bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pharmacodynamic Effects of Intravenous Alcohol on Hepatic and Gonadal Hormones: Influence of Age and Sex
Authors: Vatsalya Vatsalya , Issa Julnar E. , Hommer Daniel W. , Ramchandani Vijay A.
Published: July 2011

Background:  Growth hormone (GH)–insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1) axis and gonadal hormones demonstrate extensively associated regulation; however, little is known about the effects of acute alcohol exposure on these hormones. This study examined the effects of intravenous alcohol on the GH–IGF‐1 axis and gonadal hormone concentrations, and the influence of age and sex on their regulation.

Methods:  Forty‐eight healthy volunteers (24 men and 24 women each in the 21 to 25 and 55 to 65 year age groups) underwent a 2‐session single‐blinded study. Subjects received in randomized counter‐balanced order, alcohol infusions, individually computed based on a physiologically based pharmacokinetic model, to maintain a steady‐state (“clamped”) exposure of 50 mg% or saline for 3 hours in separate sessions. Blood samples collected at baseline and postinfusion in each session were assayed for levels of GH, IGF‐1, free testosterone, and estradiol.

Results:  Acute alcohol administration resulted in changes in gonadal hormones that differed by sex. Change in free testosterone showed a significant treatment × baseline interaction (p < 0.001), indicating that alcohol‐induced suppression of testosterone occurred predominantly in men. On the other hand, change in estradiol showed a significant treatment × sex interaction (p = 0.028), indicating that alcohol‐induced increases in estradiol occurred predominantly in women. There was a trend for alcohol‐induced decreases in IGF‐1 levels. Change in GH showed a significant main effect of baseline (p < 0.001) and a trend for treatment by baseline interaction, suggesting an alcohol‐induced decrease in individuals with high baseline GH values. There was also a significant main effect of sex (p = 0.046) indicating that men had greater changes in GH across treatment compared with women.

Conclusions:  Alcohol induced a complex pattern of hormonal responses that varied between younger and older men and women. Some of the observed sex‐based differences may help improve our understanding of the greater susceptibility to alcohol‐related hepatic damage seen in women.
Beyond the Prescription: Medication Monitoring and Adverse Drug Events in Older Adults
Authors: Steinman Michael A. , Handler Steven M. , Gurwitz Jerry H. , Schiff Gordon D. , Covinsky Kenneth E.
Published: July 2011

Whether a person will suffer harm from a medication or how severe that harm will be is difficult to predict precisely. As a result, many adverse drug events (ADEs) occur in patients in whom it was reasonable to believe that the drug's benefits exceeded its risks. Improving safety and reducing the burden of ADEs in older adults requires addressing this uncertainty by not only focusing on the appropriateness of the initial prescribing decision, but also by detecting and mitigating adverse events once they have started to occur. Such enhanced monitoring of signs, symptoms, and laboratory parameters can determine whether an adverse event has only mild and short‐term consequences or major long‐term effects on morbidity and mortality. Although current medication monitoring practices are often suboptimal, several strategies can be leveraged to improve the quality and outcomes of monitoring. These strategies include using health information technology to link pharmacy and laboratory data, prospective delineation of risk, and patient outreach and activation, all within a framework of team‐based approaches to patient management. Although many of these strategies are theoretically possible now, they are poorly used and will be difficult to implement without a significant restructuring of medical practice. An enhanced focus on medication monitoring will also require a new conceptual framework to re‐engineer the prescribing process. With this approach, prescribing quality does not hinge on static attributes of the initial prescribing decision but entails a dynamic process in which the benefits and harms of drugs are actively monitored, managed, and reassessed over time.
External Validation of an Index to Predict Up to 9‐Year Mortality of Community‐Dwelling Adults Aged 65 and Older
Authors: Schonberg Mara A. , Davis Roger B. , McCarthy Ellen P. , Marcantonio Edward R.
Published: July 2011

OBJECTIVES: To further validate an index predicting mortality in community‐dwelling older adults.

DESIGN: A comparison of the performance of the index in predicting mortality among new respondents to the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS, 2001–2004) with that of respondents from the original development and validation cohorts (1997–2000) and a test of its performance over extended follow‐up (up to 9 years) using the original cohorts. Follow‐up mortality data were available through 2006.

SETTING: NHIS.

PARTICIPANTS: Twenty‐two thousand fifty‐seven new respondents to the NHIS (2001–2004) and 24,139 respondents from the original development and validation cohorts (1997–2000).

MEASUREMENTS: A risk score was calculated for each respondent based on the presence or absence of 11 factors (function, illnesses, behaviors, demographics) that make up the index. Using the Kaplan‐Meier method, 5‐year mortality estimates were computed for the new and original cohort respondents and 9‐year mortality estimates for the original cohorts.

RESULTS: New respondents were similar to original cohort respondents but were slightly more likely to be aged 85 and older, report diabetes mellitus, and have a body mass index of 25.0 kg/m2 or greater. The model performed as well in the new cohort as it had in the original cohort. New respondents with risk scores of 0 to 1 had a 2% risk of 5‐year mortality, whereas respondents who scored 18 or higher had a 69% risk of 5‐year mortality (range 3–71% risk of 5‐year mortality in the development cohort). The index also demonstrated excellent calibration and discrimination in predicting 9‐year mortality (range 7% risk for scores of 0–1 to 92% risk for scores of ≥18, original validation cohort extended).

CONCLUSION: These results further justify use of this index to estimate life expectancy in clinical decision‐making.
Diffusion Processes of Product Meanings in Design‐Intensive Industries: Determinants and Dynamics*
Authors: Dell'Era Claudio , Verganti Roberto
Published: July 2011

Literature on the diffusion of innovation (DoI) is particularly rich and articulated and has been a topic of practical and academic interest since the 1960s. Empirical research in this field has focused on new technologies and managerial practices. However, given the increasingly important role played by design in today's business and academic arenas, we must verify the validity of otherwise robust results obtained largely from tech‐based industries with studies from design‐intensive industries. This paper aims to identify the factors (or determinants) that impact the diffusion dynamics of product meanings within the Italian furniture industry. In particular, we have identified three groups of determinants (innovator marketing strategy, innovator characteristics, and competitive environment), and we have conceptualized diffusion dynamics along two dimensions with their corresponding variables (Speed, Contagion). We have analyzed more than 5,600 products proposed on the market between 1995 and 2006 by 215 furniture manufacturers operating within seven compartments (kitchen, upholstery, lighting, living, chairs, tables, and night). The article discusses 82 diffusion processes of new product meanings.

Our results, which were obtained using linear regression analysis, enrich a broad literature on the diffusion of innovation, focusing on design‐intensive industries. Diffusion processes that are activated by several companies are able to influence several manufacturers, and they spread very quickly (Collaboration). Companies concentrating their offerings on only a few product meanings are able to rapidly penetrate the market, proposing clear product identities (Focalization). Reputation does not impact Speed and Contagion, as new product meanings have the opportunity to significantly impact the market but only in cases where well‐known companies have participated in the diffusion process since the beginning and have done so in collaboration with small proactive companies; otherwise, the new meanings remain confined to a market niche phenomenon. Collaboration with several creative resources (System Openness) allows a company to seize dominant trends and improve its capacity to strongly influence the rest of the market. Our empirical results show that launching new product meanings in years when several proposals already exist negatively impacts the possibility of influencing other manufacturers (Ferment). From a managerial point of view, providing variables that characterize the early stages of diffusion processes (i.e., that determine their dynamics) allows our empirical results to be interpreted as forecasting suggestions. This paper provides managers with new guidelines for forecasting the evolution of a product meaning in light of the characteristics of the innovators, the marketing strategies employed, and the competitive environment associated with its launch.
Top Management Team Diversity and Strategic Innovation Orientation: The Relationship and Consequences for Innovativeness and Performance
Authors: Talke Katrin , Salomo Søren , Kock Alexander
Published: July 2011

A firm's strategic innovation orientation, which is aimed at discovering and satisfying emerging customer needs with novel technological solutions, has repeatedly been shown to be crucial for firm innovativeness and firm performance. Despite its apparent importance, relatively little research has addressed antecedents of a firm's strategic orientation that help explain heterogeneity in innovation strategies across firms. Especially the influence of top management teams (TMT) should be critical, since innovation strategies are shaped at the top management level. Building on the theory of upper echelon, this study investigates how TMT characteristics affect a firm's strategic innovation orientation, and how this relates to innovation outcomes and firm performance. Hypotheses are tested on a sample of goods manufacturers using a combination of survey data, document analysis, and objective capital market data for firm performance. Results indicate that TMT diversity, measured as heterogeneity in educational, functional, industry, and organizational background, has a strong positive effect on a firm's innovation orientation. A strong proactive focus on emerging customer needs and on novel technologies then lead to a portfolio of new products with higher market newness and technology newness, which both increase firm performance. The results therefore emphasize the importance of TMT characteristics as antecedent for innovation strategy and innovation outcomes.
Technology In‐Sourcing and the Creation of Pioneering Technologies
Authors: van de Vrande Vareska , Vanhaverbeke Wim , Duysters Geert
Published: July 2011

This study analyzes the effect of different external technology sourcing modes on the creation of radical innovation in companies. Moreover, since prior research has indicated that exploration consists of looking beyond both organizational and technological boundaries, the role of technological distance between the partnering firms and the role of technological newness are also included. In particular, this paper examines how they affect the relationship between external technology sourcing and the creation of pioneering technologies (technologies that do not build on any existing technologies), which are used as a proxy for radical innovations. Using a sample of companies that were from the pharmaceutical industry, the results indicate that strategic alliances and corporate venture capital investments have a positive effect on the creation of pioneering technologies, whereas the effect of M&As is found to be negative. Additionally, the results show that the impact of these governance modes on the creation of pioneering technology is indeed affected by the newness of the technology and relatedness of the technological portfolios of the partnering firms. A larger technological distance between the two partnering firms increases the effect of strategic alliances on the creation of pioneering technologies. In addition, the results indicate that technological newness weakens the positive effect of CVC investments and non‐equity alliances on the creation of pioneering technologies.
Coronary Venous Lead Implantation after an Evaluation by Virtual Histology Intravascular Ultrasound and Stenting of a Stenosis
Authors: YAMASAKI HIRO , TADA HIROSHI , ARIMOTO TAKANORI , SEKIGUCHI YUKIO , SATO AKIRA , AONUMA KAZUTAKA
Published: July 2011

We describe a patient who developed coronary vein (CV) stenosis shortly (<3 months) after an initial left ventricular (LV) lead implantation with significant fibrous tissue. The virtual histological intravascular ultrasound analysis was useful for characterizing the plaque component of the stenotic lesion and formulating the strategy. A summarized review of the CV angioplasty for LV lead implantations disclosed that CV stenosis was often found in patients who had a previous history of cardiac surgery or an LV lead implantation and that a stent implantation was required to deploy the LV lead in the targeted CV in some (9.3%) patients. (PACE 2013; 36:e59–e63)
Do Mobile Phones Pose a Potential Risk to Autonomic Modulation of the Heart?
Authors: BARUTCU IRFAN , ESEN ALI METIN , KAYA DAYIMI , TURKMEN MUHSIN , KARAKAYA OSMAN , SAGLAM MUSTAFA , MELEK MEHMET , ÇELİK ATAÇ , KİLİT CELAL , ONRAT ERSEL , KIRMA CEVAT
Published: July 2011

Background:
 It has long been speculated that mobile phones may interact with the cardiac devices and thereby cardiovascular system may be a potential target for the electromagnetic fields emitted by the mobile phones. Therefore, the present study was designed to test possible effects of radiofrequency waves emitted by digital mobile phones on cardiac autonomic modulation by short‐time heart rate variability (HRV) analysis.

Methods and Results:
 A total of 20 healthy young subjects were included to the study. All participants were rested in supine position at least for 15 minutes on a comfortable bed, and then time and frequency domain HRV parameters were recorded at baseline in supine position for 5 minutes. After completion of baseline records, by using a mobile GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication) phone, HRV parameters were recorded at turned off mode, at turned on mode, and at calling mode over 5 minutes periods for each stage.

Conclusion:
 Neither time nor frequency domain HRV parameters altered significantly during off mode compare to their baseline values. Also, neither time nor frequency domain HRV parameters altered significantly during turned on and calling mode compared to their baseline values. Short‐time exposure to electromagnetic fields emitted by mobile phone does not affect cardiac autonomic modulation in healthy subjects. (PACE 2011; 34:1511–1514)
Prognostic Value of Exercise‐Induced Ventricular Arrhythmia in Chagas’ Heart Disease
Authors: PEDROSA ROBERTO COURY , SALLES JOSÉ HUGO GAMEIRO , MAGNANINI MONICA M. F. , BEZERRA DANIEL C. , BLOCH KATIA VERGETTI
Published: July 2011

Objective:
 To determine the prevalence and the prognostic value of exercise‐induced ventricular arrhythmia (EIVA) in chronic Chagas’ heart disease.

Study Design and Setting:
 An open prospective cohort of 130 clinically stable patients at a University Hospital outpatient unit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, was followed up at scheduled clinical visits from 1990 through 2007. The endpoint was total cardiovascular mortality. Survival curves (Kaplan‐Meier) and a multivariate Cox proportional hazard model were adjusted to determine the association between EIVA and mortality.

Results:
 The median duration of follow‐up was 9.9 years (range, 132 days to 17 years). EIVA prevalence was 43.1% (95% CI: 34.5–51.7). Thirty‐three cardiovascular deaths (25.4%) occurred. The hazard ratio of EIVA for cardiovascular death, after adjustment for age, was 1.84 (P = 0.09). An interaction was found between EIVA and cardiomegaly on x‐ray. In the group with cardiomegaly, the hazard of dying was four times greater in the presence of EIVA (P for interaction = 0.05).

Conclusion:
 In clinically stable chagasic subjects with cardiomegaly, EIVA is a clinically significant marker of total cardiovascular mortality and may be a useful risk stratification tool in this population. (PACE 2011; 34:1492–1497)
Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Optimization Using Noninvasive Cardiac Output Measurement
Authors: KHAN FAKHAR Z. , VIRDEE MUNMOHAN S. , HUTCHINSON JOHN , SMITH BEVERLEY , PUGH PETER J. , READ PHILIP A. , FYNN SIMON P. , DUTKA DAVID P.
Published: July 2011

Aims:
 Noninvasive cardiac output (CO) measurement (NICOM) is a novel method to assess ventricular function and offers a potential alternative for optimization of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) devices. We compared the effect of NICOM‐based optimization to no optimization (empiric settings) on CRT outcomes.

Methods:
 Two hundred and three patients undergoing CRT were assessed in two consecutive nonrandomized groups; an empiric group (n = 54) was programmed to “out of the box” settings with a fixed AV delay of 120 ms and a VV delay of 0 ms; and the optimization group (n = 149) underwent adjustments of both the AV and VV delays according to the greatest improvement in resting CO. The primary endpoints were improvements in left ventricular (LV) volumes and function from baseline at 6 months. Secondary endpoints were change in New York Heart Association (NYHA) class, quality of life score, and 6‐minute walk test (6 MWT) performance.

Results:
 After 6 months of CRT, the optimization group had a better clinical response with lower NYHA class (2.1±0.8 vs 2.4 ± 0.8, P = 0.048) and quality of life scores (35 ± 18 vs 42 ± 20, P = 0.045) but no differences in 6‐MWT performance (269 ± 110 vs 277 ± 114 m, P = 0.81). Echocardiographic response was also better in the optimization group with lower LV end systolic volume (108 ± 51 vs 126 ± 60 mL, P = 0.048) and higher ejection fraction (30 ± 7 vs 27 ± 8, P = 0.01) compared to empiric settings.

Conclusion:
 Device optimization using noninvasive measures of CO is associated with better clinical and echocardiographic response compared to empiric settings. (PACE 2011; 34:1527–1536)
Thermo‐Optical Properties of LaMAl11O19 (M = Mg, Mn, Fe) Hexaaluminates for High‐Temperature Thermal Protection Applications
Authors: Liu Hong‐Zhi , Ouyang Jia‐Hu , Liu Zhan‐Guo , Wang Ya‐Ming
Published: July 2011

LaMAl11O19 (M = Mg, Mn, Fe) ceramics are fabricated by pressureless‐sintering method at 1700°C for 10 h in air. The microstructure and thermo‐optical properties of LaMAl11O19 ceramics are studied by the X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy measurements. The transition metallic elements such as Mn and Fe at M2+ site can effectively enhance the emissivity of LaMAl11O19 ceramics at short wavelengths. LaFeAl11O19 has the highest emissivity value of more than 0.8 in the wavelength range of 2.5–6 μm at 500°C. However, the measured emissivity of different LaMAl11O19 ceramics shows a similar trend in the wavelength range of 6–14 μm. LaFeAl11O19 is a promising protective coating material for metallic thermal protection system due to its high emissivity of above 0.7 over the whole wavelength range of 2.5–14 μm at temperatures up to 900°C.
Contrasting intraspecific dietary shifts in two terapontid assemblages from Australia’s wet‐dry tropics
Authors: Davis Aaron M. , Pusey Bradley J. , Pearson Richard G.
Published: July 2011

Abstract –  This study assessed the size‐related patterns of dietary resource use in terapontid assemblages from two north Australian wet‐dry tropical river systems exhibiting contrasting long‐term flow regimes. Substantially higher size‐related dietary divergence in the form of additional trophic guilds and lower levels of dietary overlap were evident among terapontids from the comparatively stable Daly River system, particularly during the dry season. Relatively restricted expression of size‐related dietary shifts in conjunction with higher levels of dietary overlap and no significant seasonal effects on dietary overlap were features of assemblage interaction in the highly variable Burdekin River. Results highlight size‐related dietary shifts as a complex aspect of terapontid trophic habits, and one that can exhibit considerable spatial dynamism.
Forest fragmentation leads to food web contraction
Authors: Valladares Graciela , Cagnolo Luciano , Salvo Adriana
Published: July 2011

Fragmentation and loss of habitat are critical components of the global change currently threatening biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. We studied the effects of habitat loss through fragmentation on food web structure, by constructing and analyzing plant‐herbivore and host‐parasitoid food webs including more than 400 species and over 120 000 feeding records, in 19 Chaco Serrano remnants of differing areas. Food web structure was altered by habitat fragmentation, with different metrics being affected depending on interaction type, and with all changes being driven by the reduced size of networks in smaller fragments. Only connectance varied in both quantitative and qualitative analyses, being negatively related to area. In addition, the interactions were represented by proper successive subsets, modulated mainly by resource availability (plant–herbivore) or consumer specialization (host–parasitoid), as forest size decreased. The results suggest that habitat loss has led to food web contraction around a central core of highly‐connected species, for plant–herbivore as well as for host–parasitoid systems. The study provides new insights into the effects of human perturbations on complex biological systems.
Role of cytochrome P‐450 genetic polymorphisms in oral carcinogenesis
Authors: Hernando‐Rodriguez Miriam , Rey‐Barja Natalia , Marichalar‐Mendia Xabier , Rodriguez‐Tojo Maria J. , Acha‐Sagredo Amelia , Aguirre‐Urizar Jose M.
Published: July 2011

J Oral Pathol Med (2012) 41: 1–8

Oral cancer is one of the most frequent head and neck cancers, and epidemiological studies have shown that smoking is a major risk factor in this pathology. However, as not all smokers develop oral cancer, some individuals must be more susceptible to develop this disease. This individual susceptibility has been related to different genetic variants in metabolizing enzymes. The cytochrome P‐450 (CYP) family of enzymes metabolizes tobacco‐related carcinogens producing reactive metabolites, which could cause DNA damage. Because of their functional role in the metabolism of tobacco‐related compounds, the genetic polymorphisms found in the genes that code for CYP enzymes have been suggested to modulate oral cancer risk and contribute to individual susceptibility. In this review, we analyze and update the available evidence in the literature regarding the polymorphisms of CYP genes in relation to the susceptibility of developing oral cancer.
Myeloid‐derived suppressor cells contribute to oral cancer progression in 4NQO‐treated mice
Authors: Chu M , Su Y‐X , Wang L , Zhang T‐H , Liang Y‐J , Liang L‐Z , Liao G‐Q
Published: July 2011

Oral Diseases (2011) 18, 67–73

Objective:  Abnormal myelopoiesis especially the expansion of myeloid‐derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) is increasingly recognized as an important reason for the escape of tumor from immune surveillance. This study aims to investigate the role of this specific population of cells in oral cancer progression.

Materials and Methods:  4‐Nitroquinoline 1‐oxide (4NQO) was used to induce oral cancer in C57BL/6 mice. The tongue mucosa was examined by hematoxylin and eosin staining. The distribution of MDSCs in the spleen and peripheral blood and T cell subsets in the spleen was analyzed by flow cytometry. The expression of MDSCs in the tongue tissues was investigated by immunohistochemical staining, and the expression of arginase‐1 (ARG‐1) and NOS‐2 in the tongue tissues was detected by real‐time PCR.

Results:  We found that during tumor progression, significantly increased frequency of MDSCs was observed in the spleens and peripheral blood of 4NQO‐treated mice, and the frequency of MDSCs in the spleens was positively correlated with systemic CD3+CD8+ T cells. Moreover, 4NQO‐treated mice showed significantly higher MDSCs infiltration and ARG‐1 mRNA level in the tumor site.

Conclusions:  Myeloid‐derived suppressor cells contribute to oral tumor progression and represent a potential target for immunotherapy of oral cancer.
Rho Kinase-related Proteins in Human Vaginal Arteries: An Immunohistochemical and Functional Study
Authors: Ückert Stefan , Waldkirch Eginhard S. , Kauffels Wolfgang , Kuczyk Markus A. , Hedlund Petter
Published: July 2011

Introduction

The calcium-sensitizing Rho A/Rho kinase pathway has been suggested to play a role in the control of nongenital vascular smooth muscle. Rho-associated kinases (ROKs) cause calcium-independent modulation of smooth muscle contraction, and have been demonstrated in the bladder, prostate, and corpus cavernosum. Until now, it is not known whether ROKs and related proteins play a role in the control of vaginal blood flow.

Aim

To investigate by means of functional studies and immunohistochemistry the significance of the Rho pathway in human vaginal arteries.

Methods

Vaginal tissue was obtained from five postmenopausal women. Specimens were processed for immunohistochemistry for ROK1, ROK2, RhoA, and RhoGDI. Segments of sub-epithelial vaginal arteries were mounted in a tissue bath. Effects of Y27632 on the concentration–response curves to phenylephrine (Phe) or Phe-precontracted preparations were investigated.

Main Outcome Measure

The expression of Rho kinases ROK1, ROK2, and the Rho-associated protein RhoGDI in human vaginal arteries was investigated by means of immunohistochemistry. Tissue bath studies were conducted in order to characterize the effects of the ROK inhibitor Y27632 on isolated vaginal arteries.

Results

A meshwork of α-actin immunoreactive arterioles was located in the sub-epithelium of human vaginal specimens. Immunoreactivities for ROK1, ROK2, RhoA, and RhoGDI were expressed in the smooth musculature of these arteries. At 0.1 and 1 µM Y27632, the contraction to Phe (10 µM) was 99 ± 17% and 28 ± 12% that of 124 mM K+. In Phe-contracted preparations, Y27632 produced relaxant responses.

Conclusions

The activation of alpha1-adrenoceptors contracts sub-epithelial human vaginal arteries via ROK-sensitive mechanisms. A role for these signals in the regulation of vaginal blood flow might be considered.
The Role of Testosterone in Sexuality and Paraphilia—A Neurobiological Approach. Part II: Testosterone and Paraphilia
Authors: Jordan Kirsten , Fromberger Peter , Stolpmann Georg , Müller Jürgen Leo
Published: July 2011

Introduction

Antiandrogen therapy has been used for 30 years to treat paraphilic patients and sexual offenders. Yet the therapeutic success of antiandrogens is uncertain. Furthermore, there is still a lack of comprehensive knowledge about the effects of androgen-lowering therapy in paraphilic patients.

Aim

We discuss endocrinological, neurobiological, and therapeutic aspects of paraphilia with the aim of integrating these on the basis of the current neurobiological and clinical knowledge on testosterone that was set out in Part I of this review.

Methods

Our review of the human literature comprises the current knowledge about the neurobiology of paraphilia and the known endocrinological, pathophysiological, and genetic aspects of this disorder. The role of testosterone is discussed. A survey of antiandrogen therapy and its outcome in paraphilic patients and sex offenders is provided.

Results

Although not all data are consistent, current imaging research suggests that structural and functional changes in pedophilia appear for the most part in brain regions also involved in sexual functions. Not exclusively testosterone but also some other endocrinological and neurochemical parameters could be disturbed in pedophilic patients and child molesters; these include changes in hypothalamic–pituitary function, prolactin levels, and dopaminergic or serotonergic functions. There appears to be a sex-steroid-related genetic influence on antisocial traits, externalizing behavior, and sexual behavior. Most of the studies in which antiandrogen therapy in paraphilic patients and sex offenders have been examined were case reports, or observational or open-label studies, and many did not include adequate control groups. Only a few placebo-controlled double-blind studies have been published with inconsistent results concerning treatment effects. Outcome measures differ between the studies and do not seem ideally suited to their purpose.

Conclusions

On the basis of the current knowledge about testosterone and its effects on brain and behavior as described in Part I, and of available results on the relationship between testosterone and paraphilia as well as antiandrogen therapy, we present from a neurobiological perspective an extended scientific proposal for design features to investigate the effects of antiandrogen treatment in large clinical trials.
Adaptive associations between total body color dimorphism and climatic stress‐related traits in a stenothermal circumtropical Drosophila species
Authors: Parkash Ravi , Chahal Jyoti , Sharma Vineeta , Dev Kapil
Published: July 2011

Abstract Low desiccation resistance of Drosophila ananassae reflects its rarity outside the humid tropics. However, the ability of this sensitive species to evolve under seasonally varying subtropical areas is largely unknown. D. ananassae flies are mostly lighter during the rainy season but darker and lighter flies occur in the autumn season in northern India. We tested the hypothesis whether seasonally varying alternative body color phenotypes of D. ananassae vary in their levels of environmental stress tolerances and mating behavior. Thus, we investigated D. ananassae flies collected during rainy and autumn seasons for changes in body melanization and their genetic basis, desiccation‐related traits, cold tolerance and mating propensity. On the basis of genetic crosses, we found total body color dimorphism consistent with a single gene model in both sexes of D. ananassae. A significant increase in the frequency of the dark morph was observed during the drier autumn season, and body color phenotypes showed significant deviations from Hardy‐Weinberg equilibrium, which suggests climatic selection plays a role. Resistance to desiccation as well as cold stress were two‐ to three‐fold higher in the dark body color strain as compared with the light strain. On the basis of no‐choice mating experiments, we observed significantly higher assortative matings between dark morphs under desiccation or cold stress, and between light morphs under hot or higher humidity conditions. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the ecological significance of seasonally varying total body color dimorphism in a tropical species, D. ananassae.
Radio to infrared spectra of late-type galaxies with Planck and Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe data
Authors: Peel M. W. , Dickinson C. , Davies R. D. , Clements D. L. , Beswick R. J.
Published: July 2011

We use the Planck Early Release Compact Source Catalogue combined with Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) and other archival measurements to construct continuum spectra of three nearby dusty star-forming galaxies: Messier 82, NGC 253 and NGC 4945. We carry out a least-squares fit to the spectra using a combination of simple synchrotron, free–free and thermal dust models, and look for evidence of anomalous microwave emission (AME). We find that the radio spectra of all three galaxies are consistent with steep spectrum synchrotron emission, with a significant amount of free–free emission required to explain the Planck and WMAP data points in the frequency range 30–150 GHz. This brings the star formation rate based on free–free emission into better agreement with that from the non-thermal emission. We place limits on the presence of AME in these galaxies, finding that it is lower than expectations based on the ratio of far-infrared to AME from the Galaxy. Nevertheless, the shape of the spectrum of NGC 4945 hints at the presence of AME with a peak around 30 GHz. Future Planck data will let us look more closely at these galaxies, as well as to extend the analysis to many more galaxies.
Influence of Piezometer Construction on Groundwater Sampling in Fractured Rock
Authors: Kozuskanich J. , Novakowski K. S. , Anderson B. C.
Published: July 2011

A numerical model for groundwater flow and solute transport was employed to examine the influence of the screen and sandpack on the collection of a representative geochemical sample from a piezometer monitoring well installation in a discretely fractured bedrock aquifer. The optimization of screen and sandpack combinations was explored for the potential to reduce purging times and volumes in practice. Simulations accounted for the location of the fractures along the well screen, fracture aperture, screen length, and the pumping rate. The variability in the required purging times (t99–the time required to achieve 99% fractional contribution from the formation to pump discharge) can be explained by: (1) the relative hydraulic conductivities of the components of the system (fracture, sandpack, and screen), (2) the truncation of the flow field from the fracture to the screen by the upper and/or lower boundary of the sandpack of the flow field from another fracture, and (3) time‐dependent drawdown. During pumping, only a portion of the sandpack may actually become hydraulically active. The optimal configuration (shortest purging time) is achieved when the ratios of the screen, sandpack, and fracture hydraulic conductivities are close to 1:1:1. More importantly, the role of the fracture hydraulic conductivity in the ratios is not as crucial to reducing t99 as having the hydraulic conductivities of the screen and sandpack as similar as possible. This study provides a better understanding of well dynamics during pumping for the purpose of obtaining representative groundwater samples.
Climate change and the courts
Authors: Lin Jolene
Published: July 2011

This paper argues that climate change litigation is an important component of the governance framework that has emerged to regulate how states respond to climate change at the global, regional and local levels. The paper examines climate change-related cases from selected jurisdictions, including Australia and the EU, and proposes a theoretical framework to shed light on the use of litigation as a regulatory response to climate change.
Tocotrienols: inflammation and cancer
Authors: Nesaretnam Kalanithi , Meganathan Puvaneswari
Published: July 2011

Inflammation is an organism's response to environmental assaults. It can be classified as acute inflammation that leads to therapeutic recovery or chronic inflammation, which may lead to the development of cancer and other ailments. Genetic changes that occur within cancer cells themselves are responsible for many aspects of cancer development but are dependent on ancillary processes for tumor promotion and progression. Inflammation has long been associated with the development of cancer. The distinct characteristics of cancer cells to proliferate, metastasize, evade apoptotic signals, and develop chemoresistance have been linked to the inflammatory response. Due to the involvement of multiple genes and various pathways, current drugs that target single genes have not been effective in providing a therapeutic cure. On the other hand, natural products target multiple genes and therefore have better success compared to drugs. Tocotrienols, the potent isoforms of vitamin E, are such a natural product. This review will discuss the relationship between cancer and inflammation with particular focus on the roles played by NF‐κB, STAT3, and COX‐2.
Culinary plants and their potential impact on metabolic overload
Authors: Kim Ji Yeon , Kwon Oran
Published: July 2011

Contemporary human behavior has led a large proportion of the population to metabolic overload and obesity. Postprandial hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia evoke redox imbalance in the short term and lead to complex chronic disease in the long term with repeated occurrence. Complex diseases are best prevented with complex components of plants; thus, current nutrition research has begun to focus on the development of plant‐based functional foods and dietary supplements for health and well‐being. Furthermore, given the wide range of species, parts, and secondary metabolites, culinary plants can contribute significant variety and complexity to the human diet. Although understanding the health benefits of culinary plants has been one of the great challenges in nutritional science due to their inherent complexity, it is an advantageous pursuit. This review will address the challenges and opportunities relating to studies of the health benefits of culinary plants, with an emphasis on obesity attributed to metabolic overload.
Telomere dynamics: the influence of folate and DNA methylation
Authors: Moores Carly J. , Fenech Michael , O’Callaghan Nathan J.
Published: July 2011

Since the suggestion of their existence, a wealth of literature on telomere biology has emerged aimed at solving the DNA end‐underreplication problem identified by Olovnikov in 1971. Telomere shortening/dysfunction is now recognized as increasing degenerative disease risk. Recent studies have suggested that both dietary patterns and individual micronutrients—including folate—can influence telomere length and function. Folate is an important dietary vitamin required for DNA synthesis, repair, and one‐carbon metabolism within the cell. However, the potential mechanisms by which folate deficiency directly or indirectly affects telomere biology has not yet been reviewed comprehensively. The present review summarizes recent published knowledge and identifies the residual knowledge gaps. Specifically, this review addresses whether it is plausible that folate deficiency may (1) cause accelerated telomere shortening, (2) intrinsically affect telomere function, and/or (3) cause increased telomere‐end fusions and subsequent breakage–fusion–bridge cycles in the cell.
Impact of endurance and ultraendurance exercise on DNA damage
Authors: Wagner Karl‐Heinz , Reichhold Stefanie , Neubauer Oliver
Published: July 2011

Regular moderate physical activity reduces the risk of several noncommunicable diseases. At the same time, evidence exists for oxidative stress resulting from acute and strenuous exercise by enhanced formation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, which may lead to oxidatively modified lipids, proteins, and possibly negative effects on DNA stability. The limited data on ultraendurance events such as an Ironman triathlon show no persistent DNA damage after the events. However, when considering the effects of endurance exercise comparable to a (half) marathon or a short triathlon distance, no clear conclusions could be drawn. In order to clarify which components of exercise participation, such as duration, intensity, frequency, or training status of the subjects, have an impact on DNA stability, more information is clearly needed that combines the measurement of DNA damage, gene expression, and DNA repair mechanisms before, during, and after exercise of differing intensities and durations.
Development of Molten Salt Heat Transfer Fluid With Low Melting Point and High Thermal Stability
Authors: Raade Justin W. , Padowitz David
Published: July 2011

This paper describes an advanced heat transfer fluid (HTF) consisting of a novel mixture of inorganic salts with a low melting point and high thermal stability. These properties produce a broad operating range molten salt and enable effective thermal storage for parabolic trough concentrating solar power plants. Previous commercially available molten salt heat transfer fluids have a high melting point, typically 140 °C or higher, which limits their commercial use due to the risk of freezing. The advanced HTF embodies a novel composition of materials, consisting of a mixture of nitrate salts of lithium, sodium, potassium, cesium, and calcium. This unique mixture exploits eutectic behavior resulting in a low melting point of 65 °C and a thermal stability limit over 500 °C. The advanced HTF described in this work was developed using advanced experiment design and data analysis methods combined with a powerful high throughput experimental workflow. Over 5000 unique mixtures of inorganic salt were tested during the development process. Additional work is ongoing to fully characterize the relevant thermophysical properties of the HTF and to assess its long term performance in realistic operating conditions for concentrating solar power applications or other high temperature processes.
Thermodynamic Cycles for a Small Particle Heat Exchange Receiver Used in Concentrating Solar Power Plants
Authors: Kitzmiller Kyle , Miller Fletcher
Published: July 2011

Gas-cooled solar receivers for concentrating solar power plants are capable of providing high temperature, pressurized gas for electrical power generation via a Brayton cycle. This can be accomplished by expanding hot, pressurized gas directly through a turbine, or through using a heat exchanger to indirectly heat pressurized air. Gas-cooled receivers can be divided into two basic technologies. In tube based solar receivers, thermal energy is transferred to air through convection with the heated tube wall. This limits receiver efficiency since the tube wall needs to be substantially hotter than the gas inside due to the relatively poor gas heat transfer coefficient. In volumetric receivers, solar energy is absorbed within a volume, rather than on a surface. The absorption volume can be filled with ceramic foam, wires, or particles to act as the absorbing medium. In a small particle heat exchange receiver, for example, submicron sized particles absorb solar radiation and transfer this energy as heat to a surrounding fluid. This effectively eliminates any thermal resistance, allowing for higher receiver efficiencies. However, mechanical considerations limit the size of volumetric, pressurized gas-cooled receivers.

In order to solve this problem, several thermodynamic cycles have been investigated, each of which is motivated by key physical considerations in volumetric receivers. The cyclic efficiencies are determined by a new MATLAB code based on previous Brayton cycle modeling conducted by Sandia National Laboratories. The modeling accounts for pressure drops and temperature losses in various components, and parameters such as the turbine inlet temperature and pressure ratio are easily modified to run parametric cases.

The performance of a gas-cooled solar receiver is largely a function of its ability to provide process gas at a consistent temperature or pressure, regardless of variations in solar flux, which can vary due to cloud transients or apparent sun motion throughout the day. Consistent output can be ensured by combusting fuel within the cycle, effectively making a solar/fossil fuel hybrid system. Several schemes for hybridization with natural gas are considered here, including externally fired concepts and combined receiver/combustor units. Because the efficiency of hybridized cycles is a function of the solar thermal input, the part load behavior of the recuperated cycle is examined. However, off-design models are simplistic in this research, as the goal of the work is an introductory evaluation of different potential cycles.
A 9-m-Aperture Solar Parabolic Trough Concentrator Based on a Multilayer Polymer Mirror Membrane Mounted on a Concrete Structure
Authors: Bader Roman , Pedretti Andrea , Steinfeld Aldo
Published: July 2011

A large-span solar parabolic trough concentrator is designed based on a multilayer polymer mirror membrane mounted on a rotatable concrete structure. The multilayer membrane is contained in a transparent protective air tube and generates a multicircular profile that approaches the trough parabolic shape. An analytical model of the mechanical behavior of the membrane mirror construction coupled to a Monte Carlo ray-tracing simulation is formulated and applied for design and optimization and for elucidating the influence of manufacturing and operational parameter variations on the radiative flux distribution. It is found that the parabolic shape can be well approximated with four stacked membranes that generate an arc-spline of four tangentially adjacent circular arcs. A 45-m-long 9-m-aperture full-scale prototype concentrator was fabricated and experimentation was carried out to validate the simulation model. Highest measured peak solar radiative flux concentration was 18.9, corresponding to 39% of the theoretical maximum value for an ideal parabolic trough concentrator.
Effect of substrate temperature on the properties of transparent conductive ZnO:Al thin films prepared by RF sputtering
Authors: Deng Xue-Ran , Deng Hong , Wei Min , Chen Jin-Ju , Chen Han
Published: July 2011

Transparent conductive ZnO:Al thin films were successfully deposited on glass substrates via radio frequency sputtering with a ceramic target in ambient argon. X-ray diffraction, profilometry, Hall-effect measurement, and spectrophotometry were employed to investigate the structural, electrical, and optical properties of films. The electrical and optical properties were found to be strongly dependent on the crystalline quality, grain size, and thickness of the films. X-ray diffraction spectra indicated that the crystalline quality of the films improved and grains became larger with increasing substrate temperature. Transmission spectra revealed that films possessed a higher transmittance in the visible range with an increase of the substrate temperature, but the band gap did not broaden obviously. Films with a resistivity of about 2.66 × 10−4 Ω cm and an average transmittance above 90% in the visible range were obtained at the optimum temperature of 450 °C.
Monte Carlo simulation of contrast‐enhanced whole brain radiotherapy on a CT scanner
Authors: Schultz Bernd‐Joachim , Wust Peter , Lüdemann Lutz , Jost Gregor , Pietsch Hubertus
Published: July 2011

Purpose:

To perform a feasibility study of contrast‐enhanced whole brain radiotherapy for treating patients with multiple brain metastasis using a conventional computed tomography (CT) scanner.

Methods:

The treatment dose was optimized to be applied in a single run using a maximum tube power of kWs at kV. CT scans of a large and a small head were used as reference. Irradiation geometry, shielding, axial beam collimation, radial beam collimation, gantry tilt, and tube current for beam modulation were optimized using a Monte Carlo simulation and a contrast agent concentration of mg/ml iodine in the tumor. The statistical uncertainty of the Monte Carlo simulation was corrected using back convolution.

Results:

Using a CT tube with a beam collimation of mm, a mean tumor dose of Gy was achieved, while the head bone dose was Gy with a normal brain dose of Gy, eye dose of Gy, and lens dose of Gy, respectively. Using a CT tube with dose modulation and a beam collimation of mm, the mean tumor dose was Gy with a head bone dose of Gy, normal brain dose of Gy, eye dose of Gy, and lens dose of Gy, respectively. Thus a standard CT scanner enables an effective tumor dose of Gy to be administered in 13 fractions, while exposing healthy brain to an effective dose of Gy and head bone to Gy. Additional radial collimation implemented in the hardware improves the therapeutic tumor dose by in relation to the bone dose.

Conclusions:

Contrast‐enhanced total brain radiotherapy is feasible using a conventional CT tube with optimized dose application.