bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Technique for multi-view radionuclide angiography.
Authors: Barnes B , Parker H G , Nohr M L
Published: June 2011

A new method utilizing computer subtraction allows 2 separate radionuclide angiograms to be performed during a single laboratory visit. Two separate intravenous injections of the radionuclide are given so that the patient's head can be imaged in 2 different projections. Background activity from the first injection is subtracted by the computer to allow good resolution of blood flow following the second injection. A static brain scan is performed after the second injection. Although single-view radionuclide angiography is widely used in the diagnostic evaluation of the brain, the addition of a second projection provides additonal important diagnostic information. The views obtained, however, must be determined individually for each patient on the basis of the clinical history and neurologic signs. The selection of appropriate views, the diagnostic quality of the studies, and the practical clinical application of this technique are illustrated by 2 case reports.
Ergotamine and cerebral blood flow.
Authors: Hachinski V , Norris J W , Edmeads J , Cooper P W
Published: June 2011

We measured the cerebral blood flow (CBF) of 16 patients by the xenon-133 intracarotid method before and after the intramuscular injection of ergotamine tartrate. The regional and hemispheric CBF was unaltered, even in 3 migraneurs in who ergotamine relieved the headache. Ergotamine tartrate in therapeutic doses has no effect on the cerebral circulation.
Role of Jagged1 in Arterial Lesions After Vascular Injury
Authors: Wu Xiaojing , Zou Yunzeng , Zhou Qi , Huang Lan , Gong Hui , Sun Aijun , Tateno Kaoru , Katsube Ken-ichi , Radtke Freddy , Ge Junbo , Minamino Tohru , Komuro Issei
Published: June 2011

Objective—

Impaired regeneration of endothelial cells (EC) and overactivity of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) are hallmarks of the arterial lesions associated with aging. The occurrence of 2 opposing cellular processes in the same arterial milieu makes pharmaceutical treatment difficult to develop. We previously reported that endothelial expression of a Notch ligand (Jagged1) was reduced in aged animals and that growth of the neointima was enhanced in these animals.

Methods and Results—

Similar to aged animals, Tie2-cre
+
Jagged1
lox/+
mice (with heterologous knockout of Jagged1 in EC) showed exaggerated intimal and medial thickening after carotid artery ligation. Unexpectedly, these mice showed little increase of Jagged1 expression not only in EC but also in VSMC, in contrast to a significant upregulation of Jagged1 in wild-type arteries after ligation. Coculture of VSMC with Jagged1-null EC resulted in the transition of VSMC from the contractile to the synthetic phenotype, along with decreased Jagged1 expression by VSMC. Conversely, overexpression of Jagged1 by EC or VSMC was shown to prevent the unfavorable phenotypic transition of VSMC, under both monoculture and coculture conditions.

Conclusion—

These findings suggest a unidirectional effect of Jagged1 on both EC and VSMC that contributes to inhibition of arterial lesions after vascular injury. Our data also indicate that Jagged1 may be a novel therapeutic target for aging-related vascular diseases.
Bariatric Surgery Reduces Visceral Adipose Inflammation and Improves Endothelial Function in Type 2 Diabetic Mice
Authors: Zhang Hanrui , Wang Yong , Zhang Jing , Potter Barry J. , Sowers James R. , Zhang Cuihua
Published: June 2011

Objective—

Bariatric surgery is emerging as an effective method to alleviate a multitude of medical conditions associated with morbid obesity and type 2 diabetes. However, little is known about the effects and mechanisms of bariatric surgery on visceral fat inflammation and endothelial dysfunction in type 2 diabetes. We hypothesize that bariatric surgery ameliorates interferon-γ–mediated adipose tissue inflammation/oxidative stress and improves endothelial function in type 2 diabetic mice.

Methods and Results—

Control mice (m Lepr
db
) and diabetic mice (Lepr
db
) were treated with either sham surgery or improved gastric bypass surgery and then were evaluated at 5, 10, 20, and 30 days to assess postsurgical effects. Surgery reduced body weight, abdominal adiposity, blood glucose level, and food intake in Lepr
db
. The surgery-induced decrease in visceral adiposity was accompanied by amelioration of T-lymphocytes and macrophage infiltration, as well as reduction in the expression of interferon-γ and other inflammatory cytokines in the mesenteric adipose tissue (MAT) of Lepr
db
mice. Furthermore, surgery improved endothelium-dependent, but not endothelium-independent, vasorelaxation in small mesenteric arteries (SMA) of Lepr
db
mice. The improvement in endothelial function was largely attenuated by nitric oxide synthase inhibitor (L-NAME) incubation. Interferon-γ treatment increased the mRNA expression of tumor necrosis factor-α in the MAT of control mice and incubation of SMA of control mice with tumor necrosis factor-α caused impairment of endothelial function. Superoxide production in MAT/SMA and nitrotyrosine protein level in SMA were elevated in diabetic mice. Surgery reduced MAT/SMA oxidative stress in Lepr
db
mice.

Conclusion—

The amelioration of adipose tissue inflammation and the improvement of endothelial function may represent important mechanisms that result in cardiovascular benefits after bariatric surgery.
Simplified Modified Rankin Scale Questionnaire
Authors: Bruno Askiel , Akinwuntan Abiodun E. , Lin Chen , Close Brian , Davis Kristin , Baute Vanessa , Aryal Tia , Brooks Desiree , Hess David C. , Switzer Jeffrey A. , Nichols Fenwick T.
Published: June 2011

Background and Purpose—

The simplified modified Rankin Scale questionnaire (smRSq) enables a reliable and rapid determination of the modified Rankin Scale score after stroke. We test the reliability and validity of a slightly revised smRSq.

Methods—

Fifty consecutive outpatients 4.83±3.00 months after stroke were scored with a slightly revised smRSq by 3 raters selected consecutively from a list of 10: 4 stroke faculty, 3 neurology residents, 2 medial students, and 1 stroke research coordinator. Two ratings were in person within 20 minutes of each other and 1 was by telephone 1 to 3 days later. The telephone rating also included a quality of life scale, the Short-Form-12v2. Each rater was blinded to the other raters' scores.

Results—

The average estimated time to administer the smRSq was 1.29 minutes (range, 0.50 to 2.25 minutes). The in-person raters agreed 78% (κ=0.71; CI, 0.57 to 0.86 and weighted κ [κ
w
]=0.86; CI, 0.79 to 0.94). The first in-person and telephone raters agreed 82% (κ=0.76; CI, 0.63 to 0.90 and κ
w
=0.87; CI, 0.79 to 0.95). The second in-person and telephone rates agreed 82% (κ=0.77; CI, 0.63 to 0.90 and κ
w
=0.89; CI, 0.82 to 0.96). The smRSq correlated with the physical (
r
=−0.50,
P
=0.005) than the mental (
r
=−0.36,
P
=0.048) components of the Short-Form-12v2.

Conclusions—

The slightly revised smRSq appears to be useful in clinical stroke; it has excellent reliability in person and by telephone, can usually be administered in <1.5 minutes by a wide variety of raters, and correlates with quality of life.
Acute Physiology of Stroke Score
Authors: Johnston Karen C. , Yan Guofen
Published: June 2011

Background and Purpose—

The Acute Physiology, Age, Chronic Health Evaluation score for critically ill patients has provided a method of predicting outcome using major physiological variables. We hypothesized that a physiology score for stroke patients (Acute Physiology of Stroke Score [APSS]) when added to a validated clinical prediction model would improve outcome prediction.

Methods—

The APSS was developed and validated using multivariable logistic regression. It was added to a previously validated clinical model to assess for increased area under the curve in predicting 3-month outcome.

Results—

The bootstrap-validated bias-corrected area under the curve for just the APSS predicting alive/dead at discharge was 0.753. The clinical model area under the curve ranged from 0.77 to 0.88 and the addition of the APSS resulted in areas under the curve of 0.77 to 0.89.

Conclusions—

These data suggest that the APSS is related to 3-month clinical outcome in patients with ischemic stroke. However, the APSS adds no clinically relevant additional predictive value when added to our previously validated clinical prediction model.
A Novel PEGylated Interferon Beta‐1a for Multiple Sclerosis: Safety, Pharmacology, and Biology
Authors: Hu Xiao , Miller Larisa , Richman Sandra , Hitchman Stacy , Glick Gabrielle , Liu Shifang , Zhu Ying , Crossman Mary , Nestorov Ivan , Gronke Robert S. , Baker Darren P. , Rogge Mark , Subramanyam Meena , Davar Gudarz
Published: June 2011

This study clinically evaluated a novel PEGylated form of interferon beta‐1a (PEG‐IFN beta‐1a), a potential first‐line treatment for relapsing multiple sclerosis, in healthy volunteers. Two randomized, blinded phase I studies were conducted: a single‐dose study (n = 60) comparing subcutaneous or intramuscular PEG‐IFN beta‐1a (63, 125, or 188 μg) with intramuscular unmodified IFN beta‐1a 30 μg and a multiple‐dose study (n = 69) comparing subcutaneous PEG‐IFN beta‐1a dosed once every 2 or 4 weeks with placebo. Assessments included pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic (serum neopterin and 2′,5′‐OAS) measures, exploratory immune assessments, safety, and tolerability. A dose‐proportional increase in PEG‐IFN beta‐1a exposure was observed, with a 4‐fold greater exposure at 63 μg (6 million international units [MIU]) of PEG‐IFN beta‐1a than with 30 μg (6 MIU) intramuscular unmodified IFN beta‐1a. Increases in neopterin and 2′,5′‐OAS levels and changes in T helper cell pathway gene expression and lymphocyte subsets were greater and more sustained with PEG‐IFN beta‐1a than with unmodified IFN beta‐1a. PEG‐IFN beta‐1a was well tolerated, with only transient reductions in absolute neutrophils and some lymphocytes. Flu‐like symptoms were a commonly reported adverse event. These data support the continued clinical development of PEG‐IFN beta‐1a as a potentially effective treatment for patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis.
Civilian, ROTC, and Military Academy Undergraduate Attitudes toward Homosexuals in the U.S. Military
Authors: Ender Morten G. , Rohall David E. , Brennan Andrew J. , Matthews Michael D. , Smith Irving
Published: June 2011

The authors investigate a gap in attitudes toward homosexuals in the U.S. military among a select group of people—American civilian undergraduates, Reserve Officer Training Corp (ROTC) cadets, and cadets at military academies. Using a subsample ( N = 3057) of data from the Biannual Attitude Survey of Students (BASS), being a military academy cadet is associated with the strongest agreement for barring homosexuals from serving in the military, followed by ROTC cadets and civilians. These trends continue when controlling for respondents' sex and political affiliation—the two most significant predictors of agreeing to bar homosexuals from military service. A small reduction in agreement for barring was found among academy cadets over time.
A theoretical model to calculate the distribution of air age in general ventilation system
Authors: Li Xianting , Cai Hao , Li Rongying , Zhao Yang , Ma Xiaojun , Shao Xiaoliang
Published: June 2011

Air age is a widely used concept to evaluate indoor air quality. Available models of air age distribution apply only to simple ventilation systems with one room or one air handling unit (AHU). Furthermore, these models would be computationally intensive for complex ventilation systems since a large number of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations or iterations would be required. This study presents a theoretical model which is capable of calculating the air age distribution in a wide variety of ventilation systems with recirculation. The model was validated by combining tracer gas experiments and CFD simulation and demonstrated by a case study using a recirculation ventilation system with multiple AHUs and rooms. A comparison between the model and the conventional iterative method indicated that for complex ventilation systems the model has a potential to significantly reduce the CPU-time requirements and allows additional new scenarios to be tested without further CFD simulations.

Practical applications: The theoretical model presented can be used to obtain the distribution of air age in a wide variety of ventilation systems with recirculation and much more computationally efficient than the conventional iterative method. The model can be a useful tool to evaluate and improve a wide range of indoor environments, which are ventilated by a variety of practical ventilation systems that utilise fresh and return air mixing.
Bupivacaine-enhanced small intestinal submucosa biomaterial as a hernia repair device
Authors: Suckow Mark A , Wolter William R , Fecteau Chris , LaBadie-Suckow Susan M , Johnson Chad
Published: June 2011

Management of post-surgical pain following herniorrhaphy remains a clinical challenge and novel methods to deliver analgesic compounds could be of great benefit. Because there is great interest in the use of natural biomaterials for hernia repair, we investigated the biocompatibility of a natural biomaterial, porcine small intestinal submucosa (SIS), which was impregnated with bupivacaine (SIS-B) via immersion in a solution of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA). Groups of Sprague Dawley rats underwent surgical creation of a ventral abdominal wall defect with subsequent repair using either SIS or SIS-B. Analysis of serial blood samples showed peak bupivacaine levels (83 ng/mL) were achieved 16 h after implantation of SIS-B. One month after surgery, the rats were euthanized and implant sites harvested for mechanical strength testing and histological analysis. At the time of necropsy, adhesion extent and tenacity was greater in SIS-B rats, with 90% of SIS-B rats have adhesion to the implant site compared to only 75% of SIS rats. Microscopically, SIS implant sites were characterized by small amounts of residual SIS surrounded by mild-to-moderate chronic inflammation. In contrast, rats treated with SIS-B, residual SIS-B was surrounded by a ring of acute inflammatory cells and an outer ring of chronic inflammatory cells, possibly due to bupivacaine or residual PLGA. Mechanical strength testing of the harvested implant sites showed no significant ( p ≤ 0.05) difference between SIS and SIS-B implants. In summary, bupivacaine is readily elaborated from SIS-B; and impregnation of SIS with bupivacaine does not substantially alter the biocompatibility of the biomaterial or its mechanical strength following implantation.
Establishing a range of motion boundary for total hip arthroplasty
Authors: Turley G A , Ahmed S M Y , Williams M A , Griffin D R
Published: June 2011

Range of motion of the hip joint is a major contributor to dislocation post total hip replacement. Impingement is often treated as a surrogate for dislocation and occurs – prosthetically – when the neck of the femoral component contacts with the rim of the pelvic acetabular cup. This impingement is caused by movement of the leg during activities of daily living. This article analyses hip joint range of motion and its implication for impingement. A systematic literature review was undertaken with the purpose of establishing a range of motion benchmark for total hip replacement. This paper proposes a method by which a three-dimensional range of motion boundary established from the literature can be presented. The nominal boundary is also validated experimentally using a number of configurations of a neutral hip joint coordinate frame.
From bombs to banners? The decline of wars and the rise of unarmed uprisings in East Asia
Authors: Svensson Isak , Lindgren Mathilda
Published: June 2011

One of the most important debates in the field of peace and conflict research concerns whether wars and armed conflicts are declining over time. The region where this plays out most markedly is East Asia: having suffered some of the world’s most brutal wars in the period prior to 1979, the region has since witnessed an era of relative peacefulness. This article asks whether the decline in the level of war in the region reflects a change in the means used to pursue conflicts: are conflicts that previously were fought with arms increasingly manifested through unarmed uprisings based on strategic nonviolent actions? Examining the empirical patterns of armed conflicts and unarmed uprisings in the region, the article shows that there has been a substantial increase in the number of unarmed uprisings in East Asia that runs parallel with a decrease in the intensity and frequency of warfare. Yet, the article also shows that these nonviolent uprisings do not follow on from previous armed campaigns, and that armed and unarmed campaigns differ in terms of aims, nature and outcome. Thus, the article concludes that there is little support for the hypothesis that those who formerly used violence have shifted to new nonviolent, unarmed tactics, and that we are rather witnessing two parallel, unrelated processes. These insights call for an enlargement of the research agenda of the ‘East Asian peace’.
The Merit of Meritocratization
Authors: Dahlström Carl , Lapuente Victor , Teorell Jan
Published: June 2011

Comparative studies of corruption focus on the selection and incentives of policymakers. With few exceptions, actors who are in charge of implementing policies have been neglected. This article analyzes an original data set on the bureaucratic features and its effects on corruption in fifty-two countries. Two empirical findings challenge the conventional wisdom in literature. First, certain bureaucratic factors, particularly meritocratic recruitment, reduce corruption, even when controlling for a large set of alternative explanations. Second, the analysis shows that other allegedly relevant bureaucratic factors, such as public employees’ competitive salaries, career stability, or internal promotion, do not have a significant impact.
Microgeometrical influences on micropitting fatigue damage: multi-scale analysis
Authors: Fabre A , Barrallier L , Desvignes M , Evans H P , Alanou M P
Published: June 2011

Effective prediction methods are needed by engineers to design parts used in fatigue conditions. In gears, surface fatigue damage is observed at two scales: pitting and micropitting. These two phenomena occur in response to the variation of the local loading on the contact zone between teeth. The loading is influenced by the shape of the teeth and their surface roughness, which induces stress raisers. The pertinent geometrical parameters that determine fatigue lifetime need to be identified, and in this situation improved knowledge is still required. In the current study, seven parameters are used to define a generic tooth roughness profile. The transient mechanical loading acting on this rough tooth in rolling/sliding contact with a smooth tooth is obtained using elastohydrodynamic code. The stress time history is determined by integration so that pitting and micropitting can be predicted using the Crossland fatigue criterion. The ana- lyses were applied to results obtained for 32CrMoV13 quenched and tempered steel for about 50 variations of the generic roughness profile parameters. It was found that pitting (at the position of the maximum Hertzian shear stress) is influenced by four of the parameters, the extent to which the von Mises equivalent stress exceeds the material yield stress in the zone where micropitting occurs is influenced by two parameters, and the fatigue lifetime is influenced by three parameters.
Behavioural treatments to encourage solo sleeping in pre-school children: An alternative to controlled crying
Authors: Blunden Sarah
Published: June 2011

Behavioural sleep treatments teach children to self soothe and sleep alone but often require a parent to ignore their child’s cries for extended periods, a technique parents may find difficult. This paper presents a modified version of sleep training which aims to improve sleep but reduce crying in children and increase compliance in parents. Thirty-three children (Mean [SD] age = 27.01 [13.4] mths) from a clinical non-controlled population presenting with Behavioural Insomnia of Childhood, utilised a five-week sleep training method that teaches parents to gradually withdraw their assistance, allowing them to attend and calm their child whenever they choose and not to ignore their cries, components that differ from commonly utilised methods. Post treatment, all negative sleep associations, co-sleeping and family stress were reduced and all measures of sleep significantly improved: total night time sleep; time taken until sleep onset (SOL) and minutes awake during the night (WASO) (all p = < 0.002) with large treatment effects sizes (d = 0.94—1.85). Whilst the results are preliminary, this may offer an alternative method to explore in larger studies, given that many parents may have difficulty with ignoring the extended bouts of crying which often accompany commonly utilised sleep training methods.
Wear performance of all-polymer PEEK articulations for a cervical total level arthroplasty system
Authors: Langohr G D G , Gawel H A , Medley J B
Published: June 2011

Pin-on-plate wear testing of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) was performed in a PEEK-on-PEEK configuration to explore the tribology of this rather uncommon contact configuration. To illustrate its possible application, a total level cervical arthroplasty system was described. Also, it was noted that previous pin-on-plate and simulator studies of this type of material pairing had been conducted. The present study continued the protocol of testing under an adverse loading regime that was originally introduced by Austin et al. to investigate the sensitivity of all-polymer PEEK articulations to previous wear damage. A gravimetric wear assessment protocol was used that avoided vacuum drying. The lower wear of polyacrylonitrile carbon fibre-reinforced PEEK compared with unfilled PEEK, as found by many other studies, was confirmed. PEEK was shown to have remarkably low wear despite previous adverse load testing. The coefficient of friction was found to be quite high (up to 0.5) and this might have clinical implications. Finally, it was noted that the comparison of wear factors and wear amounts from the present study (and other previous studies) with those of the very similar study by Scholes and Unsworth suggested that their laboratory model might be overstating the wear of all-polymer PEEK articulations for potential applications in orthopaedic tribology.
Induction of inflammatory cytokines and toll-like receptors in chickens infected with avian H9N2 influenza virus
Authors: Nang Nguyen Tai , Lee Joo Sub , Song Byung Min , Kang Young Myong , Kim Hyun Soo , Seo Sang Heui
Published: June 2011

H9N2 influenza virus is endemic in many Asian countries and is regarded as a candidate for the next human pandemic. Knowledge of the induction of inflammatory responses and toll-like receptors (TLRs) in chickens infected with H9N2 is limited. Here, we show that H9N2 induces pro-inflammatory cytokines such as transforming growth factor-beta 3; tumor necrosis factor-alpha; interferon-alpha, -beta, and gamma; and TLR 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 15 in trachea, lung, and intestine of infected chickens. In the lung, TLR-15 was dominantly induced. Taken together, it seems that H9N2 infections efficiently induce inflammatory cytokines and TLRs in trachea, lung and intestine of chickens.
Intraocular nematode with diffuse unilateral subacute neuroretinitis: case report
Authors: Yusoff Munira , Alwi Azma-Azalina Ahmad , Said Mariyani Mad , Zakariah Sakinah , Ghani Zulkifli Abdul , Zunaina Embong
Published: June 2011

Background

Live intraocular nematode is a rare occurrence. Nematode can migrate actively within the eye, creating visual symptoms and damaging ocular tissue.

Case presentation

A 26-year old man presented with painless reduced vision of the left eye for one week duration. It was associated with floaters. Visual acuity on the left eye was hand movement. Anterior segment examination was normal with normal intra-ocular pressure. Fundus examination showed a live nematode lying subretinally at the macular area with macular oedema and multifocal chorioretinal lesions at peripheral retina. There was no vitritis, vasculitis or any retinal hemorrhage. Systemic examination revealed normal findings and laboratory studies only showed leucocytosis with normal eosinophil count and negative serum toxocara antibody. The diagnosis of introcular nematode with diffuse unilateral subacute neuroretinitis was made. He was treated with oral anti-helminths and a course of oral steroid at a reducing dose. The nematode had died evidenced by its immobility during the treatment and finally disintegrated, leaving macular oedema with mottling appearance and mild hyperpigmentation. Multifocal chorioretinal lesions had also resolved. However despite treatment his visual acuity during follow-up had remained poor.

Conclusions

Cases of intraocular nematode, though not commonly encountered, continue to present the ophthalmologist with the problem of diagnosis and management and hence poorer prognosis to the patient.
The effect of cardiovascular risk factors on the longitudinal evolution of the carotid intima medial thickness in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Dalla Pozza Robert , Beyerlein Andreas , Thilmany Claude , Weissenbacher Claudia , Netz Heinrich , Schmidt Heinrich , Bechtold Susanne
Published: June 2011

Background

Type 1 diabetes mellitus is a generally accepted atherogenic risk factor. The aim of this prospective longitudinal study was to evaluate changes in carotid intima media thickness (cIMT) in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) using standardized methods.

Methods

We re-evaluated cIMT in 70 (38 f) of initial 150 (80 f) patients with T1DM after 4 years. At re-evaluation, mean (± SD) age was 16.45 ± 2.59 y, mean diabetes duration was 9.2 ± 3.24 y and patients had a mean HbA1c of 8.14 ± 1.06%.

Results

Mean cIMT z-scores increased significantly during 4 years (0.58 ± 0.75, p < 0.001) as well as BMI-z-score (0.41 ± 0.81, p < 0.01), systolic blood pressure (0.77 ± 1.15, p < 0.01) and HbA1c (0.90 ± 1.07, < 0.001). In a linear regression model systolic blood pressure z-score at first measurement (0.02, CI: 0.01, 0.04) was a significant predictor for the mean effect on cIMT z-score. In a logistic regression model significant risk factors for an increase in IMT of ≥1.5 z-scores were BMI z-scores (OR: 3.02, CI:1.11, 10.14), diabetes duration (OR:1.32, CI:1.04, 1.77) and systolic blood pressure (OR: 1.14, CI: 1.04, 1.27) at first measurement each.

Conclusions

Longitudinal cIMT measurements revealed progression in subclinical atherosclerosis during a four year period in diabetic children and adolescents. Systolic blood pressure and BMI were related to cIMT increment. Control of these risk factors by lifestyle and medical intervention may prevent progression of cIMT in diabetic children.
Size-controlled synthesis of monodispersed gold nanoparticles via carbon monoxide gas reduction
Authors: Young Joseph K , Lewinski Nastassja A , Langsner Robert J , Kennedy Laura C , Satyanarayan Arthi , Nammalvar Vengadesan , Lin Adam Y , Drezek Rebekah A
Published: June 2011

An in depth analysis of gold nanoparticle (AuNP) synthesis and size tuning, utilizing carbon monoxide (CO) gas as a reducing agent, is presented for the first time. The sizes of the AuNPs are tunable from ~4 to 100 nm by altering the concentration of HAuCl4 and inlet CO gas-injection flow rate. It is also found that speciation of aqueous HAuCl4, prior to reduction, influences the size, morphology, and properties of AuNPs when reduced with CO gas. Ensemble extinction spectra and TEM images provide clear evidence that CO reduction offers a high level of monodispersity with standard deviations as low as 3%. Upon synthesis, no excess reducing agent remains in solution eliminating the need for purification. The time necessary to synthesize AuNPs, using CO, is less than 2 min.
Characterization of a branched lipopeptide candidate vaccine against influenza A/Puerto Rico 8/34 which is recognized by human B and T-cell immune responses
Authors: Samayoa Liz , Diaz-Mitoma Francisco , Azizi Ali
Published: June 2011

The use of synthetic peptides as immunogens represents an exciting alternative to traditional vaccines. However, to date most of these synthetic peptides are not highly immunogenic. The lack of immunogenicity might be addressed by conjugation between T or B cell epitopes with universal or immunodominant T-helper epitopes. The construction of lipidated peptides, branched peptides, or designs combining both of these elements might enhance the immunogenicity, as they might target Toll-Like Receptors and/or mimic the 3-dimensional structure of epitopes within the native protein. Herein, a recognized peptide immunogen based on the hemagglutinin protein of A/Puerto Rico/8/34 was chosen as a backbone and modified to evaluate if the construction of branched peptides, lipidation, the addition of cysteine residues, or mutations could indeed alter epitope reactivity. Screening the different designs with various antibody binding and cellular assays revealed that combining a branched design with the addition of lipid moieties greatly enhanced the immunoreactivity.
Retention in an antiretroviral therapy programme during an era of decreasing drug cost in Limbe, Cameroon
Authors: Mosoko Jembia J , Akam Wilfred , Weidle Paul J , Brooks John T , Aweh Asabi J , Kinge Thompson N , Pals Sherri , Raghunathan Pratima L
Published: June 2011

Background

In 2002, Cameroon initiated scale up of antiretroviral therapy (ART); on 1 October 2004, a substantial reduction in ART cost occurred. We assessed the impact of this event and other factors on enrolment and retention in care among HIV‐infected patients initiating ART from February 2002 to December 2005 at the single ART clinic serving the Southwest Region in Limbe, Cameroon.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed clinical and pharmacy payment records of HIV‐infected patients initiating ART according to national guidelines. We compared two cohorts of patients, enrolled before and after 1 October 2004, to determine if price reduction was associated with enhanced enrolment. We assessed factors associated with retention and survival by Cox proportional hazards models. Retention in care implied patients who had contact with the healthcare system as of 31 December 2005 (including those who were transferred to continue care in other ART centres), although these patients may have interrupted therapy at some time. A patient who was not retained in care may have dropped out (lost to follow up) or died.

Results

Mean enrolment rates for 2920 patients who initiated ART before and after the price reduction were 46.5 and 95.5 persons/month, respectively (p < 0.001). The probabilities of remaining alive and in care were 0.66 (95% CI 0.64‐0.68) at six months, 0.58 (95% CI 0.56‐0.60) at one year, 0.47 (95% CI 0.45‐0.49) at two years and 0.35 (95% CI 0.32‐0.38) at three years; they were not significantly different between the two cohorts of patients enrolled before and after the price reduction over the first 15 months of comparable follow up (hazard ratio 1.1; 95% CI 0.9‐1.2, p = 0.27). In multivariable analysis using multiple imputations to compensate for missing values, factors associated with dropping out of care or dying were male gender (HR 1.33 [1.18‐1.50], p = 0.003), treatment paid by self, family or partly by other (HR 3.05 [1.99‐4.67], p < 0.001), and, compared with residents of Limbe, living more than 150 km from Limbe (HR 1.41 [1.18‐1.69], p < 0.001), or being residents of Douala (HR 1.51 [1.16‐1.98], p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Reducing the cost of ART increased enrolment of clients in the programme, but did not change retention in care. In a system where most clients pay for ART, an accessible clinic location may be more important than the cost of medication for retention in care. Decentralizing ART clinics might improve retention and survival among patients on ART.
Using the rapid expansion method for accurate time-stepping in modeling and reverse-time migration
Authors: Tessmer Ekkehart
Published: June 2011

Reverse-time migration is based on seismic forward modeling algorithms, where spatial derivatives usually are calculated by finite differences or by the Fourier method. Time integration in general is done by finite-difference time stepping of low orders. If the spatial derivatives are calculated by high-order methods and time stepping is based on low-order methods, there is an imbalance that might require that the time-step size needs to be very small to avoid numerical dispersion. As a result, computing times increase. Using the rapid expansion method (REM) avoids numerical dispersion if the number of expansion terms is chosen properly. Comparisons with analytical solutions show that the REM is preferable, especially at larger propagation times. For reverse-time migration, the REM needs to be applied in a time-stepping manner. This is necessary because the original implementation based on very large time spans requires that the source term is separable in space and time. This is not appropriate for reverse-time migration where the sources have different time histories. In reverse-time migration, it might be desirable to use the Poynting vector information to estimate opening angles to improve the quality of the image. In the solution of the wave equation, this requires that one calculates not only the pressure wavefield but also its time derivative. The rapid expansion method can be extended easily to provide this time derivative with negligible extra cost.
Self-potential anomalies induced by water injection into hydrocarbon reservoirs
Authors: Gulamali Murtaza Y. , Leinov Eli , Jackson Matthew D.
Published: June 2011

The injection of cold water into a hydrocarbon reservoir containing relatively warmer, more saline formation brine may generate self-potential anomalies as a result of electrokinetic, thermoelectric, and/or electrochemical effects. We have numerically assessed the relative contributions of these effects to the overall self-potential signal generated during oil production in a simple hydrocarbon reservoir model. Our aim was to determine if measurements of self-potential at a production well can be used to detect the movement of water toward the well. The coupling coefficients for the electrochemical and thermoelectric potentials are uncertain, so we considered four different models for them. We also investigated the effect of altering the salinities of the formation and injected brines. We found that the electrokinetic potential peaked at the location of the saturation front (reaching values of 0.2 mV even for the most saline brine considered). Moreover, the value at the production well increased as the front approached the well, exceeding the noise level (∼ 0.1 mV). Thermoelectric effects gave rise to larger potentials in the reservoir (∼10 mV), but values at the well were negligible [Formula: see text] until after water breakthrough because of the lag in the temperature front relative to the saturation front. Electrochemical potentials were smaller in magnitude than thermoelectric potentials in the reservoir but were measurable [Formula: see text] at the well because the salinity front was closely associated with the saturation front. When the formation brine was less saline (∼1 mol/liter), electrokinetic effects dominated; at higher salinities (∼5 mol/liter), electrochemical effects were significant. We concluded that the measurement of self-potential signals in a production well may be used to monitor the movement of water in hydrocarbon reservoirs during production, but further research is required to understand the thermoelectric and electrochemical coupling coefficients in partially saturated porous media.
Research Note—Generating Shareable Statistical Databases for Business Value: Multiple Imputation with Multimodal Perturbation
Authors: Melville Nigel , McQuaid Michael
Published: June 2011

Business organizations are generating growing volumes of data about their employees, customers, and suppliers. Much of these data cannot be exploited for business value due to privacy and confidentiality concerns. National statistical agencies share sensitive data collected from individuals and businesses by modifying the data so individuals and firms cannot be identified but statistical utility is preserved. We build on this literature to develop a hybrid approach to data masking for business organizations. We demonstrate the validity of the hybrid approach, which we call multiple imputation with multimodal perturbation (MIMP), using Monte Carlo simulation and illustrate its application in a specific business context. Results of our analysis open new areas of research for information systems scholarship and new potential revenue sources for business organizations.
Designing Mechanisms for the Management of Carrier Alliances
Authors: Houghtalen Lori , Ergun Özlem , Sokol Joel
Published: June 2011

When cargo carriers form an alliance, sharing network capacity in order to improve profitability, a key issue is how to provide incentive for carriers to make decisions that are optimal for the alliance as a whole. We propose a mechanism that allocates both alliance resources and profits by appropriately setting resource prices. Clearly, it is important to understand the impact of these prices on the behavior of an individual carrier. We analyze the performance of our mechanism using a modeling approach that makes use of realistic control parameters, investigating theoretical and practical properties of profit allocations obtained. Experimental results confirm that our proposed mechanism is robust with respect to variability in alliance composition and cargo demand, yielding solutions that retain a high proportion of optimal profit and achieve a stable distribution of revenue across members of the alliance. We also study an alternative modeling approach in which we assume that each carrier can make load selection decisions for other carriers. We find that changing assumptions about the degree of carrier control can significantly impact the feasibility of routing decisions made by individual carriers when operating under our mechanism, as well as the properties of the profit allocations.
Estimation of Plasma Small Dense LDL Cholesterol From Classic Lipid Measures
Authors: Srisawasdi Pornpen , Chaloeysup Sirirat , Teerajetgul Yaovalak , Pocathikorn Anothai , Sukasem Chonlaphat , Vanavanan Somlak , Kroll Martin H.
Published: June 2011

Calculated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (cLDL-C) may differ from direct measurement (dLDL-C), and this difference may depend on presence of small, dense LDL (sdLDL) particles in addition to variation in triglycerides (TG) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentrations. The presence of such dependence would offer a simple means to estimate sdLDL. We studied dependence of sdLDL on cLDL-C, dLDL-C, and other variables.

We measured the levels of glucose, creatinine, total cholesterol, TG, HDL-C, and dLDL-C using standardized methods in 297 samples. For sdLDL cholesterol (sdLDL-C), a novel homogeneous assay was used. The cLDL-C was calculated using the Friedewald formula for 220 subjects after excluding for liver or renal disease. Using stepwise regression analysis identified non–HDL-C, cLDL-C, and dLDL-C as significant variables (P < .001; R2 = 0.88). The regression equation was as follows: sdLDL-C (mg/dL) = 0.580 (non–HDL-C) + 0.407 (dLDL-C) – 0.719 (cLDL-C) – 12.05. The sdLDL-C concentration can be estimated from non–HDL-C, dLDL-C, and cLDL-C values. Identification of a simple, inexpensive marker for sdLDL particles provides a cost-effective method for screening cardiovascular disease risk.
The discovery and mechanism of sweet taste enhancers
Authors: Li Xiaodong , Servant Guy , Tachdjian Catherine
Published: June 2011

Excess sugar intake posts several health problems. Artificial sweeteners have been used for years to reduce dietary sugar content, but they are not ideal substitutes for sugar owing to their off-taste. A new strategy focused on allosteric modulation of the sweet taste receptor led to identification of sweet taste ‘enhancers’ for the first time. The enhancer molecules do not taste sweet, but greatly potentiate the sweet taste of sucrose and sucralose selectively. Following a similar mechanism as the natural umami taste enhancers, the sweet enhancer molecules cooperatively bind with the sweeteners to the Venus flytrap domain of the human sweet taste receptor and stabilize the active conformation. Now that the approach has proven successful, enhancers for other sweeteners and details of the molecular mechanism for the enhancement are being actively pursued.
Evaluation of Mechanistic-Empirical Design Guide Input Parameters for Resilient Modulus of Subgrade Soils in Oklahoma
Authors: Hossain Zahid , Zaman Musharraf , Doiron Curtis , Solanki Pranshoo
Published: June 2011

Resilient modulus (Mr) of subgrade soil is a key input parameter in all three hierarchical levels of the new mechanistic-empirical pavement design guide (MEPDG). A successful implementation of the MEPDG requires a comprehensive evaluation of Mr database(s) for local subgrade soils and its assessment to determine desired input parameters. To this end, a database containing subgrade Mr values, index properties, standard Proctor, and unconfined compressive strengths for 712 soil samples from 39 different counties in Oklahoma was developed. A total of five stress-based regression models were evaluated using a statistical software package (“SPSS,” Version 17), and material constants (k1, k2, and k3) for these soils, categorized in accordance with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials Classification system, were determined. The goodness of fit and the significance of these models were ranked with respect to their R2 and F values, respectively; the MEPDG recommended octahedral model was found to outperform the others. Furthermore, reasonably good correlations of material constants with routine soil properties were established for Level 2 analysis and design. Typical Mr values of common Oklahoma soils for Level 3 analysis and design were also estimated. The findings of this study are expected to help the implementation of the MEPDG in Oklahoma.
Forms and Conceptions of Dike in Euripides′ Heracleidae, Suppliants, and Phoenissae
Authors: Papadodima Efstathia
Published: June 2011

The term dikē has a wide range of meanings in tragic poetry (revenge, retribution, retaliation, punishment, penalty, charge, trial, order, balance, fairness, righteousness, justice). However, we could identify two distinctively or predominantly Euripidean trends that are closely associated with the use of dikē and are actually interdependent. Heracleidae, Suppliants, and Phoenissae are good test-cases in that regard. Whilst the plays bear strong resemblances to Aeschylean and secondarily Sophoclean dramas, the treatment of dikē is differentiated. 1) By contrast with Aeschylus and secondarily Sophocles, dikē in these Euripidean plays is viewed in connection to socio-political values and institutions that are essentially humanly constructed. The focus is shifted to the nature and role of these human conventions and the way(s) in which they interact with deeply-rooted, traditional patterns of conduct. The plays explore the difficulties, complications or failures that can arise in practice, in the frame of the quest for dikē. 2) Despite the occasionally strong individualization and interest in characterization, Euripides focuses on the consequences of the disturbance of dikē for the community as well as on the difficulties involved in the execution of dikē, rather than the rigid, and somewhat abstract, demand for the execution of dikē itself. Individual actions of doubtful justification are largely viewed and assessed in the light of their consequences for the polis. A major, pertinent issue is both the necessity and the limitations of vengeance or punishment, both on an individual and on a collective scale.
Das Bild des Kynikers Diogenes in griechischen, syrischen und arabischen Texten
Authors: Overwien Oliver
Published: June 2011

Several ancient texts treat Diogenes’ life, or at least central aspects of it. The present article gives a survey of some of the most important passages dealing with the question for which purposes Diogenes was used in these texts: In the Sale of Diogenes and in Epistle 7 he serves as a Cynic role model. Cercidas venerates him in a funeral poem as a celestial dog, and Dion of Prusa uses him for a political statement. Furthermore, for Maximos of Tyre Diogenes symbolizes the Golden Age, while Lucian depicts him as a deterrent philosopher whose teaching has no value for human life. For emperor Julian the Cynic finally is a true representative of the old pagan religion.

Some biographical data are only preserved in the oriental tradition. They originate from Greek sources, i.e. they were part of the introductions to the philosophy of Aristotle which were read in the late antique universities like Athens or Alexandria. From this we may infer that the life and teaching of Diogenes itself was part of the late antique curricula, a fact, for which the Greek tradition gives no evidence.
Diabetic nephropathy and long-term treatment effects of rosiglitazone and enalapril in obese ZSF1 rats
Authors: Bilan Victor P , Salah Eman M , Bastacky Sheldon , Jones Huw B , Mayers Rachel M , Zinker Bradley , Poucher Simon M , Tofovic Stevan P
Published: June 2011

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a major cause of end-stage renal disease. Yet the pathogenic mechanisms underlying the development of DN are not fully defined, partially due to lack of suitable models that mimic the complex pathogenesis of renal disease in diabetic patients. In this study, we describe early and late renal manifestations of DN and renal responses to long-term treatments with rosiglitazone or high-dose enalapril in ZSF1 rats, a model of metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and chronic renal disease. At 8 weeks of age, obese ZSF1 rats developed metabolic syndrome and diabetes (hyperglycemia, glucosuria, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension) and early signs of renal disease (proteinuria, glomerular collagen IV deposition, tubulointerstitial inflammation, and renal hypertrophy). By 32 weeks of age, animals developed renal histopathology consistent with DN, including mesangial expansion, glomerulosclerosis, tubulointerstitial inflammation and fibrosis, tubular dilation and atrophy, and arteriolar thickening. Rosiglitazone markedly increased body weight but reduced food intake, improved glucose control, and attenuated hyperlipidemia and liver and kidney injury. In contrast, rosiglitazone markedly increased cardiac hypertrophy via a blood pressure-independent mechanism. High-dose enalapril did not improve glucose homeostasis, but normalized blood pressure, and nearly prevented diabetic renal injury. The ZSF1 model thus detects the clinical observations seen with rosiglitazone and enalapril in terms of primary and secondary endpoints of cardiac and renal effects. This and previous reports indicate that the obese ZSF1 rat meets currently accepted criteria for progressive experimental diabetic renal disease in rodents, suggesting that this may be the best available rat model for simulation of human DN.