bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Natural Cross-Linkers on the Stability of Dentin Collagen and the Inhibition of Root Caries in vitro
Authors: Walter R. , Miguez P.A. , Arnold R.R. , Pereira P.N.R. , Duarte W.R. , Yamauchi M.
Published: June 2008

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of dentin collagen modifications induced by various cross-linkers on the stability of collagen matrix and the inhibition of root caries. Materials and Methods: The following cross-linkers were tested: 5% glutaraldehyde (GA), 0.5% proanthocyanidin (PA), 0.625% genipin (GE). In the first experiment, cross-linker-treated demineralized human root dentin was digested with bacterial collagenase, centrifuged, and the supernatants were subjected to amino acid analysis to determine collagen content. The residues were analyzed by SDS-PAGE and hydroxyproline analysis. In the second experiment, bovine root surfaces were conditioned with phosphoric acid, treated with the cross-linkers, incubated with Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus for 1 week and the root caries inhibition was evaluated with confocal microscopy. Lastly, the ability of the bacteria to colonize the root surface was evaluated. In this experiment slabs of bovine root were treated with the cross-linkers and incubated in a suspension of S. mutans and L. acidophilus. The slabs were washed, resuspended in water, glucose was added, and the pH measured. Results: While all collagen was digested with collagenase in the control groups, only a small proportion was solubilized in the GA-, PA-, and GE-treated groups. The root caries was significantly inhibited by treatment with PA or GA. Drops in pH in the cross-linker-treated groups were essentially the same as in the untreated group. Conclusion: Naturally occurring cross-linkers, especially PA, could be used to modify root dentin collagen to efficiently stabilize collagen and to increase its resistance against caries.
IFN-Inducible Protein 10 (CXCL10) Regulates Tubular Cell Proliferation in Renal Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury
Authors: Furuichi Kengo , Wada Takashi , Kitajikma Shinji , Toyama Tadasi , Okumura Toshiya , Hara Akinori , Kawachi Hiroshi , Shimizu Fujio , Sugaya Takeshi , Mukaida Naofumi , Narumi Shosaku , Matsushima Kouji , Kaneko Shuichi
Published: June 2008

Although renal tubular cell proliferation after acute tubular necrosis is an important and essential response in the recovery of renal dysfunction in acute renal failure, the precise factors and mechanisms of tubular cell regeneration remain unclear. Here, we describe our studies using a neutralizing antibody (Ab) against interferon-inducible protein of 10 kDa (IP-10; CXCL10) that indicate a role for CXCL10 in tubular cell proliferation after renal ischemia-reperfusion injury. Tissue necrosis and interstitial infiltrating numbers were comparable between anti-CXCL10 Ab-treated and control mice treated with IgG at the 24 and 48 h time points after reperfusion. In contrast, the numbers of Ki67-positive proliferating tubular cells were significantly increased in anti-CXCL10 Ab-treated mice 48 h after reperfusion. In accordance with the in vivo findings,in vitro studies using murine tubular epithelial cells indicated an antiproliferative effect of CXCL10 upon the intensity of cell proliferation and the number of Ki67-positive cells. These data suggest that CXCL10 plays a role in the regulation of tubular cell proliferation following renal ischemia-reperfusion injury.
Atrial Tachycardia After Ablation of Persistent Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Patel Anshul M. , d’Avila Andre , Neuzil Petr , Kim, MSEE Steven J. , Mela Theofanie , Singh Jagmeet P. , Ruskin Jeremy N. , Reddy Vivek Y.
Published: June 2008

Background—

Atrial tachycardia (AT) that develops after ablation of atrial fibrillation often poses a more difficult clinical situation than the index arrhythmia. This study details the use of an impedance-based electroanatomic mapping system (Ensite NavX) in concert with a specialized multielectrode mapping catheter for rapid, high-density atrial mapping. In this study, this activation mapping was combined with entrainment mapping to eliminate ATs developing late after atrial fibrillation ablation.

Methods and Results—

All study patients developed AT after ablation for atrial fibrillation. The approach to AT ablation consisted of 4 steps: use of a 20-pole penta-array catheter to map the chamber rapidly during the rhythm of interest, analysis of the patterns of atrial activation to identify wave fronts of electric propagation, targeted entrainment at putative channels, and catheter ablation at these “isthmuses.” All ablations were performed with irrigated radiofrequency ablation catheters. Forty-one ATs were identified in 17 patients (2.4�1.6 ATs per patient). Using the multielectrode catheter in conjunction with the Ensite NavX system, we created activation maps of 33 of 41 ATs (81%) (mean cycle length, 284�71 seconds) with a mean of 365�108 points per map and an average mapping time of 8�3 minutes. Of the 33 mapped ATs, 7 terminated either spontaneously or during entrainment maneuvers. Radiofrequency energy was used to attempt ablation of 26 ATs; 25 of 26 of the ATs (96%) were terminated successfully by ablation or catheter pressure.

Conclusions—

This study demonstrates a strategy for rapidly defining and eliminating the scar-related ATs typically encountered after ablation of atrial fibrillation.
Randomized Evaluation of Right Atrial Ablation After Left Atrial Ablation of Complex Fractionated Atrial Electrograms for Long-Lasting Persistent Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Oral Hakan , Chugh Aman , Good Eric , Crawford Thomas , Sarrazin Jean F. , Kuhne Michael , Chalfoun Nagib , Wells Darryl , Boonyapisit Warangkna , Gadeela Nitesh , Sankaran Sundar , Kfahagi Ayman , Jongnarangsin Krit , Pelosi Frank , Bogun Frank , Morady Fred
Published: June 2008

Background—

With electrogram-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of long-lasting persistent atrial fibrillation (AF), the best results have been reported when complex fractionated electrograms (CFAEs) in both the left (LA) and right (RA) atria were targeted. However, many studies have reported excellent outcomes from RFA of long-lasting persistent AF with the use of other ablation strategies that were limited to the LA. The incremental value of RFA of RA CFAEs is yet to be defined.

Methods and Results—

In 85 patients with long-lasting persistent AF (age=59�10 years), RFA was directed at CFAEs in the LA and coronary sinus until AF terminated (19) or all identified LA CFAEs were eliminated. Sixty-six patients who remained in AF were randomly assigned to cardioversion and no further RFA (n=33) or to RFA of RA CFAEs (n=33). RA sites consisted of the crista terminalis (69%), septum (38%), superior vena cava (28%), coronary sinus ostium (22%), and the base of the appendage (31%). AF terminated in 1 (3%) of 33 patients during RA RFA. At 17�6 months after a single ablation procedure, 74% of the patients in whom AF terminated during LA RFA were in sinus rhythm. Rates of freedom from AF were similar in the patients randomized to no RFA in the RA (24%) and those randomized to RFA of RA CFAEs (30%,
P
=0.8). The ablation procedure was repeated in 26 patients (31%) for AF (n=22) or atrial flutter (n=4). At 16�7 months after the final procedure, 89% of the patients in whom AF terminated during LA RFA were in sinus rhythm. Among the randomized patients, the proportion of patients who remained in sinus rhythm was similar in patients who did not undergo RFA of RA CFAEs (52%) and those who did (58%,
P
=0.6).

Conclusion—

After RFA of CFAEs in the LA and coronary sinus, ablation of CFAEs in the RA provides little or no increment in efficacy among patients with long-lasting persistent AF.
Mechanisms and Utility of Discrete Great Arterial Potentials in the Ablation of Outflow Tract Ventricular Arrhythmias
Authors: Srivathsan Komandoor S. , Bunch T. Jared , Asirvatham Samuel J. , Edwards William D. , Friedman Paul A. , Munger Thomas M. , Hammill Stephen C. , Cha Yong-Mei , Brady Peter A. , Jahangir Arshad , Bradley David J. , Rea Robert F. , Packer Douglas L. , Shen Win-Kuang
Published: June 2008

Background—

Outflow tract ventricular tachycardia originating above the semilunar valves has been reported in a small number of studies. Discrete potentials in the great arteries (above the semilunar valves) have been rarely described in patients undergoing electrophysiology evaluation and radiofrequency ablation for ventricular arrhythmias. The mechanisms of these discrete potentials in the great arteries and the utility of such potentials in guiding radiofrequency ablation are unknown.

Methods and Results—

Twelve patients with outflow tract ventricular arrhythmia originating above the semilunar valves with discrete arterial potentials were studied. The clinical characteristics, properties of the arterial potentials, electrophysiological evaluation and ablation, and short- and long-term outcomes were reviewed. Of the twelve patients, 8 (67%) were women. The patients’ average age was 41�14 years. The average ejection fraction was 0.52�0.16 (range: 0.16 to 0.75). Contact mapping in the great artery demonstrated discrete near-field electrograms that were separate from far-field ventricular electrograms in all patients (8 above the pulmonary valve and in 4 the aortic valve). One or more of the following electrophysiological characteristics, supportive of an arrhythmogenic substrate, were observed in 10 of 12 patients: (1) A fixed or reproducibly variable pattern of discrete potential–ventricular arrhythmia relationship was present at baseline or during pacing; (2) the discrete potential–ventricular electrogram relationship during sinus rhythm was the reverse of that during the ventricular arrhythmia; (3) during sustained ventricular tachycardia, spontaneous variation of the ventricular (V-V) cycle length was preceded by a similar variation of arterial spike potential–spike potential cycle length; and (4) ablation guided by the discrete arterial potential successfully eliminated the clinical arrhythmia. Ablation was successful in these patients. In the remaining 2 patients, the potentials were believed to be bystanders. Over 10�4 months (range: 5 to 32 months) of follow-up, there have been no recurrences of the premature ventricular complex or ventricular arrhythmia.

Conclusions—

Discrete potentials are present in the great arteries of a select group of patients with outflow tract ventricular tachycardia originating above the semilunar valves. When an arrhythmogenic relationship can be demonstrated, discrete potentials are useful in guiding ablation within the great vessels, despite significant anatomic complexity.
Osteopontin, a New Prognostic Biomarker in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure
Authors: Rosenberg Mark , Zugck Christian , Nelles Manfred , Juenger Claus , Frank Derk , Remppis Andrew , Giannitsis Evangelos , Katus Hugo A. , Frey Norbert
Published: June 2008

Background—

Osteopontin, a glycoprotein that can be detected in plasma, was found to be upregulated in several animal models of cardiac failure and may thus represent a new biomarker that facilitates risk stratification in patients with heart failure. We therefore tested whether osteopontin plasma levels are elevated in patients with chronic heart failure and whether they provide independent prognostic information.

Methods and Results—

We analyzed osteopontin plasma levels in 420 patients with chronic heart failure due to significantly impaired left ventricular systolic function and correlated the results with disease stage and prognostic information (median follow-up of 43 months). We found that osteopontin plasma levels were significantly elevated in patients with heart failure as compared with healthy control subjects (532 versus 382 ng/mL,
P
=0.008), irrespective of heart failure origin (ischemic versus dilated cardiomyopathy). Furthermore, osteopontin levels were higher in patients with moderate to severe heart failure than in patients with no or mild symptoms (672 ng/mL for New York Heart Association class III/IV versus 479 ng/mL for class I/II,
P
<0.0001). Estimated 4-year death rates in patients with osteopontin levels above or below a cutoff value derived from receiver operating characteristic analyses were 56.5% and 28.4%, respectively (hazard ratio 3.4, 95% confidence interval 2.2 to 5.3,
P
<0.0001). In a multivariable model that included demographic, clinical, and biochemical parameters such as N-terminal prohormone brain natriuretic peptide, osteopontin emerged as an independent predictor of death (hazard ratio 2.3, 95% confidence interval 1.4 to 3.5,
P
<0.001).

Conclusion—

Our findings suggest that osteopontin might be useful as a novel prognostic biomarker in patients with chronic heart failure.
Safety and Efficacy of Outpatient Nesiritide in Patients With Advanced Heart Failure
Authors: Yancy Clyde W. , Krum Henry , Massie Barry M. , Silver Marc A. , Stevenson Lynne Warner , Cheng Mei , Kim Sun Sook , Evans Rosemary
Published: June 2008

Background—

Patients with American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association stage C/D heart failure experience substantial morbidity and mortality, but available interventions beyond standard medical and device therapies are limited. Nesiritide relieves dyspnea and reduces pulmonary congestion, but its risk profile is uncertain. Pilot data suggested a potential benefit of nesiritide given as serial outpatient infusions.

Methods and Results—

The Second Follow-Up Serial Infusions of Nesiritide (FUSION II) trial was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of outpatient serial nesiritide infusions for patients with American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association stage C/D heart failure. Patients with 2 recent heart failure hospitalizations, ejection fraction <40%, and New York Heart Association class IV symptoms, or New York Heart Association class III symptoms with creatinine clearance <60 mL/min, were randomized to nesiritide (2-μg/kg bolus plus 0.01-μg/kg-per-minute infusion for 4 to 6 hours) or matching placebo, once or twice weekly for 12 weeks. All patients were treated to optimal goals with evidence-based medical/device therapy facilitated by careful disease management during the study. The primary end point was time to all-cause death or cardiovascular or renal hospitalization at 12 weeks. A total of 911 patients were randomized and treated. The primary end point occurred in 36.8% and 36.7% of the placebo and nesiritide groups, respectively (hazard ratio, 1.03; 95% confidence interval, 0.82 to 1.3; log-rank test
P
=0.79). There were no statistically significant differences between groups in any of the secondary end points, including the number of cardiovascular or renal hospitalizations, the number of days alive and out of the hospital, change in Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire score, or cardiovascular death. Adverse events were similar between groups; nesiritide was associated with more hypotension but less predefined worsening renal function.

Conclusions—

Serial outpatient nesiritide infusions do not provide a demonstrable clinical benefit over intensive outpatient management of patients with advanced American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association stage C/D heart failure.
Latent Features in Similarity Judgments: A Nonparametric Bayesian Approach
Authors: Navarro Daniel J. , Griffiths Thomas L.
Published: June 2008

One of the central problems in cognitive science is determining the mental representations that underlie human inferences. Solutions to this problem often rely on the analysis of subjective similarity judgments, on the assumption that recognizing likenesses between people, objects, and events is crucial to everyday inference. One such solution is provided by the additive clustering model, which is widely used to infer the features of a set of stimuli from their similarities, on the assumption that similarity is a weighted linear function of common features. Existing approaches for implementing additive clustering often lack a complete framework for statistical inference, particularly with respect to choosing the number of features. To address these problems, this article develops a fully Bayesian formulation of the additive clustering model, using methods from nonparametric Bayesian statistics to allow the number of features to vary. We use this to explore several approaches to parameter estimation, showing that the nonparametric Bayesian approach provides a straightforward way to obtain estimates of both the number of features and their importance.
Parameters of the Diffusion Leaky Integrate-and-Fire Neuronal Model for a Slowly Fluctuating Signal
Authors: Picchini Umberto , Ditlevsen Susanne , De Gaetano Andrea , Lansky Petr
Published: June 2008

Stochastic leaky integrate-and-fire (LIF) neuronal models are common theoretical tools for studying properties of real neuronal systems. Experimental data of frequently sampled membrane potential measurements between spikes show that the assumption of constant parameter values is not realistic and that some (random) fluctuations are occurring. In this article, we extend the stochastic LIF model, allowing a noise source determining slow fluctuations in the signal. This is achieved by adding a random variable to one of the parameters characterizing the neuronal input, considering each interspike interval (ISI) as an independent experimental unit with a different realization of this random variable. In this way, the variation of the neuronal input is split into fast (within-interval) and slow (between-intervals) components. A parameter estimation method is proposed, allowing the parameters to be estimated simultaneously over the entire data set. This increases the statistical power, and the average estimate over all ISIs will be improved in the sense of decreased variance of the estimator compared to previous approaches, where the estimation has been conducted separately on each individual ISI. The results obtained on real data show good agreement with classical regression methods.
Spectral UV Measurements of Global Irradiance, Solar Radiance, and Actinic Flux in New Zealand: Intercomparison between Instruments and Model Calculations
Authors: Blumthaler Mario , Schallhart Barbara , Schwarzmann Michael , McKenzie Richard , Johnston Paul , Kotkamp Michael , Shiona Hisako
Published: June 2008

Presented here are the results of a short but intense measurement campaign at Lauder, New Zealand, in which spectral irradiance from instruments operated by the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) and Austria/Innsbruck (ATI) were traced to different irradiance standards and compared. The observed spectral differences for global irradiance were relatively small (<5%) and were consistent with those expected from observed differences in the radiation standards used by each group. Actinic fluxes measured by both groups were also intercompared and found to agree at the 10% level. The ATI instrument had the additional capability of measuring solar direct beam irradiance and sky radiances. These provided the first series of sky radiance measurements at this pristine Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change (NDACC) site. The polarization of sky radiance results were compared with estimates from a radiative transfer model without any aerosols and was found to be up to 25% smaller. Total ozone values derived from Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS), Dobson measurements by NIWA, spectral direct sun measurements by ATI, and spectral global irradiance measurements by NIWA agreed generally within 2%–3%.
Distributions of Envelope and Phase in Wind Waves
Authors: Tayfun M. Aziz
Published: June 2008

A theoretical expression derived previously for describing the joint distribution of the envelope and phase of second-order nonlinear waves is verified with wind wave measurements gathered in the North Sea. The same distribution is explored further to obtain the marginal and conditional distributions of wave envelopes and phases. The nature and implications of these are examined, with emphasis on the occurrence of large waves and associated phases. It is shown that the wave phase distribution assumes two distinct forms depending on whether envelope heights exceed the significant envelope height. For envelope heights sufficiently larger than this threshold, the wave phase distribution approaches a simple limit form, indicating that large surface displacements can occur only above the mean sea level. Comparisons with the North Sea data confirm these theoretical results and indicate that large surface displacements and thus large waves result from the random superposition of elementary spectral components enhanced by second-order nonlinear interactions. Further, large waves with higher and sharper crests do not display any secondary maxima or minima. They appear more regular or “narrow banded” than relatively low waves, and their heights and crests do not violate the Miche–Stokes-type upper limits. The results also suggest that third-order nonlinearities do not affect the surface statistics in any discernable way.
The Whisper in the Leader's Ear: How Do Foreign Policy Advisers Perform their Job?
Authors: Honig Or Arthur
Published: June 2008

This study seeks to identify the factors that determine advisers' choice of tools and assess their influence under different circumstances. It uses historical process tracing methods to examine the `battle' between President Truman's foreign policy advisers over the formulation of US policy towards the Palestine question. It finds that: (1) advisers' self-perception determines the degree of their flexibility in the choice of tools; (2) the distribution of formal powers, the personalities involved and the type of policy question determine the intensity of the advisory battle; (3) non-expert advisers can win the advisory battle by using psychological tools of persuasion but only under certain specific conditions, which existed in this case; and finally that (4) an adviser's influence will be limited by the extent to which the leader is willing and able to independently form an opinion on the policy question.
Same Drug, Different Dosing: Differences in Dosing for Drugs Approved in the United States, Europe, and Japan
Authors: Malinowski Henry J. , Westelinck Agnes , Sato Junko , Ong Ting
Published: June 2008

With globalization of the pharmaceutical industry, newly approved drugs nearly always become available worldwide, including the 3 major pharmaceutical regions: the United States, Europe, and Japan. One might think that these drugs would have the same recommended dosing throughout the world, but this appears not to be true in many instances. The objective of this study was to identify any patterns of differences in labeled dosing. Approved labeling, for the most widely prescribed proprietary drugs in the United States, was used as a basis for this study. Dosing was compared, for common indications, for the United States, Europe, and Japan. Overall, these data indicate that there are numerous differences in approved dosing for drugs approved in all 3 regions. For about half of the drugs studied, dosing in Japan is considerably lower than the United States or Europe. Some differences in dosing are also apparent between the United States and Europe.
More Choces Than Ever Before
Authors: Campbell R. Keith , White John R.
Published: June 2008

The goal of antidiabetes therapy is to reduce glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels to prevent or minimize the microvascular complications associated with this disease, such as retinopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy. Glycemic control, defined by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) as HbA1c < 7.0%, is often difficult to achieve despite current treatments, including oral antidiabetes agents, such as biguanides (metformin), sulfonylureas, thiazolidinediones, dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV) inhibitors, meglitinides, and α-glucosidase inhibitors, as well as injectable agents, such as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogues and insulin. In addition, antidiabetes treatments often become less effective over time as insulin resistance increases and pancreatic β-cell function deteriorates. The latest ADA guidelines also recommend a range of interventions to control the multiple coexisting conditions associated with this chronic, progressive disease, including dyslipidemia and hypertension. This review highlights the new antidiabetes drug classes, which include incretin mimetics, cannabinoid receptor type 1 antagonists, and bile acid sequestrants, and compares these agents to established treatments with regard to efficacy and tolerability. The more recently developed antidiabetes drugs have been shown in clinical trials to produce glucose-lowering effects similar to those of established antidiabetes agents. Many of the new antidiabetes agents can be safely combined with established therapies to further improve glycemic control. In addition, the new agents may provide additional significant cardiometabolic benefits, including improving the lipid profile, lowering blood pressure, and reducing body weight. These new treatments may have the potential to greatly improve the management of type 2 diabetes.
Case Studies in Planar Part Feeding and Assembly Based on Design of Limit Sets
Authors: Murphey T.D. , Lynch K.M.
Published: June 2008

Vibration is commonly used in industrial parts feeding and alignment processes, and to provide energy to encourage mobility among self-assembling parts. We are studying a simple model of agitation where planar parts are repetitively thrown by a simple one-degree-of-freedom throwing surface, caught and allowed to settle. Throwing actions result in nonlinear discrete-time maps in the parts' configuration space, exhibiting behaviors such as unique fixed points and uncertainty-reducing forward limit sets with large basins of attraction. We show how to shape these maps by choosing the arm geometry, throwing velocity and mass parameters of the parts. In some cases, we can design a single map that is guaranteed to uniquely position and orient a part. In other cases, we can design multiple maps corresponding to different throw velocities such that the composition of the maps can be used to drive multiple parts to a desired assembly. Switching between the throw actions is triggered by simple sensors that recognize when the system has achieved a configuration in the basin of attraction of a subsequent map.
FAB-MAP: Probabilistic Localization and Mapping in the Space of Appearance
Authors: Cummins Mark , Newman Paul
Published: June 2008

This paper describes a probabilistic approach to the problem of recognizing places based on their appearance. The system we present is not limited to localization, but can determine that a new observation comes from a previously unseen place, and so augment its map. Effectively this is a SLAM system in the space of appearance. Our probabilistic approach allows us to explicitly account for perceptual aliasing in the environment—identical but indistinctive observations receive a low probability of having come from the same place. We achieve this by learning a generative model of place appearance. By partitioning the learning problem into two parts, new place models can be learned online from only a single observation of a place. The algorithm complexity is linear in the number of places in the map, and is particularly suitable for online loop closure detection in mobile robotics.
Operational Space Control: A Theoretical and Empirical Comparison
Authors: Nakanishi Jun , Cory Rick , Mistry Michael , Peters Jan , Schaal Stefan
Published: June 2008

Dexterous manipulation with a highly redundant movement system is one of the hallmarks of human motor skills. From numerous behavioral studies, there is strong evidence that humans employ compliant task space control, i.e. they focus control only on task variables while keeping redundant degrees-of-freedom as compliant as possible. This strategy is robust towards unknown disturbances and simultaneously safe for the operator and the environment. The theory of operational space control in robotics aims to achieve similar performance properties. However, despite various compelling theoretical lines of research, advanced operational space control is hardly found in actual robotics implementations, in particular new kinds of robots like humanoids and service robots, which would strongly profit from compliant dexterous manipulation. To analyze the pros and cons of different approaches to operational space control, this paper focuses on a theoretical and empirical evaluation of different methods that have been suggested in the literature, but also some new variants of operational space controllers. We address formulations at the velocity, acceleration, and force levels. First, we formulate all controllers in a common notational framework, including quaternion-based orientation control, and discuss some of their theoretical properties. Second, we present experimental comparisons of these approaches on a seven-degree-of-freedom anthropomorphic robot arm with several benchmark tasks. As an aside, we also introduce a novel parameter estimation algorithm for rigid body dynamics, which ensures physical consistency, as this issue was crucial for our successful robot implementations. Our extensive empirical results demonstrate that one of the simplified acceleration-based approaches can be advantageous in terms of task performance, ease of parameter tuning, and general robustness and compliance in the face of inevitable modeling errors.
Characterization of Prepreg-Based Discontinuous Carbon Fiber/Epoxy Systems
Authors: Feraboli Paolo , Peitso Elof , Deleo Francesco , Cleveland Tyler , Stickler Patrick B.
Published: June 2008

This paper quantifies the elastic behavior and failure response of discontinuous carbon fiber/ epoxy laminates produced by compression molding of randomly oriented preimpregnated unidirectional tape. Flat plates have been successfully molded using manually prepared prepreg charges, and showed a satisfactory degree of randomization. Complex relationships between reinforcement aspect ratio and tensile, compressive, and flexural moduli and strengths are observed. For this particular material system, failure is a matrix-dominated event, with little or no fiber breakage, and it promotes relatively high variation in the measured properties. The high-volume carbon fiber content, combined with an aerospace-qualified epoxy resin, opens up opportunities for more aircraft parts to be made of composite materials, particularly for stiffness-critical components where discontinuous fibers offer performance similar to the continuous quasi-isotropic value.
Giant Milkweed (Calotropis persica) Fibers — A Potential Reinforcement Agent for Thermoplastics Composites
Authors: Nourbakhsh Amir , Ashori Alireza , Kouhpayehzadeh Mojgan
Published: June 2008

In this study, the suitability of using Iranian grown giant milkweed fibers (GFs) as a new raw material for thermoplastic composites was investigated. The thermoplastic polymer, polypropylene (PP) was used as the matrix polymer and the maleated polypropylene, Epolene G3003TM, was used as coupling agent. In the sample preparation, four levels of fiber loading (10, 20, 30, and 40 wt%) and three levels of coupling agent content (0, 1.5, and 3 wt%) were applied to discuss the mechanical properties of composites. GF/PP composites were prepared by a melt compounding process in a twin-screw extruder followed by injection moulding. Generally, with the addition of coupling agent tensile and flexural properties improved considerably compared with pure matrix and control specimens (without coupling agent). As expected, notched Izod impact strength significantly decreased as the mixing ratio of fiber increased. The results of the present study reveal that composites with good strength properties could be successfully developed using GF as the reinforcing agent.
A Three-Parameter Bond Strength Model for FRP—Concrete Interface
Authors: Wu Zhishen , Islam S.M. , Said Hemdan
Published: June 2008

The success of most strengthening or retrofitting technologies for concrete structures by using external bonded FRP sheets depends highly on the interface bond between FRP sheets and concrete substrates. This article presents a simplified, but more rational and accurate three-parameter bond strength model for FRP—concrete interface based on statistical analysis, in which main parameters of bond strength behavior are considered. An extensive database consisting of 311 experimental data of simple FRP-to-concrete bonded joints has been assembled to calibrate the parameters of the proposed model and examine its validity. Then, the performance of the proposed model has been compared with the performance of other existing bond strength models using the assembled database. Results have confirmed the validity of the proposed model and shown its superiority over other existing models.
Fairly Balanced
Authors: Brown Mark B.
Published: June 2008

The United States Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) requires advisory committees to be “fairly balanced.” By examining legislative, judicial, and administrative interpretations of FACA's balance requirement, this article identifies a prevailing double standard: public officials assess committee members classified as experts in terms of their professional competence, while they assess those classified as representatives in terms of their political interests. Although the prevailing approach seeks to prevent the politicization of expert advice, it actually promotes it. Advisory committee balance is better understood, this article suggests, in terms of social and professional perspectives. This approach avoids both naively apolitical and destructively partisan conceptions of advisory committee balance. It also suggests a promising way to think about the role of technical expertise in public deliberation.
An Analytical Model for Micro-Endmill Dynamics
Authors: Filiz Sinan , Ozdoganlar O. Burak , Romero Louis A.
Published: June 2008

This article presents an analytical model of the transverse vibration of rotating micro-endmills in the presence of three-dimensional tilt and rotary axis misalignment. To accurately capture the rotary inertia and shear deformations of non-slender micro-endmills, the Timoshenko beam model is used. The boundary-value problem is derived using the extended Hamilton's principle. The numerical solution of the problem is obtained through a spectral Tchebychev technique. Non-smooth diameter variations along the length are handled by considering the micro-endmill as a sectioned beam and using a component mode synthesis method. The mode shapes and natural frequencies from the model are compared to those from a commercial finite element solver. The effectiveness of the model is illustrated by applying it to analyze (1) the effect of the rotational speed on the micro-endmill dynamics, (2) the effect of geometry on mode shapes and natural frequencies, (3) the influence of three-dimensional tilt and eccentricity on vibrations, and (4) the dynamic response of the micro-endmills to harmonic forcing. It was shown that the derived model and associated spectral Tchebychev technique effectively and efficiently capture the dynamic behavior of rotating micro-endmills. The model can be used for designing micro-tools with specified dynamic characteristics, as well as for modeling and stability analysis of the micromilling process.
Factors Associated With Acceptance of Psychological Aggression Against Women
Authors: Capezza Nicole M. , Arriaga Ximena B.
Published: June 2008

Are emotionally aggressive conflicts perceived to be more unacceptable than conflicts involving verbal or baseline levels of psychological aggression? Participants ( n = 189) read a hypothetical marital conflict that varied the husband's level of aggression. Results show that participants did not perceive the perpetrator's behavior in the emotional aggression condition to be any worse than the verbal aggression condition and, in most cases, no worse than the baseline condition. More traditional participants and participants who were perpetrators of psychological aggression had more positive perceptions of the perpetrator; just world beliefs and participant sex did not predict perceptions. This study suggests that people do not perceive emotional aggression to be nearly as harmful as it actually is.
Verification of imatinib cost-effectiveness in advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumor in British Columbia (VINCE-BC study)
Authors: Mabasa Vincent H , Taylor Suzanne CM , Chu Christina CY , Moravan Veronika , Johnston Karissa , Peacock Stuart , Knowling Meg
Published: June 2008

Background. This cost-effectiveness analysis of imatinib in British Columbia Cancer Agency (BCCA) patients with advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) was performed to justify funding.

Patients and Methods. A pragmatic, retrospective review identified BCCA patients with advanced GIST who received imatinib or historical treatment during successive, pre-specified time periods. Primary outcome was the cost-effectiveness (CE) of imatinib based on median overall survival (MOS). Secondary outcomes were cost-effectiveness based on median progression-free survival (PFS) and comparison to literature efficacy. This study took the BCCA perspective. Sensitivity analyses varying effectiveness over the 95% confidence interval (CI), cost to its extremes, discounting level at 0, 3, and 5%, and substituting life expectancy for MOS were performed.

Results. Forty-six and 47 patients in the imatinib and historical groups respectively showed MOS with imatinib to be 66.7 months (95%CI 61.7— infinity) compared to 7.7 (95%CI 6.0—12.6) in the historical group. Median-PFS were 45.3 months (95%CI 24.4—infinity) and 5.6 (95%CI 3.5—8.5) respectively. Imatinib effectiveness was similar to literature reports. The annual incremental CE ratio for imatinib was $15,882 CDN per median life year gained and $23,603 CDN per median year of PFS.

Conclusions. Imatinib for advanced GIST seems cost-effective in BC. Results were robust across a range of sensitivity analyses. J Oncol Pharm Practice (2008) 14: 105—112.
Highly plastic genome of Microcystis aeruginosa PCC 7806, a ubiquitous toxic freshwater cyanobacterium
Authors: Frangeul Lionel , Quillardet Philippe , Castets Anne-Marie , Humbert Jean-François , Matthijs Hans CP , Cortez Diego , Tolonen Andrew , Zhang Cheng-Cai , Gribaldo Simonetta , Kehr Jan-Christoph , Zilliges Yvonne , Ziemert Nadine , Becker Sven , Talla Emmanuel , Latifi Amel , Billault Alain , Lepelletier Anthony , Dittmann Elke , Bouchier Christiane , Tandeau de Marsac Nicole
Published: June 2008

Background

The colonial cyanobacteriumMicrocystisproliferates in a wide range of freshwater ecosystems and is exposed to changing environmental factors during its life cycle.Microcystisblooms are often toxic, potentially fatal to animals and humans, and may cause environmental problems. There has been little investigation of the genomics of these cyanobacteria.

Results

Deciphering the 5,172,804 bp sequence ofMicrocystis aeruginosaPCC 7806 has revealed the high plasticity of its genome: 11.7% DNA repeats containing more than 1,000 bases, 6.8% putative transposases and 21 putative restriction enzymes. Compared to the genomes of other cyanobacterial lineages, strain PCC 7806 contains a large number of atypical genes that may have been acquired by lateral transfers. Metabolic pathways, such as fermentation and a methionine salvage pathway, have been identified, as have genes for programmed cell death that may be related to the rapid disappearance ofMicrocystisblooms in nature. Analysis of the PCC 7806 genome also reveals striking novel biosynthetic features that might help to elucidate the ecological impact of secondary metabolites and lead to the discovery of novel metabolites for new biotechnological applications.M. aeruginosaand other large cyanobacterial genomes exhibit a rapid loss of synteny in contrast to other microbial genomes.

Conclusion

Microcystis aeruginosaPCC 7806 appears to have adopted an evolutionary strategy relying on unusual genome plasticity to adapt to eutrophic freshwater ecosystems, a property shared by another strain ofM. aeruginosa(NIES-843). Comparisons of the genomes of PCC 7806 and other cyanobacterial strains indicate that a similar strategy may have also been used by the marine strainCrocosphaera watsoniiWH8501 to adapt to other ecological niches, such as oligotrophic open oceans.
Cervix carcinoma is associated with an up-regulation and nuclear localization of the dual-specificity protein phosphatase VHR
Authors: Henkens Rachel , Delvenne Philippe , Arafa Mohammad , Moutschen Michel , Zeddou Mustapha , Tautz Lutz , Boniver Jacques , Mustelin Tomas , Rahmouni Souad
Published: June 2008

Background

The 21-kDa Vaccinia virus VH1-related (VHR) dual-specific protein phosphatase (encoded by the DUSP3 gene) plays a critical role in cell cycle progression and is itself regulated during the cell cycle. We have previously demonstrated using RNA interference that cells lacking VHR arrest in the G1 and G2 phases of the cell cycle and show signs of beginning of cell senescence.

Methods

In this report, we evaluated successfully the expression levels of VHR protein in 62 hysterectomy or conization specimens showing the various (pre) neoplastic cervical epithelial lesions and 35 additional cases of hysterectomy performed for non-cervical pathologies, from patients under 50 years of age. We used a tissue microarray and IHC technique to evaluate the expression of the VHR phosphatase. Immunofluorescence staining under confocal microscopy, Western blotting and RT-PCR methods were used to investigate the localization and expression levels of VHR.

Results

We report that VHR is upregulated in (pre) neoplastic lesions (squamous intraepithelial lesions; SILs) of the uterine cervix mainly in high grade SIL (H-SIL) compared to normal exocervix. In the invasive cancer, VHR is also highly expressed with nuclear localization in the majority of cells compared to normal tissue where VHR is always in the cytoplasm. We also report that this phosphatase is highly expressed in several cervix cancer cell lines such as HeLa, SiHa, CaSki, C33 and HT3 compared to primary keratinocytes. The immunofluorescence technique under confocal microscopy shows that VHR has a cytoplasmic localization in primary keratinocytes, while it localizes in both cytoplasm and nucleus of the cancer cell lines investigated. We report that the up-regulation of this phosphatase is mainly due to its post-translational stabilization in the cancer cell lines compared to primary keratinocytes rather than increases in the transcription of DUSP3 locus.

Conclusion

These results together suggest that VHR can be considered as a new marker for cancer progression in cervix carcinoma and potential new target for anticancer therapy.
Validation of a questionnaire measuring the regulation of autonomic function
Authors: Kröz M , Feder G , von Laue HB , Zerm R , Reif M , Girke M , Matthes H , Gutenbrunner C , Heckmann C
Published: June 2008

Background

To broaden the range of outcomes that we can measure for patients undergoing treatment for oncological and other chronic conditions, we aimed to validate a questionnaire measuring self-reported autonomic regulation (aR), i.e. to characterise a subject's autonomic functioning by questions on sleeping and waking, vertigo, morningness-eveningness, thermoregulation, perspiration, bowel movements and digestion.

Methods

We administered the questionnaire to 440 participants (♀: N = 316, ♂: N = 124): 95 patients with breast cancer, 49 with colorectal cancer, 60 with diabetes mellitus, 39 with coronary heart disease, 28 with rheumatological conditions, 32 with Hashimoto's disease, 22 with multiple morbidities and 115 healthy people. We administered the questionnaire a second time to 50.2% of the participants. External convergence criteria included the German version of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS-D), a short questionnaire on morningness-eveningness, the Herdecke Quality of Life Questionnaire (HLQ) and a short version questionnaire on self-regulation.

Results

A principal component analysis yielded a three dimensional 18-item inventory of aR. The subscales orthostatic-circulatory, rest/activity and digestive regulation had internal consistency (Cronbach-α: rα = 0.65 – 0.75) and test-retest reliability (rrt = 0.70 – 85). AR was negatively associated with anxiety, depression, and dysmenorrhoea but positively correlated to HLQ, self-regulation and in part to morningness (except digestive aR) (0.49 – 0.13, all p < 0.05).

Conclusion

An internal validation of the long-version scale of aR yielded consistent relationships with health versus illness, quality of life and personality. Further studies are required to clarify the issues of external validity, clinical and physiological relevance.
Seasonal and Diel Movements of White Sturgeon in the Lower Columbia River
Authors: Parsley Michael J. , Popoff Nicholas D. , Wright Corey D. , van der Leeuw Bjorn K.
Published: June 2008

Continuous monitoring of the movements and depths used by white sturgeon Acipenser transmontanus with acoustic telemetry technologies in the lower Columbia River provided information on diel and seasonal migrations, local movements, and site fidelity. White sturgeon moved to shallower water at night and showed greater activity, inferred from rates of movement, than during daytime. The extent of local movement within a season was variable among fish; some fish readily moved among habitats while the movements of others were more constrained. White sturgeon were absent from the study area (river kilometers 45‐52) during winter and returned from upstream during the spring, confirming an upstream seasonal migration in the fall and downstream migration in spring. The return of individual fish and reoccupation of areas previously inhabited showed that some white sturgeon exhibit site fidelity. This work shows that studies seeking to characterize habitat for white sturgeon need to be cognizant of diel migrations and site fidelity. We urge caution in the use of limited fish location data to describe habitats if diel activities and fine‐scale movements are not known.
Quality of life in patients with narcolepsy: a WHOQOL-bref study
Authors: Rovere Heloísa , Rossini Sueli , Reimão Rubens
Published: June 2008

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the perception of Quality of Life (QL) in Brazilian patients with narcolepsy. METHOD: 40 adult patients aged between 20 and 72 years (mean=41.55; SD=14.50); (28 F; 12M), with the diagnosis of chronic narcolepsy were followed up at the outpatient clinic (Patient Group). The Control Group was composed of 40 adults. The instrument utilized was the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF). RESULTS: The two groups were homogeneous and no difference was found with regards to age, sex, and demographic characteristics. The perception of QL in physical, psychological and social domains showed lower scores in those patients with narcolepsy than in the control group (p<0.05). Concerning physical domain, all the aspects evaluated were significantly impaired, in patient group, including sleep satisfaction (p<0.001); energy for daily activities (p=0.039); capacity to perform activities (p=0.001); and capacity to work (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: The perception of QL showed severe impairment in patients with narcolepsy for physical, psychological and social domains.
Botulinum toxin type A for refractory post-stroke shoulder pain
Authors: Pedreira Glícia , Cardoso Eduardo , Melo Ailton
Published: June 2008

Botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) has been used to treat several neurological conditions such as sialorrhea, hyperhydrosis, dystonia, hemifacial spasm, spasticity and pain. Although spasticity has been successfully treated with BTX-A, few are the authors studying the use of BTX-A to treat shoulder pain secondary to stroke. In order to study if BTX-A is effective to treat post-stroke shoulder pain, we followed up during 4 months 16 patients with sustained shoulder pain. Patients received BTX-A according to previous discussion with the rehabilitation group to determine the muscles and dose to be injected and were evaluated by the join range of motion and analogic pain scale. There was decrease of pain during shoulder motion, mainly during the movements of extension and rotation. We conclude that BTX-A is a safe and efficacious therapy.