in the main hydrological cycle over the Atlantic: an increase in net precipitation at high latitudes and in net evaporation in the subtropics. In the northern Atlantic the freshening from additional surface freshwater is counteracted by changes in ocean freshwater transport. A similar ocean compensation is absent at lower latitudes, where there is decreasing freshwater content. It is suggested that in the recent historical period this externally forced trend is likely to have led to anomalies exceeding the unforced variability range.
Changing Northern Hemisphere Storm Tracks in an Ensemble of IPCC Climate Change Simulations
Authors: Ulbrich U. , Pinto J. G. , Kupfer H. , Leckebusch G. C. , Spangehl T. , Reyers M.
Published: April 2008

Winter storm-track activity over the Northern Hemisphere and its changes in a greenhouse gas scenario (the Special Report on Emission Scenarios A1B forcing) are computed from an ensemble of 23 single runs from 16 coupled global climate models (CGCMs). All models reproduce the general structures of the observed climatological storm-track pattern under present-day forcing conditions. Ensemble mean changes resulting from anthropogenic forcing include an increase of baroclinic wave activity over the eastern North Atlantic, amounting to 5%–8% by the end of the twenty-first century. Enhanced activity is also found over the Asian continent and over the North Pacific near the Aleutian Islands. At high latitudes and over parts of the subtropics, activity is reduced. Variations of the individual models around the ensemble average signal are not small, with a median of the pattern correlation near r = 0.5. There is, however, no evidence for a link between deviations in present-day climatology and deviations with respect to climate change.
Integrated Water Vapor Field and Multiscale Variations over China from GPS Measurements
Authors: Jin Shuanggen , Li Z. , Cho J.
Published: April 2008

Water vapor plays a key role in the global hydrologic cycle and in climatic change. However, the distribution and variability of water vapor in the troposphere are not understood well—in particular, in China with the complex Tibetan Plateau and the influence of the Asian and Pacific monsoons. In this paper, continuous global positioning system (GPS) observations for 2004–07 in China are used to produce precipitable water vapor (PWV) measurements; these measurements constitute the first investigation of PWV distribution and variability over China. It has been found that the stronger water vapor values are in southeastern China and the lower water vapor values are in northwestern China. These distributions are mainly affected by the latitude, topographical features, the season, and the monsoon. Water vapor variations over China are mainly dominated by seasonal variations. The strong seasonal cycles are in summer with maximum water vapor and in winter with minimum water vapor. The PWV in southeastern China has an annual amplitude of about 15 mm, much larger than in northwestern China at about 4 mm, and meanwhile the time of peak water vapor content is one month earlier than in other regions, probably because of the known rainy season (mei-yu). In addition, significant diurnal variations of water vapor are found over all GPS stations, with a mean amplitude of about 0.7 mm, and the peak value occurs around noon or midnight, depending on geographic location and topographical features. The semidiurnal cycle is weaker, with a mean amplitude of about 0.3 mm, and the first peak PWV value appears around noon.
Emotional and Behavioral Characteristics Over a Six-Year Period in Youths With Persistent and Nonpersistent Dyscalculia
Authors: Auerbach Judith G. , Gross-Tsur Varda , Manor Orly , Shalev Ruth S.
Published: April 2008

The authors examined behavior problems in a matched sample of 58 youths with persistent dyscalculia (PD) and nonpersistent dyscalculia (NPD). Participants were classified as having dyscalculia at age 10—11 years. Parents completed the Child Behavior Checklist for their children at ages 10—11, 13—14, and 16—17 years, while the youths did so at the last two age periods. Only at age 16—17 years were there significantly more problems, particularly attention problems and externalizing problems, reported by parents for PD youths compared to NPD youths. A higher percentage in the PD group than in the NPD group received scores in the clinical range for externalizing problems. However, the mean levels of behavior problems at this age and the earlier ages were within the normal range for both groups. For youth-reported problems, the only significant difference was for attention problems at 16—17 years. Therapeutic interventions should focus on the academic domain and improving and altering behavioral patterns.
Working Memory and Learning in Children With Developmental Coordination Disorder and Specific Language Impairment
Authors: Alloway Tracy Packiam , Archibald Lisa
Published: April 2008

The authors compared 6- to 11-year-olds with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) and those with specific language impairment (SLI) on measures of memory (verbal and visuospatial short-term and working memory) and learning (reading and mathematics). Children with DCD with typical language skills were impaired in all four areas of memory function for their age level, and this pattern was also found to be characteristic of a larger DCD group with varied language abilities. SLI-group deficits in standard scores were observed for the verbal versions of the short-term and working memory tasks only. There were also differential links between memory and attainment between the two groups, with visuospatial working memory strongly related to numeracy in the SLI group and all of the memory measures correlated with at least one attainment measure in the DCD group. Reasons for why working memory contributes to learning in these two developmental groups are discussed.
Influence of Textile Structure on Longitudinal Ruptures' Localization of the Vascular Prostheses
Authors: Diéval F. , Mathieu D. , Durand B.
Published: April 2008

The prosthetic explants collection in PET knitted prosthesis enabled us to count a great number of longitudinal ruptures close to the looping wale. Previous studies showed modifications of the polymer organization after a stay in the human body. To supplement these studies, we undertook circumferential traction tests, which partly simulated the action of a pressure in the prosthesis. As the localization of a rupture is often caused by a localization of the constraints, we used a video camera to make films of the knitting structure in order to highlight the behavior of a mechanical heterogeneity. This device also allowed us to define a global coefficient related to the deformability of the textile structure. The overall results showed that for similar prostheses, a structural heterogeneity existed. It then generated various behaviors which were constraint sources and thus of ruptures by mechanical fatigue. Therefore, our approach highlighted the possibility of an early study of the rupture zones' localization. For that study, the investigation methods require improvement. However, the heterogeneity of the mechanical behavior was not able to explain the entire ageing phenomenon. For example, the guide-line ruptures are not yet well understood.
Supercritical Dyeing of Textiles — From the Laboratory Apparatus to the Pilot Plant
Authors: Banchero M. , Sicardi S. , Ferri A. , Manna L.
Published: April 2008

Supercritical dyeing can be an interesting alternative to traditional dyeing due to the unquestionable advantage of the use of a clean solvent that can be easily recovered and separated from the excess dye at the end of the process. The experience achieved by our research group during a research project supported by the Italian government is reported in this work. The aim of the project was to set up a pilot plant where supercritical dyeing could be performed with yarn bobbins. In particular, this work shows the results obtained for polyester textiles.

In the first part of the project, laboratory scale experiments were performed to determine the equilibrium partition of each dye between the two phases. In the second part, the pilot plant was set up. The dyeing results were successful: good reproducibility, together with a good dye uniformity and fastness (comparable with that of the traditional process) were obtained. The maximum productivity of the pilot plant is about 5 kg/h and the total duration of the dyeing process (approximately 1.5 h) is much shorter than that of the tradional method (3—4 h).
Basic Studies for Modeling Complex Weft Knitted Fabric Structures Part III: A Geometrical Model for 1 × 1 Purl Fabrics
Authors: Kurbak Arif , Soydan Ali Serkan
Published: April 2008

In this work, a geometrical model for 1 × 1 purl fabric is created by using Kurbak's (1998) model of plain knitted fabric. Drawings of the structure were created by using the graphics program 3DS-MAX. The loop shape obtained was a similar shape to what has been obtained experimentally in real fabrics.
Dimensional Stability of Core Spun Cotton/Spandex Single Jersey Fabrics under Relaxation
Authors: Herath Chathura N. , Bok Choon Kang
Published: April 2008

In this study, dimensional stability of core spun cotton/spandex single jersey structures with high, medium and low tightness factors were experimented under dry, wet and full relaxation conditions. Results were compared with those for similar fabrics knitted from 100 % cotton. Course and wale spacing decreased and course, wale and stitch density increased with progression of relaxation and higher values reported with cotton/spandex structures. Course, wale and stitch density were linearly and positively correlated with loop length—1 or loop length— 2. Their correlation equations showed minimal intercepts under full relaxation and cotton/spandex exhibited lower intercepts. Dimensional constants (K-values) were predicted under 95 % significance level. Higher dimensional constants were reported with cotton/spandex single jersey structures than 100 % cotton and under full relaxation, cotton/spandex indicated better stable structures under full relaxation. From these experiments, it was confirmed that yarns with elastomeric components increase tightness factors, which have a significant effect on dimensional behaviors, giving better dimensional stability to single jersey fabrics. Yarn linear density was insignificantly changed during treatments.
Effects of Total Surface Area and Fabric Density on the Acoustical Behavior of Needlepunched Nonwoven Fabrics
Authors: Tascan Mevlut , Vaughn Edward A.
Published: April 2008

Nonwoven fabrics are ideal materials for use as acoustical insulation products because they have high total surface. The surface area of the fabric is directly related to the denier and cross-sectional shape of the fibers in the fabric. Smaller deniers yield more fibers per unit weight of the material, higher total fiber surface area and greater possibilities for a sound wave to interact with the fibers in the structure. Another important parameter is the packing density of the fibers in the nonwoven material. More fibers per unit volume at the same fabric thickness yield greater possibilities for sound waves to interact with the fibers. Fabric density also affects the geometry and the volume of the voids in the fabric structure. Acoustical properties of fabric materials are measured by one of two methods: the impedance tube method (ASTM C 384-98) and the acoustical chamber method. The impedance tube method uses very small test samples. Large reverberation rooms and large test samples are used for the acoustic chamber method. A direct comparative acoustical properties measurement device has been developed and fabricated at Clemson University School of Materials Science and Engineering. This paper provides a description of the measurement devices and acoustical measurement data for needlepunched nonwoven fabrics made from three different polyester fiber shapes and two denier levels.
Influence of Chemical Modification on Sorption and Mechanical Properties of Cotton Fibers Treated with Chitosan
Authors: Strnad Simona , Šauper Olivera , Jazbec Anita , Stana-Kleinschek Karin
Published: April 2008

In the case of conventional application of textiles, efficient and permanent fixation of chitosan is of major importance. Cotton fibers were differently pre-treated (alkali treatment, bleaching, demineralization) and then oxidized using differing procedures containing KIO4 solutions in order to discover which preparation procedure for cotton fibers is, from the viewpoint of mechanical and sorption properties, the most convenient for later treatments with chitosan. The results showed that all the oxidation procedures, even under very mild conditions, have a significant influence on the worsening of mechanical properties. The treatment of oxidized cotton with chitosan had no influence on breaking force and elongation, but increased Young's initial modulus of fibers. Chitosan adsorption also increased the moisture absorption of the fibers. Contact angles with water, however, depend on the average molecular weight of the chitosan used. Chitosan with lower molecular weight increased the hydrophilicity of the treated fibers, but chitosan with higher molecular weight, decreased it.
Assessment of Color Strength and Chroma Values of Polyester Fabrics having Different Cover Factors after Abrasion
Authors: Akgun Mine , Becerir Behcet , Alpay Halil Rifat
Published: April 2008

This paper focuses on the assessment of color strength and chroma values that occur in dyed polyester fabrics after different cycles of abrasion for different fabric construction parameters. We used 12 polyester fabrics with various construction parameters in two experimental sets. The fabrics differed from each other by their cover factors. The warp yarn type and count, warp density, warp yarn twist and the fabric weave were the same for all of the fabrics in each experimental set. The dyeing of the fabric samples was performed by using a commercial disperse dye (CI Disperse Red 74:1). Four different abrasion cycles (2500, 5000, 7500, 10,000) were used. The main differences in color strength and chroma values were observed between 0 and 2500 cycles of abrasion. Increasing abrasion cycles after 2500 changed the appearance of the fabrics woven from staple weft yarns considerably. It is concluded that the rubbing motion of the Martindale instrument is related to the cover factor of the fabrics and dyeing concentration applied. The main effect of abrasion on color strength and chroma values was obtained up to 2500 cycles.
Automatic Measurement and Recognition of Yarn Snarls by Digital Image and Signal Processing Methods
Authors: Bin Gang Xu  , Murrells Charlotte Marion , Xiao Ming Tao
Published: April 2008

In this paper, a computerized method has been proposed for automatic measurement and recognition of yarn wet snarls from an image of snarled yarn samples captured in a water bath. After image acquisition, image conversion and individual snarled sample extraction, the yarn profile function was extracted from the separated binary image. Fast Fourier Transform and Adaptive Orientated Orthogonal Projective Decomposition were then incorporated into a pattern recognition algorithm of yarn snarl features by treating the yarn profile function as a one-dimensional signal. In addition to the number of yarn snarl turns, the method was also accurate and efficient for the detection of yarn snarl height and width, which are unobtainable by the untwisting method. The effects of various factors on the yarn profile function were numerically examined, including distributions of yarn diameter and snarl, and the level of random noise.
Process Evaluation of a County Drug Court
Authors: Mullany Jacqueline M. , Peat Barbara
Published: April 2008

This process evaluation focuses not only on the results of this study but also raises questions related to comparing the results of studies nationwide to determine the overall effectiveness of Drug Court Policy. In this study, it was determined that demographic characteristics, such as education, employment, and prior felony were among the most useful characteristics for predicting program graduation. Moreover, offenders completing the program had lower recidivism rates than individuals not participating in a drug court program.
The Social Optics of Space
Authors: Amster Matthew H.
Published: April 2008

The aim of this article is to show, through a detailed ethnographic case, how social space can be viewed as consisting of superimposed layers. Building on theoretical frameworks of Lefebvre and Foucault in terms of their approaches to space, power, and visibility, the article looks at the Kelabit people, a small, indigenous group whose homelands lie in the interior highlands of Borneo along an international frontier. Examining various facets of the Kelabit social life, and focusing on different forms of social optics that can be identified in Kelabit social spaces, the article shows how concerns about visibility, surveillance, privacy, and control are intimately linked in this community, both with regard to life in the rural borderlands—where transnational movement and migrants pose new dilemmas in terms of community belonging—and in terms of the relationships within and between rural and urban Kelabit.
Being Smart in a Diverse World
Authors: Westby Carol
Published: April 2008

This article reviews the concept of intelligence from different cultural perspectives and explains why the traditional approach to determining “who is smart” is inappropriate for students from culturally/linguistically diverse backgrounds and inadequate even for determining if mainstream students will be successful in daily living. The concept of successful intelligence is described and related to the components of cultural intelligence that are essential for professionals to function effectively in a diverse world. Strategies for promoting cultural intelligence in students are suggested.
Prediction and analysis of nucleosome exclusion regions in the human genome
Authors: Radwan Ahmed , Younis Akmal , Luykx Peter , Khuri Sawsan
Published: April 2008

Background

Nucleosomes are the basic structural units of eukaryotic chromatin, and they play a significant role in regulating gene expression. Specific DNA sequence patterns are known, from empirical and theoretical studies, to influence DNA bending and flexibility, and have been shown to exclude nucleosomes. A whole genome localization of these patterns, and their analysis, can add important insights on the gene regulation mechanisms that depend upon the structure of chromatin in and around a gene.

Results

A whole genome annotation for nucleosome exclusion regions (NXRegions) was carried out on the human genome. Nucleosome exclusion scores (NXScores) were calculated individually for each nucleotide, giving a measure of how likely a specific nucleotide and its immediate neighborhood would impair DNA bending and, consequently, exclude nucleosomes. The resulting annotations were correlated with 19055 gene expression profiles. We developed a new method based on Grubbs' outliers test for ranking genes based on their tissue specificity, and correlated this ranking with NXScores. The results show a strong correlation between tissue specificity of a gene and the propensity of its promoter to exclude nucleosomes (the promoter region was taken as -1500 to +500 bp from the RefSeq-annotated transcription start site). In addition, NXScores correlated well with gene density, gene expression levels, and DNaseI hypersensitive sites.

Conclusion

We present, for the first time, a whole genome prediction of nucleosome exclusion regions for the human genome (the data are available for download from Additional Materials). Nucleosome exclusion patterns are correlated with various factors that regulate gene expression, which emphasizes the need to include chromatin structural parameters in experimental analysis of gene expression.
Effects of Short-Term High-Fat, High-Energy Diet on Hepatic and Myocardial Triglyceride Content in Healthy Men
Authors: van der Meer Rutger W. , Hammer Sebastiaan , Lamb Hildo J. , Frölich Marijke , Diamant Michaela , Rijzewijk Luuk J. , de Roos Albert , Romijn Johannes A. , Smit Johannes W. A.
Published: April 2008

Context: An association has been suggested between elevated plasma nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) levels, myocardial triglyceride (TG) accumulation, and myocardial function.

Objective: Our objective was to investigate the effects of an elevation of plasma NEFA by a high-fat, high-energy (HFHE) diet on hepatic and myocardial TG accumulation, and on myocardial function.

Design: There were 15 healthy males (mean ± sd age: 25.0 ± 6.6 yr) subjected to a 3-d HFHE diet consisting of their regular diet, supplemented with 800 ml cream (280 g fat) every day.

Methods: 1H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy was performed for assessing hepatic and myocardial TGs. Furthermore, left ventricular function was assessed using magnetic resonance imaging.

Results: The HFHE diet increased hepatic TGs compared with baseline (from 2.01 ± 1.79 to 4.26 ± 2.78%; P = 0.001) in parallel to plasma TGs and NEFA. Myocardial TGs did not change (0.38 ± 0.18 vs. 0.40 ± 0.12%; P = 0.7). The HFHE diet did not change myocardial systolic function. Diastolic function, assessed by dividing the maximum flow across the mitral valve of the early diastolic filling phase by the maximum flow of the atrial contraction (E/A ratio), decreased compared with baseline (from 2.11 ± 0.39 to 1.89 ± 0.33; P = 0.031). This difference was no longer significant after adjustment for heart rate (P = 0.12).

Conclusions: Short-term HFHE diet in healthy males results in major increases in plasma TG and NEFA concentrations and hepatic TGs, whereas it does not influence myocardial TGs or myocardial function. These observations indicate differential, tissue-specific partitioning of TGs and/or fatty acids among nonadipose organs during HFHE diet.
Rab5 modulates aggregation and toxicity of mutant huntingtin through macroautophagy in cell and fly models of Huntington disease
Authors: Ravikumar Brinda , Imarisio Sara , Sarkar Sovan , O'Kane Cahir J. , Rubinsztein David C.
Published: April 2008

Huntington disease (HD) is caused by a polyglutamine-expansion mutation in huntingtin (HTT) that makes the protein toxic and aggregate-prone. The subcellular localisation of huntingtin and many of its interactors suggest a role in endocytosis, and recently it has been shown that huntingtin interacts indirectly with the early endosomal protein Rab5 through HAP40. Here we show that Rab5 inhibition enhanced polyglutamine toxicity, whereas Rab5 overexpression attenuated toxicity in our cell and fly models of HD. We tried to identify a mechanism for the Rab5 effects in our HD model systems, and our data suggest that Rab5 acts at an early stage of autophagosome formation in a macromolecular complex that contains beclin 1 (BECN1) and Vps34. Interestingly chemical or genetic inhibition of endocytosis also impeded macroautophagy, and enhanced aggregation and toxicity of mutant huntingtin. However, in contrast to Rab5, inhibition of endocytosis by various means suppressed autophagosome-lysosome fusion (the final step in the macroautophagy pathway) similar to bafilomycin A1. Thus, Rab5, which has previously been thought to be exclusively involved in endocytosis, has a new role in macroautophagy. We have previously shown that macroautophagy is an important clearance route for several aggregate-prone proteins including mutant huntingtin. Thus, better understanding of Rab5-regulated autophagy might lead to rational therapeutic targets for HD and other protein-conformation diseases.
A multifunctional human Argonaute2-specific monoclonal antibody
Authors: Rüdel Sabine , Flatley Andrew , Weinmann Lasse , Kremmer Elisabeth , Meister Gunter
Published: April 2008

Small regulatory RNAs including small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), microRNAs (miRNAs), or Piwi interacting RNAs (piRNAs) guide regulation of gene expression in many different organisms. The Argonaute (Ago) protein family constitutes the cellular binding partners of such small RNAs and regulates gene expression on the levels of transcription, mRNA stability, or translation. Due to the lack of highly specific and potent monoclonal antibodies directed against the different Ago proteins, biochemical analyses such as Ago complex purification and characterization rely on overexpression of tagged Ago proteins. Here, we report the generation and functional characterization of a highly specific monoclonal anti-Ago2 antibody termed anti-Ago2(11A9). We show that anti-Ago2(11A9) is specific for human Ago2 and detects Ago2 in Western blots as well as in immunoprecipitation experiments. We further demonstrate that Ago2 can be efficiently eluted from our antibody by a competing peptide. Finally, we show that anti-Ago2(11A9) recognizes Ago2 in immunofluorescence experiments, and we find that Ago2 not only localizes to cytoplasmic processing bodies (P-bodies) and the diffuse cytoplasm but also to the nucleus. With the anti-Ago2(11A9) antibody we have generated a potent tool that is useful for many biochemical or cell biological applications.
Research Note—A Comparison of Within-Household Price Sensitivity Across Online and Offline Channels
Authors: Chu Junhong , Chintagunta Pradeep , Cebollada Javier
Published: April 2008

We use a unique data set to estimate the price sensitivities of households in online and offline shopping channels when the same households shop across channels. We observe households that shop interchangeably at the online and the offline stores in the same grocery chain and investigate their purchase behavior in specific product categories. Although nearly 90% of households in our sample shop both at online and offline stores, we find that, across 12 vastly different product categories, these households exhibit lower price sensitivities when they shop online than when they shop offline. Our analysis accounts for observed and unobserved household heterogeneity as well as price endogeneity. The results hold for large basket-share categories and small basket-share categories, for consumer packaged goods and nonpackaged goods, for categories that are more likely to be purchased online because of their bulkiness or heaviness, and for categories that are more likely to be purchased offline because of their “sensory” nature. Households' price sensitivities are also closely related to demographics and inversely related to how far the households are located from the offline stores. Reasons for the lower price sensitivities in the online medium are discussed.
Research Note—A Cross-Category Model of Households' Incidence and Quantity Decisions
Authors: Niraj Rakesh , Padmanabhan V. , Seetharaman P. B.
Published: April 2008

This paper advances the literature on multicategory demand models by simultaneously handling more than one purchase decision of the household. We propose a two-stage bivariate logit model of incidence and quantity outcomes in multiple categories. Our results show that cross-category promotional spillovers are asymmetric between the two product categories of bacon and eggs. The total retail profit responds more to bacon price than to egg price. Promoting bacon is found to have a bigger impact on egg profit than the impact of egg promotion on bacon profit. We decompose (1) the total retail profits, as well as (2) the cross-category profit impact of a price promotion, into its two components, and find that (1) 23% (67%) of the total retail profit impact of a promotion on bacon (eggs) arises on account of quantity effects, and (2) 40% (33%) of the increase in egg (bacon) profit from promoting bacon (eggs) is on account of quantity effects.