bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
40Ar/39Ar dating of the Thanet gabbro, Ontario: looking through the Grenvillian metamorphic veil and implications for paleomagnetism
Authors: Berger Glenn W. , York Derek
Published: January 2011

In this first dating study of the Thanet gabbro complex from the Hastings Basin area we have obtained K–Ar evidence to support the geological contention that this pluton (and, by inference, others nearby) has escaped the severity of the Grenvillian metamorphic overprint. Specifically, a reliable date of 1200 Ma for a hornblende demonstrates that this body was emplaced at least 100 Ma earlier than the peak of metamorphism in the adjacent Haliburton Highlands.From considerations of possible cooling histories and a proposed Grenville apparent polar wander (APW) curve we deduce that only the Thanet magnetization component with the lowest laboratory blocking temperatures (Th3) was likely acquired as a thermoremanent magnetization, whereas the other two components were probably acquired as low-temperature chemical remanent magnetizations. Furthermore, the Th3 component was likely set before 1.0 Ga, consistent with our earlier proposed Grenville Loop.
Rb–Sr whole-rock geochronology of the Gamitagama area, north central Ontario
Authors: Turek A. , Smith T. E. , Huang C. H.
Published: January 2011

The Gamitagama greenstone belt is situated to the south of the Archean Wawa belt of the Superior Province, and is about 50 km south of Wawa, Ontario. The Rb–Sr ages being reported here show that the metavolcanic and associated metasedimentary rocks are older than 2665 ± 45 Ma, which is a whole-rock isochron age of the pretectonic or syntectonic trondhjemitic plutons. The Gamitagama Lake complex, a calcalkalic differentiated and multiple diorite pluton, postdates the regional metamorphism and gives an age of 2645 ± 100 Ma. Potassic granitoid stocks, which are considered to be coeval with the Gamitagama Lake complex, define an isochron age of 2590 ± 80 Ma. The greenstone belt and associated intrusives are adjacent to the Southern batholith, a complex terrain of gneisses and migmatites, for which an isochron age of 2570 ± 90 Ma has been obtained. The radiometric ages reported here support the established stratigraphic sequence and prove that the rocks are Archean in age.
Zircon isotopic age from the Union ultramafic complex, Maine
Authors: Gaudette Henri E.
Published: January 2011

Ultramafic and mafic rocks of the Union complex, Maine, U.S.A. are interpreted as remnants of Iapetus oceanic crust based upon geological, geochemical, and structural considerations. These rocks were emplaced along a cryptic Acadian suture during North American–Avalonian collision. U–Pb analyses of zircons from the quartz diorite portion of the Middle Road unit yield a primary (crystallization) age of 410 ± 7 Ma marking a maximum age for collision and disappearance of Iapetus ocean floor. Other studies have shown a minimum time of peak Acadian deformation at 385–400 Ma, strongly suggesting that the Acadian event occurred in a period of less than 20 Ma in this portion of the northern Appalachians.
Paleomagnetism and geochronology of St. Matthew Island, Bering Sea
Authors: Wittbrodt Paul R. , Stone David B. , Turner Donald L.
Published: January 2011

Oriented samples from a series of flow units, pyroclastics, tuffs, tuff breccias, and some intrusive rocks from St. Matthew Island were studied paleomagnetically in an attempt to constrain possible paleolatitudes of the Bering Sea shelf. The volcanic sequences have apparently stable magnetic directions and contain a reversed–normal–reversed–normal polarity succession.The Late Cretaceous paleolatitude deduced from the paleomagnetic data was 67°N, and the island has rotated in a clockwise sense by a nominal 10°. This implies that the rocks analyzed were formed about 12 °south of their present location with respect to cratonic North America. These data argue against tectonic models for the Bering Sea shelf region that require large-scale Late Cretaceous and Tertiary latitude changes.New K–Ar age dates combined with previously reported K–Ar ages give a best estimate of the age of the St. Matthew volcanic units of about 78.7 ± 0.4 Ma. The reversed–normal–reversed polarity changes are thought to represent part of the sequence seen between marine anomalies 32 and 33 that are usually assigned an age of about 74 Ma, which appears to be about 5 Ma too young.
Suspended-sediment concentration and calibre in relation to surface-flow structure in Squamish River estuary, southwestern British Columbia
Authors: Rood Kenneth M. , Hickin Edward J.
Published: January 2011

Surface grabs of suspended sediments from boils and the background flow in Squamish Estuary revealed strong differences between the two environments. Boils exhibit higher sediment concentrations and larger particle sizes than the background flow. The higher sediment concentrations and larger grain sizes in boils are related to tidal phase, with maximum concentrations and sediment sizes occurring in the early decelerating phase of the tidal flow. Sediment concentrations and grain sizes in the background flow are comparatively invariant with tidal phase. Boils appear to play an important, if not dominant, role in suspending and transporting sand-sized sediments in Squamish Estuary.
Maturation thermique et histoire de l'enfouissement et de la génération des hydrocarbures du bassin de l'archipel de Mingan et de l'île d'Anticosti, Canada
Authors: Bertrand Rudolf
Published: January 2011

Carbonate platform sequences of Anticosti Island and the Mingan Archipelago are Early Ordovician to Early Silurian in age. With the exception of the Macasty Formation, the sequences are impoverished in dispersed organic matter, which is chiefly composed of zooclasts. Zooclast reflectances suggest that the Upper Ordovician and Silurian sequences outcropping on Anticosti Island are entirely in the oil window but that the Lower to Middle Ordovician beds of the Mingan Archipelago and their stratigraphic equivalents in the subsurface of most of Anticosti Island belong to the condensate zone. Only the deeper sequences of the southwestern sector of Anticosti Island are in the diagenetic dry-gas zone. The maximum depth of burial of sequences below now-eroded Silurian to Devonian strata increases from 2.3 km on southwestern Anticosti Island to 4.5 km in the Mingan Archipelago. A late upwarp of the Precambrian basement likely allowed deeper erosion of the Paleozoic strata in the vicinity of the Mingan Archipelago than on Anticosti Island. Differential erosion resulted in a southwestern tilting of equal maturation surfaces. The Macasty Formation, the only source rock of the basin (total organic carbon generally > 3.5%, shows a wide range of thermal maturation levels (potential oil window to diagenetic dry gas). It can be inferred from the burial history of Anticosti Island sequences that oil generation began later but continued for a longer period of geologic time in the northeastern part than in the southeastern part of the island. Oil generation was entirely pre-Acadian in the southern and western parts of Anticosti Island, but pre- and post-Acadian in the northern and eastern parts.
A comparative 40Ar/39Ar study of the Kapuskasing structural zone and the Wawa gneiss terrane: thermal and tectonic implications
Authors: Martinez Margarita Lopez , York Derek
Published: January 2011

40Ar/39Ar studies were performed on rocks from two traverses within the southern Superior Province of the Canadian Shield: the Racine traverse across the Wawa gneiss terrane and the Shawmere traverse in the highest grade rocks of the Kapuskasing structural zone (KSZ). Evidence of differential uplift between the two regions was obtained from the hornblende samples analysed. The results suggest that the Wawa gneiss terrane cooled below the hornblende closure temperature about 2570 Ma ago, whereas the KSZ region remained at depth, above the hornblende closure temperature, until about 2450 Ma ago. The Racine biotite samples indicate earlier cooling for the northern region in respect to the southern region within the Wawa gneiss terrane. This would imply tilting in a roughly north-south direction about 2300 Ma ago. Low ages (ca. 1100 Ma) obtained in low-temperature fractions of the microcline samples record the intrusion of the alkaline complexes.
Systematics of Encrinuroides and Curriella (Trilobita), with a new Early Silurian encrinurine from the Mackenzie Mountains
Authors: Edgecombe Gregory D. , Chatterton Brian D. E.
Published: January 2011

Encrinuroides Reed, 1931 has been diagnosed as a paraphyletic ancestral taxon since its inception. Cladistic parsimony analysis of "Encrinuroides" species most closely related to the Silurian Encrinurus plexi discovers two shortest-length cladograms (consistency index = 0.68) based on 28 exoskeletal characters. Curriella Lamont, 1978 is revised to include Curriella clancyi n.sp., based on silicified material from earliest Llandovery strata of the Whittaker Formation in the Mackenzie Mountains, Northwest Territories. The new species is most closely related to the Scottish Llandovery type species, Curriella newlandensis Lamont, 1978 (for which type specimens are figured) and Curriella tuberculifrons (Weller, 1907) from Illinois. This Silurian clade is sister group to stratigraphically early Chinese "Encrinuroides" species and the monophyletic Encrinurus plexi. Certain Appalachian Caradoc taxa and Erratencrinurus Krueger, 1972 are more closely related to this group than to many other "Encrinuroides" spp. Further taxonomic revision should exclude these species from Encrinuroides (s.s.), which can be appreciably restricted in scope.
Late Cenozoic evolution of Sackville Spur: a sediment drift on the Newfoundland continental slope
Authors: Kennard L. , Schafer C. , Carter L.
Published: January 2011

The Sackville Spur is a sediment drift feature that forms a northeastward extension of the Grand Banks continental slope between the 900 and 2500 m isobaths near latitude 48°N. At present, the Labrador Current (LC) and the Western Boundary Undercurrent (WBUC) appear to be the two major hydrodynamic forces controlling sedimentation patterns on the flanks of the spur. Near the upper part of the spur's north flank, a deep offshore component of the LC appears to be selectively winnowing silt and clay-size particles, leaving a lag deposit composed of about 43% sand-size material. The base of the north flank (≈2500 m) is in a zone in which sediments can be reworked by the fast-flowing core of the WUBC. Here surficial sediments are characterized by a relatively high percentage of fine (2–3[Formula: see text]) sand and by a lower percentage of silt compared with sediments observed near the spur crest.Reflection seismic data suggest that current-influenced deposition, associated predominantly with bottom-sediment reworking by the deeper offshore component of the LC, has been active over the uppermost part of the spur since Late Miocene to Early Pliocene time. The initiation of deep LC flow at this time is marked by a distinctive angular unconformity near the base of the spur drift deposit. Following this erosional event, deposition caused rapid progradation of the spur to the northeast. The latest phase of the spur's evolution is characterized by (i) intermittent erosion with concomitant large-scale submarine sliding; (ii) smaller scale mass-flow deposition; and (iii) a distinctive southeastward shift of its depocentre toward the Flemish Pass.
FAR-INFRARED MEASUREMENTS OF OXYGEN-DOPED POLYCRYSTALLINE La2CuO4.0315 SUPERCONDUCTOR UNDER SLOW-COOLED AND FAST-COOLED CONDITIONS
Authors: KIM Y. H. , HSIEH H. H. , WU Z. , HOR P. H.
Published: January 2011

We have studied the far-infrared (far-IR) charge dynamics of an equilibrated pure oxygen doped La 2 CuO 4.0315 under slow-cooled and fast-cooled conditions. The superconducting transition temperature (Tc) for the slow-cooled and that for the fast-cooled processes were respectively found to be close to the two intrinsic Tc. One at 30 K and the other at 15 K. Direct comparison with our previous results and other far-IR and Raman studies on single crystalline La 2-x Sr x CuO 4, we conclude that the topology of the pristine electronic phases that are responsible for the two intrinsic Tc is holes arranged into two-dimensional (2D) square lattices.
EFFECTS OF PHOTO-EXCITATION AND MAGNON SCATTERING ON FERROMAGNETIC TRANSITION TEMPERATURE OF THE DILUTED MAGNETIC SEMICONDUCTOR (Ga1 - x, Mnx)As
Authors: AMENTE CHERNET , SINGH P.
Published: January 2011

Effects of photo-excitation and spin-wave scattering on magnetization of the diluted magnetic semiconductor (DMS) ( Ga , Mn ) As are theoretically studied. Green function formalism is used to find expression for magnetization and ferromagnetic transition temperature TC starting with a model Hamiltonian consisting of magnons, photons and an interaction of magnons with photons. According to our calculation, there is TC in the absence of magnetic impurity, x = 0, indicating that there could be electronically unpaired influential carriers/holes induced by photon irradiation resulting in residual itinerant band magnetization which can be revealed by experiments. Unusual upturn in magnetization near 0 K temperature values for larger magnon–photon coupling constant is also indicated. Moreover, enhancement of magnetization is established with increase in impurity concentration and even further in the presence of photon–magnon coupling which however decreases due to spin-wave scattering. This leads to the conclusion that at lower temperatures photon irradiation and at higher temperatures spin-wave scattering could affect the system properties predominantly.
NEGOTIATING THE ISRAELI–PALESTINIAN CONTROVERSY FROM A NEW PERSPECTIVE
Authors: SAATY T. L. , ZOFFER H. J.
Published: January 2011

In most long-lasting conflicts, each party's grievances increase while the concessions they are willing to make decline in number, quality, and perceived value. Both parties lose sight of what they are willing to settle for, generally exaggerate their own needs, and minimize the needs of the other side over time. But, it is precisely the matter of trading that needs to be made more concrete and of higher priority for both sides, if a meaningful resolution is to be found. Without a formal way of trading off the concessions and packages of concessions, both sides are likely to suspect that they are getting the short end of the bargain. After the parties have agreed to a trade, very specific binding language about the terms of the agreement, clear implementation policies, and outside guarantors are needed. The worth of the concessions traded, as perceived by both the giver and receiver, need to be accurately determined and recorded. All of this requires going beyond verbal descriptions of the concessions to more broadly include their economic, social, geographic, humanitarian, and historical worth. It is critical that all of these need to be translated into priorities derived in terms of the different values and beliefs of the parties. Priorities are universal and include the diversity of measures in terms of which economic, social, and other values are measured. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) provides a way to perform such an assessment with the participation of negotiators for the parties. It is a positive approach that makes it possible to reason and express feelings and judgments with numerical intensities to derive priorities. It has been used productively in the past to deal with the conflicts in South Africa and Northern Ireland and with other controversies throughout the world. With the assistance of panels of Israeli participants and Palestinian participants brought together in 2009 and 2010, AHP was applied for the first time to the Palestinian–Israeli conflict. The process makes it clear that moderation in different degrees by both sides is essential to arrive at acceptable agreements on concessions proposed and agreed upon by both sides. AHP makes it possible to evaluate moderate and extreme viewpoints and determine their effect on the trading of concessions. The results obtained encourage us to advocate its use in the negotiation process.
APPROACHES TO MULTI-STAGE MULTI-ATTRIBUTE GROUP DECISION MAKING
Authors: XU ZESHUI
Published: January 2011

Multi-stage multi-attribute group decision making (MS-MAGDM) as a familiar decision activity that usually occurs in our daily life, such as multi-stage investment decision making, medical diagnosis, personnel dynamic examination, military system efficiency dynamic evaluation, etc. The aim of this paper is to investigate MS-MAGDM problems in which both the weight information on a collection of predefined attributes and the decision information on a finite set of alternatives with respect to the attributes are collected at different stages. We first propose a Poisson distribution based method to determine the weight vector associated with a time-weighted averaging (TWA) operator. Furthermore, we use a hybrid weighted aggregation (HWA) operator to fuse all individual decision information into group opinions at different stages, and then utilize the TWA operator to aggregate the derived group opinions at different stages into the complex group ones so as to rank the given alternatives. After that, we further investigate MS-MAGDM problems where all decision information at different stages cannot be given in exact numerical values, but value ranges can be obtained. An approach based on the uncertain time-weighted averaging (UTWA) operator and the uncertain hybrid weighted aggregation (UHWA) operator is developed for solving MS-MAGDM problems under interval uncertainty. Finally, a practical example is provided to illustrate the developed approaches.
A MULTI-OBJECTIVE SENSITIVITY APPROACH TO TRAINING PROVIDERS' EVALUATION AND QUOTA ALLOCATION PLANNING
Authors: IGNATIUS JOSHUA , MUSTAFA ADLI , JANTAN MUHAMAD , LIM CHEE PENG , RAMAYAH T. , LEEN JASMINE YEAP AI
Published: January 2011

The practice of solely relying on the human resources department in the selection process of external training providers has cast doubts and mistrust across other departments as to how trainers are sourced. There are no measurable criteria used by human resource personnel, since most decisions are based on intuitive experience and subjective market knowledge. The present problem focuses on outsourcing of private training programs that are partly government funded, which has been facing accountability challenges. Due to the unavailability of a scientific decision-making approach in this context, a 12-step algorithm is proposed and tested in a Japanese multinational company. The model allows the decision makers to revise their criteria expectations, in turn witnessing the change of the training providers' quota distribution. Finally, this multi-objective sensitivity analysis provides a forward-looking approach to training needs planning and aids decision makers in their sourcing strategy.
THE EFFECT OF LEAD-TIME ON THE SUPPLY CHAIN: THE MEAN VERSUS THE VARIANCE
Authors: HE XIN JAMES , XU XIAOBO , HAYYA JACK C.
Published: January 2011

In a study on stochastic inventory systems, Chopra et al. (Decision Sciences35(1) (2004) 1–24) argue that decreasing lead time is the right lever if they want to cut inventories, not reducing lead time variability. According to Chopra et al., reducing the mean lead time, μ, is more important than reducing the lead time variance, σ2, to reduce total inventory cost via a reduced safety stock. This paper is a criticism of Chopra et al., where the optimal z was derived based upon a predetermined Q, instead of solving the optimal z and Q simultaneously in a (z, Q) inventory system. We argue that such an approach is inappropriate because the two decision variables, z and Q, are in general interdependent, and, moreover, reducing reorder point (safety stock), z, does not necessarily decrease the total inventory cost. We demonstrate by means of a truncated lead time (z, Q) model that it is lead time variability, not mean lead time, that affects the inventory policy and total supply chain cost.
ON CONCEPT ALGEBRA FOR COMPUTING WITH WORDS (CWW)
Authors: WANG YINGXU
Published: January 2011

Computing with words (CWW) is an intelligent computing methodology for processing words, linguistic variables, and their semantics, which mimics the natural-language-based reasoning mechanisms of human beings in soft computing, semantic computing, and cognitive computing. The central objects in CWW techniques are words and linguistic variables, which may be formally modeled by abstract concepts that are a basic cognitive unit to identify and model a concrete entity in the real world and an abstract object in the perceived world. Therefore, concepts are the most fundamental linguistic entities that carries certain meanings in expression, thinking, reasoning, and system modeling, which may be formally modeled as an abstract and dynamic mathematical structure in denotational mathematics. This paper presents a formal theory for concept and knowledge manipulations in CWW known as concept algebra. The mathematical models of abstract and concrete concepts are developed based on the object-attribute-relation (OAR) theory. The formal methodology for manipulating knowledge as a concept network is described. Case studies demonstrate that concept algebra provides a generic and formal knowledge manipulation means, which is capable of dealing with complex knowledge and their algebraic operations in CWW.
A k-PROVERS PARALLEL REPETITION THEOREM FOR A VERSION OF NO-SIGNALING MODEL
Authors: ROSEN RICKY
Published: January 2011

The parallel repetition theorem states that for any two provers one round game with value at most 1 - ∊ (for ∊ < 1/2), the value of the game repeated n times in parallel is at most (1 - ∊3)Ω(n/ log s) where s is the size of the answers set [9, 12]. It is not known how the value of the game decreases when there are three or more players. In this paper we address the problem of the error decrease of parallel repetition game for k-provers where k > 2. We consider a special case of the No-Signaling model and show that the error of the parallel repetition of k-provers one round game, for k > 2, in this model, decreases exponentially depending only on the error of the original game and on the number of repetitions. There were no prior results for k-provers parallel repetition for k > 2 in any model.
THE COMPLEXITY OF WORD CIRCUITS
Authors: CHEN XUE , HU GUANGDA , SUN XIAOMING
Published: January 2011

A word circuit [1] is a directed acyclic graph in which each edge holds a w-bit word (i.e., some x ∈ {0, 1}w) and each node is a gate computing some binary function g : {0, 1}w × {0, 1}w → {0, 1}w. The following problem was studied in [1]: How many binary gates are needed to compute a ternary function f : ({0, 1}w)3 → {0, 1}w. They proved that (2 + o(1))2w binary gates are enough for any ternary function, and there exists a ternary function which requires word circuits of size (1 - o(1))2w. One of the open problems in [1] is to get these bounds tight within a low order term. In this paper we solved this problem by constructing new word circuits for ternary functions of size (1 + o(1))2w. We investigate the problem in a general setting: How many k-input word gates are needed for computing an n-input word function f : ({0, 1}w)n → {0, 1}w (here n ≥ k). We show that for any fixed n, (1 - o(1))2(n - k)w basic gates are necessary and (1 + o(1))2(n - k)w gates are sufficient (assume w is sufficiently large). Since word circuit is a natural generalization of boolean circuit, we also consider the case when w is a constant and the number of inputs n is sufficiently large. We show that [Formula: see text] basic gates are necessary and sufficient in this case.
THE VIOLATION HEAP: A RELAXED FIBONACCI-LIKE HEAP
Authors: ELMASRY AMR
Published: January 2011

We give a priority queue that achieves the same amortized bounds as Fibonacci heaps. Namely, find-min requires O(1) worst-case time, insert, meld and decrease-key require O(1) amortized time, and delete-min requires O( log n) amortized time. Our structure is simple and promises an efficient practical behavior when compared to other known Fibonacci-like heaps. The main idea behind our construction is to propagate rank updates instead of performing cascaded cuts following a decrease-key operation, allowing for a relaxed structure.
A SUCCINCT 3D VISIBILITY SKELETON
Authors: LAZARD SYLVAIN , WEIBEL CHRISTOPHE , WHITESIDES SUE , ZHANG LINQIAO
Published: January 2011

The 3D visibility skeleton is a data structure that encodes the global visibility information of a set of 3D objects. While it is useful in answering global visibility queries, its large size often limits its practical use. In this paper, we address this issue by proposing a subset of the visibility skeleton, which is empirically about 25% to 50% of the whole set. We show that the rest of the data structure can be recovered from the subset as needed, partially or completely. The running time complexity, which we analyze in terms of output size, is efficient. We also prove that the subset is minimal in the sense that the complexity bound ceases to hold if the subset is restricted further.
Connexin36 Gap Junction Blockade Is Ineffective at Reducing Seizure-Like Event Activity in Neocortical Mouse Slices
Authors: Voss Logan J. , Mutsaerts Noortje , Sleigh James W.
Published: January 2011

Despite much research, there remains controversy over the role of gap junctions in seizure processes. Many studies report anticonvulsant effects of gap junction blockade, but contradictory results have also been reported. The aim of this study was to clarify the role of connexin36 (Cx36) gap junctions in neocortical seizures. We used the mouse neocortical slice preparation to investigate the effect of pharmacological (mefloquine) and genetic (Cx36 knockout mice (Cx36KO)) manipulation of Cx36 gap junctions on two seizure models: low-magnesium artificial cerebrospinal fluid (ACSF) and aconitine perfusion in low-magnesium ACSF. Low-magnesium- (nominally zero) and aconitine- (230 nM) induced seizure-like event (SLE) population activity was recorded extracellularly. The results were consistent in showing that neither mefloquine (25 μM) nor genetic knockdown of Cx36 expression had anticonvulsant effects on SLE activity generated by either method. These findings call into question the widely held idea that open Cx36 gap junctions promote seizure activity.
Successful Control of Acute Myelofibrosis with Lenalidomide
Authors: Vassilopoulos G. , Palassopoulou M. , Zisaki K. , Befani M. , Bouronikou E. , Giannakoulas N. , Stathopoulou E. , Matsouka P.
Published: January 2011

Acute panmyelosis with myelofibrosis (APMF) is a rare, fatal hematological neoplasm that is characterized by the acute onset of cytopenias and fibrosis in the bone marrow in the absence of splenomegaly or fibrosis-related morphological changes in the RBCs. We present the case of a 59-year-old female who presented with a two-month history of anemia, leucopenia and a normal platelet count. The marrow was heavily fibrotic, and no aspirate material could be obtained; the biopsy showed extensive infiltration with small to medium size megakaryocytes, dysplastic changes in the erythroid compartment, and left shift in the myeloid cells. The patient was treated for four months with anabolic steroids (Danazol), growth factors and received regular blood transfusions. At 4 months after diagnosis, the patient was started on Lenalidomide, 10 mg/day for a 21-d-course along with growth factor support. At 6 months after treatment, the patient was transfusion-independent, had normalized blood counts, and, at 32 months on continuous lenalidomide treatment, her needs for growth factor support have been minimized. Repeat bone marrow biopsies showed a patchy distribution of fibrosis with areas of normal cellularity and morphology. To our knowledge, this is the first case for a medication that could reverse the fatal outcome of APMF.
Hepatic and Renal Failure after Anterior Myocardial Infarction Induced Apical Ventricular Septal Defect
Authors: Lossnitzer Dirk , Schwenger Vedat , Lehrke Stephanie , Giannitsis Evangelos , Zeier Martin , Katus Hugo A. , Steen Henning
Published: January 2011

We report the case of a 68-year-old man suffering from incremental hepatic and renal failure one month after anterior myocardial infarction. Cardiac MRI showed a pronounced apical post-AMI aneurysm, a moderate to severe mitral and tricuspid regurgitation as well as a hemodynamically highly significant 12 mm apical ventricular septal defect with a left-to-right ventricular shunt of almost 63% as the underlying cause. Heart X-ray revealed a severe LAD in-stent restenosis. CAPD catheter drainage of hydroperitoneum due to congestive liver and renal failure was provided in combination with intensified CAPD hemodialysis. Heart surgery was performed where the apical aneurysm was excised, the mitral valve was reconstructed, the IVSD was closed and the subtotally in-stent occluded LAD was bypassed. Post-surgery, the ascites were significantly reduced, and CAPD hemodialysis therapy could be terminated since the renal function gradually improved (MDRD = 25 mL/min). To our knowledge, for the first time we report successful CAPD catheter drainage of hydroperitoneum in combination with CAPD hemodialysis.
Regulation of Proteome Maintenance Gene Expression by Activators of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor α
Authors: Ren Hongzu , Vallanat Beena , Brown-Borg Holly M. , Currie Richard , Corton J. Christopher
Published: January 2011

The nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) is activated by a large number of xenobiotic and hypolipidemic compounds called peroxisome proliferator chemicals (PPCs). One agonist of PPARα (WY-14,643) regulates responses in the mouse liver to chemical stress in part by altering expression of genes involved in proteome maintenance (PM) including protein chaperones in the heat shock protein (Hsp) family and proteasomal genes (Psm) involved in proteolysis. We hypothesized that other PPARα activators including diverse hypolipidemic and xenobiotic compounds also regulate PM genes in the rat and mouse liver. We examined the expression of PM genes in rat and mouse liver after exposure to 7 different PPCs (WY-14,643, clofibrate, fenofibrate, valproic acid, di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, perfluorooctanoic acid, and perfluorooctane sulfonate) using Affymetrix microarrays. In rats and mice, 174 or 380 PM genes, respectively, were regulated by at least one PPC. The transcriptional changes were, for the most part, dependent on PPARα, as most changes were not observed in similarly treated PPARα-null mice and the changes were not consistently observed in rats treated with activators of the nuclear receptors CAR or PXR. In rats and mice, PM gene expression exhibited differences compared to typical direct targets of PPARα (e.g.,Cyp4afamily members). PM gene expression was usually delayed and in some cases, it was transient. Dose-response characterization of protein expression showed that Hsp86 and Hsp110 proteins were induced only at higher doses. These studies demonstrate that PPARα, activated by diverse PPC, regulates the expression of a large number of genes involved in protein folding and degradation and support an expanded role for PPARα in the regulation of genes that protect the proteome.
Investigating Mortality Uncertainty Using the Block Bootstrap
Authors: Liu Xiaoming , Braun W. John
Published: January 2011

This paper proposes a block bootstrap method for measuring mortality risk under
the Lee‐Carter model framework. In order to take account of all sources of risk (the
process risk, the parameter risk, and the model risk) properly, a block bootstrap is
needed to cope with the spatial dependence found in the residuals. As a result, the
prediction intervals we obtain for life expectancy are more accurate than the ones
obtained from other similar methods.
Deletion of theMen1Gene Prevents Streptozotocin-Induced Hyperglycemia in Mice
Authors: Yang Yuqing , Wang Haoren , Hua Xianxin
Published: January 2011

Diabetes ultimately results from an inadequate number of functional beta cells in the islets of Langerhans. Enhancing proliferation of functional endogenous beta cells to treat diabetes remains underexplored. Here, we report that excision of theMen1gene, whose loss-of-function mutation leads to inherited multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1), rendered resistant to streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemia in a tamoxifen-inducible and temporally controlledMen1excision mouse model as well as in a tissue-specificMen1excision mouse model.Men1excision prevented mice from streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemia mainly through increasing the number of functional beta cells. BrdU incorporation by beta cells, islet size, and circulating insulin levels were significantly increased inMen1-excised mice. Membrane localization of glucose transporter 2 was largely preserved inMen1-excised beta cells, but not inMen1-expressing beta cells. Our findings suggest that repression of menin, a protein encoded by theMen1gene, might be a valuable means to maintain or increase the number of functional endogenous beta cells to prevent or ameliorate diabetes.
Phosphocreatine Preconditioning Attenuates Apoptosis in Ischemia‐Reperfusion Injury of Rat Brain
Authors: Tang Ling-Hua , Xia Zhong-Yuan , Zhao Bo , Wei Xiao-Dong , Luo Tao , Meng Qing-Tao
Published: January 2011

Phosphocreatine (PCr) is an endogenous compound containing high‐energy phosphate bonds. It has been confirmed that PCr is effective in preventing and treating cardiac and renal ischemia‐reperfusion injury. In this study, rat cerebral ischemia‐reperfusion injury models were constructed. Apoptotic cells in the cortex region were measured by TUNEL method. Malondialdehyde (MDA) content was detected by chromatometry, and calmodulin (CaM) activity was detected by ELISA. Compared with sham‐operated group (sham group), TUNEL‐positive cells, MDA, and level of CaM activity increased in ischemia‐reperfusion group (I/R group) and PCr preconditioning group (PCr group); compared with I/R group, TUNEL‐positive cells, MDA content, and level of CaM activity decreased in PCr group. This study indicated that PCr can decrease the morphological damage and the neuron apoptosis of the ischemia‐reperfusion injury brain through attenuating abnormalities of calcium balance and production of oxygen free radicals.
Antibody-Hapten Recognition at the Surface of Functionalized Liposomes Studied by SPR: Steric Hindrance of Pegylated Phospholipids in Stealth Liposomes Prepared for Targeted Radionuclide Delivery
Authors: Botosoa Eliot. P. , Maillasson Mike , Mougin-Degraef Marie , Remaud-Le Saëc Patricia , Gestin Jean-François , Jacques Yannick , Barbet Jacques , Faivre-Chauvet Alain
Published: January 2011

Targeted PEGylated liposomes could increase the amount of drugs or radionuclides delivered to tumor cells. They show favorable stability and pharmacokinetics, but steric hindrance of the PEG chains can block the binding of the targeting moiety. Here, specific interactions between an antihapten antibody (clone 734, specific for the DTPA-indium complex) and DTPA-indium-tagged liposomes were characterized by surface plasmon resonance (SPR). Non-PEGylated liposomes fused on CM5 chips whereas PEGylated liposomes did not. By contrast, both PEGylated and non-PEGylated liposomes attached to L1 chips without fusion. SPR binding kinetics showed that, in the absence of PEG, the antibody binds the hapten at the surface of lipid bilayers with the affinity of the soluble hapten. The incorporation of PEGylated lipids hinders antibody binding to extents depending on PEGylated lipid fraction and PEG molecular weight. SPR on immobilized liposomes thus appears as a useful technique to optimize formulations of liposomes for targeted therapy.
Attenuation of Diabetic Nephropathy in Otsuka Long‐Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) Rats with a Combination of Chinese Herbs (Tangshen Formula)
Authors: Zhang Haojun , Li Ping , Burczynski Frank J. , Gong Yuewen , Choy Patrick , Sha Hong , Li Jing
Published: January 2011

Diabetic nephropathy is one of the most significant microvascular complications in patients with type 2 diabetics. The concise mechanism of diabetic nephropathy is unknown and there is no successful treatment. The objective of study was to investigate effects of Chinese herbs (Tangshen Formula) on diabetic nephropathy in Otsuka Long‐Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats. OLETF rats and LETO rats were divided into four groups: LETO control, OLETF diabetics, OLETF diabetics treated with Tangshen Formula, and OLETF diabetics treated with Monopril. Body weight, blood glucose, and 24 h urinary proteins were measured once every four weeks. Blood samples and kidney tissues were obtained for analyses of total cholesterol, triglyceride, whole blood viscosity, plasma viscosity, and pathohistological examination at 36 and 56 weeksrespectively. Untreated OLETF rats displayed diabetic nephropathy over the study period. Treatment of OLETF rats with Tangshen Formula attenuated the increases in blood glucose, body weight, 24 h urinary protein content, serum total cholesterol, whole blood viscosity and plasma viscosity at certain time. Treatment with Tangshen Formula also reduced glomerulosclerotic index and interstitial fibrotic index seen in OLETF rats. In conclusion, Tangshen Formula could attenuate the development of diabetic nephropathy in OLETF rat diabetic model.
Amphiphilic Ruthenium(II) Terpyridine Sensitizers with Long Alkyl Chain Substituted β-Diketonato Ligands: An Efficient Coadsorbent-Free Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells
Authors: Islam Ashraful , Singh Surya Prakash , Yanagida Masatoshi , Karim Mohammad Rezaul , Han Liyuan
Published: January 2011

Three alkyl-substitutedβ-diketonato-ruthenium(II)-polypyridyl sensitizers with different alkyl chain lengths, [Ru(tctpy)(tfpd)(NCS)] (A1), [Ru(tctpy)(tfdd)(NCS)] (A2), and [Ru(tctpy)(tfid)(NCS)] (A3), were designed and synthesized for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) to investigate the effect of bulky alkyl chain substituents on the photovoltaic performances (where tctpy = 4,4′,4′′-tricarboxy-2,2′:;6′,2′′-terpyridine, tfpd =1,1,1-trifluoropentane-2,4-dione, tfdd = 1,1,1-trifluorodecane-2,4-dione, and tfid =1,1,1-trifluoroicosane-2,4-dione). These complexes exhibit a broad metal-to-ligand charge transfer absorption band over the whole visible range extending up to 950 nm. All complexes were examined in the presence and absence of the coadsorbent deoxycholic acid (DCA) in dye-bath solutions. These sensitizers, when anchored to nanocrystalline TiO2films, achieve efficient sensitization to TiO2electrodes. Under standard AM 1.5 sunlight, the complexA3containing long alkyl chain length of C16yielded a short-circuit photocurrent density of 18.0 mA/cm2, an open-circuit voltage of 0.64 V, and a fill factor of 0.66, corresponding to an overall conversion efficiency of 7.6% in the absence of DCA. The power conversion efficiency ofA1sensitized DSCs was significantly increased upon the addition of DCA as compared to that in the absence of DCA. However, the photovoltaic performance ofA3was not dependent on DCA at all, probably due to the inherent structural nature of theA3molecule.
Immune-Endocrine Interactions in Autoimmune Thyroid Diseases
Authors: Klecha Alicia Juana , Barreiro Arcos María Laura , Frick Luciana , Genaro Ana María , Cremaschi Graciela
Published: January 2011

Autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD) are the most common organ-specific autoimmune disorders affecting approximately 5% of the overall population. An aberrant interaction between abnormal thyrocytes, abnormal antigen-presenting cells and abnormal T cells forms the basis for the atypical autoimmune reaction targeting thyroid antigens. It was proposed that nongenetic (environmental and hormonal) factors play a crucial etiological role in AITD development, through altering immune-endocrine interactions. The most outstanding fact is that in genetically predisposed individuals, the disruption of these neuroendocrine-immune interactions by environmental factors results in thyroid autoimmune dysfunction. These interactions are able to incline the balance between Th1-Th2 immune response toward one side, resulting in a Th1-cell-mediated autoimmune reaction with thyrocyte destruction and hypothyroidism in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis but to a hyperreactive Th2-mediated humoral response against TSH receptor with stimulatory antibodies leading to Graves’ disease hyperthyroidism. In this review the main mechanisms involved are summarized. In this sense, the participation of stress-mediated activation of the sympathoadrenal system and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, the hormonal changes occurring during pregnancy and postpartum acting on antigen-presenting cells and influencing, in this way, the balance of the immune status are shown to participate in AITD etiology. The possibility that altered levels of thyroid hormones during the course of the AITD may alter immune function is also discussed.
Antioxidant Therapies for Wound Healing: A Clinical Guide to Currently Commercially Available Products
Authors: Fitzmaurice S.D. , Sivamani R.K. , Isseroff R.R.
Published: January 2011

Many facets of wound healing under redox control require a delicate balance between oxidative stress and antioxidants. While the normal physiology of wound healing depends on low levels of reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress, an overexposure to oxidative stress leads to impaired wound healing. Antioxidants are postulated to help control wound oxidative stress and thereby accelerate wound healing. Many antioxidants are available over the counter or by prescription, but only one, Medihoney®, has been specifically FDA approved for wound healing. Here we review the existing evidence for the use of antioxidants for wound healing, with a review of the pertinent animal and clinical studies. Natural products and naturally derived antioxidants are becoming more popular, and we specifically review the evidence for the use of naturally derived antioxidants in wound healing. Antioxidant therapy for wound healing is promising, but only few animal studies and even fewer clinical studies are available. Because only few products have undergone FDA approval, the consumer is advised to scrutinize them for purity and contaminants prior to use, and this may require direct contact with the companies that sell them. As a field of science, the use of antioxidants for wound healing is in its infancy, and future studies will better elucidate the role of antioxidants in wound healing.
A Review of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Vascular Dementia
Authors: Pennisi Giovanni , Ferri Raffaele , Cantone Mariagiovanna , Lanza Giuseppe , Pennisi Manuela , Vinciguerra Luisa , Malaguarnera Giulia , Bella Rita
Published: January 2011

Vascular dementia (VaD) is a clinical syndrome that encompasses a wide spectrum of cognitive disorders caused by cerebrovascular disease. The subcortical ischemic form of VaD is clinically homogeneous and a major cause of cognitive impairment in the elderly. Vascular lesions contribute to cognitive decline in neurodegenerative dementias, and VaD and Alzheimer’s disease often coexist and share clinical features and multiple neurotransmission involvement. These similarities have led several investigators to use transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to enucleate a neurophysiological profile of VaD. TMS studies have identified a pattern of cortical hyperexcitability probably related to the disruption of the integrity of white matter lesions due to cerebrovascular disease. The present review provides a perspective of these TMS techniques by further understanding the role of different neurotransmission pathways and plastic remodeling of neuronal networks in the pathogenesis of VaD.
Central Pressure and Biomarker Responses to Renin Inhibition with Hydrochlorothiazide and Ramipril in Obese Hypertensives: The ATTAIN Study
Authors: Whaley-Connell Adam , Purkayastha Das , Yadao Anthony , Sowers James R.
Published: January 2011

Background/Aims: In obese, hypertensive subjects, the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is enhanced and natriuresis impaired, suggesting a role for combination RAS blockade with diuretics. Data suggest that renin inhibition may attenuate diuretic-induced RAS activation and oxidative stress. Methods: In this 8-week, double-blind study of 386 obese individuals (mean body mass index: 35.3) with stage 2 hypertension (mean age: 54.9 years; mean sitting systolic blood pressure, SBP: ≧160 but <200 mm Hg), we compared the efficacy of aliskiren + hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) in reducing blood pressure (BP), plasma renin activity (PRA), and a urinary marker of oxidative stress to ramipril. Subjects were randomized to aliskiren/HCTZ 150/12.5 mg or ramipril 5 mg for 1 week, and after the 1st week force titrated to aliskiren/HCTZ 300/25 mg or ramipril 10 mg for 7 weeks. Results: After 8 weeks, aliskiren/HCTZ provided greater reductions in office BP than ramipril (–28.1/–10.1 vs. –16.6/–3.6 mm Hg, p < 0.0001) as well as 24-hour ambulatory and central pressure measures. Aliskiren/HCTZ also lowered PRA (–45 vs. +83%) and the urinary F2-isoprostane/creatinine ratio (–18 vs. +7%) to a greater extent than ramipril. Adverse events (AEs) were similar in the two groups (35.8% with aliskiren/HCTZ vs. 37.3% on ramipril reporting at least one AE). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the aliskiren/HCTZ combination reduced BP, PRA, and isoprostanes to a greater extent than did ramipril in obese patients with stage 2 hypertension.
Safety and Reliability of the Drug Tolerance Test: Our Experience in 739 Patients
Authors: Gangemi Sebastiano , Guarneri Claudio , Romeo Pietro , Guarneri Fabrizio
Published: January 2011

Background: Drug tolerance tests (DTTs) are commonly used to find a safe therapeutic alternative for patients with previous type B adverse drug reactions (ADRs), but few studies on safety and reliability are available. Methods: We retrospectively studied 739 subjects with previous ADRs who underwent DTTs; 12 months after the test, use of the tested drug(s) and occurrence of ADRs were investigated in 260 of them. Results: ADRs to antibiotics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were the main reasons for which DTTs were requested. 925 DTTs were performed in the 739 patients, with 97 ADRs. Twelve months after the test, 125/260 patients interviewed had used the tested drug(s): 118 of them experienced no ADR, 4 experienced ‘true’ ADRs, and 3 reported predictable/unclear reactions. Conclusion: Our data show that DTTs are safe and reliable at 1 year, but patients and general practitioners do not trust them. It is strongly advisable to have better information on methods, benefits, risks and reliability of DTTs.
SKF 38393 and SCH 23390 Inhibit Reuptake of Serotonin by Rat Hypothalamic Synaptosomes
Authors: Zarrindast M.R. , Honardar Z. , Sanea F. , Owji A.A.
Published: January 2011

Background/Aims: Both the dopamine receptor D1 agonist SKF 38393 and the antagonist SCH 23390 are benzazepine derivatives that have been widely used as pharmacological tools and radioligands. Evidence suggests that behavioral effects of both compounds do not always correspond to their established receptor subtype selectivity. Here, we assessed the effects of SKF 38393 and SCH 23390 on the synaptosomal uptake of tritiated serotonin. Methods: Uptake experiments were performed by using [3H]serotonin and synaptosomal fractions prepared from the hypothalamus of rat brain. Results: Both SKF 38393 and SCH 23390 inhibited synaptosomal uptake of [3H]serotonin, with IC50 values of 910 ± 60 nmol/l and 1,400 ± 80 nmol/l, respectively. Clomipramine, a known inhibitor of serotonin uptake, and (+)-amphetamine, a weak inhibitor, had IC50 values of 14 ± 1 nmol/l and more than 10,000 nmol/l, respectively, under the same experimental conditions. The IC50 values for SKF 38393 and SCH 23390 fall within the broad range of corresponding values for antidepressants that have been shown to inhibit the uptake of serotonin. This finding indicates that SKF 38393 and SCH 23390 can enhance the activity of the serotonergic system in the brain, a mechanism that may be responsible for some of the effects of these drugs. Conclusion: SKF 38393 and SCH 23390 are useful tools to differentiate D1 from D2 receptors, but their indirect effects on serotonergic mechanisms have to be considered.