bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Do smoking cessation programmes influence geographical inequalities in health? An evaluation of the impact of the PEGS programme in Christchurch, New Zealand
Authors: Hiscock R , Pearce J , Barnett R , Moon G , Daley V
Published: June 2009

Objective:

To identify the impact of a smoking cessation programme on area-based social and ethnic inequalities in smoking rates through social and ethnic differences in enrolment and quitting.

Methods:

Analysis of records of 11 325 patients who enrolled in an innovative smoking cessation programme in Christchurch, New Zealand between 2001 and 2006. We compare enrolment, follow-up, quitting and impact on population smoking rates in the most and least deprived neighbourhoods and the neighbourhoods with the lowest and highest proportions of Māori.

Results:

Enrolment as a proportion of the population was higher from the most deprived areas but as a proportion of neighbourhood smokers, it was lower. Enrolees from the least deprived quintile were 40% more likely to quit than those from the most deprived quintile. Smoking rates were 2.84 (2.75 to 2.93) times higher in the most deprived neighbourhoods. If the programme had not been available we estimate that this differential would have reduced to 2.81 (2.72 to 2.90). In neighbourhoods with the highest proportion of Māori, smoking rates were 2.33 (2.26 to 2.41) times higher and we estimate that without the programme smoking rates would be 2.30 (2.23 to 2.37) times higher.

Conclusions:

Although enrolees were drawn from a wide variety of backgrounds, those most likely to quit tended to reside in affluent areas or areas with a low proportion of Māori. There was no evidence that this smoking cessation programme increased or decreased inequalities within the Christchurch population. For smoking cessation programmes to have an impact on health inequalities more effort is required in targeting hard-to-reach groups and in encouraging them to quit.
Enacting tobacco taxes by direct popular vote in the United States: lessons from 20 years of experience
Authors: Lum K L , Barnes R L , Glantz S A
Published: June 2009

Background:

Tobacco tax increases reduce tobacco use, can provide funds for tobacco prevention and enjoy broad public support. Because of tobacco industry influence in legislatures, US public health advocates have shifted the venue for tobacco tax policymaking to direct popular vote 22 times since 1988.

Methods:

We combined case studies of individual state campaigns with tobacco industry documents to identify strategies related to outcome.

Results:

The tobacco industry developed a voter segmentation model to determine which tobacco tax increases it could defeat. Two industry arguments arising from this model often were raised in losing campaigns—the tax increase did not dedicate enough to tobacco control and hospitals and health maintenance organisations would profit. The industry effectively influenced early voters. Success was associated with building a strong base of public support before the campaign, dedicating sufficient funds to tobacco control, avoiding proposals largely devoted to financing hospitals and other medical service providers, effectively engaging grassroots and framing the campaign with clear justifications for cigarette tax increases.

Conclusions:

Tobacco tax ballot measures commonly allocated substantial funds to medical services; tobacco companies are becoming more successful in making this use of funds an issue. Proponents’ campaigns should be timed to account for the trend to voting well before election day. Ballot measures to increase tobacco taxes with a substantial fraction of the money devoted to tobacco control activities will probably fare better than ones that give priority to funding medical services.
Systemic inflammation: a key factor in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular complications in obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome?
Authors: Ryan S , Taylor C T , McNicholas W T
Published: June 2009

Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) is a highly prevalent disease and is recognised as a major public health burden. Large-scale epidemiological studies have demonstrated an independent relationship between OSAS and various cardiovascular disorders. The pathogenesis of cardiovascular complications in OSAS is not completely understood but a multifactorial aetiology is likely. Inflammatory processes have emerged as critical in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis at all stages of atheroma formation. Increased levels of various circulating markers of inflammation including tumour necrosis factor α (TNFα), interleukin 6 (IL6), IL-8 and C-reactive protein (CRP) have been reported as associated with future cardiovascular risk. There is increasing evidence of elevated inflammatory markers in OSAS with a significant fall after effective treatment with continuous positive airway pressure. This evidence is particularly strong for TNFα, whereas studies on IL6 and CRP have yielded conflicting results possibly due to the confounding effects of obesity. Cell culture and animal studies have significantly contributed to our understanding of the underlying mechanisms of the association between OSAS and inflammation. Intermittent hypoxia, the hallmark of OSAS, results in activation of pro-inflammatory transcription factors such as nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and activator protein (AP)-1. These promote activation of various inflammatory cells, particularly lymphocytes and monocytes, with the downstream consequence of expression of pro-inflammatory mediators that may lead to endothelial dysfunction. This review provides a critical analysis of the current evidence for an association between OSAS, inflammation and cardiovascular disease, discusses basic mechanisms that may be responsible for this association and proposes future research possibilities.
Expanded analytical probabilistic stormwater models for use in watershed and master drainage planning
Authors: Guo Yiping , Dai Jianping
Published: June 2009

In watershed and master drainage planning studies, information on flood frequency distributions must be available for locations throughout the study area and for conditions with and without planned stormwater control facilities. Design storm modeling and continuous simulation approaches are used to obtain the required information. Analytical probabilistic stormwater models are computationally more efficient alternatives but they were developed originally for urban stormwater management planning and design purposes. In this paper, methods and strategies are developed to expand the capabilities of existing analytical probabilistic stormwater models so that they can also be used in watershed and master drainage planning studies. The case study tests and validates the proposed methods and strategies and demonstrates the versatilities of the new approach.
Membrane concentrate management options: a comprehensive critical reviewA paper submitted to the Journal of Environmental Engineering and Science.
Authors: Chelme-Ayala Pamela , Smith Daniel W. , El-Din Mohamed Gamal
Published: June 2009

Membrane processes have become a competitive option to conventional treatment technologies because of the high quality of the product water. In particular, nanofiltration and reverse osmosis have been found to remove materials like natural organic matter, disinfection by-products, and endocrine-disrupting compounds. However, an issue identified as one of the major drawbacks for the adoption of pressure-driven membrane processes is the need for additional treatment of the concentrate stream. Few studies dealing with membrane concentrate treatment have been published. The majority of the published studies address the disposal of concentrate into receiving waters bodies and sewer systems. In this review paper, the characteristics of membrane concentrate in terms of water quality and their impact on receiving water bodies are discussed. In addition, several approaches to the removal of pollutants and disposal options for membrane concentrates are examined.
Improved genetic algorithm for resource-constrained scheduling of large projects
Authors: Kim Jin-Lee
Published: June 2009

The generalized model of the resource-constrained project scheduling problem (RCPSP) is valuable because it can be incorporated into the advanced computational methods of commercial project management software for practical applications. A construction schedule generated by most commercial project management programs does not guarantee its optimality when the resources are limited. This paper presents an improved elitist genetic algorithm (GA) for resource-constrained scheduling of large projects. The proposed algorithm allocates multiple renewable resources to activities of a single large-sized project to achieve the objective of minimizing the project duration. A permutation-based decoding procedure is developed using the improved parallel schedule generation scheme. A new parameter, named transformation power, is created in the transformation method of the improved algorithm to ensure that the individual selection process performs correctly. Extensive computational results using a standard set of large-sized multiple resource-constrained project scheduling problems are presented to demonstrate the performance and accuracy of the algorithm.
MECHANISM OF LEFT VENTRICULAR PRESSURE INCREASE DURING ISOVOLUMIC CONTRACTION, AND DETERMINATION OF ITS EQUIVALENT MYOCARDIAL FIBERS ORIENTATION
Authors: GHISTA DHANJOO N. , LIU LI , CHUA LEOK POH , ZHONG LIANG , TAN RU SAN , TAN YONG SENG
Published: June 2009

The left ventricle (LV) is modelled as a fluid-filled, thick-walled finite-elasticity cylindrical shell, subject to internal pressure increase during isovolumic contraction. Our objective is to elucidate that the tremendous internal pressure build-up during isovolumic contraction is caused by stress development in the spirally-wound myocardial fibers due to their contraction. The LV model data consists of LV chamber pressure, LV dynamic geometry and LV twist angle. In our analysis, the LV chamber pressure increase and LV (radial, longitudinal, and twist) deformations are formatted to be caused by the contractile stresses in the LV myocardial fibers (based on the hyper-elastic constitutive property of the LV myocardial wall, expressed in terms of the strain energy density function). The LV wall stresses are expressed in terms of the strain energy density function, and hence in terms of the measured LV wall strains and the material parameters. Then, by satisfying the stress boundary conditions, from the measured data on LV deformation state and LV pressure, we first determine the LV wall's constitutive properties, and then the instantaneous stress state in the LV.

The stress generated in the LV cylindrical model is equivalent to the development of active compression force and torsion within the model, as a mechanism for the high intra-LV cavity pressure build-up during isovolumic contraction. We in turn adopt (i) the principal compressive stress to be the stresses developed in the myocardial fibers (by their contraction), and (ii) the principal stress trajectory to correspond to the orientation of the myocardial fibers. The results show that the myocardial fiber orientation changes during the isovolumic phase, as the LV contracts. Hence, an important determinant of our analysis is the orientation of the myocardial fibers. Conversely, it can be said that the fibers are so optimally oriented, that their contraction causes LV deformation to in turn cause the appropriate increase in intra-LV pressure. Another important outcome of our analysis is the determination of the "LV torque vs twist angle" relationship, which has the potential to be employed as an index of contractility.
VASCULAR MECHANICS, MECHANOBIOLOGY, AND REMODELING
Authors: HUMPHREY J. D.
Published: June 2009

Arteries exhibit a remarkable ability to adapt in response to sustained alterations in hemodynamic loading as well as to disease, injury, and clinical treatment. A better understanding of such adaptations will be aided greatly by formulating, testing, and refining appropriate theoretical frameworks for modeling the biomechanics and associated mechanobiology. The goal of this brief review is to highlight some recent developments in the use of a constrained mixture theory of arterial growth and remodeling, with particular attention to the requisite constitutive relations, and to highlight future directions of needed research.
Raced profiles
Authors: Leather Hugh , O'Boyle Michael , Worton Bruce
Published: June 2009

Many problems in embedded compilation require one set of optimizations to be selected over another based on run time performance. Self-tuned libraries, iterative compilation and machine learning techniques all compare multiple compiled program versions. In each, program versions are timed to determine which has the best performance.

The program needs to be run multiple times for each version because there is noise inherent in most performance measurements. The number of runs must be enough to compare different versions, despite the noise, but executing more than this will waste time and energy. The compiler writer must either risk taking too few runs, potentially getting incorrect results, or taking too many runs increasing the time for their experiments or reducing the number of program versions evaluated. Prior works choose constant size sampling plans where each compiled version is executed a fixed number of times without regard to the level of noise.

In this paper we develop a sequential sampling plan which can automatically adapt to the experiment so that the compiler writer can have both confidence in the results and also be sure that no more runs were taken than were needed. We show that our system is able to correctly determine the best optimization settings with between 76% and 87% fewer runs than needed by a brute force, constant sampling size approach. We also compare our approach to JavaSTATS(10); we needed 77% to 89% fewer runs than it needed.
Firefly
Authors: Pan Yan , Kumar Prabhat , Kim John , Memik Gokhan , Zhang Yu , Choudhary Alok
Published: June 2009

Future many-core processors will require high-performance yet energy-efficient on-chip networks to provide a communication substrate for the increasing number of cores. Recent advances in silicon nanophotonics create new opportunities for on-chip networks. To efficiently exploit the benefits of nanophotonics, we propose Firefly - a hybrid, hierarchical network architecture. Firefly consists of clusters of nodes that are connected using conventional, electrical signaling while the inter-cluster communication is done using nanophotonics - exploiting the benefits of electrical signaling for short, local communication while nanophotonics is used only for global communication to realize an efficient on-chip network. Crossbar architecture is used for inter-cluster communication. However, to avoid global arbitration, the crossbar is partitioned into multiple, logical crossbars and their arbitration is localized. Our evaluations show that Firefly improves the performance by up to 57% compared to an all-electrical concentrated mesh (CMESH) topology on adversarial traffic patterns and up to 54% compared to an all-optical crossbar (OP XBAR) on traffic patterns with locality. If the energy-delay-product is compared, Firefly improves the efficiency of the on-chip network by up to 51% and 38% compared to CMESH and OP XBAR, respectively.
Whither Hotelling: Tests of the Theory of Exhaustible Resources
Authors: Slade Margaret E. , Thille Henry
Published: June 2009

We review the empirical literature that extends and tests the Hotelling model of the optimal depletion of an exhaustible resource. The theory is briefly described to set the stage for the review of empirical tests and applications. Those tests can be roughly divided into two broad categories—descriptive and structural—and we discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each before presenting the empirical studies of optimal extraction under conditions of exhaustibility. We also discuss some econometric pitfalls that applied researchers face when attempting to test the model.
Urban Growth and Climate Change
Authors: Kahn Matthew E.
Published: June 2009

Between 1950 and 2030, the share of the world's population that lives in cities is predicted to grow from 30% to 60%. This urbanization has consequences for the likelihood of climate change and for the social costs that climate change will impose on the world's quality of life. This paper examines how urbanization affects greenhouse gas production, and it studies how urbanites in the developed and developing world will adapt to the challenges posed by climate change.
Hypergravity modulates vitamin D receptor target gene mRNA expression in mice
Authors: Ishizawa Michiyasu , Iwasaki Ken-ichi , Kato Shigeaki , Makishima Makoto
Published: June 2009

The possibility of pathological calcium metabolism is a critical health concern introduced by long-term space travel. Because vitamin D plays an important role in calcium homeostasis, we evaluated the effects of hypergravity on the expression of genes involved in vitamin D and calcium metabolism in ICR mice. When exposed to 2G hypergravity for 2 days, the mRNA expression of renal 25-hydroxyvitamin D 24-hydroxylase (Cyp24a1) was increased and that of 25-hydroxyvitamin D 1α-hydroxylase (Cyp27b1) was decreased. Although hypergravity decreased food intake and increased the expression of starvation-induced genes, the changes in Cyp24a1 and Cyp27b1 expression were not due to starvation, suggesting that hypergravity affects these genes directly. Hypergravity decreased plasma 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 levels in ICR mice, suggesting a consequence of decreased Cyp27b1 and increased Cyp24a1 expression. Although 1α-hydroxyvitamin D3 [1α(OH)D3] treatment induced the expression of vitamin D receptor (VDR) target genes in the kidney of 2G-exposed ICR mice to similar levels as controls, 1α(OH)D3 increased the intestinal expression of Cyp24a1 in ICR mice. Hypergravity-dependent changes of Cyp24a1 and Cyp27b1 expression were diminished in mice exposed to hypergravity for 14 days, which may represent an adaptation to hypergravity stress. Hypergravity exposure also increased Cyp24a1 expression in the kidney of C57BL/6J mice. We examined the effects of hypergravity on VDR-null mice and found that renal Cyp27b1 expression in VDR-null mice was decreased by hypergravity while renal Cyp24a1 expression was not detected in VDR-null mice. Thus hypergravity modifies the expression of genes involved in vitamin D metabolism.
Role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α in ileum tight junction alteration in mouse model of restraint stress
Authors: Mazzon Emanuela , Crisafulli Concetta , Galuppo Maria , Cuzzocrea Salvatore
Published: June 2009

Restraint stress induces permeability changes in the small intestine, but little is known about the role of endogenous peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPAR-α) ligand in the defects of the tight junction function. In the present study, we used PPAR-α knockout mice to understand the roles of endogenous PPAR-α on ileum altered permeability function in models of immobilization stress. The absence of a functional PPAR-α gene in PPAR-α knockout mice resulted in a significant augmentation of the degree of 1) TNF-α production in ileum tissues; 2) the alteration of zonula occludens-1, occludin, and β-catenin (immunohistochemistry); and 3) apoptosis (terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling staining, Bax, Bcl-2 expression). Taken together, our results demonstrate that endogenous PPAR-α ligands reduce the degree of tight junction permeability in the ileum tissues associated with immobilization stress, suggesting a possible role of endogenous PPAR-α ligands on ileum barrier dysfunction.
Presynaptic Mechanisms of Endocannabinoid-Mediated Long-Term Depression in the Hippocampus
Authors: Lafourcade Carlos A.
Published: June 2009

Endogenous cannabinoids (eCBs) mobilized from postsynaptic cells activate presynaptic cannabinoid receptors and thereby inhibit synaptic transmitter release. The inhibition can be either brief (seconds) or long-lasting (minutes to hours). Recent studies provide insight into the presynaptic mechanisms responsible for long-lasting, eCB-mediated long-term depression. Among these, the proteins PKA and RIM1α appear to be crucial, although other possibilities are emerging.
Tyrrhenian Upper Waters in the Ustica Island (Marine Protected Area, Sicily, Italy)
Authors: Sanfilippo Marilena , Pulicanò Giuseppa , Manganaro Antonio , Reale Alessandra , Cortese Giuseppa
Published: June 2009

The Marine Protected Area (MPA) of Ustica was monitored for the hydrographic properties in the A zone of the reserve during the period from the autumn of 2001 to the winter of 2003. This study is also a part of a great triennal project (2001–2004) “Sistema Afrodite”, that was carried out in all the MPAs instituted in Italy. The parameters examined were treated statistically to show their seasonal variability. Temperature, nitrate, phosphate, and chlorophyll a showed similar trends between winter 2002 and 2003, while differences between winter 2002 and 2003 were noticed for salinity, dissolved oxygen, and silicate. It is postulated that the Atlantic current and eddies along its margin result in variation of the water characteristics in the MPA zone analyzed in this study.
Fuzzy Sets, Fuzzy S‐Open and S‐Closed Mappings
Authors: Ahmad B. , Kharal Athar
Published: June 2009

Several properties of fuzzy semiclosure and fuzzy semi‐interior of fuzzy sets defined by Yalvac (1988), have been established and supported by counterexamples. We also study the characterizations and properties of fuzzy semi‐open and fuzzy semi‐closed sets. Moreover, we define fuzzy s‐open and fuzzy s‐closed mappings
and give some interesting characterizations.
Myositis, Vasculitis, Hepatic Dysfunction in Adult-Onset Still's Disease
Authors: Yanai Hidekatsu , Furutani Nobuyuki , Yoshida Hiroshi , Tada Norio
Published: June 2009

Although hepatic dysfunction is common in adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD), sometimes it is difficult to differentiate hepatic dysfunction due to AOSD itself from drug-induced hepatic dysfunction. Further, myalgia often occurs in patients with AOSD; however, AOSD patients complicated with myositis are rare. We report a 43-year-old Japanese man with AOSD who developed myositis and hepatic dysfunction which were deteriorated by multiple nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and were dramatically ameliorated by a low-dose steroid therapy. A skin biopsy of salmon pink rash which is characteristic for AOSD showed leukocytoclastic vasculitis, and the markers for vasculitis, plasma von Willebrand factor, and vascular endothelial growth factor levels were elevated in this patient, suggesting an association between AOSD and systemic vasculitis.
Role of Passive Safety Systems in Chinese Nuclear Power Development
Authors: Cheng X. , Yang Y. H. , Ouyang Y. , Miao H. X.
Published: June 2009

Passive safety systems have been widely applied to advanced water‐cooled reactors, to enhance the safety of nuclear power plants. The ambitious program of the nuclear
power development in China requires reactor concepts with high safety level. For the
near‐term and medium‐term, the Chinese government decided for advanced
pressurized water reactors with an extensive usage of passive safety systems. This
paper describes some important criteria and the development program of the Chinese
large‐scale pressurized water reactors. An overview on representative research
activities and results achieved so far on passive safety systems in various institutions
is presented.
Kinetic Spectrophotometric Determination of Certain Cephalosporins in Pharmaceutical Formulations
Authors: Omar Mahmoud A. , Abdelmageed Osama H. , Attia Tamer Z.
Published: June 2009

A simple, reliable, and sensitive kinetic spectrophotometric method was developed for determination of eight cephalosporin antibiotics, namely, Cefotaxime sodium, Cephapirin sodium, Cephradine dihydrate, Cephalexin monohydrate, Ceftazidime pentahydrate, Cefazoline sodium, Ceftriaxone sodium, and Cefuroxime sodium. The method depends on oxidation of each of studied drugs with alkaline potassium permanganate. The reaction is followed spectrophotometrically by measuring the rate of change of absorbance at 610 nm. The initial rate and fixed time (at 3 minutes) methods are utilized for construction of calibration graphs to determine the concentration of the studied drugs. The calibration graphs are linear in the concentration ranges 5–15 μg mL−1and 5–25 μg mL−1using the initial rate and fixed time methods, respectively. The results are validated statistically and checked through recovery studies. The method has been successfully applied for the determination of the studied cephalosporins in commercial dosage forms. Statistical comparisons of the results with the reference methods show the excellent agreement and indicate no significant difference in accuracy and precision.
Agrobacterium‐Mediated Gene Transfer to Cereal Crop Plants: Current Protocols for Barley, Wheat, Triticale, and Maize
Authors: Hensel Goetz , Kastner Christine , Oleszczuk Sylwia , Riechen Jan , Kumlehn Jochen
Published: June 2009

The development of powerful “omics” technologies has enabled researchers to identify many genes of interest for which comprehensive functional analyses are highly desirable. However, the production of lines which ectopically express recombinant genes, or those in which endogenous genes are knocked down via stable transformation, remains a major bottleneck for the association between genetics and gene function in monocotyledonous crops. Methods of effective DNA transfer into regenerable cells of immature embryos from cereals by means of Agrobacterium tumefaciens have been modified in a stepwise manner. The effect of particular improvement measures has often not been significantly evident, whereas their combined implementation has resulted in meaningful advances. Here, we provide updated protocols for the Agrobacterium‐mediated generation of stably transgenic barley, wheat, triticale and maize. Based upon these methods, several hundred independent transgenic lines have been delivered, with efficiencies of inoculated embryos leading to stably transgenic plants reaching 86% in barley, 10% in wheat, 4% in triticale, and 24% in maize.
Novel Functional Aspect of Antihistamines: The Impact of Bepotastine Besilate on Substance P-Induced Events
Authors: Kitaba Shun , Murota Hiroyuki , Yahata Yoko , Azukizawa Hiroaki , Katayama Ichiro
Published: June 2009

Besides histamine, substance P (SP) has been demonstrated to play a crucial role in pruritic skin diseases. Although antihistamines are frequently used for pruritic skin diseases, little is known concerning the effect on an SP-induced event such as mast cell degranulation and the upregulation of adhesion molecules or the nitric oxide (NO) synthesis in endothelial cells. Our aim was to study the effect of bepotastine besilate on SP-induced degranulation of rat basophillic leukemia (RBL-2H3) cells and expression of adhesion molecules and NO synthesis in human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HMVECs). Bepotastine besilate significantly inhibited SP-induced degranulation of RBL-2H3 cells and NO synthesis in HMVECs. Bepotastine besilate significantly inhibited expression of adhesion molecules in HMVESs, while it failed to suppress SP-induced upregulation of the adhesion molecules in HMVECs. Therefore, bepotastine besilate is assumed to act favorably on SP-induced basophil degranulation and NO synthesis in HMVECs.
Quantum Energy Expectation in Periodic Time‐Dependent Hamiltonians via Green Functions
Authors: de Oliveira César R. , Simsen Mariza S.
Published: June 2009

Let UF be the Floquet operator of a time periodic
Hamiltonian H(t).
For each positive and discrete observable A (which we call a probe energy), we derive a formula for the Laplace time average
of its expectation value up to time T in terms of its eigenvalues and Green functions at the circle of radius e1/T. Some simple applications are provided which support its usefulness.
Combining Dissimilarities in a Hyper Reproducing Kernel Hilbert Space for Complex Human Cancer Prediction
Authors: Martín-Merino Manuel , Blanco Ángela , De Las Rivas Javier
Published: June 2009

DNA microarrays provide rich profiles that are used in
cancer prediction considering the gene expression levels
across a collection of related samples. Support Vector Machines
(SVM) have been applied to the classification of cancer
samples with encouraging results. However, they rely on
Euclidean distances that fail to reflect accurately the proximities
among sample profiles. Then, non‐Euclidean dissimilarities
provide additional information that should be considered
to reduce the misclassification errors.
In this paper, we incorporate in the ν‐SVM algorithm a
linear combination of non‐Euclidean dissimilarities. The
weights of the combination are learnt in a (Hyper
Reproducing Kernel Hilbert Space) HRKHS using a Semidefinite
Programming algorithm. This approach allows us to incorporate
a smoothing term that penalizes the complexity of the
family of distances and avoids overfitting. The experimental results suggest that the method proposed
helps to reduce the misclassification errors in several
human cancer problems.
Dynamical Analysis of an Interleaved Single Inductor TITO Switching Regulator
Authors: El Aroudi Abdelali , Moreno-Font Vanessa , Benadero Luis
Published: June 2009

We study the dynamical behavior of a single inductor two inputs two outputs (SITITO)
power electronics DC‐DC converter under a current mode control in a PWM interleaved scheme. This
system is able to regulate two, generally one positive and one negative, voltages (outputs). The regulation
of the outputs is carried out by the modulation of two time intervals within a switching cycle. The value
of the regulated voltages is related to both duty cycles (inputs). The stability of the whole nonlinear
system is therefore studied without any decoupling. Under certain operating conditions, the dynamical
behavior of the system can be modeled by a piecewise linear (PWL) map, which is used to investigate the
stability in the parameter space and to detect possible subharmonic oscillations and chaotic behavior.
These results are confirmed by numerical one dimensional and two‐dimensional bifurcation diagrams and
some experimental measurements from a laboratory prototype.
HPV16 Tumor Associated Macrophages Suppress Antitumor T Cell Responses
Authors: Lepique Ana Paula , Daghastanli Katia Regina Perez , Cuccovia Iolanda Midea , Villa Luisa Lina
Published: June 2009

Purpose: High-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) is the main etiologic factor for cervical cancer. The severity of HPV-associated cervical lesions has been correlated to the number of infiltrating macrophages. The objective of this work is to characterize the role of tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) on the immune cellular response against the tumor.

Experimental Design: We used the HPV16 E6- and E7-expressing TC-1 mouse tumor model to study the effect of TAM on T-cell function in vitro, and depleted TAM, using clodronate-containing liposomes, to characterize its role in vivo.

Results: TAM, characterized by the positive expression of CD45, F4/80, and CD11b, formed the major population of infiltrating tumor cells. TAM displayed high basal Arginase I activity, producing interleukin-10 (IL-10); they were resistant to iNOSII activity induction, therefore reversion to M1 phenotype, when stimulated in vitro with lipopolysaccharide/IFNγ, indicating an M2 phentoype. In cultures of isolated TAM, TAM induced regulatory phenotype, characterized by IL-10 and Foxp3 expression, and inhibited proliferation of CD8 lymphocytes. In vivo, depletion of TAM inhibited tumor growth and stimulated the infiltration of tumors by HPV16 E749-57-specific CD8 lymphocytes, whereas depletion of Gr1+ tumor-associated cells had no effect.

Conclusions: M2-like macrophages infiltrate HPV16-associated tumors causing suppression of antitumor T-cell response, thus facilitating tumor growth. Depletion or phenotype alteration of this population should be considered in immunotherapy strategies.
Standardization of Water Purification in the Central Dialysis Fluid Delivery System: Validation and Parametric Method
Authors: Tomo Tadashi , Shinoda Tosiho
Published: June 2009

The central dialysis fluid delivery system (CDDS) has been mainly used for hemodialysis therapy in Japan. Validation and a parametric method are necessary for the quality control of dialysis fluid in CDDS. Validation is a concept for the assurance of system compatibility and product quality, and is defined as follows: the manufacturing and quality control methods including the system design and equipment of the manufacturing facility, manufacturing procedure and processes. Confirmed results must be kept within acceptable limits and they must be documented in a record. Important parameters for validating CDDS include: (1) setting the sterilized area; (2) decision of sterilization level; (3) confirmation of the maximum bio-burden; (4) performance of endotoxin retentive filter and reverse osmosis (RO) module, and (5) checkpoints of purity of dialysis water in the system. Taking the concept of validation and a parametric method in the management of CDDS into consideration enables the supply the purified dialysis fluid or the online prepared substitution fluid that meet the 2008 standards of the Japanese Society for Dialysis Therapy.
Guidance of Technical Management of Dialysis Water and Dialysis Fluid for the Japan Association for Clinical Engineering Technologists
Authors: Kawasaki Tadayuki , Uchino Junji , Shinoda Toshio , Kawanishi Hideki
Published: June 2009

There has been remarkable medical and technological progress in Japanese dialysis therapy where more than 270 thousand patients had been treated with dialysis by the end of 2007. Clinical engineering technologists have played an important role not only in the safety treatment but also in the technological development of dialysis therapy. It is very important to supply pure dialysis fluid for both the efficacy and the safety of hemodialysis in which high permeable dialysis membranes are used. The Japanese Society for Dialysis Therapy recently issued the standard for bacterial management of fluids for hemodialysis and related therapies according to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO)/DIS 23500. In order to achieve the standard, the management of dialysis water treatment is important as well as the role of clinical engineering technologists in daily dialysis practice. Purification is defined as no contamination by chemical substances and/or microorganisms and its components. The purification consists of the design and the system structure of the water treatment equipment and dialysis fluid-supplying equipment, and the operation and management of the equipment. The guideline aims to show the minimum standard and the management method of the water treatment system and dialysis fluid-supplying equipment in order to perform hemodialysis safely. They should outline safer dialysis by the management of purification of dialysis fluid.
Central Online Hemodiafiltration in Japan: Management of Water Quality and Practice
Authors: Yamashita Akihiro C. , Sato Takashi
Published: June 2009

Hemodiafiltration (HDF) includes a variety of technologies and preparation of ultrapure dialysis fluid has made it possible to perform online HDF and its extensive alternatives. According to current statistics, 5.8% of ESRD patients are treated with HDF in Japan. The majority of these HDF treatments are performed using the central dialysis fluid delivery system (CDDS), this is because most Japanese clinicians and researchers consider that with CDDS it is easier to prepare substitution fluid; moreover, CDDS has economical advantages against single-patient dialysis machine (SPDM)-based counterparts. The water quality at each patient station (dialysis console) is regularly validated by bacterial culture (colony-forming units) and by measuring endotoxin concentration (ET). Since ET measurement takes much less time than bacterial culture, ET is often used as an indicator to verify the water quality for online use. Dialysis fluid with ET below the detection level (usually <0.001 EU/ml) is used for online substitution. In CDDS online HDF, since dialysis clinics must prepare not only the dialysis fluid but also the substitution fluid, they need to satisfy almost the same requirements as pharmaceutical water treatment factories do. The Japanese Society for Dialysis Therapy (JSDT) together with the Japanese Society for Hemodiafiltration (JS-HDF) is now preparing guidelines to meet all these necessary requirements on a worldwide basis.
Fully Automated Dialysis System Based on the Central Dialysis Fluid Delivery System
Authors: Kawanishi Hideki , Moriishi Misaki , Sato Takashi , Taoka Masahiro
Published: June 2009

The fully automated dialysis system (FADS) was developed as an improvement over previous patient monitors used in the treatment of hemodialysis, with the aim of standardizing and promoting labor-saving in such treatment. This system uses backfiltration dialysis fluid to perform priming, blood rinse back and rapid fluid replenishment, and causes guiding of blood into the dialyzer by the drainage pump for ultrafiltration. This requires that the dialysis fluid used be purified to a high level. The central dialysis fluid delivery system (CDDS) combines the process of the creation and supply of dialysis water and dialysis fluid to achieve a level of purity equivalent with ultrapure dialysis fluid. FADS has the further advantages of greater efficiency and streamlined operation, reducing human error and the risk of infection without requiring the storage or disposal of normal saline solution. The simplification of hemodialysis allows for greater frequency of dialysis or extended dialysis, enabling treatment to be provided in line with the patient’s particular situation. FADS thus markedly improves the reliability, safety and standardization of dialysis procedures while ensuring labor-saving in these procedures, making it of particular utility for institutions dealing with dialysis on a large scale.
Current Status of Central Concentrate Delivery System for Hemodialysis in Korea
Authors: Han Sang-Woong , Yi Joo-Hark , Kim Ho-Jung
Published: June 2009

So far, less than 10% of hemodialysis (HD) facilities in Korea have adopted a kind of central delivery system (CDS) for dialysates, the so-called Korean central concentrate delivery system (CCDS). In our CCDS, all concentrate solutions of the acid and bicarbonate dry powder mixed with the treated reverse osmosis (RO) water in the mixing tank and stored in the holding tank are centrally delivered to individual HD machines via two streams along with a one further stream for dilution RO water. This mode of Korean CCDS is different from the central dialysate delivery system (CDDS), which uses already fully proportioned acid and bicarbonate concentrates with dilution RO water delivering it via a single stream. At present, the most popular CCDS in Korea is NephroMix Premium®, which is an all-in-one system that combines the mixing tank, the holding tank, and the control functions into one unified case. Moreover, all CCDS data can be monitored in real-time through a user-friendly touch-screen panel, and stored on a desktop PC linked to the manufacturer’s main office. For the disinfection and sterility of NephroMix Premium®, ozone is used besides a three-step filtering system for removing endotoxin and microbials. Compared to the conventional system in Korea with individual concentrate delivery to single-patient dialysis machines, the Korean-style CCDS seems to be superb in the way of convenience, environmental friendliness, and economy, and also needs less space in the dialysis unit. However, full proof of its safety and effectiveness is required for further verification in the future.
Telomere Distribution and Dynamics in Somatic and Meiotic Nuclei of Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Roberts N.Y. , Osman K. , Armstrong S.J.
Published: June 2009

The ends of linear eukaryotic chromosomes are protected by the telomere, a specialised nucleoprotein complex. The primary role of the telomere is to protect the chromosome ends from being degraded or recognised and processed as double strand breaks. Additionally, the telomeres are involved in interphase chromosome organisation and also in chromosome pairing, synapsis and movement during meiotic prophase. The main emphasis of this review is concerned with the distribution and dynamics of the telomeres in the somatic cell and meiocytes of plants, focusing on the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. In Arabidopsis the telomeres are organised around the nucleolus in both the somatic and meiotic interphase. One of the outstanding questions in meiosis is how homologous chromosomes pair (align) and synapse during meiotic prophase. Recent attention has been paid to the bouquet formation, a nearly universal event, during which the telomeres cluster on the nuclear membrane in early prophase. It has been suggested that because the telomeres are in close proximity this would enhance their pairing and subsequent synapsis of the homologues. In Arabidopsis we observe that the telomeres are paired homologously in early meiosis whilst still arranged around the nucleolus. They are moved to the nuclear membrane preceding synapsis and reveal only a loose clustering, which may represent a transient bouquet. On completion of synapsis the paired telomeres are dispersed and remain attached to the nuclear membrane until diplotene when they dissociate from the nuclear membrane. We also discuss the prospects for live imaging of the telomeres in Arabidopsis.
Chromosome Centromeres: Structural and Analytical Investigations with High Resolution Scanning Electron Microscopy in Combination with Focused Ion Beam Milling
Authors: Schroeder-Reiter E. , Wanner G.
Published: June 2009

Whole mount mitotic metaphase chromosomes of different plants and animals were investigated with high resolution field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) to study the ultrastructural organization of centromeres, including metacentric, acrocentric, telocentric, and holocentric chromosome variants. It could be shown that, in general, primary constrictions have distinctive ultrastructural features characterized by parallel matrix fibrils and fewer smaller chromomeres. Exposure of these structures depends on cell cycle synchronization prior to chromosome isolation, chromosome size, and chromosome isolation technique. Chromosomes without primary constrictions, small chromosomes, and holocentric chromosomes do not exhibit distinct ultrastructural elements that could be directly correlated to centromere function. Putative spindle structures, although rarely observed, spread over the primary constriction to the bordering pericentric regions. Analytical FESEM techniques, including specific DNA staining with Pt blue, staining of protein as a substance class with silver-colloid, and artificial loosening of fixed chromosomes with proteinase K, were applied, showing that centromere variants and ultrastructural elements in the centromere differ in DNA and protein distribution. Immunogold localization allowed high-resolution comparison between chromosomes with different centromere orientations of the distribution of centromere-related histone variants, phosphorylated histone H3 (ser10), and CENH3. A novel application of FESEM combined with focused ion beam milling (FIB) provided new insights into the spatial distribution of these histone variants in barley chromosomes.
Transcription of Pericentromeric Heterochromatin in Beetles – Satellite DNAs as Active Regulatory Elements
Authors: Pezer Z. , Ugarković D.
Published: June 2009

Tenebrionid beetles from the genus Palorus (Coleoptera) have a significant amount of heterochromatin in pericentromeric regions of all chromosomes. The major DNA component of pericentromeric heterochromatin is a highly abundant satellite DNA. Analysis of transcription of a major satellite DNA PSUB from species Palorus subdepressus reveals a constitutive level of expression similar in all 3 developmental stages: larvae, pupae and adults, corresponding to 0.01% of total RNA. Transcription proceeds from both DNA strands in equal amounts resulting in long heterogeneous size transcripts ranging in size from 500 bp to more than 5 kb. Although equal transcription from both DNA strands could potentially activate the RNA interference (RNAi) pathway processing of long PSUB transcripts into small interfering RNAs (siRNA) was not detected. Transcripts preferentially remain in the nucleus and 90% of them are not polyadenylated. Transcription initiation sites, mapped by primer extension, are located within PSUB satellite monomers as well as motifs characteristic for RNA polymerases II and III. Putative RNA polymerase II promoter, predicted by computational approach, shares a 65% sequence similarity to the Pol II promoter mapped previously in PRAT satellite DNA, a major satellite of related species P. ratzeburgii. Results give strong indications that Palorus satellite DNAs are transcribed as autonomous transcription units from their own promoters that reside within satellite sequences. Long satellite DNA transcripts remain mostly in the nucleus and are proposed to play a structural role in the organization of pericentromeric heterochromatin.
Satellite DNA Spatial Localization and Transcriptional Activity in Mouse Embryonic E-14 and IOUD2 Stem Cells
Authors: Enukashvily N.I. , Malashicheva A.B. , Waisertreiger I.S.-R.
Published: June 2009

The formation of heterochromatin begins in the differentiating cells. The aim of this work was to study changes of satellite DNA distribution, transcriptional activity and interaction with certain proteins in mouse embryonic stem cells after induction with retinoic acid. We found that pericentromeric satellites entered chromocenters only some days after induction of E-14 and IOUD2 mouse embryonic stem cells. The redistribution was accompanied by association with HP1a and transcription from pericentromeric (but not centromeric) satellite DNA. RNA was polyadenylated and transcribed from the forward chain. Probes made from the cDNA hybridized to all chromosomes. In differentiating cells, the transcript was found exclusively in chromocenters while in differentiated cultured L929 cells it formed 1–2 large clusters outside chromocenters. Using ChIP and immunostaining, we demonstrated that in induced cells pericentromeric DNA interacted with RNA-helicase p68 that was previously shown to be involved in transcription regulation and to be involved in differentiation processes.
SAF-A/hnRNP-U Localization in Interphase and Metaphase
Authors: Kukalev A.S. , Lobov I.B. , Percipalle P. , Podgornaya O.I.
Published: June 2009

SAF-A/hnRNP U is an abundant nuclear protein that interacts specifically with nuclear matrix attachment region DNA (MAR) and RNA as a component of hnRNPs. SAF-A/hnRNP U was also shown to specifically bind mouse major satellite DNA (satMa). Antibodies against SAF-A and GFP-fusion constructs were used in the current work in order to trace SAF-A localization. In accordance with its diverse nucleic acid binding specificity, SAF-A was found to be localized in three different domains: outside the chromosomes, on the surface of the chromosome arms (probably MARs), and in the centromere region where it apparently binds specifically to the satMa. GFP-fusion constructs with different SAF-A/hnRNP U domains confirms the functional significance of the protein’s functional domains in interphase cells. In telophase cells, the anti-SAF-A antibody signal appeared as a kind of network covering unfolded chromosomes.