bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Wide Bandgap Semiconductors for Sensing Within Extreme Harsh Environments
Authors: Senesky Debbie G.
Published: March 2013

Wide bandgap semiconductors, such as silicon carbide (SiC), gallium nitride (GaN) and aluminum nitride (AlN) are known for their tolerance to extreme temperatures, chemical resistance and mechanical robustness. In addition, electronics made from these materials can operate under high radiation doses and electric fields. The development of sensors, such as strain sensors, pressure sensors, accelerometers, temperature sensors and photodetectors from wide bandgap materials enables data collection from within extreme harsh environments, which is a challenging task for traditional semiconductor materials. In addition, high-temperature energy harvesters and signal conditioning electronics can be coupled with robust sensors to create an autonomous sensing system. A variety of industries (e.g. transportation, space and energy) can utilize such sensing systems to monitor the health of components located within hot spots, combustion processes in real-time and subsurface conditions.
Title efficacy of phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor on distant burn-induced muscle autophagy, microcirculation, and survival rate
Authors: Hosokawa Sachiko , Koseki Hiroaki , Nagashima Michio , Maeyama Yoshihiro , Yomogida Kentaro , Mehr Chelsea , Rutledge Madeleine , Greenfeld Hannah , Kaneki Masao , Tompkins Ronald G. , Martyn J. A. Jeevendra , Yasuhara Shingo E.
Published: March 2013

Skeletal muscle wasting is an exacerbating factor in the prognosis of critically ill patients. Using a systemic burn injury model in mice, we have established a role of autophagy in the resulting muscle wasting that is distant from the burn trauma. We provide evidence that burn injury increases the autophagy turnover in the distal skeletal muscle by conventional postmortem tissue analyses and by a novel in vivo microscopic method using an autophagy reporter gene (tandem fluorescent LC3). The effect of tadalafil, a phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor (PDE5I), on burn-induced skeletal muscle autophagy is documented and extends our published results that PDE5Is attenuates muscle degeneration in a muscular dystrophy model. We also designed a translational experiment to examine the impact of PDE5I on whole body and demonstrated that PDE5I administration lessened muscle atrophy, mitigated microcirculatory disturbance, and improved the survival rate after burn injury.
Keratin gene expression profiles after digit amputation in C57BL/6 vs. regenerative MRL mice imply an early regenerative keratinocyte activated-like state
Authors: Cheng Chia-Ho , Leferovich John , Zhang Xiang-Ming , Bedelbaeva Khamilia , Gourevitch Dmitri , Hatcher Cathy J. , Basson Craig T. , Heber-Katz Ellen , Marx Kenneth A.
Published: March 2013

Mouse strains C57BL/6 (B6) and MRL were studied by whole mouse genome chip microarray analyses of RNA isolated from amputation sites at different times pre- and postamputation at the midsecond phalange of the middle digit. Many keratin genes were highly differentially expressed. All keratin genes were placed into three temporal response classes determined by injury/preinjury ratios. One class, containing only Krt6 and Krt16, were uniquely expressed relative to the other two classes and exhibited different temporal responses in MRL vs. B6. Immunohistochemical staining for Krt6 and Krt16 in tissue sections, including normal digit, flank skin, and small intestine, and from normal and injured ear pinna tissue exhibited staining differences in B6 (low) and MRL (high) that were consistent with the microarray results. Krt10 staining showed no injury-induced differences, consistent with microarray expression. We analyzed Krt6 and Krt16 gene association networks and observed in uninjured tissue several genes with higher expression levels in MRL, but not B6, that were associated with the keratinocyte activated state: Krt6, Krt16, S100a8, S100a9, and Il1b; these data suggest that keratinocytes in the MRL strain, but not in B6, are in an activated state prior to wounding. These expression levels decreased in MRL at all times postwounding but rose in the B6, peaking at day 3. Other keratins significantly expressed in the normal basal keratinocyte state showed no significant strain differences. These data suggest that normal MRL skin is in a keratinocyte activated state, which may provide it with superior responses to wounding.
Economic Impacts of Using Switchgrass as a Feedstock for Ethanol Production: A Case Study Located in East Tennessee
Authors: English Burton C. , Yu Tun-Hsiang Edward , Larson James A. , Menard R. Jamey , Gao Yuan
Published: March 2013

One of the major motivations to establish a biobased energy sector in the United States is to promote economic development in the rural areas of the nation. This study estimated the economic impact of investing and operating a switchgrass-based ethanol plant in East Tennessee. Applying a spatially oriented mixed-integer mathematical programming model, we first determined the location of biorefinery, feedstock draw area, and the resources used in various feedstock supply systems by minimizing the total plant gate cost of feedstock. Based on the model output, an input-output model was utilized to determine the total economic impact, including direct, indirect, and induced effects of feedstock investment and annual production in the study region. Moreover, the economic impact of ethanol plant investment and annual conversion operation was analyzed. Results suggest that the total annual expenditures in an unprotected large round bale system generated a total $92.5 million in economic output within the 13 counties of East Tennessee. In addition, an estimated $234 million in overall economic output was generated through the operation of the biorefinery. This research showed that the least-cost configuration of the feedstock supply chain influenced the levels and types of economic impact of biorefinery.
New Inequalities between Information Measures of Network Information Content
Authors: Popescu Pantelimon-George , Pop Florin , Herişanu Alexandru , Ţăpuş Nicolae
Published: March 2013

We refine a classical logarithmic inequality using a discrete case of Bernoulli inequality, and then we refine furthermore two information inequalities between information measures for graphs, based on information functionals, presented by Dehmer and Mowshowitz in (2010) as Theorems 4.7 and 4.8. The inequalities refer to entropy-based measures of network information content and have a great impact for information processing in complex networks (a subarea of research in modeling of complex systems).
Relationship between Stage of Diabetic Retinopathy and Pulse Wave Velocity in Japanese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Tanaka Kumiko , Kawai Toshihide , Saisho Yoshifumi , Meguro Shu , Harada Kana , Satoh Yuka , Kobayashi Kaori , Mizushima Kei , Abe Takayuki , Itoh Hiroshi
Published: March 2013

Objectives. We investigated the relationship between the stage of diabetic retinopathy and pulse wave velocity (PWV).Methods. This was a cross-sectional study of 689 patients (406 men and 283 women) with type 2 diabetes who were admitted to our hospital from 2004 to 2007. Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) was measured by an arterial pressure measurement device as PWV/ABI. Diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy was made by ophthalmologists based on the Davis classification: no diabetic retinopathy (NDR), simple retinopathy (SDR), pre-proliferative retinopathy (pre-PDR), and proliferative retinopathy (PDR).Results. There was a significant difference in PWV between patients without diabetic retinopathy (1657.0±417.9 m/s (mean ± SD)) and with diabetic retinopathy (1847.1±423.9 m/s) (P<0.001). In addition, the stage of diabetic retinopathy was associated with aortic PWV (1657.0±417.9 m/s in NDR (n=420),1819.4±430.3 m/s in SDR (n=152),1862.1±394.0 m/s in pre-PDR (n=54), and1901.1±433.5 m/s in PDR (n=63) (P<0.001)).Conclusions. In patients with diabetic retinopathy, even in those with SDR, PWV was higher than that in patients without diabetic retinopathy. Physicians should therefore pay attention to the value of PWV and macroangiopathy regardless of the stage of diabetic retinopathy.
Seroepidemiology ofHelicobacter pyloriInfection in Tepehuanos Aged 15 Years and Older in Durango, Mexico
Authors: Alvarado-Esquivel Cosme
Published: March 2013

This study aimed to determine the seroepidemiology ofHelicobacter pyloriinfection in Tepehuanos (an indigenous ethnic group living in rural Mexico). The prevalence of anti-Helicobacter pyloriIgG antibodies was examined in 156 Tepehuanos in Durango State, Mexico, using an enzyme-linked immunoassay. In addition, sociodemographic, clinical, and behavioral characteristics of Tepehuanos associated with seropositivity were investigated. In total, 103 (66%) of the 156 participants (mean age years) hadHelicobacter pyloriIgG antibodies. Fifty-four (52.4%) of the 103 seropositive individuals hadHelicobacter pyloriIgG antibody levels higher than 100 U/mL. Males and females had comparable seroprevalence ofHelicobacter pyloriinfection andHelicobacter pyloriIgG antibody levels. The seroprevalence was significantly higher in women with pregnancies than those without this obstetric characteristic. Logistic regression showed thatHelicobacter pyloriinfection was positively associated with low education (OR = 3.37; 95% CI: 1.13–10.00; ) and laborer occupation (OR = 2.71; 95% CI: 1.14–6.42; ). This is the first report of seroprevalence and contributing factors forHelicobacter pyloriinfection in Tepehuanos and of the association ofHelicobacter pyloriinfection with laborer occupation. Results warrants further research.
Exact Solutions to the Sharma-Tasso-Olver Equation by Using ImprovedG′/G-Expansion Method
Authors: He Yinghui , Li Shaolin , Long Yao
Published: March 2013

This paper is concerned with a double nonlinear dispersive equation: the Sharma-Tasso-Olver equation. We propose an improvedG′/G-expansion method which is employed to investigate the solitary and periodic traveling waves of this equation. As a result, some new traveling wave solutions involving hyperbolic functions, the trigonometric functions, are obtained. When the parameters are taken as special values, the solitary wave solutions are derived from the hyperbolic function solutions, and the periodic wave solutions are derived from the trigonometric function solutions. The improvedG′/G-expansion method is straightforward, concise and effective and can be applied to other nonlinear evolution equations in mathematical physics.
Asymptotic Stability of Solutions to a Nonlinear Urysohn Quadratic Integral Equation
Authors: Hashem H. H. G. , Al-Rwaily A. R.
Published: March 2013

Here, we prove the existence of -nondecreasing solution to a nonlinear quadratic integral equation of Urysohn type by applying the technique of weak noncompactness. Also, the asymptotic stability of solutions for that quadratic integral equation is studied.
Signal Propagation in Protein Interaction Network during Colorectal Cancer Progression
Authors: Jiang Yang , Huang Tao , Chen Lei , Gao Yu-Fei , Cai Yudong , Chou Kuo-Chen
Published: March 2013

Colorectal cancer is generally categorized into the following four stages according to its development or serious degree: Dukes A, B, C, and D. Since different stage of colorectal cancer actually corresponds to different activated region of the network, the transition of different network states may reflect its pathological changes. In view of this, we compared the gene expressions among the colorectal cancer patients in the aforementioned four stages and obtained the early and late stage biomarkers, respectively. Subsequently, the two kinds of biomarkers were both mapped onto the protein interaction network. If an early biomarker and a late biomarker were close in the network and also if their expression levels were correlated in the Dukes B and C patients, then a signal propagation path from the early stage biomarker to the late one was identified. Many transition genes in the signal propagation paths were involved with the signal transduction, cell communication, and cellular process regulation. Some transition hubs were known as colorectal cancer genes. The findings reported here may provide useful insights for revealing the mechanism of colorectal cancer progression at the cellular systems biology level.
Using Multicore Technologies to Speed Up Complex Simulations of Population Evolution
Authors: Guevara-Souza Mauricio , Vallejo Edgar E.
Published: March 2013

We explore with the use of multicore processing technologies for conducting simulations on population replacement of disease vectors. In our model, a native population of simulated vectors is inoculated with a small exogenous population of vectors that have been infected with theWolbachiabacteria, which confers immunity to the disease. We conducted a series of computational simulations to study the conditions required by the invading population to take over the native population. Given the computational burden of this study, we decided to take advantage of modern multicore processor technologies for reducing the time required for the simulations. Overall, the results seem promising both in terms of the application and the use of multicore technologies.
A New Exon Derived from a Mammalian Apparent LTR Retrotransposon of theSUPT16HGene
Authors: Bae Min-In , Kim Yun-Ji , Lee Ja-Rang , Jung Yi-Deun , Kim Heui-Soo
Published: March 2013

TheSUPT16Hgene known as FACTP140 is required for the transcription of other genes. For transcription, genes need to be complexed with accessory factors, including transcription factors and RNA polymerase II. One such factor, FACT, interacts with histones H2A/H2B for nucleosome disassembly and transcription elongation. TheSUPT16Hgene has a transcript and many expressed sequence tags (ESTs). We were especially interested in an MaLR-derived transcript (EST, BX333035) that included a new exon introduced by a transposable element, a mammalian apparent LTR retrotransposon (MaLR). The MaLR was detected ranging from humans to galagos, indicating the MaLR in theSUPT16Hgene is integrated into the primate ancestor genome. A new exon was created by alternative donor site provided by the MaLR. The original transcript and the MaLR-derived transcript were expressed in various human, rhesus monkey, and other primate tissues. Additionally, we identified a new alternative transcript that included the MaLR, but there was no significant difference in the expression of the original transcript and the MaLR-derived transcript. Interestingly, the new alternative transcript and the MaLR-derived transcript had the MaLR sequence in the new exon, but they had different structures by adopting different3′splice sites. From this study, we verified transposable elements that contributed to transcriptome diversity.
Multiplicative Perturbations of ConvolutedC-Cosine Functions and ConvolutedC-Semigroups
Authors: Li Fang , Wang Huiwen , Zhang Jun
Published: March 2013

We obtain the multiplicative perturbation theorems for convolutedC-cosine functions (resp., convolutedC-semigroups) andn-times integratedC-cosine functions (resp.,n-times integratedC-semigroups) forn∈ℕ. Moreover, we obtain some new results for perturbations onC-cosine functions (resp.,C-semigroups). Some examples are presented.
Insidious Onset of Tetraparesis due to Cervical Epidural Abscess fromEnterococcus faecalis
Authors: Soultanis Konstantinos Chr. , Sakellariou Vasileios I. , Starantzis Konstantinos A. , Stavropoulos Nikolaos A. , Papagelopoulos Panayiotis J.
Published: March 2013

We report a case of cervical epidural abscess fromEnterococcus faecalis, which caused an insidious onset of tetraparesis. This 53-year-old female with a history of diabetes mellitus and chronic renal failure under hemodialysis presented with pain and progressive weakness of upper and lower extremities without fever. Although a recent MRI she did at the beginning of symptoms showed no significant pathologies, except for a cervical disc herniation and adjacent spinal degeneration, and stenosis that confused the diagnostic procedure, newer imaging with CT and MRI, which was performed due to progression of tetraparesis, revealed the formation of a cervical epidural abscess. Surgical drainage was done after a complete infection workup. The patient showed immediate neurological improvement after surgery. She received antibiotics intravenously for 3 weeks and orally for another 6 weeks. The patient was free from complications 24 months after surgery. A high index of suspicion is most important in making a rapid and correct diagnosis of spinal epidural abscess. The classic clinical triad (fever, local pain, and neurologic deficits) is not sensitive enough for early detection. Continuous clinical, laboratory, and imaging monitoring are of paramount importance. Early diagnosis and surgical intervention could optimize the final functional outcome.
Wavelet Analysis on Turbulent Structure in Drag-Reducing Channel Flow Based on Direct Numerical Simulation
Authors: Wu Xuan , Yu Bo , Wang Yi
Published: March 2013

Direct numerical simulation has been performed to study a polymer drag-reducing channel flow by using a discrete-element model. And then, wavelet analyses are employed to investigate the multiresolution characteristics of velocity components based on DNS data. Wavelet decomposition is applied to decompose velocity fluctuation time series into ten different frequency components including approximate component and detailed components, which show more regular intermittency and burst events in drag-reducing flow. The energy contribution, intermittent factor, and intermittent energy are calculated to investigate characteristics of different frequency components. The results indicate that energy contributions of different frequency components are redistributed by polymer additives. The energy contribution of streamwise approximate component in drag-reducing flow is up to 82%, much more than 25% in the Newtonian flow. Feature of turbulent multiscale structures is shown intuitively by continuous wavelet transform, verifying that turbulent structures become much more regular in drag-reducing flow.
4-Year Outcome Analysis of Endoscopic Vein Harvesting for Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting
Authors: Raja Shahzad G. , Rochon Melissa , Sproson Camilla , Bahrami Toufan T.
Published: March 2013

Objective. Despite increasing recognition that endoscopic vein harvesting (EVH) is associated with decreased leg wound morbidity, improved cosmetic results, and enhanced patient satisfaction, concerns persist regarding the safety and efficacy of EVH. This study compares in-hospital and midterm outcomes for EVH and open vein harvesting (OVH) at our institution. Methods. 772 patients with EVH were propensity matched to 772 patients who had OVH. Their data were prospectively entered into the cardiac surgery database (PATS; Dendrite Clinical Systems, Ltd., Oxford, UK) and analyzed, retrospectively. The mean duration of followup was 26.4 ± 10.3 months. Results. EVH was associated with a significant reduction in rate of donor site infection compared to OVH (0.39% versus 3.9%, ). Short- and medium-term vein graft patency was similar. After adjusting for clinical covariates, EVH did not emerge as an independent predictor of readmission to hospital for cardiac causes (odds ratio (OR) 1.19, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.96–1.58, and ), medium-term mortality (hazard ratio (HR) 1.28, 95% CI 1.09–1.42, and ), and need for reintervention (HR 1.21, 95% CI 0.98–1.32, and ). Risk-adjusted survival was 94% for EVH patients and 93% for OVH patients () during the medium-term followup. Conclusion. Our analysis confirms the short- and midium-term safety and efficacy of EVH.
Climatic, Regional Land-Use Intensity, Landscape, and Local Variables Predicting Best the Occurrence and Distribution of Bee Community Diversity in Various Farmland Habitats in Uganda
Authors: Théodore Munyuli M. B.
Published: March 2013

This study was conducted in 2006 in central Uganda to provide baseline data on relationships between bee community variables and local, climatic, landscape and regional drivers affecting bee community abundance and diversity in agricultural landscapes. Bee abundance and species richness increased significantly () with increase in percent cover of semi-natural habitats and the abundance of wild and cultivated floral resources in the landscape. There were strong linear declines () in bee species richness and abundance with cultivation intensity. Bee species richness declined very steeply with forest distance. Bee species richness and abundance were negatively affected by land-use intensity (). Bee species richness and abundance were strongly negatively correlated () with increase in mean annual temperatures in the previous years than in current years indicating potential vulnerability of local bee species to future climate changes. The percent cover of semi-natural habitats and natural in the farmland predicted best the occurrence and distribution in central Uganda. It is therefore recommended to policy-makers and to farmers to invest in the protection of forest fragments (and related semi-natural habitats) acting as buffer in the mitigation of negative effects of climate change on bee biodiversity and pollination services delivery.
Neural-Network-Based Approach for Extracting Eigenvectors and Eigenvalues of Real Normal Matrices and Some Extension to Real Matrices
Authors: Zou Xiongfei , Tang Ying , Bu Shirong , Luo Zhengxiang , Zhong Shouming
Published: March 2013

This paper introduces a novel neural-network-based approach for extracting some eigenpairs of real normal matrices of ordern. Based on the proposed algorithm, the eigenvalues that have the largest and smallest modulus, real parts, or absolute values of imaginary parts can be extracted, respectively, as well as the corresponding eigenvectors. Although the ordinary differential equation on which our proposed algorithm is built is onlyn-dimensional, it can succeed to extractn-dimensional complex eigenvectors that are indeed 2n-dimensional real vectors. Moreover, we show that extracting eigen-pairs of general real matrices can be reduced to those of real normal matrices by employing the norm-reducing skill. Numerical experiments verified the computational capability of the proposed algorithm.
Sidelobe Reduction in the Pulse-Compression Radar Using Synthesis of NLFM Laws
Authors: Vizitiu Iulian-Constantin
Published: March 2013

It is well known that in the pulse-compression radar theory, the sidelobe reduction using synthesis of some proper nonlinear FM (NLFM) laws represents a major research direction. In order to assure the sidelobe suppression, the main objective of this paper is to present an adequate synthesis algorithm of NLFM signals based on stationary phase principle. The achieved experimental results confirm a significant sidelobe reduction (i.e., more than −40 dB) without necessity to apply some weighting techniques. In addition, the analysis of the synthesized NLFM laws by ambiguity function tool is also discussed.
Effect of Delay on Selection Dynamics in Long-Term Sphere Culture of Cancer Stem Cells
Authors: Tang Peng , Fan Aijun , Li Jianquan , Jiang Jun , Wang Kaifa
Published: March 2013

To quantitatively study the effect of delay on selection dynamics in long-term sphere culture of cancer stem cells (CSCs), a selection dynamic model with time delay is proposed. Theoretical results show that the ubiquitous time delay in cell proliferation may be one of the important factors to induce fluctuation, and numerical simulations indicate that the proposed selection dynamical model with time delay can provide a better fitting effect for the experiment of a long-term sphere culture of CSCs. Thus, it is valuable to consider the delay effect in the future study on the dynamics of nongenetic heterogeneity of clonal cell populations.
Oral Health Knowledge of Periodontal Disease among University Students
Authors: Al-Zarea Bader K.
Published: March 2013

Objectives. The aim of this study was to evaluate levels of oral health knowledge of periodontal disease among nondental university students.Materials and Methods. Two hundred and fifty university students (mean age 20.1 years ± 2.5) were recruited into this study. The participants completed a structured questionnaire during a personal interview. The questionnaire consisted of items to assess participants’ personal data (age, gender, level of study, and specialty) and oral heath knowledge related to periodontal disease. Statistical significance was based on probability values of less than 0.05.Results. Participants showed poor knowledge of causes, signs, symptoms, and preventive measures of gum disease. The level of study had no relationship with students’ knowledge of the initiating factors of periodontal disease (P<0.05), but had a significant relationship with the knowledge of periodontal disease’s signs, preventive measures, and relations to general health and systemic disease (P<0.05). Students from scientific disciplines had more knowledge of periodontal disease’s causes, preventive measures, and relations to general health and systemic disease (P<0.05) than those from humanity disciplines.Conclusions. There were significant differences in oral health knowledge regarding periodontal disease between students from different levels of studies and different disciplines.
The Bidirectional Optimization of Carbon Fiber Production by Neural Network with a GA-IPSO Hybrid Algorithm
Authors: Chen Jiajia , Ding Yongsheng , Hao Kuangrong
Published: March 2013

A hybrid approach of genetic algorithm (GA) and improved particle swarm optimization (IPSO) is proposed to construct the radial basis function neural network (RNN) for real-time optimizing of the carbon fiber manufacture process. For the three-layer RNN, we adopt the nearest neighbor-clustering algorithm to determine the neurons number of the hidden layer. When the appropriate network structure is fixed, we present the GA-IPSO algorithm to tune the parameters of the network, which means the center and the width of the node in the hidden layer and the weight of output layer. We introduce a penalty factor to adjust the velocity and position of the particles to expedite convergence of the PSO. The GA is used to mutate the particles to escape local optimum. Then we employ this network to develop the bidirectional optimization model: in one direction, we take production parameters as input and properties indices as output; in this case, the model is a carbon fiber product performance prediction system; in the other direction, we take properties indices as input and production parameters as output, and at this situation, the model is a production scheme design tool for novel style carbon fiber. Based on the experimental data, the proposed model is compared to the conventional RBF network and basic PSO method; the research results show its validity and the advantages in dealing with optimization problems.
A New Criterion for Affineness
Authors: Zhang Jing
Published: March 2013

We show that an irreducible quasiprojective variety of dimension defined over an algebraically closed field with characteristic zero is an affine variety if and only if () = 0 and () = 0 for all , , where is any hypersurface with sufficiently large degree. A direct application is that an irreducible quasiprojective variety over is a Stein variety if it satisfies the two vanishing conditions. Here, all sheaves are algebraic.
Total Phenolic Content and Antimicrobial Activity of Different Lithuanian Propolis Solutions
Authors: Ramanauskienė Kristina , Inkėnienė Asta Marija , Petrikaitė Vilma , Briedis Vitalis
Published: March 2013

The manufacture of ethanol-free propolis solutions offers a broader application. A few trials with Lithuanian propolis have been conducted. The aims of the study are to manufacture propolis water and water-free solutions and evaluate the quality and antimicrobial activity of these solutions. The studied solutions containing 2.5%, 5%, and 10% propolis are prepared. As solvents, purified water, 70% v/v ethanol, 96.3% v/v ethanol, propylene glycol, and their systems were used. Determination of total levels of phenolic compounds (FAE mg/g) is based on colour oxidation-reduction reaction using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent under alkaline conditions and performed at 765 nm wavelength using UV spectrophotometer. The highest content of phenolic compounds was determined in solutions containing 10% propolis extracts, and the lowest amounts in 2.5% propolis extracts. The water extracted the lowest amount of phenolic compounds from crude propolis, ethanol extracted the highest amount, and propylene glycol ranked the middle position. It is determined that technological parameters (stirring, temperature) contribute to content of phenolic compounds. During microbiological study, MICs were determined. The studies showed that water extracted propolis solutions and solvents mixture did not inhibit the growth of the studied microorganisms, and propolis solutions in propylene glycol were found to have antimicrobial activity.
Computational Methods for Fracture in Brittle and Quasi-Brittle Solids: State-of-the-Art Review and Future Perspectives
Authors: Rabczuk Timon
Published: March 2013

An overview of computational methods to model fracture in brittle and quasi-brittle materials is given. The overview focuses on continuum models for fracture. First, numerical difficulties related to modelling fracture for quasi-brittle materials will be discussed. Different techniques to eliminate or circumvent those difficulties will be described subsequently. In that context, regularization techniques such as nonlocal models, gradient enhanced models, viscous models, cohesive zone models, and smeared crack models will be discussed. The main focus of this paper will be on computational methods for discrete fracture (discrete cracks). Element erosion technques, inter-element separation methods, the embedded finite element method (EFEM), the extended finite element method (XFEM), meshfree methods (MMs), boundary elements (BEMs), isogeometric analysis, and the variational approach to fracture will be reviewed elucidating advantages and drawbacks of each approach. As tracking the crack path is of major concern in computational methods that preserve crack path continuity, one section will discuss different crack tracking techniques. Finally, cracking criteria will be reviewed before the paper ends with future research perspectives.
Therapeutic Effect of C-Phycocyanin Extracted from Blue Green Algae in a Rat Model of Acute Lung Injury Induced by Lipopolysaccharide
Authors: Leung Pak-on , Lee Hao-Hsien , Kung Yu-Chien , Tsai Ming-Fan , Chou Tz-Chong
Published: March 2013

C-Phycocyanin (CPC), extracted from blue green algae, is a dietary nutritional supplement due to its several beneficial pharmacological effects. This study was conducted to evaluate whether CPC protects against lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) induced acute lung injury (ALI) in rats. Rats were challenged with LPS (5 mg/kg body weight) intratracheally to induce ALI. After 3 h LPS instillation, rats were administrated with CPC (50 mg/kg body weight, i.p.) for another 3 h. Our results showed that posttreatment with CPC significantly inhibited LPS-induced elevation of protein concentration, nitrite/nitrate level, release of proinflammatory cytokines, the number of total polymorphonuclear cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and lung edema evidenced by decrease of lung wet/dry weight ratio accompanied by a remarkable improvement of lung histopathological alterations. Furthermore, CPC significantly attenuated LPS-induced myeloperoxidase activity,O2−formation, expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, and cyclooxygenase-2 as well as nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) activation in lungs. Additionally, CPC significantly downregulated proapoptotic proteins such as caspase-3 and Bax, but upregulated antiapoptotic proteins such as Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL in lungs exposed to LPS. These findings indicate that CPC could be potentially useful for treatment of LPS-related ALI by inhibiting inflammatory responses and apoptosis in lung tissues.
A Methodological Review of Piezoelectric Based Acoustic Wave Generation and Detection Techniques for Structural Health Monitoring
Authors: Sun Zhigang , Rocha Bruno , Wu Kuo-Ting , Mrad Nezih
Published: March 2013

Piezoelectric transducers have a long history of applications in nondestructive evaluation of material and structure integrity owing to their ability of transforming mechanical energy to electrical energy and vice versa. As condition based maintenance has emerged as a valuable approach to enhancing continued aircraft airworthiness while reducing the life cycle cost, its enabling structural health monitoring (SHM) technologies capable of providing on-demand diagnosis of the structure without interrupting the aircraft operation are attracting increasing R&D efforts. Piezoelectric transducers play an essential role in these endeavors. This paper is set forth to review a variety of ingenious ways in which piezoelectric transducers are used in today’s SHM technologies as a means of generation and/or detection of diagnostic acoustic waves.
Novel Ni-Co-Mo-K Catalysts Supported on Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes for Higher Alcohols Synthesis
Authors: Surisetty Venkateswara Rao , Kozinski Janusz , Dalai Ajay Kumar
Published: March 2013

Alkali-promoted Ni-Co-Mo catalysts supported on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were prepared using 9 wt% K, 4.5 wt% Co, and 15 wt% Mo, whereas Ni content was varied from 0 to 6 wt%. The catalysts were extensively characterized and studied for higher alcohols synthesis from synthesis gas. Alkali-promoted trimetallic catalyst with 3 wt% Ni showed the highest total alcohols yield of 0.284 gm/(gm of cat./h), ethanol selectivity of 20%, and higher alcohols selectivity of 32% at 330°C and 9.0 MPa using gas hourly space velocity (GHSV) of 3.8 m3 (STP)/kg of catalyst/h and H2 to CO molar ratio of 1.25.
Risk Factors for Second Screen-Detected or Interval Breast Cancers in Women with a Personal History of Breast Cancer Participating in Mammography Screening
Authors: Houssami Nehmat , Abraham Linn A. , Kerlikowske Karla , Buist Diana S.M. , Irwig Les , Lee Janie , Miglioretti Diana L.
Published: March 2013

Background: Women with a personal history of breast cancer (PHBC) have increased risk of an interval cancer. We aimed to identify risk factors for second (ipsilateral or contralateral) screen-detected or interval breast cancer within 1 year of screening in PHBC women.

Methods: Screening mammograms from women with history of early-stage breast cancer at Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium-affiliated facilities (1996–2008) were examined. Associations between woman-level, screen-level, and first cancer variables and the probability of a second breast cancer were modeled using multinomial logistic regression for three outcomes [screen-detected invasive breast cancer, interval invasive breast cancer, or ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)] relative to no second breast cancer.

Results: There were 697 second breast cancers, of these 240 were interval cancers, among 67,819 screens in 20,941 women. In separate models for women with DCIS or invasive first cancer, first breast cancer surgery predicted all three second breast cancer outcomes (P < 0.001), and high ORs for second breast cancers (between 1.95 and 4.82) were estimated for breast conservation without radiation (relative to mastectomy). In women with invasive first breast cancer, additional variables predicted risk (P < 0.05) for at least one of the three outcomes: first-degree family history, dense breasts, longer time between mammograms, young age at first breast cancer, first breast cancer stage, and adjuvant systemic therapy for first breast cancer; and risk of interval invasive breast cancer was highest in women <40 years at first breast cancer (OR, 3.41; 1.34–8.70), those with extremely dense breasts (OR, 2.55; 1.4–4.67), and those treated with breast conservation without radiation (OR, 2.67; 1.53–4.65).

Conclusion: Although the risk of a second breast cancer is modest, our models identify risk factors for interval second breast cancer in PHBC women.

Impact: Our findings may guide discussion and evaluations of tailored breast screening in PHBC women, and incorporating this information into clinical decision-making warrants further research. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 22(5); 946–61. ©2013 AACR.
A Prospective Study of Leukocyte Telomere Length and Risk of Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Hofmann Jonathan N. , Lan Qing , Cawthon Richard , Hosgood H. Dean , Shuch Brian , Moore Lee E. , Rothman Nathaniel , Chow Wong-Ho , Purdue Mark P.
Published: March 2013

Background: It has been hypothesized that genomic instability related to telomere dysfunction may contribute to carcinogenesis. There is some evidence from case–control studies suggesting that short leukocyte telomere length may be associated with an increased risk of renal cell carcinoma (RCC); however, this association has not been investigated prospectively.

Methods: We conducted a nested case–control study (209 cases, 410 controls) of RCC risk in relation to prediagnostic leukocyte telomere length in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial. ORs and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using conditional logistic regression.

Results: Leukocyte telomere length was not significantly associated with future risk of RCC (highest quartile vs. lowest: OR, 0.8; 95% CI, 0.5–1.5; Ptrend = 0.6). Analyses stratified by sex, age, and time from blood collection to RCC diagnosis were similarly null.

Conclusions: The results of this study, to our knowledge the first prospective investigation of its kind, do not support an association between prediagnostic leukocyte telomere length and risk of RCC.

Impact: In contrast to some earlier reports, our findings add to the evidence that leukocyte telomere length is not a biomarker of risk related to the etiology of RCC. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 22(5); 997–1000. ©2013 AACR.
RAD51C-Deficient Cancer Cells Are Highly Sensitive to the PARP Inhibitor Olaparib
Authors: Min Ahrum , Im Seock-Ah , Yoon Young-Kwang , Song Sang-Hyun , Nam Hyun-Jin , Hur Hyung-Seok , Kim Hwang-Phill , Lee Kyung-Hun , Han Sae-Won , Oh Do-Youn , Kim Tae-You , O'Connor Mark J. , Kim Woo-Ho , Bang Yung-Jue
Published: March 2013

A PARP inhibitor is a rationally designed targeted therapy for cancers with impaired DNA repair abilities. RAD51C is a paralog of RAD51 that has an important role in the DNA damage response. We found that cell lines sensitive to a novel oral PARP inhibitor, olaparib, had low levels of RAD51C expression using microarray analysis, and we therefore hypothesized that low expression of RAD51C may hamper the DNA repair process, resulting in increased sensitivity to olaparib. Compared with the cells with normal RAD51C expression levels, RAD51C-deficient cancer cells were more sensitive to olaparib, and a higher proportion underwent cell death by inducing G2–M cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis. The restoration of RAD51C in a sensitive cell line caused attenuation of olaparib sensitivity. In contrast, silencing of RAD51C in a resistant cell line enhanced the sensitivity to olaparib, and the number of RAD51 foci decreased with ablated RAD51C expression. We also found the expression of RAD51C was downregulated in cancer cells due to epigenetic changes and RAD51C expression was low in some gastric cancer tissues. Furthermore, olaparib significantly suppressed RAD51C-deficient tumor growth in a xenograft model. In summary, RAD51C-deficient cancer cells are highly sensitive to olaparib and offer preclinical proof-of-principle that RAD51C deficiency may be considered a biomarker for predicting the antitumor effects of olaparib. Mol Cancer Ther; 12(6); 865–77. ©2013 AACR.
Lipid Metabolism Genes in Contralateral Unaffected Breast and Estrogen Receptor Status of Breast Cancer
Authors: Wang Jun , Scholtens Denise , Holko Michelle , Ivancic David , Lee Oukseub , Hu Hong , Chatterton Robert T. , Sullivan Megan E. , Hansen Nora , Bethke Kevin , Zalles Carola M. , Khan Seema A.
Published: March 2013

Risk biomarkers that are specific to estrogen receptor (ER) subtypes of breast cancer would aid the development and implementation of distinct prevention strategies. The contralateral unaffected breast of women with unilateral breast cancer (cases) is a good model for defining subtype-specific risk because women with ER-negative (ER−) index primaries are at high risk for subsequent ER-negative primary cancers. We conducted random fine needle aspiration of the unaffected breasts of cases. Samples from 30 subjects [15 ER-positive (ER+) and 15 ER− cases matched for age, race and menopausal status] were used for Illumina expression array analysis. Findings were confirmed using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) in the same samples. A validation set consisting of 36 subjects (12 ER+, 12 ER− and 12 standard-risk healthy controls) was used to compare gene expression across groups. ER− case samples displayed significantly higher expression of 18 genes/transcripts, 8 of which were associated with lipid metabolism on gene ontology analysis (GO: 0006629). This pattern was confirmed by qRT-PCR in the same samples, and in the 24 cases of the validation set. When compared to the healthy controls in the validation set, significant overexpression of 4 genes (DHRS2, HMGCS2, HPGD and ACSL3) was observed in ER− cases, with significantly lower expression of UGT2B11 and APOD in ER+ cases, and decreased expression of UGT2B7 in both subtypes. These data suggest that differential expression of lipid metabolism genes may be involved in the risk for subtypes of breast cancer, and are potential biomarkers of ER-specific breast cancer risk. Cancer Prev Res; 6(4); 321–30. ©2013 AACR.
A Stepwise Approach to the Management of Postinfarct Ventricular Tachycardia Using Catheter Ablation as the First-Line Treatment
Authors: Pauriah Maheshwar , Cismaru Gabriel , Magnin-Poull Isabelle , Andronache Marius , Sellal Jean-Marc , Schwartz Jérôme , Brembilla-Perrot Béatrice , Sadoul Nicolas , Aliot Etienne , de Chillou Christian
Published: March 2013

Background—

The occurrence of ventricular tachycardia (VT) after myocardial infarction is associated with poorer prognosis. In such patients, implantable cardioverter-defibrillators are recommended. Catheter ablation of VT is currently recommended only as an adjunctive therapy. Whether a successful VT ablation alone might be a viable strategy in some of these patients, however, remains unknown. The aim of the present study was to evaluate this strategy.

Methods and Results—

Between January 2002 and December 2011, 189 patients with cardiomyopathy underwent 259 VT ablations in our center. Forty-five patients (mean age, 65.2±9.6 years; 91% men) with a history of myocardial infarction and mean left ventricular ejection fraction of 39.7±9.7% matched the study criteria and were included in this analysis. Acute success was obtained in 40 of 45 patients (88.9%). During a follow-up, on the basis of our stepwise algorithm (using acute success, repeat electrophysiological study, and recurrence of VT), 19 of 45 patients (42.2%) underwent implantable cardioverter-defibrillators implantation. During a median follow-up of 4.5 (interquartile range, 2.1–7.0) years, all-cause mortality occurred in 14 of 45 patients (31.1%). Using multivariate Cox regression analysis, age (hazard ratio, 1.13; 95% confidence interval, 1.03–1.22;
P
=0.007) was the only independent predictor of mortality, whereas implantable cardioverter-defibrillators implantation was not (hazard ratio, 0.54; 95% confidence interval, 0.18–1.64;
P
=0.28)

Conclusions—

Our results suggest that a stepwise approach to the management of VT with ablation as a first-line treatment in postinfarct patients presenting with VT might be a reasonable option. Further studies are required to confirm these results.
Outcome Differences in Community- Versus Hospital-Acquired Hyponatremia in Patients With a Diagnosis of Heart Failure
Authors: Shchekochikhin Dmitry Y. , Schrier Robert W. , Lindenfeld JoAnn , Price Lori Lyn , Jaber Bertrand L. , Madias Nicolaos E.
Published: March 2013

Background—

Hyponatremia at hospital admission is a well-known risk factor of morbidity and mortality in patients with heart failure (HF). However, there are few data about hyponatremia developing during hospitalization in patients with HF. The present study compares hospital-acquired hyponatremia (HAH) with community-acquired hyponatremia (CAH) in HF patients with respect to outcome.

Methods and Results—

A total of 5347 consecutive hospitalized patients with a diagnosis of HF were analyzed. CAH was defined as a serum sodium value of ≤135 mEq/L at the time of hospital admission. HAH was defined as development of a serum sodium level of ≤135 mEq/L during hospitalization in the setting of a serum sodium value >135 mEq/L on admission. In-hospital mortality, length of stay, worsening kidney function, and discharge to short-/long-term care facilities were analyzed. CAH and HAH were identified in 1039 patients (19.4%) and in 1302 patients (24.4%) of the 5347 patients admitted, respectively. Both types of hyponatremia were associated with increased mortality, length of stay, rate of discharge to short-/long-term care facilities, and worsening kidney function. In-hospital mortality did not differ between CAH and HAH, but differences in demographics and comorbidities were present.

Conclusions—

The present results identified HAH as a risk factor for increased mortality in HF as has been previously described for CAH. HAH was associated with increased length of stay, discharge to short-/long-term care facilities, and development of cardio-renal failure. Thus, hyponatremia in hospitalized patients with a diagnosis of HF, either on admission or during hospitalization, is a prognostic marker for poor outcomes.
Perioperative Dexmedetomidine Improves Outcomes of Cardiac Surgery
Authors: Ji Fuhai , Li Zhongmin , Nguyen Hung , Young Nilas , Shi Pengcai , Fleming Neal , Liu Hong
Published: March 2013

Background—

Cardiac surgery is associated with a high risk of cardiovascular and other complications that translate into increased mortality and healthcare costs. This retrospective study was designed to determine whether the perioperative use of dexmedetomidine could reduce the incidence of complications and mortality after cardiac surgery.

Methods and Results—

A total of 1134 patients who underwent coronary artery bypass surgery and coronary artery bypass surgery plus valvular or other procedures were included. Of them, 568 received intravenous dexmedetomidine infusion and 566 did not. Data were adjusted with propensity scores, and multivariate logistic regression was used. The primary outcomes measured included mortality and postoperative major adverse cardiocerebral events (stroke, coma, perioperative myocardial infarction, heart block, or cardiac arrest). Secondary outcomes included renal failure, sepsis, delirium, postoperative ventilation hours, length of hospital stay, and 30-day readmission. Dexmedetomidine use significantly reduced postoperative in-hospital (1.23% versus 4.59%; adjusted odds ratio, 0.34; 95% confidence interval, 0.192–0.614;
P
<0.0001), 30-day (1.76% versus 5.12%; adjusted odds ratio, 0.39; 95% confidence interval, 0.226–0.655;
P
<0.0001), and 1-year (3.17% versus 7.95%; adjusted odds ratio, 0.47; 95% confidence interval, 0.312–0.701;
P
=0.0002) mortality. Perioperative dexmedetomidine therapy also reduced the risk of overall complications (47.18% versus 54.06%; adjusted odds ratio, 0.80; 95% confidence interval, 0.68–0.96;
P
=0.0136) and delirium (5.46% versus 7.42%; adjusted odds ratio, 0.53; 95% confidence interval, 0.37–0.75;
P
=0.0030).

Conclusion—

Perioperative dexmedetomidine use was associated with a decrease in postoperative mortality up to 1 year and decreased incidence of postoperative complications and delirium in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT01683448.