bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association of age and packed red blood cell transfusion to 1‐year survival – an observational study of ICU patients
Authors: Mudumbai S. C. , Cronkite R. , Hu K. Unger , Heidenreich P. A. , Gonzalez C. , Bertaccini E. , Stafford R. S. , Cason B. A. , Mariano E. R. , Wagner T.
Published: March 2013

Objectives

To compare the 1‐year survival for different age strata of intensive care unit (ICU) patients after receipt of packed red blood cell (PRBC) transfusions.

Background

Despite guidelines documenting risks of PRBC transfusion and data showing that increasing age is associated with ICU mortality, little data exist on whether age alters the transfusion‐related risk of decreased survival.

Methods

We retrospectively examined data on 2393 consecutive male ICU patients admitted to a tertiary‐care hospital from 2003 to 2009 in age strata: 21–50, 51–60, 61–70, 71–80 and >80 years. We calculated Cox regression models to determine the modifying effect of age on the impact of PRBC transfusion on 1‐year survival by using interaction terms between receipt of transfusion and age strata, controlling for type of admission and Charlson co‐morbidity indices. We also examined the distribution of admission haematocrit and whether transfusion rates differed by age strata.

Results

All age strata experienced statistically similar risks of decreased 1‐year survival after receipt of PRBC transfusions. However, patients age >80 were more likely than younger cohorts to have haematocrits of 25–30% at admission and were transfused at approximately twice the rate of each of the younger age strata.

Discussion

We found no significant interaction between receipt of red cell transfusion and age, as variables, and survival at 1 year as an outcome.
Have We Built the Committee? Advancing Leadership Development in the U.S. Labor Movement
Authors: Patel Seth Newton
Published: March 2013

Organizing practice and research have shown that the recruitment and development of grassroots worker leadership is key to winning organizing, contract, and political campaigns. Despite the broad endorsement of leadership‐development organizing and a collection of truly inspiring leadership development stories, when asked, worker leaders consistently report varieties of leadership underdevelopment. Drawing on the rich history of leadership‐development organizing and surveys conducted with worker leaders in two different California union locals while working as an organizer, and an interview‐based case study of a building services local on the east coast, I argue that conducting evaluations—regularly asking and answering the question: have we built the committee?—can improve leadership development efforts and increase critical movement measures of leadership density and leadership dignity. Rather than impose a template, worker organizations can choose from a variety of concrete evaluation opportunities, designs, and measures. Ultimately, using evaluation to advance leadership development requires that organizations make it their own.
The Strange Non‐Death of Neoliberalism, by Colin Crouch
Authors: Jeremias Ralf
Published: March 2013

Crouch, Colin. The Strange Non‐Death of Neoliberalism. : , 2011. 214 pp. US$19.95 (paperback).
Kalleberg, Arne L. Good Jobs, Bad Jobs. The Rise of Polarized and Precarious Employment Systems in the United States, 1970s to 2000s. : , 2011. 292 pp. US$37.50 (hardcover). (A Volume in the American Sociological Association's Rose Series in Sociology.)
The Future of Biotechnology
Authors: Klappa Peter
Published: March 2013

Rational cell engineering aims to increase the quality and quantity of the manufactured products by developing improved cell lines. Previously the selection for improvements has been carried out on a trial and error basis: cells that produced high levels of the desired product were positively selected and kept, while low–producing lines were discarded. Little or no understanding of the underlying biological and molecular processes was applied in this selection. However, with the increasing availability of new tools a more informed process is now possible. Most of these tools developed in the past decade aim to understand the biological make–up of cells by employing high–throughput (HT) approaches. For example, the HT of DNA sequencing allows the analysis of the genome of a specific cell line (genomics), RNA microarrays give information about the different types of mRNAs in a cell (transcriptomics), HT analysis of the entire protein contents shows the individual protein species present in the cell (proteomics). The information that these –omics approaches provide can be very useful for a detailed understanding of the cell factories and hence their improvement for the manufacturing of desired products.
Decolourisation of Reactive Black 5 by Azoreductase Produced by Brevibacillus panacihumi ZBI
Authors: Mohd Ramlan Masyithah Aalia , Azizan Nadhirah Aminah , Hui Han Bay , Chi Kim Lim , Mohamad Shaza Eva , Ibrahim Zaharah
Published: March 2013

Azoreductases are often associated with decolourisation of non–degradable azo dyes via cleavage of azo bonds. In this study,Brevibacillus panacihumi ZBI, an azo dye–degrading bacterium which has not been reported before, was used for the decolourisation of Reactive Black 5 (RB5) dye. The highest activity of azoreductase was obtained during the end of log phase. Azoreductase produced intracellularly had the highest specific activity of 0.334 U/mg compared to the culture supernatant (extracellular), resting cell and cell debris with low enzyme activity of 0.034 U/mg, 0.010 U/mg and 0.200 U/mg respectively. The optimum assay conditions for the maximum azoreductase activity were at 37°C, pH 7, RB5 dye concentration of 100 mg/L and NADH concentration of 0.2 mM by using phosphate buffer as a medium for the enzyme reaction. Alternatively, the azoreductase assay was also carried out using ionic liquid, [emim][EtSO4] that may function to enhance the activity and stability of azoreductase. Results using phosphate buffer (pH 7) showed higher enzyme activity twice that of the ionic liquid besides enhancing the stability of enzyme. Under the optimum assay conditions up to 93 % of decolourisation was achieved after 8 h of incubation. In addition, growth of bacteria was also concurrently observed during the decolourisation of RB5.
Potential Use of Liquid Pinapple Waste for Bioethanol Production by Immobilized Bakers’ Yeast
Authors: Mohd Zain Nor Azimah , Shen Ng Sew , Suhaimi Mohd Suardi , Hasan Nor Badzilah , Aziman Siti Nurbalqis
Published: March 2013

Bioethanol is the most extensively used biofuel for transportation in the world. Nowadays, researchers are focusing in producing bioethanol from crops and agricultural wastes. Malaysia contributes to 1% of world pineapple production which corresponds to an enormous amount of waste generation per year. Utilization of waste from pineapple processing industry for bioethanol production could help to reduce potential environmental issues. In this study, Bakers’ yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) was immobilized in modified PVA–alginate beads to produce bioethanol from liquid pineapple waste. The results revealed that by using 10 % (w/v) of the immobilized cells highest overall productivity of 0.0752 g/L/h and maximum production of 5.4179 g/L of bioethanol could be achieved. Although its maximum productivity of immobilized yeast was 0.0752 g/L/h which appreciably lower than that of the free cells, this deficiency is balanced by its overall productivity which is almost 50 % higher compared to that of free cells.
Studies to Investigate the Interactions of Genotypes, Culture Media and Culture Temperatures on Androgenesis in Recalcitrant Indica Rice (Oryza Sativa L.)
Authors: Javed Muhammad Arshad , Abd. Samad Azman , Hidayat Topik , Wagiran Alina , Abd Wahab Baqr Rebaz
Published: March 2013

Production of doubled haploids through androgenesis is well established in japonica rice and successfully used to develop high yielding varieties. However, indica rice is remaining recalcitrant to this in vitro technique. To understand the interactions of genotypes, culture media and culture temperature, two indica varieties (Pokkali and Nona Bokra) were cultured on three culture media under normal (25°C) and alternate temperatures (30°C/ 20°C, 14 hours/10 hours). The responses of the recalcitrant varieties were examined at callus induction and regeneration stages. Pokkali was found responsive to culture media as well as culture temperatures. Although there was an increase in albino shoot production but green shoot productivity was recorded nine fold under alternate temperatures. Interactions of recalcitrant indica genotypes, culture media and culture temperatures were found significant at callus induction and regeneration stages. It is therefore reflected that to activate the recalcitrant genes for callus induction and regeneration of green shoots, interaction of genotypes, culture media and culture temperatures could play significant role. Pokkali responded well to SKI and SK II rather than others, indicated that alteration of culture media composition would be an important aspect in future investigation.
Synthetic bxn Gene Utilization in the Resistance of Crops to the Herbicide Bromoxynil – A Review
Authors: Taghipour Farhad , Huyop Fahrul
Published: March 2013

Modern biotechnological systems refer to the application of biological methods for the production of new substances and manipulation of genetic materials of living organisms for the benefits of human future and commercial applications. Generation of herbicide resistant crops is a very important aspect of biotechnology utilization in plant genetic engineering by using genetic materials of another plant species or organisms to generate herbicide resistant transgenic crops. Nitrile group of herbicides is a large group of chemicals mostly inhibit photosynthesis in weeds and causes many loses in agricultural crops. The bromoxynil–specific nitrilase (bxn) gene was used widely in the production of crops resistant to the herbicide Bromoxynil. The gene was originally isolated from the soil bacterium Klebsiella pneumoniaesubsp. ozaenae and was successfully transformed into plant or appropriate crops of commercially interest. The encoded protein catabolizes 3,5–dibromo–4–hydroxybenzonitrile (Bromoxynil) to non–phytotoxic 3,5–dibromo–4–hydroxybenzoic acid. This review described the application of synthetic and codon–optimized bxn gene for the efficient transformation into plant resistance to Bromoxynil.
Potential Use of Partial Desiccation Treatment for Regeneration System of Malaysian Indica Rice (O. Sativa L.)
Authors: Makerly Hazelynna , Rahmat Zaidah , Wagiran Alina
Published: March 2013

The present study shows that callus induction varied among the MR220 and MR232 cultivars tested and the response to 2,4–dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4–D) was low. The highest percentage of callus induction for MR232 was 41% and 37% for MR220 cultivar. The morphology of embryogenic callus for both cultivars was dry, compact, and light yellowish. Partial desiccation treatment applied to improve plant regeneration of rice callus cultivars. Embryogenic rice callus was exposed to different desiccation periods (24 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours) and its effect was evaluated in terms of frequency of regeneration. The optimal desiccation period (72 hours) in MR232 callus enhanced plant regeneration response up to fivefold and twofold in MR220 rice cultivar (48 hours) compare to undesiccated control. The study suggests that partial desiccation treatment can be useful in stimulating regeneration response in indica rice particularly for Malaysian rice.
A prototype MR insertable brain PET using tileable GAPD arrays
Authors: Hong Key Jo , Choi Yong , Jung Jin Ho , Kang Jihoon , Hu Wei , Lim Hyun Keong , Huh Yoonsuk , Kim Sangsu , Jung Ji Woong , Kim Kyu Bom , Song Myung Sung , Park Hyun‐wook
Published: March 2013

Purpose:

The aim of this study was to develop a prototype magnetic resonance (MR)‐compatible positron emission tomography (PET) that can be inserted into a MR imager and that allows simultaneous PET and MR imaging of the human brain. This paper reports the initial results of the authors’ prototype brain PET system operating within a 3‐T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system using newly developed Geiger‐mode avalanche photodiode (GAPD)‐based PET detectors, long flexible flat cables, position decoder circuit with high multiplexing ratio, and digital signal processing with field programmable gate array‐based analog to digital converter boards.

Methods:

A brain PET with 72 detector modules arranged in a ring was constructed and mounted in a 3‐T MRI. Each PET module was composed of cerium‐doped lutetium yttrium orthosilicate (LYSO) crystals coupled to a tileable GAPD. The GAPD output charge signals were transferred to preamplifiers using 3 m long flat cables. The LYSO and GAPD were located inside the MR bore and all electronics were positioned outside the MR bore. The PET detector performance was investigated both outside and inside the MRI, and MR image quality was evaluated with and without the PET system.

Results:

The performance of the PET detector when operated inside the MRI during MR image acquisition showed no significant change in energy resolution and count rates, except for a slight degradation in timing resolution with an increase from 4.2 to 4.6 ns. Simultaneous PET/MR images of a hot‐rod and Hoffman brain phantom were acquired in a 3‐T MRI. Rods down to a diameter of 3.5 mm were resolved in the hot‐rod PET image. The activity distribution patterns between the white and gray matter in the Hoffman brain phantom were well imaged. The hot‐rod and Hoffman brain phantoms on the simultaneously acquired MR images obtained with standard sequences were observed without any noticeable artifacts, although MR image quality requires some improvement.

Conclusions:

These results demonstrate that the simultaneous acquisition of PET and MR images is feasible using the MR insertable PET developed in this study.
A gEUD‐based inverse planning technique for HDR prostate brachytherapy: Feasibility study
Authors: Giantsoudi D. , Baltas D. , Karabis A. , Mavroidis P. , Zamboglou N. , Tselis N. , Shi C. , Papanikolaou N.
Published: March 2013

Purpose:

The purpose of this work was to study the feasibility of a new inverse planning technique based on the generalized equivalent uniform dose for image‐guided high dose rate (HDR) prostate cancer brachytherapy in comparison to conventional dose‐volume based optimization.

Methods:

The quality of 12 clinical HDR brachytherapy implants for prostate utilizing HIPO (Hybrid Inverse Planning Optimization) is compared with alternative plans, which were produced through inverse planning using the generalized equivalent uniform dose (gEUD). All the common dose‐volume indices for the prostate and the organs at risk were considered together with radiobiological measures. The clinical effectiveness of the different dose distributions was investigated by comparing dose volume histogram and gEUD evaluators.

Results:

Our results demonstrate the feasibility of gEUD‐based inverse planning in HDR brachytherapy implants for prostate. A statistically significant decrease in D10 or/and final gEUD values for the organs at risk (urethra, bladder, and rectum) was found while improving dose homogeneity or dose conformity of the target volume.

Conclusions:

Following the promising results of gEUD‐based optimization in intensity modulated radiation therapy treatment optimization, as reported in the literature, the implementation of a similar model in HDR brachytherapy treatment plan optimization is suggested by this study. The potential of improved sparing of organs at risk was shown for various gEUD‐based optimization parameter protocols, which indicates the ability of this method to adapt to the user's preferences.
Light-Transparent Phase Formed by Room-Temperature Compression of Graphite
Authors: Utsumi Wataru , Yagi Takehiko
Published: March 2013

Single-crystal graphite has been compressed at room temperature and found to undergo a transformation at 18 gigapascals as indicated by a drastic increase in the optical transmittance. This high-pressure phase is unquenchable; a more transparent phase formed by the heating of this phase can be quenched at ambient conditions. This latter phase is probably "hexagonal diamond," and the present observations suggest that the structure of the transparent phase obtained by the room-temperature compression is different from the hexagonal diamond structure.
The CRISPR-Associated Genecas2of Legionella pneumophila Is Required for Intracellular Infection of Amoebae
Authors: Gunderson Felizza F. , Cianciotto Nicholas P.
Published: March 2013

Recent studies have shown that the clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats (CRISPR) array and its associated (cas) genes can play a key role in bacterial immunity against phage and plasmids. Upon analysis of theLegionella pneumophilastrain 130b chromosome, we detected a subtype II-B CRISPR-Cas locus that containscas9,cas1,cas2,cas4, and an array with 60 repeats and 58 unique spacers. Reverse transcription (RT)-PCR analysis demonstrated that the entire CRISPR-Cas locus is expressed during 130b extracellular growth in both rich and minimal media as well as during intracellular infection of macrophages and aquatic amoebae. Quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) further showed that the levels ofcastranscripts, especially those ofcas1andcas2, are elevated during intracellular growth relative to exponential-phase growth in broth. Mutants lacking components of the CRISPR-Cas locus were made and found to grow normally in broth and on agar media.cas9,cas1,cas4, and CRISPR array mutants also grew normally in macrophages and amoebae. However,cas2mutants, although they grew typically in macrophages, were significantly impaired for infection of bothHartmannellaandAcanthamoebaspecies. A complementedcas2mutant infected the amoebae at wild-type levels, confirming thatcas2is required for intracellular infection of these host cells.

IMPORTANCEGiven that infection of amoebae is critical forL. pneumophilapersistence in water systems, our data indicate thatcas2has a role in the transmission of Legionnaires’ disease. Because our experiments were done in the absence of added phage, plasmid, or nucleic acid, the event that is facilitated by Cas2 is uniquely distinct from current dogma concerning CRISPR-Cas function.
Profusely bleeding oral pyogenic granuloma in a teenage girl
Authors: Singh Rajeev Kumar , Kaushal Ambrish , Kumar Rakesh , Pandey Ramesh Kumar
Published: March 2013

Pyogenic granuloma (PG) is a kind of inflammatory hyperplastic soft tissue lesion of the oral cavity. The lesion, however, is not related to infection and arise as a reactive growth in response to various stimuli. It has a very high vascularity because of the presence of numerous prominent capillaries. The lesion has a bleeding tendency, even after a minor traumatic episode, such as during mastication. Bleeding may be at times very severe and difficult to control. We present the case of a profusely bleeding young PG in a young teenage child.
The reach and adoption of a coach-led exercise training programme in community football
Authors: Finch Caroline F , Diamantopoulou Kathy , Twomey Dara M , Doyle Tim L A , Lloyd David G , Young Warren , Elliott Bruce C
Published: March 2013

Objective

To determine the reach and adoption of a coach-led exercise training programme for lower limb injury prevention.

Design

Secondary analysis of data from a group-clustered randomised controlled trial.

Setting

A periodised exercise training warm-up programme was delivered to players during training sessions over an 8-week preseason (weeks 1–8) and 18-week playing season.

Participants

1564 community Australian football players.

Main outcome measurements

Reach, measured weekly, was the number of players who attended training sessions. Adoption was the number of attending players who completed the programme in full, partially or not at all. Reasons for partial or non-participation were recorded.

Results

In week 1, 599 players entered the programme; 55% attended 1 training session and 45% attended > 1 session. By week 12, 1540 players were recruited but training attendance (reach) decreased to <50%. When players attended training, the majority adopted the full programme—ranging from 96% (week 1) to above 80% until week 20. The most common reasons for low adoption were players being injured, too sore, being late for training or choosing their own warm-up.

Conclusions

The training programme's reach was highest preseason and halved at the playing season's end. However, when players attended training sessions, their adoption was high and remained close to 70% by season end. For sports injury prevention programmes to be fully effective across a season, attention also needs to be given to (1) encouraging players to attend formal training sessions and (2) considering the possibility of some form of programme delivery outside of formal training.
QUANTIZATION OF LINEARIZED GRAVITY IN COSMOLOGICAL VACUUM SPACETIMES
Authors: FEWSTER CHRISTOPHER J. , HUNT DAVID S.
Published: March 2013

Linearized Einstein gravity (with possibly non-zero cosmological constant) is quantized in the framework of algebraic quantum field theory by analogy with Dimock's treatment of electromagnetism [Rev. Math. Phys.4 (1992) 223–233]. To achieve this, the classical theory is developed in a full, rigorous and systematic fashion, with particular attention given to the circumstances under which the symplectic product is weakly non-degenerate and to the related question of whether the space of solutions is separated by the classical observables on which the quantum theory is modeled.
MODELING OF NATURAL CONVECTION WITH SURFACE RADIATION IN VENTED VERTICAL CHANNEL WITH RECTANGULAR RIB
Authors: DIHMANI NADIA , AMRAQUI SAMIR , MEZRHAB AHMED , BOUZIDI M'HAMED , LARAQI NAJIB
Published: March 2013

This paper consists to study numerically the heat transfer and fluid flow in a vertical vented divided channel, which is heated asymmetrically. A specifically developed numerical model, based on the finite-volume method, is used for the solutions of the governing differential-equations. The SIMPLER algorithm was adopted for the treatment of velocity-pressure coupling. Concerning the radiation exchange, we consider that the working fluid is transparent, so only the solid surfaces contribute to the radiation exchange and assumed to be diffuse-gray. A special attention is given to study the effects of Rayleigh numbers, aspect ratio of the channel, thermal conductivity ratio, rib geometry (length and width) on streamlines, temperature fields and average Nusselt number. A parametric study is made for different Rayleigh numbers, aspect ratio of the channel, thermal conductivity ratio, rib geometry (length and width). Results are presented in terms of isotherms, streamlines, and average Nusselt number.
A NOVEL TRIANGULAR FINITE ELEMENT PARTITION METHOD FOR FRACTURE SIMULATION WITHOUT ENRICHMENT OF INTERPOLATION
Authors: ZHANG ZHENNAN , WANG DEYONG , GE XIURUN
Published: March 2013

A novel 3-node triangular finite element partition method is proposed for fracture simulation. By this method, the crack is directly embedded into the element without any enrichment of interpolation, avoiding the treatment of displacement discontinuity and remeshing. Thus, no extra degrees of freedom are introduced into the equation system. It is done by subdividing the cracked element into a sub-triangular and a sub-quadrilateral element. The deformation field of each sub-element is associated with its adjacent nodes at the same side of crack via least square interpolation method. To represent the contact behaviors of crack faces, a sub-joint element is used to join the sub-triangular and sub-quadrilateral element. The final stiffness matrix of the cracked element is obtained by composing the three sub-element stiffness matrixes together. The simulation results suggest that the present method is validated, simple and efficient.
PERFORMANCE COMPARISON OF VARIOUS HEXAHEDRAL ELEMENT QUALITY METRICS VIA PARAMETRIC DISTORTION OF AN IDEAL ELEMENT
Authors: YALCIN ENGIN , YILMAZ ASIM EGEMEN , KUZUOGLU MUSTAFA
Published: March 2013

In this study, by means of parametric distortion of an ideal hexahedral element, we investigate the accuracy and sensitivity of some hexahedral element quality metrics existing in the literature. We also investigate and compare the relative computational costs of each metrics. We try to identify the weaknesses and strengths of all metrics under interrogation, and come up with some proposals for practical use.
COUPLED ANALYSIS OF DAMAGE IN MULTIPHASE MEDIA
Authors: FATHALIKHANI MARZIYEH , GATMIRI BEHROUZ
Published: March 2013

In this paper, the theoretical framework of a coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical damage model dedicated to non-isothermal unsaturated porous media is presented. The damage variable is a second-order tensor, and the model has been formulated in independent state variables. The approach combines thermodynamic and micromechanical theories. The behavior laws have been derived from a postulated expression of Helmholtz free energy. The damaged rigidities have been computed by applying the Principle of Equivalent Elastic Energy (PEEE). Internal length parameters have been introduced in the expressions of liquid water conductivity, to account for cracking effects on fluid flows. Damage has been assumed to have an isotropic influence on air and heat flows, through the inelastic component of volumetric strains. The damage model has been implemented in θ-Stock Finite Element program. Some numerical studies are conducted to the impact of the thermal and mechanical loading on the evaluation of response of the unsaturated bentonite, and investigation of model parameters effect on damage development.
Fatigue phenomena in thin ferroelectric films stimulated by repeated switching of the polarization
Authors: Sidorkin A. S. , Saint-Gregoire P. , Nesterenko L. P.
Published: March 2013

With the use of techniques of Sawyer–Tower and Mertz method regularities of the origin of "fatigue" in thin ferroelectric films of lead titanate and lead zirconate titanate have been investigated in the fields above coercive. We propose a model to explain the experimentally observed switching-dependent fatigue processes by the motion of charged dislocations in an applied external alternating electric field.
LOW ENTROPY OUTPUT STATES FOR PRODUCTS OF RANDOM UNITARY CHANNELS
Authors: COLLINS BENOÎT , FUKUDA MOTOHISA , NECHITA ION
Published: March 2013

In this paper, we study the behavior of the output of pure entangled states after being transformed by a product of conjugate random unitary channels. This study is motivated by the counterexamples by Hastings [Superadditivity of communication capacity using entangled inputs, Nat. Phys.5 (2009) 255–257] and Hayden–Winter [Counterexamples to the maximal p-norm multiplicativity conjecture for all p > 1, Comm. Math. Phys.284(1) (2008) 263–280] to the additivity problems. In particular, we study in depth the difference of behavior between random unitary channels and generic random channels. In the case where the number of unitary operators is fixed, we compute the limiting eigenvalues of the output states. In the case where the number of unitary operators grows linearly with the dimension of the input space, we show that the eigenvalue distribution converges to a limiting shape that we characterize with free probability tools. In order to perform the required computations, we need a systematic way of dealing with moment problems for random matrices whose blocks are i.i.d. Haar distributed unitary operators. This is achieved by extending the graphical Weingarten calculus introduced in [B. Collins and I. Nechita, Random quantum channels I: Graphical calculus and the Bell state phenomenon, Comm. Math. Phys.297(2) (2010) 345–370].
Ammonoid recovery after the Permian–Triassic mass extinction: a re-exploration of morphological and phylogenetic diversity patterns
Authors: Brosse Morgane , Brayard Arnaud , Fara Emmanuel , Neige Pascal
Published: March 2013

The explosive ammonoid rediversification after the Permian–Triassic mass extinction is now well understood in terms of taxonomic richness and biogeography. Using an updated dataset of Early Triassic ammonoids, we compare morphological disparity and taxonomic richness patterns at the regional and global scales. Disparity evolved similarly at both scales, suggesting a global influence of abiotic factors. Morphological diversification occurred early in the Smithian and a marked contraction of the morphospace took place during the end-Smithian extinction. We confirm that trends in disparity and richness were decoupled during the Griesbachian and Dienerian. Three macroevolutionary processes may be involved: (1) a nonselective extinction at the Permian–Triassic boundary; (2) a Dienerian constrained radiation with several homeomorphic genera; (3) a potential deterministic extinction during the end-Smithian crisis. We also demonstrate a superfamily imprint upon disparity for the Spathian when most superfamilies occupied a restricted part of the morphospace. Sphaerocones were the most affected by the Dienerian and end-Smithian extinction, but explanations remain elusive. On the one hand, this may be linked to widespread harsh conditions at those times. On the other hand, as the sphaerocones occurred episodically during the Early Triassic, this might be explained by a relaxing of ecological constraints or simply by convergent evolution.

Supplementary materials:

The database, including measurements of specimens illustrated in previously published plates and of unpublished specimens from Utah, South China and Spiti, as well as the number of genera present in each studied substage of the Early Triassic, are available at
www.geolsoc.org.uk/SUP18571
.
Differential pulsatile secretagogue control of GH secretion in healthy men
Authors: Norman Catalina , Miles John , Bowers Cyril Y. , Veldhuis Johannes D.
Published: March 2013

Pulsatile growth hormone (GH) secretion putatively reflects integrated regulation by GH-releasing hormone (GHRH), somatostatin (SST), and GH-releasing peptide (GHRP). GHRH and SST secretion is itself pulsatile. However, how GHRH and SST pulses act along with GHRP to jointly determine pulsatile GH secretion is unclear. Moreover, how testosterone (T) modulates such interactions is unknown. These queries were assessed in a prospectively randomized, placebo-controlled double-blind cohort comprising 26 healthy older men randomized to testosterone (T) vs. placebo supplementation. Pulses of GHRH, SST, or saline were infused intravenously at 90-min intervals for 13 h, along with either continuous saline or ghrelin analog (GHRP-2). The train of pulses was followed by a triple stimulus (combined l-arginine, GHRH, and GHRP-2) to estimate near-maximal GH secretion over a final 3 h. Testosterone vs. placebo supplementation doubled pulsatile GH secretion during GHRH pulses combined with continuous saline (GHRH/saline) ( P < 0.01). Pulsatile GH secretion correlated positively with T concentrations (270–1,170 ng/dl) in the 26 men during saline pulses/saline ( P = 0.015, R2 = 0.24), GHRH pulses/saline ( P = 0.020, R2 = 0.22), and combined GHRH pulses/GHRP-2 ( P = 0.016, R2 = 0.25) infusions. Basal nonpulsatile GH secretion correlated with T during saline pulses/GHRP-2 drive ( P = 0.020, R2 = 0.16). By regression analysis, pulsatile GH secretion varied negatively with body mass index (BMI) during saline/GHRP-2 infusion ( P = 0.001, R2 = 0.36), as well as after the triple stimulus preceded by GHRH/GHRP-2 ( P = 0.013, R2 = 0.23). Mean (10-h) GH concentrations under GHRP-2 were predicted jointly by estradiol (positively) and BMI (negatively) ( P < 0.001, R2 = 0.520). These data indicate that estradiol, T, and BMI control pulsatile secretagogue-specific GH-regulatory mechanisms in older men.
Precise 3D Track Reconstruction Algorithm for the ICARUS T600 Liquid Argon Time Projection Chamber Detector
Authors: Antonello M. , Baibussinov B. , Benetti P. , Calligarich E. , Canci N. , Centro S. , Cesana A. , Cieslik K. , Cline D. B. , Cocco A. G. , Dabrowska A. , Dequal D. , Dermenev A. , Dolfini R. , Farnese C. , Fava A. , Ferrari A. , Fiorillo G. , Gibin D. , Gninenko S. , Guglielmi A. , Haranczyk M. , Holeczek J. , Ivashkin A. , Kisiel J. , Kochanek I. , Lagoda J. , Mania S. , Menegolli A. , Meng G. , Montanari C. , Otwinowski S. , Piazzoli A. , Picchi P. , Pietropaolo F. , Plonski P. , Rappoldi A. , Raselli G. L. , Rossella M. , Rubbia C. , Sala P. , Scaramelli A. , Segreto E. , Sergiampietri F. , Stefan D. , Stepaniak J. , Sulej R. , Szarska M. , Terrani M. , Varanini F. , Ventura S. , Vignoli C. , Wang H. , Yang X. , Zalewska A. , Zaremba K.
Published: March 2013

Liquid Argon Time Projection Chamber (LAr TPC) detectors offer charged particle imaging capability with remarkable spatial resolution. Precise event reconstruction procedures are critical in order to fully exploit the potential of this technology. In this paper we present a new, general approach to 3D reconstruction for the LAr TPC with a practical application to the track reconstruction. The efficiency of the method is evaluated on a sample of simulated tracks. We present also the application of the method to the analysis of stopping particle tracks collected during the ICARUS T600 detector operation with the CNGS neutrino beam.
Infinite-Scroll Attractor Generated by the Complex Pendulum Model
Authors: Bhalekar Sachin
Published: March 2013

We report the finding of the simple nonlinear autonomous system exhibiting infinite-scroll attractor. The system is generated from the pendulum equation with complex-valued function. The proposed system is having infinitely many saddle points of index two which are responsible for the infinite-scroll attractor.
Open-Source Telemedicine Platform for Wireless Medical Video Communication
Authors: Panayides A. , Eleftheriou I. , Pantziaris M.
Published: March 2013

An m-health system for real-time wireless communication of medical video based on open-source software is presented. The objective is to deliver a low-cost telemedicine platform which will allow for reliable remote diagnosis m-health applications such as emergency incidents, mass population screening, and medical education purposes. The performance of the proposed system is demonstrated using five atherosclerotic plaque ultrasound videos. The videos are encoded at the clinically acquired resolution, in addition to lower, QCIF, and CIF resolutions, at different bitrates, and four different encoding structures. Commercially available wireless local area network (WLAN) and 3.5G high-speed packet access (HSPA) wireless channels are used to validate the developed platform. Objective video quality assessment is based on PSNR ratings, following calibration using the variable frame delay (VFD) algorithm that removes temporal mismatch between original and received videos. Clinical evaluation is based on atherosclerotic plaque ultrasound video assessment protocol. Experimental results show that adequate diagnostic quality wireless medical video communications are realized using the designed telemedicine platform. HSPA cellular networks provide for ultrasound video transmission at the acquired resolution, while VFD algorithm utilization bridges objective and subjective ratings.
An Integrated Model for Production Planning and Cell Formation in Cellular Manufacturing Systems
Authors: Raminfar Reza , Zulkifli Norzima , Vasili Mohammadreza , Sai Hong Tang
Published: March 2013

Cellular manufacturing (CM) is a production approach directed towards reducing costs, as well as increasing system's flexibility in today's small-to-medium lot production environment. Many structural and operational issues should be considered for a successful CM design and implementation such as cell formation (CF), production planning, and facility layout. Most researchers have addressed these issues sequentially or independently, instead of jointly optimizing a combination of these issues. In order to attain better results to ensure that the system will be capable of remaining efficient in unknown future situations, these issues should be addressed simultaneously. In this paper, a mathematical model is developed using an integrated approach for production planning and cell formation problems in a CM. A set of numerical examples are provided from existing the literature in order to test and illustrate the proposed model. In order to evaluate and verify the performance of the proposed model, it is compared with a well-known cell formation methods (rank order clustering and direct clustering analysis), using group capability index (GCI) measure. The results and comparisons indicate that the proposed model has a significantly higher and satisfactory performance and it is reliable for the design and the analysis of CM systems.
Identifying Individuals Using Eigenbeat Features of Electrocardiogram
Authors: Singh Yogendra Narain , Singh Sanjay Kumar
Published: March 2013

The authors of this paper present a new method to characterize the electrocardiogram (ECG) for individual identification. We propose an ECG biometric system which is insensitive to noise signals and muscle flexure. The method utilizes the principal of linearly projecting the heartbeat features into a subspace of lower dimension using an orthogonal basis that represents the most significant features to distinguish the individuals. The performance of the proposed biometric system is evaluated on the subjects of both health statuses such as the ECG recordings of MIT-BIH Arrhythmia database and the ECG recordings of normal subjects prepared at IIT(BHU). The result demonstrates that the derived eigenbeat features from proposed ECG characterization perform better and achieve the recognition accuracy of 91.42% and 95.55% on the subjects of MIT-BIH Arrhythmia database and IIT(BHU) database, respectively.
Improved Bounds on mr(2,q) q=19,25,27
Authors: Daskalov Rumen , Metodieva Elena
Published: March 2013

An (n,r)-arc is a set of n points of a projective plane such that some r, but no r+1 of them, are collinear. The maximum size of an (n,r)-arc in PG(2, q) is denoted by mr(2, q). In this paper, a new (286, 16)-arc in PG(2,19), a new (341, 15)-arc, and a (388, 17)-arc in PG(2,25) are constructed, as well as a (394, 16)-arc, a (501, 20)-arc, and a (532, 21)-arc in PG(2,27). Tables with lower and upper bounds on mr(2, 25) and mr(2, 27) are presented as well. The results are obtained by nonexhaustive local computer search.
Antioxidant Treatment Reverts Increased Arterial Basal Tone and Oxidative Stress in Nephrectomized (5/6) Hypertensive Rats
Authors: Marañón Rodrigo O. , Joo Turoni Claudio , Karbiner Maria Sofia , Salas Nicolas , Peral de Bruno Maria
Published: March 2013

Nonischemic 5/6 nephrectomized rat (NefR) is a model of chronic kidney disease. However, little is known about vascular dysfunction and its relation with hypertension in NefR.Aims. To evaluate possible alterations of endothelial function, NO-bioavailability, and basal tone in aorta from NefR and the role of oxidative stress. Sprague Dawley rats were divided into sham rats (SR), NefR, and NefR treated with tempol (NefR-T). Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and renal function were determined. In isolated aortic rings the following was measured: 1-endothelial function, 2-basal tone, 3-NO levels, 4-membrane potential (MP), and 5-oxidative stress. NefR increased MAP (SR: 119 ± 4 mmHg;n=7; NefR: 169 ± 6;n=8;P<0.001). Tempol did not modify MAP (NefR-T: 168 ± 10;n=6;P<0.001). NefR showed endothelial dysfunction, increased basal tone and decreased NO levels (SR: 32 ± 2 nA;n=7, NefR: 10 ± 2;n=8;P<0.001). In both in vitro and in vivo tempol improves basal tone, NO levels, and MP. Oxidative stress in NefR was reverted in NefR-T. We described, for the first time, that aorta from NefR presented increased basal tone related to endothelial dysfunction and decreased NO-bioavailability. The fact that tempol improves NO-contents and basal tone, without decrease MAP, indicates that oxidative stress could be implicated early and independently to hypertension, in the vascular alterations.
Recent Developments in Reconfigurable and Multiband Antenna Technology
Authors: Haider N. , Caratelli D. , Yarovoy A. G.
Published: March 2013

A comparative analysis of various reconfigurable and multiband antenna concepts is presented. In order to satisfy the requirements for the advanced systems used in modern wireless and radar applications, different multiband and reconfigurable antennas have been proposed and investigated in the past years. In this paper, these design concepts have been classified into three basic approaches: tunable/switchable antenna integration with radio-frequency switching devices, wideband or multiband antenna integration with tunable filters, and array architectures with the same aperture utilized for different operational modes. Examples of each design approach are discussed along with their inherent benefits and challenges.
Optical System for Bispectral Imaging in Mid-IR at 1000 Frames per Second
Authors: Strojnik Marija , Paez Gonzalo
Published: March 2013

We propose, evaluate, and demonstrate the performance of an IR/optical double-image experimental setup where we capture two simultaneous images of a single object, in two different spectral bands, using a single detector array. With this arrangement, we may observe rapidly changing phenomena, at a rate of more than 1000 frames per second, without the loss of the spatial information about the test subject. We describe the optical system to perform simultaneous imaging in IR for slightly inclined optical axes. We verify the actual performance by applying the experimental method to flame analysis in the mid-IR to determine the combustion efficiency.
Abstract A11: STRADα regulates cell polarity and invasion through PAK1 signaling in LKB1 null cells
Authors: Eggers Carrie M. , Kline Erik R. , Zhong Diansheng , Zhou Wei , Marcus Adam I.
Published: March 2013

The kinase LKB1 is mutated in multiple tumor types with a high mutation rate in non-small cell lung cancer. LKB1 activity is regulated by the pseudokinase, STE20-related adaptor alpha (STRADα), and the STRADα-LKB1 pathway plays critical roles in cell polarity and metastasis. Though much attention is given to the STRADα-LKB1 pathway, the function of STRADα itself, including a role outside of the LKB1 pathway, has not been well-studied. Data in C. elegans suggest that STRADα has an LKB1-independent role in regulating cell polarity, and therefore we tested the hypothesis that STRADα regulates cancer cell polarity and motility when wild-type LKB1 is absent. These results show that STRADα protein is reduced in LKB1-null cell lines (mutation or homozygous deletion) and this partial degradation occurs through the Hsp90-dependent proteasome pathway. The remaining STRADα participates in cell polarity and invasion, such that STRADα depletion results in misaligned lamellipodia, improper Golgi positioning, and reduced invasion. To probe the molecular basis of this defect, we show that STRADα associates in a complex with PAK1, and STRADα loss disrupts PAK1 activity via thr423 PAK1 phosphorylation. When STRADα is depleted, PAK1-induced invasion could not occur, suggesting that STRADα is necessary for PAK1 to drive motility. Based upon these data, we conclude that STRADα regulates PAK1 in LKB1-null cells to oversee cancer cell polarity and invasion.
Abstract A23: Detection of K ras mutations in Korean non small cell lung cancer patients
Authors: Kim Hee Joung , Kim Sun Jong , Yoo Gwang Ha , Kim Won Dong , Oh Seo Young , Kim Wan Seop , Lee Kye Young
Published: March 2013

Background: Point mutation of the K ras gene is known to be a poor prognostic marker of an adenocarcinoma of the lung. This study aims to define frequency of K ras mutations and evaluate clinical features of patients with Non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who harbor K ras mutation.

Methods: NSCLC patient who were diagnosed from Sep. 2005 to Aug. 2011 at Konkuk University Hospital were included in this retrospective study. K ras mutation was assessed by pyrosequencing on biopsy or cytology specimen. Medial chart review was performed and clinical characteristics were compared according to K ras mutation status of their tumors.

Results: K ras mutation was found in 25 (9.0%) of 277 patients and which was similar to those in East Asian countries, but lower than those in western countries. Fifteen mutations (60.0%) were point mutation at codon 12 (GGT), 7 mutations (28.0%) were point mutation at codon 61 (CAA), and 3 mutations (12.0%) were found at codon 13 (GGC) in exon 2. Median age of 25 patients with KRAS mutation was 6 years (range 43–85 years). There were 20 males (80.0%) and 3 never-smokers (12.0%). The majority of histological diagnoses were adenocarcinomas (21 cases; 84.0%) and squamous cell carcinomas were followed (3 cases; 12.0%). Interestingly, 2 patients had both mutations of EGFR and KRAS unlike previous studies, they showed favorable response to EGFRTKIs.

Conclusions: The data indicate that KRAS mutation is less frequent in Korean than Caucasian patients. Although it is suggested that EGFR and KRAS mutations occur in mutually exclusive, very few of the patients with KRAS mutation showed also EGFR mutation and relatively favorable response to EGFR-TKIs. Additional large scale prospective studies are needed in order to validate the clinical significance of Kras mutation in Asian patients.
Abstract A30: Radiation resistance of human lung cancer stem cells (CSCs)
Authors: Gomez-Casal Roberto , Parikh Simul , Saleet Roje , Basse Per , Gibson Michael K. , Gorelik Elieser , Levina Vera
Published: March 2013

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the most common form of lung cancer, is treated with tumor resection and chemotherapy, with ionizing radiation (IR) treatment and chemotherapy used for patients with unresectable tumors. Despite improvements in medical management, 5-year survival rates for NSCLC remain low. Evidence suggests that resistance to radio- and chemotherapy is associated with cancer stem cells (CSCs), which are undifferentiated cells with the capacity to self-renew and differentiate, restoring the tumor cell population following treatment. However, the mechanisms through which lung CSCs evade and resist radiation therapy remain poorly studied.

We previously reported on our ability to isolate, culture, and assay human lung CSCs from cultured cell lines. We found the stem cell factor (SCF) and its receptor c-kit functions in a crucial pathway for the self-renewal and proliferation of human lung CSCs. We discovered that a combination of cisplatin (to eradicate bulk tumor cells) and agents targeting SCF/c-kit signaling in CSCs (e.g., antibody neutralizing SCF and anti-c-kit RTK inhibitors) is an effective therapy against NSCLC in vitro.

Here we extend our work to CSCs derived from primary NSCLC surgical tumor specimens. We analyzed lung CSC resistance to ionizing radiation (IR) and molecular mechanisms associated with CSC radioresistance.

We found that human lung CSC radioresistance is mediated by preferential activation of the DNA damage checkpoint response and an increase in DNA repair capacity. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors with anti c-kit activity (e.g., imatinib, dovitinib, sunitinib, and axitinib) were compared for their ability to abrogate lung CSC proliferation and potentiate effect of IR on NSCLC. We found that lung CSCs proliferation was abrogated by all of the four c-kit inhibitors; however, axitinib showed the most profound anti-CSC effect.

The combination of IR treatment with SCF/ckit pathway inhibition eliminated bulk NSCLC cells and radiation resistant CSCs.