bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Infiltrating Macrophages Are Key to the Development of Seizures following Virus Infection
Authors: Cusick Matthew F. , Libbey Jane E. , Patel Dipan C. , Doty Daniel J. , Fujinami Robert S.
Published: December 2012

Viral infections of the central nervous system (CNS) can trigger an antiviral immune response, which initiates an inflammatory cascade to control viral replication and dissemination. The extent of the proinflammatory response in the CNS and the timing of the release of proinflammatory cytokines can lead to neuronal excitability. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), two proinflammatory cytokines, have been linked to the development of acute seizures in Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus-induced encephalitis. It is unclear the extent to which the infiltrating macrophages versus resident CNS cells, such as microglia, contribute to acute seizures, as both cell types produce TNF-α and IL-6. In this study, we show that following infection a significantly higher number of microglia produced TNF-α than did infiltrating macrophages. In contrast, infiltrating macrophages produced significantly more IL-6. Mice treated with minocycline or wogonin, both of which limit infiltration of immune cells into the CNS and their activation, had significantly fewer macrophages infiltrating the brain, and significantly fewer mice had seizures. Therefore, our studies implicate infiltrating macrophages as an important source of IL-6 that contributes to the development of acute seizures.
Management of Legg–calve–perthes Disease with Acupuncture: A Case Report
Authors: Set Turan , Maras Ismail , Khan Abdul Sattar , Ozdemir Hakan
Published: December 2012

Legg–Calve–Perthes disease (LCPD) is a rare temporary hip joint deformity mostly effecting young children from 4–10 years of age. It involves mainly the head of the femur, which softens and breaks down due to interruption of blood supply (avascular necrosis). We report a case of LCPD that was treated late and had a poor prognosis, but improved significantly during a prolonged course of acupuncture. A 12-year-old boy reported to an orthopaedic clinic in 2006 with limping and was diagnosed with LCPD. Surgeons applied orthosis without improvement and decided to perform surgery in 2008. However, the parents declined the surgical option and took the boy to an acupuncture clinic the same year. Needle acupuncture for 20 min and laser acupuncture locally on the hip joint area for 5 min were applied. After 30 sessions of acupuncture, the boy started to improve clinically. Imaging studies showed that new bone cells started to develop in the femoral head. After 130 sessions in 2010 the radiographic appearance showed almost 90% improvement, and after 196 sessions, in August 2012, he was fully recovered. Needle acupuncture treatment combined with laser acupuncture may be an option for the management of LCPD.
A rare and unusual presentation of urological infection on a patient on steroids
Authors: Kwong Tsong , Coker Charles , Simpson Emma
Published: December 2012

We report the rare case of adult lobar nephronia in a 49-year-old female, on long-term steroids with no prior urological or transplant history. More frequently reported in paediatric literature, adult lobar nephronia (focal pyelonephritis) is an unusual radiological finding sometimes preceding the development of renal abscess. We advocate that treatment should be a prolonged course of antibiotics and close follow-up.
Diagnostic accuracy of clinical tests for diagnosis of ankle syndesmosis injury: a systematic review
Authors: Sman Amy D , Hiller Claire E , Refshauge Kathryn M
Published: December 2012

Objectives

To determine the value of clinical tests for accurate diagnosis of ankle syndesmosis injury.

Design

Systematic review.

Data sources

An electronic database search was conducted (to 6 August 2012) of databases such as: MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, PubMed and Cochrane Databases. References from identified articles were examined and seven authors of eligible studies were contacted for additional information.

Study selection

Studies of any design, without language restriction, were included; however, systematic reviews were excluded. Eligible studies included participants with a suspected ankle syndesmosis injury but without fracture. Reliability studies compared one or more clinical tests and studies of test accuracy compared the clinical test with a reference standard.

Results

The database search resulted in 114 full text articles which were assessed for eligibility. Three studies were included in the review and raw data of these studies were retrieved after contacting the authors. Eight clinical diagnostic tests were investigated; palpation of the tibiofibular ligaments, external rotation stress test, squeeze, Cotton, fibula translation, dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM) and anterior drawer tests. Two studies investigated diagnostic accuracy and both investigated the squeeze test by with conflicting results. Likelihood ratios (LR) ranging from LR+1.50 to LR−1.50 were found for other tests. High intra-rater reliability was found for the squeeze, Cotton, dorsiflexion ROM and external rotation tests (83–100% close agreement). Inter-rater reliability was good for the external rotation test (ICC2,1>0.70). Fair-to-poor reliability was found for other tests.

Conclusions

This is the first systematic review to investigate the reliability and accuracy of clinical tests for the diagnosis of ankle syndesmosis injury. Few studies were identified and our findings show that clinicians cannot rely on a single test to identify ankle syndesmosis injury with certainty. Additional diagnostic tests, such as MRI, should be considered before making a final diagnosis of syndesmosis injury.
Educational inequalities in cancer survival: a role for comorbidities and health behaviours?
Authors: Aarts Mieke J , Kamphuis Carlijn B M , Louwman Marieke J , Coebergh Jan Willem W , Mackenbach Johan P , van Lenthe Frank J
Published: December 2012

Aim

To describe educational inequalities in cancer survival and to what extent these can be explained by comorbidity and health behaviours (smoking, physical activity and alcohol consumption).

Methods

The GLOBE study sent postal questionnaires to individuals in The Netherlands in 1991 resulting in 18 973 respondents (response 70%). Questions were asked on education, health and health-related behaviours. Participants were linked for cancer diagnosis (1991–2008), comorbidity and survival (up to 2010) with the population-based Eindhoven Cancer Registry; 1127 tumours were included in the analyses.

Results

5-year crude survival was best in highly educated patients as compared with low educated patients for all cancers combined: 49% versus 32% in male subjects (log rank: p<0.0001), 65% versus 49% in female subjects (p=0.0001). Compared with highly educated, low educated prostate cancer patients had an increased risk of death (HR 2.9 (95% CI 1.7 to 5.1), adjusted for age, stage and year). No or inconsistent associations between educational level and risk of death were seen in multivariable analyses for breast, colon and non-small cell lung cancer. Although survival in prostate cancer patients was affected by comorbidities (HR2_vs_0_comorbidities: 2.6 (1.5 to 4.4)), physical activity (HRno/little_vs__moderate_physical__activity: 2.0 (1.2 to 3.4)) and smoking (HRcurrent_vs_never_smokers: 2.6 (1.0–6.8)), these did not contribute to educational inequalities in prostate cancer survival (HRlow_vs_high_education: 3.1 (1.6 to 5.8) with adjustment for comorbidity and lifestyle).

Conclusions

Compared with low educated, highly educated prostate cancer patients had better survival. Although presence of comorbidities, physical activity levels and smoking status affected survival from prostate cancer, these did not contribute to educational inequalities in survival. The role of other factors for inequalities in cancer survival needs to be explored.
Prevention of stent thrombosis with reduced dose of prasugrel in two patients undergoing treatment of cerebral aneurysms with pipeline embolisation devices
Authors: Jones G Morgan , Twilla Jennifer D , Hoit Daniel A , Arthur Adam S
Published: December 2012

Prevention of intracranial stent thrombosis with dual-antiplatelet therapy is widely used in neuroendovascular procedures. However, the rising incidence of inadequate platelet inhibition with clopidogrel may increase complications following stent placement, especially with newer devices that possess a larger total metal surface area. While there are recent reports of prasugrel as an alternative to clopidogrel, there is no clinical evidence in neurointerventional patients regarding the use of a lower maintenance dose as an alternative strategy to gain adequate platelet inhibition while possibly reducing the risk of bleeding. We present 6-month efficacy and safety outcomes of two patients undergoing elective pipeline embolisation that were found to have inadequate platelet response to clopidogrel and subsequently transitioned to prasugrel 5 mg daily for the prevention of stent thrombosis.
Matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression in carotid atherosclerotic plaque and contrast-enhanced MRI in a swine model
Authors: Jiang Xiao-Bing , Yuan Wei-Si , Wang Jin-Shan , Liu Zhong , Liu Dong-Hong , Shi Zhong-Song
Published: December 2012

Background

A swine model of carotid atherosclerosis may greatly facilitate the identification of imaging characteristics of vulnerable plaques and the preclinical evaluation of endovascular intervention. In this study we assess the association of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 expression and neovascularity in carotid atherosclerotic plaques with MRI patterns in a swine model.

Methods

Carotid atherosclerosis models were created in miniswine using a combination of partial ligation and a high cholesterol diet. The animals were imaged in a 1.5 T MR scanner at 3 months and carotid arteries were obtained for histopathological and immunohistochemical examination. Contrast-enhanced T1-weighted imaging (T1WI) was used to match the histology findings. The contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of the plaques on T1WI and contrast-enhanced T1WI were measured and the association of MMP-9 expression and neovascularity in the carotid plaque with CNR on MRI was analyzed.

Result

Forty carotid artery segments were matched between MRI and histology. All segments were advanced carotid atherosclerotic plaques. The matched contrast-enhanced T1WI and histology slices showed good correlation for ratio of plaque size to lumen diameter (r=0.94, p<0.001). Plaque CNR on contrast-enhanced T1WI was higher in plaques with strong MMP-9 expression than in those with weak MMP-9 expression (p=0.05). Plaque CNR on contrast-enhanced T1WI was also higher in plaques with marked neovascularization than in those without (p=0.02).

Conclusions

Increased plaque CNR on contrast-enhanced T1WI is associated with MMP-9 expression and neovascularization in carotid atherosclerotic plaques and may be used to identify vulnerable plaques.
Safety and cost of stent-assisted coiling of unruptured intracranial aneurysms compared with coiling or clipping
Authors: Frontera Jennifer A , Moatti Joseph , de los Reyes Kenneth M , McCullough Stephen , Moyle Henry , Bederson Joshua B , Patel Aman
Published: December 2012

Objective

Stent-assisted coiling (SAC) of unruptured intracranial aneurysms is a treatment alternative to clipping or coiling, although high complication and procedure-related mortality rates have been reported.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted of patients undergoing SAC, coiling or clipping of unruptured intracranial aneurysms between 2003 and 2010. Rates of residual aneurysm, recanalization, complications, cost (adjusted to 2010), length of stay (LOS) and outcome were compared between groups.

Results

Of 116 subjects, 47 underwent SAC, 33 coiling and 36 clipping. The groups were similar in age, gender and aneurysm location, although the SAC group had significantly larger aneurysms with wider necks (p=0.001). Patients who underwent SAC had more residual aneurysm after initial treatment than those treated with coiling or clipping (75%, 52% and 19%, respectively, p<0.0001), but this difference was smaller at follow-up angiography (50%, 50% and 17% residual, respectively) and was not significant after adjusting for baseline aneurysm and neck size. SAC was not associated with increased recanalization, requirement for additional treatment, mortality or complications after adjusting for aneurysm and neck size. Patients who underwent SAC and those who underwent coiling were more likely to have a good discharge disposition than patients treated with clipping (100% vs 91%, p=0.042). LOS was significantly shorter for patients who underwent SAC or coiling compared with those treated with clipping (p<0.0001). The overall direct cost was higher for patients who underwent SAC than for those treated with coiling or clipping (median $22 544 vs $12 933 vs $14 656, p=0.001), even after adjusting for aneurysm and neck size, LOS and retreatment.

Conclusions

SAC is a safe alternative to coiling or clipping of unruptured aneurysms but it is currently more expensive.
Plasma catestatin level in patients with acute myocardial infarction and its correlation with ventricular remodelling
Authors: Meng Lei , Wang Jie , Ding Wen-hui , Han Ping , Yang Ying , Qi Li-tong , Zhang Bao-wei
Published: December 2012

Background

The evaluation of ventricular remodelling and functional recovery is essential in predicting the prognosis of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Objective

To determine the plasma catestatin level in patients with AMI, and investigate the association between plasma catestatin and heart function, and with left ventricular remodelling (LVR).

Methods

Fifty-eight consecutive patients who were admitted within 12 h of the onset of their ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction symptoms between 1 October 2009 and 30 June 2011 were prospectively recruited. Circulating catestatin was measured by ELISA. All patients underwent an echocardiography examination during the first week; 31 patients had a second echocardiography examination 3 months after the myocardial infarction.

Results

Plasma catestatin at the time of admission was significantly higher in patients than in normal controls. The level increased further in the first week after AMI. Three months after AMI, the plasma catestatin level of patients was comparable to that of normal controls. The plasma level of catestatin correlated with anterior AMI and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in the acute stage. Compared with patients without LVR, those with LVR had significantly higher level of plasma brain natriuretic peptide on day 7 and a significantly higher level of plasma catestatin on admission and on days 3 and 7 (p=0.033, p=0.001, p=0.006, p=0.021, respectively).

Conclusions

Plasma catestatin levels were raised after AMI. An early increase of catestatin correlated with anterior AMI and LVEF. Plasma catestatin after the onset of AMI might be associated with the magnitude of progressive ventricular remodelling 3 months after AMI.
Effect of exercise training on diastolic function in metabolic syndrome
Authors: Lalande Sophie , Petrella Robert J. , Shoemaker J. Kevin
Published: December 2012

It has been reported that metabolic syndrome (MetS) impairs left ventricular (LV) diastolic function. The objective of this study was to determine whether exercise training can improve LV diastolic function in individuals with MetS. Twenty-eight individuals with MetS (9 males, aged 60 ± 5 years) underwent a 1-year combined endurance and resistance exercise training program; maximal aerobic capacity (V̇O2max), blood pressure, blood markers, and LV diastolic function were measured at weeks 0, 12, 24, and 52 throughout the training. Pulsed wave Doppler echocardiography across the mitral valve was used to assess peak early flow velocity (E) and peak atrial flow velocity (A) to determine the E/A ratio. Individuals with MetS had a reversed E/A ratio, suggesting impaired LV relaxation, the first stage of LV diastolic dysfunction. Exercise training reduced systolic blood pressure (SBP) (129 ± 14 to 120 ± 12 mm Hg; p < 0.01) and increased V̇O2max (29.2 ± 6.3 to 33.4 ± 6.5 mL·kg−1·min−1; p < 0.01) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (1.04 ± 0.21 to 1.12 ± 0.25 mmol·L−1; p = 0.02), but did not improve LV diastolic function. Individuals with an E/A ratio <1 at the start of training had a tendency toward an increased E/A ratio (p = 0.12) accompanied by significant decreases in SBP and increases in V̇O2max with exercise training. Combined resistance and aerobic exercise training improved cardiometabolic health but did not improve the impaired LV diastolic function of individuals with MetS.
Granular anchors under vertical loading – axial pull
Authors: Sivakumar V. , O'Kelly B.C. , Madhav M.R. , Moorhead C. , Rankin B.
Published: December 2012

Granular anchors are a relatively new concept in ground engineering with relatively little known regarding their load–displacement behaviour, failure modes, ultimate pullout capacity, and also potential applications. A granular anchor consists of three main components: a base plate, tendon, and compacted granular backfill. The tendon is used to transmit the applied load to the base plate, which compresses the granular material to form the anchor. A study of the load–displacement response and ultimate pullout capacity of granular anchors constructed in intact lodgement till and made ground deposits is reported in this paper. Parallel tests were also performed on cast in situ concrete anchors, which are traditionally used for anchoring purposes. A new method of analysis for the determination of the ultimate pullout capacity of granular anchors is presented and verified experimentally, with the dominant mode of failure controlled by the column length (L) to diameter (D) ratio. Granular anchors with L/D > 7 principally failed by bulging whereas short granular anchors failed on shaft resistance, with the latter mobilizing similar pullout capacities as conventional concrete anchors.
Z dependence of photon interactions in wood materials
Authors: Saritha B. , Rao A.S. Nageswara
Published: December 2012

Transmission experiments were performed on wood in a narrow-beam geometry using a collimated gamma ray beam at 59.5 and 661.6 keV. The mass attenuation coefficients were determined from experiment, and effective atomic numbers were computed from theoretical equations. It was found that the mass attenuation coefficient decreases with increasing photon energy. Experimental values were compared with those from the XCOM database and with analytical results, and good agreement was achieved. This type of study gives some insight about photon interactions with wood materials.
New Zealand mudsnails (Potamopyrgus antipodarum) in Boulder Creek, Colorado: environmental factors associated with fecundity of a parthenogenic invader
Authors: McKenzie V.J. , Hall W.E. , Guralnick R.P.
Published: December 2012

New Zealand mudsnails (Potamopyrgus antipodarum (Gray, 1853)) are non-native snails that are increasingly spreading in freshwater systems in North America. Most invasive populations are parthenogenic and threaten native freshwater diversity. We observed variability of P. antipodarum fecundity each month for 16 months at a recently invaded site in Boulder Creek, Colorado. We collected 100 snails each month and dissected them to count embryos in the brood sac. We used a general linear model analysis to examine water-quality variables as predictors of the monthly variability in P. antipodarum fecundity. After dissecting 1600 snails, we observed four male individuals (<1%), brood sizes ranging from 0 to 70 embryos per snail, reproductively mature females at 3.2 mm in length or greater, and a significant relationship between snail length and embryo counts (r2= 0.38, p < 0.001). The model with the highest level of support for predicting variability in snail fecundity included water temperature, snail shell length, water hardness (calcium carbonate), and nutrient levels (total phosphate) (adjusted r2= 0.53, p < 0.01). These variables may be important for snail growth and promote increased rates of reproduction in this parthenogenic, invasive snail. These results can further inform efforts to model geographic areas at high risk of P. antipodarum establishment and rapid demographic growth.
SYNCHRONIZATION AS A PROCESS OF SHARING AND TRANSFERRING INFORMATION
Authors: BOLLT ERIK M.
Published: December 2012

Synchronization of chaotic oscillators has become well characterized by errors which shrink relative to a synchronization manifold. This manifold is the identity function in the case of identical systems, or some other slow manifold in the case of generalized synchronizaton in the case of nonidentical components. On the other hand, since many decades beginning with the Smale horseshoe, chaotic oscillators can be well understood in terms of symbolic dynamics as information producing processes. We study here the synchronization of a pair of chaotic oscillators as a process for sharing information bearing bits transferred between each other, by measuring the transfer entropy tracked as the global system transitions to the synchronization state. Further, we present for the first time the notion of transfer entropy in the measure theoretic setting of transfer operators.
RATIONAL FIRST INTEGRALS FOR POLYNOMIAL VECTOR FIELDS ON ALGEBRAIC HYPERSURFACES OF ℝn+1
Authors: LLIBRE JAUME , BOLAÑOS YUDY
Published: December 2012

Using sophisticated techniques of Algebraic Geometry, Jouanolou in 1979 showed that if the number of invariant algebraic hypersurfaces of a polynomial vector field in ℝn of degree m is at least [Formula: see text], then the vector field has a rational first integral. Llibre and Zhang used only Linear Algebra to provide a shorter and easier proof of the result given by Jouanolou. We use ideas of Llibre and Zhang to extend the Jouanolou result to polynomial vector fields defined on algebraic regular hypersurfaces of ℝn+1, this extended result completes the standard results of the Darboux theory of integrability for polynomial vector fields on regular algebraic hypersurfaces of ℝn+1.
GLOBAL PHASE PORTRAITS OF SOME REVERSIBLE CUBIC CENTERS WITH COLLINEAR OR INFINITELY MANY SINGULARITIES
Authors: CAUBERGH M. , LLIBRE J. , TORREGROSA J.
Published: December 2012

We study the reversible cubic vector fields of the form ẋ = -y + ax2+ bxy + cy2- y(x2+ y2), ẏ = x + dx2+ exy + fy2+ x(x2+ y2), having simultaneously a center at infinity and at the origin. In this paper, the subclass of these reversible systems having collinear or infinitely many singularities are classified with respect to topological equivalence.
ON THE NUMERICAL CONTINUATION OF ISOLAS OF EQUILIBRIA
Authors: AVITABILE D. , DESROCHES M. , RODRIGUES S.
Published: December 2012

We present a numerical strategy to compute one-parameter families of isolas of equilibrium solutions in ODEs. Isolas are solution branches closed in parameter space. Numerical continuation is required to compute one single isola since it contains at least one unstable segment. We show how to use pseudo-arclength predictor–corrector schemes in order to follow an entire isola in parameter space, as an individual object, by posing a suitable algebraic problem. We continue isolas of equilibria in a two-dimensional dynamical system, the so-called continuous stirred tank reactor model, and also in a three-dimensional model related to plasma physics. We then construct a toy model and follow a family of isolas past a fold and illustrate how to initiate the computation close to a formation center, using approximate ellipses in a model inspired by the van der Pol equation. We also show how to introduce node adaptivity in the discretization of the isola, so as to concentrate on nodes in region with higher curvature. We conclude by commenting on the extension of the proposed numerical strategy to the case of isolas of periodic orbits.
KNOTTED PERIODIC SOLUTIONS OF A LINEAR NONAUTONOMOUS SYSTEM AND SOME RELATED THREE-DIMENSIONAL FLOWS
Authors: LI JIBIN , ZHAO XIAOHUA
Published: December 2012

This paper considers a three-dimensional linear nonautonomous systems. It shows that for every integer frequency parameter value, this system has a distinct type of knotted periodic solutions, which lie in a bounded region of R3. Exact explicit parametric representations of the knotted periodic solutions are given. By using these parametric representations, two series of three-dimensional flows are constructed, such that these three-dimensional autonomous systems have knotted periodic orbits in the three-dimensional phase space.
ORGANIC MEMRISTOR DEVICES FOR LOGIC ELEMENTS WITH MEMORY
Authors: EROKHIN VICTOR , HOWARD GERARD DAVID , ADAMATZKY ANDREW
Published: December 2012

Memristors are promising next-generation memory candidates that are nonvolatile, possess low power requirements and are capable of nanoscale fabrication. In this article, we physically realize and describe the use of organic memristors in designing stateful boolean logic gates for the AND OR and NOT operations. The output of these gates is analog and dependent on the length of time that suitable charge is applied to the inputs, displaying a learning property. Results may be also interpreted in a traditional binary manner through the use of a suitable thresholding function at the output. The memristive property of the gate allows for the production of analog outputs that vary based on the charge-dependent nonvolatile state of the memristor. We provide experimental results of physical fabrication of three types of logic gate. A simulation of a one-bit full adder comprised of memristive logic gates is also included, displaying varying response to two distinct input patterns.
CURVATURE INTERACTION IN COLLECTIVE SPACE
Authors: HERRMANN RICHARD
Published: December 2012

For the Riemannian space, built from the collective coordinates used within nuclear models, an additional interaction with the metric is investigated, using the collective equivalent to Einstein's curvature scalar. The coupling strength is determined using a fit with the AME2003 ground state masses. An extended finite-range droplet model including curvature is introduced, which generates significant improvements for light nuclei and nuclei in the trans-fermium region.
APPROXIMATE TECHNIQUES FOR DISPERSIVE SHOCK WAVES IN NONLINEAR MEDIA
Authors: MARCHANT T. R. , SMYTH NOEL F.
Published: December 2012

Many optical and other nonlinear media are governed by dispersive, or diffractive, wave equations, for which initial jump discontinuities are resolved into a dispersive shock wave. The dispersive shock wave smooths the initial discontinuity and is a modulated wavetrain consisting of solitary waves at its leading edge and linear waves at its trailing edge. For integrable equations the dispersive shock wave solution can be found using Whitham modulation theory. For nonlinear wave equations which are hyperbolic outside the dispersive shock region, the amplitudes of the solitary waves at the leading edge and the linear waves at the trailing edge of the dispersive shock can be determined. In this paper an approximate method is presented for calculating the amplitude of the lead solitary waves of a dispersive shock for general nonlinear wave equations, even if these equations are not hyperbolic in the dispersionless limit. The approximate method is validated using known dispersive shock solutions and then applied to calculate approximate dispersive shock solutions for equations governing nonlinear optical media, such as nematic liquid crystals, thermal glasses and colloids. These approximate solutions are compared with numerical results and excellent comparisons are obtained.
EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF STIMULATED RAMAN SCATTERING GAIN IN SILICON NANOCOMPOSITE AND IN AMORPHOUS SILICON NANOPARTICLES
Authors: FERRARA M. A. , SIRLETO L.
Published: December 2012

Nonlinear optics at nanoscale is a recent fascinating research field. Among the numerous nonlinear optics phenomena, stimulated Raman scattering is one of the most interestingphenomena, due to its significant implications from both fundamental and applicative point of view. In this paper, the observations of stimulated Raman scattering, at the wavelengths of interest for telecommunications, in silicon nanocomposite and in amorphous silicon nanoparticles are reported. A significant Raman gain enhancement and a significant threshold power reduction with respect to silicon are demonstrated. Our findings indicate that nanostructured materials show great promise for Si-based Raman lasers.
TRANSFORM-LIMITED SPECTRAL COMPRESSION BY USING NEGATIVELY CHIRPED PARABOLIC PULSE IN ALL-NORMAL DISPERSION PHOTONIC CRYSTAL FIBERS
Authors: CHENG CHUNFU , WANG YOUQING , OU YIWEN , LV QINGHUA
Published: December 2012

A theoretical investigation on the parabolic pulse nonlinear propagation and spectral compression in all-normal dispersion photonic crystal fibers (PCFs) is presented. It is found that use of larger chirp can obtain higher quality transform-limited spectrally compressed parabolic pulses due to almost purely the effects of self-phase modulation (SPM) — because of its all-normal dispersion with smaller group velocity dispersion (GVD). Also, use of long initial negatively chirped parabolic pulses can lead to the most efficient transform-limited spectral compression under the optimal compression condition.
ESSENTIAL AND RETRACTABLE GALOIS CONNECTIONS
Authors: CRIVEI SEPTIMIU
Published: December 2012

For bounded lattices, we introduce certain Galois connections, called (cyclically) essential, retractable and UC Galois connections, which behave well with respect to concepts of module-theoretic nature involving essentiality. We show that essential retractable Galois connections preserve uniform dimension, whereas essential retractable UC Galois connections induce a bijective correspondence between sets of closed elements. Our results are applied to suitable Galois connections between submodule lattices. Cyclically essential Galois connections unify semi-projective and semi-injective modules, while retractable Galois connections unify retractable and coretractable modules.
MATTER WAVE PROPAGATION ABOVE A STEP POTENTIAL WITHIN THE CUBIC-NONLINEAR SCHRÖDINGER EQUATION
Authors: ISHKHANYAN HAYK , MANUKYAN ASHOT , ISHKHANYAN ARTUR
Published: December 2012

We analyze the matter wave transmission above a step potential within the framework of the cubic-nonlinear Schrödinger equation. We present a comprehensive analysis of the corresponding stationary problem based on an exact second-order nonlinear differential equation for the probability density. The exact solution of the problem in terms of the Jacobi elliptic sn-function is presented and analyzed. Qualitatively distinct types of wave propagation picture are classified depending on the input parameters of the system. Analyzing the 2D space of involved dimensionless parameters, the nonlinearity and the reflecting potential's height/depth given in the units of the chemical potential, we show that the region of the parameters that does not sustain restricted solutions is given by a closed curve consisting of a segment of an elliptic curve and two line intervals. We show that there exists a specific singular point, belonging to the elliptic curve, which causes a jump from one evolution scenario to another one. The position of this point is determined and the peculiarities of the evolution scenarios (oscillatory, non-oscillatory and diverging) for all the allowed regions of involved parameters are described and analyzed in detail.
Duration of “Phase I” V̇o2p: a comparison of methods used in its estimation and the effects of varying moderate-intensity work rate
Authors: Spencer Matthew D. , Gravelle Braden M. R. , Murias Juan M. , Zerbini Livio , Pogliaghi Silvia , Paterson Donald H.
Published: December 2012

The present study was designed to investigate whether absolute work rate (WR) affects Phase I pulmonary oxygen uptake (V̇o2p) duration during moderate-intensity (Mod) exercise and to compare two methods for estimating Phase I V̇o2p duration (PI-Dur). Fourteen males (24 ± 5 yr) each completed 4–8 repetitions of Mod transitions from 20 W to 50, 70, 90, 110, and 130 W. PI-Dur was identified by 1) a marked decrease in both respiratory exchange ratio and end-tidal partial pressure of O2 following exercise onset [i.e., visual inspection of three independent reviewers, and the average (Avg) of the two most similar values]; or 2) the intersection (time delay, TD) of the first and second components in a biexponential nonlinear regression of the entire V̇o2p response from exercise onset. PI-Dur did not differ among WRs ( P > 0.05), regardless of the estimation method used. No differences were detected between Avg and TD (time in s) at any of the five WRs (50 W, 21 ± 6 vs. 23 ± 10 s; 70 W, 23 ± 9 vs. 23 ± 7 s; 90 W, 24 ± 3 vs. 22 ± 5 s; 110 W, 23 ± 6 vs. 22 ± 6 s; 130 W, 21 ± 6 vs. 21 ± 7 s; P > 0.05 for Avg and TD, respectively). Broad limits of agreement within Bland-Altman plots revealed relatively weak agreement among reviewers for individual estimation of PI-Dur. A nonsignificant correlation coefficient ( r = 0.13) and broad limits of agreement suggest disparity between individual Avg and TD estimates of PI-Dur. The present data do not support a role for Mod WR in determining PI-Dur per se. Furthermore, this study illustrated a poor agreement of PI-Dur estimates derived from two different, but accepted methods.
Heterologous downregulation of vasopressin type 2 receptor is induced by transferrin
Authors: Bouley Richard , Nunes Paula , Andriopoulos Billy , McLaughlin Margaret , Webber Matthew J. , Lin Herbert Y. , Babitt Jodie L. , Gardella Thomas J. , Ausiello Dennis A. , Brown Dennis
Published: December 2012

Vasopressin (VP) binds to the vasopressin type 2 receptor (V2R) to trigger physiological effects including body fluid homeostasis and blood pressure regulation. Signaling is terminated by receptor downregulation involving clathrin-mediated endocytosis and V2R degradation. We report here that both native and epitope-tagged V2R are internalized from the plasma membrane of LLC-PK1kidney epithelial cells in the presence of another ligand, transferrin (Tf). The presence of iron-saturated Tf (holo-Tf; 4 h) reduced V2R binding sites at the cell surface by up to 33% while iron-free (apo-Tf) had no effect. However, no change in green fluorescent protein-tagged V2R distribution was observed in the presence of bovine serum albumin, atrial natriuretic peptide, or ANG II. Conversely, holo-Tf did not induce the internalization of another G protein-coupled receptor, the parathyroid hormone receptor. In contrast to the effect of VP, Tf did not increase intracellular cAMP or modify aquaporin-2 distribution in these cells, although addition of VP and Tf together augmented VP-induced V2R internalization. Tf receptor coimmunoprecipitated with V2R, suggesting that they interact closely, which may explain the additive effect of VP and Tf on V2R endocytosis. Furthermore, Tf-induced V2R internalization was abolished in cells expressing a dominant negative dynamin (K44A) mutant, indicating the involvement of clathrin-coated pits. We conclude that Tf can induce heterologous downregulation of the V2R and this might desensitize VP target cells without activating downstream V2R signaling events. It also provides new insights into urine-concentrating defects observed in rat models of hemochromatosis.
Abnormal GABA-mediated and cerebellar inhibition in women with the fragile X premutation
Authors: Conde Virginia , Palomar Francisco J. , Lama María José , Martínez Raquel , Carrillo Fátima , Pintado Elizabeth , Mir Pablo
Published: December 2012

The fragile X syndrome is a mutation-driven developmental disorder caused by a repetition over 200 times of the CGG trinucleotide situated in the 5′-untranslated region of the fragile X mental retardation 1 gene ( FMR1). The interval between 55 and 199 CGG repeats, which is over the normal range but below full mutation, is named fragile X premutation. Recent studies have focused on the asymptomatic state of fragile X premutation carriers and their potentially relevant preclinical features. However, the underlying neurological mechanisms leading to altered functions in fragile X premutation carriers are still poorly understood. In this study, we wanted to test the hypothesis that asymptomatic women who carry the fragile X premutation present GABAergic and cerebellar abnormalities compared with healthy women without the premutation. We performed noninvasive brain stimulation protocols on both asymptomatic fragile X premutation carriers and controls comprising of measures of GABAA- and GABAB-mediated intracortical inhibition, afferent inhibition, and cerebello-motor functional interactions. Premutation carriers presented an absence of cerebellar inhibition over primary motor cortex as well as a reduced GABAA-mediated intracortical and afferent inhibition compared with healthy nonpremutated controls. These alterations are most probably dependent on a dysfunctional GABAergic mechanism associated with the fragile X premutation condition as previously found in CGG-repeat animal models. Furthermore, the lack of cerebello-motor inhibition could be related to the cerebellar structural abnormalities previously found in carriers of the premutation.
Successful Pulmonary Endarterectomy in a Patient with Klinefelter Syndrome
Authors: Wierda E. , Reesink H. J. , Bruining H. , van Delden O. M. , Kloek J. J. , Bresser P.
Published: December 2012

Klinefelter syndrome (KS) is a frequent genetic disorder due to one or more supernumerary X chromosomes. KS is associated with an increased risk for venous thromboembolic events like deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. This paper describes a 37-year-old male patient with KS referred to our tertiary center with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, and who was successfully treated by pulmonary endarterectomy.
On the Error Estimates of a New Operator Splitting Scheme for the Navier‐Stokes Equations with Coriolis Force
Authors: Shuai Chunjiang , Teng Kaimin , Jia Hongen
Published: December 2012

An operator splitting scheme is introduced for the numerical solution of the incompressible Navier‐Stokes equations with Coriolis force. Under some mild regularity assumptions
on the continuous solution, error estimates and the stability analysis for the velocity and the pressure of the new operator splitting scheme are obtained. Some numerical results are presented to verify the
theoretical predictions.
Psychiatric Morbidity among a Sample of Orphanage Children in Cairo
Authors: EL Koumi Mohamed A. , Ali Yasser F. , El Banna Ehab A. , Youssef Usama M. , Yasser Raya M. , Ismail Aly A.
Published: December 2012

Objective. This study identifies the prevalence of emotional and behavioral problems and the associated factors in orphanage children.Methods. This cross-sectional study was conducted in three private orphanages in Cairo. Two hundred sixty-five children of ages ranging from 6 to 12 years living in three different orphanages care systems were included in the study. A sociodemographic information form and the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) were used. Children were clinically interviewed and psychiatric disorders were identified. Diagnoses were done according to the manual for diagnosis and statistics of mental disorder fourth version (DSMIV). A written formal consent from the director of social solidarity was obtained before inclusion in the study.Results. The prevalence of behavioral disturbances was 64.53% among those in institutional care and the most prominent psychiatric disorders were nocturnal enuresis (23.3%), attention deficit hyperkinetic disorder (ADHD) (19.62%), oppositional defiant disorder (17.36%). Age at first admission, causes of receiving institutional care, and moves 2 or more times between institutions were significantly associated with an increased risk of behavioral and emotional problems.Conclusion. Our study showed that children living in institutions are prone to suffer from psychiatric disorders. Stability of the caregiver acts as a protective variable.
A Case of a C-Stem Fracture at the Head-Neck Junction and a Review of the Literature
Authors: Morley David , Starks Ian , Lim Justin
Published: December 2012

We report the first case of a fracture of the standard C-stem in combination with a large metal-on-metal articulation. This occurred at the head-neck junction. Analysis of the fractured stem showed evidence of fatigue failure with possible corrosion. The use of large femoral heads with neck adaptors and narrow tapers should be used with caution, especially in heavy, active patients.
Experience-Sampling Methodology with a Mobile Device in Fibromyalgia
Authors: Diana Castilla , Cristina Botella , Azucena García-Palacios , Luis Farfallini , Ignacio Miralles
Published: December 2012

This work describes the usability studies conducted in the development of an experience-sampling methodology (ESM) system running in a mobile device. The goal of the system is to improve the accuracy and ecology in gathering daily self-report data in individuals suffering a chronic pain condition, fibromyalgia. The usability studies showed that the developed software to conduct ESM with mobile devices (smartphones, cell phones) can be successfully used by individuals with fibromyalgia of different ages and with low level of expertise in the use of information and communication technologies. 100% of users completed the tasks successfully, although some have completely illiterate. Also there seems to be a clear difference in the way of interaction obtained in the two studies carried out.
A Class of G‐Semipreinvex Functions and Optimality
Authors: Liu Xue Wen , Zhao Ke Quan , Chen Zhe
Published: December 2012

A class of G‐semipreinvex functions, which are some generalizations of the semipreinvex functions, and the G‐convex functions, is introduced. Examples are given to show their relations among G‐semipreinvex functions, semipreinvex functions and G‐convex functions. Some characterizations of G‐semipreinvex functions are also obtained, and some optimality results are given for a class of G‐semipreinvex functions. Ours results improve and generalize some known results.
Lie and Riccati Linearization of a Class of Liénard Type Equations
Authors: Johnpillai A. G. , Khalique C. M. , Mahomed F. M.
Published: December 2012

We construct a linearizing Riccati transformation by using an ansatz and a linearizing point transformation utilizing the Lie point symmetry generators for a three‐parameter class of Liénard type nonlinear second‐order ordinary differential equations. Since the class of equations also admits an eight‐parameter Lie group of point transformations, we utilize the Lie‐Tresse linearization theorem to obtain linearizing point transformations as well. The linearizing transformations are used to transform the underlying class of equations to linear third‐ and second‐order ordinary differential equations, respectively. The general solution of this class of equations can then easily be obtained by integrating the linearized equations resulting from both of the linearization approaches. A comparison of the results deduced in this paper is made with the ones obtained by utilizing an approach of mapping the class of equations by a complex point transformation into the free particle equation. Moreover, we utilize the linearizing Riccati transformation to extend the underlying class of equations,
and the Lie‐Tresse linearization theorem is also used to verify the conditions of linearizability of this new class of equations.
Treatment of Basal Cell Carcinomas with Pulsed Dye Laser: A Case Series
Authors: Minars Norman , Blyumin-Karasik Marianna
Published: December 2012

Background. Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most prevalent skin cancer. Because of its highly vascular characteristic, it is amendable to treatment with pulse dye laser (PDL). The goal of this study is to determine the safety and efficacy of PDL therapy for mostly facial BCCs.Materials and Methods. Sixteen men and thirteen women (29 total) with 39 biopsy-proven BCCs were treated with 1–4 PDL (595 nm) therapies at 2–4-week intervals. The treatment parameters included pulse energy of 15 J/cm 2, pulse length of 3 millisecond, with no dynamic cooling, and 7 mm spot size. The age of the patients was 30–90 years (mean 73 years). Response rates were evaluated by the clinical assessments with mean followup of 11 months.Results. Twenty-four patients with thirty-two tumors reached at least three months followup: 24/32 (75%) tumors with complete resolution (mean 3 treatment sessions); 5/32 (16%) tumors recurred; 3/32 (9%) tumors with incomplete responses after four treatments. Minimal side effects and discomfort were experienced by the patients with PDL therapy.Conclusion. PDL is a safe, tolerable, and moderately effective method of treating various BCCs. The ideal niche and standardized settings for PDL treatment of BCCs are yet to be determined.
Thermal and Photoresponsive Studies of Starch Modified with 2-(5-(4-Dimethylamino-benzylidine)-4-oxo-2-thioxo-thiazolidin-3-yl)acetic Acid
Authors: Chandran Ambily , Kuriakose Sunny , Mathew Tessymol
Published: December 2012

The present study describes the synthesis of a chromophoric system 2-(5-(4-dimethylamino-benzylidin)-4-oxo-2-thioxo-thiazolidin-3-yl)acetic acid and its incorporation into starch through esterification of the hydroxyl group by the free carboxyl function of the chromophoric system by DCC coupling. The products were characterized by UV-visible, fluorescence, FT-IR, and NMR spectroscopic methods. The newly developed system was subjected to photoresponsive studies such as light absorption, light stabilization and fluorescence emission. The free chromophoric system and the coupled product were also subjected to thermal analysis. The results show that modification enhances the light absorption and light fastening properties of the chromophoric system. Thermal stability of the polymeric system greatly enhances on attaching the chromophoric system. In view of these results the newly developed system is proposed as a nature friendly, green, and photoactive product which could find application in dyes, inks, paints, and so forth.
Charge Order Breaks Magnetic Symmetry in Molecular Quantum Spin Chains
Authors: Dressel M. , Dumm M. , Knoblauch T. , Köhler B. , Salameh B. , Yasin S.
Published: December 2012

Charge order affects most of the electronic properties but is believed not to alter the spin arrangement since the magnetic susceptibility remains unchanged. We present electron-spin-resonance experiments on quasi-one-dimensional(TMTTF)2Xsalts (X=PF6, AsF6, and SbF6), which reveal that the magnetic properties are modified belowTCOwhen electronic ferroelectricity sets in. The coupling of anions and organic molecules rotates the g-tensor out of the molecular plane creating magnetically nonequivalent sites on neighboring chains at domain walls. Due to anisotropic Zeeman interaction a novel magnetic interaction mechanism in the charge-ordered state is observed as a doubling of the rotational periodicity ofΔH.