bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Controlled Evaluation of Bactec Peds Plus/F and Bactec Lytic/10 Anaerobic/F Media for Isolation of
Salmonella enterica
Serovars Typhi and Paratyphi A from Blood
Authors: Reller Megan E. , Zaidi Anita K. M. , Sultana Shazia , Azeem Shazia , Hanif Beenish , Qureshi Shahida , Hasan Rumina , Bhutta Zulfiqar , Akhter Rehana , Goldmann Donald A.
Published: November 2008

We compared anaerobic lytic (AL) and pediatric aerobic resin-containing (Peds Plus/F) blood culture media for the isolation of
Salmonella enterica
serotype Typhi or Paratyphi A from children. The yields from AL and Peds Plus/F media were the same with equal volumes of blood, but recovery was faster from AL medium than Peds Plus/F medium (10.7 and 16.4 h, respectively) (
P
< 0.001).
Qualitative Human Immunodeficiency Virus RNA Analysis of Dried Blood Spots for Diagnosis of Infections in Infants
Authors: Kerr Ryan J. S. , Player Gray , Fiscus Susan A. , Nelson Julie A. E.
Published: November 2008

The Gen-Probe Aptima human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) RNA assay was adapted for the diagnosis of HIV infection in infants by using dried blood spots. The assay was 99% sensitive (128/129) and 100% specific (162/162). This may prove useful in resource-limited settings, since it precludes the need for a phlebotomist and maintenance of a cold chain.
Disseminated Fusariosis Caused by
Fusarium verticillioides
in an Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Patient after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
Authors: Tezcan Gulsum , Ozhak-Baysan Betil , Alastruey-Izquierdo Ana , Ogunc Dilara , Ongut Gozde , Yıldıran Sinasi Taner , Hazar Volkan , Cuenca-Estrella Manuel , Rodriguez-Tudela Juan Luis
Published: November 2008

Fusarium
species are saprophytic molds which cause disseminated or localized infections in humans. Disseminated
Fusarium
infection can cause significant morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients. We present a case of disseminated fusariosis caused by
Fusarium verticillioides
in a patient with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and successfully treated using both liposomal amphotericin B and voriconazole.
Human Cytomegalovirus-Encoded Immune Modulators Partner To Downregulate Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I Molecules
Authors: Noriega Vanessa M. , Tortorella Domenico
Published: November 2008

Throughout the course of natural evolution with its host, the human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) has developed a variety of strategies to avoid immune recognition and clearance. The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I antigen presentation pathway is a major target of the virus. HCMV encodes at least six gene products that modulate the processing of endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-resident MHC class I molecules. Here, we show that two virus-encoded proteins, US2 and US3, coordinate their functions toward the common goal of attenuating class I protein surface expression. In cells stably expressing both US2 and US3, class I molecules were almost completely downregulated from the cell surface. In addition, pulse-chase analysis revealed that the proteasome-dependent turnover of class I molecules occurs more rapidly in cells expressing both US2 and US3 than either US2 or US3 alone. The ability of US3 to retain class I molecules in the ER produces a target-rich environment for US2 to mediate the destruction of class I heavy chains. In fact, expression of US3 enhanced the association between US2 and class I molecules, thus encouraging their dislocation and degradation. This immune evasion strategy ensures that viral antigens are not presented on the cell surface during the early phase of HCMV infection, a critical time of replication and viral proliferation.
Stand up, sit down, keep moving: turning circles in physical activity research?
Authors: Brown W J , Bauman A E , Owen N
Published: November 2008

This review tracks the evidence and associated recommendations and guidelines for optimal levels of physical activity for health benefit. In the 1950s, early epidemiological studies focused on the increased risk of cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality associated with sitting at work. The period from the mid-seventies to the turn of the century saw an initial focus on the health benefits of vigorous exercise give way to mounting evidence for the benefits of moderate-intensity physical activity. As daily energy expenditure in most domains of human activity (travel, domestic and occupational work, and leisure) continues to decline, early 21st century researchers are starting to turn full circle, with a rekindling of interest in the health effects of sedentary behaviour at work, and indeed in the balance between activity and sedentariness in all aspects of daily life.
The rotated-lamina syndrome. I. Ulmaceae
Authors: Charlton W. A.
Published: November 2008

In a number of plants, mostly woody, the components of the buds are arranged so that the laminae of the young leaves all face towards the same (upper) side of the bud, rather than towards the bud apex; in axillary buds they usually face towards the parent axis. This situation has been known for many years. For convenience, the general case is here called the rotated-lamina syndrome. There have been very few developmental investigations of how the laminae attain their unusual orientation, and these have come to different conclusions about cases in the Ulmaceae. This paper reports a detailed investigation of the syndrome in Ulmus glabra and Zelkova serrata, with comparative observations on other Ulmaceae, including cases in Celtis that do not exhibit the syndrome. The syndrome arises by different means in Ulmus and Zelkova. In Ulmus the leaf primordium is asymmetrical from the outset, the leaf blade region is obliquely dorsiventral from an early stage, and further asymmetrical growth of the leaf buttress rotates the whole leaf blade region into its final orientation as it develops. Individual shoots show heteroblastic development in progressing from bud scale to foliage leaf initiation, in increasing accentuation of the rotated-lamina syndrome, and in an increasing degree of dorsiventrality. In Zelkova, as previously described, the leaf blade region appears first as a radially symmetrical upgrowth, and it acquires dorsiventral symmetry directly in the rotated position. In Celtis spp. the lamina arises in a quite normal orientation, but reorients as it emerges from the bud. The leaf primordia of all species studied show asymmetry in other aspects, particularly in respect of stipule development, and these seem to be general features of the organisation of dorsiventral shoots. Key words: Ulmus, Zelkova, Celtis, leaf, development, dorsiventrality, lamina rotation.
Theory of vessel-length determination: the problem of nonrandom vessel ends
Authors: Tyree Melvin T.
Published: November 2008

A theoretical analysis was undertaken to examine the accuracy of algorithms commonly used to compute vessel lengths from paint perfusion experiments. The double-difference (DD) algorithm assumes that all vessels have randomly distributed vessel ends along the axis of the paint-perfused stem and that vessels do not branch. When these conditions were met, the DD algorithm overestimated the frequency of short vessels and underestimated the frequency of long vessels. When these conditions were not met, negative numbers for frequencies were outputted by the DD algorithm. Two algorithms for correcting for negative numbers were examined, one used by Zimmermann and the other used by Ewers and Fisher. Neither algorithm produced the correct result, but the correction algorithm proposed by Ewers and Fisher produced more accurate results. Key words: vessel-length distribution.
Prolamin and immunological studies in the Poaceae. IV. Subfamily Panicoideae
Authors: Esen Asim , Hilu Khidir W.
Published: November 2008

Representative species of 31 genera belonging to the tribes Paniceae, Andropogoneae, and Arundinelleae of the Panicoideae (Poaceae) were examined for prolamin size variation and immunological relationships to provide some insight into the systematics and evolution of the subfamily. Prolamin polypeptides were resolved by sodium dodecyl sulphate – polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and the immunological cross-reactivities were measured by ELISA and immunoblotting. The data were analyzed both phenetically and phylogenetically. The Panicoideae contained prolamin polypeptides that ranged in size from about 10 to 35 kDa. Although no definite tribe-specific prolamin patterns were observed, genus-specific polypeptide profiles were evident. The immunological data support the monophyletic origin of the subfamily and its tribes and underscore the ancestral position of the Arundinelleae. Chionachne, subtribe Chionachninae, occupied a position distant from the subfamily that is in agreement with previous studies. The implication of these molecular data on the systematics of the subtribes is discussed. Key words: Poaceae, Panicoideae, protein, prolamin, immunology, systematics, evolution.
Toxicity tests in eight species of Chrysochromulina (Haptophyta)
Authors: Simonsen Susanne , Moestrup Øjvind
Published: November 2008

Blooms of the marine flagellate Chrysochromulina have resulted in mortality of marine organisms in Scandinavian waters, including fish in aquaculture. Eight species of Chrysochromulina, namely C. apheles, C. brevifilum, C. ericina, C. hirta, C. leadbeateri, C. parva, C. polylepis, and C. simplex, isolated into unialgal culture, were examined for haemolytic activity and toxicity to the brine shrimp, Artemia salina. Haemolytic fractions were obtained from all species, but only C. polylepis cells were toxic to Artemia. Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) analysis in chloroform –methanol–water (75:25:4) and in chloroform–methanol (9:1) yielded up to six haemolytic spots. Except for one spot, these all occurred in extracts of the species examined, including Isochrysis sp., which was used as a control, C. polylepis, and the well-known fish killer Prymnesium parvum. The single unique haemolytic spot (Rf values 0.45 and 0.16 in solvents I and II, respectively) occurred in the extract from C. polylepis. When isolated by TLC, the contents of the single spot were toxic to Artemia. Key words: Chrysochromulina, toxicity, haemolytic, Artemia, thin-layer chromatography (TLC).
The rotated-lamina syndrome. VI. The range from partial to near-complete rotation in Tiliaceae and Sterculiaceae
Authors: Charlton W. A.
Published: November 2008

The rotated-lamina syndrome is a condition most commonly found in dorsiventral shoots with distichous phyllotaxis. Typically, young laminae in bud appear to be rotated to face towards the upper side of the shoot. The syndrome arises by asymmetrical growth from leaf primordia that initially face the shoot apex in approximately the normal way. It was previously described in Tilia. Further genera of Tiliaceae and the closely related Sterculiaceae were examined for the presence of the syndrome. Altogether it was found in 9 genera of the 30 examined. The syndrome is well developed in representatives of Commersonia, Corchorus, and Pterospermum, and less well developed in Luehia seemannii. Expression of the syndrome is minimal in Luehia divaricata, Theobroma, Byttneria, and Grewia. In all cases with distichous phyllotaxis that were examined in these families, the leaf primordia show at least some asymmetry in development and consequently there appears to be a predisposition to lamina rotation within the group. The syndrome is probably becoming suppressed in cases with minimal expression. The situation in dorsiventral shoots of Corchorus and Byttneria is complicated by the presence of inflorescences that arise in a leaf-opposed position. Key words: Sterculiaceae, Tiliaceae, leaf, development, dorsiventrality, lamina rotation.
Artificial hybridization between Ascophyllum nodosum and Fucus vesiculosus (Phaeophyceae) from Nova Scotia, Canada
Authors: Kim Kwang Young , O'Leary Stephen J. , Garbary David J.
Published: November 2008

Reciprocal crosses between male and female gametes of Ascophyllum nodosum (L.) LeJolis and Fucus vesiculosus L. were made from plants collected at Tor Bay, Nova Scotia. Crosses within each species were viable and resulted in normal zygote development. Hybrids occurred in low frequency in the cultures (ca. 1–5%) and developed either an initial rhizoid or underwent one or two internal divisions. Hybrid zygotes did not develop further. More developing embryos were observed in crosses when F. vesiculosus provided the eggs, and these zygotes developed longer rhizoids. Maximum development was to three or four cells, which occurred in ca. 10 days. By 5 weeks, all zygotes had disintegrated. Nuclear diameter was the same in both species (6 μm) although almost twice as much nuclear DNA was present in A. nodosum than in F. vesiculosus. Nuclei in hybrids were larger than in the parental species. Key words: Ascophyllum nodosum, Fucus vesiculosus, Fucales, hybridization, Phaeophyta.
Cultivation of Hericium abietis on conifer sawdust
Authors: Xiao Guoping , Chapman Bill
Published: November 2008

Hericium abietis was isolated from a sporocarp collected near Quesnel Lake in the central interior of British Columbia and successfully cultivated indoors on conifer sawdust. Key words: Hericium abietis, mushroom cultivation, old growth forest.
CALCULATION AND INTERPRETATION OF SURFACE-PLASMON-POLARITON FEATURES IN THE REFLECTIVITY OF METALLIC NANOWIRE ARRAYS
Authors: SCHOLZ PATRICK , SCHWIEGER STEPHAN , VASA PARINDA , RUNGE ERICH
Published: November 2008

The far-field reflectivity of metallic nanowire arrays designed to show strong surface-plasmon-polariton (SPP) resonances is studied numerically. The results of calculations in time and frequency space as well as the results of semi-analytic theories using different approximative boundary conditions at the metal surfaces are evaluated and compared. Good agreement between all different methods is obtained in most cases. The SPP-related features are superimposed on a strongly varying background. Combining FDTD simulations, finite element results, and semi-analytical calculations, the microscopic origin of the background contribution is identified. Resonant transmission through sub-wavelength slits leads to pronounced oscillations in the far-field reflectivity as a function of the height of the nanowires.
PHYSICS OF THE MIND: OPINION DYNAMICS AND DECISION MAKING PROCESSES BASED ON A BINARY NETWORK MODEL
Authors: KUSMARTSEV F. V. , KÜRTEN KARL E.
Published: November 2008

We propose a new theory of the human mind. The formation of human mind is considered as a collective process of the mutual interaction of people via exchange of opinions and formation of collective decisions. We investigate the associated dynamical processes of the decision making when people are put in different conditions including risk situations in natural catastrophes when the decision must be made very fast or at national elections. We also investigate conditions at which the fast formation of opinion is arising as a result of open discussions or public vote. Under a risk condition the system is very close to chaos and therefore the opinion formation is related to the order disorder transition. We study dramatic changes which may happen with societies which in physical terms may be considered as phase transitions from ordered to chaotic behavior. Our results are applicable to changes which are arising in various social networks as well as in opinion formation arising as a result of open discussions. One focus of this study is the determination of critical parameters, which influence a formation of stable mind, public opinion and where the society is placed “at the edge of chaos”. We show that social networks have both, the necessary stability and the potential for evolutionary improvements or self-destruction. We also show that the time needed for a discussion to take a proper decision depends crucially on the nature of the interactions between the entities as well as on the topology of the social networks.
JAYNES-CUMMINGS MODEL AS A CASE STUDY FOR THE DERIVATION OF TIME-DEPENDENT SCHRÖDINGER EQUATION
Authors: KHEMMANI SUPITCH , SA-YAKANIT VIRULH
Published: November 2008

The derivation of a time-dependent Schrödinger equation (TDSE) from a time-independent Schrödinger equation (TISE) in the coherent state representation is considered for the special case of a simple coupled atom-field system described by the soluble Jaynes-Cummings model. The derivation shows why, from the outset, a linear combination of energy eigenstates, instead of a single state, must be used in order to obtain a TDSE for general states. Moreover, this study leads to a method of solving a TDSE by simply solving a TISE.
TUNNELING AND HOPPING BETWEEN DOMAINS IN THE METAL-INSULATOR TRANSITION IN TWO-DIMENSIONS
Authors: NEILSON DAVID , HAMILTON ALEX
Published: November 2008

Motivated by recent surprising experimental results for temperature dependent resistivities in 2D mesoscopic electron systems, we investigate transport in these systems by percolation connected through a network of metallic domains. The size of the domains is determined by the level of disorder in the system and by the strength of the electron correlations. In the insulating phase the metallic domains are connected for transport by two competing mechanisms, thermally activated hopping and quantum tunneling. We calculate the transmission across the potential barriers that separate the metallic domains. Using recent data from transport measurements in mesoscopic 2D systems, we obtain the observed saturation of the temperature dependent resistivity at T ~ 1 K and consistent values for the size of the domains and for magnitude of the average variation in the random disorder potential.
NON-MONOTONIC ALPHA- AND6Li-POTENTIALS FROM ENERGY DENSITY FUNCTIONAL FORMALISM
Authors: HOSSAIN S. , BASAK A. K. , UDDIN M. A. , ABDULLAH M. N. A. , REICHSTEIN I. , MALIK F. B.
Published: November 2008

The present status of the α-nucleus potential, generated from the energy density functional (EDF) formalism using a realistic two-nucleon potential, which incorporates the Pauli principle, is discussed. The EDF potentials, calculated using a density distribution of α-particle that yields a binding energy of 20 MeV with a reasonable root-mean-squared radius and observed density distributions of6Li and various target nuclei, are found to be shallow and non-monotonic in character. This non-monotonic EDF potential reproduces satisfactorily the experimental elastic scattering data, particularly at energies above the Coulomb barrier. Since the elastic scattering data and the binding energies of all nuclei considered herein are well reproduced using the mean field generated from a realistic two-nucleon potential for nuclear and nucleonic matter, one may conclude to have reasonable information on the equation of states of nuclear and nucleonic matter from a very low to the saturation density from the present investigation.
Predicting user behavior—the creation of the immersion installation
Authors: Buchanan Andrew
Published: November 2008

This article is a retrospective case study of the creation of an interactive projection installation titled
Immersion
, produced in 2007 and commissioned for the Experimenta Biennale Media Arts exhibition—Experimenta Playground. The article explains the project conceptually and technically, and outlines the processes of the artists with regards to their attempts to predict the responses and reactions of the pubic to the finished work. Reference is made to some established methodologies for the prediction of user behavior and explains findings from user-testing phases and the influence of these findings on artistic direction for the project. The article also identifies the potential for passive audiences in interactive works and describes some of these in response to the finished installation.
Semantic parameterization
Authors: Breaux Travis D. , Antón Annie I. , Doyle Jon
Published: November 2008

Software engineers must systematically account for the broad scope of environmental behavior, including nonfunctional requirements, intended to coordinate the actions of stakeholders and software systems. The Inquiry Cycle Model (ICM) provides engineers with a strategy to acquire and refine these requirements by having domain experts answer six questions: who, what, where, when, how, and why. Goal-based requirements engineering has led to the formalization of requirements to answer the ICM questions about
when
,
how
, and
why
goals are achieved, maintained, or avoided. In this article, we present a systematic process called
Semantic Parameterization
for expressing natural language domain descriptions of goals as specifications in description logic. The formalization of goals in description logic allows engineers to automate inquiries using
who
,
what
, and
where
questions, completing the formalization of the ICM questions. The contributions of this approach include new theory to conceptually compare and disambiguate goal specifications that enables querying goals and organizing goals into specialization hierarchies. The artifacts in the process include a dictionary that aligns the domain lexicon with unique concepts, distinguishing between synonyms and polysemes, and several natural language patterns that aid engineers in mapping common domain descriptions to formal specifications. Semantic Parameterization has been empirically validated in three case studies on policy and regulatory descriptions that govern information systems in the finance and health-care domains.
Using a pilot study to derive a GUI model for automated testing
Authors: Xie Qing , Memon Atif M
Published: November 2008

Graphical user interfaces (GUIs) are one of the most commonly used parts of today's software. Despite their ubiquity, testing GUIs for functional correctness remains an understudied area. A typical GUI gives many degrees of freedom to an end-user, leading to an enormous
input event interaction space
that needs to be tested. GUI test designers generate and execute test cases (modeled as sequences of user
events
) to traverse its parts; targeting a subspace in order to maximize fault detection is a nontrivial task. In this vein, in previous work, we used informal GUI code examination and personal intuition to develop an
event-interaction graph
(EIG). In this article we empirically derive the EIG model via a pilot study, and the resulting EIG validates our intuition used in previous work; the empirical derivation process also allows for model evolution as our understanding of GUI faults improves. Results of the pilot study show that events interact in complex ways; a GUI's response to an event may vary depending on the
context
established by preceding events and their execution order. The EIG model helps testers to understand the nature of interactions between GUI events when executed in test cases and why certain events detect faults, so that they can better traverse the event space. New test adequacy criteria are defined for the EIG; new algorithms use these criteria and EIG to systematically generate test cases that are shown to be effective on four fielded open-source applications.
Dynamics of Light Harvesting in Photosynthesis
Authors: Cheng Yuan-Chung , Fleming Graham R.
Published: November 2008

We review recent theoretical and experimental advances in the elucidation of the dynamics of light harvesting in photosynthesis, focusing on recent theoretical developments in structure-based modeling of electronic excitations in photosynthetic complexes and critically examining theoretical models for excitation energy transfer. We then briefly describe two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy and its application to the study of photosynthetic complexes, in particular the Fenna-Matthews-Olson complex from green sulfur bacteria. This review emphasizes recent experimental observations of long-lasting quantum coherence in photosynthetic systems and the implications of quantum coherence in natural photosynthesis.
DNA Excited-State Dynamics: From Single Bases to the Double Helix
Authors: Middleton Chris T. , de La Harpe Kimberly , Su Charlene , Law Yu Kay , Crespo-Hernández Carlos E. , Kohler Bern
Published: November 2008

Ultraviolet light is strongly absorbed by DNA, producing excited electronic states that sometimes initiate damaging photochemical reactions. Fully mapping the reactive and nonreactive decay pathways available to excited electronic states in DNA is a decades-old quest. Progress toward this goal has accelerated rapidly in recent years, in large measure because of ultrafast laser experiments. Here we review recent discoveries and controversies concerning the nature and dynamics of excited states in DNA model systems in solution. Nonradiative decay by single, solvated nucleotides occurs primarily on the subpicosecond timescale. Surprisingly, excess electronic energy relaxes one or two orders of magnitude more slowly in DNA oligo- and polynucleotides. Highly efficient nonradiative decay pathways guarantee that most excited states do not lead to deleterious reactions but instead relax back to the electronic ground state. Understanding how the spatial organization of the bases controls the relaxation of excess electronic energy in the double helix and in alternative structures is currently one of the most exciting challenges in the field.
Does adiposity status influence femoral cortical strength in rodent models of growth hormone deficiency?
Authors: Stevenson A. E. , Evans B. A. J. , Gevers E. F. , Elford C. , McLeod R. W. J. , Perry M. J. , El-Kasti M. M. , Coschigano K. T. , Kopchick J. J. , Evans S. L. , Wells T.
Published: November 2008

Growth hormone (GH)-deficiency is usually associated with elevated adiposity, hyperleptinemia, and increased fracture risk. Since leptin is thought to enhance cortical bone formation, we have investigated the contribution of elevated adiposity and hyperleptinemia on femoral strength in rodent models of GH deficiency. Quantification of the transpubertal development of femoral strength in the moderately GH-deficient/hyperleptinemic Tgr rat and the profoundly GH-deficient/hypoleptinemic dw/dw rat revealed that the mechanical properties of cortical bone in these two models were similarly compromised, a 25–30% reduction in failure load being entirely due to impairment of geometric variables. In contrast, murine models of partial (GH antagonist transgenic) and complete (GH receptor-null) loss of GH signaling and elevated adiposity showed an impairment of femoral cortical strength proportionate to the reduction of GH signaling. To determine whether impaired femoral strength is exacerbated by obesity/hyperleptinemia, femoral strength was assessed in dw/dw rats following two developmental manipulations that elevate abdominal adiposity and circulating leptin, neonatal monosodium glutamate (MSG) treatment, and maintenance on an elevated fat diet. The additional impairment of femoral strength following MSG treatment is likely to have resulted from a reduction in residual activity of the hypothalamo-pituitary-GH-IGF-I axis, but consumption of elevated dietary fat, which did not reduce circulating IGF-I, failed to exacerbate the compromised femoral strength in dw/dw rats. Taken together, our data indicate that the obesity and hyperleptinemia usually associated with GH deficiency do not exert a significant influence over the strength of cortical bone.
A Novel Family-Based Intervention Trial to Improve Heart Health: FIT Heart
Authors: Mosca Lori , Mochari Heidi , Liao Ming , Christian Allison H. , Edelman Dana J. , Aggarwal Brooke , Oz Mehmet C.
Published: November 2008

Background—

Family members of patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) may be at increased risk due to shared genes and lifestyle. Hospitalization of a family member with CVD may represent a “motivational moment” to take preventive action.

Methods and Results—

A randomized, controlled clinical trial was conducted in healthy adult family members (N=501; 66% female; 36% nonwhite; mean age, 48 years) of patients hospitalized with CVD to evaluate a special intervention (SI) with personalized risk factor screening, therapeutic lifestyle-change counseling, and progress reports to physicians versus a control intervention (CIN) on the primary outcome, mean percent change in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and other risk factors. Validated dietary assessments and standardized risk factors were obtained at baseline and 1 year (94% follow-up). At baseline, for 93% of subjects, saturated fat comprised ≥7% of total caloric intake, and 79% had nonoptimal LDL-C levels (of which 50% were unaware). There was no difference in the SI versus the CIN with respect to the mean percent change in LDL-C (−1% versus −2%, respectively;
P
=0.64), owing to a similar significant reduction in LDL-C in both groups (−4.4 mg/dL and −4.5 mg/dL, respectively). Diet score significantly improved in the SI versus the CIN (
P
=0.04). High-density lipoprotein cholesterol declined significantly in the CIN but not in the SI (−3.2% [95% CI, −5.1 to −1.3] versus +0.3% [95% CI, −1.7 to +2.4];
P
=0.01). At 1 year, SI subjects were more likely than controls to exercise >3 days per week (
P
=0.04).

Conclusion—

The SI was not more effective than the CIN in reducing the primary end point, LDL-C. The screening process identified many family members of hospitalized patients with CVD who were unaware of their risk factors, and further work is needed to develop and test interventions to reduce their CVD risk.
Expert Witness Credibility as a Function of Eye Contact Behavior and Gender
Authors: Neal Tess M.S. , Brodsky Stanley L.
Published: November 2008

The effect of eye contact on credibility was examined via a 3 (low, medium, high eye contact) × 2 (male, female) between-groups design with 232 undergraduate participants. A trial transcript excerpt about a defendant's recidivism likelihood was utilized as the experts' script. A main effect was found: Experts with high eye contact had higher credibility ratings than in the medium and low conditions. Although a confound precluded comparisons between the genders, results indicated that males with high eye contact were more credible than males with medium or low eye contact. The female experts' credibility was not significantly different regardless of eye contact. Eye contact may be especially important for males: Male experts should maintain eye contact for maximum credibility.
Conducting a Qualitative Culture Study of Pediatric Palliative Care
Authors: Davies Betty , Larson Judith , Contro Nancy , Reyes-Hailey Carlos , Ablin Arthur R. , Chesla Catherine A. , Sourkes Barbara , Cohen Harvey
Published: November 2008

While conducting a grounded theory study of Chinese American and Mexican American families' experiences in pediatric palliative care, we encountered a number of unanticipated challenges regarding project development, Institutional Review Boards, recruitment, data collection, and data analysis. In this article, we describe our experiences, strategies, and insights for the benefit of other researchers and clinicians in the field.
The First Therapeutic Game Specifically Designed and Evaluated for Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Cohen Gene D. , Firth Kimberly M. , Biddle Sue , Lloyd Lewis Michael J. , Simmens Samuel
Published: November 2008

The first therapeutic game specifically developed for Alzheimer's disease was evaluated on an NIH grant. It was hypothesized that the game would have a positive influence on factors influencing quality of life (eg, mood, pleasure, interest in activities) and family comfort level in visiting. The study used a single group, within-participants, design, and 2 control conditions including a family visit as usual. The Observed Emotion Rating Scale for assessing individuals with Alzheimer's disease was administered with a questionnaire for the family to provide their own evaluation. Reduction of signs of depression/sadness using the game were statistically significant. An increase in patient pleasure was highly significant (P < .0001). Increases in patient interest, patient satisfaction, and family member satisfaction were all highly significant (P < .0001). The qualitative appeal of the game to family members was very high. The game provides a meaningful one-on-one intervention for individuals with advanced dementia.
Cytosolic Prostaglandin E Synthase: Expression Patterns in Control and Alzheimer's Disease Brains
Authors: Chaudhry Uzma A. , Dore Sylvain
Published: November 2008

Anti-inflammatory drugs reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease but fail to slow its progression. Studying the expression of prostaglandin E2 synthases downstream of cyclooxygenase-2 is important. Here, the expression patterns of cytosolic prostaglandin E 2 synthases, an immediate prostaglandin E2 source was investigated. Sections taken from the middle frontal gyrus of brains of 10 patients with Alzheimer's and 5 age-matched controls were examined by immunostaining for the presence of the synthases. Immunofluorescence analysis of control brains showed that cytosolic prostaglandin E2 synthases co-localize with microglia, neurons, and endothelium markers, but not with astrocytes or smooth muscle cells. Immunohistochemical staining for the synthases was positive in the pyramidal neurons of controls but barely detectable in the brain of Alzheimer's patients. These findings revealed that cytosolic prostaglandin E2 synthases is found in microglia, neurons, and endothelium of control human middle frontal gyrus and that its levels decrease in pyramidal cells of Alzheimer's disease brains.
Country-wide assessment of the genetic polymorphism in Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax antigens detected with rapid diagnostic tests for malaria
Authors: Mariette Natacha , Barnadas Céline , Bouchier Christiane , Tichit Magali , Ménard Didier
Published: November 2008

Background

Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) are becoming increasingly indispensable in malaria management, as a means of increasing the accuracy of diagnosis. The WHO has issued recommendations, but the selection of the most suitable RDT remains difficult for users in endemic countries. The genetic variability of the antigens detected with RDTs has been little studied, but may affect the sensitivity of RDTs. This factor has been studied by comparisons between countries at continental level, but little information is available concerning antigen variability within a given country.

Methods

A country-wide assessment of polymorphism of the PfHRP2, PfHRP3, pLDH and aldolase antigens was carried out in 260Plasmodium falciparumand 127Plasmodium vivaxisolates, by sequencing the genes encoding these antigens in parasites originating from the various epidemiological strata for malaria in Madagascar.

Results

Higher levels of polymorphism were observed for thepfhrp2andpfhrp3genes than for theP. falciparumandP. vivax aldolaseandpldhgenes.Pfhrp2sequence analysis predicted that 9% of Malagasy isolates would not be detected at parasite densities ≤ 250 parasites/μl (ranging from 6% in the north to 14% in the south), although RDTs based on PfHRP2 detection are now recommended in Madagascar.

Conclusion

These findings highlight the importance of training of health workers and the end users of RDTs in the provision of information about the possibility of false-negative results for patients with clinical symptoms of malaria, particularly in the south of Madagascar.
Logistic feasibility of health related quality of life measurement in clinical practice: results of a prospective study in a large population of chronic liver patients
Authors: Gutteling Jolie J , Busschbach Jan JV , de Man Robert A , Darlington Anne-Sophie E
Published: November 2008

Background

The objective of the present study was to provide a complete and detailed report of technical and logistical feasibility problems with the implementation of routine computerized HRQoL measurement at a busy outpatient department of Hepatology that can serve as a tool for future researchers interested in the procedure.

Methods

Practical feasibility was assessed by observing problems encountered during the development of the computer program, observing patients' ability to complete the HRQoL questionnaires, monitoring the number of times that patients completed the HRQoL questionnaires and observing logistics at the outpatient department. Patients' reasons for not completing the HRQoL questionnaires were assessed retrospectively by means of a mailed questionnaire. Physicians' attitudes towards the availability of computerized HRQoL information about their patients were assessed by means semi-structured interviews and by means of checklists administered after each consultation with s study participant.

Results

All physicians (n = 11) and 587 patients agreed to participate in the study. Practical feasibility problems concerned complicated technical aspects of developing a user-friendly computer program and safe data transmission over the Internet, patients' lack of basic computer skills and patients' lack of compliance (completion of questionnaires on only 43% of the occasions). The main reason given for non-compliance was simply forgetting, which seemed to be related to reception employees' passive attitude towards sending patients to the computer. Physicians were generally positive about the instant computerized availability of HRQoL information. They requested the information in 92% of the consultations and found the information useful in 45% of the consultations, especially when it provided them with new information.

Conclusion

This study was among the first to implement the complete procedure of routine computerized HRQoL measurements in clinical practice and to subsequently describe the feasibility issues encountered. It was shown that the attitudes of physicians were generally positive. Several barriers towards successful implementation of such a procedure were encountered, and subsequently solutions were provided. Most importantly, when implementing routine computerized HRQoL measurements in clinical practice, assistance of an IT professional for the development of a tailor-made computer program, availability of questionnaires in multiple languages and the use of touch-screen computers to optimise patient participation are essential. Also, all staff of the department concerned should approve of the intervention and consider it as part of standard clinical routine if successful implementation is to be obtained.
Astrocytes play a key role in activation of microglia by persistent Borna disease virus infection
Authors: Ovanesov Mikhail V , Ayhan Yavuz , Wolbert Candie , Moldovan Krisztina , Sauder Christian , Pletnikov Mikhail V
Published: November 2008

Neonatal Borna disease virus (BDV) infection of the rat brain is associated with microglial activation and damage to certain neuronal populations. Since persistent BDV infection of neurons is nonlyticin vitro, activated microglia have been suggested to be responsible for neuronal cell deathin vivo. However, the mechanisms of activation of microglia in neonatally BDV-infected rat brains remain unclear. Our previous studies have shown that activation of microglia by BDV in culture requires the presence of astrocytes as neither the virus nor BDV-infected neurons alone activate microglia. Here, we evaluated the mechanisms whereby astrocytes can contribute to activation of microglia in neuron-glia-microglia mixed cultures. We found that persistent infection of neuronal cells leads to activation of uninfected astrocytes as measured by elevated expression of RANTES. Activation of astrocytes then produces activation of microglia as evidenced by increased formation of round-shaped, MHCI-, MHCII- and IL-6-positive microglia cells. Our analysis of possible molecular mechanisms of activation of astrocytes and/or microglia in culture indicates that the mediators of activation may be soluble heat-resistant, low molecular weight factors. The findings indicate that astrocytes may mediate activation of microglia by BDV-infected neurons. The data are consistent with the hypothesis that microglia activation in the absence of neuronal damage may represent initial steps in the gradual neurodegeneration observed in brains of neonatally BDV-infected rats.
Changes in the Quantity and Level of Evidence of Palliative and Hospice Care Literature: The Last Century
Authors: Tieman Jennifer , Sladek Ruth , Currow David
Published: November 2008

Purpose

To objectively quantify the literature and the clinical trial basis for palliative and hospice practice given a perception that its evidence base is not well developed.

Methods

Using Ovid Medline, the study looked at cumulative and absolute numbers of articles in the general medical literature and the palliative and hospice care literature. The same comparisons were made exploring clinical trials from 1902 to 2005. Data were collated in five year groups from 1970 onward using a highly specific search phrase.

Results

The proportion of all Ovid Medline publications relating to palliative and hospice care rose from 0.08% in 1970 to 0.38% of the literature in 2005. In the same time, clinical trials increased from 0.96% to 7.22% of the palliative care literature published. By 2005, one in every 122 clinical trials published in the literature as a whole was in palliative or hospice care. The rate of growth in palliative care clinical trials as a proportion of all palliative and hospice publications was on average 1.4 times greater than in the corresponding general literature. More than one half of these studies were reported in just 43 journals, most of which were not specialist palliative and hospice care journals.

Discussion

Given the diversity of journals in which clinical studies related to hospice and palliative care appear, there is a key challenge for clinicians in finding ways that will allow currency of practice in a broad and rapidly changing field.
Wild-Type BRAF Is Required for Response to Panitumumab or Cetuximab in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Di Nicolantonio Federica , Martini Miriam , Molinari Francesca , Sartore-Bianchi Andrea , Arena Sabrina , Saletti Piercarlo , De Dosso Sara , Mazzucchelli Luca , Frattini Milo , Siena Salvatore , Bardelli Alberto
Published: November 2008

Purpose

Cetuximab or panitumumab are effective in 10% to 20% unselected metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. KRAS mutations account for approximately 30% to 40% patients who are not responsive. The serine-threonine kinase BRAF is the principal effector of KRAS. We hypothesized that, in KRAS wild-type patients, BRAF mutations could have a predictive/prognostic value.

Patients and Methods

We retrospectively analyzed objective tumor responses, time to progression, overall survival (OS), and the mutational status of KRAS and BRAF in 113 tumors from cetuximab- or panitumumab-treated metastatic CRC patients. The effect of the BRAF V600E mutation on cetuximab or panitumumab response was also assessed using cellular models of CRC.

Results

KRAS mutations were present in 30% of the patients and were associated with resistance to cetuximab or panitumumab (P = .011). The BRAF V600E mutation was detected in 11 of 79 patients who had wild-type KRAS. None of the BRAF-mutated patients responded to treatment, whereas none of the responders carried BRAF mutations (P = .029). BRAF-mutated patients had significantly shorter progression-free survival (P = .011) and OS (P < .0001) than wild-type patients. In CRC cells, the introduction of BRAF V600E allele impaired the therapeutic effect of cetuximab or panitumumab. Treatment with the BRAF inhibitor sorafenib restored sensitivity to panitumumab or cetuximab of CRC cells carrying the V600E allele.

Conclusion

BRAF wild-type is required for response to panitumumab or cetuximab and could be used to select patients who are eligible for the treatment. Double-hit therapies aimed at simultaneous inhibition of epidermal growth factor receptor and BRAF warrant exploration in CRC patients carrying the V600E oncogenic mutation.
Gap control for a proportional floating vacuum pad
Authors: Renn J-C , Chen C-Y , Lu C-H
Published: November 2008

In this article, a new proportional pneumatic floating vacuum pad is developed and constructed. There are two features concerning this new vacuum pad. The first is the inclusion of a proportional solenoid, which enables the continuously variable control of the suction force output. The floating mechanism design between the vacuum pad and the work-piece is the second feature, which is more preferable in real industries because it can protect the surface of the work-piece from scratches or other damage. Moreover, in addition to the open-loop gap control mode, two closed-loop gap control schemes are proposed in this paper. The first is the constant gap control. A preset gap is input to the controller as the command input that further drives the proportional solenoid to maintain a steady-state gap between the vacuum pad and the work-piece. In the second control approach, the gap between the vacuum pad and the work-piece is kept as large as possible to minimize the energy consumption. Both closed-loop control schemes are successfully implemented in this study.
A simplified dynamic model for front-end loader design
Authors: Worley M D , La Saponara V
Published: November 2008

The front-end loader is an indispensable machine for the off-road construction equipment industry. It is a classic example of a working machine with complex interactions between its subsystems (hydraulic, mechanical, and electrical). Dynamic models of the full-scale vehicle coupled with event-based operator models are currently used to help quantify the overall system performance, efficiency, and operability. However, these models are complex and not always necessary to characterize the response of individual subsystems. There is great value added to the design process — especially in prototyping of new vehicle platforms — in development of simpler models that can quickly and accurately define first-order measures of system loads and performance. This paper presents a subscale dynamic model, which isolates the boom and bucket manipulator systems of the front-end loader for the purpose of design load characterization. The model includes state equations governing the hydraulic dynamics across the control valves and in the cylinders, as well as soil—tool interaction loads (passive earth loads) at the bucket cutting edge. The governing equations of motion for the multi-rigid body model of the bucket linkage are developed using Kane's method. The proposed model is intended to accelerate the structural design and analysis of the boom and bucket linkage subsystems and may yield useful information for optimization purposes. The output from the dynamic simulation is compared with the field test data of the machine.
Detecting subtle cosmetic defects in automotive skin panels
Authors: Hazra S , Williams D , Roy R , Aylmore R
Published: November 2008

Cosmetic defects, such as ‘hollows’, are deviations in topology of automotive skin panels that form as a result of springback at the end of the forming process. These deviations are usually too small and local to be detected by discrete measurements of the panel but become visually apparent after the application of paint. As a result, the perceived quality of a panel may become unacceptable and considerable time may be dedicated to minimizing their occurrence through tool modifications. This paper proposes that there are three aspects to the problem. The first is the springback of the panel, the second is the optics of the painted panel, and the third is the ability of human sight to perceive a defect. In particular, it is argued that hollows cause optical distortions that inform the human eye of the presence of a defect. The paper then suggests that signal processing techniques, in particular the wavelet transform, provide a way to relate the geometry of a hollow to the resulting optical distortion. The transform was applied to two physical parts and the paper will discuss the effectiveness of the transform in locating and quantifying the relative severities of the defects that were present.