bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lack of institutional support entails disruption in cortisol awakening response in caregivers of people with high-functioning autism
Authors: Ruiz-Robledillo Nicolás , González-Bono Esperanza , Moya-Albiol Luis
Published: August 2013

Several studies have found disruptions in cortisol awakening response in informal caregivers. Institutional support may modulate these effects, and this study analyses how the health of caregivers is affected when institutional support is provided for families of people with high-functioning autism. Self-reported health, depression and cortisol awakening response were analysed in three groups: supported caregivers, non-supported caregivers and non-caregivers. Non-supported caregivers presented higher somatic symptoms and lower cortisol awakening response than the supported caregiver and non-caregiver groups. A high number of somatic symptoms and low functionality of offspring were related to a lower cortisol awakening response only in the non-supported caregiver group. These findings demonstrate the importance of institutional support for improving the health of caregivers.
Understanding the relationship between social support and physical and mental well-being among jail detainees living with HIV
Authors: Arriola Kimberly J , Spaulding Anne C , Booker Cristina A , Williams Chyvette , Avery Ann , Porter Norma J , Jordan Alison O , Loewenthal Helen , Frew Paula M
Published: August 2013

Inmates face a disproportionate burden of HIV. This study sought to explore the relationship between social support and physical and mental well-being and the possibility that housing stability moderates this relationship among jail detainees living with HIV. Data for this cross-sectional analysis come from 438 clients who underwent a structured interview. Results indicate a significant positive relationship between social support and both types of well-being ( ps < .05); the experience of homelessness was associated with less mental well-being ( p < .01). There was no evidence of moderation. Results highlight the importance of social support and economic considerations in understanding well-being among HIV+ jail detainees.
Neoliberalism
Authors: Bockman Johanna
Published: August 2013

Johanna Bockman unpacks a hefty term, neoliberalism. She cites its roots and its uses, decoding it as a description of a “bootstraps” ideology that trumpets individualism and opportunity but enforces conformity and ignores structural constraints.
Django Unchained, Voyeurism Unleashed
Authors: Charania Moon
Published: August 2013

In his latest shock-fest, director Quentin Tarantino cloaks a revenge fantasy in a redemptive slave story and leaves a bad taste in one sociologist’s mouth.
Burley
Authors: Scott Hannah
Published: August 2013

Hannah Scott’s family legacy is its tobacco farm. In this communal work, they find history and hope for a future. She captures their work in a loving photo essay.
The Rise of the “Illegal Alien”
Authors: Ackerman Edwin F.
Published: August 2013

As media outlets move away from the term “illegal immigrant,” Edwin F. Ackerman uses media analysis to track the rise of the term–and others–since the 1920s.
An audit strategy for time-to-event outcomes measured with error: Application to five randomized controlled trials in oncology
Authors: Dodd Lori E , Korn Edward L , Freidlin Boris , Gu Wenjuan , Abrams Jeffrey S , Bushnell William D , Canetta Renzo , Doroshow James H , Gray Robert J , Sridhara Rajeshwari
Published: August 2013

Background

Measurement error in time-to-event end points complicates interpretation of treatment effects in clinical trials. Non-differential measurement error is unlikely to produce large bias [1]. When error depends on treatment arm, bias is of greater concern. Blinded-independent central review (BICR) of all images from a trial is commonly undertaken to mitigate differential measurement-error bias that may be present in hazard ratios (HRs) based on local evaluations. Similar BICR and local evaluation HRs may provide reassurance about the treatment effect, but BICR adds considerable time and expense to trials.

Methods

We describe a BICR audit strategy [2] and apply it to five randomized controlled trials to evaluate its use and to provide practical guidelines. The strategy requires BICR on a subset of study subjects, rather than a complete-case BICR, and makes use of an auxiliary-variable estimator.

Results

When the effect size is relatively large, the method provides a substantial reduction in the size of the BICRs. In a trial with 722 participants and a HR of 0.48, an average audit of 28% of the data was needed and always confirmed the treatment effect as assessed by local evaluations. More moderate effect sizes and/or smaller trial sizes required larger proportions of audited images, ranging from 57% to 100% for HRs ranging from 0.55 to 0.77 and sample sizes between 209 and 737.

Limitations

The method is developed for a simple random sample of study subjects. In studies with low event rates, more efficient estimation may result from sampling individuals with events at a higher rate.

Conclusion

The proposed strategy can greatly decrease the costs and time associated with BICR, by reducing the number of images undergoing review. The savings will depend on the underlying treatment effect and trial size, with larger treatment effects and larger trials requiring smaller proportions of audited data.
Feasibility trial of a Spanish-language multimedia educational intervention
Authors: Wells Kristen J , McIntyre Jessica , Gonzalez Luis E , Lee Ji-Hyun , Fisher Kate J , Jacobsen Paul B , Meade Cathy , Muñoz-Antonia Teresita , Quinn Gwendolyn P
Published: August 2013

Background

Hispanic cancer patients are underrepresented in clinical trials; research suggests lack of knowledge and language barriers contribute to low accrual. Multimedia materials offer advantages to Hispanic populations because they have high acceptability, are easy to disseminate, and can be viewed with family.

Purpose

Hispanic cancer patients and caregivers participated in focus groups to aid in developing a Spanish-language multimedia intervention to educate Hispanic cancer patients about clinical trials. We explored the feasibility of delivering the intervention in medical oncology clinics.

Methods

A total of 35 patients were randomized to either the multimedia intervention group (n = 18) or a control group (n = 17) who were asked to read the National Cancer Institute’s Spanish-language clinical trials brochure. Self-reported data on knowledge about and attitudes toward clinical trials, self-efficacy for participating in a clinical trial, intention to participate in a clinical trial if asked, and receptivity to information about a clinical trial were collected at baseline and 10 days later.

Results

Delivery of the multimedia presentation in oncology clinics was feasible. The intervention group had more knowledge about clinical trials at follow-up than the control group; scores for intention to participate in a clinical trial by participants in the intervention group increased from 3.8 to 4.0 of a possible 5, but declined in the control group from 4.5 to 4.1. No statistically significant difference was detected between groups in scores for attitudes or self-efficacy for making a decision to participate in a clinical trial.

Limitations

Our sample size was inadequate to identify differences between the informational methods. Although all patients were asked about their willingness to participate in a clinical trial, this decision was hypothetical. In addition, the study was conducted with a sample of Spanish-speaking Hispanic cancer patients at a comprehensive cancer center in Florida. Thus, the results may not generalize to other Hispanic populations.

Conclusion

In the pilot project, we demonstrated the feasibility of delivering multimedia information to patients in medical oncology clinics. Because delivery in a clinical setting was found to be feasible, a larger study should be conducted to evaluate the efficacy of the multimedia intervention with respect to promoting accrual of Hispanic patients to clinical trials.
Marfan’s syndrome and other aortopathies in pregnancy
Authors: Stewart Fiona M
Published: August 2013

Aortopathies, or disease affecting the aorta, are associated with a significant mortality risk for the mother and foetus during pregnancy because of an increased rate of aortic dissection. The hereditary aortopathies; Marfan’s syndrome, bicuspid aortic valve, Loeys–Dietz syndrome, Ehlers–Danlos (type IV) syndrome, Turner’s syndrome and nonsyndromic familial thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection are all associated with an increased risk of aortic dissection particularly during the third trimester and early postpartum period. Maternal outcome in pregnancy depends on the underlying disorder and the aortic dimensions prior to pregnancy. The foetus has up to 50% chance of inheriting the underlying genetic defect. Vasculitis, particularly Takayasu’s arteritis may also be a problem in pregnancy and predispose to aortic dissection. Prepregnancy review, including careful assessment of the aorta and prophylactic aortic surgery for an aortic aneurysm may reduce the risk of aortic dissection in pregnancy for some of the aortopathies but for women with Marfan’s syndrome, Loeys–Dietz syndrome and Ehlers–Danlos (vascular type IV) who have had surgery, the risk of death remains high. A subgroup of women with Marfan’s syndrome or a bicuspid aortic valve and normal aortic dimensions prepregnancy should do well in a pregnancy. Multidisciplinary pregnancy care with agreement on pregnancy follow-up, delivery and postpartum care with a crisis plan for an aortic dissection can improve pregnancy outcome and ensure prompt management of an aortic dissection should it occur.
Mucosal and systemic T cell response in mice intragastrically infected with Neospora caninum tachyzoites
Authors: Correia Alexandra , Ferreirinha Pedro , Costa Amanda A , Dias Joana , Melo Joana , Costa Rita , Ribeiro Adília , Faustino Augusto , Teixeira Luzia , Rocha António , Vilanova Manuel
Published: August 2013

The murine model has been widely used to study the host immune response toNeospora caninum. However, in most studies, the intraperitoneal route was preferentially used to establish infection. Here, C57BL/6 mice were infected withN. caninumtachyzoites by the intragastric route, as it more closely resembles the natural route of infection through the gastrointestinal tract. The elicited T-cell mediated immune response was evaluated in the intestinal epithelium and mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN). Early upon the parasitic challenge, IL-12 production by conventional and plasmacytoid dendritic cells was increased in MLN. Accordingly, increased proportions and numbers of TCRαβ+CD8+IFN-γ+lymphocytes were detected, not only in the intestinal epithelium and MLN, but also in the spleen of the infected mice. In this organ, IFN-γ-producing TCRαβ+CD4+T cells were also found to increase in the infected mice, however later than CD8+T cells. Interestingly, splenic and MLN CD4+CD25+T cells sorted from infected mice presented a suppressive activity on in vitro T cell proliferation and cytokine production above that of control counterparts. These results altogether indicate that, by producing IFN-γ, TCRαβ+CD8+cells contribute for local and systemic host protection in the earliest days upon infection established through the gastrointestinal tract. Nevertheless, they also provide substantial evidence for a parasite-driven reinforcement of T regulatory cell function which may contribute for parasite persistence in the host and might represent an additional barrier to overcome towards effective vaccination.
Group sparse canonical correlation analysis for genomic data integration
Authors: Lin Dongdong , Zhang Jigang , Li Jingyao , Calhoun Vince D , Deng Hong-Wen , Wang Yu-Ping
Published: August 2013

Background

The emergence of high-throughput genomic datasets from different sources and platforms (e.g., gene expression, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP), and copy number variation (CNV)) has greatly enhanced our understandings of the interplay of these genomic factors as well as their influences on the complex diseases. It is challenging to explore the relationship between these different types of genomic data sets. In this paper, we focus on a multivariate statistical method, canonical correlation analysis (CCA) method for this problem. Conventional CCA method does not work effectively if the number of data samples is significantly less than that of biomarkers, which is a typical case for genomic data (e.g., SNPs). Sparse CCA (sCCA) methods were introduced to overcome such difficulty, mostly using penalizations with l-1 norm (CCA-l1) or the combination of l-1and l-2 norm (CCA-elastic net). However, they overlook the structural or group effect within genomic data in the analysis, which often exist and are important (e.g., SNPs spanning a gene interact and work together as a group).

Results

We propose a new group sparse CCA method (CCA-sparse group) along with an effective numerical algorithm to study the mutual relationship between two different types of genomic data (i.e., SNP and gene expression). We then extend the model to a more general formulation that can include the existing sCCA models. We apply the model to feature/variable selection from two data sets and compare our group sparse CCA method with existing sCCA methods on both simulation and two real datasets (human gliomas data and NCI60 data). We use a graphical representation of the samples with a pair of canonical variates to demonstrate the discriminating characteristic of the selected features. Pathway analysis is further performed for biological interpretation of those features.

Conclusions

The CCA-sparse group method incorporates group effects of features into the correlation analysis while performs individual feature selection simultaneously. It outperforms the two sCCA methods (CCA-l1 and CCA-group) by identifying the correlated features with more true positives while controlling total discordance at a lower level on the simulated data, even if the group effect does not exist or there are irrelevant features grouped with true correlated features. Compared with our proposed CCA-group sparse models, CCA-l1 tends to select less true correlated features while CCA-group inclines to select more redundant features.
Modeling of 2D diffusion processes based on microscopy data: parameter estimation and practical identifiability analysis
Authors: Hock Sabrina , Hasenauer Jan , Theis Fabian J
Published: August 2013

Background

Diffusion is a key component of many biological processes such as chemotaxis, developmental differentiation and tissue morphogenesis. Since recently, the spatial gradients caused by diffusion can be assessed in-vitro and in-vivo using microscopy based imaging techniques. The resulting time-series of two dimensional, high-resolutions images in combination with mechanistic models enable the quantitative analysis of the underlying mechanisms. However, such a model-based analysis is still challenging due to measurement noise and sparse observations, which result in uncertainties of the model parameters.

Methods

We introduce a likelihood function for image-based measurements with log-normal distributed noise. Based upon this likelihood function we formulate the maximum likelihood estimation problem, which is solved using PDE-constrained optimization methods. To assess the uncertainty and practical identifiability of the parameters we introduce profile likelihoods for diffusion processes.

Results and conclusion

As proof of concept, we model certain aspects of the guidance of dendritic cells towards lymphatic vessels, an example for haptotaxis. Using a realistic set of artificial measurement data, we estimate the five kinetic parameters of this model and compute profile likelihoods. Our novel approach for the estimation of model parameters from image data as well as the proposed identifiability analysis approach is widely applicable to diffusion processes. The profile likelihood based method provides more rigorous uncertainty bounds in contrast to local approximation methods.
miRNA and miRNA target genes in copy number variations occurring in individuals with intellectual disability
Authors: Qiao Ying , Badduke Chansonette , Mercier Eloi , Lewis Suzanne ME , Pavlidis Paul , Rajcan-Separovic Evica
Published: August 2013

Background

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a family of short, non-coding RNAs modulating expression of human protein coding genes (miRNA target genes). Their dysfunction is associated with many human diseases, including neurodevelopmental disorders. It has been recently shown that genomic copy number variations (CNVs) can cause aberrant expression of integral miRNAs and their target genes, and contribute to intellectual disability (ID).

Results

To better understand the CNV-miRNA relationship in ID, we investigated the prevalence and function of miRNAs and miRNA target genes in five groups of CNVs. Three groups of CNVs were from 213 probands with ID (24de novoCNVs, 46 familial and 216 common CNVs), one group of CNVs was from a cohort of 32 cognitively normal subjects (67 CNVs) and one group of CNVs represented 40 ID related syndromic regions listed in DECIPHER (30 CNVs) which served as positive controls for CNVs causing or predisposing to ID. Our results show that 1). The number of miRNAs is significantly higher inde novoor DECIPHER CNVs than in familial or common CNV subgroups (P < 0.01). 2). miRNAs with brain related functions are more prevalent inde novoCNV groups compared to common CNV groups. 3). More miRNA target genes are found inde novo, familial and DECIPHER CNVs than in the common CNV subgroup (P < 0.05). 4). The MAPK signaling cascade is found to be enriched among the miRNA target genes fromde novoand DECIPHER CNV subgroups.

Conclusions

Our findings reveal an increase in miRNA and miRNA target gene content inde novoversus common CNVs in subjects with ID. Their expression profile and participation in pathways support a possible role of miRNA copy number change in cognition and/or CNV-mediated developmental delay. Systematic analysis of expression/function of miRNAs in addition to coding genes integral to CNVs could uncover new causes of ID.
Lactobacillus plantarum MYL26 induces endotoxin tolerance phenotype in Caco-2 cells
Authors: Chiu Yi-Heng , Lu Ying-Chen , Ou Chu-Chyn , Lin Shiao-Lin , Tsai Chin-Chi , Huang Chien-Tsai , Lin Meei-Yn
Published: August 2013

Background

Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are the major types of chronic inflammatory bowel disease occurring in the colon and small intestine. A growing body of research has proposed that probiotics are able to attenuate the inflammatory symptoms of these diseases in vitro and in vivo. However, the mechanism of probiotic actions remains unclear.

Results

Our results suggested Lactobacillus plantarum MYL26 inhibited inflammation in Caco-2 cells through regulation of gene expressions of TOLLIP, SOCS1, SOCS3, and IκBα, rather than SHIP-1 and IRAK-3.

Conclusions

We proposed that live/ heat-killed Lactobacillus plantarum MYL26 and bacterial cell wall extract treatments impaired TLR4-NFκb signal transduction through Tollip, SOCS-1 and SOCS-3 activation, thus inducing LPS tolerance. Our findings suggest that either heat-killed probiotics or probiotic cell wall extracts are able to attenuate inflammation through pathways similar to that of live bacteria.
Effectivity of pazopanib treatment in orthotopic models of human testicular germ cell tumors
Authors: Juliachs Mercè , Vidal August , del Muro Xavier Garcia , Piulats Josep M , Condom Enric , Casanovas Oriol , Graupera Mariona , Germà Jose R , Villanueva Alberto , Viñals Francesc
Published: August 2013

Background

Cisplatin (CDDP) resistance in testicular germ cell tumors (GCTs) is still a clinical challenge, and one associated with poor prognosis. The purpose of this work was to test pazopanib, an anti-tumoral and anti-angiogenic multikinase inhibitor, and its combination with lapatinib (an anti-ErbB inhibitor) in mouse orthotopic models of human testicular GCTs.

Methods

We used two different models of human testicular GCTs orthotopically grown in nude mice; a CDDP-sensitive choriocarcinoma (TGT38) and a new orthotopic model generated from a metastatic GCT refractory to first-line CDDP chemotherapy (TGT44). Nude mice implanted with these orthotopic tumors were treated with the inhibitors and the effect on tumoral growth and angiogenesis was evaluated.

Results

TGT44 refractory tumor had an immunohistochemical profile similar to the original metastasis, with characteristics of yolk sac tumor. TGT44 did not respond when treated with cisplatin. In contrast, pazopanib had an anti-angiogenic effect and anti-tumor efficacy in this model. Pazopanib in combination with lapatinib in TGT38, an orthotopic model of choriocarcinoma had an additive effect blocking tumor growth.

Conclusions

We present pazopanib as a possible agent for the alternative treatment of CDDP-sensitive and CDDP-refractory GCT patients, alone or in combination with anti-ErbB therapies.
Reconstruction of elasticity: a stochastic model-based approach in ultrasound elastography
Authors: Lu Minhua , Zhang Heye , Wang Jun , Yuan Jinwei , Hu Zhenghui , Liu Huafeng
Published: August 2013

Background

The convectional strain-based algorithm has been widely utilized in clinical practice. It can only provide the information of relative information of tissue stiffness. However, the exact information of tissue stiffness should be valuable for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Methods

In this study we propose a reconstruction strategy to recover the mechanical properties of the tissue. After the discrepancies between the biomechanical model and data are modeled as the process noise, and the biomechanical model constraint is transformed into a state space representation the reconstruction of elasticity can be accomplished through one filtering identification process, which is to recursively estimate the material properties and kinematic functions from ultrasound data according to the minimum mean square error (MMSE) criteria. In the implementation of this model-based algorithm, the linear isotropic elasticity is adopted as the biomechanical constraint. The estimation of kinematic functions (i.e., the full displacement and velocity field), and the distribution of Young’s modulus are computed simultaneously through an extended Kalman filter (EKF).

Results

In the following experiments the accuracy and robustness of this filtering framework is first evaluated on synthetic data in controlled conditions, and the performance of this framework is then evaluated in the real data collected from elastography phantom and patients using the ultrasound system. Quantitative analysis verifies that strain fields estimated by our filtering strategy are more closer to the ground truth. The distribution of Young’s modulus is also well estimated. Further, the effects of measurement noise and process noise have been investigated as well.

Conclusions

The advantage of this model-based algorithm over the conventional strain-based algorithm is its potential of providing the distribution of elasticity under a proper biomechanical model constraint. We address the model-data discrepancy and measurement noise by introducing process noise and measurement noise in our framework, and then the absolute values of Young’s modulus are estimated through the EFK in the MMSE sense. However, the initial conditions, and the mesh strategy will affect the performance, i.e., the convergence rate, and computational cost, etc.
Role of hypoxia inducible factor-1 in keratinocyte inflammatory response and neutrophil recruitment
Authors: Leire Emma , Olson Josh , Isaacs Hart , Nizet Victor , Hollands Andrew
Published: August 2013

Background

Hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) is a major regulator of the cellular adaption to low oxygen stress and the innate immune function of myeloid cells. Treatment with the novel HIF-1 stabilizing drug AKB-4924 has been shown to enhance the bactericidal activity of keratinocytes as well as phagocytic cells. In this study, we sought to investigate the effect of pharmacological boosting of HIF-1 with AKB-4924 in keratinocytes and their contribution to the innate immune response.

Findings

Treatment with the novel HIF-1 stabilizing drug AKB-4924 can increase keratinocyte production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in vitro and enhance neutrophil recruitment in vivo.

Conclusions

HIF plays an important role in cytokine production by keratinocytes and in neutrophil recruitment to the skin. The HIF-boosting drug AKB-4924 has the potential to enhance the immune response even in the complex environment of bacterial skin infections.
Proteomic analysis of kidneys from selenoprotein M transgenic rats in response to increased bioability of selenium
Authors: Goo Jun Seo , Kim Yo Na , Choi Kyung Mi , Hwang In Sik , Kim Ji Eun , Lee Young Ju , Kwak Moon Hwa , Shim Sun Bo , Jee Seung Wan , Lim Chul Joo , Seong Je Kyung , Hwang Dae Youn
Published: August 2013

Background

To characterize changes in global protein expression in kidneys of transgenic rats overexpressing human selenoprotein M (SelM) in response to increased bioabivility of selenium (Sel), total proteins extracted from kidneys of 10-week-old CMV/hSelM Tg and wild-type rats were separated by 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis and measured for changes in expression.

Results

Ten and three proteins showing high antioxidant enzymatic activity were up- and down-regulated, respectively, in SelM-overexpressing CMV/hSelM Tg rats compared to controls based on an arbitrary 2-fold difference. Up-regulated proteins included LAP3, BAIAP2L1, CRP2, CD73 antigen, PDGF D, KIAA143 homolog, PRPPS-AP2, ZFP313, HSP-60, and N-WASP, whereas down-regulated proteins included ALKDH3, rMCP-3, and STC-1. After Sel treatment, five of the up-regulated proteins were significantly increased in expression in wild-type rats, whereas there were no changes in CMV/hSelM Tg rats. Only two of the down-regulated proteins showed reduced expression in wild-type and Tg rats after Sel treatment.

Conclusions

These results show the primary novel biological evidences that new functional protein groups and individual proteins in kidneys of Tg rats relate to Sel biology including the response to Sel treatment and SelM expression.
Pharmacokinetics and thrombolytic effects of the recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator in horses
Authors: Bäumer Wolfgang , Herrling Gudrun M , Feige Karsten
Published: August 2013

Background

To test the efficacy of the recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rt-PA) alteplase in horses, the thrombolytic effect was tested in in vitro generated equine thrombi. The extent of lysis was determined by measuring the decrease in thrombi weight over a period of 4 hours. In vivo pharmacokinetics of alteplase were determined in 6 healthy horses. A single dose (1 mg/kg) was applied via intravenous infusion over a period of 30 minutes Coagulation-related variables, blood count and clinical parameters were taken before the treatment and until 48 h after treatment. In addition, plasma rt-PA concentration was measured until 300 min after commencing the infusion.

Results

In vitro, a dose dependent decrease of thrombus weight ranging from a 56 (± 6.5) % decrease for 0.5 μg/ml to 92 (± 2.1) % decrease for 5 μg/ml rt-PA was noted. The D-dimer concentration in the lysis medium correspondingly increased from 0.10 up to 10.8 mg/l.

In vivo, none of the horses showed an adverse reaction to the alteplase infusion. In some horses blood parameters were slightly altered. The 1 mg/kg dose yielded the following pharmacokinetic parameters: Cmax = 1.25 ± 0.27 μg/ml; CL = 21.46 ± 5.67 ml/min/kg; dominant half life (t1/2α) = 6.81 ± 1.48 minutes; median elimination half life (t1/2β) = 171 min (range: 85–1061); AUC = 50.33 ± 17.62 μg · min /ml.

Conclusion

These findings indicate that a single dose of 1 mg/kg alteplase results in rt-PA plasma concentrations comparable to those in humans and might be sufficient for a thrombolytic therapy in horses. Further studies must be performed to determine the alteplase effectiveness in horses with jugular vein thrombosis.
Plant Networks for Processing Recyclable Materials
Authors: Demeester Lieven , Qi Mei , Van Wassenhove Luk N.
Published: August 2013

We use a modified optimal market area model to examine how links between material recycling and other aspects of operations strategy can shape plant networks for the processing of recyclable materials. We characterize the complementarity of the recyclate ratio, defined as the maximum recycled content, with material versatility and miniscaling of recycling plants. We also observe that it is beneficial to coordinate investments in recycling- and production-related competencies because colocated recycling and production plants (minimills) eliminate recyclate transport. We therefore consider versatile miniplants, defined as a competency that factors in both material versatility and coordinated miniscaling of recycling and production plants, and capture how it complements both the recyclate ratio and localization of production plants, a competency that takes advantage of local adaptation and customer proximity. In numerical examples for rolled aluminum and nylon resin plant networks in Europe, we find that the complementarity effects are large, as they are for nylon resins, if recycling is nascent and challenging economically and if the plant network is too centralized at first to benefit much from an increased recyclate ratio or increased localization. We find that, for the nylon resin network, considering an investment in the recyclate ratio as part of a coordinated investment plan drives the emergence of a decentralized and localized minimill network, even though an increased recyclate ratio does not link directly with either decentralization or localization. We conclude that material recycling, versatile miniplants, and localization can fit well together in a forward-looking, sustainable operations strategy.
Double Counting in Supply Chain Carbon Footprinting
Authors: Caro Felipe , Corbett Charles J. , Tan Tarkan , Zuidwijk Rob
Published: August 2013

Carbon footprinting is a tool for firms to determine the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with their supply chain or with a unit of final product or service. Carbon footprinting typically aims to identify where best to invest in emission reduction efforts, and/or to determine the proportion of total emissions that an individual firm is accountable for, whether financially and/or operationally. A major and underrecognized challenge in determining the appropriate allocation stems from the high degree to which GHG emissions are the result of joint efforts by multiple firms. We introduce a simple but general model of joint production of GHG emissions in general supply chains, decomposing the total footprint into processes, each of which can be influenced by any combination of firms. We analyze two main scenarios. In the first scenario, the social planner allocates emissions to individual firms and imposes a cost on them (such as a carbon tax) in proportion to the emissions allocated. In the second scenario, a carbon leader voluntarily agrees to offset all emissions in the entire supply chain and then contracts with individual firms to recoup (part of) the costs of those offsets. In both cases, we find that, to induce the optimal effort levels, the emissions need to be overallocated, even if the carbon tax is the true social cost of carbon. This is in contrast to the usual focus in the life-cycle assessment (LCA) and carbon footprinting literatures on avoiding double counting. Our work aims to lay the foundation for a framework to integrate the economics- and LCA-based perspectives on supply chain carbon footprinting.
Curtailing Intermittent Generation in Electrical Systems
Authors: Wu Owen Q. , Kapuscinski Roman
Published: August 2013

Energy generation from intermittent renewable sources introduces additional variability into electrical systems, resulting in a higher cost of balancing against the increased variabilities. Ways to balance demand and supply for electricity include using flexible generation resources, storage operations, and curtailing intermittent generation. This paper focuses on the operational and environmental impact of curtailing intermittent generation. We construct a stochastic dynamic optimization model that captures the critical components of the system operating cost and analyze how various generation resources should operate with and without curtailing intermittent generation. We find that the system cost reduction per unit of curtailed energy is consistently significant and the presence of storage may increase the cost saving per unit of curtailed energy. We also find that curtailing intermittent generation often leads to system emission reductions.
Developmental and Behavioral Pediatricians' Attitudes Toward Screening for Fragile X
Authors: Acharya Kruti , Schindler Abigail
Published: August 2013

Developmental and behavioral pediatricians (DBP) diagnose and care for children with fragile X syndrome. Their attitudes toward FMR1 newborn screening (NBS) and FMR1 carrier testing in childhood could highlight potential pitfalls with FMR1 NBS. We conducted a cross-sectional survey with an adjusted response rate of 61%. Among DBP, 74% supported universal FMR1 NBS, preferring to identify both full mutations and premutations. DBP also support FMR1 testing of asymptomatic siblings. Although DBP support testing for premutations at various points in the lifespan, DBP are not familiar with the array of fragile X–associated disorders (FXAD). Targeted educational interventions are needed to ensure that all health care providers have the knowledge and competence to consent and to counsel families on FXAD.
Vibration Disturbance Damping System Design to Protect Payload of the Rocket
Authors: Sutisno Sutisno , Adi Andreas Prasetya
Published: August 2013

Rocket motor generates vibrations acting on whole rocket body including its contents. Part of the body which is sensitive to disturbance is the rocket payload. The payload consists of various electronic instruments including: transmitter, various sensors, accelerometer, gyro, the embedded controller system, and others. This paper presents research on rocket vibration influence to the payload and the method to avoid disturbance. Avoiding influence of vibration disturbance can be done using silicone gel material whose typical damping factors are relatively high. The rocket vibration was simulated using electromagnetic motor, and the vibrations were measured using an accelerometer sensor. The measurement results were displayed in the form of curve, indicating the vibration level on some parts of the tested material. Some measurement results can be applied to determine the good material to attenuate vibration disturbance on the instruments of the payload.
The value of clinical and laboratory diagnostics for chest pain patients at the emergency department
Authors: Jellema Laurens-Jan C. , Backus Barbra E. , Six A. Jacob , Braam Richard , Groenemeijer Bjorn , van der Zaag-Loonen Hester J. , Tio Rene , van Suijlen Jeroen D.E.
Published: August 2013

The focus during the diagnostic process for patients with acute chest pain is to discriminate patients who can be safely discharged from those who are at risk for an acute coronary syndrome (ACS). In this study the diagnostic value of the clinical examination is compared with laboratory testing of troponin.

This study included 710 chest pain patients who presented at the ED of two hospitals in the Netherlands. Clinical examination and laboratory testing were combined in the recently developed HEART-score. The diagnostic values of clinical presentation, troponin and the HEART-score for a major adverse coronary event (MACE) and an ACS within 6 weeks were assessed. Furthermore, the improvement of HEART with the second troponin measurement after 6 h was assessed using the net reclassification improvement (NRI).

The use of HEART (AUC

The HEART-score combines clinical evaluation and results from laboratory testing, which should be used together, to discriminate patients at risk of a cardiac event from patients who can be safely discharged. In addition, it is shown that a second troponin measurement slightly improves the discriminative ability of the HEART-score.
Serum Uric Acid and C-reactive Protein in Patients with Metastatic Colorectal Carcinoma During Combination Therapy with High-dose Folinic Acid
Authors: Melichar Bohuslav , Hyšpler Radomír , Kalábová Hana , Holecková Petra , Študentová Hana
Published: August 2013

New spectrum of side effects has emerged with the introduction of targeted therapies, including changes in parameters determining cardiovascular risk. Among other laboratory parameters, hyperuricemia and elevated Creactive protein (CRP) are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The aim of the present study was to investigate the changes of serum uric acid and CRP during the therapy with cetuximab, combined with 5- fluorouracil and high-dose folinic acid, in patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma and the association of these changes with the outcome of the therapy. CRP and uric acid were determined using particle-enhanced immunoturbidimetric assay and uricase method, respectively. Measurements before and during the treatment were compared by Wilcoxon signed rank test, and comparison between survivors and non-survivors was performed by Mann-Whitney U test. Compared to baseline (pre-treatment) concentrations, serum uric acid was decreased significantly throughout the course of the combination treatment with irinotecan, 5-fluorouracil, highdose folinic acid and cetuximab. The decrease was evident early in the course of treatment. Serum CRP was also decreased significantly throughout the most of the course of therapy. The significant decrease of serum uric acid and CRP was evident already one week after the start of treatment. Serum CRP was significantly lower in patients who survived 12 months, but no difference of uric acid concentrations between survivors and non-survivors was found. A marked decrease of serum uric acid was observed during the combination therapy. High CRP was associated with poor prognosis, but no association between uric acid and prognosis was noted.
Use of a Pteridine Moiety to Track DNA Uptake in Cells
Authors: Costa Justin A. , Leal-Pinto Edgar , Henderson Scott C. , Zabel Troy , Hawkins Mary E. , Hanss Basil
Published: August 2013

Fluorescence labeled oligonucleotides have a long history of being used to monitor nucleic acid transport and uptake. However, it is not known if the fluorescent moiety itself physically limits the number of pathways that can be used by the cell due to steric, hydrophobic, or other chemical characteristics. Here, we report a method for comparing the uptake kinetics of oligonucleotides labeled either with the fluorescent pteridine, 3-methyl-8-(2- deoxy-b-D-ribofuranosyl) isoxanthopterin (3MI), or the common fluorophore 5-carboxyfluorescein (5-FAM). We use a multiphoton microscopic technique to monitor nucleic acid uptake LLC-PK1, a pig renal tubular cell line that is known to have multiple uptake pathways. We find that the two fluorophores enter the cells at different rates, suggesting that choice of fluorescent moiety influences the uptake pathway used by a cell. Finally, we reconstituted an LLC-PK1 membrane channel that is selective for nucleic acids in planar lipid bilayers, and tested the ability of the labeled nucleic acids to permeate the channel. We find that 3MI, and not 5-FAM labeled oligonucleotides can traverse the plasma membrane through the channel. These results have implications for future studies aimed at delivering pteridine moieties to cells and for tracking nucleic acid transport into tissues.
Evaluation of Serum and Urinary Levels of some Pteridine Pathway Components in Healthy Turkish Children
Authors: Girgin Gözde , Baydar Terken , Fuchs Dietmar , Sahin Gönül , Özmert Elif , Yurdakök Kadriye
Published: August 2013

Neopterin, as a non-conjugated pteridine, is synthesized from guanosine triphosphate and its production is upregulated upon the activation of cellular immune response. Alterations of pteridines in body fluids are known to correlate well with existing diseases and stages, prognosis, clinical outcomes and survival data. It is of advantage to have a pteridine database of healthy volunteers to determine normal values. Thereby, especially in children there is no detailed study on pteridine levels. The aim of this study is to initiate the establishment of pteridine database of healthy children in our country. Serum neopterin levels were analysed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Urinary neopterin and biopterin levels and serum kynurenine, tryptophan levels and kynurenine/tryptophan ratio as an estimate of tryptophan breakdown were assessed with high-pressure liquid chromatography in serum and urine samples of 55 children aged between 3 months and 10 years. The results were evaluated within the subgroups of different ages and sex. Pteridine pathway components were found to be higher in children compared to adults. Higher levels of pteridine pathway components observed within the first years of life may reflect the rapid maturation of the immune system, and environmental adaptation and/or insufficiency of defence systems. On the other hand, it may also relate to a higher frequency of infections not (yet) manifested clinically.
Herd behavior, bubbles and social interactions in financial markets
Authors: Chang Sheng-Kai
Published: August 2013

This paper studies herd behavior, bubbles and social interactions in financial markets through the asset pricing models with heterogeneous interacting agents. The relationship between social interactions, herd behavior and bubbles is examined. It is found that herd behavior arises naturally when there are strong enough social interactions among individual investors. In addition, an extremely small bubble may cause a sufficiently large number of traders to engage in herd behavior when the social interactions among traders are strong.
California and The Wide World
Authors: Apostol Jane
Published: August 2013

California and the American West won international attention in the pages of a popular English magazine, The Wide World, published from 1898 to 1965 and aimed at the “armchair adventurer.” A sample of the magazine’s 1898–1912 articles set in California and the Southwest depict the region as a sportsmen’s paradise, a wild frontier, and the scene of adventure, thrills, and lurid crimes, which presented a more complex image than local boosters fostered.
The serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D response to vitamin D supplementation is related to genetic factors, BMI, and baseline levels
Authors: Didriksen Allan , Grimnes Guri , Hutchinson Moira Strand , Kjærgaard Marie , Svartberg Johan , Joakimsen Ragnar M , Jorde Rolf
Published: August 2013

Objective

The serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) level is not only dependent on vitamin D intake and production in the skin but also dependent on genetic factors. Thus, in large genome-wide association studies, it has been shown that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the vitamin D binding protein (DBP), as well as in enzymes related to activation or degradation of vitamin D and its metabolites, are as important for the serum 25(OH)D level as the effect of season. How these SNPs affect the serum 25(OH)D response to vitamin D supplementation is uncertain.

Design and methods

Data were pooled from three randomized controlled trials where 40 000 IU vitamin D/week was given for 6 months. Serum 25(OH)D was measured before and at the end of the intervention, and the subjects were genotyped for SNPs related to the serum 25(OH)D level.

Results

Baseline 25(OH)D levels were significantly related to SNPs in theDBPandCYP2R1genes. Those with SNPs associated with the lowest baseline 25(OH)D levels also had the smallest increase (delta) after supplementation. Those with the lowest baseline serum 25(OH)D (without regard to genotypes) had the highest increase (delta) after supplementation. Subjects with high BMI had lowest baseline 25(OH)D levels and also the smallest increase (delta) after supplementation.

Conclusions

The serum 25(OH)D response to supplementation depends on genes, baseline level, and BMI. However, whether this is clinically important or not depends on the therapeutic window of vitamin D, an issue that is still not settled.
MANAGEMENT OF ENDOCRINE DISEASE: GH therapy and cancer risk in hypopituitarism: what we know from human studies
Authors: Pekic Sandra , Popovic Vera
Published: August 2013

It has been difficult to identify factors that affect the risk of cancer, but we know that people are at higher risk as they get older, or if they have a strong family history of cancer. The potential influence of environmental and behavioral factors remains poorly understood. Early population-based and case–control studies suggested that higher serum levels of IGF1 could be associated with increased cancer risk. Since GH therapy increases IGF1 levels, concern has been raised regarding its potential role as a cancer initiation factor. Experimental evidence and some clinical studies showed that when GH/IGF1 secretion or action was inhibited, a decreased incidence and rate of progression of cancers occurred. However, human populations comprise a garden variety of genotypes that respond differently to the same kind of exposures. Human population studies frequently reveal only very small effects to these exposures. So, are GH and cancer guilty by association? After more than 20 years, leukemia, a major safety issue initially believed associated with GH treatment in children with GH deficiency (GHD), has not been confirmed but the risk of second malignancies in patients previously treated with irradiation has been detected or confirmed through the National Cooperative Growth Study. Overall, this large study confirmed the favorable overall safety profile of GH therapy in children with GHD, and also highlighted specific populations at potential risk. The risk of secondary malignancy following radiotherapy is surely related to radiotherapy more than GH therapy that may increase growth but is less likely to start the oncogenic process. In GH-deficient adults treated with GH, observational studies (KIMS, HypoCCS) have shown that when IGF1 levels were targeted within normal age-related reference ranges, the occurrence of malignancies was not higher than in the general population.