bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Interconnected Self: The Social Individual is More Than Just Social + Individual
Authors: Gabriel Shira , Harris Brianna , Carvallo Mauricio , Troisi Jordan D.
Published: November 2012

Although decades of research provide consistent evidence supporting the perspective that the self is divided into social and personal components each with unique and predictable motivational associations, the current paper argues that something important has been overlooked. Specifically, what has been lost is the acknowledgment that although different components of self can be activated, and can have important implications, the two aspects of self are highly interconnected. Specifically in this paper, it is argued that (i) the independent self is affected by social motivations and (ii) the social self is affected by independent motivations. Two studies are presented in support of these hypotheses. We conclude by comparing our perspective with existing theories of the self and by discussing implications for the study of the self.
Sleep and Affective Brain Regulation
Authors: van der Helm Els , Walker Matthew P.
Published: November 2012

Rapidly emerging evidence continues to describe an intimate and causal relationship between sleep and affective brain regulation. These findings are mirrored by long‐standing clinical observations demonstrating that nearly all mood and anxiety disorders co‐occur with one or more abnormalities of sleep. This review aims to (1) provide a synthesis of recent human evidence describing affective brain and behavioral benefits of sleep when it is obtained, and conversely, detrimental impairments following a lack thereof, (2) set forth a rapid eye movement sleep hypothesis of affective brain homeostasis, optimally preparing the organism for next‐day social and emotional functioning, and (3) outline how this model may explain the prevalent relationships observed between sleep and affective disorders, including relevant treatment mechanisms, with a particular focus on post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
An Intricate Dance: Life Experience, Multisystem Resiliency, and Rate of Telomere Decline Throughout the Lifespan
Authors: Puterman Eli , Epel Elissa
Published: November 2012

Accumulation of life stressors predicts accelerated development and progression of diseases of aging. Telomere length, the DNA‐based biomarker indicating cellular aging, is a mechanism of disease development, and is shortened in a dose response fashion by duration and severity of life stressor exposures. Telomere length captures the interplay between genetics, life experiences and psychosocial and behavioral factors. Over the past several years, psychological stress resilience, healthy lifestyle factors, and social connections have been associated with longer telomere length and it appears that these factors can protect individuals from stress‐induced telomere shortening. In the current review, we highlight these findings, and illustrate that combining these ‘multisystem resiliency’ factors may strengthen our understanding of aging, as these powerful factors are often neglected in studies of aging. In naturalistic studies, the effects of chronic stress exposure on biological pathways are rarely main effects, but rather a complex interplay between adversity and resiliency factors. We suggest that chronic stress effects can be best understood by directly testing if the deleterious effects of stress on biological aging processes, in this case the cell allostasis measure of telomere shortening, are mitigated in individuals with high levels of multisystem resiliency. Without attending to such interactions, stress effects are often masked and missed. Taking account of the cluster of positive buffering factors that operate across the lifespan will take us a step further in understanding healthy aging. While these ideas are applied to the telomere length literature for illustration, the concept of multisystem resiliency might apply to aging broadly, from cellular to systemic health.
Social Representations of Gender in Peer Interaction and Cognitive Development
Authors: Psaltis Charis
Published: November 2012

The paper discusses how social representations of gender and their development in childhood relate to the structuring of communication on collaborative problem solving in the educational context and the consequences of such communication dynamics for learning and cognitive development. In the theoretical framework and the empirical work outlined an emphasis is given on the articulation of different levels of analysis (intra‐personal, inter‐personal, inter‐group/positional and ideological/social representations) (Doise, W. 1986. Levels of Explanation in Social Psychology: European Monographs in Social Psychology. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press) in a way that explanatory power is increased for understanding the often contradictory findings in the literature around gender talk in mixed‐sex dyads in the educational context.
Prevalence and impact of xerostomia on the quality of life of people living with HIV/AIDS from Brazil
Authors: Busato Ivana Maria Saes , Thomaz Mariana , Toda Alexandre Issamu , Alanis Danilo Gustavo Pulita , França Beatriz Helena Sottile , de Lima Antônio Adilson Soares , Azevedo‐Alanis Luciana Reis
Published: November 2012

Objective: To evaluate the impact of xerostomia on the quality of life (QOL) of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) from Brazil. Study Design: A cross‐sectional study was performed on 195 PLWHA. Xerostomia was detected by asking a question about the sensation of having “dry mouth,” and Oral Health Impact Profile 14 (OHIP‐14) was used to measure the impact of xerostomia on QOL. Time of diagnosis of HIV/AIDS was assessed. Results: A total of 78 (40.0%) subjects presented with xerostomia. Xerostomia was associated with female gender, low amount of saliva perceived (p ≤ .01), difficulty in swallowing food (p ≤ .05), and showed to have a negative impact on QOL as measured by OHIP‐14 (p ≤ .01). Conclusion: Xerostomia was frequent and showed to have a negative impact on the QOL of PLWHA.
Security, Surveillance, and Sociological Analysis
Authors: Lyon David , Wood David Murakami
Published: November 2012

Sécurité et surveillance sont aujourd'hui une partie de l'expérience quotidienne banale d'une manière qu'ils n'ont pas été jusqu’à la fin du XXe siècle. À juste titre, ils sont devenus plus importants sujets dans la sociologie, même si chacune a également suscité un intérêt multidisciplinaire depuis les années 1990, parfois sans référence à l'autre. Le contexte de ces initiatives et de leurs éléments qui se chevauchent et interagissent sont esquissées et tracées, préparant le terrain pour les articles sélectionnés pour ce numéro spécial. Il ya un besoin urgent de travaux théoriques et empiriques adéquate dans ces domaines en croissance, notamment parce que les questions abordées dans ces articles sont de plus qu'un intérêt académique.
Policy Legitimacy, Rhetorical Politics, and the Evaluation of City‐Street Video Surveillance Monitoring Programs in Canada
Authors: Lett Dan , Hier Sean , Walby Kevin
Published: November 2012

Cet article examine l'évaluation et la légitimation de la vidéosurveillance en milieu urbain en Ontario, Canada. Nous démontrons comment sont promus, conçus et justifiés les programmes de surveillance sur la base des revendications de leur efficacité émises de manière rhétorique. Bien que les données de l'évaluation du programme ne corroborent généralement pas ses objectifs, pas plus qu'elles ne les supportent, nous montrerons de quelle manière les politiques langagières de la recherche en évaluation de la vidéosurveillance trouvent leur légitimité en adhérant aux pratiques exemplaires telles qu'elles sont stipulées par le Bureau du commissaire à la protection de la vie privée de l'Ontario – pratiques qui sont formulées pour minimiser la rhétorique au sein‐même de la conception du système. Ce que nous avons trouvé soulève des interrogations sur la viabilité de la vidéosurveillance en milieu urbain en tant qu'option d'une politique viable, étant donné le manque de preuves relatives à son utilité.
Aloe nugalensis sp. nov. (Asphodelaceae), a new gypsum endemic from northeastern Somalia
Authors: Thulin Mats
Published: November 2012

The new species Aloe nugalensis Thulin, a shrubby plant with long, drooping leaves and a drooping, branched inflorescence with long‐pedicellate orange red flowers, is described from a gypsum hill in the Nugaal valley of northeastern Somalia. The only known material is an individual grown in the Botanical Garden of Uppsala University from seeds collected in Nov 1985 that first flowered in Feb 2011.
Drepanocladus trifarius– an example of unsuspected niche widths among mosses
Authors: Hedenäs Lars , Bisang Irene
Published: November 2012

The habitat of the pleurocarpous moss Drepanocladus trifarius is commonly described as mineral‐rich wet fens. We sampled individual D. trifarius shoots at 214 pre‐defined randomly distributed spots in an area of ca 15 km2 in a sloping fen in central–western Sweden. We assessed the habitat variation of the sampling spots in this area by means of a multi‐variate analysis (DCA) based on the species identity of the ten shoots adjacent to D. trifarius, and by indicator values for light availability and substrate moisture, acidity, and nutrient availability of the associated species. Both approaches indicated that D. trifarius occurred in well lit and constantly moist, wet or submerged places. Most spots were weakly acid to sub‐neutral, but some spots had distinctly acid conditions. Generally the spots were nutrient‐poor, but a few were nutrient‐ rich. DCA revealed gradients from relatively wet, sub‐neutral to basic towards drier and more acid habitats, and from nutrient‐poor to ‐richer environments. The species obviously exhibits a broader than expected niche width with respect to substrate acidity and nutrients. We suggest that succession, disturbance, or climatic factors may explain the species’ occurrences in different habitats.
Trichome micromorphology in Turkish species of Ziziphora (Lamiaceae)
Authors: Kaya Ayla , Satil Fatih , Dirmenci Tuncay , Selvi Selami
Published: November 2012

Ziziphora L. is represented by 5 species and 2 subspecies in the flora of Turkey: Z. clinopodioides, Z. capitata, Z. persica, Z. tenuior, Z. taurica subsp. taurica, Z. taurica subsp. cleonioides. It is difficult to distinguish between some Ziziphora taxa because of their morphological similarities. In this study, the leaf and calyx trichomes of Ziziphora taxa in Turkey were studied in order to assess anatomical variations that may serve as distinguishing characters. Their micromorphological features were surveyed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and light microscopy (LM). Trichomes on leaves and calyx can be divided into two general types: non‐glandular trichomes and glandular (secretory) trichomes. The non‐ glandular trichomes are simple, acicular or curved with cuticular micropapillae. They usually consist of one or more additional cells. The glandular trichomes are divided into two types: peltate and capitate and Ziziphora taxa can easily be distinguished by presence/absence, density and types of glandular trichomes on leaves and calyx. The peltate trichomes consist of 12 or 18 secretory head cells in a single disc; four or six central cells surrounded by eight or twelve peripheral ones. Peltate trichomes are absent on the adaxial leaf surface of Z. capitata and Z. persica. Two types of capitate trichomes are present in Ziziphora. The capitate trichomes are only absent on the calyx surface of Z. persica. In addition, the trichome micromorphology provides some support for separating the two subspecies of Z. taurica. In conclusion, Ziziphora taxa can easily be distinguished by cell number, cell shape presence/absence and density of the glandular trichomes on leaves and calyx.
Health Problems and Male Firearm Suicide
Authors: Hempstead Katherine , Nguyen Tuan , David‐Rus Richard , Jacquemin Bretta
Published: November 2012

Drawing on constructs of masculinity as it relates to both gun ownership and men's health, we use a rich data set, the New Jersey Violent Death Reporting System as well as hospital discharge data, to analyze 3,413 completed male suicides between the years of 2003 and 2009. We test the hypotheses that the use of firearms is more common when physical health problems are cited as suicide circumstances, and that suicide decedents who use firearms have poorer physical health than those who used other methods. Results show that firearms are disproportionately used in male suicides when physical health is listed as a circumstance. Additionally, among suicide decedents with a hospitalization during the 3 years prior to death, those who used firearms were in poorer health than those who used other methods. These findings have implications for prevention efforts, because restricting access to lethal means is an important aspect of suicide prevention.
Comparative in vitro antibacterial activity of six root canal sealers against Enterococcus faecalis and Proteus vulgaris
Authors: Farmakis Eleftherios‐Terry R. , Kontakiotis Evangelos G. , Tseleni‐Kotsovili Aggelina , Tsatsas Vasilios G.
Published: November 2012

Aim

To evaluate the antimicrobial properties of six endodontic sealers in unset and set states against Enterococcus faecalis and Proteus vulgaris.

Methods

Six endodontic sealers were investigated in the unset and set state against Enterococcus feacalis and Proteus vulgaris using agar diffusion and direct contact tests.

Results

The mean inhibition zones for agar diffusion tests with Enterococcus feacalis were 19 mm for AH‐26, 11 mm for TopSeal and Roth 601, 1 mm for AH‐Plus, and 0 mm for GuttaFlow and EndoREZ (Kruskal–Wallis, P < 0.001). The mean inhibition zones with Proteus vulgaris were 24 mm for Roth 601, 19 mm for TopSeal, 17 mm for AH‐Plus, 16 mm for AH‐26, and 0 mm for GuttaFlow and EndoREZ (Kruskal–Wallis, P < 0.001). Direct contact tests showed inhibition of both Enterococcus feacalis and Proteus vulgaris with AH‐Plus, TopSeal, Roth 601, and AH‐26 in the unset state. Only Roth 601 in the set state affected both the log and the stationary phase of Proteus vulgaris (logistic regression P < 0.001).

Conclusions

With the exception of Roth 601, which retained its antimicrobial activity, the AH‐Plus, TopSeal, and AH‐26 sealers all demonstrated antimicrobial properties against Enterococcus feacalis and Proteus vulgaris that diminished when set. TopSeal significantly affected Enterococcus feacalis when compared with AH‐Plus. GuttaFlow and EndoREZ expressed no antimicrobial activity.
Aide memoires in oral diagnosis: mnemonics and acronyms (the Scully system)
Authors: Scully Crispian
Published: November 2012

This paper highlights some mnemonics and acronyms relevant to orofacial disease.
Abdominal ultrasonography of the normalSt.Kitts vervet monkey (Chlorocebus sabaeus)
Authors: Amory J.T. , Du Plessis W.M. , Beierschmitt A. , Beeler‐Marfisi J. , Palmour R.M. , Beths T.
Published: November 2012

Background

Normal ultrasonography of non‐reproductive abdominal and male reproductive anatomy in the vervet monkey were prospectively assessed. This has not been previously reported.

Methods

Ten non‐sexually active male and 10 non‐gravid female clinically healthy vervet monkeys between 5 and 12 years of age and weighing between 3.13 and 6.85 kg were evaluated with ultrasound. Individuals were randomly divided by gender groups into one of two immobilization protocols and scanned at 18.0 MHz.

Results

High‐quality images of the liver, gallbladder, kidneys, urinary bladder, spleen, adrenal glands, gastrointestinal tract, and testes were acquired. The prostate was never visualized. Abdominal lymph nodes other than an ileocolic, the pancreas, and the female reproductive tract were not evaluated. Gastric and duodenal motility were significantly different between immobilization protocols (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Abdominal sonographic anatomy was successfully characterized and normal size parameters for non‐reproductive abdominal viscera and the testes were established.
It's Not Just What We Encode, but How We Encode It: Associations Between Neuroticism and Learning
Authors: Byrom Nicola C. , Murphy Robin A.
Published: November 2012

Objective

Neuroticism is a strong predictor of future mental health problems. The informativeness of this association has been questioned because of the limited understanding of the mechanisms underlying Neuroticism. In this article the authors extend our understanding of the association between information processing and Neuroticism.

Method

Two independent studies involving separate sets of college students (N = 89 and N = 33), use self‐rated Neuroticism scores to compare individuals' ability to learn simple and more complex discriminations, between simple shapes and words presented alone and in compound.

Results

Neuroticism was found to be associated with differences in learning to discriminate simple stimuli from compounds containing the same simple stimuli. Individuals with high levels of Neuroticism appeared to process compounds of stimuli as whole units even when this ceased to be an effective strategy for learning. In contrast, individuals with lower levels of Neuroticism performed better with discriminations that could be solved while learning about separate stimuli, rather than compounds.

Conclusions

The authors discuss possible mechanisms of learning identified by these tasks and consider what implications their observations have for an understanding of the relationship between Neuroticism and mental health problems.
Melatonin, melatonin isomers and stilbenes in Italian traditional grape products and their antiradical capacity
Authors: Vitalini Sara , Gardana Claudio , Simonetti Paolo , Fico Gelsomina , Iriti Marcello
Published: November 2012

Although polyphenols represent the paradigm of the health‐promoting effects ascribed to grape products, recently, attention has been paid to dietary melatonin, significantly present in Mediterranean foods. In this work, we measured melatonin, its isomers, stilbenes (trans‐ and cis‐resveratrol and their glucosides, piceids) and total polyphenols in some different grape products (red, white and dessert wines, grape juices and Modena balsamic vinegars) of distinct Italian areas. We also evaluated their antiradical activity by DPPH· and ABTS·+ assays. For indoleamine analysis, the separation was carried out on a 1.7‐μm C18 BEH column and the detection performed by means of mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization in positive ion mode with multiple reaction monitoring. The confirmation of the peak identity was accomplished by injection into the high‐resolution system (Orbitrap) using accurate mass measurements (error below 1.0 ppm). Mass spectrometry analyses revealed, for the first time, the presence of melatonin in dessert wines and balsamic vinegars, as well as the occurrence of three different melatonin isomers in grape products.
The Global Dimension of Inflation – Evidence from Factor‐Augmented Phillips Curves*
Authors: Eickmeier Sandra , Pijnenburg Katharina
Published: November 2012

We examine the global dimension of inflation in 24 OECD countries between 1980 and 2007 in a Phillips curve framework. We decompose output gaps and changes in unit labour costs into common (or global) and idiosyncratic components using a factor analysis and introduce these components separately in the regression. We find that the common component of changes in unit labour costs has a notable impact on inflation. Movements in import price inflation (not driven by oil supply) and foreign competition and global interest rate developments also affect inflation. Policy makers need to carefully observe those variables when assessing inflation developments.
Microbial interactions in building of communities
Authors: Wright C.J. , Burns L.H. , Jack A.A. , Back C.R. , Dutton L.C. , Nobbs A.H. , Lamont R.J. , Jenkinson H.F.
Published: November 2012

Establishment of a community is considered to be essential for microbial growth and survival in the human oral cavity. Biofilm communities have increased resilience to physical forces, antimicrobial agents and nutritional variations. Specific cell‐to‐cell adherence processes, mediated by adhesin‐receptor pairings on respective microbial surfaces, are able to direct community development. These interactions co‐localize species in mutually beneficial relationships, such as streptococci, veillonellae, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Candida albicans. In transition from the planktonic mode of growth to a biofilm community, microorganisms undergo major transcriptional and proteomic changes. These occur in response to sensing of diffusible signals, such as autoinducer molecules, and to contact with host tissues or other microbial cells. Underpinning many of these processes are intracellular phosphorylation events that regulate a large number of microbial interactions relevant to community formation and development.
Migraine Treated Using a Prophylactic Combination of Candesartan and Hydrochlorothiazide (ECARD® Combination Tablets LD)
Authors: Akiyama Hisanao , Hasegawa Yasuhiro
Published: November 2012

We describe the use of the antihypertensive, candesartan, with hydrochlorothiazide (ECARD® Combination Tablets LD) as a preventive therapy that decreased the frequency of migraine accompanied by premonitory leg edema. Two women (aged 26 and 50 years) presented to hospital with an increasing frequency of migraine without aura accompanied by leg edema. We prescribed ECARD® half tablet (candesartan, 2 mg and hydrochlorothiazide, 3.125 mg), and the migraines and leg edema disappeared. The use of ECARD® to treat a series of migraines by controlling premonitory leg edema has not been reported. ECARD®, combined with a low‐dose diuretic, may have been helpful in these patients with the premonitory migraine symptom of leg edema.
Deciphering the message of Early Cretaceous drowning surfaces from the Helvetic Alps: What can be learnt from platform to basin correlations?
Authors: Godet Alexis , Föllmi Karl B. , Spangenberg Jorge E. , Bodin Stéphane , Vermeulen Jean , Adatte Thierry , Bonvallet Lucie , Arnaud Hubert
Published: November 2012

Drowning unconformities are a frequent feature of carbonate platforms and generally express the incapacity of shallow‐marine ecosystems to adapt to abrupt sea‐level rise and/or palaeoenvironmental change. During the late Hauterivian and early Barremian, the Helvetic carbonate platform experienced a major drowning phase documented by the phosphate and glauconite‐rich Altmann Member. It has been shown that a drowning unconformity in the form of a hardground at the base of the Altmann Member on the Pilatus summit (central Switzerland) results from a complex, polyphased diagenetic history that includes two main phases of phosphogenesis. Using carbon‐isotope stratigraphy, biostratigraphy and sequence stratigraphy, the correlation of this drowning unconformity from the Helvetic domain with more distal and more complete sedimentary archives allows reconstruction of the sequence‐stratigraphic context of the drowning surface, and also an estimation of the amount of time represented by the episodes of condensation. Unconformities associated with the Altmann Member drowning phase developed during transgressive episodes, when strong currents arrived onto the previously subaerially exposed platform, and periods of phosphogenesis may have lasted up to 2·8 Myr. Variations in trophic levels and hitherto less well‐known intervening emersion phases played an essential triggering role for the Altmann drowning phase. High‐resolution studies of drowning unconformities unravel the diversity of palaeoenvironmental parameters involved in the unfolding of such crises during the evolution of carbonate platforms.
Generation of Potent Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes Against Castration‐Resistant Prostate Cancer Cells by Dendritic Cells Loaded With Dying Allogeneic Prostate Cancer Cells
Authors: Hwang E. C. , Lim M.‐S. , Im C.‐M. , Kwon D.‐D. , Lee H.‐J. , Nguyen‐Pham T.‐N. , Lee Y.‐K. , Lee J.‐J.
Published: November 2012

To induce a potent cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response in dendritic cell (DC)‐based immunotherapy against prostate cancer, various tumour antigens should be loaded onto DCs. The aim of this study was to establish a method of immunotherapy for castration‐resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) using prostate cancer–specific CTLs generated in vitro by DCs. Monocyte‐derived DCs from patients with CRPC were induced to mature using a standard cytokine cocktail (in IL‐1β, TNF‐α, IL‐6 and PGE2: standard DCs, sDCs) or using an α‐type 1‐polarized DC (αDC1) cocktail (in IL‐1β, TNF‐α, IFN‐α, IFN‐γ and polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid) and loaded with the UVB‐irradiated CRPC cell line PC‐3. Antigen‐loaded DCs were evaluated by morphological and functional assays. The αDC1s significantly increased the expression of several molecules related to DC maturation, regardless of whether the αDC1s were loaded with tumour antigens or not, compared to sDCs. The αDC1s showed a higher production of interleukin‐12 both during maturation and after subsequent stimulation with CD40L, which was not significantly affected by loading with tumour antigens, as compared to standard DCs (sDCs). Prostate cancer–specific CTLs against autologous CRPC cells were successfully induced by αDC1s loaded with dying PC‐3 cells. Autologous αDC1s loaded with an allogeneic CRPC cell line can generate greater CRPC‐specific CTL responses as compared to sDCs and may provide a novel source of DC‐based vaccines that can be used for the development of immunotherapy in patients with CRPC.
Quinolinic Alkaloids from Galipea longiflora Krause Suppress Production of Proinflammatory Cytokines in vitro and Control Inflammation in vivo upon Leishmania Infection in Mice
Authors: Calla‐Magariños J. , Quispe T. , Giménez A. , Freysdottir J. , Troye‐Blomberg M. , Fernández C.
Published: November 2012

An antileishmanial activity of quinolinic alkaloids from Galipea longiflora Krause, known as Evanta, has been demonstrated. We have previously shown that, apart from its leishmanicidal effect, in vitro pretreatment of spleen cells with an alkaloid extract of Evanta (AEE) interfered with the proliferation and interferon‐γ production in lymphocytes polyclonally activated either with concanavalin A or anti‐CD3. In the present study, we investigated if AEE could interfere with antigen‐specific lymphocyte activation. We found that in vitro and in vivo treatment reduced recall lymphocyte responses, as measured by IFN‐γ production (55% and 63% reduction compared to untreated cells, respectively). Apart from IFN‐γ, the production of IL‐12 and TNF was also suppressed. No effects were observed for meglumine antimoniate (SbV), the conventional drug used to treat leishmaniasis. When mice infected with Leishmania braziliensis promastigotes in the hind footpad were treated with AEE, the dynamics of the infection changed and the footpath thickness was efficiently controlled. The parasite load was also reduced but to a lesser extent than upon treatment with SbV. Combined treatment efficiently controlled both the thickness and parasite load as smaller lesions during the entire course of the infection were seen in the mice treated with AEE plus SbV compared with AEE or SbV alone. We discuss the benefits of combined administration of AEE plus SbV.
Minor Histocompatibility Antigen UTY as Target for Graft‐versus‐Leukemia and Graft‐versus‐Haematopoiesis in the Canine Model
Authors: Bund D. , Buhmann R. , Gökmen F. , Zorn J. , Kolb H.‐J. , Schmetzer H. M.
Published: November 2012

Male patients with female‐stem‐cell donors have better prognosis compared to female‐to‐male combinations due to Y‐encoded minor histocompatibility antigens recognized by female‐alloimmune‐effector lymphocytes in the context of a graft‐versus‐leukemia (GvL) effect. We provide data in a dog‐model that the minor histocompatibility antigen UTY might be a promising target to further improve GvL‐immune reactions after allogeneic‐stem‐cell transplantations. Female‐canine‐UTY‐specific T cells (CTLs) were stimulated in vitro using autologous‐DCs loaded with three HLA‐A2‐restricted‐UTY‐derived peptides (3‐fold‐expansion), and specific T cell responses were determined in 3/6 female dogs. CTLs specifically recognized/lysed autologous‐female‐peptide‐loaded DCs, but not naïve‐autologous‐female DCs and monocytes. They mainly recognized bone‐marrow (BM) and to a lower extent DCs, monocytes, PBMCs and B‐cells from DLA‐identical‐male littermates and peptide‐loaded T2‐cells in an MHC‐I‐restricted manner. A UTY‐/male‐specific reactivity was also obtained in vivo after stimulation of a female dog with DLA‐identical‐male PBMCs. In summary, we demonstrated natural UTY processing and presentation in dogs. We showed that female‐dog CTLs were specifically stimulated by HLA‐A2‐restricted‐UTY peptides, thereby enabling recognition of DLA‐identical‐male cells, mainly BM cells. These observations suggest UTY as a promising candidate‐antigen to improve GvL‐reactions in the course of immunotherapy.
Use of real‐time quantitative PCR to document successful treatment of Mycoplasma haemocanis infection with doxycycline in a dog
Authors: Pitorri Francesca , Dell'Orco Marta , Carmichael Nick , Barker Emily N. , Hollywood Mike , Tasker Séverine
Published: November 2012

An 8‐year‐old Jack Russell Terrier was diagnosed with hemolytic anemia caused by hemoplasmosis 4 years following splenectomy. Quantitative real‐time PCR (qPCR) analysis was used initially to confirm infection with Mycoplasma haemocanis and subsequently to monitor and direct medical therapy. Doxycycline was administered beyond resolution of clinical signs until hemoplasma DNA could no longer be detected by qPCR. The dog remained clinically healthy and hemoplasma‐negative 8 months following cessation of therapy. Canine hemoplasmosis should remain as a differential diagnosis for hemolytic anemia in dogs, particularly those that are splenectomized or immunocompromised, even in geographic regions where prevalence of infection is low. Prolonged doxycycline administration has been shown by qPCR to lead to sustained absence of detectable infection and should be considered as a first line treatment for canine hemoplasmosis.
Descending control of the respiratory neuronal network by the midbrain periaqueductal grey in the rat in vivo
Authors: Subramanian Hari H.
Published: November 2012

Key points

Basic respiratory rhythm is generated and maintained by neurones located in the medulla oblongata.

This basic respiratory rhythm is changed by neurones in the region called the periaqueductal grey (PAG) located in the midbrain, in order to modulate breathing for behaviour and emotional expressivity.

How the PAG converts basic respiratory rhythm into behavioural breathing is not known.

In this study I investigated the influence of the PAG on two important populations of medullary neurones, the late‐inspiratory (late‐I) and post‐inspiratory (post‐I) neurones, which are thought to be involved in mediating rhythmic inspiration to expiration phase transition.

I show that the PAG modulates the activity of the medullary late‐I and post‐I neurones, and this modulation contributes to the conversion of basic breathing into behavioural breathing.

Abstract  Emotional reactions such as vocalization take place during expiration, and thus expression of emotional behaviour requires a switch from inspiration to expiration. I investigated how the midbrain periaqueductal grey (PAG), a known behavioural modulator of breathing, influences the inspiratory‐to‐expiratory phase transition. Contemporary models propose that late inspiratory (late‐I) and post‐inspiratory (post‐I) neurones found in the medulla, which are active during the inspiratory‐to‐expiratory phase transition are involved in converting inspiration to expiration. I examined the effect of excitatory amino acid (d,l‐homocysteic acid; DLH) stimulation of the PAG on the discharge function of late‐I and post‐I neurones. The data show a topographical organization of DLH‐induced late‐I and post‐I neuronal modulation within the PAG. Dorsal PAG stimulation induced tachypnoea and caused excitation of both the late‐I and post‐I neurones. Lateral PAG induced inspiratory prolongation and caused an excitation of late‐I neurones but inhibition of post‐I neurones. Ventrolateral PAG induced expiratory prolongation and caused a persistent activation of post‐I neurones. As well, PAG stimulation modulated both the late‐I and post‐I cells for least two–three breaths even prior to the change in respiratory motor pattern. This indicates that the PAG influences the late‐I and post‐I cells independent of pulmonary or other sensory afferent feedback. I conclude that the PAG modulates the activity of the medullary late‐I and post‐I neurones, and this modulation contributes to the conversion of eupnoea into a behavioural breathing pattern.
An Analytical Solution of Residual Stresses for Shrink-Fit Two-Layer Cylinders After Autofrettage Based on Actual Material Behavior
Authors: Gexia Yuan , Hongzhao Liu
Published: November 2012

To enhance the pressure capacity and the life of a pressure vessel, different processes such as shrink-fit and autofrettage are usually employed. For autofrettaged and shrink-fit multilayer cylinders, numerical solutions for determining the residual stress distribution have been reported. However, few studies about the analytical method are available. In this study, an analytical solution was presented for shrink-fit two-layer cylinders after autofrettage based on the actual tensile-compressive stress–strain curve of material. The new analytical method accurately predicted a residual stress distribution, and it could be used to design two-layer compound cylinders. In this method, unloading and shrink-fitting were considered as a simultaneous operation for an inner cylinder, allowing for a simple and accurate analysis. Some significant factors were taken into account, including the nonlinear behavior of an original autofrettaged inner layer in the shrink-fitting process and a material’s different unloading behavior at different maximum tensile affects back-yielding. The results of the proposed method were in excellent agreement with the results from the simulation performed by ansys. The results indicated that an increased shrink-fit pressure expanded the back-yielding zone of the inner cylinders, and did not affect the back-yielding zone of the outer cylinders. The optimum percentages overstrain depend on the working pressure when the shrink-fit pressure, cylinder size, and material are defined, and inner and outer cylinders have different optimum percentages overstrain.
Infill-Drilling Potential in Tight Gas Reservoirs
Authors: Luo Shu , Kelkar Mohan
Published: November 2012

Many operators of tight gas reservoir fields are interested in determining the infill well potential in these fields. Over drilling may prove to be uneconomical; whereas, under drilling would leave unexplored reserves under the ground. In predicting EUR (expected ultimate recovery) of a potential infill well, operators are interested in knowing what percentage of the production will be come from incremental reserves (newly accessed) and what percentage is from acceleration reserves (which can be produced from existing wells). So, higher the percentage of incremental reserves better is the potential of an infill well. In this paper, we present a novel method for determining the incremental versus acceleration potential for infill well in a tight gas reservoir. We evaluate the existing wells by plotting the data in a form so that the data can be linearly extrapolated. Then, we can predict the EUR for individual wells before and after new wells in the vicinity are drilled. By knowing how much gas is “diverted” from the older wells, we determine the acceleration component of an infill well. By repeating the process as the field is being developed, we can determine the fraction of acceleration and incremental components of the EUR at each stage of infill drilling. We will also know how the EUR is changing as the well spacing is slowly reduced. To ensure our results are reasonable, we also compare our EUR values with EUR’s reported by the operator as proved reserves. Armed with this information, we can extrapolate infill well potential for a smaller spacing, including the contribution due to acceleration versus incremental production. We applied this procedure for Wamsutter field in Wyoming. Using the procedure, we recommended infill well locations to the operator. Operator has drilled seven wells based on our recommendations. Using this new method, we can predict the EUR for infill well as well as acceleration and incremental contribution of the infill well. Thus, potential of infill wells at different locations can be evaluated and compared.
Comparison of Two Different Vertical Column Photobioreactors for the Cultivation of Nannochloropsis sp.
Authors: Roncallo Oscar Pupo , García Freites Samira , Paternina Castillo Edgardo , Bula Silvera Antonio , Cortina Adriana , Acuña Francisco
Published: November 2012

A photobioreactor (PBR) for microalgae culture is a highly efficient system for biomass production. In the present study, the performance of an airlift (ALR) (with a centric-tube column) and a bubble column (BC) photobioreactors were compared considering Nannochloropsis sp. growth. The experiments were carried out keeping average light intensity, temperature, volume culture, and CO2 supply constant, while cell concentration and pH level were measured and examined. Furthermore, a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation in cfx, ansys 11.0, was developed using a multiphase flow model with an Eulerian approach to evaluate the hydrodynamic behavior of both systems. The results showed that a higher cell concentration (375 × 105 cell/ml) was obtained in the airlift PBR yielding a better growth rate than the bubble column PBR. In terms of hydrodynamic performance, the existence of the centric-tube in the airlift system shows a well-defined flow pattern, better light distribution cycle, and more effective mixing. These hydrodynamic characteristic of the airlift PBR may allow a better yield for the microalgae biomass production.
A clinically feasible method for the detection of potential collision in proton therapy
Authors: Zou Wei , Lin Haibo , Plastaras John P. , Wang Huanshu , Bui Viet , Vapiwala Neha , McDonough James , Tochner Zelig , Both Stefan
Published: November 2012

Purpose:

Potential collision between the patient/couch and the gantry could delay the start of the treatment and reduce clinical efficiency. The ability to accurately detect possible collisions during the treatment planning phase is desired. Such collision detection should account for the specific proton gantry design, the treatment beam configuration, couch orientation, and the patient specific geometry. In this paper the authors developed an approach to detect possible patient‐machine collisions using patient treatment plan data.

Methods:

The geometry of the machine and the patient was reconstructed relative to the isocenter of the proton treatment room. The surface contour of the gantry was first captured from the proton computer aided design and reconstructed to account for specific gantry rotation, snout position, collimator rotation, and range compensator dimensions based on the patient treatment plan data. The patient body and couch contours were captured from the patientˈs CT DICOM structure file. They were reconstructed relative to the isocenter taking into account treatment couch rotation. For potential collision that occurs at body portions where no CT images exist, scout images are used to construct the body contour. A software program was developed using a ray casting algorithm that was applied to detect collisions by determining if any of the patient and couch contour points fall into the spatial polygons formed by the proton gantry surfaces.

Results:

Twenty‐four patient plans with or without potential collisions were retrospectively identified and analyzed using the collision detection software. In addition, five collision cases were artificially generated using an anthropomorphic phantom. The program successfully detected the collisions in all cases. The calculation time for each case was within 20 s. The software program was implemented in the authors’ clinic to detect patient‐gantry or gantry‐couch collisions in the treatment planning phase.

Conclusions:

The authors developed a fast and clinically feasible patient‐specific collision detection program for proton therapy based on a ray casting algorithm. If incorporated during the treatment planning phase it may lead to improved clinical efficiency. This methodology could also be applied to patient collision detection in photon therapy.
Fast parallel algorithms for the x‐ray transform and its adjoint
Authors: Gao Hao
Published: November 2012

Purpose:

Iterative reconstruction methods often offer better imaging quality and allow for reconstructions with lower imaging dose than classical methods in computed tomography. However, the computational speed is a major concern for these iterative methods, for which the x‐ray transform and its adjoint are two most time‐consuming components. The speed issue becomes even notable for the 3D imaging such as cone beam scans or helical scans, since the x‐ray transform and its adjoint are frequently computed as there is usually not enough computer memory to save the corresponding system matrix. The purpose of this paper is to optimize the algorithm for computing the x‐ray transform and its adjoint, and their parallel computation.

Methods:

The fast and highly parallelizable algorithms for the x‐ray transform and its adjoint are proposed for the infinitely narrow beam in both 2D and 3D. The extension of these fast algorithms to the finite‐size beam is proposed in 2D and discussed in 3D.

Results:

The CPU and GPU codes are available athttps://sites.google.com/site/fastxraytransform. The proposed algorithm is faster than Siddonˈs algorithm for computing the x‐ray transform. In particular, the improvement for the parallel computation can be an order of magnitude.

Conclusions:

The authors have proposed fast and highly parallelizable algorithms for the x‐ray transform and its adjoint, which are extendable for the finite‐size beam. The proposed algorithms are suitable for parallel computing in the sense that the computational cost per parallel thread is O(1).
Emission guided radiation therapy for lung and prostate cancers: A feasibility study on a digital patient
Authors: Fan Qiyong , Nanduri Akshay , Mazin Samuel , Zhu Lei
Published: November 2012

Purpose:

Accurate tumor tracking remains a challenge in current radiation therapy. Many strategies including image guided radiation therapy alleviate the problem to certain extents. The authors propose a new modality called emission guided radiation therapy (EGRT) to accurately and directly track the tumor based on its biological signature. This work is to demonstrate the feasibility of EGRT under two clinical scenarios using a 4D digital patient model.

Methods:

EGRT uses lines of response (LOR's) from positron emission events to direct beamlets of therapeutic radiation through the emission sites inside a tumor. This is accomplished by a radiation delivery system consisting of a Linac and positron emission tomography (PET) detectors on a fast rotating closed‐ring gantry. During the treatment of radiotracer‐administrated cancer patients, PET detectors collect LORˈs from tumor uptake sites and the Linac responds in nearly real‐time with beamlets of radiation along the same LOR paths. Moving tumors are therefore treated with a high targeting accuracy. Based on the EGRT concept, the authors design a treatment method with additional modulation algorithms including attenuation correction and an integrated boost scheme. Performance is evaluated using simulations of a lung tumor case with 3D motion and a prostate tumor case with setup errors. The emission process is simulated by Geant4 Application for Tomographic Emission package (GATE) and Linac dose delivery is simulated using a voxel‐based Monte Carlo algorithm (VMC++).

Results:

In the lung case with attenuation correction, compared to a conventional helical treatment, EGRT achieves a 41% relative increase in dose to 95% of the gross tumor volume (GTV) and a 55% increase to 50% of the GTV. All dose distributions are normalized for the same dose to the lung. In the prostate case with the integrated boost and no setup error, EGRT yields a 19% and 55% relative dose increase to 95% and 50% of the GTV, respectively, when all methods are normalized for the same dose to the rectum. In the prostate case with integrated boost where setup error is present, EGRT contributes a 21% and 52% relative dose increase to 95% and 50% of the GTV, respectively.

Conclusions:

As a new radiation therapy modality with inherent tumor tracking, EGRT has the potential to substantially improve targeting in radiation therapy in the presence of intrafractional and interfractional motion.
The Rise of Nuclear Fear.
Authors: Hendee William R.
Published: November 2012

The Rise of Nuclear Fear. Spencer R. Weart, Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA, 2012. 367 pp. Price: $21.95. ISBN: 9780674052338 (paperback).
Penalization of aperture complexity in inversely planned volumetric modulated arc therapy
Authors: Younge Kelly C. , Matuszak Martha M. , Moran Jean M. , McShan Daniel L. , Fraass Benedick A. , Roberts Donald A.
Published: November 2012

Purpose:

Apertures obtained during volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) planning can be small and irregular, resulting in dosimetric inaccuracies during delivery. Our purpose is to develop and integrate an aperture‐regularization objective function into the optimization process for VMAT, and to quantify the impact of using this objective function on dose delivery accuracy and optimized dose distributions.

Methods:

An aperture‐based metric (“edge penalty”) was developed that penalizes complex aperture shapes based on the ratio of MLC side edge length and aperture area. To assess the utility of the metric, VMAT plans were created for example paraspinal, brain, and liver SBRT cases with and without incorporating the edge penalty in the cost function. To investigate the dose calculation accuracy, Gafchromic EBT2 film was used to measure the 15 highest weighted apertures individually and as a composite from each of two paraspinal plans: one with and one without the edge penalty applied. Films were analyzed using a triple‐channel nonuniformity correction and measurements were compared directly to calculations.

Results:

Apertures generated with the edge penalty were larger, more regularly shaped and required up to 30% fewer monitor units than those created without the edge penalty. Dose volume histogram analysis showed that the changes in doses to targets, organs at risk, and normal tissues were negligible. Edge penalty apertures that were measured with film for the paraspinal plan showed a notable decrease in the number of pixels disagreeing with calculation by more than 10%. For a 5% dose passing criterion, the number of pixels passing in the composite dose distributions for the non‐edge penalty and edge penalty plans were 52% and 96%, respectively. Employing gamma with 3% dose/1 mm distance criteria resulted in a 79.5% (without penalty)/95.4% (with penalty) pass rate for the two plans. Gradient compensation of 3%/1 mm resulted in 83.3%/96.2% pass rates.

Conclusions:

The use of the edge penalty during optimization has the potential to markedly improve dose delivery accuracy for VMAT plans while still maintaining high quality optimized dose distributions. The penalty regularizes aperture shape and improves delivery efficiency.
Grb2, a Double-Edged Sword of Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Signaling
Authors: Belov Artur A. , Mohammadi Moosa
Published: November 2012

The adaptor Grb2 plays both positive and negative roles in FGF receptor signaling.
Science Signaling
Podcast: 6 November 2012
Authors: Frohman Michael A. , VanHook Annalisa M.
Published: November 2012

A lipid signaling enzyme promotes the growth, vascularization, and metastasis of tumors in mice.
Connecting TrkB to Dendritic Remodeling
Authors: Gough Nancy R.
Published: November 2012

Serine phosphorylation of the neurotrophin receptor TrkB by Cdk5 contributes to synaptic plasticity and memory in mice.