bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Medication assisted therapy (MAT) and substance use disorders in Tanzania
Authors: Kaduri Pamela , Mbwambo Jessie , Masao Frank , Kilonzo Gad
Published: July 2012

Purpose

Substance use is among the risk factors associated with both HIV/AIDS and non communicable diseases (NCDs). The aim of this paper is to describe the development of the medication assisted therapy (MAT) in the treatment of substance use disorders and opportunities for further interventions in Tanzania.

Design/methodology/approach

A review of MAT pilot project documentation, existing published and grey literature on substance misuse in Tanzania was used to describe the scope of this paper. MAT as a program focuses on the treatment of opiod dependent individuals using methadone in a national hospital in Tanzania. It is delivered by a team of trained interprofessionals coordinating with community partners.

Findings

The findings indicate an uptake of pharmacotherapy in the treatment of substance use disorders as an adjunct to traditional counseling approaches in low resource settings. Program acceptability and reach within a short period of time by the opiod dependent individuals is shown.

Practical implications

National buy‐in is critical for developments of new interventions. Given adequate resources, it is feasible to integrate MAT for the treatment of substance use disorders within health care systems in poor resource settings. To ensure the success of the program, sustainable efforts and scaling up to include alcohol and tobacco dependence treatment is crucial. The local capacity building is required including a need for designing appropriate policies to address alcohol and tobacco use in Tanzania.

Originality/value

The intervention is the only one in sub‐Saharan Africa. MAT may serve as a practice model for other countries in the region.
Building primary health care capacity to address addiction and mental health inequities: lessons from Latin America and the Caribbean
Authors: Khenti Akwatu , Sapag Jaime C. , Garcia‐Andrade Consuelo , Poblete Fernando , Raquel Santiago de Lima Ana , Herrera Andres , Diaz Pablo , Amare Henok , Selick Avra , Reid Sandra
Published: July 2012

Purpose

Since 2002, the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Ontario, Canada, has been working closely with partners in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) to implement mental health capacity‐building focused on primary health care. From an equity perspective, this article seeks to critically analyze the process and key results of this capacity‐building effort and to identify various implications for the future.

Design/methodology/approach

This analysis of capacity‐building approaches is based on a critical review of existing documents such as needs assessments and evaluation reports, as well as reflective discussion. Previous health equity literature is used as a framework for analysis.

Findings

More than 1,000 professionals have been engaged in various kinds of training in Chile, Peru, Brazil, Nicaragua, Mexico, and Trinidad and Tobago. These capacity‐building initiatives have had an impact on primary health care from both an equity and systems perspective because participants were engaged at all stages of the process and implementation lessons incorporated into the final efforts. Stigma was also reduced through the collaborations.

Originality/value

Using concrete examples of capacity‐building in mental primary healthcare in LAC, as well as evidence gathered from the literature, this article demonstrates how primary healthcare can play a strong role in addressing health equity and human rights protection for people with mental health and/or substance abuse problems.
Globalising mental health: a neo‐liberal project
Authors: Timimi Sami
Published: July 2012

Purpose

The paper's aim is to review how relevant the World Health Organisation's Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP) initiative is to mental health care in non‐Western societies.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper provides a review of the programme and its relevance to mental health care by drawing on available literature and evidence.

Findings

mhGAP promotes the idea that mental health problems exist as problems within individuals, that they represent a substantial, though largely hidden, proportion of the world's overall disease burden, and that mental health services need scaling up across the globe to improve outcomes. However, mental health outcomes do not appear any better in those countries with the most developed services and the initiative does not seem to properly engage an evidence base that is at odds with the direction of travel the initiative recommends.

Originality/value

The paper explores these contradictions and argues that, whether intentional or not, mhGAP reflects and is part of the global neo‐liberal economic system and functions largely to expand the market for a particularly Western approach to understanding mental distress.
Learning from an Iranian man about CBT for treatment of PTSD
Authors: Bernardes Dora
Published: July 2012

Purpose

Extensive research has been carried out to show the effectiveness of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) intervention approaches to treating posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, not many studies have been carried out that investigate clients' firsthand accounts of this treatment modality, particularly so amongst ethnic minority populations. This article aims to provide a small contribution towards that end by presenting a case study of CBT treatment for PTSD symptoms with an Iranian client.

Design/methodology/approach

A combination of quantitative and qualitative data were used to monitor progress and evaluate the treatment approach.

Findings

Both qualitative and quantitative findings highlight that a CBT approach used to treat PTSD symptoms with an Iranian client had some positive effects in terms of the client's general mental health.

Research limitations/implications

Despite limitations concerning a single case study and mixed evidence regarding the efficacy of CBT for PTSD with an Iranian client, this study has some implications for culturally sensitive practice with BME communities.

Originality/value

This article may be of value to clinicians and researchers interested in tailoring CBT approaches working with ethnic minorities.
Analyzing the effect of using international accounting standards on the development of emerging capital markets
Authors: Zeghal Daniel , Mhedhbi Karim
Published: July 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the consequences of using international accounting standards (IAS/IFRS) for the development of capital markets located in developing countries (emerging capital markets).

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conduct an empirical study using a sample of 38 developing countries with capital markets, starting by comparing the means of the different measures studied before and after the use of IAS/IFRS. A multivariate statistical analysis is conducted based on the estimation of a model of panel data with fixed effects.

Findings

The results show that the development of the emerging capital markets is positively and significantly associated with the use of international accounting standards.

Practical implications

The paper's findings are of interest to several different parties, primarily the national accounting standardization body, the IASB, many international organizations and international investors.

Originality/value

The paper describes an empirical study, conducted on a group of developing countries, which provides a better understanding of the potential consequences of the use of IASB standards. The paper is also a meaningful contribution to the international accounting literature, as it examines an interesting subject that has not yet been investigated.
Governance and accountability in Australian charitable organisations
Authors: Dellaportas Steven , Langton Jonathan , West Brian
Published: July 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the perceptions of senior accounting officers on governance, performance and accountability issues in the charity sector.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical data presented in this paper were collected via a mail‐out survey to Chief Financial Officers (CFO) of large charity organisations in Australia.

Findings

The executives surveyed agreed that the public is entitled to receive high quality financial disclosures from charities, favouring “programme accountability”, “fiscal accountability” and “profit” as relevant performance indicators rather than cash surplus/deficit. The respondents also considered that charities warrant a dedicated accounting standard but were less enthusiastic about an independent regulator with stronger control functions.

Research limitations/implications

The data in this study report the opinions of financial executives which may not represent the view of all managing executives.

Originality/value

While governance in charities has been examined previously from an organisational or management perspective, this is one of the few papers that emphasises how members of the accounting profession view this important topic.
Optimising errors in signaling corporate collapse using MCCCRA
Authors: Hossari Ghassan
Published: July 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to put forward an innovative approach for reducing the variation between Type I and Type II errors in the context of ratio‐based modeling of corporate collapse, without compromising the accuracy of the predictive model. Its contribution to the literature lies in resolving the problematic trade‐off between predictive accuracy and variations between the two types of errors.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodological approach in this paper – called MCCCRA – utilizes a novel multi‐classification matrix based on a combination of correlation and regression analysis, with the former being subject to optimisation criteria. In order to ascertain its accuracy in signaling collapse, MCCCRA is empirically tested against multiple discriminant analysis (MDA).

Findings

Based on a data sample of 899 US publicly listed companies, the empirical results indicate that in addition to a high level of accuracy in signaling collapse, MCCCRA generates lower variability between Type I and Type II errors when compared to MDA.

Originality/value

Although correlation and regression analysis are long‐standing statistical tools, the optimisation constraints that are applied to the correlations are unique. Moreover, the multi‐classification matrix is a first in signaling collapse. By providing economic insight into more stable financial modeling, these innovations make an original contribution to the literature.
The selfish signifier: meaning, virulence and transmissibility in a management fashion
Authors: Price Ilfryn
Published: July 2012

Purpose

Management fashions can be, and have been, conceptualized as narrative elements competing for replication and resources in the wider managerial discourse. Most wax and wane through a life cycle. Some achieve an extended place and even a transition to quasi‐ permanent institutions. Facilities/Facility Management (FM) is one such example, the purpose of this paper is to explore this.

Design/methodology/approach

The case draws FM's history since 1968 and asks whether it is compatible with recent and classic Darwin, thoughts on cultural evolution as a selection process between competing discourses.

Findings

Several properties of that history are argued as compatible with the theoretical stance taken particularly the mutation of the syntactic content to suit local circumstances and the dilution of the term's intent. Success attributes in the selective competition include contingency, securing an organizational home and mutability (what was represented became, more operational, less virulent but in the process more transmissible). In spreading globally the signifier/meme FM also proved mutatable to local managerial discourses.

Originality/value

The study supports a developing paradigm that it is possible to view organizations as ecologies of variously, memes, signifiers, narratives, representations or discourses. All five terms are shown to have been used to make similar significations by different authors. It shows how a natural history of narrative memes can be constructed.
Reviving organisational memetics through Cultural Linnæanism
Authors: Sinclair Lord Andrew
Published: July 2012

Purpose

The initial purpose of this paper is to review the explanatory power that memetics promised for socio‐cultural evolutionary theory, for organisational adaptation, and emergent patterns of traits. Second, to argue that philosophical accusations and premature demands have retarded a science of memetics; regardless, isolated demonstrations of empirical research feasibility suggest a pragmatic resolution. Third, to speculate about practical applications, future advances, and prompt consideration about resuming methodological research initiatives that draw extensively from biology into organisational and managements science.

Design/methodology/approach

Owing to present methodological immaturity of cultural science then a high conceptual level of meta‐methodology is required. This scope necessarily overlooks specific technical details. Life‐science principles are well known in comparison to the embryonic memetic and cultural sciences. The meme‐gene analogy builds a bridge across which we can draw candidate hypotheses and established methods. However, memetics has inherited the expectations of genetics but without its developmental history. Memetics therefore would benefit from recapitulating the ontogenesis of the more senior science by drawing upon foundational methods.

Findings

Linnæan Systematics was elemental to evolutionary theory and genetics; a cultural analogue is proposed. Retreating to description would support emerging objective organisational taxonomies that are laying the methodological foundations for a potential synthesis between organisational replicator and evolutionary theories.

Research limitations/implications

At the moment, the number of organisational examples are few, which further suggests the fundamental nature of this area of research. They serve to illustrate that a large array of hypotheses and methods can be adapted from the biological domain, opening up a bloom of research implications for the organisational domain.

Originality/value

Discourse about memetics is commonplace, but empirical research has been undermined. Originality stems from reapplying established biological methods to the new organisational domain. The value is in conferring the rigour of natural science to socio‐cultural study.
Ten‐year pattern of red blood cell use in the North of England
Authors: Tinegate Hazel , Chattree Shikha , Iqbal Adil , Plews Dianne , Whitehead Jeni , Wallis Jonathan P. ,   on behalf of the Northern Regional Transfusion Committee
Published: July 2012

BACKGROUND: An understanding of current and changing patterns of red blood cell (RBC) use will help predict future demands and aid future planning for transfusion services. It can also highlight areas where efforts to optimize RBC use are most likely to be productive.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Surveys were conducted in two 14‐day periods of all RBC transfusions in a geographic region of England supplied by a single blood center. Data collection was prospective and used preprinted paper forms. Results were compared with two previous studies covering a period of 10 years.

RESULTS: The clinical fate of 8025 units of RBCs was recorded consistent with data on more than 99% of units issued and transfused during the survey period. The overall RBC transfusion rate has decreased from 45.5 to 36 units per 100,000 population from 1999 and 2009. Twenty‐nine percent were used for surgical indications indicating a further decrease in surgical use compared to previous surveys. This decrease was limited solely to recipients of 50 to 80 years of age. Use for medical and obstetric/gynecologic indications has not changed significantly over 10 years.

CONCLUSION: Further decreases in surgical RBC use may be achievable but the aging population is likely to demand more blood for nonsurgical indications and efforts should be directed to optimizing use in these recipients. Comparative data on transfusion rates between regions or countries may be a useful tool for improving blood use.
Expert Review on Poliovirus Immunity and Transmission
Authors: Duintjer Tebbens Radboud J. , Pallansch Mark A. , Chumakov Konstantin M. , Halsey Neal A. , Hovi Tapani , Minor Philip D. , Modlin John F. , Patriarca Peter A. , Sutter Roland W. , Wright Peter F. , Wassilak Steven G. F. , Cochi Stephen L. , Kim Jong‐Hoon , Thompson Kimberly M.
Published: July 2012

Successfully managing risks to achieve wild polioviruses (WPVs) eradication and address the complexities of oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV) cessation to stop all cases of paralytic poliomyelitis depends strongly on our collective understanding of poliovirus immunity and transmission. With increased shifting from OPV to inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV), numerous risk management choices motivate the need to understand the tradeoffs and uncertainties and to develop models to help inform decisions. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention hosted a meeting of international experts in April 2010 to review the available literature relevant to poliovirus immunity and transmission. This expert review evaluates 66 OPV challenge studies and other evidence to support the development of quantitative models of poliovirus transmission and potential outbreaks. This review focuses on characterization of immunity as a function of exposure history in terms of susceptibility to excretion, duration of excretion, and concentration of excreted virus. We also discuss the evidence of waning of host immunity to poliovirus transmission, the relationship between the concentration of poliovirus excreted and infectiousness, the importance of different transmission routes, and the differences in transmissibility between OPV and WPV. We discuss the limitations of the available evidence for use in polio risk models, and conclude that despite the relatively large number of studies on immunity, very limited data exist to directly support quantification of model inputs related to transmission. Given the limitations in the evidence, we identify the need for expert input to derive quantitative model inputs from the existing data.
System of Systems Engineering and Risk Management of Extreme Events: Concepts and Case Study
Authors: Bristow Michele , Fang Liping , Hipel Keith W.
Published: July 2012

The domain of risk analysis is expanded to consider strategic interactions among multiple participants in the management of extreme risk in a system of systems. These risks are fraught with complexity, ambiguity, and uncertainty, which pose challenges in how participants perceive, understand, and manage risk of extreme events. In the case of extreme events affecting a system of systems, cause‐and‐effect relationships among initiating events and losses may be difficult to ascertain due to interactions of multiple systems and participants (complexity). Moreover, selection of threats, hazards, and consequences on which to focus may be unclear or contentious to participants within multiple interacting systems (ambiguity). Finally, all types of risk, by definition, involve potential losses due to uncertain events (uncertainty). Therefore, risk analysis of extreme events affecting a system of systems should address complex, ambiguous, and uncertain aspects of extreme risk. To accomplish this, a system of systems engineering methodology for risk analysis is proposed as a general approach to address extreme risk in a system of systems. Our contribution is an integrative and adaptive systems methodology to analyze risk such that strategic interactions among multiple participants are considered. A practical application of the system of systems engineering methodology is demonstrated in part by a case study of a maritime infrastructure system of systems interface, namely, the Straits of Malacca and Singapore.
Electrical communication in branching arterial networks
Authors: Tran Cam Ha T. , Vigmond Edward J. , Goldman Daniel , Plane France , Welsh Donald G.
Published: July 2012

Electrical communication and its role in blood flow regulation are built on an examination of charge movement in single, isolated vessels. How this process behaves in broader arterial networks remains unclear. This study examined the nature of electrical communication in arterial structures where vessel length and branching were varied. Analysis began with the deployment of an existing computational model expanded to form a variable range of vessel structures. Initial simulations revealed that focal endothelial stimulation generated electrical responses that conducted robustly along short unbranched vessels and to a lesser degree lengthened arteries or branching structures retaining a single branch point. These predictions matched functional observations from hamster mesenteric arteries and support the idea that an increased number of vascular cells attenuate conduction by augmenting electrical load. Expanding the virtual network to 31 branches revealed that electrical responses increasingly ascended from fifth- to first-order arteries when the number of stimulated distal vessels rose. This property enabled the vascular network to grade vasodilation and network perfusion as revealed through blood flow modeling. An elevation in endothelial-endothelial coupling resistance, akin to those in sepsis models, compromised this ascension of vasomotor/perfusion responses. A comparable change was not observed when the endothelium was focally disrupted to mimic disease states including atherosclerosis. In closing, this study highlights that vessel length and branching play a role in setting the conduction of electrical phenomenon along resistance arteries and within networks. It also emphasizes that modest changes in endothelial function can, under certain scenarios, impinge on network responsiveness and blood flow control.
Role of matrix Gla protein in angiotensin II-induced exacerbation of vascular calcification
Authors: Jia Guanghong , Stormont Ryan M. , Gangahar Deepak M. , Agrawal Devendra K.
Published: July 2012

Vascular calcification predicts an increased risk for cardiovascular events in atherosclerosis, diabetes, and end-stage kidney diseases. Matrix Gla protein (MGP), an inhibitor of calcification, limits calcium phosphate deposition in the vessel wall. There are many factors contributing to the progression of atherosclerosis, including hypertension, hyperlipidemia, the renin-angiotensin system, and inflammation. Angiotensin II (ANG II) plays a crucial role in the atherogenic process through not only its pressor responses but also its growth-promoting and inflammatory effects. In this study, we investigated the role of MGP in ANG II-induced exacerbation of vascular calcification in human vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). The expression of MGP, calcification, and apoptosis in human VSMCs were examined by Western blot analysis, real-time PCR, in situ terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Increase in VSMC calcification in human atherosclerotic plaques upregulates MGP expression and apoptosis in a negative feedback manner. ANG II inhibited MGP expression in VSMCs via and in vitro in a dose- and time-dependent manner through ANG II type 1 receptor and NF-κB signaling pathway. Meanwhile, MGP inhibited the calcification, caspase-3 activity, activation of runt-related transcription factor 2, and release of inflammatory cytokines by VSMCs induced by calcification medium (2.5 mM Pi) and ANG II in vitro. These observations provide evidence that ANG II exacerbates vascular calcification through activation of the transcription factors, runt-related transcription factor 2 and NF-κB, and regulation of MGP, inflammatory cytokines expression in human VSMCs.
High Mass Accuracy Phosphopeptide Identification Using Tandem Mass Spectra
Authors: Sadygov Rovshan G.
Published: July 2012

Phosphoproteomics is a powerful analytical platform for identification and quantification of phosphorylated peptides and assignment of phosphorylation sites. Bioinformatics tools to identify phosphorylated peptides from their tandem mass spectra and protein sequence databases are important part of phosphoproteomics. In this work, we discuss general informatics aspects of mass-spectrometry-based phosphoproteomics. Some of the specifics of phosphopeptide identifications stem from the labile nature of phosphor groups and expanded peptide search space. Allowing for modifications of Ser, Thr, and Tyr residues exponentially increases effective database size. High mass resolution and accuracy measurements of precursor mass-to-charge ratios help to restrict the search space of candidate peptide sequences. The higher-order fragmentations of neutral loss ions enhance the fragment ion mass spectra of phosphorylated peptides. We show an example of a phosphopeptide identification where accounting for fragmentation from neutral loss species improves the identification scores in a database search algorithm by 50%.
Multiple Pulmonary Metastases following Total Removal of a Bilateral Parasagittal Meningioma with Complete Occlusion of the Superior Sagittal Sinus: Report of a Case
Authors: Nakano Masataka , Tanaka Toshihide , Nakamura Aya , Watanabe Mitsuyoshi , Kato Naoki , Arai Takao , Hasegawa Yuzuru , Akiba Tadashi , Marushima Hideki , Kanetsuna Yukiko , Abe Toshiaki
Published: July 2012

Pulmonary metastases of benign meningiomas are extremely rare. The case of a 34-year-old man with bilateral parasagittal meningioma who developed pulmonary metastases is described. The meningioma was an enormous hypervascular tumor with invasion of the superior sagittal sinus. The tumor was resected completely and histologically diagnosed as transitional meningioma. The Ki-67 labeling index was 5%. Four months after operation, the patient subsequently developed bilateral multiple lung lesions later identified as metastases. The lung lesions were partially removed surgically and histologically diagnosed as meningothelial meningioma WHO grade I. The Ki-67 labeling index was 2%. The histological findings demonstrated that the tumor occupied the arterial lumen and the perivascular space, suggesting that pulmonary tumors might metastasize via the vascular route. The histopathological features and mechanisms of metastasizing meningiomas are reviewed and discussed.
Role of Adipokines in Atherosclerosis: Interferences with Cardiovascular Complications in Rheumatic Diseases
Authors: Scotece Morena , Conde Javier , Gómez Rodolfo , López Verónica , Pino Jesús , González Antonio , Lago Francisca , Gómez-Reino Juan J. , Gualillo Oreste
Published: July 2012

Patients with rheumatic diseases have an increased risk of mortality by cardiovascular events. In fact, several rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and ankylosing spondylitis are associated with a higher prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Although traditional cardiovascular risk factors have been involved in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases in rheumatic patients, these alterations do not completely explain the enhanced cardiovascular risk in this population. Obesity and its pathologic alteration of fat mass and dysfunction, due to an altered pattern of secretion of proinflammatory adipokines, could be one of the links between cardiovascular and rheumatic diseases. Indeed, the incidence of CVDs is augmented in obese individuals with rheumatic disorders. Thus, in this paper we explore in detail the relationships among adipokines, rheumatic diseases, and cardiovascular complications by giving to the reader a holistic vision and several suggestions for future perspectives and potential clinical implications.
Eurycoma longifolia: Medicinal Plant in the Prevention and Treatment of Male Osteoporosis due to Androgen Deficiency
Authors: Mohd Effendy Nadia , Mohamed Norazlina , Muhammad Norliza , Naina Mohamad Isa , Shuid Ahmad Nazrun
Published: July 2012

Osteoporosis in elderly men is now becoming an alarming health issue due to its relation with a higher mortality rate compared to osteoporosis in women. Androgen deficiency (hypogonadism) is one of the major factors of male osteoporosis and it can be treated with testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). However, one medicinal plant,Eurycoma longifoliaJack (EL), can be used as an alternative treatment to prevent and treat male osteoporosis without causing the side effects associated with TRT.ELexerts proandrogenic effects that enhance testosterone level, as well as stimulate osteoblast proliferation and osteoclast apoptosis. This will maintain bone remodelling activity and reduce bone loss. Phytochemical components ofELmay also prevent osteoporosis via its antioxidative property. Hence,ELhas the potential as a complementary treatment for male osteoporosis.
Age-Related Deficits of Dual-Task Walking: A Review
Authors: Beurskens Rainer , Bock Otmar
Published: July 2012

This review summarizes our present knowledge about elderly people's problems with walking. We highlight the plastic changes in the brain that allow a partial compensation of these age-related deficits and discuss the associated costs and limitations. Experimental evidence for the crucial role of executive functions and working memory is presented, leading us to the hypothesis that it is difficult for seniors to coordinate two streams of visual information, one related to navigation through visually defined space, and the other to a visually demanding second task. This hypothesis predicts that interventions aimed at the efficiency of visuovisual coordination in the elderly will ameliorate their deficits in dual-task walking.
Inhibition of Aldose Reductase byGentiana luteaExtracts
Authors: Akileshwari Chandrasekhar , Muthenna Puppala , Nastasijević Branislav , Joksić Gordana , Petrash J. Mark , Reddy Geereddy Bhanuprakash
Published: July 2012

Accumulation of intracellular sorbitol due to increased aldose reductase (ALR2) activity has been implicated in the development of various secondary complications of diabetes. Thus, ALR2 inhibition could be an effective strategy in the prevention or delay of certain diabetic complications.Gentiana luteagrows naturally in the central and southern areas of Europe. Its roots are commonly consumed as a beverage in some European countries and are also known to have medicinal properties. The water, ethanol, methanol, and ether extracts of the roots ofG. luteawere subjected toin vitrobioassay to evaluate their inhibitory activity on the ALR2. While the ether and methanol extracts showed greater inhibitory activities against both rat lens and human ALR2, the water and ethanol extracts showed moderate inhibitory activities. Moreover, the ether and methanol extracts ofG. lutearoots significantly and dose-dependently inhibited sorbitol accumulation in human erythrocytes under high glucose conditions. Molecular docking studies with the constituents commonly present in the roots ofG. luteaindicate that a secoiridoid glycoside, amarogentin, may be a potential inhibitor of ALR2. This is the first paper that showsG. luteaextracts exhibit inhibitory activity towards ALR2 and these results suggest thatGentianaor its constituents might be useful to prevent or treat diabetic complications.
Hybrid Optimization Approach for the Design of Mechanisms Using a New Error Estimator
Authors: Sedano A. , Sancibrian R. , de Juan A. , Viadero F. , Egaña F.
Published: July 2012

A hybrid optimization approach for the design of linkages is presented. The method is applied to the dimensional synthesis of mechanism and combines the merits of both stochastic and deterministic optimization. The stochastic optimization approach is based on a real‐valued evolutionary algorithm (EA) and is used for extensive exploration of the design variable space when searching for the best linkage. The deterministic approach uses a local optimization technique to improve the efficiency by reducing the high CPU time that EA techniques require in this kind of applications. To that end, the deterministic approach is implemented in the evolutionary algorithm in two stages. The first stage is the fitness evaluation where the deterministic approach is used to obtain an effective new error estimator. In the second stage the deterministic approach refines the solution provided by the evolutionary part of the algorithm. The new error estimator enables the evaluation of the different individuals in each generation, avoiding the removal of well‐adapted linkages that other methods would not detect. The efficiency, robustness, and accuracy of the proposed method are tested for the design of a mechanism in two examples.
Surface Plasmon Singularities
Authors: Martínez-Niconoff Gabriel , Martinez-Vara P. , Diaz-Gonzalez G. , Silva-Barranco J. , Carbajal-Domínguez A.
Published: July 2012

With the purpose to compare the physical features of the electromagnetic field, we describe the synthesis of optical singularities propagating in the free space and on a metal surface. In both cases the electromagnetic field has a slit-shaped curve as a boundary condition, and the singularities correspond to a shock wave that is a consequence of the curvature of the slit curve. As prototypes, we generate singularities that correspond to fold and cusped regions. We show that singularities in free space may generate bifurcation effects while plasmon fields do not generate these kinds of effects. Experimental results for free-space propagation are presented and for surface plasmon fields, computer simulations are shown.
Cytotoxicity of Silver Nanoparticles in Human Embryonic Stem Cell‐Derived Fibroblasts and an L‐929 Cell Line
Authors: Peng Hui , Zhang Xuehui , Wei Yan , Liu Wentao , Li Shenglin , Yu Guangyan , Fu Xin , Cao Tong , Deng Xuliang
Published: July 2012

Consensus about the toxicity of silver nanoparticles (Ag‐NPs) has not been reached, even though extensive attention has been paid to this issue. This confusion may be due to physicochemical factors of Ag‐NPs and the cell model used for biological safety evaluation. In the present study, human embryonic stem cell‐derived fibroblasts (EBFs), which have been considered a closer representative of the in vivo response, were used as a novel cell model to assess the cytotoxicity of Ag‐NPs (~20 nm and ~100 nm) in comparison with L‐929 fibroblast cell line. Cell proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis, p53 expression, and cellular uptake were examined. Results showed that Ag‐NPs presented higher cytotoxicity to EBF than to L‐929. EBF demonstrated a stronger capacity to ingest Ag‐NPs, a higher G2/M arrest, and more upgraduated p53 expression after exposed to Ag‐NPs for 48 h when compared with L‐929. It could be concluded that EBF exhibited a more sensitive response to Ag‐NPs compared with L‐929 cells, indicating that EBF may be a valid candidate for cytotoxicity screening assays of nanoparticles.
New Insights into p53 Signaling and Cancer Cell Response to DNA Damage: Implications for Cancer Therapy
Authors: Mirzayans Razmik , Andrais Bonnie , Scott April , Murray David
Published: July 2012

Activation of the p53 signaling pathway by DNA-damaging agents was originally proposed to result either in cell cycle checkpoint activation to promote survival or in apoptotic cell death. This model provided the impetus for numerous studies focusing on the development of p53-based cancer therapies. According to recent evidence, however, most p53 wild-type human cell types respond to ionizing radiation by undergoing stress-induced premature senescence (SIPS) and not apoptosis. SIPS is a sustained growth-arrested state in which cells remain viable and secrete factors that may promote cancer growth and progression. Thep21WAF1(hereafter p21) protein has emerged as a key player in the p53 pathway. In addition to its well-studied role in cell cycle checkpoints, p21 regulates p53 and its upstream kinase (ATM), controls gene expression, suppresses apoptosis, and induces SIPS. Herein, we review these and related findings with human solid tumor-derived cell lines, report new data demonstrating dynamic behaviors of p53 and p21 in the DNA damage response, and examine the gain-of-function properties of cancer-associated p53 mutations. We point out obstacles in cancer-therapeutic strategies that are aimed at reactivating the wild-type p53 function and highlight some alternative approaches that target the apoptotic threshold in cancer cells with differing p53 status.
Influence of Simulated Acid Rain Corrosion on the Uniaxial Tensile Mechanical Properties of Concrete
Authors: Zhang Ying-zi , Fan Ying-fang , Li Hong-nan
Published: July 2012

An experimental study on the uniaxial tensile property of concrete exposed to the acid rain environment was carried out. Acid rain with pH level of 1.0 was deposed by the mixture of sulfate and nitric acid solution in the laboratory. Dumbbell-shaped concrete specimens were immersed in the simulated acid rain completely. After being exposed to the deposed mixture for a certain period, uniaxial tensile test was performed on the concrete specimens. The results indicate that elastic modulus, tensile strength, and peak strain have a slight increase at the initial corrosion stage, and with the extension of corrosion process, elastic modulus and tensile strength decrease gradually, while the peak strain still increases. It is found that the compressive strength is more sensitive than the tensile strength in aggressive environment. Based on the experimental results, an equation was proposed to describe the ascending branch of the stress-strain curve of the concrete corroded by acid rain.
A New Approach for Analyzing the Reliability of the Repair Facility in a Series System with Vacations
Authors: Liu Renbin , Wu Yong
Published: July 2012

Based on the renewal process theory we develop a decomposition method to analyze the reliability of the repair facility in an n‐unit series system with vacations. Using this approach, we study the unavailability and the mean replacement number during (0, t] of the repair facility. The method proposed in this work is novel and concise, which can make us see clearly the structures of the facility indices of a series system with an unreliable repair facility, two convolution relations. Special cases and numerical examples are given to show the validity of our method.
Application of ENN‐1 for Fault Diagnosis of Wind Power Systems
Authors: Wang Meng-Hui , Chen Hung-Cheng
Published: July 2012

Maintaining a wind turbine and ensuring secure is not easy because of long‐term exposure to the environment and high installation locations. Wind turbines need fully functional condition‐monitoring and fault diagnosis systems that prevent accidents and reduce maintenance costs. This paper presents a simulator design for fault diagnosis of wind power systems and further proposes some fault diagnosis technologies such as signal analysis, feature selecting, and diagnosis methods. First, this paper uses a wind power simulator to produce fault conditions and features from the monitoring sensors. Then an extension neural network type‐1‐ (ENN‐1‐) based method is proposed to develop the core of the fault diagnosis system. The proposed system will benefit the development of real fault diagnosis systems with testing models that demonstrate satisfactory results.
Blow‐Up Time for Nonlinear Heat Equations with Transcendental Nonlinearity
Authors: Pak Hee Chul
Published: July 2012

A blow‐up time for nonlinear heat equations with transcendental nonlinearity is investigated. An upper bound of the first blow‐up time is presented. It is pointed out that the upper bound of the first blow‐up time depends on the support of the initial datum.
Overview of Plant-Made Vaccine Antigens against Malaria
Authors: Clemente Marina , Corigliano Mariana G.
Published: July 2012

This paper is an overview of vaccine antigens against malaria produced in plants. Plant-based expression systems represent an interesting production platform due to their reduced manufacturing costs and high scalability. At present, differentPlasmodiumantigens and expression strategies have been optimized in plants. Furthermore, malaria antigens are one of the few examples of eukaryotic proteins with vaccine value expressed in plants, making plant-derived malaria antigens an interesting model to analyze. Up to now, malaria antigen expression in plants has allowed the complete synthesis of these vaccine antigens, which have been able to induce an active immune response in mice. Therefore, plant production platforms offer wonderful prospects for improving the access to malaria vaccines.
Why Chromosome Palindromes?
Authors: Betrán Esther , Demuth Jeffery P. , Williford Anna
Published: July 2012

We look at sex-limited chromosome (Y or W) evolution with particular emphasis on the importance of palindromes. Y chromosome palindromes consist of inverted duplicates that allow for local recombination in an otherwise nonrecombining chromosome. Since palindromes enable intrachromosomal gene conversion that can help eliminate deleterious mutations, they are often highlighted as mechanisms to protect against Y degeneration. However, the adaptive significance of recombination resides in its ability to decouple the evolutionary fates of linked mutations, leading tobotha decrease in degeneration rateandan increase in adaptation rate. Our paper emphasizes the latter, that palindromes may exist to accelerate adaptation by increasing the potential targets and fixation rates of incoming beneficial mutations. This hypothesis helps reconcile two enigmatic features of the “palindromes as protectors” view: (1) genes that are not located in palindromes have been retained under purifying selection for tens of millions of years, and (2) under models that only consider deleterious mutations, gene conversion benefits duplicate gene maintenance but not initial fixation. We conclude by looking at ways to test the hypothesis that palindromes enhance the rate of adaptive evolution of Y-linked genes and whether this effect can be extended to palindromes on other chromosomes.
Computational Modelling of Thermal Stability in a Reactive Slab with Reactant Consumption
Authors: Makinde O. D.
Published: July 2012

This paper investigates both the transient and the steady state of a one‐step nth‐order oxidation exothermic reaction in a slab of combustible material with an insulated lower surface and an isothermal upper surface, taking into consideration reactant consumption. The nonlinear partial differential equation governing the transient reaction‐diffusion problem is solved numerically using a semidiscretization finite difference technique. The steady‐state problem is solved using a perturbation technique together with a special type of the Hermite‐Padé approximants. Graphical results are presented and discussed quantitatively with respect to various embedded parameters controlling the systems. The crucial roles played by the boundary conditions in determining the thermal ignition criticality are demonstrated.
Fixed Point Theorems in Ordered Banach Spaces and Applications to Nonlinear Integral Equations
Authors: Agarwal Ravi P. , Hussain Nawab , Taoudi Mohamed-Aziz
Published: July 2012

We present some new common fixed point theorems for a pair of nonlinear mappings defined on an ordered Banach space. Our results extend several earlier works. An application is given to show the usefulness and the applicability of the obtained results.
Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Interleukin-19 in Vascular Disease
Authors: England Ross N. , Autieri Michael V.
Published: July 2012

Despite aggressive dietary modification, lipid-lowering medications, and other interventional medical therapy, vascular disease continues to be a leading cause of mortality in the western world. It is a significant medical and socioeconomic problem contributing to mortality of multiple diseases including myocardial infarction, stroke, renal failure, and peripheral vascular disease. Morbidity and mortality of vascular disease are expected to worsen with the increasing number of patients with comorbid conditions such as obesity, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes mellitus type 2. Vascular diseases such as atherosclerosis, restenosis, and allograft vasculopathy are recognized to be driven by inflammation, and as such, cytokines which mediate inflammation not only represent important targets of rational therapy, but also can be considered as possible therapeutic modalities themselves. In this paper, we will examine the role of inflammatory cytokines and lymphocyteTh1/Th2 polarity in vascular inflammation, with a focus on atherosclerotic vascular disease. We will then introduce a recently describedTh2 interleukin, interleukin-19 (IL-19), as a previously unrecognized mediator of vascular inflammatory disorders. We will review our current understanding of this interleukin in health and disease and present the possibility that IL-19 could represent a potential therapeutic to combat vascular inflammatory disease.
Application of Piecewise Successive Linearization Method for the Solutions of the Chen Chaotic System
Authors: Motsa S. S. , Khan Y. , Shateyi S.
Published: July 2012

This paper centres on the application of the new piecewise successive linearization method (PSLM) in solving the chaotic and nonchaotic Chen system. Numerical simulations are presented graphically and comparison is made between the PSLM and Runge‐Kutta‐based methods. The work shows that the proposed method provides good accuracy and can be easily extended to other dynamical systems including those that are chaotic in nature.
Exponential Synchronization Analysis and Control forDiscrete‐Time Uncertain Delay Complex Networks withStochastic Effects
Authors: Wang Tianbo , Zhou Wuneng , Zhao Dejun , Zhao Shouwei
Published: July 2012

The exponential synchronization for a class of discrete‐time uncertain
complex networks with stochastic effects and time delay is investigated by using the Lyapunov
stability theory and discrete Halanay inequality. The uncertainty arises from the difference of the
nodes’ reliability in the complex network. Through constructing an appropriate Lyapunov
function and applying inequality technique, some synchronization criteria and two control
methods are obtained to ensure the considered complex network being exponential
synchronization. Finally, a numerical example is provided to show the effectiveness of our
proposed methods.
Robust MPC with Output Feedback of Integrating Systems
Authors: Perez J. M. , Odloak D. , Lima E. L.
Published: July 2012

In this work, it is presented a new contribution to the design of a robust MPC with output feedback, input constraints, and uncertain model. Multivariable predictive controllers have been used in industry to reduce the variability of the process output and to allow the operation of the system near to the constraints, where it is usually located the optimum operating point. For this reason, new controllers have been developed with the objective of achieving better performance, simpler control structure, and robustness with respect to model uncertainty. In this work, it is proposed a model predictive controller based on a nonminimal state space model where the state is perfectly known. It is an infinite prediction horizon controller, and it is assumed that there is uncertainty in the stable part of the model, which may also include integrating modes that are frequently present in the process plants. The method is illustrated with a simulation example of the process industry using linear models based on a real process.