bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Information processing in patients with first episode major depression
Authors: HAMMAR ÅSA , KILDAL ANNA B. , SCHMID MARIT
Published: November 2012

Hammar, Å., Kildal, A. B. & Schmid, M. (2012). Information processing in patients with first episode major depression. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology 53, 445–449.

Few studies have investigated cognitive functioning in a group of patients experiencing a first episode of depression. The aim of this study was to investigate how patients diagnosed with a first episode of depression perform in effortful and non‐effortful information processing compared to healthy controls. An experimental paradigm based on a visual search test was applied. Thirty‐one patients and thirty‐one healthy controls were included in the study. All patients experienced a severe level of symptom load at the time of testing. Results showed no significant differences between groups under any of the conditions. Findings in the present study indicate that patients with a first episode of depression perform equally to healthy controls in tasks requiring visual attention in both effortful and non‐effortful information processing.
Self‐esteem and emotional health in adolescents – gender and age as potential moderators
Authors: MOKSNES UNNI K. , ESPNES GEIR A.
Published: November 2012

Moksnes, U. K. & Espnes, G. A. (2012). Self‐esteem and emotional health in adolescents – gender and age as a potential moderators. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology 53, 483–489.

The present paper investigates possible gender and age differences on emotional states (depression and anxiety) and self‐esteem as well as the association between self‐esteem and emotional states. The cross‐sectional sectional sample consists of 1,209 adolescents 13–18 years from public elementary and secondary schools in mid‐Norway. The results showed that girls reported higher scores on state anxiety and state depression, whereas boys consistently scored higher on self‐esteem in all age groups. Self‐esteem was strongly and inversely associated with both state depression and state anxiety. An interaction effect of gender by self‐esteem was found on state depression, where the association was stronger for girls than for boys. The associations found give support for the positive role of self‐esteem in relation to adolescents’ emotional health and well‐being.
Costs of inpatient treatment for multi‐drug‐resistant tuberculosis in South Africa
Authors: Schnippel Kathryn , Rosen Sydney , Shearer Kate , Martinson Neil , Long Lawrence , Sanne Ian , Variava Ebrahim
Published: November 2012

Background

In South Africa, patients with multi‐drug‐resistant tuberculosis (MDR‐TB) are hospitalised from MDR‐TB treatment initiation until culture conversion. Although MDR‐TB accounts for <3% of incident TB in South Africa, 55% of the public sector TB budget is spent on MDR‐TB. To inform new strategies for MDR‐TB management, we estimated the per‐patient cost (USD 2011) of inpatient MDR‐TB treatment.

Methods

All resources used by patients admitted to the MDR‐TB hospital with confirmed MDR‐TB from March 2009 to February 2010 were abstracted from patient records for up to 12 months after initial admission or until the earliest of final discharge, abscondment or death. Costs of hospital stay/day were estimated from hospital expenditure records and costs for drugs, laboratory tests, radiography and surgery from public sector sources. 133 patients met study inclusion criteria of whom 121 had complete cost records.

Results

By 12 months, 86% were discharged with culture conversion, 8% died in hospital, 2% were still admitted, and 3% had absconded. The mean hospital stay was 105 days. The mean total cost per patient was $17 164, of which 95% were hospitalisation costs (buildings, staff, etc.) and ≤ 2% each for MDR‐TB drugs ($380); TB laboratory tests, including drug susceptibility testing ($236); and other costs.

Conclusions

The inpatient cost per patient treated for MDR‐TB is more than 40 times the cost of treating drug‐susceptible TB in South Africa. There is potential for substantial cost savings from improved management of drug‐susceptible TB and shifting to a model of decentralised, outpatient MDR‐treatment.
Vascular plant one‐zinc‐finger protein 1/2 transcription factors regulate abiotic and biotic stress responses in Arabidopsis
Authors: Nakai Yusuke , Nakahira Yoichi , Sumida Hiroki , Takebayashi Kosuke , Nagasawa Yumiko , Yamasaki Kanako , Akiyama Masako , Ohme‐Takagi Masaru , Fujiwara Sumire , Shiina Takashi , Mitsuda Nobutaka , Fukusaki Eiichiro , Kubo Yasuyuki , Sato Masa H.
Published: November 2012

Plants adapt to abiotic and biotic stresses by activating abscisic acid‐mediated (ABA) abiotic stress‐responsive and salicylic acid‐(SA) or jasmonic acid‐mediated (JA) biotic stress‐responsive pathways, respectively. Although the abiotic stress‐responsive pathway interacts antagonistically with the biotic stress‐responsive pathways, the mechanisms that regulate these pathways remain largely unknown. In this study, we provide insight into the function of vascular plant one‐zinc‐finger proteins (VOZs) that modulate various stress responses in Arabidopsis. The expression of many stress‐responsive genes was changed in the voz1voz2 double mutant under normal growth conditions. Consistent with altered stress‐responsive gene expression, freezing‐ and drought‐stress tolerances were increased in the voz1voz2 double mutant. In contrast, resistance to a fungal pathogen, Colletotrichum higginsianum, and to a bacterial pathogen, Pseudomonas syringae, was severely impaired. Thus, impairing VOZ function simultaneously conferred increased abiotic tolerance and biotic stress susceptibility. In a chilling stress condition, both the VOZ1 and VOZ2 mRNA expression levels and the VOZ2 protein level gradually decreased. VOZ2 degradation during cold exposure was completely inhibited by the addition of the 26S proteasome inhibitor, MG132, a finding that suggested that VOZ2 degradation is dependent on the ubiquitin/26S proteasome system. In voz1voz2, ABA‐inducible transcription factor CBF4 expression was enhanced significantly even under normal growth conditions, despite an unchanged endogenous ABA content. A finding that suggested that VOZs negatively affect CBF4 expression in an ABA‐independent manner. These results suggest that VOZs function as both negative and positive regulators of the abiotic and biotic stress‐responsive pathways, and control Arabidopsis adaptation to various stress conditions.
Seasonal variation in abiotic factors and ferulic acid toxicity in snail‐attractant pellets against the intermediate host snail Lymnaea acuminata
Authors: Agrahari P. , Singh D. K.
Published: November 2012

Laboratory evaluation was made to access the seasonal variations in abiotic environmental factors temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, carbon dioxide, electrical conductivity and ferulic acid toxicity in snail‐attractant pellets (SAP) against the intermediate host snail Lymnaea acuminata in each month of the years 2010 and 2011. On the basis of a 24‐h toxicity assay, it was noted that lethal concentration values of 4.03, 3.73% and 4.45% in SAP containing starch and 4.16, 4.23% and 4.29% in SAP containing proline during the months of May, June and September, respectively, were most effective in killing the snails, while SAP containing starch/proline + ferulic acid was least effective in the month of January/February (24‐h lethal concentration value was 7.67%/7.63% in SAP). There was a significant positive correlation between lethal concentration value of ferulic acid containing SAP and levels of dissolved O2/pH of water in corresponding months. On the contrary, a negative correlation was observed between lethal concentration value and dissolved CO2/temperature of test water in the same months. To ascertain that such a relationship between toxicity and abiotic factors is not co‐incidental, the nervous tissue of treated (40% and 80% of 24‐h lethal concentration value) and control group of snails was assayed for the activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in each of the 12 months of the same year. There was a maximum inhibition of 58.43% of AChE, in snails exposed to 80% of the 24‐h lethal concentration value of ferulic acid + starch in the month of May. This work shows conclusively that the best time to control snail population with SAP containing ferulic acid is during the months of May, June and September.
Multifunctional Core-Shell Nanoparticle Suspensions for Efficient Absorption
Authors: Lv Wei , Phelan Patrick E. , Swaminathan Rajasekaran , Otanicar Todd P. , Taylor Robert A.
Published: November 2012

Nanoparticle suspensions are known to offer a variety of benefits for thermal transport and energy conversion. Of particular relevance here are the vast changes to the radiative properties due to the plasmonic nanostructures' large extinction cross section at the corresponding surface plasmon resonance (SPR) wavelength. Recent papers have showed that dielectric core/metallic shell nanoparticles yielded a plasmon resonance wavelength tunable from visible to infrared by changing the ratio of core radius to the total radius. Therefore, we are interested in developing a dispersion of core-shell multifunctional nanoparticles capable of dynamically changing their volume ratio and thus their spectral radiative properties. This paper investigates the surface plasmon resonance effect, wavelength tuning ranges for different metallic shell nanoparticles, and explores the solar-weighted efficiencies of corresponding core-shell nanoparticle suspensions. Through our electrostatic model, we estimate a red-shift in the plasmon resonance peak from a wavelength of about 600 nm to around 1400 nm for Au coated silicon core nanoparticles. Using core-shell nanoparticle dispersions, it is possible to create efficient spectral solar absorption fluids and design materials for applications which require variable spectral absorption or scattering.
Developing and Evaluation of Various Correlations for Diffuse Solar Radiation for Urla (Izmir, Turkey)
Authors: Ekren Orhan
Published: November 2012

Characteristics of site-specific solar irradiation is required to optimize a solar energy system. If no tracking system is used, the amount of electricity or heat produced by solar energy depends on the total solar radiation on a tilted surface. Although pyranometer measures direct plus diffuse solar radiation on a horizontal surface, there are many locations where diffuse radiation is not measured. Also, diffuse radiation is necessary to determine the total radiation on a tilted surface. Therefore, in this study, new correlations for diffuse solar radiation is proposed as a function of atmospheric parameters for Urla (Izmir, Turkey). After applying the statistical procedure on the measured data, seven new correlations are proposed for the ratio of hourly average diffuse and total radiation. Also, the ratio of monthly average daily diffuse and total radiation for this region is proposed.
Comparative Economic Analysis of Concentrating Solar Technologies
Authors: Duquette Brandon , Otanicar Todd
Published: November 2012

One of the noted benefits of concentrating photovoltaics (PV) is the reduced cell area which results in reduction of the overall system cost. A variety of studies have looked at the cost for concentrating PV systems and made comparisons to concentrating solar thermal power plants, typically resulting in concentrating solar thermal power having lower system costs. Recently, a widespread design space was assessed for the potential efficiency improvements possible with a coupled hybrid PV/thermal solar energy system for electricity generation. The analysis showed that modest efficiency improvements could be made but no assessment of the economic impact was made. Although modest efficiency gains can be made, such a hybrid system requires more components than one of the conventional stand alone concentrating solar power plant on its own resulting in significantly different system costs. As a result, we look to compare the overall system costs of three different solar power technologies: concentrating PV, concentrating solar thermal, and the concentrating hybrid approach. Additionally, we will focus on documenting the necessary hybrid efficiencies to make a hybrid system competitive as well as the feasibility and means for achieving these efficiencies.
The AirScope: A Novel Wireless Laparoscope
Authors: Lazarus John
Published: November 2012

The modern laparoscope relies on Hopkins’ glass rod lenses, a fiber-optic light source, a video camera, and external cables. This paper discusses the feasibility of developing an experimental prototype of a completely wireless laparoscope by making use of the latest in electronic and optic miniaturization. Design requirements were defined to mimic a standard 10 mm adult laparoscope. An 8 mm diameter (CMOS) camera was used, which delivered standard definition TV resolution at an image refresh rate of 30 Hz. A wide-angle lens was chosen, and a focusing mechanism was designed. Instead of a fiber-optic cable, illumination was achieved using four miniature LED lights. A 2.4 GHz wireless transmission with adequate range for use in an operating theater was chosen. A wireless receiver on a standard personal computer was used to drive a video monitor using off the shelf image processing software. A built-in rechargeable battery powered the wireless laparoscope. Flicker-free in vitro wireless video transmission was achieved. The laparoscope was made waterproof with a front cover lens and can be gas or chemically sterilized. The prototype laparoscope weights 78 g as compared with 900 g for a typical 10 mm laparoscope, camera, fiber-optic, and camera cables. Drawbacks of the prototype include reduced resolution of the video image as compared to high definition (HD) TV quality available on the most recent commercial camera systems. This experimental prototype has illustrated the feasibility of wireless endoscopy systems. The expected benefits include improved ergonomic maneuverability, reduced weight, and decreased electric power requirements.
Analysis of Large Deformation Wound Roll Models
Authors: Mollamahmutoglu C. , Good J. K.
Published: November 2012

Almost all winding models incorporate the assumption of small linear deformations and strain in their development. These models treat the addition of a layer of web to a winding roll with linear analysis using linear strain theory. Very few winding models have been developed that incorporate large deformation theory although many models treat material nonlinearity. Tissue and nonwoven webs are highly extensible in-plane and highly compressible in the thickness dimension when compared to paper, plastic film, and metal foil webs. Winding models that embody large deformation theory should apply to all web materials. Such models may be wasteful in computation time for web materials such as paper, film, and foils where models that employ small deformation theory may provide sufficient accuracy. This would appear deterministic based upon the extensibility and compressibility of a web material, but the issue becomes more complex due to limitations in tension that can be exerted on the webs. Herein, a large deformation winding model will be developed. Results from this model will be used to benchmark results from other small and large deformation models, and with laboratory test data, a review of all results will be used to determine when or if large deformation winding models are required.
Ion-induced effects on grain boundaries and a-Si:H tissue quality in microcrystalline silicon films
Authors: Bronneberg A. C. , Cankoy N. , van de Sanden M. C. M. , Creatore M.
Published: November 2012

Microcrystalline silicon films have been deposited by means of the remote expanding thermal plasma. The effect of ion bombardment on the microcrystalline silicon film properties has been investigated by applying an RF bias to the deposition substrate. The application of the RF substrate bias resulted in the formation of an additional plasma in front of the substrate holder. Neither the SiH4 depletion nor the growth flux was significantly enhanced upon substrate biasing, which suggests that (the composition of) the growth precursor flux is unaffected and that the ion-film interaction mechanisms were responsible for the observed material changes. Moderate bias conditions (i.e., dc bias voltages up to ∼70 V) led to an improved grain boundary passivation and densification of the amorphous silicon tissue, as concluded from the analysis of the infrared Si-Hx stretching modes. These improvements have been ascribed to ion-induced Si surface atom displacement, which enhances the surface diffusion length of the growth precursors. More-energetic ion bombardment (i.e., under applied dc bias voltages of ∼60 V and higher) resulted in enhanced (di)vacancy incorporation via ion-induced Si bulk atom displacement. The film crystallinity was found not to be affected by the ion bombardment, although a reduced crystallite size was observed under ion bombardment conditions where Si bulk displacement had been sufficiently activated. The extent of the ion-film interaction mechanism has been enhanced by increasing the ion-to-Si deposition flux ratio. Under specific ion bombardment conditions, i.e., dc bias voltage in the range of 40–70 V and ion/Si arrival rate ∼0.20, microcrystalline silicon films have been obtained which, on the basis of the Si-Hx stretching modes, are qualified as solar-grade, i.e., the intergranular space is filled with a dense amorphous silicon tissue which completely passivates the crystalline grain boundaries.
Interaction of Lipocalin 2, Transferrin, and Siderophores Determines the Replicative Niche of Klebsiella pneumoniae during Pneumonia
Authors: Bachman Michael A. , Lenio Steven , Schmidt Lindsay , Oyler Jennifer E. , Weiser Jeffrey N.
Published: November 2012

Pathogenic bacteria require iron for replication within their host.
Klebsiella pneumoniae
and other Gram-negative pathogens produce the prototypical siderophore enterobactin (Ent) to scavenge iron
in vivo
. In response, mucosal surfaces secrete lipocalin 2 (Lcn2), an innate immune protein that binds Ent to disrupt bacterial iron acquisition and promote acute inflammation during colonization. A subset of
K. pneumoniae
isolates attempt to evade Lcn2 by producing glycosylated Ent (Gly-Ent, salmochelin) or the alternative siderophore yersiniabactin (Ybt). However, these siderophores are not functionally equivalent and differ in their abilities to promote growth in the upper respiratory tract, lungs, and serum. To understand how Lcn2 exploits functional differences between siderophores, isogenic mutants of an Ent
+
Gly-Ent
+
Ybt
+
K. pneumoniae
strain were inoculated into
Lcn2
+/+
and
Lcn2
−/−
mice, and the pattern of pneumonia was examined. Lcn2 effectively protected against the
iroA ybtS
mutant (Ent
+
Gly-Ent
−
Ybt
−
).
Lcn2
+/+
mice had small foci of pneumonia, whereas
Lcn2
−/−
mice had many bacteria in the perivascular space. The
entB
mutant (Ent
−
Ybt
+
Gly-Ent
−
) caused moderate bronchopneumonia but did not invade the transferrin-containing perivascular space. Accordingly, transferrin blocked Ybt-dependent growth
in vitro
. The wild type and the
iroA
mutant, which both produce Ent and Ybt, had a mixed phenotype, causing a moderate bronchopneumonia in
Lcn2
+/+
mice and perivascular overgrowth in
Lcn2
−/−
mice. Together, these data indicate that Lcn2, in combination with transferrin, confines
K. pneumoniae
to the airways and prevents invasion into tissue containing the pulmonary vasculature.

IMPORTANCE
Gram-negative bacteria are a common cause of severe hospital-acquired infections. To cause disease, they must obtain iron and secrete the small molecule enterobactin to do so. Animal models of pneumonia using
Klebsiella pneumoniae
indicate that enterobactin promotes severe disease. Accordingly, the host defense protein lipocalin 2 exploits this common target by binding enterobactin and disrupting its function. However, pathogenic bacteria often make additional siderophores that lipocalin 2 cannot bind, such as yersiniabactin, which could make this host defense ineffective. This work compares the pattern and severity of pneumonia caused by
K. pneumoniae
based on which siderophores it produces. The results indicate that enterobactin promotes growth around blood vessels that are rich in the iron-binding protein transferrin, but yersiniabactin does not. Together, transferrin and lipocalin 2 protect this space against all types of
K. pneumoniae
tested. Therefore, the ability to acquire iron determines where bacteria can grow in the lung.
The treatment of imported malaria in children: an update
Authors: Kiang Karen M , Bryant Penelope A , Shingadia Delane , Ladhani Shamez , Steer Andrew C , Burgner David
Published: November 2012

Since the 2010 publication in this journal of a review of the management of imported malaria for UK children, new evidence for the treatment of both severe and uncomplicated malaria has been published. This review discusses these new data and expands the scope of the previous review to include non-endemic countries outside of the UK. The results of the AQUAMAT trial in late 2010 and other studies have prompted the WHO to recommend that intravenous artesunate be used preferentially over quinine for the treatment of severe malaria caused by any Plasmodium species in both adults and children. Oral artemisinin-based combination therapies have also shown equivalent (if not better) efficacy in the treatment of uncomplicated malaria caused by all Plasmodium species (including chloroquine-resistant P vivax) in both adults and children, though there are issues regarding the availability of artemisinin-based combination therapies in many non-endemic countries. In these instances, conventional therapeutic regimens continue to be efficacious. Lastly, the use of primaquine for hypnozoite and gametocyte eradication is discussed.
Leptomeningeal metastasis from squamous cell carcinoma of oesophagus with unusual presentation
Authors: Akhavan Ali , Navabii Hossein
Published: November 2012

Oesophageal cancer rarely metastasis to the brain but advances in brain imaging and increasing survival of these patients has led to more detection of this condition. Although oesophageal cancer is common in the north of Iran it is less frequent in the central parts such as Yazd. Leptomeningeal metastasis is very uncommon in oesophageal cancer. This paper presents a 73-year-old man with leptomeningeal carcinomatosis from squamous cell carcinoma of oesophagus presented by hoarseness due to true vocal cord plegia.
Metastatic haematological malignancy presenting as a sellar mass
Authors: Udiawar Maneesh , Bejnariu Christina , Davies Stephen
Published: November 2012

A man in his 60s with a history of multiple myeloma diagnosed 6 months previously was referred with a diagnosis of a sellar mass. He reported a 3-month history of headaches associated with double vision which appeared to improve with corticosteroid treatment. An MRI scan revealed a 3.7 cm×3 cm×2.6 cm sellar mass with erosion into the sphenoid sinus and extending to the right cavernous sinus. Pituitary function tests were normal apart from hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism. A diagnosis of plasmacytoma was considered and so transphenoidal biopsy of the sellar lesion was organised, which revealed sheets of mature appearing plasma cells, staining exclusively for κ-light chain immunoglobulins. He was to be started on chemotherapy for the myeloma and radiotherapy for the plasmacytoma. The patient's clinical course was complicated by community-acquired pneumonia and renal failure resulting in his death a month after the diagnosis of plasmacytoma.
High-dose insulin therapy for neurogenic-stunned myocardium after stroke
Authors: Devos Justine , Peeters André , Wittebole Xavier , Hantson Philippe
Published: November 2012

A 44-year-old woman with a history of complicated type 2 diabetes mellitus presented with a diagnosis of right-hemispheric ischaemic stroke. She developed acute respiratory distress with radiological evidence of pulmonary oedema. The ECG showed poorly significant ST-segment changes, with a minimal increase of cardiac biomarkers. Echocardiography showed a severely depressed left ventricular function, with also low values of cardiac output at invasive monitoring. The possibility of neurogenic-stunned myocardium was discussed and a metabolic resuscitation with high-dose insulin was proposed. An intravenous bolus of 80 units of insulin (0.72 IU/kg) was followed by a continuous infusion at the rate of 160 IU/h (1.45 IU/kg/h). The treatment led to a rapid and sustained improvement of the haemodynamic condition and was well tolerated. In comparison with dobutamine, insulin had significant inotropic effects without tachycardia. The patient unfortunately died on day 35, from respiratory complications after poor neurological recovery.
Traumatic right ventricular rupture following a horse kick
Authors: Gorman Richard , Nuttall Stuart Myles
Published: November 2012

Cardiac tamponade is a life-threatening and time-critical emergency that requires early recognition and prompt management often alongside other resuscitation considerations. The use of ultrasound in the primary survey greatly assists in the early diagnosis allowing preparations for early definitive management to be made. An unusual case of right ventricular rupture following blunt trauma to the chest from a horse kick is discussed.
A child with bone fractures and dysmorphic features: remember of pycnodysostosis and craniosynostosis
Authors: Berenguer Alberto , Freitas António Pedro , Ferreira Gomes , Nunes José Luis
Published: November 2012

Accidental bony injuries are common in children. Children may also present with bony injuries following non-accidental injuries. Pathological fractures, though extremely rare, are an important entity and constitute fractures that occur in abnormal bones, usually after minor trauma. Pycnodysostosis is a rare skeletal dysplasia characterised by a clinical phenotype that includes short stature, skull deformities, osteosclerosis, acroosteolysis and bone fragility. Often the disease is diagnosed at an early age as a result of the investigation of short stature. However, the diagnosis is sometimes delayed and must be considered in any child with a history of recurrent or multiple bone fractures and dysmorphic features. The purpose of this report is to describe the clinical, radiological and genetic issues of a 9-year-old girl with a long history of multiple bone fractures. She had been subjected to safeguarding investigations previously and was identified to have dysmorphic features diagnosed as pycnodysostosis associated with craniosynostosis.
Primary ovarian pregnancy: case report and review of literature
Authors: Hassan Sarah , Arora Rohit , Bhatia Kalsang
Published: November 2012

A young woman in her 20s presented with sudden onset right-sided abdominal pain. On examination she was tender in the right adnexae. Her urine pregnancy test was positive and βHCG value was 1862. Abdominal and pelvic ultrasound revealed evidence of a significant right-sided adnexal mass, a small amount of peritoneal-free fluid and an empty uterus. The decision was made to proceed with laparoscopy in view of mass size and the presence of fluid in the pelvis. Conservative resection of the gestational sac was performed and the patient made an uneventful recovery. Histology was consistent with ovarian ectopic pregnancy.
Pop goes the O2: a case of popper-induced methaemoglobinamia
Authors: McCabe Aileen , McCann Brendan , Kelly Paul
Published: November 2012

A 39-year-old man presented to the emergency department after falling downstairs after he consumed a large quantity of alcohol. On examination, he had altered mental state (GCS 14), central cyanosis and low oxygen saturation of 86%, despite 100% oxygen being administered. His arterial blood gas confirmed diagnosis of methaemoglobinaemia with a methaemoglobin percentage of 14.08. He was treated successfully with methylthioninium chloride. The patient later admitted to use of recreational poppers (amyl nitrates) the previous evening. The emergency physician is challenged by the presentation of a patient with altered mental state and unexplained low oxygen saturation with concurrent alcohol intoxication but must have a high index of suspicion for methaemoglobinaemia particularly with a history of recreational drug ingestion.
Concurrent sexual partnerships among female sex workers and their non-commercial male partners in Tijuana and Ciudad Juárez, Mexico
Authors: Robertson Angela Marie , Syvertsen Jennifer L , Rangel M Gudelia , Staines Hugo S , Morris Martina , Patterson Thomas L , Ulibarri Monica D , Strathdee Steffanie A
Published: November 2012

Objectives

To investigate the prevalence and correlates of concurrent (overlapping) sexual partnerships among female sex workers (FSWs) and their non-commercial male partners in two Mexico–US border cities.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey of FSWs and their non-commercial male partners was conducted in Tijuana and Ciudad Juárez, Mexico (2010–2011). Eligible FSWs and verified non-commercial partners were aged ≥18 years; FSWs had ever used hard drugs (lifetime) and recently exchanged sex for money, drugs or other goods (past month). Participants underwent baseline questionnaires obtaining dates of sex and condom use with ≤5 other recurring partners, including FSWs’ regular clients. These dates were compared with dates of sex with enrolled study partners to determine overlap (ie, ‘recurring’ concurrency). Bivariate probit regression identified recurring concurrency correlates.

Results

Among 428 individuals (214 couples), past-year recurring concurrency prevalence was 16% and was higher among women than their non-commercial male partners (26% vs 6%). In 10 couples (5%), both partners reported recurring concurrency. The majority of couples (64%) always had unprotected sex, and most of the individuals (70%) with recurring concurrency ‘sometimes’ or ‘never’ used condoms with their concurrent partners. Recurring concurrency was positively associated with FSWs’ income, men's caballerismo (a form of traditional masculinity) and men's belief that their FSW partners had sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Conclusions

Recurring concurrency, representing sustained periods of overlapping partnerships in which unprotected sex was common, should be addressed by couple-based STI prevention interventions.
Vitamin C prevents the acute decline of flow-mediated dilation after altered shear rate patterns
Authors: Johnson Blair D. , Mather Kieren J. , Newcomer Sean C. , Mickleborough Timothy D. , Wallace Janet P.
Published: November 2012

Oscillatory and retrograde shear rate (SR) impairs endothelial function, potentially through shear-induced oxidative stress. We tested the hypothesis that acute vitamin C supplementation would prevent the attenuation of brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) after a period of augmented oscillatory and retrograde SR. Twelve healthy men (aged 26 ± 3 years) participated in two 30-min study visits in which one arm was subjected to increased oscillatory and retrograde SR, using 60 mm Hg of forearm cuff compression, and the contralateral arm served as the control. Subjects ingested capsules containing either placebo (sucrose) or vitamin C at 90 and 120 min (1000 mg total vitamin C) prior to cuff compression periods in a randomized placebo-controlled double-blind crossover study. Oscillatory and retrograde SR in the cuffed arms increased during the compression periods in the placebo and vitamin C study visits (p < 0.01 for both), with no difference between studies (p > 0.05). Antegrade SR remained unchanged throughout the compression periods (p > 0.05), and mean SR was lower in the cuffed arm than in the control arm for both study visits (p < 0.05). FMD decreased after cuff compression in the placebo cuffed arm (precompression vs. postcompression, 5.2% ± 1.4% vs. 3.5% ± 1.4%; p < 0.05), but remained unchanged after vitamin C therapy in the cuffed arm (precompression vs. postcompression, 5.3% ± 2.4% vs. 5.7% ± 2.6%; p > 0.05). No FMD changes were observed in the control arm for either study visit (p > 0.05). These data demonstrate that acute vitamin C supplementation prevents the attenuation of FMD due to altered SR patterns, suggesting that oxidative stress contributes to the oscillatory and retrograde SR-induced impairment of FMD.
Eccentric exercise transiently affects mice skeletal muscle mitochondrial function
Authors: Magalhães José , Fraga Marta , Lumini-Oliveira José , Gonçalves Inês , Costa Manoel , Ferreira Rita , Oliveira Paulo J. , Ascensão António
Published: November 2012

Eccentric exercise (EE) is known to induce damage and dysfunction in skeletal muscle. However, the possible role of mitochondrial (dys)function, including the vulnerability to mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) opening, is unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the impact of a single acute bout of downhill running on skeletal muscle mitochondrial function. Thirty 12-week-old Charles River CD1 male mice were randomly assigned into control (C) or exercised groups. EE consisted of 120 min of downhill treadmill running at a –16° gradient. Exercised animals were sacrificed immediately (Ecc0h) and 48 h (Ecc48h) after the end of the running bout. Plasma and skeletal muscles were then obtained. Muscle mitochondrial function, including oxygen consumption prior to and after anoxia and reoxygenation, membrane potential, and MPTP opening, were evaluated. Respiratory chain complexI, II, and V activities were determined. EE significantly increased plasma creatine kinase activity (119.4 ± 5.6 vs. 1061.3 ± 46.3 vs. 256.8 ± 15.3 U·L–1, C, Ecc0h and Ecc48h, respectively) and myoglobin and interleukin-6 content. Impaired state 3 and respiratory control ratio (8.4 ± 0.4 vs. 5.6 ± 0.9 vs. 8.4 ± 0.5, C, Ecc0h and Ecc48h, respectively), as well as increased susceptibility to MPTP opening, seen by cyclosporin A-sensitive high swelling amplitude, lower time to maximal swelling velocity (313.8 ± 17.7 vs. 244.5 ± 19.4 vs. 298.5 ± 8.7 s, C, Ecc0h and Ecc48h, respectively), and calcium release immediately after the end of exercise (C vs. Ecc0h) were observed. EE induced a transient impairment in the activity of complex V (C vs. Ecc0h). No significant changes from the C group were observed 48 h after the end of EE (C vs. Ecc48h) in any analyzed parameters. In conclusion, prolonged EE transiently impaired mice skeletal muscle mitochondrial function and increased susceptibility to calcium-induced MPTP opening.
Rapid development of systemic insulin resistance with overeating is not accompanied by robust changes in skeletal muscle glucose and lipid metabolism
Authors: Cornford Andrea S. , Hinko Alexander , Nelson Rachael K. , Barkan Ariel L. , Horowitz Jeffrey F.
Published: November 2012

Prolonged overeating and the resultant weight gain are clearly linked with the development of insulin resistance and other cardiometabolic abnormalities, but adaptations that occur after relatively short periods of overeating are not completely understood. The purpose of this study was to characterize metabolic adaptations that may accompany the development of insulin resistance after 2 weeks of overeating. Healthy, nonobese subjects (n = 9) were admitted to the hospital for 2 weeks, during which time they ate ∼4000 kcals·day−1(70 kcal·kg−1fat free mass·day−1). Insulin sensitivity was estimated during a meal tolerance test, and a muscle biopsy was obtained to assess muscle lipid accumulation and protein markers associated with insulin resistance, inflammation, and the regulation of lipid metabolism. Whole-body insulin sensitivity declined markedly after 2 weeks of overeating (Matsuda composite index: 8.3 ± 1.3 vs. 4.6 ± 0.7, p < 0.05). However, muscle markers of insulin resistance and inflammation (i.e., phosphorylation of IRS-1-Ser312, Akt-Ser473, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase) were not altered by overeating. Intramyocellular lipids tended to increase after 2 weeks of overeating (triacylglyceride: 7.6 ± 1.6 vs. 10.0 ± 1.8 nmol·mg−1wet weight; diacylglyceride: 104 ± 10 vs. 142 ± 23 pmol·mg−1wet weight) but these changes did not reach statistical significance. Overeating induced a 2-fold increase in 24-h insulin response (area under the curve (AUC); p < 0.05), with a resultant ∼35% reduction in 24-h plasma fatty acid AUC (p < 0.05). This chronic reduction in circulating fatty acids may help explain the lack of a robust increase in muscle lipid accumulation. In summary, our findings suggest alterations in skeletal muscle metabolism may not contribute meaningfully to the marked whole-body insulin resistance observed after 2 weeks of overeating.
A study of DNA protective effect of orange juice supplementation
Authors: Szeto Yim Tong , To Tai Lun , Pak Sok Cheon , Kalle Wouter
Published: November 2012

The potential acute genoprotective effect of orange juice supplementation was investigated. Six healthy subjects (aged 33 to 60 years; 3 women and 3 men) were asked to drink 400 mL of commercial orange juice, which contained 100 mg vitamin C and 40.8 g sugar. Venous blood (2 mL) was taken before and 2 h after ingestion (test trial). A week later, the subjects were asked to repeat the trial by drinking 400 mL water with 100 mg vitamin C and 40.8 g glucose (control trial). Lymphocytes isolated from blood samples underwent comet assay on the day of collection. Pre- and postingestion DNA damage scores were measured in both the test and control trials. Results showed that there was a significant decrease in DNA damage induced by hydrogen peroxide after 2 h of supplementation with orange juice, and no change in baseline DNA damage. There was no significant decrease in the DNA damage in lymphocytes in the control trial.
Factors contributing to the fatigue-related reduction in active dorsiflexion joint range of motion
Authors: Cheng Arthur J. , Rice Charles L.
Published: November 2012

Reductions in active joint range of motion (ROM) are responsible for decreased work-generating capacity during fatiguing repetitive isotonic shortening contractions. Factors responsible for impairing the joint-angle-specific net torque developed during muscle shortening could include fatigue-induced torque loss, shortening-induced torque depression in the agonist muscle, and opposing passive tension of the antagonists, but these have not been systematically explored. Nine men (aged 25.8 ± 2.0 years) performed a maximal-effort fatiguing task that consisted of repetitive loaded shortening dorsiflexions through a 40° ankle joint ROM until active ROM decreased by 50%. Torque developed during contractile shortening, as well as passive opposing tension, was quantified before and after the reduction in active ROM. Before fatigue, and compared with maximum voluntary isometric contraction torque at the terminal ROM, shortening-induced torque depression in the agonist muscle and passive tension from the antagonists reduced net torque developed at the end of contractile shortening by ∼42% and ∼19%, respectively. After fatigue, a steepened ascending joint torque–angle relationship remained during contractile shortening, but neither muscle coactivation nor contractile slowing contributed to the fatigue-induced torque loss. Fatigue-induced torque loss, shortening-induced torque depression in the agonist, and passive tension in the antagonist greatly depressed net torque developed at the end of contractile shortening. These contributed to the fatigue-induced reduction in active ROM by impairing the ability of the dorsiflexors to generate sufficient torque to overcome the imposed load at the end of contractile shortening.
Quantum chemical studies and molecular modeling of the effect of polyethylene glycol as corrosion inhibitors of an aluminum surface
Authors: Awad Mohamed K.
Published: November 2012

It was shown that polyethylene glycol molecules act as good corrosion inhibitors. Quantum chemical simulation showed the effect of molecular weight on studying polymers with repeating units 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 and also polymers with high molecular weights with repeating units 10, 20, and 30. Using the density functional theory at the B3LYP/6-31G+(d,p) basis set level, ab initio calculations using the HF/6-31G+(d,p) and semi-empirical PM3 methods were performed on polyethylene glycol to investigate the correlation between its molecular structure and the corresponding inhibition efficiency. The calculated parameters include the highest occupied molecular orbital, the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital, the separation energy (ΔE), the dipole moment (μ), the softness (σ), the fraction of electrons transferred from the inhibitor to the metal surface (ΔN), the electronegativity (χ), the hardness (η), and the total negative charge. Furthermore, the adsorption energies of the inhibitors with the aluminum (1 1 1) surface were studied using the molecular dynamic method. A good correlation between the theoretical data and the experimental results was found.
Effectiveness of an integrated hatchery program: can genetic-based performance differences between hatchery and wild Chinook salmon be avoided?
Authors: Hayes Michael C. , Reisenbichler Reginald R. , Rubin Stephen P. , Drake Deanne C. , Stenberg Karl D. , Young Sewall F.
Published: November 2012

Performance of wild (W) and hatchery (H) spring Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) was evaluated for a sixth generation hatchery program. Management techniques to minimize genetic divergence from the wild stock included regular use of wild broodstock and volitional releases of juveniles. Performance of HH, WW, and HW (hatchery female spawned with wild male) crosses was compared in hatchery and stream environments. The WW juveniles emigrated from the hatchery at two to three times the rate of HH fish in the fall (HW intermediate) and 35% more HH than WW adults returned (27% more HW than WW adults). Performance in the stream did not differ statistically between HH and WW fish, but outmigrants (38% WW, 30% HW, and 32% HH fish) during the first 39 days of the 16-month sampling period composed 74% of total outmigrants. Differences among hatchery-reared crosses were partially due to additive genetic effects, were consistent with domestication (increased fitness for the hatchery population in the hatchery program), and suggested that selection against fall emigration from the hatchery was a possible mechanism of domestication.
Temperature dependence of Pacific sardine (Sardinops sagax) recruitment in the California Current Ecosystem revisited and revised
Authors: Lindegren Martin , Checkley David M.
Published: November 2012

Small pelagic fish typically show highly variable population dynamics due, in large part, to climate variability. Despite this sensitivity to climate, few stocks of pelagic species are managed with consideration of the environment. The Pacific sardine (Sardinops sagax) represents a notable exception, for which sea surface temperature (SST) from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO) pier has been used, until recently, to adjust exploitation pressure under warm (favorable) and cold (unfavorable) climate conditions. Recently, the previously established temperature–recruitment relationship was reassessed using different methods, resulting in abandonment of the temperature-sensitive harvest control rule in 2012. In this study, we revisit the previous temperature–recruitment relationship using the original methodology and an updated data set from 1981 to 2010. In contrast to the recent reassessment, we find temperature explains significant variability in recruitment and recruitment success. We also show that mean annual SST averaged over the present California Cooperative Oceanic Fisheries Investigations area is a better predictor of recruitment variability than SST at the SIO pier. We propose that sustainable management of the Pacific sardine should consider climate variability and that the basis for this be periodically updated and revised to inform management with the best available science.
Relativistic spin-1 particles with position-dependent mass under the Coulomb interaction: Exact analytical solutions of the DKP equation
Authors: Bahar M.K. , Yasuk F.
Published: November 2012

The Duffin–Kemmer–Petiau equation with position-dependent mass for relativistic spin-1 particles under equal vector and scalar Coulomb interaction is studied analytically. The energy eigenvalues and corresponding eigenfunctions are obtained using the asymptotic iteration method.
Induced energy polarization of the vacuum and the rotational curve for the Galaxy
Authors: Penner A. Raymond
Published: November 2012

The theory of an induced energy polarized vacuum, as previously presented by the author (Penner. Can. J. Phys. 90, 315 (2012)), is used to generate a theoretical rotational curve for the Galaxy. The theoretical curve generated is found to be in good agreement with Sofue's (Publ. Astron. Soc. Jpn. 64, (In press) (2012)) compilation of observations. For the baryonic mass distribution and baryonic Tully–Fisher relationship that is used, the theoretical orbital velocity at the Sun's location is found to be (235 ± 15) km s−1. The galactic rotational velocity is then found to slowly fall from this value as it asymptotically approaches the value of (192 ± 15) km s−1.
Dark energy and viscous cosmology with variable G and Λ in an anisotropic background
Authors: Fayaz V. , Setare M.R. , Hossienkhani H.
Published: November 2012

The general Bianchi type I with dark energy in the form of standard and modified Chaplygin gas with variable G and Λ and bulk viscosity have been investigated. The de Sitter, power-law and general exponential solutions are assumed for the scale factor in each spatial direction and the corresponding cosmological models are reconstructed. Moreover, for the general exponential solutions, from which the de Sitter and power-law solutions may be obtained, we obtain models that reproduce the early universe, assumed as the inflation, and the late time accelerated expanding universe, that which yields a constant value for the deceleration parameter. We reconstruct bulk viscosity, ξ, gravitational parameter, G, cosmological term, Λ, density parameter, Ω, cosmological constant density parameter, ΩΛ, and deceleration parameter, q, for different equations of state. In the large time limit the model describes an accelerating universe wherein the effective negative pressure induced by Chaplygin gas and bulk viscous pressure are driving the acceleration.
Reducing the experimental error in an experiment to determine the latent heat of vaporization of liquid nitrogen
Authors: Chetty Naven , Basi Nompumlelo
Published: November 2012

In this work, modifications are made to a fairly simple laboratory experiment to experimentally determine the latent heat of vaporization with a substantially lower error than those previously reported. A new experimental technique of using an asynchronous data capture method is proposed for use with an adiabatic calorimeter for measurement as it isolates the measurement vessel from changes in the surroundings affecting the measured quantity. Further modifications are made to the experiment to determine the power at each instant the rate of mass drop is measured within the measurement range to ensure the errors associated with varying power resulting from resistance fluctuations are also minimized. The asynchronous data capture method proposes the use of computer control for the entire experiment, which again reduces the error in terms of delays in human reaction time. Applying these three new techniques to the experiment enables the latent heat of [Formula: see text] to be determined experimentally and results in a substantially lower error bar attached to the final value for the latent heat of vaporization of liquid nitrogen. The value of Lv = 201.2 ± 0.194 J/g differs by approximately 1% from the accepted value of 199.0 J/g (G.W.C. Kaye and T.H. Laby. Tables of physical and chemical constants, fifteenth edition. Longman, London. 1995). Sources of systematic (experimental) error are suggested and estimated for in this experiment and thus this small discrepancy is accounted for.
Progress on a new way to break SUSY
Authors: Dixon John A.
Published: November 2012

A new possibility for SUSY breaking in models like the SSM, generated from BRST cohomology, involves infinite towers of higher spin particles, and lots of tachyons and ghosts.