bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An In Vitro Fluid Dynamic Study of Pediatric Cannulae: The Value of Animal Studies to Predict Human Flow
Authors: Long Tobias C. , Pearson Joseph J. , Hankinson Andrew C. , Deutsch Steven , Manning Keefe B.
Published: March 2012

A challenge to the development of pediatric ventricular assist devices (PVADs) is the use of the aortic cannulae attached to the devices. Cannulae used for pediatric application have small diameters and large pressure drops. Furthermore, during the development of the 12cc Penn State pediatric PVAD, particle image velocimetry (PIV) illustrated that hematocrit levels, through changes in blood viscoelasticity, affected the fluid dynamics. The objective of this study is to compare the fluid dynamics of a pediatric viscoelastic blood analog and a goat viscoelastic blood analog within the PVAD aortic cannula. Two acrylic models were manufactured to model the aortic cannula (6 mm and 8 mm diameters). PIV data was collected to examine the flow at the outlet of the VAD and in the aortic cannula at heart rates of 50 and 75 beats per minute (bpm). Three planes of data were taken, one at the centerline and two 1.5 mm above and below the centerline. Three more planes of data were taken orthogonal to the original planes. While a 75 bpm heart rate was used to represent normal operating conditions, a 50 bpm heart rate represented use of the PVAD during weaning. At 75 bpm, differences were evident between the two different fluids and the two models. Separation zones developed in the plane below the centerline for the higher hematocrit pediatric blood analog. This study raises question to the usefulness of animal testing results in regard to how well they predict the outcome of pediatric patients.
Using VR as a Tool for the Automated Capture and Formalisation of Engineering Knowledge
Authors: Ritchie James M. , Sung Raymond C. W. , Lim Theodore
Published: March 2012

The effective capture of legacy knowledge and information during all aspects of the product development cycle is one of the biggest remaining challenges in engineering companies. Life Cycle Engineering requires the capture of engineering information and knowledge created during design sessions to support knowledge reuse, product reengineering and training. In the past, many attempts have been made to determine if this is possible; however, those that are partially successful are very time consuming, expensive to implement and interrupt the engineers’ creativity. This work investigates and demonstrates new and novel paradigms for knowledge and information capture by adapting and applying a well recognised knowledge capture methodology to suit the non-intrusive automated real time logging, capture and post processing of engineering knowledge using a head-mounted display virtual reality (VR) design system. This logging is accomplished during individual cable harness design tasks carried out by 12 cable harness design engineers from five industrial partners to demonstrate the effective, unobtrusive and automatic capture and representation of various forms of engineering design knowledge and information. The formats were subsequently evaluated by the engineers to determining those they consider best at conveying design knowledge and information for other engineers.
Virtual Reality for Reverse Quality Management
Authors: Fukuda Shuichi
Published: March 2012

Currently, quality management is carried out in a sequential feed forward manner. Inspections are carried out from process to process. As the requirements are getting diversified, the number of inspections increases rapidly. This approach is verification-based. But if we look at quality management from validation point of view, another quality management and inspection approach comes up. It is to look at quality management in the reverse direction from customers’ point of view. If we consider quality as satisfaction of our customers, then we can reduce the number of inspections and focus our efforts to carry out inspections to really satisfy our customers, not to satisfy design requirements. To achieve this goal, we have to characterize our customer’s quality requirements as patterns and use customer’s profiles of quality to manage quality in production. This is a feed back approach and we need feedback information about how our customers use our machines. Although this approach has great benefits of really satisfying our customers and of substantially reducing number of inspections, its disadvantage is that it cannot be applied to new products. But if we utilize VR technology, we can estimate how our customers will use such new products in their own environments and can obtain our customer’s profiles of quality requirements before they are really put to use. Such virtual feedback will enable application of reverse quality management to new products and would satisfy our customers greatly and would reduce the number of inspections greatly. Last but most important is that such feedback information will provide us with information how we should change our design models to really meet our customer’s expectations.
Microbiological Challenges in the Diagnosis of Chronic Q Fever
Authors: Kampschreur Linda M. , Oosterheert Jan Jelrik , Koop Annemarie M. C. , Wegdam-Blans Marjolijn C. A. , Delsing Corine E. , Bleeker-Rovers Chantal P. , De Jager-Leclercq Monique G. L. , Groot Cornelis A. R. , Sprong Tom , Nabuurs-Franssen Marrigje H. , Renders Nicole H. M. , van Kasteren Marjo E. , Soethoudt Yvonne , Blank Sybrandus N. , Pronk Marjolijn J. H. , Groenwold Rolf H. H. , Hoepelman Andy I. M. , Wever Peter C.
Published: March 2012

Diagnosis of chronic Q fever is difficult. PCR and culture lack sensitivity; hence, diagnosis relies mainly on serologic tests using an immunofluorescence assay (IFA). Optimal phase I IgG cutoff titers are debated but are estimated to be between 1:800 and 1:1,600. In patients with proven, probable, or possible chronic Q fever, we studied phase I IgG antibody titers at the time of positive blood PCR, at diagnosis, and at peak levels during chronic Q fever. We evaluated 200 patients, of whom 93 (46.5%) had proven, 51 (25.5%) had probable, and 56 (28.0%) had possible chronic Q fever. Sixty-five percent of proven cases had positiveCoxiella burnetiiPCR results for blood, which was associated with high phase I IgG. Median phase I IgG titers at diagnosis and peak titers in patients with proven chronic Q fever were significantly higher than those for patients with probable and possible chronic Q fever. The positive predictive values for proven chronic Q fever, compared to possible chronic Q fever, at titers 1:1,024, 1:2,048, 1:4,096, and ≥1:8,192 were 62.2%, 66.7%, 76.5%, and ≥86.2%, respectively. However, sensitivity dropped to <60% when cutoff titers of ≥1:8,192 were used. Although our study demonstrated a strong association between high phase I IgG titers and proven chronic Q fever, increasing the current diagnostic phase I IgG cutoff to >1:1,024 is not recommended due to increased false-negative findings (sensitivity < 60%) and the high morbidity and mortality of untreated chronic Q fever. Our study emphasizes that serologic results are not diagnostic on their own but should always be interpreted in combination with clinical parameters.
Two Adenovirus Serotype 3 Outbreaks Associated with Febrile Respiratory Disease and Pharyngoconjunctival Fever in Children under 15 Years of Age in Hangzhou, China, during 2011
Authors: Xie Li , Yu Xin-Fen , Sun Zhou , Yang Xu-Hui , Huang Ren-Jie , Wang Jing , Yu Apeng , Zheng Lin , Yu Man-Chu , Hu Xiao-Wei , Wang Ban-Ma , Chen Jin , Pan Jing-Cao , Liu She-Lan
Published: March 2012

Adenovirus serotype 3 and 7 outbreaks have occurred periodically in northern, eastern, and southern China since 1955, but there has been no report since the adenovirus serotype 7 outbreak first occurred in Hangzhou, China, in 1991. Here we explored the epidemiology and etiology of two adenovirus serotype 3 outbreaks in Hangzhou in 2011. One acute respiratory outbreak was found in Chun'an County, where a total of 371 cases were confirmed in 5 of 23 towns from 4 to 31 May 2011. The outbreak affected 18.57% (13/70) of schools and 14.49% (90/621) of classes. The incidence was 5.18% (371/7,163). The population was distributed among individuals ages 7 to 15 years. No parents or teachers were infected. Another pharyngoconjunctival fever outbreak was discovered in the Chenjinglun Swimming Center located in the Xihu District between 1 and 15 July 2011. A total of 134 cases were confirmed in 900 amateur swimmers, with an incidence of 14.89% (134/900). The ages ranged from 4 to 9 years. The two outbreaks had no severe complications or death. The viruses in 66.67% (10/15) of throat swabs from children with acute respiratory infections and 100% (10/10) of the swabs from children with pharyngoconjunctival fever were confirmed to be adenovirus serotype 3 with 100% homology by PCR. Of these samples, 60.0% (12/20) had a classical characteristic cytopathic effect, presented as grape-like clusters at 72 h after infection in HEp-2 cells. In conclusion, the acute respiratory infection and pharyngoconjunctival fever outbreak in Hangzhou were caused by the completely homologous type 3 adenovirus in subgenus B. Moreover, these outbreaks demonstrated rapid transmission rates, possibly due to close contact and droplet transmission.
Comparison of TaqMan PCR Assays for Detection of the Melioidosis Agent Burkholderia pseudomallei in Clinical Specimens
Authors: Kaestli Mirjam , Richardson Leisha J. , Colman Rebecca E. , Tuanyok Apichai , Price Erin P. , Bowers Jolene R. , Mayo Mark , Kelley Erin , Seymour Meagan L. , Sarovich Derek S. , Pearson Talima , Engelthaler David M. , Wagner David M. , Keim Paul S. , Schupp James M. , Currie Bart J.
Published: March 2012

Melioidosis is an emerging infectious disease caused by the soil bacterium
Burkholderia pseudomallei
. In diagnostic and forensic settings, molecular detection assays need not only high sensitivity with low limits of detection but also high specificity. In a direct comparison of published and newly developed TaqMan PCR assays, we found the TTS1-
orf2
assay to be superior in detecting
B. pseudomallei
directly from clinical specimens. The YLF/BTFC multiplex assay (targeting the
Yersinia
-like fimbrial/
Burkholderia thailandensis
-like flagellum and chemotaxis region) also showed high diagnostic sensitivity and provides additional information on possible geographic origin.
Accumulation of Autophagosomes in Semliki Forest Virus-Infected Cells Is Dependent on Expression of the Viral Glycoproteins
Authors: Eng Kai Er , Panas Marc D. , Murphy Deirdre , Karlsson Hedestam Gunilla B. , McInerney Gerald M.
Published: March 2012

Autophagy is a cellular process that sequesters cargo in double-membraned vesicles termed autophagosomes and delivers this cargo to lysosomes to be degraded. It is enhanced during nutrient starvation to increase the rate of amino acid turnover. Diverse roles for autophagy have been reported for viral infections, including the assembly of viral replication complexes on autophagic membranes and protection of host cells from cell death. Here, we show that autophagosomes accumulate in Semliki Forest virus (SFV)-infected cells. Despite this, disruption of autophagy had no effect on the viral replication rate or formation of viral replication complexes. Also, viral proteins rarely colocalized with autophagosome markers, suggesting that SFV did not utilize autophagic membranes for its replication. Further, we found that SFV infection, unlike nutrient starvation, did not inactivate the constitutive negative regulator of autophagosome formation, mammalian target of rapamycin, suggesting that SFV-dependent accumulation of autophagosomes was not a result of enhanced autophagosome formation. In starved cells, addition of NH
4
Cl, an inhibitor of lysosomal acidification, caused a dramatic accumulation of starvation-induced autophagosomes, while in SFV-infected cells, NH
4
Cl did not further increase levels of autophagosomes. These results suggest that accumulation of autophagosomes in SFV-infected cells is due to an inhibition of autophagosome degradation rather than enhanced rates of autophagosome formation. Finally, we show that the accumulation of autophagosomes in SFV-infected cells is dependent on the expression of the viral glycoprotein spike complex.
STABILITY OF AFFINE G-VARIETIES AND IRREDUCIBILITY IN REDUCTIVE GROUPS
Authors: FLORENTINO CARLOS , CASIMIRO ANA CRISTINA
Published: March 2012

Let G be a reductive affine algebraic group and let X be an affine algebraic G-variety. We establish a (poly)stability criterion for points x ∈ X in terms of intrinsically defined closed subgroups Hx of G and relate it with the numerical criterion of Mumford and with Richardson and Bate–Martin–Röhrle criteria, in the case X = GN. Our criterion builds on a close analogue of a theorem of Mundet and Schmitt on polystability and allows the generalization to the algebraic group setting of results of Johnson–Millson and Sikora about complex representation varieties of finitely presented groups. By well established results, it also provides a restatement of the non-abelian Hodge theorem in terms of stability notions.
GRAVITATIONAL OSCILLATIONS IN MULTIDIMENSIONAL ANISOTROPIC MODEL WITH COSMOLOGICAL CONSTANT AND CONTRIBUTIONS INTO THE ENERGY OF VACUUM
Authors: YAKOVLEV SERGEY
Published: March 2012

The paper studied classical oscillations of background metric in the multidimensional anisotropic model of Kazner in the de-Sitter stage and obtained dependence of fluctuations on dimension of spacetime with infinite expansion. Stability of the model could be achieved when the number of spacelike dimensions equals to or more than four. We calculated the contributions to the density of "vacuum energy", that are provided by proper oscillations of background metric and compared with contribution of cosmological arising from particles due to expansion. As it turned out, contribution of gravitational oscillation of metric into density of "vacuum energy" should play a significant role in the de-Sitter stage.
POLYNOMIAL FITTING APPROACH FOR THE KRAMERS–KRONIG METHOD FOR OPTICAL PROPERTIES COMPUTING FOR Bi2O3 FABRIC
Authors: MURARIU GABRIEL , CONDURACHE-BOTA SIMONA , TIGAU NICOLAE
Published: March 2012

The optical reflectance of Bi 2 O 3 was measured, and the optical properties were estimated by Kramers–Kronig analysis. The novelty of the present study is due to the implementation of a MAPLE software approach to the complex computations implied by this extrapolation. The analytical fit of the reflectance spectrum is applied, accompanied by a careful extrapolation, which is necessary within the Kramers–Kronig method. In this way starting from the reflectance samples data, using this transformation, a very good agreement is obtained between the main optical parameters, namely the refractive index and the absorbtion coefficient. The study is implemented for Bi 2 O 3 films deposited by thermal vacuum evaporation at different temperatures of the glass substrates and the comparison with the experimental data set being made using the transmission and the reflection optical spectra.
INFLUENCE OF VAN DER WAALS FORCE ON STATIC BEHAVIOR OF NANO/MICROMIRRORS UNDER CAPILLARY FORCE
Authors: MOEENFARD HAMID , DARVISHIAN ALI , ZOHOOR HASSAN , AHMADIAN MOHAMMAD TAGHI
Published: March 2012

In the current paper, the effect of van der Waals (vdW) force on the static behavior and pull-in characteristics of nano/micromirrors under capillary force is investigated. At first, the dimensionless equation governing the static behavior of nano/micromirrors is obtained. The dependence of the critical tilting angle on the physical and geometrical parameters of the nano/micromirror and its supporting torsional beams is investigated. It is found that the existence of vdW force can considerably reduce the stability limits of the nano/micromirror. It is also found that rotation angle of the mirror due to capillary force highly depends on the vdW force applied to the mirror. Finally, analytical tool Homotopy Perturbation Method (HPM) is utilized for prediction of the nano/micromirror behavior under combined capillary and vdW force. It is observed that a sixth order perturbation approximation accurately predicts the rotation angle and stability limits of the mirror. The results of this paper can be used for successful fabrication of nano/micromirrors using wet etching release process where capillary force plays a major role in the system.
STATISTICAL MECHANICS OF THE VACUUM
Authors: BECK CHRISTIAN
Published: March 2012

The vacuum is full of virtual particles which exist for short moments of time. In this paper, we construct a chaotic model of vacuum fluctuations associated with a fundamental entropic field that generates an arrow of time. The dynamics can be physically interpreted in terms of fluctuating virtual momenta. This model leads to a generalized statistical mechanics that distinguishes fundamental constants of nature.
Thin-Film Devices Fabricated on Double-Layered Polycrystalline Silicon Films Formed by Green Laser Annealing
Authors: Yamasaki Koji , Machida Emi , Horita Masahiro , Ishikawa Yasuaki , Uraoka Yukiharu
Published: March 2012

We tried to realize thin-film devices as an application of double-layered polycrystalline silicon (poly-Si) films formed by green laser annealing (GLA). We investigated the dependence of the quality of double-layered poly-Si films formed by GLA on laser irradiation energy. Simultaneous crystallization of double-layered Si films was achieved. The grain size of the upper poly-Si layer and the crystalline quality of the lower poly-Si layer are improved by optimization of laser energy density. Moreover, the thin-film transistors (TFTs) and thin-film photodiodes (TFPDs) fabricated on the upper and lower poly-Si films in a single process have shown clear device operations. The optimization of laser energy density in GLA improves the quality of the upper and lower poly-Si films leading to the enhancement of the performance of TFTs and TFPDs.
Mechanism Analysis of Current–Voltage Characteristic in a Lightly Doped Drain Polycrystalline Silicon Thin-Film Transistor Using Activation Energy
Authors: Kimura Mutsumi , Nakashima Akihiro
Published: March 2012

We have analyzed the mechanism of the current–voltage characteristic in a lightly doped drain (LDD) polycrystalline silicon (poly-Si) thin-film transistor (TFT) by investigating the activation energy (E
a) in an experiment and the energy band calculated using device simulation. In the off state, E
a decreases as the gate voltage (V
gs) and drain voltage (V
ds) increase, which suggests that the off-leakage current is subject to phonon-assisted tunneling with the Poole–Frenkel effect at the junction between the LDD and drain regions. In the subthreshold state, E
a sharply decreases as V
gs increases, which suggests that the subthreshold-transition current is subject to the potential barriers at the junctions between the source, LDD, and channel regions. In the on state, E
a gradually decreases as V
ds increases, which suggests that the on current is subject to the potential barriers at the grain boundaries.
The Effects of Ba-Additive on Growth of a-Plane GaN Single Crystals Using Na Flux Method
Authors: Masumoto Keiko , Someno Tatsuya , Murakami Kosuke , Imabayashi Hiroki , Takazawa Hideo , Todoroki Yuma , Matsuo Daisuke , Kitamoto Akira , Maruyama Mihoko , Imade Mamoru , Yoshimura Masashi , Kitaoka Yasuo , Sasaki Takatomo , Mori Yusuke
Published: March 2012

Large-area nonpolar GaN substrates with high crystallinity are necessary to improve the performance of GaN devices. Nonpolar GaN substrates of 2-in. diameter have been commercially fabricated by growing along the nonpolar direction on heterogeneous substrates. However, the crystallinity of the nonpolar GaN substrates requires improvement. Here, we grew a-plane GaN crystals using the Na flux method and investigated the effects of a Ba-additive on surface morphology and crystallinity. We found that the crystallinity of the crystals grown by the Na flux method was greatly improved compared with that of seed substrates. Moreover, the use of the Ba-additive suppressed the formation of voids that occurred during the Na flux growth without the Ba-additive. As a result, a-plane GaN crystals with high crystallinity were produced using the Na flux method with the Ba-additive.
An Enhanced Operational Stability of Organic Light Emitting Devices with Polymeric Buffer Layer
Authors: Cho Sang Hee , Suh Min Chul
Published: March 2012

A uniform and robust polymer-based hole injection layer (HIL) was formed by spin-casting process in an ambient air condition. The rough surface of indium tin oxide (ITO) was covered by this polymer-based HIL which plays an important role as a buffer layer. The utilization of this buffered HIL polymer resulted in an enhanced long-term stability of organic light emitting devices (OLEDs). In addition, we found that the precise control of hole current flow is possible by doping of 9,10-dicyanoanthracene (DCA) with moderate electron affinity (∼3.5 eV) plausibly due to a strong dipole interaction with the polymeric HIL material. As a result, a new buffer layer doped with DCA showed a substantially controlled hole injection into an emitting layer (EML) which causes a much more enhanced lifetime of the blue OLED by a factor of 4.3.
The Static Electricity Resistant Liquid Crystal Display Driven by Fringe Electric Field
Authors: Kim Mi Sook , Seen Seung Min , Lee Seung Hee
Published: March 2012

In this paper, we propose the static electricity resistant liquid crystal display (LCD) driven by fringe electric field. In the device, the conductive Cr metal playing role as black matrix (BM) in the top glass substrate is connected to the common electrode on the bottom substrate by the Ag transfer dotting. In addition, the common electrode also contacts to border chassis, allowing it to serve as the path for discharging the static charge generated on the top glass surface when peeling off the protective layer of the polarizer. Therefore, the electrostatic charges near BM or in the active region move fast enough to the CrBM for neutralization, while keeping the display in the neutral state electrically. The proposed LCD utilizes a liquid crystal mixture with negative dielectric anisotropy, allowing the device to be in much stable state against noise field generated by CrBM or external electrostatic discharge (ESD). We expect that this proposed structure is suitable to electrostatic resistant fringe-field switching (FFS)-LCD with a high image quality.
Fabrication of Poly(9,9'-dioctylfluorene)-Based Nano- and Microstructures by Proton Beam Writing
Authors: Maeyoshi Yuta , Takano Katsuyoshi , Asano Atsushi , Marui Hiromi , Omichi Masaaki , Satoh Takahiro , Kamiya Tomihiro , Ishii Yasuyuki , Ohkubo Takeru , Koka Masashi , Kada Wataru , Sugimoto Masaki , Nishikawa Hiroyuki , Saeki Akinori , Seki Shu
Published: March 2012

A new and direct nano-microprocessing technique for poly(9,9'-dioctylfluorene) (PFO) films using proton beam writing (PBW) based on the cross-linking reaction of the polymer without a cross-linking agent was proposed. Not only the surface morphology but also structure size and shape on PFO films can be controlled from the nanometer to micrometer scale by adjusting the fluence of incident protons. Fabrication of three-dimensional PFO structures with an aspect ratio of 12 was successfully demonstrated by PBW with the adjustment of fluence at 3.5×106 ions/µm2.
Geology and diamond provenance of the Proterozoic Banganapalle conglomerates, Kurnool Group, India
Authors: Joy Sojen , Jelsma H. A. , Preston R. F. , Kota S.
Published: March 2012

The Banganapalle Quartzite Formation occurs in the Cuddapah Basin in India and is characterized by a basal diamond-bearing conglomerate horizon. The diamonds within this placer are generally thought to have been sourced from the erosion of kimberlites of the Wajrakurur cluster. De Beers' India's exploration efforts have resulted in the discovery of a number of dykes within the basin, with petrographical and geochemical similarities to lamproites. It is proposed that far-field stresses related to the Eastern Ghats Mobile Belt (EGMB) provided extensional sites during the time of lamproite emplacement. The dykes have not been dated. However, zircons recovered from heavy mineral stream samples in the area exhibit a number of age groupings, including one in the range of 1287–1370 Ma. This age is interpreted as the emplacement age of the dykes in this region. Kimberlitic indicator minerals (KIMs), recovered from conglomerate waste dumps, indicate the uniqueness of the garnet population relative to that of the known kimberlite clusters to the west of the basin. We propose that the emplacement of lamproites occurred as dyke–sill complexes at 1.4–1.3 Ga and that the lamproites represent the source of the diamonds in the Banganapalle conglomerates.

Supplementary material:

A list of the isotope ratios used in this paper is available at
www.geolsoc.org.uk/18508
Reactivation of basement: example from the Anasagar Granite Gneiss Complex, Rajasthan, western India
Authors: Chattopadhyay N. , Mukhopadhyay D. , Sengupta P.
Published: March 2012

Amidst the Meso- to Neoproterozoic South Delhi Fold Belt (SDFB) of Rajasthan, India, a sheet-like body of megacrystic Anasagar Granite Gneiss (AGG) embedded in a supracrustal unit consisting of metapelites, quartzite and calc gneiss is exposed. Detailed analyses of mesoscopic and microscopic structures identify four phases of deformation. Lithological relationships coupled with U–Pb dates of zircon indicate that the protolith of the AGG was emplaced within the supracrustal unit during
D
1
folding at approximately 1.85 Ga. This event is significantly older than the age of volcanism in the SDFB (0.99 Ga) but probably synchronous with Aravalli Orogeny. Thrusts associated with the easterly-vergent
D
2
folds have a ramp–flat geometry and are refolded by coaxial
D
3
folds. The petrology of the metapelites indicates that porphyroblasts of staurolite and/or garnet were formed as a function of bulk-rock composition between
D
1
and
D
3
folding, at the time of the culmination of metamorphism (5.7±1.5 kbar, 560±50 °C). Combining the petrological and structural attributes, it is proposed that the AGG and its enveloping supracrustals might represent the basement of the Delhi Supergroup, which was folded, thrusted and domed up during the South Delhi Orogeny. The cause of the thermal perturbation that triggered the growth of the porphyroblasts in the metapelites is explored.
Original nature and source of khondalites in the Eastern Ghats Province, India
Authors: Bhattacharya S. , Chaudhary A. K. , Basei M.
Published: March 2012

The khondalites of the Eastern Ghats Province, India represent a sedimentary sequence of shale–greywacke, but the relatively more ferruginous composition can be attributed to some mafic rocks in the provenance. While a high La/Sc ratio and an insignificant Cr-enrichment over V in the majority of samples indicate dominantly granitic source rocks; a low La/Sc ratio and high Cr/V ratio in some samples indicate some mafic source rocks as well. High La/Sc ratio, LREE (light rare earth element)-enrichment, negative Eu anomaly and negative ε values, along with evidence of significant weathering and recycling in the provenance, indicate Old Upper Continental Crust-type provenance. Nd-model dates indicate Palaeoproterozoic provenance, which could be the Eastern Dharwar Craton and/or the Napier Complex of East Antarctica. (La/Yb)
N
ratios are variable and their co-variance with both (La/Sm)
N
and (Gd/Yb)
N
are noticeable, and could be attributed to the complexity of possible provenance composition.
Functional and morphological assessment of early impairment of airway function in a rat model of emphysema
Authors: Tolnai J. , Szabari M. V. , Albu G. , Maár B. A. , Parameswaran H. , Bartolák-Suki E. , Suki B. , Hantos Z.
Published: March 2012

The aim of this study was to evaluate airway structure-function relations in elastase-induced emphysema in rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were treated intratracheally with 50 IU porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE, n = 8) or saline (controls, n = 6). Six weeks later, lung volumes [functional residual capacity (FRC), residual volume (RV), and total lung capacity (TLC)] and low-frequency impedance parameters (Newtonian resistance, RN; tissue damping; tissue elastance, H) were measured, and tracheal sounds were recorded during slow inflation to TLC following in vivo degassing. The lungs were fixed and stained for standard morphometry, elastin, and collagen. In the PPE group, FRC and RV were higher [4.53 ± 0.7 (SD) vs. 3.28 ± 0.45 ml; P = 0.003 and 1.06 ± 0.35 vs. 0.69 ± 0.18 ml; P = 0.036, respectively], and H was smaller in the PPE-treated rats than in the controls (1,344 ± 216 vs. 2,178 ± 305 cmH2O/l; P < 0.001), whereas there was no difference in RN. The average number of crackles per inflation was similar in the two groups; however, the crackle size distributions were different and the lower knee of the pressure-volume curves was higher in the PPE group. Microscopic images revealed different alveolar size distributions but similar bronchial diameters in the two groups. The treatment caused a slight but significant decrease in the numbers of alveolar attachments, no difference in elastin and slightly increased mean level and heterogeneity of collagen in the bronchial walls. These results suggest that tissue destruction did not affect the conventionally assessed airway resistance in this emphysema model, whereas the alterations in the recruitment dynamics can be an early manifestation of impaired airway function.
Weighted Pseudo Almost‐Periodic Functions andApplications to Semilinear Evolution Equations
Authors: Zhang Jun , Xiao Ti-Jun , Liang Jin
Published: March 2012

We first give a solution to a key problem concerning the completeness
of the space of weighted pseudo almost‐periodic functions and then establish a new
composition theorem with respect to these functions. Some important remarks with
concrete examples are also presented. Moreover, we prove an existence theorem for the
weighted pseudo almost‐periodic mild solution to the semilinear evolution equation:
x′(t) = Ax(t) + f(t, x(t)), t ∈ ℝ,
where A is the infinitesimal generator of an exponentially stable C0‐semigroup. An application is also given to illustrate the abstract existence theorem.
Using X-Ray Mammograms to Assist in Microwave Breast Image Interpretation
Authors: Curtis Charlotte , Frayne Richard , Fear Elise
Published: March 2012

Current clinical breast imaging modalities include ultrasound, magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, and the ubiquitous X-ray mammography. Microwave imaging, which takes advantage of differing electromagnetic properties to obtain image contrast, shows potential as a complementary imaging technique. As an emerging modality, interpretation of 3D microwave images poses a significant challenge. MR images are often used to assist in this task, and X-ray mammograms are readily available. However, X-ray mammograms provide 2D images of a breast under compression, resulting in significant geometric distortion. This paper presents a method to estimate the 3D shape of the breast and locations of regions of interest from standard clinical mammograms. The technique was developed using MR images as the reference 3D shape with the future intention of using microwave images. Twelve breast shapes were estimated and compared to ground truth MR images, resulting in a skin surface estimation accurate to within an average Euclidean distance of 10 mm. The 3D locations of regions of interest were estimated to be within the same clinical area of the breast as corresponding regions seen on MR imaging. These results encourage investigation into the use of mammography as a source of information to assist with microwave image interpretation as well as validation of microwave imaging techniques.
Turbulent and Transitional Modeling of Drag on Oceanographic Measurement Devices
Authors: Abraham J. P. , Gorman J. M. , Reseghetti F. , Sparrow E. M. , Minkowycz W. J.
Published: March 2012

Computational fluid dynamic techniques have been applied to the determination of drag on oceanographic devices (expendable bathythermographs). Such devices, which are used to monitor changes in ocean heat content, provide information that is dependent on their drag coefficient. Inaccuracies in drag calculations can impact the estimation of ocean heating associated with global warming. Traditionally, ocean-heating information was based on experimental correlations which related the depth of the device to the fall time. The relation of time-depth is provided by a fall-rate equation (FRE). It is known that FRE depths are reasonably accurate for ocean environments that match the experiments from which the correlations were developed. For other situations, use of the FRE may lead to depth errors that preclude XBTs as accurate oceanographic devices. Here, a CFD approach has been taken which provides drag coefficients that are used to predict depths independent of an FRE.
Integrability and Pseudo‐Linearizable Conditions in a Quasi‐Analytic System
Authors: Li Feng , Wu Yusen
Published: March 2012

This paper deals with the problems of integrability and linearizable conditions at
degenerate singular point in a class of quasianalytic septic polynomial differential
system. We solve the problems by an indirect method, that is, we transform the quasianalytic
system into an analytic system firstly, and the degenerate singular point into
an elementary singular point. Then we calculate the singular values at the origin of
the analytic system by the known classical methods. We obtain the center conditions
and isochronous center conditions. Accordingly, integrability and pseudolinearizable
conditions at degenerate singular point in the quasianalytic system are obtained. Especially, when λ = 1, the system has been studied in Wu and Zhang (2010).
Productivity and Cost of Integrated Harvesting of Wood Chips and Sawlogs in Stand Conversion Operations
Authors: Harrill Hunter , Han Han-Sup
Published: March 2012

This study evaluated the operational performance and cost of an integrated harvesting system that harvested sawlogs and biomass (i.e., energy wood chips) in stand conversion clearcut operations. Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) trees were processed into sawlogs while whole trees of tanoak (Lithocarpus densiflorus), and sub-merchantable materials (small-diameter trees, tops and limbs) were fed directly into a chipper to produce biomass for energy production. A standard time study method was used to determine productivity and costs. Over 26 working days, the integrated system produced 1,316 bone-dry metric tonnes (BDTs) of sawlogs, and 5,415.89 BDT of chips, with an average moisture content of 43.2%. Using the joint products allocation costing method, the costs of the integrated system were $29.87/BDT for biomass and $4.26/BDT for sawlogs. Chipping utilization was as low as 41%, directly affecting production and cost of chipping operation. Single-lane, dirt, spur roads were the most costly road type to transport whole trees to a centralized processing site: transportation costs for biomass and sawlogs were increased by $0.08/BDT and $0.02/BDT, respectively, for every 50 meter increase in traveling distance. Diesel fuel price could raise total system cost for each product by $0.78/BDT and $0.08/BDT for each $0.10/liter increase.
Multiple Antigenic Peptides Based on H-2Kb–Restricted CTL Epitopes from Murine Heparanase Induce a Potent Antitumor Immune ResponseIn Vivo
Authors: Tang Xu-Dong , Wang Guo-Zhen , Guo Jun , Lü Mu-Han , Li Chuan , Li Ning , Chao Ya-Ling , Li Chang-Zhu , Wu Yu-Yun , Hu Chang-Jiang , Fang Dian-Chun , Yang Shi-Ming
Published: March 2012

Accumulating research suggests that heparanase may be a universal tumor-associated antigen (TAA). Several heparanase T-cell epitopes from humans and mice have already been identified. However, because of low immunogenicity, polypeptide vaccines usually have difficulty inducing effective antitumor immune responses in vivo. In this study, to increase the immunogenicity of polypeptide vaccines, we designed and synthesized two four-branch multiple antigenic peptides (MAP) on the basis of mouse heparanase (mHpa) T-cell epitopes (mHpa398 and mHpa519). The dendritic cells (DC) from mice bone marrow loaded with above MAP vaccines from heparanase were used to evaluate immune response against various tumor cell lines, compared with immune response to their corresponding linear peptides, ex vivo and in vivo. We further assessed IFN-γ release both in CD4+ T-cell–depleted and nondepleted mice. The results showed that effectors generated from DCs, loaded with MAP-vaccinated mice splenocytes, induced a stronger immune response against target cells expressing both heparanase and H-2Kb than did effectors generated from mice vaccinated with their corresponding linear peptides. Heparanase-specific CD8+ T-cell responses induced by MAP and linear peptide vaccination required synergy of CD4+ T cells. In addition, heparanse-derived MAP vaccines significantly inhibited the growth of B16 murine melanoma in C57BL/6 mice, while also increasing the survival rate of tumor-bearing mice. Our data suggest that MAP vaccines based on T-cell epitopes from heparanase are efficient immunogens for tumor immunotherapy. Mol Cancer Ther; 11(5); 1183–92. ©2012 AACR.
Telomeric Allelic Imbalance Indicates Defective DNA Repair and Sensitivity to DNA-Damaging Agents
Authors: Birkbak Nicolai J. , Wang Zhigang C. , Kim Ji-Young , Eklund Aron C. , Li Qiyuan , Tian Ruiyang , Bowman-Colin Christian , Li Yang , Greene-Colozzi April , Iglehart J. Dirk , Tung Nadine , Ryan Paula D. , Garber Judy E. , Silver Daniel P. , Szallasi Zoltan , Richardson Andrea L.
Published: March 2012

DNA repair competency is one determinant of sensitivity to certain chemotherapy drugs, such as cisplatin. Cancer cells with intact DNA repair can avoid the accumulation of genome damage during growth and also can repair platinum-induced DNA damage. We sought genomic signatures indicative of defective DNA repair in cell lines and tumors and correlated these signatures to platinum sensitivity. The number of subchromosomal regions with allelic imbalance extending to the telomere (NtAI) predicted cisplatin sensitivity in vitro and pathologic response to preoperative cisplatin treatment in patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). In serous ovarian cancer treated with platinum-based chemotherapy, higher levels of NtAI forecast a better initial response. We found an inverse relationship between BRCA1 expression and NtAI in sporadic TNBC and serous ovarian cancers without BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation. Thus, accumulation of telomeric allelic imbalance is a marker of platinum sensitivity and suggests impaired DNA repair.

Significance: Mutations in BRCA genes cause defects in DNA repair that predict sensitivity to DNA damaging agents, including platinum; however, some patients without BRCA mutations also benefit from these agents. NtAI, a genomic measure of unfaithfully repaired DNA, may identify cancer patients likely to benefit from treatments targeting defective DNA repair. Cancer Discov; 2(4); 366–75. ©2012 AACR.

This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 288
Compressive Suture of the Lower Uterine Segment for the Treatment of Postpartum Hemorrhage due to Complete Placenta Previa: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Penotti Mauro , Vercellini Paolo , Bolis Giorgio , Fedele Luigi
Published: March 2012

Aim: To assess the efficacy of a uterine compression suture technique in controlling hemorrhage after removal of complete placenta previa during cesarean section. Methods: This prospective study was performed in a tertiary referral hospital and included 18 patients with postpartum hemorrhage following removal of complete placenta previa during elective cesarean section. All 18 patients underwent bilateral anteroposterior compression suture of the lower uterine segment. All patients were followed postpartum for evaluation of uterine cavity and menstrual cycles. Results: Anteroposterior compressive suture of the lower uterine segment achieved immediate complete hemostasis in all 18 patients. No surgical complication was observed. All patients recovered normal menstrual cycles. Normal patency of the uterine cavity was documented with sonohysterography in all patients at the 6-month follow-up visit. Conclusions: This quick and simple suture technique seems to be effective in stopping hemorrhage following complete placenta previa removal during cesarean section. Normal patency of the uterine cavity seems not to be impaired at medium-term follow-up.
Chiari III Malformation with Proatlas Abnormality
Authors: Garg Kanwaljeet , Tandon Vivek , Mahapatra Ashok K.
Published: March 2012

Chiari III malformations are extremely rare hindbrain malformations that are associated with a high early mortality rate, or severe neurologic deficits in the survivors. They are characterized by an occipital or cervical encephalocele, along with anomalies commonly seen with the type II malformation. Chiari III in association with proatlas abnormality is very rare. Here we describe a patient with Chiari III malformation associated with occipital condyle hypoplasia.
The HIF1A C85T Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Influences the Number of Branches of the Human Coronary Tree
Authors: Duran Joan , Götzens Víctor , Carballo Julio , Martín Eva , Petit Màrius , Cordero Àlex , Sánchez Olavarría María Pilar , Reig Josep , de Anta Josep Maria
Published: March 2012

Objectives: Hypoxia is required for the development of the cardiovascular system. Tissue adaptation to low oxygen is mediated through hypoxia-inducible factor 1. Hypoxia-driven gradients of vascular endothelial growth factor within the heart drive vessel tip sprouting and the angiogenic phase of vasculogenesis. We hypothesized that functional variants of the HIF1A C85T single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) are associated with the number of coronary artery branches in humans. Methods: Coronary artery branching in 88 individuals was assessed by dynamic counting of the arterial branches detected in coronary angiograms. Values were classified on the basis of the branches emerging from the right and left coronary arteries. HIF1A C85T genotypes were determined using TaqMan-based assays. A generalized linear model was used to measure the effect of each SNP on the response variables. Results: The presence of the T allele in the HIF1A C85T SNP was associated with few branches of the coronary arteries: 81.03 ± 1.79 for individuals with the CC genotype versus 74.09 ± 2.48 for T-carrying ones (p = 0.042). Conclusions: The functionality of HIF1A may influence the degree of branching of the human coronary tree. We propose that the HIF1A C85T SNP is a genetic marker that determines interindividual differences in the human coronary artery pattern.
Pencil in the Brain: A Case of Temporal Lobe Abscess following an Intracranial Penetrating Pencil Injury
Authors: Gupta Anurag , Chacko Arjun , Anil M.S. , Karanth Suman S. , Shetty Arjun
Published: March 2012

The case of a 7-year-old girl with an intracranial penetrating injury due to a pencil is presented. The difficulties in diagnosis and the need for a high degree of suspicion and for prompt adequate surgical treatment are highlighted.
ARIEL and AMELIA: Testing for an Accumulation of Rare Variants Using Next-Generation Sequencing Data
Authors: Asimit Jennifer L. , Day-Williams Aaron G. , Morris Andrew P. , Zeggini Eleftheria
Published: March 2012

Objectives: There is increasing evidence that rare variants play a role in some complex traits, but their analysis is not straightforward. Locus-based tests become necessary due to low power in rare variant single-point association analyses. In addition, variant quality scores are available for sequencing data, but are rarely taken into account. Here, we propose two locus-based methods that incorporate variant quality scores: a regression-based collapsing approach and an allele-matching method. Methods: Using simulated sequencing data we compare 4 locus-based tests of trait association under different scenarios of data quality. We test two collapsing-based approaches and two allele-matching-based approaches, taking into account variant quality scores and ignoring variant quality scores. We implement the collapsing and allele-matching approaches accounting for variant quality in the freely available ARIEL and AMELIA software. Results: The incorporation of variant quality scores in locus-based association tests has power advantages over weighting each variant equally. The allele-matching methods are robust to the presence of both protective and risk variants in a locus, while collapsing methods exhibit a dramatic loss of power in this scenario. Conclusions: The incorporation of variant quality scores should be a standard protocol when performing locus-based association analysis on sequencing data. The ARIEL and AMELIA software implement collapsing and allele-matching locus association analysis methods, respectively, that allow the incorporation of variant quality scores.
Role of new anticoagulants for the prevention of venous thromboembolism after major orthopaedic surgery and in hospitalised acutely ill medical patients
Authors: Ageno Walter , Spyropoulos Alex , Turpie Alexander
Published: March 2012

Anticoagulation therapy for the prevention of venous thromboembolic events is indicated in patients after major orthopaedic surgery and in hospitalised acutely ill medical patients, who have a high or moderate risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), respectively. Clinical trials have clearly demonstrated that short-term anticoagulation reduces the risk of VTE in these patient groups and that longer-term anticoagulation is beneficial for some indications. Evidence-based guidelines for throm-boprophylaxis have been developed based on these studies. However, despite these guidelines, thromboprophylaxis is still underused, or used suboptimally, in many patients. This is, in part, because of the limitations of traditional anticoagulants such as unfractionated heparin, lowmolecular-weight heparin, synthetic pentasaccharides, and vitamin K antagonists. Newer oral anticoagulants, such as rivaroxaban, apixaban, and dabigatran etexilate, have certain advantages over traditional agents. They can be administered orally at a fixed dose without routine coagulation monitoring and have minimal food and drug interactions. These characteristics may result in better adherence to guidelines and improved patient outcomes. This review provides an overview of phase III clinical trial data for these newer anticoagulants in major orthopaedic surgery and in hospitalised acutely ill medical patients, and discusses their potential for extended use in the post-hospital discharge setting. All three newer oral anticoagulants are approved in many countries for the prevention of VTE after hip replacement or knee replacement surgery in adult patients, and it is likely that these drugs will contribute considerably towards reducing the substantial healthcare burden associated with VTE.