bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Fresh Theoretical Framework

Darwinian Populations and Natural Selection
by Peter Godfrey-Smith

Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2009. 217 pp. $49.95, £25. ISBN 9780199552047.
Authors: Odenbaugh Jay
Published: October 2009

Writing for "philosophers, biologists, and people outside of both those categories," Godfrey-Smith explores what the process of evolution by natural selection requires and what it can explain.
Global Observations of the Interstellar Interaction from the Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX)
Authors: McComas D. J. , Allegrini F. , Bochsler P. , Bzowski M. , Christian E. R. , Crew G. B. , DeMajistre R. , Fahr H. , Fichtner H. , Frisch P. C. , Funsten H. O. , Fuselier S. A. , Gloeckler G. , Gruntman M. , Heerikhuisen J. , Izmodenov V. , Janzen P. , Knappenberger P. , Krimigis S. , Kucharek H. , Lee M. , Livadiotis G. , Livi S. , MacDowall R. J. , Mitchell D. , Möbius E. , Moore T. , Pogorelov N. V. , Reisenfeld D. , Roelof E. , Saul L. , Schwadron N. A. , Valek P. W. , Vanderspek R. , Wurz P. , Zank G. P.
Published: October 2009

What's Happening in the Heliosphere

The influence of the Sun is felt well beyond the orbits of the planets. The solar wind is a stream of charged particles emanating from the Sun that carves a bubble in interstellar space known as the heliosphere and shrouds the entire solar system. The edge of the heliosphere, the region where the solar wind interacts with interstellar space, is largely unexplored. Voyager 1 and 2 crossed this boundary in 2004 and 2007, respectively, providing detailed but only localized information. In this issue (see the cover),

McComas
et al.

(p.
959
, published online 15 October),

Fuselier
et al.

(p.
962
, published online 15 October),

Funsten
et al.

(p.
964
, published online 15 October), and

Möbius
et al.

(p.
969
, published online 15 October) present data taken by NASA's Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX). Since early 2009, IBEX has been building all-sky maps of the emissions of energetic neutral atoms produced at the boundary between the heliosphere and the interstellar medium. These maps have unexpectedly revealed a narrow band of emission that bisects the two Voyager locations at energies ranging from 0.2 to 6 kiloelectron volts. Emissions from the band are two- to threefold brighter than outside the band, in contrast to current models that predict much smaller variations across the sky. By comparing the IBEX observations with models of the heliosphere,

Schwadron
et al.

(p.
966
, published online 15 October) show that to date no model fully explains the observations. The model they have developed suggests that the interstellar magnetic field plays a stronger role than previously thought. In addition to the all-sky maps, IBEX measured the signatures of H, He, and O flowing into the heliosphere from the interstellar medium. In a related report,

Krimigis
et al.

(p.
971
, published online 15 October) present an all-sky image of energetic neutral atoms with energies ranging between 6 and 13 kiloelectron volts obtained with the Ion and Neutral Camera onboard the Cassini spacecraft orbiting Saturn. It shows that parts of the structure observed by IBEX extend to high energies. These data indicate that the shape of the heliosphere is not consistent with that of a comet aligned in the direction of the Sun's travel through the galaxy as was previously thought.
Structures and Spectral Variations of the Outer Heliosphere in IBEX Energetic Neutral Atom Maps
Authors: Funsten H. O. , Allegrini F. , Crew G. B. , DeMajistre R. , Frisch P. C. , Fuselier S. A. , Gruntman M. , Janzen P. , McComas D. J. , Möbius E. , Randol B. , Reisenfeld D. B. , Roelof E. C. , Schwadron N. A.
Published: October 2009

What's Happening in the Heliosphere

The influence of the Sun is felt well beyond the orbits of the planets. The solar wind is a stream of charged particles emanating from the Sun that carves a bubble in interstellar space known as the heliosphere and shrouds the entire solar system. The edge of the heliosphere, the region where the solar wind interacts with interstellar space, is largely unexplored. Voyager 1 and 2 crossed this boundary in 2004 and 2007, respectively, providing detailed but only localized information. In this issue (see the cover),

McComas
et al.

(p.
959
, published online 15 October),

Fuselier
et al.

(p.
962
, published online 15 October),

Funsten
et al.

(p.
964
, published online 15 October), and

Möbius
et al.

(p.
969
, published online 15 October) present data taken by NASA's Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX). Since early 2009, IBEX has been building all-sky maps of the emissions of energetic neutral atoms produced at the boundary between the heliosphere and the interstellar medium. These maps have unexpectedly revealed a narrow band of emission that bisects the two Voyager locations at energies ranging from 0.2 to 6 kiloelectron volts. Emissions from the band are two- to threefold brighter than outside the band, in contrast to current models that predict much smaller variations across the sky. By comparing the IBEX observations with models of the heliosphere,

Schwadron
et al.

(p.
966
, published online 15 October) show that to date no model fully explains the observations. The model they have developed suggests that the interstellar magnetic field plays a stronger role than previously thought. In addition to the all-sky maps, IBEX measured the signatures of H, He, and O flowing into the heliosphere from the interstellar medium. In a related report,

Krimigis
et al.

(p.
971
, published online 15 October) present an all-sky image of energetic neutral atoms with energies ranging between 6 and 13 kiloelectron volts obtained with the Ion and Neutral Camera onboard the Cassini spacecraft orbiting Saturn. It shows that parts of the structure observed by IBEX extend to high energies. These data indicate that the shape of the heliosphere is not consistent with that of a comet aligned in the direction of the Sun's travel through the galaxy as was previously thought.
Comparison of Interstellar Boundary Explorer Observations with 3D Global Heliospheric Models
Authors: Schwadron N. A. , Bzowski M. , Crew G. B. , Gruntman M. , Fahr H. , Fichtner H. , Frisch P. C. , Funsten H. O. , Fuselier S. , Heerikhuisen J. , Izmodenov V. , Kucharek H. , Lee M. , Livadiotis G. , McComas D. J. , Moebius E. , Moore T. , Mukherjee J. , Pogorelov N.V. , Prested C. , Reisenfeld D. , Roelof E. , Zank G.P.
Published: October 2009

What's Happening in the Heliosphere

The influence of the Sun is felt well beyond the orbits of the planets. The solar wind is a stream of charged particles emanating from the Sun that carves a bubble in interstellar space known as the heliosphere and shrouds the entire solar system. The edge of the heliosphere, the region where the solar wind interacts with interstellar space, is largely unexplored. Voyager 1 and 2 crossed this boundary in 2004 and 2007, respectively, providing detailed but only localized information. In this issue (see the cover),

McComas
et al.

(p.
959
, published online 15 October),

Fuselier
et al.

(p.
962
, published online 15 October),

Funsten
et al.

(p.
964
, published online 15 October), and

Möbius
et al.

(p.
969
, published online 15 October) present data taken by NASA's Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX). Since early 2009, IBEX has been building all-sky maps of the emissions of energetic neutral atoms produced at the boundary between the heliosphere and the interstellar medium. These maps have unexpectedly revealed a narrow band of emission that bisects the two Voyager locations at energies ranging from 0.2 to 6 kiloelectron volts. Emissions from the band are two- to threefold brighter than outside the band, in contrast to current models that predict much smaller variations across the sky. By comparing the IBEX observations with models of the heliosphere,

Schwadron
et al.

(p.
966
, published online 15 October) show that to date no model fully explains the observations. The model they have developed suggests that the interstellar magnetic field plays a stronger role than previously thought. In addition to the all-sky maps, IBEX measured the signatures of H, He, and O flowing into the heliosphere from the interstellar medium. In a related report,

Krimigis
et al.

(p.
971
, published online 15 October) present an all-sky image of energetic neutral atoms with energies ranging between 6 and 13 kiloelectron volts obtained with the Ion and Neutral Camera onboard the Cassini spacecraft orbiting Saturn. It shows that parts of the structure observed by IBEX extend to high energies. These data indicate that the shape of the heliosphere is not consistent with that of a comet aligned in the direction of the Sun's travel through the galaxy as was previously thought.
Becoming
T. rex
Authors: Clark James
Published: October 2009

A small tyrannosaur from the Early Cretaceous sheds light on the origin of predatory features of
Tyrannosaurus rex
.
Massively Parallel Brain Imaging
Authors: Miller Greg
Published: October 2009

Mark Schnitzer is building tools to visualize neural activity in the fruit fly brain—100 flies at a time.
Identification of
P1
Variants of
Mycoplasma pneumoniae
by Use of High-Resolution Melt Analysis
Authors: Schwartz Stephanie B. , Mitchell Stephanie L. , Thurman Kathleen A. , Wolff Bernard J. , Winchell Jonas M.
Published: October 2009

Mycoplasma pneumoniae
is a leading cause of community-acquired pneumonia. Although two genetically distinct types of
M. pneumoniae
are known, variants of each also exist. We used a real-time PCR high-resolution melt genotyping assay to identify clinical variants which may provide greater insight into the genetic distribution of
M. pneumoniae
strains.
A Targeted Analysis of Cellular Chaperones Reveals Contrasting Roles for Heat Shock Protein 70 in Flock House Virus RNA Replication
Authors: Weeks Spencer A. , Shield William P. , Sahi Chandan , Craig Elizabeth A. , Rospert Sabine , Miller David J.
Published: October 2009

Cytosolic chaperones are a diverse group of ubiquitous proteins that play central roles in multiple processes within the cell, including protein translation, folding, intracellular trafficking, and quality control. These cellular proteins have also been implicated in the replication of numerous viruses, although the full extent of their involvement in viral replication is unknown. We have previously shown that the heat shock protein 40 (hsp40) chaperone encoded by the yeast
YDJ1
gene facilitates RNA replication of flock house virus (FHV), a well-studied and versatile positive-sense RNA model virus. To further explore the roles of chaperones in FHV replication, we examined a panel of 30 yeast strains with single deletions of cytosolic proteins that have known or hypothesized chaperone activity. We found that the majority of cytosolic chaperone deletions had no impact on FHV RNA accumulation, with the notable exception of J-domain-containing hsp40 chaperones, where deletion of
APJ1
reduced FHV RNA accumulation by 60%, while deletion of
ZUO1
,
JJJ1
, or
JJJ2
markedly increased FHV RNA accumulation, by 4- to 40-fold. Further studies using cross complementation and double-deletion strains revealed that the contrasting effects of J domain proteins were reproduced by altering expression of the major cytosolic hsp70s encoded by the
SSA
and
SSB
families and were mediated in part by divergent effects on FHV RNA polymerase synthesis. These results identify hsp70 chaperones as critical regulators of FHV RNA replication and indicate that cellular chaperones can have both positive and negative regulatory effects on virus replication.
TACHYONIC UNIVERSES IN PATCH COSMOLOGIES WITH Ω > 1
Authors: DEL CAMPO SERGIO , HERRERA RAMÓN , SAAVEDRA JOEL , LABRAÑA PEDRO , LEIVA CARLOS
Published: October 2009

In this paper we study closed inflationary universe models by means of a tachyonic field. We described a general treatment for created a universe with Ω > 1 in patch cosmology, which is able to represent General Relativity, Gauss–Bonnet or Randall–Sundrum patches. We use recent data from astronomical observations to constrain the parameters appearing in our model.
COMMENTS ON THE ENTANGLEMENT ENTROPY ON FUZZY SPACES
Authors: DOU DJAMEL
Published: October 2009

We locate the relevant degrees of freedom for the entanglement entropy on some 2+1 fuzzy models. It is found that the entropy is stored in the near boundary degrees of freedom. We give a simple analytical derivation for the area law using 1/N like expansion when only the near boundary degrees of freedom are incorporated. Numerical and qualitative evidences for the validity of near boundary approximation are finally given.
MAPPING A MASSLESS SCALAR FIELD THEORY ON A YANG–MILLS THEORY: CLASSICAL CASE
Authors: FRASCA MARCO
Published: October 2009

We analyze a recent proposal to map a massless scalar field theory onto a Yang–Mills theory at classical level. It is seen that this mapping exists at a perturbative level when the expansion is a gradient expansion. In this limit the theories share the spectrum, at the leading order, that is the one of a harmonic oscillator. Gradient expansion is exploited maintaining Lorentz covariance by introducing a fifth coordinate and turning the theory to Euclidean space. These expansions give common solutions to scalar and Yang–Mills field equations that are so proved to exist by construction, confirming that the selected components of the Yang–Mills field are indeed an extremum of the corresponding action functional.
CASIMIR PISTONS WITH CURVED BOUNDARIES
Authors: OIKONOMOU V. K.
Published: October 2009

In this paper we study the Casimir force for a piston configuration in R3 with one dimension being slightly curved and the other two infinite. We work for two different cases with this setup. In the first, the piston is "free to move" along a transverse dimension to the curved one and in the other case the piston "moves" along the curved one. We find that the Casimir force has opposite signs in the two cases. We also use a semi-analytic method to study the Casimir energy and force. In addition we discuss some topics for the aforementioned piston configuration in R3 and for possible modifications from extra dimensional manifolds.
MODIFIED LEVENBERG-MARQUARDT METHOD FOR RÖSSLER CHAOTIC SYSTEM FUZZY MODELING TRAINING
Authors: WANG YU-HUI , WU QING-XIAN , JIANG CHANG-SHENG , XUE YA-LI , FANG WEI
Published: October 2009

Generally, fuzzy approximation models require some human knowledge and experience. Operator's experience is involved in the mathematics of fuzzy theory as a collection of heuristic rules. The main goal of this paper is to present a new method for identifying unknown nonlinear dynamics such as Rössler system without any human knowledge. Instead of heuristic rules, the presented method uses the input-output data pairs to identify the Rössler chaotic system. The training algorithm is a modified Levenberg-Marquardt (L-M) method, which can adjust the parameters of each linear polynomial and fuzzy membership functions on line, and do not rely on experts' experience excessively. Finally, it is applied to training Rössler chaotic system fuzzy identification. Comparing this method with the standard L-M method, the convergence speed is accelerated. The simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
OPERATOR ANALYSIS OF AN RPA-REDUCED POLARON MODEL WITHIN THE BOGOLUBOV REPRESENTATION IN MAGNETIC FIELD AT FINITE TEMPERATURE. PART 1
Authors: BOGOLUBOV NIKOLAI , GHAZARYAN ANNA , PRYKARPATSKY YAREMA
Published: October 2009

The polaron model in ionic crystal is studied in the N. Bogolubov representation using a special RPA-approximation. A new exactly solvable approximated polaron model is derived and described in detail. Its free energy at finite temperature is calculated analytically. The polaron free energy in the constant magnetic field at finite temperature is also discussed.
SIMULATION OF AN AXISYMMETRIC RISING BUBBLE BY A MULTIPLE RELAXATION TIME LATTICE BOLTZMANN METHOD
Authors: FAKHARI ABBAS , RAHIMIAN MOHAMMAD HASSAN
Published: October 2009

In this paper, the lattice Boltzmann method is employed to simulate buoyancy-driven motion of a single bubble. First, an axisymmetric bubble motion under buoyancy force in an enclosed duct is investigated for some range of Eötvös number and a wide range of Archimedes and Morton numbers. Numerical results are compared with experimental data and theoretical predictions, and satisfactory agreement is shown. It is seen that increase of Eötvös or Archimedes number increases the rate of deformation of the bubble. At a high enough Archimedes value and low Morton numbers breakup of the bubble is observed. Then, a bubble rising and finally bursting at a free surface is simulated. It is seen that at higher Archimedes numbers the rise velocity of the bubble is greater and the center of the free interface rises further. On the other hand, at high Eötvös values the bubble deforms more and becomes more stretched in the radial direction, which in turn results in lower rise velocity and, hence, lower elevations for the center of the free surface.
A PROPERTY OF THE SATURATED VAPOR PRESSURE: RESULTS FROM EQUATIONS OF STATE
Authors: TIAN JIANXIANG , JIANG HUA , XU YI
Published: October 2009

Experimentally, a maximum point in the curve of the saturated property ψ=(1-Tr)Pr versus the saturated temperature was postulated (High Temp.-High Press.26 (1994) 427). Here, Tr is the saturated temperature reduced by the critical temperature and Pr is the saturated pressure reduced by the critical pressure. Later, this behavior was applied to assure the saturated vapor pressure critical amplitudes (Appl. Phys. Lett.90 (2007) 141905). In this paper, we indicate that theory of equation of state (EOS) can predict this maximum point. The EOSs we study are the combinations of the hard sphere repulsions and some normally used attractions such as the Redlich–Kwong attraction. We find the EOSs with Redlich–Kwong attractive terms give out the results in the experimental range.
NEW ANALYTICAL SOLUTION OF THE THREE-DIMENSIONAL NAVIER–STOKES EQUATIONS
Authors: RASHIDI MOHAMMAD MEHDI , DOMAIRRY GANJI
Published: October 2009

The purpose of this study is to implement a new analytical method (the DTM-Padé technique, which is a combination of the differential transform method (DTM) and the Padé approximation) for solving Navier–Stokes equations. In this letter, we will consider the DTM, the homotopy perturbation method (HPM) and the Padé approximant for finding analytical solutions of the three-dimensional viscous flow near an infinite rotating disk. The solutions are compared with the numerical (fourth-order Runge–Kutta) solution. The results illustrate that the application of the Padé approximants in the DTM and HPM is an appropriate method in solving the Navier–Stokes equations with the boundary conditions at infinity. On the other hand, the convergence of the obtained series from DTM-Padé is greater than HPM-Padé.
DEVELOPMENT OF A HIGHER-ORDER ACCURATE RECONSTRUCTION SCHEME WITH REDUCED LEAST SQUARE MATRIX FOR CONVECTIVE AND DIFFUSIVE FLUX EVALUATION
Authors: NAIR PRAVEEN , JAYACHANDRAN T. , PURANIK BHAL CHANDRA , BHANDARKAR V. UPENDRA
Published: October 2009

The development of a higher-order reconstruction scheme with reduced least square matrix is presented. The matrix used in conventional least square based reconstruction schemes for finite volume solvers contains bigger terms. For solution dependent schemes, this matrix has to be inverted for each time step, which is computationally costlier. To overcome this, certain mathematical principles applicable to finite volume formulation, have been used to eliminate a good number of terms appearing in the matrix. In addition, accurate and computationally efficient derivative plug-ins are incorporated to make the formulation generalized so that one can extend it to any order of accuracy. The presence of higher derivative terms in this scheme ensures uniformly higher-order accuracy throughout the flow domain. The reduced matrix can be used for data independent as well as solution dependent reconstruction schemes. Computationally efficient stencil searching algorithm, satisfying physical and topological requirements and capable of handling structured, unstructured, and adaptive grids has been coupled with the scheme. The scheme has been successfully used to simulate flow over blunt cone-flare, NASA B2 nozzle, and high altitude test facility. The solver has shown around 30% saving in least square matrix evaluation time.
Electrochemical, spectroelectrochemical and ESR spectroscopic characterization of 2,3- and 3,4-cobalt tetrapyridoporphyrazine isomers in non-aqueous media
Authors: Shao Jianguo , Commodore Juliette , Han Baocheng , Pruente Cynthia , Hansen Christopher A.
Published: October 2009

Two cobalt porphyrazines, 2,3-tetrapyridoporphyrazine and 3,4-tetrapyridoporphyrazine, were examined in N,N-dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide and pyridine solutions as to their electrochemical, spectroelectrochemical and ESR spectroscopic properties. These results were compared with those of the unsubstituted cobalt phthalocyanine. At high concentrations, aggregation was observed for each investigated compound in the three solvents. The intensity of ESR signals of each derivative depends upon the extent of aggregation in its solution. The g values shift towards high field with an increase in the strength of the axial ligand and the number of axial ligands on the cobalt center. Both tetrapyridoporphyrazine complexes undergo one oxidation and three reductions in N,N-dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide or pyridine solution. Thin-layer UV-visible spectroelectrochemical results confirmed that the first oxidation and first reduction of both compounds are metal-centered while the second and third reductions are ring-centered. An overall electron transfer mechanism for both porphyrazine derivatives is proposed.
Oral PEG 15–20 protects the intestine against radiation: role of lipid rafts
Authors: Valuckaite Vesta , Zaborina Olga , Long Jason , Hauer-Jensen Martin , Wang Junru , Holbrook Christopher , Zaborin Alexander , Drabik Kenneth , Katdare Mukta , Mauceri Helena , Weichselbaum Ralph , Firestone Millicent A. , Lee Ka Yee , Chang Eugene B. , Matthews Jeffrey , Alverdy John C.
Published: October 2009

Intestinal injury following abdominal radiation therapy or accidental exposure remains a significant clinical problem that can result in varying degrees of mucosal destruction such as ulceration, vascular sclerosis, intestinal wall fibrosis, loss of barrier function, and even lethal gut-derived sepsis. We determined the ability of a high-molecular-weight polyethylene glycol-based copolymer, PEG 15–20, to protect the intestine against the early and late effects of radiation in mice and rats and to determine its mechanism of action by examining cultured rat intestinal epithelia. Rats were exposed to fractionated radiation in an established model of intestinal injury, whereby an intestinal segment is surgically placed into the scrotum and radiated daily. Radiation injury score was decreased in a dose-dependent manner in rats gavaged with 0.5 or 2.0 g/kg per day of PEG 15–20 ( n = 9–13/group, P < 0.005). Complementary studies were performed in a novel mouse model of abdominal radiation followed by intestinal inoculation with Pseudomonas aeruginosa ( P. aeruginosa ), a common pathogen that causes lethal gut-derived sepsis following radiation. Mice mortality was decreased by 40% in mice drinking 1% PEG 15–20 ( n = 10/group, P < 0.001). Parallel studies were performed in cultured rat intestinal epithelial cells treated with PEG 15–20 before radiation. Results demonstrated that PEG 15–20 prevented radiation-induced intestinal injury in rats, prevented apoptosis and lethal sepsis attributable to P. aeruginosa in mice, and protected cultured intestinal epithelial cells from apoptosis and microbial adherence and possible invasion. PEG 15–20 appeared to exert its protective effect via its binding to lipid rafts by preventing their coalescence, a hallmark feature in intestinal epithelial cells exposed to radiation.
Metallothionein deficiency leads to soleus muscle contractile dysfunction following acute spinal cord injury in mice
Authors: DeRuisseau Lara R. , Recca Daniel M. , Mogle Jacqueline A. , Zoccolillo Michelle , DeRuisseau Keith C.
Published: October 2009

Metallothionein (MT) is a small molecular weight protein possessing metal binding and free radical scavenging properties. We hypothesized that MT-1/MT-2 null (MT−/−) mice would display exacerbated soleus muscle atrophy, oxidative injury, and contractile dysfunction compared with the response of wild-type (WT) mice following acute spinal cord transection (SCT). Four groups of mice were studied: WT laminectomy, WT transection, MT−/−laminectomy (MT−/−lami), and MT−/−transection (MT−/−trans). Laminectomy animals served as surgical controls. Mice in SCT groups experienced similar percent body mass (BM) losses at 7 days postinjury. Soleus muscle mass (MM) and MM-to-BM ratio were lower at 7 days postinjury in SCT vs. laminectomy mice, with no differences observed between strains. However, soleus muscles from MT−/−trans mice showed reduced maximal specific tension compared with MT−/−lami animals. Mean cross-sectional area (μm2) of type I and type IIa fibers decreased similarly in SCT groups compared with laminectomy controls, and no difference in fiber distribution was observed. Lipid peroxidation (4-hydroxynoneal) was greater in MT−/−trans vs. MT−/−lami mice, but protein oxidation (protein carbonyls) was not altered by MT deficiency or SCT. Expression of key antioxidant proteins (catalase, manganese, and copper-zinc superoxide dismutase) was similar between the groups. In summary, MT deficiency did not impact soleus MM loss, but resulted in contractile dysfunction and increased lipid peroxidation following acute SCT. These findings suggest a role of MT in mediating protective adaptations in skeletal muscle following disuse mediated by spinal cord injury.
Corticomotor plasticity and learning of a ballistic thumb training task are diminished in older adults
Authors: Rogasch Nigel C. , Dartnall Tamara J. , Cirillo John , Nordstrom Michael A. , Semmler John G.
Published: October 2009

This study examined changes in corticomotor excitability and plasticity after a thumb abduction training task in young and old adults. Electromyographic (EMG) recordings were obtained from right abductor pollicis brevis (APB, target muscle) and abductor digiti minimi (ADM, control muscle) in 14 young (18–24 yr) and 14 old (61–82 yr) adults. The training task consisted of 300 ballistic abductions of the right thumb to maximize peak thumb abduction acceleration (TAAcc). Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) of the left primary motor cortex was used to assess changes in APB and ADM motor evoked potentials (MEPs) and short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI) before, immediately after, and 30 min after training. No differences in corticomotor excitability (resting and active TMS thresholds, MEP input-output curves) or SICI were observed in young and old adults before training. Motor training resulted in improvements in peak TAAcc in young (177% improvement, P < 0.001) and old (124%, P = 0.005) subjects, with greater improvements in young subjects ( P = 0.002). Different thumb kinematics were observed during task performance, with increases in APB EMG related to improvements in peak TAAcc in young ( r2 = 0.46, P = 0.008) but not old ( r2 = 0.09, P = 0.3) adults. After training, APB MEPs were 50% larger ( P < 0.001 compared with before) in young subjects, with no change after training in old subjects ( P = 0.49), suggesting reduced use-dependent corticomotor plasticity with advancing age. These changes were specific to APB, because no training-related change in MEP amplitude was observed in ADM. No significant association was observed between change in APB MEP and improvement in TAAcc with training in individual young and old subjects. SICI remained unchanged after training in both groups, suggesting that it was not responsible for the diminished use-dependent corticomotor plasticity for this task in older adults.
Permanent alveolar remodeling in canine lung induced by high-altitude residence during maturation
Authors: Ravikumar Priya , Bellotto Dennis J. , Johnson Robert L. , Hsia Connie C. W.
Published: October 2009

Young canines born at sea level (SL) and raised for 5 mo at high altitude (HA, 3,800 m), followed by return to SL before somatic maturation, showed enhanced alveolar gas exchange and diffusing capacity at rest and exercise that persisted into adulthood (McDonough P, Dane DM, Hsia CC, Yilmaz C, Johnson RL Jr. J Appl Physiol 100: 474–81, 2006; Hsia CCW, Johnson RL Jr, McDonough P, Dane DM, Hurst MD, Fehmel JL, Wagner HE, Wagner PD. J Appl Physiol 102: 1448–55, 2007). To examine the associated structural response, we quantified lung ultrastructure in male foxhounds raised at 3,800 m HA or their littermates raised at SL ( n = 6 each) from 2.5 to 7.5 mo of age. Three years following return to SL, lungs were fixed for morphometric analysis. In HA-exposed animals compared with SL controls, lung volume at a given inflation pressure was higher with enlargement of alveolar ducts and sacs without significant differences in the volumes of alveolar cell components, septal tissue, or in alveolar-capillary surface areas. There was a shift toward a significantly lower harmonic mean thickness of the blood-gas diffusion barrier in HA-raised animals. As a control organ, muscle capillary length density of costal diaphragm was significantly higher in HA-raised animals, indicating parallel adaptation in oxygen transport organs. We conclude that, in actively growing animals, 5 mo of HA exposure that was discontinued before somatic maturation induced acinar remodeling that increased lung compliance and reduced the resistance of blood-gas diffusion barrier to diffusion that persisted into adulthood, but without permanent enhancement of alveolar tissue growth.
Is the ratio of flow-mediated dilation and shear rate a statistically sound approach to normalization in cross-sectional studies on endothelial function?
Authors: Atkinson Greg , Batterham Alan M. , Black Mark A. , Cable Nigel T. , Hopkins Nicola D. , Dawson Ellen A. , Thijssen Dick H. J. , Jones Helen , Tinken Toni M. , Green Daniel J.
Published: October 2009

It has been deemed important to normalize flow-mediated dilation (FMD), a marker of endothelial function, for between-subject differences in the eliciting shear rate (SR) stimulus. Conventionally, FMD is divided by the area under the curve of the SR stimulus. In the context of a cross-sectional comparison across different age cohorts, we examined whether this ratio approach adhered to established statistical assumptions necessary for reliable normalization. To quantify brachial artery FMD and area under the curve of SR, forearm cuff inflation to suprasystolic pressure was administered for 5 min to 16 boys aged 10.9 yr (SD 0.3), 48 young men aged 25.3 yr (SD 4.2), and 15 older men aged 57.5 yr (SD 4.3). Mean differences between age groups were statistically significant ( P < 0.001) for nonnormalized FMD [children: 10.4% (SD 5.4), young adults: 7.5% (SD 2.9), older adults: 5.6% (SD 2.0)] but not for ratio-normalized FMD ( P = 0.10). Moreover, all assumptions necessary for reliable use of ratio-normalization were violated, including regression slopes between SR and FMD that had y-intercepts greater than zero ( P < 0.05), nonlinear and unstable relations between the normalized ratios and SR, skewed data distributions, and heteroscedastic variance. Logarithmic transformation of SR and FMD before ratio calculation improved adherence to these assumptions and resulted in age differences similar to the nonnormalized data ( P = 0.03). In conclusion, although ratio normalization of FMD altered findings about age differences in endothelial function, this could be explained by violation of statistical assumptions. We recommend that exploration of these assumptions should be routine in future research. If the relationship between SR and FMD is generally found to be weak or nonlinear or variable between samples, then ratio normalization should not be applied.
A Case Report of Intraductal Papillary-Mucinous Neoplasm of the Pancreas Showing Morphologic Transformation during Followup Periods
Authors: Sanada Yuichi , Osada Shinji , Tanaka Yoshihiro , Tokuyama Yasuharu , Yoshida Kazuhiro
Published: October 2009

A 64-year-old man underwent MRCP for further examination of gallbladder stones and IPMN of branch-type (IPMN-Br) was pointed out. Yearly MRCP had revealed the gradual increase of the cystic components, marked dilation of the main pancreatic duct (MPD), and filling defects in the MPD. After follow-up for three years, he underwent pancreatoduodenectomy. Histologically, the dilated MPD and connecting dilated branch ducts were filled with nodular growth of tumor cells consisting of gastric-type adenoma with pyloric gland-like structures. In the MPD, a transition from gastric-type adenoma to intestinal-type carcinoma was observed. In addition, in a dilated branch duct, some components of intestinal-type carcinoma with marked arborizing structures were observed. A minimally invasion was observed around branch ducts. Immunohistochemistry revealed diffuse nuclear accumulation of PCNA and Ki67 in the tumor cells of branch dusts. Our observations suggest that the secondary infiltration to the MPD of IPMN-Br and IPMN-Br possesses malignant potential for microinvasion.
Thyroid Lymphoma as a Cause of Dysphagia and Dyspnea in a Patient without Palpable Nodules or Goiter
Authors: Frizzell Jarrod D. , Perkins Brandon J. , Morehead R. Scott
Published: October 2009

Tumors originating in the neck are well-known causes of progressive dysphagia and dyspnea (including stridor), and thyroid lymphoma is an uncommon example. Physical examination provides an important first step in the evaluation of such complaints, as tumors large enough to produce such symptoms are typically considered to be palpable, if not able to be seen grossly. In this case presentation, the authors describe a nonsubsternal thyroid lymphoma measuring3×4 cm at its largest diameter, producing dysphagia and leading to respiratory emergency, that was entirely nonpalpable to physical exam even after confirmation of its presence by computed tomography.
Ecuador: Public Health Genomics
Authors: González-Andrade F. , López-Pulles R.
Published: October 2009

Ecuador has a heterogeneous population of almost 14 million people and a complex health care system provided through provincial and national health programs by government and private hospitals. There are public health facilities at regional and territorial level. Ecuador has a small cadre of genetic professionals that provide clinical genetic services in a few private medical centers in the main cities. Prenatal screening is offered exclusively in a few individual hospitals, with variable uptake as part of prenatal care. Surveillance of the effect of prenatal screening and diagnosis on the birth prevalence of congenital anomalies is limited by gaps and variations in surveillance systems. Newborn screening programs are almost inexistent. There is broad variation in optional participation in laboratory quality assurance schemes, and there are no regulatory frameworks that are directly pertinent to genetic testing services or population genetics. Health technology assessment in Ecuador is conducted by a diverse collection of organizations, several of which have produced reports related to genetics.
Adenosine Modulates HIF-1α, VEGF, IL-8, and Foam Cell Formation in a Human Model of Hypoxic Foam Cells
Authors: Gessi Stefania , Fogli Eleonora , Sacchetto Valeria , Merighi Stefania , Varani Katia , Preti Delia , Leung Edward , MacLennan Stephen , Borea Pier Andrea
Published: October 2009

Objective—

Foam cell (FC) formation by oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) accumulation in macrophages is crucial for development of atherosclerosis. Hypoxia has been demonstrated in atherosclerosis and hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) has been shown to promote intraplaque angiogenesis and FC development. As hypoxia induces HIF-1α stabilization and adenosine (ado) accumulation, we investigated whether this nucleoside regulates HIF-1α in FCs.

Methods and Results—

Ado, under hypoxia, stimulates HIF-1α accumulation by activating all adenosine receptors (ARs). HIF-1α modulation involved extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK 1/2), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK), and protein kinase B (Akt) phosphorylation in the case of A
1
, A
2A
, A
2B
, and ERK 1/2 phosphorylation in the case of A
3
receptors. Ado, through the activation of A
3
and A
2B
receptors, stimulates vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion in a HIF-1α–dependent way. Furthermore, ado, through the A
2B
subtype, induces an increase of Interleukin-8 (IL-8) secretion in a ERK 1/2, p38, and Akt kinase–dependent but not HIF-1α–mediated way. Finally, ado stimulates FC formation, and this effect is strongly reduced by A
3
and A
2B
blockers and by HIF-1α silencing.

Conclusions—

This study provides the first evidence that A
3,
A
2B
, or mixed A
3
/A
2B
antagonists may be useful to block important steps in the atherosclerotic plaque development ado-induced.
Molecular Imaging of the Initial Inflammatory Response in Atherosclerosis
Authors: Kaufmann Beat A. , Carr Chad L. , Belcik J. Todd , Xie Aris , Yue Qi , Chadderdon Scott , Caplan Evan S. , Khangura Jaspreet , Bullens Sherry , Bunting Stuart , Lindner Jonathan R.
Published: October 2009

Background—

We hypothesized that molecular imaging of endothelial cell adhesion molecule expression could noninvasively evaluate prelesion atherogenic phenotype.

Methods and Results—

Mice deficient for the LDL-receptor and the Apobec-1 editing peptide (DKO mice) were studied as an age-dependent model of atherosclerosis. At 10, 20, and 40 weeks of age, ultrasound molecular imaging of the proximal thoracic aorta was performed with contrast agents targeted to P-selectin and VCAM-1. Atherosclerotic lesion severity and content were assessed by ultrahigh frequency ultrasound, histology, and immunohistochemistry. In wild-type mice at all ages, there was neither aortic thickening nor targeted tracer signal enhancement. In DKO mice, lesions progressed from sparse mild intimal thickening at 10 weeks to widespread severe lesions with luminal encroachment at 40 weeks. Molecular imaging for P-selectin and VCAM-1 demonstrated selective signal enhancement (
P
<0.01 versus nontargeted agent) at all ages for DKO mice. P-selectin and VCAM-1 signal in DKO mice were greater by 3-fold at 10 weeks, 4- to 6-fold at 20 weeks, and 9- to 10-fold at 40 weeks compared to wild-type mice. En face microscopy demonstrated preferential attachment of targeted microbubbles to regions of lesion formation.

Conclusions—

Noninvasive ultrasound molecular imaging of endothelial activation can detect lesion-prone vascular phenotype before the appearance of obstructive atherosclerotic lesions.
Combined Therapy of Dietary Fish Oil and Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase 1 Inhibition Prevents the Metabolic Syndrome and Atherosclerosis
Authors: Brown J. Mark , Chung Soonkyu , Sawyer Janet K. , Degirolamo Chiara , Alger Heather M. , Nguyen Tam M. , Zhu Xuewei , Duong My-Ngan , Brown Amanda L. , Lord Caleb , Shah Ramesh , Davis Matthew A. , Kelley Kathryn , Wilson Martha D. , Madenspacher Jennifer , Fessler Michael B. , Parks John S. , Rudel Lawrence L.
Published: October 2009

Background—

Stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1) is a critical regulator of energy metabolism and inflammation. We have previously reported that inhibition of SCD1 in hyperlipidemic mice fed a saturated fatty acid (SFA)-enriched diet prevented development of the metabolic syndrome, yet surprisingly promoted severe atherosclerosis. In this study we tested whether dietary fish oil supplementation could prevent the accelerated atherosclerosis caused by SCD1 inhibition.

Methods and Results—

LDLr
−/−
, ApoB
100/100
mice were fed diets enriched in saturated fat or fish oil in conjunction with antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) treatment to inhibit SCD1. As previously reported, in SFA-fed mice, SCD1 inhibition dramatically protected against development of the metabolic syndrome, yet promoted atherosclerosis. In contrast, in mice fed fish oil, SCD1 inhibition did not result in augmented macrophage inflammatory response or severe atherosclerosis. In fact, the combined therapy of dietary fish oil and SCD1 ASO treatment effectively prevented both the metabolic syndrome and atherosclerosis.

Conclusions—

SCD1 ASO treatment in conjunction with dietary fish oil supplementation is an effective combination therapy to comprehensively combat the metabolic syndrome and atherosclerosis in mice.
Defective Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells by Macrophages in Atherosclerotic Lesions of ob/ob Mice and Reversal by a Fish Oil Diet
Authors: Li Suzhao , Sun Yu , Liang Chien-Ping , Thorp Edward B. , Han Seongah , Jehle Andreas W. , Saraswathi Viswanathan , Pridgen Brian , Kanter Jenny E. , Li Rong , Welch Carrie L. , Hasty Alyssa H. , Bornfeldt Karin E. , Breslow Jan L. , Tabas Ira , Tall Alan R.
Published: October 2009

Rationale
:

The complications of atherosclerosis are a major cause of death and disability in type 2 diabetes. Defective clearance of apoptotic cells by macrophages (efferocytosis) is thought to lead to increased necrotic core formation and inflammation in atherosclerotic lesions.

Objective
:

To determine whether there is defective efferocytosis in a mouse model of obesity and atherosclerosis.

Methods and Results
:

We quantified efferocytosis in peritoneal macrophages and in atherosclerotic lesions of obese ob/ob or ob/ob;Ldlr
−/−
mice and littermate controls. Peritoneal macrophages from ob/ob and ob/ob;Ldlr
−/−
mice showed impaired efferocytosis, reflecting defective phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activation during uptake of apoptotic cells. Membrane lipid composition of ob/ob and ob/ob;Ldlr
−/−
macrophages showed an increased content of saturated fatty acids (FAs) and decreased ω-3 FAs (eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid) compared to controls. A similar defect in efferocytosis was induced by treating control macrophages with saturated free FA/BSA complexes, whereas the defect in ob/ob macrophages was reversed by treatment with eicosapentaenoic acid/BSA or by feeding ob/ob mice a fish oil diet rich in ω-3 FAs. There was also defective macrophage efferocytosis in atherosclerotic lesions of ob/ob;Ldlr
−/−
mice and this was reversed by a fish oil–rich diet.

Conclusions
:

The findings suggest that in obesity and type 2 diabetes elevated levels of saturated FAs and/or decreased levels of ω-3 FAs contribute to decreased macrophage efferocytosis. Beneficial effects of fish oil diets in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease may involve improvements in macrophage function related to reversal of defective efferocytosis and could be particularly important in type 2 diabetes and obesity.
Mechanical Thrombectomy for Acute Stroke With the Alligator Retrieval Device
Authors: Hussain Muhammad S. , Kelly Michael E. , Moskowitz Shaye I. , Furlan Anthony J. , Turner Raymond D. , Gonugunta Vivek , Rasmussen Peter A. , Masaryk Thomas J. , Fiorella David
Published: October 2009

Background and Purpose—

Recanalization of occluded vessels in acute ischemic stroke is associated with improved outcome. Devices that can quickly and safely remove thrombus and promote recanalization are useful in the management of these patients. The Alligator retrieval device, developed for endovascular foreign body retrieval, may also be useful for thrombus removal.

Methods—

Seven patients with acute ischemic stroke (aged 31 to 88 years) who underwent intra-arterial therapy with the Alligator retrieval device at our center are presented.

Results—

The Alligator retrieval device was able to retrieve the thrombus in 5 of 7 cases with good to excellent recanalization seen and was unsuccessful in 2 of 7 patients. Complete recanalization was obtained in one of 7 patients and near complete recanalization obtained in 4 of 7 patients. Three of the 7 patients had good outcome at 3 months and 3 of 7 patients died within 30 days of treatment.

Conclusion—

The Alligator retrieval device was successfully able to remove thrombus in the majority of cases. It appears to have increased success in proximal occlusions in relatively straight segments. In properly selected cases, it may be a useful device in intra-arterial stroke management.
Low Ankle-Brachial Index Predicts Cardiovascular Risk After Acute Ischemic Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack
Authors: Busch Markus A. , Lutz Katrin , Röhl Jens-Eric , Neuner Bruno , Masuhr Florian
Published: October 2009

Background and Purpose—

A low ankle-brachial blood pressure index (ABI) is an established risk marker for cardiovascular disease and mortality in the general population, but little is known about its prognostic value in individuals with acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA).

Methods—

An inception cohort of 204 patients with acute ischemic stroke or TIA was followed up for a mean of 2.3 years. At baseline, patients underwent ABI measurement and were assessed for risk factors, cardiovascular comorbidities, and cervical or intracranial artery stenosis. The association between low ABI (≤0.9) and the risk of the composite outcome of stroke, myocardial infarction, or death was examined by Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses.

Results—

A low ABI was found in 63 patients (31%) and was associated with older age, current smoking, hypertension, peripheral arterial disease, and cervical or intracranial stenosis. During a total of 453.0 person-years of follow-up, 37 patients experienced outcome events (8.2% per person-year), with a higher outcome rate per person-year in patients with low ABI (12.8% vs 6.3%,
P
=0.03). In survival analysis adjusted for age and stroke etiology, patients with a low ABI had a 2 times higher risk of stroke, myocardial infarction, or death than those with a normal ABI (hazard ratio=2.2; 95% CI, 1.1 to 4.5). Additional adjustment for risk factors and cardiovascular comorbidities did not attenuate the association.

Conclusions—

A low ABI independently predicted subsequent cardiovascular risk and mortality in patients with acute stroke or TIA. ABI measurement may help to identify high-risk patients for targeted secondary stroke prevention.
Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Dose-Ranging Clinical Trial of Intravenous Microplasmin in Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Thijs Vincent N.S. , Peeters Andre , Vosko Milan , Aichner Franz , Schellinger Peter D. , Schneider Dietmar , Neumann-Haefelin Tobias , Röther Joachim , Davalos Antoni , Wahlgren Nils , Verhamme Peter
Published: October 2009

Background and Purpose—

Microplasmin is a recombinant truncated form of human plasmin. It has demonstrated efficacy in experimental animal models of stroke and tolerability in healthy volunteers. We tested the tolerability of microplasmin in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

Methods—

In a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled Phase II trial, 40 patients with ischemic stroke were treated with either placebo or active drug between 3 and 12 hours after symptom onset in a dose-finding design. Ten patients received placebo, 6 patients received a total dose of 2 mg/kg, 12 patients received a total dose of 3 mg/kg, and 12 patients received a total dose of 4 mg/kg. We studied the pharmacodynamics of microplasmin and its effect on the clinical and hemodynamic parameters of the patients. MRI was used as a surrogate marker and matrix metalloproteinases serum concentrations were used as markers of neurovascular integrity. The study was underpowered to detect clinical efficacy.

Results—

Microplasmin induced reversible effects on markers of systemic thrombolysis and neutralized α
2
-antiplasmin by up to 80%. It was well tolerated with one of 30 treated patients developing a fatal symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage. No significant effect on reperfusion rate or on clinical outcome was observed. Matrix metalloproteinase-2 levels were reduced in microplasmin-treated patients.

Conclusions—

Microplasmin was well tolerated and achieved neutralization of α
2
-antiplasmin. Further studies are warranted to determine whether microplasmin is an effective therapeutic agent for ischemic stroke.