bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of disinfection and storage on the flexural strength of ocular prosthetic acrylic resins
Authors: Goiato Marcelo C. , dos Santos Daniela M. , Moreno Amália , Iyda Mariana G. , Rezende Maria C. R. A. , Haddad Marcela F.
Published: October 2011

doi: 10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2011.00570.x

Effect of disinfection and storage on the flexural strength of ocular prosthetic acrylic resins

Objective:  To evaluate the influence of chemical disinfection and storage duration on the flexural strength of acrylic resins commonly used to make ocular prostheses.

Methods:  A total of 260 samples were manufactured with N1 resin and colourless resin. Both resins were thermopolymerised using a microwave oven. Samples were stored and periodically disinfected and were divided into groups: control (no disinfection) (I), neutral soap (II), Opti‐free (III), Efferdent (IV), 1% hypochlorite (V) or 4% chlorhexidine (VI). The flexural strength was measured before and after 60 and 120 days of storage. Data were analysed by anova and Tukey test (0.05).

Results:  The flexural strength of the N1 resin was higher than that for the colourless resin. There was a significant difference in the flexural strength before and after 60 and 120 days of storage with disinfection, regardless of the resin and disinfectant. Group I in the initial period exhibited greater flexural strength, with significant difference only in group VI after 120 days.

Conclusion:  It can be concluded that the flexural strength only changed after 120 days of storage for samples disinfected with chlorhexidine. However, all flexural strength values obtained herein were acceptable clinical limits for the acrylic resins.
Low-Intensity Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy—A Novel Effective Treatment for Erectile Dysfunction in Severe ED Patients Who Respond Poorly to PDE5 Inhibitor Therapy
Authors: Gruenwald Ilan , Appel Boaz , Vardi Yoram
Published: October 2011

Introduction

Low-intensity shock wave therapy (LI-ESWT) has been reported as an effective treatment in men with mild and moderate erectile dysfunction (ED).

Aim

The aim of this study is to determine the efficacy of LI-ESWT in severe ED patients who were poor responders to phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor (PDE5i) therapy.

Methods

This was an open-label single-arm prospective study on ED patients with an erection hardness score (EHS) ≤ 2 at baseline. The protocol comprised two treatment sessions per week for 3 weeks, which were repeated after a 3-week no-treatment interval. Patients were followed at 1 month (FU1), and only then an active PDE5i medication was provided for an additional month until final follow-up visit (FU2).

At each treatment session, LI-ESWT was applied on the penile shaft and crus at five different anatomical sites (300 shocks, 0.09 mJ/mm2 intensity at120 shocks/min).

Each subject underwent a full baseline assessment of erectile function using validated questionnaires and objective penile hemodynamic testing before and after LI-ESWT.

Main Outcome Measures

Outcome measures used are changes in the International Index of Erectile Function-erectile function domain (IIEF-ED) scores, the EHS measurement, and the three parameters of penile hemodynamics and endothelial function.

Results

Twenty-nine men (mean age of 61.3) completed the study. Their mean IIEF-ED scores increased from 8.8 ± 1 (baseline) to 12.3 ± 1 at FU1 (P = 0.035). At FU2 (on active PDE5i treatment), their IIEF-ED further increased to 18.8 ± 1 (P < 0.0001), and 72.4% (P < 0.0001) reached an EHS of ≥3 (allowing full sexual intercourse). A significant improvement (P = 0.0001) in penile hemodynamics was detected after treatment and this improvement significantly correlated with increases in the IIEF-ED (P < 0.05). No noteworthy adverse events were reported.

Conclusions

Penile LI-ESWT is a new modality that has the potential to treat a subgroup of severe ED patients. These preliminary data need to be reconfirmed by multicenter sham control studies in a larger group of ED patients.
The Impacts of Chronic Wasting Disease and its Management on Recreational Hunters
Authors: Zimmer Natalie M. P. , Boxall Peter C. , Adamowicz Wiktor L.
Published: October 2011

This paper examines the site choices of recreational deer hunters in context of changing levels of chronic wasting disease (CWD) and its management in Alberta. CWD is a prion disease that affects wild cervids and is found in Saskatchewan and Alberta. There are no known human health risks from CWD but the condition is fatal for cervids. The methodological approach employed utilizes both revealed and stated preference data collected from resident hunters using a computer‐based survey. The results suggest that while hunting behavior is not significantly altered by current CWD levels and management programs, there would be some changes given higher prevalence and spread levels of the disease. To avoid a situation of high CWD spread and prevalence, hunters would be willing to pay on average $20.35 per trip to keep CWD at current levels. This translated into just under a million dollars of direct economic value. Although the estimate is not large compared to other provincial economic activities, when added up over a number of years the economic losses could be substantial.

Le présent article examine les choix de site des amateurs de chasse au cerf en fonction de l’évolution de la maladie débilitante chronique des cervidés (MDC) et de la gestion de cette maladie en Alberta. La MDC est une maladie à prions qui frappe les cervidés sauvages, notamment en Saskatchewan et en Alberta. Cette maladie ne semble pas présenter de risques pour la santé humaine, mais elle demeure fatale pour les cervidés. Nous avons utilisé une approche méthodologique comprenant des données sur les préférences révélées et les préférences déclarées des chasseurs résidents, recueillies au moyen d’un sondage informatisé. D’après les résultats, bien que les niveaux actuels de la MDC et les programmes de gestion n’aient pas entraîné de changements considérables sur le plan du comportement de chasse, une hausse de la prévalence et des niveaux de propagation de la maladie pourrait toutefois entraîner certains changements. Afin d’éviter une augmentation de la propagation et de la prévalence de la MDC, les chasseurs se sont dit prêts à verser en moyenne 20,35 $ par voyage de chasse pour contenir la maladie aux niveaux actuels, ce qui représenterait une valeur économique directe de près de un million de dollars. Bien que cette estimation soit faible par rapport aux autres activités économiques provinciales, les pertes financières cumulées sur un certain nombre d’années pourraient toutefois être substantielles.
Spectrum evolution in binary pulsar B1259−63/LS 2883 Be star and gigahertz-peaked spectra
Authors: Kijak J. , Dembska M. , Lewandowski W. , Melikidze G. , Sendyk M.
Published: October 2011

We study the radio spectrum of PSR B1259−63 orbiting around the Be star LS 2883 and show that the shape of the spectrum depends on the orbital phase. At frequencies below 3 GHz, PSR B1259−63 flux densities are lower when measured near the periastron passage than those measured far from periastron. We suggest that an interaction of the radio waves with the Be star environment accounts for this effect. While it is quite natural to explain the pulsar eclipse by the presence of an equatorial disc around LS 2883, this disc alone cannot be responsible for the observed spectral evolution of PSR B1259−63 and we, therefore, propose a qualitative model which explains this evolution. We consider two mechanisms that might influence the observed radio emission: free–free absorption and cyclotron resonance. We believe that this binary system can hold the clue to the understanding of gigahertz-peaked spectra of pulsars.
Intragroup Conflict Under the Microscope: Micro‐Conflicts in Naturalistic Team Discussions
Authors: Paletz Susannah B. F. , Schunn Christian D. , Kim Kevin H.
Published: October 2011

We argue for the value of examining micro‐conflicts, brief moment‐by‐moment disagreements in conversations, and present a test of a coding scheme for this construct. Conceptualized and measured as such, micro‐conflicts are brief rather than long‐lasting behaviors, observational rather than self‐report, and do not rely on participant retrospection. Using video data from naturalistic multidisciplinary teams, we examined type of micro‐conflicts, micro‐conflict resolution, affect, and the effect of team characteristics. Logistic regression revealed that negative affect was uncommon for micro‐conflicts but still negatively related to micro‐conflict resolution. Process micro‐conflicts were more prevalent early in teams’ life cycles and in groups that experienced more obstacles and frustrations. Future research using this micro‐behavioral construct can link immediate cognitive and affective consequences and antecedents to these micro‐disagreements. It is possible that micro‐conflicts, as minute behaviors, may be less emotionally intense and more easily resolved and thus have different implications, predictors, and correlates than macro‐, self‐reported conflicts.
“Environmental Hypertensionology” The Effects of Environmental Factors on Blood Pressure in Clinical Practice and Research
Authors: Brook Robert D. , Weder Alan B. , Rajagopalan Sanjay
Published: October 2011

J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2011;13:836–842. ©2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Blood pressure (BP) is affected by many environmental factors including ambient temperature, altitude, latitude, noise, and air pollutants. Given their pervasiveness, it is plausible that such factors may also have an impact on hypertension prevalence and control rates. Health care providers should be aware that the environment can play a significant role in altering BP. Although not among the established modifiable risk factors (eg, obesity) for hypertension, reducing exposures when pertinent should be considered to prevent or control hypertension. The authors provide a concise review of the evidence linking diverse environmental factors with BP and suggest an approach for incorporating this knowledge into clinical practice. The authors propose using the term environmental hypertensionology to refer to the study of the effects of environmental factors on BP in clinical and research settings.
A Novel, Nonbinary Evaluation of Success and Failure Reveals Bupropion Efficacy Versus Methamphetamine Dependence: Reanalysis of a Multisite Trial
Authors: McCann David J. , Li Shou‐Hua
Published: October 2011

A multisite, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial of bupropion for methamphetamine dependence was reanalyzed using a novel, nonbinary method of evaluating success and failure. The original analysis focused on a group response endpoint (the change in percentage of participants with methamphetamine‐free urines each week over the course of the trial) and no significant bupropion effect was observed in the total population of study participants. In this reanalysis, individual participants were regarded as treatment success if they achieved multiple weeks of abstinence lasting through the end of the study, and their degree of success was quantified by calculating the number of beyond‐threshold weeks of success (NOBWOS). Thus, setting the threshold at 1 week of end‐of‐study abstinence (EOSA), treatment successes were assigned NOBWOS values ranging from 1 to 11, with 1 corresponding to 2 weeks EOSA and 11 corresponding to abstinence throughput the entire 12‐week trial. Treatment failures were assigned a value of 0. Comparison of NOBWOS values revealed a significant effect of bupropion to facilitate abstinence (P= 0.0176). In the bupropion group, 20% of participants achieved 2 or more weeks EOSA, 14% achieved 6 or more weeks EOSA, and 6% were abstinent throughout the trial; this compares with 7%, 4%, and 1% in the placebo group, respectively. On the basis of the NOBWOS analysis, bupropion seems to effectively facilitate the achievement of abstinence in methamphetamine‐dependent individuals.
Lexical and semantic representations in the acquisition of L2 cognate and non‐cognate words: Evidence from two learning methods in children
Authors: Comesaña Montserrat , Soares Ana Paula , Sánchez‐Casas Rosa , Lima Cátia
Published: October 2011

How bilinguals represent words in two languages and which mechanisms are responsible for second language acquisition are important questions in the bilingual and vocabulary acquisition literature. This study aims to analyse the effect of two learning methods (picture‐ vs. word‐based method) and two types of words (cognates and non‐cognates) in early stages of children's L2 acquisition. Forty‐eight native speakers of European Portuguese, all sixth graders (mean age = 10.87 years; SD= 0.85), participated in the study. None of them had prior knowledge of Basque (the L2 in this study). After a learning phase in which L2 words were learned either by a picture‐ or a word‐based method, children were tested in a backward‐word translation recognition task at two times (immediately vs. one week later). Results showed that the participants made more errors when rejecting semantically related than semantically unrelated words as correct translations (semantic interference effect). The magnitude of this effect was higher in the delayed test condition regardless of the learning method. Moreover, the overall performance of participants from the word‐based method was better than the performance of participants from the picture‐word method. Results were discussed concerning the most significant bilingual lexical processing models.
Milgram's obedience experiments: A rhetorical analysis
Authors: Gibson Stephen
Published: October 2011

The present paper outlines a perspective on Milgram's obedience experiments informed by rhetorical psychology. This perspective is demonstrated through a qualitative analysis of audio recordings and transcripts from two of Milgram's experimental conditions: ‘voice‐feedback’ and ‘women as subjects’. Analysis draws attention to the way in which participants could draw the experimenter into a process of negotiation over the continuation of the experimental session, something which could lead to quite radical departures from the standardized experimental procedure, and points to the ineffectiveness of Milgram's fourth prod (You have no other choice, you must go on). These observations are discussed in terms of their implications for theory and research on dis/obedience, with a specific focus on the concepts of choice and agency and the nature and meaning of dis/obedience.
Processing of central and reflex vagal drives by rat cardiac ganglion neurones: an intracellular analysis
Authors: McAllen Robin M. , Salo Lauren M. , Paton Julian F. R. , Pickering Anthony E.
Published: October 2011

Non‐technical summary  The brain controls the heart through parasympathetic (vagal) and sympathetic nerves. Vagal control is integral to cardiac health and a loss of vagal tone is a poor prognostic sign in cardiovascular diseases such as heart failure and hypertension. The vagal drive to the heart is transmitted across synapses located in the cardiac ganglia on the heart. We have developed a novel methodology to make intracellular recordings from cardiac ganglion neurones on the surface of the beating heart in a preparation with intact functional drive from the brainstem. We show how these neurones process their synaptic inputs and demonstrate that the ganglion plays a key role in regulating the level of vagal tone reaching the heart. This identifies the cardiac ganglion as a viable target for interventions to restore the transmission of vagal tone in cardiovascular diseases.
Analysis of pacemaker activity in the human stomach
Authors: Rhee Poong‐Lyul , Lee Ji Yeon , Son Hee Jung , Kim Jae J. , Rhee Jong Chul , Kim Sung , Koh Sang Don , Hwang Sung Jin , Sanders Kenton M. , Ward Sean M.
Published: October 2011

Non‐technical summary  What is known about gastric electrophysiology and used in motility clinics throughout the world is mostly deduced from animal studies and extracellular recordings from human patients. Extracellular recording from gastrointestinal muscles, however, is prone to extensive motion artifact, and it is not clear that animal models can be translated directly to human physiology. Therefore, we have performed a detailed analysis of electrical activity from carefully mapped specimens of gastric muscle removed from humans during surgery for gastric cancers. Our data show several important differences in electrical activity recorded with intracellular microelectrodes and accepted gastric electrophysiological dogma. We observed ongoing electrical slow wave activity in the gastric fundus; we also found no evidence for a slow wave frequency gradient. Muscles from all regions through the thickness of the muscularis demonstrated intrinsic pacemaker activity, and this corresponded with the widespread distribution of pacemaker cells.
Sex modulates whole‐body sudomotor thermosensitivity during exercise
Authors: Gagnon Daniel , Kenny Glen P.
Published: October 2011

Non‐technical summary  The human body controls its temperature through coordinated physiological processes. Prior to the current study, it remained unknown if differences between males and females existed in these processes. The results from the current study show that females have a lower whole‐body sweat response during exercise in the heat compared to males, which results in a greater increase in body temperature. The physiological process responsible for the lower whole‐body sweat rate was a lower thermosensitivity of the response, meaning a lower increase in sweat production for a given increase in body temperature. Knowledge of sex‐related differences in the physiology of temperature regulation may lead to better improvements in heat exposure guidelines for industrial, military and athletic settings.
Trigeminal ganglion neuron subtype‐specific alterations of CaV2.1 calcium current and excitability in a Cacna1a mouse model of migraine
Authors: Fioretti B. , Catacuzzeno L. , Sforna L. , Gerke‐Duncan M. B. , van den Maagdenberg A. M. J. M. , Franciolini F. , Connor M. , Pietrobon D.
Published: October 2011

Non‐technical summary  Activation of trigeminal neurons innervating the meninges and release of proinflammatory peptides (in particular calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP)) from their terminals are believed to play a key role in generating migraine pain. A monogenic subtype of migraine (familial hemiplegic migraine type‐1 (FHM1)) is caused by gain‐of‐function mutations in a neuronal voltage‐gated calcium channel (Cav2.1) involved in controlling neurotransmitter release from many synaptic terminals including those of trigeminal neurons at the meninges. Using a FHM1 transgenic mouse model, we show that the migraine mutation produces gain‐of‐function (i.e. it increases calcium influx) in a subpopulation of trigeminal neurons that do not innervate the meninges. In contrast, the calcium channels of trigeminal neurons innervating the meninges and releasing CGRP are not affected by the mutation. Congruently, the migraine mutation does not alter CGRP release at the meninges. Our findings suggest that the facilitation of CGRP actions at the meninges does not contribute to the generation of headache in FHM1.
Numerical Study of a Six-Bladed Savonius Wind Turbine
Authors: Emmanuel Binyet , Jun Wang
Published: October 2011

The aim of the present paper is to investigate ways of improving the efficiency of a six-bladed Savonius rotor. The efficiency of Savonius machines is low because of the “negative drag” exerted on the convex part of the blades and also because the torque of standard Savonius rotors varies substantially during one rotation and therefore affects the self starting of the rotor at certain wind angles. Improvement of the efficiency of the Savonius rotor is carried out by increasing the number of blades and also by preventing the wind from impinging on the convex parts. The latter can be done by hiding the convex part of the blades behind a shield or a vane. The present paper shows the results of two-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) computations, indicating a promising increase of the power coefficient from 0.3 to 0.5.
System Architecture Modeling in a Software Tool Based on the Contact and Channel Approach (C&C-A)
Authors: Albers Albert , Braun Andreas , Sadowski Eike , Wynn David C. , Wyatt David F. , John Clarkson P.
Published: October 2011

The Contact and Channel Approach (C&C-A) has been developed to support the decomposition and design of technical systems. It is based on the principle that function and form emerge together during design, and therefore should be considered together in a design representation. This paper discusses the theory underlying the C&C-A, and describes its formalization and implementation in a software tool. The approach is applied to model the system architecture of a humanoid robot arm considering the impact of a proposed design change. This illustrates some of the main benefits of the Contact and Channel Approach: helping designers visualize, understand and communicate the complex dependencies between function and form in a system architecture.
Level of Modularity and Different Levels of System Granularity
Authors: Chiriac Noemi , Hölttä-Otto Katja , Lysy Dusan , Suk Suh Eun
Published: October 2011

All complex system development projects involve analysis of the system architecture. Thus far it has been assumed that there is some correct system decomposition that can be used in the architectural analysis without consideration of the sensitivity of the results to the chosen level of decomposition. We represent 88 idealized system architectures and a real complex system as a design structure matrix at two different levels of decomposition. We analyze these architectures for their degree of modularity. We find that the degree of modularity can vary for the same system when the system is represented at the two different levels of granularity. For example, the printing system used in the case study is considered slightly integral at a higher level of decomposition and quite modular at a lower level of decomposition. We further find that even though the overall results can be different depending on the level of decomposition, the direction of change toward more modular or more integral can be calculated the same regardless of the level of decomposition. We conclude that the level of decomposition can distort the results of architectural analysis and care must be taken in defining the system decomposition for any analysis.
Measurement of luminescence decays: High performance at low cost
Authors: Sulkes Mark , Sulkes Zoe
Published: October 2011

The availability of inexpensive ultra bright LEDs spanning the visible and near-ultraviolet combined with the availability of inexpensive electronics equipment makes it possible to construct a high performance luminescence lifetime apparatus (∼5 ns instrumental response or better) at low cost. A central need for time domain measurement systems is the ability to obtain short (∼1 ns or less) excitation light pulses from the LEDs. It is possible to build the necessary LED driver using a simple avalanche transistor circuit. We describe first a circuit to test for small signal NPN transistors that can avalanche. We then describe a final optimized avalanche mode circuit that we developed on a prototyping board by measuring driven light pulse duration as a function of the circuit on the board and passive component values. We demonstrate that the combination of the LED pulser and a 1P28 photomultiplier tube used in decay waveform acquisition has a time response that allows for detection and lifetime determination of luminescence decays down to ∼5 ns. The time response and data quality afforded with the same components in time-correlated single photon counting are even better. For time-correlated single photon counting an even simpler NAND-gate based LED driver circuit is also applicable. We also demonstrate the possible utility of a simple frequency domain method for luminescence lifetime determinations.
Enhancing the understanding of entropy through computation
Authors: Salagaram Trisha , Chetty Nithaya
Published: October 2011

We devise an algorithm to enumerate the microstates of a system comprising N independent, distinguishable particles. The algorithm is applicable to a wide class of systems such as harmonic oscillators, free particles, spins, and other models for which there are no analytical solutions, for example, a system with single particle energy spectrum given by ɛ(p,q) = ɛ0(p2 + q4), where p and q are non-negative integers. Our algorithm enables us to determine the approach to the limit N → ∞ within the microcanonical ensemble, and makes manifest the equivalence with the canonical ensemble. Various thermodynamic quantities as a function of N can be computed using our methods.
The Boltzmann factor, DNA melting, and Brownian ratchets: Topics in an introductory physics sequence for biology and premedical students
Authors: Mochrie S. G. J.
Published: October 2011

Three interrelated biologically-relevant examples of biased random walks are discussed: DNA melting, modeled as DNA unzipping, which provides a way to illustrate the role of the Boltzmann factor in a context well known to biology and pre-medical students; the activity of helicase motor proteins in unzipping double-stranded DNA, which is an example of a Brownian ratchet; and force generation by actin polymerization, which is also a Brownian ratchet, and for which the force and actin-concentration dependence of the velocity of actin polymerization is determined.
Structural Basis for Activation and Inhibition of Class I Phosphoinositide 3-Kinases
Authors: Vadas Oscar , Burke John E. , Zhang Xuxiao , Berndt Alex , Williams Roger L.
Published: October 2011

The regulatory interactions between PI3Ks and their binding partners could be exploited for therapies.
Impact of Inadequate Empirical Therapy on the Mortality of Patients with Bloodstream Infections: a Propensity Score-Based Analysis
Authors: Retamar Pilar , Portillo María M. , López-Prieto María Dolores , Rodríguez-López Fernando , de Cueto Marina , García María V. , Gómez María J. , del Arco Alfonso , Muñoz Angel , Sánchez-Porto Antonio , Torres-Tortosa Manuel , Martín-Aspas Andrés , Arroyo Ascensión , García-Figueras Carolina , Acosta Federico , Corzo Juan E. , León-Ruiz Laura , Escobar-Lara Trinidad , Rodríguez-Baño Jesús ,   the SAEI/SAMPAC Bacteremia Group
Published: October 2011

The impact of the adequacy of empirical therapy on outcome for patients with bloodstream infections (BSI) is key for determining whether adequate empirical coverage should be prioritized over other, more conservative approaches. Recent systematic reviews outlined the need for new studies in the field, using improved methodologies. We assessed the impact of inadequate empirical treatment on the mortality of patients with BSI in the present-day context, incorporating recent methodological recommendations. A prospective multicenter cohort including all BSI episodes in adult patients was performed in 15 hospitals in Andalucía, Spain, over a 2-month period in 2006 to 2007. The main outcome variables were 14- and 30-day mortality. Adjusted analyses were performed by multivariate analysis and propensity score-based matching. Eight hundred one episodes were included. Inadequate empirical therapy was administered in 199 (24.8%) episodes; mortality at days 14 and 30 was 18.55% and 22.6%, respectively. After controlling for age, Charlson index, Pitt score, neutropenia, source, etiology, and presentation with severe sepsis or shock, inadequate empirical treatment was associated with increased mortality at days 14 and 30 (odds ratios [ORs], 2.12 and 1.56; 95% confidence intervals [95% CI], 1.34 to 3.34 and 1.01 to 2.40, respectively). The adjusted ORs after a propensity score-based matched analysis were 3.03 and 1.70 (95% CI, 1.60 to 5.74 and 0.98 to 2.98, respectively). In conclusion, inadequate empirical therapy is independently associated with increased mortality in patients with BSI. Programs to improve the quality of empirical therapy in patients with suspicion of BSI and optimization of definitive therapy should be implemented.
In VitroEffect of Malachite Green on Candida albicans Involves Multiple Pathways and Transcriptional RegulatorsUPC2andSTP2
Authors: Dhamgaye Sanjiveeni , Devaux Frederic , Manoharlal Raman , Vandeputte Patrick , Shah Abdul Haseeb , Singh Ashutosh , Blugeon Corinne , Sanglard Dominique , Prasad Rajendra
Published: October 2011

In this study, we show that a chemical dye, malachite green (MG), which is commonly used in the fish industry as an antifungal, antiparasitic, and antibacterial agent, could effectively killCandida albicansand non-C. albicansspecies. We have demonstrated thatCandidacells are susceptible to MG at a very low concentration (MIC that reduces growth by 50% [MIC50], 100 ng ml−1) and that the effect of MG is independent of known antifungal targets, such as ergosterol metabolism and major drug efflux pump proteins. Transcriptional profiling in response to MG treatment ofC. albicanscells revealed that of a total of 207 responsive genes, 167 genes involved in oxidative stress, virulence, carbohydrate metabolism, heat shock, amino acid metabolism, etc., were upregulated, while 37 genes involved in iron acquisition, filamentous growth, mitochondrial respiration, etc., were downregulated. We confirmed experimentally thatCandidacells exposed to MG resort to a fermentative mode of metabolism, perhaps due to defective respiration. In addition, we showed that MG triggers depletion of intracellular iron pools and enhances reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. These effects could be reversed by the addition of iron or antioxidants, respectively. We provided evidence that the antifungal effect of MG is exerted through the transcription regulatorsUPC2(regulating ergosterol biosynthesis and azole resistance) andSTP2(regulating amino acid permease genes). Taken together, our transcriptome, genetic, and biochemical results allowed us to decipher the multiple mechanisms by which MG exerts its anti-Candidaeffects, leading to a metabolic shift toward fermentation, increased generation of ROS, labile iron deprivation, and cell necrosis.
SREBP-Dependent Triazole Susceptibility in Aspergillus fumigatus Is Mediated through Direct Transcriptional Regulation oferg11A(cyp51A)
Authors: Blosser Sara J. , Cramer Robert A.
Published: October 2011

As triazole antifungal drug resistance during invasiveAspergillus fumigatusinfection has become more prevalent, the need to understand mechanisms of resistance inA. fumigatushas increased. The presence of twoerg11(cyp51) genes inAspergillusspp. is hypothesized to account for the inherent resistance of this mold to the triazole fluconazole (FLC). Recently, anA. fumigatusnull mutant of a transcriptional regulator in the sterol regulatory element binding protein (SREBP) family, the ΔsrbAstrain, was found to have increased susceptibility to FLC and voriconazole (VCZ). In this study, we examined the mechanism engendering the observed increase inA. fumigatustriazole susceptibility in the absence of SrbA. We observed a significant reduction in theerg11Atranscript in the ΔsrbAstrain in response to FLC and VCZ. Transcript levels oferg11Bwere also reduced but not to the extent oferg11A. Interestingly,erg11Atranscript levels increased upon extended VCZ, but not FLC, exposure. Construction of anerg11Aconditional expression strain in the ΔsrbAstrain was able to restoreerg11Atranscript levels and, consequently, wild-type MICs to the triazole FLC. The VCZ MIC was also partially restored upon increasederg11Atranscript levels; however, total ergosterol levels remained significantly reduced compared to those of the wild type. Induction of theerg11Aconditional strain did not restore the hypoxia growth defect of the ΔsrbAstrain. Taken together, our results demonstrate a critical role for SrbA-mediated regulation of ergosterol biosynthesis and triazole drug interactions inA. fumigatusthat may have clinical importance.
A Patatin-Like Protein Protects Toxoplasma gondii from Degradation in a Nitric Oxide-Dependent Manner
Authors: Tobin Crystal M. , Knoll Laura J.
Published: October 2011

Toxoplasma gondiiis an obligate intracellular parasite that uses immune cells to disseminate throughout its host.T. gondiican persist and even slowly replicate in activated host macrophages by reducing the antimicrobial effects of molecules such as nitric oxide (NO). AT. gondiipatatin-like protein called TgPL1 was previously shown to be important for survival in activated macrophages. Here we show that aT. gondiimutant with a deletion of theTgPL1gene (ΔTgPL1) is degraded in activated macrophages. This degradation phenotype is abolished by the removal of NO by the use of an inducible NO synthase (iNOS) inhibitor or iNOS-deficient macrophages. The exogenous addition of NO to macrophages results in reduced parasite growth but not the degradation of ΔTgPL1 parasites. These results suggest that NO is necessary but not sufficient for the degradation of ΔTgPL1 parasites in activated macrophages. While some patatin-like proteins have phospholipase A2(PLA2) activity, recombinant TgPL1 purified fromEscherichia colidoes not have phospholipase activity. This result was not surprising, as TgPL1 contains a G-to-S change at the predicted catalytic serine residue. An epitope-tagged version of TgPL1 partially colocalized with a dense granule protein in the parasitophorous vacuole space. These results may suggest that TgPL1 moves to the parasitophorous vacuole to protect parasites from nitric oxide by an undetermined mechanism.
Dispersion modes of hot plasma for a Schwarzschild – de Sitter horizon in a Veselago medium
Authors: Sharif M. , Noureen Ifra
Published: October 2011

Herein, we analyze the dispersion modes of hot plasma around the Schwarzschild – de Sitter event horizon in the presence of a Veselago medium (left-handed). For this purpose, we apply Arnowitt, Deser, and Misner 3+1 formalism to develop general relativistic magnetohydrodynamics (GRMHD) equations for the Schwarzschild – de Sitter space–time. Implementation of linear perturbation yields perturbed GRMHD equations that are used for the Fourier analysis of rotating (nonmagnetized and magnetized) plasma. Wave analysis is described by the graphical representation of the wave vector, refractive index, change in refractive index, and phase and group velocities. The outcome of this work supports the validity of a Veselago medium.
On high-altitude projectile motion
Authors: Benacka Jan
Published: October 2011

In this study, the formulas for projectile velocity components and coordinates in a vacuum were derived with the altitude decrease in gravitational acceleration factored in. A model of cannon shell motion in the air is presented that accounts for the altitude dependence of gravitational acceleration, air density, the speed of sound up to an altitude of 84 km, and the speed dependence of the drag coefficient at trans- and supersonic speeds. The drag coefficient function is obtained by fitting to experimental data taken for the US M101 155 mm shell. The model gives flight parameters that agree with the published ones. The motion of the Paris Gun projectile is then modeled. The model shows that a range of 120 km is possible if the projectile mass is about 150 kg. A flat Earth approximation was used in the computations. Changing the launch angle to 90°, super high-altitude vertical ascent and free fall are modeled.
Mass spectrum of a charged superstring attached to angled D-branes
Authors: Sadeghi J. , Pourhassan B.
Published: October 2011

In this paper, we consider a charged superstring stretched between two angled nonintersecting D-branes. Also, we take into account the constant two-dimensional electromagnetic field on the D-branes. In type II superstrings, we obtain the mass spectrum of the superstring. The noncommutativity between X1 and X2 coordinates at the string’s endpoints is described by the variable θ.
Thermodynamics of a Bardeen black hole in noncommutative space
Authors: Sharif M. , Javed Wajiha
Published: October 2011

In this paper, we examine the effects of space noncommutativity on the thermodynamics of a Bardeen charged regular black hole. For a suitable choice of sets of parameters, the behavior of the singularity, horizon, mass function, black hole mass, temperature, entropy and its differential, area, and energy distribution of the Bardeen solution have been discussed graphically for both noncommutative and commutative spaces. Graphs show that the commutative coordinates extrapolate all such quantities (except temperature) for a given set of parameters. It is interesting to mention here that these sets of parameters provide the singularity (essential for rh > 0) and horizon (f(rh) = 0 for rh > 0) for the black hole solution in noncommutative space, while for commutative space no such quantity exists.
Application of a probabilistic neural network in radial velocity curve analysis of the spectroscopic binary stars PV Pup, BV Dra, AI Phe, V1130 Tau, NSV 223, and V502 Oph
Authors: Karami K. , Ghaderi K. , Mohebi R. , Soltanzadeh M.M.
Published: October 2011

Using measured radial velocity data from six double-lined spectroscopic binary systems PV Pup, BV Dra, AI Phe, V1130 Tau, NSV 223 (or DZ Psc), and V502 Oph, we find corresponding orbital and spectroscopic elements via the method introduced by Karami et al. (New Astron. 14, 478 (2009)). Our numerical results are in good agreement with those obtained by others using more traditional methods. Using a statistical analysis, we also conclude that for BV Dra, V1130 Tau, NSV 223 (or DZ Psc), and V502 Oph, a circular orbit is quite consistent.
CXO CDFS J033260.0-274748: A quasar with unusual spectra possibly blueshifted?1This paper is being published without benefit of authors’ corrections.
Authors: Basu D.
Published: October 2011

CXO CDFS J033260.0-274748 is a quasi-stellar object (QSO) and identification of several emission lines observed in its optical spectrum has led to the determination of its redshift as 2.579. On the other hand, the Chandra ACIS-I spectrum has detected a strong absorption feature at the observed wavelength around 6.3 keV that cannot be identified under normal physical conditions. The authors have invoked an unusually large outflow bulk velocity of 0.7c–0.8c to explain the feature. However, such extraordinarily high bulk velocities are unprecedented in the extragalactic literature. We show here that the optical emission lines and the X-ray absorption feature can be identified with search lines of longer wavelengths that have been blueshifted and do not need any unusual physical conditions to be invoked. The blueshifted spectra are explained as being due to the net motion of the QSO along with the absorbing cloud towards the observer. Two scenarios are proposed, namely, the ejection mechanism and the multiverse.
Irreversible thermodynamics of transport across interfaces
Authors: Sears Matthew R. , Saslow Wayne M.
Published: October 2011

With spintronics applications in mind, we use irreversible thermodynamics to derive the rates of entropy production and heating near an interface when heat current, electric current, and spin current cross it. Associated with these currents are apparent discontinuities in temperature (ΔT), electrochemical potential (Δ[Formula: see text]), and spin-dependent “magnetoelectrochemical potential” (Δ[Formula: see text]). This work applies to magnetic semiconductors and insulators as well as metals, because of the inclusion of the chemical potential, μ, which is usually neglected in works on interfacial thermodynamic transport. We also discuss the (nonobvious) distinction between entropy production and heat production. Heat current and electric current are conserved, but spin current is not, so it necessitates a somewhat different treatment. At low temperatures or for large differences in material properties, the surface heating rate dominates the bulk heating rate near the surface. We also consider the case where bulk spin currents occur in equilibrium. Although a surface spin current (in A/m2) should yield about the same rate of heating as an equal surface electric current, production of such a spin current requires a relatively large “magnetization potential” difference across the interface.
Stokes flows of a Maxwell fluid with wall slip condition
Authors: Vieru Dumitru , Rauf Abdul
Published: October 2011

Stokes flows of a Maxwell fluid produced by the motion of a wall are analyzed under the slip condition at the boundary. The wall is assumed to be translated in its plane with a given velocity. The relative velocity between the fluid at the wall and the wall is assumed to be proportional to the shear rate at the wall. The exact expressions for the velocity and shear stress are determined by means of a Laplace transform. The velocity fields corresponding to both slip and nonslip conditions for Maxwell and viscous Newtonian fluids are obtained. Two particular cases, namely sinusoidal oscillations and translation with a constant velocity of the wall, are studied. In the case of flows of a Maxwell fluid with a nonslip boundary condition, the velocity is discontinuous across a vortex sheet; this situation does not appear for flows with slip conditions. In this case, the velocity is always continuous. Because the exact expression for the velocity is rather complicated, two small-time and large-time expressions of the velocity are derived. Results for Maxwell fluids are compared with those of viscous Newtonian fluids in both cases of the flow with slip and nonslip conditions. Also, the exact and approximate solutions are compared and good agreement is found. In addition, the influence of the slip coefficient on the velocity and on the relative velocity is studied.
Ambient intelligence
Authors: Sadri Fariba
Published: October 2011

In this article we survey ambient intelligence (AmI), including its applications, some of the technologies it uses, and its social and ethical implications. The applications include AmI at home, care of the elderly, healthcare, commerce, and business, recommender systems, museums and tourist scenarios, and group decision making. Among technologies, we focus on ambient data management and artificial intelligence; for example planning, learning, event-condition-action rules, temporal reasoning, and agent-oriented technologies. The survey is not intended to be exhaustive, but to convey a broad range of applications, technologies, and technical, social, and ethical challenges.
Power gating strategies on GPUs
Authors: Wang Po-Han , Yang Chia-Lin , Chen Yen-Ming , Cheng Yu-Jung
Published: October 2011

As technology continues to shrink, reducing leakage is critical to achieving energy efficiency. Previous studies on low-power GPUs (Graphics Processing Units) focused on techniques for dynamic power reduction, such as DVFS (Dynamic Voltage and Frequency Scaling) and clock gating. In this paper, we explore the potential of adopting architecture-level power gating techniques for leakage reduction on GPUs. We propose three strategies for applying power gating on different modules in GPUs. The Predictive Shader Shutdown technique exploits workload variation across frames to eliminate leakage in shader clusters. Deferred Geometry Pipeline seeks to minimize leakage in fixed-function geometry units by utilizing an imbalance between geometry and fragment computation across batches. Finally, the simple time-out power gating method is applied to nonshader execution units to exploit a finer granularity of the idle time. Our results indicate that Predictive Shader Shutdown eliminates up to 60% of the leakage in shader clusters, Deferred Geometry Pipeline removes up to 57% of the leakage in the fixed-function geometry units, and the simple time-out power gating mechanism eliminates 83.3% of the leakage in nonshader execution units on average. All three schemes incur negligible performance degradation, less than 1%.
The problem of place name ambiguity
Authors: Overell Simon
Published: October 2011

Place name ambiguity is a sub-task of the more general problem of word sense disambiguation. Ide and Véronis [6] concisely define the problem of disambiguation as "
matching the context of the instance of the word to be disambiguated with either information from an external knowledge source, or information about the contexts of the word derived from corpora
." Thus, a set of words identified as a place name must be matched to the specific location on the Earth's surface that the author was referring to. The main difference between place name disambiguation and other disambiguation problems is implicit topological and geographic relationships between locations can be exploited for disambiguation.
Geographic relevance
Authors: Reichenbacher Tumasch , De Sabbata Stefano
Published: October 2011

Geographic information is increasingly used in mobile contexts. Mobility constrains several aspects of this mobile usage, such as limited screen estate, number of desired interactions, or availability due to battery time. As a consequence designers and developers of mobile geographic applications strive to reduce the amount of information delivered to users and aim at serving just useful content rather than a larger amount of unspecific data. This is to address the problem of information overload as well as to provide information that is relevant. Ultimately this is the goal of any information retrieval system.
Warkany Syndrome: A Rare Case Report
Authors: Agrawal Amit , Agrawal Rashmi
Published: October 2011

Warkany syndrome 2 or Trisomy 8 mosaicism (T8M) is a well-described, but very rare, chromosomal abnormality. The phenotype is extremely variable ranging from normal individual to severe malformation syndrome and because of this variability, this condition often goes undiagnosed. We report trisomy 8 mosaicism (T8M) in a 3-year-old boy evaluated for facial dysmorphism and delayed development.
Acute Demyelination in a Person with Amphetamine Abuse
Authors: Weis Serge , Sachs Hans , Büttner Andreas
Published: October 2011

We report the case of a 31-year-old woman, admitted to the hospital for chest pain, dying a few days later from septic multiorgan failure, and showing at autopsy foci of acute demyelination in the occipital lobe. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis revealed the presence of amphetamine in the demyelinated area, which might be considered as the pathogenic agent, since other causes for demyelination could be excluded. This case represents the first report showing a demyelinating process due to a street drug.
Climatic and Altitudinal Influences on Variation in Macaca Limb Morphology
Authors: Weinstein Karen J.
Published: October 2011

This study compares limb lengths and joint diameters in the skeletons of six macaque species (Macaca assamensis, M. fascicularis, M. fuscata, M. mulatta, M. nemestrina, and M. thibetana) from a broad range of habitats and climates in order to test whether ambient temperatures, latitude, and altitude influence interspecific variation in limb morphology in this widely dispersed genus. Analysis of variance, principal component analysis, and partial correlation analysis reveal that species from temperate latitudes and high elevations tend to have short limbs and large joint diameters for their sizes while species from tropical latitudes and low elevations tend to have long limbs and small joint diameters. Interspecific variations in intra- and interlimb length proportions also reflect phylogeny and subtle differences in locomotion. The results of this study suggest that climatic conditions are important factors among many ecological variables that influence limb morphology in this geographically widespread genus.