bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis and Observations of Wind Turbine Yaw Dynamics
Authors: Hansen A. C. , Cui X.
Published: November 2009

Two models of the yaw behavior of horizontal axis wind turbines are presented and discussed. Emphasis in this paper is on the description of the models and underlying assumptions with details of the equations and solution methods referenced in technical reports. The more complex model (YawDyn) considers the coupling of blade flap motions and yaw motions which result from temporal and spatial variations in the approaching wind speed. The new methods are unique in that they simultaneously model the effects of skewed wake aerodynamics and blade stall. Both of these effects must be considered if yaw behavior is to be adequately understood. The models are validated by comparison with other prediction techniques, wind tunnel tests and full-scale atmospheric tests. In all cases the models are shown to give excellent qualitative agreement and reasonable quantitative agreement. It is concluded that the new models represent a significant improvement in the methods available to the wind turbine designer for understanding yaw loads and motions.
Follistatin Gene Delivery Enhances Muscle Growth and Strength in Nonhuman Primates
Authors: Kota Janaiah , Handy Chalonda R. , Haidet Amanda M. , Montgomery Chrystal L. , Eagle Amy , Rodino-Klapac Louise R. , Tucker Danielle , Shilling Christopher J. , Therlfall Walter R. , Walker Christopher M. , Weisbrode Steven E. , Janssen Paul M. L. , Clark K. Reed , Sahenk Zarife , Mendell Jerry R. , Kaspar Brian K.
Published: November 2009

A vector delivered into muscles of monkeys generates a natural regulatory molecule, which increases muscle size and strength and may be useful therapeutically.
The Effect of Diet on the Human Gut Microbiome: A Metagenomic Analysis in Humanized Gnotobiotic Mice
Authors: Turnbaugh Peter J. , Ridaura Vanessa K. , Faith Jeremiah J. , Rey Federico E. , Knight Rob , Gordon Jeffrey I.
Published: November 2009

A translational medicine pipeline is described where human gut microbial communities and diets are re-created in gnotobiotic mice and the impact on microbe and host is defined using metagenomics.
Regulatory Considerations for Translating Gene Therapy: A European Union Perspective
Authors: Galli Maria Cristina
Published: November 2009

A preclinical gene therapy study in nonhuman primates is discussed with a view to European regulatory requirements for first clinical use.
Gut Check: Testing a Role for the Intestinal Microbiome in Human Obesity
Authors: Flier Jeffrey S. , Mekalanos John J.
Published: November 2009

Germ-free mice transplanted with human fecal microbiota may promote investigation of the gut microbiome as a contributor to human disease and permit the discovery of targets for the prevention and treatment of these disorders.
Heart Valve Job
Authors: Kelner Katrina L.
Published: November 2009

Bovine pericardium impregnated with cell-attracting proteins becomes engrafted with cells when used as replacement heart valves in sheep, functioning well for at least 5 months.
Targeting the Tumor Microenvironment
Authors: LaMarco Kelly
Published: November 2009

A
Stat3
-stifling siRNA augmented with an oligonucleotide agonist of a Toll-like receptor stimulates tumor-destroying immune responses.
Reducing the Effects of Diabetes
Authors: McDonald Heather B.
Published: November 2009

A transcription factor that responds to low oxygen improves blood vessel formation after ischemia.
INVARIANTS OF GENUS 2 MUTANTS
Authors: MORTON H. R. , RYDER N.
Published: November 2009

Pairs of genus 2 mutant knots can have different Homfly polynomials, for example some 3-string satellites of Conway mutant pairs. We give examples which have different Kauffman 2-variable polynomials, answering a question raised by Dunfield et al. in their study of genus 2 mutants. While pairs of genus 2 mutant knots have the same Jones polynomial, given from the Homfly polynomial by setting v = s2, we give examples whose Homfly polynomials differ when v = s3. We also give examples which differ in a Vassiliev invariant of degree 7, in contrast to satellites of Conway mutant knots.
COMPLEXITY OF LINKS IN 3-MANIFOLDS
Authors: PERVOVA EKATERINA , PETRONIO CARLO
Published: November 2009

We introduce a complexity c(X) ∈ ℕ for pairs X = (M,L), where M is a closed orientable 3-manifold and L ⊂ M is a link. The definition employs simple spines, but for well-behaved X 's , we show that c(X) equals the minimal number of tetrahedra in a triangulation of M containing L in its 1-skeleton. Slightly adapting Matveev's recent theory of roots for graphs, we carefully analyze the behaviour of c under connected sum away from and along the link. We show in particular that c is almost always additive, describing in detail the circumstances under which it is not. To do so we introduce a certain (0, 2)-root for a pair X, we show that it is well-defined, and we prove that X has the same complexity as its (0, 2)-root. We then consider, for links in the 3-sphere, the relations of c with the crossing number and with the hyperbolic volume of the exterior, establishing various upper and lower bounds. We also specialize our analysis to certain infinite families of links, providing rather accurate asymptotic estimates.
THE INCLUSIVE–EXCLUSIVE CONNECTION AND THE NEUTRON NEGATIVE CENTRAL CHARGE DENSITY
Authors: MILLER GERALD A. , ARRINGTON JOHN
Published: November 2009

We find an interpretation of the recent finding that the central charge density of the neutron is negative by using models of generalized parton distributions at zero skewness to relate the behavior of deep inelastic scattering quark distributions, evaluated at high x, to the transverse charge density evaluated at small distances. The key physical input of these models is the Drell–Yan–West relation We find that the d quarks dominate the neutron structure function for large values of Bjorken x, where the large longitudinal momentum of the struck quark has a significant impact on determining the center-of-momentum of the system, and thus the "center" of the nucleon in the transverse position plane.
2π DECAY OF THE $K^{0}_{L}$ MESON WITHOUT CP VIOLATION
Authors: MORRISON A. D. , ROBSON B. A.
Published: November 2009

It is shown that assuming mixed-quark states in hadrons suggests that the two pion decay of the long-lived neutral kaon may be described without CP violation. The rate of this decay relative to the decay into all charged modes is estimated quite accurately in terms of the Cabibbo-mixing angle.
AN IMPLICIT SPECTRAL FORMULA FOR GENERALIZED LINEAR SCHRÖDINGER EQUATIONS
Authors: SCHULZE-HALBERG AXEL , GARCÍA-RAVELO JESÚS , GIL JOSÉ JUAN PEÑA
Published: November 2009

We generalize the semiclassical Bohr–Sommerfeld quantization rule to an exact, implicit spectral formula for linear, generalized Schrödinger equations admitting a discrete spectrum. Special cases include the position-dependent mass Schrödinger equation or the Schrödinger equation for weighted energy. Requiring knowledge of the potential and the solution associated with the lowest spectral value, our formula predicts the complete spectrum in its exact form.
MICROSCOPIC NUCLEON–NUCLEUS OPTICAL POTENTIAL WITH REARRANGEMENT EFFECTS BASED ON THE EFFECTIVE SKYRME FORCES
Authors: PILIPENKO V. V. , KUPRIKOV V. I. , SOZNIK A. P.
Published: November 2009

The nucleon scattering on even–even nuclei in the medium-energy region has been analyzed on the basis of microscopic optical potential (OP) obtained from nuclear-matter calculations with using effective density-dependent nucleon–nucleon interaction of Skyrme type with taking account of the rearrangement potential. Calculations have been performed for volume integrals and rms radii of nucleon–nucleus OP, for energy dependencies of total and total reaction cross sections of neutron– and proton–nucleus scattering and for differential cross sections of the elastic neutron scattering at several energies on various target nuclei. Comparison of the calculation results for the mentioned quantities with corresponding experimental data has been carried out, which has shown a principal possibility of their reasonable description in the framework of the model under consideration.
ZPF, ZITTERBEWEGUNG AND INERTIAL MASS
Authors: SIDHARTH B. G.
Published: November 2009

In this paper, we argue in the context of recent advances in Dark Energy that the background Zero Point Field, induces an oscillatory motion which we identify with zitterbewegung. We deduce that this is the origin of inertial mass.
A SYSTEMATIC STUDY OF EQUILIBRIUM AND PRE-EQUILIBRIUM (p, n) REACTION MECHANISMS CROSS-SECTIONS AT INTERMEDIATE ENERGIES FOR 25 < A < 240 TARGET NUCLEI
Authors: KAPLAN A. , TEL E. , AYDIN A. , OKUDUCU Ş.
Published: November 2009

In this present study, by using equilibrium and pre-equilibrium reaction mechanisms, the (p, n) cross-section values for some target (A = 25–240) nuclei were investigated in a range of 10–40 MeV incident energy. The excitation functions for pre-equilibrium calculations were newly calculated by using hybrid model, geometry dependent hybrid model, full-exciton model, and cascade exciton model. The reaction equilibrium component was calculated with a traditional compound nucleus model developed by Weisskopf–Ewing. Calculation results were compared with the available excitation functions measurements in literature.
16O-NUCLEUS ELASTIC SCATTERING IN THE ENERGY RANGE 300 MeV–1.503 GeV
Authors: CHAUHAN DEEKSHA , KHAN Z. A.
Published: November 2009

In this work we analyze the elastic angular distribution for the scattering of 16 O from 12 C , 16 O , 28 Si , 40 Ca , 90 Zr , and 208 Pb in the energy range 300 MeV–1.503 GeV within the framework of the Coulomb modified correlation expansion for the Glauber amplitude. Our calculations involve (i) up to the two-body density term in the correlation expansion, (ii) the realistic nuclear form factors, and (iii) the high q-components of the basic (input) NN amplitude. The results are found to provide a satisfactory explanation of the data in all the cases. Moreover, we could assess the energy dependence of the NN amplitude, and the trend of its slope strengthens the need of nondiffractive behavior of the NN amplitude in the energy range under consideration. We also show that the c.m. correlations play an important role in nucleus–nucleus collision.
IMPROVED COSMOLOGICAL PARAMETERS AND TREATMENT OF THE 5-DIMENSIONAL KLEIN–GORDON FIELD AND DIRAC-FIELD ON THE BASIS OF THE PROJECTIVE UNIFIED FIELD THEORY
Authors: SCHMUTZER ERNST
Published: November 2009

The 5-dimensional Projective Unified Field Theory (PUFT) elaborated and further developed by the author since 1957 is a geometrical semi-unified field theory restricting to gravitation, electromagnetism and scalarism. Up till now the substrate (matter) was described on a 5-dimensional phenomenological continuum mechanics. But it proved rather important to investigate the Klein–Gordon field and the Dirac field within this 5-dimensional concept of PUFT in order to get a better insight into some relationships of continuum mechanics mentioned, particularly with respect to cosmology.
CHARGED MULTIPLICITY DISTRIBUTION IN RELATIVISTIC HEAVY-ION COLLISIONS
Authors: AHMAD SHAFIQ , AHMAD M. AYAZ , TARIQ M. , ZAFAR M.
Published: November 2009

The experimental results of multiplicity distributions of grey and relativistic shower particles emitted in the interactions of 28 Si and 12 C ions at 4.5 A GeV /c with nuclear emulsion are reported. The study of the multiplicity distributions of relativistic shower particles and medium energy target-associated protons produced in heavy-ion collisions seems to observe the semi-inclusive KNO scaling. A simplified universal function has been used to represent the experimental data.
THE STUDY OF α + 14C CLUSTER STATES OF 18O THROUGH THE RESONANT BREAKUP REACTION 12C(18O, 14Cα) AT E(18O) = 94.5 MeV
Authors: ADHIKARI S. , BASU C. , BEHERA B. R. , RAY S. , MITRA A. K. , KUMAR SURESH , CHATTERJEE A.
Published: November 2009

In this work, we study the alpha cluster structure of 18 O using resonant particle spectroscopy technique. Resonance breakup reaction of the projectile is studied experimentally to extract the excitation energy spectrum of the 18 O nucleus. The observed resonant states in the present work are 15.62, 15.82 (5-), 16.02, 16.22, 16.42, 16.92, 17.22, and 17.82 MeV.
MyLexics
Authors: Abdullah Muhammad Haziq Lim , Hisham Syariffanor , Parumo Shahril
Published: November 2009

Dyslexia is a language-based learning disability resulting in people experiencing difficulties in reading, spelling, writing and speaking due to inability to differentiate sound components. These problems are sometimes accompanied by short-term memory difficulties, a lack of organizational skills and time management issues which all have an impact on learning. Dyslexia can occur regardless of age groups and in some cases; dyslexics may have higher IQ level compare to others.
Designing smart home interfaces for the elderly
Authors: Callejas Zoraida , López-Cózar Ramón
Published: November 2009

In this paper we highlight the importance of tailoring the design of dialogue systems to the targeted user group. We propose a human-centered design cycle and report the results from a survey conducted among the intended users of a smart home for the elderly.
Development framework for pervasive computing applications
Authors: Slováček Václav , Macík Miroslav , Klíma Martin
Published: November 2009

Pervasive computing [1] brings the technology closer to the users by enabling the users to use daily-life devices (mobile phones, TVs, touch screen walls, etc.) for controlling their environment and accessing information virtually anywhere. Interacting with such devices does not remind users of classical computers and enables them to more naturally interact with the controlled system, if user interface is designed properly. These devices usually operate in networked environments with every controlling and controlled device connected to a central hub. Bringing easy-to-use applications to such environments faces the challenge of highly heterogeneous, dynamically changing environment and necessity to deploy applications to controlling devices with very different features (display size, input methods, operating systems, etc.).
Influence of glucosamine on glomerular mesangial cell turnover: implications for hyperglycemia and hexosamine pathway flux
Authors: James Leighton R. , Le Catherine , Scholey James W.
Published: November 2009

Cells exposed to high glucose may undergo hypertrophy, proliferation, and apoptosis, but the role of hexosamine flux in mediating these effects has not been fully elucidated. Accordingly, we studied the effects of glucose and glucosamine on rat glomerular mesangial cells (MC) turnover. Compared with physiological glucose (5.6 mM), treatment with high glucose (25 mM) for 24 h stimulated MC proliferation, an effect that was mimicked by exposure to low concentrations of glucosamine (0.05 mM). The percentage of cells in G0/G1phase of the cell cycle was reduced with a concomitant increase of the number of cells in G2/M phase. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen, phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin [phospho-mTOR (Ser2448)], and total regulatory-associated protein of mTOR were increased by high glucose and glucosamine treatment. Inhibition of glutamine:fructose-6-phosphate amidotransferase (GFAT), the rate-limiting enzyme for hexosamine flux, with 6-diazo-5-oxonorleucine (10 μM) and of mTOR with rapamycin both attenuated glucose-mediated MC proliferation. Higher glucosamine concentrations (0.25–10 mM) caused MC apoptosis after 48 h, and, in addition, GFAT overexpression also increased MC apoptosis (TdT-dUTP nick end-labeling-positive cells: 3.8 ± 0.3 vs. 1.1 ± 0.2% for empty vector; P < 0.05). Hence, hexosamine flux is an important determinant of MC proliferation and apoptosis. The proliferative response to high glucose and hexosamine flux is rapamycin-sensitive, suggesting that this effect is associated with signaling through rapamycin-sensitive mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1).
Parenteral and enteral metabolism of anaplerotic triheptanoin in normal rats. II. Effects on lipolysis, glucose production, and liver acyl-CoA profile
Authors: Gu Lei , Zhang Guo-Fang , Kombu Rajan S. , Allen Frederick , Kutz Gerd , Brewer Wolf-Ulrich , Roe Charles R. , Brunengraber Henri
Published: November 2009

The anaplerotic odd-medium-chain triglyceride triheptanoin is used in clinical trials for the chronic dietary treatment of patients with long-chain fatty acid oxidation disorders. We previously showed (Kinman RP, Kasumov T, Jobbins KA, Thomas KR, Adams JE, Brunengraber LN, Kutz G, Brewer WU, Roe CR, Brunengraber H. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 291: E860–E866, 2006) that the intravenous infusion of triheptanoin increases lipolysis traced by the turnover of glycerol. In this study, we tested whether lipolysis induced by triheptanoin infusion is accompanied by the potentially harmful release of long-chain fatty acids. Rats were infused with heptanoate ± glycerol or triheptanoin. Intravenous infusion of triheptanoin at 40% of caloric requirement markedly increased glycerol endogenous Rabut not oleate endogenous Ra. Thus, the activation of lipolysis was balanced by fatty acid reesterification in the same cells. The liver acyl-CoA profile showed the accumulation of intermediates of heptanoate β-oxidation and C5-ketogenesis and a decrease in free CoA but no evidence of metabolic perturbation of liver metabolism such as propionyl overload. Our data suggest that triheptanoin, administered either intravenously or intraduodenally, could be used for intensive care and nutritional support of metabolically decompensated long-chain fatty acid oxidation disorders.
Endothelial function in subjects with isolated low HDL cholesterol: role of nitric oxide and circulating progenitor cells
Authors: Higashi Yukihito , Matsuoka Hidehiro , Umei Hidekazu , Sugano Ryo , Fujii Yuichi , Soga Junko , Kihara Yasuki , Chayama Kazuaki , Imaizumi Tsutomu
Published: November 2009

Epidemiologic studies have shown that a low level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. The purpose of this study was to determine the contribution of isolated low HDL cholesterol to endothelial function. Thirty-nine subjects with low HDL cholesterol who had no other cardiovascular risk factors were selected from the 5,417 participants from our population. We evaluated flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) before and after 4 wk of treatment with the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor pravastatin in 29 of the 39 subjects with isolated low HDL cholesterol. FMD was lower in the low-HDL-cholesterol group ( n = 29) than in the control group ( n = 29), whereas NTG-induced vasodilation was similar in the two groups. Pravastatin increased HDL cholesterol, urinary excretion of nitrite/nitrate, circulating levels of progenitor cells, and cell migration response to vascular endothelial growth factor in 15 subjects with low HDL cholesterol but not in 14 placebo control subjects. FMD increased in the pravastatin treatment group but not in the control group. NTG-induced vasodilation was similar before and after 4 wk of treatment in the two groups. Multiple regression analysis revealed that changes in HDL cholesterol, the number of progenitor cells, and migration of progenitor cells were independent predictors of augmentation of FMD with pravastatin. These findings suggest that low HDL cholesterol is an independent risk factor for endothelial dysfunction and that pravastatin improves endothelial function in individuals with isolated low HDL cholesterol through, at least in part, an increase in circulating progenitor cells.
Transcriptional coactivator p300 regulates glucose-induced gene expression in endothelial cells
Authors: Chen Shali , Feng Biao , George Biju , Chakrabarti Rana , Chen Megan , Chakrabarti Subrata
Published: November 2009

Sustained hyperglycemia in diabetes causes alteration of a large number of transcription factors and mRNA transcripts, leading to tissue damage. We investigated whether p300, a transcriptional coactivator with histone acetyl transferase activity, regulates glucose-induced activation of transcription factors and subsequent upregulation of vasoactive factors and extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). HUVECs were incubated in varied glucose concentrations and were studied after p300 small interfering RNA (siRNA) transfection, p300 overexpression, or incubation with the p300 inhibitor curcumin. Histone H2AX phosphorylation and lysine acetylation were examined for oxidative DNA damage and p300 activation. Screening for transcription factors was performed with the Luminex system. Alterations of selected transcription factors were validated. mRNA expression of p300, endothelin-1 (ET-1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and fibronectin (FN) and its splice variant EDB+FN and FN protein production were analyzed. HUVECs in 25 mmol/l glucose showed increased p300 production accompanied by increased binding of p300 to ET-1 and FN promoters, augmented histone acetylation, H2AX phosphorylation, activation of multiple transcription factors, and increased mRNA expression of vasoactive factors and ECM proteins. p300 overexpression showed a glucose-like effect on the mRNA expression of ET-1, VEGF, and FN. Furthermore, siRNA-mediated p300 blockade or chemical inhibitor of p300 prevented such glucose-induced changes. Similar mRNA upregulation was also seen in the organ culture of vascular tissues, which was prevented by p300 siRNA transfection. Data from these studies suggest that glucose-induced p300 upregulation is an important upstream epigenetic mechanism regulating gene expression of vasoactive factors and ECM proteins in endothelial cells and is a potential therapeutic target for diabetic complications.
Contraction intensity and feeding affect collagen and myofibrillar protein synthesis rates differently in human skeletal muscle
Authors: Holm Lars , van Hall Gerrit , Rose Adam J. , Miller Benjamin F. , Doessing Simon , Richter Erik A. , Kjaer Michael
Published: November 2009

Exercise stimulates muscle protein fractional synthesis rate (FSR), but the importance of contractile intensity and whether it interplays with feeding is not understood. This was investigated following two distinct resistance exercise (RE) contraction intensities using an intrasubject design in the fasted ( n = 10) and fed ( n = 10) states. RE consisted of 10 sets of knee extensions. One leg worked against light load (LL) at 16% of one-repetition maximum (1RM), the other leg against heavy load (HL) at 70% 1RM, with intensities equalized for total lifted load. Males were infused with [13C]leucine, and vastus lateralis biopsies were obtained bilaterally at rest as well as 0.5, 3, and 5.5 h after RE. Western blots were run on muscle lysates and phosphospecific antibodies used to detect phosphorylation status of targets involved in regulation of FSR. The intramuscular collagen FSR was evenly increased following LL- and HL-RE and was not affected by feeding. Myofibrillar FSR was unaffected by LL-RE, whereas HL-RE resulted in a delayed improvement (0.14 ± 0.02%/h, P < 0.05). Myofibrillar FSR was increased at rest by feeding ( P < 0.05) and remained elevated late in the postexercise period compared with the fasting condition. The Rp-s6k-4E-binding protein-1 (BP1) and the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPk) pathways were activated by the HL intensity and were suggested to be responsible for regulating myofibrillar FSR in response to adequate contractile activity. Feeding predominantly affected Rp-s6k and eukaryotic elongation factor 2 phosphorylations in correspondence with the observed changes in myofibrillar FSR, whereas 4E-BP1 remained to respond only to the HL contraction intensity. Thus the study design allows us to conclude that the MAPk- and mammalian target of rapamycin-dependent signaling responds to contractile activity, whereas elongation mainly was found to respond to feeding. Furthermore, although functionally linked, the contractile and the supportive matrix structures upregulate their protein synthesis rate quite differently in response to feeding and contractile activity and intensity.
Effects of selective slow-wave sleep deprivation on nocturnal blood pressure dipping and daytime blood pressure regulation
Authors: Sayk Friedhelm , Teckentrup Christina , Becker Christoph , Heutling Dennis , Wellhöner Peter , Lehnert Hendrik , Dodt Christoph
Published: November 2009

Nocturnal blood pressure (BP) decline or “dipping” is an active, central, nervously governed process, which is important for BP regulation during daytime. It is, however, not known whether the sleep process itself or, more specifically, slow-wave sleep (SWS) is important for normal dipping. Therefore, in the present study, healthy subjects (6 females, 5 males) were selectively deprived of SWS by EEG-guided acoustic arousals. BP and heart rate (HR) were monitored during experimental nights and the following day. Additionally, nocturnal catecholamine excretion was determined, and morning baroreflex function was assessed by microneurographic measurements of muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) and heart rate variability (HRV). Data were compared with a crossover condition of undisturbed sleep. SWS was successfully deprived leading to significantly attenuated mean arterial BP dipping during the first half ( P < 0.05), but not during the rapid-eye-movement-dominated second half of total sleep; however, dipping still evolved even in the absence of SWS. No differences were found for nighttime catecholamine excretion. Moreover, daytime resting and ambulatory BP and HR were not altered, and morning MSNA and HRV did not differ significantly, indicating that baroreflex-mediated sympathoneural BP regulation was not affected by the preceding SWS deprivation. We conclude that in healthy humans the magnitude of nocturnal BP dipping is significantly affected by sleep depth. Deprivation of SWS during one night does not modulate the morning threshold and sensitivity of the vascular and cardiac baroreflex and does not alter ambulatory BP during daytime.
Histone deacetylase modulates the proinflammatory and -fibrotic changes in tubulointerstitial injury
Authors: Marumo Takeshi , Hishikawa Keiichi , Yoshikawa Masahiro , Hirahashi Junichi , Kawachi Shoji , Fujita Toshiro
Published: November 2009

Histone deacetylase (HDAC) regulates gene expression by modifying chromatin structure. Although changes in the expression and activities of HDAC may affect the course of kidney disease, the role of HDAC in tubulointerstitial injury has not been explored. We therefore investigated the alterations in HDAC expression and determined the effects of HDAC inhibition on the tubulointerstitial injury induced by unilateral ureteral obstruction. The induction of HDAC1 and HDAC2, accompanied by a decrease in histone acetylation was observed in kidneys injured by ureteral obstruction. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that HDAC1 and HDAC2 were induced in renal tubular cells. Treatment with an HDAC inhibitor, trichostatin A (TSA), attenuated macrophage infiltration and fibrotic changes in tubulointerstitial injury induced by ureteral obstruction. The induction of colony-stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1), a chemokine known to be involved in macrophage infiltration in tubulointerstitial injury, was reduced in injured kidneys from mice treated with TSA. TSA, valproate, and the knockdown of HDAC1 or HDAC2 significantly reduced CSF-1 induced by TNF-α in renal tubular cells. These results suggest that tubular HDAC1 and HDAC2, induced in response to injury, may contribute to the induction of CSF-1 and the initiation of macrophage infiltration and profibrotic responses. These findings suggest a potential of HDAC inhibition therapy aimed at reducing inflammation and fibrosis in tubulointerstitial injury.
In vivo renal arginine release is impaired throughout development of chronic kidney disease
Authors: Chen Gin-Fu , Baylis Chris
Published: November 2009

The kidney is a major site of arginine synthesis where citrulline is converted to arginine via argininosuccinate synthase (ASS) and lyase (ASL). The rate-limiting step in arginine synthesis by the normal kidney is the rate of citrulline delivery and uptake to the renal cortex. We tested whether with chronic kidney disease (CKD) renal arginine synthesis may be compromised. Using the renal ablation/infarction (A/I) injury model, we measured renal citrulline delivery and uptake as well as arginine release at early, moderate, and severe stages of CKD vs. healthy controls. The renal plasma flow (RPF) and arterial-renal venous difference was measured at baseline and during citrulline infusion. Citrulline delivery was reduced at all stages of disease due to marked reductions in RPF and despite moderately increased plasma citrulline. Early after A/I, the kidney demonstrated a compensatory increase in citrulline uptake while at moderate and severe injury baseline citrulline uptake fell. At all stages of CKD, renal arginine release was markedly reduced. Citrulline infusion increased plasma citrulline in all groups, resulting in increased renal delivery vs. baseline. In healthy kidneys and early injury, citrulline uptake increased with the infusion, but only in the normal kidney did arginine production increase in parallel with the increased citrulline uptake. At moderate and severe injury, there was no increase in citrulline uptake or arginine production. The fall in arginine production in A/I was due to an early loss of ASS and ASL conversion of citrulline, which combined with a later reduction in citrulline uptake.
Reversal of Cortical Reorganization in Human Primary Motor Cortex Following Thumb Reconstruction
Authors: Ni Zhen , Anastakis Dimitri J. , Gunraj Carolyn , Chen Robert
Published: November 2009

Deafferentation such as the amputation of a body part causes cortical reorganization in the primary motor cortex (M1). We investigated whether this reorganization is reversible after reconstruction of the lost body part. We tested two patients who had long-standing thumb amputations followed by thumb reconstruction with toe-to-thumb transfer 9 to 10 mo later and one patient who underwent thumb replantation immediately following traumatic amputation. Using transcranial magnetic stimulation, we measured the motor evoked potential (MEP) threshold, latency, short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI), and intracortical facilitation (ICF) at different time points in the course of recovery in abductor pollicis brevis muscle. For the two patients who underwent late toe-to-thumb transfer, the rest motor threshold was lower on the injured side than that on the intact side before surgery and it increased with time after reconstruction, whereas the active motor threshold remained unchanged. The rest and active MEP latencies were similar on the injured side before and ≤15 wk after surgery and followed by restoration of expected latency differences. SICI was reduced before surgery and progressively normalized with the time after surgery. ICF did not change with time. These physiological measures correlated with the recovery of motor and sensory functions. All the measurements on the intact side of the toe-to-thumb transfer patients and in the patient with thumb replantation immediately following traumatic amputation remained stable over time. We conclude that chronic reorganization occurring in the M1 after amputation can be reversed by reconstruction of the lost body part.
Integrated approach for the comprehensive characterization of lipoproteins from human plasma using FPLC and nano-HPLC-tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Collins Lisamarie A. , Mirza Shama P. , Kissebah Ahmed H. , Olivier Michael
Published: November 2009

The implication of the various lipoprotein classes in the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease has served to focus a great deal of attention on these particles over the past half-century. Using knowledge gained by the sequencing of the human genome, recent research efforts have been directed toward the elucidation of the proteomes of several lipoprotein subclasses. One of the challenges of such proteomic experimentation is the ability to initially isolate plasma lipoproteins subsequent to their analysis by mass spectrometry. Although several methods for the isolation of plasma lipoproteins are available, the most commonly utilized techniques require large sample volumes and may cause destruction and dissociation of lipoprotein particle-associated proteins. Fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC) is a nondenaturing technique that has been validated for the isolation of plasma lipoproteins from relatively small sample volumes. In this study, we present the use of FPLC in conjunction with nano-HPLC-ESI-tandem mass spectrometry as a new integrated methodology suitable for the proteomic analysis of human lipoprotein fractions. Results from our analysis show that only 200 μl of human plasma suffices for the isolation of whole high density lipoprotein (HDL) and the identification of the majority of all known HDL-associated proteins using mass spectrometry of the resulting fractions.
Parent-of-origin effects on voluntary exercise levels and body composition in mice
Authors: Kelly Scott A. , Nehrenberg Derrick L. , Hua Kunjie , Gordon Ryan R. , Garland Theodore , Pomp Daniel
Published: November 2009

Despite the health-related benefits of exercise, many people do not engage in enough activity to realize the rewards, and little is known regarding the genetic or environmental components that account for this individual variation. We created and phenotyped a large G4advanced intercross line originating from reciprocal crosses between mice with genetic propensity for increased voluntary exercise (HR line) and the inbred strain C57BL/6J. G4females (compared to males) ran significantly more when provided access to a running wheel and were smaller with a greater percentage of body fat pre- and postwheel access. Change in body composition resulting from a 6-day exposure to wheels varied between the sexes with females generally regulating energy balance more precisely in the presence of exercise. We observed parent-of-origin effects on most voluntary wheel running and body composition traits, which accounted for 3–13% of the total phenotypic variance pooled across sexes. G4individuals descended from progenitor (F0) crosses of HR♀ and C57BL/6J♂ ran greater distances, spent more time running, ran at higher maximum speeds/day, and had lower percent body fat and higher percent lean mass than mice descended from reciprocal progenitor crosses (C57BL/6J♀ × HR♂). For some traits, significant interactions between parent of origin and sex were observed. We discuss these results in the context of sex dependent activity and weight loss patterns, the contribution of parent-of-origin effects to predisposition for voluntary exercise, and the genetic (i.e., X-linked or mtDNA variations), epigenetic (i.e., genomic imprinting), and environmental (i.e., in utero environment or maternal care) phenomena potentially modulating these effects.
Differential genomic responses in old vs. young humans despite similar levels of modest muscle damage after resistance loading
Authors: Thalacker-Mercer Anna E. , Dell'Italia Louis J. , Cui Xiangqin , Cross James M. , Bamman Marcas M.
Published: November 2009

Across numerous model systems, aging skeletal muscle demonstrates an impaired regenerative response when exposed to the same stimulus as young muscle. To better understand the impact of aging in a human model, we compared changes to the skeletal muscle transcriptome induced by unaccustomed high-intensity resistance loading (RL) sufficient to cause moderate muscle damage in young (37 yr) vs. older (73 yr) adults. Serum creatine kinase was elevated 46% 24 h after RL in all subjects with no age differences, indicating similar degrees of myofiber membrane wounding by age. Despite this similarity, from genomic microarrays 318 unique transcripts were differentially expressed after RL in old vs. only 87 in young subjects. Follow-up pathways analysis and functional annotation revealed among old subjects upregulation of transcripts related to stress and cellular compromise, inflammation and immune responses, necrosis, and protein degradation and changes in expression (up- and downregulation) of transcripts related to skeletal and muscular development, cell growth and proliferation, protein synthesis, fibrosis and connective tissue function, myoblast-myotube fusion and cell-cell adhesion, and structural integrity. Overall the transcript-level changes indicative of undue inflammatory and stress responses in these older adults were not mirrored in young subjects. Follow-up immunoblotting revealed higher protein expression among old subjects for NF-κB, heat shock protein (HSP)70, and IL-6 signaling [total and phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)3 at Tyr705]. Together, these novel findings suggest that young and old adults are equally susceptible to RL-mediated damage, yet the muscles of older adults are much more sensitive to this modest degree of damage—launching a robust transcriptome-level response that may begin to reveal key differences in the regenerative capacity of skeletal muscle with advancing age.
Optical Study on Poly(methyl methacrylate)/Poly(vinyl acetate) Blends
Authors: Ahmed R. M.
Published: November 2009

Transparent films of poly(methyl methacrylate)/poly(vinyl acetate) blend with different concentrations were prepared by using solution‐cast technique. FT‐IR transmission spectra were carried for the samples to detect the influence of UV radiation. In addition, optical absorption measurements were carried out for the samples at room temperature across the 190–900 nm wavelength regions before and after exposure to UV and filtered radiation using xenon arc lamp. The study has been also extended to include the changes in the optical parameters including the band tail width and band gap energies for the samples. Moreover, the refractive index was calculated for the samples from specular reflection and absorption spectrum before and after exposure to UV and filtered radiation.
A Possible Approach to Inclusion of Space and Time in Frame Fields of Quantum Representations of Real and Complex Numbers
Authors: Benioff Paul
Published: November 2009

This work is based on the field of reference frames based on quantum representations of real and complex numbers described in other work. Here frame domains are expanded to include space and time lattices. Strings of qukits are described as hybrid systems as they are both mathematical and physical systems. As mathematical systems they represent numbers. As physical systems in each frame the strings have a discrete Schrodinger dynamics on the lattices. The frame field has an iterative structure such that the contents of a stagejframe have images in a stagej− 1 (parent) frame. A discussion of parent frame images includes the proposal that points of stagejframe lattices have images as hybrid systems in parent frames. The resulting association of energy with images of lattice point locations, as hybrid systems states, is discussed. Representations and images of other physical systems in the different frames are also described.
Nonuniform Grid‐Based Coordinated Routing in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Akl Robert , Kadiyala Priyanka , Haidar Mohamad
Published: November 2009

A nonuniform grid‐based coordinated routing design in wireless sensor networks is presented. The conditions leading to network partition and analysis of energy consumption that prolongs the network lifetime are studied. We focus on implementing routing in densely populated sensor networks. By maintaining constant values for parameters such as path loss exponent, receiver sensitivity and transmit power, and varying between uniform and non‐uniform grids, we observe energy consumption patterns for each of the grid structures and infer from the network lifetime the better suited grids for uniformly and randomly deployed sensor nodes.
Optimal Inequalities among Various Means of Two Arguments
Authors: Shi Ming-yu , Chu Yu-ming , Jiang Yue-ping
Published: November 2009

We establish two optimal inequalities among power mean , arithmetic mean A(a, b) = (a + b)/2, logarithmic mean L(a, b) = (a − b)/(log a − log b), and geometric mean .
Microfluidic Technology in Vascular Research
Authors: van der Meer A. D. , Poot A. A. , Duits M. H. G. , Feijen J. , Vermes I.
Published: November 2009

Vascular cell biology is an area of research with great biomedical relevance. Vascular dysfunction is involved in major diseases such as atherosclerosis, diabetes, and cancer. However, when studying vascular cell biology in the laboratory, it is difficult to mimic the dynamic, three‐dimensional microenvironment that is found in vivo. Microfluidic technology offers unique possibilities to overcome this difficulty. In this review, an overview of the recent applications of microfluidic technology in the field of vascular biological research will be given. Examples of how microfluidics can be used to generate shear stresses, growth factor gradients, cocultures, and migration assays will be provided. The use of microfluidic devices in studying three‐dimensional models of vascular tissue will be discussed. It is concluded that microfluidic technology offers great possibilities to systematically study vascular cell biology with setups that more closely mimic the in vivo situation than those that are generated with conventional methods.
Cathepsin G, a Neutrophil Protease, Induces Compact Cell-Cell Adhesion in MCF-7 Human Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Kudo Tomoya , Kigoshi Hideaki , Hagiwara Takashi , Takino Takahisa , Yamazaki Masatoshi , Yui Satoru
Published: November 2009

Cathepsin G is a serine protease secreted by activated neutrophils that play a role in the inflammatory response. Because neutrophils are known to be invading leukocytes in various tumors, their products may influence the characteristics of tumor cells such as the growth state, motility, and the adhesiveness between cells or the extracellular matrix. Here, we demonstrate that cathepsin G induces cell-cell adhesion of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells resulting from the contact inhibition of cell movement on fibronectin but not on type IV collagen. Cathepsin G subsequently induced cell condensation, a very compact cell colony, resulting due to the increased strength of E-cadherin-mediated cell-cell adhesion. Cathepsin G action is protease activity-dependent and was inhibited by the presence of serine protease inhibitors. Cathepsin G promotes E-cadherin/catenin complex formation and Rap1 activation in MCF-7 cells, which reportedly regulates E-cadherin-based cell-cell junctions. Cathepsin G also promotes E-cadherin/protein kinase D1 (PKD1) complex formation, and Go6976, the selective PKD1 inhibitor, suppressed the cathepsin G-induced cell condensation. Our findings provide the first evidence that cathepsin G regulates E-cadherin function, suggesting that cathepsin G has a novel modulatory role against tumor cell-cell adhesion.
The Ethics of Rationing of Critical Care Services: Should Technology Assessment Play a Role?
Authors: Bloomfield Eric L.
Published: November 2009

The costs of health care continue to increase rapidly and steeply in the United States. One area of great expense is that of intensive care units (ICUs). The causes of inflation have not been addressed effectively. ICU resources could become stretched such that they may no longer be available. This paper discusses some of the ethics and concerns behind decision making when providing ICU services in the United States. In particular, the use of electronic records with decision making tools, risk-analysis methods, and documentation of patient wishes for extraordinary care may help with better utilization of resources in the future.
Quantification of Spatial Parameters in 3D Cellular Constructs Using Graph Theory
Authors: Lund A. W. , Bilgin C. C. , Hasan M. A. , McKeen L. M. , Stegemann J. P. , Yener B. , Zaki M. J. , Plopper G. E.
Published: November 2009

Multispectral three‐dimensional (3D) imaging provides spatial information for biological structures that cannot be measured by traditional methods. This work presents a method of tracking 3D biological structures to quantify changes over time using graph theory. Cell‐graphs were generated based on the pairwise distances, in 3D‐Euclidean space, between nuclei during collagen I gel compaction. From these graphs quantitative features are extracted that measure both the global topography and the frequently occurring local structures of the “tissue constructs.” The feature trends can be controlled by manipulating compaction through cell density and are significant when compared to random graphs. This work presents a novel methodology to track a simple 3D biological event and quantitatively analyze the underlying structural change. Further application of this method will allow for the study of complex biological problems that require the quantification of temporal‐spatial information in 3D and establish a new paradigm in understanding structure‐function relationships.
Does Vitamin D Deficiency Cause Hypertension? Current Evidence from Clinical Studies and Potential Mechanisms
Authors: Ullah M. Iftekhar , Uwaifo Gabriel I. , Nicholas William C. , Koch Christian A.
Published: November 2009

Vitamin D deficiency is widely prevalent across all ages, races, geographical regions, and socioeconomic strata. In addition to its important role in skeletal development and calcium homeostasis, several recent studies suggest its association with diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, certain types of malignancy, and immunologic dysfunction. Here, we review the current evidence regarding an association between vitamin D deficiency and hypertension in clinical and epidemiological studies. We also look into plausible biological explanations for such an association with the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and insulin resistance playing potential roles. Taken together, it appears that more studies in more homogeneous study populations are needed before a firm conclusion can be reached as to whether vitamin D deficiency causes or aggravates hypertension and whether vitamin D supplementation is safe and exerts cardioprotective effects. The potential problems with bias and confounding factors present in previous epidemiological studies may be overcome or minimized by well designed randomized controlled trials in the future.
Fixed Points for Pseudocontractive Mappings on Unbounded Domains
Authors: García-Falset Jesús , Llorens-Fuster E
Published: November 2009

We give some fixed point results for pseudocontractive mappings on nonbounded domains which allow us to obtain generalizations of recent fixed point theorems of Penot, Isac, and Németh. An application to integral equations is given.