bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Indigenizing Invasive Species Management: Native North Americans and the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Beetle
Authors: Willow Anna J.
Published: December 2011

In the 1990s, an invasive beetle called the emerald ash borer (EAB) traveled from Asia to Michigan inadvertently concealed inside wooden packing crates used for international cargo shipments. When the beetle's presence was confirmed in 2002, regional infestations were already well established. For many northeastern American Indian communities, black ash basketry is a significant component of a self‐conscious cultural identity. Because EAB has the potential to decimate North America's ash trees, this activity is now in jeopardy. This article explores how Native communities are making cultural sense of EAB and its effects. As they search for ways to cope with this exotic insect, tribal artisans and natural resource managers are indigenizing modern scientific management paradigms in ways that reflect traditional understandings of the natural world and their integral relationships within it. Perceived and politicized as very different relationships with the natural world, “modernity” is now being put to strategic “traditional” uses.
Rigid and Elastic Precision Domains of Ball Bearings
Authors: Samper Serge , Adragna Pierre-Antoine , Favreliere Hughes , Pairel Eric , Hernandez Pascal
Published: December 2011

Ball bearings are complex components where local deformations are the main factor on the global behavior. One problem is the relation between a contact configuration and the load level. When those components are assembled, position errors have important effects on those contact configurations. A rigid ball bearing has very small clearances that give tolerances impossible to achieve. How can the designer write geometric specifications on the assembly taking into account bearing elastic behavior?. We propose a method to identify the limits of those errors according to the ball bearing limits and the clearances. The built model has been compared with industrial references with good accuracy.
Integrating Models and Simulations of Continuous Dynamics Into SysML
Authors: Johnson Thomas , Kerzhner Aleksandr , Paredis Christiaan J. J. , Burkhart Roger
Published: December 2011

In this paper, we combine modeling constructs from systems modeling language (SysML) and Modelica to improve the support for model-based systems engineering (MBSE). The Object Management Group has recently developed the systems modeling language (OMG SysML™). This visual modeling language provides a comprehensive set of diagrams and constructs for modeling many common aspects of systems engineering problems, such as system requirements, structures, functions, and behaviors. Complementing these SysML constructs, the modelica language has emerged as a standard for modeling the continuous dynamics of systems in terms of hybrid discrete-event and differential algebraic equation systems. In this paper, the synergy between SysML and Modelica is explored at three different levels: the definition of continuous dynamics models in SysML, the use of triple graph grammar based transformations to map between these SysML constructs and the corresponding Modelica models, and the integration of simulation experiments with other SysML constructs to support MBSE. Throughout the paper, an example of a car suspension is used to demonstrate these contributions.
Do Capsular Pressure and Implant Motion Interact to Cause High Pressure in the Periprosthetic Bone in Total Hip Replacement?
Authors: Alidousti Hamidreza , Taylor Mark , Bressloff Neil W.
Published: December 2011

When there is a debonding at the bone-implant interface, the difference in stiffness between the implant and the bone can result in micromotion, allowing existing gaps to open further or new gaps to be created during physiological loading. It has been suggested that periprosthetic fluid flow and high pressure may play an important role in osteolysis development in the proximity of these gaps. To explain this phenomenon, the concepts of “effective joint space” and “pumping stem” have been cited in many studies. However, there is no clear understanding of the factors causing, or contributing to, these mechanisms. It is likely that capsular pressure, gap dimensions, and micromotion of the gap during cyclic loading of an implant can play a defining role in inducing periprosthetic flow. In order to obtain a better understanding of the main influences on periprosthetic flows and the development of osteolysis, steady state and transient 2D computational fluid dynamic simulations were performed for the joint capsule of the lateral side of a stem-femur system, and a gap in communication with the capsule and the surrounding bone. It was shown that high capsular pressure may be the main driving force for high fluid pressure and flow in the bone surrounding the gap, while micromotion of only very long and narrow gaps can cause significant pressure and flow in the bone. At low capsular pressure, micromotion induced large flows in the gap region; however, the flow in the bone tissue was almost unaffected. The results also revealed the existence of high velocity spikes in the bone region at the bottom of the gap. These velocity spikes can exert excessive fluid shear stress on the bone cells and disturb the local biological balance of the surrounding interstitial fluid which can result in osteolysis development. High capsular pressure was observed to be the main cause of these velocity spikes whereas, at low capsular pressure, gap micromotion of only very long and narrow gaps generated significant velocity spikes in the bone at the bottom of the gaps.
Structural properties of InAs/InAs1–xSbx type-II superlattices grown by molecular beam epitaxy
Authors: Ouyang Lu , Steenbergen Elizabeth H. , Zhang Yong-Hang , Nunna Kalyan , Huffaker Diana L. , Smith David J.
Published: December 2011

Strain-balanced InAs/InAs1−xSbx type-II superlattices (SLs) have been proposed for possible long-wavelength infrared applications. This paper reports a detailed structural characterization study of InAs/InAs1−xSbx SLs with varied Sb composition grown on GaSb (001) substrates by modulated and conventional molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). X-ray diffraction was used to determine the SL periods and the average composition of the InAs1−xSbx alloy layers. Cross-section transmission electron micrographs revealed the separate In(As)Sb/InAs(Sb) ordered-alloy layers within individual InAs1−xSbx layers for SLs grown by modulated MBE. For the SLs grown by conventional MBE, examination by high-resolution electron microscopy revealed that interfaces for InAs1−xSbx deposited on InAs were more abrupt, relative to InAs deposited on InAs1−xSbx: this feature was attributed to Sb surfactant segregation occurring during the SL growth. Overall, these results establish that strain-balanced SL structures with excellent crystallinity can be achieved with proper design (well thickness versus Sb composition) and suitably optimized growth conditions.
Frequency-dependent attenuation and backscatter coefficients in bovine trabecular bone from 0.2 to 1.2 MHz
Authors: Il Lee Kang , Joo Choi Min
Published: December 2011

The frequency-dependent attenuation and backscatter coefficients were measured in 25 bovine femoral trabecular bone samples from 0.2 to 1.2 MHz. When the average attenuation coefficient was fitted to a nonlinear power law α(f)=α0+α1fn, the exponent n was found to be 1.65. In contrast, the average backscatter coefficient was fitted to a power law η(f)=η1fn and the exponent n was measured as 3.25. The apparent bone density was significantly correlated with the parameter α1 (0.2–0.7 MHz: r = 0.852, 0.6–1.2 MHz: r = 0.832) as well as the backscatter coefficient (0.5 MHz: r = 0.751, 1.0 MHz: r = 0.808).
Predicting Adverse Drug Events Using Pharmacological Network Models
Authors: Cami Aurel , Arnold Alana , Manzi Shannon , Reis Ben
Published: December 2011

A network-based method that uses available pharmacosafety data can predict yet-to-be-discovered adverse drug events to help reduce drug-associated morbidity and mortality.
Acute traumatic coagulopathy decreased actual survival rate when compared with predicted survival rate in severe trauma
Authors: Kim Su Jin , Lee Sung Woo , Han Gap Su , Moon Sung Woo , Choi Sung Hyuck , Hong Yun Sik
Published: December 2011

Objective

To determine whether acute traumatic coagulopathy (ATC) should be combined with the trauma and injury severity score (TRISS) to predict outcome in severe trauma patients and investigate effects of the change in coagulation state during early resuscitation on the actual survival rate.

Methods

This was a retrospective study. Significant variables that affected 28-day mortality were analysed using multivariate logistic regression. Study patients were classified into three groups: no coagulopathy, mild coagulopathy or severe coagulopathy. Concordance between actual and predicted survival rates were compared for each group. The predicted survival rate was calculated using the TRISS method. The study also determined whether changes in the coagulation state during inhospital resuscitation affected the relationship between actual and predicted survival in patients who had rechecked coagulation profile within 12 h after presentation.

Results

Data from a total of 336 patients were analysed. At presentation, 20.8% of the study patients had mild coagulopathy, whereas 7.7% had severe coagulopathy. Age, injury severity score, revised trauma score and presence of ATC at presentation were independently associated with 28-day mortality. Actual survival was significantly lower than predicted survival in the mild and severe coagulopathy groups. Aggravation of coagulation state from normal or mild to severe coagulopathy or persistent severe coagulopathy during inhospital resuscitation mainly contributed to the discrepancy between actual and predicted survival.

Conclusions

ATC decreased actual survival more than expected. ATC should be combined with TRISS to predict trauma outcome in severely injured patients. Improvement in coagulopathy during resuscitation may reduce the incidence of preventable death after trauma.
Examining the utility of the Canadian Forest Fire Weather Index System in boreal peatlands
Authors: Waddington J.M. , Thompson D.K. , Wotton M. , Quinton W.L. , Flannigan M.D. , Benscoter B.W. , Baisley S.A. , Turetsky M.R.
Published: December 2011

The Duff Moisture Code (DMC) and Drought Code (DC) components of the Canadian Forest Fire Weather Index (FWI) System are used by fire managers to assess the vulnerability of organic soils to ignition and depth of burn despite being developed for upland soils. Given the need to assess wildfire risk in peatlands, we compared the DMC and DC in eight peatlands located in five regions in boreal Canada with water table position (WT) and surface volumetric moisture content (VMC). The slope of the change in WT and DC relationship ranged greatly (–0.01 to –0.11 cm) between sites and years likely due to differences in site-specific peat properties, catchment water supply, and presence of seasonal ice. A DC of 400, which has been associated with wildfire vulnerability in uplands, corresponded to a seasonal drop in WT in the range of 4–36 cm. The slopes of the relationships between DMC and DC with 5 and 15 cm VMC also varied greatly between sites. Our findings suggest that these FWI components are suitable for predicting the general moisture status and fire danger in boreal peatlands. However, there is a need for a modified DC for specific peat types to indicate when the WT has reached a critical depth upon which fire danger increases. We also present a suggested framework for the development of a new peat moisture code within the FWI.
Multiple resource limitation and ontogeny combined: a growth rate comparison of three co-occurring conifers
Authors: Lilles Erica B. , Astrup Rasmus
Published: December 2011

The combined effects of light, soil fertility, and ontogenetic changes on plant growth rates are poorly understood, yet these three factors play fundamental roles in structuring plant communities. We sought to determine how lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud. var. latifolia), interior spruce (Picea glauca × engelmanii (Moench) Voss), and subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa (Hook.) Nutt.) sapling growth responds to the combination of light, soil fertility, and ontogeny and how these three dominant conifer species in sub-boreal forests of British Columbia differ in their responses. Using maximum likelihood methods, we found that 0.20–4 m tall sapling growth rates changed during ontogeny and were limited by both light and soil resources. The strongest differences among species’ growth rates were due to tree size, with smaller differences due to soil fertility, and there were no differences among species in the shape of their growth responses to light. Rank order in growth rates for small saplings (pine > spruce > fir) inversely corresponded to classic shade-tolerance ratings, thus supporting the carbon balance theory. Interior spruce height growth rates increased relative to lodgepole pine with increasing soil fertility, clearly matching the landscape-scale increase in canopy dominance of interior spruce over lodgepole pine with increasing soil fertility.
Bryophyte response to forest canopy treatments within the riparian zone of high-elevation small streams
Authors: Baldwin L.K. , Petersen C.L. , Bradfield G.E. , Jones W.M. , Black S.T. , Karakatsoulis J.
Published: December 2011

Riparian buffer strips are increasingly used to mitigate disturbance effects on terrestrial biota found adjacent to streams, yet it is unclear how the effects of canopy treatment (clear-cut, buffer, or intact forest) will interact with pre-existing stream–upland gradients. We questioned whether proximity to the stream would influence bryophyte richness and whether the effects of canopy treatment on bryophyte composition and functional group representation would differ along the stream–upland gradient. Bryophyte richness, abundance, and composition were sampled in continuous forest (n = 6), two-sided buffers (buffer width approximately 15 m on both stream sides; n = 10), and clear-cuts (n = 7) in the southern interior of British Columbia. At each site, bryophyte functional group frequency was sampled within 10 × 2 m belt transects located at 1, 5, and 10 m from the stream edge. Both distance from the stream and canopy treatment were strongly associated with bryophyte community variation. The richness of many functional groups was highest immediately adjacent to the stream. The richness and frequency of forest-associated species, as well as the overall extent of the bryophyte mat, had the highest values in continuous forests, intermediate values in buffers, and lowest values in clear-cuts. Although significant differences in bryophyte communities occurred between buffers and clear-cuts at all distances from the stream, differences between buffers and continuous forest were nonsignificant. These results indicate that riparian buffers can play an important role in the mitigation of harvesting effects on the bryologically rich communities along small headwater streams.
Spatial and temporal heterogeneity of light and soil water along a terra firme transect in Amazonian Ecuador: effects on tree seedling survivorship, growth, and allocation
Authors: Myster Randall W.
Published: December 2011

To better understand the availability of plant resources on the forest floor in the Amazon and also to show the effect of their heterogeneity on tree seedlings, I described the spatial and temporal variation of light and soil water along a 100 m transect in a terra firme forest for 6 months and recorded responses of three tree species planted on that transect after 1 year’s growth. I found that (i) the spatial heterogeneity across the transect was greater than the temporal heterogeneity at any given microsite on the transect for both light and water and there was a positive correlation between them, (ii) Couepia obovata Ducke, the largest seeded and the only subcanopy tree, survived the best and showed both the largest relative height growth rate (RHGR) and the largest specific leaf area (SLA), while among the two early successional trees, Tapirira guianensis J.B. Aublet had the largest leaf area ratio (LAR) and the largest leaf mass ratio (LMR) and Duguethia spixiana Mart. had the largest root to shoot ratio (RTOS), (iii) for T. guianensis, SLA increased with increasing light and soil water potential predicted both increasing LMR and decreasing RTOS with increasing soil water, and (iv) soil water potential could also predict increasing LAR with increasing water for D. spixiana and, for C. obovata, soil water potential predicted more survivorship, LMR, and RHGR but less RTOS, all with increasing soil water. I conclude that some subcanopy trees may survive and grow more than open-canopy trees when presented with water stress in the forest understory and that within the ranges of light and soil water sampled here, plants responded more to spatial variation in water compared with light.
A comparison of presettlement and modern forest composition along an elevation gradient in central New Hampshire
Authors: Vadeboncoeur Matthew A. , Hamburg Steven P. , Cogbill Charles V. , Sugimura Wendy Y.
Published: December 2011

Tree species composition is influenced not only by edaphic and climatic factors but also by natural and human-caused disturbances. To understand interactions among these influences, we compared forest species composition data from the time of European settlement with modern data. We derived elevation data for 2529 trees mapped by early land surveys (1770–1850) across a 1000 m elevation gradient in central New Hampshire and compared these with modern data (2004–2009) from the Forest Inventory and Analysis program (123 plots containing 2126 trees) and from permanent plots representing case studies of different land-use histories. Spruce and beech are much less abundant today at all elevations than they were prior to settlement, while maples and birches have increased. Fir, hemlock, pines, and oaks have changed little in distribution, although pines and oaks increased in abundance somewhat. Land-use history (agriculture below 500 m and cutting of various intensities at all elevations) is likely the primary explanation for these shifts, although climate change is also an important factor for some. A clearer understanding of presettlement forest composition improves our ability to separate the relative importance of natural and human-driven influences on the species composition of today’s forests.
SEMI-INVARIANT RIEMANNIAN MAPS TO KÄHLER MANIFOLDS
Authors: ṢAHIN BAYRAM
Published: December 2011

This paper has two aims. First, we show that the usual notion of umbilical maps between Riemannian manifolds does not work for Riemannian maps. Then we introduce a new notion of umbilical Riemannian maps between Riemannian manifolds and give a method on how to construct examples of umbilical Riemannian maps. In the second part, as a generalization of CR-submanifolds, holomorphic submersions, anti-invariant submersions, invariant Riemannian maps and anti-invariant Riemannian maps, we introduce semi-invariant Riemannian maps from Riemannian manifolds to almost Hermitian manifolds, give examples and investigate the geometry of distributions which are arisen from definition. We also obtain a decomposition theorem and give necessary and sufficient conditions for a semi-invariant Riemannian map to be totally geodesic. Then we study the geometry of umbilical semi-invariant Riemannian maps and obtain a classification theorem for such Riemannian maps.
A FIXED-POINT METHOD FOR PERTURBATION OF HIGHER RING DERIVATIONS IN NON-ARCHIMEDEAN BANACH ALGEBRAS
Authors: GORDJI M. ESHAGHI , GHAEMI M. B. , ALIZADEH B.
Published: December 2011

In this paper, we investigate the generalized Hyres–Ulam–Rassias stability and Bourgin-type superstability of higher derivations in non-Archimedean Banach algebras by using a version of fixed-point theorem.
Electron Accelerators for Environmental Protection
Authors: Chmielewski Andrzej G.
Published: December 2011

This article gives an overview of existing and possible electron accelerator applications for environmental pollution control. Laboratory and pilot plant tests and industrial applications have illustrated the possibility of applying this technology for purification and treatment of gaseous, liquid, and solid wastes. Examples of ionizing radiation application to protect the environment and human health are discussed.
Direct Current Accelerators for Industrial Applications
Authors: Hellborg Ragnar , Whitlow Harry J.
Published: December 2011

Direct current accelerators form the basis of many front-line industrial processes. They have many advantages that have kept them at the forefront of technology for many decades, such as a small and easily managed environmental footprint. In this article, the basic principles of the different subsystems (ion and electron sources, high voltage generation, control, etc.) are overviewed. Some well-known (ion implantation and polymer processing) and lesser-known (electron beam lithography and particle-induced X-ray aerosol mapping) applications are reviewed.
Trends for Electron Beam Accelerator Applications in Industry
Authors: Machi Sueo
Published: December 2011

Electron beam (EB) accelerators are major pieces of industrial equipment used for many commercial radiation processing applications. The industrial use of EB accelerators has a history of more than 50 years and is still growing in terms of both its economic scale and new applications. Major applications involve the modification of polymeric materials to create value-added products, such as heat-resistant wires, heat-shrinkable sheets, automobile tires, foamed plastics, battery separators and hydrogel wound dressing. The surface curing of coatings and printing inks is a growing application for low energy electron accelerators, resulting in an environmentally friendly and an energy-saving process. Recently there has been the acceptance of the use of EB accelerators in lieu of the radioactive isotope cobalt-60 as a source for sterilizing disposable medical products. Environmental protection by the use of EB accelerators is a new and important field of application. A commercial plant for the cleaning flue gases from a coal-burning power plant is in operation in Poland, employing high power EB accelerators. In Korea, a commercial plant uses EB to clean waste water from a dye factory.
Review of Cyclotrons for the Production of Radioactive Isotopes for Medical and Industrial Applications
Authors: Schmor Paul
Published: December 2011

Radioactive isotopes are used in a wide range of medical, biological, environmental and industrial applications. Cyclotrons are the primary tool for producing the shorter-lived, proton-rich radioisotopes currently used in a variety of medical applications. Although the primary use of the cyclotron-produced short-lived radioisotopes is in PET/CT (positron emission tomography/computed tomography) and SPECT (single photon emission computed tomography) diagnostic medical procedures, cyclotrons are also producing longer-lived isotopes for therapeutic procedures as well as for other industrial and applied science applications. Commercial suppliers of cyclotrons are responding by providing a range of cyclotrons in the energy range of 3–70 MeV for the differing needs of the various applications. These cyclotrons generally have multiple beams servicing multiple targets. This review article presents some of the applications of the radioisotopes and provides a comparison of some of the capabilities of the various current cyclotrons. The use of nuclear medicine and the number of cyclotrons supplying the needed isotopes are increasing. It is expected that there will soon be a new generation of small "tabletop" cyclotrons providing patient doses on demand.
RANDOM RIGHT EIGENVALUES OF GAUSSIAN QUATERNIONIC MATRICES
Authors: BENAYCH-GEORGES FLORENT , CHAPON FRANÇOIS
Published: December 2011

We consider a random matrix whose entries are independent Gaussian variables taking values in the field of quaternions with variance 1/n. Using logarithmic potential theory, we prove the almost sure convergence, as the dimension n goes to infinity, of the empirical distribution of the right eigenvalues towards some measure supported on the unit ball of the quaternions field. Some comments on more general Gaussian quaternionic random matrix models are also made.
Angiotensin-(1–7)-induced activation of ERK1/2 is cAMP/protein kinase A-dependent in glomerular mesangial cells
Authors: Liu George C. , Oudit Gavin Y. , Fang Fei , Zhou Joyce , Scholey James W.
Published: December 2011

The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) plays an important role in renal physiology and kidney injury. Although the cellular effects of the RAS activation are generally attributed to angiotensin II (ANG II), the recent identification of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 has shifted the focus to other peptides including Ang-(1–7). The G protein-coupled receptor for Ang-(1–7), mas, is expressed by mesangial cells (MC) but the signal transduction pathways activated by Ang-(1–7) in MC have not been fully elucidated. Accordingly, we studied the effect of Ang-(1–7) on extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK)1/2 activation in rat MC. Ang-(1–7)-induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation in MC is time- and concentration-dependent. Pretreatment of MC with the mas receptor antagonist A-779 but not the AT1 antagonist losartan or the AT2 antagonist PD123319 abrogated ERK1/2 activation. Neither pretreatment with the NADPH oxidase inhibitors diphenyleneiodonium and apocynin nor pretreatment with the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor antagonists AG1478 and PD158780 attenuated Ang-(1–7)-induced activation of ERK1/2. Even though each of these compounds abolished ANG II-induced activation of ERK1/2. Ang-(1–7) increased intracellular cAMP levels and activated protein kinase A (PKA) and inhibition of either adenylyl cyclase or PKA activity attenuated Ang-(1–7)-induced ERK1/2 activation. In conclusion, Ang-(1–7)-induced activation of ERK1/2 is cAMP/PKA-dependent in MC, but independent of NADPH oxidase and the EGF receptor.
Motoneuronal and muscle synergies involved in cat hindlimb control during fictive and real locomotion: a comparison study
Authors: Markin Sergey N. , Lemay Michel A. , Prilutsky Boris I. , Rybak Ilya A.
Published: December 2011

We compared the activity profiles and synergies of spinal motoneurons recorded during fictive locomotion evoked in immobilized decerebrate cat preparations by midbrain stimulation to the activity profiles and synergies of the corresponding hindlimb muscles obtained during forward level walking in cats. The fictive locomotion data were collected in the Spinal Cord Research Centre, University of Manitoba, and provided by Dr. David McCrea; the real locomotion data were obtained in the laboratories of M. A. Lemay and B. I. Prilutsky. Scatterplot representation and minimum spanning tree clustering algorithm were used to identify the possible motoneuronal and muscle synergies operating during both fictive and real locomotion. We found a close similarity between the activity profiles and synergies of motoneurons innervating one-joint muscles during fictive locomotion and the profiles and synergies of the corresponding muscles during real locomotion. However, the activity patterns of proximal nerves controlling two-joint muscles, such as posterior biceps and semitendinosus (PBSt) and rectus femoris (RF), were not uniform in fictive locomotion preparations and differed from the activity profiles of the corresponding two-joint muscles recorded during forward level walking. Moreover, the activity profiles of these nerves and the corresponding muscles were unique and could not be included in the synergies identified in fictive and real locomotion. We suggest that afferent feedback is involved in the regulation of locomotion via motoneuronal synergies controlled by the spinal central pattern generator (CPG) but may also directly affect the activity of motoneuronal pools serving two-joint muscles (e.g., PBSt and RF). These findings provide important insights into the organization of the spinal CPG in mammals, the motoneuronal and muscle synergies engaged during locomotion, and their afferent control.
Heritability of serum sodium concentration: evidence for sex- and ethnic-specific effects
Authors: Wilmot Beth , Voruganti V. Saroja , Chang Yen-Pei C. , Fu Yi , Chen Zhan , Taylor Herman A. , Wilson James G. , Gipson Teresa , Shah Vallabh O. , Umans Jason G. , Flessner Michael F. , Hitzemann Robert , Shuldiner Alan R. , Comuzzie Anthony G. , McWeeney Shannon , Zager Philip G. , MacCluer Jean W. , Cole Shelley A. , Cohen David M.
Published: December 2011

Serum sodium concentration is the clinical index of systemic water balance. Although disordered water balance is common and morbid, little is known about genetic effects on serum sodium concentration at the population level. Prior studies addressed only participants of European descent and either failed to demonstrate significant heritability or showed only modest effect. We investigated heritability of serum sodium concentration in large cohorts reflecting a range of races/ethnicities, including the Framingham Heart Study (FHS, non-Hispanic Caucasian), the Heredity and Phenotype Intervention Heart Study (HAPI, Amish Caucasian), the Jackson Heart Study (JHS, African American), the Strong Heart Family Study (SHFS, American Indian), and the Genetics of Kidney Disease in Zuni Indians Study (GKDZI, American Indian). Serum sodium was transformed for the osmotic effect of glucose, and participants with markedly elevated glucose or reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were excluded. Using a standard variance components method, incorporating covariates of age, glucose, and eGFR, we found heritability to be high in African American and American Indian populations and much more modest in non-Hispanic Caucasian populations. Estimates among females increased after stratification on sex and were suggestive among female participants in FHS (0.18 ± 0.12, P = 0.057) and male participants in JHS (0.24 ± 0.16, P = 0.067) and statistically significant among female participants in JHS (0.44 ± 0.09, P = 1 × 10−7), SHFS (0.59 ± 0.05, P = 9.4 × 10−46), and GKDZI (0.46 ± 0.15, P = 1.7 × 10−4), and male participants in HAPI (0.18 ± 0.12, P = 0.03) and SHFS (0.67 ± 0.07, P = 5.4 × 10−26). Exclusion of diuretic users increased heritability among females and was significant in all cohorts where data were available. In aggregate, these data strongly support the heritability of systemic water balance and underscore sex and ethnicity-specific effects.
Multiple Conjunctival Papillomas of Eyelid Margins in Pemphigus vulgaris
Authors: Avisar Inbal , Yassur Iftach , Kremer Israel
Published: December 2011

Ocular involvement in pemphigus vulgaris (PV) ranges from mild conjuctivits to conjunctival blisters and rarely prominent erosions of the bulbar and palpebral conjunctiva which may be found at the eyelid margin. We report two unusual cases of PV patients presenting with multiple conjunctival papillomatous lesions of the eyelids margins.
Neurotrophic Features of Human Adipose Tissue‐Derived Stromal Cells: In Vitro and In Vivo Studies
Authors: Lattanzi Wanda , Geloso Maria Concetta , Saulnier Nathalie , Giannetti Stefano , Puglisi Maria Ausiliatrice , Corvino Valentina , Gasbarrini Antonio , Michetti Fabrizio
Published: December 2011

Due to its abundance, easy retrieval, and plasticity characteristics, adipose‐tissue‐derived stromal cells (ATSCs) present unquestionable advantages over other adult‐tissue‐derived stem cells. Based on the in silico analysis of our previous data reporting the ATSC‐specific expression profiles, the present study attempted to clarify and validate at the functional level the expression of the neurospecific genes expressed by ATSC both in vitro and in vivo. This allowed evidencing that ATSCs express neuro‐specific trophins, metabolic genes, and neuroprotective molecules. They were in fact able to induce neurite outgrowth in vitro, along with tissue‐specific commitment along the neural lineage and the expression of the TRKA neurotrophin receptor in vivo. Our observation adds useful information to recent evidence proposing these cells as a suitable tool for cell‐based applications in neuroregenerative medicine.
Polynomial Supertree Methods Revisited
Authors: Brinkmeyer Malte , Griebel Thasso , Böcker Sebastian
Published: December 2011

Supertree methods allow to reconstruct large phylogenetic trees by combining smaller trees with overlapping leaf sets into one, more comprehensive supertree. The most commonly used supertree method, matrix representation with parsimony (MRP), produces accurate supertrees but is rather slow due to the underlying hard optimization problem. In this paper, we present an extensive simulation study comparing the performance of MRP and the polynomial supertree methods MinCut Supertree, Modified MinCut Supertree, Build-with-distances, PhySIC, PhySIC_IST, and super distance matrix. We consider both quality and resolution of the reconstructed supertrees. Our findings illustrate the tradeoff between accuracy and running time in supertree construction, as well as the pros and cons of voting- and veto-based supertree approaches. Based on our results, we make some general suggestions for supertree methods yet to come.
Mesalamine-Induced Myocarditis and Coronary Vasculitis in a Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis Patient: A Case Report
Authors: Perez-Colon Elimarys , Dadlani Gul H. , Wilmot Ivan , Miller Michelle
Published: December 2011

Mesalamine-containing products are often a first-line treatment for ulcerative colitis. Severe adverse reactions to these products, including cardiovascular toxicity, are rarely seen in pediatric patients. We present a case of a 16-year-old boy with ulcerative colitis treated with Asacol, a mesalamine-containing product, who developed sudden onset chest pain after four weeks on therapy. Serial electrocardiograms showed nonspecific ST segment changes, an echocardiogram showed mildly decreased left ventricular systolic function with mild to moderate left ventricular dilation and coronary ectasia, and his troponins were elevated. Following Asacol discontinuation, his chest pain resolved, troponins were trending towards normal, left ventricular systolic function normalized, and coronary ectasia improved within 24 hours suggesting an Asacol-associated severe drug reaction. Mesalamine-induced cardiovascular toxicity, although rare, may represent a life-threatening disorder. Therefore, every patient presenting with acute chest pain should receive a workup to rule out this rare drug-induced disorder.
A Comparative Study of Relaying Schemes with Decode and Forward over Nakagami- Fading Channels
Authors: Alexandropoulos George C. , Papadogiannis Agisilaos , Sofotasios Paschalis C.
Published: December 2011

Although relaying can be very beneficial for wireless systems, understanding which relaying schemes can achieve specific performance objectives under realistic fading is crucial. In this paper we present a general framework for modeling and evaluating the performance of dual-hop decode-and-forward (DF) relaying schemes over independent and not necessarily identically distributed (INID) Nakagami- fading channels. We obtain closed-form expressions for the statistics of the instantaneous output signal-to-noise ratio of repetitive transmission with selection diversity. Furthermore, we present a unified statistical overview of other three significant relaying schemes with DF, one based on repetitive transmission with maximal-ratio diversity and the other two based on relay selection (RS). To compare the considered schemes, we present closed-form and analytical expressions for the outage probability and the average symbol error probability under various modulation methods, respectively. Importantly, it is shown that when the channel state information for RS is perfect, RS-based schemes always outperform repetitive ones. Furthermore, when the direct link between the source and the destination nodes is sufficiently strong, relaying may not result in any gains, and it should be switched off.
Potential Energy Surfaces Using Algebraic Methods Based on Unitary Groups
Authors: Lemus Renato
Published: December 2011

This contribution reviews the recent advances to estimate the potential energy surfaces through algebraic methods based on the unitary groups used to describe the molecular vibrational degrees of freedom. The basic idea is to introduce the unitary group approach in the context of the traditional approach, where the Hamiltonian is expanded in terms of coordinates and momenta. In the presentation of this paper, several representative molecular systems that permit to illustrate both the different algebraic approaches as well as the usual problems encountered in the vibrational description in terms of internal coordinates are presented. Methods based on coherent states are also discussed.
The Role of Metformin in the Management of NAFLD
Authors: Mazza Angela , Fruci Barbara , Garinis Giorgia Anna , Giuliano Stefania , Malaguarnera Roberta , Belfiore Antonino
Published: December 2011

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver disorder worldwide. Its prevalence ranges 10–24% in the general population, reaching 60–95% and 28–55% in obese and diabetic patients, respectively. Although the etiology of NAFLD is still unclear, several lines of evidences have indicated a pathogenetic role of insulin resistance in this disorder. This concept has stimulated several clinical studies where antidiabetic drugs, such as insulin sensitizers including metformin, have been evaluated in insulin-resistant, NAFLD patients. These studies indicate that metformin might be of benefit in the treatment of NAFLD, also in nondiabetic patients, when associated to hypocaloric diet and weight control. However, the heterogeneity of these studies still prevents us from reaching firm conclusions about treatment guidelines. Moreover, metformin could have beneficial tissue-specific effects in NAFLD patients irrespective of its effects as insulin sensitizer.
Control of Bistability in a Delayed Duffing Oscillator
Authors: Hamdi Mustapha , Belhaq Mohamed
Published: December 2011

The effect of a high-frequency excitation on nontrivial solutions and bistability in a delayed Duffing oscillator with a delayed displacement feedback is investigated in this paper. We use the technique of direct partition of motion and the multiple scales method to obtain the slow dynamic of the system and its slow flow. The analysis of the slow flow provides approximations of the Hopf and secondary Hopf bifurcation curves. As a result, this study shows that increasing the delay gain, the system undergoes a secondary Hopf bifurcation. Further, it is indicated that as the frequency of the excitation is increased, the Hopf and secondary Hopf bifurcation curves overlap giving birth in the parameter space to small regions of bistability where a stable trivial steady state and a stable limit cycle coexist. Numerical simulations are carried out to validate the analytical finding.
Free Energy, Value, and Attractors
Authors: Friston Karl , Ao Ping
Published: December 2011

It has been suggested recently that action and perception can be understood as minimising the free energy of sensory samples. This ensures that agents sample the environment to maximise the evidence for their model of the world, such that exchanges with the environment are predictable and adaptive. However, the free energy account does not invoke reward or cost-functions from reinforcement-learning and optimal control theory. We therefore ask whether reward is necessary to explain adaptive behaviour. The free energy formulation uses ideas from statistical physics to explain action in terms of minimising sensory surprise. Conversely, reinforcement-learning has its roots in behaviourism and engineering and assumes that agents optimise a policy to maximise future reward. This paper tries to connect the two formulations and concludes that optimal policies correspond to empirical priors on the trajectories of hidden environmental states, which compel agents to seek out the (valuable) states they expect to encounter.
Prevention of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection
Authors: Kim Beom Kyung , Han Kwang-Hyub , Ahn Sang Hoon
Published: December 2011

Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) accounts for approximately 50% of the underlying etiologies for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) worldwide. We reviewed the primary, secondary, and tertiary measures for the prevention of HCC in CHB patients. First, the most effective method is preventing the acquisition of CHB through global vaccination of infants. However, in patients already chronically infected, antiviral treatment using interferon or nucleoside analogs can prevent disease progression to cirrhosis or HCC. Studies have found viral replications indicated by a HBV DNA level to be a strong predictor for cirrhosis and HCC, irrespective of other viral and biochemical factors. Additionally, periodic surveillance using ultrasonography and serum α-fetoprotein every 3–6 months for earlier detection of HCC is also important so that curative treatments can be used. Once HCC occurs, hepatic resection is the mainstay of curative treatments. To prevent tumor recurrence after resection, adjuvant interferon treatments have been tried with promising results based on the assumption that they not only suppress viral activity but also have tumoricidal, antiangiogenetic, and antiproliferative effects. Using nucleoside analogs also has its rationale for preventing de novo tumor development in remnant liver, considering that viral replications are a strong risk factor for HCC. Optimal preventive plans should be further investigated in future studies.
Highly Sensitive Lens culinaris Agglutinin-Reactive α-Fetoprotein: A New Tool for the Management of Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Toyoda Hidenori , Kumada Takashi , Tada Toshifumi
Published: December 2011

Objectives: The highly sensitive Lens culinaris agglutinin-reactive α-fetoprotein (hs-AFP-L3), measured using a newly developed method involving microfluidics-based separation technology, was evaluated as a new tool for the management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in clinical practice. Methods: The sensitivity and specificity of hs-AFP-L3 for the diagnosis of HCC and its ability to predict the outcome of patients with HCC were analyzed based on reported studies. Results: Compared to AFP-L3 measured using conventional methods, the sensitivity of hs-AFP-L3 was markedly higher and the specificity was comparable. In all studies, multivariate analysis found that elevation of hs-AFP-L3 was an independent factor that affected patient survival. Conclusions: The use of hs-AFP-L3 improves the true positive rate of patients with HCC at diagnosis, maintaining the high specificity of AFP-L3 and its indicative value for poor prognosis. The utility of this tumor marker for prediction of the development of HCC in high-risk patients under surveillance needs to be investigated.
Usefulness of Combination of Imaging Modalities in the Diagnosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Using Sonazoid®-Enhanced Ultrasound, Gadolinium Diethylene-Triamine-Pentaacetic Acid-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging, and Contrast-Enhanced Computed Tomography
Authors: Alaboudy Alshimaa , Inoue Tatsuo , Hatanaka Kinuyo , Chung Hobyung , Hyodo Tomoko , Kumano Seishi , Murakami Takamichi , Moustafa Ehab Fawzy Abdou , Kudo Masatoshi
Published: December 2011

Objective: To clarify the diagnostic ability of combining imaging methods to diagnose hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) using Sonazoid®-enhanced ultrasound (US), gadolinium diethylene-triamine-pentaacetic acid-enhanced (Gd-EOB-DTPA) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT). Methods: A total of 32 patients who underwent surgical resection for HCC were studied. Sonazoid-enhanced US, Gd-EOB-DTPA MRI, CECT, and intraoperative contrast-enhanced ultrasonography were done for all patients. The definitive diagnosis of HCC in those patients was based on histopathological confirmation. Results: A total of 50 histologically proven HCCs were obtained from 32 patients; their mean (±SD) age was 68.3 years ± 8.1. The mean (±SD) nodule size was 2.6 cm ± 1.9. Twenty percent were well-differentiated HCC, 64% were moderately differentiated HCC, 10% were poorly differentiated HCC, 4% were combined HCC and CCC, and 2% were HCC with severe necrosis. The overall diagnostic sensitivity of CEUS, CECT, and Gd-EOB-DTPA MRI was 72, 74, and 86%, respectively; however, there was no significant difference between the three imaging modalities in diagnosing typical HCC (p = 0.092). When combining the diagnostic ability of the different imaging modalities, the diagnostic sensitivity of Sonazoid-enhanced US and Gd-EOB-DTPA MRI was 90%, while addition of Sonazoid-enhanced US to CECT and CECT to Gd-EOB-DTPA MRI had a sensitivity of 82 and 88%, respectively. There was no significant difference between the three imaging combinations (p = 0.970). Conclusion: Sonazoid-enhanced US and Gd-EOB-DTPA MRI can be confidently used in daily clinical practice for the management of HCC.
Diagnostic Imaging of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Recent Progress
Authors: Kudo Masatoshi
Published: December 2011

The diagnostic imaging of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has recently undergone marked progress. The advent of the ultrasound (US) contrast agent Sonazoid, approved in January 2007, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with the liver-specific MRI contrast agent gadolinium-ethoxybenzyl-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA-MRI), approved in January 2008, are of particular significance. Sonazoid contrast-enhanced US (Sonazoid-CEUS) is useful not only for the diagnosis of HCC, but also for guiding treatment and assessing treatment response. Sonazoid-CEUS has proven to be particularly effective for screening and staging, which used to be considered impossible with CEUS, through the introduction of the newly developed diagnostic technique of defect reperfusion imaging. It is still not possible if other vascular agents such as SonoVue and Definity are used. In particular, Gd–EOB-DTPA-MRI has been suggested to be much more reliable in the differentiation of early HCC from precancerous dysplastic nodules than any other modalities such as multidetector raw computed tomography, dynamic MRI, and superparamagnetic iron oxide-MRI. A decrease in contrast uptake in the hepatocyte phase observed on EOB-MRI is strongly suggestive of cancer, and the absence of early staining in the arterial phase suggests early HCC. The differential diagnostic capacity of Gd-EOB-DTPA-MRI is considered to far exceed that of what were previously the most useful imaging techniques, computed tomography (CT) during hepatic arteriography or CT during arterial portography, and to be comparable to that of the pathological diagnosis by pathologists specialized in liver.