bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In Situ study of Nucleation of Zirconia in an MgO–Al2O3–SiO2 Glass
Authors: Dargaud Olivier , Calas Georges , Cormier Laurent , Galoisy Laurence , Jousseaume Cécile , Querel Gilles , Newville Matthew
Published: December 2009

Crystalline nucleation is investigated during the dynamical heat treatment of a ZrO2–MgO–Al2O3–SiO2 glass by high‐temperature Zr K‐edge X‐ray absorption near‐edge spectroscopy. In the parent glass, the Zr coordination number is higher than in most glasses, explaining the structural instability of Zr during thermal treatment. The Zr local structure is modified at 30°C above the nucleation onset. Crystalline nucleation is characterized by the formation of peculiar nano‐ZrO2 particles, which are stable until completion of the thermal treatment. These nano‐ZrO2 particles are stable during the elaboration of glass–ceramics, without any Zr4+ remaining in the glassy matrix of the final material.
Luminescence Behaviors of Ce3+ Ions in Chalcohalide Glasses
Authors: Shen Ce , Yan Qiqi , Xu Yinsheng , Yang Guang , Shufen Wang , Zhongwen Xing , Chen Guorong
Published: December 2009

Luminescence behaviors of Ce3+ ions in GeS2–Ga2S3–CsCl chalcohalide glasses are reported for the first time. The dependence of Ce3+ concentration and host composition on absorption and photoluminescence spectra are investigated. Results show that these glasses exhibit broadband emission from 470 to 600 nm under a blue excitation. Luminescence intensity is enhanced with the increasing of Ce3+ ions and reaches the maximum at 0.08 mol%. The decrease of CsCl content results in the red shift of absorption cut‐off edge and emission band, and decreased luminescence intensity. The mechanism for these phenomena is discussed with the theory of optical basicity.
Initial pattern of angiogenesis and bone formation following lateral ridge augmentation using rhPDGF and guided bone regeneration: an immunohistochemical study in dogs
Authors: Schwarz Frank , Ferrari Daniel , Podolsky Laura , Mihatovic Ilja , Becker Jürgen
Published: December 2009

Objectives: To evaluate (i) the effects of rhPDGF‐BB on localized ridge augmentation using a natural bone mineral (NBM), and (ii) the influence of a collagen membrane (CM) on factor activity.

Materials and methods: Chronic‐type alveolar ridge defects (n=4 dogs) were randomly allocated in a split‐mouth design as follows: upper jaw: NBM+rhPDGF‐BB+CM (test) vs. NBM+rhPDGF‐BB (control), and lower jaw: NBM+rhPDGF‐BB+CM (test) vs. NBM+CM (control). After 3 weeks, dissected blocks were prepared for immunohistochemical (angiogenesis – TG) and histomorphometrical analysis [e.g. augmented area (AA), mineralized – (MT), non‐mineralized tissue (NMT) (mm2)].

Results: Lower jaw: TG and mineralization of AA mainly originated from the defect borders. Test sites revealed a pronounced TG antigen reactivity and higher AA and MT values (mean and median). Upper jaw: control sites revealed a dislocation of AA in caudal direction, but also an improved vascularization in the peripheral wound area. While MT values (median) appeared to be comparable in both groups, AA, NMT, and NBM values (mean and median) tended to be higher at test sites.

Conclusions: It was concluded that (i) rhPDGF‐BB soak‐loaded on NBM might have the potential to support bone formation at chronic‐type lateral ridge defects, and (ii) the application of CM did not seem to interfere with the factor activity, but ensured a stabilization of the graft particles.

To cited this article:
 Schwarz F, Ferrari D, Podolsky L, Mihatovic I, Becker J. Initial pattern of angiogenesis and bone formation following lateral ridge augmentation using rhPDGF and guided bone regeneration: an immunohistochemical study in dogs. Clin. Oral Impl. Res. 21, 2010; 90–99.
Platform switching and marginal bone‐level alterations: the results of a randomized‐controlled trial
Authors: Canullo Luigi , Fedele Giampiero Rossi , Iannello Giuliano , Jepsen Søren
Published: December 2009

Objectives: This randomized‐controlled trial aimed to evaluate marginal bone level alterations at implants restored according to the platform‐switching concept, using different implant/abutment mismatching.

Material and methods: Eighty implants were divided according to the platform diameter in four groups: 3.8 mm (control), 4.3 mm (test group1), 4.8 mm (test group2) and 5.5 mm (test group3), and randomly placed in the posterior maxilla of 31 patients. After 3 months, implants were connected to a 3.8‐mm‐diameter abutment and final restorations were performed. Radiographic bone height was measured by two independent examiners at the time of implant placement (baseline), and after 9, 15, 21 and 33 months.

Results: After 21 months, all 80 implants were clinically osseointegrated in the 31 patients treated. A total of 69 implants were available for analysis, as 11 implants had to be excluded from the study due to early unintentional cover screw exposure. Radiographic evaluation showed a mean bone loss of 0.99 mm (SD=0.42 mm) for test group1, 0.82 mm (SD=0.36 mm) for test group2 and 0.56 mm (SD=0.31 mm) for test group3. These values were statistically significantly lower (P<0.005) compared with control (1.49 mm, SD=0.54 mm). After 33 months, five patients were lost to follow‐up. Evaluation of the remaining 60 implants showed no difference compared with 21 months data except for test group2 (0.87 mm) and test group3 (0.64 mm). There was an inverse correlation between the extent of mismatching and the amount of bone loss.

Conclusions: This study suggested that marginal bone level alterations could be related to the extent of implant/abutment mismatching. Marginal bone levels were better maintained at implants restored according to the platform‐switching concept.

To cite this article:
 Canullo L, Fedele GR, Iannello G, Jepsen S. Platform switching and marginal bone‐level alterations: the results of a randomized‐controlled trial. Clin. Oral Impl. Res. 21, 2010; 115–121.
Analysis of the socket bone wall dimensions in the upper maxilla in relation to immediate implant placement
Authors: Huynh‐Ba Guy , Pjetursson Bjarni E. , Sanz Mariano , Cecchinato Denis , Ferrus Jorge , Lindhe Jan , Lang Niklaus P.
Published: December 2009

Background: Animal and human researches have shown that immediate implant placement into extraction sockets failed to prevent socket dimensional changes following tooth extraction. It has been suggested that a minimal width of 1–2 mm of buccal bone is necessary to maintain a stable vertical dimension of the alveolar crest.

Aim: To determine the dimensions of the bony wall at extraction sites in the esthetic zone (anterior teeth and premolars in the maxilla) and relate it to immediate implant placement.

Methods: As part of an ongoing prospective randomized‐controlled multicenter clinical study on immediate implant placement, the width of the buccal and palatal bony walls was recorded at 93 extraction sites.

Results: The mean width of the buccal and palatal bony walls was 1 and 1.2 mm, respectively (P<0.05). For the anterior sites (canine to canine), the mean width of the buccal bony wall was 0.8 mm. For the posterior (premolar) sites, it was 1.1 mm (P<0.05). In the anterior sites, 87% of the buccal bony walls had a width ≤1 mm and 3% of the walls were 2 mm wide. In the posterior sites, the corresponding values were 59% and 9%, respectively.

Conclusions: If the criterion of a minimal buccal bone width of 2 mm to maintain a stable buccal bony wall is valid, only a limited number of sites in the anterior maxilla display such a clinical situation. The data suggested that in the majority of extraction sites in the anterior maxilla, thin (≤1 mm) buccal walls were present. This, in turn, means that in most clinical situations encountered, augmentation procedures are needed to achieve adequate bony contours around the implant.

To cite this article:
 Huynh‐Ba G, Pjetursson BE, Sanz M, Cecchinato D, Ferrus J, Lindhe J, Lang NP. Analysis of the socket bone wall dimensions in the upper maxilla in relation to immediate implant placement. Clin. Oral Impl. Res. 21, 2010; 37–42.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Female Genital Tract Secretions Inhibit Herpes Simplex Virus Infection: Correlation with Soluble Mucosal Immune Mediators and Impact of Hormonal Contraception
Authors: Shust Gail F. , Cho Sylvia , Kim Mimi , Madan Rebecca P. , Guzman Esmeralda M. , Pollack Margaret , Epstein Julia , Cohen Hillel W. , Keller Marla J. , Herold Betsy C.
Published: December 2009

Citation Shust GF, Cho S, Kim M, Madan RP, Guzman EM, Pollack M, Epstein J, Cohen HW, Keller MJ, Herold BC. Female genital tract secretions inhibit herpes simplex virus infection: correlation with soluble mucosal immune mediators and impact of hormonal contraception. Am J Reprod Immunol 2010; 63: 110–119

Problem  Female genital tract secretions inhibit herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection, however, the intra‐ and inter‐subject variability, contribution of specific mediators, and impact of reproductive hormones have not been defined.

Method of study  Cervicovaginal lavage (CVL) (n = 89) obtained from nine cyclers and seven women on hormonal contraception (HC), who completed between three and eight weekly visits, were examined for anti‐herpes simplex virus activity and concentrations of mediators.

Results  The CVL inhibited HSV infection by a mean value of approximately 57% during the follicular or luteal phase, but only by 36% in hormonal contraceptive users. Human neutrophil peptides 1–3 (HNP1‐3) (P = 0.03), IL‐8 (P = 0.003), lactoferrin (P = 0.005), lysozyme (P = 0.003), IgA (P = 0.002), and IgG (P = 0.02) correlated with antiviral activity. Intra‐subject and inter‐subject variability was observed, suggesting that factors other than hormones contribute to innate defense.

Conclusion  Endogenous antimicrobial activity may provide a biomarker of healthy mucosal immunity and may be reduced in the setting of HC. However, larger prospective studies are needed.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Temporal and Spatial Expression of Tumor‐Associated Antigen RCAS1 in Pregnant Mouse Uterus
Authors: Tskitishvili Ekaterine , Nakamura Hitomi , Kinugasa‐Taniguchi Yukiko , Kanagawa Takeshi , Kimura Tadashi , Tomimatsu Takuji , Shimoya Koichiro
Published: December 2009

Citation Tskitishvili E, Nakamura H, Kinugasa‐Taniguchi Y, Kanagawa T, Kimura T, Tomimatsu T, Shimoya K. Temporal and spatial expression of tumor‐associated antigen RCAS1 in pregnant mouse uterus. Am J Reprod Immunol 2010; 63: 137–143

Problem  The tumor‐associated antigen RCAS1 (receptor‐binding cancer antigen expressed on SiSo cells) is considered to play a role in the inhibition of maternal immune response during pregnancy, and participates in the initiation of labor and placental detachment. The aim of our study was to investigate the expression of RCAS1 protein in the uteri of normal pregnant mice.

Method of study  Uteri with fetuses were collected from pregnant ICR mice on days 1.5, 3.5, 5.5, 7.5, and 9.5 p.c., and uterine and placental tissues were obtained separately on days 11.5, 13.5, 15.5, and 17.5 p.c. Samples were examined using real‐time (RT)‐PCR, Western blotting, and immunohistochemical analyses.

Results  In normal pregnant mice, RCAS1 protein mRNA was significantly increased on day 7.5 p.c. Antigen localization was detected in the placenta, decidua, and fetus.

Conclusion  The results of this study suggest the importance of day 7.5 p.c. for RCAS1 protein expression in connection with placentation as a possible target for future in vivo studies.
THE INFLUENCE OF RIPENING TEMPERATURE ON THE SENSORY CHARACTERISTICS OF REGGIANITO ARGENTINO CHEESE
Authors: SIHUFE GUILLERMO A. , ZORRILLA SUSANA E. , SABBAG NORA G. , COSTA SILVIA C. , RUBIOLO AMELIA C.
Published: December 2009

The effect of elevated ripening temperature on sensory characteristics of Reggianito Argentino cheese was evaluated. Cheeses ripened at 12 or 18C and 85% relative humidity were analyzed at 62, 123 and 186 days. The sensory characteristics of cheese samples were analyzed through a quantitative descriptive analysis carried out by a trained sensory panel. Although the attribute scores of cheeses ripened at 18C were different from those ripened at 12C, they did not result in atypical Reggianito sensory characteristics. Principal component analysis showed useful groupings resulting that Reggianito Argentino cheeses ripened at 18C during 62 days had similar sensory characteristics to cheeses ripened at 12C during 186 days. The results obtained not only are useful to characterize the ripening of a traditional Argentinean hard cheese, but also to evaluate the effect of an increase of ripening temperature on sensory characteristics of Reggianito Argentino cheese.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Elevated ripening temperatures offer the most effective, and certainly the simplest and cheapest, method for the accelerating ripening. However, considering the numerous complex biochemical reactions that occur duringripening, unbalanced flavor or off‐flavors may result. In this paper, the ripening of a traditional Argentinean hard cheese was characterized using sensory analysis. The effect of elevated ripening temperature on sensory characteristics in Reggianito Argentino cheese was also evaluated to study the possibility for accelerating its ripening.
Effects of Density and Viscosity in Modeling Heat as a Groundwater Tracer
Authors: Ma Rui , Zheng Chunmiao
Published: December 2009

Decoupled simulation of groundwater flow and heat transport assuming constant fluid density and viscosity is computationally efficient and simple. However, by neglecting the effects of variable density and viscosity, numerical solution of heat transport may be inaccurate. This study investigates the conditions under which the density and viscosity effects on heat transport modeling can be neglected without any significant loss of computational accuracy. A cross‐section model of aquifer‐river interactions at the Hanford 300 Area in Washington State was employed as the reference frame to quantify the role of fluid density and viscosity in heat transport modeling. This was achieved by comparing the differences in simulated temperature distributions with and without considering variable density and viscosity, respectively. The differences between the two sets of simulations were found to be minor under the complex field conditions at the Hanford 300A site. Based on the same model setup but under different prescribed temperature gradients across the simulation domain, a series of heat transport scenarios were further examined. When the maximum temperature difference across the simulation domain is within 15°C, the mean discrepancy between the simulated temperature distributions with and without considering the effects of variable density and viscosity is approximately 2.5% with a correlation coefficient of above 0.8. Meanwhile, the speedup in runtime is roughly 225% when the maximum temperature difference is at 15°C. This work provides some quantitative guidelines for when heat transport may be simulated by assuming constant density and viscosity as a reasonable compromise between accuracy and efficiency.
Measuring the Contributions of Brand to Shareholder Value (and How to Maintain or Increase Them)
Authors: Gerzema John , Lebar Ed , Rivers Anne
Published: December 2009

Since 1993 Young & Rubicam has invested over $130 million in collecting and interpreting data on consumers' perceptions of some 44,000 product and service brands in over 50 countries. At the core of Y&R's research effort is the Brand‐Asset® Valuator (or “BAV”), a model that converts the firm's hoard of data on global consumer perceptions and behavior patterns into assessments of brand strength and value. When combined with the findings of independent research by academics in marketing and finance (using Compustat data on corporate operating and stock‐price performance), the BAV's assessments of brand values can be used to quantify the contributions of brands to both corporate earnings and market values.

One of the main findings of this research is that brands contribute to the market value of companies by increasing not only current earnings, but the price‐to‐earnings (P/E) multiples that investors assign to current earnings. Such increases in P/E multiples in turn reflect investors' expectations for lower risk, higher growth or both.

At the same time, more recent consumer surveys (conducted in 2005‐2007) provided indications of brand “erosion” even as the markets were pushing up share prices, presumably with the expectation that intangibles like brand would continue to drive operating earnings in the future. For the leaders of consumer‐related corporations, the resulting “disconnect” between stock prices and brand values points to a continuing challenge for brand management.

Building brand value is important for both finance professionals trying to increase shareholder value and marketers trying to build brand strength and increase sales and margin. The aim of the authors' research is to bring these two groups—finance and marketing— closer together by demonstrating the role of marketing strategy and brand equity in driving shareholder value.
Using Corporate Inflation Protected Securities to Hedge Interest Rate Risk
Authors: Barney L. Dwayne , Harvey Keith D.
Published: December 2009

In the first half of 2008, rising inflation became a concern, but by the fall the focus was on deflation. Such shifts in the outlook for inflation represent a significant risk for some companies, particularly those whose revenues and profits are negatively affected by increases in inflation and rates. For such companies, the use of long‐term fixed‐rate debt will provide at least a partial hedge against increased rates.

Less widely appreciated is that even companies whose profits move up and down with inflation face considerable risk from fluctuations in interest rates. Conventional wisdom holds that floating‐rate debt hedges this risk. But this article argues that floating‐rate debt still leaves a company exposed to increases in real interest rates.

Inflation‐sensitive companies such as utilities can use corporate inflation‐protected securities (CIPS) to hedge their real interest rate risk as well as inflation risk. In addition to its hedging benefits, CIPS also have the potential to reduce borrowing costs by satisfying growing investor demand for high‐quality securities that provide inflation protection (including demand sources like the recent restoration of French savings accounts to inflation).
The Gain‐Loss Spread: A New and Intuitive Measure of Risk
Authors: Estrada Javier
Published: December 2009

The standard deviation, arguably the most widely‐used measure of risk, suffers from at least two limitations. First, the measure has little intuitive appeal (defined as it is by the square root of the average quadratic deviation from the arithmetic mean return). Second, investors tend to associate risk more with bad outcomes than with volatility per se.

To overcome these limitations, this article introduces a new measure of risk, the gain‐loss spread (GLS), which takes into account the probability of a loss, the average size of the loss, and the average gain—all variables that investors consider relevant when assessing risk. The author presents evidence that the GLS is both highly correlated with the standard deviation—thus providing basically the same information about risk—and more correlated with mean returns than both the standard deviation and beta, thereby offering a tighter link between risk and return.
The impact of supervisor–subordinate relationships on morale: implications for public and private sector nurses' commitment
Authors: Brunetto Yvonne , Farr‐Wharton Rod , Shacklock Kate
Published: December 2009

This paper used leader–member exchange theory as a lens for comparing the impact of the supervisor–subordinate relationship on public and private nurses' perceptions of morale and affective commitment. Many countries that are part of the Organisation for Economic Co‐operation and Development are experiencing nurse shortages, and this theoretical framework proved insightful into factors contributing to turnover. The findings suggested that private sector nurses are significantly more satisfied with their supervision, enjoy greater morale and are more committed to their organisations. However, both groups were only slightly satisfied with their supervisor–subordinate relationships, implying that present management practices are not ideal for promoting effective workplace relationships. Implications for health‐care management are discussed.
High Inflammatory Activity Related to the Number of Metabolic Syndrome Components
Authors: Kirilmaz Bahadir , Asgun Fatih , Alioglu Emin , Ercan Ertugrul , Tengiz Istemihan , Turk Ugur , Saygi Serkan , Özerkan Filiz
Published: December 2009

J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2010;12:136–144. ©2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

It has been known that each component of the metabolic syndrome (MS) has an atherogenic potential and increases the risk of cardiovascular events. Therefore, patients who have MS are candidates for the development of atherosclerosis and accompanying complications. In this study, the authors assessed the levels of acute phase reactants as an indicator of inflammation in patients with MS. Twenty‐five patients with recently diagnosed MS and not treated before who had at least 3 of 5 diagnostic criteria of MS listed in the Third Report of the Adult Treatment Panel National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP‐ATP III) guidelines were included in the study. Twenty healthy patients constituted the control group. Inflammatory parameters were compared between the groups. There was no significant difference between the MS and control group with regard to age and sex. White blood cell count (/mm3), high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP), uric acid, interleukin (IL) 6, and fibrinogen levels were found to be significantly higher in the MS group. Number of MS components was strongly correlated with serum levels of hs‐CRP (r=0.688, P=.0001), IL‐6 (r=0.546, P=.0001), fibrinogen (r=0.551, P=.0001), uric acid (r=0.517, P=.0001), and leucocyte count (/mm3) (r=0.456, P=.002). Inflammation plays an important role in atherosclerotic complications, which is activated in MS. Increased number of MS components are strongly associated with elevated inflammatory and metabolic markers. Measurement of serum inflammatory parameters in patients with MS may be beneficial in detection and management of cardiovascular events and in the assessment of efficacy of treatment.
Serial Changes in Norepinephrine Kinetics Associated With Feeding Dogs a High‐Fat Diet
Authors: Rocchini Albert P. , Yang John Q. , Smith Marla J. , Supiano Mark A.
Published: December 2009

J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2010;12:117–124. ©2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The role of increased sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity in the pathogenesis of obesity hypertension and insulin resistance is controversial. Eight dogs were instrumented and fed a high‐fat diet (HFD) for 6 weeks. Dogs were evaluated for changes in weight, blood pressure, insulin resistance, and norepinephrine (NE) kinetics using a two‐compartment model. The HFD resulted in weight gain, hypertension, and insulin resistance. During the 6 weeks of the HFD, although plasma NE concentration trended toward increasing (P=.09), SNS, assessed by NE kinetic studies, significantly increased (P=.009). Within 1 week of starting the HFD, NE release into the extravascular compartment (NE2) increased from 3.44±0.59 μg/mL to 4.87±0.80 μg/mL (P<.01) and this increase was maintained over the next 5 weeks of the HFD (NE2 at week 6 was 4.66±0.97 μg/mL). In addition to the increased NE2 there was also a significant increase in NE clearance (P=.04). There were significant correlations between the increase in NE2 and both the development of insulin resistance and hypertension. This study supports the hypothesis that activation of the SNS plays a pivotal role in the metabolic and hemodynamic changes that occur with weight gain induced by HFD.
Relationship of Hypertension, Blood Pressure, and Blood Pressure Control With White Matter Abnormalities in the Women’s Health Initiative Memory Study (WHIMS)—MRI Trial
Authors: Kuller Lewis H. , Margolis Karen L. , Gaussoin Sarah A. , Bryan Nick R. , Kerwin Diana , Limacher Marian , Wassertheil‐Smoller Sylvia , Williamson Jeff , Robinson Jennifer G. ,   for the Women’s Health Initiative Memory Study Research Group
Published: December 2009

J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2010;12:203–212. ©2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

This paper evaluates the relationship of blood pressure (BP) levels at Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) baseline, treatment of hypertension, and white matter abnormalities among women in conjugated equine estrogen (CEE) and medroxyprogesterone acetate and CEE‐alone arms. The WHI Memory Study—Magnetic Resonance Imaging (WHIMS‐MRI) trial scanned 1424 participants. BP levels at baseline were significantly positively related to abnormal white matter lesion (WML) volumes. Participants treated for hypertension but who had BP ≥140/90 mm Hg had the greatest amount of WML volumes. Women with untreated BP ≥140/90 mm Hg had intermediate WML volumes. Abnormal WML volumes were related to hypertension in most areas of the brain and were greater in the frontal lobe than in the occipital, parietal, or temporal lobes. Level of BP at baseline was strongly related to amount of WML volumes. The results of the study reinforce the relationship of hypertension and BP control and white matter abnormalities in the brain. The evidence to date supports tight control of BP levels, especially beginning at younger and middle age as a possible and perhaps only way to prevent dementia.
Prevalence of Clinical and Ambulatory Hypertension in a Population of 65‐Year‐Olds: The PROOF Study
Authors: Gosse Philippe , Dauphinot Virginie , Roche Frederic , Pichot Vincent , Celle Sebastien , Barthelemy Jean‐Claude
Published: December 2009

J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2010;12:160–165. ©2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

There are few data on the prevalence of hypertension in European populations based on the ambulatory determination of blood pressure. The Prognostic Indicator of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Events (PROOF) study provided an opportunity to examine this prevalence in a cohort of 955 patients (387 men and 588 women, all aged 65 years) selected from an electoral list. All patients benefited from measurement of blood pressure during consultation and by 24‐hour ambulatory determinations. In this population, 18% had treated hypertension, but 31% had a daytime systolic pressure >135 mm Hg. This proportion was even higher (46%) in patients whose fasting blood glucose was >1.1 g/L or >6.1 mmol/L. In the untreated population, 21% had unrecognized hypertension with daytime systolic pressure >135 mm Hg, with an even higher percentage (35%) in the hyperglycemic patients. This study shows a significant proportion of hypertensive patients, whether treated or not, with high ambulatory blood pressure, especially in those with hyperglycemia who have a higher risk of complications.
Higher Levels of Alanine Aminotransferase Within the Reference Range Predict Unhealthy Metabolic Phenotypes of Obesity in Normoglycemic First‐Degree Relatives of Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Mojiminiyi Olusegun A. , Abdella Nabila A. , Mohammedi Hisham Al
Published: December 2009

J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich).

Obesity is a heterogeneous disorder with metabolically healthy and unhealthy phenotypes and varying degrees of cardiometabolic complications. To evaluate whether alanine aminotransferase (ALT) could be used for identification of obese phenotypes, the authors measured ALT, adiponectin, leptin, leptin receptor, free leptin index, high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein, fasting insulin, glucose, and full lipid profile in 486 (176 men and 310 women) normoglycemic first‐degree relatives of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with negative medication history and hepatitis screen. Patients were classified into obesity phenotypes on the basis of the degree of adiposity and the International Diabetes Federation criteria for the metabolic syndrome. One hundred and thirty‐seven (28%) patients were positive for the metabolic syndrome, 32 (7%) had normal weight but metabolically unhealthy phenotype, and 201 (41%) were obese but metabolically healthy. ALT showed significant positive correlations with body mass index, waist circumference, beta‐cell function, insulin, homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance, high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein, total cholesterol, and triglycerides and increased with increasing number of metabolic syndrome components. Binary logistic regression analyses showed that higher ALT levels within the normal range were significantly associated with the metabolic syndrome. ALT could be used for identification of the metabolically obese phenotype. Lowering the ALT upper normal reference limit will facilitate earlier detection of risky phenotypes of obesity.
pedantics: an r package for pedigree‐based genetic simulation and pedigree manipulation, characterization and viewing
Authors: MORRISSEY MICHAEL B. , WILSON ALASTAIR J.
Published: December 2009

Analyses of pedigrees and pedigree‐derived parameters (e.g. relatedness and fitness) provide some of the most informative types of studies in evolutionary biology. The r package pedantics implements tools to facilitate power and sensitivity analyses of pedigree‐related studies of natural populations. Functions are available to permute pedigree data in various ways with the goal of mimicking patterns of pedigree errors and missingness that occur in studies of natural populations. Another set of functions simulates genetic and phenotypic data based on arbitrary pedigrees. Finally, functions are also available with which visual and numerical representations of pedigree structure can be generated.
EGFR Signaling Through an Akt-SREBP-1–Dependent, Rapamycin-Resistant Pathway Sensitizes Glioblastomas to Antilipogenic Therapy
Authors: Guo Deliang , Prins Robert M. , Dang Julie , Kuga Daisuke , Iwanami Akio , Soto Horacio , Lin Kelly Y. , Huang Tiffany T. , Akhavan David , Hock M. Benjamin , Zhu Shaojun , Kofman Ava A. , Bensinger Steve J. , Yong William H. , Vinters Harry V. , Horvath Steve , Watson Andrew D. , Kuhn John G. , Robins H. Ian , Mehta Minesh P. , Wen Patrick Y. , DeAngelis Lisa M. , Prados Michael D. , Mellinghoff Ingo K. , Cloughesy Timothy F. , Mischel Paul S.
Published: December 2009

Inhibitors of fatty acid signaling promote apoptosis in glioblastoma cells with highly active EGFR signaling.
Cell Mechanics and Feedback Regulation of Actomyosin Networks
Authors: Fernandez-Gonzalez Rodrigo , Zallen Jennifer A.
Published: December 2009

Mechanical signals shape the organization and dynamics of contractile networks in cells during morphogenesis.
THE EFFECT OF NETWORK NOISE ON LARGE-SCALE COLLECTIVE COMMUNICATIONS
Authors: HOEFLER TORSTEN , SCHNEIDER TIMO , LUMSDAINE ANDREW
Published: December 2009

The effect of operating system (OS) noise on the performance of large-scale applications is a growing concern and ameliorating the influence of OS noise is a subject of active research. A related problem is that of network noise that arises from the shared use of the interconnection network by parallel processes of different allocations or other background activities. To characterize the effect of network noise on parallel applications, we conducted a series of experiments with a specially crafted benchmark and simulations. Experimental results show a decrease in the communication performance of a parallel reduction operation by a factor of 2 on 246 nodes on an InfiniBand fat-tree and by several orders of magnitude on a BlueGene/P torus. Simulations show how influence of network noise grows with the system size. Although network noise is not as well-studied as OS noise, our results clearly show that it is an important factor that must be considered when running and analyzing large-scale applications.
PERFORMANCE PREDICTION VIA MODELING: A CASE STUDY OF THE ORNL CRAY XT4 UPGRADE
Authors: DAVIS KEI , BARKER KEVIN J. , KERBYSON DARREN J.
Published: December 2009

We present predictive performance models of two of the petascale applications, S3D and GTC, from the DOE Office of Science workload. We outline the development of these models and demonstrate their validation on an Opteron/Infiniband cluster and the pre-upgrade ORNL Jaguar system (Cray XT3/XT4). Given the high accuracy of the full application models, we predict the performance of the Jaguar system after the upgrade of its nodes, and subsequently compare this to the actual performance of the upgraded system. We then analyze the performance of the system based on the models to quantify bottlenecks and potential optimizations. Finally, the models are used to quantify the benefits of alternative node allocation strategies, and to quantify performance degradation resulting from inter-process competition for network resources.
60 YEARS OF BROKEN SYMMETRIES IN QUANTUM PHYSICS: FROM THE BOGOLIUBOV THEORY OF SUPERFLUIDITY TO THE STANDARD MODEL
Authors: SHIRKOV DMITRY V.
Published: December 2009

A retrospective historical overview of the phenomenon of spontaneous symmetry breaking (SSB) in quantum theory, the issue that has been implemented in particle physics in the form of the Higgs mechanism. The main items are:

– The Bogoliubov's microscopical theory of superfluidity (1946);

– The BCS-Bogoliubov theory of superconductivity (1957);

– Superconductivity as a superfluidity of Cooper pairs (Bogoliubov - 1958);

– Transfer of the SSB into the QFT models (early 60s);

– The Higgs model triumph in the electro-weak theory (early 80s).

The role of the Higgs mechanism and its status in the current Standard Model is also touched upon.

Note from Publisher: This article contains the abstract only.
LORENTZ INVARIANCE RELATIONS AND WANDZURA–WILCZEK APPROXIMATION
Authors: TECKENTRUP T. , METZ A. , SCHWEITZER P.
Published: December 2009

A complete list of the so-called Lorentz invariance relations between parton distribution functions is given and some of their consequences are discussed, such as the Burkhardt-Cottingham sum rule. The violation of these relations is considered in a model independent way. It is shown that several Lorentz invariance relations are not violated in a generalized Wandzura–Wilczek approximation, indicating that numerically their violation may be small.
NONTRIVIAL RELATIONS BETWEEN GPDs AND TMDs>
Authors: METZ ANDREAS , MEISSNER STEPHAN , SCHLEGEL MARC
Published: December 2009

The present knowledge about nontrivial relations between generalized parton distributions for a spin-1/2 hadron on the one hand and transverse momentum dependent distributions on the other is reviewed. While various relations can be found in the framework of simple spectator models, so far no model-independent nontrivial relations have been established. In fact, by relating the two types of parton distributions to the fully unintegrated, off-diagonal quark-quark correlator for a spin-1/2 hadron, we argue that none of the nontrivial relations can be promoted to a model-independent status.
ONE-SIDE NIELSEN TRANSFORMATIONS IN FREE GROUPS
Authors: VERNITSKI ALEXEI
Published: December 2009

We study a graph related to the Andrews—Curtis graph. The vertices are pairs of elements of a free group, and two vertices are adjacent if they can be obtained from one another by a left Nielsen transformation, that is, for each two words u, v the pair (u, v) is adjacent to (vu, v), (v‑1u, v), (u, uv), and (u, u‑1v). We study connected components of the graph and describe the shortest pairs in all components. Hence, we find a linear-time algorithm for checking whether two pairs belong to the same connected component of the graph.
PRIMITIVE POSITIVE FORMULAS PREVENTING A FINITE BASIS OF QUASI-EQUATIONS
Authors: CASPERSON DAVID , HYNDMAN JENNIFER
Published: December 2009

A finite unary algebra with a primitive positive formula that defines the graph of a finite group operation does not have a finite basis for its quasi-equations.
CHARACTERIZATION OF THE PROJECTIVE GENERAL LINEAR GROUPS PGL(2,q) BY THEIR ORDERS AND DEGREE PATTERNS
Authors: ZHANG LIANGCAI , LIU XUEFENG
Published: December 2009

Let G be a finite group and π(G) = {p1, p2,…,pk}. For p ∈ π(G), we put deg (p) := |{q ∈ π(G)|p ~ q}|, which is called the degree of p. We also define D(G) := ( deg (p1), deg (p2), …, deg (pk)), where p1 < p2 < ⋯ < pk, which is called the degree pattern of G. Using the classification of finite simple groups, we characterize the projective general linear group PGL(2,q)(q a prime power) by its order and degree pattern in the present paper.
Skeletal muscle glucose uptake during contraction is regulated by nitric oxide and ROS independently of AMPK
Authors: Merry Troy L. , Steinberg Gregory R. , Lynch Gordon S. , McConell Glenn K.
Published: December 2009

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) have been implicated in the regulation of skeletal muscle glucose uptake during contraction, and there is evidence that they do so via interaction with AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). In this study, we tested the hypothesis that ROS and NO regulate skeletal muscle glucose uptake during contraction via an AMPK-independent mechanism. Isolated extensor digitorum longus (EDL) and soleus muscles from mice that expressed a muscle-specific kinase dead AMPKα2 isoform (AMPK-KD) and wild-type litter mates (WT) were stimulated to contract, and glucose uptake was measured in the presence or absence of the antioxidant N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC) or the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor NG-monomethyl-l-arginine (l-NMMA). Contraction increased AMPKα2 activity in WT but not AMPK-KD EDL muscles. However, contraction increased glucose uptake in the EDL and soleus muscles of AMPK-KD and WT mice to a similar extent. In EDL muscles, NAC and l-NMMA prevented contraction-stimulated increases in oxidant levels (dichloroflourescein fluorescence) and NOS activity, respectively, and attenuated contraction-stimulated glucose uptake in both genotypes to a similar extent. In soleus muscles of AMPK-KD and WT mice, NAC prevented contraction-stimulated glucose uptake and l-NMMA had no effect. This is likely attributed to the relative lack of neuronal NOS in the soleus muscles compared with EDL muscles. Contraction increased AMPKα Thr172 phosphorylation in EDL and soleus muscles of WT but not AMPK-KD mice, and this was not affected by NAC or l-NMMA treatment. In conclusion, ROS and NO are involved in regulating skeletal muscle glucose uptake during contraction via an AMPK-independent mechanism.
Cellular modeling: insight into oral minimal models of insulin secretion
Authors: Pedersen Morten Gram , Toffolo Gianna M. , Cobelli Claudio
Published: December 2009

The oral glucose tolerance test and meal tolerance test are common clinical tests of the glucose-insulin system. Several mathematical models have been suggested as means to extract information about β-cell function from data from oral tolerance tests. Any such model needs to be fairly simple but should at the same time be linked to the underlying biology of the insulin-secreting β-cells. The scope of the present work is to present a way to make such a connection using a recent model describing intracellular mechanisms. We show how the three main components of oral minimal secretion models, derivative control, proportional control, and delay, are related to subcellular events, thus providing mechanistic underpinning of the assumptions of the minimal models.
Transcriptional profiling reveals divergent roles of PPARα and PPARβ/δ in regulation of gene expression in mouse liver
Authors: Sanderson Linda M. , Boekschoten Mark V. , Desvergne Beatrice , Müller Michael , Kersten Sander
Published: December 2009

Little is known about the role of the transcription factor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) β/δ in liver. Here we set out to better elucidate the function of PPARβ/δ in liver by comparing the effect of PPARα and PPARβ/δ deletion using whole genome transcriptional profiling and analysis of plasma and liver metabolites. In fed state, the number of genes altered by PPARα and PPARβ/δ deletion was similar, whereas in fasted state the effect of PPARα deletion was much more pronounced, consistent with the pattern of gene expression of PPARα and PPARβ/δ. Minor overlap was found between PPARα- and PPARβ/δ-dependent gene regulation in liver. Pathways upregulated by PPARβ/δ deletion were connected to innate immunity and inflammation. Pathways downregulated by PPARβ/δ deletion included lipoprotein metabolism and various pathways related to glucose utilization, which correlated with elevated plasma glucose and triglycerides and reduced plasma cholesterol in PPARβ/δ−/− mice. Downregulated genes that may underlie these metabolic alterations included Pklr, Fbp1, Apoa4, Vldlr, Lipg, and Pcsk9, which may represent novel PPARβ/δ target genes. In contrast to PPARα−/− mice, no changes in plasma free fatty acid, plasma β-hydroxybutyrate, liver triglycerides, and liver glycogen were observed in PPARβ/δ−/− mice. Our data indicate that PPARβ/δ governs glucose utilization and lipoprotein metabolism and has an important anti-inflammatory role in liver. Overall, our analysis reveals divergent roles of PPARα and PPARβ/δ in regulation of gene expression in mouse liver.
Multiple Positive Symmetric Solutions to p‐Laplacian Dynamic Equations on Time Scales
Authors: Su You-Hui , Huang Can-Yun
Published: December 2009

This paper makes a study on the existence of positive solution to p‐Laplacian dynamic
equations on time scales 𝕋. Some new sufficient conditions are obtained for the existence of at least single or twin positive solutions by using Krasnosel′skii′s fixed point theorem and new sufficient conditions are also obtained for the existence of at least triple or arbitrary odd number positive solutions by using generalized Avery‐Henderson fixed point theorem and Avery‐Peterson fixed point theorem. As applications,
two examples are given to illustrate the main results and their differences. These results are even new for the special cases of continuous and discrete equations, as well as in the general time‐scale setting.
Solvability of a Higher‐Order Three‐Point Boundary Value Problem on Time Scales
Authors: Sang Yanbin
Published: December 2009

We consider a higher‐order three‐point boundary value problem on time scales.
A new existence result is first obtained by using a fixed point theorem due to Krasnoselskii and
Zabreiko. Later, under certain growth conditions imposed on the nonlinearity, several sufficient
conditions for the existence of a nonnegative and nontrivial solution are obtained by using
Leray‐Schauder nonlinear alternative. Our conditions imposed on nonlinearity are all very easy
to verify; as an application, some examples to demonstrate our results are given.
Behavioral Intervention versus Pharmacotherapy or Their Combinations in the Management of Overactive Bladder Dysfunction
Authors: Tran Khanh , Levin Robert M. , Mousa Shaker A.
Published: December 2009

Overactive bladder syndrome (OAB) refers to individuals with the following symptoms: urinary urgency, increased urinary frequency, and urge incontinence. These symptoms are not life threatening but can cause embarrassment and significantly impact quality of life. There are numerous treatment options for OAB, including behavioral therapy, traditional pharmacological therapy or a combination of the two. These options are considered the mainstay of treatment for OAB. We carried out a comprehensive systematic review of the available literature on the effectiveness of behavioral intervention, anticholinergic drugs, and their combination in the management of adults with overactive bladder, with emphasis on results from clinical trials and primary literature. Each treatment intervention is efficacious, and the choice should be based on the patient's severity of symptoms, tolerability, compliance and satisfaction with the treatment. Based on available literature, management of OAB using a combination of behavioral therapy and drug intervention is the most efficacious in terms of patient satisfaction, perceived improvement, and reduction of bladder symptoms. It is also the most practical and cost effective for optimal management of patients with OAB. Pharmacological treatment, in addition to behavioral therapy, remains important in the management of adults with OAB syndrome.
Gastric Hyperplastic Polyp Associated with Proliferation of Xanthoma Cells Observed by Magnification Narrow-Band Imaging Endoscopy
Authors: Hirasaki Shoji , Kubo Motoharu , Inoue Atsushi
Published: December 2009

A case of gastric hyperplastic polyp with proliferation of xanthoma cells is reported. The patient was a 69-year-old man who visited our hospital for further evaluation of gastric polyps. Endoscopic examination of the upper digestive tract revealed multiple hyperplastic polyps in the gastric antrum. There was a pedunculated polyp with whitish yellow granules, 7 mm in diameter, arising from the greater curvature of the antrum. Magnification narrow-band imaging endoscopy (GIF-H260Z, Olympus) revealed long microcapillaries in the polyp but did not reveal disappearance of the mucosal microstructure or irregular branched capillaries. Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) was performed. Histological examination of the specimen revealed the lengthened gastric foveolae in the superficial portion and tight sheet of foamy histiocytes in the lamina propria. Diagnosis of gastric hyperplastic polyp with proliferation of xanthoma cells was made. There was no evidence of malignancy. It is necessary to know that a gastric hyperplastic polyp may associate with gastric xanthoma, although such association is very rare.
On Certain Sufficient Condition Involving Gaussian Hypergeometric Functions
Authors: Silverman H. , Rosy Thomas , Kavitha S.
Published: December 2009

The authors define a new subclass of 𝒜 of functions
involving complex order in the open unit disk 𝕌. For this new class, we obtain
certain inclusion properties involving the Gaussian hypergeometric functions.
Stereo 3D Mouse Cursor: A Method for Interaction with 3D Objects in a Stereoscopic Virtual 3D Space
Authors: Azari Hossein , Cheng Irene , Basu Anup
Published: December 2009

We introduce a different approach of applying stereoscopy principles to implement a virtual 3D pointing technique called stereo 3D mouse cursor (S3D-Cursor) based on two or more views of an ordinary mouse cursor. The basics of such an idea have already been applied as a by-product of some stereo-based visualization applications with usually less attention to its strengths or weaknesses as a generic alternative of its 2D counterpart in stereoscopic 3D space. Here, we examine if such an idea satisfies all or the main expected requirements of an abstract 3D cursor. Moreover, we analyze its accuracy and evaluate the applicability of this approach in terms of different efficiency factors. For this purpose, we have adapted a real-time point-based rendering software called QSplat to a multiview rendering version named QSplatMV. We have implemented the S3D-Cursor on top of this new application and developed a simple editing toolset for manipulating the virtual 3D objects. Our user evaluation results suggest the effectiveness of the approach in terms of detection accuracy and user satisfaction compared to using an ordinary mouse cursor on a conventional 2D screen.