bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Microemulsion: New Insights into the Ocular Drug Delivery
Authors: Hegde Rahul Rama , Verma Anurag , Ghosh Amitava
Published: June 2013

Delivery of drugs into eyes using conventional drug delivery systems, such as solutions, is a considerable challenge to the treatment of ocular diseases. Drug loss from the ocular surface by lachrymal fluid secretion, lachrymal fluid-eye barriers, and blood-ocular barriers are main obstacles. A number of ophthalmic drug delivery carriers have been made to improve the bioavailability and to prolong the residence time of drugs applied topically onto the eye. The potential use of microemulsions as an ocular drug delivery carrier offers several favorable pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical properties such as their excellent thermodynamic stability, phase transition to liquid-crystal state, very low surface tension, and small droplet size, which may result in improved ocular drug retention, extended duration of action, high ocular absorption, and permeation of loaded drugs. Further, both lipophilic and hydrophilic characteristics are present in microemulsions, so that the loaded drugs can diffuse passively as well get significantly partitioned in the variable lipophilic-hydrophilic corneal barrier. This review will provide an insight into previous studies on microemulsions for ocular delivery of drugs using various nonionic surfactants, cosurfactants, and associated irritation potential on the ocular surface. The reported in vivo experiments have shown a delayed effect of drug incorporated in microemulsion and an increase in the corneal permeation of the drug.
Numerical Study of Two-Dimensional Volterra Integral Equations by RDTM and Comparison with DTM
Authors: Abazari Reza , Kılıçman Adem
Published: June 2013

The two-dimensional Volterra integral equations are solved using more recent semianalytic method, the reduced differential transform method (the so-called RDTM), and compared with the differential transform method (DTM). The concepts of DTM and RDTM are briefly explained, and their application to the two-dimensional Volterra integral equations is studied. The results obtained by DTM and RDTM together are compared with exact solution. As an important result, it is depicted that the RDTM results are more accurate in comparison with those obtained by DTM applied to the same Volterra integral equations. The numerical results reveal that the RDTM is very effective, convenient, and quite accurate compared to the other kind of nonlinear integral equations. It is predicted that the RDTM can be found widely applicable in engineering sciences.
Inviscid and Viscous Interactions in Subsonic Corner Flows
Authors: Chung Kung-Ming , Chang Po-Hsiung , Chang Keh-Chin
Published: June 2013

A flap can be used as a high‐lift device, in which a downward deflection results in a gain in lift at a given geometric angle of attack. To characterize the aerodynamic performance of a deflected surface in compressible flows, the present study examines a naturally developed turbulent boundary layer past the convex and concave corners. This investigation involves the analysis of mean and fluctuating pressure distributions. The results obtained indicate strong inviscid‐viscous interactions. There are upstream expansion and downstream compression for the convex‐corner flows, while the opposite trend is observed for the concave‐corner flows. A combined flow similarity parameter, based on the small perturbation theory, is proposed to scale the flow characteristics in both subsonic convex‐ and concave‐corner flows.
A 32-Year-Old Female with AIDS,Pneumocystis jiroveciPneumonia, and Methemoglobinemia
Authors: Giangreco Guillermo J. , Campbell Dean , Cowan Mark J.
Published: June 2013

We report a case of methemoglobinemia with significant hemoglobin desaturation in a young female with AIDS who was being treated forPneumocystis jirovecipneumonia. A review of the etiology, pathophysiology, and treatment of methemoglobinemia is presented.
Reprogramming the Chromatin Landscape: Interplay of the Estrogen and Glucocorticoid Receptors at the Genomic Level
Authors: Miranda Tina B. , Voss Ty C. , Sung Myong-Hee , Baek Songjoon , John Sam , Hawkins Mary , Grøntved Lars , Schiltz R. Louis , Hager Gordon L.
Published: June 2013

Cross-talk between estrogen receptors (ER) and glucocorticoid receptors (GR) has been shown to contribute to the development and progression of breast cancer. Importantly, the ER and GR status in breast cancer cells is a significant factor in determining the outcome of the disease. However, mechanistic details defining the cellular interactions between ER and GR are poorly understood. We investigated genome-wide binding profiles for ER and GR upon coactivation and characterized the status of the chromatin landscape. We describe a novel mechanism dictating the molecular interplay between ER and GR. Upon induction, GR modulates access of ER to specific sites in the genome by reorganization of the chromatin configuration for these elements. Binding to these newly accessible sites occurs either by direct recognition of ER response elements or indirectly through interactions with other factors. The unveiling of this mechanism is important for understanding cellular interactions between ER and GR and may represent a general mechanism for cross-talk between nuclear receptors in human disease. Cancer Res; 73(16); 5130–9. ©2013 AACR.
Acquired Resistance to Anti-VEGF Therapy in Glioblastoma Is Associated with a Mesenchymal Transition
Authors: Piao Yuji , Liang Ji , Holmes Lindsay , Henry Verlene , Sulman Erik , de Groot John F.
Published: June 2013

Purpose: Antiangiogenic therapy reduces vascular permeability and delays progression but may ultimately promote an aggressive treatment-resistant phenotype. The aim of the present study was to identify mechanisms responsible for glioblastoma resistance to antiangiogenic therapy.

Experimental Design: Glioma stem cell (GSC) NSC11 and U87 cell lines with acquired resistance to bevacizumab were developed from orthotopic xenografts in nude mice treated with bevacizumab. Genome-wide analyses were used to identify changes in tumor subtype and specific factors associated with resistance.

Results: Mice with established parental NSC11 and U87 cells responded to bevacizumab, whereas glioma cell lines derived at the time of acquired resistance to anti-VEGF therapy were resistant to bevacizumab and did not have prolongation of survival compared with untreated controls. Gene expression profiling comparing anti-VEGF therapy-resistant cell lines to untreated controls showed an increase in genes associated with a mesenchymal origin, cellular migration/invasion, and inflammation. Gene-set enrichment analysis showed that bevacizumab-treated tumors showed a highly significant correlation to published mesenchymal gene signatures. Mice bearing resistant tumors showed significantly greater infiltration of myeloid cells in NSC11- and U87-resistant tumors. Invasion-related genes were also upregulated in both NSC11 and U87 resistant cells which had higher invasion rates in vitro compared with their respective parental cell lines.

Conclusions: Our studies identify multiple proinflammatory factors associated with resistance and identify a proneural to mesenchymal transition in tumors resistant to antiangiogenic therapy. Clin Cancer Res; 19(16); 4392–403. ©2013 AACR.
β-Mannosylceramide Activates Type I Natural Killer T Cells to Induce Tumor Immunity without Inducing Long-Term Functional Anergy
Authors: O'Konek Jessica J. , Kato Shingo , Takao Satomi , Izhak Liat , Xia Zheng , Illarionov Petr , Besra Gurdyal S. , Terabe Masaki , Berzofsky Jay A.
Published: June 2013

Purpose: Most studies characterizing antitumor properties of invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells have used the agonist, α-galactosylceramide (α-GalCer). However, α-GalCer induces strong, long-lasting anergy of iNKT cells, which could be a major detriment for clinical therapy. A novel iNKT cell agonist, β-mannosylceramide (β-ManCer), induces strong antitumor immunity through a mechanism distinct from that of α-GalCer. The objective of this study was to determine whether β-ManCer induces anergy of iNKT cells.

Experimental Design: Induction of anergy was determined by ex vivo analysis of splenocytes from mice pretreated with iNKT cell agonists as well as in the CT26 lung metastasis in vivo tumor model.

Results: β-ManCer activated iNKT cells without inducing long-term anergy. The transience of anergy induction correlated with a shortened duration of PD-1 upregulation on iNKT cells activated with β-ManCer, compared with α-GalCer. Moreover, whereas mice pretreated with α-GalCer were unable to respond to a second glycolipid stimulation to induce tumor protection for up to 2 months, mice pretreated with β-ManCer were protected from tumors by a second stimulation equivalently to vehicle-treated mice.

Conclusions: The lack of long-term functional anergy induced by β-ManCer, which allows for a second dose to still give therapeutic benefit, suggests the strong potential for this iNKT cell agonist to succeed in settings where α-GalCer has failed. Clin Cancer Res; 19(16); 4404–11. ©2013 AACR.
Sulindac Selectively Inhibits Colon Tumor Cell Growth by Activating the cGMP/PKG Pathway to Suppress Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling
Authors: Li Nan , Xi Yaguang , Tinsley Heather N. , Gurpinar Evrim , Gary Bernard D. , Zhu Bing , Li Yonghe , Chen Xi , Keeton Adam B. , Abadi Ashraf H. , Moyer Mary P. , Grizzle William E. , Chang Wen-Chi , Clapper Margie L. , Piazza Gary A.
Published: June 2013

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) display promising antineoplastic activity for colorectal and other cancers, but toxicity from COX inhibition limits their long-term use for chemoprevention. Previous studies have concluded that the basis for their tumor cell growth inhibitory activity does not require COX inhibition, although the underlying mechanism is poorly understood. Here, we report that the NSAID sulindac sulfide inhibits cyclic guanosine 3′,5′-monophosphate phosphodiesterase (cGMP PDE) activity to increase intracellular cGMP levels and activate cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) at concentrations that inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis of colon tumor cells. Sulindac sulfide did not activate the cGMP/PKG pathway, nor affect proliferation or apoptosis in normal colonocytes. Knockdown of the cGMP-specific PDE5 isozyme by siRNA and PDE5-specific inhibitors tadalafil and sildenafil also selectively inhibited the growth of colon tumor cells that expressed high levels of PDE5 compared with colonocytes. The mechanism by which sulindac sulfide and the cGMP/PKG pathway inhibits colon tumor cell growth involves the transcriptional suppression of β-catenin to inhibit Wnt/β-catenin T-cell factor transcriptional activity, leading to downregulation of cyclin D1 and survivin. These observations suggest that safer and more efficacious sulindac derivatives can be developed for colorectal cancer chemoprevention by targeting PDE5 and possibly other cGMP-degrading isozymes. Mol Cancer Ther; 12(9); 1848–59. ©2013 AACR.
A Prospective Analysis of Body Size during Childhood, Adolescence, and Adulthood and Risk of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
Authors: Bertrand Kimberly A. , Giovannucci Edward , Zhang Shumin M. , Laden Francine , Rosner Bernard , Birmann Brenda M.
Published: June 2013

The etiology of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is poorly understood. Obesity is associated with inflammation, a cytokine milieu conducive to lymphocyte proliferation, and has been associated with NHL risk in some epidemiologic studies. To prospectively examine NHL risk in relation to adult and earlier life obesity, we documented 635 incident NHL diagnoses among 46,390 men in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study and 1,254 diagnoses among 116,794 women in the Nurses' Health Study over 22 to 32 years of follow-up. Using multivariable Cox proportional hazards models, we estimated cohort-specific incidence rate ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for risk of NHL and major histologic subtypes associated with cumulative average middle and young adult (ages, 18–21 years) body mass index (BMI) and adolescent and childhood somatotype. NHL risk was modestly increased in men (but not women) with a cumulative average middle adult BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 (vs. 15–22.9 kg/m2; RR, 1.28; 95% CI, 0.92–1.77; Ptrend = 0.05). In meta-analyses across cohorts, higher young adult BMI was associated with increased risk of all NHL (pooled RR per 5 kg/m2, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.05–1.37), diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), and follicular lymphoma (all Ptrend ≤ 0.02). Adolescent somatotype was also positively associated with all NHL, DLBCL, and follicular lymphoma in pooled analyses (all Ptrend ≤ 0.03), whereas childhood somatotype was positively associated with NHL overall among women only (Ptrend < 0.01). These findings in two large prospective cohorts provide novel evidence that larger body size in childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood predicts increased risk of NHL, and particularly of DLBCL and follicular lymphoma. Cancer Prev Res; 6(8); 864–73. ©2013 AACR.
Body mass index, a major confounder to insulin resistance association with unprovoked venous thromboembolism
Authors: Moreuil Claire De , Kerspern Hélène , Le Moigne Emmanuelle , Mottier Dominique , Tromeur Cécile , Carre Jean-Luc , Le Gal Grégoire , Lacut Karine , Delluc Aurélien
Published: June 2013

Shared risk factors help explain the association between venous thromboembolism (VTE) and atherothrombosis. The potential association between insulin resistance and VTE has been poorly evaluated. Thus, we aimed to assess the association between insulin resistance and VTE in the EDITH hospital-based case-control study. Between May 2000 and December 2004, 677 patients with unprovoked VTE and their age- and sex-matched controls were included. Fasting glycaemia and insulinaemia were measured and insulin resistance was estimated with the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMAIR) equation. The association between HOMA-IR and VTE was determined in non-diabetic patients in a quintile-based analysis. A total of 590 non-diabetic cases (median age 73.0 years, 255 men) and 581 non-diabetic controls (median age 72.0 years, 247 men) were analysed. There was a trend for a higher median level of HOMA-IR index in cases than in controls (1.21 [interquartile range 0.84-2.10] vs 1.19 [interquartile range 0.72-2.02], p=0.08). The unadjusted analysis showed an increased risk of unprovoked VTE associated with increasing HOMA-IR (odds ratio [OR] 1.53; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.00-2.34 for the highest quintile of HOMA-IR compared with the first quintile). Adjustment for lipid lowering drugs and antiplatelet agents use slightly modified the association (OR 1.51; 95% CI 0.97-2.34). When body mass index was added in the adjusted model, HOMA-IR was no longer associated with VTE (OR 1.08; 95% CI 0.67-1.73). Our results highlight the role of body mass index in the association between cardiovascular risk factors and VTE.
Impact of intravenous heparin on quantification of circulating microRNAs in patients with coronary artery disease
Authors: Kaudewitz Dorothee , Lee Regent , Willeit Peter , McGregor Reuben , Markus Hugh S. , Kiechl Stefan , Zampetaki Anna , Storey Robert F. , Channon Keith M. , Mayr Manuel
Published: June 2013

MicroRNAs are small non-coding RNAs that are detectable in plasma and serum. Circulating levels of microRNAs have been measured in various studies related to cardiovascular disease. Heparin is a potential confounder of microRNA measurements due to its known interference with polymerase chain reactions. In this study, platelet-poor plasma was obtained from patients undergoing cardiac catheterisation for diagnostic coronary angiography, or for percutaneous coronary intervention, both before and after heparin administration. Heparin had pronounced effects on the assessment of the exogenous C. elegans spike-in control (decrease by approx. 3 cycles), which disappeared 6 hours after the heparin bolus. Measurements of endogenous microRNAs were less sensitive to heparin medication. Normalisation of individual microRNAs with the average cycle threshold value of all microRNAs provided a suitable alternative to normalisation with exogenous C. elegans spike-in control in this setting. Thus, both the timing of blood sampling relative to heparin dosing and the normalisation procedure are critical for reliable microRNA measurements in patients receiving intravenous heparin. This has to be taken into account when designing studies to investigate the relation of circulating microRNAs to acute cardiovascular events or coronary intervention.
Francisco de Vitoria’s Unexpected Transformations and Reinterpretations for International Law
Authors: del Moral Ignacio de la Rasilla
Published: June 2013

Abstract

A review of some of the legacies of Vitoria for international legal scholarship accompanies, in the first part, a retrospective gaze at the first third of the Twentieth century, in order to examine how the founder of the American Society of International Law, James Brown Scott, contributed to (re)establish Vitoria as the father of international law in the inter-war years. The second part provides a genealogy of the critical front of the Vitorian revival in international law today. Special attention is, then, paid to some of the intellectual building-blocks and programmatic tenets which have inspired a Third World Approaches to International Law (TWAIL) anti-imperial narrative of the international legal order along with a TWAIL’s re-interpretation and re-contextualisation of the works of the sixteenth century’s Prima professor of Sacred Theology at the University of Salamanca. The conclusion reflects on the lasting legacy of the Spanish Classics in the American tradition of international law.
The Interface between Non-governmental Organisations and the Human Rights Committee
Authors: Lintel Ida , Ryngaert Cedric
Published: June 2013

Abstract

Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are participating increasingly in the multifaceted work of the Human Rights Committee (HRC), which monitors the implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). In particular, they have supplied shadow reports, provided input for the Committee’s general comments, and have supported individuals filing communications with the Committee. In so doing, they have eroded the central role of the State in the various HRC procedures, have enriched the sources on which the HRC can draw, and have contributed considerably to the effectiveness and legitimacy of the Committee’s work. Still, some improvements can be made to NGOs’ participation, such as the introduction of greater transparency in NGO reporting and increased cooperation and coordination between the various NGOs.
The “Reservations Dialogue” as a Constitution-Making Process
Authors: Yahyaoui Krivenko Ekaterina
Published: June 2013

Abstract

The article proposes a new reading of the reservations regime to human rights treaties. The practice developed by states in relation to the reservations regime is analysed and presented as a constitution-making process. This new vision is based on the notion of the reservations dialogue as presented and developed by the Special Rapporteur of the International Law Commission on reservations to treaties. However, the article also proposes a wide reading of the practice of the reservations dialogue using examples from the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. Based on this analysis, the author formulates some proposals as to a more adequate development of the reservations dialogue and the reservations regime. A development which will favour the formation of inclusive international human rights as a basis for a future international constitution accepted as legitimate by all members of the international community.
Contributions to the taxonomy and distribution of the genus Mesabolivar in southern South America (Araneae: Pholcidae)
Authors: MACHADO ÉWERTON O. , LABORDA ÁLVARO , SIMÓ MIGUEL , BRESCOVIT ANTONIO D.
Published: June 2013

Two new species of Mesabolivar González-Sponga are described, M. charrua sp. nov. and M. uruguayensis sp. nov. The male of Mesabolivar tandilicus Mello-Leitão is redescribed. Notes on the natural history of the studied species are pre-sented.
Axinyssa ambrosia and Axinyssa yumae (Porifera, Halichondrida): two valid sponge species from the Caribbean Sea
Authors: ZEA SVEN , VALDERRAMA DIEGO , MARTÍNEZ ANA MARÍA
Published: June 2013

Direct field observations often reveal distinct morphotypes within sponge species that had been described on the basis of preserved material from different locations. The genus Axinyssa von Lendefeld, 1897 was revised for the Caribbean by Diaz et al. (1993), defining a single species, Axinyssa ambrosia (de Laubenfels, 1936), with several junior synonyms, some of which varied in the predominant spicule complement. At Santa Marta, Colombia, we found two morphotypes of Axinyssa living sympatrically, with consistent differences in morphology and spiculation. Revision of types and part of Diaz et al. (1993) material confirmed these differences, leading to the distinction of two species whose valid names are Axinyssa ambrosia and Axinyssa yumae (Pulitzer-Finali, 1986). The purpose of this note is to redescribe these two species.
Sensitivity of Bow-Echo Simulation to Microphysical Parameterizations
Authors: Adams-Selin Rebecca D. , van den Heever Susan C. , Johnson Richard H.
Published: June 2013

The sensitivity of a case study bow-echo simulation to eight different microphysical schemes in the Weather Research and Forecasting model was tested, with a focus on graupel parameter characteristics. The graupel parameter in one scheme was modified to have a larger mean size and faster fall speed to represent hail (“hail like”). The goal of the study was to measure the sensitivity of five parameters that are important to operational forecasters to graupel properties: timing of bowing development, system speed, wind gusts, system areal coverage, and accumulated precipitation.

The time each system initiated bowing varied by as much as 105 min. Simulations containing graupel with smaller mean size and slower fall speed (“graupel like”) bowed earlier due to increased microphysical cooling and stronger cold pools. These same systems had reduced precipitation efficiency, producing a peak storm-total accumulation of 36 mm, compared to a hail-like peak value of 237 mm, and observed a peak value of 53 mm. Faster-falling hail-like hydrometeors reached the surface with minimal melting, producing the largest accumulations. Graupel-like systems had 10-m wind gusts 73% stronger compared to hail-like systems, due to stronger low-level downdrafts. Systems with a smaller mean graupel size were 19% faster, also due to increased microphysical cooling. The size of the convective region varied by 150%, although this was partially due to scheme differences other than the graupel parameter.

The significant differences in bow-echo characteristics produced by graupel property variations in convective-resolving models emphasize careful microphysical parameterization design. These sensitivities have forecasting implications, as graupel characteristics vary depending on the ambient environment and other factors. Detailed observations of graupel properties are recommended.
A comparative analysis of hollow and solid glass fibers
Authors: Kling Sandor , Czigany Tibor
Published: June 2013

Comparative analyses have been completed on hollow and solid E-type glass fibers. Single fiber tensile tests were performed and correlations have been determined between the geometry and the tensile strength of the fibers. The flexural properties of the solid and the hollow fibers have been determined with deflection tests. The hollow glass fibers showed higher tensile strength and flexural rigidity than the solid glass fibers in the case of similar outer diameter. The hollow fibers were filled with the help of capillary effect, and the filling process was examined as a function of the viscosity and the contact angle between glass and fluids. A relationship has been detected between fiber filling speed and the inner diameter of the fibers, and the filling speed was increased by the lower viscosity and contact angle.
Vernacular Securities and Their Study: A Qualitative Analysis and Research Agenda
Authors: Jarvis Lee , Lister Michael
Published: June 2013

This article draws on primary focus group research to explore the differing ways in which UK publics conceptualise and discuss security. The article begins by situating our research within two relevant contemporary scholarly literatures: The first concerns efforts to centre the ‘ordinary’ human as security’s referent; the second, constructivist explorations of security’s discursive (re)production. A second section then introduces six distinct understandings of security that emerged in our empirical research. These organised the term around notions of survival, belonging, hospitality, equality, freedom and insecurity. The article concludes by exploring this heterogeneity and its significance for the study of security more broadly, outlining a number of potential future research avenues in this area.
Border Enforcement at Family Sites
Authors: Sanmiguel-Valderrama Olga
Published: June 2013

Border securitization and escalating detentions and deportations in the United States fall almost entirely on immigrant manual laborers from Mexico and Central America. Deportees face the possible permanent termination of their parental rights as their children are placed by child welfare agencies in adoptive or foster homes in the United States. This practice is embedded in a political economic and institutional legal framework that promotes forced family separation and neoracism by categorizing people by race, nationality, immigration status, income, language, and disability. It is reminiscent of racist practices of the past such as residential boarding schools designed to separate children from their aboriginal parents and communities.

El control fronterizo y al auge de detenciones y deportaciones en los Estados Unidos afectan principalmente a la mano de obra inmigrante de México y Centroamérica. Los deportados enfrentan el cese definitivo del derecho a sus hijos, mientras éstos se asignan por el Estado a hogares adoptivos o de crianza en los Estados Unidos. Esta práctica se origina en las políticas económicas y un marco jurídico que promueve la separación familiar forzada y el neoracismo al categorizar a las personas según la raza, nacionalidad, estado migratorio, ingreso, idioma, y discapacidad. Estas prácticas racistas nos recuerdan aquellas del pasado como las escuelas residenciales de internados diseñadas a separar a los hijos de sus padres, madres y comunidades indígenas.
The intergenerational congruence of mothers’ and preschoolers’ narrative affective content and narrative coherence
Authors: Sher-Censor Efrat , Grey Izabela , Yates Tuppett M.
Published: June 2013

Intergenerational congruence of mothers’ and preschoolers’ narratives about the mother–child relationship was examined in a sample of 198 Hispanic (59.1%), Black (19.2%), and White (21.7%) mothers and their preschool child. Mothers’ narratives were obtained with the Five Minute Speech Sample and were coded for negative and positive affective content and narrative coherence. Preschoolers’ narratives were collected with the MacArthur Story Stem Battery and were coded for the portrayal of the mother-child relationship and narrative coherence. Across ethnoracial groups, maternal narrative coherence, but not narrative affective content, was related to preschoolers’ positive portrayal of the mother–child relationship. Our findings highlight the importance of maternal narrative coherence for understanding intergenerational continuity of relational representations.
Measurement and associations of pregnancy risk factors with genetic influences, postnatal environmental influences, and toddler behavior
Authors: Marceau Kristine , Hajal Nastassia , Leve Leslie D. , Reiss David , Shaw Daniel S. , Ganiban Jody M. , Mayes Linda C. , Neiderhiser Jenae M.
Published: June 2013

This study demonstrates the unique contributions of perinatal risk and genetic and environmental influences on child behavior using data from 561 domestic US adoption triads (birth mothers, adopted child, and adoptive parents). Findings show distinct patterns of associations among genetic (birth mother psychopathology), prenatal (six maternal reported aggregate scores characterizing total obstetric complications, perinatal internalizing symptoms, pregnancy complications, exposure to toxins, substance use, and neonatal complications), and postnatal influences (adoptive parent 18-month internalizing symptoms and over-reactive parenting) and toddler behavior problems (CBCL subscales at 27 months). Findings highlight multiple pathways for toddler’s behavioral development, including genetic, pregnancy, and postnatal main effects. Findings suggest distinct types of pregnancy risk may transmit genetic influences for specific behavior problems rather than broadband problems.
Hearing Thresholds and fMRI of Auditory Cortex Following Eighth Cranial Nerve Surgery
Authors: Burton Harold , Firszt Jill B. , Holden Timothy
Published: June 2013

Objective

Determine whether auditory cortex (AC) organization changed following eighth cranial nerve surgery in adults with vestibular‐cochlear nerve pathologies. We examined whether hearing thresholds before and after surgery correlated with increased ipsilateral activation of AC from the intact ear.

Study Design

During magnetic resonance imaging sessions before and 3 and 6 months after surgery, subjects listened with the intact ear to noise‐like random spectrogram sounds.

Setting

Departments of Radiology and Otolaryngology of Washington University School of Medicine.

Subjects and Methods

Three patients with acoustic neuromas received Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GK); 1 patient with Meniere's disease and 5 with acoustic neuromas had surgical resections (SR); 2 of the latter also had GK. Hearing thresholds in each ear were for pure tone stimuli from 250 to 8000 Hz before and after surgery (3 and 6 months). At the same intervals, we imaged blood oxygen level–dependent responses to auditory stimulation of the intact ear using an interrupted single‐event design.

Results

Hearing thresholds in 2 of 3 individuals treated with GK did not change. Five of 6 individuals became unilaterally deaf after SRs. Ipsilateral AC activity was present before surgery in 6 of 9 individuals with ipsilateral spatial extents greater than contralateral in 3 of 9. Greater contralateral predominance was significant especially in left compared to right ear affected individuals, including those treated by GK.

Conclusion

Lateralization of auditory‐evoked responses in AC did not change significantly after surgery possibly due to preexisting sensory loss before surgery, indicating that less than profound loss may prompt cortical reorganization.
Electrophysiological indices of response inhibition in human polydrug users
Authors: Roberts CA , Fairclough S , Fisk JE , Tames FT , Montgomery C
Published: June 2013

Previous research in ecstasy users suggests impairment of various executive functions. In general, the executive function of response inhibition appears unaffected by ecstasy use. Nonetheless, it remains a possibility that cognitive tasks alone are not sensitive enough to pick up subtle changes in function. The current study sought to investigate behavioural measures of response inhibition and their electrophysiological correlates in drug users. Twenty ecstasy polydrug users, 20 non-ecstasy polydrug users and 20 drug naïve controls were recruited. Participants completed questionnaires about their background drug use, sleep quality, fluid intelligence and mood state. Each individual also completed a Go/NoGo response inhibition task whilst electroencephalography (EEG) measures were recorded. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed that there were no between-group differences on the behavioural measure of response inhibition. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) revealed no main effect of group across midline electrodes for the P3, N2 and P2 components. Univariate ANOVA revealed significant between-group differences in the P2 component with the ecstasy user group having a significantly higher mean amplitude than drug naïve controls at two midline frontal electrodes: at Fz and significantly higher mean amplitude than both control groups at FCz. The present study provides evidence of atypical early processing in ecstasy users that is suggestive of compensatory mechanisms ameliorating any behavioural differences.
Simultaneous bilateral quadriceps tendon rupture in a patient with hyperparathyroidism undergoing long-term haemodialysis: A case report and literature review
Authors: Gao Mao-Feng , Yang Hui-Lin , Shi Wei-Dong
Published: June 2013

Simultaneous bilateral quadriceps tendon rupture is a rare injury that represents < 5% of all quadriceps tendon ruptures. It is generally associated with chronic metabolic disorders and is seen in patients with uraemia undergoing maintenance haemodialysis. The present case was a 46-year-old man who presented with pain and the inability to extend his knees following a minor accident. A physical examination combined with X-radiography and magnetic resonance imaging investigations resulted in a diagnosis of bilateral quadriceps tendon rupture. He had a history of uraemia and had received regular haemodialysis for 7 years. He had high levels of serum parathyroid hormone and he was diagnosed with secondary hyperparathyroidism. Following surgical repair of both quadriceps tendons, in addition to management of the secondary hyperparathyroidism, the patient regained full active mobility of both knee joints and was able to participate in normal activities of daily living.
Reliable test method for tensile strength in longitudinal direction of unidirectional carbon fiber-reinforced plastics
Authors: Okuya Tsugiyuki , Nakada Masayuki , Miyano Yasushi
Published: June 2013

This article is concerned with the reliable test method for measuring the tensile strength in the longitudinal direction of unidirectional carbon fiber-reinforced plastics. A filament-wound resin-impregnated carbon fiber strand (carbon fiber-reinforced plastics strand) was employed as the specimen. The most important improvement for reliable tests is that the bonding strength of the end tabs with carbon fiber-reinforced plastics strand should be higher than the tensile strength of CFRP strand. We improved the bonding strength by co-curing the carbon fiber-reinforced plastics strand with end tabs. The improved method was applied to two kinds of carbon fiber-reinforced plastics strands and the reliable tensile strengths were obtained.
Effect of Pharmacy Practice Program on Pharmacy Student Learning, Satisfaction, and Efficiency
Authors: Zeitoun Abeer A. , El Zein Hiyam L. , Zeineddine Maya M.
Published: June 2013

Introduction:

The Lebanese American University (LAU) offers first-year pharmacy students with Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience (IPPE) courses comprising various activities that provide students with direct patient contact so that they can be geared up for “real-world” pharmacy practice. Routine assessment and improvement in these courses are imperative to ensure efficiency of these courses. This study was conducted to evaluate the quality of our IPPEs courses, determine its impact on student learning and satisfaction, and identify shortcomings in the program for quality improvement purposes.

Methods:

A literature review-based questionnaire, consisting of 76 questions with a response options following a 4-point scale (strongly agree = 4 to strongly disagree = 1), was completed by 92 first professional year pharmacy students who finished their hospital and community IPPE at LAU.

Results:

The students reported a high degree of satisfaction in community and hospital sites in terms of site selection, program schedule, site and school preceptors, and overall satisfaction with the experience. Compared to the hospital setting, students practicing in the community reported significantly higher scores in overall satisfaction. Besides the high satisfaction rate, our results identified improvement measures in some aspects of the program.

Conclusion:

Our IPPE program serves as a successful experiential learning for pharmacy students.
Effect of lubricants on friction in laboratory tests of a total disc replacement device
Authors: Moghadas Parshia , Mahomed Aziza , Hukins David WL , Shepherd Duncan ET
Published: June 2013

Some designs of total disc replacement devices have articulating bearing surfaces, and these devices are tested in vitro with a lubricant of diluted calf serum. It is believed that the lubricant found in total disc replacement devices in vivo is interstitial fluid that may have properties between that in Ringer’s solution and diluted calf serum. To investigate the effect of lubricants, a set of friction tests were performed on a generic model of a metal against metal ball-and-socket total disc replacement device. Two devices were tested: one with a ball radius of 10 mm and other with a ball radius of 16 mm; each device had a radial clearance of 0.015 mm. A spine simulator was used to measure frictional torque for each device in axial rotation, flexion–extension and lateral bending at frequencies of 0.25–2 Hz, under 1200 N axial load. Each device was tested with two different lubricants: a solution of new born calf serum diluted with deionised water and Ringer’s solution. The results showed that the frictional torque generated between the bearing surfaces was significantly higher in Ringer’s solution than in diluted calf serum. The use of Ringer’s solution as a lubricant provides a stringent test condition to detect possible problems. Diluted calf serum is more likely to provide an environment closer to that in vivo. However, the precise properties of the fluid lubricating a total disc replacement device are not known; hence, tests using diluted calf serum may not necessarily give the same results as those obtained in vivo.
Determination of remodeling parameters for a strain-adaptive finite element model of the distal ulna
Authors: Neuert Mark AC , Dunning Cynthia E
Published: June 2013

Strain energy–based adaptive material models are used to predict bone resorption resulting from stress shielding induced by prosthetic joint implants. Generally, such models are governed by two key parameters: a homeostatic strain-energy state (K) and a threshold deviation from this state required to initiate bone reformation (s). A refinement procedure has been performed to estimate these parameters in the femur and glenoid; this study investigates the specific influences of these parameters on resulting density distributions in the distal ulna. A finite element model of a human ulna was created using micro-computed tomography (µCT) data, initialized to a homogeneous density distribution, and subjected to approximate in vivo loading. Values for K and s were tested, and the resulting steady-state density distribution compared with values derived from µCT images. The sensitivity of these parameters to initial conditions was examined by altering the initial homogeneous density value. The refined model parameters selected were then applied to six additional human ulnae to determine their performance across individuals. Model accuracy using the refined parameters was found to be comparable with that found in previous studies of the glenoid and femur, and gross bone structures, such as the cortical shell and medullary canal, were reproduced. The model was found to be insensitive to initial conditions; however, a fair degree of variation was observed between the six specimens. This work represents an important contribution to the study of changes in load transfer in the distal ulna following the implementation of commercial orthopedic implants.
Subsidence in two uncemented femoral stems: An in vitro study
Authors: Sotereanos Nicholas G , Wohlrab David , Hofer Andre , Kuxhaus Laurel , Miller Mark Carl
Published: June 2013

Many aspects of the performance of different implant designs remain as open questions in total hip arthroplasty. Despite the increased survivorship of each hip replacement, the amount of bone removed during surgery remains an important factor because of the potential need for revision surgery. Given that a smaller implant will have less surface area over which to transfer load, constructs that preserve more bone stock may be susceptible to mechanical complications related to the fixation of the implant in the femur. To assess mechanical fixation, this study compared the fiber metal taper and Mayo conservative hip stems in subsidence, frontal plane rotation and failure load. After dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scans, pairs of cadaveric femurs received implants of each type and were loaded for 10,000 cycles. The subsidence and rotation were measured. Finally, specimens were loaded to failure. The subsidence and rotation after cyclic loading were −0.73 mm and 0.1°, respectively, for the Mayo implants and −0.87 and 0.52°, respectively, for the fiber metal taper implants, but no significant differences between implant types were found. There was also no significant relationship to bone mineral density. A power analysis revealed that 914 specimens would have been required to achieve a power of 0.8.
One for All
Authors: Overbeck Jennifer R. , Droutman Vitaliya
Published: June 2013

We argue that powerful people tend to engage in social projection. Specifically, they self-anchor: They use the self as a reference point when judging others’ internal states. In Study 1, which used a reaction-time paradigm, powerful people used their own traits as a reference when assessing the traits of group members, classifying group descriptors more quickly if they had previously reported that those terms described themselves. Study 2, which used a classic false-consensus paradigm, showed that powerful people believed that their group-related attitudes were shared by group members. Study 3 showed that more-powerful people relied more on their own state affect when judging other people’s ambiguous emotional expressions. These results support our argument that power fosters self-anchoring, because powerful individuals are often called on to act as the representative face of their groups, and the association between power and representation prompts the heuristic use of the self to infer group properties.
Globalization, Distance and Disease: Spatial Health Disparities in Rural India
Authors: Krishna Anirudh , Ananthpur Kripa
Published: June 2013

More than 50 per cent of the Indian population lives in villages that are located more than five kilometres from the nearest town. This half of India is more likely to experience illnesses of different kinds and simultaneously less likely to get qualified medical treatment. The incidence of premature deaths, infant and child mortality and malnutrition are all significantly higher within villages located further from towns. In consequence, such villagers are more susceptible than others to being overcome by the medical poverty trap. Poverty has increased within villages located more than five kilometres from towns, even as the national economy was surging ahead. Globalization privileges cities, disadvantaging locations at greater distances from towns. Public policy is required to compensate. Efforts to limit spatial inequalities must take precedence in future health policies.
Nonlinear frequency response analysis and dynamics design of a solid and liquid mixture nonlinear vibration isolator
Authors: Gao X , Chen Q
Published: June 2013

The solid and liquid mixture (SALiM) vibration isolator is a relatively new passive vibration control technology, especially for the vibration isolation of heavy equipment with low frequency. The isolator contains liquid and elastic solid elements as working media, and its axial stiffness property approximates to bilinear stiffness in certain ranges. This paper focuses on the dynamics design of the isolator and the theoretical analysis of its nonlinear frequency response function (NFRF). The nonlinear dynamic model of a vibration system with a SALiM isolator, i.e. the equation of motion (EOM), is at first established. Then the average method, a classical analytical tool, is employed to estimate the approximate solution of the nonlinear EOM. However, the symmetrical first-order solution obtained with the above method may not be adequate due to the asymmetry of the stiffness of the SALiM isolator. Therefore, the modified average method with a trial expression including a direct current term is introduced. In order to verify the approximate results, a numerical reference based on the Runge-Kutta method is provided for comparison. Moreover, from plots of the resulted NFRFs, it is found that there exists a jump phenomenon induced by bilinearity, which may have harmful impacts on the equipment which is supposed to be protected from vibrations and shocks. To avoid the downside of the bilinear stiffness, the NFRF is analyzed, which allows the determination of the critical values of the isolator parameters to avoid the jump points.
Estimation of damping in rotors using complex morlet wavelet transform
Authors: Chandra N Harish , Sekhar A Seshadri
Published: June 2013

In a rotor-bearing system running with uniform angular acceleration, after running through the resonance, typical beat vibrations occur because the response of the system consists of the natural and excited motion. Shortly after resonance both are vibrations with frequencies close to each other. The present study explains a method for estimating damping of rotor-bearing systems from transient beat characteristics observed during the run-up stage. A mathematical justification is provided that the transient response of the rotor-bearing system consists of a beat response when the system crosses resonance. It is also clear from the mathematical model that the beat phenomenon observed depends on the level of damping in the system. The beat time period is also dependent on the angular acceleration of the system. This beat response is considered for wavelet analysis and the damping is estimated. Angular acceleration (α) of the rotor often increases the damping effects. This paper investigates how the damping ratio changes with respect to different angular acceleration values of the rotor-bearing system. Experimental validation of the beat phenomenon and damping identification is done for a rotor-bearing system. Validation for the above proposed method is done by the half-power bandwidth method of the run-up response and logarithmic decrement method of the beat response. A damping estimation from the impulse response of the stationary rotor by using wavelet transforms is also presented and validated using the logarithmic decrement method.
A novel fractional Laplace decomposition method for chaotic systems and the generation of chaotic sequences
Authors: Gondal Muhammad Asif , Batool Syeda Iram , Khan Majid
Published: June 2013

In this paper, we use the fractional Laplace decomposition method (FLDM) to solve fractional chaotic systems that have various applications in engineering. The FLDM is simple to apply and, moreover, has advantages of manipulating the series solution in an efficient way. We have used the obtained series solutions to generate chaotic sequences.