bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Selection for high alcohol preference drinking in mice results in heightened sensitivity and rapid development of acute functional tolerance to alcohol's ataxic effects
Authors: Fritz B. M. , Grahame N. J. , Boehm S. L.
Published: August 2012

Propensity to develop acute functional (or within session) tolerance to alcohol (ethanol) may influence the amount of alcohol consumed, with higher drinking associated with greater acute functional tolerance (AFT). The goal of this study was to assess this potential correlated response between alcohol preference and AFT in second and third replicate lines of mice selectively bred for high (HAP2 and HAP3) and low (LAP2 and LAP3) alcohol preference drinking. Male and female mice were tested for development of AFT on a static dowel task, which requires that animals maintain balance on a wooden dowel in order to prevent falling. On test day, each mouse received one (1.75 g/kg; Experiment 1) or two (1.75 and 2.0 g/kg; Experiment 2) injections of ethanol; an initial administration before being placed on the dowel and in Experiment 2, an additional administration after the first regain of balance on the dowel. Blood samples were taken immediately after loss of balance [when blood ethanol concentrations (BECs) were rising] and at recovery (during falling BECs) in Experiment 1, and after first and second recovery in Experiment 2. It was found that HAP mice fell from the dowel significantly earlier and at lower BECs than LAP mice following the initial injection of ethanol and were therefore more sensitive to its early effects. Furthermore, Experiment 1 detected significantly greater AFT development (BECfalling − BECrising) in HAP mice when compared with LAP mice, which occurred within ∼30 min, supporting our hypothesis. However, AFT was not different between lines in Experiment 2, indicating that ∼30–60 min following alcohol administration, AFT development was similar in both lines. These data show that high alcohol drinking genetically associates with both high initial sensitivity and very early tolerance to the ataxic effects of ethanol.
Stimulation of Cadaverine Production by Foodborne Pathogens in the Presence of Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, and Streptococcus spp.
Authors: Kuley Esmeray , Balıkcı Esra , Özoğul İlyas , Gökdogan Saadet , Özoğul Fatih
Published: August 2012

Abstract:  The effect of Lactobacillus plantarum (FI8595), Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris MG 1363), Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis (IL 1403), and Streptococcus thermophilus on cadaverine and other biogenic amine production by foodborne pathogens was investigated lysine decarboxylase broth. Both of lactic acid bacteria and foodborne pathogens used (especially Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, Lc. lactis subsp. lactis and Lb. plantarum) had an ability to convert aminoacids into biogenic amine. The conversion of lysine into cadaverine was the highest (167.11 mg/L) by Lactobacillus spp. Gram‐positive bacteria generally had a greater ability to produce cadaverine with corresponding value of 46.26, 53.76, and 154.54 mg/L for Enterococcus faecalis, S. aureus, and Listeria monocytogenes, respectively. Significant variations on biogenic amine production were observed in the presence of lactic acid bacteria strains (P < 0.05). The role of lactic acid bacteria on biogenic amine production by foodborne pathogens varied depending on strains and specific amine. Cadaverine accumulation by Enterobactericeae was increased in the presence of lactic acid bacteria strains except for St. thermophilus, which induced 2‐fold lower cadaverine production by S. Paratyphi A. Lc. lactis subsp. lactis and Lc. lactis subsp. cremoris induced 10‐fold higher increases in histamine for E. coli and K. pneumoniae, respectively. Lactic acid bacteria resulted in strong increases in cadaverine production by P. aeruginosa, although remarkable decreases were observed for histamine, spermidine, dopamine, agmatine, and TMA in the presence of lactic acid bacteria in lysine decarboxylase broth . The result of the study showed that amine positive lactic acid bacteria strains in fermented food led to significant amine accumulation by contaminant bacteria and their accumulation in food product may be controlled by the use of proper starters with amine‐negative activity.

Practical Application:  Foodborne pathogens and certain lactic acid bacteria are particularly active in the production of biogenic amines. Most of the strains of bacteria possess more than 1 amino acid decarboxylase activity under lysine enrichment culture conditions. Lactic acid bacteria strains had a significant role on increase putrescine accumulation by foodborne pathogens. The increased production of biogenic amines in mixed culture is the result of presence of amine positive lactic acid bacteria strains. The addition of a proper selected starter culture with amine‐negative activity is advisable to produce safer fermented food with low contents of biogenic amines.
Return to use and performance following exploratory celiotomy for colic in horses: 195 cases (2003–2010)
Authors: DAVIS W. , FOGLE C. A. , GERARD M. P. , LEVINE J. F. , BLIKSLAGER A. T.
Published: August 2012

Reasons for performing study:There are few objective data on return to use and performance in horses following colic surgery.

Objective:To investigate return to functional use of horses following colic surgery and factors associated with a negative outcome.

Methods:The North Carolina State University Equine Colic Database was reviewed for horses that underwent exploratory celiotomy for colic (2003–2010). Horses were excluded from the study if they survived <6 months, had no intended use preoperatively, or if further data were not available at attempted follow‐up. Information retrieved included history, background, use, and selected pre‐, intra‐, and post operative factors. Telephone interviews were used to obtain follow‐up data. Logistic regression was used to investigate associations between clinical data and outcome, reported as odds ratios with a 95% confidence interval and corresponding P value.

Results:Of patients surviving to 6 months, 133/195 (68%) were performing their intended use and 85/156 (54%) were at or above preoperative performance. At one year, 145/190 (76%) horses were performing their intended use and 101/153 (66%) were at or above preoperative performance. Animals were significantly less likely to return to use/performance if they had a previous celiotomy, stall rest for an orthopaedic condition, a nonstrangulating lesion type, incisional hernia, diarrhoea or laminitis.

Conclusions:The overall prognosis for return to use and performance following colic surgery is fair to good. Multiple pre‐ and post operative factors may affect the likelihood of return to use and performance.

Potential relevance:Targeted owner education regarding preoperative lameness, post operative rehabilitation and treatment for complications, such as incisional hernioplasty, may help inform owners about their horse's potential for return to use and performance following colic surgery.
Myocardial perfusion MRI with an undersampled 3D stack‐of‐stars sequence
Authors: Chen Liyong , Adluru Ganesh , Schabel Matthias C. , McGann Chris J. , DiBella Edward V. R.
Published: August 2012

Purpose:

To determine the feasibility of three‐dimensional (3D) hybrid radial (stack‐of‐stars) MRI with spatiotemporal total variation (TV) constrained reconstruction for dynamic contrast enhanced myocardial perfusion imaging.

Methods:

An ECG‐triggered saturation recovery turboFLASH sequence with undersampled stack‐of‐stars sampling with spatiotemporal TV constrained reconstruction was developed for dynamic contrast enhanced myocardial perfusion imaging. Simulations were performed to study the dependence of the approach to steady state on flip angle and saturation recovery time for this stack‐of‐stars acquisition. Phantom studies were used to show the effect of the flip angle selection and imperfect spoiling on image qualities. Studies were done in three humans to test the feasibility of the approach for myocardial perfusion imaging.

Results:

The simulation and phantom studies showed that imperfect spoiling and magnetization changes during the readout were a function of flip angle and nonoptimized selection of flip angle could degrade the images. Low flip angle acquisitions in the human subjects result in images with good quality similar to multislice radial 2D images.

Conclusions:

3D stack‐of‐stars sampling with spatiotemporal TV constrained reconstruction provides a promising alternative for myocardial perfusion imaging.
Reversal of Paralysis and Reduced Inflammation from Peripheral Administration of β-Amyloid in T
H
1 and T
H
17 Versions of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis
Authors: Grant Jacqueline L. , Ghosn Eliver Eid Bou , Axtell Robert C. , Herges Katja , Kuipers Hedwich F. , Woodling Nathan S. , Andreasson Katrin , Herzenberg Leonard A. , Herzenberg Leonore A. , Steinman Lawrence
Published: August 2012

β-Amyloid reduces inflammation and improves symptoms in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis.
Bortezomib-induced thrombotic thrombocytopaenic purpura: Figure 1
Authors: Mehta Neha , Saxena Ashish , Niesvizky Ruben
Published: August 2012

Thrombotic thrombocytopaenic purpura (TTP) is a thrombotic microangiopathy characterised by haemolytic anaemia, schistocytes on peripheral blood smear and thrombocytopaenia that can additionally present with fever, renal insufficiency and/or neurological abnormalities. While our understanding of idiopathic TTP has significantly advanced, there are still many unanswered questions regarding the pathophysiology of secondary TTP, which can be associated with malignancy, pregnancy, HIV infection, bone marrow transplantation and exposure to certain drugs including several chemotherapeutic agents. Here we present a case of bortezomib-associated TTP. Our patient developed microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia, thrombocytopaenia and altered mental status after her ninth dose of bortezomib. The drug was subsequently discontinued and the patient underwent one session of plasma exchange with clinical improvement and recovery of her platelet counts, disappearance of schistocytes and resolution of both neurological symptoms and haemolysis in 2 days.
Trans-anal barotrauma by compressed air leading to sigmoid perforation due to a dangerous practical joke
Authors: Pahwa Harvinder Singh , Kumar Awanish , Srivastava Rohit , Rai Anurag
Published: August 2012

To present a case report of trans-anal barotrauma by high-pressure compressed air jet as a dangerous practical joke, that is, playful insufflation of high-pressure air jet through the anal orifice resulting in sigmoid perforation. The patient presented to emergency a day later with complaints of severe pain in the abdomen and abdominal distension following insufflation of high-pressure air jet through the anus. On examination, he had signs suggestive of perforation peritonitis and x-ray of the abdomen showed gas under the diaphragm. An emergency exploratory laparotomy was performed which revealed a 4-cm perforation in the sigmoid colon. Resection of the segment containing perforation along with the surrounding devitalised part was done with double-barrel colostomy. Reversal of colostomy was done after 8 weeks. Follow-up was uneventful.
Serial high-sensitivity troponin measurements for the rapid exclusion of acute myocardial infarction in low-risk patients
Authors: Dawson Charlotte , Benger Jonathan R , Bayly Graham
Published: August 2012

High-sensitivity troponin assays facilitate the rapid exclusion of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, elevated results are also seen in other conditions causing myocardial injury. Serial measurements increase the specificity for AMI, helping to rapidly identify patients for whom revascularisation may be appropriate. In this study, we explore a strategy for rapidly excluding AMI in symptomatic patients using serial high-sensitivity troponin measurements. Main findings: (1) all patients presenting more than 3 h after symptom onset with a negative result had a second negative result; (2) AMI was excluded in all patients with two results falling below the lower limit of detection of a standard troponin assay by 8 h post-symptom onset.
Seven caveats on the use of low birthweight and related indicators in health research: Table 1
Authors: Urquia Marcelo L , Ray Joel G
Published: August 2012

Birthweight and gestational age are the two most commonly used continuous variables in perinatal research. Dichotomous outcomes derived from these two variables include low birthweight, preterm birth and small for gestational age, each extensively used as perinatal and population health indicators within public health research and health surveillance systems. However, these dichotomous indicators have inherent limitations that need to be considered in the design, analysis and interpretation of epidemiological studies. In this report, we present seven caveats that may help researchers and users of epidemiological data avoid common (and not so common) pitfalls in the consideration of these indicators.
Quality appraisal in systematic reviews of public health interventions: an empirical study on the impact of choice of tool on meta-analysis
Authors: Voss Peer H , Rehfuess Eva A
Published: August 2012

Introduction

Systematic reviews are a cornerstone of evidence-based public health. The method of appraising the quality of different intervention and observational study designs in such reviews remains an important challenge. This article examines the applicability of selected quality appraisal tools (QATs) and the impact of choice of tool on the meta-analysis of a published systematic review.

Methods

The authors selected a systematic review on the effectiveness of hand washing with soap in preventing diarrhoea, covering a range of epidemiological study designs. 6 QATs were used to assess 13 studies meeting their inclusion criteria; component sections/questions were coded numerically to derive a summary score between −1 (low quality) and +1 (high quality) for each QAT and study. Heterogeneity in study quality was evaluated graphically using traffic light schemes and spider charts. Random effects meta-analysis was undertaken for all studies; sensitivity analyses for each QAT included only those studies with a score of 0 or above.

Results

The authors found substantial heterogeneity in summary scores for a given study. Their main meta-analysis yielded an OR of 0.60 (95% CI 0.47 to 0.77) with most sensitivity analyses giving similar pooled effect sizes with wider CIs.

Discussion

The six QATs differ greatly in applicability across study designs, approach to quality appraisal (ie, scale vs checklist, presence/absence of summary score), coverage of domains and quality of component questions and answers. Learning from advantages and disadvantages of each QAT, we recommend research into the development of a reliable QAT with a broad applicability across study designs.
TWISTED BOSONIZATION IN TWO-DIMENSIONAL NONCOMMUTATIVE SPACETIME
Authors: HAQUE ASRARUL , GOVINDARAJAN T. R.
Published: August 2012

We study the twisted bosonization of massive Thirring model to relate to sine-Gordon model in Moyal spacetime using twisted commutation relations. We obtain the relevant twisted bosonization rules. We show that there exists dual relationship between twisted bosonic and fermionic operators. The strong–weak duality is also observed to be preserved as its commutative counterpart.
THE CORRELATION BETWEEN BOND ANGLE DISTRIBUTION AND THE COORDINATION OF SILICA LIQUID UNDER PRESSURE
Authors: VINH L. T. , HUY N. V. , HUNG P. K.
Published: August 2012

Molecular dynamics simulation is carried out for liquid SiO 2 at pressure ranged from zero to 30 GPa and by using BKS, Born–Mayer type and Morse–Stretch potentials. The constructed models reproduce well the experimental data in terms of mean coordination number, bond angle and pair radial distribution function. Furthermore, the density of all samples can be expressed by a linear function of fractions SiO x. It is found that the topology of units SiO x and linkages OSi y is unchanged upon compression although the liquid undergoes substantial change in its network structure. Consequently, the partial bond angle distribution for SiO x and OSi y is identical for all samples constructed by the same potential. This result allows to establishing a simple expression between total bond angle distribution (BAD) and fraction of SiO x and OSi y. The simulation shows a good agreement between the calculation and simulation results for both total O–Si–O and Si–O–Si BADs. This supports a technique to estimate amount of units SiO x and linkages OSi y on base of total Si–O–Si and O–Si–O BADs measured experimentally.
RAMAN SCATTERING AND GAIN IN SILICON-ON-INSULATOR NANOWIRE WAVEGUIDES
Authors: MAHDI SHAIMAA , MEISTER STEFAN , AL-SAADI AWS , FRANKE BÜLENT A. , WANG SHA , EICHLER HANS J. , ZIMMERMANN LARS , HUI TIAN , RICHTER HARALD H. , STOLAREK DAVID
Published: August 2012

Raman scattering in air-covered and SiO2 -covered Silicon-on-insulator waveguides of 1.25 cm length, 220 nm height and two widths of 2 μm or 0.45 μm was investigated. A continuous wave (CW) Raman fiber laser at 1454.8 nm with linewidth of <0.1 nm was used as a pump source. The coupling efficiency was estimated to be around 10% for one end facet. Spontaneous Raman shift of 521 cm-1 (1574.2 THz) scattering was observed at 1573.8 nm for SOI waveguides in air and 1574.2 nm for waveguides covered with SiO2 at pump power of <1.5 mW inside both waveguides of 2 and 0.45 μm. Anti-Stokes scattering was observed at 1352.8 nm with pump power of 16 mW. The stimulated Raman gain was calculated from spontaneous Raman efficiency. Total Raman on-off gain was determined to be 0.6 dB for waveguide with width of 2 μm and 1 dB for waveguide with width of 0.45 μm.
Investigation on the effect of water on the spectroscopic behaviors of TPPS in acidic imidazolium-based ionic liquids
Authors: Liu Li Li , Zhao Yun Fang , Jin Wei Jun
Published: August 2012

The effect of water on the spectroscopic behaviors of meso-tetrakis-(4-sulfonatophenyl) porphyrin (TPPS) in acidic 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (BMIMBF4) and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (EMIMBF4) is investigated by spectroscopic methods. In acidic ionic liquids without water, the Soret bands of the protonated form (H4TPPS2-) and J-aggregates of TPPS are centered at 449 and 469 nm, respectively, and the Q-band is centered at 679 nm. When increasing the content of water, the Soret band of H4TPPS2- is blue-shifted to 430 nm. However, the Soret and Q-bands of J-aggregates are red-shifted to 487 and 701 nm, respectively. The NMR and pyrene-scale polarity experiments reveal that the change of the bulk environment is responsible for the red-shift of J-aggregates and the blue-shift of H4TPPS2-. According to the analysis of the fluorescence spectra, the content of H4TPPS2- increases gradually with the addition of water, while the content of H2TPPS4- takes the opposite trend. Simultaneously, the content of J-aggregates decreases substantially when the addition of water is 0 ~ ca. 12 μL (or 13 μL) but it decreases slowly with further addition of water. Remarkably, the fluorescence intensity of J-aggregates is relatively strong. In addition, the fluorescence of J-aggregates can be detected when λex is set at both λex for TPPS monomers and λex for J-aggregates. While the fluorescence of TPPS monomers can be detected only when λex is set at λex for monomers. Moreover, with the addition of water, the fluorescence lifetimes of H2TPPS4- and H4TPPS2- increase from 3.202 and 0.830 ns to 9.623 and 2.964 ns, respectively.
A full lifecycle performance verification methodology for multicore systems-on-chip
Authors: Holt Jim , Dastidar Jaideep , Lindberg David , Pape John , Yang Peng
Published: August 2012

Multicore Systems-on-Chip (MCSoC) are comprised of a rich set of processor cores, specialized hardware accelerators, and I/O interfaces. Functional verification of these complex designs is a critical and demanding task, however, focusing only on functional verification is very risky because the motivation for building such systems in the first place is to achieve high levels of system throughput. Therefore a functionally correct MCSoC that does not exhibit sufficient performance will fail in the market. In addition, limiting performance verification efforts to analyzing individual system components in isolation is insufficient due to: (1) the degree of system-level resource contention that an application domain imposes on the MCSoC, and (2) the degree of configuration flexibility that is typically afforded by an MCSoC. These factors motivate system-level performance verification of MCSoC. This article presents an important industrial case study of MCSoC performance verification involving both pre- and postsilicon analysis, highlighting the methodology used, the lessons learned, and recommendations for improvement.
Deterministic replay for message-passing-based concurrent programs
Authors: Elwakil Mohamed , Yang Zijiang
Published: August 2012

The Multicore Communications API (MCAPI) is a new message-passing API that was released by the Multicore Association. MCAPI provides an interface designed for closely distributed embedded systems with multiple cores on a chip and/or chips on a board. Similar to parallel programs in other domains, debugging MCAPI programs is a challenging task due to their nondeterministic behavior. In this article we present a tool that is capable of deterministically replaying MCAPI program executions, which provides valuable insight for MCAPI developers in case of failure.
Targeted random test generation for power-aware multicore designs
Authors: Singh Padmaraj , Narayanan Vijaykrishnan , Landis David L.
Published: August 2012

Multicore Register Transfer Level (RTL) model simulations are indispensable in exposing subtle memory subsystem bugs. Validating memory consistency, coherency, and atomicity is a crucial design verification task. Random MultiProcessor (MP) test generators play critical roles in pre- and post-silicon validation. The Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) standard supports dynamic frequency and voltage scaling by controlling performance states (P-States), yet multicore verification is generally conducted with cores operating at the P0-State. Independently varying core frequencies introduces new sets of intracore and intercore traffic latencies. The article introduces targeted random MP test generation techniques for multicore P-State functional verification. It develops a simple coverage metric to evaluate MP test effectiveness. The metric is demonstrated on MIP's instruction-set-based random MP tests. A novel technique is introduced to modulate the test address space by the spherical Bessel function. The technique delivers an order of magnitude coverage improvement over completely random tests. The article then outlines minimal P-State combinations to be exercised by MP tests. It also formulates two new methodologies to set up and apply MP tests for effective multicore P-State coverage. The methodologies are termed
SimInit
and
SimTransition
. First-level analyses indicate that these methods can deliver 97% to 100% improvement over random MP test coverage.
A fast heuristic approach for parametric yield enhancement of analog designs
Authors: Liu Chien-Nan Jimmy , Chen Yen-Lung , Kuo Chin-Cheng , Tsai I-Ching
Published: August 2012

In traditional yield enhancement approaches, a lot of computation efforts have to be paid first to find the feasible regions and the Pareto fronts, which will become a heavy cost for large analog circuits. In order to reduce the computation efforts, this article proposes a fast heuristic approach that tries to finish all iteration steps of the yield enhancement flow at behavior level. First, a novel force-directed Nominal Point Moving (NPM) algorithm is proposed to find a better nominal point without building the feasible regions. Then, an equation-based behavior-level sizing approach is proposed to map the NPM results at performance level to behavior-level parameters. A fast behavior-level Monte Carlo simulation is also proposed to shorten the iterative yield enhancement flow. Finally, using the obtained behavioral parameters as the sizing targets of each subblock, the device sizing time is significantly reduced instead of sizing from the system-level specifications directly. As demonstrated on several analog circuits, this heuristic approach could be another efficient methodology to help designers improve their analog circuits toward better yield.
Formal semantics of extended hierarchical state transition matrix by CSP
Authors: Yamagata Yoriyuki , Kong Weiqiang , Fukuda Akira , Nguyen Van Tang , Ohsaki Hitoshi , Taguchi Kenji
Published: August 2012

The Extended Hierarchical State Transition Matrix (EHSTM) is a table-based modeling language frequently used in industry for specifying behaviors of a system. However, assuring correctness, i.e., having a design satisfy certain desired properties, is a non-trivial task. To address this problem, a model checker dedicated to EHSTMs called Garakabu2 is developed. However, there is no formal justification of Garakabu2, since its semantics has never been fully formalized. In this paper, we give a formal semantics to EHSTM by translating it into CSP, Communicating Sequential Processes. Our semantics covers most of the features supported by Garakabu2. We manually translate the small examples of EHSTM to CSP, and verify them by PAT, a CSP based model checker. We also verify the examples directly using Garakabu2 and show the result are same. The experiments also show that verification using our translation and PAT is much faster than that of Garakabu2 for checking message type EHSTM.
Developing Competence in Interactive Systems
Authors: Talon Bénédicte , Sagar Mouldi , Kolski Christophe
Published: August 2012

Training professionals to design and produce interactive systems requires the use of well thought-out training scenarios. Indeed, it is essential to consider pedagogical forms whose objective is providing learners with field experience. It is also necessary to motivate learners to learn about subjects that sometimes seem distant from their immediate concerns and to renew their interest in these subjects. This article presents a tool, called GRASP, that helps design pedagogical devices. This tool was first evaluated through three educational initiatives implemented in two universities in the north of France. These initiatives were analyzed to enhance the tool. Then, a second evaluation was conducted to validate the tool more widely. The first part of this article presents the scientific context. Then the design tool, the evaluation protocol, and the three devices built using this tool and their evaluation are introduced. Some of the lessons learned during the initiatives are described. Next, the second evaluation, conducted with more teachers, is presented. Finally, the conclusion highlights the perspectives opened by these initiatives.
Annotating traditional Chinese paintings for immersive virtual exhibition
Authors: Ma Wei , Wang Yizhou , Xu Ying-Qing , Li Qiong , Ma Xin , Gao Wen
Published: August 2012

We propose a new method of annotating a masterpiece of traditional Chinese painting with voice dubbings and environmental sounds. The painting was created with moving focus drawing technique without rigorous perspective. A novel algorithm is proposed to infer the 3D space of the painting according to its layout and embed the audio annotations. For exhibition, the masterpiece is scanned into a high-resolution gigapixel image for presenting the drawing details, and we develop an interactive multimedia system with a panning and zooming interface to enable smooth navigation on the giant painting and exploring the historical culture. During the navigation, the system estimates the 3D position of the user's viewpoint from his/her actions, and subsequently synthesizes a realistic stereo audio field according to the viewer's orientation and distance from the annotations in the 3D space. The proposed system provides an immersive user experience by rendering a visual-audio consistent perception.
RIFL aims to be a new player in lipid metabolism
Authors: Stephens Jacqueline M.
Published: August 2012

RIFL (refeeding induced in fat and liver) is highly expressed in brown and white fat as well as in liver. In white adipose tissue and liver, RIFL expression is induced by refeeding and is also elevated in ob/ob mice. The function of RIFL is unknown, and there is some evidence to suggest it may be secreted. RIFL expression is induced during adipogenesis in rodent and human model systems, and cellular knockdown and mouse knockout studies demonstrate that RIFL expression correlates with lipid levels. Overall, these studies indicate that RIFL is a new important player in lipid metabolism.
Annealing-Induced Modifications in Physicochemical and Optoelectronic Properties of Ag-Doped Nanostructured CdS Thin Films
Authors: Taur Vidya S. , Joshi Rajesh A. , Sharma Ramphal
Published: August 2012

The Ag-doped nanostructured CdS thin films are grown by simple, cost effective chemical ion exchange technique at room temperature on ITO-coated glass substrate. These as grown thin films are annealed at 100, 200, 300, and 400°C in air atmosphere for 1 hour. To study the effect of annealing on physicochemical and optoelectronic properties, these as grown and annealed thin films are characterized for structural, compositional, morphological, optical, and electrical properties. X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern reveals polycrystalline nature of these thin films with increase in crystallite size from 6.4 to 11.2 nm, from XRD the direct identification of Ag doping in CdS thin films cannot be judged, while shift in characteristics peak position of CdS is observed. The Raman spectrum represents increase in full width at half maxima and intensity of characteristic peak, confirming the material modification upon annealing treatment. Presence of Cd, Ag, and S in energy dispersive X-ray analysis spectra (EDAX) confirms expected elemental composition in thin films. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images represent grain growth and agglomeration upon annealing. Red shift in optical absorbance strength and energy band gap values from 2.28 to 2.14 eV is obtained.I-Vresponse obtained from as grown and annealed thin films shows an enhancement in photosensitivity from 72% to 96% upon illumination to 100 mW/cm2light source.
Antenna Beamwidths of Above-The-Road Radar for Traffic Speed Enforcement in China
Authors: Du Lei , Sun Qiao , Cai Changqing , Zhang Yue , Hu Hongbo
Published: August 2012

Above-The-Road (AbTR) radar is a new type of speed measurement device used in China for traffic speed enforcement. The antenna beamwidths in vertical and horizontal directions are critical parameters for AbTR radar because speed measurement accuracy partly depends on vertical beamwidth and speed measurement interference from adjacent lanes can be effectively minimized by appropriate choice of horizontal beamwidth. In this paper, the speed measurement principle of AbTR radar is introduced and the reason for field speed measurement error is presented. The speed measurement error is theoretically calculated in various combinations of different vertical beamwidths and possible installation angles. The requirement for horizontal beamwidth to operate with less interference from adjacent lanes is also theoretically laid down with different installation heights and angles. Field tests with three equal-distanced piezosensors each lane as triggering references have been performed on an AbTR radar sample with vertical beamwidth 5.1° and horizontal beamwidth 5.2°. The results of theoretical analysis and field tests validate that the requirement of less than 6° for AbTR radar antenna beamwidths in vertical and horizontal directions is a precondition for accurate and reliable field measurements, which has been added to the China’s pattern approval regulation for AbTR radar devices newly published.
Inverse Problem for a Curved Quantum Guide
Authors: Cardoulis Laure , Cristofol Michel
Published: August 2012

We consider the Dirichlet Laplacian operator−Δon a curved quantum guide inℝ  n(n=2,3)with an asymptotically straight reference curve. We give uniqueness results for the inverse problem associated to the reconstruction of the curvature by using either observations of spectral data or a boot-strapping method.
A Case Report of Eosinophilic Esophagitis Accompanying Hypereosinophilic Syndrome
Authors: Jawairia Mahreema , Shahzad Ghulamullah , Singh Jaspreet , Rizvon Kaleem , Mustacchia Paul
Published: August 2012

Hypereosinophilic syndrome is a blood disorder characterized by the overproduction of eosinophils in the bone marrow with persistent peripheral eosinophilia, associated with organ damage by the release of eosinophilic mediators. Although HES can involve multiple organ systems, GI tract involvement is very rare. Few cases of HES presenting with gastritis or enteritis have been reported worldwide. To date, HES presenting with esophagus involvement has only been reported once. Here, we present a 39-year-old Hispanic female patient with history of HES presenting with complaints of dysphagia and generalized pruritus.
Numerical Analysis of Oscillation Death in Coupled Self-Excited Elastic Beams
Authors: Barron Miguel A. , Hilerio Isaias , Plascencia Gabriel
Published: August 2012

The emergence of the oscillation death phenomenon in a ring of four coupled self-excited elastic beams is numerically explored in this work. The beams are mathematically represented through partial differential equations which are solved by means of the finite differences method. A coupling scheme based on shared boundary conditions at the roots of the beams is assumed, and as initial conditions, zero velocity of the first beam and three normal vibration modes of a linear elastic beam are employed. The influence of the self-exciting constant on the ring dynamics is analyzed. It is observed that oscillation death arises as result of the singularity of the coupling matrix.
Experimental Study on Solar Cooling Tube Using Thermal/Vacuum Emptying Method
Authors: Zhao Huizhong , Liang Haibin , Sun Wenzhe , Yu Guoqing , Cao Dan , Ji Jun
Published: August 2012

A solar cooling tube using thermal/vacuum emptying method was experimentally studied in this paper. The coefficient of performance (COP) of the solar cooling tube was mostly affected by the vacuum degree of the system. In past research, the thermal vacuum method, using an electric oven and iodine-tungsten lamp to heat up the adsorbent bed and H2O vapor to expel the air from the solar cooling tube, was used to manufacture solar cooling tubes. This paper presents a novel thermal vacuum combined with vacuum pump method allowing an increased vacuum state for producing solar cooling tubes. The following conclusions are reached: the adsorbent bed temperature of solar cooling tube could reaches up to 233°C, and this temperature is sufficient to meet desorption demand; the refrigerator power of a single solar cooling tube varies from 1 W to 12 W; the total supply refrigerating capacity is about 287 kJ; and the COP of this solar cooling tube is about 0.215.
Growth of Silver Nanoparticles by DC Magnetron Sputtering
Authors: Asanithi P. , Chaiyakun S. , Limsuwan P.
Published: August 2012

Silver (Ag) nanoparticles are of great interest for many applications. However, their fabrications have been limited by the synthesis methods in which size, shape, and aggregation are still difficult to control. Here, we reported on using direct current (DC) magnetron sputtering for growing Ag nanoparticles on unheated substrates. Effects of sputtering condition on grain size of Ag nanoparticle were discussed. At constant sputtering current and deposition time, the average sizes of Ag nanoparticles were 5.9 ± 1.8, 5.4 ± 1.3, and 3.8 ± 0.7 nm for the target‐substrate distances of 10, 15, and 20 cm, respectively. The morphology evolution from nanoparticles to wormlike networks was also reported. High‐resolution transmission electron microscopy image represented clear lattice fringes of Ag nanoparticles with a d‐spacing of 0.203 nm, corresponding to the (200) plane. The technique could be applied for growth of nanoparticles that were previously difficult to control over size and size uniformity.
Oncogenic BRAF(V600E) Promotes Stromal Cell-Mediated Immunosuppression Via Induction of Interleukin-1 in Melanoma
Authors: Khalili Jahan S. , Liu Shujuan , Rodríguez-Cruz Tania G. , Whittington Mayra , Wardell Seth , Liu Chengwen , Zhang Minying , Cooper Zachary A. , Frederick Dennie T. , Li Yufeng , Zhang Min , Joseph Richard W. , Bernatchez Chantale , Ekmekcioglu Suhendan , Grimm Elizabeth , Radvanyi Laszlo G. , Davis Richard E. , Davies Michael A. , Wargo Jennifer A. , Hwu Patrick , Lizée Gregory
Published: August 2012

Purpose: In this study, we assessed the specific role of BRAF(V600E) signaling in modulating the expression of immune regulatory genes in melanoma, in addition to analyzing downstream induction of immune suppression by primary human melanoma tumor-associated fibroblasts (TAF).

Experimental Design: Primary human melanocytes and melanoma cell lines were transduced to express WT or V600E forms of BRAF, followed by gene expression analysis. The BRAF(V600E) inhibitor vemurafenib was used to confirm targets in BRAF(V600E)-positive melanoma cell lines and in tumors from melanoma patients undergoing inhibitor treatment. TAF lines generated from melanoma patient biopsies were tested for their ability to inhibit the function of tumor antigen-specific T cells, before and following treatment with BRAF(V600E)-upregulated immune modulators. Transcriptional analysis of treated TAFs was conducted to identify potential mediators of T-cell suppression.

Results: Expression of BRAF(V600E) induced transcription of interleukin 1 alpha (IL-1α) and IL-1β in melanocytes and melanoma cell lines. Further, vemurafenib reduced the expression of IL-1 protein in melanoma cell lines and most notably in human tumor biopsies from 11 of 12 melanoma patients undergoing inhibitor treatment. Treatment of melanoma-patient–derived TAFs with IL-1α/β significantly enhanced their ability to suppress the proliferation and function of melanoma-specific cytotoxic T cells, and this inhibition was partially attributable to upregulation by IL-1 of COX-2 and the PD-1 ligands PD-L1 and PD-L2 in TAFs.

Conclusions: This study reveals a novel mechanism of immune suppression sensitive to BRAF(V600E) inhibition, and indicates that clinical blockade of IL-1 may benefit patients with BRAF wild-type tumors and potentially synergize with immunotherapeutic interventions. Clin Cancer Res; 18(19); 5329–40. ©2012 AACR.
alpha 1-antagonists in the treatment of hypertension.
Authors: Grimm R H
Published: August 2012

A number of agents are now available to treat hypertension. One relatively new class of agents is the selective alpha 1-inhibitors, which have distinct advantages over earlier nonselective alpha-adrenergic receptor-blocking agents. Three alpha 1-inhibitors are reviewed in this article: prazosin, terazosin, and doxazosin. These alpha 1-inhibitors are similar in chemical structure and pharmacological action. alpha 1-Inhibitors lower blood pressure by reducing vascular tone in resistance and capacitance vessels. alpha 1-Inhibitors are similar in effectiveness in blood pressure lowering to other commonly used antihypertensive agents like the thiazide diuretic drugs and beta-blockers, which are efficacious as monotherapy in lowering pressure, as initial agents, or in combination with other antihypertensive agents in multidrug therapeutic regimens. alpha 1-Inhibitors are associated with a reasonably low incidence of serious adverse effects and are essentially free of any adverse metabolic effects. alpha 1-Inhibitors have been shown to beneficially effect blood lipids in several studies. The favorable lipid effect makes alpha 1-inhibitors especially appropriate to use in diabetic hypertensive and other patients with elevated serum lipid levels. The beneficial lipid effects may enhance the ability of alpha 1-inhibitors to prevent coronary heart disease, an outcome that has been difficult to demonstrate in thiazide-based trials.
Calcium channel blockers. Potential medical benefits and side effects.
Authors: Dustan H P
Published: August 2012

Calcium channel blockers are recently developed antihypertensive drugs. In terms of mechanisms of action, their specificity is not so well established as that of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors but is better understood than that for diuretics or adrenergic-inhibiting drugs. Calcium channel blockers were originally developed for treatment of angina but were found to lower arterial pressure as well. Three of them are now in wide use in the United States; their therapeutic spectrum in regard to type of hypertension is broad. Sublingual nifedipine has replaced intravenously administered vasodilators as immediate treatment of severe hypertension, and all three drugs, given orally, have been shown to be effective in mild, moderate, and severe hypertension. The three drugs available in this country are verapamil, diltiazem, and nifedipine. Pharmacological studies have shown that verapamil has the most negative chronotropic and inotropic effects of the three, with nifedipine producing the most vasodilation and having the potential for causing reflex tachycardia. Actually in practice, these various pharmacological differences have proved to have less significance than previously thought, and the drugs seem to have about equal antihypertensive effectiveness. Comparisons of calcium entry blockers with other drugs have shown them to be equally effective in whites as propranolol but more effective in blacks. Responsiveness appears to be related, as well, to pretreatment plasma renin activity and age. Thus, the antihypertensive effect is directly related to age and inversely related to plasma renin activity. The side effects mostly relate to vasodilation, reflex tachycardia, palpitations, headache, and edema; they are not frequent, and the drugs are well tolerated.
Alternatives to traditional first-line antihypertensive treatment: unresolved questions and therapeutic dilemmas. A personal approach.
Authors: Zusman R M
Published: August 2012

The best antihypertensive regimen for use in patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension has not been determined. When nonpharmacological treatment of hypertension fails, initial drug treatment with diuretic drugs, sympatholytic agents (including beta-adrenergic receptor blockers), or vasodilators will result in satisfactory blood pressure control. However, each of these therapies has effects that are independent of their antihypertensive activity and that should be considered before a selection is made for initial therapy. The adverse effects of diuretic agents and beta-adrenergic receptor-blocking drugs on plasma lipid profiles may diminish the beneficial effects of blood pressure reduction. On the other hand, the hypocholesterolemic effect of alpha-adrenergic receptor antagonists, the potential cardioprotective effect of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, and the salutary effects of calcium channel blockers on left ventricular function are responses that would support the use of vasodilatory therapy. Vasodilating antihypertensive drugs may be more beneficial than "standard" therapy and should be considered for the initial treatment of newly diagnosed hypertensive patients.
Economic considerations that influence health policy and research.
Authors: Harlan W R
Published: August 2012

Cardiovascular conditions account for more medical costs than any other diagnostic category in the United States. Increasingly, economic constraints will shape policy related to health care and research. Hypertension is the most common cardiovascular condition, and despite low unit health care costs, the aggregate costs are considerable. However, the unit and aggregate costs of the complications of hypertension are fourfold greater and, in this economic perspective, aggressive approaches are warranted to prevent complications. Treatment and research strategies should be identified that could have considerable potential economic impact. Several strategies are suggested as a prospective guide to policy development. Economic considerations will be important and should be incorporated in the planning of hypertension care and research.
Antihypertensive drug therapy and survival by treatment status in a national survey.
Authors: Havlik R J , LaCroix A Z , Kleinman J C , Ingram D D , Harris T , Cornoni-Huntley J
Published: August 2012

The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES I) Epidemiologic Follow-up Study, an investigation of a cohort originally examined during the period 1971-1975, provided an opportunity to assess the frequency of antihypertensive drug therapy in the United States during the period 1982-1984. For most age-sex-race subgroups, the frequency of medication use during 1982-1984 was higher than that observed during 1976-1980 based on the NHANES II. In the interval 1982-1984, diuretic agents were the most frequent medications prescribed (47% of drugs prescribed), and beta-blockers were second (17%). At the time of the initial survey in 1971-1975, participants had their blood pressures measured and a history of diagnosis and treatment of hypertension ascertained. Follow-up for vital status was 93% complete by 1984 (average length of follow-up, 9 years). In white men and women aged 50 years and older, the relative risk of death increased steadily, from those with elevated blood pressure (systolic blood pressure greater than or equal to 160 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure greater than or equal to 95 mm Hg) but no history of hypertension to those treated for hypertension but whose blood pressure was still elevated. Regardless of history or treatment, those with an elevated blood pressure had about a 25-30% excess risk of death. Evidence from these national studies shows a high frequency of antihypertensive drug therapy in 1982-1984 and suggests the importance of adequate blood pressure control for optimal survival.
Antihypertensive drug treatment. Potential, expected, and observed effects on stroke and on coronary heart disease.
Authors: MacMahon S , Cutler J A , Stamler J
Published: August 2012

The effects of prolonged differences in diastolic blood pressure (DBP) on the risks of stroke and of coronary heart disease (CHD) were estimated from nine major prospective observational studies involving about 420,000 men and women who were followed up for intervals of 6-25 years. The results indicate that a prolonged difference of about 6 mm Hg in DBP was associated with approximately 37% fewer strokes and 23% fewer CHD deaths and nonfatal myocardial infarctions. The effects of equivalent reductions in DBP produced by antihypertensive drug treatment but maintained for only a few years have been estimated in several overviews of randomized trials involving a total of 30,000-40,000 patients. The results of the overviews indicate that treatment reduced the risk of stroke by about 40%, suggesting that most or all the long-term potential benefits for stroke due to lower DBP were achieved within about 3 years of beginning treatment. The risks of nonfatal myocardial infarction and CHD death may have been reduced by about 10% among patients allocated to active treatment; the 95% confidence limits for the difference ranged from about zero to about 20%. Whatever the true effect of treatment on CHD, it would appear somewhat less than the difference in risk estimated from the observational studies for a prolonged difference in DBP of the same size. This apparent shortfall in benefit may reflect a long time-course for changes in DBP to have their full effects on CHD, possible adverse side effects of the principal trial treatments, or both.