bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Voter Information, Voter Participation, and the North Carolina Judicial Election Reforms: The Views of the Voters
Authors: REID TRACIEL V. , MOOG ROBERT S.
Published: March 2011

Drawing upon our voter survey, recent election results, voter roll‐off, and campaign finances, this study's findings join an expanding body of research that questions the shift away from partisan to nonpartisan judicial elections. Specifically, this article examines voter information about and voter participation in North Carolina's appellate races in light of its move to nonpartisan elections combined with mandated distribution of voter guides. Some findings were expected: the voter guides were well received, party affiliation remained important in these races, and voter roll‐off increased significantly. Competition did not appear to affect roll‐off in the races analyzed in this article. The most surprising finding was that a strong majority of our survey respondents wanted candidates' party affiliation back on the ballot, even though surveys have cited strong public support for “nonpartisan” judicial elections.

Basándonos en nuestra encuesta electoral, resultados de elecciones recientes, participación electoral, y las finanzas de las campañas, los resultados de este estudio se suman a un creciente cuerpo de investigación que cuestiona el cambio de elecciones judiciales partidistas a no partidistas. Específicamente, este artículo examina la información electoral y participación de los votantes en las contiendas de cortes de apelaciones de Carolina del Norte en vista de su movimiento a elecciones no partidistas combinado con una distribución obligatoria de guías para el votante. Algunas conclusiones fueron esperadas: las guías fueron bien recibidas, la afiliación al partido continuó siendo importante en estas contiendas, y la participación electoral incrementó significativamente. La competencia no pareció afectar al número de votantes en las contiendas analizadas en este artículo. El resultado más sorpresivo fue que la gran mayoría de nuestros encuestados querían la afiliación partidista de los candidatos de vuelta en las boletas, aun cuando diversas encuestas han mencionado un fuerte apoyo del público a las elecciones judiciales “no partidistas.”
State Intervention and Subjective Well‐Being in Advanced Industrial Democracies
Authors: FLAVIN PATRICK , PACEK ALEXANDER C. , RADCLIFF BENJAMIN
Published: March 2011

While there is a vast and contentious literature devoted to the debate over “politics versus markets,” scholars have devoted little empirical attention to the fundamental question of how the choice between these two approaches to public policy affects the overall quality of human life. Contending arguments make powerful claims for the superiority of each as the best mechanism for generating and distributing well‐being. We attempt an empirical appraisal of this issue, using the extent to which individuals find their lives to be satisfying as an evaluative metric. Considering individual levels of life satisfaction in advanced industrial democracies using the most recent wave of survey data from the World Values Survey, we find that citizens are more satisfied with their lives as the level of state intervention into the market economy increases.

Aunque existe una vasta y polémica literatura dedicada al debate acerca de “política contra el mercado,” los académicos han dedicado poca atención empírica a la pregunta fundamental de cómo la elección entre estos dos enfoques en las políticas públicas afectan en conjunto la calidad de la vida humana. Argumentos opuestos hacen fuertes afirmaciones sobre la superioridad de cada uno como el mejor mecanismo para generar y distribuir el bienestar. Utilizando los niveles de satisfacción de los individuos como sistema de medición, intentamos realizar una evaluación empírica de este tema. Considerando los niveles individuales de satisfacción de vida en democracias avanzadas industriales y utilizando la más reciente oleada de datos en encuestas del World Values Survey, encontramos que los ciudadanos están mas satisfechos con sus vidas a medida que el nivel de intervención del estado en el mercado aumenta.
Wnt5a: its signalling, functions and implication in diseases
Authors: Kikuchi A. , Yamamoto H. , Sato A. , Matsumoto S.
Published: March 2011

Wnt5a is a representative ligand that activates the β‐catenin‐independent pathways. Because the β‐catenin‐independent pathway includes multiple signalling cascades in addition to the planar cell polarity and Ca2+ pathway, Wnt5a regulates a variety of cellular functions, such as proliferation, differentiation, migration, adhesion and polarity. Consistent with the multiple functions of Wnt5a signalling, Wnt5a knockout mice show various phenotypes, including an inability to extend the embryonic anterior–posterior and proximal–distal axes in outgrowth tissues. Thus, many important roles of Wnt5a in developmental processes have been demonstrated. Moreover, recent reports suggest that the postnatal abnormalities in the Wnt5a signalling are involved in various diseases, such as cancer, inflammatory diseases and metabolic disorders. Therefore, Wnt5a and its signalling pathways could be important targets for the diagnosis and therapy for human diseases.
Computed tomographic findings in canine pyothorax and correlation with findings at exploratory thoracotomy
Authors: Swinbourne F. , Baines E. A. , Baines S. J. , Halfacree Z. J.
Published: March 2011

Objectives: To describe computed tomographic (CT) findings in canine spontaneous pyothorax and compare them to surgical findings and to assess the utility of CT in guiding case management.

Methods: Records from 2003 to 2010 were reviewed to identify dogs, with spontaneous pyothorax, which had undergone CT. Cases were managed medically or surgically. CT images and surgery reports were reviewed and compared for surgical cases.

Results: Twelve dogs were included. Eight were managed surgically, three were managed medically and one died before management. Pleural fluid was present in all dogs on CT (n=12) and at surgery (n=8). Pleural gas was identified in five dogs on CT. Pleural thickening was detected in eight dogs on CT (seven visceral, one parietal and six mediastinal) and eight dogs at surgery (seven visceral, eight parietal and six mediastinal), six of which were identified by CT. Abnormal pulmonary parenchyma was detected in 10 dogs on CT and 5 dogs at surgery, all of which were identified by CT. Mediastinal involvement was detected in 10 dogs on CT and 6 dogs at surgery, 5 of which were identified by CT.

Conclusions: CT and surgical findings are similar in most cases of canine spontaneous pyothorax. CT may be a useful diagnostic tool for guiding case management.
Is the Indispensability Argument Dispensable?
Authors: BUSCH JACOB
Published: March 2011

When the indispensability argument for mathematical entities (IA) is spelled out, it would appear confirmational holism is needed for the argument to work. It has been argued that confirmational holism is a dispensable premise in the argument if a construal of naturalism, according to which it is denied that we can take different epistemic attitudes towards different parts of our scientific theories, is adopted. I argue that the suggested variety of naturalism will only appeal to a limited number of philosophers. I then suggest that if we allow for some degree of separation between different component parts of theories, IA can be formulated as an argument aimed at more than a limited number of philosophers, but in implementing this strategy the notion of indispensability needs spelling out. The best way of spelling out indispensability is in terms of theory contribution, but doing so requires adopting inference to the best explanation (IBE). IBE is however sufficient for establishing the conclusion that IA is supposed to establish. Thus, IA is a redundant argument.
Clusia blattophila sp. nov. (Clusiaceae) from an inselberg in French Guiana
Authors: Vlasáková Blanka , Gustafsson Mats H. G.
Published: March 2011

Clusia blattophila (Clusiaceae) is described as a new species. It is distinguished from related species in C. sect. Oedematopus by e.g. the relatively large and reflexed petals and from other Clusia spp. by having fewer (6–16) stamens and only four petals. Unique traits are the almost sessile inflorescence and the presence of a secretory pit at the floral apex in staminate flowers. The species grows epilithically and is known only from the Nouragues inselberg, a massive granite outcrop in eastern French Guiana. The name refers to its cockroach pollinators.
Changes in hepatitis B virus DNA levels and liver function after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Lao Xiang‐Ming , Wang Dian , Shi Ming , Liu Guipeng , Li Shengping , Guo Rongping , Yuan Yunfei , Chen Minshan , Li Jinqing , Zhang Yaqi , Lin Xiaojun
Published: March 2011

Aim:  Reports concerning changes in hepatitis B virus (HBV) status and liver function in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) during or after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) have been rare and the results inconsistent. The objective of this retrospective study was to evaluate these parameters in a large cohort of HBV‐related HCC patients.

Methods:  One hundred and seventy‐two hepatitis B surface antigen positive HCC patients with Child–Pugh grade A or B liver disease who underwent 228 sessions of TACE were enrolled, and related clinical and laboratory data were analyzed.

Results:  In total, HBV reactivated in 33 (14.5%), remained stable in 152 (66.7%) and decreased in 43 (18.8%) sessions. Univariate analysis revealed that sex and HBV DNA levels correlated with changes in HBV DNA status after TACE, while hepatitis B e‐antigen (HBeAg), prothrombin time and chemotherapeutic agents were marginally significant factors. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the major factors that influenced the HBV DNA status were baseline HBV DNA levels(P = 0.0002) and HBeAg (P = 0.0387). A comparison of the post‐TACE (30–90 days) liver function to the baseline revealed no significant differences. The reactivation group has the highest rate of exacerbation (12.1%) compared with the stable group (5.9%) and downregulation group (4.7%).

Conclusion:  HBV DNA changes after TACE included reactivated, decreased and stable HBV DNA levels. Although HBV reactivation did not necessarily result in exacerbation of liver damage and most HCC patients with Child–Pugh grade A and B tolerated TACE well, careful post‐procedure monitoring and managing is needed.
Viscoelastic coagulation testing: technology, applications, and limitations
Authors: McMichael Maureen A. , Smith Stephanie A.
Published: March 2011

Abstract: Use of viscoelastic point‐of‐care (POC) coagulation instrumentation is relatively new to veterinary medicine. In human medicine, this technology has recently undergone resurgence owing to its capacity to detect hypercoagulability. The lack of sensitive tests for detecting hypercoagulable states, along with our current understanding of in vivo coagulation, highlights the deficiencies of standard coagulation tests, such as prothrombin and partial thromboplastin times, which are performed on platelet‐poor plasma. Viscoelastic coagulation analyzers can provide an assessment of global coagulation, from the beginning of clot formation to fibrinolysis, utilizing whole blood. In people, use of this technology has been reported to improve management of hemostasis during surgery and decrease usage of blood products and is being used as a rapid screen for hypercoagulability. In veterinary medicine, clinical use of viscoelastic technology has been reported in dogs, cats, foals, and adult horses. This article will provide an overview of the technology, reagents and assays, applications in human and veterinary medicine, and limitations of the 3 viscoelastic POC analyzers in clinical use.
You want to give a good impression? Be honest! Moral traits dominate group impression formation
Authors: Brambilla Marco , Sacchi Simona , Rusconi Patrice , Cherubini Paolo , Yzerbyt Vincent Y.
Published: March 2011

Research has shown that warmth and competence are core dimensions on which perceivers judge others and that warmth has a primary role at various phases of impression formation. Three studies explored whether the two components of warmth (i.e., sociability and morality) have distinct roles in predicting the global impression of social groups. In Study 1 (N= 105) and Study 2 (N= 112), participants read an immigration scenario depicting an unfamiliar social group in terms of high (vs. low) morality, sociability, and competence. In both studies, participants were asked to report their global impression of the group. Results showed that global evaluations were better predicted by morality than by sociability or competence‐trait ascriptions. Study 3 (N= 86) further showed that the effect of moral traits on group global evaluations was mediated by the perception of threat. The importance of these findings for the impression‐formation process is discussed.
`Where the rubber hits the road’ en route to inter‐group harmony: Examining contact intentions and contact behaviour under meta‐stereotype threat
Authors: MacInnis Cara , Hodson Gordon
Published: March 2011

Although inter‐group contact reduces prejudice, intra‐group contact is most typically preferred. Understanding factors contributing to out‐group avoidance, therefore, is imperative. Unlike previous correlational studies, other‐stereotype (out‐group is biased) and meta‐stereotype (out‐group sees one's in‐group as biased) information was manipulated in an inter‐group contact setting, at the personal (you/partner) or group (in‐group/out‐group) level. Whites under threat generally indicated positive expectations and intentions to approach Black interaction partners. However, at the behavioural level, personal meta‐stereotype manipulations (your partner thinks you are biased) generated out‐group avoidance several times stronger than in the other threat conditions. Implications for the development of prejudice interventions are discussed within an aversive racism framework.
When are people interchangeable sexual objects? The effect of gender and body type on sexual fungibility
Authors: Gervais Sarah J. , Vescio Theresa K. , Allen Jill
Published: March 2011

The purpose of this research was to empirically examine the fungibility hypothesis derived from sexual objectification theory. Sexual objectification theorists have suggested that like objects, people, typically women, may be fungible or interchangeable with similar others. Despite its provocative nature and potential adverse psychological consequences, the fungibility hypothesis has yet to be empirically examined. We suggested that women, regardless of body types, but also men with body types that resemble the cultural ideal of attractiveness (e.g., large arms and chests and narrow waists), would be more fungible than men with body types that resemble the cultural average. Participants (n= 66) saw images of average and ideal women and men once before they completed a surprise matching task requiring that they match the bodies and faces that appeared together in the original images. Consistent with hypotheses, we found that women with ideal bodies, women with average bodies, and men with ideal bodies were more fungible (perceivers made more body–face pairing errors) than men with average bodies. Furthermore, it appears that when people are fungible they are interchangeable with people with similar body types. Implications and directions for future research on objectification and fungibility are discussed.
The distribution of blood flow in the carotid and vertebral arteries during dynamic exercise in humans
Authors: Sato Kohei , Ogoh Shigehiko , Hirasawa Ai , Oue Anna , Sadamoto Tomoko
Published: March 2011

Non‐technical summary  The mechanism underlying the plateau or relative decrease in cerebral blood flow during maximal incremental dynamic exercise remains unclear. We show that during graded dynamic exercise, the regulation of internal carotid artery blood flow was limited by a large increase in external carotid artery blood flow, one function of which is thermoregulation during heavy exercise. The mechanism of the plateau or decrease in internal carotid artery blood flow appears to be partly due to exercise‐induced redistribution of arterial blood flow to the head and brain.
Effect of the Yield to Tensile Ratio on Structural Integrity of Line Pipes Subjected to Bending Loads
Authors: Ernst Hugo A. , Bravo Richard E.
Published: March 2011

This work studies the effect of the yield (Y) to tensile (T) ratio, Y∕T, on the structural integrity of line pipes with part through the thickness (PTT) circumferential defects subject to bend loading. A model based on elastic-plastic fracture mechanics and plasticity theory was developed for that purpose. The analysis handles situation with load or deformation control conditions. The results are shown in terms of curves of critical defect size versus the controlling variable, i.e., load or deformation. For each one of the different materials studied, cases with different Y∕T values were considered. Even for the lower limits of experimental data, i.e., larger Y∕T, the materials have adequate defect tolerance. A leak before break analysis of a PTT circumferential defect growing into a through the thickness defect growing circumferentially was performed.
Prediction of Ductile-to-Brittle Transition Under Different Strain Rates in Undermatched Welded Joints
Authors: Mochizuki Masahito , Toyoda Masao
Published: March 2011

A welded joint generally has heterogeneity of strength, material, and fracture toughness. It is important to understand the characteristics of the strength and fracture of welded joints while considering the heterogeneous effect. In particular, the material behavior becomes more complicated when the welded joint with strength heterogeneity is subjected to dynamic rapid loading; for example, the welded heat-affected zone of pipeline steels is softened and welded underground pipelines are affected by a rapid ground sliding in an earthquake. In this paper, the characteristics of the strength and fracture of an undermatched joint under dynamic loading are studied by round-bar tension tests and thermal elastic-plastic analyses. The results show that the strength and fracture characteristics of the undermatched joints should be evaluated based on the effects of the strain rate and the temperature, including the temperature rise during dynamic loading. The tensile strength and the yield stress of the undermatched joints increase with the strain rate and with the decreasing temperature. The strength of the undermatched zone approaches that of the base metal when the thickness of the undermatched zone becomes smaller, and it does not depend on the strain rate. Finally, it is found that the stress-strain distribution affects fracture characteristics such as ductile-to-brittle transition behavior. The fracture characteristics are explained and predicted from the results of stress-strain relations obtained by numerical analysis.
Acoustic Waves in Two-Dimensional Phononic Crystals With Reticular Geometric Structures
Authors: Huang Zi-Gui , Chen Zheng-Yu
Published: March 2011

Previous studies on photonic crystals raise the exciting topic of phononic crystals. This paper presents the results of tunable band gaps in the acoustic waves of two-dimensional phononic crystals with reticular geometric structures using the 2D and 3D finite element methods. This paper calculates and discusses the band gap variations of the bulk modes due to different sizes of reticular geometric structures. Results show that adjusting the orientation of the reticular geometric structures can increase or decrease the total elastic band gaps for mixed polarization modes. The band gap phenomena of elastic or acoustic waves can potentially be utilized to achieve vibration-free, high-precision mechanical systems, and sound insulation.
Frequency Response of Cylindrical Resonators in a Viscous Fluid
Authors: Martin Michael J. , Houston Brian H.
Published: March 2011

The frequency response of a cylinder in a viscously damped fluid is a problem of fundamental engineering interest, with applications ranging from microsystems to offshore structures. The analytic solution for the drag in a vibrating cylinder in the laminar flow regime is combined with the equations of motion for forced vibration of a cylinder attached to a spring. The resulting model gives an analytic solution for the dynamic response of the system, including the gain, frequency lag, resonant frequency, quality factor, and stability of the system. The results show that the response of the system is nonlinear, with the phase of the system differing from the phase predicted by linear models. The gain, quality factor, resonant frequency, and crossover frequency all increase with the nondimensional natural frequency β and decrease with the ratio of the fluid density to the resonator density.
Application of Ab Initio Quantum Mechanical Calculations to Investigate Oxidation of C-7 and C-14 Methyl Esters: An Alternative Fuel
Authors: Shafagh I. , Hughes K. J. , Pourkashanian M.
Published: March 2011

Using the GAUSSIAN 03 (Frisch et al., 2004, GAUSSIAN 03, Revision C.02, Gaussian, Inc., Wallingford, CT) program, the electronic structure of the C-14 and C-7 methyl esters, C14H28O2 (methyl tridecanoate) and C7H14O2 (methyl hexanoate), was estimated. For the electronic calculations, the density functional theory at the B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) level and the complete basis set (CBS-QB3) were applied. Bond dissociation energies for C-14 and C-7 esters were evaluated and compared with those of methyl butanoate, C5H10O2. Using the KHIMERA program (2007, KHIMERA04, Version 1.1, Motorola Inc; Novoselov et al., 2002, “CHIMERA: A Software Tool for Reaction Rate Calculations and Kinetics and Thermodynamics Analysis,” J. Comput. Chem., 23, pp. 1375–1389), contributions from energies, harmonic vibrational frequencies, and moments of inertia were utilized to construct modified Arrhenius rate expressions for bimolecular reactions. C7H14O2 was selected as a surrogate for the C14 fuel in order to study the bimolecular reactions with flame radicals. In the present work, reactions of carbon numbers 4 and 5 of C7H14O2, where carbon number 1 is the one single bonded to oxygen atom, with flame reactive radicals such as CH3, HO2, and H were studied where the rates for the reactions of other carbon sites can be obtained from studying methyl butanoate’s reactions. The rate expressions were estimated using transition state theory as implemented in KHIMERA over the temperature of 500–2000 K.
Computational Model of a Hybrid Pressurized Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Generator/Gas Turbine Power Plant
Authors: Dumitrescu Adrian , Lee T. W. , Roy R. P.
Published: March 2011

A computational model of a hybrid pressurized solid oxide fuel cell (PSOFC) generator/gas turbine power plant is developed using classical thermodynamic analysis in conjunction with electromechanical, fluid-mechanical, and heat transfer simulations in the fuel cell by a commercial software. The thermodynamic analysis is based on energy and exergy balances. A case study is reported in which the plant contains a Siemens–Westinghouse PSOFC generator and a Solar Turbines Mercury-50 gas turbine. Among the calculated quantities for a range of fuel cell current are the plant output power, first-law efficiency, and exergetic efficiency.
Lubrication of Highly Viscous Core-Annular Flows in Microfluidic Chambers
Authors: Darvishi Samira , Cubaud Thomas
Published: March 2011

We investigate the lubrication transition of high-viscosity fluid threads flowing in sheaths of less viscous fluids, i.e., viscous core-annular flows, in microchannels. Focus is given on the flow behavior of threads as they traverse a quasi-two-dimensional diverging-converging slit microfluidic chamber. The role of the viscosity contrast is examined for both miscible and immiscible fluids, and, for the later case, both partially wetting and nonwetting threads are considered. The conditions for lubrication are established in relation to flow rates of injection, interfacial properties, viscosities, and phenomena such as viscous buckling, wetting, breakup, and coalescence.
Photovoltaic manufacturing: Present status, future prospects, and research needs
Authors: Wolden Colin A. , Kurtin Juanita , Baxter Jason B. , Repins Ingrid , Shaheen Sean E. , Torvik John T. , Rockett Angus A. , Fthenakis Vasilis M. , Aydil Eray S.
Published: March 2011

In May 2010 the United States National Science Foundation sponsored a two-day workshop to review the state-of-the-art and research challenges in photovoltaic (PV) manufacturing. This article summarizes the major conclusions and outcomes from this workshop, which was focused on identifying the science that needs to be done to help accelerate PV manufacturing. A significant portion of the article focuses on assessing the current status of and future opportunities in the major PV manufacturing technologies. These are solar cells based on crystalline silicon (c-Si), thin films of cadmium telluride (CdTe), thin films of copper indium gallium diselenide, and thin films of hydrogenated amorphous and nanocrystalline silicon. Current trends indicate that the cost per watt of c-Si and CdTe solar cells are being reduced to levels beyond the constraints commonly associated with these technologies. With a focus on TW/yr production capacity, the issue of material availability is discussed along with the emerging technologies of dye-sensitized solar cells and organic photovoltaics that are potentially less constrained by elemental abundance. Lastly, recommendations are made for research investment, with an emphasis on those areas that are expected to have cross-cutting impact.
Transparent conductive and near-infrared reflective Ga-doped ZnO/Cu bilayer films grown at room temperature
Authors: Lu J. G. , Bie X. , Wang Y. P. , Gong L. , Ye Z. Z.
Published: March 2011

Bilayer films consisting of Ga-doped ZnO (GZO) and Cu layers were grown at room temperature by magnetron sputtering. The structural, electrical, and optical properties of GZO/Cu bilayer films were investigated in detail. The crystallinity and transparent-conductive properties of the films were correlated with the Cu layer thickness. The GZO/Cu bilayer film with the Cu layer thickness of 7.8 nm exhibited a low resistivity of 7.6×10−5 Ω cm and an average visible transmittance of 74%. The reflectance was up to 65% in the near-infrared region for this film. The transparent conductive and near-infrared reflective GZO/Cu bilayer films could be readily deposited at room temperature. The GZO/Cu bilayer films were thermally stable when annealed at temperatures as high as 500 °C.
Modification of transparent conductive ZnO and Ga-doped ZnO films by irradiation with electron cyclotron resonance argon plasma
Authors: Akazawa Housei
Published: March 2011

By irradiating undoped ZnO and Ga-doped ZnO (GZO) films with electron cyclotron resonance Ar plasma, their electrical and optical properties have been modified. Both the carrier concentration and the Hall mobility increased with continuous irradiation in conductive ZnO films with a defect-rich crystalline lattice. Improved crystallinity was verified by intensifying the ZnO(002) x-ray diffraction peak and increasing the optical transmission level in the visible wavelength. This observation suggests network rearrangement through Zn atoms at interstitials or grain boundaries being oxidized or accommodated into the crystalline network. For insulating ZnO films that contain a sufficient number of oxygen atoms, the changes were better scaled with sheet resistance rather than resistivity. The interference fringes redshifted without lowering the transmittance level. Here, Ar ion impact will create oxygen vacancy donors in the near-surface region or desorb interstitial oxygen atoms that act as donor killers. In contrast, GZO films with resistivities in the 10−4 Ω cm range revealed little changes because there were very few imperfections in the crystalline lattice. The reduced amount of resistivity corresponded to the creation of oxygen vacancies in more resistive GZO films in the 10−3 Ω cm range.
Classification of scattering media within benign and malignant breast tumors based on ultrasound texture‐feature‐based and Nakagami‐parameter images
Authors: Liao Yin‐Yin , Tsui Po‐Hsiang , Li Chia‐Hui , Chang King‐Jen , Kuo Wen‐Hung , Chang Chien‐Cheng , Yeh Chih‐Kuang
Published: March 2011

Purpose:

Benign and malignant tumors can be classified by using texture analysis of the ultrasound B‐scan image to describe the variation in the echogenicity of scatterers. The recently proposed ultrasonic Nakagami parametric image has also been used to detect the concentrations and arrangements of scatterers for tumor characterization applications. B‐scan‐based texture analysis and the Nakagami parametric image are functionally complementary in ultrasonic tissue characterizations and this study aimed to combine these methods in order to improve the ability to characterize breast tumors.

Methods:

To validate this concept, radio‐frequency data obtained from 130 clinical cases were used to construct the texture‐feature parametric image and the Nakagami parametric image. Four texture‐feature parameters based on a gray‐level co‐occurrence matrix (homogeneity, contrast, energy, and variance) and the Nakagami parameters of the benign and malignant tumors were calculated. The usefulness of an individual parameter was determined and scatter graphs indicated the relationship between two selected texture‐feature parameters. Fisher's linear discriminant analysis was used to combine the selected texture‐feature parameters with the Nakagami parameter. The performance in classifying tumors was evaluated based on the receiver operating characteristic curve.

Results:

The results indicated that there is a trade‐off between sensitivity and specificity when using an individual texture‐feature parameter or when combining two such correlated parameters to discriminate benign and malignant cases. However, the best performance was obtained when combining selected texture‐feature parameters with the Nakagami parameter.

Conclusions:

The study findings suggest that combining B‐scan‐based texture analysis and the Nakagami parametric image could improve the ability to classify benign and malignant breast tumors.
Accuracies of the synthesized monochromatic CT numbers and effective atomic numbers obtained with a rapid kVp switching dual energy CT scanner
Authors: Goodsitt Mitchell M. , Christodoulou Emmanuel G. , Larson Sandra C.
Published: March 2011

Purpose:

This study was performed to investigate the accuracies of the synthesized monochromatic images and effective atomic number maps obtained with the new GE Discovery CT750 HD CT scanner.

Methods:

A Gammex‐RMI model 467 tissue characterization phantom and the CT number linearity section of a Phantom Laboratory Catphan 600 phantom were scanned using the dual energy (DE) feature on the GE CT750 HD scanner. Synthesized monochromatic images at various energies between 40 and 120 keV and effective atomic number maps were generated. Regions of interest were placed within these images/maps to measure the average monochromatic CT numbers and average of the materials within these phantoms. The true values were either supplied by the phantom manufacturer or computed using Mayneord's equation. The linear attenuation coefficients for the true CT numbers were computed using the NIST XCOM program with the input of manufacturer supplied elemental compositions and densities. The effects of small variations in the assumed true densities of the materials were also investigated. Finally, the effect of body size on the accuracies of the synthesized monochromatic CT numbers was investigated using a custom lumbar section phantom with and without an external fat‐mimicking ring.

Results:

Other than the of the simulated lung inserts in the tissue characterization phantom, which could not be measured by DECT, the values of all of the other materials in the tissue characterization and Catphan phantoms were accurate to 15%. The accuracies of the synthesized monochromatic CT numbers of the materials in both phantoms varied with energy and material. For the 40–120 keV range, RMS errors between the measured and true CT numbers in the Catphan are 8–25 HU when the true CT numbers were computed using the nominal plastic densities. These RMS errors improve to 3–12 HU for assumed true densities within the nominal density range. The RMS errors between the measured and true CT numbers of the tissue mimicking materials in the tissue characterization phantom over the 40–120 keV range varied from about 6 HU–248 HU and did not improve as dramatically with small changes in assumed true density.

Conclusions:

Initial tests indicate that the values computed with DECT on this scanner are reasonably accurate; however, the synthesized monochromatic CT numbers can be very inaccurate, especially for dense tissue mimicking materials at low energies. Furthermore, the synthesized monochromatic CT numbers of materials still depend on the amount of the surrounding tissues especially at low keV, demonstrating that the numbers are not truly monochromatic. Further research is needed to develop DE methods that produce more accurate synthesized monochromatic CT numbers.
Resistance to MEK Inhibitors: Should We Co-Target Upstream?
Authors: Poulikakos Poulikos I. , Solit David B.
Published: March 2011

Amplification of an upstream kinase in a three-kinase module confers resistance to cancer drugs that target a downstream kinase.
Degraded for Shock Value
Authors: Wong Wei
Published: March 2011

A glycoprotein secreted by a parasitic nematode inhibits TLR4 signaling and could be used to treat sepsis.
Emergence of NDM-1-Producing Enterobacteriaceae in Belgium
Authors: Bogaerts Pierre , Bouchahrouf Warda , de Castro Roberta Rezende , Deplano Ariane , Berhin Catherine , Piérard Denis , Denis Olivier , Glupczynski Youri
Published: March 2011

Five multidrug-resistant nonclonally related
Enterobacteriaceae
isolates were recovered in Belgium in 2010 from three patients who had been hospitalized in Pakistan, Montenegro, and Serbia/Kosovo. New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase (NDM-1) was detected in each of the isolates in addition to several extended-spectrum β-lactamases (CTX-M-15, SHV-12), plasmidic cephalosporinases (CMY-16, CMY-58), rRNA methylases (ArmA, RmtB), and Qnr genes (
qnrA6
,
qnrB1
,
qnrB2
). One patient died from uncontrolled sepsis, while the two others recovered. No secondary cases occurred in any of the hospitals.
Inactivation of the Indigenous Methyltransferase RlmN in Staphylococcus aureus Increases Linezolid Resistance
Authors: LaMarre Jacqueline M. , Howden Benjamin P. , Mankin Alexander S.
Published: March 2011

The indigenous methyltransferase RlmN modifies A2503 in 23S rRNA. A recently described
rlmN
mutation in a clinical
Staphylococcus aureus
isolate decreases susceptibility to linezolid and was thought to increase the extent of A2503 modification. However, we show that the mutation in fact abolishes RlmN activity, resulting in a lack of A2503 modification. Since many mutations could inactivate the
rlmN
gene, our findings unveil a potential mechanism for future linezolid resistance in clinical strains.
Molecular Drug Susceptibility Testing and Genotyping of Mycobacterium leprae Strains from South America
Authors: Singh Pushpendra , Busso Philippe , Paniz-Mondolfi Alberto , Aranzazu Nacarid , Monot Marc , Honore Nadine , de Faria Fernandes Belone Andrea , Virmond Marcos , Villarreal-Olaya Maria Esther , Rivas Carlos , Cole Stewart T.
Published: March 2011

Possible drug resistance inMycobacterium lepraestrains from Venezuela and three other South American countries was surveyed by molecular methods. None of the 230 strains from new leprosy cases exhibited drug resistance-associated mutations. However, two of the three strains from relapsed cases contained dapsone resistance mutations, and one strain also harbored a rifampin resistance mutation. Single nucleotide polymorphism analysis of these strains revealed five subtypes: 3I (73.8%), 4P (11.6%), 1D (6.9%), 4N (6%), and 4O (1.7%).
Pharmacokinetics and Safety of FV-100, a Novel Oral Anti-Herpes Zoster Nucleoside Analogue, Administered in Single and Multiple Doses to Healthy Young Adult and Elderly Adult Volunteers
Authors: Pentikis Helen S. , Matson Mark , Atiee George , Boehlecke Brian , Hutchins Jeff T. , Patti Joseph M. , Henson Geoffrey W. , Morris Amy
Published: March 2011

FV-100 is the prodrug of the highly potent anti-varicella zoster virus bicyclic nucleoside analogue CF-1743. To characterize the pharmacokinetics and safety of oral FV-100, 3 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials were conducted: (i) a single-ascending-dose study in 32 healthy subjects aged 18 to 55 years (100-, 200-, 400-, and 800-mg doses) with an evaluation of the food effect in the 400-mg group; (ii) a multiple-ascending-dose study in 48 subjects aged 18 to 55 years (100 mg once daily [QD], 200 mg QD, 400 mg QD, 400 mg twice a day, and 800 mg QD for 7 days); and (iii) a 2-part study in subjects aged 65 years and older with a single 400-mg dose in 15 subjects and a 400-mg QD dosing regimen for 7 days in 12 subjects. FV-100 was rapidly and extensively converted to CF-1743, the concentration of which remained above that required to reduce viral activity by 50% for the 24-hour dosing period. Renal excretion of CF-1743 was very low. A high-fat meal reduced exposure to CF-1743; a low-fat meal did not. Pharmacokinetic parameters for the elderly subjects were comparable to those for the younger subjects. FV-100 was well tolerated by all subjects. The pharmacokinetic and safety profiles of FV-100 support its continued investigation for the treatment of herpes zoster and prevention of postherpetic neuralgia with once-daily dosing and without dose modifications for elderly or renally impaired patients.
Raltegravir Concentrations in the Genital Tract of HIV-1-Infected Women Treated with a Raltegravir-Containing Regimen (DIVA 01 Study)
Authors: Clavel Cyril , Peytavin Gilles , Tubiana Roland , Soulié Cathia , Crenn-Hebert Catherine , Heard Isabelle , Bissuel François , Ichou Houria , Ferreira Claudia , Katlama Christine , Marcelin Anne-Geneviève , Mandelbrot Laurent
Published: March 2011

We studied the penetration of raltegravir and HIV shedding in the genital tract among 14 HIV-1-infected women receiving a raltegravir-containing regimen who had <40 copies/ml blood plasma (BP) HIV RNA. None of the cervicovaginal fluid (CVF) samples showed detectable HIV RNA. Median raltegravir concentrations were 235 ng/ml in BP and 93 ng/ml in CVF, with a CVF/BP ratio of approximately 2.3. This good penetration of raltegravir may contribute to the control of viral replication in the female genital tract.
Gentian Violet Exhibits Activity against Biofilms Formed by Oral Candida Isolates Obtained from HIV-Infected Patients
Authors: Traboulsi Rana S. , Mukherjee Pranab K. , Chandra Jyotsna , Salata Robert A. , Jurevic Richard , Ghannoum Mahmoud A.
Published: March 2011

The effect of gentian violet against
Candida albicans
and non
-Candida albicans
biofilms formed on polymethylmethacrylate strips was evaluated using a dry weight assay and confocal laser scanning microscopy. The ability of gentian violet to inhibit
Candida albicans
germination was also assessed. Gentian violet activity against
Candida
biofilms was demonstrated by a reduction in dry weight, disruption of biofilm architecture, and reduced biofilm thickness. Additionally, gentian violet inhibited
Candida
germination in a concentration-dependent manner.
Detection of the KPC Gene in Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Acinetobacter baumannii during a PCR-Based Nosocomial Surveillance Study in Puerto Rico
Authors: Robledo Iraida E. , Aquino Edna E. , Vázquez Guillermo J.
Published: March 2011

A 6-month, PCR-based, island-wide hospital surveillance study of beta-lactam resistance in
Escherichia coli
,
Klebsiella pneumoniae
,
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
, and
Acinetobacter baumannii
was conducted in Puerto Rico. Of 10,507 isolates, 1,239 (12%) unique, multi-beta-lactam-resistant isolates from all geographical regions were identified. The KPC gene was detected in 61
E. coli
, 333
K. pneumoniae
, 99
P. aeruginosa
, and 41
A. baumannii
isolates, indicating the widespread dissemination of the KPC gene in clinically significant nosocomial isolates.
Pharmacokinetics and Safety of MP-376 (Levofloxacin Inhalation Solution) in Cystic Fibrosis Subjects
Authors: Geller David E. , Flume Patrick A. , Griffith David C. , Morgan Elizabeth , White Dan , Loutit Jeffery S. , Dudley Michael N.
Published: March 2011

The pharmacokinetics and tolerability of nebulized MP-376 (levofloxacin inhalation solution [Aeroquin]) were determined in cystic fibrosis (CF) subjects. Ten CF subjects received single 180-mg doses of two formulations of MP-376, followed by a multiple-dose phase of 240 mg once daily for 7 days. Serum and expectorated-sputum samples were assayed for levofloxacin content. Safety was evaluated following the single- and multiple-dose study phases. Nebulized MP-376 produced high concentrations of levofloxacin in sputum. The mean maximum plasma concentration (
C
max
) ranged between 2,563 and 2,932 mg/liter for 180-mg doses of the 50- and 100-mg/ml formulations, respectively. After 7 days of dosing, the mean
C
max
for the 240-mg dose was 4,691 mg/liter. The mean serum levofloxacin
C
max
ranged between 0.95 and 1.28 for the 180-mg doses and was 1.71 for the 240-mg dose. MP-376 was well tolerated. Nebulized MP-376 produces high sputum and low serum levofloxacin concentrations. The pharmacokinetics, safety, and tolerability were similar for the two formulations. MP-376 240 mg (100 mg/ml) is being advanced into late-stage clinical development.
Duodenal Helminth Infection Alters Barrier Function of the Colonic Epithelium via Adaptive Immune Activation
Authors: Su Chien-wen , Cao Yue , Kaplan Jess , Zhang Mei , Li Wanglin , Conroy Michelle , Walker W. Allan , Shi Hai Ning
Published: March 2011

Chronic infection with intestinal helminth parasites is a major public health problem, particularly in the developing world, and can have significant effects on host physiology and the immune response to other enteric infections and antigens. The mechanisms underlying these effects are not well understood. In the current study, we investigated the impact of infection with the murine nematode parasiteHeligmosomoides polygyrus, which resides in the duodenum, on epithelial barrier function in the colon. We found thatH. polygyrusinfection produced a significant increase in colonic epithelial permeability, as evidenced by detection of elevated serum levels of the tracer horseradish peroxidase following rectal administration. This loss of normal barrier function was associated with clear ultrastructural changes in the tight junctions of colonic epithelial cells and an alteration in the expression and distribution of the junctional protein E-cadherin. These parasite-induced abnormalities were not observed in SCID mice but did occur in SCID mice that were adoptively transferred with wild-type T cells, indicating a requirement for adaptive immunity. Furthermore, the helminth-induced increase in gut permeability was not seen in STAT6 knockout (KO) mice. Taken together, the results demonstrate that one of the mechanisms by which helminths exert their effects involves the lymphocyte- and STAT6-dependent breakdown of the intestinal epithelial barrier. This increase in epithelial permeability may facilitate the movement of lumenal contents across the mucosa, thus helping to explain how helminth infection can alter the immune response to enteric antigens.
Blastomyces dermatitidis Yeast Cells Inhibit Nitric Oxide Production by Alveolar Macrophage Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase
Authors: Rocco Nicole M. , Carmen John C. , Klein Bruce S.
Published: March 2011

The ability of pathogens to evade host antimicrobial mechanisms is crucial to their virulence. The dimorphic fungal pathogenBlastomyces dermatitidiscan infect immunocompetent patients, producing a primary pulmonary infection that can later disseminate to other organs.B. dermatitidispossesses a remarkable ability to resist killing by alveolar macrophages. To date, no mechanism to explain this resistance has been described. Here, we focus on macrophage production of the toxic molecule nitric oxide as a potential target of subversion byB. dermatitidisyeast cells. We report thatB. dermatitidisyeast cells reduce nitric oxide levels in the supernatants of activated alveolar macrophages. This reduction is not due to detoxification of nitric oxide, but rather to suppression of macrophage nitric oxide production. We show thatB. dermatitidisyeast cells do not block upregulation of macrophage inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression or limit iNOS access to its arginine substrate. Instead,B. dermatitidisyeast cells appear to inhibit iNOS enzymatic activity. Further investigation into the genetic basis of this potential virulence mechanism could lead to the identification of novel antifungal drug targets.
Deletion of
mtrC
in Haemophilus ducreyi Increases Sensitivity to Human Antimicrobial Peptides and Activates the CpxRA Regulon
Authors: Rinker Sherri D. , Trombley Michael P. , Gu Xiaoping , Fortney Kate R. , Bauer Margaret E.
Published: March 2011

Haemophilus ducreyi
resists killing by antimicrobial peptides encountered during human infection, including cathelicidin LL-37, α-defensins, and β-defensins. In this study, we examined the role of the proton motive force-dependent multiple transferable resistance (MTR) transporter in antimicrobial peptide resistance in
H. ducreyi
. We found a proton motive force-dependent effect on
H. ducreyi
's resistance to LL-37 and β-defensin HBD-3, but not α-defensin HNP-2. Deletion of the membrane fusion protein MtrC rendered
H. ducreyi
more sensitive to LL-37 and human β-defensins but had relatively little effect on α-defensin resistance. The
mtrC
mutant 35000HP
mtrC
exhibited phenotypic changes in outer membrane protein profiles, colony morphology, and serum sensitivity, which were restored to wild type by
trans
-complementation with
mtrC
. Similar phenotypes were reported in a
cpxA
mutant; activation of the two-component CpxRA regulator was confirmed by showing transcriptional effects on CpxRA-regulated genes in 35000HP
mtrC
. A
cpxR
mutant had wild-type levels of antimicrobial peptide resistance; a
cpxA
mutation had little effect on defensin resistance but led to increased sensitivity to LL-37. 35000HP
mtrC
was more sensitive than the
cpxA
mutant to LL-37, indicating that MTR contributed to LL-37 resistance independent of the CpxRA regulon. The CpxRA regulon did not affect proton motive force-dependent antimicrobial peptide resistance; however, 35000HP
mtrC
had lost proton motive force-dependent peptide resistance, suggesting that the MTR transporter promotes proton motive force-dependent resistance to LL-37 and human β-defensins. This is the first report of a β-defensin resistance mechanism in
H. ducreyi
and shows that LL-37 resistance in
H. ducreyi
is multifactorial.
LipA, a Tyrosine and Lipid Phosphatase Involved in the Virulence of Listeria monocytogenes
Authors: Kastner Renate , Dussurget Olivier , Archambaud Cristel , Kernbauer Elisabeth , Soulat Didier , Cossart Pascale , Decker Thomas
Published: March 2011

Intracellular bacterial pathogens manipulate host cell functions by producing enzymes that stimulate or antagonize signal transduction. TheListeria monocytogenesgenome contains a gene,lmo1800, encoding a protein with a conserved motif of conventional tyrosine phosphatases. Here, we report that thelmo1800-encoded protein LipA is secreted byListeriaand displays tyrosine as well as lipid phosphatase activityin vitro. Bacteria lacking LipA are severely attenuated in virulencein vivo, thus revealing a so-far-undescribed enzymatic activity involved inListeriainfection.