bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
DIFFRACTION OF BLOCH WAVE PACKETS FOR MAXWELL'S EQUATIONS
Authors: ALLAIRE GRÉGOIRE , PALOMBARO MARIAPIA , RAUCH JEFFREY
Published: August 2013

We study, for times of order 1/h, solutions of Maxwell's equations in an [Formula: see text] modulation of an h-periodic medium. The solutions are of slowly varying amplitude type built on Bloch plane waves with wavelength of order h. We construct accurate approximate solutions of three scale WKB type. The leading profile is both transported at the group velocity and dispersed by a Schrödinger equation given by the quadratic approximation of the Bloch dispersion relation. A weak ray average hypothesis guarantees stability. Compared to earlier work on scalar wave equations, the generator is no longer elliptic. Coercivity holds only on the complement of an infinite-dimensional kernel. The system structure requires many innovations.
Phase portraits of quadratic Lotka–Volterra systems with a Darboux invariant in the Poincaré disc
Authors: Bolaños Yudy , Llibre Jaume , Valls Claudia
Published: August 2013

We characterize the global phase portraits in the Poincaré disc of all the planar Lotka–Volterra quadratic polynomial differential systems having a Darboux invariant.
ADVANCED TISSUE ENGINEERING STRATEGIES FOR VASCULARIZED PARENCHYMAL CONSTRUCTS
Authors: HE JIANKANG , XU FENG , LIU YAXIONG , JIN ZHONGMIN , LI DICHEN
Published: August 2013

The fabrication of vascularized parenchymal organs to alleviate donor shortage in organ transplantation is the holy grail of tissue engineering. However, conventional tissue-engineering strategies have encountered huge challenges in recapitulating complex structural organization of native organs (e.g., orderly arrangement of multiple cell types and vascular network), which plays an important role in engineering functional vascularized parenchymal constructs in vitro. Recent developments of various advanced tissue-engineering strategies have exhibited great promise in replicating organ-specific architectures into artificial constructs. Here, we review the recent advances in top-down and bottom-up strategies for the fabrication of vascularized parenchymal constructs. We highlight the fabrication of microfluidic scaffolds potential for nutrient transport or vascularization as well as the controlled multicellular arrangement. The advantages as well as the limitations associated with these strategies will be discussed. It is envisioned that the combination of microfluidic concept in top-down strategies and multicellular arrangement concept in bottom-up strategies could potentially generate new insights for the fabrication of vascularized parenchymal organs.
OPTIMIZATION BIAS IN ENERGY-BASED STRUCTURE PREDICTION
Authors: PETRELLA ROBERT J.
Published: August 2013

Physics-based computational approaches to predicting the structure of macromolecules such as proteins are gaining increased use, but there are remaining challenges. In the current work, it is demonstrated that in energy-based prediction methods, the degree of optimization of the sampled structures can influence the prediction results. In particular, discrepancies in the degree of local sampling can bias the predictions in favor of the oversampled structures by shifting the local probability distributions of the minimum sampled energies. In simple systems, it is shown that the magnitude of the errors can be calculated from the energy surface, and for certain model systems, derived analytically. Further, it is shown that for energy wells whose forms differ only by a randomly assigned energy shift, the optimal accuracy of prediction is achieved when the sampling around each structure is equal. Energy correction terms can be used in cases of unequal sampling to reproduce the total probabilities that would occur under equal sampling, but optimal corrections only partially restore the prediction accuracy lost to unequal sampling. For multiwell systems, the determination of the correction terms is a multibody problem; it is shown that the involved cross-correlation multiple integrals can be reduced to simpler integrals. The possible implications of the current analysis for macromolecular structure prediction are discussed.
ON THE 2-ADIC IWASAWA LAMBDA INVARIANTS OF THE p-CYCLOTOMIC FIELDS AND THEIR QUADRATIC TWISTS
Authors: ICHIMURA HUMIO , NAKAJIMA SHOICHI , SUMIDA-TAKAHASHI HIROKI
Published: August 2013

Let p be an odd prime number, Kn = Q(ζpn+1) the pn+1th cyclotomic field and [Formula: see text] the relative class number of Kn. Fixing an integer d ∈ Z with [Formula: see text], we denote by Ln the imaginary quadratic subextension of the imaginary (2, 2)-extension [Formula: see text] with Ln ≠ Kn. When d < 0, we have [Formula: see text]. Denote by [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] the minus parts of the 2-adic Iwasawa lambda invariants of Kn and Ln, respectively. By a theorem of Friedman, these invariants are stable for sufficiently large n. First, under the assumption that [Formula: see text] is odd for all n ≥ 1, we give a quite explicit version of this result. Second, we show that the assumption is satisfied for all p ≤ 599. Further, using these results, we compute the invariants [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] with d = -1, -3 for all p ≤ 599 and all n with the help of the computer.
TRAVELING WAVES OF AN EPIDEMIC MODEL WITH VACCINATION
Authors: WANG ZHIPING , XU RUI
Published: August 2013

An epidemic model with vaccination and spatial diffusion is studied. By analyzing the corresponding characteristic equations, the local stability of each of feasible steady states to this model is discussed. The existence of a traveling wave solution is established by using the technique of upper and lower solutions and Schauder's fixed point theorem. Numerical simulations are carried out to illustrate the main results.
Integrating Law and Health Policy
Authors: Levitsky Sandra R.
Published: August 2013

This review considers what can be learned from bridging sociolegal scholarship with contemporary research on health policy. Public health scholars have relied on a narrow understanding of the role law can play in health care reform, viewing law as a set of commands from above that direct the behavior of individuals. Incorporating a cultural perspective of law would allow public health scholars to observe law's effects in a much wider range of contexts. Meanwhile, the cultural turn in sociolegal studies toward an emphasis on law's role in the construction of everyday life has resulted in a shift away from the study of state policy altogether. As a consequence, the microlevel analyses that have come to dominate sociolegal scholarship are rarely connected to the macrolevel politics that shape them. Issues relating to health care offer sociolegal researchers an opportunity to reestablish a connection with social policy and extend their understanding of the power and meaning of law.
The Political Psychology of Counterterrorism
Authors: Huq Aziz Z.
Published: August 2013

In the past decade, legal scholars have developed an extensive corpus of doctrinal and normative work on national policy responses to terrorism. At the same time, political and social psychologists have tested a diverse range of theories concerning how perceptions of terrorism risk affect individual and aggregate behaviors such as electoral choices and preferences over public policies. The legal scholarship, with a handful of exceptions, does not draw on this empirical literature about the “demand” for counterterrorism. In consequence, its descriptive and normative claims tend to lack warrant in any defensible account of the political psychology of counterterrorism. To begin remedying that gap, this review explores insights from the empirical literature on the psychology of individual and collective responses to terrorism in order to better comprehend the political motivations that underwrite counterterrorism policy choices. Three lines of inquiry are highlighted: how individuals perceive and process terrorism risk information, how political and policy preferences change after terrorism attacks, and how counterterrorism tactics can alter patterns of individual behavior.
Militant Democracy: The Institutional Bases of Democratic Self-Preservation
Authors: Capoccia Giovanni
Published: August 2013

Over the past two decades, the concept of militant democracy—the use of legal restrictions on political expression and participation to curb extremist actors in democratic regimes—has again captured the attention of comparative constitutional lawyers and political scientists. In comparative constitutional law, the old neutral model of liberal democracy, according to which all political views are entitled to the same rights of expression and association, has given way to a general consensus that restrictions on basic rights designed to preserve democracy are legitimate. At the same time, legal scholars attribute the considerable cross-national variation in the formal design and use of such restrictions to the particular historical background of each country. In political science, a large body of work now examines specific militant restrictions on extremist actors. Although this scholarship consists mainly of descriptive analyses, it has begun to advance causal hypotheses explaining variation in important militant democracy policies. Taken together, these developments point to the fact that militant restrictions constitute an important facet of modern democracy and that at the same time, notwithstanding recent advances, our understanding of the phenomenon is still marked by significant gaps, making the legal and empirical analysis of militant democracy an important emerging research program both in comparative constitutional law and political science. This article reconstructs the debate on the concept since its origins in the 1930s and suggests directions for further research in both fields.
A Conversation with Leonard and Leonore Herzenberg
Authors: Herzenberg Leonard A. , Herzenberg Leonore A. , Roederer Mario
Published: August 2013

Leonard and Leonore Herzenberg have left an indelible mark on the fields of immunology and cell biology, both in research and clinical aspects. They are perhaps best known for developing the technologies of fluorescence flow cytometry and hybridomas. Over six decades, they made a number of important and fundamental discoveries in lymphocyte biology by applying these technologies. During this era, they immersed themselves in the sociopolitical environment, interjecting scientific rationale into public discourse about McCarthyism, nuclear fallout, war, genetics, and other politically charged topics. Their unique philosophy has shaped their lives, their science, and ultimately the scientific community. In this Conversation, we explore some of these driving forces and the impact on the laboratory.
Time course of renal Na-K-ATPase, NHE3, NKCC2, NCC, and ENaC abundance changes with dietary NaCl restriction
Authors: Masilamani Shyama , Wang Xiaoyan , Kim Gheun-Ho , Brooks Heddwen , Nielsen Jakob , Nielsen Soren , Nakamura Kenzo , Stokes John B. , Knepper Mark A.
Published: August 2013

We have used peptide-directed antibodies to each major renal Na transporter and channel proteins to screen renal homogenates for changes in Na transporter protein expression after initiation of dietary NaCl restriction. After equilibration on a NaCl-replete diet (2.0 meq · 200 g body wt−1· day−1), rats were switched to a NaCl-deficient diet (0.02 meq · 200 g body wt−1· day−1). Na excretion fell to 25% of baseline levels on day 1, followed by a further decrease <4% of baseline levels on day 3, of NaCl restriction. The decreased Na excretion at day 1 occurred despite the absence of a significant increase in plasma aldosterone level or in the abundance of any of the major renal Na transporters. However, after a 1-day lag, plasma aldosterone levels increased in association with increases in abundances of three aldosterone-regulated Na transporter proteins: the thiazide-sensitive Na-Cl cotransporter (NCC), the α-subunit of the amiloride-sensitive epithelial Na channel (α-ENaC), and the 70-kDa form of γ-ENaC. RNase protection assays of transporter mRNA levels revealed an increase in renal α-ENaC mRNA coincident with the increase in α-ENaC protein abundance. However, there was no change in NCC mRNA abundance, suggesting that the increase in NCC protein in response to dietary NaCl restriction was not a result of altered gene transcription. These results point to early regulatory processes that decrease renal Na excretion without an increase in the abundance of any Na transporter, followed by a late aldosterone-dependent response associated with upregulation of NCC and ENaC.
Protein kinase G activates inwardly rectifying K+channel in cultured human proximal tubule cells
Authors: Nakamura Kazuyoshi , Hirano Junko , Itazawa Shun-Ichi , Kubokawa Manabu
Published: August 2013

An ATP-regulated inwardly rectifying K+channel, whose activity is enhanced by PKA, is present in the plasma membrane of cultured human proximal tubule cells. In this study, we investigated the effects of PKG on this K+channel, using the patch-clamp technique. In cell-attached patches, bath application of a membrane-permeant cGMP analog, 8-bromoguanosine 3′,5′-monophosphate (8-BrcGMP; 100 μM), stimulated channel activity, whereas application of a PKG-specific inhibitor, KT-5823 (1 μM), reduced the activity. Channel activation induced by 8-BrcGMP was observed even in the presence of a PKA-specific inhibitor, KT-5720 (500 nM), which was abolished by KT-5823. Direct effects of cGMP and PKG were examined with inside-out patches in the presence of 1 mM MgATP. Although cytoplasmic cGMP (100 μM) alone had little effect on channel activity, subsequent addition of PKG (500 U/ml) enhanced it. Furthermore, bath application of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP; 20 nM) in cell-attached patches stimulated channel activity, which was blocked by KT-5823. In conclusion, cGMP/PKG-dependent processes participate in activating the ATP-regulated K+channel and producing the stimulatory effect of ANP on channel activity.
Aldosterone inhibits HCO-3absorption via a nongenomic pathway in medullary thick ascending limb
Authors: Good David W. , George Thampi , Watts Bruns A.
Published: August 2013

Rapid actions of aldosterone that are independent of transcription and translation have been described in a variety of cells; however, whether nongenomic pathways mediate aldosterone-induced regulation of renal tubule transport has not been determined. We report here that aldosterone induces rapid (<3.5 min) inhibition of HCO[Formula: see text] absorption in the medullary thick ascending limb (MTAL) of the rat. This inhibition is observed over the physiological range of hormone concentrations (IC50≃ 0.6 nM) and is not affected by pretreatment with actinomycin D (12.5 μg/ml), cycloheximide (40 μg/ml), or spironolactone (10 μM). The glucocorticoids dexamethasone, cortisol, and corticosterone (1 or 500 nM) did not affect HCO[Formula: see text]absorption in the absence or presence of carbenoxolone. Thus the specificity of rapid aldosterone action is not dependent on 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity. The inhibition by aldosterone is additive to inhibition by angiotensin II and vasopressin, indicating that these factors regulate MTAL transport through distinct pathways. These results demonstrate that aldosterone inhibits HCO[Formula: see text] absorption in the MTAL via a pathway that is rapid, highly selective, independent of transcription and protein synthesis, and not mediated through the classic mineralocorticoid receptor. The results establish a role for nongenomic pathways in mediating aldosterone-induced regulation of transepithelial transport in the mammalian kidney. The novel action of aldosterone to inhibit luminal acidification in the MTAL may play a role in enabling the kidney to regulate acid-base balance independently of Na+balance and extracellular fluid volume.
Role of iNOS and eNOS in modulating proximal tubule transport and acid-base balance
Authors: Wang Tong
Published: August 2013

Our laboratory has previously shown that mice lacking neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) are defective in fluid absorption ( Jv) and HCO[Formula: see text]absorption ( JHCO3) in the proximal tubule and develop metabolic acidosis. The present study examined the transport of fluid and HCO[Formula: see text] in the proximal tubule and acid-base status in mice lacking two other isoforms of NOS, inducible NOS (iNOS) and endothelial NOS (eNOS). Proximal tubules were microperfused in situ in wild-type and NOS knockout mice by methods previously described (Wang T, Yang C-L, Abbiati T, Schultheis PJ, Shull GE, Giebisch G, and Aronson PS. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 277: F298–F302, 1999). [3H]inulin and total CO2concentrations were measured in the perfusate and collected fluid, and net Jvand JHCO3were analyzed. These data show that JHCO3was 35% lower (71.7 ± 6.4 vs. 109.9 ± 7.3 pmol · min−1· mm−1, n = 13, P < 0.01) and Jvwas 38% lower (0.95 ± 0.15 vs. 1.54 ± 0.17 nl · min−1· mm−1, n = 13, P < 0.05) in iNOS knockout mice compared with their wild-type controls. Addition of the iNOS-selective inhibitor l- N6-(1-iminoethyl) lysine, reduced both Jvand JHCO3significantly in wild-type, but not in iNOS knockout, mice. In contrast, both JHCO3(93.3 ± 7.9 vs. 110.6 ± 6.18 pmol · min−1· mm−1) and Jv(1.56 ± 0.17 vs. 1.55 ± 0.16 nl · min−1· mm−1) did not change significantly in eNOS knockout mice. These results indicated that iNOS upregulates Na+and HCO[Formula: see text]transport, whereas eNOS does not directly modulate Na+and HCO[Formula: see text] transport in the kidney proximal tubules.
A central role for Pyk2-Src interaction in coupling diverse stimuli to increased epithelial NBC activity
Authors: Espiritu Doris Joy D. , Bernardo Angelito A. , Robey R. Brooks , Arruda Jose A. L.
Published: August 2013

Regulation of renal Na-HCO[Formula: see text] cotransporter (NBC1) activity by cholinergic agonists, ANG II, and acute acidosis (CO2) requires both Src family kinase (SFK) and classic MAPK pathway activation. The nonreceptor tyrosine kinase proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 (Pyk2) couples discrete G protein-coupled receptor and growth factor receptor signaling to SFK activation. We examined the role of Pyk2-SFK interaction in coupling these stimuli to increased NBC1 activity in opossum kidney cells. Carbachol increased tyrosine autophosphorylation of endogenous Pyk2 and ectopically expressed wild-type Pyk2 and were abrogated by kinase-dead mutant (Pyk2-KD) overexpression. Pyk2 phosphorylation was calcium/calmodulin dependent, and Pyk2 associated with Src by means of SH2 domain interaction. Pyk2 phosphorylation and Pyk2-Src interaction by carbachol were mimicked by both ANG II and CO2. To correlate Pyk2 autophosphorylation and Pyk2-Src interaction with NBC activity, cotransporter activity was measured in untransfected cells and in cells overexpressing Pyk2-KD in the presence or absence of carbachol, ANG II, or CO2. In Pyk2-KD-overexpressing cells, the effect of carbachol, ANG II, and CO2was abolished. We conclude that Pyk2 plays a central role in coupling carbachol, ANG II, and CO2to increased NBC activity. This coupling is mediated by Pyk2 autophosphorylation and Pyk2-Src interaction.
Metanephric mesenchyme contains embryonic renal stem cells
Authors: Oliver Juan A. , Barasch Jonathan , Yang Jun , Herzlinger Doris , Al-Awqati Qais
Published: August 2013

Renal epithelial cells derive from either cells of the metanephric mesenchyme or ureteric bud cells, but the origin of other renal cells is unclear. To test whether metanephric mesenchymal cells generate cells other than epithelial, we examined the developmental potential of a metanephric mesenchymal cell line (7.1.1 cells) and of primary cultures of metanephric mesenchymal cells. 7.1.1 Cells express both mesenchymal and epithelial markers and, on confluence, form well-defined monolayers expressing epithelial junctional proteins. However, 7.1.1 cells as well as primary cultures of metanephric mesenchymal cells also generate spindle-shaped cells that are positive for α-smooth muscle actin, indicating that they are myofibroblasts and/or smooth muscle; this differentiation pathway is inhibited by collagen IV and enhanced by fetal calf serum or transforming growth factor-β1. Transforming growth factor-β1also induces expression of smooth muscle proteins, indicating that the cells differentiate into smooth muscle. 7.1.1 Cells as well as primary cultures of metanephric mesenchymal cells also express vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 and Tie-2, suggesting that the metanephric mesenchymal cells that generate epithelia may also differentiate into endothelial cells. The pluripotency of the 7.1.1 cells is self-renewing. The data suggest that the metanephric mesenchyme contains embryonic renal stem cells.
Thin Light Tube Formation by Tightly Focused Azimuthally Polarized Light Beams
Authors: Khonina Svetlana N. , Ustinov Andrey V.
Published: August 2013

Theoretical and numerical analysis of the transmission function of the focusing system with high numerical aperture was conducted. The purpose of the study was to form a thin light tube in a focal area using the azimuthally polarized radiation. It was analytically shown that, due to destructive interference of two beams formed by two narrow rings, it is possible to overcome not only the full aperture diffraction limit but also the circular aperture limit. In this case, however, the intensity at the center of the focal plane is significantly reduced, which practically leads to the tube rupture. It was numerically shown that long thin one-piece tubes may be formed through the aperture apodization with diffractive axicon phase function or with complex transmission function of Laguerre-Gaussian or Airy-Gaussian beams.
Trypanosoma evansiand Surra: A Review and Perspectives on Origin, History, Distribution, Taxonomy, Morphology, Hosts, and Pathogenic Effects
Authors: Desquesnes Marc , Holzmuller Philippe , Lai De-Hua , Dargantes Alan , Lun Zhao-Rong , Jittaplapong Sathaporn
Published: August 2013

Trypanosoma evansi, the agent of “surra,” is a salivarian trypanosome, originating from Africa. It is thought to derive fromTrypanosoma bruceiby deletion of the maxicircle kinetoplastic DNA (genetic material required for cyclical development in tsetse flies). It is mostly mechanically transmitted by tabanids and stomoxes, initially to camels, in sub-Saharan area. The disease spread from North Africa towards the Middle East, Turkey, India, up to 53° North in Russia, across all South-East Asia, down to Indonesia and the Philippines, and it was also introduced by the conquistadores into Latin America. It can affect a very large range of domestic and wild hosts including camelids, equines, cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goats, pigs, dogs and other carnivores, deer, gazelles, and elephants. It found a new large range of wild and domestic hosts in Latin America, including reservoirs (capybaras) and biological vectors (vampire bats). Surra is a major disease in camels, equines, and dogs, in which it can often be fatal in the absence of treatment, and exhibits nonspecific clinical signs (anaemia, loss of weight, abortion, and death), which are variable from one host and one place to another; however, its immunosuppressive effects interfering with intercurrent diseases or vaccination campaigns might be its most significant and questionable aspect.
End-Systolic Elastance and Ventricular-Arterial Coupling Reserve Predict Cardiac Events in Patients with Negative Stress Echocardiography
Authors: Bombardini Tonino , Costantino Marco Fabio , Sicari Rosa , Ciampi Quirino , Pratali Lorenza , Picano Eugenio
Published: August 2013

Background. A maximal negative stress echo identifies a low-risk subset for coronary events. However, the potentially prognostically relevant information on cardiovascular hemodynamics for heart-failure-related events is unsettled. Aim of this study was to assess the prognostic value of stress-induced variation in cardiovascular hemodynamics in patients with negative stress echocardiography.Methods. We enrolled 891 patients (593 males mean age63±12, ejection fraction48±17%), with negative (exercise 172, dipyridamole 482, and dobutamine 237) stress echocardiography result. During stress we assessed left ventricular end-systolic elastance index (ELVI), ventricular arterial coupling (VAC) indexed by the ratio of theELVIto arterial elastance index (EaI), systemic vascular resistance (SVR), and pressure-volume area (PVA). Changes from rest to peak stress (reserve) were tested as predictors of main outcome measures: combined death and heart failure hospitalization.Results. During a median followup of 19 months (interquartile range 8–36), 50 deaths and 84 hospitalization occurred. Receiver-operating-characteristic curves identified as best predictorsELVIreserve for exercise (AUC = 0.871) and dobutamine (AUC = 0.848) and VAC reserve (AUC = 0.696) for dipyridamole.Conclusions. Patients with negative stress echocardiography may experience an adverse outcome, which can be identified by assessment ofELVIreserve and VAC reserve during stress echo.
Investigation of the Equivalent Representation Form of Strongly Damped Nonlinear Oscillators by a Nonlinear Transformation Approach
Authors: Elías-Zúñiga Alex , Martínez-Romero Oscar
Published: August 2013

We use a nonlinear transformation method to develop equivalent equations of motion of nonlinear homogeneous oscillatory systems with linear and nonlinear odd damping terms. We illustrate the applicability of our approach by using the equations of motion that arise in many engineering problems and compare their amplitude-time curves with those obtained by the numerical integration solutions of the original equations of motion.
Final State Problem for the Dirac-Klein-Gordon Equations in Two Space Dimensions
Authors: Ikeda Masahiro
Published: August 2013

We study the final state problem for the Dirac-Klein-Gordon equations (DKG) in two space dimensions. We prove that if the nonresonance mass condition is satisfied, then the wave operator for DKG is well defined from a neighborhood at the origin in lower order weighted Sobolev space to some Sobolev space.
Cysticercosis: Hooked by a Hooklet on Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology—A Case Report
Authors: Sawhney Manav , Agarwal Shubhra
Published: August 2013

Cysticercosis is a systemic parasitic disease caused by the larval form of cestodeT. solium. It has a worldwide distribution and is potentially harmful with variable clinical manifestations. The patient most commonly presents with subcutaneous and muscle involvement in the form of nodular lesions. The other most commonly involved sites include eye, brain, bladder wall, and heart. Cysticercosis can be diagnosed on serology, and radiologically but confirmatory diagnosis is based on histopathological examination of the involved tissue biopsy specimen. Fine needle aspiration cytology is a useful low-cost outpatient procedure tool for preoperative diagnosis of cysticercosis and is absolutely essential for diagnosis of the parasitic lesions in a peripheral hospital, one like ours.
Image Analysis of Endosocopic Ultrasonography in Submucosal Tumor Using Fuzzy Inference
Authors: Kim Kwang Baek , Kim Gwang Ha
Published: August 2013

Endoscopists usually make a diagnosis in the submucosal tumor depending on the subjective evaluation about general images obtained by endoscopic ultrasonography. In this paper, we propose a method to extract areas of gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) and lipoma automatically from the ultrasonic image to assist those specialists. We also propose an algorithm to differentiate GIST from non-GIST by fuzzy inference from such images after applying ROC curve with mean and standard deviation of brightness information. In experiments using real images that medical specialists use, we verify that our method is sufficiently helpful for such specialists for efficient classification of submucosal tumors.
Physical Activity Patterns of Acute Stroke Patients Managed in a Rehabilitation Focused Stroke Unit
Authors: West Tanya , Bernhardt Julie
Published: August 2013

Background. Comprehensive stroke unit care, incorporating acute care and rehabilitation, may promote early physical activity after stroke. However, previous information regarding physical activity specific to the acute phase of stroke and the comprehensive stroke unit setting is limited to one stroke unit. This study describes the physical activity undertaken by patients within 14 days after stroke admitted to a comprehensive stroke unit.Methods. This study was a prospective observational study. Behavioural mapping was used to determine the proportion of the day spent in different activities. Therapist reports were used to determine the amount of formal therapy received on the day of observation. The timing of commencement of activity out of bed was obtained from the medical records.Results. On average, patients spent 45% (SD 25) of the day in some form of physical activity and received 58 (SD 34) minutes per day of physiotherapy and occupational therapy combined. Mean time to first mobilisation out of bed was 46 (SD 32) hours post-stroke.Conclusions. This study suggests that commencement of physical activity occurs earlier and physical activity is at a higher level early after stroke in this comprehensive stroke unit, when compared to studies of other acute stroke models of care.
Carbon Nanofibers Have IgE Adjuvant Capacity but Are Less Potent Than Nanotubes in Promoting Allergic Airway Responses
Authors: Nygaard Unni Cecilie , Samuelsen Mari , Marioara Calin Daniel , Løvik Martinus
Published: August 2013

There is a growing concern for the possible health impact of nanoparticles. The main objective of this study was to investigate the allergy-promoting capacity of four different carbon nanofiber (CNF) samples in an injection and an airway mouse model of allergy. Secondly, the potency of the CNF was compared to the previously reported allergy-promoting capacity of carbon nanotubes (CNT) in the airway model. Ultrafine carbon black particles (ufCBP) were used as a positive control. Particles were given together with the allergen ovalbumin (OVA) either by subcutaneous injection into the footpad or intranasally to BALB/cA mice. After allergen booster, OVA-specific IgE, IgG1, and IgG2a in serum were measured. In the airway model, inflammation was determined as influx of inflammatory cells (eosinophils, neutrophils, lymphocytes, and macrophages) and by mediators (MCP-1 and TNF-αpresent in bronchoalveolar fluid (BALF)). CNF and CNT both increased OVA-specific IgE levels in the two models, but in the airway model, the CNT gave a significantly stronger IgE response than the CNF. Furthermore, the CNT and not the CNF promoted eosinophil lung inflammation. Our data therefore suggest that nanotube-associated properties are particularly potent in promoting allergic responses.
The Multiple Effects of Precursors on the Properties of Polymeric Carbon Nitride
Authors: Zhang Wendong , Zhang Qin , Dong Fan , Zhao Zaiwang
Published: August 2013

Polymeric graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) materials were prepared by direct pyrolysis of thiourea, dicyandiamide, melamine, and urea under the same conditions, respectively. In order to investigate the effects of precursors on the intrinsic physicochemical properties of g-C3N4, a variety of characterization tools were employed to analyze the samples. The photocatalytic activity of the samples was evaluated by the removal of NO in gas phase under visible light irradiation. The results showed that the as-prepared CN-T (from thiourea), CN-D (from dicyandiamide), CN-M (from melamine), and CN-U (from urea) exhibited significantly different morphologies and microstructures. The band gaps of CN-T, CN-D, CN-M, and CN-U were 2.51, 2.58, 2.56, and 2.88 eV, respectively. Both thermal stability and yield are in the following order: CN-M > CN-D > CN-T > CN-U. The photoactivity of CN-U (31.9%) is higher than that of CN-T (29.6%), CN-D (22.2%), and CN-M (26.8%). Considering the cost, toxicity, and yield of the precursors and the properties of g-C3N4, the best precursor for preparation of g-C3N4was melamine. The present work could provide new insights into the selection of suitable precursor for g-C3N4synthesis and in-depth understanding of the microstructure-dependent photocatalytic activity of g-C3N4.
A Hybrid Metaheuristic for Multiple Runways Aircraft Landing Problem Based on Bat Algorithm
Authors: Xie Jian , Zhou Yongquan , Zheng Hongqing
Published: August 2013

The aircraft landing problem (ALP) is an NP-hard problem; the aim of ALP is to minimize the total cost of landing deviation from predefined target time under the condition of safe landing. In this paper, the multiple runways case of the static ALP is considered and a hybrid metaheuristic based on bat algorithm is presented to solve it. Moreover, four types of landing time assignment strategies are applied to allocate the scheduling time, and a constructed initialization is used to speed up the convergence rate. The computational results show that the proposed algorithm can obtain the high-quality and comparable solutions for instances up to 500 aircrafts, and also it is capable of finding the optimal solutions for many instances in a short time.
Entropy Generation for Nonisothermal Fluid Flow: Variable Thermal Conductivity and Viscosity Case
Authors: Ozalp Coskun
Published: August 2013

This paper investigates the entropy generation of a nonisothermal, incompressible Newtonian fluid flowing under the effect of a constant pressure gradient in plane Poiseuille flow. The effects of variable viscosity and thermal conductivity are also included. The viscosity and thermal conductivity of the fluid exhibit linear temperature dependence and the effect of viscous heating is included in the analysis. Channel walls are kept at constant temperatures. Velocity, temperature, and entropy generation profiles due to heat transfer and fluid friction are plotted. The effects of Brinkman number, Peclet number, pressure gradient, viscosity, and thermal conductivity constant on velocity, temperature, and entropy generation number are discussed. Discretization is performed using a pseudospectral technique based on Chebyshev polynomial expansions. The resulting nonlinear, coupled boundary value problem is solved iteratively using Chebyshev-pseudospectral method.
The Impact of Cholesterol, DHA, and Sphingolipids on Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Grimm Marcus O. W. , Zimmer Valerie C. , Lehmann Johannes , Grimm Heike S. , Hartmann Tobias
Published: August 2013

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder currently affecting over 35 million people worldwide. Pathological hallmarks of AD are massive amyloidosis, extracellular senile plaques, and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles accompanied by an excessive loss of synapses. Major constituents of senile plaques are 40–42 amino acid long peptides termedβ-amyloid (Aβ). Aβis produced by sequential proteolytic processing of the amyloid precursor protein (APP). APP processing and Aβproduction have been one of the central scopes in AD research in the past. In the last years, lipids and lipid-related issues are more frequently discussed to contribute to the AD pathogenesis. This review summarizes lipid alterations found in ADpostmortembrains, AD transgenic mouse models, and the current understanding of how lipids influence the molecular mechanisms leading to AD and Aβgeneration, focusing especially on cholesterol, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and sphingolipids/glycosphingolipids.
The Impact of Left Ventricular Hypertrophy and Diastolic Dysfunction on Outcome in Intracerebral Hemorrhage Patients
Authors: Albright Karen C. , Burak Joshua M. , Chang Tiffany R. , Aysenne Aimee , Siegler James E. , Schluter Laurie , Martini Sharyl R. , Boehme Amelia K. , Martin-Schild Sheryl
Published: August 2013

Background. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of LVH and DD in patients presenting with supratentorial deep ICH and to determine if the presence of LVH or DD was an independent predictor of initial ICH volume, hematoma expansion, or poor outcome.
Methods. A cross-sectional study was performed on ICH patients who presented from 7/2008 to 12/2010. Cases were excluded if ICH was traumatic, lobar, infratentorial, secondary to elevated international normalized ratio, suspicious for underlying structural malformation, or where surgical evacuation was performed. Logistic and linear regressions were used to assess the ability of LVH to predict ICH imaging characteristics and patient outcomes.
Results. After adjusting for use of hemostatic agents, LVH was not a significant independent predictor of initial ICH volume (P=0.344) or 33% volume expansion (P=0.378). After adjusting for age, infectious complications, and use of hemostatic agents, LVH was not a significant independent predictor of poor functional outcome (P=0.778). Similar results were seen for DD.
Conclusion. In our sample, patients with deep ICH and LVH were more likely to develop IVH, but LVH was not a significant independent predictor of initial ICH volume, hematoma expansion, or poor short-term outcome.
Serum Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Levels in Different Neurological Diseases
Authors: Ventriglia Mariacarla , Zanardini Roberta , Bonomini Cristina , Zanetti Orazio , Volpe Daniele , Pasqualetti Patrizio , Gennarelli Massimo , Bocchio-Chiavetto Luisella
Published: August 2013

Consistent evidence indicates the involvement of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD). In the present study, we compared serum BDNF in 624 subjects: 266 patients affected by AD, 28 by frontotemporal dementia (FTD), 40 by Lewy body dementia (LBD), 91 by vascular dementia (VAD), 30 by PD, and 169 controls. Our results evidenced lower BDNF serum levels in AD, FTD, LBD, and VAD patients (P<0.001) and a higher BDNF concentration in patients affected by PD (P=0.045). Analyses of effects of pharmacological treatments suggested significantly higher BDNF serum levels in patients taking mood stabilizers/antiepileptics (P=0.009) and L-DOPA (P<0.001) and significant reductions in patients taking benzodiazepines (P=0.020). In conclusion, our results support the role of BDNF alterations in neurodegenerative mechanisms common to different forms of neurological disorders and underline the importance of including drug treatment in the analyses to avoid confounding effects.
Maxillary and Frontal Bone Simultaneously Involved in Brown Tumor due to Secondary Hyperparathyroidism in a Hemodialysis Patient
Authors: Artul Suheil , Bowirrat Abdalla , Yassin Mustafa , Armaly Zaher
Published: August 2013

Brown tumors are rare focal giant cell lesions of the bone caused by primary hyperparathyroidism (HPT). Brown tumor was reported in 1891; it presents as the end-stage findings of HPT. Common involvements are skull and pelvic girdle. We describe a case of 46-year-old female hemodialysis patient, with secondary HPT in whom multiple masses lesions of the left maxillary sinus and frontal bone were radiologically suspected to be brown tumor. This unusual manifestation of secondary HPT can be expected to occur with increased longevity of patients with renal failure and illustrates the need to include brown tumor in the differential diagnosis.
Mechanical Properties and Failure Topography of Banana Fiber PF Macrocomposites Fabricated by RTM and CM Techniques
Authors: Indira K. N. , Parameswaranpillai Jyotishkumar , Thomas Sabu
Published: August 2013

Banana fiber reinforced phenol formaldehyde composites with different fiber lengths and fiber loadings were prepared by compression molding (CM) and resin transfer molding (RTM) techniques. The mechanical properties such as tensile, flexural, and impact behavior were studied. RTM composites showed improved tensile and flexural properties as compared to CM composites. On the other hand, impact strength of RTM composites is slightly lower than that of CM composites. From the studies, it was found that mechanical properties increased with the increase in fiber loading, reached a plateau at 30–40 wt%, and then subsequently decreased with an increase in fiber loading in both techniques. At high fiber weight fractions, the strength decreased due to poor wetting and very poor stress transfer. The stress value increased up to 30 mm fiber lengths and then decreased. In order to examine the fracture surface morphology of the composites, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was performed on the composite samples. A good relationship between morphological and mechanical properties has been observed. Finally, tensile strength of the composites fabricated by RTM and CM was compared with theoretical predictions.
Correlation of Cognition and SPECT Perfusion: Easy Z Score and SPM Analysis of a Pilot Sample with Cerebral Small Vessel Disease
Authors: Baker John G. , Williams Amy J. , Wack David S. , Miletich Robert S.
Published: August 2013

Background/Aims: To associate neuropsychology test performance with perfusion on single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) among 12 patients with cerebral small vessel disease. Methods: The easy Z score imaging system (eZIS) was used to compare patient images to those of normal controls. Scores from neuropsychological tests commonly used to screen for dementia were associated with SPECT resting perfusion image values using the statistical parametric mapping (SPM) program. Results: Immediate Memory and Delayed Memory index scores, as well as memory subtests of the Repeatable Battery for Assessment of Neuropsychological Status showed cluster- and voxelwise positive correlations with hypoperfusion in frontal, temporal and cerebellar regions. Negative correlations, primarily in frontal regions, were interpreted as compensatory hyperperfusion. Conclusion: eZIS and SPM analyses of SPECT images showed perfusion correlations with neuropsychological tests with small vessel disease.
Unbound Free Fatty Acids from Preterm Infants Treated with Intralipid Decouples Unbound from Total Bilirubin Potentially Making Phototherapy Ineffective
Authors: Hegyi Thomas , Kathiravan Suganya , Stahl Gary E. , Huber Andrew H. , Kleinfeld Alan
Published: August 2013

Extremely low birth weight (ELBW; <1,000 g) infants have poor outcomes, often compromised by bilirubin neurotoxicity. We measured unbound bilirubin (Bf) and unbound free fatty acid (FFAu) levels in 5 ELBW infants in a trial examining the effects of pharmacologic ductal closure on infants treated with Intralipid infusion (3 g/kg/day). The levels for all infants (mean ± SD) were: total serum bilirubin (TSB) 4.6 ± 1.7 mg/dl, FFAu 376 ± 496 nM, and Bf 42 ± 30 nM. Of the 3 infants who died, 2 had TSB <5.9 mg/dl but FFAu >580 nM and Bf >75 nM. Multiple regression revealed a major effect on Bf levels due to FFAu, indicating that Intralipid elevated levels of FFAu and Bf. Indomethacin or ibuprofen reduced Bf levels, most likely by reducing FFAu levels through lipase inhibition. Because displacement of Bf by FFAu decouples Bf from TSB, phototherapy may not reduce the risk of bilirubin or FFAu toxicity in Intralipid-treated ELBW infants.
Broncholithiasis with Recurrent Lithoptysis: A Case Report
Authors: Bircan Ahmet , Onur Duygu , Yılmaz Aydın
Published: August 2013

Objective: To report a case of broncholithiasis with different types of calculi in the tracheobronchial tree. Clinical Presentation and Intervention: A 50-year-old male who suffered from hemoptysis presented with recurrent broncholith expectoration due to past tuberculous middle lobe syndrome. Bronchoscopic examination revealed loose and embedded broncholiths located at two different bronchi. A surgical resection was suggested, but he refused. Conclusion: The diagnosis of broncholithiasis should be kept in mind in patients who had hemoptysis and calcified mediastinal lymph nodes on thorax computerized tomography, and diagnostic bronchoscopy should be done to prove the relationship of the tracheobronchial tree with a broncholith.
Evaluations of the Selectivities of the Diacylglycerol Kinase Inhibitors R59022 and R59949 Among Diacylglycerol Kinase Isozymes Using a New Non-Radioactive Assay Method
Authors: Sato Mayu , Liu Ke , Sasaki Saori , Kunii Naoko , Sakai Hiromichi , Mizuno Hirotaka , Saga Hiroshi , Sakane Fumio
Published: August 2013

Ten mammalian diacylglycerol kinase (DGK) isozymes (a-γ) have been identified. Recent studies have revealed that DGK isozymes play pivotal roles in a wide variety of pathophysiological functions. Thus, it is important to be able to easily check DGK activity in each pathophysiological event. Moreover, the conventional DGK assay is quite laborious because it requires the use of a radioisotope and thin-layer chromatography including multiple extraction steps. In order to minimize the laborious procedures, we established a non-radioactive, single well, two-step DGK assay system. We demonstrated that, compared to the conventional method, the new assay system has comparable sensitivity and much higher efficiency, and is effective in detecting potential agents with high reliability (Z'-factor = 0.69 ± 0.12; n = 3). Using the newly developed assay, we comprehensively evaluated the DGK isozyme selectivities of commercially available DGK inhibitors, R59022 and R59949, in vitro. We found that among 10 isozymes, R59022 strongly inhibited type I DGKa and moderately attenuated type III DGKe and type V DGKθ, and that R59949 strongly inhibited type I DGK a and γ, and moderately attenuated type II DGK d and γ.
Stevens-Johnson Syndrome Induced by Sorafenib for Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Ikeda Masaomi , Fujita Tetsuo , Amoh Yasuyuki , Mii Sumiyuki , Matsumoto Kazumasa , Iwamura Masatsugu
Published: August 2013

Sorafenib is an orally administered active multikinase inhibitor for metastatic renal cell carcinoma that is now considered a standard agent. Skin toxicity, such as hand-foot skin reaction, is one of the frequent adverse effects of sorafenib. On the other hand, sorafenib-induced erythema multiforme is very rare, and Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis induced by sorafenib have not been reported. We report the first case of Stevens-Johnson syndrome caused by sorafenib for metastatic renal cell carcinoma.
Neuroprotein Dynamics in the Cerebrospinal Fluid: Intraindividual Concomitant Ventricular and Lumbar Measurements
Authors: Brandner Sebastian , Thaler Christian , Lewczuk Piotr , Lelental Natalia , Buchfelder Michael , Kleindienst Andrea
Published: August 2013

Objective: The measurement of neuromarker/neuroproteins in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is gaining increased popularity. However, insufficient information is available on the rostrocaudal distribution of neuroproteins in the CSF to guarantee an appropriate interpretation of ventricular versus lumbar concentrations. Methods: In 10 patients treated with both an external ventricular and a lumbar CSF drain, we collected concomitant CSF samples. We measured CSF concentrations of the glial S100B protein, the neuron-specific enolase (Cobas e411®; Roche Diagnostics), the leptomeningeal β-trace protein (BN Pro Spec®; Dade Behring/Siemens), and the blood-derived albumin (Immage; Beckman Coulter). Statistical analysis was performed with a paired Wilcoxon signed ranks test. Results: In patients with a free CSF circulation without any recent neurosurgical procedure, S100B and neuron-specific enolase concentrations did not differ between the ventricular and lumbar CSF while β-trace and albumin levels were significantly higher in the lumbar than in the ventricular CSF (p = 0.008 and p = 0.005). Following posterior fossa tumor surgery, all proteins accumulate in the lumbar CSF. Conclusion: For brain-derived proteins, we could not confirm a rostrocaudal CSF gradient while lepto-meningeal and blood-derived proteins accumulate in the lumbar CSF. We conclude that for the interpretation of protein CSF concentrations, the source of the sample is of crucial importance.