bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
WaveMap: Interactively Discovering Features From Protein Flexibility Matrices Using Wavelet‐based Visual Analytics
Authors: Barlowe Scott , Liu Yujie , Yang Jing , Livesay Dennis R. , Jacobs Donald J. , Mottonen James , Verma Deeptak
Published: June 2011

The knowledge gained from biology datasets can streamline and speed‐up pharmaceutical development. However, computational models generate so much information regarding protein behavior that large‐scale analysis by traditional methods is almost impossible. The volume of data produced makes the transition from data to knowledge difficult and hinders biomedical advances. In this work, we present a novel visual analytics approach named WaveMap for exploring data generated by a protein flexibility model. WaveMap integrates wavelet analysis, visualizations, and interactions to facilitate the browsing, feature identification, and comparison of protein attributes represented by two‐dimensional plots. We have implemented a fully working prototype of WaveMap and illustrate its usefulness through expert evaluation and an example scenario.
Pathway Preserving Representation of Metabolic Networks
Authors: Lambert A. , Dubois J. , Bourqui R.
Published: June 2011

Improvements in biological data acquisition and genomes sequencing now allow to reconstruct entire metabolic networks of many living organisms. The size and complexity of these networks prohibit manual drawing and thereby urge the need of dedicated visualization techniques. An efficient representation of such a network should preserve the topological information of metabolic pathways while respecting biological drawing conventions. These constraints complicate the automatic generation of such visualization as it raises graph drawing issues. In this paper we propose a method to lay out the entire metabolic network while preserving the pathway information as much as possible. That method is flexible as it enables the user to define whether or not node duplication should be performed, to preserve or not the network topology. Our technique combines partitioning, node placement and edge bundling to provide a pseudo‐orthogonal visualization of the metabolic network. To ease pathway information retrieval, we also provide complementary interaction tools that emphasize relevant pathways in the entire metabolic context.
Visualizing the Evolution of Community Structures in Dynamic Social Networks
Authors: Reda Khairi , Tantipathananandh Chayant , Johnson Andrew , Leigh Jason , Berger‐Wolf Tanya
Published: June 2011

Social network analysis is the study of patterns of interaction between social entities. The field is attracting increasing attention from diverse disciplines including sociology, epidemiology, and behavioral ecology. An important sociological phenomenon that draws the attention of analysts is the emergence of communities, which tend to form, evolve, and dissolve gradually over a period of time. Understanding this evolution is crucial to sociologists and domain scientists, and often leads to a better appreciation of the social system under study. Therefore, it is imperative that social network visualization tools support this task. While graph‐based representations are well suited for investigating structural properties of networks at a single point in time, they appear to be significantly less useful when used to analyze gradual structural changes over a period of time. In this paper, we present an interactive visualization methodology for dynamic social networks. Our technique focuses on revealing the community structure implied by the evolving interaction patterns between individuals. We apply our visualization to analyze the community structure in the US House of Representatives. We also report on a user study conducted with the participation of behavioral ecologists working with social network datasets that depict interactions between wild animals. Findings from the user study confirm that the visualization was helpful in providing answers to sociological questions as well as eliciting new observations on the social organization of the population under study.
Visualizing High‐Dimensional Structures by Dimension Ordering and Filtering using Subspace Analysis
Authors: Ferdosi Bilkis J. , Roerdink Jos B.T.M.
Published: June 2011

High‐dimensional data visualization is receiving increasing interest because of the growing abundance of high‐dimensional datasets. To understand such datasets, visualization of the structures present in the data, such as clusters, can be an invaluable tool. Structures may be present in the full high‐dimensional space, as well as in its subspaces. Two widely used methods to visualize high‐dimensional data are the scatter plot matrix (SPM) and the parallel coordinate plot (PCP). SPM allows a quick overview of the structures present in pairwise combinations of dimensions. On the other hand, PCP has the potential to visualize not only bi‐dimensional structures but also higher dimensional ones. A problem with SPM is that it suffers from crowding and clutter which makes interpretation hard. Approaches to reduce clutter are available in the literature, based on changing the order of the dimensions. However, usually this reordering has a high computational complexity. For effective visualization of high‐dimensional structures, also PCP requires a proper ordering of the dimensions.

In this paper, we propose methods for reordering dimensions in PCP in such a way that high‐dimensional structures (if present) become easier to perceive. We also present a method for dimension reordering in SPM which yields results that are comparable to those of existing approaches, but at a much lower computational cost. Our approach is based on finding relevant subspaces for clustering using a quality criterion and cluster information. The quality computation and cluster detection are done in image space, using connected morphological operators. We demonstrate the potential of our approach for synthetic and astronomical datasets, and show that our method compares favorably with a number of existing approaches.
Automatic Registration of Multi‐Projector Domes Using a Single Uncalibrated Camera
Authors: Sajadi B. , Majumder A.
Published: June 2011

In this paper we present a novel technique for easily calibrating multiple casually aligned projectors on spherical domes using a single uncalibrated camera. Using the prior knowledge of the display surface being a dome, we can estimate the camera intrinsic and extrinsic parameters and the projector to display surface correspondences automatically using a set of images. These images include the image of the dome itself and a projected pattern from each projector. Using these correspondences we can register images from the multiple projectors on the dome. Further, we can register displays which are not entirely visible in a single camera view using multiple pan and tilted views of an uncalibrated camera making our method suitable for displays of different size and resolution. We can register images from any arbitrary viewpoint making it appropriate for a single head‐tracked user in a 3D visualization system. Also, we can use several cartographic mapping techniques to register images in a manner that is appropriate for multi‐user visualization.

Domes are known to produce a tremendous sense of immersion and presence in visualization systems. Yet, till date, there exists no easy way to register multiple projectors on a dome to create a high‐resolution realistic visualizations. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first method that can achieve accurate geometric registration of multiple projectors on a dome simply and automatically using a single uncalibrated camera.
Overview of the 2007 Australian outbreak of equine influenza
Authors: Webster WR
Published: June 2011

In August 2007 equine influenza (EI) was diagnosed in Australia's horse population following the failure to contain infection in quarantine after the importation of one or more infected horses. The response had many unique features, and addressed financial, social, economic, human and animal health, trade and recovery issues. The outbreak and the associated control measures had a vast impact on individual horse owners, the horse industry and associated sectors in both infected and uninfected states.
Behaviour of equine influenza virus in a naïve population: a practitioner's perspective
Authors: Major DA , Jones B
Published: June 2011

We describe the behaviour of equine influenza (EI) virus infection in a naïve population as observed by equine veterinary practitioners. The clinical signs displayed by infected horses and the highly contagious nature of the disease are discussed, as well as the treatment and management of infected horses.
Equine influenza: a clinical perspective in Centennial Parklands Equestrian Centre
Authors: Wong D
Published: June 2011

The clinical signs of horses diagnosed with equine influenza (EI) at Centennial Parklands Equestrian Centre (CPEC) and the events surrounding their diagnosis are described. This was the site of the first case of EI diagnosed outside of the Eastern Creek Animal Quarantine Station. The clinical data demonstrate the rapid spread of the disease after a sufficient viral load had developed from the initial cases within CPEC.
Clinical signs of equine influenza in a closed population of horses at a 3‐day event in southern Queensland, Australia
Authors: Dups JN , Morton JM , Anthony ND , Dwyer JF
Published: June 2011

This report describes the clinical signs of equine influenza (EI) during an epidemic in a closed, predominantly immunologically naïve population of horses. It included 254 study horses, few of which exhibited all three signs of pyrexia, nasal discharge and cough simultaneously. We conclude that although the majority of affected horses exhibit temperature patterns resembling those most often described in the published literature, clinicians should be aware that other profiles are quite common.
Equine influenza: patterns of disease and seroprevalence in Thoroughbred studs and implications for vaccination
Authors: Happold J , Rubira R
Published: June 2011

This study included 10 large Thoroughbred horse studs in the upper Hunter Valley of New South Wales and in southeast Queensland, Australia. The aims were to describe the EI epidemic in studs in the Special Restricted Area (Purple Zone) of NSW, to estimate seroprevalence among different groups of horses on these studs and to look for evidence of exposure to EI virus in horses on ‘vaccinated’ studs in southeast Queensland that were thought to have remained free of infection. As serology results from Queensland suggest that vaccination may have reduced the sensitivity of clinical surveillance to detect the presence of infection on ‘vaccinated’ premises, we conclude that vaccine efficacy must be considered in terms of reduction in clinical disease, as well as in terms of infection and infectiousness.
Application of real‐time PCR and ELISA assays for equine influenza virus to determine the duration of viral RNA shedding and onset of antibody response in naturally infected horses
Authors: Read AJ , Finlaison DS , Gu X , Davis RJ , Arzey KE , Kirkland PD
Published: June 2011

During the equine influenza (EI) outbreak, two assays were used in parallel to diagnose the disease, to demonstrate freedom from infection in disease control zones and ultimately to demonstrate that EI virus had been eliminated from the Australian horse population. A longitudinal study of a population of naturally infected horses was established to determine the performance characteristics of these assays.
Positive results in a real‐time PCR for type A influenza associated with the use of an inactivated vaccine
Authors: Diallo I , Read AJ , Kirkland PD
Published: June 2011

A real‐time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) test for the matrix gene of type A influenza viruses was used during the 2007 Australian equine influenza (EI) outbreak in order to confirm diagnosis and, later, eradication of the virus. During the EI outbreak, horses being exported required vaccination and individual proof of freedom from EI. At the end of the outbreak, positive results were obtained from four horses destined for export, because of contamination of the samples with the vaccine. This report highlights the need for EI testing and vaccination to occur on separate days and with the collection of swabs for testing to precede vaccination.
Spatial association and clinical development of equine influenza in horses yarded overnight at an equestrian event at Maitland prior to propagating the 2007 epidemic in Australia
Authors: Britton AL , Major DA , Perry GH , Read AJ
Published: June 2011

The interaction and stabling of horses at equine events may have a substantial impact on the spread of a zoonotic disease. This study aimed to investigate the spread of equine influenza (EI) at an equestrian event at the start of the Australian outbreak. Around one‐third of the competing horses were stabled overnight at the event and, of these, 70% developed symptoms of EI within 7 days. The index case was never positively identified, but stabling position and disease onset provided clues to its potential identity.
Attack risk on infected properties during the 2007 equine influenza outbreak in New South Wales, Australia
Authors: Dhand NK , Sergeant ESG
Published: June 2011

The aim of this preliminary study was to estimate the proportions of seropositive horses on infected premises (IPs) in order to assess the attack risk of the disease. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to evaluate the differences in attack risks between enterprise sizes and predefined spatial clusters/regions. The average attack risk experienced during the outbreak was 96.88% (median 100%), but it differed according to the size of the enterprise and other geographic and demographic conditions. The highest attack risks were observed in the Dubbo cluster/region and the lowest in the Narrabri–Northern cluster. Properties with fewer horses were generally more likely to have higher attack risks than larger enterprises, though this was not true for all cluster/regions.
Assessment of the proportion of under‐reporting during the 2007 equine influenza outbreak in New South Wales, Australia
Authors: Dhand NK , Sergeant ESG
Published: June 2011

During the 2007 equine influenza (EI) outbreak in Australia, there was no objective information about the possible under‐reporting of cases by horse owners either so that they would avoid movement restrictions or because of their inability to detect infection. This investigation aimed to estimate the proportion of under‐reporting during the outbreak based on the results of surveillance undertaken in conjunction with vaccination. The results provided improved estimates of morbidity during the outbreak and indicated the level of under‐reporting likely to occur in future outbreaks of other infectious diseases in horses in Australia.
Innovative zoning to support equine influenza eradication from New South Wales, Australia
Authors: Scott‐Orr H
Published: June 2011

Following detection of equine influenza (EI) in New South Wales, a complete standstill was imposed the next morning on the movement of all horses and donkeys within the state. Premises' biosecurity guidelines became progressively more stringent with time in an effort to stop local spread. The standstill was highly effective as a primary response to stop EI becoming widespread across Australia, but did not prevent spread to properties contiguous to infected premises in areas of high horse density and small property size, nor transmission by fomites nor possible local airborne transmission. Within 2 weeks of the start of the outbreak, a zoning system of Purple (Special Restricted), Red (Restricted), Amber (Control), and Green (Protected) Zones was implemented, and progressively modified as disease distribution changed. The colour coding system proved to be an easy way to communicate zone changes, the approximate level of disease risk and the stringency of movement restrictions to the general public and should be adopted more generally in AUSVETPLAN.
Quantitative analysis of the risk of spread of equine influenza associated with movements of vaccinated horses from infected areas during the Australian outbreak
Authors: Sergeant ESG , Stone M , Moloney BJ , Arthur R
Published: June 2011

Simulation models were developed to quantify the likelihood of equine influenza virus infection entering pre‐movement isolation, persisting through pre‐ and post‐movement isolation periods without being detected by scheduled laboratory testing, and escaping to infect susceptible horses at a destination. The mean probability of escape ranged from 1 in 1,200,000 to 1 in 600,000 depending on lot size. For 95% of iterations the probability of escape was less than 1 in 200,000, regardless of lot size. For a large group of 600 horses processed as multiple separate lots, the mean probability of escape ranged from 1 in 10,000 to 1 in 56,000 depending on lot size. As a result of this analysis, a modified protocol, with two tests during pre‐movement isolation and an additional test during post‐movement isolation at the Chief Veterinary Officer's discretion, was implemented.
Role of personal decontamination in preventing the spread of equine influenza
Authors: Frazer JL , Perkins NR , Pitt D
Published: June 2011

Background  During the 2007 equine influenza (EI) outbreak, infected horses were quarantined at Morgan Park Recreational Grounds (MPRG) near Warwick, Queensland. Some individuals caring for horses were reported to have made return journeys between MPRG and home properties containing other horses during the time there was active infection at MPRG.

Objective  A retrospective cohort study to assess the biosecurity and hygiene measures undertaken and their outcomes.

Methods  All individuals recorded as being responsible for caring for one or more horses at MPRG, and who were also recorded on entry and exit logs at the gate to MPRG during the period of interest, and kept horses at their home property were contacted for a telephone questionnaire.

Results  Of the 31 individuals identified, valid responses were obtained from 27 (87% response rate). Respondents had 2–25 horses at their home property, and 1–10 return trips were reported; 11 respondents reported contact with horses at home and provided information on biosecurity practices.

Conclusion  Although horses at some home properties became infected with EI, it appears unlikely that this was the result of spread from MPRG via horse handlers. Simple preventive measures based on personal decontamination and other biosecurity measures are considered likely to have prevented spread of infection from MPRG to other properties.
Evaluation of the response to an accelerated immunisation schedule using a canarypox‐vectored equine influenza vaccine, shortened interdose intervals and vaccination of young foals
Authors: Minke JM , El‐Hage CM , Tazawa P , Homer D , Lemaitre L , Cozette V , Gilkerson JR , Kirkland PD
Published: June 2011

The results of an accelerated immunisation schedule for horses used as part of the emergency response plan to contain and eradicate equine influenza in Australia in 2007 is described. The horses studied were vaccinated with a recombinant canarypox‐vectored vaccine (ProteqFlu®, Merial) with a shorter interdose interval. Vaccinated horses included foals aged less than 4 months.
Evaluating the effectiveness of the response to equine influenza in the Australian outbreak and the potential role of early vaccination
Authors: Garner MG , Cowled B , East IJ , Moloney BJ , Kung N
Published: June 2011

Objective  To use modelling and epidemiological analyses to assess the effectiveness of control strategies employed during the equine influenza outbreak and determine if early vaccination might have had a beneficial effect.

Methods  Transmission of infection was modelled using stochastic, spatial simulation, based on data from 16 regions in New South Wales and Queensland over the first month of the outbreak.

Results  The model accurately represented the spread of infection in both space and time and showed that vaccination strategies would have reduced new infections by ∼60% and reduced the size of the infected area by 8–9%, compared to the non‐vaccination baseline.

Conclusion  When used in conjunction with biosecurity measures and movement controls, early vaccination could play an important role in the containment and eradication of equine influenza.
Overview of the industry and social impacts of the 2007 Australian equine influenza outbreak
Authors: Hoare R
Published: June 2011

The equine influenza (EI) outbreak occurred at the worst time of the year as far as the horse industry was concerned. All horse sports and horse breeds had events planned in the spring, including those relating to qualification for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. These were all disrupted and many were cancelled. The social and industry impacts were extensive, and included difficulties related to communication, animal welfare, vaccination, movement restrictions, economics, as well as the psychological stresses experienced by those involved, especially those for whom their primary source of income was horse related.
Regaining Australia's equine influenza‐free status: a national perspective
Authors: Garner MG , Scanlan WA , Cowled BD , Carroll A
Published: June 2011

The first cases of equine influenza (EI) in Australia were reported in late August 2007. By 14 March 2008, provisional freedom from EI was declared and in December 2008 Australia was officially declared EI‐free, 12 months after the last reported clinical case. Containment, and ultimate eradication, of EI was achieved through a combination of movement restrictions, zoning, vaccination and enhanced biosecurity measures that drew on the resources and expertise of industry and state and federal governments. Through these measures, the EI outbreak, which peaked in October 2007, was contained to just 3% of Australia, with no new cases reported after 9 December 2007, just four months after the outbreak began.
Significant features of the epidemiology of equine influenza in Queensland, Australia, 2007
Authors: Kung N , Mackenzie S , Pitt D , Robinson B , Perkins NR
Published: June 2011

An outbreak of equine influenza (EI) caused by influenza A H3N8 subtype virus occurred in the Australian states of Queensland and New South Wales in August 2007. Infection in the Australian horse population was associated with the introduction of infection by horses from overseas. The first case of EI in Queensland was detected on 25 August 2007 at an equestrian sporting event. Infection subsequently spread locally and to other clusters through horse movements prior to the implementation of an official standstill. There were five main clusters of infected properties during this outbreak and several outliers, which were investigated to find the potential mechanism of disease spread. To contain the outbreak, Queensland was divided into infection status zones, with different movement controls applied to each zone. Vaccination was implemented strategically in infected areas and within horse subpopulations. Control and eventual eradication of EI from Queensland was achieved through a combination of quarantine, biosecurity measures, movement control, rapid diagnostic testing and vaccination.
Non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis‐induced fibrosis: Toll‐like receptors, reactive oxygen species and Jun N‐terminal kinase
Authors: Brenner David A. , Seki Ekihiro , Taura Kojiro , Kisseleva Tatiana , Deminicis Samuele , Iwaisako Keiko , Inokuchi Sayaka , Schnabl Bernd , Oesterreicher Christopher H. , Paik Yong H. , Miura Kouichi , Kodama Yuzo
Published: June 2011

Non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) represents the progression of hepatic steatosis to streatohepatitis, fibrosis and cirrhosis. Three signaling pathways have been associated with this progression; Toll‐like receptors, reactive oxygen species and Jun N‐terminal kinase. This review will describe how activation of these three pathways is required for development of fibrosis in murine models of NASH. The three pathways are related and synergistic through intracellular cross‐talk. Disruption of any of these pathways may inhibit NASH‐induced fibrosis and are potential targets for therapeutic intervention.
Clinical applications of positron emission tomography in hepatic tumors
Authors: Shiomi Susumu , Kawabe Joji
Published: June 2011

Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG), which allows the evaluation of glucose metabolism, is widely used for tumor diagnosis using positron emission tomography (PET). FDG‐PET, which is used for the diagnosis of intrahepatic tumor lesions, shows high FDG accumulation in cholangiocellular carcinoma (CCC) and metastatic liver cancer. FDG‐PET shows high FDG accumulation in moderately or poorly differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and is useful for the diagnosis of extrahepatic HCC metastases and recurrences. However, because the imaging method frequently shows low FDG accumulation in well‐differentiated HCC, it is not very useful for that diagnosis. For the diagnosis of well‐differentiated HCC, F‐18 fluorocholine for evaluation of phospholipid metabolism and C‐11 acetate for evaluation of free fatty acid metabolism are useful in the diagnosis of that HCC. It is expected that the combination of these PET agents will enhance the diagnostic performance of FDG‐PET for HCC in the future. The problem of a lack of anatomical information is being resolved with the development of the use of PET in combination with computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. For the problem of low resolution, PET devices using semiconductors have been developed.
Iron chelator deferasirox rescued mice from Fas‐induced fulminant hepatitis
Authors: Sato Tsutomu , Kobune Masayoshi , Murase Kazuyuki , Kado Yukari , Okamoto Tetsuro , Tanaka Shingo , Kikuchi Shohei , Nagashima Hiroyuki , Kawano Yutaka , Takada Kohichi , Iyama Satoshi , Miyanishi Koji , Sato Yasushi , Takimoto Rishu , Kato Junji
Published: June 2011

Aim:  Fulminant hepatitis is a disease characterized by development of hepatic failure due to severe liver cell injury. Orthotopic liver transplantation is the therapy proven to improve patient survival; however, less burdensome and safer strategies are required. In a previous study, we showed that iron was intimately involved in hepatocyte apoptosis by demonstrating that spontaneous development of fulminant hepatitis in Long–Evans cinnamon rats was prevented by feeding an iron‐deficient diet. Recently, a new iron chelator, deferasirox, has become widely available for the treatment of transfusional hemosiderosis. Deferasirox demonstrated good efficacy and improved compliance due to convenient, once‐daily p.o. administration. Our aim was to investigate the efficacy of deferasirox as a therapeutic drug against fulminant hepatitis.

Methods:  Human primary hepatocytes undergoing Fas‐stimulated apoptosis were challenged with deferoxamine (DFO) in vitro. In further in vivo experiments, we tested DFO in a mice model of fulminant hepatitis induced by Fas‐stimulation.

Results:  The apoptosis‐inducing activity of anti‐Fas antibody on human primary hepatocytes was inhibited by the chelation of iron with DFO. DFO suppressed the Fas‐induced production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the activation of caspase‐3, both of which were also suppressed by antioxidant, N‐acetyl‐L‐cystein. In the in vivo experiments, deferasirox effectively reduced hepatic iron concentrations and rescued mice from Fas‐induced fulminant hepatitis.

Conclusion:  These findings indicated that the iron chelation exerted a hepatoprotective effect by scavenging ROS upstream of caspase‐3 and that iron chelation with deferasirox is a potential treatment for patients with fulminant hepatitis.
How to Revive Breakthrough Innovation in the Pharmaceutical Industry
Authors: Munos Bernard H. , Chin William W.
Published: June 2011

Pharmaceutical firms must reengage in high-risk discovery research and only take genuine breakthroughs to the clinic.
Lymph-node metastases in invasive lobular carcinoma are different from those in ductal carcinoma of the breast
Authors: Fernández Beatriz , Paish E Claire , Green Andrew R , Lee Andrew H S , Macmillan R Douglas , Ellis Ian O , Rakha Emad A
Published: June 2011

Aim

Invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) and invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) of the breast are distinct morphological entities with different biological features and clinical behaviour. In the present study, the authors compare the axillary-lymph-node (ALN) status of patients with grade-matched ILC (no=426) and IDC (no=820). The pattern of nodal metastatic deposits (nodular, sinusoidal and diffuse) and the proportion of involved nodes were also analysed in a selected group of 246 tumours, which were associated with a single positive ALN.

Results

Compared with grade-matched IDC, ILC was associated with a higher nodal stage (13.1% vs 4.5% of ILC and IDC were stage 3), higher absolute number of positive nodes and higher ratio of positive nodes (0.46±0.30 and 0.33±0.23 in ILC and IDC respectively). These differences were maintained in the different size subgroups. The most common metastatic morphological pattern was nodular in both types of carcinomas. A sinusoidal pattern was more frequent in IDC, and the diffuse pattern was more frequent in ILC. Despite these differences, ILC and grade-matched IDC exhibited similar rates of regional recurrences (RR) and breast-cancer survival.

Conclusion

This study provides clinical evidence which further demonstrates that ILC and IDC are biologically distinct entities with different lymph-node involvement patterns and ILC having a tendency to metastasise to more nodes than IDC. However, this difference was not associated with a significant impact on patient outcome.
The assessment of tobacco dependence in young users of smokeless tobacco
Authors: DiFranza Joseph R , Sweet Michael , Savageau Judith A , Ursprung W W Sanouri
Published: June 2011

Introduction

As all published measures of dependence for users of smokeless tobacco (dippers) have poor reliability, in the present work the Hooked on Nicotine Checklist (HONC) and the Autonomy Over Smoking Scale (AUTOS) were evaluated for use with this population. Dippers and smokers were also compared in relation to dependence, the pleasure derived from using tobacco and the latency to the onset of withdrawal.

Methods

In 2010, an anonymous self-completed paper survey was administered to 1541 students of mixed race and ethnicity in grades 9–12 (mean age 15.9 years) in a Florida high school where students used cigarettes and smokeless tobacco.

Results

The reliability (Cronbach's α) for the HONC was 0.90 for smokers (n=139) and 0.91 for dippers (n=85), and for the AUTOS was 0.94 for smokers and dippers. Dippers and smokers did not differ significantly in relation to scores on the HONC, AUTOS, latency to withdrawal onset or pleasure derived from smoking. One or more symptoms on the HONC were reported by 56% of dippers and 57% of smokers with <100 lifetime uses of their favoured tobacco product, and by 91% of dippers and 91% of smokers with ≥100 lifetime uses (not significant). Greater lifetime use was associated with a significantly shorter latency to withdrawal for smokers and dippers.

Conclusions

The HONC and AUTOS are highly reliable measures of dependence for adolescent users of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco. Using these measures and other indicators, no meaningful differences in dependence were found between dippers and smokers at comparable levels of lifetime use.
A void ratio – water content – net stress model for environmentally stabilized expansive soils
Authors: Gould Scott J.F. , Kodikara Jayantha , Rajeev Pathmanathan , Zhao Xiao-Ling , Burn Stewart
Published: June 2011

A new mathematical model is presented that describes the shrinkage curve of environmentally stabilized soils. Environmentally stabilized soils are defined as those that have undergone a sufficient number of wet–dry cycles to reach a stable soil structure. The model is applicable for fitting to soils that exhibit all typical zones of soil shrinkage behaviour and to those soils that do not exhibit structural and (or) residual shrinkage behaviour. The fitting parameters in this model are directly related to features of the shrinkage curve and have direct relevance to soil mechanics theory and practice. The model is applied to data from 20 different datasets reported in literature with excellent fitting achieved. This model is extended to incorporate the effect of net stress, creating a surface describing soil volumetric behaviour in response to changes in water content and net stress.
Analysis of soil conditions and pipe behaviour at a field site
Authors: Hu Yafei , Vu Hung Q.
Published: June 2011

Water main pipes buried in expansive soils are often subjected to severe distress subsequent to installation. Excessive stresses may be induced due to either differential movement of the soils or swelling pressures from the soils along the pipes, impairing their performance or even breaking them. Field monitoring is an important means for understanding soil behaviour and its interaction with water mains. For this purpose, field instrumentation was successfully installed to monitor the performance of a section of water main placed in a well-developed area of a city neighbourhood where more frequent pipe breakage had occurred in recent years. The instrumentation included sensors to measure pipe wall strains, pipe displacement, in situ soil water content, soil pressure, and temperature. The instruments were installed in both the soil backfill and native soil around the backfill. This paper presents the analyses of monitoring data collected during the first 3 years after instrument installation. It was observed that the soil and pipe behaviour was affected significantly by soil properties and seasonal changes and correlated closely with the change pattern of the local meteorological conditions.
Analytical solutions for protective filters based on soil-retention and permeability criteria with respect to the phenomenon of soil boiling
Authors: Srivastava Amit , Sivakumar Babu G.L.
Published: June 2011

For the successful performance of a granular filter medium, existing design guidelines, which are based on the particle size distribution (PSD) characteristics of the base soil and filter medium, require two contradictory conditions to be satisfied, viz., soil retention and permeability. In spite of the wider applicability of these guidelines, it is well recognized that (i) they are applicable to a particular range of soils tested in the laboratory, (ii) the design procedures do not include performance-based selection criteria, and (iii) there are no means to establish the sensitivity of the important variables influencing performance. In the present work, analytical solutions are developed to obtain a factor of safety with respect to soil-retention and permeability criteria for a base soil – filter medium system subjected to a soil boiling condition. The proposed analytical solutions take into consideration relevant geotechnical properties such as void ratio, permeability, dry unit weight, effective friction angle, shape and size of soil particles, seepage discharge, and existing hydraulic gradient. The solution is validated through example applications and experimental results, and it is established that it can be used successfully in the selection as well as design of granular filters and can be applied to all types of base soils.
Scientific Publications from Mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong in Integrative and Complementary Medicine Journals: A Ten-Year Literature Survey
Authors: Li Xiao-Qian , Tao Kun-Ming , Zhou Qing-Hui , Ling Chang-Quan
Published: June 2011

Practitioners and researchers from China, the largest user of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), have been publishing an increasing number of scientific articles in world-famous CAM journals in recent years. However, the status of CAM research in the three major regions of China, the Mainland, Taiwan and Hong Kong has, until now, not been reported. In this study, we compared articles from these three regions published in international CAM journals from 2000 to 2009 using PubMed database and the Journal Citation Reports. The study results showed that the number of published articles from Mainland China increased significantly from 2000 to 2009, particularly since 2005. Meanwhile, the number of published articles from Taiwan also increased, whereas those from Hong Kong remained steady. Clinical trials and randomized controlled trials from Chinese authors both took a small percentage of the total. The impact factors of the journals in which these articles were published suggested similar academic levels whereas the average number of citation of articles from the Mainland was less than those from the other two regions. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, American Journal of Chinese Medicine, Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine were the most popular journals for Chinese authors.
Botanical Flavonoids on Coronary Heart Disease
Authors: Wang Chong-Zhi , Mehendale Sangeeta R. , Calway Tyler , Yuan Chun-Su
Published: June 2011

Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is one of the leading causes of death in Western countries. Prevention rather than treatment of heart disease can significantly improve patients' quality of life and reduce health care costs. Flavonoids are widely distributed in vegetables, fruits and herbal medicines. Regularly consuming botanicals, especially those containing flavonoids, has been associated with a reduction in cardiovascualar disease; thus, it is important to investigate how flavonoids improve cardiac resistance to heart disease and their related mechanisms of action. It has been shown that cardiomyocyte injury and death can result from ischemia-reperfusion, which is pathognomonic of ischemic heart disease. Massive reactive oxygen species (ROS) release at the onset of reperfusion produces cell injury and death. "Programming" the heart to either generate less ROS or to increase strategic ROS removal could reduce reperfusion response. Additionally, profuse nitric oxide (NO) release at reperfusion could be protective in "preconditioning" models. Botanical flavonoids induce preconditioning of the heart, thereby protecting against ischemia-reperfusion injury. In this article, we will discuss two herbs containing potent flavonoids, Scutellaria baicalensis and grape seed proanthocyanidin, which can potentially offer cardiac protection against ischemic heart disease.
Two-Year Toxicity and Carcinogenicity Studies of Panax ginseng in Fischer 344 Rats and B6C3F1 Mice
Authors: Chan Po-Chuen , Peckham John C. , Malarkey David E. , Kissling Grace E. , Travlos Gregory S. , Fu Peter P.
Published: June 2011

Ginseng is one of the most popular herbal supplements on the US market. Numerous reports of adverse effects from products containing ginseng have been filed with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the literature documents a "ginseng abuse syndrome" among regular users. However, the chronic toxic effects of ginseng are not well characterized. Because of its significant human exposure and the fact that little information on its toxicity is available, Panax ginseng was nominated by the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) to the US National Toxicology Program (NTP) to assess its carcinogenic potential. In this paper, we reported the results of NTP chronic toxicity and tumorigenicity bioassay. It shows that, under these experimental conditions, Panax ginseng is not toxic or tumorigenic.
EFFECT OF Al3+ DOPING ON MAGNETIC AND DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES OF Ni–Zn FERRITES BY "ONE-STEP SYNTHESIS"
Authors: GE H. L. , PENG Z. J. , WANG C. B. , FU Z. Q.
Published: June 2011

Al 3+-doped Ni – Zn ferrites with composition of Ni 0.5 Zn 0.5( Fe 1-x Al x)2 O 4 (where x = 0, 0.012, 0.023, 0.035 and 0.045) were prepared by a method named "one-step synthesis." The magnetic and dielectric properties of the as-prepared Ni – Zn ferrites were investigated. X-ray diffraction data indicated that all the ferrite samples had a single-phase spinel structure. The addition of Al 3+ resulted in a reduction of the grain size, lattice constant, density, shrinkage and saturation magnetization of the as-prepared samples. The Curie temperatures, however, raised first and reduced later with increasing contents of Al 3+ in the samples, but still kept high values. Both the real and imaginary parts of permeability of ferrites decreased with increasing amount of Al 3+ doped before they reached peak value. As the applied frequency increased to higher than about 10 MHz, the real part of permeability of non-doped ferrite had already become lower than those of ferrites doped with Al 3+. Moreover, the doping of Al 3+ made their utility of magnetic permeability move to much higher frequency. The observed decreases in dielectric constants and dielectric loss tangent could be attributed to the decreased electron conductivity by substituting Fe 3+ with Al 3+ in the samples. The as-prepared high-performance soft magnetic materials prepared using such a simple and low-cost method will be much promising in high-frequency applications and industrialization.
CONSTRUCTION OF DUAL g-FRAMES FOR CLOSED SUBSPACES
Authors: YU BAI-YUN , SHU ZHI-BIAO
Published: June 2011

In this paper, we introduce dual g-frames for a closed subspace in a separable Hilbert space and also give a characterization. Generally dual g-frames for a closed subspace are non-commutative. Therefore, we construct dual g-frames for closed subspaces from two aspects and give the corresponding formulas, respectively. Finally, we give a necessary and sufficient condition for commutative dual g-frame pairs for closed subspaces under certain conditions.
ENTROPIC CHARACTERIZATION OF QUANTUM OPERATIONS
Authors: ROGA WOJCIECH , ŻYCZKOWSKI KAROL , FANNES MARK
Published: June 2011

We investigate decoherence induced by a quantum channel in terms of minimal output entropy and map entropy. The latter is the von Neumann entropy of the Jamiołkowski state of the channel. Both quantities admit q-Renyi versions. We prove additivity of the map entropy for all q. For the case q = 2, we show that the depolarizing channel has the smallest map entropy among all channels with a given minimal output Renyi entropy of order two. This allows us to characterize pairs of channels such that the output entropy of their tensor product acting on a maximally entangled input state is larger than the sum of the minimal output entropies of the individual channels. We conjecture that for any channel Φ1acting on a finite dimensional system, there exists a class of channels Φ2sufficiently close to a unitary map such that additivity of minimal output entropy for Ψ1⊗ Ψ2holds.
Absence of fatty acid transporter CD36 protects against Western-type diet-related cardiac dysfunction following pressure overload in mice
Authors: Steinbusch Laura K. M. , Luiken Joost J. F. P. , Vlasblom Ronald , Chabowski Adrian , Hoebers Nicole T. H. , Coumans Will A. , Vroegrijk Irene O. C. M. , Voshol Peter J. , Ouwens D. Margriet , Glatz Jan F. C. , Diamant Michaela
Published: June 2011

Cardiac patients often are obese and have hypertension, but in most studies these conditions are investigated separately. Here, we aimed at 1) elucidating the interaction of metabolic and mechanophysical stress in the development of cardiac dysfunction in mice and 2) preventing this interaction by ablation of the fatty acid transporter CD36. Male wild-type (WT) C57Bl/6 mice and CD36−/− mice received chow or Western-type diet (WTD) for 10 wk and then underwent a sham surgery or transverse aortic constriction (TAC) under anesthesia. After a 6-wk continuation of the diet, cardiac function, morphology, lipid profiles, and molecular parameters were assessed. WTD administration affected body and organ weights of WT and CD36−/− mice, but it affected only plasma glucose and insulin concentrations in WT mice. Cardiac lipid concentrations increased in WT mice receiving WTD, decreased in CD36−/− on chow, and remained unchanged in CD36−/− receiving WTD. TAC induced cardiac hypertrophy in WT mice on chow but did not affect cardiac function and cardiac lipid concentrations. WTD or CD36 ablation worsened the outcome of TAC. Ablation of CD36 protected against the WTD-related aggravation of cardiac functional and structural changes induced by TAC. In conclusion, cardiac dysfunction and remodeling worsen when the heart is exposed to two stresses, metabolic and mechanophysical, at the same time. CD36 ablation prevents the metabolic stress resulting from a WTD. Thus, metabolic conditions are a critical factor for the compromised heart and provide new targets for metabolic manipulation in cardioprotection.
New gene targets for glucagon-like peptide-1 during embryonic development and in undifferentiated pluripotent cells
Authors: Sanz Carmen , Blázquez Enrique
Published: June 2011

In humans, glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1) functions during adult life as an incretin hormone with anorexigenic and antidiabetogenic properties. Also, the therapeutic potential of GLP-1 in preventing the adipocyte hyperplasia associated with obesity and in bolstering the maintenance of human mesenchymal stem cell (hMSC) stores by promoting the proliferation and cytoprotection of hMSC seems to be relevant. Since these observations suggest a role for GLP-1 during developmental processes, the aim of the present work was to characterize GLP-1 in early development as well as its gene targets in mouse embryonic stem (mES) cells. Mouse embryos E6, E8, and E10.5 and pluripotent mES were used for the inmunodetection of GLP-1 and GLP-1 receptor. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to determine the expression levels of GLP-1R in several tissues from E12.5 mouse embryos. Additionally, GLP-1 gene targets were studied in mES by multiple gene expression analyses. GLP-1 and its receptors were identified in mES and during embryonic development. In pluripotent mES, GLP-1 modified the expression of endodermal, ectodermal, and mesodermal gene markers as well as sonic hedgehog , noggin , members of the fibroblast and hepatic growth factor families, and others involved in pancreatic development. Additionally, GLP-1 promoted the expression of the antiapoptotic gene bcl2 and at the same time reduced proapoptotic caspase genes. Our results indicate that apart from the effects and therapeutic benefits of GLP-1 in adulthood, it may have additional gene targets in mES cells during embryonic life. Furthermore, the pathophysiological implications of GLP-1 imbalance in adulthood may have a counterpart during development.