bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of an implantable MOSFET dosimeter designed for use with hypofractionated external beam treatments and its applications for breast and prostate treatments
Authors: Beyer Gloria P. , Kry Stephen F. , Espenhahn Eric , Rini Chris , Boyles Elyse , Mann Greg
Published: August 2011

Purpose:

An implantable metal‐oxide semiconductor field effect transistors‐based dosimeter has recently been developed for thein vivo monitoring of hypofractionated radiotherapy. This DVS‐HFT dosimeter is designed for fraction sizes of 340–950 cGy and can also be used for bis in die fraction monitoring. The current work reports on the testing and evaluation of this dosimeter, including both its basic characteristics as well as its performance during simulated clinical treatment plans.

Methods:

The authors tested the dose rate dependence of this dosimeter (300 MU/min versus 600 MU/min), the treatment time dependence (4 min per treatment versus up to 60 min per treatment), and the dose and energy dependence (6 and 18 MV irradiations of 700–900 cGy per fraction). Additionally, they irradiated the detectors in‐phantom with breast and prostate hypofractionated treatments.

Results:

The detectors showed no significant dose rate, treatment time, energy, or dose dependence. Furthermore, the detectors were found to perform within manufacturer tolerances for all hypofractionated treatments examined, accurately reporting the measured dose (average disagreement of − 0.65%).

Conclusions:

These dosimeters appear well suited forin vivo monitoring of hypofractionated radiotherapy doses, and thereby, have the potential to improve patient care.
Patients, clients, users or customers: what should we call people attending sexual health services?
Authors: Loudon Joanna , Baird Aisling , Haider Zara , Sein Eleanor , Prabakar Indhu , Gebbie Ailsa
Published: August 2011

Background and methodology

In sexual health clinics there is debate on whether to call service users ‘patients’ or ‘clients’ and this mirrors an ongoing dialogue in the medical literature. The authors undertook a questionnaire survey in five UK centres of clinic attendees and staff to assess their preference.

Results

A total of 1428 clinic attendees and 250 staff members completed questionnaires. 61% of attendees who responded preferred ‘patient’, with 23% expressing no preference. Only 9% of respondents preferred the term ‘client’. 148 (59%) of all staff groups preferred the term ‘patient’ followed by 82 (33%) selecting ‘client’. No staff member opted for ‘customer’ or ‘user’ as the preferred term. The difference between preference for ‘patient’ between doctors and nurses was statistically significant, with most doctors preferring the term ‘patient’. Out of a total of 84 nurses, there was equal preference for ‘patient’ and ‘client’ (38 nurses in each group). Comments from attendees and staff who responded generally emphasised the concept of the ‘caring’ role of the health professional towards people attending the services.

Discussion and conclusions

The majority of people attending sexual health clinics and medical and clerical staff working in these services expressed a preference to retain the title of ‘patient’. The main justification for this appeared to relate to the concept of caring for people. The authors therefore conclude that the terminology in sexual health services should revert to predominantly using the term ‘patient’.
GEOMETRIC SPACES FROM ARBITRARY CONVEX POLYTOPES
Authors: BATTAGLIA FIAMMETTA
Published: August 2011

We associate a geometric space to an arbitrary convex polytope. The spaces that we obtain are endowed with a natural stratification and perfectly mimic the features of toric varieties associated to rational convex polytopes. Our construction generalizes the classic constructions of Cox and Delzant of toric varieties.
THE CHARACTER VARIETY OF A FAMILY OF ONE-RELATOR GROUPS
Authors: QAZAQZEH KHALED
Published: August 2011

We prove that the character variety of a family of one-relator groups has only one defining polynomial and we provide the means to compute it. Consequently, we give a basis for the Kauffman bracket skein module of the exterior of the rational link Lp/q of two components modulo the (A + 1)-torsion.
COMMENTS ON ABSORPTION CROSS-SECTION FOR CHERN–SIMONS BLACK HOLES IN FIVE DIMENSIONS
Authors: GONZÁLEZ P. A. , SAAVEDRA JOEL
Published: August 2011

In this paper we study the effects of black hole mass on the absorption cross-section for a massive scalar field propagating in a five-dimensional topological Chern–Simons black hole at the low-frequency limit. We consider the two branches of black hole solutions (α = ±1) and we show that, if the mass of black hole increase the absorption cross-section decreases at the zero-frequency limit for the branch α = -1 and for the other branch, α = 1, the behavior is opposite, if the black hole mass increase the absorption cross-section increases. Also we find that beyond a certain frequency value, the mass black hole does not affect the absorption cross-section.
AMPHICHEIRAL LINKS WITH SPECIAL PROPERTIES, I
Authors: KADOKAMI TERUHISA
Published: August 2011

We provide necessary conditions for the Alexander polynomials of algebraically split component-preservingly amphicheiral links. We raise a conjecture that the Alexander polynomial of an algebraically split component-preservingly amphicheiral link with even components is zero. Our necessary conditions and some examples support the conjecture.
Clustering of GLUT4, TUG, and RUVBL2 protein levels correlate with myosin heavy chain isoform pattern in skeletal muscles, but AS160 and TBC1D1 levels do not
Authors: Castorena Carlos M. , MacKrell James G. , Bogan Jonathan S. , Kanzaki Makoto , Cartee Gregory D.
Published: July 2011

Skeletal muscle is a heterogeneous tissue. To further elucidate this heterogeneity, we probed relationships between myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoform composition and abundance of GLUT4 and four other proteins that are established or putative GLUT4 regulators [Akt substrate of 160 kDa (AS160), Tre-2/Bub2/Cdc 16-domain member 1 (TBC1D1), Tethering protein containing an UBX-domain for GLUT4 (TUG), and RuvB-like protein two (RUVBL2)] in 12 skeletal muscles or muscle regions from Wistar rats [adductor longus, extensor digitorum longus, epitrochlearis, gastrocnemius (mixed, red, and white), plantaris, soleus, tibialis anterior (red and white), tensor fasciae latae, and white vastus lateralis]. Key results were 1) significant differences found among the muscles (range of muscle expression values) for GLUT4 (2.5-fold), TUG (1.7-fold), RUVBL2 (2.0-fold), and TBC1D1 (2.7-fold), but not AS160; 2) significant positive correlations for pairs of proteins: GLUT4 vs. TUG ( R = 0.699), GLUT4 vs. RUVBL2 ( R = 0.613), TUG vs. RUVBL2 ( R = 0.564), AS160 vs. TBC1D1 ( R = 0.293), and AS160 vs. TUG ( R = 0.246); 3) significant positive correlations for %MHC-I: GLUT4 ( R = 0.460), TUG ( R = 0.538), and RUVBL2 ( R = 0.511); 4) significant positive correlations for %MHC-IIa: GLUT4 ( R = 0.293) and RUVBL2 ( R = 0.204); 5) significant negative correlations for %MHC-IIb vs. GLUT4 ( R = −0.642), TUG ( R = −0.626), and RUVBL2 ( R = −0.692); and 6) neither AS160 nor TBC1D1 significantly correlated with MHC isoforms. In 12 rat muscles, GLUT4 abundance tracked with TUG and RUVBL2 and correlated with MHC isoform expression, but was unrelated to AS160 or TBC1D1. Our working hypothesis is that some of the mechanisms that regulate GLUT4 abundance in rat skeletal muscle also influence TUG and RUVBL2 abundance.
Primary Graft Failure after Heart Transplantation
Authors: Iyer Arjun , Kumarasinghe Gayathri , Hicks Mark , Watson Alasdair , Gao Ling , Doyle Aoife , Keogh Anne , Kotlyar Eugene , Hayward Christopher , Dhital Kumud , Granger Emily , Jansz Paul , Pye Roger , Spratt Phillip , Macdonald Peter Simon
Published: August 2011

Primary graft failure (PGF) is a devastating complication that occurs in the immediate postoperative period following heart transplantation. It manifests as severe ventricular dysfunction of the donor graft and carries significant mortality and morbidity. In the last decade, advances in pharmacological treatment and mechanical circulatory support have improved the outlook for heart transplant recipients who develop this complication. Despite these advances in treatment, PGF is still the leading cause of death in the first 30 days after transplantation. In today's climate of significant organ shortages and growing waiting lists, transplant units worldwide have increasingly utilised “marginal donors” to try and bridge the gap between “supply and demand.” One of the costs of this strategy has been an increased incidence of PGF. As the threat of PGF increases, the challenges of predicting and preventing its occurrence, as well as the identification of more effective treatment modalities, are vital areas of active research and development.
Autoimmunity in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Past and Present
Authors: Pagani Mario Rafael , Gonzalez Laura Elisabeth , Uchitel Osvaldo Daniel
Published: August 2011

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease affecting particularly motor neurons for which no cure or effective treatment is available. Although the cause of ALS remains unknown, accumulative evidence suggests an autoimmune mechanism of pathogenesis. In this paper, we will summarize the current research related to autoimmunity in the sporadic form of ALS and discuss the potential underlying pathogenic mechanisms and perspectives. Presented data supports the view that humoral immune responses against motor nerve terminals can initiate a series of physiological changes leading to alteration of calcium homeostasis. In turn, loss of calcium homeostasis may induce neuronal death through apoptotic signaling pathways. Additional approaches identifying specific molecular features of this hypothesis are required, which will hopefully allow us to develop techniques of early diagnosis and effective therapies.
TiO2/ZnS/CdS Nanocomposite for Hydrogen Evolution and Orange II Dye Degradation
Authors: Štengl Václav , Králová Daniela
Published: August 2011

TiO2/ZnS/CdS composites for photocatalytic hydrogen production from water were prepared by homogeneous hydrolysis of aqueous solutions mixture of TiOSO4, ZnSO4, and CdSO4with thioacetamide. Hydrogen evolution was observed in the presence of palladium and platinum nanoparticles deposited on TiO2/ZnS/CdS composites. The morphology was obtained by scanning electron microscopy, the nitrogen adsorption-desorption was used for determination of surface area (BET) and porosity. The method of UV-VIS diffuse reflectance spectroscopy was employed to estimate band-gap energies of prepared TiO2/ZnS/CdS nano-composites. The photocatalytic activity of the prepared samples were assessed by photocatalytic decomposition of Orange II dye in an aqueous slurry under UV irradiation at 365 nm wavelength and visible light up to 400 nm wavelength. Doped titanium dioxide by the CdS increased band-gap energy and doping with ZnS increased photocatalytic activity. The best photocatalytic activity for H2evolution shows sample named TiZnCd7 on surface deposited with palladium, which contains 20.21% TiO2, 78.5% ZnS, and 1.29% CdS.
Simultaneous Adsorption and Photocatalytic Degradation of Malachite Green Using Electrospun P(3HB)-TiO2Nanocomposite Fibers and Films
Authors: Sridewi Nanthini , Lee Yan-Fen , Sudesh Kumar
Published: August 2011

This paper demonstrated the applicability of electrospun P(3HB) film as a dye adsorbent agent. Malachite green (MG) was used as the model dye in this study. Interestingly, the electrospun P(3HB) film exhibited excellent dye adsorption capacity whereby 78% of dye was adsorbed from a 30 μM solution of MG. The film was further improvised by incorporating titanium dioxide photocatalysts to form a dual dye treatment system employing adsorption and photocatalytic degradation techniques. The resultant electrospun P(3HB)-50 wt%   TiO2was capable of completely decolorizing MG in 45 min under solar irradiation, which corresponded to 58.7%  COD removal. The fully decolorized MG solution also proved to be nontoxic againstA. aegyptimosquito larvae. The reapplicability of this film was possible as it induced a decolorization rate of 98% or more at every usage for ten consequent usages. EDX analysis suggested that there were no significant changes in the concentration of titanium (Ti) in the film before and after ten times of usage. The concentration of Ti in cast P(3HB)-50 wt%  TiO2film was found to decrease significantly during the repeated usage. The electrospun P(3HB)-50 wt%  TiO2film has high potency as an efficient and inexpensive yet simple method for the dye effluent decolorization, degradation, and detoxification.
Manufacturing and Structural Feasibility of Natural Fiber Reinforced Polymeric Structural Insulated Panels for Panelized Construction
Authors: Uddin Nasim , Kalyankar Rahul R.
Published: August 2011

Natural fibers are emerging in the fields of automobile and aerospace industries to replace the parts such as body panels, seats, and other parts subjected to higher bending strength. In the construction industries, they have the potential to replace the wood and oriented strand boards (OSB) laminates in the structural insulated panels (SIPs). They possess numerous advantages over traditional OSB SIPs such as being environmental friendly, recyclable, energy efficient, inherently flood resistant, and having higher strength and wind resistance. This paper mainly focuses on the manufacturing feasibility and structural characterization of natural fiber reinforced structural insulated panels (NSIPs) using natural fiber reinforced polymeric (NFRP) laminates as skin. To account for the use of natural fibers, the pretreatments are required on natural fibers prior to use in NFRP laminates, and, to address this issue properly, the natural fibers were given bleaching pretreatments. To this end, flexure test and low-velocity impact (LVI) tests were carried out on NSIPs in order to evaluate the response of NSIPs under sudden impact loading and uniform bending conditions typical of residential construction. The paper also includes a comparison of mechanical properties of NSIPs with OSB SIPs and G/PP SIPs. The results showed significant increase in the mechanical properties of resulting NSIP panels mainly a 53% increase in load-carrying capacity compared to OSB SIPs. The bending modulus of NSIPs is 190% higher than OSB SIPs and 70% weight reduction compared to OSB SIPs.
Incorporating a Local Binary Fitting Model into a Maximum Regional Difference Model for Extracting Microscopic Information under Complex Conditions
Authors: Yao Chunyan , Zhang Jianwei , Chen Min , Guan Qiu , Scalia Massimo
Published: August 2011

This paper presents a novel region‐based method for extracting useful information from microscopic images under complex conditions. It is especially used for blood cell segmentation and statistical analysis. The active model detects several inner and outer contours of an object from its background. The method incorporates a local binary fitting model into a maximum regional difference model. It utilizes both local and global intensity information as the driving forces of the contour model on the principle of the largest regional difference. The local and global fitting forces ensure that local dissimilarities can be captured and globally different areas can be segmented, respectively. By combining the advantages of local and global information, the motion of the contour is driven by the mixed fitting force, which is composed of the local and global fitting term in the energy function. Experiments are carried out in the laboratory, and results show that the novel model can yield good performances for microscopic image analysis.
The Byzantine Alexander Poem in MS Marcianus graecus 408*
Authors: Aerts Willem J.
Published: August 2011

Among the many versions of the Alexander Romance, originating from Alexandria, 3rd century AD, the long Byzantine Alexander Poem (BAP) takes a special place. It is by far the longest item in the miscellaneous manuscript, Marcianus 408, numbering 6130 ‘political’ (fifteen-syllable) verses. Smaller pieces deal with the capture of Constantinople by the Western Crusaders in 1204 and the recapture by the Byzantines in 1261 and genealogies of the Palaeologues; other items are e.g. on special plants, on verses of the poetess Kasia, on a snake bite, etc. The colophon in the last verses of BAP mentions the year 1388, which - as will be argued in this article - can hardly be the date of composition, both on textual and historical grounds. This argument is underpinned with a number of examples.
Transnational Migration and Entrepreneurialism: Indians in the U.S. Technology Sector
Authors: Varma Roli
Published: August 2011

In the past, large multinational corporations led entrepreneurial activities in the technology sector, creating value and stimulating growth by bringing new ideas to market. Further, they were in charge of the growth internationally. In the last two decades, however, immigrants have increased their percentage in starting technology companies in the United States, as well as investing in technology companies, building business partnerships, allocating resources, exchanging information, and tapping technical expertise in their home countries. This paper presents a case study of Indian immigrants in the U.S. technology sector to demonstrate how entrepreneurialism is changing with transnational migration. Indian immigrants are actively contributing to an emergent global reality where the borders containing them in the field of technology are increasingly virtual, and beyond the control of any country.
Crisis of Legitimacy: Secularisation and the Authority of Asante Traditional Rulers in Ghana’s Decentralization
Authors: Agyemang Yaw Sarkodie
Published: August 2011

Ghana’s attempt at decentralization has brought into collision course two systems of governance because of the poor interface between traditional authorities and district assemblies, creating a crisis of legitimacy. Previous studies on this development situate the crisis on the existence of two legitimacies or dual governments. The paper theorizes this development around the tension between the sacred and the profane. It argues that the war of legitimacy arises because representation is differently understood by these two systems of governance. Using historical and phenomenological approaches, the paper observes that it is the religious basis of the chieftaincy institution as against the secular basis of decentralized institutions that is creating a tension between the sacred and the profane. It therefore concludes that secularization has created differentiation leading to polycentric sources of power making the traditional authorities lose their hegemony over people, land, and its resources. The traditional authorities in their attempt to claw back their lost power are using the sacred basis of their legitimacy to insist on their right to represent their communities.
Institutions and Development in Developing Countries: An Empirical Assessment
Authors: Dao Minh Quang
Published: August 2011

Based on data from the World Bank and the Global Competitiveness Report 2008-2009, this study uses a sample of 97 developing economies and finds that institutions do affect development, unlike results of the previous studies by Mc Arthur and Sachs (2001) and Sachs (2003). The observation is that the coefficient estimate of half of the explanatory variables does not have the anticipated sign due to severe multicollinearity among them. Regression results are more robust when interaction terms are included. This empirical examination may assist governments in those countries in identifying institutional areas that need to be improved upon in order to stimulate economic development.
Good Governance, State Capacity, and the Millennium Development Goals
Authors: Joshi Devin
Published: August 2011

International development agencies argue that “good governance” is crucial to attaining the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), but there are many ways to define and measure good governance. The paper begins by examining the World Bank’s minimal state conception of governance and then proposes an alternative approach based on strengthening state capacity. The paper tests this framework by developing a provisional Millennium Governance Index (MGI) for 126 countries. In comparative empirical analysis, the MGI has noticeably higher statistical correlations than the World Bank’s governance indicators on six out of seven MDGs even after controlling for per capita income levels.
A Chronological Life of Christ by the Masters of Zweder van Culemborg
Authors: Broekhuijsen Klara H.
Published: August 2011

The subject of this article is the reconstruction of the original decoration programme of three texts of an incomplete Book of Hours, representing together the whole life of Christ. This unusual programme has been placed in the context of the oeuvre of the Masters of Zweder van Culemborg.
Libri da compagnia Printed in Fifteenth-and Sixteenth-Century Italy
Authors: Dondi Cristina
Published: August 2011

This article deals with the origin and the development of Libri da compagnia, their relationship with books of hours, and the impact of the advent of printing on this type of book. It is followed by a list of fifteenth- and sixteenth-centuries editions and extant copies.
Inter-jurisdictional Co-operation in the MERCOSUR: The First Request for an Advisory Opinion of the MERCOSUR’s Permanent Review Tribunal by Argentina’s Supreme Court of Justice
Authors: Donadio Luciano , Espósito Carlos
Published: August 2011

This comment discusses the request for an advisory opinion that originated in the case Sancor c/ Dirección General de Aduanas. This case emerged from the resolution of the Argentine Ministry of Economy which set export duties of 5% to certain milk products, without discriminating with regard to the destination of them, i.e. including members as well as non-members of the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR). In this way, and after a long judicial process, in October 2009 Argentina’s Supreme Court of Justice (CSJN) requested an advisory opinion from the Permanent Review Tribunal of the MERCOSUR, ‐ Tribunal Permanente de Revisión ‐ asking the question “Does the Treaty of Asunción require Member States of MERCOSUR the obligation not to impose duties on exports of goods which are originated in one of them and which have another Member State as its final destination?” This article describes the historical circumstances surrounding the Argentine governmental measure, and then analyzes three specific issues related to the request of the advisory opinion by the Supreme Court: 1) the place of international law in the Argentine legal system; 2) the procedural legitimacy of the decision of the Court; and 3) some substantive issues involved in the requested advisory opinion.
Problems and Prospects for the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf in Dealing with Submissions by Coastal States in Relation to the Ocean Territory Beyond 200 Nautical Miles
Authors: Subedi Surya P.
Published: August 2011

As the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf established under the 1982 Convention on the Law of the Sea has begun its deliberations on an increasingly large number of submissions made by States seeking to establish the outer limits of their continental shelf, concerns have been expressed as to the nature and scope of the work of the Commission, as well as the challenges currently faced by this body set up under the Convention. It is in this context that the present article aims to address questions such as: how and to whom this body is accountable; how transparent its decision-making processes are; what powers it has; whether it is sufficiently well equipped to take such far-reaching decisions, and the implications its recommendations will have for coastal States, for the law of the sea, and for the wider issues concerning the international governance of the seas and oceans. In doing so, this article suggests some ways and means of addressing the challenges facing the Commission.
Abraham Portaleone and Alessandro Magno: Jewish and Christian Correspondents on a Monstrous birth
Authors: Berns Andrew
Published: August 2011

This article explores an epistolary exchange between Abraham Portaleone, a Jewish physician of Mantua, and Alessandro Magno, his Catholic colleague. It presents several letters from Portaleone’s unpublished Book of Medical Responses and Consultations that discuss a monstrous birth in Luzzara in 1594. The article has two aims: to broaden our knowledge of Portaleone’s written output, and to argue that Jewish and Christian physicians maintained close professional contact in late Renaissance Italy.
British Museum EA 73965 und die Sequenz der Lokalregenten des Westdeltas in der 22. Dynastie
Authors: Moje Jan
Published: August 2011

The precisely dated donation stela British Museum EA 73965 bears the name of a great chief of the Libu, who can now be identified as a previously unknown local ruler in the Western Delta during the Twenty-second Egyptian Dynasty. According to new data, the current sequence of the Western Delta rulers can be partially modified, and thus shed some light on this less well-known period.
Monasticism as a Force for Religious and Cultural Renewal in Post-Communist Russia
Authors: Burgess John
Published: August 2011

The Russian Orthodox Church is actively seeking to shape the national identity of post-communist Russia. Monasteries have taken a leading role in articulating the church's social vision, but with different emphases. The Solovetskii Monastery commemorates the victims and martyrs of communist repression. The Sretenskii Monastery focuses on popular religious education. The monks at St. George's Parish engage in drug rehabilitation work. Each approach has latent democratic impulses, but it is not yet clear whether or how they will come to expression under the limitations of current church and state politics.
Topographic Effects on the Tropical Land and Sea Breeze
Authors: Qian Tingting , Epifanio Craig C. , Zhang Fuqing
Published: August 2011

The effect of an inland plateau on the tropical sea breeze is considered in terms of idealized numerical experiments, with a particular emphasis on offshore effects. The sea breeze is modeled as the response to an oscillating interior heat source over land. The parameter space for the calculations is defined by a nondimensional wind speed, a scaled plateau height, and the nondimensional heating amplitude.

The experiments show that the inland plateau tends to significantly strengthen the land-breeze part of the circulation, as compared to the case without terrain. The strengthening of the land breeze is tied to blocking of the sea-breeze density current during the warm phase of the cycle. The blocked sea breeze produces a pool of relatively cold, stagnant air at the base of the plateau, which in turn produces a stronger land-breeze density current the following morning. Experiments show that the strength of the land breeze increases with the terrain height, at least for moderate values of the height. For very large terrain, the sea breeze is apparently blocked entirely, and further increases in terrain height lead to only small changes in land-breeze intensity and propagation.

Details of the dynamics are described in terms of the transition from linear to nonlinear heating amplitudes, as well as for cases with and without background winds. The results show that for the present experiments, significant offshore effects are tied to nonlinear frontal propagation, as opposed to quasi-linear wave features.
The ethics of unsolicited diagnosis of mental disorder in acquaintances: benefits and dangers
Authors: Mitchell Edward W.
Published: August 2011

I examine here the activity of ‘unsolicited diagnosis' of psychiatric disorder – the act of informing a person that they show signs and symptoms of mental disorder, outside of a patient-professional relationship. Whether unsolicited psychiatric diagnosis is a legitimate ethical activity for psychiatrists (and other healthcare professionals) in which to engage is an issue founded upon the trade-off between potential benefits and harm to the recipient of the diagnosis. However, potential harm specific to a psychiatric diagnosis (such as issues related to stigma, confidentiality and paternalism) suggests that making unsolicited diagnoses of psychiatric disorder is even more ethically fraught than making unsolicited diagnoses of physical disorder.
Phosphorylated filamin A regulates actin-linked caveolae dynamics
Authors: Muriel Olivia , Echarri Asier , Hellriegel Christian , Pavón Dácil M. , Beccari Leonardo , Del Pozo Miguel A.
Published: August 2011

Caveolae are relatively stable membrane invaginations that compartmentalize signaling, regulate lipid metabolism and mediate viral entry. Caveolae are closely associated with actin fibers and internalize in response to diverse stimuli. Loss of cell adhesion is known to induce rapid and robust caveolae internalization and trafficking toward a Rab11-positive recycling endosome; however, pathways governing this process are poorly understood. Here, we report that filamin A is required to maintain the F-actin-dependent linear distribution of caveolin-1. High spatiotemporal resolution particle tracking of caveolin-1–GFP vesicles by total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy revealed that FLNa is required for the F-actin-dependent arrest of caveolin-1 vesicles in a confined area and their stable anchorage to the plasma membrane. The linear distribution and anchorage of caveolin-1 vesicles are both required for proper caveolin-1 inwards trafficking. De-adhesion-triggered caveolae inward trafficking towards a recycling endosome is impaired in FLNa-depleted HeLa and FLNa-deficient M2-melanoma cells. Inwards trafficking of caveolin-1 requires both the ability of FLNa to bind actin and cycling PKCα-dependent phosphorylation of FLNa on Ser2152 after cell detachment.
A lipid-droplet-targeted O-GlcNAcase isoform is a key regulator of the proteasome
Authors: Keembiyehetty Chithra N. , Krzeslak Anna , Love Dona C. , Hanover John A.
Published: August 2011

Protein-O-linked N-Acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (O-GlcNAcase, OGA; also known as hexosaminidase C) participates in a nutrient-sensing, hexosamine signaling pathway by removing O-linked N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) from key target proteins. Perturbations in O-GlcNAc signaling have been linked to Alzheimer's disease, diabetes and cancer. Mammalian O-GlcNAcase exists as two major spliced isoforms differing only by the presence (OGA-L) or absence (OGA-S) of a histone-acetyltransferase domain. Here we demonstrate that OGA-S accumulates on the surface of nascent lipid droplets with perilipin-2; both of these proteins are stabilized by proteasome inhibition. We show that selective downregulation of OGA-S results in global proteasome inhibition and the striking accumulation of ubiquitinylated proteins. OGA-S knockdown increased levels of perilipin-2 and perilipin-3 suggesting that O-GlcNAc-dependent regulation of proteasomes might occur on the surface of lipid droplets. By locally activating proteasomes during maturation of the nascent lipid droplet, OGA-S could participate in an O-GlcNAc-dependent feedback loop regulating lipid droplet surface remodeling. Our findings therefore suggest a mechanistic link between hexosamine signaling and lipid droplet assembly and mobilization.
Controllable Deposition of Alloy Clusters or Nanoparticles Catalysts on Carbon Surfaces
Authors: Ando Yuji , Sasaki Kotaro , Su Dong , Adzic Radoslav
Published: August 2011

We describe a simple method for controllably depositing Pt–Ru alloy nanoparticles on carbon surfaces that is mediated by Pb or Cu adlayers undergoing underpotential deposition and stripping during Pt and Ru codeposition at diffusion-limiting currents. The amount of surface Pt atoms deposited largely reflects the number of potential cycles causing the deposition and stripping of the metal adlayer at underpotentials, the metal species used as a mediator, and the scan rate of the potential cycles. We employed electrochemical methanol oxidation to gain information on the catalyst’s activities. The catalysts with large amounts of surface Pt atoms have relatively high methanol-oxidation activity. Catalysts prepared using this method enhance methanol-oxidation activity per electrode surface area, while maintaining catalytic activity per surface Pt atom; thus, the amount of Pt is reduced in comparison with conventional methanol-oxidation catalysts. The method is suitable for efficient synthesizing various bimetallic catalysts.
Increased Cellular Transfection with Magnetized DNA/Benzyl Amine Lipid Complexes
Authors: Sakuragi Mina , Mochizuki Shinichi , Sakurai Kazuo
Published: August 2011

We reported that there are two possible manners in DNA localization in cationic lipid (CL)/DNA complexes and the DNA environment is strongly related to the transfection efficiency: when DNA/CL-ion complexes are in the hydrophobic phase made from the CL alkyl tails (A-type), they show low efficiency, while it is drastically increased when they are in water phase (B-type). In this paper, we prepared two types of magnetized CL/DNA complexes, denoted as MCL/DNAs from these two different DNA environments. We investigated how the external magnet field could increase the transfection efficiency comparing the two systems. We obtained higher transfection efficiency when B-type was mixed with magnetic particles. By use of electron microscopy and small-angle X-ray scattering, the structure of the MCL/DNA was determined.
Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Contraceptive Method Choice in California
Authors: Shih Grace , Vittinghoff Eric , Steinauer Jody , Dehlendorf Christine
Published: August 2011

CONTEXT: Unintended pregnancy, an important public health issue, disproportionately affects minority populations. Yet, the independent associations of race, ethnicity and other characteristics with contraceptive choice have not been well studied.

METHODS: Racial and ethnic disparities in contraceptive use among 3,277 women aged 18–44 and at risk for unintended pregnancy were assessed using 2006–2008 data from of the California Women’s Health Survey. Sequential logistic regression analyses were used to examine the independent and cumulative associations of racial, ethnic, demographic and socioeconomic characteristics with method choice.

RESULTS: Differences in contraceptive use persisted in analyses controlling for demographic and socioeconomic characteristics. Blacks and foreign‐born Asians were less likely than whites to use high‐efficacy reversible methods—that is, hormonals or IUDs (odds ratio, 0.5 for each). No differences by race or ethnicity were found specifically for IUD use in the full model. Blacks and U.S.‐born Hispanics were more likely than whites to choose female sterilization (1.9 and 1.7, respectively), while foreign‐born Asians had reduced odds of such use (0.4). Finally, blacks and foreign‐born Asians were less likely than whites to rely on male sterilization (0.3 and 0.1, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS: Socioeconomic factors did not explain the disparities in method choice among racial and ethnic groups. Intervention programs that focus on improving contraceptive choice among black and, particularly, Asian populations need to be developed, as such programs have the potential to reduce the number of unintended pregnancies that occur among these high‐risk groups.
Race, Ethnicity and Differences in Contraception Among Low‐Income Women: Methods Received By Family PACT Clients, California, 2001–2007
Authors: Dehlendorf Christine , Foster Diana Greene , de Bocanegra Heike Thiel , Brindis Claire , Bradsberry Mary , Darney Philip
Published: August 2011

CONTEXT: The extent to which racial and ethnic differences in method choice are associated with financial barriers is unclear. Understanding these associations may provide insight into how to address racial and ethnic disparities in unintended pregnancy.

METHODS: Claims data from the California Family PACT program, which provides free family planning services to low‐income residents, were used to determine the proportions of women receiving each type of contraceptive method in 2001–2007. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify associations between women’s race and ethnicity and the primary contraceptive method they received in 2007.

RESULTS: Compared with white women, blacks and Latinas were less likely to receive oral contraceptives (odds ratios, 0.4 and 0.6, respectively) and the contraceptive ring (0.7 and 0.5), and more likely to receive the injectable (1.6 and 1.4) and the patch (1.6 and 2.3). Black women were less likely than whites to receive the IUD (0.5), but more likely to receive barrier methods and emergency contraceptive pills (2.6); associations were similar, though weaker, for Latinas. Racial and ethnic disparities in receipt of effective methods declined between 2001 and 2005, largely because receipt of the patch (which was introduced in 2002) was higher among minority than white women.

CONCLUSION: Although Family PACT eliminates financial barriers to method choice, the methods women received differed substantially by race and ethnicity in this low‐income population. The reduction in racial and ethnic disparities following introduction of the patch suggests that methods with novel characteristics may increase acceptability of contraceptives among minority women.
Correlation Between Charpy Absorbed Energy Using 2 mm and 8 mm Strikers
Authors: Heping Li , Xing Zhou , Weicheng Xu
Published: August 2011

A method to investigate the correlation between KV2 and KV8 based on the absorbed energy-temperature curve is reported in this paper. Two cases are considered in the method: (1) a case where specimens are broken into two pieces, and (2) a case where the percentage of shear fracture is studied. If a specimen is broken into two parts, there are no significant differences in the KV2 and KV8 results. However, if a specimen is not broken into two parts, the KV8 is significantly higher than KV2.
Impact of maternal chromium restriction on glucose tolerance, plasma insulin and oxidative stress in WNIN rat offspring
Authors: Padmavathi Inagadapa J N , Rao Kalashikam Rajender , Raghunath Manchala
Published: July 2011

Robust evidence suggests that nutritional insult during fetal development could program the offspring to glucose intolerance, impaired insulin response and insulin resistance (IR). Considering the importance of chromium (Cr) in maintaining carbohydrate metabolism, this study determined the effect of maternal Cr restriction (CrR) on glucose metabolism and plasma insulin in Wistar/NIN (WNIN) rat offspring and the associated biochemical and/or molecular mechanisms. Female, weanling WNIN rats receivedad libitumfor 12 weeks, a control diet or the same with 65% restriction of Cr and mated with control males. Some of the Cr-restricted dams were rehabilitated from conception or parturition and their pups weaned on to control diet. At the time of weaning, half of the Cr restricted offspring were rehabilitated to control diet while others continued on Cr-restricted diet. Maternal CrR increased fasting plasma glucose, fasting insulin, homeostasis model assessment of IR, and area under the curve of glucose and insulin during oral glucose tolerance test in the offspring. Expression and activity of rate-limiting enzymes of glucose metabolism were comparable among different groups and expression of genes involved in insulin secretion was increased albeit in male offspring whereas antioxidant enzyme activities were decreased in offspring of both genders. Rehabilitation, in general, corrected the changes albeit partially. Maternal dietary CrR induced IR, impaired glucose tolerance in WNIN rat offspring and was associated with increased oxidative stress, which may predispose them to type 2 diabetes in their later life.
Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia: Updates and Outcomes
Authors: Benjamin Jennifer R. , Bizzarro Matthew J. , Cotten C. Michael
Published: August 2011

Management of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) remains challenging. Despite advances in technologic and therapeutic strategies such as high-frequency mechanical ventilation, inhaled nitric oxide (iNO), and delayed surgical repair, the condition continues to carry a substantial mortality risk. In recent years, with increasing prenatal identification of fetuses affected by CDH, more effort has been directed toward strategies allowing in utero intervention, with the goal of improving survival. Unfortunately, a universally successful fetal treatment for CDH remains elusive. Over the past several decades, collective knowledge has markedly increased regarding the range of short- and long-term morbidities experienced by CDH survivors, and medical care has evolved as understanding of the disease has progressed. Affected patients demand and deserve a multidisciplinary approach, both in the inpatient arena and follow-up setting, with experts in neonatology, surgery, pulmonology, cardiology, and neurodevelopment working together to optimize outcomes. This article reviews the basic pathophysiology behind CDH, describes recent updates in the field, and outlines the long-term outcomes for these fascinating and complex patients.
Quality of orthodontic treatment performed by orthodontists and general dentists
Authors: Marques Leandro Silva , de Freitas Junior Nacler , Pereira Luciano José , Ramos-Jorge Maria Letícia
Published: August 2011

Objective:

To perform a blind comparative evaluation of the quality of orthodontic treatment provided by orthodontists and general dentists.

Materials and Methods:

Sixty cases of orthodontic treatment were evaluated—30 treated by specialists in orthodontics and 30 treated by general dentists with no specialization course. Orthodontists were selected randomly by lots, in a population of 1596 professionals, and recordings were performed based on the guideline established by the Objective Grading System proposed by the American Board of Orthodontics. Each participant was asked to present a case considered representative of the best outcome among the cases treated, regardless of the type or initial severity of the malocclusion. Statistical analysis involved the chi-square, Wilcoxon, and Mann-Whitney tests. The level of significance was set at P  =  .05 for the statistical tests.

Results:

The results showed that 29 orthodontists (96.7%) presented cases considered satisfactory and would be approved on the qualification exam, whereas only 15 dentists (50%) had cases considered satisfactory. Moreover, treatment time was significantly shorter among the orthodontists (P  =  .022), and the posttreatment comparison revealed that orthodontists achieved better outcomes considering all the variables studied.

Conclusions:

Orthodontists spend less time on treatment and achieve better quality outcomes than cases treated by general dentists who have not undergone a specialization course in orthodontics.
Development of a flow cytometric assay for detection of coated platelets in dogs and evaluation of binding of coated platelets to recombinant human coagulation factor VIIa
Authors: Knudsen Tom , Kjalke Marianne , Tranholm Mikael , Nichols Timothy C. , Jensen Asger L. , Kristensen Annemarie T.
Published: August 2011

Objective—To develop an antibody-based flow cytometric assay to detect coated platelets in dogs and to characterize the interaction of recombinant human coagulation factor VIIa with activated platelets from dogs with hemophilia A.

Sample—Platelets from 4 dogs with hemophilia A, 4 dogs with hemophilia B, 4 dogs with von Willebrand disease, and 6 hemostatically normal dogs.

Procedures—Freshly isolated platelets were activated with thrombin, convulxin, or a thrombin-convulxin combination. Resulting platelet phenotypes were resolved on the basis of P-selectin and fibrinogen expression, and binding of recombinant human coagulation factor VIIa to these distinct platelet subpopulations was measured by use of a flow cytometric assay.

Results—Coated platelets were identified on the basis of expression of α-granule fibrinogen and were generated in response to stimulation with the thrombin-convulxin combination but not to stimulation with either agonist alone. Approximately 70% of the platelets from dogs with hemophilia A, hemophilia B, and von Willebrand disease and from the control dogs had the coated platelet phenotype. Recombinant human coagulation factor VIIa bound preferentially to coated platelets with a mean ± SD binding equilibrium constant of 2.6 ± 0.5μM.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Formation of coated platelets in dogs was similar to that in humans. Recombinant human coagulation factor VIIa bound preferentially to coated platelets from dogs.

Impact for Human Medicine—A similar mechanism of action for recombinant human coagulation factor VIIa may exist in dogs and humans. The potential for use of dogs in the study of bleeding disorders in humans was strengthened.
Comparison of flow-mediated vasodilation in femoral and brachial arteries in healthy dogs
Authors: Jones Ian D. , Luis Fuentes Virginia , Wrigglesworth David , Mort Emily , Elliott Jonathan
Published: August 2011

Objective—To compare flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) measurements in brachial and femoral arteries of healthy dogs habituated to the assessment method, evaluate repeatability of these measurements, and investigate effects of blood pressure cuff inflation time on femoral artery FMD measurements.

Animals—11 healthy adult Miniature Schnauzers.

Procedures—Arterial luminal diameter and blood flow velocity integral (FVI) were measured before and after cuff inflation of 5 minutes' (brachial and femoral arteries) or 3 minutes' duration (femoral artery) in separate experiments. A blood pressure cuff was inflated to > 200 mm Hg distal to each imaging site to increase local blood flow to induce reactive hyperemia. Changes in FVI after cuff deflation, FMD, and between-dog and within-dog coefficients of variation (CVs) were determined.

Results—After cuff inflation of 5 minutes' duration, greater changes were detected in median change in FVI and FMD of brachial arteries (174.0% and 8.0%, respectively), compared with values determined for femoral arteries (32.0% and 2.1%, respectively). Between-dog CV for brachial artery FMD was 34.0%, compared with 89.6% for femoral arteries, and within-dog CV was 32.5% for brachial arteries versus 51.6% for femoral arteries after cuff inflation of 5 minutes' duration.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—In healthy Miniature Schnauzers, FMD was greater and more repeatable in brachial arteries than in femoral arteries. Reactive hyperemia was inconsistently induced in femoral arteries following 3- or 5-minute cuff inflation times. Brachial, but not femoral, artery FMD measurement is a potentially useful research technique for measurement of endothelial function in dogs.