bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Technical Basis of Material Toughness Requirements in the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section VIII, Division 2
Authors: Osage David A. , Prager Martin
Published: April 2012

The development of new toughness requirements for carbon and low alloy steels was a major part of the effort to rewrite the ASME B&PV Code, Section VIII, Division 2. The new toughness rules in this code were established using the fracture mechanics assessment procedures in API 579-1/ASME FFS-1 (Fitness-For-Service), Part 9. The major change in the toughness rules when compared to older editions of Section VIII, Division 2 (2004 and prior) and the current edition of Section VIII, Division 1 are for carbon and low alloy steel materials excluding bolting. The new toughness rules in Section VIII, Division 2 are based on a Charpy V-Notch impact requirement of 20 ft-lb (27 J) consistent with European practice and the beneficial effects of post weld heat treatment are included consistent with the procedures in API 579-1/ASME FFS-1. This paper provides a technical background to the new toughness rules including the development of material toughness requirements and the development of impact test exemption rules.
Rolling Bearing Stress Based Life—Part II: Experimental Calibration and Validation
Authors: Gnagy J. , Houpert L. , Chevalier F.
Published: April 2012

The stress based life model described in Paper I was calibrated using a large database of experimental results from a global quality audit test program as well as special development tests conducted for this validation effort. All tests used in the calibration of the new model were case carburized or through hardened tapered roller bearings. The initial model comparison to test results showed very good correlation with a median ratio of test life to calculated life very close to one. Higher accuracy of the stress based model compared to the traditional factor based method was also demonstrated by narrower confidence bands (less data scatter). Validation testing of case carburized tapered roller bearings as well as through hardened spherical roller bearings was also conducted under expanded test conditions beyond those utilized in the quality audit test program (i.e., high and low load, high and low λ, imposed misalignment, and heavy inner ring interference fits). Although the median ratio of relative life for the validation testing showed the stress based method to be conservative and well above one, the stress based method still showed better accuracy than the traditional factor based method as well as narrower confidence bands for this additional body of experimental data. The conservative results can be explained by use of high quality steel and manufacturing processes in a prototype facility and not series production equipment as was the case with the quality audit database.
Dose rate dependence for different dosimeters and detectors: TLD, OSL, EBT films, and diamond detectors
Authors: Karsch L. , Beyreuther E. , Burris‐Mog T. , Kraft S. , Richter C. , Zeil K. , Pawelke J.
Published: April 2012

Purpose:

The use of laser accelerators in radiation therapy can perhaps increase the low number of proton and ion therapy facilities in some years due to the low investment costs and small size. The laser‐based acceleration technology leads to a very high peak dose rate of about 1011 Gy/s. A first dosimetric task is the evaluation of dose rate dependence of clinical dosimeters and other detectors.

Methods:

The measurements were done at ELBE, a superconductive linear electron accelerator which generates electron pulses with 5 ps length at 20 MeV. The different dose rates are reached by adjusting the number of electrons in one beam pulse. Three clinical dosimeters (TLD, OSL, and EBT radiochromic films) were irradiated with four different dose rates and nearly the same dose. A faraday cup, an integrating current transformer, and an ionization chamber were used to control the particle flux on the dosimeters. Furthermore two diamond detectors were tested.

Results:

The dosimeters are dose rate independent up to 4•109 Gy/s within 2% (OSL and TLD) and up to 15•109 Gy/s within 5% (EBT films). The diamond detectors show strong dose rate dependence.

Conclusions:

TLD, OSL dosimeters, and EBT films are suitable for pulsed beams with a very high pulse dose rate like laser accelerated particle beams.
Spectral analysis of fundamental signal and noise performances in photoconductors for mammography
Authors: Kim Ho Kyung , Lim Chang Hwy , Tanguay Jesse , Yun Seungman , Cunningham Ian A.
Published: April 2012

Purpose:

This study investigates the fundamental signal and noise performance limitations imposed by the stochastic nature of x‐ray interactions in selected photoconductor materials, such as Si,a‐Se, CdZnTe, HgI2, PbI2, PbO, and TlBr, for x‐ray spectra typically used in mammography.

Methods:

It is shown how Monte Carlo simulations can be combined with a cascaded model to determine the absorbed energy distribution for each combination of photoconductor and x‐ray spectrum. The model is used to determine the quantum efficiency, mean energy absorption per interaction, Swank noise factor, secondary quantum noise, and zero‐frequency detective quantum efficiency (DQE).

Results:

The quantum efficiency of materials with higher atomic number and density demonstrates a larger dependence on convertor thickness than those with lower atomic number and density with the exception ofa‐Se. The mean deposited energy increases with increasing average energy of the incident x‐ray spectrum. HgI2, PbI2, and CdZnTe demonstrate the largest increase in deposited energy with increasing mass loading and a‐Se and Si the smallest. The best DQE performances are achieved with PbO and TlBr. For mass loading greater than 100 mg cm−2, a‐Se, HgI2, and PbI2 provide similar DQE values to PbO and TlBr.

Conclusions:

The quantum absorption efficiency, average deposited energy per interacting x‐ray, Swank noise factor, and detective quantum efficiency are tabulated by means of graphs which may help with the design and selection of materials for photoconductor‐based mammography detectors. Neglecting the electrical characteristics of photoconductor materials and taking into account only x‐ray interactions, it is concluded that PbO shows the strongest signal‐to‐noise ratio performance of the materials investigated in this study.
Acoustic imaging device with one transducer
Authors: Etaix Nicolas , Fink Mathias , Ing Ros K.
Published: April 2012

This paper presents a low profile imaging device using only one piezoelectric transducer and a microphone. The transducer is glued to an aluminum plate of non-regular geometry that acts as an acoustic cavity. Beam steering is achieved, and the acoustic waves should be focused anywhere in front of the plate. Finally, using a single microphone receiver working in echographic mode, our imaging device is able to locate any object placed in front of it.
Using feature vectors to detect frog calls in wireless sensor networks
Authors: Croker Benjamin , Kottege Navinda
Published: April 2012

A method for detecting vocalization of giant barred frogs (Mixophyes iteratus) in noisy audio is proposed. Audio recordings from remote wireless sensor nodes were segmented into individual sounds and from each sound a small set of features was extracted. Feature vectors were compared to those of example calls using a Euclidean distance formula as a detection system. The system achieved a sensitivity of 0.85 with specificity of 0.92 when distinguishing M. iteratus calls from other species’ calls and sensitivity of 0.88 with specificity 0.82 against background noise.
Effect of Acupuncture on Symptoms of Anxiety in Women Undergoing in Vitro Fertilisation: A Prospective Randomised Controlled Study
Authors: Isoyama Daniela , Cordts Emerson Barchi , de Souza van Niewegen Angela Mara Bentes , de Almeida Pereira de Carvalho Waldemar , Matsumura Simone Tiemi , Barbosa Caio Parente
Published: April 2012

Purpose

To determine if acupuncture improves symptoms of anxiety in infertile women undergoing in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment.

Methods

A randomised clinical trial was performed in 43 patients undergoing IVF. The patients were randomised into two groups: test group (n=22) and control group (n=21). The anxiety level of each patient was analysed before and after treatment using the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAS). Treatment sessions consisted of four weekly sessions. In the test group, needles were inserted at points HT7, PC6, CV17, GV20 and Yintang. In the control group, needles were inserted in areas near but not corresponding to acupuncture points.

Results

The mean HAS score after the 4-week experimental period was significantly lower in the test group than in the control group (19.4±3.2 vs 24.4±4.2; p=0.0008).

Conclusions

The results indicate that acupuncture can reduce anxiety symptoms observed by the reduction of psychological parameters of women undergoing IVF. Further evidence should be sought as to whether acupuncture might be a complementary option for patients undergoing IVF.
Management of HBV- and HCV-induced end stage liver disease
Authors: Mutimer David J , Lok Anna
Published: April 2012

Hepatitis B and hepatitis C infections are important causes of end-stage liver disease and primary liver cancer. Successful antiviral treatment prior to the development of cirrhosis will prevent most of the morbidity and mortality associated with those infections. This can be achieved for a high proportion of patients. However, many patients present with end-stage liver disease and ongoing and clinically significant viral replication. Antiviral treatment of HBV can effect recovery of liver function and restores many patients to a state of well compensated cirrhosis. The antiviral treatment of end-stage HCV poses much greater challenges. Interferon remains an essential element of HCV antiviral treatment, but has reduced efficacy and significant toxicity at this stage of cirrhosis. Though yet to be evaluated in the setting of advanced liver disease, the development of direct acting antivirals for HCV offers hope for improved outcomes at this stage of cirrhosis.
AWARENESS EVALUATION OF PATIENTS IN VEGETATIVE STATE EMPLOYING EYE-GAZE TRACKING SYSTEM
Authors: KUNKA BARTOSZ , CZYZEWSKI ANDRZEJ , KWIATKOWSKA AGNIESZKA
Published: April 2012

Application of eye-gaze tracking system to awareness evaluation is demonstrated. Hitherto awareness evaluation methods are presented. The assumptions of proposed method based on analysis of visual activity of patients in vegetative state are demonstrated. The eye-gaze tracking system "Cyber-Eye" developed at the Multimedia Systems Department employed to conducted experiments is presented. Research described in the paper indicates that awareness level of 13 of 15 tested patients was misdiagnosed before the new method of awareness evaluation is introduced.
DEVELOPING NATURAL AND INTUITIVE VIDEO-MEDIATED COLLABORATION — NIVMC SYSTEM
Authors: MANNER JOONA , VIRTANEN JUHO-PEKKA
Published: April 2012

This article describes design challenges of a novel concept enabling natural and intuitive video-mediated collaboration. Typical video-mediated communication systems do not enable deictic gestures nor direct drawing with white board markers, thus limiting communication. We present our novel concept for Natural and Intuitive Video-mediated Collaboration (NIVMC). NIVMC was originally developed for design professionals to enable co-operative sketching, but it may also benefit other user groups.
AUSTRALIAN SMEs AND THE ENVIRONMENT: SOME INSIGHTS
Authors: RAAR JEAN
Published: April 2012

The rationale of this study was to gain meaningful insights into SME awareness, practices and the assumed impacts associated with environmental issues. Supported by the theoretic interpretation of stakeholder theory, the study employed a mailed survey to gain data from SMEs operating nationally across Australia. The findings flag a diversity of results across industry groups and also firm size, particularly in relation to their awareness of environmental and social issues. The results also identified the areas of business activity where firms focus their efforts to be environmentally responsible, together with the types of environmental costs they incorporate into their internal information system. The results also revealed their view on the impact flowing from adopting environmental responsibility.
MEASURING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF BUSINESS INCUBATORS: A FOUR DIMENSIONS APPROACH FROM A GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL PERSPECTIVE
Authors: AL-MUBARAKI HANADI , SCHRÖL HOLGER
Published: April 2012

Business incubators are intended to support startup and entrepreneurial businesses by providing a number of services and resources to clients. The effectiveness of the business incubation industry has been debated since the industry gained popularity in the 1990s. But up to now, there exists no commonly agreed model in theory and practice to measure the effectiveness of business incubation in a standardized way. The aim of this paper is to identify and to assess critical dimension of business incubation, which are suitable to measure the effectiveness of business incubation. This research is a multi-method approach combining desk-research, interviews and a multi-case study of five incubator organizations in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states. From these findings, a model for measuring the effectiveness of business incubation in a standardized way is developed. This model helps incubator manager, policy maker researchers, practitioners, stakeholders and government parties for successful implementation of business incubation initiatives. In addition, it increases new knowledge for academic literature incubators and economic development.
THE COARSE BAUM–CONNES CONJECTURE FOR RELATIVELY HYPERBOLIC GROUPS
Authors: FUKAYA TOMOHIRO , OGUNI SHIN-ICHI
Published: April 2012

We study a group which is hyperbolic relative to a finite family of infinite subgroups. We show that the group satisfies the coarse Baum–Connes conjecture if each subgroup belonging to the family satisfies the coarse Baum–Connes conjecture and admits a finite universal space for proper actions. If the group is torsion-free, then it satisfies the analytic Novikov conjecture.
Endothelial nitric oxide synthase mediates cutaneous vasodilation during local heating and is attenuated in middle-aged human skin
Authors: Bruning Rebecca S. , Santhanam Lakshmi , Stanhewicz Anna E. , Smith Caroline J. , Berkowitz Dan E. , Kenney W. Larry , Holowatz Lacy A.
Published: April 2012

Local skin heating is used to assess microvascular function in clinical populations because NO is required for full expression of the response; however, controversy exists as to the precise NO synthase (NOS) isoform producing NO. Human aging is associated with attenuated cutaneous vasodilation but little is known about the middle aged, an age cohort used for comparison with clinical populations. We hypothesized that endothelial NOS (eNOS) is the primary isoform mediating NO production during local heating, and eNOS-dependent vasodilation would be reduced in middle-aged skin. Vasodilation was induced by local heating (42°C) and during acetylcholine dose-response (ACh-DR: 0.01, 0.1, 1.0, 5.0, 10.0, 50.0, 100.0 mmol/l) protocols. Four microdialysis fibers were placed in the skin of 24 men and women; age cohorts were 12 middle-aged (53 ± 1 yr) and 12 young (23 ± 1 yr). Sites served as control, nonselective NOS inhibited [ NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME)], inducible NOS (iNOS) inhibited (1400W), and neuronal NOS (nNOS) inhibited ( Nω-propyl-l-arginine). After full expression of the local heating response, l-NAME was perfused at all sites. Cutaneous vascular conductance was measured and normalized to maximum (%CVCmax: Nitropress). l-NAME reduced %CVCmax at baseline, all phases of the local heating response, and at all ACh concentrations compared with all other sites. iNOS inhibition reduced the initial peak (53 ± 2 vs. 60 ± 2%CVCmax; P < 0.001); however, there were no other differences between control, nNOS-, and iNOS-inhibited sites during the phases of local heating or ACh-DR. When age cohorts were compared, NO-dependent vasodilation during local heating (52 ± 6 vs. 68 ± 4%CVCmax; P = 0.013) and ACh perfusion (50 mmol/l: 83 ± 3 vs. 93 ± 2%CVCmax; 100 mmol/l: 83 ± 4 vs. 92 ± 3%CVCmax; both P = 0.03) were reduced in middle-aged skin. There were no differences in NOS isoform expression obtained from skin biopsy samples between groups (all P > 0.05). These data suggest that eNOS mediates the production of NO during local heating and that cutaneous vasodilation is attenuated in middle-aged skin.
Continuum vs. spring network models of airway-parenchymal interdependence
Authors: Ma Baoshun , Bates Jason H. T.
Published: April 2012

The outward tethering forces exerted by the lung parenchyma on the airways embedded within it are potent modulators of the ability of the airway smooth muscle to shorten. Much of our understanding of these tethering forces is based on treating the parenchyma as an elastic continuum; yet, on a small enough scale, the lung parenchyma in two dimensions would seem to be more appropriately described as a discrete spring network. We therefore compared how the forces and displacements in the parenchyma surrounding a contracting airway are predicted to differ depending on whether the parenchyma is modeled as an elastic continuum or as a spring network. When the springs were arranged hexagonally to represent alveolar walls, the predicted parenchymal stresses and displacements propagated substantially farther away from the airway than when the springs were arranged in a triangular pattern or when the parenchyma was modeled as a continuum. Thus, to the extent that the parenchyma in vivo behaves as a hexagonal spring network, our results suggest that the range of interdependence forces due to airway contraction may have a greater influence than was previously thought.
Hypoxic intensity: a determinant for the contribution of ATP and adenosine to the genesis of carotid body chemosensory activity
Authors: Conde S. V. , Monteiro E. C. , Rigual R. , Obeso A. , Gonzalez C.
Published: April 2012

Excitatory effects of adenosine and ATP on carotid body (CB) chemoreception have been previously described. Our hypothesis is that both ATP and adenosine are the key neurotransmitters responsible for the hypoxic chemotransmission in the CB sensory synapse, their relative contribution depending on the intensity of hypoxic challenge. To test this hypothesis we measured carotid sinus nerve (CSN) activity in response to moderate and intense hypoxic stimuli (7 and 0% O2) in the absence and in the presence of adenosine and ATP receptor antagonists. Additionally, we quantified the release of adenosine and ATP in normoxia (21% O2) and in response to hypoxias of different intensities (10, 5, and 2% O2) to study the release pathways. We found that ZM241385, an A2 antagonist, decreased the CSN discharges evoked by 0 and 7% O2 by 30.8 and 72.5%, respectively. Suramin, a P2X antagonist, decreased the CSN discharges evoked by 0 and 7% O2 by 64.3 and 17.1%, respectively. Simultaneous application of both antagonists strongly inhibited CSN discharges elicited by both hypoxic intensities. ATP release by CB increased in parallel to hypoxia intensity while adenosine release increased preferably in response to mild hypoxia. We have also found that the lower the O2 levels are, the higher is the percentage of adenosine produced from extracellular catabolism of ATP. Our results demonstrate that ATP and adenosine are key neurotransmitters involved in hypoxic CB chemotransduction, with a more relevant contribution of adenosine during mild hypoxia, while vesicular ATP release constitutes the preferential origin of extracellular adenosine in high-intensity hypoxia.
Functional Characterization of an Isoform-Selective Inhibitor of PI3K-p110β as a Potential Anticancer Agent
Authors: Ni Jing , Liu Qingsong , Xie Shaozhen , Carlson Coby , Von Thanh , Vogel Kurt , Riddle Steve , Benes Cyril , Eck Michael , Roberts Thomas , Gray Nathanael , Zhao Jean
Published: April 2012

Genetic approaches have shown that the p110β isoform of class Ia phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) is essential for the growth of PTEN-null tumors. Thus, it is desirable to develop p110β-specific inhibitors for cancer therapy. Using a panel of PI3K isoform-specific cellular assays, we screened a collection of compounds possessing activities against kinases in the PI3K superfamily and identified a potent and selective p110β inhibitor: KIN-193. We show that KIN-193 is efficacious specifically in blocking AKT signaling and tumor growth that are dependent on p110β activation or PTEN loss. Broad profiling across a panel of 422 human tumor cell lines shows that the PTEN mutation status of cancer cells strongly correlates with their response to KIN-193. Together, our data provide the first pharmacologic evidence that PTEN-deficient tumors are dependent on p110β in animals and suggest that KIN-193 can be pursued as a drug to treat tumors that are dependent on p110β while sparing other PI3K isoforms.

Significance: We report the first functional characterization of a p110β-selective inhibitor, KIN-193, that is efficacious as an antitumor agent in mice. We show that this class of inhibitor holds great promise as a pharmacologic agent that could be used to address the potential therapeutic benefit of treating p110β-dependent PTEN-deficient human tumors. Cancer Discov; 2(5); 425–33. ©2012 AACR.

Read the Commentary on this article by Shepherd and Denny, p. 393.

This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 377.
Inhibition of Development of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm by Glycolysis Restriction
Authors: Tsuruda Toshihiro , Hatakeyama Kinta , Nagamachi Shigeki , Sekita Yoko , Sakamoto Sumiharu , Endo George J. , Nishimura Masanori , Matsuyama Masakazu , Yoshimura Koichi , Sato Yuko , Onitsuka Toshio , Imamura Takuroh , Asada Yujiro , Kitamura Kazuo
Published: April 2012

Objective—

The mechanisms underlying abdominal aortic aneurysm development remain unknown. We hypothesized that acceleration of glucose metabolism with the upregulation of glucose transporters is associated with abdominal aortic aneurysm development.

Methods and Results—

Enhanced accumulation of the modified glucose analogue 18 fluoro-deoxyglucose by positron emission tomography imaging in the human abdominal aortic aneurysm was associated with protein expressions of glucose transporters-1 and -3, assessed by Western blot. The magnitude of glucose transporter-3 expression was correlated with zymographic matrix metalloproteinase-9 activity. Intraperitoneal administration of glycolysis inhibitor with 2-deoxyglucose significantly attenuated the dilatation of abdominal aorta induced by periaortic application of CaCl
2
in C57BL/6J male mice or reduced the aneurysmal formation in angiotensin II-infused apolipoprotein E knockout male mice. In monocytic cell line induced by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate or ex vivo culture obtained from human aneurysmal tissues, 2-deoxyglucose abrogated the matrix metalloproteinase-9 activity and interleukin-6 expression in these cells/tissues. Moreover, 2-deoxyglucose attenuated the survival/proliferation of monocytes and the adherence of them to vascular endothelial cells.

Conclusion—

This study suggests that the enhanced glycolytic activity in aortic wall contributes to the pathogenesis of aneurysm development. In addition, pharmacological intervention in glycolytic activity might be a potential therapeutic target for the disorder.
High-Resolution Versus Standard-Resolution Cardiovascular MR Myocardial Perfusion Imaging for the Detection of Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Motwani Manish , Maredia Neil , Fairbairn Timothy A. , Kozerke Sebastian , Radjenovic Aleksandra , Greenwood John P. , Plein Sven
Published: April 2012

Background—

Although accelerated high-spatial-resolution cardiovascular MR (CMR) myocardial perfusion imaging has been shown to be clinically feasible, there has not yet been a direct comparison with standard-resolution methods. We hypothesized that higher spatial resolution detects more subendocardial ischemia and leads to greater diagnostic accuracy for the detection coronary artery disease. This study compared the diagnostic accuracy of high-resolution and standard-resolution CMR myocardial perfusion imaging in patients with suspected coronary artery disease.

Methods and Results—

A total of 111 patients were recruited to undergo 2 separate perfusion-CMR studies at 1.5 T, 1 with standard-resolution (2.5×2.5 mm in-plane) and 1 with high-resolution (1.6×1.6 mm in-plane) acquisition. High-resolution acquisition was facilitated by 8-fold
k-t
broad linear speed-up technique acceleration. Two observers visually graded perfusion in each myocardial segment on a 4-point scale. Segmental scores were summed to produce a perfusion score for each patient. All patients underwent invasive coronary angiography and coronary artery disease was defined as stenosis ≥50% luminal diameter (quantitative coronary angiography). CMR data were successfully obtained in 100 patients. In patients with coronary artery disease (n=70), more segments were determined to have subendocardial ischemia with high-resolution than with standard-resolution acquisition (279 versus 108;
P
<0.001). High-resolution acquisition had a greater diagnostic accuracy than standard resolution for identifying single-vessel disease (area under the curve, 0.88 versus 0.73;
P
<0.001) or multivessel disease (area under the curve, 0.98 versus 0.91;
P
=0.002) and overall (area under the curve, 0.93 versus 0.83;
P
<0.001).

Conclusions—

High-resolution perfusion-CMR has greater overall diagnostic accuracy than standard-resolution acquisition for the detection of coronary artery disease in both single- and multivessel disease and detects more subendocardial ischemia.
Theorizing Firm Adoption of Sustaincentrism
Authors: Valente Mike
Published: April 2012

In the midst of a fundamental gap between theoretical assertions of a sustaincentric business paradigm and any rigorous empirical examination of its adoption at the firm level, I set out to answer the following two interrelated research questions: (1) How can we identify firms that adopt a sustaincentric paradigm and (2) What explains firm adoption of this paradigm? Based on cross-case comparisons of 12 African firms adopting a reactive, proactive, or sustaincentric orientation to sustainability, I develop a conceptual framework comprised of three interrelated constructs informed by descriptive observations across individual, organizational and interorganizational levels of analysis. Unlike their reactive and proactive counterparts, sustaincentric firms exhibited critical multilevel characteristics that demonstrated capacity for cognitive complexity and linked them closely to a highly interconnected network of external actors, the combination of which enabled the achievement of competitive advantage based on sustaincentrism.
Biceps, Bitches and Borgs: Reading Jarhead’s Representation of the Construction of the (Masculine) Military Body
Authors: Godfrey Richard , Lilley Simon , Brewis Joanna
Published: April 2012

This paper explores the relationship between masculinity, the body and the military through a close reading of the film Jarhead. Drawing on a Foucauldian frame of analysis, we consider three performances of the masculine military body that form key aspects of the film’s representational economy: the disciplined body, an outcome of the processes of basic training; the gendered body, realized through deployment of metaphors of the feminine to strengthen the masculine conception of the military body; and the cyborgian body, the result of the man-machine interface which is rapidly developing in many militaries around the world, and which poses significant questions for performances of military masculinity. We conclude by suggesting that the film’s rendering of the material and discursive body reveals an unexpected tension between the expectations of military bodies and the lived experience of their labour. As well as augmenting empirical explorations of male-worker-bodies and analysing the occupation of soldier as requiring a unique kind of body work, our contribution to the body-organization literature turns upon the claim that docile military bodies are made fit for purpose, but may actually no longer have a purpose for which to be fit.
Music in essential learning frameworks in Australian schools
Authors: Forrest David , Watson Amanda
Published: April 2012

Over the last decade a shift has occurred in Australia from an outcomes-based approach to curriculum design and delivery to organizing curriculum delivered as essential learning(s). Curriculum is identified in terms of essential learning that specifies standards for student achievement. Schools have been encouraged to develop rich curriculum contexts that will achieve the relevant standards. This article explores the place of the arts, and in particular music, in an essential learning framework. The knowledge, skills and behaviours of all arts disciplines are described in the frameworks in generic language. The impact on the provision and delivery of music will be discussed. Factors under consideration include the practical application of teaching music in schools by generalist and specialist teachers and the challenges presented for the education of pre-service generalist teachers.
Various Adiposity Measures Show Similar Positive Associations With Type 2 Diabetes in Caucasians, Native Hawaiians, and Japanese Americans
Authors: Steinbrecher Astrid , Heak Sreang , Morimoto Yukiko , Grandinetti Andrew , Kolonel Larry N. , Maskarinec Gertraud
Published: April 2012

The authors evaluated the association of body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and hip circumference (HC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) with diabetes in Caucasians, Native Hawaiians, and Japanese Americans aged 45 to 75 years in the Multiethnic Cohort. Diabetes cases were obtained from self-reports and by linkages with health insurance plans. The authors estimated adjusted prevalence odds ratios (PORs) and compared the area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC). All measures were positively associated with diabetes prevalence; the PORs were 1.25 to 1.64 in men and 1.52 to 1.83 in women. In all 3 ethnic groups, the AUCs in men were greater for BMI than for the other measures, whereas in women, the AUCs were greater for combined models than for BMI alone, but the differences were small and not clinically significant. It does not appear that one anthropometric measure best reflects diabetes prevalence or performs better in one ethnic group than in another.
The Optimal Scaling Combination of Age and Body Mass Index as an Index of Metabolic Syndrome for Postmenopausal Taiwanese Women
Authors: Ho Cheng , Chang Chia-Hao , Yen Ching-Ho
Published: April 2012

The aim of this study was to combine as a new index age with an anthropometric indicator of obesity that is more closely associated with metabolic syndrome (MS) risk than other anthropometric indicators for postmenopausal Taiwanese women. In this cross-sectional study, data were collected from 1128 postmenopausal women volunteers during the period from September 2008 to December 2009. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves for assessing the risk of MS for postmenopausal Taiwanese women were computed for the optimal scaling combination (OSC) and anthropometric indicator of obesity. The area under the ROC curves of the OSC was significantly larger than those of the anthropometric indicator. OSC ≥ 4.98 was found to be the most prevalent cutoff point. The present investigation suggests that the OSC could be used in clinical practice as a simple parameter for the identification of postmenopausal Taiwanese women at risk of MS.
Prevalence of Undernutrition, Its Determinants, and Seasonal Variation Among Tribal Preschool Children of Odisha State, India
Authors: Meshram Indrapal I. , Balakrishna N. , Arlappa N. , Rao K. Mallikarjun , Laxmaiah A. , Brahmam G. N. V.
Published: April 2012

A community-based cross-sectional study was undertaken in the tribal areas of Odisha state, India, covering 1951 preschool children to assess their nutritional status in terms of underweight, stunting, and wasting; its correlates; and seasonal variation in nutritional status. χ2 Test, one-way analysis of variance, and unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios were used for data analysis. The prevalence of underweight, stunting, and wasting was 58%, 65%, and 20%, respectively. The risk of underweight and stunting was, respectively, 1.9 and 2.4 times higher among children of illiterate mothers, whereas underweight and wasting was 1.4 times higher among children who had morbidities during the preceding fortnight. The prevalence of undernutrition was significantly ( P < .01) higher during monsoon as compared with winter season. Undernutrition is an important public health problem and is associated with literacy of mother, morbidity, and season. Thus, improving socioeconomic condition, literacy, and sanitation along with insuring food security during monsoon season might improve nutritional status.
In harm’s way at the urban margins
Authors: Auyero Javier , de Lara Agustín Burbano
Published: April 2012

Residents of poor barrios in Buenos Aires are deeply worried about widespread violence (domestic, sexual, criminal, and police) and about environmental hazards – two dimensions of marginalization that policy-makers tend to disregard and social scientists of the ethnographic persuasion seldom treat together for what they are: producers of harm. Based on 18 months of collaborative fieldwork, this article dissects poor people’s experiences of living in harm’s way.
Pulmonary rehabilitation and palliative care in COPD: Two sides of the same coin?
Authors: Reticker Alison Lane , Nici Linda , ZuWallack Richard
Published: April 2012

Pulmonary rehabilitation and palliative care are two important components of the integrated care of the patient with chronic respiratory disease such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). These two interventions are remarkably similar in many respects. Both utilize a multidisciplinary team that focuses on the specific needs of the individual patient. Care in both is goal defined and includes relief of symptoms and improvements in functional status and quality of life. Pulmonary rehabilitation is commonly given in a specific setting, such as a hospital-based outpatient setting, while palliative care is often hospital based, with its services extending into the home setting in the form of hospice. Components of pulmonary rehabilitation and palliative care should be administered as part of good medical care. Both pulmonary rehabilitation and palliative care are currently underutilized in the respiratory patient, and often provided relatively late in the patient’s clinical course. The case provided illustrates the often-overwhelming symptom burden of advanced COPD and demonstrates opportunities for the application of these twin interventions.
Successful Immediate Newborn Ross-Konno and Mitral Valve Repair Following Fetal Aortic Valvuloplasty
Authors: Ciccolo Michael L. , Rothman Abraham , Galindo Alvaro , Acherman Ruben J. , Evans William N.
Published: April 2012

Perinatal management of severe mitral regurgitation (MR) and aortic stenosis (AS) is difficult; mortality is high, and there are few reports of successful postnatal biventricular repairs. We report a patient with severe MR and AS, diagnosed prenatally, that underwent a fetal aortic valvuloplasty and a successful modified Ross-Konno procedure with concomitant mitral valve repair shortly after birth.
Engineering lymph node homing of ex vivo–expanded human natural killer cells via trogocytosis of the chemokine receptor CCR7
Authors: Somanchi Srinivas S. , Somanchi Anitha , Cooper Laurence J. N. , Lee Dean A.
Published: April 2012

Natural killer (NK) cells have gained significant attention in adoptive immunotherapy for cancer. Consequently, novel methods of clinical-grade expansion of NK cells have emerged. Subsets of NK cells express a variety of chemokine receptors. However, to expand the scope of adoptively transferred NK cell homing to various malignancies, expression of corresponding chemokine receptors on NK cells is essential. Here, we have explored the use of trogocytosis as a tool to transiently express the chemokine receptor CCR7 on expanded human NK cells with the aim to enhance their homing to lymph nodes. We generated a K562-based “donor” cell line expressing CCR7, Clone9.CCR7, to transfer CCR7 onto NK cells via trogocytosis. CCR7 expression occurred in 80% of expanded NK cells within 1 hour after coculture with Clone9.CCR7. After removal of the donor cells from the coculture, the CCR7 expression on NK cells steadily declined to baseline levels by 72 hours. The acquired CCR7 receptors mediated in vitro migration of NK cells toward CCL19 and CCL21 and increased the lymph node homing by 144% in athymic nude mice. This is the first report on exploiting trogocytosis to rapidly and transiently modify lymphocytes, without direct genetic interven-tion, for adoptive transfer.
Amelioration of the severity of heparin-binding antithrombin mutations by posttranslational mosaicism
Authors: Martínez-Martínez Irene , Navarro-Fernández José , Østergaard Alice , Gutiérrez-Gallego Ricardo , Padilla José , Bohdan Nataliya , Miñano Antonia , Pascual Cristina , Martínez Constantino , de la Morena-Barrio María Eugenia , Águila Sonia , Pedersen Shona , Kristensen Søren Risom , Vicente Vicente , Corral Javier
Published: April 2012

The balance between actions of procoagulant and anticoagulant factors protects organisms from bleeding and thrombosis. Thus, antithrombin deficiency increases the risk of thrombosis, and complete quantitative deficiency results in intrauterine lethality. However, patients homozygous for L99F or R47C antithrombin mutations are viable. These mutations do not modify the folding or secretion of the protein, but abolish the glycosaminoglycan-induced activation of antithrombin by affecting the heparin-binding domain. We speculated that the natural β-glycoform of antithrombin might compensate for the effect of heparin-binding mutations. We purified α- and β-antithrombin glycoforms from plasma of 2 homozygous L99F patients. Heparin affinity chromatography and intrinsic fluorescence kinetic analyses demonstrated that the reduced heparin affinity of the α-L99F glycoform (KD, 107.9 ± 3nM) was restored in the β-L99F glycoform (KD, 53.9 ± 5nM) to values close to the activity of α-wild type (KD, 43.9 ± 0.4nM). Accordingly, the β-L99F glycoform was fully activated by heparin. Similar results were observed for recombinant R47C and P41L, other heparin-binding antithrombin mutants. In conclusion, we identified a new type of mosaicism associated with mutations causing heparin-binding defects in antithrombin. The presence of a fully functional β-glycoform together with the activity retained by these variants helps to explain the viability of homozygous and the milder thrombotic risk of heterozygous patients with these specific antithrombin mutations.
Understanding mechanisms of vitiligo development in Smyth line of chickens by transcriptomic microarray analysis of evolving autoimmune lesions
Authors: Shi Fengying , Kong Byung-Whi , Song Joon Jin , Lee Jeong Yoon , Dienglewicz Robert L , Erf Gisela F
Published: April 2012

Background

The Smyth line (SL) of chicken is an excellent avian model for human autoimmune vitiligo. The etiology of vitiligo is complicated and far from clear. In order to better understand critical components leading to vitiligo development, cDNA microarray technology was used to compare gene expression profiles in the target tissue (the growing feather) of SL chickens at different vitiligo (SLV) states.

Results

Compared to the reference sample, which was from Brown line chickens (the parental control), 395, 522, 524 and 526 out of the 44 k genes were differentially expressed (DE) (P ≤ 0.05) in feather samples collected from SL chickens that never developed SLV (NV), from SLV chickens prior to SLV onset (EV), during active loss of pigmentation (AV), and after complete loss of melanocytes (CV). Comparisons of gene expression levels within SL samples (NV, EV, AV and CV) revealed 206 DE genes, which could be categorized into immune system-, melanocyte-, stress-, and apoptosis-related genes based on the biological functions of their corresponding proteins. The autoimmune nature of SLV was supported by predominant presence of immune system related DE genes and their remarkably elevated expression in AV samples compared to NV, EV and/or CV samples. Melanocyte loss was confirmed by decreased expression of genes for melanocyte related proteins in AV and CV samples compared to NV and EV samples. In addition, SLV development was also accompanied by altered expression of genes associated with disturbed redox status and apoptosis. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis of DE genes provided functional interpretations involving but not limited to innate and adaptive immune response, oxidative stress and cell death.

Conclusions

The microarray results provided comprehensive information at the transcriptome level supporting the multifactorial etiology of vitiligo, where together with apparent inflammatory/innate immune activity and oxidative stress, the adaptive immune response plays a predominant role in melanocyte loss.
Phytochemical studies and antioxidant activity of two South African medicinal plants traditionally used for the management of opportunistic fungal infections in HIV/AIDS patients
Authors: Otang Wilfred Mbeng , Grierson Donald Scott , Ndip Roland Ndip
Published: April 2012

Background

It has been observed that perturbations in the antioxidant defense systems, and consequently redox imbalance, are present in many tissues of HIV-infected patients. Hence, the exogenous supply of antioxidants, as natural compounds that scavenge free radicals, might represent an important additional strategy for the treatment of HIV infection. The aim of this study was therefore to analyse the phytochemical constituents and antioxidant potential ofGasteria bicolorHaw andPittosporum viridiflorumSims., two South African plants traditionally used for the management of opportunistic fungal infections (OFIs) in AIDS patients.

Methods

Thein vitroantioxidant properties of the two plants were screened through DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl), NO (nitric oxide), H2O2(hydrogen peroxide) radical scavenging effects and reducing power assays. Phytochemical studies were done by spectrophotometric techniques.

Results

There were no significant differences in the flavonoid and proanthocyanidins contents between the leaves and bark extracts ofGasteria bicolorandPittosporum viridiflorumrespectively, while the total phenolic content of the bark extract ofP. viridiflorumwas significantly higher than that ofG. bicolorleaf. The acetone extracts of both plants indicated strong antioxidant activities.

Conclusion

The results from this study indicate that the leaves and stem extracts ofGasteria bicolorandPittosporum viridiflorumrespectively possess antioxidant properties and could serve as free radical inhibitors, acting possibly as primary antioxidants. Since reactive oxygen species are thought to be associated with the pathogenesis of AIDS, and HIV-infected individuals often have impaired antioxidant defenses, the inhibitory effect of the extracts on free radicals may partially justify the traditional use of these plants in the management of OFIs in HIV patients in South Africa.
Reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the Psoriasis Disability Index (PDI) in Chinese patients with psoriasis
Authors: He Zehui , Lu Chuanjian , Ou Aihua , Fang Jiqian , Wang Dongmei , Deng Jingwen , Zhang Zhongzhao , Yu Jingjie
Published: April 2012

Background

The Psoriasis Disability Index (PDI) is a widely used instrument to measure the impact of psoriasis on patients. There has not been psychometric evaluation of the Chinese version of PDI. The aim of this study was to evaluate its reliability and validity among Chinese patients with psoriasis.

Methods

A multi-center, cross-sectional study was conducted at 9 hospitals including patients aged 18 years and over. Reliability was determined by internal consistency using Cronbach’s alpha. Validity was assessed through convergent validity and known groups validity. Dimensionality of the PDI was examined by exploratory factor analysis in working patients and nonworking patients respectively.

Results

In all, 831 patients were studied. Internal consistency of the PDI was satisfactory. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was 0.91 for the total score and over 0.70 for each subscale of the PDI. Evidence of convergent validity of the PDI was proved by excellent and moderate to good correlations with the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and four subscales of the Short Form-36 (SF-36) (role-physical, bodily pain, social functioning, and role-emotional): r = 0.51-0.78. Known groups validity was confirmed that the PDI score discriminated well among patients with different severity of psoriasis. The dimensionality of the PDI was determined by the presence of two-factor structure for working patients and three-factor structure for nonworking patients which accounted for 57.3% and 62.3% of the variance respectively.

Conclusion

The Chinese version of the PDI is a reliable and valid instrument to assess the impact of psoriasis on patients’ lives and could be used in future quality of life assessment of Chinese patients with psoriasis.
Assessing JPEG2000 encryption with key-dependent wavelet packets
Authors: Engel Dominik , Stütz Thomas , Uhl Andreas
Published: April 2012

We analyze and discuss encryption schemes for JPEG2000 based on the wavelet packet transform with a key-dependent subband structure. These schemes have been assumed to reduce the runtime complexity of encryption and compression. In addition to this "lightweight" nature, other advantages like encrypted domain signal processing have been reported. We systematically analyze encryption approaches based on key-dependent subband structures in terms of their impact on compression performance, their computational complexity and the level of security they provide as compared to more classical techniques. Furthermore, we analyze the prerequisites and settings in which the previously reported advantages actually hold and in which settings no advantages can be observed. As a final outcome it has to be stated that the compression integrated encryption approach based on the idea of secret wavelet packets can not be recommended.
Using learned under-sampling pattern for increasing speed of cardiac cine MRI based on compressive sensing principles
Authors: Zamani Pooria , Kayvanrad Mohammad , Soltanian-Zadeh Hamid
Published: April 2012

This article presents a compressive sensing approach for reducing data acquisition time in cardiac cine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In cardiac cine MRI, several images are acquired throughout the cardiac cycle, each of which is reconstructed from the raw data acquired in the Fourier transform domain, traditionally called k-space. In the proposed approach, a majority, e.g., 62.5%, of the k-space lines (trajectories) are acquired at the odd time points and a minority, e.g., 37.5%, of the k-space lines are acquired at the even time points of the cardiac cycle. Optimal data acquisition at the even time points is learned from the data acquired at the odd time points. To this end, statistical features of the k-space data at the odd time points are clustered by fuzzy c-means and the results are considered as the states of Markov chains. The resulting data is used to train hidden Markov models and find their transition matrices. Then, the trajectories corresponding to transition matrices far from an identity matrix are selected for data acquisition. At the end, an iterative thresholding algorithm is used to reconstruct the images from the under-sampled k-space datasets. The proposed approaches for selecting the k-space trajectories and reconstructing the images generate more accurate images compared to alternative methods. The proposed under-sampling approach achieves an acceleration factor of 2 for cardiac cine MRI.