bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of cutting forces in helical milling of carbon fiber–reinforced plastics
Authors: Haiyan Wang , Xuda Qin , Hao Li , Chengzu Ren
Published: December 2012

The carbon fiber–reinforced plastics have gained considerable attention in the aerospace industry in recent years. Drilling of carbon fiber–reinforced plastic is relatively difficult with too much fiber delamination and pulling out in the entry and exit of the holes. As an advanced hole-making technology, helical milling is being developed in machining of carbon fiber–reinforced plastic, in which the tool moves on a helical course to the workpiece. Experiments were carried out on helical milling of carbon fiber–reinforced plastic, the effects of the cutting parameters and tool wear on the cutting forces are analyzed, and the relation between hole quality and cutting forces is also discussed. In order to simulate the cutting forces under different cutting conditions, the mechanistic modeling technique is used to predict cutting forces in helical milling of carbon fiber–reinforced plastic, and the cutting force coefficients are identified and corrected based on the experimental data. The results show that the established model can be used to predict the cutting forces in the helical milling process.
Experimental testing of an active control turbocharger turbine inlet equipped with a sliding sleeve nozzle
Authors: Pesiridis Apostolos , Martinez-Botas Ricardo F
Published: December 2012

The current paper presents the performance results of a variable-flow turbocharger turbine, called the active control turbocharger. Driven by the need to comply with increasingly strict emissions regulations as well as to strive continually for a better overall performance, the active control turbocharger is intended to provide an improvement over the current state-of-the-art turbochargers, namely the variable-geometry turbocharger. In this system, the nozzle is able to alter the throat inlet area of the turbine according to the variation in the energy (the pressure, temperature and mass flow) of each engine exhaust gas pulse with the intention of capitalising upon the untapped high-energy content of these pulses. The paper concentrates on the potential gain in the turbine expansion ratio and the eventual power output, as well as the corresponding effects on the efficiency as a result of operating the turbocharger in its active control mode compared with its operation as a standard variable-geometry turbocharger. This has meant actuation of the nozzle according to the pulse frequency, for different amplitudes and phase settings. The pulsating flow turbine power recovered increased by more than 15% compared with that from an equivalent variable-geometry turbocharger turbine, with the best phase offset between the minimum nozzle position and the start of the pulse (among the four tested) being 60°.
Estimation of the air quality of a vehicle interior: The effect of the ratio of fresh air to recirculated air from a heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system
Authors: Seo Jinwon , Choi Yunho
Published: December 2012

The air quality inside the cabin of an automobile is closely related to the health of those who spend much time in their vehicles. The automotive indoor-air quality can be improved in several ways, the most common and effective of which involves diluting the polluted air with fresh air through the vehicle’s heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system. In this study, we switched between the outside-air mode and the recirculation mode of the automotive heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system to assess how the switch affected the concentration of pollution within the vehicle. The flow rates in the possible door angles between the outside-air mode and the recirculation mode of the vehicle’s heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system obtained from experiments were applied to the computational fluid dynamics analysis. Furthermore, actual vehicles were infused with gas over time and concentrations were measured to validate the numerical results. In the computational fluid dynamics analysis, a user-defined function was applied to a commercial code to find the ratio of fresh air to recirculated air in heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems. The obtained numerical data were analysed under a variety of conditions such as the flow rate and the ratio of fresh air to recirculated air to identify the change in the indoor-air quality source concentrations.
Confuse Your Illusion
Authors: Wokke Martijn E. , Vandenbroucke Annelinde R. E. , Scholte H. Steven , Lamme Victor A. F.
Published: December 2012

A striking example of the constructive nature of visual perception is how the human visual system completes contours of occluded objects. To date, it is unclear whether perceptual completion emerges during early stages of visual processing or whether higher-level mechanisms are necessary. To answer this question, we used transcranial magnetic stimulation to disrupt signaling in V1/V2 and in the lateral occipital (LO) area at different moments in time while participants performed a discrimination task involving a Kanizsa-type illusory figure. Results show that both V1/V2 and higher-level visual area LO are critically involved in perceptual completion. However, these areas seem to be involved in an inverse hierarchical fashion, in which the critical time window for V1/V2 follows that for LO. These results are in line with the growing evidence that feedback to V1/V2 contributes to perceptual completion.
The Moral Roots of Environmental Attitudes
Authors: Feinberg Matthew , Willer Robb
Published: December 2012

Americans’ attitudes about the environment are highly polarized, but it is unclear why this is the case. We conducted five studies to examine this issue. Studies 1a and 1b demonstrated that liberals, but not conservatives, view the environment in moral terms and that this tendency partially explains the relation between political ideology and environmental attitudes. Content analyses of newspaper op-eds (Study 2a) and public-service announcements (Study 2b) found that contemporary environmental discourse is based largely on moral concerns related to harm and care, which are more deeply held by liberals than by conservatives. However, we found that reframing proenvironmental rhetoric in terms of purity, a moral value resonating primarily among conservatives, largely eliminated the difference between liberals’ and conservatives’ environmental attitudes (Study 3). These results establish the importance of moralization as a cause of polarization on environmental attitudes and suggest that reframing environmental discourse in different moral terms can reduce the gap between liberals and conservatives in environmental concern.
Satire and the Politics of Corruption in Kenya
Authors: Harrington John , Manji Ambreena
Published: December 2012

Corruption in Kenya has been a matter of intense concern for foreign donors and the international financial institutions. External efforts to change the ‘governance culture’ in this regard are not simply instrumental, composed of material restrictions and incentives. They are also inherently rhetorical, seeking to establish the plausibility of a set of values rooted in political economy. This paper examines two widely reported speeches of a former British High Commissioner that can be read together as a highly figurative satire on political standards in Kenya. Having developed a reading of anti-corruption governance as satire, we extend it to the role of the legal profession in the illegal and irregular allocation of public land. We argue that, as well as demonstrating an application of the rhetorical analysis of neo-liberal governance, the case of land grabbing in Kenya also highlights the instability of many of the key binary oppositions underpinning dominant anti-corruption strategies. This instability can be understood in rhetorical terms by drawing on the work of post-colonial writers and critics on the category of excremental satire. Rather than a clear binary opposition, these suggest the interrelation, or more precisely the mutual contamination, of corruption and normal capitalist accumulation.
Basic Trust
Authors: Colonnesi Cristina , Wissink Inge B. , Noom Marc J. , Asscher Jessica J. , Hoeve Machteld , Stams Geert Jan J. M. , Polderman Nelleke , Kellaert-Knol Marijke G.
Published: December 2012

Objectives:

We evaluated a new attachment-oriented intervention aimed at improving parental mind-mindedness, promoting positive parent–child relationships, and reducing child psychopathology in families with adopted children.

Method:

The sample consisted of 20 families with adopted children (2–5 years of age). After the pretest, the intervention was conducted, followed by a posttest, 6 months later.

Results:

Positive medium-to-large changes between pretest and posttest were found in children’s insecure attachments to their mothers, disorganized attachments to both their parents and conduct problems. Finally, mothers who had spent more time with their adopted children perceived less peer problems in their children after the intervention.

Conclusion:

Basic Trust is a promising intervention for improving parent–child relationships in adoptive families and decreasing attachment and conduct problems.
Acute and Chronic Effects of Glyceryl Trinitrate Therapy on Insulin and Glucose Regulation in Humans
Authors: Jedrzkiewicz Sean , Parker John D.
Published: December 2012

This study examined the effect of acute and sustained transdermal glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) therapy on insulin and glucose regulation. Totally, 12 males (18-30 years) underwent a glucose tolerance test at baseline (visit 1), 90 minutes after acute transdermal GTN 0.6 mg/h (visit 2), following 7 days of continuous GTN (visit 3), and 2 to 3 days after stopping GTN (visit 4). At each visit, plasma glucose and insulin concentrations were measured before and 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes after a 75-g oral glucose load. Indices of glucose metabolism that were examined included the insulin sensitivity index, the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and the insulinogenic index. The acute administration of GTN had no effect on glucose and insulin responses (visit 2). However, after 7 days of GTN exposure (visit 3) there was an increase in the mean glucose concentration measured after the oral glucose load. On visit 1, the mean glucose concentration (± standard deviation) following the 75 g oral glucose challenge was 5.7 ± 0.5 µmol/L. On visit 3, after 7 days of transdermal GTN therapy, the mean glucose concentration after the oral glucose was significantly higher; 6.2 ± 0.5 µmol/L ( P < .015; 95% confidence intervals 0.25-0.77). There was also an increase in the HOMA-IR index; on visit 1, the median HOMA-IR (interquartile range) was 5.2 (3.9) versus 6.9 (6.8) on visit 3 ( P < .015). Other indices of glucose metabolism did not change. These observations document that GTN therapy modifies glucose metabolism causing evidence of increased insulin resistance during sustained therapy in normal humans.
“Non-White” Gentrification in Chicago’s Bronzeville and Pilsen
Authors: Anderson Matthew B. , Sternberg Carolina
Published: December 2012

Urban redevelopment governances are commonly treated as singular, monolithic entities that are interactively homogeneous, deploying uniform ensembles of policies and practices across their respective cities. This study, alternatively, reveals these formations as adroitly proactive and interactively heterogeneous across their respective cities. Through a racial economy lens, we empirically examine the racial contours of this “governance heterogeneity” in one urban setting: Chicago, Illinois. In this frame, a comparative analysis of Chicago’s Bronzeville and Pilsen neighborhoods is presented. Both neighborhoods are constituted by different racial profiles: Bronzeville is home to a predominantly African-American population, whereas Pilsen is mostly Mexican and Mexican-American. The study reveals that redevelopment governances are differentially responsive to established, deeply rooted racialized conceptions of “Blackness” and “Latinoness.” As a result, the form and trajectory of redevelopment in both settings has unfolded in markedly different ways.
Stroh formalism in analysis of skew-symmetric and symmetric weight functions for interfacial cracks
Authors: Morini L , Radi E , Movchan AB , Movchan NV
Published: December 2012

The focus of the paper is on the analysis of skew-symmetric weight functions for interfacial cracks in two-dimensional anisotropic solids. It is shown that the Stroh formalism proves to be an efficient tool for this challenging task. Conventionally, the weight functions, both symmetric and skew-symmetric, can be identified as non-trivial singular solutions of a homogeneous boundary-value problem for a solid with a crack. For a semi-infinite crack, the problem can be reduced to solving a matrix Wiener–Hopf functional equation. Instead, the Stroh matrix representation of displacements and tractions, combined with a Riemann–Hilbert formulation, is used to obtain an algebraic eigenvalue problem, which is solved in a closed form. The proposed general method is applied to the case of a quasi-static semi-infinite crack propagating between two dissimilar orthotropic media: explicit expressions for the weight functions are evaluated and then used in the computation of the complex stress intensity factor corresponding to a general distribution of forces acting on the crack faces.
The tribological behaviors of disulfide-type triazine derivatives as additives in biodegradable lithium grease
Authors: Jiang Junhui , Li Zhipeng , Li Xiufeng , Chen Lixin , Ren Tianhui
Published: December 2012

Two novel disulfide-type triazine derivatives, 6,6'-disulfanediylbis(4-(dibutylamino)-1,3,5-triazine-2-thiol) (coded DTBT) and 6,6'-disulfanediylbis(4-(bis(2-ethylhexyl)amino)-1,3,5-triazine-2-thiol) (coded DTOT), were prepared. A four-ball tester was used to evaluate their tribological performances as anti-wear and extreme-pressure additives in biodegradable lithium grease. The results show that the disulfide-type triazine derivatives possess good friction-reducing properties and excellent anti-wear, extreme-pressure capacities. For further understanding of their tribological behaviors, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy are adopted to analyze the tribofilms generated from these additives in biodegradable lithium grease. The results of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis illustrate that the prepared compounds as additives in biodegradable lithium grease forms a protective film containing FeS, FeS2 (or S-containing organic compounds), Fe2(SO4)3, FeSO4, FeO (or Fe3O4), and N-containing organic compounds on the metal surface during the sliding process.
Damned if you do and damned if you don’t
Authors: Tzelgov Eitan
Published: December 2012

I use quantitative textual analysis of the Israeli Knesset’s legislative debates to analyse legislative parties’ strategies. The analysis demonstrates three results. First, given an opportunity provided by an exogenous shock to the Israeli political system, dovish opposition parties used their floor speeches strategically to emphasize a frame of Israeli security on which the hawkish majority held a losing position. Second, due to its weak position, the hawkish coalition eventually ‘deserted’ the frame. Third, this dynamic resulted in a major change in the legislative discourse on security, and in the consolidation of a frame of security that highly favoured the opposition. I argue that this strategy constitutes rhetorical heresthetic, since it emphasizes the internal contradictions of the majority and contributes to its split. In general, these results demonstrate that legislative rhetoric is an important venue of oppositional behaviour, especially given the limited agenda control the majority has over legislative speeches. Finally, the model is generalizable to measuring dynamic partisanship in various political institutions.
Characteristics of the Quality of Korean High-Rise Apartments Using the Health Performance Indicator
Authors: Kang Na Na , Lee Tae Kyung , Kim Jeong Tai
Published: December 2012

The purpose of this study was to apply health performance indicators to actual apartments in order to evaluate the health performance of high-rise and high-density Korean apartments and their environment. In addition, this study analysed factors that are perceived as affecting the residents’ satisfaction. To this end, two apartment complexes that are in a similar location and environment, but with a 10-year difference in their age, were examined and evaluated. Both apartment complexes were assessed as healthy in all dimensions, but unhealthy in the attribute of information management in the managerial dimension. The study also identified that residents were positive and enthusiastic about the performance evaluation. Both groups of residents responded positively and showed satisfaction with their housing environment with no significant differences between the two groups. However, using different evaluation dimensions and attributes could affect their observed satisfaction levels based on residence duration. Therefore, in order for these apartments to be recorded as healthy environments, evaluation indicators would need to be validated and illustrate a healthy housing quality, which reflects the characteristics and current status. The evaluation results can then be utilised to develop guidelines to manage and maintain healthy housing environments for apartments.
Young adults of ethnic minority background on the Norwegian labour market: The interactional co-construction of exclusion by employers and customers
Authors: Fangen Katrine , Paasche Erlend
Published: December 2012

Labour market participation is commonly conceptualized as an indicator of immigrant integration, although integration is not something that should be conflated with inclusion. The mere fact of employment is no silver bullet. The sociology of work needs to consider experiences of exclusion both before and after entry to the labour market. This article is based on a 25-case selection of 50 in-depth interviews that we conducted with young adults of ethnic minority background in Norway. We analyse their experiences of, and reactions to, exclusion in the labour market. While for several interviewees the possibility of being met with ethnic prejudice from employers looms large, more experiences of this sort were reported among interviewees engaged in customer contact, where the inside of an organization intersects with the outside world.
Potential Blood Biomarker for Disease Severity in the Taiwanese Population With Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Huang Ching-Wen , Wang Shang-Jang , Wu Shyh-Jong , Yang Ching-Chung , Huang Ming-Wei , Lin Chieh-Hsin , Cheng Irene H.
Published: December 2012

The identification of blood biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) could contribute for improvement in early diagnosis. To define AD biomarkers, we compared serum/plasma levels of amyloid β (Aβ), tau, cytokines, and biometals between AD and non-AD groups. Cognitive impairment was assessed by Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE) and Clinical Dementia Rating scales. Plasma concentrations of total Aβ, Aβ42, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and interleukin 6 were quantified by immunoassays. Serum biometal concentrations were determined using flame atomic absorption spectrometry. We found that serum zinc (Zn) was lower in patients with AD. After controlling for age, the MMSE score correlated with both TNF-α and total Aβ levels in the AD group, while the MMSE score correlated with iron only in the non-AD group. Our finding that blood Zn, TNF-α, and total Aβ are possible biomarkers for AD diagnosis and prognosis validates the pervious publication on potential biomarker in the Taiwanese population.
Televising Supreme Court Oral Argument?
Authors: Strauber Ira L.
Published: December 2012

This article analyzes the cogency of claims about the purported benefits and risks associated with televising oral argument. It considers two purported benefits of broadcasts (civic education for the sake of greater public understanding of the Court as an institution and for the sake of holding the Court responsible for its policies) and three purported risks (distorted public perceptions of the Court’s work, interfering with the Court’s work, and undermining the Court’s cultural status). The central thesis is that the cogency of claims about these benefits and risks is so beset by uncertainties and ambiguities that justifying claims is thoroughly problematic.
On the efficiency of functional decomposition in fault tree analysis
Authors: Matuzas Vaidas , Contini Sergio
Published: December 2012

The exact analysis of complex fault trees is a very difficult task. Many methods have been defined to reduce computation time and working memory usage. This problem was recently studied by the authors who proposed an approach based on functional decomposition. A complex fault tree is recursively decomposed into a set of mutually exclusive simpler fault trees until their dimensions are compatible with the available working memory size. Then, the results of the analysis of all generated simpler trees are composed to obtain the results for the original un-decomposed fault tree. Large fault trees, which were impossible to analyse owing to insufficient working memory for the construction of the binary decision diagrams, were successfully analysed by means of the functional decomposition method. Since a fault tree is decomposed with respect to a small subset S of the vector x of basic events, the efficiency of the decomposition process is highly dependent on this subset. Hence the problem is how to select the events of S in order to minimise the fault tree analysis time. This article describes and compares four different algorithms to construct S with the aim of identifying the one for which the decomposition procedure requires the least computational time. Owing to the heuristic nature of this problem, all algorithms have been tested on a number of fault trees of different complexity in order to draw useful indications on the relatively ‘best’ one(s). According to the efficiency measures adopted for comparison purposes, the results showed that the best way to proceed is to set S as a minimal path set of the fault tree to be decomposed.
The Hermite-Hadamard inequality for r-convex functions
Authors: Zabandan Gholamreza , Bodaghi Abasalt , Kılıçman Adem
Published: December 2012

In this paper, we establish the Hermite-Hadamard inequality forr-convex functions. We prove thatr-convexity impliess-convexity (0≤r≤s). As a result, we obtain a refinement of the Hermite-Hadamard inequality for anr-convex function (0≤r≤1). We also investigate the Hermite-Hadamard inequality for the product of anr-convex functionfand ans-convex functiong.

MSC:26D15, 26D10.
Early repolarization with horizontal ST segment may be associated with aborted sudden cardiac arrest: a retrospective case control study
Authors: Kim Sung Hea , Kim Do Young , Kim Hyun-Joong , Jung Sang Man , Han Seong Woo , Suh Soon Yong , Ryu Kyu-Hyung
Published: December 2012

Background

Risk stratification of the early repolarization pattern (ERP) is needed to identify malignant early repolarization. J-point elevation with a horizontal ST segment was recently suggested as a malignant feature of the ERP. In this study, the prevalence of the ERP with a horizontal ST segment was examined among survivors of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) without structural heart disease to evaluate the value of ST-segment morphology in risk stratification of the ERP.

Methods

We reviewed the data of 83 survivors of SCA who were admitted from August 2005 to August 2010. Among them, 25 subjects without structural heart disease were included. The control group comprised 60 healthy subjects who visited our health promotion center; all control subjects were matched for age, sex, and underlying disease (diabetes mellitus, hypertension). Early repolarization was defined as an elevation of the J point of at least 0.1 mV above the baseline in at least two continuous inferior or lateral leads that manifested as QRS slurring or notching. An ST-segment pattern of <0.1 mV within 100 ms after the J point was defined as a horizontal ST segment.

Results

The SCA group included 17 men (64%) with a mean age of 49.7 ± 14.5 years. The corrected QTc was not significantly different between the SCA and control groups (432.7 ± 37.96 vs. 420.4 ± 26.3, respectively; p = 0.089). The prevalence of ERP was not statistically different between the SCA and control groups (5/25, 20% vs. 4/60, 6.7%, respectively; p = 0.116). The prevalence of early repolarization with a horizontal ST segment was more frequent in the SCA than in the control group (20% vs. 3.3%, respectively; p = 0.021). Four SCA subjects (16%) and one control subject (1.7%) had a J-point elevation of >2 mm (p = 0.025). Four SCA subjects (16%) and one (1.7%) control subject had an ERP in the inferior lead (p = 0.025).

Conclusion

The prevalence of ERP with a horizontal ST segment was higher in patients with aborted SCA than in matched controls. This result suggests that ST morphology has value in the recognition of malignant early repolarization.
Prevalences and associated risk factors of HCV/HIV co-infection and HCV mono-infection among injecting drug users in a methadone maintenance treatment program in Taipei, Taiwan
Authors: Yen Yung-Feng , Yen Muh-Yong , Su Lien-Wen , Li Lan-Huei , Chuang Peing , Jiang Xiao-Ru , Deng Chung-Yeh
Published: December 2012

Background

Injecting drug users (IDUs) in Taiwan contributed significantly to an HIV/AIDS epidemic in 2005. In addition, studies that identified risk factors of HCV/HIV co-infection among IDUs were sparse. This study aimed to identify risk factors of HCV/HIV co-infection and HCV mono-infection, as compared with seronegativity, among injecting drug users (IDUs) at a large methadone maintenance treatment program (MMTP) in Taipei, Taiwan.

Methods

Data from enrollment interviews and HCV and HIV testing completed by IDUs upon admission to the Taipei City Hospital MMTP from 2006–2010 were included in this cross-sectional analysis. HCV and HIV testing was repeated among re-enrollees whose HCV or HIV test results were negative at the preceding enrollment. Backward stepwise multinomial logistic regression was used to identify risk factors associated with HCV/HIV co-infection and HCV mono-infection.

Results

Of the 1,447 IDUs enrolled, the prevalences of HCV/HIV co-infection, HCV mono-infection, and HIV mono-infection were 13.1%, 78.0%, and 0.4%, respectively. In backward stepwise multinomial regression analysis, after controlling for potential confounders, syringe sharing in the 6 months before MMTP enrollment was significantly positively associated with HCV/HIV co-infection (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=27.72, 95% confidence interval [CI] 13.30–57.76). Incarceration was also significantly positively associated with HCV/HIV co-infection (AOR=2.01, 95% CI 1.71–2.37) and HCV mono-infection (AOR=1.77, 95% CI 1.52–2.06), whereas smoking amphetamine in the 6 months before MMTP enrollment was significantly inversely associated with HCV/HIV co-infection (AOR=0.44, 95% CI 0.25–0.76) and HCV mono-infection (AOR=0.49, 95% CI 0.32–0.75). HCV seroincidence was 45.25/100 person-years at risk (PYAR; 95% CI 24.74–75.92/100 PYAR) and HIV seroincidence was 0.53/100 PYAR (95% CI 0.06–1.91/100 PYAR) among re-enrolled IDUs who were HCV- or HIV-negative at the preceding enrollment.

Conclusions

IDUs enrolled in Taipei MMTPs had very high prevalences of HCV/HIV co-infection and HCV mono-infection. Interventions such as expansion of syringe exchange programs and education regarding HCV/HIV prevention should be implemented for this high-risk group of drug users.
Occupational heavy lifting and risk of ischemic heart disease and all-cause mortality
Authors: Petersen Christina B , Eriksen Louise , Tolstrup Janne S , Søgaard Karen , Grønbæk Morten , Holtermann Andreas
Published: December 2012

Background

Occupational heavy lifting is known to impose a high cardiovascular strain, but the risk of ischemic heart disease (IHD) from occupational heavy lifting is unknown. The objective was to investigate the association between occupational heavy lifting and risk of IHD and all-cause mortality, and the influence of occupational and leisure time physical activity on this association.

Methods

Data were analyzed from 1987, 1994, and 2000 from the Danish National Health Interview Surveys providing a sample of 6,692 working men and 5,921 working women aged 16–85 years without cardiovascular disease at baseline. Conventional risk factors for the outcomes IHD and all-cause mortality were controlled for in Cox analyses.

Results

Among men, heavy lifting was associated with increased risk for IHD (hazard ratio (HR): 1.52, 95% Confidence interval (95% CI): 1.15, 2.02), while a decreased risk was associated with occupational (HR: 0.50, 95% CI: 0.37, 0.68) and leisure time (HR: 0.73, 95% CI: 0.56, 0.95) physical activity. Referencing men with high occupational physical activity and no heavy lifting, men with high occupational physical activity and heavy lifting did not have an increased risk (HR: 1.11, 95% CI:0.68, 1.82), while men with low occupational physical activity and heavy lifting had a substantial increased risk (HR: 2.56, 95% CI:1.52, 4.32). No significant associations were found for all-cause mortality or for females.

Conclusion

These findings indicate an excessive risk for IHD from occupational heavy lifting among men, particularly among those with low occupational and leisure time physical activity.
Highly efficient site-specific transgenesis in cancer cell lines
Authors: Michael Iacovos P , Monetti Claudio , Chiu Anthony C , Zhang Puzheng , Baba Takeshi , Nishino Koichiro , Agha-Mohammadi Siamak , Woltjen Knut , Sung Hoon-Ki , Nagy Andras
Published: December 2012

Background

Transgenes introduced into cancer cell lines serve as powerful tools for identification of genes involved in cancer. However, the random nature of genomic integration site of a transgene highly influences the fidelity, reliability and level of its expression. In order to alleviate this bottleneck, we characterized the potential utility of a novel PhiC31 integrase-mediated site-specific insertion system (PhiC31-IMSI) for introduction of transgenes into a pre-inserted docking site in the genome of cancer cells.

Methods

According to this system, a “docking-site” was first randomly inserted into human cancer cell lines and clones with a single copy were selected. Subsequently, an “incoming” vector containing the gene of interest was specifically inserted in the docking-site using PhiC31.

Results

Using the Pc-3 and SKOV-3 cancer cell lines, we showed that transgene insertion is reproducible and reliable. Furthermore, the selection system ensured that all surviving stable transgenic lines harbored the correct integration site. We demonstrated that the expression levels of reporter genes, such as green fluorescent protein and luciferase, from the same locus were comparable among sister, isogenic clones. Using in vivo xenograft studies, we showed that the genetically altered cancer cell lines retain the properties of the parental line. To achieve temporal control of transgene expression, we coupled our insertion strategy with the doxycycline inducible system and demonstrated tight regulation of the expression of the antiangiogenic molecule sFlt-1-Fc in Pc-3 cells. Furthermore, we introduced the luciferase gene into the insertion cassette allowing for possible live imaging of cancer cells in transplantation assays. We also generated a series of Gateway cloning-compatible intermediate cassettes ready for high-throughput cloning of transgenes and demonstrated that PhiC31-IMSI can be achieved in a high throughput 96-well plate format.

Conclusions

The novel PhiC31-IMSI system described in this study represents a powerful tool that can facilitate the characterization of cancer-related genes.
Hypolipidemic effects of lactic acid bacteria fermented cereal in rats
Authors: Banjoko Immaculata Oyeyemi , Adeyanju Muinat Moronke , Ademuyiwa Oladipo , Adebawo Olugbenga Obajimi , Olalere Rahman Abiodun , Kolawole Martin Oluseye , Adegbola Ibrahim Akorede , Adesanmi Tope Adebusola , Oladunjoye Tosin Oluyinka , Ogunnowo Adeyemi Adeola , Shorinola Ahmeed Adekola , Daropale Oluwasetemi , Babatope Esther Bunmi , Osibogun Adeboye Olufemi , Ogunfowokan Deborah Tolulope , Jentegbe Temitope Adeola , Apelehin Tinuola Gbemi , Ogunnowo Oluwaseyi , Olokodana Oluwanifemi , Fetuga Falilat Yetunde , Omitola Morenike , Okafor Linda Adugo , Ebohon Catherine Lohi , Ita James Oluwafemi , Disu Kazeem Ayoola , Ogherebe Omokaro , Eriobu Stella Uche , Bakare Anthony Alaba
Published: December 2012

Background

The objectives of the present study were to investigate the efficacy of the mixed culture of Lactobacillus acidophilus (DSM 20242), Bifidobacterium bifidum (DSM 20082) and Lactobacillus helveticus (CK60) in the fermentation of maize and the evaluation of the effect of the fermented meal on the lipid profile of rats.

Methods

Rats were randomly assigned to 3 groups and each group placed on a Diet A (high fat diet into which a maize meal fermented with a mixed culture of Lb acidophilus (DSM 20242), B bifidum (DSM 20082) and Lb helveticus (CK 60) was incorporated), B (unfermented high fat diet) or C (commercial rat chow) respectively after the first group of 7 rats randomly selected were sacrificed to obtain the baseline data. Thereafter 7 rats each from the experimental and control groups were sacrificed weekly for 4 weeks and the plasma, erythrocytes, lipoproteins and organs of the rats were assessed for cholesterol, triglyceride and phospholipids.

Results

Our results revealed that the mixed culture of Lb acidophilus (DSM 20242), B bifidum (DSM 20082) and Lb helveticus (CK 60) were able to grow and ferment maize meal into ‘ogi’ of acceptable flavour. In addition to plasma and hepatic hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia, phospholipidosis in plasma, as well as cholesterogenesis, triglyceride constipation and phospholipidosis in extra-hepatic tissues characterized the consumption of unfermented hyperlipidemic diets. However, feeding the animals with the fermented maize diet reversed the dyslipidemia.

Conclusion

The findings of this study indicate that consumption of mixed culture lactic acid bacteria (Lb acidophilus (DSM 20242), Bifidobacterium bifidum (DSM 20082) and Lb helveticus (CK 60) fermented food results in the inhibition of fat absorption. It also inhibits the activity of HMG CoA reductase. This inhibition may be by feedback inhibition or repression of the transcription of the gene encoding the enzyme via activation of the sterol regulatory element binding protein (SREBP) transcription factor. It is also possible that consumption of fermented food enhances conversion of cholesterol to bile acids by activating cholesterol-7α-hydroxylase.
Sleeve lobectomy versus pneumonectomy for non-small cell lung cancer: a meta-analysis
Authors: Shi Woda , Zhang Wei , Sun Haoliang , Shao Yongfeng
Published: December 2012

Aim

It is controversial that whether sleeve lobectomy (SL) should be promoted more worthy than pneumonectomy (PN) in suitable patients.

Methods

We searched all studies that had been published in English from PUBMED and Embase which compared the short-term and long-term outcomes of SL and pneumonectomy (PN) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Results

Nineteen studies met our criteria with a combined total of 3878 subjects, of which 1316 (33.9%) underwent SL and 2562 (66.1%) underwent PN. The odds ratio was 0.50 (95% CI: 0.34-0.72) for postoperative mortality, 1.17 (95% CI: 0.82-1.67) for postoperative complications, 0.78 (95% CI: 0.47-1.29) for locoregional recurrences. The risk difference for 1-, 3-, 5- year was 0.11 (95% CI: 0.07-0.14), 0.15 (95% CI: 0.06-0.24), 0.15 (95% CI: 0.09-0.20),respectively. The pooled hazard ratio was 0.63 (95% CI: 0.56-0.71) in favor of SL group.

Conclusion

SL is more worthy to be done than PN in suitable patients with less mortality and better long-term survival.
Optimization of Acid Black 172 decolorization by electrocoagulation using response surface methodology
Authors: Taheri Mahsa , Moghaddam Mohammad Reza Alavi , Arami Mokhtar
Published: December 2012

This paper utilizes a statistical approach, the response surface optimization methodology, to determine the optimum conditions for the Acid Black 172 dye removal efficiency from aqueous solution by electrocoagulation. The experimental parameters investigated were initial pH: 4–10; initial dye concentration: 0–600 mg/L; applied current: 0.5-3.5 A and reaction time: 3–15 min. These parameters were changed at five levels according to the central composite design to evaluate their effects on decolorization through analysis of variance. High R2 value of 94.48% shows a high correlation between the experimental and predicted values and expresses that the second-order regression model is acceptable for Acid Black 172 dye removal efficiency. It was also found that some interactions and squares influenced the electrocoagulation performance as well as the selected parameters. Optimum dye removal efficiency of 90.4% was observed experimentally at initial pH of 7, initial dye concentration of 300 mg/L, applied current of 2 A and reaction time of 9.16 min, which is close to model predicted (90%) result.
Endotoxin- and ATP-neutralizing activity of alkaline phosphatase as a strategy to limit neuroinflammation
Authors: Huizinga Ruth , Kreft Karim L , Onderwater Sabina , Boonstra Joke G , Brands Ruud , Hintzen Rogier Q , Laman Jon D
Published: December 2012

Background

Alkaline phosphatase (AP) is a ubiquitously expressed enzyme which can neutralize endotoxin as well as adenosine triphosphate (ATP), an endogenous danger signal released during brain injury. In this study we assessed a potential therapeutic role for AP in inhibiting neuroinflammation using three complementary approaches.

Methods

Mice were immunized to induce experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and treated with AP for seven days during different phases of disease. In addition, serological assays to determine AP activity, endotoxin levels and endotoxin-reactive antibodies were performed in a cohort of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and controls. Finally, the expression of AP and related enzymes CD39 and CD73 was investigated in brain tissue from MS patients and control subjects.

Results

AP administration during the priming phase, but not during later stages, of EAE significantly reduced neurological signs. This was accompanied by reduced proliferation of splenocytes to the immunogen, myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein peptide. In MS patients, AP activity and isoenzyme distribution were similar to controls. Although endotoxin-reactive IgM was reduced in primary-progressive MS patients, plasma endotoxin levels were not different between groups. Finally, unlike AP and CD73, CD39 was highly upregulated on microglia in white matter lesions of patients with MS.

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrate that: 1) pre-symptomatic AP treatment reduces neurological signs of EAE; 2) MS patients do not have altered circulating levels of AP or endotoxin; and 3) the expression of the AP-like enzyme CD39 is increased on microglia in white matter lesions of MS patients.
Defective pro-IL-1β responses in macrophages from aged mice
Authors: Ramirez Alejandro , Rathinam Vijay , Fitzgerald Katherine A , Golenbock Douglas T , Mathew Anuja
Published: December 2012

Background

Cytokines regulated by the inflammasome pathway have been extensively implicated in various age-related immune pathologies. We set out to elucidate the contribution of the nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome pathway to the previously described deficiencies in IL-1β production by macrophages from aged mice. We examined the production of pro-IL-1β and its conversion into IL-1β as two separate steps and compared these cytokine responses in bone marrow derived macrophages from young (6–8 weeks) and aged (18–24 months) C57BL/6 mice.

Findings

Relative to macrophages from young mice, macrophages from aged mice produced less pro-IL-1β after TLR4 stimulation with LPS. However upon activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome with ATP, macrophages from young and aged mice were able to efficiently convert and secrete intracellular pro-cytokines as functional cytokines.

Conclusions

Lower levels of IL-1β production are a result of slower and lower overall production of pro-IL-1β in macrophages from aged mice.
Identification of a 3-aminoimidazo[1,2-a]pyridine inhibitor of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase
Authors: Elleder Daniel , Baiga Thomas J , Russell Rebecca L , Naughton John A , Hughes Stephen H , Noel Joseph P , Young John AT
Published: December 2012

Background

Despite the effectiveness of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), there remains an urgent need to develop new human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) inhibitors with better pharmacokinetic properties that are well tolerated, and that block common drug resistant virus strains.

Methods

Here we screened an in-house small molecule library for novel inhibitors of HIV-1 replication.

Results

An active compound containing a 3-aminoimidazo[1,2-a]pyridine scaffold was identified and quantitatively characterized as a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI).

Conclusions

The potency of this compound coupled with its inexpensive chemical synthesis and tractability for downstream SAR analysis make this inhibitor a suitable lead candidate for further development as an antiviral drug.
Synthesis of some potent immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory metabolites by fungal transformation of anabolic steroid oxymetholone
Authors: Khan Naik Tameen , Bibi Marium , Yousuf Sammer , Qureshi Izhar Husain , Atta-ur-Rahman  , Al-Majid Abdullah Mohammad , Mesaik Muhammad Ahmed , Khalid Ahmed Shukralla , Sattar Samina A , Atia-tul-Wahab  , Choudhary M Iqbal
Published: December 2012

Background

Biotransformation of organic compounds by using microbial whole cells provides an efficient approach to obtain novel analogues which are often difficult to synthesize chemically. In this manuscript, we report for the first time the microbial transformation of a synthetic anabolic steroidal drug, oxymetholone, by fungal cell cultures.

Results

Incubation of oxymetholone (1) with Macrophomina phaseolina, Aspergillus niger, Rhizopus stolonifer, and Fusarium lini produced 17β-hydroxy-2-(hydroxy-methyl)-17α-methyl-5α-androstan-1-en-3-one (2), 2α,17α-di(hydroxyl-methyl)-5α-androstan-3β,17β-diol (3), 17α-methyl-5α-androstan-2α,3β,17β-triol (4), 17β-hydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)-17α-methyl-androst-1,4-dien-3-one (5), 17β-hydroxy-2α-(hydroxy-methyl)-17α-methyl-5α-androstan-3-one (6), and 2α-(hydroxymethyl)-17α-methyl-5α-androstan-3β-17β-diol (7). Their structures were deduced by spectral analyses, as well as single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. Compounds 2–5 were identified as the new metabolites of 1. The immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory activities and cytotoxicity of compounds 1–7 were evaluated by observing their effects on T-cell proliferation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and normal cell growth in MTT assays, respectively. These compounds showed immunosuppressant effect in the T-cell proliferation assay with IC50 values between 31.2 to 2.7 μg/mL, while the IC50 values for ROS inhibition, representing anti-inflammatory effect, were in the range of 25.6 to 2.0 μg/mL. All the compounds were found to be non-toxic in a cell-based cytotoxicity assay.

Conclusion

Microbial transformation of oxymetholone (1) provides an efficient method for structural transformation of 1. The transformed products were obtained as a result of de novo stereoselective reduction of the enone system, isomerization of double bond, insertion of double bond and hydroxylation. The transformed products, which showed significant immunosuppressant and anti-inflammatory activities, can be further studied for their potential as novel drugs.
OsRap2.6 transcription factor contributes to rice innate immunity through its interaction with Receptor for Activated Kinase-C 1 (RACK1)
Authors: Wamaitha Mwathi Jane , Yamamoto Risa , Wong Hann Ling , Kawasaki Tsutomu , Kawano Yoji , Shimamoto Ko
Published: December 2012

Background

The rice small GTPase OsRac1 is a molecular switch in rice innate immunity. The Receptor for Activated Kinase C-1 (RACK1) interacts with OsRac1 to suppress the growth of the rice blast fungus, Magnaporthe oryzae. RACK1 has two homologs in rice, RACK1A and RACK1B. Overexpressing RACK1A enhances resistance to the rice blast fungus. However, RACK1A downstream signals are largely unknown.

Results

Here, we report the identification of OsRap2.6, a transcription factor that interacts with RACK1A. We found a 94% similarity between the OsRap2.6 AP2 domain and Arabidopsis Rap2.6 (AtRap2.6). Bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) assays in rice protoplasts using tagged OsRap2.6 and RACK1A with the C-terminal and N-terminal fragments of Venus (Vc/Vn) indicated that OsRap2.6 and RACK1A interacted and localized in the nucleus and the cytoplasm. Moreover, OsRap2.6 and OsMAPK3/6 interacted in the nucleus and the cytoplasm. Expression of defense genes PAL1 and PBZ1 as well as OsRap2.6 was induced after chitin treatment. Disease resistance analysis using OsRap2.6 RNAi and overexpressing (Ox) plants infected with the rice blast fungus indicated that OsRap2.6 RNAi plants were highly susceptible, whereas OsRap2.6 Ox plants had an increased resistance to the compatible blast fungus.

Conclusions

OsRap2.6 contributes to rice innate immunity through its interaction with RACK1A in compatible interactions.
The 11S globulin Sin a 2 from yellow mustard seeds shows IgE cross‐reactivity with homologous counterparts from tree nuts and peanut
Authors: Sirvent Sofía , Akotenou Martial , Cuesta‐Herranz Javier , Vereda Andrea , Rodríguez Rosalía , Villalba Mayte , Palomares Oscar
Published: December 2012

Background

The 11S globulin Sin a 2 is a marker to predict severity of symptoms in mustard allergic patients. The potential implication of Sin a 2 in cross‐reactivity with tree nuts and peanut has not been investigated so far. In this work, we studied at the IgG and IgE level the involvement of the 11S globulin Sin a 2 in cross‐reactivity among mustard, tree nuts and peanut.

Methods

Eleven well‐characterized mustard‐allergic patients sensitized to Sin a 2 were included in the study. A specific anti‐Sin a 2 serum was obtained in rabbit. Skin prick tests (SPT), enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunoblotting and IgG or IgE‐inhibition immunoblotting experiments using purified Sin a 2, Sin a 1, Sin a 3, mustard, almond, hazelnut, pistachio, walnut or peanut extracts were performed.

Results

The rabbit anti‐Sin a 2 serum showed high affinity and specificity to Sin a 2, which allowed us to demonstrate that Sin a 2 shares IgG epitopes with allergenic 11S globulins from tree nuts (almond, hazelnut, pistachio and walnut) but not from peanut. All the patients included in the study had positive skin prick test to tree nuts and/or peanut and we subdivided them into two different groups according to their clinical symptoms after ingestion of such allergenic sources. We showed that 11S globulins contain conserved IgE epitopes involved in cross‐reactivity among mustard, tree nuts and peanut as well as species‐specific IgE epitopes.

Conclusions

The allergenic 11S globulin Sin a 2 from mustard is involved in cross‐reactivity at the IgE level with tree nuts and peanut. Although the clinical relevance of the cross‐reactive IgE epitopes present in 11S globulins needs to be investigated in further detail, our results contribute to improve the diagnosis and management of mustard allergic patients sensitized to Sin a 2.