bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cylindrical and spherical dust ion-acoustic Gardner solitons in a quantum plasma
Authors: Hossain M. M. , Mamun A. A. , Ashrafi K. S.
Published: October 2011

The properties of nonplanar (cylindrical and spherical) quantum dust ion-acoustic (QDIA) solitary waves in an unmagnetized quantum dusty plasma, whose constituents are inertial ions, Fermi electrons with quantum effect, and negatively charged immobile dust particles, are investigated by deriving the modified Gardner (MG) equation. The reductive perturbation method is employed to derive the MG equation, and the basic features of nonplanar QDIA Gardner solitons (GSs) are analyzed. It has been found that the basic characteristics of GSs, which are shown to exist for the value of Zdnd0/ni0 around 2/3 (where Zd is the number of electrons residing on the dust grain surface, and nd0 and ni0 are, respectively, dust and ion number density at equilibrium), are different from those of the Korteweg-de Vries solitons, which do not exist for the value of Zdnd0/ni0 around 2/3. It is also seen that the properties of nonplanar QDIA GSs are significantly different from those of planar ones.
Electrokinetic flows through a parallel-plate channel with slipping stripes on walls
Authors: Ng Chiu-On , Chu Henry C. W.
Published: October 2011

Longitudinal and transverse electrohydrodynamic flows through a plane channel, of which the walls are micropatterned with a periodic array of stripes, are considered. One unit of wall pattern consists of a slipping stripe and a non-slipping stripe, each with a distinct zeta potential. The problems are solved by a semi-analytical method, where the basic solutions satisfying the electrohydrodynamic equations are expressed by eigenfunction expansions, and the coefficients are determined numerically by point collocation satisfying the mixed stick-slip boundary conditions. In the regime of linear response, the Onsager relations for the fluid and current fluxes are deduced as linear functions of the hydrodynamic and electric forcings. The phenomenological coefficients are explicitly expressed as functions of the channel height, the Debye parameter, the slipping area fraction of the wall, the intrinsic slip length, and the zeta potentials. Attention is paid to some particular kinds of patterns, with a view to revisit and to generalize the theoretical limits made in previous studies on electrokinetic flow over an inhomogeneously slipping surface. One should be cautious when applying the theoretical limits. We show that when a surface is not 100% uniformly slipping but has a small fraction of area being covered by no-slip slots, the electro-osmotic enhancement can be appreciably reduced. We also show that when the electric double layer is only moderately thin, slipping-uncharged regions on a surface will have finite inhibition effect on the electro-osmotic flow.
Precision waveguide system for measurement of complex permittivity of liquids at frequencies from 60 to 90 GHz
Authors: Hunger J. , Cerjak I. , Schoenmaker H. , Bonn M. , Bakker H. J.
Published: October 2011

We describe a variable path length waveguide setup developed to accurately measure the complex dielectric permittivity of liquids. This is achieved by measuring the complex scattering parameter of the liquid in a waveguide section with a vector network analyzer in combination with an E-band frequency converter. The automated measurement procedure allows fast acquisition at closely spaced intervals over the entire measurement bandwidth: 60–90 GHz. The presented technique is an absolute method and as such is not prone to calibration errors. The technique is suited to investigate low-loss as well as high-loss liquids in contrast to similar setups described previously. We present measurements for a high-loss liquid (water), an intermediate-loss sample (ethanol), and for nearly loss-less n-octane. Due to the available phase information, the present data have an improved accuracy in comparison with literature data.
Experimental and theoretical investigations on effects of hydrostatic pressure on the electrical properties of rhombohedral Sb2Te3
Authors: Li R. , Guo Y. H. , Xu B. , Su Y. , Yin J. , Zhang C. H. , Xia Y. D. , Liu Z. G. , Xu Z. , Wu L. C. , Song Z. T.
Published: October 2011

We have investigated the effect of the hydrostatic pressure on the electrical properties of the rhombohedral phase change material Sb2Te3 both experimentally and theoretically. The resistance can be reduced by 24.9% when the applied hydrostatic pressure reaches 0.377 GPa in the experiment, which is consistent with the results of the calculations by using the first principles theoretical method. The increase of the conductivity of Sb2Te3 under the hydrostatic pressure can be ascribed to the reduction of the electronic band gap.
The Model of Interpersonal Teacher Behaviour: a qualitative cross‐cultural validation within the Greek elementary education context
Authors: Charalampous Kyriakos , Kokkinos Constantinos M.
Published: October 2011

The Model of Interpersonal Teacher Behaviour (MITB) provides a widely acclaimed framework for studying the student–teacher interaction. However, the consistently weak psychometric properties of the instruments designed to measure the MITB in educational contexts other than the ones for which the MITB was originally developed, indicate the need for scrutinised cross‐cultural adaptation procedures. The present study examined the cross‐cultural validity of the MITB within the Greek elementary education context. Semi‐structured interviews were undertaken with 6 teachers and 24 students. Interviews were analysed using the method of qualitative content analysis. The findings corroborated the validity of the MITB and indicated slight repetitive patterns of differentiation in the conceptualisation of the MITB by both Greek elementary students and teachers.
Revisiting Human Nature: A Thomistic Rationale for the Necessity of Rhetoric
Authors: Maciejewski Jeffrey J.
Published: October 2011

In addition to rhetorical theorists, historians of rhetoric mistakenly believe that Aristotle carefully articulated how the use of rhetoric may be thought of as being human. Here, insofar as I believe he left this work undone, I offer an ontological framework to conceive of rhetoric as intrinsic to human nature, using the essentialist paradigm espoused by Aristotle and expanded upon by St. Thomas Aquinas as a theoretical foundation. A prefatory theory is proposed that rhetoric might be thought of as being natural for its teleological orientation toward action.
Focus on Symbioses: “Where Two Are Better Than One”
Authors: Szczyglowski Krzysztof , Sadowsky Michael
Published: October 2011

In the last two decades, tremendous advances have been made in our understanding of the basic principles governing two agriculturally relevant symbioses of plants with beneficial microorganisms: i) the nitrogen-fixing nodule bacteria of legumes and angiosperms and ii) phosphate-acquiring mycorrhiza fungi. This special focus issue brings together articles covering aspects of evolution and phylogeny, diversity, signaling, differentiation, and development of new investigative tools. Together they provide a window into the exciting world of plant-microbe symbioses.
Osteoprotegerin is associated with cardiovascular risk in hypertension and/or diabetes
Authors: Blázquez‐Medela Ana M. , García‐Ortiz Luis , Gómez‐Marcos Manuel A. , Recio‐Rodriguez José I. , Sánchez‐Rodríguez Angel , López‐Novoa José M. , Martínez‐Salgado Carlos
Published: October 2011

Eur J Clin Invest 2012; 42 (5): 548–556

Background  Osteoprotegerin (OPG), a secreted member of the tumour necrosis factor receptor superfamily of cytokines, has been associated with endothelial dysfunction. We studied in type 2 diabetic and/or hypertensive patients the relationship between serum OPG and vascular alterations associated with these pathologies.

Materials and methods  We analysed 191 consecutive patients (52 with type 2 diabetes and 139 hypertensive nondiabetic patients) and 54 healthy controls. We assessed the relationship of OPG serum levels measured by ELISA with basal glycaemia, glycosylated haemoglobin, blood pressure, endothelial dysfunction (assessed by pulse wave velocity), retinopathy (by Keith‐Wagener classification), left ventricular hypertrophy (by Cornell index), cardiovascular risk and target organs (heart, vascular, kidney) damage.

Results  Serum OPG levels were higher in either hypertensive or diabetic patients and in patients with non‐dipper and riser circadian blood pressure patterns. We found significant correlations between OPG levels and age, height, glycaemia, systolic, diastolic and pulse blood pressure, pulse wave velocity and left ventricular hypertrophy in both hypertensive and diabetic patients. OPG levels were also higher in hypertensive patients with retinopathy, patients with high probability of 10‐year cardiovascular risk, patients with three or more damaged target organs (heart, vessels, kidneys) and patients with previous episodes of ischaemic cardiopathy or hypercholesterolaemia.

Conclusions  Osteoprotegerin is an indicator of diabetes‐ and hypertension‐associated vascular pathologies as endothelial dysfunction and cardiovascular risk.
Rosiglitazone reverses increased duodenal inhibitory response in spontaneously hypertensive rats
Authors: De Benedictis L. , Potenza M. A. , Gagliardi S. , Zigrino A. , Montagnani M. , De Salvia M. A.
Published: October 2011

Background  Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) including rosiglitazone (ROSI) are insulin sensitizing agents with beneficial gastrointestinal effects. However, no studies are available on TZDs effect in gastrointestinal motility. We evaluated the effects of ROSI on gastrointestinal inhibitory neurotransmission focusing on the modulatory roles of nitric oxide synthase/nitric oxide (NOS/NO) and heme oxygenase/carbon monoxide (HO/CO) pathways.

Methods  Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were used as model of insulin resistance. Duodenal strips were obtained from vehicle‐treated SHR, ROSI‐treated SHR (5 mg kg−1 by gavage daily per 6 weeks), and Wistar Kyoto (WKY). Inhibitory responses to electrical field stimulation (EFS) were evaluated in the presence of HO inhibitor zinc protoporphyrin IX (ZnPPIX, 10 μmol L−1) or NOS inhibitor NG‐nitro‐l‐arginine (L‐NNA, 100 μmol L−1), alone and in combination. Protein levels of HO and NOS isoforms were evaluated by immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis.

Key Results  Basal responses to EFS were significantly increased in duodenum strips from vehicle‐treated SHR vs WKY. This effect was reversed in ROSI‐treated SHR. The EFS‐mediated relaxation was comparably reduced by ZnPPIX in WKY and SHR, but not in ROSI‐treated SHR animals. The L‐NNA reduced EFS response to a similar extent in WKY and ROSI ‐treated SHR, but its effect was significantly higher in vehicle‐treated SHR. Expression of HO‐1 protein was significantly lower, whereas HO‐2 protein levels were unchanged in ROSI‐treated SHR with respect to vehicle‐treated SHR. Finally, increased levels of nNOS in vehicle‐treated SHR were reduced in ROSI‐treated SHR.

Conclusions & Inferences  Chronic ROSI treatment reverses increased SHR duodenal inhibitory response acting on CO and NO components.
DTC genetic testing: pendulum swings and policy paradoxes
Authors: Caulfield T
Published: October 2011

Caulfield T. DTC genetic testing: pendulum swings and policy paradoxes.

After decades of optimistic portrayals, there has been a shift in the way that the popular press represents genomic research. A skeptical view has become more common. The central reason for this pendulum swing away from popular support is the harsh truth that most genetic risk information just isn't that predictive. This reality has created a fascinating policy paradox. If, as many in the scientific community are now saying, genetic information is not the oracle of our future health as we were once led to believe, and if access does not, for most, cause harm, why regulate the area? Why worry about shoddy direct‐to‐consumer (DTC) genetic testing companies? One primary justification, and one endorsed by the recent Canadian College of Medical Geneticists (CCMG) Policy Statement on DTC Genetics Testing, is that information that is conveyed to the public about genetics via marketing and to those who access DTC tests should, at a minimum, be accurate.
When Is a Difference Really Different? Learners’ Discrimination of Linguistic Contrasts in American Sign Language
Authors: Bochner Joseph H. , Christie Karen , Hauser Peter C. , Searls J. Matt
Published: October 2011

Learners' ability to recognize linguistic contrasts in American Sign Language (ASL) was investigated using a paired‐comparison discrimination task. Minimal pairs containing contrasts in five linguistic categories (i.e., the formational parameters of movement, handshape, orientation, and location in ASL phonology, and a category comprised of contrasts in complex morphology) were presented in sentence contexts to a sample of 127 hearing learners at beginning and intermediate levels of proficiency and 10 Deaf native signers. Participants’ responses were analyzed to determine the relative difficulty of the linguistic categories and the effect of proficiency level on performance. The results indicated that movement contrasts were the most difficult and location contrasts the easiest, with the other categories of stimuli of intermediate difficulty. These findings have implications for language learning in situations in which the first language is a spoken language and the second language (L2) is a signed language. In such situations, the construct of language transfer does not apply to the acquisition of L2 phonology because of fundamental differences between the phonological systems of signed and spoken languages, which are associated with differences between the modalities of speech and sign.
Lymphopenia in patients with chronic idiopathic neutropenia is associated with decreased number of T‐lymphocytes containing T‐cell receptor excision circles
Authors: Gemetzi Claudia , Mavroudi Irene , Koutala Helen , Velegraki Maria , Choulaki Christiana , Damianaki Athena , Pontikoglou Charalampos , Papadaki Helen A.
Published: October 2011

Objectives:  Chronic idiopathic neutropenia (CIN) is a disorder of granulopoiesis characterized by the presence of activated T‐lymphocytes that induce/sustain apoptosis of bone marrow (BM) granulocytic progenitors. T‐cell lymphopenia is commonly found in CIN. The aim of the study is to probe the mechanisms underlying T‐cell lymphopenia in CIN.

Methods:  We investigated parameters of T‐cell homeostasis namely the proliferation/apoptotic rate of naïve and memory T cells, the T‐cell senescence by telomere measurement, the recent thymic T‐cell production through quantification of T‐cell receptor rearrangement excision circles (TRECs), and the production of interleukin (IL)‐7.

Results:  Patients with CIN (n = 44) displayed lower proportion of naïve CD45RA+ cells within the CD4+ and CD8+ cells compared with controls (n = 15). The proportion of apoptotic cells within the CD8+ fraction was higher in patients compared with controls and was correlated with the percentage of Ki‐67+ cells, indicating an activation‐induced accelerated CD8+ cell death. The TREC content of CD4+ and CD8+ cells was lower in patients compared with controls and was correlated with the proportion of CD45RA+ CD4+ and CD8+ cells and with the levels of serum and BM IL‐7, which were significantly decreased in the patients. The mean relative telomere length of CD4+ and CD8+ cells was significantly lower in patients with CIN compared with age‐matched controls.

Conclusions:  The aberrant T‐cell expansions associated with the pathogenesis of CIN result in increased proliferation/apoptosis and possibly exhaustion of peripheral blood T cells which, in association with the inadequate compensatory thymic export of new TREC expressing T cells partially because of IL‐7 deficiency, may contribute to lymphopenia in CIN.
Subclavian artery laceration: A serious complication of needle decompression
Authors: Riwoe Damien , Poncia Hugo DM
Published: October 2011

A 31‐year‐old woman presented with spontaneous tension pneumothorax. This was initially treated with needle decompression, which led to massive haemothorax. Treatment and methods to reduce the likelihood of this complication are discussed.
Numerical Investigation of the Flow Around a Simplified Wheel in a Wheelhouse
Authors: Krajnović S. , Sarmast S. , Basara B.
Published: October 2011

The flow around generic wheels in wheel housings used in previous experimental investigations is studied using large eddy simulations (LES). A comparison is given here of the results of the simulations with existing experimental data and previous results of RANS simulations. Both instantaneous and time-averaged flows are described, showing agreement with previous knowledge and adding new insight in flow physics. Two different widths of the wheel housing are used in the simulations, and their influence on the flows is studied. The present work shows that the width of the wheel housing has an influence on flows on both the inside and the outside of the wheelhouse.
Stocked trout do not significantly affect wood frog populations in boreal foothills lakes
Authors: Schank C.M.M. , Paszkowski C.A. , Tonn W.M. , Scrimgeour G.J.
Published: October 2011

Stocking salmonids into lakes can have negative consequences for some ecosystem components, including amphibians. In the boreal foothills of Alberta, Canada, we compared populations of wood frog ( Lithobates sylvaticus ) at lakes with (n = 5) and without (n = 6) stocked trout over 3 years; all 11 lakes also supported native populations of forage fishes. Abundance and size of adult and young-of-year (YOY) frogs did not differ significantly between stocked and unstocked lakes. We also compared the wood frog population from a twelfth, fishless lake with populations from the 11 fish-bearing lakes (with or without trout); abundance and size of adults and YOY were greater, and YOY emerged earlier in the absence of fish. Based on patterns compiled from a literature review of effects of stocked trout on anuran amphibians, we suggest that characteristics of our study systems, including the presence of native fish, the length of the anuran larval period, lake trophic status, and the existence of complex, littoral habitats, contributed to the lack of major impacts of stocked trout on wood frog populations.
First and second meal effects of pulses on blood glucose, appetite, and food intake at a later meal
Authors: Mollard Rebecca C. , Wong Christina L. , Luhovyy Bohdan L. , Anderson G. Harvey
Published: October 2011

Pulses are low-glycemic appetite-suppressing foods, but it is not known whether these properties persist after being consumed as part of a meal and after a second meal. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of a fixed-size pulse meal on appetite and blood glucose (BG) before and after an ad libitum test meal (pizza) and on food intake (FI) at the test meal. Males (n = 25; 21.3 ± 0.5 years; 21.6 ± 0.3 kg·m–2) randomly consumed 4 isocaloric meals: chickpea; lentil; yellow split pea; and macaroni and cheese (control). Commercially available canned pulses provided 250 kcal, and were consumed with macaroni and tomato sauce. FI was measured at a pizza meal 260 min after consumption of the isocaloric meal. BG and appetite were measured from 0 to 340 min. The lentil and yellow pea, but not chickpea, treatments led to lower appetite ratings during the 260 min prepizza meal period, and less FI at the pizza meal, compared with macaroni and cheese (p < 0.05). All pulse treatments lowered BG immediately following consumption (at 20 min) (p < 0.05), but there was no effect of treatment on prepizza meal BG AUC (p = 0.07). Immediately after the pizza meal, BG was lower following the chickpea and lentil treatments, but not the yellow pea treatment (p < 0.05). Postpizza meal BG AUC was lower following the chickpea and lentil treatments than in the yellow pea treatment (p < 0.05). The beneficial effects of consuming a pulse meal on appetite, FI at a later meal, and the BG response to a later meal are dependent on pulse type.
Effects of high-dose large neutral amino acid supplementation on exercise, motor skill, and mental performance in Australian Rules Football players
Authors: Stepto Nigel K. , Shipperd Benjamin B. , Hyman Graeme , McInerney Bernie , Pyne David B.
Published: October 2011

This study investigated the effects of high-dose large neutral amino acid (LNAA) supplementation on attenuating fatigue-induced decrements in exercise and motor skill performance in Australian Rules Football (ARF) players. Fifteen subelite ARF players participated in 3 testing sessions separated by 7 days. Players completed an initial control trial involving a reactive motor skills test (RMST) and a reactive agility test (RAT) carried out before and after fatiguing exercise. In the subsequent experimental trials, players ingested a serotonin-depleting or protein control (PC) LNAA mixture 3 h before testing, allocated in a double-blind randomized cross-over design. Blood samples were taken at presupplementation and pre- and postexercise for analysis of plasma amino acid, insulin, and metabolite concentrations. The effect of the LNAA was established as the difference in the change in the mean RMST and RAT test scores among the depleting, PC, and baseline (BL) trials. Mean overall repetition time of the RAT was moderately improved by –5.2% ± 3.4% (mean ± 90% confidence limits; effect size –0.45 ± 0.28) after ingestion of the serotonin-depleting mixture compared with the BL trial. Serotonin-depleting and PC supplements had a divergent effect on mean repetition time after fatiguing exercise in RMST: depleting serotonin elicited a small improvement (–3.0% ± 2.7%) in motor skill performance in contrast to a small decrement (2.4% ± 2.7%) after ingestion of the PC mixture, when compared to the BL. High-dose serotonin-“depleting” LNAA supplementation given 3 h prior to intermittent high-intensity exercise improved reactive motor skill and agility performance in ARF players.
Creatine supplementation does not augment muscle carnosine content in type 2 diabetic patients
Authors: Gualano Bruno , Lugaresi Rebeca , Painelli de Salles Vitor , Queiroz Andréia Cristina Carrenho , Artioli Guilherme , Roschel Hamilton , Otaduy Maria Concepción , Leite Cláudia da Costa , Lancha Antonio Herbert
Published: October 2011

We examined whether creatine supplementation affects muscle carnosine content in type 2 diabetic patients. Subjects were randomly assigned to receive either creatine (5 g·day–1) or placebo in a double-blind fashion. At baseline and after 12 weeks, carnosine content was evaluated in gastrocnemius and soleus muscles by using a 1H-MRS technique. No changes were found in gastrocnemius (p = 0.81) and soleus (p = 0.85). We concluded that creatine supplementation does not augment muscle carnosine content in type 2 diabetic patients.
Distinct levels of Sox9 expression mark colon epithelial stem cells that form colonoids in culture
Authors: Ramalingam S. , Daughtridge G. W. , Johnston M. J. , Gracz A. D. , Magness S. T.
Published: October 2011

Sox9 is an high-mobility group box transcription factor that is expressed in the stem cell zone of the small intestine and colon. We have previously used a Sox9EGFP mouse model to demonstrate that discrete levels of Sox9 expression mark small intestine epithelial stem cells that form crypt/villus-like structures in a three-dimensional culture system (Formeister EJ, Sionas AL, Lorance DK, Barkley CL, Lee GH, Magness ST. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 296: G1108–G1118, 2009; Gracz AD, Ramalingam S, Magness ST. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 298: G590–G600, 2010). In the present study, we hypothesized that discrete levels of Sox9 expression would also mark colonic epithelial stem cells (CESCs). Using the Sox9EGFP mouse model, we show that lower levels of Sox9 mark cells in the transit-amplifying progenitor cell zone, while higher levels of Sox9 mark cells in the colonic crypt base. Furthermore, we demonstrate that variable SOX9 levels persist in cells of colonic adenomas from mice and humans. Cells expressing lower Sox9 levels demonstrate gene expression profiles consistent with more differentiated populations, and cells expressing higher Sox9 levels are consistent with less differentiated populations. When placed in culture, cells expressing the highest levels of Sox9 formed “colonoids,” which are defined as bodies of cultured colonic epithelial cells that possess multiple cryptlike structures and a pseudolumen. Cells expressing the highest levels of Sox9 also demonstrate multipotency and self-renewal in vitro, indicating functional stemness. These data suggest a dose-dependent role for Sox9 in normal CESCs and cells comprising colon tumors. Furthermore, distinct Sox9 levels represent a new biomarker to study CESC and progenitor biology in physiological and disease states.
Crucial Role of CD40 Signaling in Vascular Wall Cells in Neointimal Formation and Vascular Remodeling After Vascular Interventions
Authors: Song Zifang , Jin Rong , Yu Shiyong , Nanda Anil , Granger D. Neil , Li Guohong
Published: October 2011

Objective—

It has been shown that CD40-TRAF6 axis in leukocytes plays a significant role in neointimal formation after carotid ligation. Because CD40 and TRAF6 are expressed not only in leukocytes but also in vascular cells, we examined the role of CD40 contributed by vascular wall cells in neointimal formation after carotid ligation in an atherogenic environment.

Methods and Results—

Both CD40 and TRAF6 in medial smooth muscle cells (SMCs) was upregulated significantly at 3 days and more prominently at 7 days after injury in wildtype mice, but the TRAF6 upregulation was abolished in CD40
−/−
mice. In vitro, TRAF6 expression was induced by cytokines (tumor necrosis factor -α, interleukin-1β) via a NF-κB–dependent manner in wildtype SMCs, but this induction was blocked in CD40-deficient SMCs. Bone marrow chimeras revealed a comparable reduction in neointimal formation and lumen stenosis in mice lacking either vascular wall- or bone marrow-associated CD40. Lacking vascular wall-associated CD40 resulted in a significant reduction in monocyte/macrophage accumulation, NF-κB activation, and multiple proinflammatory mediators (ICAM-1, VCAM-1, MCP-1, MMP-9, tissue factor). In vitro data confirmed that CD40 deficiency or TRAF6 knockdown suppressed CD40L-induced proinflammatory phenotype of SMCs by inhibition of NF-κB activation. Moreover, both in vivo and in vitro data showed that CD40 deficiency prevented injury-induced SMC apoptosis but did not affect SMC proliferation and migration.

Conclusion—

CD40 signaling through TRAF6 in vascular SMCs seems to be centrally involved in neointimal formation in a NF-κB–dependent manner. Modulating CD40 signaling on local vascular wall may become a new therapeutic target against vascular restenosis.
Recombinant Activated Coagulation Factor VII and Prothrombin Complex Concentrates Are Equally Effective in Reducing Hematoma Volume in Experimental Warfarin-Associated Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Authors: Schlunk Frieder , Van Cott Elizabeth M. , Hayakawa Kazuhide , Pfeilschifter Waltraud , Lo Eng H. , Foerch Christian
Published: October 2011

Background and Purpose—

Based on an experimental model of warfarin-associated intracerebral hemorrhage, we investigated whether the rapid reversal of anticoagulation using prothrombin complex concentrates (PCC) or recombinant activated coagulation factor VII (rFVIIa) reduces hematoma volume.

Methods—

Mice were orally pretreated with warfarin (2 mg/kg). Intracerebral hemorrhage was induced by collagenase injection into the right striatum. Forty-five minutes later, PCC (100 IE/kg), rFVIIa (1 mg/kg), or an equal volume of saline was administered intravenously. Hematoma volume after 24 hours was quantified using a photometric hemoglobin assay.

Results—

International normalized ratio was 4.3±0.4 in saline-treated mice, 0.9±0.1 in rFVIIa mice, and 1.4±0.2 in PCC mice. Intracerebral hemorrhage volume was 29.0±19.7 μL in the saline group (n=7), 8.6±4.3 μL in the rFVIIa group (n=6), and 6.1±1.8 μL in the PCC group (n=7; analysis of variance between-group differences
P
=0.004; post hoc rFVIIa versus saline
P
=0.021; PCC versus saline
P
=0.007). No significant difference was found between PCC- and rFVIIa-treated animals.

Conclusions—

Our results suggest that PCC and rFVIIa are equally effective in restoring coagulation and preventing excessive hematoma growth in acute warfarin-associated intracerebral hemorrhage.
Impact of the Atmospheric Mean State on Tropical Instability Wave Activity
Authors: Imada Yukiko , Kimoto Masahide , Chen Xianyan
Published: October 2011

The features of simulated tropical instability waves (TIWs) in the Pacific Ocean are compared between atmospheric models of two different resolutions coupled with a uniform oceanic model. Results show that TIWs are more active in the high-resolution model, even though it includes atmospheric negative feedback. Such negative feedback is not identified in the low-resolution atmospheric model because of the absence of atmospheric responses. Comparison of the energetics between the two models shows that the large TIW activity in the higher-resolution model is due to the difference in barotropic energy sources near the surface. A high-resolution atmosphere results in a tighter intertropical convergence zone and associated stronger wind curl and shear. This causes a stronger surface current shear between the South Equatorial Current (SEC) and North Equatorial Counter Current (NECC), which is one of the main sources of TIW kinetic energy. These results indicate the important role of the atmospheric mean field on TIW activity and the advantage of using high-resolution models to represent coupling among multiscale phenomena.
Claudin-1 Expression in Squamous Cell Carcinomas of Different Organs
Authors: Ouban Abderrahman , Hamdan Hana , Hakam Ardeshir , Ahmed Atif A.
Published: October 2011

Claudins are the main sealing proteins of the intercellular tight junctions and play an important role in cancer cell progression and dissemination. This study examined and compared the expression of claudin-1 by immunohistochemistry in 60 squamous cell carcinomas of different tissue types and normal 33 controls, arranged in 2 tissue microarray slides. A score was generated to classify claudin-1 expression into negative, low, medium, and high. Most squamous cell carcinomas (91.67%) showed positive membranous staining. Medium to high claudin-1 expression was prevalent in carcinomas from the head–neck, skin, and genitourinary regions and was less frequent in other locations. An inverse correlation was noted between claudin-1 expression and tumor grade in tumors of the genitourinary and breast–gynecologic regions. Of the normal organs, significant claudin-1 expression was present mainly in the skin whereas other epithelial tissues had only minimal to low expression levels. Claudin-1 expression in squamous cell carcinoma varies in organ-specific manner reflecting influence of local factors and different mechanisms of claudin-1 expression. Knowledge of this fact is important in planning biologic therapy targeting claudin-1.
FMO-based H.264 frame layer rate control for low bit rate video transmission
Authors: Cajote Rhandley D , Aramvith Supavadee , Miyanaga Yoshikazu
Published: October 2011

The use of flexible macroblock ordering (FMO) in H.264/AVC improves error resiliency at the expense of reduced coding efficiency with added overhead bits for slice headers and signalling. The trade-off is most severe at low bit rates, where header bits occupy a significant portion of the total bit budget. To better manage the rate and improve coding efficiency, we propose enhancements to the H.264/AVC frame layer rate control, which take into consideration the effects of using FMO for video transmission. In this article, we propose a new header bits model, an enhanced frame complexity measure, a bit allocation and a quantization parameter adjustment scheme. Simulation results show that the proposed improvements achieve better visual quality compared with the JM 9.2 frame layer rate control with FMO enabled using a different number of slice groups. Using FMO as an error resilient tool with better rate management is suitable in applications that have limited bandwidth and in error prone environments such as video transmission for mobile terminals.
Aggregate and Idiosyncratic Risk in a Frictional Labor Market
Authors: Rudanko Leena
Published: October 2011

This paper develops a tractable extension of a Mortensen-Pissarides style matching model that allows for risk averse workers with limited ability to smooth consumption. I show that this leads to a form of equilibrium wage rigidity, as the inability of workers to smooth their consumption across unemployment and employment spells changes how unemployed workers value wage offers, and hence also the offers that employers find profitable to make. In the model risk-averse entrepreneurs use optimal long-term contracts to attract risk averse workers facing limited access to asset markets. A simple analytic representation for the equilibrium is derived. JEL: D81, E21, E24, E32, J31, J41, J64
Foreword—Revisiting the Workshop on Quantitative Marketing and Structural Econometrics
Authors: Gordon Brett R. , Thomadsen Raphael , Bradlow Eric T. , Dubé Jean-Pierre , Staelin Richard
Published: October 2011

This foreword and the subsequent four invited articles were commissioned by Eric T. Bradlow while Editor-in-Chief of Marketing Science. The foreword was written in four parts; each part covers a different aspect of the Workshop on Quantitative Marketing and Structural Econometrics. The workshop was cosponsored by Columbia Business School, Duke University, the University of California at Los Angeles, and the INFORMS Society for Marketing Science and was held at the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University in August 2010. The introductory section, written by Bradlow, covers why he commissioned these articles in the first place. In his section, Jean-Pierre Dubé discusses “going from good to great” in the structural econometrics area as applied to marketing problems. A section jointly written by Brett R. Gordon and Raphael Thomadsen (both co-organizers of the workshop) discusses the workshop itself and some important thoughts for those people doing “structural econometrics in the trenches.” Finally, co-workshop organizer Richard Staelin's section provides some perspective on both the workshop and structural econometrics as they relate to analytical models and empirical work for quantitative marketing researchers.
Retrohepaticus vena cava sérülés két sikeresen operált esete
Authors: Szabó Károly Gábor , Csiszkó Adrienn , Sasi-Szabó László , Bányai Sándor , Szentkereszty Zoltán , Varga Zsigmond , Fekete Károly , Sápy Péter , Damjanovich László , Szentkereszty Zsolt
Published: October 2011

Absztrakt

Esetismertetés: A szerzők két sikeresen operált beteg esetét ismertetik. A 79 éves anticoagulált nőbeteg többszörös mellkasi és hasi szúrt sérülést szenvedett, a jobb tüdő IV. szegmentumának és a vena cava inferior retrohepaticus szakaszának szúrt sérülését látták el. Az első műtét során a cava sérülését nem ismerték fel. A második műtét során a máj anterograd, finger-fracture technikával történt szétválasztását követően sikerült a cava sérülését feltárni és elvarrni. A máj állományának sebét perihepaticus packing módszerrel tamponálták. A 3. posztoperatív napon újabb műtét során a tampon eltávolítását végezték. A beteg meggyógyult. Egy másik, 25 éves férfi beteg tompa hasi sérülést szenvedett. Első ellátásként a májruptura tamponálása történt. Ezt követően sorozatos (7×) tamponcserékre került sor. Ismételten jelentkező hasüregi vérzés és epefolyás miatti reoperációkor az epehólyagon lévő kb. 1 mm-es perforatiós nyílás miatt cholecystectomia történt. Két nappal később ismételt vérzés miatt végzett haematomaevakuálás után a vena cava inferior retrohepaticus szakaszán lévő, kb. 3 mm-es sérülés elvarrása történt. Posztoperatív epefolyás miatt EST történt. A beteg gyógyultan otthonába távozott. Megbeszélés: Az áthatoló retrohepaticus vena cava sérülések mortalitása magas, mintegy 78%-ra tehető. A sérülés ellátása nemcsak érsebészeti, hanem májsebészeti jártasságot is igényel. A máj szúrt és tompa sérülésének ellátása során gondolni kell a vena cava inferior retrohepaticus szakaszának sérülésére is. A sérülés elvarrása gyógyuláshoz vezet. A parenchyma szétválasztása utáni vérzés perihepaticus „packing” módszerrel megbízhatóan kezelhető. A posztoperatív epefolyás EST-vel sikeresen kezelhető.
Jelentős végbél- és gáttáji lágyrész-hiány fedése kétoldali musculus gluteus major és jobb oldali gracilis musculocutan lebenyplasztikával
Authors: Hamvas Balázs , Mucs Mihály , Varga István , Szilágyi Anna , Altorjay Áron
Published: October 2011

Absztrakt

A szerzők egy elhanyagolt cc. planocellulare ani esetét ismertetik, amely környezetét beszűrve székletinkontinenciát, kifejezett végbéltáji fájdalmat, kifekélyesedést, vérzést okozott. Az elváltozás neoadjuváns radioterápia hatására vált operálhatóvá. Abdominoperinealis rectum exstirpatiót végeztünk, a jelentős méretű végbél- és gáttáji lágyrész-hiányt kétoldali m. gluteus maximus musculocutan lebenyplasztikával, a kismedence izomzatának hiányát és a megmaradt gáttáji bőrhiányt jobb oldali m. gracilis musculocutan lebenyplasztikával pótoltuk. A beteget 36 napos ápolás után bocsátottuk otthonába. Lebenyelhalás nem következett be. A műtét során kialakult proximalis húgycsősérülés direkt varrattal gyógyult. A beteg a posztoperatív második hónaptól kezdve fekhetett rövid ideig a lebenyre, három hónapos rehabilitáció után tudott ülni rajta. Hat hónappal a műtét után a jobb lágyéktájékon környezetével kapaszkodó, majd kifekélyesedő nyirokcsomó-metastasis jelent meg, amely már inoperábilis volt. A beteg a műtét után 10 hónappal exitált. Az eset kapcsán úgy gondoljuk, hogy az olyan analis tumorok esetében, amelyek eltávolítása után direkt varrattal nem zárható lágyrész-hiány keletkezik, a tumor eltávolításával és a hiány jó vérellátású musculocutan lebennyel való fedésével jelentős életminőségbeli javulást érhetünk el.
Mode-mode coupling theory of resonant pumping via dynamical tunneling processes in a deformed microcavity
Authors: An Kyungwon , Yang Juhee
Published: October 2011

It has recently been demonstrated that resonant pumping of a high-
Q resonance mode is possible via the dynamical tunneling from a
chaotic sea to the high-Q mode in a deformed microcavity laser [J.
Yang et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 104, 243601 (2010)]. The pumping efficiency
of a high-Q lasing mode was enhanced by two orders of magnitude
whenever the pump was resonant with a high-Q pump mode,
which is localized in a regular region in a phase space, separated from
the chaotic sea. Since the pump beam, injected by refraction, moves
in the chaotic sea, the resonant enhancement must have come from
the dynamical tunneling from the chaotic sea to the regular mode.
In this article, we present a mode-mode coupling theory for the resonant
pumping via the dynamical tunneling processes in a deformed
microcavity. From the steady-state solution of the coupled differential
equations of uncoupled chaotic modes and an uncoupled high-Q
regular mode, pumping efficiency is obtained as a function of pump detuning,
coupling constants and decay rates of the involved uncoupled
modes. As a main result we show that the pump-excited chaotic modes
as a whole can be regarded as a single pump mode with an effective
decay rate and an effective coupling constant with respect to the
regular mode. Moreover, we show that the decay rate of the regular
mode is enhanced by dynamical tunneling into all chaotic modes,
from a cavity-quantum-electrodynamics argument and also from an
eigenvalue-problem standpoint. Analysis method to obtain the effective
coupling constant and the tunneling rate from the observed pumping
efficiencies is presented for a two-dimensional deformed microcavity.
Plasmonic resonators in metal-insulator-metal plasmonic waveguides
Authors: Park Junghyun , Lee Byoungho
Published: October 2011

Comprehensive studies dealing with plasmonic resonators formed in
metal-insulator-metal (MIM) plasmonic waveguides are discussed. A
brief review of the fundamental guiding properties of a MIM plasmonic
waveguide is provided. Working principles and design processes of various
plasmonic resonators in MIM waveguides are then discussed, including
the plasmonic resonators based on the waveguide Bragg grating
(WBG), those originating from the Fabry-Perot resonance in the lowrefractive-
index barriers, resonators with a stub geometry, and those
comprised of ring resonators.
Congestion management utilizing concentric relaxation
Authors: Skokljev Ivan , Maksimovic Viktor
Published: October 2011

In the market-oriented power system environment, congestion management is a novel term connoting the power system steady state security functions. A large number of transmission transactions are dispatched in the regional day-ahead market and traverse the network adding to the power flow loading of the grid elements. Congestion is defined as a network security limit violation prospective due to transactions. Congestion management is a set of measures aimed at solving the congestion problem. This paper devises the concentric relaxation assisted approach to open access transmission network congestion management. The DC load flow symbolic simulator generates line power transfer functions. Congestion management is a systematic procedure based on linear programming. The DC load flow symbolic simulator generates all constraints and the black-box optimization library function is used to solve the problem of congestion on a sample IEEE RTS power system.
Dipoles, unintentional antennas and EMC
Authors: Berend Danker
Published: October 2011

Radiated emissions from equipment commonly originate from electronic circuits that act as electric dipoles created by the signal voltage between the signal conductors or as magnetic dipoles formed by the signal current flowing in a loop. Direct emission is mostly small, but circuits often couple to long conductors or large wiring loops which act as antennas and are efficient radiators. A comparable situation exists when short dipole antennas or small wiring loops receive ambient noise (susceptibility). Usually the amplitude of noise sources or the susceptibility of circuits is an invariable. The dipole strength increases with the distance between the conductors and the area. Shielding and proper grounding decreases the interaction via unintentional antennas. Short-circuiting and the insertion of lossy ferrite cores reduce the efficiency of unintentional antennas.
Side lobe reduction of a concentric circular antenna array using genetic algorithm
Authors: Mandal Durbadal , Chandra Aniruddha , Sakti Prasad , Bhattacharjee Kumar
Published: October 2011

A concentric circular antenna array (CCAA) consists of elements positioned on the periphery of imaginary circles on a plane having a common centre and different radii. The simplest way to feed the elements of such an array is to use uniform excitation. However, with a non-uniform excitation profile, considerable reduction of the side lobe level (SLL) may be achieved at the cost of the added complexity. The difference of SLLs (with respect to the uniform excitation case) becomes even more prominent when the beamwidth of the antenna needs to be kept fixed. In this paper, we formulate the task of designing a non-uniformly excited CCAA as a constrained optimization problem and use genetic algorithm (GA) to solve the same. The goal is to determine an optimum set of weights for antenna elements which provides a radiation pattern with maximum SLL reduction with the constraint of a fixed beamwidth.
Toxic alveolitis after inhalation of a water repellent
Authors: Epping Guido , Baarlen Joop , Valk Paul
Published: October 2011

Inhalation of fluorocarbon polymers can cause pulmonary toxicity. Although multiple cases of lung injury have been reported, cellular characterization of the associated alveolitis occurring acutely after inhalation is limited. We report the case of apreviously healthy woman who presented at our Emergency Department with an acute pneumonitis following inhalation of afluorocarbon polymer-based rain-proofing spray. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) performed shortly after the presentation showed an elevated total cell count, with ahigh proportion of neutrophils (58%) and eosinophils (9%). Inaddition, alipid stain (Oil-Red-O-stain) showed ahigh level of lipid laden macrophages, amarker that could reflect adirect toxic effect of the spray on alveolar cells. The patient made afull recovery after four days of in-hospital observation with supportive care.
Rocky Mountain spotted fever in Panama: a cluster description.
Authors: Tribaldos Maribel , Zaldivar Yamitzel , Bermudez Sergio , Samudio Franklyn , Mendoza Yaxelis , Martinez Alexander A , Villalobos Rodrigo , Eremeeva Marina E , Paddock Christopher D , Page Kathleen , Smith Rebecca E , Pascale Juan Miguel
Published: October 2011

Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is a tick-borne infection caused by Rickettsia rickettsii. We report a cluster of fatal cases of RMSF in 2007 in Panama, involving a pregnant woman and two children from the same family.  The woman presented with a fever followed by respiratory distress, maculopapular rash, and an eschar at the site from which a tick had been removed.  She died four days after disease onset.  This is the second published report of an eschar in a patient confirmed by PCR to be infected with R. rickettsii.  One month later, the children presented within days of one another with fever and rash and died three and four days after disease onset. The diagnosis was confirmed by immunohistochemistry, PCR and sequencing of the genes of R. rickettsii in tissues obtained at autopsy.
Severe Hypothyroidism Associated with the Degree of Edema in a Patient with Nephrosis
Authors: Kinoshita Hiroyuki , Ishii Amiko , Hayakawa Akiko , Yasuda Mutsuko , Inoshita Seiji , Yakushiji Fumiatsu
Published: October 2011

We report the pleural fluid values of thyroid hormones and their carrier proteins in a patient who suffered from nephrotic syndrome with renal insufficiency and transient hypothyroidism. The pleural effusion was transudate. The concentrations of thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG), thyroxine-binding prealbumin (TBPA), and albumin (Alb) were approximately 30-50% of the plasma. The concentrations of total triiodothyronine (TT3), total tetraiodothyronine (TT4), free triiodothyronine (FT3), and free tetraiodothyronine (FT4) were approximately 30-50% of the plasma. Hypothyroidism was associated with the degree of edema. After improving systemic edema, proteinuria remained unchanged but the patient did not require levothyroxine. We speculate that the large amount of transudation of thyroid hormones with their carrier proteins from the blood vessels to the third space (edema and pleural effusion), thereby reducing thyroid hormones in the plasma, was associated with hypothyroidism.