bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Order Statistics and Benford′s Law
Authors: Miller Steven J. , Nigrini Mark J.
Published: December 2008

Fix a baseB> 1 and letζhave the standard exponential distribution; the distribution of digits ofζbaseBis known to be very close to Benford′s law. If there exists aCsuch that the distribution of digits ofCtimes the elements of some set is the same as that ofζ, we say that set exhibits shifted exponential behavior baseB.LetX1, …,XNbe i.i.d.r.v. If theXi′s are Unif, then asN→∞the distribution of the digits of the differences between adjacent order statistics converges to shifted exponential behavior. If insteadXi′s come from a compactly supported distribution with uniformly bounded first and second derivatives and a second‐order Taylor series expansion at each point, then the distribution of digits of anyNδconsecutive differencesandallN− 1 normalized differences of the order statistics exhibit shifted exponential behavior. We derive conditions on the probability density which determine whether or not the distribution of the digits of all the unnormalized differences converges to Benford′s law, shifted exponential behavior, or oscillates between the two, and show that the Pareto distribution leads to oscillating behavior.
Modulation of Network Oscillatory Activity and GABAergic Synaptic Transmission by CB1 Cannabinoid Receptors in the Rat Medial Entorhinal Cortex
Authors: Morgan Nicola H. , Stanford Ian M. , Woodhall Gavin L.
Published: December 2008

Cannabinoids modulate inhibitory GABAergic neurotransmission in many brain regions. Within the temporal lobe, cannabinoid receptors are highly expressed, and are located presynaptically at inhibitory terminals. Here, we have explored the role of type-1 cannabinoid receptors (CB1Rs) at the level of inhibitory synaptic currents and field-recorded network oscillations. We report that arachidonylcyclopropylamide (ACPA; 10 M), an agonist at CB1R, inhibits GABAergic synaptic transmission onto both superficial and deep medial entorhinal (mEC) neurones, but this has little effect on network oscillations in beta/gamma frequency bands. By contrast, the CB1R antagonist/inverse agonist LY320135 (500 nM), increased GABAergic synaptic activity and beta/gamma oscillatory activity in superficial mEC, was suppressed, whilst that in deep mEC was enhanced. These data indicate that cannabinoid-mediated effects on inhibitory synaptic activity may be constitutively active in vitro, and that modulation of CB1R activation using inverse agonists unmasks complex effects of CBR function on network activity.
Extendability of Equilibria of Nematic Polymers
Authors: Wang Hongyun , Zhou Hong
Published: December 2008

The purpose of this paper is to study the extendability of equilibrium states of
rodlike nematic polymers with the Maier‐Saupe intermolecular potential. We formulate equilibrium states as solutions of a nonlinear system and calculate the determinant of the Jacobian matrix of the nonlinear system. It is found that the Jacobian matrix is nonsingular everywhere except at two equilibrium states. These two special equilibrium states correspond to two points in the phase diagram. One point is the folding point where the stable prolate branch folds into the unstable prolate branch; the other point is the intersection point of the nematic branch and the isotropic branch where the unstable prolate state becomes the unstable oblate state. Our result establishes the existence and uniqueness of equilibrium states in the presence of small perturbations away from these two special equilibrium states.
Cholecystokinin and Somatostatin Negatively Affect Growth of the Somatostatin‐RIN‐14B Cells
Authors: El-Kouhen Karim , Morisset Jean
Published: December 2008

With the exclusive presence of the pancreatic CCK‐2 receptors on the pancreatic delta cells of six different species, this study was undertaken to determine the role of cholecystokinin and gastrin on growth of these somatostatin (SS) cells. For this study, the SS‐RIN‐14B cells were used in culture and their growth was evaluated by cell counting. Results. To our surprise, we established by Western blot that these RIN cells possess the two CCK receptor subtypes, CCK‐1 and CCK‐2. Occupation of the CCK‐1 receptors by caerulein, a CCK analog, led to inhibition of cell proliferation, an effect prevented by a specific CCK‐1 receptor antagonist. Occupation of the CCK‐2 receptors by the gastrin agonist pentagastrin had no effect on cell growth. Proliferation was not affected by SS released from these cells but was inhibited by exogenous SS. Conclusions. Growth of the SS‐RIN‐14B cells can be negatively affected by occupation of their CCK‐1 receptors and by exogenous somatostatin.
Disparate Estimates of Hypertension Control From Ambulatory and Clinic Blood Pressure Measurements in Hypertensive Kidney Disease
Authors: Pogue Velvie , Rahman Mahboob , Lipkowitz Michael , Toto Robert , Miller Edgar , Faulkner Marquetta , Rostand Stephen , Hiremath Leena , Sika Mohammed , Kendrick Cynthia , Hu Bo , Greene Tom , Appel Lawrence , Phillips Robert A.
Published: December 2008

Ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) monitoring provides unique information about day-night patterns of blood pressure (BP). The objectives of this article were to describe ABP patterns in African Americans with hypertensive kidney disease, to examine the joint distribution of clinic BP and ABP, and to determine associations of hypertensive target organ damage with clinic BP and ABP. This study is a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from the African American Study of Kidney Disease Cohort Study. Masked hypertension was defined by elevated daytime (≥135/85 mm Hg) or elevated nighttime (≥120/70 mm Hg) ABP in those with controlled clinic BP (<140/90 mm Hg); nondipping was defined by a ≤10% decrease in mean nighttime systolic BP; reverse dipping was defined by a higher nighttime than daytime systolic BP. Of the 617 participants (mean age: 60.2 years; 62% male; mean estimated glomerular filtration rate: 43.8 mL/min per 1.73 m
2
) with both clinic BP and ABP, 498 participants (80%) had a nondipping or reverse dipping profile. Of the 377 participants with controlled clinic BP (61%), 70% had masked hypertension. Compared with those with controlled clinic BP or white-coat hypertension, target organ damage (proteinuria and left ventricular hypertrophy) was more common in those with elevated nighttime BP, masked hypertension, or sustained hypertension. In conclusion, clinic BP provides an incomplete and potentially misleading assessment of the severity of hypertension in African Americans with hypertensive kidney disease, in large part because of increased nighttime BP. Whether lowering nighttime BP improves clinical outcomes is unknown but should be tested given the substantial burden of BP-related morbidity in this population.
Relation of Blood Pressure Quantitative Trait Locus on Rat Chromosome 1 to Hyperactivity of Rostralventrolateral Medulla
Authors: Iigaya Kamon , Kumagai Hiroo , Nabika Toru , Harada Yuji , Onimaru Hiroshi , Oshima Naoki , Takimoto Chie , Kamayachi Tadashi , Saruta Takao , Itoh Hiroshi
Published: December 2008

Genetic factors that induce essential hypertension have been examined using genome-wide linkage analyses. A quantitative trait locus (QTL) region that is closely linked to hypertension has been found on chromosome 1 in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSPs). We used 2 congenic rats in which the blood pressure QTL on rat chromosome 1 was introgressed from SHRSP/Izm to Wistar-Kyoto (WKY)/Izm (WKYpch1.0) and from WKY/Izm to SHRSP/Izm (SHRSPwch1.0) rats by repeated backcrossing. Previous studies reported that the intermediate phenotype of this QTL for hypertension is characterized by the hyperactivity of the sympathetic nervous system in response to physiological and psychological stress. We performed intracellular patch-clamp recordings of rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) neurons from WKY, WKYpch1.0, SHRSPwch1.0, and SHRSPs and compared the basal electrophysiological activities of RVLM neurons and the responses of these neurons to angiotensin II. The basal membrane potential of RVLM neurons from WKYpch1.0 was significantly “shallower” than that of the neurons from WKY. The depolarization of RVLM neurons from WKYpch1.0 in response to angiotensin II was significantly larger than that in neurons from WKY rats, whereas the depolarization of RVLM neurons from SHRSPwch1.0 was significantly smaller than that in neurons from SHRSPs. The response to angiotensin II of RVLM neurons from WKYpch1.0 and SHRSPs was sustained even after the blockade of all of the synaptic transmissions using tetrodotoxin. The QTL on rat chromosome 1 was primarily related to the postsynaptic response of RVLM bulbospinal neurons to brain angiotensin II, whereas both the QTL and other genomic regions influenced the basal activity of RVLM neurons.
The Moisture Mode in the Quasi-Equilibrium Tropical Circulation Model. Part II: Nonlinear Behavior on an Equatorial β Plane
Authors: Sugiyama Masahiro
Published: December 2008

Numerical calculations of a simplified quasi-equilibrium tropical circulation model (QTCM) on the equatorial β plane have been performed to explore the nonlinear regime of the moisture mode. Sensitivity tests have examined the effects of nonlinear advection and nonlinear wind-induced surface heat exchange (WISHE). Starting from a spatially homogeneous radiative–convective equilibrium with some background gustiness, the model develops quasi-stationary moisture modes, as expected from linear analysis. Upon nonlinear saturation due to thermodynamic limiting processes, a different regime emerges. A classical Gill model augmented with a prognostic humidity variable is found to be able to capture the nonlinear dynamics of the moisture mode; the time evolution solely resides in the humidity variable, and it is possible to understand its dynamics by examining the humidity budget. A scaling analysis shows that the approximation with a Gill model is valid for disturbances whose time scale is much longer than the damping time scale of equatorial waves. When nonlinear WISHE is included, a large-scale disturbance of wavenumber 1 grows and moves westward because evaporation is enhanced to the west of increased convection. Turning on nonlinear advection leads to disturbances of wavenumber 10 that translate eastward via advection of dry air by Rossby gyres. Combining nonlinear WISHE and nonlinear advection leads to gross moist instability and prohibits long-term numerical integration, which suggests that QTCM must be refined to fully describe the nonlinear dynamics of the moisture mode.
Atmospheric Moisture Transport Moderates Climatic Response to the Opening of Drake Passage
Authors: Sijp Willem P. , England Matthew H.
Published: December 2008

The absence of the Drake Passage (DP) gateway in coupled models generally leads to vigorous Antarctic bottom water (AABW) formation, Antarctic warming, and the absence of North Atlantic deep-water (NADW) formation. Here the authors show that this result depends critically on atmospheric moisture transport by midlatitude storms. The authors use coupled model simulations employing geometries different only at the location of DP to show that oceanic circulation similar to that of the present day is possible when DP is closed and atmospheric moisture transport values enhanced by Southern Ocean storm activity are used. In this case, no Antarctic warming occurs in conjunction with DP closure. The authors also find that the changes in poleward heat transport in response to the establishment of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) are small. This result arises from enhanced atmospheric moisture transport at the midlatitudes of the Southern Hemisphere (SH), although the values used remain within a range appropriate to the present day. In contrast, homogeneous or (near) symmetric moisture diffusivity leads to strong SH sinking and the absence of a stable Northern Hemisphere (NH) overturning state, a feature familiar from previous studies. The authors’ results show that the formation of NADW, or its precursor, may have been possible before the opening of the DP at the Eocene/Oligocene boundary, and that its presence depends on an interplay between the existence of the DP gap and the hydrological cycle across the midlatitude storm tracks.
A New Moist Turbulence Parameterization in the Community Atmosphere Model
Authors: Bretherton Christopher S. , Park Sungsu
Published: December 2008

A new moist turbulence parameterization is presented and implemented in the Community Atmosphere Model (CAM). It is derived from Grenier and Bretherton but has been heavily modified to improve its numerical stability and efficiency with the long time steps used in climate models. A goal was to provide a more physically realistic treatment of marine stratocumulus-topped boundary layers than in the current CAM.

Key features of the scheme include use of moist-conserved variables, an explicit entrainment closure for convective layers, diagnosis of turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) for computation of turbulent diffusivities, an efficient new formulation of TKE transport as a relaxation to layer-mean TKE, and unified treatment of all turbulent layers in each atmospheric column.

The scheme is compared with the default turbulence parameterizations in the CAM using three single-column modeling cases, using both operational and high vertical and time resolution. Both schemes performed comparably well on the dry convective boundary layer case. For a stable boundary layer case, the default CAM overdeepens the boundary layer unless its free-tropospheric mixing length is greatly reduced, whereupon the new scheme and default CAM again both perform well at both tested resolutions. A nocturnal stratocumulus case was much better simulated by the new scheme than the default CAM, with much less resolution sensitivity. Global climate simulations with the new scheme in tandem with a new shallow cumulus parameterization are presented in a companion paper.
Job Satisfaction and Organizational Commitment in Prisons
Authors: Garland Brett E. , Mccarty William P. , Ruohui Zhao
Published: December 2008

Staff are the most valuable and expensive resources in prisons. Although correctional officers have received considerable academic attention, we know very little about their noncustody counterparts. This study examines and compares the predictors of job satisfaction, institutional commitment, and commitment to a prison system among three noncustody groups: psychological staff, teachers, and unit management personnel. Data are taken from the 2005 Prison Social Climate Survey, a questionnaire sent annually to a stratified random sample of federal prison staff. Results of Hierarchical Linear Modeling analyses indicate that supervision and perceived effectiveness with inmates had a significant and positive impact on all dependent variables for each noncustody group. The amount of time spent working in a prison was also a common predictor of institutional commitment for all groups. Some differences in significant predictors were found across noncustody groups for several independent variables including security level, amount of inmate contact, and months in current institution.
Development of a Clinical Prediction Model to Calculate Patient Life Expectancy: The Measure of Actuarial Life Expectancy (MALE)
Authors: Clarke M.G. , Kennedy K.P. , MacDonagh R.P.
Published: December 2008

Objectives. To develop a clinical prediction model enabling the calculation of an individual patient's life expectancy (LE) and survival probability based on age, sex, and comorbidity for use in the joint decision-making process regarding medical treatment. Methods. A computer software program was developed with a team of 3 clinicians, 2 professional actuaries, and 2 professional computer programmers. This incorporated statistical spreadsheet and database access design methods. Data sources included life insurance industry actuarial rating factor tables (public and private domain), Government Actuary Department UK life tables, professional actuarial sources, and evidence-based medical literature. The main outcome measures were numerical and graphical display of comorbidity-adjusted LE; 5-, 10-, and 15-year survival probability; in addition to generic UK population LE. Results. Nineteen medical conditions, which impacted significantly on LE in actuarial terms and were commonly encountered in clinical practice, were incorporated in the final model. Numerical and graphical representations of statistical predictions of LE and survival probability were successfully generated for patients with either no comorbidity or a combination of the 19 medical conditions included. Validation and testing, including actuarial peer review, confirmed consistency with the data sources utilized. Conclusions. The evidence-based actuarial data utilized in this computer program design represent a valuable resource for use in the clinical decision-making process, where an accurate objective assessment of patient LE can so often make the difference between patients being offered or denied medical and surgical treatment. Ongoing development to incorporate additional comorbidities and enable Web-based access will enhance its use further.
Retaliation Lawsuits Held Applicable for Federal Employees Under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act: A Victory for Older Federal Workers
Authors: Mitchell Charles E.
Published: December 2008

In a decision having much to do with what is implied in the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) but not explicitly stated, the Supreme Court ruled that federal sector employees are not precluded from filing retaliation lawsuits under the ADEA. Relying on precedent decisions as well as established legislative intent, the Supreme Court rejected several arguments of the government in what the Court considered a narrow interpretation of the federal sector provision of the ADEA statute at §633a. The ruling affirmed that federal sector employees have the same protection as do private sector employees in all aspects of the ADEA statute.
Democratization and Hybrid Regimes
Authors: Alexander Marcus
Published: December 2008

Despite the central place of democratization studies in comparative politics, scholars still lack both theory and empirical evidence to understand institutional change in hybrid regimes (characterized by a collapse of one authoritarian regime and failure to transition to a consolidated democracy). This article makes a contribution to the emerging study of hybrid regimes by developing a middle-range theory for a medium- N set of previously neglected cases in Southeast Europe. It theorizes institutional change as a process initiated by the elites in power but then either accelerated or hampered by structural factors. After decomposing the effects of state capacity, opposition, and international influence in this dynamic and focusing on the process rather than the outcome, it is possible to refine the standard assumptions of democratization paradigm. The study finds that a strong state, a united opposition, and Western assistance can help authoritarian-leaning governments consolidate their coercive power.
Attitudes and Perceptions Regarding Alzheimer's Disease in Greece
Authors: Tsolaki Magda , Paraskevi Sakka , Degleris Nicolaos , Karamavrou Sofia
Published: December 2008

The Facing Dementia Survey was conducted across Europe to assess awareness and behaviors regarding Alzheimer's disease. A similar survey was undertaken in Greece. Interviews were conducted with the general public, primary caretakers, and physicians involved with Alzheimer's disease patients. Results indicated that the general public is not able to recognize the early symptoms of the disease and seek help resulting in a delay in the diagnosis. The principal cause was attributing the symptoms as part of the normal ageing process and ignorance regarding the disease. In addition, the survey indicated that only a small proportion of the physicians and the primary caretakers believed that there is an effective treatment for Alzheimer's disease but agreed on the goals of treatment. In addition there was a consensus among all respondents that the government should take a more active role as far as informing the public, supporting the caregivers, and treating the patients.
Clinical Utility of the Hopkins Competency Assessment Test on an Inpatient Geropsychiatry Unit
Authors: Wilkins Kirsten M. , Lund Brian C. , McAdams Jimmie D. , Yates William R.
Published: December 2008

This study examined the clinical use of routine administration of the Hopkins Competency Assessment Test on an inpatient geropsychiatry unit. The purpose was to determine whether the Hopkins Competency Assessment Test results influenced the psychiatrist's capacity assessment or confidence in that determination. The test was administered to all patients admitted voluntarily during an 18-week period. The attending psychiatrist determined treatment consent capacity and rated confidence in that determination, before and after review of the test results. Fifty seven patients were assessed. After review of the test results, the psychiatrist's capacity rating changed in only 2 (3.5%) cases. However, the test increased the psychiatrist's confidence ratings, particularly among the patients with cognitive impairment. The Hopkins Competency Assessment Test is not suited for routine administration among geropsychiatry inpatients. However, the test may serve a role as a supplementary tool for assessing treatment consent capacity among patients with evidence of cognitive impairment.
Cortical and Spinal Excitability Changes After Robotic Gait Training in Healthy Participants
Authors: Blicher Jakob U. , Nielsen Jørgen F.
Published: December 2008

Background. Recent studies have proposed a role for robotic gait training in participants with acquired brain injury, but the effects on the excitability of cortical and spinal neurons even in healthy participants are uncertain. Objective. To investigate changes in corticospinal excitability in healthy participants after active and passive robotic gait training in a driven gait orthosis (DGO), the Lokomat. Methods. Thirteen healthy participants took part in 2 experiments. Each participant performed 20 minutes of active and passive gait training in a DGO. Motor evoked potentials (MEP), short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI), intracortical facilitation (ICF), F-wave frequency, and Mmax were measured in the right tibialis anterior muscle before and after training. Results. Active training led to a decline in MEP amplitude and F-wave frequency. The MEP decline was associated with subjective muscle fatigue. Passive training induced a decrease in SICI lasting for 20 minutes after training. Conclusions. The decline in MEP after active training is most likely because of central fatigue, whereas the decreased F-wave frequency might represent short-term plastic changes in the spinal cord. The decrease in SICI after passive training probably reflects a decrease in intracortical GABA activity, which could benefit the acquisition of new motor skills.
BLNK suppresses pre–B-cell leukemogenesis through inhibition of JAK3
Authors: Nakayama Joji , Yamamoto Mutsumi , Hayashi Katsuhiko , Satoh Hitoshi , Bundo Kenji , Kubo Masato , Goitsuka Ryo , Farrar Michael A. , Kitamura Daisuke
Published: December 2008

Pre–B-cell leukemia spontaneously develops in BLNK-deficient mice, and pre–B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells in children often lack BLNK protein expression, demonstrating that BLNK functions as a tumor suppressor. However, the mechanism by which BLNK suppresses pre–B-cell leukemia, as well as the identification of other genetic alterations that collaborate with BLNK deficiency to cause leukemogenesis, are still unknown. Here, we demonstrate that the JAK3/STAT5 signaling pathway is constitutively activated in pre-B leukemia cells derived from BLNK−/− mice, mostly due to autocrine production of IL-7. Inhibition of IL-7R signaling or JAK3/STAT5 activity resulted in the induction of p27kip1 expression and cell-cycle arrest, accompanied by apoptosis in the leukemia cells. Transgene-derived constitutively active STAT5 (STAT5b-CA) strongly synergized with the loss of BLNK to initiate leukemia in vivo. In the leukemia cells, exogenously expressed BLNK inhibited autocrine JAK3/STAT5 signaling, resulting in p27kip1 induction, cell-cycle arrest, and apoptosis. BLNK-inhibition of JAK3 was dependent on the binding of BLNK to JAK3. These data indicate that BLNK normally regulates IL-7–dependent proliferation and survival of pre–B cells through direct inhibition of JAK3. Thus, somatic loss of BLNK and concomitant mutations leading to constitutive activation of Jak/STAT5 pathway result in the generation of pre–B-cell leukemia.
Insulin resistance in pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Zamanian R. T. , Hansmann G. , Snook S. , Lilienfeld D. , Rappaport K. M. , Reaven G. M. , Rabinovitch M. , Doyle R. L.
Published: December 2008

Although obesity, dyslipidemia and insulin resistance (IR) are well known risk factors for systemic cardiovascular disease, their impact on pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is unknown. The present authors’ previous studies indicate that IR may be a risk factor for PAH. The current study has investigated the prevalence of IR in PAH and explored its relationship with disease severity.

Clinical data and fasting blood samples were evaluated in 81 nondiabetic PAH females. In total, 967 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) females served as controls. The fasting triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio was used as a surrogate of insulin sensitivity.

While body mass index was similar in NHANESversusPAH females (28.6versus28.7 kg·m−2), PAH females were more likely to have IR (45.7versus21.5%) and less likely to be insulin sensitive (IS; 43.2versus57.8%). PAH females mostly (82.7%) had New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II and III symptoms. Aetiology, NYHA class, 6-min walk-distance and haemodynamics did not differ between IR and IS PAH groups. However, the presence of IR and a higher NYHA class was associated with poorer 6-months event-free survival (58versus79%).

Insulin resistance appears to be more common in pulmonary arterial hypertension females than in the general population, and may be a novel risk factor or disease modifier that might impact on survival.
Desferrioxamine attenuates minor lung injury following surgical acute liver failure
Authors: Kostopanagiotou G. G. , Kalimeris K. A. , Arkadopoulos N. P. , Pafiti A. , Panagopoulos D. , Smyrniotis V. , Vlahakos D. , Routsi C. , Lekka M. E. , Nakos G.
Published: December 2008

Acute liver failure (ALF) can be complicated by lung dysfunction. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that inhibition of oxidative stress through iron chelation with desferrioxamine (DFX) attenuates pulmonary injury caused by ALF.

14 adult female domestic pigs were subjected to surgical devascularisation of the liver and were randomised to a study group (DFX group, n = 7), which received post-operative intravenous infusion of DFX (14.5 mg·kg−1·h−1for the first 6 h post-operatively and 2.4 mg·kg−1·h−1until completion of 24 h), and a control group (n = 7). Post-operative lung damage was evaluated by histological and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) analysis.

DFX resulted in reduced BALF protein levels and tissue phospholipase (PL)A2activity. Plasma malondialdehyde and BALF nitrate and nitrite concentrations were lower, while catalase activity in the lung was higher after DFX treatment. PLA2, platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase and total cell counts in BALF did not differ between groups. Histological examination revealed reduced alveolar collapse, pneumonocyte necrosis and total lung injury in the DFX-treated animals.

DFX reduced systemic and pulmonary oxidative stress during ALF. The limited activity of PLA2and the attenuation of pneumonocyte necrosis could represent beneficial mechanisms by which DFX improves alveolar–capillary membrane permeability and prevents alveolar space collapse.
Corticosteroids suppressin vitrotonsillar proliferation in children with obstructive sleep apnoea
Authors: Kheirandish-Gozal L. , Serpero L. D. , Dayyat E. , Kim J. , Goldman J. L. , Snow A. , Bhattacharjee R. , Gozal D.
Published: December 2008

Intranasal corticosteroids (CS) are potentially useful interventions for children with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), and may reduce lymphadenoid tissue size in the upper airway. The present authors hypothesised that CS would reduce cellular proliferation and the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in a tonsil/adenoid mixed-cell culture system.

Dissociated tonsils or adenoids harvested intra-operatively from children with polysomnographically diagnosed OSA were cultured in control medium (CO) or after stimulation with lipopolysaccharide and concanavalin A (STIM), and incubated with dexamethasone (DEX; 10−5–10−7 M), fluticasone (FLU; 10−5–10−14 M) and budesonide (BUD; 10−4–10−14 M). Proliferation and apoptosis were assessed, and supernatants were assayed for the cytokines tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8.

STIM increased tonsillar and adenoidal proliferation compared with CO (1,976±133versus404±69 counts·min−1; n = 54). DEX, FLU and BUD reduced cellular proliferation rates, and exhibited dose-dependent effects, with the potency being FLU>BUD>DEX (n = 25 per group). Conversely, CS increased cellular apoptosis (n = 20 per group). Furthermore, TNF-α, IL-8 and IL-6 concentrations in the supernatant were increased by STIM, and markedly reduced by all CS (n = 48 per group).

Whole tissue cell cultures of adenoids and tonsils provide a useful approach forin vitroassessment of therapeutic efficacy of corticosteroids in the management of lymphadenoid hypertrophy that underlies obstructive sleep apnoea in children.
The effects of interleukin-8 on airway smooth muscle contraction in cystic fibrosis
Authors: Govindaraju Vasanthi , Michoud Marie-Claire , Ferraro Pasquale , Arkinson Janine , Safka Katherine , Valderrama-Carvajal Hector , Martin James G
Published: December 2008

Background

Many cystic fibrosis (CF) patients display airway hyperresponsiveness and have symptoms of asthma such as cough, wheezing and reversible airway obstruction. Chronic airway bacterial colonization, associated with neutrophilic inflammation and high levels of interleukin-8 (IL-8) is also a common occurrence in these patients. The aim of this work was to determine the responsiveness of airway smooth muscle to IL-8 in CF patients compared to non-CF individuals.

Methods

Experiments were conducted on cultured ASM cells harvested from subjects with and without CF (control subjects). Cells from the 2ndto 5thpassage were studied. Expression of the IL-8 receptors CXCR1 and CXCR2 was assessed by flow cytometry. The cell response to IL-8 was determined by measuring intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i), cell contraction, migration and proliferation.

Results

The IL-8 receptors CXCR1 and CXCR2 were expressed in both non-CF and CF ASM cells to a comparable extent. IL-8 (100 nM) induced a peak Ca2+release that was higher in control than in CF cells: 228 ± 7 versus 198 ± 10 nM (p < 0.05). IL-8 induced contraction was greater in CF cells compared to control. Furthermore, IL-8 exposure resulted in greater phosphorylation of myosin light chain (MLC20) in CF than in control cells. In addition, MLC20expression was also increased in CF cells. Exposure to IL-8 induced migration and proliferation of both groups of ASM cells but was not different between CF and non-CF cells.

Conclusion

ASM cells of CF patients are more contractile to IL-8 than non-CF ASM cells. This enhanced contractility may be due to an increase in the amount of contractile protein MLC20. Higher expression of MLC20by CF cells could contribute to airway hyperresponsiveness to IL-8 in CF patients.
Anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive activation of human monocytes by a bioactive dendrimer
Authors: Fruchon Séverine , Poupot Mary , Martinet Ludovic , Turrin Cédric-Olivier , Majoral Jean-Pierre , Fournié Jean-Jacques , Caminade Anne-Marie , Poupot Rémy
Published: December 2008

The monocyte-macrophage (MΦ) lineage can undergo different pathways of activation. The classical priming by IFN-γ, then triggering by LPS, conducts MΦ toward proinflammatory responses, whereas the alternative activation by IL-4, IL-10, IL-13, or glucocorticoids directs them toward an anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive phenotype. Recently, we have shown that synthetic phosphorus-containing dendrimers activate human monocytes. Here, we analyzed the gene expression of monocytes activated by an acid azabisphosphonic-capped, phosphorus-containing dendrimer by comparison with untreated monocytes. We found that 78 genes were up-regulated, whereas 62 genes were down-regulated. Analysis of these genes directed the hypothesis of an alternative-like, anti-inflammatory activation of human monocytes. This was confirmed by quantitative RT-PCR and analysis of the surface expression of specific markers by flow cytometry. Functional experiments of inhibition of CD4+ T-lymphocyte proliferation in MLR indicated that dendrimer-activated monocytes (da-monocytes) have an immune-suppressive phenotype similar to the one induced by IL-4. Moreover, da-monocytes preferentially enhanced amplification of CD4+ T cells, producing IL-10, an immunosuppressive cytokine. Therefore, phosphorus-containing dendrimers appear as new nanobiotools promoting an anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive activation of human monocytes and thus, prove to be good candidates for innovative, anti-inflammatory immunotherapies.
Aggressive Surgical Policies in a Retrospectively Reviewed Single-Institution Case Series of Retroperitoneal Soft Tissue Sarcoma Patients
Authors: Gronchi Alessandro , Lo Vullo Salvatore , Fiore Marco , Mussi Chiara , Stacchiotti Silvia , Collini Paola , Lozza Laura , Pennacchioli Elisabetta , Mariani Luigi , Casali Paolo Giovanni
Published: December 2008

Purpose

To explore whether the adoption of a systematic attempt to perform wider resections may lead to prognostic improvements in retroperitoneal soft tissue sarcoma (RSTS).

Patients and Methods

Two hundred eighty-eight consecutive patients who were surgically treated at a single referral center were analyzed. Because a shift toward a systematic, more aggressive surgical approach (ie, liberal en bloc resection of adjacent organs) was in place from 2002 onward, patients were divided in two groups accordingly. Overall survival, crude cumulative incidence (CCI) of local recurrence, and distant metastases were estimated. Univariable and multivariable analyses were carried out.

Results

Patients who underwent operation in the early period had a 5-year local recurrence rate of 48% compared with 28% for patients who were treated in the recent period. The number of distant metastases was greater in the recent group (22% v 13%), and overall survival was similar. In addition to the period of treatment, important independent determinants for local recurrence-free survival were histologic grade, histologic subtype, and radiation therapy. Overall, liposarcomas and grades 1 to 2 tumors had the greatest local benefit at 5 years.

Conclusion

In a single institution, the adoption of a policy of more liberal visceral en bloc resections was paralleled by greater local control. This benefit might translate into a prognostic improvement only on a longer follow-up for patients with a more indolent disease, whereas systemic failures seem to be the main problem in high-grade tumors. Radiation therapy could add some additional benefit to local outcome and possibly to survival.
Free-edge effects analysis of angle-ply laminates under transverse loading using layer-wise finite-element method with semi-analytical shear stress calculation
Authors: Mohammadi B , Hosseini-Toudeshky H , Sadr-Lahidjani M-H
Published: December 2008

Free-edge stress fields are of an utmost localized nature exhibiting steep stress gradients and they rapidly decay with increasing distance from the laminates’ edges. Layer-wise theory has already been used to analyse the stress field at the free edges of the laminates. In this investigation, the layer-wise theory in finite-element method (FEM) is used to analyse the stress field of the laminates’ free edges. In this study, apart from the conventional FEM in which the stresses are calculated from the constitutive laws, the shear stress components along the thickness are calculated from the equilibrium equations by employing a semi-analytical approach. It is shown that the obtained stresses from the current investigation are very close to those available from the three-dimensional elasticity solution for a square laminate under transversely double sinusoidal pressure distribution. To investigate the free edge influence on shear stress distribution of laminates under transverse loading, the analyses are performed for three angle-ply lay-ups with clustered and alternating sequences. It is shown that the free edge effects of angle-ply laminates with different stacking sequences under transverse pressure loading could be considerably different from laminates with in-plane loading conditions.
Model-based fault diagnosis of induction motor eccentricity using particle swarm optimization
Authors: Nikranjbar A , Ebrahimi M , Wood A S
Published: December 2008

Much research works address model-free or signal processing and spectral analysis-based fault detection schemes for rotor eccentricity fault in induction motors. Nevertheless, despite existing reliable fault-embedded eccentricity mathematical models such as the winding function method an integrated model-based fault detection algorithm for detecting this fault yet has not been fully explored. This article presents model-based mixed-eccentricity fault detection and diagnosis for induction motors. The proposed algorithm can successfully detect faults and their severity using stator currents. To determine the values of the fault-related parameters, an adaptive synchronization-based parameter estimation algorithm is introduced using particle swarm optimization. Simulation and experiments demonstrate the ability of the algorithm to detect and diagnose these faults. The proposed algorithm can be employed to estimate the parameters, in addition to slowly time varying and abruptly changing parameters.
The Gough—Stewart platform parallel manipulator: A retrospective appreciation
Authors: Fichter E F , Kerr D R , Rees-Jones J
Published: December 2008

This review of two articles from nearly 50 years ago, and of surrounding issues, is written in appreciation of the contributions made by Gough and Whitehall, and by Stewart. These authors established, through their publications, the basis of what is now widespread as a research topic. These two articles were chosen not merely for their technical merit and innovation, but as a reminder of the special value of the work contained in both, and of their respective originalities. The articles, reprinted here, speak largely for themselves.
A review of the paper ‘Some insights into the dynamics of defective structures’ by J. A. Brandon
Authors: Trendafilova I N
Published: December 2008

John Brandon has a long-standing record of leading internationally recognized research in the area of structural and non-linear dynamics as well as on the analysis of the mechanics and dynamics of defective structures. His consistent research in these areas is aimed at an in-depth understanding of the dynamics of damaged structures combined with the mechanics of crack development. He initiated and led the Cardiff research group on non-linear structural dynamics and damage analysis and detection for many years. His article ‘Some insights into the dynamics of defective structures’ is an excellent example of assembling and presenting together a lot of the research in the vibration modelling and experimental testing of damaged structures. It presents and summarizes the recent findings and trends in non-linear dynamics of defective structures. The reviewed article focuses mainly on the modelling and the analysis of non-linear effects in structural dynamics as well as in the dynamics of damaged structures, which have mostly been neglected in the recent literature.
Some aspects of gear tribology
Authors: Snidle R W , Evans H P
Published: December 2008

The article briefly reviews some developments in gear tribology research against the background of three articles from the Institution's archives that have particularly influenced the authors’ own contributions to the subject. The articles considered relate to three different aspects of gearing namely elastohydrodynamic lubrication, tooth contact phenomena, and the lubrication and wear of gears having a three-dimensional geometry.
Head-mounted display efficacy study to aid first responder indoor navigation
Authors: Wilson J , Wright P
Published: December 2008

A custom head-mounted display (HMD) integrated into a firefighter's facemask was evaluated for its ability to aid in navigating through large buildings in low-visibility conditions. The HMD was a monocular occluded design with a colour 640×480 pixel LCD mounted low in one's field of view. It showed the subject their real-time location on a floor plan. Subject location was found with an 802.15.4 wireless sensor network by using the received signal strength indicator localization method. The study consisted of two different courses of similar difficulty in different buildings in the campus of the University of California, Berkeley. There were 21 subjects, of which eight of them were firefighters and five of them were female. The subjects completed the courses in the same order, but alternated in treatment condition. Subjects with the HMD returned on average a 38 per cent faster course completion time, a 44 per cent shorter distance travelled, 60 per cent fewer navigation errors, and 60 per cent more accurate map marking. A follow-up questionnaire showed a strong preference for use of the HMD in navigation tasks, and unanimous approval of the occluded optical design and low mounting location.
Electro-mechanical robots before the computer
Authors: Sharkey N , Sharkey A
Published: December 2008

There were several electro-mechanical robots in the period leading up to the birth of the Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science in 1959. The authors examine the rise and fall of the electro-mechanical robot in the early twentieth century. After exploring the roots and uses of the term ‘robot’, a historical survey of the early landmark robots is provided. Some were controlled remotely by wireless radio signals or by selectively operating relays with whistle tones or by converting sound into light. Long before the invention of the modern digital computer, there were robots working autonomously with simple sensing and open-loop control. There were even learning machines. Many of the machines were inspired by and in turn inspired the development of mechanistic biology in the early twentieth century. The article ends with the demise of the electro-mechanical robot as the computer is developed and the new artificial intelligence takes hold.
Numerical investigation of the temperature field of a metal plate during high-frequency induction heat forming
Authors: Liu F , Shi Y , Lei X
Published: December 2008

High-frequency induction heat forming is a flexible metal plate forming technique using non-uniform thermal stress to shape a metal plate without tools and external forces. To accurately control the deformation of a metal plate, the study of temperature field is critical. In this article, a three-dimensional finite simulation has been carried out accounting for temperature-dependent thermal properties, and the numerical simulation results are experimentally validated. The effects of the process parameters on the temperature distribution are analysed. Through defining a dimensionless temperature T* and a special Y-coordinate Y*, similarity of temperature field with the different thickness is studied. The numerical results show that the temperature distributions in the Y′ direction are similar in the different thickness, which is helpful for the establishment of an analytical model of temperature distribution and analysis of the strain field of the different thickness in the next work.
Optimum design of a cutting tool for manufacturing rotary knives
Authors: Chang S-L , Tseng H-C , Hsieh J-K , Liu J-H , Hung C-H
Published: December 2008

In this article, the design parameters of a cutting tool for manufacturing a rotary knife with multi-cutting angles have been studied. An objective function and constraints are defined, and optimized solutions are found by using two methods: global search and sequential quadratic programming. Hobbing and the concept of tooth undercutting were used to manufacture a rotary knife with multi-cutting angles. The proposed method not only improved the manufacturing efficiency over the traditional method (milling and grinding), but also significantly improved the strength of the rotary knife and the chip discharge ability, as shown by the finite-element analysis of the stress distribution and deformation of two different kinds of rotary knives.
Performance enhancement of three-dimensional hypersonic inlet with sidewall compression
Authors: Liang J-H , Fan X-Q , Wang Y , Liu W-D
Published: December 2008

Extensive tests and analysis have been implemented to enhance the overall performance of the three-dimensional hypersonic inlets with sidewall compression. The goal of this research is to improve the mass flowrate (MFR) at design point, while keeping good starting characteristics at low Mach number. A series of inlet models have been designed and tested at Mach 4 and 6 in a free-jet tunnel. The present study focuses on the influence of the cowl deflection angle and the position of the sidewall compression on the inlet overall performance. The results indicate that the cowl deflection angle had great influence on the inlet starting characteristics, and the sidewall compression allocation is a key point of elevating the MFR at design Mach number. Remarkably, enhancement of the overall performance of the three-dimensional hypersonic inlet has been achieved.
An improvement on helicopter transmission performance through use of high contact ratio spur gears with suitable profile modification design
Authors: Yildirim N , Gasparini G , Sartori S
Published: December 2008

This is a design/development study on helicopter transmission that had improved performance in terms of vibration and noise behaviour, in compliance with surface durability requirement, compared with what was achievable with previous designs. Different spur gears of both low and high contact ratios (HCRs) have previously been designed and tested in helicopter transmissions with different profile modifications but with limited performance improvement. The desired performance, however, was achieved through the use of a suitable profile modification for the HCR spur gears in mesh. Profile modification type of ‘double relief’ was applied for the first time to two sets of helicopter transmission spur gears, both with HCRs. Possibility of corner contact was avoided while achieving a relatively low value of peak-to-peak transmission error in ‘full load range of gears operating conditions’, which was not usually satisfied by conventional profile designs. With the new profile modification design, a measured noise level reduction of 7—11 dBA and a casing vibration reduction of two to four times were achieved at teeth meshing frequency. The new design philosophy presented in this article is pending worldwide patent by the authors.