bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A literature review comparing the experiences and emergent needs of adult patients with permanent pacemakers (PPMs) and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs)
Authors: Tagney Jenny
Published: May 2010

Aims and objectives. This literature review aims to critically appraise any published studies that compare the experiences of patients with permanent pacemakers and those with implantable cardioverter defibrillators. It seeks to identify issues that are similar or unique to one or other group; whether identified needs are being met by current nursing practice and considers how any gaps might be addressed.

Background. Increasing numbers of patients are receiving pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) as indications for devices continue to expand worldwide. Technical follow‐up of such patients is well structured. There is an increasing body of knowledge regarding ICD patients’ experiences with promising work testing recovery interventions but less seems to be known about pacemaker patients.

Design. Systematic review.

Methods. Using an integrative approach, electronic searches using comprehensive search terms were supplemented by following reference lists and key journals from 1975–2008.

Conclusion. From the direct comparison studies identified, ICD patients who experience shocks are more likely to report lifestyle limitations than pacemaker patients. However, ICD and pacemaker patients share similar outcomes, with both groups reporting increased anxiety and depression. Whilst experiences of ICD patients have been well reported, experiences of patients receiving pacemakers for any reason and pacemakers or ICDs for heart failure (bi‐ventricular devices or cardiac resynchronisation therapy – CRT) remain largely unknown. Although psychosocial interventions are suggested for both groups, these have apparently only been tested and reported for ICD patients.

Relevance to clinical practice. Nurses internationally encounter increasing numbers of patients with pacemakers and ICDs from primary to tertiary clinical care settings, therefore knowledge of patient experiences relating to such devices and their impact is important to inform care planning. Whilst interventions to assist ICD patients are being tested, further research is required regarding the experiences of patients with contemporary pacemakers to inform care planning and potential nursing support interventions.
Diabetes‐specific emotional distress mediates the association between depressive symptoms and glycaemic control in Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes
Authors: Van Bastelaar K. M. P. , Pouwer F. , Geelhoed‐Duijvestijn P. H. L. M. , Tack C. J. , Bazelmans E. , Beekman A. T. , Heine R. J. , Snoek F. J.
Published: May 2010

Diabet. Med. 27, 798–803 (2010)

Objectives  To investigate whether diabetes‐specific emotional distress mediates the relationship between depression and glycaemic control in patients with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.

Research design and methods  Data were derived from the baseline assessment of a depression in diabetes screening study carried out in three tertiary diabetes clinics in the Netherlands. Most recent glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) measurement was obtained from medical records. The Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES‐D) and Problem Areas in Diabetes scale (PAID) were used to measure depression and diabetes‐specific emotional distress respectively. Linear regression was performed to examine the mediating effect of diabetes–distress.

Results  Complete data were available for 627 outpatients with Type 1 (n = 280) and Type 2 (n = 347) diabetes. Analyses showed that diabetes–distress mediated the relation between depression and glycaemic control and not differently for both disease types. Post‐hoc analyses revealed that patients depressed and distressed by their diabetes were in significantly poorer glycaemic control relative to those not depressed nor distressed (HbA1c 8.7 ± 1.7 vs. 7.6 ± 1.2% in those without depressive symptoms, 7.6 ± 1.1% in depressed only and 7.7 ± 1.1% in the distressed only, P < 0.001). Depressed patients without elevated diabetes‐distress did not show a significantly increased risk of elevated HbA1c.

Conclusions  In explaining the association between depression and glycaemic control, diabetes‐specific emotional distress appears to be an important mediator. Addressing diabetes‐specific emotional problems as part of depression treatment in diabetes patients may help improve glycaemic outcomes.
HOW WILL THE ECONOMIC DOWNTURN AFFECT ACADEMIC BIOETHICS?
Authors: EPSTEIN MIRAN
Published: May 2010

An educated guess about the future of academic bioethics can only be made on the basis of the historical conditions of its success. According to its official history, which attributes its success primarily to the service it has done for the patient, it should be safe at least as long as the patient still needs its service. Like many other academic disciplines, it might suffer under the present economic downturn. However, in the plausible assumption that its social role has not been exhausted yet, it should recover as soon as the economy does.

But if, as this paper tries to argue, the success of academic bioethics should be attributed first and foremost to the service it has done for the neoliberal agenda, then its future would have to depend on the fate of the latter. The exact implications of the downturn for the neoliberal agenda are obviously impossible to predict. Among the various options, however, the one of going back to ‘normal’ seems to be the least likely. The other options suggest that the future of academic bioethics, as we have known it, is bleak.
SHOULD WE ALLOW ORGAN DONATION EUTHANASIA? ALTERNATIVES FOR MAXIMIZING THE NUMBER AND QUALITY OF ORGANS FOR TRANSPLANTATION
Authors: WILKINSON DOMINIC , SAVULESCU JULIAN
Published: May 2010

There are not enough solid organs available to meet the needs of patients with organ failure. Thousands of patients every year die on the waiting lists for transplantation. Yet there is one currently available, underutilized, potential source of organs. Many patients die in intensive care following withdrawal of life‐sustaining treatment whose organs could be used to save the lives of others. At present the majority of these organs go to waste.

In this paper we consider and evaluate a range of ways to improve the number and quality of organs available from this group of patients. Changes to consent arrangements (for example conscription of organs after death) or changes to organ donation practice could dramatically increase the numbers of organs available, though they would conflict with currently accepted norms governing transplantation.

We argue that one alternative, Organ Donation Euthanasia, would be a rational improvement over current practice regarding withdrawal of life support. It would give individuals the greatest chance of being able to help others with their organs after death. It would increase patient autonomy. It would reduce the chance of suffering during the dying process. We argue that patients should be given the choice of whether and how they would like to donate their organs in the event of withdrawal of life support in intensive care.

Continuing current transplantation practice comes at the cost of death and prolonged organ failure. We should seriously consider all of the alternatives.
An investigation of varying composition and processing conditions on the organoleptic properties of chhana spread
Authors: CHAPPALWAR ANITA M , ZANJAD PRABHAKAR N , PAWAR VITHAL D , MACHEWAD GIRISH M
Published: May 2010

Trials were conducted to standardise the buffalo milk chhana spread by using whey and buttermilk. The milk was standardised to 4% fat and 9% milk solids‐not‐fat and chhana was prepared. The chhana was blended with different quantities of water (0%, 10%, 20%, 30% and 40%) at varying blending temperatures (65, 70, 75, 80 and 85°C) and blending times (2, 3 and 4 min). The chhana spread was prepared by using different levels of oil (0%, 5%, 7.5%, 10% and 12.5%), cream containing 40% fat (0%, 10%, 20%, 30% and 40%) and salt (0%, 0.5%, 0.75%, 1.0%, 1.25% and 1.5%). It was observed that chhana spread prepared by using 20% water, 80°C blending temperatures and 3 min and 0.75% salt scored maximum for body and texture, spreadability and overall acceptability. This chhana spread was further incorporated with buttermilk or whey either alone each at 20% or in combination each at 10% by substitution of water. Incorporation of buttermilk or whey significantly (P < 0.05) improved the chemical and sensory quality of chhana spread and had better texture.
The impact of H1N1 influenza A virus pandemic on the blood donations in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan
Authors: Tsubokura Masaharu , Nakada Haruka , Matsumura Tomoko , Kodama Yuko , Narimatsu Hiroto , Yamaguchi Takuhiro , Kami Masahiro
Published: May 2010

BACKGROUND: The impact of the H1N1 influenza on blood donation is unknown.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: We examined number of blood donors presenting to blood donation centers or bloodmobiles using a blood donation database of Red Cross Hyogo Prefectural Blood Center between 4 weeks before and after May 16, 2009, respectively, when the first case of H1N1 influenza was confirmed in Kobe. The numbers of blood donors per donation site (i.e., blood donation centers and bloodmobiles) and per blood products (i.e., red blood cells [RBCs], platelet [PLT]‐poor plasma, and PLTs) were also examined.

RESULTS: The number of blood donors decreased by 21% and whole blood donations declined by 1329 units within 1 week of the first case of H1N1 influenza. While number of blood donors showed a rapid decrease, blood donations returned to the normal level within 1 week. This quick recovery was attributed to the diligent efforts made by Red Cross Centers, including the use of e‐mail to encourage blood donation, on‐the‐street campaigns, and requesting new bloodmobile drives in workplaces and universities. RBCs that were donated in bloodmobiles was predominantly affected; the number of blood donors in bloodmobiles decreased by 39%.

CONCLUSION: H1N1 influenza pandemic had a great but transient impact on blood donation.
Accuracy of mechanical torque‐limiting gauges for mini‐screw placement
Authors: Schätzle Marc , Golland Dorota , Roos Malgorzata , Stawarczyk Bogna
Published: May 2010

Aim: The purpose of this investigation was to determine and compare the accuracy of four available mechanical torque‐limiting gauges (MTLGs) for mini‐screw placement.

Materials and methods: The torque outputs of six randomly obtained MTLGs, either of the screwdriver or torque ratchet type of four mini‐screw manufacturers were obtained. Mounted on a joint, a universal testing machine applied perpendicular force to a lever arm with a crosshead speed of 1 mm/min. For each device, 10 repetitions of the corresponding target torque level were recorded after initial sterilisation (1) and after 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 times to evaluate its potential influence on MTLGs. The breakpoints (N cm) were calculated for comparison of the groups.

Descriptive statistics and mean breakpoints values for each MTLG computed and compared with the reference values indicated on the respective torque gauges provided by the producer.

Results: The mean torque values for the AbsoAnchor® MTLG devices were significantly below torque levels, but provide consistent torque values. All but one obtained values for the Spider Screw, MTLG of the screw driver type, were within the indicated moment range during the first 50‐times of sterilization process. But after 100‐times of steam sterilization all mean breakpoint values were relevantly higher than the indicated torque range values.

Each individual MTLG produced independently constant breakpoint torque values, but differed significantly from each other. For all but the Spider Screw® MTLG, the sterilisation process had a statistically significant different influence at the various breakpoint torque levels.

Conclusion: After application of the manufacturers' preset torque levels, significant variations were observed between individual devices. The torque output of each individual device deviated in varying degrees from target torque values and was influenced by various degrees by the sterilisation process over time.

To cite this article:
 Schätzle M, Golland D, Roos M, Stawarczyk B. Accuracy of mechanical torque‐limiting gauges for mini‐screw placement. Clin. Oral Impl. Res. 21, 2010; 781–788. doi: 10.1111/j.1600‐0501.2010.01927.x
Alternative placements for women wearing pedometers
Authors: Ling Catherine G. , Smith Sheila O.
Published: May 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this pilot study was to determine if pedometer placement sites in women, other than the waist, provide the same results.

Data sources: Three pedometers were given to 12 women to wear on a bra strap, waist, and shoe for a week and then rotated through each site. The participants recorded their daily step counts in a log, turned in weekly, and were instructed not to change their daily routine. Body mass index (BMI), placement preference, and waist and hip measures were collected at enrollment and the concluding sessions.

Conclusions: Women's adiposity distribution patterns and clothing provide potential barriers to pedometer use at the waist. Daily walking is an affordable option for physical activity counseling by nurse practitioners (NPs). The bra and shoe placements were not found to be equitable alternative sites compared with waist placement of pedometers. However, 75% of participants had improvement in BMI and waist‐to‐hip measures with no lifestyle intervention. The participants preferred a placement perceived as comfortable and consistent.

Implications for practice: The results inform NPs that women need to consistently wear pedometers in a daily walking program, which can lead to beneficial changes in BMI. NPs should encourage walking as a form of daily physical activity, which may be monitored by a pedometer worn consistently.
Thymosin β4 in multiple myeloma: friend or foe
Authors: Caers Jo , Otjacques Eleonore , Hose Dirk , Klein Bernard , Vanderkerken Karin
Published: May 2010

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a malignancy characterized by the accumulation of monoclonal plasma cells in the bone marrow (BM). Because of the known involvement of thymosin β4 (Tβ4) in metastasis of tumor cells, we examined the expression and role of Tβ4 in MM disease. In a large patient population, we demonstrated that Tβ4 expression was significantly lower in myeloma cells compared to normal plasma cells and that patients with a high Tβ4 expression had a longer event free and overall survival. The decreased Tβ4 expression was also found in the murine 5TMM model. To study its function, we overexpressed the Tβ4 gene in 5T33MMvt cells by lentiviral transduction. These cells demonstrated a decreased proliferative capability and an increased sensitivity to apoptosis. Mice injected with Tβ4‐overexpressing cells showed a prolonged survival compared to mice injected with controls. In contrast to its role in solid tumors, we found a decreased expression in myeloma cells compared to their normal counterpart and studies with overexpression of the Tβ4 gene indicated a tumor suppressive function of Tβ4 in myeloma development.
Treatment of chronic nonhealing neurotrophic corneal epithelial defects with thymosin β4
Authors: Dunn Steven P. , Heidemann David G. , Chow Christopher Y. C. , Crockford David , Turjman Nabila , Angel Janet , Allan Christian B. , Sosne Gabriel
Published: May 2010

Neurotrophic corneal defects are difficult to heal and all too often lead to scarring and vision loss. Medical management is often of limited success. We describe the results of nine patients (ages 37–84) with chronic nonhealing neurotrophic corneal epithelial defects who were treated with thymosin beta 4 (Tβ4) sterile eye drops for 28 or 49 days with a follow‐up period of 30 days. Those with geographic defects (six patients) showed dramatic healing without clinically significant neovascularization. Stromal thinning was observed in one patient. Three patients with punctate epithelial defects did not have a demonstrable change in their clinical findings. Reduced ocular irritation was reported by all patients soon after treatment initiation. Results from these compassionate use cases indicate that Tβ4 may provide a novel, topical approach to wound healing in chronic nonhealing neurotrophic corneal ulcers.
Multifunctionality of the β‐thymosin/WH2 module: G‐actin sequestration, actin filament growth, nucleation, and severing
Authors: Husson Clotilde , Cantrelle François‐Xavier , Roblin Pierre , Didry Dominique , Le Kim Ho Diep , Perez Javier , Guittet Eric , Van Heijenoort Carine , Renault Louis , Carlier Marie‐France
Published: May 2010

The β‐thymosin/WH2 actin‐binding module shows an amazing adaptation to multifunctionality. The β‐thymosins are genuine G‐actin sequesterers of moderate affinity for G‐actin, allowing an efficient regulation of the G‐actin/F‐actin ratio in cells by amplifying changes in the critical concentration for filament assembly. In contrast, the first β‐thymosin domain of the protein Ciboulot makes with G‐actin a complex that supports filament growth, such as profilin–actin. We illustrate how the use of engineered chimeric proteins, actin‐binding and polymerization assays, crystallographic, NMR, and SAXS structural approaches complement each other to decipher the molecular basis for the functional versatility of these intrinsically disordered domains when they form various 1:1 complexes with G‐actin. Multifunctionality is expanded in tandem repeats of WH2 domains present in WASP family proteins and proteins involved in axis patterning like Cordon‐Bleu and Spire. The tandem repeats generate new functions such as filament nucleation and severing, as well as barbed end binding, which add up to the G‐actin sequestering activity. Novel regulation pathways in actin assembly emerge from these additional activities.
Une formule intégrale reliée à la conjecture locale de Gross–Prasad
Authors: Waldspurger J.-L.
Published: May 2010

Let V be a vector space over a p-adic field F, of finite dimension, let q be a non-degenerate quadratic form over V and let D be a non-isotropic line in V. Denote by W the hyperplane orthogonal to D, and by G and H the special orthogonal groups of V and W. Let π, respectively σ, be an irreducible admissible representation of G(F) , respectively H(F) . The representation σ appears as a quotient of the restriction of π to H(F) with a certain multiplicity m(π,σ) . We know that m(π,σ)≤1 . We assume that π is supercuspidal. Then we prove a formula that computes m(π,σ) as an integral of functions deduced from the characters of π and σ. Let Π, respectively Σ, be an L-packet of tempered irreducible representations of G(F) , respectively H(F) . Here we use the sophisticated notion of L-packet due to Vogan and we assume some usual conjectural properties of those packets. A weak form of the local Gross–Prasad conjecture says that there exists a unique pair (π,σ)∈Π×Σ such that m(π,σ)=1 . Assuming that the elements of Π are supercuspidal, we prove this assertion.
Role of Trehalose Biosynthesis in
Aspergillus fumigatus
Development, Stress Response, and Virulence
Authors: Al-Bader Nadia , Vanier Ghyslaine , Liu Hong , Gravelat Fabrice N. , Urb Mirjam , Hoareau Christopher M.-Q. , Campoli Paolo , Chabot Joseé , Filler Scott G. , Sheppard Donald C.
Published: May 2010

Aspergillus fumigatus
is a pathogenic mold which causes invasive, often fatal, pulmonary disease in immunocompromised individuals. Recently, proteins involved in the biosynthesis of trehalose have been linked with virulence in other pathogenic fungi. We found that the trehalose content increased during the developmental life cycle of
A. fumigatus
, throughout which putative trehalose synthase genes
tpsA
and
tpsB
were significantly expressed. The trehalose content of
A. fumigatus
hyphae also increased after heat shock but not in response to other stressors. This increase in trehalose directly correlated with an increase in expression of
tpsB
but not
tpsA
. However, deletion of both
tpsA
and
tpsB
was required to block trehalose accumulation during development and heat shock. The Δ
tpsAB
double mutant had delayed germination at 37°C, suggesting a developmental defect. At 50°C, the majority of Δ
tpsAB
spores were found to be nonviable, and those that were viable had severely delayed germination, growth, and subsequent sporulation. Δ
tpsAB
spores were also susceptible to oxidative stress. Surprisingly, the Δ
tpsAB
double mutant was hypervirulent in a murine model of invasive aspergillosis, and this increased virulence was associated with alterations in the cell wall and resistance to macrophage phagocytosis. Thus, while trehalose biosynthesis is required for a number of biological processes that both promote and inhibit virulence, in
A. fumigatus
the predominant effect is a reduction in pathogenicity. This finding contrasts sharply with those for other fungi, in which trehalose biosynthesis acts to enhance virulence.
First Analysis of a Bacterial Collagen-Binding Protein with Collagen Toolkits: Promiscuous Binding of YadA to Collagens May Explain How YadA Interferes with Host Processes
Authors: Leo Jack C. , Elovaara Heli , Bihan Dominique , Pugh Nicholas , Kilpinen Sami K. , Raynal Nicolas , Skurnik Mikael , Farndale Richard W. , Goldman Adrian
Published: May 2010

The
Yersinia
adhesin YadA mediates the adhesion of the human enteropathogen
Yersinia enterocolitica
to collagens and other components of the extracellular matrix. Though YadA has been proposed to bind to a specific site in collagens, the exact binding determinants for YadA in native collagen have not previously been elucidated. We investigated the binding of YadA to collagen Toolkits, which are libraries of triple-helical peptides spanning the sequences of type II and III human collagens. YadA bound to many of them, in particular to peptides rich in hydroxyproline but with few charged residues. We were able to block the binding of YadA to collagen type IV with the triple-helical peptide (Pro-Hyp-Gly)
10
, suggesting that the same site in YadA binds to triple-helical regions in network-forming collagens as well. We showed that a single Gly-Pro-Hyp triplet in a triple-helical peptide was sufficient to support YadA binding, but more than six triplets were required to form a tight YadA binding site. This is significantly longer than the case for eukaryotic collagen-binding proteins. YadA-expressing bacteria bound promiscuously to Toolkit peptides. Promiscuous binding could be advantageous for pathogenicity in
Y. enterocolitica
and, indeed, for other pathogenic bacteria. Many of the tightly binding peptides are also targets for eukaryotic collagen-binding proteins, and YadA was able to inhibit the interaction between selected Toolkit peptides and platelets. This leads to the intriguing possibility that YadA may interfere
in vivo
with host processes mediated by endogenous collagen-binding proteins.
When enough is enough; terminating life-sustaining treatment at the patient's request: a survey of attitudes among Swedish physicians and the general public
Authors: Lindblad Anna , Juth Niklas , Fürst Carl Johan , Lynöe Niels
Published: May 2010

Objectives

To explore attitudes and reasoning among Swedish physicians and the general public regarding the withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment at a competent patient's request.

Design

A vignette-based postal questionnaire including 1202 randomly selected individuals in the county of Stockholm and 1200 randomly selected Swedish physicians with various specialities. The vignettes described patients requesting withdrawal of their life-sustaining treatment: (1) a 77-year-old woman on dialysis; (2) a 36-year-old man on dialysis; (3) a 34-year-old ventilator-dependent tetraplegic man. Responders were asked to classify the act of terminating treatment and to prioritise arguments for/against.

Results

A majority in both groups prioritised arguments in favour of terminating treatment and classified the act as defensible in all vignettes. However, among the general public, 16% classified the act as euthanasia in all vignettes; among physicians this view was most expressed regarding ventilator treatment (26%). Some who classified the act as euthanasia prioritised arguments in favour of terminating treatment: among physicians 18% in vignette 1, 19% in vignette 2 and 34% in vignette 3; among the general public 35% in vignette 1, 20% in vignette 2 and 48% in vignette 3.

Conclusion

There is a widespread consensus regarding competent patients' right to abstain from life-sustaining treatment. An association between the hastening of death, caused by the withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment and the concept of euthanasia is proposed. The results also suggest that classifying the withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment as ‘euthanasia’ does not necessarily mean that the act is interpreted as ethically unacceptable.
Measurements of suction versus water content for bentonite–sand mixtures
Authors: Agus Setianto Samingan , Schanz Tom , Fredlund Delwyn G.
Published: May 2010

Compacted soils have been widely used as landfill barriers because of favorable characteristics such as low coefficient of permeability and high swelling. Compacted bentonite–sand mixtures are normally unsaturated and therefore suction can be used as a behavioral indicator in addition to generally used factors such as water content and dry density (or void ratio). This study focused on investigating suction characteristics of bentonite–sand mixtures. Suction was measured using various techniques for compacted bentonite–sand mixtures. The laboratory results were analyzed to provide an understanding of the suction concept in expansive soils. It was found that suction depends primarily on the water content and the bentonite content of the mixture, and suction in expansive soils changes with the time of hydration.
Mechanical response of highly gap-graded mixtures of waste rock and tailings. Part II: Undrained cyclic and post-cyclic shear response
Authors: Wijewickreme Dharma , Khalili Ali , Wilson G. Ward
Published: May 2010

Mixing of waste rock and tailings as a homogeneous mixture (referred to as “paste rock”) has been suggested as a favourable approach to overcome deficiencies associated with traditional methods of mine waste disposal. In consideration of the current limited understanding of the fundamental mechanical response of paste rock, a laboratory research program was undertaken to investigate the monotonic and cyclic shear response of paste rock. This paper presents the findings from undrained cyclic triaxial shear testing conducted on saturated paste rock specimens reconstituted such that the tailings would “just fill” the void spaces between the coarse particles of the skeleton. During undrained cyclic loading, paste rock typically exhibited a cumulative decrease in effective stress along with a progressive degradation of shear stiffness. The material generally displayed a higher tendency for strain development under cyclic loading when compared with rock-only and tailings-only specimens subjected to similar consolidation and cyclic loading conditions. However, no strain-softening or loss of shear strength was observed, suggesting that the material is unlikely to experience flow failure under undrained cyclic loading. The cyclic shear resistance was relatively insensitive to the initial effective confining pressure ([Formula: see text]) for the tested stress levels of [Formula: see text] < 400 kPa.
An analysis of sensitivities contributing measurement error to Resistograph values
Authors: Ukrainetz Nicholas K. , O’Neill Gregory A.
Published: May 2010

As a hand-held, portable tool capable of assessing wood density of standing trees quickly and inexpensively, the Resistograph holds considerable potential application for evaluating forest genetics field tests. However, phenotypic correlations between Resistograph density index values and values from conventional wood density assessment techniques are weak. In an effort to investigate the extent to which environmental, operator, or instrument factors may affect density index values, we evaluated the sensitivity of Resistograph measurements to seven experimental factors. Drill bit flexion (a measure of operator steadiness), moisture content of wood, and air temperature significantly affected Resistograph density index values, while the influence of knots is minimized at a vertical distance of 3 cm. Battery type, sharpness of the drill bit (at least up to 350 uses), and battery charge (at least up to 310 uses with a 12 V motorcycle battery) had no significant effect on density index. By ensuring that the operator remains steady while drilling, sampling only live trees, only when air temperatures are above freezing, and by drilling at least 3 cm vertical distance from knots, measurement error should be minimized. Three measurements per tree are required to estimate density index to within 3 units 19 times out of 20.
Dendroentomological evidence associated with an outbreak of the native wood-boring beetleEnaphalodes rufulus
Authors: Fierke Melissa K. , Stephen Fred M.
Published: May 2010

An outbreak of Enaphalodes rufulus Haldeman, a North American wood-boring cerambycid beetle, appears to be a major contributing factor to a recent Quercus rubra L. mortality event. The objectives of this research were to investigate the historical activity and within-tree distributions of E. rufulus by using scars formed by larval feeding in the cambium and xylem. Scars were counted and dated in fifteen 63- to 88-year-old northern red oaks; five in each of three infestation classes (low, moderate, and high). There were significantly fewer scars noted in low infestation trees than in trees with high infestations, and moderately infested trees showed intermediate scarring. There were significant differences in the date of the first xylem scar with initial scars occurring in 1980 in low infestation trees, 1952 in moderate, and 1940 in high. The number of xylem scars present varied significantly at different heights on the tree bole, but no differences were found based on tree aspect. This research provides evidence that an outbreak of red oak borer has not occurred before in these trees, beetles have not undergone recent population oscillations, trees that are currently highly infested have been infested over a longer period of time and at higher densities than low infestation trees, and there are distinctive within-tree larval distributions.
ANNIHILATION CROSS SECTIONS AND INTERACTION COUPLINGS OF THE DARK MATTER CANDIDATES IN THE WARPED AND FLAT EXTRA DIMENSIONS
Authors: ILTAN E. O.
Published: May 2010

We consider a scenario with an additional scalar standard model singlet ϕS, living in a single extra dimension of the RS1 background. The zero mode of this scalar which is localized in the extra dimension is a dark matter candidate and the annihilation cross section is strongly sensitive to its localization parameter. As a second scenario, we assume that the standard model Higgs field is accessible to the fifth flat extra dimension. At first we take the additional standard model singlet scalar field as accessible to the sixth extra dimension and its zero mode is a possible dark matter candidate. Second, we consider that the new standard model singlet, the dark matter candidate, lives in four dimensions. In both choices the KK modes of the standard model Higgs field play an observable role for the large values of the compactification radius R and the effective coupling λS is of the order of 10-2–10-1 (10-6) far from (near to) the resonant annihilation.
SPIN–MOMENTUM CORRELATION IN RELATIVISTIC SINGLE-PARTICLE QUANTUM STATES
Authors: JAFARIZADEH M. A. , MAHDIAN M.
Published: May 2010

This paper is concerned with the spin–momentum correlation in single-particle quantum states, which is described by the mixed states under Lorentz transformations. For convenience, instead of using the superposition of momenta we use only two momentum eigenstates (p1 and p2) that are perpendicular to the Lorentz boost direction. Consequently, in 2D momentum subspace we show that the entanglement of spin and momentum in the moving frame depends on the angle between them. Therefore, when spin and momentum are perpendicular the measure of entanglement is not an observer-dependent quantity in the inertial frame. Likewise, we have calculated the measure of entanglement (by using the concurrence) and have shown that entanglement decreases with respect to the increase in observer velocity. Finally, we argue that Wigner rotation is induced by Lorentz transformations and can be realized as a controlling operator.
"PARTIAL" QUANTUM CLONING AND QUANTUM CLONING OF MIXED STATES
Authors: YA. KAZAKOV A.
Published: May 2010

We discuss "partial" quantum cloning of pure two-partite states, where only the "part" of the initial state related to one qubit is copied. The same approach gives the possibility of designing a quantum copying machine for mixed qubit states.
Ultra-low-dimensional embeddings for doubling metrics
Authors: Chan T.-H. Hubert , Gupta Anupam , Talwar Kunal
Published: May 2010

We consider the problem of embedding a metric into low-dimensional Euclidean space. The classical theorems of Bourgain, and of Johnson and Lindenstrauss say that any metric on
n
points embeds into an
O
(log
n
)-dimensional Euclidean space with
O
(log
n
) distortion. Moreover, a simple “volume” argument shows that this bound is nearly tight: a uniform metric on
n
points requires nearly logarithmic number of dimensions to embed with logarithmic distortion. It is natural to ask whether such a volume restriction is the only hurdle to low-dimensional embeddings. In other words, do
doubling
metrics, that do not have large uniform submetrics, and thus no volume hurdles to low dimensional embeddings, embed in low dimensional Euclidean spaces with small distortion?

In this article, we give a positive answer to this question. We show how to embed any doubling metrics into
O
(log log
n
) dimensions with
O
(log
n
) distortion. This is the first embedding for doubling metrics into fewer than logarithmic number of dimensions, even allowing for logarithmic distortion.

This result is one extreme point of our general trade-off between distortion and dimension: given an
n
-point metric
(V,d)
with doubling dimension dim

D

, and any target dimension
T
in the range Ω(dim

D

log log
n
) ≤
T
≤
O
(log
n
), we show that the metric embeds into Euclidean space R

T

with
O
(log
n
√ dim

D

/
T
) distortion.
Routing betweenness centrality
Authors: Dolev Shlomi , Elovici Yuval , Puzis Rami
Published: May 2010

Betweenness-Centrality measure is often used in social and computer communication networks to estimate the potential monitoring and control capabilities a vertex may have on data flowing in the network. In this article, we define the Routing Betweenness Centrality (RBC) measure that generalizes previously well known Betweenness measures such as the Shortest Path Betweenness, Flow Betweenness, and Traffic Load Centrality by considering network flows created by arbitrary loop-free routing strategies.

We present algorithms for computing RBC of all the individual vertices in the network and algorithms for computing the RBC of a given group of vertices, where the RBC of a group of vertices represents their potential to collaboratively monitor and control data flows in the network. Two types of collaborations are considered: (i) conjunctive—the group is a sequences of vertices controlling traffic where all members of the sequence process the traffic in the order defined by the sequence and (ii) disjunctive—the group is a set of vertices controlling traffic where at least one member of the set processes the traffic. The algorithms presented in this paper also take into consideration different sampling rates of network monitors, accommodate arbitrary communication patterns between the vertices (traffic matrices), and can be applied to groups consisting of vertices and/or edges.

For the cases of routing strategies that depend on both the source and the target of the message, we present algorithms with time complexity of
O
(
n
2
m
) where
n
is the number of vertices in the network and
m
is the number of edges in the routing tree (or the routing directed acyclic graph (DAG) for the cases of multi-path routing strategies). The time complexity can be reduced by an order of
n
if we assume that the routing decisions depend solely on the target of the messages.

Finally, we show that a preprocessing of
O
(
n
2
m
) time, supports computations of RBC of sequences in
O
(
kn
) time and computations of RBC of sets in
O
(
n
3
n
) time, where
k
in the number of vertices in the sequence or the set.
Information models for queueing system simulation
Authors: Roeder Theresa M. , Schruben Lee W.
Published: May 2010

When planning simulations of large-scale systems, it is important to anticipate what information is required to model the system and obtain desired output. This can be done without tying the study to a specific simulation package or language. It is valuable to do so to avoid unnecessarily long development and execution times. In this article, we offer a simulation information model (SIM) designed to help organize system information in the early stages of a project. (It can also be used to analyze existing models.) The SIM allows complexity analysis of the system to be performed, and may lead to a better selection of simulation language. The SIM is illustrated using two examples, and its relationship to current formalisms is discussed.
Performance-aware thermal management via task scheduling
Authors: Zhou Xiuyi , Yang Jun , Chrobak Marek , Zhang Youtao
Published: May 2010

High on-chip temperature impairs the processor's reliability and reduces its lifetime. Hardware-level dynamic thermal management (DTM) techniques can effectively constrain the chip temperature, but degrades the performance. We propose an OS-level technique that performs thermal-aware job scheduling to reduce DTMs. The algorithm is based on the observation that hot and cool jobs executed in a different order can make a difference in resulting temperature. Real-system implementation in Linux shows that our scheduler can remove 10.5% to 73.6% of the hardware DTMs in a medium thermal environment. The CPU throughput is improved by up to 7.6% (4.1%, on average) in a severe thermal environment.
Genetic Engineering for Modern Agriculture: Challenges and Perspectives
Authors: Mittler Ron , Blumwald Eduardo
Published: May 2010

Abiotic stress conditions such as drought, heat, or salinity cause extensive losses to agricultural production worldwide. Progress in generating transgenic crops with enhanced tolerance to abiotic stresses has nevertheless been slow. The complex field environment with its heterogenic conditions, abiotic stress combinations, and global climatic changes are but a few of the challenges facing modern agriculture. A combination of approaches will likely be needed to significantly improve the abiotic stress tolerance of crops in the field. These will include mechanistic understanding and subsequent utilization of stress response and stress acclimation networks, with careful attention to field growth conditions, extensive testing in the laboratory, greenhouse, and the field; the use of innovative approaches that take into consideration the genetic background and physiology of different crops; the use of enzymes and proteins from other organisms; and the integration of QTL mapping and other genetic and breeding tools.
High-Throughput Characterization of Plant Gene Functions by Using Gain-of-Function Technology
Authors: Kondou Youichi , Higuchi Mieko , Matsui Minami
Published: May 2010

Gain-of-function approaches have been used as an alternative or complementary method to loss-of-function approaches as well as to confer new functions to plants. Gain-of-function is achieved by increasing gene expression levels through the random activation of endogenous genes by transcriptional enhancers or the expression of individual transgenes by transformation. The advantages of gain-of-function approaches compared to loss-of-function approaches for the characterization of gene functions include the abilities to (a) analyze individual gene family members, (b) characterize the function of genes from nonmodel plants using a heterologous expression system, and (c) identify genes that confer stress tolerance to plants that result from the introduction of transgenes. In this review, we describe the current status of gain-of-function mutagenesis and provide several examples of how gene functions have been characterized via high-throughput screening using gain-of-function technology.
Analysis of Transcripts Expressed in One-Day-Old Larvae and Fifth Instar Silk Glands of Tasar Silkworm,Antheraea mylitta
Authors: Maity Samita , Goel Sagar I. , Roy Sobhan , Ghorai Suvankar , Bhattacharyya Swati , Venugopalan Aravind , Ghosh Ananta K.
Published: May 2010

Antheraea mylittais one of the wild nonmulberry silkworms, which produces tasar silk. An EST project has been undertaken to understand the gene expression profile ofA. mylittasilk gland. Two cDNA libraries, one from the whole bodies of one-day-old larvae and the other from the silkglands of fifth instar larvae, were constructed and sequenced. A total of 2476 good-quality ESTs (1239 clones) were obtained and grouped into 648 clusters containing 390 contigs and 258 singletons to represent 467 potential unigenes. Forty-five sequences contained putative coding region, and represented potentially novel genes. Among the 648 clusters, 241 were categorized according to Gene Ontology hierarchy and showed presence of several silk and immune-related genes. TheA. mylittaESTs have been organized into a freely available online database “AmyBASE”. These data provide an initial insight into theA. mylittatranscriptome and help to understand the molecular mechanism of silk protein production in a Lepidopteran species.
Troglitazone Reduces Glyoxalase I Protein Expression in Glioma and Potentiates the Effects of Chemotherapeutic Agents
Authors: Helgager Jeffrey , Li Jie , Lubensky Irina A. , Lonser Russell , Zhuang Zhengping
Published: May 2010

Despite resistance of most gliomas to chemotherapy, approximately 2/3 of oligodendrogliomas show sensitivity to such agents. This sensitivity has been associated with deletions on chromosome 1p alone or in combination with 19q. Higher expression of the enzyme glyoxalase I has been found in oligodendrogliomas with chromosome 1p intact compared to those with a deletion. Higher expression of this enzyme is also associated with tumor chemoresistance in other cancers. The present study tested whether the drug troglitazone would make a glioma cell line more sensitive to chemotherapeutic agents. This drug was chosen because it has been shown to decrease glyoxalase I enzyme activity in cells. Treatment with troglitazone decreased expression of glyoxalase I, and potentiated cell death when used in combination with chemotherapeutic agents. This decrease in glyoxalase I protein may be one mechanism by which this potentiation occurs, and troglitazone may be a candidate for use in glioma therapy.
Age-Related Hypercholesterolemia and HMG-CoA Reductase Dysregulation: Sex Does Matter (A Gender Perspective)
Authors: Trapani Laura , Pallottini Valentina
Published: May 2010

Although cardiovascular diseases are less prevalent in premenopausal women than in men, their occurrence in women increases at the onset of menopause, and the loss of female sex hormones contributes to the striking increase in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in postmenopausal women. We present here a description of age-related disruption of lipid homeostasis, which particularly affects 3-hydroxy 3-methylglutaryl Coenzyme A reductase, the key rate-limiting enzyme in the cholesterol biosynthetic pathway. We further discuss the age- and gender-related dysregulation of this enzyme, providing new evidence for the different mechanisms driving dyslipidemia in elderly men and women. In addition, we introduce pharmacological methods of regulating HMGR and maintaining cholesterol homeostasis.
Adaptive Evolution Hotspots at the GC-Extremes of the Human Genome: Evidence for Two Functionally Distinct Pathways of Positive Selection
Authors: Tang Clara S. M. , Epstein Richard J.
Published: May 2010

We recently reported that the human genome is ‘‘splitting’’ into two gene subgroups characterised by polarised GC content (Tang et al, 2007), and that such evolutionary change may be accelerated by programmed genetic instability (Zhao et al, 2008). Here we extend this work by mapping the presence of two separate high-evolutionary-rate (Ka/Ks) hotspots in the human genome—one characterized by low GC content, high intron length, and low gene expression, and the other by high GC content, high exon number, and high gene expression. This finding suggests that at least two different mechanisms mediate adaptive genetic evolution in higher organisms: (1) intron lengthening and reduced repair in hypermethylated lowly-transcribed genes, and (2) duplication and/or insertion events affecting highly-transcribed genes, creating low-essentiality satellite daughter genes in nearby regions of active chromatin. Since the latter mechanism is expected to be far more efficient than the former in generating variant genes that increase fitnesss, these results also provide a potential explanation for the controversial value of sequence analysis in defining positively selected genes.
Imatinib Mesylate as a Preoperative Therapy in Dermatofibrosarcoma: Results of a Multicenter Phase II Study on 25 Patients
Authors: Kérob Delphine , Porcher Raphael , Vérola Olivier , Dalle Stephane , Maubec Eve , Aubin François , D'Incan Michel , Bodokh Isaak , Boulinguez Serge , Madelaine-Chambrin Isabelle , Mathieu-Boue Anne , Servant Jean-Marie , de Kerviler Eric , Janin Anne , Calvo Fabien , Pedeutour Florence , Lebbe Celeste
Published: May 2010

Aims: The treatment of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) involves wide local excision with frequent need for reconstructive surgery. A t(17;22) translocation resulting in COL1A1-PDGFB fusion is present in >95% of cases. Certain patient observations and a report on nine patients suggest that imatinib mesylate, targeting platelet-derived growth factor receptor β, has clinical potential in DFSP. The primary aim of this phase II multicenter study was to define the percentage of clinical responders (Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors) to a 2-month preoperative daily administration of 600 mg of imatinib mesylate before wide local excision. The secondary aims were to determine tolerance, objective response from imaging results (ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging), and pathologic responses observed in sequential tissue specimens.

Patients and Methods: A two-stage flexible design was used with interim analysis after the recruitment of six patients. Twenty-five adults suffering from primary or recurrent DFSP were included from July 2004 to May 2006.

Results: The COL1A1-PDGFB fusion gene was detected in 21 out of 25 patients following fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis (two cases were noninformative). A clinical response was achieved in nine (36%) patients (95% confidence interval, 18.9-57.5). The median relative tumoral decrease was 20.0% (range, −12.5 to 100). Apart from expected grade 1 or 2 side effects, we observed one grade 3 neutropenia, one grade 3 maculopapular rash, and one grade 4 transient transaminitis.

Conclusion: Our results support the use of imatinib in a neoadjuvant setting in nonresectable DFSP, or when surgery is difficult or mutilating. These results will be useful for setting hypotheses in the evaluation of new drugs to treat primary or secondary resistance to imatinib. Clin Cancer Res; 16(12); 3288–95. ©2010 AACR.