bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CONCURRENT MEDICAL CONDITIONS AND LONG‐TERM OUTCOME IN DOGS WITH NONTRAUMATIC INTRACRANIAL HEMORRHAGE
Authors: Lowrie Mark , De Risio Luisa , Dennis Ruth , Llabrés‐Díaz Francisco , Garosi Laurent
Published: April 2012

Nontraumatic intracranial hemorrhage is bleeding originating from the brain or surrounding structures. It results from blood vessel rupture and may be primary or secondary in origin. The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics of 75 dogs with nontraumatic intracranial hemorrhage were reviewed to determine signalment; intracranial compartment involved, size and number of lesions; type and prevalence of concurrent medical conditions; and long‐term outcome. Hemorrhagic lesions were intraparenchymal (n = 72), subdural (n = 2) or intraventricular (n = 1). Thirty‐three of 75 dogs had a concurrent medical condition. A concurrent condition was detected in 13 of 43 dogs with a single lesion ≥5 mm and included Angiostrongylus vasorum infection, intracranial lymphoma and meningioma. Of the 20 dogs with multiple lesions ≥5 mm, 7 had A. vasorum infection, 2 had hemangiosarcoma metastasis, 5 had suspected brain metastasis, and 1 was septicemic. Of the 12 dogs with multiple lesions, 2 had hyperadrenocorticism, 2 had chronic kidney disease, and 1 had hypothyroidism. Of these five dogs, all were hypertensive and four died within 12 months. No dog had a single lesion <5 mm. Long‐term outcome was favorable in 26 of 43 dogs with single lesions ≥5 mm, 6 of 20 dogs with multiple lesions ≥5 mm, and 8 of 12 dogs with multiple lesions <5 mm. A. vasorum infection was the most common concurrent condition in dogs with nontraumatic intracranial hemorrhage (16/75), with an excellent outcome in 14 of 16 dogs. Prognosis in nontraumatic intracranial hemorrhage is reported in terms of concurrent medical conditions and the number and size of lesions. © 2012 Crown copyright. This article was written by M. Lowrie, F. Llabrés‐Diaz and L. Garosi of Davies Veterinary Specialists and L. De Risio and R. Dennis of the Animal Health Trust. It is published with the permission of the Controller of HMSO and the Queen's Printer for Scotland
Down‐regulation of miR‐214 contributes to intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma metastasis by targeting Twist
Authors: Li Bin , Han Qingqi , Zhu Yan , Yu Yong , Wang Jinghan , Jiang Xiaoqing
Published: April 2012

miRNAs play an important role in many human diseases, including cancer metastasis. However, the mechanisms by which miRNAs regulate intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma metastasis remain poorly understood. In the present study, we assayed the expression level of miR‐214 in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma tissues by real‐time PCR, and defined the target gene and biological function by luciferase reporter assay and Western blot analysis. We found that the miR‐214 levels were remarkably decreased in metastatic intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma tissues compared to non‐metastatic tissues. Inhibition of miR‐214 levels by its inhibitor promoted metastasis of human intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma cell. We further demonstrated that down‐regulation of miR‐214 increased the transcript levels of the epithelial–mesenchymal transition‐associated gene Twist, and then decreased E‐cadherin levels. We confirmed that down‐regulation of miR‐214 promoted the epithelial–mesenchymal transition by directly targeting the Twist gene. These results suggest an important role for miR‐214 in regulating metastasis of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, and potential application of miR‐214 in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma therapy.
International emergency medicine: How to train for it
Authors: Sistenich Vera
Published: April 2012

This article provides background information about the emerging field of international emergency medicine (IEM) and how emergency physicians in Australasia can participate in its practice and development. It reviews the seven key areas of knowledge and skills involved in the practice of IEM as put forward by US fellowship programmes: (i) Emergency Medicine Systems Development; (ii) Humanitarian Relief; (iii) Disaster Management; (iv) Public Health; (v) Travel and Field Medicine; (vi) Programme Administration; and (vii) Academic Skills. Current obstacles to the development of similar programmes in Australasia are explored and identified as primarily financial. Means by which individuals can fund and engage in IEM activities are proposed. This article provides a reference of domestic and international IEM training resources that can be obtained by Australasian emergency physicians and trainees today.
A progressive nurse practitioner student evaluation tool
Authors: Pearson Tamera , Garrett Linda , Hossler Susan , McConnell Peggy , Walls Jennie
Published: April 2012

Abstract  Purpose: To describe the process of designing a new progressive nurse practitioner student clinical evaluation tool based on competencies.

Data sources: Selected research articles and professional organization published guidelines.

Conclusions: Evaluation of nurse practitioner students' clinical performance is an important and often complex responsibility of faculty. The clinical evaluation tool should reflect the changing expectations associated with particular courses across the curriculum and be based on the competencies identified by the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties. Collaboration by faculty is the key to development of an accurate and useful clinical evaluation tool.

Implications for practice: The progressive nurse practitioner clinical evaluation tool presented here is the result of integrating specific clinical course outcomes and competencies recognized by key nurse practitioner associations.
Effective Transmission of Light for Media Culture, Plates and Tubes
Authors: Silva Daniela Fátima Teixeira , Mesquita‐Ferrari Raquel Agnelli , Fernandes Kristianne Porta Santos , Raele Marcus Paulo , Wetter Niklaus Ursus , Deana Alessandro Melo
Published: April 2012

The results of many investigations on low‐level laser therapy are contradictory and this is due to the large number of illumination parameters as well as the inability to measure the possible effects after irradiation with the necessary objectivity and the fact that the light needs to pass thorough barriers (usually the plastic of the culture dish/plate and culture medium) to reach the cells. In this manner, the objective of this study was to determine the absorption coefficient, penetration depth and effective transmission in materials commonly used in cell cultures. Among the most commonly used wavelengths in low‐level laser therapy, the lowest absorption coefficients were reached by DMEM and RPMI (α = 0.03 cm−1), from 633 to 690 nm, which reach an effective transmission of 93% of incident radiation and penetration depth of 33 cm. Among the solid materials in the same range of the electromagnetic spectrum, the lowest absorption coefficient was obtained for the polystyrene (Petri dish and well plate), with α = 1.31 cm−1, 78% of effective transmission and 0.76 cm of penetration depth. This article also presents a simple equation for estimating the amount of energy that will actually reach the sample.
Experimental Logics, Mechanism and Knowable Consistency
Authors: Kaså Martin
Published: April 2012

In a paper published in 1975, Robert Jeroslow introduced the concept of anexperimental logicas a generalization of ordinary formal systems such that theoremhood is a(or in practice) rather than. These systems can be viewed as (rather crude) representations of axiomatic theories evolving stepwise over time. Similar ideas can be found in papers byPutnam (1965) andMcCarthy and Shapiro (1987).

The topic of the present article is a discussion of a suggestion by Allen Hazen, that these experimental logics might provide an illuminating way of representing “the human mathematical mind”. This is done in the context of the well‐known Lucas‐Penrose thesis. Though we agree that Jeroslow's model has some merit in this context, and that the Lucas‐Penrose arguments certainly are less than persuasive, some semi‐technical doubts are raised concerning the alleged impact of experimental logics on the question of knowable self‐consistency.
Cytotoxicity of flowable resin composite on cultured human periodontal ligament cells compared with mineral trioxide aggregate
Authors: Trichaiyapon Vorapun , Torrungruang Kitti , Panitvisai Piyanee
Published: April 2012

Aim:  To investigate the cytotoxicity of three flowable resin composites that potentially useful as retrograde filling materials, compared with mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA).

Methods:  Ten standard cylinder discs were used for each of the tested materials: Tetric Flow, Filtex Flow, Aeliteflo, and MTA, which were prepared under aseptic conditions. Cytotoxicity of eluates from all materials after 1–4 days’ immersion in culture medium and direct contact cytotoxicity were evaluated using cultured human periodontal ligament cells (PDLC). The colorimetric (3‐[4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl]‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay and scanning electron microscope of cell morphology (direct contact only) were used.

Results:  No eluates of set materials demonstrated cytotoxicity at any concentration or elution time. Freshly‐mixed MTA was cytotoxic in direct contact, but not set MTA. Freshly‐mixed Aeliteflo was also cytotoxic, as was set material up to 2 days’ elution. With morphological assessment, some differences were seen among resin composites, but all changes were rated as slight using the International Standard Organization criteria.

Conclusions:  Of all of the materials tested, Tetric Flow showed the least cytotoxic effects on PDLC. Further research is needed to determine the clinical usefulness of flowable composites as retrograde filling materials.
Obtaining Frequency-Domain Volterra Models From Port-Based Ordinary Differential Equations
Authors: Motato Eliot , Radcliffe Clark
Published: April 2012

A frequency-domain Volterra model (FVM) is a nonlinear representation obtained when the multivariable Laplace transform is applied to a sum of multidimensional convolution integrals of increasing order. Two classes of FVMs can be identified. The first class of FVM is the Volterra transfer function (VTF) which has been recognized as a useful tool for nonlinear systems modeling and simulation. The second class of FVM is the Volterra dynamic model (VDM) which has been used in the modular assembly and condensation of port-based nonlinear models. Since physical nonlinear systems are frequently modeled using ordinary differential equations (ODEs), it is of significant value to derive their equivalent FVM representations from a corresponding ODE. Even though methods to obtain VTFs for multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) nonlinear ODEs are available, a general procedure to obtain the two classes of FVMs does not exist. In this work, a methodology to obtain the two classes of FVMs from port-based nonlinear ODEs is explained. Two cases are shown. In the first case, the ODEs do not include cross product nonlinearities. In the second case, cross products are included. An example is presented to clarify the idea, and the time response obtained from the nonlinear ODE model is compared to its corresponding third order VTF and its linearized model.
Reliability Analysis by Mean-Value Second-Order Expansion
Authors: Liu Deshun , Peng Yehui
Published: April 2012

In this paper, two second-order methods are proposed for reliability analysis. First, general random variables are transformed to standard normal random variables. Then, the limit-state function is additively decomposed into one-dimensional functions, which are then expanded at the mean-value point to second-order terms. The approximated limit-state function becomes the sum of independent variables following noncentral chi-square distributions or normal distributions. The first method computes the probability of failure by the saddle-point approximation. If a saddle-point does not exist, the second method is then used. The second method approximates the limit-state function by a quadratic function with independent variables following normal distributions with the same variances. This treatment leads to a quadratic function that follows a noncentral chi-square distribution. These methods generally produce more accurate reliability approximations than the first-order reliability method (FORM) with 2n + 1 function evaluations, where n is the dimension of the problem. The effectiveness of the proposed methods is demonstrated with three examples, and the proposed methods are compared with the first- and second-order reliability methods (SROMs).
Modeling and Optimal Control of an Energy-Storing Prosthetic Knee
Authors: van den Bogert Antonie J. , Samorezov Sergey , Davis Brian L. , Smith William A.
Published: April 2012

Advanced prosthetic knees for transfemoral amputees are currently based on controlled damper mechanisms. Such devices require little energy to operate, but can only produce negative or zero joint power, while normal knee joint function requires alternative phases of positive and negative work. The inability to generate positive work may limit the user’s functional capabilities, may cause undesirable adaptive behavior, and may contribute to excessive metabolic energy cost for locomotion. In order to overcome these problems, we present a novel concept for an energy-storing prosthetic knee, consisting of a rotary hydraulic actuator, two valves, and a spring-loaded hydraulic accumulator. In this paper, performance of the proposed device will be assessed by computational modeling and by simulation of functional activities. A computational model of the hydraulic system was developed, with methods to obtain optimal valve control patterns for any given activity. The objective function for optimal control was based on tracking of joint angles, tracking of joint moments, and the energy cost of operating the valves. Optimal control solutions were obtained, based on data collected from three subjects during walking, running, and a sit-stand-sit cycle. Optimal control simulations showed that the proposed device allows near-normal knee function during all three activities, provided that the accumulator stiffness was tuned to each activity. When the energy storage mechanism was turned off in the simulations, the system functioned as a controlled damper device and optimal control results were similar to literature data on human performance with such devices. When the accumulator stiffness was tuned to walking, simulated performance for the other activities was sub-optimal but still better than with a controlled damper. We conclude that the energy-storing knee concept is valid for the three activities studied, that modeling and optimal control can assist the design process, and that further studies using human subjects are justified.
Ion energy distributions, electron temperatures, and electron densities in Ar, Kr, and Xe pulsed discharges
Authors: Shin Hyungjoo , Zhu Weiye , Economou Demetre J. , Donnelly Vincent M.
Published: April 2012

Ion energy distributions (IEDs) were measured near the edge of Faraday-shielded, inductively coupled pulsed plasmas in Ar, Kr, or Xe gas, while applying a synchronous dc bias on a boundary electrode, late in the afterglow. The magnitudes of the full width at half maximum of the IEDs were Xe > Kr > Ar, following the order of the corresponding electron temperatures in the afterglow, Te(Xe) > Te(Kr) > Te(Ar). The measured decays of Te with time in the afterglow were in excellent agreement with predictions from a global model. Measured time-resolved electron and positive ion densities near the plasma edge did not decay appreciably, even in the 80 μs long afterglow. This was attributed to transport of ions and electrons from the higher density central region of the plasma to the edge region, balancing the loss of plasma due to diffusion. This provides a convenient means of maintaining a relatively constant plasma density in the afterglow during processing using pulsed plasmas.
Low temperature atomic layer deposited Al-doped ZnO thin films and associated semiconducting properties
Authors: Maeng W. J. , Kim Sang-Jun , Park Jin-Seong , Chung Kwun-Bum , Kim Hyungjun
Published: April 2012

Semiconducting Al-doped ZnO films were deposited by atomic layer deposition at low deposition temperatures of less than 100 °C and used to fabricate transistors. At deposition temperatures of less than 100 °C, the carrier concentrations of the Al:ZnO thin films were below 1018 cm−3, which corresponds to the transparent semiconducting oxide region. The reduced carrier concentrations at low deposition temperatures were attributed to the activation energy for carrier generation of ∼0.7 eV. The devices characteristics of the semiconducting Al:ZnO consisted of mobilities of 1.95 cm2/V s and on–off ratios of over 106. At a positive gate stress of less than 10 V, the Vth shift of the Al:ZnO after 3000 s was ∼3 V, which is almost 1 order of magnitude lower than that of ZnO thin-film transistors.
Historical spatiotemporal dynamics of eastern North Sea cod
Authors: Bartolino Valerio , Cardinale Massimiliano , Svedäng Henrik , Linderholm Hans W. , Casini Michele , Grimwall Anders
Published: April 2012

Recent analyses of historical data of fish abundance and distribution have shown the importance of a long temporal perspective in the evaluation of the current status of fish populations, but pose numerous difficulties such as fragmentation and inhomogeneities in the amount of available information in space and time. Using mixed-effects models in a multiscale analysis, we identified an appropriate spatiotemporal scale of investigation of a high-quality, spatially explicit historical data set, and we reconstructed the long-term spatial dynamics of Atlantic cod ( Gadus morhua ) in the Kattegat–Skagerrak along the 20th century. We identified a northern and southern main aggregation of adult cod in the study area, corresponding to the Skagerrak portion of the North Sea and the Kattegat cod stocks, respectively. The stocks showed specificities in their spatial dynamics, but common extensive loss of coastal aggregations during the last decades when only 13% (Kattegat) and 35% (Skagerrak) of the estimated early century cod biomass was left. Our reconstruction showed that the collapse of the cod stocks in the area followed the peak in landings in the 1960s–1970s, suggesting that the postwar development of the industrial fisheries played a major role in the decrease of local abundances and disappearance of local adult cod aggregations.
Relationship of water column stability to the growth, condition, and survival of pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) in the northern coastal Gulf of Alaska and Prince William Sound
Authors: Miller Sara E. , Adkison Milo , Haldorson Lewis
Published: April 2012

Water column stability has been hypothesized to affect growth and ultimately survival of juvenile fish. We estimated the relationships between stability and the growth, condition, and marine survival of several stocks of pink salmon ( Oncorhynchus gorbuscha ) within Prince William Sound (PWS), Alaska, USA, and the northern coastal Gulf of Alaska (GOA) shelf. There was a stronger correlation among the biological parameters of the fish than between the biological parameters and physical conditions. While stability and fish condition during early marine residence in PWS were important to year-class survival, stability of the water column that juveniles experienced as they migrated to the open waters of the GOA did not play a key role in determining survival to adulthood. Below-average stability just prior to capture within PWS combined with positive fish condition was related to increased year-class survival. Our results are similar to previous studies that concluded that slower and weaker development of stratification with a deeper mixed layer depth may be important for juvenile pink salmon survival in PWS.
Hydraulic conductivity of saturated granular soils determined using a constriction-based technique
Authors: Indraratna Buddhima , Nguyen Vo Trong , Rujikiatkamjorn Cholachat
Published: April 2012

This study presents a new semi-empirical approach for predicting the saturated hydraulic conductivity of noncohesive (granular) soils through a constriction size–based technique. For the same particle-size distribution of a granular filter material, there can be many different void distributions depending on the as-compacted density. Therefore, particle-size distribution is not unique in determining the hydraulic conductivity as proposed in numerous earlier studies. In contrast, the constriction-size distribution is unique for a given as-placed density of the material, and therefore it is a better representation of hydraulic conductivity as proposed in this study. Accordingly, the hydraulic conductivity of a granular medium can be represented by an empirical power function that has been established on the basis of 60 laboratory tests.
Field investigation of axial monotonic and cyclic performance of reinforced helical pulldown micropiles
Authors: El Sharnouby M.M. , El Naggar M.H.
Published: April 2012

Helical piles are used increasingly to support new and existing foundations. This paper presents a field study on the axial monotonic and cyclic behaviour of steel fibre–reinforced helical pulldown micropiles. Test piles consisted of a round corner square helical pile with three helices attached to it, and a steel fibre–reinforced grout shaft. To assess the grout shaft contribution, one helical pile without a grout shaft was tested. Piles were instrumented with strain gauges to evaluate the load-transfer mechanism. This paper discusses the load–displacement response of this pile system, and load-sharing mechanism between the grout shaft and lead section. The study shows that the grout shaft significantly improves the helical pile axial performance. It was found that the load-transfer mechanism within the lead section is through individual bearing of each helix. Also, the findings demonstrate that the behaviour of this pile system is satisfactory under one-way cyclic loading conditions. The results suggest that the reinforced helical pulldown micropile is a viable deep foundation option for axial monotonic and one-way cyclic loading applications.
Genetic analysis of body color phenotypes in the fruit flyDrosophila melanogaster: supporting evidence through laboratory-selected dark and light strains
Authors: Parkash Ravi , Ramniwas Seema , Kajla Babita
Published: April 2012

In the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster Meigen, 1830, abdominal melanisation varies in a quantitative manner, but little attention has been paid to the genetic basis of different phenotypic classes and their ecological significance in the wild populations. Laboratory-selected darker and lighter body color strains were used for determining the genetic basis of body color phenotypes. Based on such genetic characterization, we interpreted body color variation of wild flies collected along a latitudinal gradient. Our results are interesting in several respects. First, laboratory selection produced lighter females and also lighter males, in contradiction of the well-known sexual dimorphism in D. melanogaster. The laboratory-selected darker and lighter strains showed lack of phenotypic plasticity, whereas F1flies from reciprocal crosses showed significant levels of phenotypic plasticity. Second, for both sexes, F2phenotypic classes resulting from reciprocal crosses between selected darker and lighter strains fit a two-locus model with a stronger maternal effect in males than in females. Third, changes in continuously varying abdominal melanisation of wild-caught flies were sorted into phenotypic bins of body color phenotypic classes and such data on geographical populations of D. melanogaster are consistent with climatic selection. Thus, we may suggest that for ecological genetic studies, greater emphasis should be laid on the analysis of bins of phenotypic classes of body melanisation in laboratory and wild populations of D. melanogaster.
Interpopulation variation in predator avoidance behavior of a freshwater snail to the same predator
Authors: Levri Edward P. , Dubensky Andrea N. , Mears Ashley S. , Opiela Carol A.
Published: April 2012

The New Zealand mud snail ( Potamopyrgus antipodarum (J.E. Grey, 1843)) responds to the presence of predatory fish by moving to a safer environment. These experiments attempted to determine if predator detection by the snail results in specific responses to light and (or) gravity by the snail and if snails respond more or less to fish from their native lake compared with fish from a foreign lake. Snails and fish (Gobiomorphus cotidianus McDowall, 1975) were collected from lakes Alexandrina and Peorua from the South Island of New Zealand. Snails were placed in behavioral chambers and tested for their responses to the direction of light, vertical orientation with respect to gravity, and rate of movement in light and dark conditions. Snails from each lake were exposed to one of three treatments: plain water, water from fish from Lake Alexandrina, and water from fish from Lake Peorua. Results showed no effect of direction of light on behavior. Snails from Lake Alexandrina were not found to alter their up or down movements in response to the detection of fish. However, snails from Lake Peorua moved down more in response to fish from their own lake than fish from Lake Alexandrina or no fish. Both snail populations increase their speed in the light more when detecting Alexandrina fish compared with Peorua fish and no fish. Both snail populations show some evidence of enhanced response to local predator populations. Interestingly, different behavioral mechanisms appear to be responsible for the avoidance behaviors in each population.
Phylogenetic analysis ofHyalellacolonization in lakes recovering from acidification and metal contamination
Authors: Babin-Fenske J.J. , Merritt T.J.S. , Gunn J.M. , Walsh T. , Lesbarrères D.
Published: April 2012

The freshwater amphipod Hyalella azteca (Saussure, 1858) is common throughout North America and is a popular organism for toxicity tests and assessment of an ecosystem’s health. However, recent studies suggest that this “species” may actually be a number of closely related species, possibly with distinct habitat requirements. The region in and around Sudbury, Ontario, has many lakes recovering from acidification and metal contamination with Hyalella slowly recolonizing the area. Analyzing mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) sequences, we find two major groups of Hyalella: one group associated with recolonization of the central, historically more contaminated set of lakes and a second group associated with the more distant, less impacted, lakes. Morphologically, these inner city amphipods are significantly larger than those observed in lakes farther away from the city. This study may provide a foundation for a better understanding of Hyalella species complex, as well as colonization routes, toxicological sensitivities, habitat requirements, and dispersal capabilities.
Movements, overwintering, and mortality of hatchling Diamond-backed Terrapins (Malaclemys terrapin) at Jamaica Bay, New York
Authors: Muldoon K.A. , Burke R.L.
Published: April 2012

As with other turtles, the postemergent movements, overwintering behaviours, and survivorship of hatchling Diamond-backed Terrapins ( Malaclemys terrapin (Schoepff, 1793)) are poorly known, but anecdotal reports suggest that they may spend more time on land than most aquatic turtles. We investigated this behaviour using drift fences with pitfall traps on the island of Ruler’s Bar, Jamaica Bay, New York, fall 2006 to spring 2008. We captured 324 live hatchling Terrapins, 95 were recaptured at least once, and we found 43 dead. After emergence from nests in the fall, most hatchlings moved upland away from the water; this pattern was reversed in the spring. Hatchling body sizes shrank during winter, probably owing to desiccation, and hatchlings were more likely to move on warmer days and days without precipitation. We recaptured some hatchlings on land as long as 9 months after emergence. As a result, hatchling M. terrapin were seen on land from April to December, well outside fall and spring during which they emerge from nests, and we found strong evidence that hatchling M. terrapin overwinter on land outside their nests. One important nest predator (raccoons, Procyon lotor (L., 1758)) was also an important hatchling predator, as were Norway rats ( Rattus norvegicus (Berkenhout, 1769)). Future work should investigate the terrestrial microhabitats used by hatchling M. terrapin, and management should protect hatchlings during this life stage.
SUPERLUMINAL NEUTRINOS FROM SPECIAL RELATIVITY WITH DE SITTER SPACETIME SYMMETRY
Authors: YAN MU-LIN , XIAO NENG-CHAO , HUANG WEI , HU SEN
Published: April 2012

We explore the recent OPERA experiment of superluminal neutrinos in the framework of special relativity with de Sitter spacetime symmetry (dS-SR). According to Einstein, a photon is treated as a massless particle in the framework of special relativity. In special relativity (SR) we have the universal parameter c, the photon velocity c photon and the phase velocity of a light wave in vacuum c wave = λν. Due to the null experiments of Michelson–Morley we have c = c wave . The parameter c photon is determined by the Noether charges corresponding to the spacetime symmetries of SR. In Einstein's special relativity (E-SR) we have c = c photon . In dS-SR, i.e. the special relativity with SO(4, 1) de Sitter spacetime symmetry, we have c photon > c. In this paper, the OPERA datum are examined in the framework of dS-SR. We show that OPERA anomaly is in agreement with the prediction of dS-SR with R≃1.95×1012 l.y. Based on the p-E relation of dS-SR, we also prove that the Cohen and Glashow's argument of possible superluminal neutrino's Cherenkov-like radiation is forbidden. We conclude that OPERA and ICARUS results are consistent and they are explained in the dS-SR framework.
ON TENSORIAL SPACES AND BCFW RECURSION RELATIONS FOR HIGHER SPIN FIELDS
Authors: TSULAIA MIRIAN
Published: April 2012

In this short review we briefly consider two topics in the higher spin gauge theory: the method of "tensorial (super) spaces" and application of BCFW recursion relations to higher spin fields.
INFLUENCE OF GENDER ON GASTROCNEMIUS MUSCLE ACTIVITY DURING THE STANCE PHASE OF GAIT
Authors: Abelew Thomas A. , Cuda Brian J. , Koontz Jonathan E. , Stell Julia C. , Johanson Marie A.
Published: April 2012

Purpose: Differences in muscle activity have been observed between men and women in numerous lower extremity muscles in a variety of activities. These differences may be related to observed differences in the incidence of injuries between men and women. The purpose of this work is to determine if gender had an effect on the activity of the medial and lateral gastrocnemius muscles during the early part of the stance phase of gait. Method: An observational cohort study was set up using sixteen volunteers (9 men and 7 women, mean age = 27 years) with less than 5° of passive ankle-dorsiflexion range of motion. Maximum dorsiflexion, maximum knee flexion, stance time and EMG magnitude were measured for both men and women during early stance (heel strike to heel off). Results: EMG amplitude of the LG muscle in women was significantly higher than that of men. No significant differences were observed between men and women for maximum dorsiflexion, maximum knee flexion or stance time. Conclusions: A gender difference in gastrocnemius muscle EMG magnitude exists that is independent of knee and ankle kinematics and walking speed.
GLOBAL DYNAMICS OF AN IN-HOST HIV-1 INFECTION MODEL WITH THE LONG-LIVED INFECTED CELLS AND FOUR INTRACELLULAR DELAYS
Authors: WANG SHIFEI , ZHOU YICANG
Published: April 2012

In this paper, we investigate global dynamics for an in-host HIV-1 infection model with the long-lived infected cells and four intracellular delays. Our model admits two possible equilibria, an uninfected equilibrium and infected equilibrium depending on the basic reproduction number. We derive that the global dynamics are completely determined by the values of the basic reproduction number: if the basic reproduction number is less than one, the uninfected equilibrium is globally asymptotically stable, and the virus is cleared; if the basic reproduction number is larger than one, then the infection persists, and the infected equilibrium is globally asymptotically stable.
MATHEMATICAL MODELING OF QUINTIC DUFFING EQUATION AND NUMERICAL SIMULATION USING MULTIPLE SCALES MODIFIED LINDSTEDT–POINCARE METHOD
Authors: KUMAR MANOJ , PARUL
Published: April 2012

A perturbation algorithm Multiple Scales Modified Lindstedt–Poincare (MSMLP), combination of method of Multiple Scales and modified Lindstedt–Poincare is proposed for the solution of Quintic Duffing equation which combines the advantages of both the methods. Solution obtained by the MSMLP method is compared with the Multiple Scales method and accurate closed form approximate solution of the Quintic Duffing equation. The proposed method produces better results for a wide range of amplitude values of oscillations and strong nonlinearities. Numerical simulation has been performed in MATHEMATICA 7.0.
EXECUTIVE SHORT-TERM INCENTIVE, RISK-TAKING AND LEVERAGE-NEUTRAL INCENTIVE SCHEME
Authors: KAPLANSKI GUY , LEVY HAIM
Published: April 2012

In 23 out of 26 US industries, the annual CEO bonus is larger than the annual salary, suggesting that the bonus strongly affects the CEO's decisions. As the high leverage of financial institutions is often blamed for the 2008 financial crises, in this study we focus on leverage as a factor determining risk, particularly in financial institutions. The typical bonus scheme is not a leverage-neutral bonus scheme (LNBS), as the agent's optimal policy is to employ a corner solution: either zero or exteremely high leverage. Thus, consistent with Ross (2004), the bonus scheme does not neccesarily induce the agent to take greater risks. However, although more leverage is not prefered by all preferences, in most cases it is prefered. Thus, we suggest a combination of incentive parameters, which makes the agent indifferent to leverage, thereby preventing conflict beween the agent and the principal (stockholders).
Binding of carbonic anhydrase IX to extracellular loop 4 of the NBCe1 Na+/HCO3− cotransporter enhances NBCe1-mediated HCO3− influx in the rat heart
Authors: Orlowski Alejandro , De Giusti Verónica C. , Morgan Patricio E. , Aiello Ernesto A. , Álvarez Bernardo V.
Published: April 2012

Na+/HCO3− cotransporter (NBC)e1 catalyze the electrogenic movement of 1 Na+:2 HCO3− into cardiomyocytes cytosol. NBC proteins associate with carbonic anhydrases (CA), CAII, and CAIV, forming a HCO3− transport metabolon. Herein, we examined the physical/functional interaction of NBCe1 and transmembrane CAIX in cardiac muscle. NBCe1 and CAIX physical association was examined by coimmunoprecipitation, using rat ventricular lysates. NBCe1 coimmunoprecipitated with anti-CAIX antibody, indicating NBCe1 and CAIX interaction in the myocardium. Glutathione- S-transferase (GST) pull-down assays with predicted extracellular loops (EC) of NBCe1 revealed that NBCe1-EC4 mediated interaction with CAIX. Functional NBCe1/CAIX interaction was examined using fluorescence measurements of BCECF in rat cardiomyocytes to monitor cytosolic pH. NBCe1 transport activity was evaluated after membrane depolarization with high extracellular K+ in the presence or absence of the CA inhibitors, benzolamide (BZ; 100 μM) or 6-ethoxyzolamide (ETZ; 100 μM) (* P < 0.05). This depolarization protocol produced an intracellular pH (pHi) increase of 0.17 ± 0.01 ( n = 11), which was inhibited by BZ (0.11 ± 0.02; n = 7) or ETZ (0.06 ± 0.01; n = 6). NBCe1 activity was also measured by changes of pHi in NBCe1-transfected human embryonic kidney 293 cells subjected to acid loads. Cotransfection of CAIX with NBCe1 increased the rate of pHi recovery (in mM/min) by about fourfold (12.1 ± 0.8; n = 9) compared with cells expressing NBCe1 alone (3.1 ± 0.5; n = 7), which was inhibited by BZ (7.5 ± 0.3; n = 9). We demonstrated that CAIX forms a complex with EC4 of NBCe1, which activates NBCe1-mediated HCO3− influx in the myocardium. CAIX and NBCe1 have been linked to tumorigenesis and cardiac cell growth, respectively. Thus inhibition of CA activity might be useful to prevent activation of NBCe1 under these pathological conditions.
Gut mucosal injury in neonates is marked by macrophage infiltration in contrast to pleomorphic infiltrates in adult: evidence from an animal model
Authors: MohanKumar Krishnan , Kaza Niroop , Jagadeeswaran Ramasamy , Garzon Steven A. , Bansal Anchal , Kurundkar Ashish R. , Namachivayam Kopperuncholan , Remon Juan I. , Bandepalli C. Rekha , Feng Xu , Weitkamp Joern-Hendrik , Maheshwari Akhil
Published: April 2012

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is an inflammatory bowel necrosis of premature infants. In tissue samples of NEC, we identified numerous macrophages and a few neutrophils but not many lymphocytes. We hypothesized that these pathoanatomic characteristics of NEC represent a common tissue injury response of the gastrointestinal tract to a variety of insults at a specific stage of gut development. To evaluate developmental changes in mucosal inflammatory response, we used trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced inflammation as a nonspecific insult and compared mucosal injury in newborn vs. adult mice. Enterocolitis was induced in 10-day-old pups and adult mice ( n = 25 animals per group) by administering TNBS by gavage and enema. Leukocyte populations were enumerated in human NEC and in murine TNBS-enterocolitis using quantitative immunofluorescence. Chemokine expression was measured using quantitative polymerase chain reaction, immunoblots, and immunohistochemistry. Macrophage recruitment was investigated ex vivo using intestinal tissue-conditioned media and bone marrow-derived macrophages in a microchemotaxis assay. Similar to human NEC, TNBS enterocolitis in pups was marked by a macrophage-rich leukocyte infiltrate in affected tissue. In contrast, TNBS-enterocolitis in adult mice was associated with pleomorphic leukocyte infiltrates. Macrophage precursors were recruited to murine neonatal gastrointestinal tract by the chemokine CXCL5, a known chemoattractant for myeloid cells. We also demonstrated increased expression of CXCL5 in surgically resected tissue samples of human NEC, indicating that a similar pathway was active in NEC. We concluded that gut mucosal injury in the murine neonate is marked by a macrophage-rich leukocyte infiltrate, which contrasts with the pleomorphic leukocyte infiltrates in adult mice. In murine neonatal enterocolitis, macrophages were recruited to the inflamed gut mucosa by the chemokine CXCL5, indicating that CXCL5 and its cognate receptor CXCR2 merit further investigation as potential therapeutic targets in NEC.
Assessing potential errors of MRI-based measurements of pulmonary blood flow using a detailed network flow model
Authors: Burrowes K. S. , Buxton R. B. , Prisk G. K.
Published: April 2012

MRI images of pulmonary blood flow using arterial spin labeling (ASL) measure the delivery of magnetically tagged blood to an image plane during one systolic ejection period. However, the method potentially suffers from two problems, each of which may depend on the imaging plane location: 1) the inversion plane is thicker than the imaging plane, resulting in a gap that blood must cross to be detected in the image; and 2) ASL includes signal contributions from tagged blood in conduit vessels (arterial and venous). By using an in silico model of the pulmonary circulation we found the gap reduced the ASL signal to 64–74% of that in the absence of a gap in the sagittal plane and 53–84% in the coronal. The contribution of the conduit vessels varied markedly as a function of image plane ranging from ∼90% of the overall signal in image planes that encompass the central hilar vessels to <20% in peripheral image planes. A threshold cutoff removing voxels with intensities >35% of maximum reduced the conduit vessel contribution to the total ASL signal to ∼20% on average; however, planes with large contributions from conduit vessels underestimate acinar flow due to a high proportion of in-plane flow, making ASL measurements of perfusion impractical. In other image planes, perfusion dominated the resulting ASL images with good agreement between ASL and acinar flow. Similarly, heterogeneity of the ASL signal as measured by relative dispersion is a reliable measure of heterogeneity of the acinar flow distribution in the same image planes.
Identification of novel mouse genes conferring posthypoxic pauses
Authors: Gillombardo C. Barton , Yamauchi Motoo , Adams Mark D. , Dostal Jesse , Chai Sam , Moore Michael W. , Donovan Lucas M. , Han Fang , Strohl Kingman P.
Published: April 2012

Although central to the susceptibility of adult diseases characterized by abnormal rhythmogenesis, characterizing the genes involved is a challenge. We took advantage of the C57BL/6J (B6) trait of hypoxia-induced periodic breathing and its absence in the C57BL/6J-Chr 1A/J/NaJ chromosome substitution strain to test the feasibility of gene discovery for this abnormality. Beginning with a genetic and phenotypic analysis of an intercross study between these strains, we discovered three quantitative trait loci (QTLs) on mouse chromosome 1, with phenotypic effects. Fine-mapping reduced the genomic intervals and gene content, and the introgression of one QTL region back onto the C57BL/6J-Chr 1A/J/NaJ restored the trait. mRNA expression of non-synonymous genes in the introgressed region in the medulla and pons found evidence for differential expression of three genes, the highest of which was apolipoprotein A2, a lipase regulator; the apo a2 peptide fragment (THEQLTPLVR), highly expressed in the liver, was expressed in low amounts in the medulla but did not correlate with trait expression. This work directly demonstrates the impact of elements on mouse chromosome 1 in respiratory rhythmogenesis.
Leg intramuscular pressures and in vivo knee forces during lower body positive and negative pressure treadmill exercise
Authors: Macias Brandon R. , D'Lima Darryl D. , Cutuk Adnan , Patil Shantanu , Steklov Nick , Neuschwander Timothy B. , Meuche Sabine , Colwell Clifford W. , Hargens Alan R.
Published: April 2012

Quantifying muscle and joint forces over a broad range of weight bearing loads during exercise may provide data required to improve prosthetic materials and better protect against muscle and bone loss. Collectively, leg intramuscular pressure (IMP), ground reaction force (GRF), and the instrumented tibial tray force measurements provide a comprehensive assessment of leg muscle and joint biomechanical effects of gravity during exercise. Titration of body weight (BW) by lower body negative pressure (LBNP) and lower body positive pressure (LBPP) can reproducibly modulate IMP within leg muscle compartments. In addition, previous studies document peak tibial forces during various daily activities of 2.2 to 2.5 BW. The study objective was to determine the IMPs of the leg, axial compressive force on the tibia in vivo, vertical GRF, and knee range of motion during altered BW levels using LBPP and LBNP treadmill exercise. We hypothesize that peak GRF, peak tibial forces, and peak IMPs of the leg correlate linearly with percent BW, as generated across a broad range of upright LBPP and supine LBNP exercise. When running at 2.24 m/s the leg IMPs significantly increased over the loading range of 60% to 140% BW with LBPP and LBNP ( P < 0.001); as expected, leg IMPs were significantly higher when running compared with standing ( P < 0.001). During upright LBPP, total axial force at the knee increased linearly as a function of BW at 0.67 m/s ( R2 = 0.90) and 1.34 m/s ( R2 = 0.98). During supine LBNP, total axial force at the knee increased linearly as a function of BW at 0.67 m/s ( R2 = 0.98) and 1.34 m/s ( R2 = 0.91). The present study is the first to measure IMPs and peak tibial forces in vivo during upright LBPP, upright LBNP, and supine LBNP exercise. These data will aid the development of rehabilitation exercise hardware and prescriptions for patients and astronauts.
Gas Turbine Blade Damper Optimization Methodology
Authors: Giridhar R. K. , Ramaiah P. V. , Krishnaiah G. , Barad S. G.
Published: April 2012

The friction damping concept is widely used to reduce resonance stresses in gas turbines. A friction damper has been designed for high pressure turbine stage of a turbojet engine. The objective of this work is to find out effectiveness of the damper while minimizing resonant stresses for sixth and ninth engine order excitation of first flexure mode. This paper presents a methodology that combines three essential phases of friction damping optimization in turbo-machinery. The first phase is to develop an analytical model of blade damper system. The second phase is experimentation and model tuning necessary for response studies while the third phase is evaluating damper performance. The reduced model of blade is developed corresponding to the mode under investigation incorporating the friction damper then the simulations were carried out to arrive at an optimum design point of the damper. Bench tests were carried out in two phases. Phase-1 deals with characterization of the blade dynamically and the phase-2 deals with finding optimal normal load at which the blade resonating response is minimal for a given excitation. The test results are discussed, and are corroborated with simulated results, are in good agreement.
Desferrioxamine Attenuates Doxorubicin-Induced Acute Cardiotoxicity through TFG-β/Smad p53 Pathway in Rat Model
Authors: Al-Shabanah Othman A. , Aleisa Abdulaziz M. , Hafez Mohamed M. , Al-Rejaie Salim S. , Al-Yahya Abdulaziz A. , Bakheet Saleh A. , Al-Harbi Mohamed M. , Sayed-Ahmed Mohamed M.
Published: April 2012

Interaction of doxorubicin DOX with iron and the consequent generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is a major player in DOX-induced cardiomyopathy. Accordingly, this study has been initiated to investigate the preventive effect of the iron chelator, desferrioxamine (DFX), against DOX-induced acute cardiotoxicity in rats. Male Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups and were injected intraperitoneally (I.P.) with normal saline, a single dose of DOX (15 mg/kg), a single dose of DFX (250 mg/kg) and a combined treatment with DFX (250 mg/kg) 30 min prior to a single dose of DOX, (15 mg/kg). A single dose of DOX significantly increased mRNA expression of TGF-β, Smad2, Smad4, CDKN2A and p53 and significantly decreased Samd7 and Mdm2 mRNA expression levels. Administration of DFX prior to DOX resulted in a complete reversal of DOX-induced alteration in cardiac enzymes and gene expression to normal levels. Data from this study suggest that (1) DOX induces its acute cardiotoxicity secondary to increasing genes expression of TGF-β/Smad pathway. (2) DOX increases apoptosis through upregulation of CDKN2A and p53 and downregulation of Mdm2 gene expression. (3) The preventive effect of DFX against DOX-induced cardiotoxicity is mediated via the TGF-β1/Smad pathway.