bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of unrestricted somatic stem cells as a feeder layer to support undifferentiated embryonic stem cells
Authors: Keshel Saeed Heidari , Soleimani Masoud , Tavirani Mostafa Rezaei , Ebrahimi Maryam , Raeisossadati Reza , Yasaei Hemad , Afsharzadeh Danial , Behroz Mahmoud Jabbarvand , Atashi Amir , Amanpour Saeid , Khoshzaban Ahad , Roozafzoon Reza , Behrouzi Gholam Reza
Published: August 2012

The use of unrestricted somatic stem cells (USSCs) holds great promise for future clinical applications. Conventionally, mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) or other animal‐based feeder layers are used to support embryonic stem cell (ESC) growth; the use of such feeder cells increases the risk of retroviral and other pathogenic infection in clinical trials. Implementation of a human‐based feeder layer, such as hUSSCs that are isolated from human sources, lowers such risks. Isolated cord blood USSCs derived from various donors were used as a novel, supportive feeder layer for growth of C4mES cells (Royan C4 ESCs). Complete cellular characterization using immunocytochemical and flow cytometric methods were performed on murine ESCs (mESCs) and hUSSCs. mESCs cultured on hUSSCs showed similar cellular morphology and presented the same cell markers of undifferentiated mESC as would have been observed in mESCs grown on MEFs. Our data revealed these cells had negative expression of Stat3, Sox2, and Fgf4 genes while showing positive expression for Pou5f1, Nanog, Rex1, Brachyury, Lif, Lifr, Tert, B2m, and Bmp4 genes. Moreover, mESCs cultured on hUSSCs exhibited proven differentiation potential to germ cell layers showing normal karyotype. The major advantage of hUSSCs is their ability to be continuously cultured for at least 50 passages. We have also found that hUSSCs have the potential to provide ESC support from the early moments of isolation. Further study of hUSSC as a novel human feeder layer may lead to their incorporation into clinical methods, making them a vital part of the application of human ESCs in clinical cell therapy. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 79: 709–718, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Characterization of estrogen‐receptor‐targeted contrast agents in solution, breast cancer cells, and tumors in vivo
Authors: Pais Adi , Biton Inbal Eti , Margalit Raanan , Degani Hadassa
Published: August 2012

The estrogen receptor (ER) is a major prognostic biomarker of breast cancer, currently determined in surgical specimens by immunohistochemistry. Two new ER‐targeted probes, pyridine‐tetra‐acetate‐Gd chelate (PTA‐Gd) conjugated either to 17β‐estradiol (EPTA‐Gd) or to tamoxifen (TPTA‐Gd), were explored as contrast agents for molecular imaging of ER. In solution, both probes exhibited a micromolar ER binding affinity, fast water exchange rate (∼107 s−1), and water proton‐relaxivity of 4.7–6.8 mM−1 s−1. In human breast cancer cells, both probes acted as estrogen agonists and enhanced the water protons T1 relaxation rate and relaxivity in ER‐positive as compared to ER‐negative cells, with EPTA‐Gd showing a higher ER‐specific relaxivity than TPTA‐Gd. In studies of breast cancer tumors in vivo, EPTA‐Gd induced the highest enhancement in ER‐positive tumors as compared to ER‐negative tumors and muscle tissue, enabling in vivo detection of ER. TPTA‐Gd demonstrated the highest enhancement in muscle tissue indicating nonspecific interaction of this agent with muscle components. The extracellular contrast agents, PTA‐Gd and GdDTPA, showed no difference in the perfusion capacity of ER‐positive and ‐negative tumors confirming the specific interaction of EPTA‐Gd with ER. These findings lay a basis for the molecular imaging of the ER using EPTA‐Gd as a template for further developments. Magn Reson Med, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Attitudes to aspirin use in diabetes in clinical practice: a survey of health care professionals from primary and secondary care settings in the UK
Authors: Raghavan Rajeev , Laight David W , Cummings Michael H
Published: August 2012

Aspirin is recommended for secondary prevention in diabetes and macrovascular disease. However, recommendation for primary prevention in diabetes remains controversial as does the dose of aspirin prescribed. We conducted a survey to ascertain if such controversies are reflected in health care professionals' views on aspirin prescribing in patients with diabetes.

The link to an anonymous online survey was circulated via email; the survey consisted of 26 questions covering demographic characteristics and attitudes to aspirin prescription in primary and secondary prevention in patients with diabetes. The rest of this abstract and article mainly focus on the responses for aspirin preferences in primary prevention.

In all, 152 responses were obtained, with primary care comprising 63% (doctors and diabetes specialist nurses) and secondary care making up 37% (predominantly diabetes specialists). Attitudes to aspirin use within primary prevention were: 39/103 (38%) would not routinely consider aspirin and 16/121 (13.2%) would consider it in all patients. Specific risk factors associated with diabetes where aspirin would be considered favourably included the following: (a) hypertension – 44/117 (37.6%) in favour; (b) microalbuminuria – 36/115 (31.3%) with doctors 26/60 (43.3%) vs nurses 10/55 (18.2%) (c) smoking history – 33/116 (28.4%) with doctors 22/60 (36.7%) vs nurses 11/56 (19.6%) (d) strong family history of coronary disease – 68/118 (57.6%) (e) high risk of coronary disease – 71/119 (59.7%) and (f) hyperlipidaemia – 42/116 (36.2%).

This survey confirmed that the controversy in current aspirin guidance was reflected in a varied response regarding views about aspirin use in patients with diabetes and primary prevention of vascular disease. Further clarification/guidance on the optimum prescription of aspirin in diabetes is required. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons.
Excision of injection site substantially reduced serum insulin concentration in a potentially life‐threatening insulin analogue overdose
Authors: Droste J , Hundia V , Pettit A , Narayan N , Nejim A
Published: August 2012

Since the introduction of insulin analogues, there have been several published case reports of overdoses with this medication. Refractory hypoglycaemia with potentially serious neurological sequelae, including death, can occur in severe insulin overdoses. Around 30 years ago, long before insulin analogues were available, several authors reported that the excision of the soft tissue at the injection site lowered plasma insulin concentrations in overdoses with conventional short‐acting and depot insulin.

In a suicide attempt, an 18‐year‐old man had injected himself with a large amount of insulin analogues into the abdominal wall; 50 minutes after the overdose he became hypoglycaemic. He was commenced on an intravenous infusion of glucose and the injection site was surgically excised. Serial serum insulin concentrations were measured. After the excision of the insulin injection site, serum insulin concentrations fell from 4220 to 88pmol/L within 2.5 hours. Those results were only available after several weeks. As a precaution at the time, the glucose infusion had been continued for 67 hours. We observed the last hypoglycaemic event in our patient a few minutes after the surgical intervention. The patient suffered no complications and was discharged following a psychiatric assessment.

In retrospect, with the knowledge that our patient's serum insulin concentrations had dramatically fallen after surgical intervention, intravenous glucose could have been stopped earlier.

This case report describes a substantial reduction in serum insulin concentrations using surgical excision of the single injection site after a severe overdose of insulin glargine and insulin aspart. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons.
Education, technology and psycho‐technological approaches to type 1 diabetes
Authors: Murphy Helen R
Published: August 2012

A gap exists between our expectations of tight blood glucose control for type 1 diabetes and the reality of safely achieving it, particularly during adolescence and pregnancy. Technological and pharmaceutical advances will not alone achieve near‐normal blood glucose control and optimal health outcomes without recognising the social, cultural and behavioural context of those living with diabetes. Neither will educational programmes completely overcome the fundamentally disordered metabolic pathways and/or the additional physiological challenges of adolescence and pregnancy.

Improved integration of the technological, behavioural and educational aspects of care will pave the way for truly personalised, diabetes self‐management and improved health outcomes for women and children with type 1 diabetes. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons. Practical Diabetes 2012; 29(6): 247–251

This paper was presented as the 2012 Janet Kinson lecture at the 2012 Diabetes UK Annual Professional Conference held in Glasgow
Synthesis and characterization of α‐amino acid‐containing polyester: poly[(ε‐caprolactone)‐co‐(serine lactone)]
Authors: Wei Ying , Li Xiaoyuan , Jing Xiabin , Chen Xuesi , Huang Yubin
Published: August 2012

Novel polyesters, poly[(ε‐caprolactone)‐co‐(N‐trityl‐L‐serine‐β‐lactone)]s, were prepared by copolymerizing ε‐caprolactone (CL) with N‐trityl‐L‐serine‐β‐lactone (TSL) using ZnEt2 as the catalyst. The number‐average molecular weights were determined which ranged from 2.7 × 104 to 4.9 × 104 Da with dispersity values ranging from 1.6 to 1.8. The structures of the copolymers were investigated by means of 1H NMR, 13C NMR and infrared spectroscopies, thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. The results indicated that CL and TSL monomer units were randomly distributed within the copolymer backbone structures and the ratios of TSL to CL in the copolymers were close to those in the feeds. After removal of the trityl group under mild condition, a new polyester with side amino groups provided by serine units was obtained. L929 cell culturing test indicated good biocompatibility of the polyester with or without protective groups. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Quality control for a large‐scale study using protein arrays and protein beads to measure immune response in serum and plasma
Authors: Ghevaria Neha , Visser Matthieu , Hoffmann Ralf
Published: August 2012

We report on quality control performed in the context of a large‐scale, multi‐institutional study of the immune response in blood samples from prostate cancer patients. The measurements were performed by two commercially available techniques/services: protein arrays and an automated bead‐based ELISA‐like technique on 871 patient samples. The project started with a wide screen using standard arrays with 8302 protein sequences for 113 patients, followed by three studies using custom arrays with 215 selected protein sequences. These studies were followed up by three studies using the bead‐based approach on 57 protein sequences chosen from the 215 selected before. We find similar responses in plasma and serum samples. Samples from the two European projects from which the samples originated also appeared comparable. In the data from the high‐density standard arrays, we see for ∼12% of the protein sequences high cross‐correlation (R2 > 0.8) with signals from unrelated protein sequences that are physically nearby on the array, suggesting production issues. The custom array and bead‐based techniques both have good reproducibility, but the techniques do not agree with each other for ∼50% of the protein sequences measured. We discuss the consequences of the observed data quality for the design and interpretation of the study.
Polymeric monolithic materials modified with nanoparticles for separation and detection of biomolecules: A review
Authors: Connolly Damian , Currivan Sinead , Paull Brett
Published: August 2012

Polymer monolithic materials have found particularly utility in the field of bioanalysis, particularly in the area of separation science, for both enrichment and trapping of biomolecules and their analytical/preparative separations. Nanoparticle‐modified monoliths have recently emerged as a new class of substrate, with unique characteristics and structure, and with selectively tailored surface chemistries for target molecules. Although several reviews exist on the applications of nanoparticles in analytical science, this review is the first to specifically summarise the applications in bioanalysis of nanoparticle‐modified polymer monolithic materials. The review covers the range of nanoparticles being utilised in this way, their specific applications and future trends.
[2]pseudorotaxanes derived from 27‐ and 29‐membered oxaazacyclophanes and 1,2‐bis(benzimidazolium)ethane salts
Authors: Reyes‐Márquez Viviana , Tiburcio Jorge , Höpfl Herbert , Sanchez‐Vazquez Mario , Hernández‐Ahuactzi Iran F. , Moreno‐Corral Ramón , Lara Karen O.
Published: August 2012

Four novel 27‐ and 29‐membered oxaazacyclophanes were synthetized via the high dilution method in moderate to good yields, employing aromatic dialdehydes and diamines as precursors to generate first the corresponding cyclic Schiff bases, which were then reduced in almost quantitatively yields to the corresponding macrocyclic diamines. All compounds were characterized by conventional techniques such as IR and NMR (1H, 13C) spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and mass spectrometry. Besides, two macrocycles were studied by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis, which revealed that their cavities are appropriate to include small molecules. Using two representative oxaazacyclophanes (OX‐3 and OX‐4) as wheels and 1,2‐bis(benzimidazolium)ethane salts as axles, [2]pseudorotaxanes were formed in 1:1 (v/v) solvent mixtures of CHCl3 and MeCN and studied by 1H NMR and ultraviolet/visible (UV/Vis) spectroscopy, and electrospray ionization‐time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry, finding in all cases the formation of stable 1:1 complexes. The binding constants of the complexes were determined by UV/Vis and 1H NMR titration experiments, giving values ranging from 0.52 × 103 to 4.6 × 103 M−1. Likely, complex structures were investigated in the gas‐phase using density functional theory calculations at the B3LYP/6‐31G(d) level of theory. The complexation experiments together with the results from the molecular modeling studies indicate that dicationic axles can penetrate the cavity of the oxaazacyclophanes synthesized herein to give a new family of [2]pseudorotaxanes. These supramolecular structures are held together by π−π stacking interactions (charge‐transfer), charge‐assisted hydrogen bonds, and ion dipole forces. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Atmospheric Pressure Low Temperature Direct Plasma Technology: Status and Challenges for Thin Film Deposition
Authors: Massines Francoise , Sarra‐Bournet Christian , Fanelli Fiorenza , Naudé Nicolas , Gherardi Nicolas
Published: August 2012

Over the last ten years, expansion of atmospheric pressure plasma solutions for surface treatment of materials has been remarkable, however direct plasma technology for thin film deposition needs still great effort. The objective of this paper is to establish the state of the art on scientific and technologic locks, which have to be opened to consider direct atmospheric pressure plasma‐enhanced chemical vapor deposition (AP‐PECVD) a viable option for industrial application. Basic scientific principles to understand and optimize an AP‐PECVD process are summarized. Laboratory reactor configurations are reviewed. Reference points for the design and use of AP‐PECVD reactors according to the desired thin film properties are given. Finally, solutions to avoid powder formation and to increase the thin film growth rate are discussed.

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Robust Design Optimization of Dual Thrust Solid Propellant Motors due to Burning Rate Uncertainties
Authors: Aamir Raza Muhammad , Liang Wang
Published: August 2012

Solid rocket motor design becomes a clamant task where fusion of design and non‐design parameters may lead to various design configurations, especially under uncertainties. This paper proposes a robust design optimization method for the performance of a dual thrust solid rocket motor under investigation of the propellant burning rate and grain geometry uncertainties. It was found that due to uncertainties, the burning rate varies erratically during burning surface area regression, which may lead to catastrophic failure. The present approach aims at uncertainty quantification associated with burning rate and its influence on dual thrust motor performance. A first‐order orthogonal design is applied to estimate the worst case deviation coupled with motor internal ballistics. The robustness assessment is measured directly by a mean‐variance and average difference approach. A sensitivity analysis of performance parameters is performed to analyze the effects of variation of the design parameters. A hybrid genetic algorithm and simulated annealing approach is used as optimizer. The robust design solution obtained in the form of insensitive design and performance parameters shows the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed methodology.
Interaction between the C‐terminal domains of measles virus nucleoprotein and phosphoprotein: A tight complex implying one binding site
Authors: Blocquel David , Habchi Johnny , Costanzo Stéphanie , Doizy Anthony , Oglesbee Michael , Longhi Sonia
Published: August 2012

The intrinsically disordered C‐terminal domain (NTAIL) of the measles virus (MeV) nucleoprotein undergoes α‐helical folding upon binding to the C‐terminal X domain (XD) of the phosphoprotein. The NTAIL region involved in binding coupled to folding has been mapped to a conserved region (Box2) encompassing residues 489–506. In the previous studies published in this journal, we obtained experimental evidence supporting a KD for the NTAIL–XD binding reaction in the nM range and also showed that an additional NTAIL region (Box3, aa 517–525) plays a role in binding to XD. In striking contrast with these data, studies published in this journal by Kingston and coworkers pointed out a much less stable complex (KD in the μM range) and supported lack of involvement of Box3 in complex formation. The objective of this study was to critically re‐evaluate the role of Box3 in NTAIL–XD binding. Since our previous studies relied on NTAIL‐truncated forms possessing an irrelevant Flag sequence appended at their C‐terminus, we, herein, generated an NTAIL devoid of Box3 and any additional C‐terminal residues, as well as a form encompassing only residues 482–525. We then used isothermal titration calorimetry to characterize the binding reactions between XD and these NTAIL forms. Results effectively argue for the presence of a single XD‐binding site located within Box2, in agreement with the results by Kingston et al., while providing clear experimental support for a high‐affinity complex. Altogether, the present data provide mechanistic insights into the replicative machinery of MeV and clarify a hitherto highly debated point.
Dynamic features of homodimer interfaces calculated by normal‐mode analysis
Authors: Tsuchiya Yuko , Kinoshita Kengo , Endo Shigeru , Wako Hiroshi
Published: August 2012

Knowledge of the dynamic features of protein interfaces is necessary for a deeper understanding of protein–protein interactions. We performed normal‐mode analysis (NMA) of 517 nonredundant homodimers and their protomers to characterize dimer interfaces from a dynamic perspective. The motion vector calculated by NMA for each atom of a dimer was decomposed into internal and external motion vectors in individual component subunits, followed by the averaging of time‐averaged correlations between these vectors over atom pairs in the interface. This averaged correlation coefficient (ACC) was defined for various combinations of vectors and investigated in detail. ACCs decrease exponentially with an increasing interface area and r‐value, that is, interface area divided by the entire subunit surface area. As the r‐value reflects the nature of dimer formation, the result suggests that both the interface area and the nature of dimer formation are responsible for the dynamic properties of dimer interfaces. For interfaces with small or medium r‐values and without intersubunit entanglements, ACCs are found to increase on dimer formation when compared with those in the protomer state. In contrast, ACCs do not increase on dimer formation for interfaces with large r‐values and intersubunit entanglements such as in interwinding dimers. Furthermore, relationships between ACCs for intrasubunit atom pairs and for intersubunit atom pairs are found to significantly differ between interwinding and noninterwinding dimers for external motions. External motions are considered as an important factor for characterizing dimer interfaces.
Improved optical‐to‐electrical conversion efficiency by doping silole derivative with low ionization potential
Authors: Fukuda Takeshi , Kimura Sho , Honda Zentaro , Kamata Norihiko , Mori Keita , Hatano Ken
Published: August 2012

In this paper, we investigated photoconductive characteristics of blue‐sensitive organic photoconductive devices with different silole derivatives. A most important finding is that an external quantum efficiency (EQE) increased with decreasing ionization potential of silole derivative. The significant improved EQE can be explained by the dislocation efficiency of photogenerated carriers in the organic layer, which is estimated from the photoluminescence (PL) quantum yield. A maximum EQE of 52% at −26 MV m−1 was obtained by optimizing the molecular structure and the concentration of silole derivative. This value is the highest EQE for the reported solution‐processed blue‐sensitive organic photoconductive device. Another interesting result is that the signal‐to‐noise ratio was drastically improved by doping silole derivative.
Phase structure, dielectric, and piezoelectric properties of (K0.94−xNaxLi0.06)(Nb0.94Sb0.06)O3 lead‐free ceramics
Authors: Fu Lingling , Lin Dunmin , Zheng Qiaoji , Wu Xiaochun , Xu Chenggang
Published: August 2012

Lead‐free piezoelectric ceramics (K0.94−xNaxLi0.06)(Nb0.94Sb0.06)O3 have been fabricated by a conventional ceramic technique and the effects of K+/Na+ ratio on the structure and piezoelectric properties of the ceramics have been studied. All the ceramics possess a pure perovskite structure. The coexistence of tetragonal and orthorhombic phases is formed at room temperature in the ceramics with 0.45 ≤ x ≤ 0.55. The tetragonal–orthorhombic phase‐transition temperature TO–T decreases from 110 to 54 °C with x increasing from 0.35 to 0.55 and then increases from 84 to 144 °C with x further increasing from 0.6 to 0.7, while the Curie temperature TC deceases from 388 to 348 °C with x increasing from 0.35 to 0.70. Because of the coexistence of the two phases near room temperature, the ceramics with x = 0.50 exhibit the optimum piezoelectric properties: d33 = 230 pC/N and kp = 49%. The ceramics possess good time stability of piezoelectric properties.
A Supramolecular Approach to Enzyme Immobilization in Micro‐Channels
Authors: González‐Campo Arántzazu , Eker Bilge , Gardeniers Han J. G. E. , Huskens Jurriaan , Jonkheijm Pascal
Published: August 2012

A supramolecular assembly scheme is developed to enable the facile in‐situ immobilization of enzymes in a microfluidic channel system. A combination of orthogonal supramolecular interactions of host (β‐cyclodextrin)–guest (adamantane) and biotin–Streptavidin (SAv) interactions are employed to generate reusable homogeneous enzyme layers in microchannels. The structural integrity and catalytic activity of the immobilized enzyme calf‐intestine alkaline phosphatase (AlkPh) is demonstrated. From the kinetic analysis of a dephosphorylation reaction, the specificity constant kcat/KM for immobilized alkaline phosphatase in the channels is on the order of 105 M−1s−1 and comparable to known literature values in other environments. These observations are ascribed to the good access of the substrate to favorably oriented enzymes across the microchannel. Therefore, this study demonstrates the great potential for adopting a supramolecular assembly scheme to immobilize enzymes in microfluidic devices.
Enhancing the High Temperature Capability of Ti‐Alloys
Authors: Donchev Alexander , Schütze Michael , Kolitsch Andreas , Yankov Rossen
Published: August 2012

Titanium is a widely used structural material for applications below approximately 500°C but right now it cannot be used at higher temperatures. Titanium forms a fast growing rutile layer under these conditions. Furthermore enhanced oxygen uptake into the metal subsurface zone leads to embrittlement which deteriorates the mechanical properties. To overcome this problem a combined Al‐ plus F‐treatment was developed. The combination of Al‐enrichment in the surface zone so that intermetallic TixAly‐layers are produced which form a protective alumina layer during high temperature exposure plus stabilization of the Al2O3‐scale by the fluorine effect led to significantly improved resistance against increased oxidation and embrittlement in high temperature exposure tests of several Ti‐alloys. In this paper, the experimental procedures and achieved improvements are described. The results will be discussed for the use of Ti‐alloys at elevated temperatures.
Cold‐formed high‐strength tubes for structural applications
Authors: Ritakallio Pekka O.
Published: August 2012

Cold‐formed hollow sections are the dominant tubular construction material. The applicability of cold‐formed tubes is sometimes questioned because of doubts about low‐temperature ductility, deformation capacity of welded joints, suitability for welding in the cold‐formed corner, poor fatigue behaviour of the corner or suitability for hot‐dip galvanizing. It is also claimed that by choosing hot‐finished tubes, such risks can be automatically avoided. This study confirms that appropriate tube manufacturing yields cold‐formed EN 10219 tubes in grades S355J2H to S460MH with a performance equal to or better than hot‐finished tubes. Properly made cold‐formed high‐strength tubes are available for fabricating efficient lightweight structures and can be safely used even at low temperatures without the aforementioned doubts.
Experimental investigations into the application of direct tension indicators with preloaded structural bolting assemblies (HV system) to EN 1090‐2
Authors: Schiborr Markus , Stranghöner Natalie
Published: August 2012

EN 1090‐2 provides several tightening methods for the preloading of bolting assemblies. One of the prescribed procedures is the use of direct tension indicators, so‐called DTIs, with lubrication according to k‐class K0. According to the definition of k‐class K0, the lubrication should not have an influence on achieving the required preloading force Fp,C. For this reason, the main focus of the investigations presented here was how the lubrication influences the behaviour of preloaded HV bolting assemblies with and without DTIs. The experimental investigations were carried out on the institute’s own tightening torque testing machine.
General information for and improvements to the design with scheduled torsion according to EN 1993‐1‐1
Authors: Kindmann Rolf , Vette Jan
Published: August 2012

First of all, this article outlines and discusses the design rules for torsional loading according to EN 1993‐1‐1. Afterwards, the partial internal force method for I‐, U‐ and Z‐sections is presented. The verification for arbitrary internal forces is possible with this alternative method. The methods are compared and verified by existing test results.
Different, Like Everyone Else:Stuff White People Likeand the Marketplace of Diversity
Authors: Grzanka Patrick R. , Maher Justin
Published: August 2012

This article explores Stuff White People Like (SWPL), a popular blog that has lampooned the cultural practices of a certain kind of bourgeoisie‐bohemian White person since its inception in early 2008. The overwhelmingly positive reception of the blog motivated the authors to explore the complexities of this commercial humor project in the context of the twenty‐first century multicultural neoliberalism in the United States. Through analysis of both the blog entries and online audience response, they ultimately claim that SWPL is limited in its potential for antiracist cultural work because it fails to challenge the logic of neoliberalism—indeed, it operates firmly within it—and defers a radical critique of White privilege. Moreover, SWPL facilitates gleeful celebration of essentialized White idiosyncrasies by incorporating a form of White “ethnicity” in the twenty‐first century neoliberal marketplace of diversity.
Pros and cons of route optimization schemes for network mobility and their implications on handovers
Authors: Khan Muhammad Qasim , Andresen Steinar Hidle
Published: August 2012

No one can deny the importance of mobility in modern communication networks, and the Internet is no exception. The internet engineering taskforce (IETF) has introduced the network mobility (NEMO) protocol to support a moving network. NEMO solves many problems of mobile internet protocol to support a moving group of users but introduces some problems of its own such as suboptimal routing and multiple levels of encapsulation. These problems occur because the NEMO basic support protocol does not support route optimization and nested mobile networks. Many solutions have been proposed in the literature to solve these problems. In this paper, we present a comprehensive survey of those solutions and discuss their advantages and disadvantages. We also outline the effect of these solutions on handovers, and a summary is provided in the form of a table at the end. In this paper, we back up our earlier work with a comprehensive discussion of the protocols included. © 2012 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
OpenJUMP HoRAE—A free GIS and toolbox for home‐range analysis
Authors: Steiniger Stefan , Hunter Andrew J. S.
Published: August 2012

Over the past 20 years a set of methods for home‐range estimation and analysis of animal observation data have been developed. Whereas comparisons among the estimation methods and different estimation software are available, only the adehabitat analysis toolbox for R is under a free and open‐source software license and includes established and new home‐range estimation approaches, such as Kernel Density Estimation, Brownian Bridges, and Local Convex Hulls. However, R and adehabitat are command line based, which some may perceive as not very user‐friendly, and provide only a limited set of functions for the analysis of home ranges with environmental geospatial data (e.g., land cover and elevation data). This article presents a free and open‐source home‐range analysis toolbox that focuses on the evaluation of global positioning system collar data, and integrates with a desktop geographic information system to allow data analysis beyond the creation of home ranges. The software is distributed under a free and open‐source license, so research can also benefit from the toolbox because implemented algorithms can be tested directly and improved. © 2012 The Wildlife Society.
New diagnostic criteria and severity assessment of acute cholecystitis in revised Tokyo guidelines
Authors: Yokoe Masamichi , Takada Tadahiro , Strasberg Steven M. , Solomkin Joseph S. , Mayumi Toshihiko , Gomi Harumi , Pitt Henry A. , Gouma Dirk J. , Garden O. James , Büchler Markus W. , Kiriyama Seiki , Kimura Yasutoshi , Tsuyuguchi Toshio , Itoi Takao , Yoshida Masahiro , Miura Fumihiko , Yamashita Yuichi , Okamoto Kohji , Gabata Toshifumi , Hata Jiro , Higuchi Ryota , Windsor John A. , Bornman Philippus C. , Fan Sheung‐Tat , Singh Harijt , de Santibanes Eduardo , Kusachi Shinya , Murata Atsuhiko , Chen Xiao‐Ping , Jagannath Palepu , Lee Sung Gyu , Padbury Robert , Chen Miin‐Fu
Published: August 2012

Background

The Tokyo Guidelines for the management of acute cholangitis and cholecystitis (TG07) were published in 2007 as the world's first guidelines for acute cholangitis and cholecystitis. The diagnostic criteria and severity assessment of acute cholecystitis have since been widely used all over the world. A validation study of TG07 has shown that the diagnostic criteria for acute cholecystitis are highly reliable but that the definition of definite diagnosis is ambiguous. In addition, considerable new evidence referring to acute cholecystitis as well as evaluations of TG07 have been published. Consequently, we organized the Tokyo Guidelines Revision Committee to evaluate TG07, recognize new evidence, and conduct a multi‐center analysis to revise the guidelines (TG13).

Methods and materials

We retrospectively analyzed 451 patients with acute cholecystitis from multiple tertiary care centers in Japan. All 451 patients were first evaluated using the criteria in TG07. The “gold standard” for acute cholecystitis in this study was a diagnosis by pathology. The validity of TG07 diagnostic criteria was investigated by comparing clinical with pathological diagnosis.

Results

Of 451 patients evaluated, a total of 227 patients were given a diagnosis of acute cholecystitis by pathological examination (prevalence 50.3 %). TG07 criteria provided a definite diagnosis of acute cholecystitis in 224 patients. The sensitivity of TG07 diagnostic criteria for acute cholecystitis was 92.1 %, and the specificity was 93.3 %. Based on the preliminary results, new diagnostic criteria for acute cholecystitis were proposed. Using the new criteria, the sensitivity of definite diagnosis was 91.2 %, and the specificity was 96.9 %. The accuracy rate was improved from 92.7 to 94.0 %. In regard to severity grading among 227 patients, 111 patients were classified as Mild (Grade I), 104 as Moderate (Grade II), and 12 as Severe (Grade III).

Conclusion

The proposed new diagnostic criteria achieved better performance than the diagnostic criteria in TG07. Therefore, the proposed criteria have been adopted as new diagnostic criteria for acute cholecystitis and are referred to as the 2013 Tokyo Guidelines (TG13). Regarding severity assessment, no new evidence was found to suggest that the criteria in TG07 needed major adjustment. As a result, TG07 severity assessment criteria have been adopted in TG13 with minor changes.
Development of a Method to Measure preβHDL and αHDL apoA‐I Enrichment for Stable Isotopic Studies of HDL Kinetics
Authors: Li Xuefei , Stolinski Michael , Umpleby A. Margot
Published: August 2012

Our understanding of HDL metabolism would be enhanced by the measurement of the kinetics of preβHDL, the nascent form of HDL, since elevated levels have been reported in patients with coronary artery disease. Stable isotope methodology is an established technique that has enabled the determination of the kinetics (production and catabolism) of total HDL apoA‐I in vivo. The development of separation procedures to obtain a preβHDL fraction, the isotopic enrichment of which could then be measured, would enable further understanding of the pathways in vivo for determining the fate of preβHDL and the formation of αHDL. A method was developed and optimised to separate and measure preβHDL and αHDL apoA‐I enrichment. Agarose gel electrophoresis was first used to separate lipoprotein subclasses, and then a 4–10 % discontinuous SDS‐PAGE used to isolate apoA‐I. Measures of preβHDL enrichment in six healthy subjects were undertaken following an infusion of l‐[1‐13C‐leucine]. After isolation of preβ and αHDL, the isotopic enrichment of apoA‐I for each fraction was measured by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. PreβHDL apoA‐I enrichment was measured with a CV of 0.51 % and αHDL apoA‐I with a CV of 0.34 %. The fractional catabolic rate (FCR) of preβHDL apoA‐I was significantly higher than the FCR of αHDL apoA‐I (p < 0.005). This methodology can be used to selectively isolate preβ and αHDL apoA‐I for the measurement of apoA‐I isotopic enrichment for kinetics studies of HDL subclass metabolism in a research setting.
A semi-automated method for acquisition of common-sense and inferentialist knowledge
Authors: Pinheiro Vladia , Furtado Vasco , Pequeno Tarcísio , Franco Wellington
Published: August 2012

This paper presents a semi-automated method for the acquisition of common-sense and inferentialist concepts in Portuguese. Its innovative feature is a module of reasoning over the pre-existing knowledge that aims to offer original content to the user, helping in the expression of semantic relationships and validation of new concepts. This reasoning process is based on heuristics and syntactic analysis of noun phrases. A qualitative evaluation with users who interacted with the system built on the proposed method showed that the interactions made in the process of knowledge acquisition are more productive since the user is reminded about semantic relations and common-sense knowledge about the new concepts.
Education and the Gender Gaps in Health and Mortality
Authors: Ross Catherine E. , Masters Ryan K. , Hummer Robert A.
Published: August 2012

The positive associations between education and health and survival are well established, but whether the strength of these associations depends on gender is not. Is the beneficial influence of education on survival and on self-rated health conditioned by gender in the same way, in opposite ways, or not at all? Because women are otherwise disadvantaged in socioeconomic resources that are inputs to health, their health and survival may depend more on education than will men’s. To test this hypothesis, we use data from the National Health Interview Survey-Linked Mortality Files (NHIS-LMF). We find that education’s beneficial influence on feeling healthy and on survival are conditional on gender, but in opposite ways. Education has a larger effect on women’s self-rated health than on men’s, but a larger effect on men’s mortality. To further examine the mortality results, we examine specific causes of death. We find that the conditional effect is largest for deaths from lung cancer, respiratory disease, stroke, homicide, suicide, and accidents. Because women report worse health but men’s mortality is higher, education closes the gender gap in both health and mortality.
Effect of including historical height and radius BMD measurement on sarco‐osteoporosis prevalence
Authors: Buehring Bjoern , Krueger Diane , Binkley Neil
Published: August 2012

Background

A clinical need exists to improve identification of those who will sustain fragility fractures. Individuals with both osteoporosis (OP) and sarcopenia (SP), so‐called “sarco‐osteoporosis” (SOP), might be at higher fracture risk than those with OP or SP alone. Approaches to facilitate SOP identification, e.g., use of tallest historical rather than current height and inclusion of radius bone mineral density (BMD) measurement, may be of benefit. This study examined the effect of advancing age on SOP prevalence with and without use of historical tallest height and radius BMD measurement.

Methods

Adults age 60+ underwent dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) BMD and total body composition measurement. OP and SP were defined using standard criteria: T‐score ≤−2.5 at the lumbar spine or hip and appendicular lean mass (ALM)/current height2 <5.45 kg/m2 (female) and <7.26 kg/m2 (male). Proposed “sensitive” SP criteria used historical tallest height instead of current height, while “sensitive” OP criteria added the 1/3rd radius T‐score. The primary outcome was SOP prevalence by decade (60–69, 70–79, 80+).

Results

A total of 304 individuals (146 M/158 F) participated. OP, SP and SOP prevalence were higher in older adults and increased (p < 0.05) with the “sensitive” criteria. SOP prevalence was lower than that of OP or SP and increased (standard/sensitive) criteria from 1.1 % / 4.5 % in the 60–69 years age group to 10.4 % / 21.9 % in the 80+ years age group.

Conclusions

SOP prevalence is higher in older adults. Use of historical tallest height and 1/3rd radius BMD increases SOP prevalence. Future studies need to assess whether having SOP increases fracture risk and whether use of tallest height and/or one‐third radius BMD improves fracture risk prediction.
Coilin levels modulate cell cycle progression and γH2AX levels in etoposide treated U2OS cells
Authors: Velma Venkatramreddy , Carrero Zunamys I. , Allen Carmen B. , Hebert Michael D.
Published: August 2012

Coilin is considered the Cajal body (CB) marker protein. In this report, we investigated the role of coilin in the DNA damage response and found that coilin reduction correlated with significantly increased levels of soluble γH2AX in etoposide treated U2OS cells. Additionally, coilin levels influenced the proliferation rate and cell cycle distribution of cells exposed to etoposide. Moreover, coilin overexpression inhibited nucleolar localization of endogenous coilin in etoposide treated U2OS cells. Collectively, these data provide additional evidence for coilin and CBs in the DNA damage response.
Effects of sleep disturbances during pregnancy on cardiac autonomic modulation in the resting state
Authors: Shiga Kuniko , Murata Katsuyuki , Kodama Hideya
Published: August 2012

Objective

To investigate whether sleep disturbances during pregnancy affect cardiac autonomic modulation in the resting state.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was conducted of 160 pregnant women at various stages of gestation. Participants were interviewed about their sleep length per night, sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, PSQI), daytime sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale, ESS), snoring habits, and symptoms of restless legs syndrome during the previous few weeks. Cardiac autonomic modulation in the resting state was quantified by spectral analysis of heart rate variability (HRV) from short‐term electrocardiogram monitoring. The relationship of HRV to diverse covariates was studied by multiple regression analysis.

Results

No significant influences were observed of short sleep duration (< 7 hours per night), poor sleep quality (PSQI score > 5), or restless legs syndrome on HRV measures. Participants with excessive daytime sleepiness (ESS score > 9) and habitual snorers had a significantly elevated low frequency/high frequency (LF/HF) ratio and LF power in normalized units (LF norm). In multiple regression analyses, habitual snoring was strongly and positively associated with LF/HF ratio (P < 0.001) and LF norm (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Resting cardiac autonomic modulation was found to shift toward a sympathetic predominant state among pregnant women who are habitual snorers.
Accumulation of genomic alterations in 2p16, 9q33.1 and 19p13 in lung tumours of asbestos‐exposed patients
Authors: Nymark Penny , Aavikko Mervi , Mäkilä Jussi , Ruosaari Salla , Hienonen-Kempas Tuija , Wikman Harriet , Salmenkivi Kaisa , Pirinen Risto , Karjalainen Antti , Vanhala Esa , Kuosma Eeva , Anttila Sisko , Kettunen Eeva
Published: August 2012

We have previously demonstrated an association between genomic alterations in 19p13, 2p16, and 9q33.1 and asbestos exposure in patients' lung tumours. This study detected allelic imbalance (AI) in these regions in asbestos‐exposed lung cancer (LC) patients' histologically normal pulmonary epithelium. We extended the analyses of tumour tissue to cover a large LC patient cohort and studied DNA copy number alteration (CNA) and AI in 19p13, 2p16, and 9q33.1 for the first time in combination. We found both CNA and AI in ≥2/3 of the regions to be significantly and dose‐dependently (P < 0.001) associated with pulmonary asbestos fibre count. Twenty percent of the exposed patients' LC showed CNA in ≥2/3 of the regions, whereas none of the non‐exposed patients' LC showed CNA in more than one region. AI was evident in 89% of the exposed and in only 26% of the non‐exposed patients' LC. The genomic alterations in 19p13, 2p16, and 9q33.1 in compilation identified asbestos‐exposed patients' lung tumours better than each of the regions alone. These alterations form the basis for the development of a combinatorial molecular assay that could be used to identify asbestos‐related LC.
Rarefaction and blood pressure in systemic and pulmonary arteries
Authors: Olufsen Mette S. , Hill N. A. , Vaughan Gareth D. A. , Sainsbury Christopher , Johnson Martin
Published: August 2012

The effects of vascular rarefaction (the loss of small arteries) on the circulation of blood are studied using a multiscale mathematical model that can predict blood flow and pressure in the systemic and pulmonary arteries. We augmented a model originally developed for the systemic arteries by Olufsen and coworkers and Ottesen et al. (2004) to (a) predict flow and pressure in the pulmonary arteries, and (b) predict pressure propagation along the small arteries in the vascular beds. The systemic and pulmonary arteries are modelled as separate bifurcating trees of compliant and tapering vessels. Each tree is divided into two parts representing the ‘large’ and ‘small’ arteries. Blood flow and pressure in the large arteries are predicted using a nonlinear cross-sectional-area-averaged model for a Newtonian fluid in an elastic tube with inflow obtained from magnetic resonance measurements. Each terminal vessel within the network of the large arteries is coupled to a vascular bed of small ‘resistance’ arteries, which are modelled as asymmetric structured trees with specified area and asymmetry ratios between the parent and daughter arteries. For the systemic circulation, each structured tree represents a specific vascular bed corresponding to major organs and limbs. For the pulmonary circulation, there are four vascular beds supplied by the interlobar arteries. This paper presents the first theoretical calculations of the propagation of the pressure and flow waves along systemic and pulmonary large and small arteries. Results for all networks are in agreement with published observations. Two studies were done with this model. First, we showed how rarefaction can be modelled by pruning the tree of arteries in the microvascular system. This was done by modulating parameters used for designing the structured trees. Results showed that rarefaction leads to increased mean and decreased pulse pressure in the large arteries. Second, we investigated the impact of decreasing vessel compliance in both large and small arteries. Results showed that the effects of decreased compliance in the large arteries far outweigh the effects observed when decreasing the compliance of the small arteries. We further showed that a decrease of compliance in the large arteries results in pressure increases consistent with observations of isolated systolic hypertension, as occurs in ageing.
Boundary conditions for free surface inlet and outlet problems
Authors: Taroni M. , Breward C. J. W. , Howell P. D. , Oliver J. M.
Published: August 2012

We investigate and compare the boundary conditions that are to be applied to free-surface problems involving inlet and outlets of Newtonian fluid, typically found in coating processes. The flux of fluid is a priori known at an inlet, but unknown at an outlet, where it is governed by the local behaviour near the film-forming meniscus. In the limit of vanishing capillary number $\mathit{Ca}$ it is well known that the flux scales with ${\mathit{Ca}}^{2/ 3} $, but this classical result is non-uniform as the contact angle approaches $\lrm{\pi} $. By examining this limit we find a solution that is uniformly valid for all contact angles. Furthermore, by considering the far-field behaviour of the free surface we show that there exists a critical capillary number above which the problem at an inlet becomes over-determined. The implications of this result for the modelling of coating flows are discussed.