bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Air Impingement Cooling by Synthetic Jet
Authors: Jalilvand Ahmad , Mochizuki Masataka , Singh Randeep , Saito Yuji , Kawahara Yoji , Wuttijumnong Vijit
Published: December 2013

Modern consumer electronic trends point to a demand for thinner and more portable electronic devices. Conventional cooling systems of these portable electronic devices are challenging to miniaturize in thin profile applications that are typically on the order of several millimeters in thickness. In order to overcome some of these challenges, a synthetic jet, which is also considered as micro fluidic device, is developed. This device which operates based on Piezo electricity is called Dual Cooling Jet (DCJ). DCJ disturbs the boundary layer over a hot component and hence increases heat transfer compare to conventional blower. DCJ is typically defined as a device using a partially enclosed cavity with oscillating walls/diaphragms to create alternating suction and ejection of fluid across an interface or orifice. In this work, the results of cooling performance investigation of DCJ are shown and compared with natural convection cooling. Also, several experiments have been done to study the cooling effect of DCJ at different configuration with respect to heat source and the results are compared. At the end, the effects of heat source size is investigated which are helpful to understand how effective DCJ is when used for cooling several size chips. In addition, the results of this work show that DCJ can be combined with low profile heat sink as a promising next generation ultra thin thermal solution module.
Biomechanics of Cardiac Electromechanical Coupling and Mechanoelectric Feedback
Authors: Pfeiffer Emily R. , Tangney Jared R. , Omens Jeffrey H. , McCulloch Andrew D.
Published: December 2013

Cardiac mechanical contraction is triggered by electrical activation via an intracellular calcium-dependent process known as excitation–contraction coupling. Dysregulation of cardiac myocyte intracellular calcium handling is a common feature of heart failure. At the organ scale, electrical dyssynchrony leads to mechanical alterations and exacerbates pump dysfunction in heart failure. A reverse coupling between cardiac mechanics and electrophysiology is also well established. It is commonly referred as cardiac mechanoelectric feedback and thought to be an important contributor to the increased risk of arrhythmia during pathological conditions that alter regional cardiac wall mechanics, including heart failure. At the cellular scale, most investigations of myocyte mechanoelectric feedback have focused on the roles of stretch-activated ion channels, though mechanisms that are independent of ionic currents have also been described. Here we review excitation–contraction coupling and mechanoelectric feedback at the cellular and organ scales, and we identify the need for new multicellular tissue-scale model systems and experiments that can help us to obtain a better understanding of how interactions between electrophysiological and mechanical processes at the cell scale affect ventricular electromechanical interactions at the organ scale in the normal and diseased heart.
Augmented Affective-Cognition for Usability Study of In-Vehicle System User Interface
Authors: Zhou Feng , Ji Yangjian , Jiao Roger J.
Published: December 2013

Usability of in-vehicle systems has become increasingly important for ease of operations and safety of driving. The user interface (UI) of in-vehicle systems is a critical focus of usability study. This paper studies how to use advanced computational, physiology- and behavior-based tools and methodologies to determine affective/emotional states and behavior of an individual in real time and in turn how to adapt the human-vehicle interaction to meet users' cognitive needs based on the real-time assessment. Specifically, we set up a set of physiological sensors that are capable of collecting EEG, facial EMG, skin conductance response, and respiration data and a set of motion sensing and tracking equipment that is capable of capturing eye ball movement and objects which the user is interacting with. All hardware components and software are integrated into an augmented sensor platform that can perform as “one coherent system” to enable multimodal data processing and information inference for context-aware analysis of emotional states and cognitive behavior based on the rough set inference engine. Meanwhile subjective data are also recorded for comparison. A usability study of in-vehicle system UI is shown to demonstrate the potential of the proposed methodology.
A Universal Ankle–Foot Prosthesis Emulator for Human Locomotion Experiments
Authors: Caputo Joshua M. , Collins Steven H.
Published: December 2013

Robotic prostheses have the potential to significantly improve mobility for people with lower-limb amputation. Humans exhibit complex responses to mechanical interactions with these devices, however, and computational models are not yet able to predict such responses meaningfully. Experiments therefore play a critical role in development, but have been limited by the use of product-like prototypes, each requiring years of development and specialized for a narrow range of functions. Here we describe a robotic ankle–foot prosthesis system that enables rapid exploration of a wide range of dynamical behaviors in experiments with human subjects. This emulator comprises powerful off-board motor and control hardware, a flexible Bowden cable tether, and a lightweight instrumented prosthesis, resulting in a combination of low mass worn by the human (0.96 kg) and high mechatronic performance compared to prior platforms. Benchtop tests demonstrated closed-loop torque bandwidth of 17 Hz, peak torque of 175 Nm, and peak power of 1.0 kW. Tests with an anthropomorphic pendulum “leg” demonstrated low interference from the tether, less than 1 Nm about the hip. This combination of low worn mass, high bandwidth, high torque, and unrestricted movement makes the platform exceptionally versatile. To demonstrate suitability for human experiments, we performed preliminary tests in which a subject with unilateral transtibial amputation walked on a treadmill at 1.25 ms-1 while the prosthesis behaved in various ways. These tests revealed low torque tracking error (RMS error of 2.8 Nm) and the capacity to systematically vary work production or absorption across a broad range (from −5 to 21 J per step). These results support the use of robotic emulators during early stage assessment of proposed device functionalities and for scientific study of fundamental aspects of human–robot interaction. The design of simple, alternate end-effectors would enable studies at other joints or with additional degrees of freedom.
Numerical Simulation of Vertebral Artery Stenosis Treated With Different Stents
Authors: Qiao Aike , Zhang Zhanzhu
Published: December 2013

We sought to investigate the effects of endovascular stents with different links for treating stenotic vertebral artery and to determine the relationship between the shape of the link and in-stent restenosis (ISR). We also attempted to provide scientific guidelines for stent design and selection for clinical procedures. Models of three types of stent with different links (L-stent, V-stent, and S-stent) and an idealized stenotic vertebral artery were established. The deployment procedure for the stent in the stenotic vertebral artery was simulated for solid mechanics analysis. Next, the deformed models were extracted to construct the blood flow domain, and numerical simulations of the hemodynamics in these models were performed using the finite element method. The numerical results demonstrated that: (1) Compared with the L-stent and V-stent, the S-stent has a better flexibility and induces less stress in the stent strut. Furthermore, less stress is generated in the arterial wall. (2) Vascular straightening is scarcely influenced by the shape of the link, but it is closely related to the flexibility of the stent. (3) The S-stent has the smallest foreshortening among the three types of stents. (4) Compared with the V-stent and S-stent, the L-stent causes a smaller area with low wall shear stress, less blood stagnation area, and better blood flow close to the artery wall. From the viewpoint of the combination of solid mechanics and hemodynamics, the S-stent has better therapeutic effects because of its lower potential for inducing ISR and its better prospects in clinical applications compared with the L-stent and V-stent.
Film properties of low temperature HfO2 grown with H2O, O3, or remote O2-plasma
Authors: Richter Claudia , Schenk Tony , Schroeder Uwe , Mikolajick Thomas
Published: December 2013

A reduction of the deposition temperature is necessary for atomic layer deposition (ALD) on organic devices. HfO2 films were deposited by ALD on silicon substrates in a wide temperature range from 80 to 300 °C with tetrakis[ethylmethylamino]hafnium as metal precursor and H2O, O3, or an remote O2-plasma as oxygen source. Growth rate and density were correlated to electrical properties like dielectric constant and leakage current of simple capacitor structures to evaluate the impact of different process conditions. Process optimizations were performed to reduce film imperfections visible at lower deposition temperatures. Additionally, the influence of postdeposition annealing on the structural and electrical properties was studied.
White light emission from ultrathin tungsten metal oxide film
Authors: Lin Chi-Chou , Kuo Yue
Published: December 2013

White light emission from a metal–oxide–semiconductor capacitor with the sub-5 nm thick tungsten oxide dielectric film deposited on a p-type silicon wafer has been observed and studied. Light covering the whole visible wavelength range was emitted when the device was stressed with a negative gate voltage after the breakdown of the dielectric stack. The principle of light emission is similar to that of the incandescent lamp, i.e., thermal excitation of the conductive path. The light intensity increased with the increase of the magnitude of the stress voltage in the DC stressing condition or the duty cycle in the pulsed driving scheme. The emitted light had a high color rendering index of 95 and stable International Commission on Illumination coordinates over a large range of stress voltages. The light emission process had lasted for more than 1300 h continuously in air without failure except the minor decrease of the intensity. This kind of device can be used in many areas such as commercial, industrial, medical, etc.
Atomic layer deposition of molybdenum oxide using bis(tert-butylimido)bis(dimethylamido) molybdenum
Authors: Bertuch Adam , Sundaram Ganesh , Saly Mark , Moser Daniel , Kanjolia Ravi
Published: December 2013

Molybdenum trioxide films have been deposited using thermal atomic layer deposition techniques with bis(tert-butylimido)bis(dimethylamido)molybdenum. Films were deposited at temperatures from 100 to 300 °C using ozone as the oxidant for the process. The Mo precursor was evaluated for thermal stability and volatility using thermogravimetric analysis and static vapor pressure measurements. Film properties were evaluated with ellipsometry, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, secondary ion mass spectroscopy, and secondary electron microscopy. The growth rate per cycle was determined to extend from 0.3 to 2.4 Å/cycle with <4% nonuniformity (1-sigma) with-in-wafer across a 150 mm wafer for the investigated temperature range.
Effects of early and late reflections on intelligibility of reverberated speech by cochlear implant listeners
Authors: Hu Yi , Kokkinakis Kostas
Published: December 2013

The purpose of this study was to determine the overall impact of early and late reflections on the intelligibility of reverberated speech by cochlear implant listeners. Two specific reverberation times were assessed. For each reverberation time, sentences were presented in three different conditions wherein the target signal was filtered through the early, late or entire part of the acoustic impulse response. Results obtained with seven cochlear implant listeners indicated that while early reflections neither enhanced nor reduced overall speech perception performance, late reflections severely reduced speech intelligibility in both reverberant conditions tested.
Comment on “Progesterone/RANKL Is a Major Regulatory Axis in the Human Breast”
Authors: Wang Jun , Gupta Akash , Hu Hong , Chatterton Robert T. , Clevenger Charles V. , Khan Seema A.
Published: December 2013

In vivo menstrual cycle data support the findings by Tanos
et al
. that progesterone regulates RANKL in an ex vivo microstructure model of the human breast, but dispute the suppression of estradiol on progesterone-stimulated RANKL expression. RANKL responds to progesterone in a three-dimensional organoid culture model under conditions mimicking luteal-phase hormone concentration, suggesting that the microstructure may not be crucial to demonstrate progesterone responsiveness.
Metabolic Rates of ATP Transfer Through Creatine Kinase (CK Flux) Predict Clinical Heart Failure Events and Death
Authors: Bottomley Paul A. , Panjrath Gurusher S. , Lai Shenghan , Hirsch Glenn A. , Wu Katherine , Najjar Samer S. , Steinberg Angela , Gerstenblith Gary , Weiss Robert G.
Published: December 2013

Reduced rates of adenosine triphosphate synthesis through myocardial creatine kinase (CK flux) predict adverse clinical events in patients with heart failure.
A New Kid on the Block
Authors: Narla Goutham
Published: December 2013

Oncogenic and drug-sensitive rearrangements in the
NTRK1
gene are found in some lung cancers.
Harvesting HLA Region for Multiple Sclerosis Effects
Authors: Neale Benjamin M.
Published: December 2013

Extensive association analysis of the HLA region established a previously unknown nonclassical allele risk haplotype.
The Intestinal Microbiota Interferes with the microRNA Response upon Oral
Listeria
Infection
Authors: Archambaud Cristel , Sismeiro Odile , Toedling Joern , Soubigou Guillaume , Bécavin Christophe , Lechat Pierre , Lebreton Alice , Ciaudo Constance , Cossart Pascale
Published: December 2013

The intestinal tract is the largest reservoir of microbes in the human body. The intestinal microbiota is thought to be able to modulate alterations of the gut induced by enteropathogens, thereby maintaining homeostasis.
Listeria monocytogenes
is the agent of listeriosis, an infection transmitted to humans upon ingestion of contaminated food. Crossing of the intestinal barrier is a critical step of the infection before dissemination into deeper organs. Here, we investigated the role of the intestinal microbiota in the regulation of host protein-coding genes and microRNA (miRNA or miR) expression during
Listeria
infection. We first established the intestinal miRNA signatures corresponding to the 10 most highly expressed miRNAs in the murine ileum of conventional and germfree mice, noninfected and infected with
Listeria
. Next, we identified 6 miRNAs whose expression decreased upon
Listeria
infection in conventional mice. Strikingly, five of these miRNA expression variations (in miR-143, miR-148a, miR-200b, miR-200c, and miR-378) were dependent on the presence of the microbiota. In addition, as is already known, protein-coding genes were highly affected by infection in both conventional and germfree mice. By crossing bioinformatically the predicted targets of the miRNAs to our whole-genome transcriptomic data, we revealed an miRNA-mRNA network that suggested miRNA-mediated global regulation during intestinal infection. Other recent studies have revealed an miRNA response to either bacterial pathogens or commensal bacteria. In contrast, our work provides an unprecedented insight into the impact of the intestinal microbiota on host transcriptional reprogramming during infection by a human pathogen.

IMPORTANCE
While the crucial role of miRNAs in regulating the host response to bacterial infection is increasingly recognized, the involvement of the intestinal microbiota in the regulation of miRNA expression has not been explored in detail. Here, we investigated the impact of the intestinal microbiota on the regulation of protein-coding genes and miRNA expression in a host infected by
L. monocytogenes
, a food-borne pathogen. We show that the microbiota interferes with the microRNA response upon oral
Listeria
infection and identify several protein-coding target genes whose expression correlates inversely with that of the miRNA. Further investigations of the regulatory networks involving miR-143, miR-148a, miR-200b, miR-200c, and miR-378 will provide new insights into the impact of the intestinal microbiota on the host upon bacterial infection.
Nodular kidney involvement in a patient with idiopathic Sweet’s syndrome
Authors: Daloul Reem , Gupta Sagar , Marin Maria
Published: December 2013

A 40-year-old previously healthy woman presented with a history of painful maculopapular rash, fever and diffuse arthralgia. The skin biopsy was consistent with Sweet's syndrome. Further workup with abdominal CT revealed bilateral hypoenhancing renal lesions involving the cortex and medulla, as well as terminal ileal thickening. Her renal function was preserved. The urinalysis revealed microscopic haematuria and sterile pyuria. Upper and lower gastrointestinal endoscopies were unremarkable and terminal ileal biopsy was normal. The evaluation for secondary causes of Sweet's syndrome was negative. She responded to corticosteroid therapy. A repeat abdominal CT scan two months later showed complete resolution of renal and ileal lesions. One year after the initial presentation the patient is doing well with no recurrent symptoms. We concluded that the abnormal renal findings were most likely due to sterile abscesses in the course of idiopathic Sweet’s syndrome.
Delayed diagnosis of familial adenomatous polyposis in an adolescent patient with a coexisting eating disorder
Authors: Deng Wu , Sears Steve , Garand Susan , Farricielli Laurie
Published: December 2013

Colorectal carcinoma in the population aged less than 20 years of age is rare but associated with poor prognosis, which is attributable to advanced disease at presentation and higher incidence of the unfavourable mucinous histology. Colorectal carcinoma commonly presents with non-specific gastrointestinal symptoms in conjunction with iron deficiency anaemia. Many of these symptoms can mimic eating disorders, which are common in adolescent women. We present the case of a 20-year-old woman with previously undiagnosed familial adenomatous polyposis and colorectal carcinoma who experienced a significant delay in diagnosis, given a coexisting eating disorder mimicking her symptoms. After confirmation of the diagnosis by colonoscopy and genetic testing, the patient underwent a successful proctocolectomy and experienced full recovery. This case is a reminder that underlying organic pathology should always be excluded prior to a diagnosis of an eating disorder.
Lancing of a boil leading to severe invasive methicillin-sensitiveStaphylococcus aureusinfection in an adolescent
Authors: Medows Marsha , Sharma Amit
Published: December 2013

A 10-year-old boy presented to the emergency department with chief symptoms of fever and right leg pain for 3 days. Also of note, he reported that he had a boil on his neck 2 weeks prior to admission. This lesion was lanced by his mother with a hot needle. An X-ray, CT scan and MRI of the right knee showed no evidence of osteomyelitis. He was placed on intravenous vancomycin for empiric treatment. Blood culture grew methicillin-susceptibleStaphylococcus aureus(MSSA), susceptible to vancomycin and clindamycin. He continued to spike fever with the development of erythema, and swelling of the distal thigh. Repeat MRI of the right knee showed osteomyelitis and subperiosteal abscess in the distal femur shaft with surrounding intramuscular abscesses and pyomyositis. He was taken to the operating room where 50 mL of fluid was drained from the periosteal abscess and a bone biopsy was obtained. Bone marrow culture also grew MSSA, susceptible to clindamycin.
Using the Valeo dilatable stent in coarctation stenting for small children: expanding the inclusion criteria for coarctation stenting?
Authors: Shepherd Emma , Connolly Georgia May , Morgan Gareth
Published: December 2013

The application of coarctation stenting has grown in paediatric and adult practice in recent years. Stent and delivery sheath technology has improved; however, we remain technically limited when implanting small calibre stents through small sheaths in small children, which then have the potential to be dilated to adult size as time passes. We describe the first reported use of the Valeo Biliary Pre-mounted Re-dilatable Stent (Edwards Life Sciences, California, USA) in aortic coarctation with 1 year follow-up including cross-sectional imaging. This 14 kg 3-year-old girl presented following an intracerebral haemorrhage secondary to severe systemic hypertension. Despite implantation through a 7-French sheath, this stent can be postdilated up to 20 mm, and therefore provides an important new addition to the interventional armamentarium.
Parent-led or baby-led? Associations between complementary feeding practices and health-related behaviours in a survey of New Zealand families
Authors: Cameron Sonya L , Taylor Rachael W , Heath Anne-Louise M
Published: December 2013

Objective

To determine feeding practices and selected health-related behaviours in New Zealand families following a ‘baby-led’ or more traditional ‘parent-led’ method for introducing complementary foods.

Design, setting and participants

199 mothers completed an online survey about introducing complementary foods to their infant. Participants were classified into one of four groups: ‘adherent baby-led weaning (BLW)’, the infant mostly or entirely fed themselves at 6–7 months; ‘self-identified BLW’, mothers reported following BLW at 6–7 months but were using spoon-feeding at least half the time; ‘parent-led feeding’, the mother reported not having tried BLW; and ‘unclassified method’, the mother reported they were not following BLW at 6–7 months but reported the infant mostly or entirely fed themselves at 6–7 months.

Results

8% were following ‘adherent BLW’, 21% ‘self-identified BLW’ and 0% were following the ‘unclassified method’. Compared with ‘self-identified BLW’ and ‘parent-led feeding’, a higher proportion of the ‘adherent BLW’ met the WHO recommendations to exclusively breastfeed for 6 months and to introduce complementary foods at 6 months. The ‘adherent BLW’ group was more likely to have family foods (p=0.018), and less likely (p=0.002) to have commercially prepared baby food. Both BLW groups were more likely to share meals with the family compared with ‘parent-led feeding’. In contrast to ‘self-identified BLW’ and ‘parent-led feeding’, the ‘adherent BLW’ group did not offer iron-fortified cereal as a first food.

Conclusions

This study suggests that although many parents consider they follow BLW, a very few are following it strictly. The extent to which BLW was followed was associated with potential benefits (eg, sharing family meals) and risks (eg, low iron first foods) highlighting the importance for health professionals and researchers of accurately determining the extent of adherence to BLW.
Governance of quality of care: a qualitative study of health service boards in Victoria, Australia
Authors: Bismark Marie M , Studdert David M
Published: December 2013

Objectives

To describe the engagement of health service boards with quality-of-care issues and to identify factors that influence boards’ activities in this area.

Methods

We conducted semistructured interviews with 35 board members and executives from 13 public health services in Victoria, Australia. Interviews focused on the role currently played by boards in overseeing quality of care. We also elicited interviewees’ perceptions of factors that have influenced their current approach to governance in this area. Thematic analysis was used to identify key themes from interview transcripts.

Results

Virtually all interviewees believed boards had substantial opportunities to influence the quality of care delivered within the service, chiefly through setting priorities, monitoring progress, holding staff to account and shaping culture. Perceived barriers to leveraging this influence included insufficient resources, gaps in skills and experience among board members, inadequate information on performance and regulatory requirements that miss the mark. Interviewees converged on four enablers of more effective quality governance: stronger regional collaborations; more tailored board training on quality issues; smarter use of reporting and accreditation requirements; and better access to data that was reliable, longitudinal and allowed for benchmarking against peer organisations.

Conclusions

Although health service boards are eager to establish quality of care as a governance priority, several obstacles are blocking progress. The result is a gap between the rhetoric of quality governance and the reality of month-to-month activities at the board level. The imperative for effective board-level engagement in this area cannot be met until these barriers are addressed.
Republished: Recent advances in autoimmune pancreatitis: type 1 and type 2
Authors: Kamisawa Terumi , Chari Suresh T , Lerch Markus M , Kim Myung-Hwan , Gress Thomas M , Shimosegawa Tooru
Published: December 2013

Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is a form of chronic pancreatitis characterised clinically by frequent presentation with obstructive jaundice, histologically by a lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate with fibrosis, and therapeutically by a dramatic response to steroids. When so defined, AIP can be sub-classified into two subtypes, 1 and 2. Recent international consensus diagnostic criteria for AIP have been developed for diagnosis of both forms of AIP. Type 1 AIP is the pancreatic manifestation of a multiorgan disease, recently named IgG4-related disease. Little is known about the pathogenesis of either form of AIP. Despite frequent association of type 1 AIP with elevated serum IgG4 levels and infiltration with IgG4-positive plasma cells, it is unlikely that IgG4 plays a pathogenic role in AIP. Type 1 AIP responds to steroids, but there needs to be consensus on treatment regimens for induction and therapeutic end points. Relapses are common, but can be reduced by long-term use of low-dose steroids. Recent reports suggest that immunomodulators (azathioprine, 6-mercaptopurine and mycophenolate mofetil), as well biological agents (the antibody to CD20, rituximab) may have a role in maintaining remission in relapsing type 1 AIP. Future studies should clarify the best management options for treatment of relapses and maintenance of remission. Type 2 AIP is a pancreas-specific disorder not associated with IgG4. It presents in younger individuals equally with obstructive jaundice and pancreatitis. The inflammatory process responds to steroid therapy; relapses are uncommon. The clinical spectrum and long-term outcomes of medically treated type 2 AIP are still being evaluated.
Mouth rinsing with a carbohydrate solution does not influence cycle time trial performance in the heat
Authors: Watson Phillip , Nichols David , Cordery Philip
Published: December 2013

Ten endurance-trained males were recruited to examine the possible role of carbohydrate (CHO) receptors in the mouth influencing exercise performance in the heat. Volunteers completed an incremental test to exhaustion to determine peak oxygen uptake, a familiarisation trial, followed by 2 experimental trials. Trials consisted of a 1-h time trial undertaken in a climatic chamber maintained at 30 °C, 60% relative humidity. Immediately before, and at regular intervals throughout exercise, subjects ingested a bolus of water and then were provided with either a placebo (PLA) or a 6.4% glucose (CHO) solution to rinse in the mouth for 10 s before being expectorated. There was no difference in total work done between the PLA and CHO trials (758.8 ± 149.0 kJ; 762.6 ± 141.1 kJ; P = 0.951). Pacing was also similar, with no differences in power output apparent during the experimental trials (P = 0.546). Core temperature (P = 0.615), heart rate (P = 0.505), ratings of perceived exertion (P = 0.181), and perceived thermal stress (P = 0.416) were not influenced by the nature of the intervention. Blood glucose concentrations were similar during the CHO and PLA trials (P = 0.117). In contrast to the findings of several studies undertaken in temperate conditions, the present investigation failed to support role of oral sensing of CHO in influencing performance during prolonged exercise in warm conditions.
NOVEL PIPELINED INTERPOLATOR FOR REED–SOLOMON DECODER BASED ON LOW-COMPLEXITY CHASE DECODING
Authors: WANG HAO , ZHANG WEI , LIU YANYAN
Published: December 2013

Reed–Solomon (RS) codes are widely used in digital communication and storage systems. Algebraic soft-decision (ASD) decoding of RS codes can obtain significant coding gain over hard-decision decoding. Compared with other ASD algorithms, the low-complexity chase (LCC) decoding algorithm needs less computation complexity with similar or better coding gain. To reduce the latency of the interpolation, multiple interpolators can be applied. However, the interpolator has to finish the forward interpolation (FI) which costs more iterations before it turns to the unified-backward–forward interpolator (UBFI). In this paper, FI and UBFI are carried out by two different interpolators. A novel pipelined interpolator (NPI) architecture is proposed which includes a parallel forward interpolator (PFI) and a reduced-complexity multi-interpolator (RCMI). For the (255, 239) RS code with η = 5, the interpolation latency and the efficiency will be 44% and 1.76 times of the previous design, respectively.
Web-Based Decision Support for E-Business Strategies: A Balanced Scorecard Approach
Authors: Wang Fen , Mora Manuel , Raisinghani Mahesh S.
Published: December 2013

This paper describes the design and proof of concept of a web-based e-business decision-making support system (EBDMSS), to deliver a balanced scorecard (BSC)-based modeling and analysis in support of e-business strategic management. EBDMSS is designed, built and validated through a conceptual design research method. Its design is theoretically underpinned in three DMSS design schemes: an e-business BSC (EBBSC) framework for decision-making process (DMP), a DMSS architecture, and a DMSS design-evaluation framework. The EBBSC scheme aims to support e-business managers during the business strategy making process in a comprehensive, integrated, and continuous manner. The DMSS architecture and the DMSS design-evaluation frameworks help to deliver the expected design capabilities of an integrated DMSS. The paper reports related literature review, conceptual design methodology and principles, EBDMSS design and prototype implementation, and illustrates how practitioners can use this system to deliver a valuable range of embodied e-business strategy expertise in support of real-time decision making. The paper concludes with limitations of design, implementation and validation, recommendations for further research, and conclusions.
THE GYSIN EXACT SEQUENCE FOR S1-EQUIVARIANT SYMPLECTIC HOMOLOGY
Authors: BOURGEOIS FRÉDÉRIC , OANCEA ALEXANDRU
Published: December 2013

We define S1-equivariant symplectic homology for symplectically aspherical manifolds with contact boundary, using a Floer-type construction first proposed by Viterbo. We show that it is related to the usual symplectic homology by a Gysin exact sequence. As an important ingredient of the proof, we define a parametrized version of symplectic homology, corresponding to families of Hamiltonian functions indexed by a finite dimensional smooth parameter space.
Desacyl ghrelin prevents doxorubicin-induced myocardial fibrosis and apoptosis via the GHSR-independent pathway
Authors: Pei Xiao M. , Yung Benjamin Y. , Yip Shea Ping , Ying Michael , Benzie Iris F. , Siu Parco M.
Published: December 2013

Doxorubicin is an effective chemotherapeutic agent used to treat malignancies, but it causes cardiomyopathy. Preliminary evidence suggests that desacyl ghrelin might have protective effects on doxorubicin cardiotoxicity. This study examined the cellular effects of desacyl ghrelin on myocardial fibrosis and apoptosis in a doxorubicin cardiomyopathy experimental model. Adult C57BL/6 mice received an intraperitoneal injection of doxorubicin to induce cardiomyopathy, followed by 4-day treatment of saline (control) or desacyl ghrelin with or without [d-Lys3]-GHRP-6 (a growth hormone secretagogue receptor or GHSR1a antagonist). Ventricular structural and functional parameters were evaluated by transthoracic echocardiography. Molecular and cellular measurements were performed in ventricular muscle to examine myocardial fibrosis and apoptosis. Cardiac dysfunction was induced by doxorubicin, as indicated by significant decreases in ventricular fractional shortening and ejection fraction. This doxorubicin-induced cardiac dysfunction was prevented by the treatment of desacyl ghrelin no matter with or without the presence of [d-Lys3]-GHRP-6. Doxorubicin induced fibrosis (accumulated collagen deposition and increased CTGF), activated apoptosis (increased TUNEL index, apoptotic DNA fragmentation, and caspase-3 activity and decreased Bcl-2/Bax ratio), and suppressed phosphorylation status of prosurvival signals (ERK1/2 and Akt) in ventricular muscles. All these molecular and cellular alterations induced by doxorubicin were not found in the animals treated with desacyl ghrelin. Notably, the changes in the major markers of apoptosis, fibrosis, and Akt phosphorylation were found to be similar in the animals following the treatment of desacyl ghrelin with and without GHSR antagonist [d-Lys3]-GHRP-6. These findings demonstrate clearly that desacyl ghrelin protects the cardiomyocytes against the doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy by preventing the activation of cardiac fibrosis and apoptosis, and the effects are probably mediated through GHSR-independent mechanism.
MicroRNA profiling links miR-378 to enhanced adipocyte lipolysis in human cancer cachexia
Authors: Kulyté Agné , Lorente-Cebrián Silvia , Gao Hui , Mejhert Niklas , Agustsson Thorhallur , Arner Peter , Rydén Mikael , Dahlman Ingrid
Published: December 2013

Cancer cachexia is associated with pronounced adipose tissue loss due to, at least in part, increased fat cell lipolysis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have recently been implicated in controlling several aspects of adipocyte function. To gain insight into the possible impact of miRNAs on adipose lipolysis in cancer cachexia, global miRNA expression was explored in abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue from gastrointestinal cancer patients with ( n = 10) or without ( n = 11) cachexia. Effects of miRNA overexpression or inhibition on lipolysis were determined in human in vitro differentiated adipocytes. Out of 116 miRNAs present in adipose tissue, five displayed distinct cachexia-associated expression according to both microarray and RT-qPCR. Four (miR-483–5p/-23a/-744/-99b) were downregulated, whereas one (miR-378) was significantly upregulated in cachexia. Adipose expression of miR-378 associated strongly and positively with catecholamine-stimulated lipolysis in adipocytes. This correlation is most probably causal because overexpression of miR-378 in human adipocytes increased catecholamine-stimulated lipolysis. In addition, inhibition of miR-378 expression attenuated stimulated lipolysis and reduced the expression of LIPE, PLIN1, and PNPLA2, a set of genes encoding key lipolytic regulators. Taken together, increased miR-378 expression could play an etiological role in cancer cachexia-associated adipose tissue loss via effects on adipocyte lipolysis.
Intrinsic circannual regulation of brown adipose tissue form and function in tune with hibernation
Authors: Hindle Allyson G. , Martin Sandra L.
Published: December 2013

Winter hibernators repeatedly cycle between cold torpor and rewarming supported by nonshivering thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue (BAT). In contrast, summer animals are homeotherms, undergoing reproduction, growth, and fattening. This life history confers variability to BAT recruitment and activity. To address the components underlying prewinter enhancement and winter activation, we interrogated the BAT proteome in 13-lined ground squirrels among three summer and five winter states. We also examined mixed physiology in fall and spring individuals to test for ambient temperature and seasonal effects, as well as the timing of seasonal transitions. BAT form and function differ circannually in these animals, as evidenced by morphology and proteome dynamics. This intrinsic pattern distinguished homeothermic groups and early vs. late winter hibernators. Homeothermic variation derived from postemergence delay in growth and substrate biosynthesis. The heterothermic proteome varied less despite extreme winter physiological shifts and was optimized to exploit lipids by enhanced fatty acid binding, β-oxidation, and mitochondrial protein translocation. Surprisingly, ambient temperature did not affect the BAT proteome during transition seasons; rather, the pronounced summer-winter shift preceded environmental changes and phenotypic progression. During fall transition, differential regulation of two fatty acid binding proteins provides further evidence of recruitment and separates proteomic preparation from successful hibernation. Abundance of FABP4 correlates with torpor bout length throughout the year, clarifying its potential function in hibernation. Metabolically active BAT is a target for treating human obesity and metabolic disorders. Understanding the hibernator's extreme and seasonally distinct recruitment and activation control strategies offers untapped potential to identify novel, therapeutically relevant regulatory pathways.
ROCK1 isoform-specific deletion reveals a role for diet-induced insulin resistance
Authors: Lee Seung-Hwan , Huang Hu , Choi Kangduk , Lee Dae Ho , Shi Jianjian , Liu Tiemin , Chun Kwang Hoon , Seo Ji A. , Lima Ines S. , Zabolotny Janice M. , Wei Lei , Kim Young-Bum
Published: December 2013

Rho kinase (ROCK) isoforms regulate insulin signaling and glucose metabolism negatively or positively in cultured cell lines and skeletal muscle. However, the in vivo function of the ROCK1 isoform in adipose tissue has not been addressed. To determine the specific role of the adipose ROCK1 isoform in the development of insulin resistance and obesity, mice lacking ROCK1 in adipose tissue globally or selectively were studied. Here, we show that insulin's ability to activate IRS-1/PI3K/Akt signaling was greatly enhanced in adipose tissue of ROCK1−/− mice compared with wild-type mice. These effects resulted from the inhibitory effect of ROCK1 on insulin receptor action, as evidenced by the fact that IR tyrosine phosphorylation was abolished in ROCK1−/− MEF cells when ROCK1 was reexpressed. Consistently, adipose-specific disruption of ROCK1 increased IR tyrosine phosphorylation in adipose tissue and modestly improved sensitivity to insulin in obese mice induced by high-fat feeding. This effect is independent of any changes in adiposity, number or size of adipocytes, and metabolic parameters, including glucose, insulin, leptin, and triglyceride levels, demonstrating a minimal effect of adipose ROCK1 on whole body metabolism. Enzymatic activity of ROCK1 in adipose tissue remained ∼50%, which likely originated from the fraction of stromal vascular cells, suggesting involvement of these cells for adipose metabolic regulation. Moreover, ROCK isoform activities were increased in adipose tissue of diet-induced or genetically obese mice. These data suggest that adipose ROCK1 isoform plays an inhibtory role for the regulation of insulin sensitivity in diet-induced obesity in vivo.
Liver functional genomics in beef cows on grazing systems: novel genes and pathways revealed
Authors: Laporta Jimena , Rosa Guilherme J. M. , Naya Hugo , Carriquiry Mariana
Published: December 2013

The adaptation of the liver to periods of negative energy balance is largely unknown in beef cattle on grazing systems. We evaluated liver transcriptome throughout gestation and early lactation of purebred and crossbred beef cows [Angus, Hereford, and their F1 crossbreeds (CR)], grazing high or low herbage allowances (HA) of native grasslands (4 and 2.5 kg dry matter/kg body wt annual mean; n = 16) using an Agilent 4 × 44k bovine array. A total of 4,661 transcripts were affected by days [272 ≥2.5-fold difference, false discovery rate (FDR) ≤ 0.10] and 47 pathways were altered during winter gestation (−165 to −15 days relative to calving), when cows experienced decreased body condition score, decreased insulin, and increased nonesterified fatty acid concentrations. Gluconeogenesis and fatty acid oxidation pathways were upregulated, while cell growth, DNA replication, and transcription pathways were downregulated (FDR ≤ 0.25). We observed only small changes in the liver transcriptome during early lactation (+15 to +60 days). A total of 225 genes were differentially expressed (47 ≥2-fold difference, FDR ≤ 0.10) between HA. The majority of those were related to glucose and pyruvate metabolism and were upregulated in high HA, reflecting their better metabolic status. Two genes were upregulated in CR cows, but 148 transcripts (74 ≥2-fold change difference, FDR ≤ 0.10) were affected by the HA and cow genotype interaction. The transcriptional changes observed indicated a complex and previously unrecognized, hepatic adaptive program of grazing beef cows in different nutritional environments. Novel target candidate genes, metabolic pathways, and regulatory mechanisms were reported.
Next-generation sequencing of microRNAs uncovers expression signatures in polarized macrophages
Authors: Cobos Jiménez Viviana , Bradley Edward J. , Willemsen Antonius M. , van Kampen Antoine H. C. , Baas Frank , Kootstra Neeltje A.
Published: December 2013

microRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression at a posttranscriptional level and play a crucial role in the development of cells of the immune system. Macrophages are essential for generating inflammatory reactions upon tissue damage and encountering of invading pathogens, yet modulation of their immune responses is critical for maintaining tissue homeostasis. Macrophages can present different phenotypes, depending on the cytokine environment they encounter in the affected tissues. In this study, we have identified expression signatures of miRNAs that are differentially regulated during maturation of monocytes and polarization of macrophages by cytokines. We present a comprehensive characterization of miRNA expression in human monocytes and M1, M2a, and M2c polarized macrophages, using next-generation sequencing. Furthermore, we show that miRNA expression signatures are closely related to the various immune functions of polarized macrophages and therefore are involved in shaping the diverse phenotypes of these cells. The miRNAs identified here serve as markers for identification of inflammatory macrophages involved in the development of immune responses. Our findings contribute to understanding the role of miRNAs in determining the macrophage function in healthy and diseased tissues.
Robust Medical Test Evaluation Using Flexible Bayesian Semiparametric Regression Models
Authors: Branscum Adam J. , Johnson Wesley O. , Baron Andre T.
Published: December 2013

The application of Bayesian methods is increasing in modern epidemiology. Although parametric Bayesian analysis has penetrated the population health sciences, flexible nonparametric Bayesian methods have received less attention. A goal in nonparametric Bayesian analysis is to estimate unknown functions (e.g., density or distribution functions) rather than scalar parameters (e.g., means or proportions). For instance, ROC curves are obtained from the distribution functions corresponding to continuous biomarker data taken from healthy and diseased populations. Standard parametric approaches to Bayesian analysis involve distributions with a small number of parameters, where the prior specification is relatively straight forward. In the nonparametric Bayesian case, the prior is placed on an infinite dimensional space of all distributions, which requires special methods. A popular approach to nonparametric Bayesian analysis that involves Polya tree prior distributions is described. We provide example code to illustrate how models that contain Polya tree priors can be fit using SAS software. The methods are used to evaluate the covariate-specific accuracy of the biomarker, soluble epidermal growth factor receptor, for discerning lung cancer cases from controls using a flexible ROC regression modeling framework. The application highlights the usefulness of flexible models over a standard parametric method for estimating ROC curves.
Did Universal Access to ARVT in Mexico Impact Suboptimal Antiretroviral Prescriptions?
Authors: Caro-Vega Yanink , Volkow Patricia , Sierra-Madero Juan , Colchero M. Arantxa , Crabtree-Ramírez Brenda , Bautista-Arredondo Sergio
Published: December 2013

Background. Universal access to antiretroviral therapy (ARVT) started in Mexico in 2001; no evaluation of the features of ARVT prescriptions over time has been conducted. The aim of the study is to document trends in the quality of ARVT-prescription before and after universal access.Methods. We describe ARVT prescriptions before and after 2001 in three health facilities from the following subsystems: the Mexican Social Security (IMSS), the Ministry of Health (SSA), and National Institutes of Health (INS). Combinations of drugs and reasons for change were classified according to current Mexican guidelines and state-of-the-art therapy. Comparisons were made usingχ2tests.Results. Before 2001, 29% of patients starting ARVT received HAART; after 2001 it increased to 90%. The proportion of adequate prescriptions decreased within the two periods of study in all facilities (Pvalue < 0.01). The INS and SSA were more likely to be prescribed adequately (Pvalue < 0.01) compared to IMSS. The distribution of reasons for change was not significantly different during this time for all facilities (Pvalue > 0.05).Conclusions. Universal ARVT access in Mexico was associated with changes in ARVT-prescription patterns over time. Health providers’ performance improved, but not homogeneously. Training of personnel and guidelines updating is essential to improve prescription.
Humidification Technique Using New Modified MiniModule Membrane Contactors for Air Cooling
Authors: Ali Mohamed , Zeitoun Obida , Al-Ansary Hany , Nuhait Abdullah
Published: December 2013

An experimental study is conducted to cool the ambient air using a new humidification technique. A wind tunnel is built with a test section formed by four modified MiniModule membrane contactors. An ambient air passes over the membrane contactors (cross flow) while water pumps through the contactors. Air temperature and relative humidity are measured upstream and downstream of the membrane contactors array which was used to humidify and cool the outdoor air. Five average air velocities (3.03, 3.33, 3.95, 4.52, and 5.04 m/s) and four water flow rates (0.0, 0.013, 0.019, and 0.025 kg/s) are used. Air velocity is measured at different locations along the centerline of the cross section. Using the modified MiniModule membrane contactors array dropped the air temperature by a maximum and minimum of 10.77°C and 3.44°C, respectively, depending on the outdoor air. The corresponding maximum increase of the relative humidity is 4.65% which depends on the ambient condition. It is noticed that the evaporation process does not follow the isenthalpic lines therefore; heat transfers from the air as latent and sensible heats.