bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of oral lesions of autoimmune etiology in patients with primary Sjogren's syndrome
Authors: Likar‐Manookin K , Stewart C , Al‐Hashimi I , Curtis W , Berg K , Cherian K , Lockhart PB , Brennan MT
Published: November 2012

Objective

The primary objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of oral lesions of autoimmune etiology (OLAIE) in a cohort of patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS).

Materials and methods

A multi‐center retrospective cohort study was conducted at the oral medicine practices of Carolinas Medical Center (CMC), Baylor College of Dentistry (BCD), and the University of Florida (UF). Each site performed a chart review of patients with well‐characterized pSS. Clinical variables such as OLAIE, traumatic lesions, and medical conditions were compiled at each site. The association between clinical variables and the presence of OLAIE was then assessed for significance.

Results

We evaluated 155 patients diagnosed with pSS. Nineteen patients with pSS (12.3%) had an OLAIE. CMC reported 11 (21.2%) patients with OLAIE, while BCD and UF reported 4 (7.3%) and 4 (8.3%), respectively. Eleven of the 19 (58%) patients with OLAIE had lichen planus, 6 (32%) had aphthous stomatitis, 1 (5%) had chronic ulcerative stomatitis, and 1 (5%) had lesions of systemic connective tissue disease by immunofluorescence.

Conclusion

The results of our analysis suggest that patients with pSS have a 12% prevalence of OLAIE with a wide range (7.3–21.2%) found between practices. This difference is likely related to the different screening protocols for oral dryness between sites.
Hermansky–Pudlak syndrome: pigmentary and non‐pigmentary defects and their pathogenesis
Authors: Wei Ai‐Hua , Li Wei
Published: November 2012

Hermansky–Pudlak syndrome (HPS) is an autosomal recessive and genetically heterogeneous disorder characterized by oculocutaneous albinism, bleeding tendency, and ceroid deposition, which likely leads to deleterious lesions in lungs, heart, and other organs. Currently, nine genes have been identified as causative for HPS in humans. Their pathological effects are attributable to the disrupted biogenesis of lysosome‐related organelles (LROs) existing in multiple cell types or tissues, causing the pigmentory and non‐pigmentory defects. This review focuses on the functional aspects of HPS genes in regulating LRO biogenesis and signal transduction. The understanding of these mechanisms expands our knowledge about the involvement of lysosomal trafficking in the targeting of cargoes for constitutive transport, degradation, and secretion. This opens an avenue to the pathogenesis of lysosomal trafficking disorders at the cellular and developmental levels.
Recruitment and Retention of African American and Hispanic Girls and Women in Research
Authors: Wallace Debra C. , Bartlett Robin
Published: November 2012

Recruiting women and girls into research studies, especially minority women, continues to be a major challenge that impacts health policy and delivery systems. This article discusses various strategies to recruit and retain African American and Hispanic girls and women in studies. Strategies for successful recruitment focus on trust, familiarity and visibility, racial and ethnic similarities, environmental context, and convenience. Retention strategies include issues of transportation, language, literacy, cultural appropriateness, safety, flexibility, incentives, communication, and veracity. All strategies assist in meeting the challenge of engaging minority women in research to decrease health disparities.
Using the VS‐Fast methodology for soil degradation assessment: a case study from Senegal
Authors: Sonneveld B. G. J. S. , McGarry D. , Ndiaye D.
Published: November 2012

Soil degradation threatens sustainable food production and accelerates global warming. Poorer countries, whose agricultural sectors are highly dependent on their natural resource bases, are hit particularly hard by declining soil productivity. Calls for soil‐quality monitoring are therefore, justified and this could inform decision‐makers on the preparation of appropriate interventions. However, the provision of monitoring methodologies is not an easy task. Soil degradation affects several soil characteristics that at larger scales cannot be evaluated with models or remote‐sensing techniques. Therefore, this study focuses on investigating the use of field‐based soil assessment methodologies to differentiate degrees of soil degradation. Specifically, we test the Visual Soil Field Assessment Tool (VS‐Fast) for detecting and monitoring soil degradation using a cross‐section of 71 sites in Senegal, the soil quality of which were classed by local experts. We found low correlation between VS‐Fast classes and expert assessments. By using an ordered logit model to quantify class boundaries, we show that experts categorized areas as ‘degraded’ for a wider range and higher VS‐Fast scores than the corresponding VS‐Fast class. Yet, from general linear models and analysis of variance procedures we found that areas classed by experts as ‘degraded’ had statistically significant lower VS‐Fast scores compared to those that were judged as ‘normal’ and ‘good’, while differences of the VS‐Fast scores between the latter two were negligible. It is remarkable that the visual assessment, the cheaper component of the VS‐Fast score, performs better in differentiating degradation status than its measured counterpart. The results support the need to investigate the applicability of other VSA methodologies that only use field observations and tactile methods.
The potential for Scottish cultivated topsoils to lose or gain soil organic carbon
Authors: Lilly A. , Baggaley N. J.
Published: November 2012

Scotland's cultivated topsoils are rich in carbon with a median soil organic carbon (SOC) content of ca. 3.65%. The storage of carbon in soil is a means to offset GHG emissions, but equally carbon losses from soils can add to these emissions. We estimate the amount of carbon stored in Scottish cultivated mineral topsoils (246 ± 9 Mt), the potential carbon loss (112 ± 12 Mt) and the carbon storage potential of between 150 and 215 Mt based on national‐scale legacy data with uncertainty around the estimate due to error terms in predicting bulk densities for stock calculations. We calculate that Scotland's mineral cultivated topsoils hold the carbon equivalent of around 18 years of GHG emissions (based on 2009 emissions from all sources). We also derive a theoretical carbon saturation potential using a published, linear relationship with the <20‐μm mineral fraction (116 ± 14 Mt). Although the calculated uncertainties are quite small, care needs to be taken when using the results of such analyses as a policy instrument, and while the potential storage capacity seems large, it is unlikely to be achieved while still maintaining current land use patterns in Scotland. The methodology relies on legacy data (which may not reflect the current status of Scottish cultivated topsoils) and on summary statistics calculated from national‐scale data; however, those land management strategies that may mitigate GHG emissions are likely to be implemented at the field scale.
Systemic analysis of inducible target of rapamycin mutants reveal a general metabolic switch controlling growth in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Caldana Camila , Li Yan , Leisse Andrea , Zhang Yi , Bartholomaeus Lisa , Fernie Alisdair R. , Willmitzer Lothar , Giavalisco Patrick
Published: November 2012

The target of rapamycin (TOR) pathway is a major regulator of growth in all eukaryotes, integrating energy, nutrient and stress signals into molecular decisions. By using large‐scale MS‐based metabolite profiling of primary, secondary and lipid compounds in combination with array‐based transcript profiling, we show that the TOR protein not only regulates growth but also influences nutrient partitioning and central energy metabolism. The study was performed on plants exhibiting conditional down‐regulation of AtTOR expression, revealing strong regulation of genes involved in pathways such as the cell cycle, cell‐wall modifications and senescence, together with major changes in transcripts and metabolites of the primary and secondary metabolism. In agreement with these results, our morphological and metabolic analyses disclosed major metabolic changes leading to massive accumulations of storage lipids and starch. The implications of these data in the context of the general role of TOR in eukaryotic systems are discussed in parallel with the plant‐specific aspects of TOR function. Finally, we propose a role for harnessing the plant TOR pathway by utilizing it as a potent metabolic switch, offering a possible route for biotechnological optimization of plant energy content and carbon partitioning for the production of bioenergy.
Water use attitudes in the UK pharmaceutical industry
Authors: Jenkins James O. , Oram Scot
Published: November 2012

This paper presents the findings of a small‐scale pilot study that sought to identify and explore attitudes toward water use in the pharmaceutical industry based in the United Kingdom. As a result of a series of in‐depth semi‐structured interviews, it is established that because water use is viewed as a comparatively inexpensive resource, this undermines investment in water efficient technologies. However, the study also reveals such attitudes to sit alongside largely positive attitudes toward the need for increased water efficiency on a global organisational level. The paper concludes by arguing that greater attention should be accorded to the geographical location in which views toward water use are ascertained. In particular, it is highlighted that the geographical location of individuals, and organisations, can affect views toward water use. These differences are then argued to have the potential to undermine global initiatives on water use because individuals and organisations, in particular locations, may not see water use as an issue worthy of a response.
Understanding embodied greenhouse gas emissions in the water and sewerage sectors
Authors: Keil Michael , Perry Howard , Humphrey Julia , Holdway Robert
Published: November 2012

Embodied (or embedded) greenhouse gas emissions are commonly overlooked in corporate carbon accounting, although they can represent a large proportion of overall emissions. In this paper, we utilise embodied emission data submitted to Ofwat, the economic regulator of water and sewerage companies in England and Wales, as part of their review of price limits. This is the first time that water and sewerage companies have presented embodied emissions associated with their capital programmes. In total, embodied emissions add an extra 50% on top of companies' operational greenhouse gas emissions. We consider the drivers for embodied emissions and show that capital maintenance programmes are the largest source. We highlight the relationship between capital expenditure and embodied emissions, and discuss why there are significant differences in embodied emission intensities between companies. Many of the differences arise from the way the common methodology for estimating embodied emissions is applied.
Nitrogen characteristics in sediments of Xiangxi Bay, China Three‐Gorge Reservoir
Authors: Luo Hua‐Jun , Liu De‐Fu , Huang Ying‐Ping
Published: November 2012

Spatial and temporal distribution characteristics of total nitrogen and ammonium nitrogen in the sediments, pore water and overlying water of Xiangxi Bay in China Three‐Gorge Reservoir were investigated. In surveys, the sampling was undertaken from six sites of Xiangxi Bay on three dates: 29 March 2009, 28 March 2010 and 17 August 2010. Mean values of total nitrogen and ammonium nitrogen contents in the sediments and pore water of Xiangxi Bay all increased with time, especially in summer. There were intimate relationships between internal nitrogen loading and water ecosystem. Correlation coefficients R were 0.7408 (between total nitrogen in pore water and total nitrogen in sediments) and 0.7483 (between total nitrogen in sediments and chlorophyll‐a in surface water), respectively. Total nitrogen concentration differences between pore water and overlying water were all positive and had good correlation with chlorophyll‐a concentration of Xiangxi Bay. The release of nitrogen in sediments had an important impact on phytoplankton growth in Xiangxi Bay.
Trade Liberalization in Latin America and Eastern Europe: the Cases of Ecuador and Slovenia
Authors: Cho Sang-Wook , Díaz Julián P.
Published: November 2012

We analyze the potential effects of ongoing trade reforms: Ecuador signing an FTA with the US, and Slovenia joining the EU. We construct a static Applied General Equilibrium Model and perform numerical experiments eliminating all import tariffs. Based on Input-Output tables, we construct Social Accounting Matrices for each country for calibration. Additional experiments are performed: sensitivity analyses on the trade elasticities, partial liberalizations, fiscal impacts of eliminating tariff revenues, and an alternative Slovenian liberalization framework. We find that both countries benefit from these reforms, with import prices falling and exports rising. However, different arrangements of trade liberalization have different implications on trade and welfare patterns.• JEL Classification: F14, F15
Financial System Structure and Change - 1986-2005 Evidence from the OECD Countries
Authors: Antzoulatos Angelos A. , Thanopoulos John , Tsoumas Chris
Published: November 2012

In this paper, we use sixteen financial indices from the World Bank's Financial Development and Structure database, to classify the OECD countries, according to their financial system structure, in five relatively homogenous clusters for the 1996-2005 period. We also examine the changes in their financial systems for the 1986-2005 period. Our analysis is based on the ‘agglomerative method', a form of hierarchical clustering that uses Ward's methodology, to identify relatively homogenous groups of countries. The findings are surprising, yet reasonable. After two decades of deregulation, liberalization and globalization, the financial systems of the OECD countries not only differ in ways challenging the perceived wisdom that classifies them along the bank-based vs. capital-market-based norms, but additionally do not seem to converge to the second norm as is widely believed. These results warn against oversimplifications regarding financial system structure and the uncritical acceptance of policy recommendations based on them.• JEL Classification: G10, G20
Algae Under Pressure and in Hot Water
Authors: Savage Phillip E.
Published: November 2012

Strategies are being developed to convert algae into high-value products and fuels without expensive drying of raw biomass.
Decoding Human Cytomegalovirus
Authors: Stern-Ginossar Noam , Weisburd Ben , Michalski Annette , Le Vu Thuy Khanh , Hein Marco Y. , Huang Sheng-Xiong , Ma Ming , Shen Ben , Qian Shu-Bing , Hengel Hartmut , Mann Matthias , Ingolia Nicholas T. , Weissman Jonathan S.
Published: November 2012

Dissecting HCMV Gene Expression

Most of us are infected with human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), but severe disease is almost always limited to immunocompromised individuals or newborn infants. The virus has a relatively large (∼240 kb) DNA genome and shows a complex pattern of gene transcription, hinting at a complex regulatory and coding capacity.

Stern-Ginossar
et al.

(p.
1088
) mapped ribosome positions on HCMV transcripts during the course of viral infection of human fibroblast cells. The data suggest the presence of novel open reading frames (ORFs) lying within existing ORFs; very short ORFs upstream of canonical ORFs; ORFs antisense to canonical ORFs; and short, conserved ORFs encoded by long RNAs. Select ORFs were translated, dramatically expanding the coding capacity of the HCMV genome.
Body-Wave Imaging of Earth’s Mantle Discontinuities from Ambient Seismic Noise
Authors: Poli P. , Campillo M. , Pedersen H. ,   LAPNET Working Group
Published: November 2012

Exploiting Seismic Noise

Typically, seismic imaging has been based on examining the seismic waves that traveled from a known source, usually an earthquake, to a seismograph.

Poli
et al.

(p.
1063
; see the Perspective by

Prieto

) now show that correlations of body waves in seismic noise can yield information about Earth's deep interior. An array in Finland, supplemented by other stations, was used to examine reflections from two major seismic boundaries within Earth's mantle at depths of about 410 and 660 km thought to be associated with mineralogical changes in Earth's interior. The data imply that the upper discontinuity extends over about 15 kilometers whereas the deeper one is only about 4 km thick.
Plant Gametes Do Fertilization with a Twist
Authors: Snell William J.
Published: November 2012

Identification of key regulatory mechanisms of higher plant gametes advances our understanding of fertilization.
Imaging the Deep Earth
Authors: Prieto German A.
Published: November 2012

Improved processing of seismic noise data enables detailed imaging of deep Earth structures.
Can One Cell Influence Cancer Heterogeneity?
Authors: Krivtsov Andrei V. , Armstrong Scott A.
Published: November 2012

Genetic lesions allow mature brain cells in mice to revert to immature forms that can give rise to tumors.
A Golden Era of Nobel Laureates
Authors: Goldstein Joseph L. , Brown Michael S.
Published: November 2012

What conditions in the 1960s enabled nine physicians who trained at NIH to win Nobel Prizes?
Genetic Influences on Disease Remain Hidden
Authors: Kaiser Jocelyn
Published: November 2012

A popular hypothesis in the field of human genetics—that the general population carries somewhat rare variants that greatly increase or decrease a person's disease risk—is not yet panning out.
DOE Shifts Money From Research Grants to New Projects
Authors: Cho Adrian
Published: November 2012

The U.S. Department of Energy has decided to cut funding for high-energy physics research to free up money for new projects.
Genome Study Helps Contain MRSA Outbreak—And Breeds New Questions
Authors: Kupferschmidt Kai
Published: November 2012

A burgeoning field dubbed genomic epidemiology uses full-genome sequencing of microbes to trace the path that a pathogen took
—
and, increasingly, to help stop transmission.
Assessment of haematological parameters in HIV-infected and uninfected Rwandan women: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Munyazesa Elisaphane , Emile Ivan , Mutimura Eugene , Hoover Donald R , Shi Qiuhu , McGinn Aileen P , Musiime Stephenson , Muhairwe Fred , Rutagengwa Alfred , Dusingize Jean Claude , Anastos Kathryn
Published: November 2012

Objectives

Although haematological abnormalities are common manifestations of HIV infection, few studies on haematological parameters in HIV-infected persons have been undertaken in sub-Saharan Africa. The authors assessed factors associated with haematological parameters in HIV-infected antiretroviral-naïve and HIV-uninfected Rwandan women.

Study design

Cross-sectional analysis of a longitudinal cohort.

Setting

Community-based women's associations.

Participants

710 HIV-infected (HIV+) antiretroviral-naïve and 226 HIV-uninfected (HIV−) women from the Rwanda Women's Interassociation Study Assessment. Haematological parameters categorised as (abnormal vs normal) were compared by HIV status and among HIV+ women by CD4 count category using proportions. Multivariate logistic regression models using forward selection were fit.

Results

Prevalence of anaemia (haemoglobin (Hb) <12.0 g/dl) was higher in the HIV+ group (20.5% vs 6.3%; p<0.001), and increased with lower CD4 counts: ≥350 (7.6%), 200–349 (16%) and <200 cells/mm3(32.2%). Marked anaemia (Hb <10.0 g/dl) was found in 4.2% of HIV+ and none of the HIV− women (p<0.001), and was highest in HIV+ women with CD4 <200 cells/mm3(8.4%). The HIV+ were more likely than HIV− women (4.2 vs 0.5%, respectively, p=0.002) to have moderate neutropenia with white blood cells <2.0×103cells/mm3and 8.4% of HIV+ women with CD4 <200 cells/mm3had moderate neutropenia. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, BMI (OR 0.87/kg/m2, 95% CI 0.82 to 0.93; p<0.001), CD4 200–350 vs HIV− (OR 3.59, 95% CI 1.89 to 6.83; p<0.001) and CD4 <200 cells/mm3vs HIV− (OR 8.09, 95% CI 4.37 to 14.97; <0.001) had large independent associations with anaemia. There were large independent associations of CD4 <200 cells/mm3vs HIV− (OR 7.18, 95% CI 0.78 to 65.82; p=0.081) and co-trimoxazole and/or dapsone use (OR 5.69, 95% CI 0.63 to 51.45; p=0.122) with moderate neutropenia.

Conclusions

Anaemia was more common than neutropenia or thrombocytopenia in the HIV-infected Rwandan women. Future comparisons of haematological parameters in HIV-infected patients before and after antiretroviral therapy initiation are warranted.
CVID patients with autoimmunity have elevated T cell expression of granzyme B and HLA-DR and reduced levels of Treg cells
Authors: Carter Clive R D , Aravind Ganesha , Smalle Natuley L , Cole June Y , Savic Sinisa , Wood Philip M D
Published: November 2012

Aims

Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is a primary antibody immunodeficiency with approximately 20% of patients reporting additional autoimmune symptoms. The primary aim of this study was to compare the levels of activated and regulatory T cells (Treg cells) in CVID patients in an attempt to clarify their possible interactions leading to the generation of autoimmunity.

Methods

Immunophenotyping of T cells was performed by flow cytometry using a whole blood approach. Surface expression of human leukocyte antigen HLA class II DR and intracellular levels of granzyme B in T cell subsets were assessed; Treg levels were measured using CD4 CD25, FOXp3 and CTLA-4.

Results

CVID patients had higher levels of granzyme B and HLA-DR on CD8+T cells compared with control values (mean of 59% vs 30% and 45% vs 21%, respectively). Patients also had reduced levels of Treg cells compared with control values (con mean=3.24% vs pat=2.54%). Patients with autoimmunity (5/23) had a similar level of T cell activation markers to the rest of the patients but with lower Treg cells (mean of 1.1%) and reduced CD25 and CTLA-4 expression. Patients with autoimmunity had a higher ratio of activated to Treg cells compared with patients with no autoimmune symptoms.

Conclusions

These results highlight that reduced levels of Treg cells were associated with elevated levels of activated T cells, suggesting that reduced Treg cells in these patients may have functional consequences in allowing exaggerated T cell responses.
Fire emissions estimates in Siberia: evaluation of uncertainties in area burned, land cover, and fuel consumption
Authors: Kukavskaya Elena A. , Soja Amber J. , Petkov Alexander P. , Ponomarev Evgeni I. , Ivanova Galina A. , Conard Susan G.
Published: November 2012

Boreal forests constitute the world's largest terrestrial carbon pools. The main natural disturbance in these forests is wildfire, which modifies the carbon budget and atmosphere, directly and indirectly. Wildfire emissions in Russia contribute substantially to the global carbon cycle and have potentially important feedbacks to changing climate. Published estimates of carbon emissions from fires in Russian boreal forests vary greatly depending on the methods and data sets used. We examined various fire and vegetation products used to estimate wildfire emissions for Siberia. Large (up to fivefold) differences in annual and monthly area burned estimates for Siberia were found among four satellite-based fire data sets. Official Russian data were typically less than 10% of satellite estimates. Differences in the estimated proportion of annual burned area within each ecosystem were as much as 40% among five land-cover products. As a result, fuel consumption estimates would be expected to vary widely (3%–98%) depending on the specific vegetation mapping product used and as a function of weather conditions. Verification and validation of burned area and land-cover data sets along with the development of fuel maps and combustion models are essential for accurate Siberian wildfire emission estimates, which are central to balancing the carbon budget and assessing feedbacks to climate change.
Induction of resistance in Mycobacterium smegmatis
Authors: Olejníková Petra , Kurucová Martina , Švorc L’ubomír , Marchalín Štefan
Published: November 2012

In this work, we assayed the ability of newly prepared indolizine derivates (epimers) 6C and 6A to inhibit the growth of Mycobacterium smegmatis and used them for resistance induction. 6A inhibited the growth of M. smegmatis at a concentration of 100 μg/mL. No inhibitory effect was observed in the presence of 6C. By incubating the bacteria with 6C and 6A, colonies resistant to 6A were observed. Finally, 37 stable resistant strains were isolated. These resistant strains were able to grow on a 5-fold higher concentration of 6A (500 μg/mL) than the minimal inhibitory concentration of the wild type (100 μg/mL), with no growth inhibition. Resistant strains were then tested for cross-resistance to other antibiotics: ampicillin, tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, chloramphenicol, gentamicin, and streptomycin. Determinations of resistance patterns to 6 antibiotics revealed 36 strains that were resistant to at least one drug.
Cortical effects of repetitive finger flexion- vs. extension-resisted tracking movements: a TMS study
Authors: Godfrey Sasha B. , Lum Peter S. , Chan Evan , Harris-Love Michelle L.
Published: November 2012

While the cortical effects of repetitive motor activity are generally believed to be task specific, the task parameters that modulate these effects are incompletely understood. Since there are differences in the neural control of flexor vs. extensor muscles, the type of muscles involved in the motor task of interest may be one important parameter. In addition, the role each muscle plays in the task, such as whether or not it is the prime mover, is another potentially important task parameter. In the present study, use-dependent cortical plasticity was examined in healthy volunteers performing a robotic waveform tracking task with either the extensor digitorum communis (EDC) or flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) acting as the prime mover. Transcranial magnetic stimulation was used to measure corticospinal excitability (CE) and short-interval intracortical inhibition of lower and higher threshold corticospinal neurons (SICIL and SICIH, respectively) before and after a flexion- or extension-resisted finger tracking task. After repetitive performance of the tracking task, there was a significant decrease in SICIL targeting the EDC, while no change in CE targeting EDC was observed. In contrast, the reverse pattern was observed in the FDS: a significant increase in CE with no change in SICIL. There was also a tendency toward increased SICIH targeting whichever muscle was acting as the prime mover, although this effect did not reach statistical significance. We conclude that there is a difference in patterns of use-dependent plasticity between extrinsic finger flexor and extensor muscles performing the same task.
Random walk of motor planning in task-irrelevant dimensions
Authors: van Beers Robert J. , Brenner Eli , Smeets Jeroen B. J.
Published: November 2012

The movements that we make are variable. It is well established that at least a part of this variability is caused by noise in central motor planning. Here, we studied how the random effects of planning noise translate into changes in motor planning. Are the random effects independently added to a constant mean end point, or do they accumulate over movements? To distinguish between these possibilities, we examined repeated, discrete movements in various tasks in which the motor output could be decomposed into a task-relevant and a task-irrelevant component. We found in all tasks that the task-irrelevant component had a positive lag 1 autocorrelation, suggesting that the random effects of planning noise accumulate over movements. In contrast, the task-relevant component always had a lag 1 autocorrelation close to zero, which can be explained by effective trial-by-trial correction of motor planning on the basis of observed motor errors. Accumulation of the effects of planning noise is consistent with current insights into the stochastic nature of synaptic plasticity. It leads to motor exploration, which may subserve motor learning and performance optimization.
Static and Dynamic User Portraits
Authors: Huang Ko-Hsun , Deng Yi-Shin , Chuang Ming-Chuen
Published: November 2012

User modeling and profiling has been used to evaluate systems and predict user behaviors for a considerable time. Models and profiles are generally constructed based on studies of users’ behavior patterns, cognitive characteristics, or demographic data and provide an efficient way to present users’ preferences and interests. However, such modeling focuses on users’ interactions with a system and cannot support complicated social interaction, which is the emerging focus of serious games, educational hypermedia systems, experience, and service design. On the other hand, personas are used to portray and represent different groups and types of users and help designers propose suitable solutions in iterative design processes. However, clear guidelines and research approaches for developing useful personas for large-scale and complex social networks have not been well established. In this research, we reflect on three different design studies related to social interaction, experience, and cross-platform service design to discuss multiple ways of identifying both direct users and invisible users in design research. In addition, research methods and attributes to portray users are discussed.
Statistical Modeling of Ultrawideband Body-Centric Wireless Channels Considering Room Volume
Authors: Hirose Miyuki , Yamamoto Hironobu , Kobayashi Takehiko
Published: November 2012

This paper presents the results of a statistical modeling of onbody ultrawideband (UWB) radio channels for wireless body area network (WBAN) applications. Measurements were conducted in five different rooms. A measured delay profile can be divided into two domains; in the first domain (0<t≤4 ns) there is either a direct (for line of sight) or diffracted (for nonline of sight) wave which is dependent on the propagation distance along the perimeter of the body, but essentially unrelated to room volume, and the second domain (t>4 ns) has multipath components that are dominant and dependent on room volume. The first domain was modeled with a conventional power decay law model, and the second domain with a modified Saleh-Valenzuela model considering the room volume. Realizations of the impulse responses are presented based on the composite model and compared with the measured average power delay profiles.
Intravenous Immunoglobulin and Mycophenolate Mofetil for Long-Standing Sensory Neuronopathy in Sjögren's Syndrome
Authors: Danieli Maria Giovanna , Pettinari Lucia , Morariu Ramona , Monteforte Fernando , Logullo Francesco
Published: November 2012

Sensory neuronopathy is described in association with the Sjögren's syndrome (SS). We studied a 55-year-old woman with a 4-year history of progressive asymmetric numbness, distal tingling, and burning sensation in upper and lower limbs. In a few months, she developed ataxia with increased hypoanaesthesia. Electrodiagnostic tests revealed undetectable distal and proximal sensory nerve action potential in upper and lower limbs. Cervical spine magnetic resonance showed a signal hyperintensity of posterior columns. Previous treatment with high-dose glucocorticoids and azathioprine was ineffective. A combined treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin and mycophenolate mofetil was followed by a progressive and persistent improvement. This case documented the efficacy and the safety of the coadministration of intravenous immunoglobulin and mycophenolate mofetil in sensory neuronopathy associated with SS refractory to conventional immunosuppressive therapy.
Experimental Evaluation of a SIP-Based Home Gateway with Multiple Wireless Interfaces for Domotics Systems
Authors: Garroppo Rosario G. , Gazzarrini Loris , Giordano Stefano , Tavanti Luca
Published: November 2012

In modern houses, the presence of sensors and actuators is increasing, whilecommunication servicesandentertainment systemshad long since settled into everyday life. The utilization of wireless communication technologies, such as ZigBee, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth, is attractive because of their short installation times and low costs. The research is moving towards the integration of the various home appliances and devices into a single domotics system, able to exploit the cooperation among the diverse subsystems and offer the end-user a single multiservice platform. In this scenario, the paper presents the experimental evaluation of a domotics framework centered on a SIP-based home gateway (SHG). While SIP is used to build a common control plane, the SHG is in charge of translating the user commands from and to the specific domotics languages. The analysis has been devoted to assess both the performance of the SHG software framework and the negative effects produced by the simultaneous interference among the three widespread wireless technologies.
Kink Solutions for a Class of Generalized Dissipative Equations
Authors: Ruggieri Marianna
Published: November 2012

We study, in this paper, a generalized viscoelastic equation which includes several interesting models considered in some recent papers. Many physically important nonlinear PDEs can be reduced to nonlinear ODEs by means of reduction techniques. So it is significant and very interesting to study, among all the closed‐form solutions admitted by the model, the corresponding kink waves. A plot of the obtained solution is performed.
Lifestyle Intervention Improves Heart Rate Recovery from Exercise in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes: Results from the Look AHEAD Study
Authors: Ribisl Paul M. , Gaussoin Sarah A. , Lang Wei , Bahnson Judy , Connelly Stephanie A. , Horton Edward S. , Jakicic John M. , Killean Tina , Kitzman Dalane W. , Knowler William C. , Stewart Kerry J. , Look AHEAD Research Group
Published: November 2012

The primary aims of this paper were (1) to evaluate the influence of intensive lifestyle weight loss and exercise intervention (ILI) compared with diabetes support and education (DSE) upon Heart Rate Recovery (HRR) from graded exercise testing (GXT) and (2) to determine the independent and combined effects of weight loss and fitness changes upon HRR. In 4503 participants (45–76 years) who completed 1 year of intervention, HRR was measured after a submaximal GXT to compare the influence of (ILI) with (DSE) upon HRR. Participants assigned to ILI lost an average 8.6% of their initial weight versus 0.7% in DSE group (P<0.001) while mean fitness increased in ILI by 20.9% versus 5.8% in DSE (P<0.001). At Year 1, all exercise and HRR variables in ILI improved (P<0.0001) versus DSE: heart rate (HR) at rest was lower (72.8±11.4versus77.7±11.7 b/min), HR range was greater (57.7±12.1versus53.1±12.4 b/min), HR at 2 minutes was lower (89.3±21.8versus93.0±12.1 b/min), and HRR was greater (41.25±22.0versus37.8±12.5 b/min). Weight loss and fitness gain produced significant separate and independent improvements in HRR.
Laparoscopic Testicular Preservation in Adults with Intra-Abdominal Cryptorchidism: Is It Beneficial?
Authors: Torricelli Fábio César Miranda , Arap Marco Antonio , Duarte Ricardo Jordão , Mitre Anuar Ibrahim , Srougi Miguel
Published: November 2012

Purpose. To present the results in a midterm followup of laparoscopic testicular preservation in adults with intra-abdominal cryptorchidism.Methods. We analyzed 14 adult patients with cryptorchidism (19 testes) submitted to transabdominal laparoscopic evaluation and treatment of the condition. Data was collected retrospectively from a prospective database from August 2005 to May 2010. It analyzed patient age, affected side, procedure, mean operative time, mean hospital stay, postoperative testis position, intra- and postoperative complications, presence of malignancy in the removed testis, and midterm outcomes: size of the testis, development of tumors, and fertility.Results. Mean patient age was 29 (18–54) years. Thirteen (68.4%) testes were preserved. There were no intra- or postoperative complications. After a mean followup of 48.7 (20–64) months, all patients submitted to orchiopexy had the organs correctly positioned, although 2 testes were significantly smaller than before the procedure. No patient presented any signs of malignancy during the followup. Fertility was not preserved in bilateral cases.Conclusion. Laparoscopic testicular evaluation and eventual preservation are feasible and safe. In a midterm followup, testicular tumor is not a concern, and unfortunately, fertility may not be preserved in bilateral cases.
Age at Diagnosis and Breast Cancer Survival in Iran
Authors: Vostakolaei Fatemeh Asadzadeh , Broeders Mireille J. M. , Rostami Nematollah , van Dijck Jos A. A. M. , Feuth Ton , Kiemeney Lambertus A. L. M. , Verbeek André L. M.
Published: November 2012

Background. Tumour characteristics are the most important prognostic factors in breast cancer. Patient-related factors such as young age at diagnosis, obesity, and smoking behaviour may also modify disease outcome. Due to the absence of a unique definition for “young age breast cancer” and the resulting variation in disease management, findings on the association between young age and prognosis of breast cancer are controversial.Methods. This study included 1500 patients with a primary diagnosis of breast cancer in six Iranian hospitals from 5 provinces. We modelled the relative excess risk (RER) of breast cancer death to age at diagnosis and tumour characteristics.Results. Excess risks of death were observed for stage IV disease and poorly differentiated tumours: RER of 4.3 (95% CI: 1.05–17.65) and 3.4 (95% CI: 1.17–9.87), respectively. “Older” patients, particularly those aged 50 and over, presented more often with advanced and poorly differentiated tumours (P=0.001). After adjustment for stage, histological grade, Her-2 expression, estrogen and progesterone receptors, and place of residency, breast cancer mortality was not significantly different across age groups.Conclusion. We conclude that there is no prognostic effect of age at diagnosis of breast cancer among breast cancer patients treated at cancer centres in different parts of Iran; young and relatively old women have similar risks of dying from breast cancer.
The Impact of Excited Neutrinos onνν¯→γγProcess
Authors: İnan S. C. , Köksal M.
Published: November 2012

We examine the effect of excited neutrinos on the annihilation of relic neutrinos with ultrahigh energy cosmic neutrinos for theνν¯→γγprocess. The contributions of the excited neutrinos to the neutrino-photon decoupling temperature are calculated. We see that photon-neutrino decoupling temperature can be significantly reduced below the obtained value of the Standard Model with the impact of excited neutrinos.
New Trends in Amplifiers and Sources via Chalcogenide Photonic Crystal Fibers
Authors: Mescia L. , Smektala F. , Prudenzano F.
Published: November 2012

Rare-earth-doped chalcogenide glass fiber lasers and amplifiers have great applicative potential in many fields since they are key elements in the near and medium-infrared (mid-IR) wavelength range. In this paper, a review, even if not exhaustive, on amplification and lasing obtained by employing rare-earth-doped chalcogenide photonic crystal fibers is reported. Materials, devices, and feasible applications in the mid-IR are briefly mentioned.
Ambulatory Anesthesia in an Adult Patient with Corrected Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome
Authors: Knautz Jennifer , Asher Yogen , Kendall Mark C. , Doty Robert
Published: November 2012

With recent advancements in clinical science, an increasing number of patients with congenital heart defects are surviving into adulthood and presenting for noncardiac surgeries. We describe one such example of a 26-year-old patient with corrected hypoplastic left heart syndrome presenting for knee arthroscopy and performed under general anesthesia with preoperative ultrasound guided saphenous nerve block. In this case, we review the anesthetic implications of corrected single ventricle physiology, anesthetic implications, as well as discuss the technique and role of saphenous nerve block in patients undergoing knee arthroscopy.
The Use of Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Diagnostic Workup and Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Haemers Peter , Claus Piet , Willems Rik
Published: November 2012

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia and imposes a huge clinical and economic burden. AF is correlated with an increased morbidity and mortality, mainly due to stroke and heart failure. Cardiovascular imaging modalities, including echocardiography, computed tomography (CT), and cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR), play a central role in the workup and treatment of AF. One of the major advantages of CMR is the high contrast to noise ratio combined with good spatial and temporal resolution, without any radiation burden. This allows a detailed assessment of the structure and function of the left atrium (LA). Of particular interest is the ability to visualize the extent of LA wall injury. We provide a focused review of the value of CMR in identifying the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of AF, its role in stroke prevention and in the guidance of radiofrequency catheter ablation. CMR is a promising technique that could add valuable information for therapeutic decision making in specific subpopulations with AF.
Lie Group Analysis of Unsteady Flow and Heat Transfer over a Porous Surface for a Viscous Fluid
Authors: Akgül M. B. , Sarı G. , Pakdemirli M.
Published: November 2012

The problem of a two‐dimensional, unsteady flow and a heat transfer of a viscous fluid past a surface in the presence of variable suction/injection is analyzed. The unsteadiness is due to the time dependent free stream flow. The governing equations are derived with the usual boundary layer approximation. Using Lie group theory, a group classification of the equations with respect to the variable free stream flow and suction/injection velocity is performed. Restrictions imposed by the boundary conditions on the symmetries are discussed. Adopting the obtained symmetry groups, governing partial differential equations are converted into ordinary differential equations and then solved numerically. Effects of the dimensionless problem parameters on the velocity and temperature profiles are outlined in the figures.
Regioselective 5-exo-Trig Heterocyclization of 2-Allyl-1-naphthols under the Influence of N-Iodosuccinimide or Molecular Iodine in Aqueous Micelle
Authors: Basu Pradipta Kumar , Ghosh Amrita
Published: November 2012

Regioselective iodocyclization of a series of allylhydroxy naphthalene precursors involving N-iodosuccinimide and environment friendly green approach associated with surfactant-promoted molecular-iodine-mediated 5-exo-trig cyclization strategies has been explored.
Indication to Open Anatrophic Nephrolithotomy in the Twenty-First Century: A Case Report
Authors: Bove Alfredo Maria , Altobelli Emanuela , Buscarini Maurizio
Published: November 2012

Introduction. Advances in endourology have greatly reduced indications to open surgery in the treatment of staghorn kidney stones. Nevertheless in our experience, open surgery still represents the treatment of choice in rare cases.Case Report. A 71-year-old morbidly obese female patient complaining about occasional left flank pain, and recurrent cystitis for many years, presented bilateral staghorn kidney stones. Comorbidities were obesity (BMI 36.2), hypertension, type II diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmunary disease (COPD) hyperlipidemia. Due to these comorbidities, endoscopic and laparoscopic approaches were not indicated. We offered the patient staged open anatrophic nephrolithotomy.Results. Operative time was 180 minutes. Blood loss was 500 cc. requiring one unit of packed red blood cells. Hospital stay was 7 days. The renal function was unaffected based on preoperative and postoperative serum creatinine levels. Stone-free status of the left kidney was confirmed after surgery with CT scan.Conclusions. Open surgery can represent a valid alterative in the treatment of staghorn kidney stones of very selected cases. A discussion of the current indications in the twenty-first century is presented.
Genotype-Phenotype Characterization of Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome Confirmed by FISH: Case Reports
Authors: Sheth F. , Akinde O. R. , Datar C. , Adeteye O. V. , Sheth J.
Published: November 2012

The Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome (WHS) is a multiple malformation and contiguous gene syndrome resulting from the deletion encompassing a 4p16.3 region. A microscopically visible terminal deletion on chromosome 4p (4p16→pter) was detected in Case 1 with full blown features of WHS. The second case which had an interstitial microdeletion encompassingWHSC 1andWHSC 2genes at 4p16.3 presented with less striking clinical features of WHS and had an apparently “normal” karyotype. The severity of the clinical presentation was as a result of haploinsufficiency and interaction with surrounding genes as well as mutations in modifier genes located outside the WHSCR regions. The study emphasized that an individual with a strong clinical suspicion of chromosomal abnormality and a normal conventional cytogenetic study should be further investigated using molecular cytogenetic techniques such as fluorescencein situhybridization (FISH) or array-comparative genomic hybridization (a-CGH).
Diversity ofMycobacterium tuberculosisIsolates from New Pulmonary Tuberculosis Cases in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Authors: Mihret Adane , Bekele Yonas , Loxton Andre G. , Jordan Annemie M. , Yamuah Lawrence , Aseffa Abraham , Howe Rawleigh , Walzl Gerhard
Published: November 2012

Understanding the genetic diversity ofMycobacterium tuberculosisis needed for a better understanding of the epidemiology of TB and could have implications for the development of new diagnostics, drugs, and vaccines.M. tuberculosisisolates were characterized using spoligotyping and were compared with the SpoIDB4 database of the Pasteur Institute of Guadeloupe. A total of 53 different patterns were identified among 192 isolates examined. 169 of the isolates were classified into one of the 33 shared SITs, whereas the remaining 23 corresponded to 20 orphan patterns. 54% of the isolates were ascribed to the T family, a family which has not been well defined to date. Other prominent families were CAS, Haarlem, LAM, Beijing, and Unknown comprising 26%, 13%, 2.6%, 0.5%, and 2.1%, respectively. Among HIV-positive patients, 10 patterns were observed among 25 isolates. The T (38.5%), H (26.9%), and CAS (23.1%) families were the most common among HIV-positive individuals. The diversity of theM. tuberculosisstrains found in this study is very high, and there was no difference in the distribution of families in HIV-positive and HIV-negative TB patients except the H family. Tuberculosis transmission in Addis Ababa is due to only the modernM. tuberculosisfamilies (CAS, LAM, T, Beijing, Haarlem, and U).