bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mechanisms of Action of Acupuncture for Chronic Pain Relief – Polymodal Receptors Are the Key Candidates
Authors: Kawakita Kenji , Okada Kaoru
Published: April 2009

Therapeutic benefits of acupuncture for chronic pain patients have been clearly identified in recent clinical trials. Underlying mechanisms of acupuncture action mediated by endogenous opioids have been well demonstrated. The existence of pain inhibitory systems in the central nervous system has also been clarified and acupuncture seems to be a potent stimulus for activating the analgesic systems, although the pain mechanisms in acute and chronic states are essentially different. On the other hand, the exact nature of the acupuncture point still remains unclear. Here, we propose a key role of polymodal receptors (PMR) in acupuncture and moxibustion and offer a rational explanation of the acupuncture point as a sensitised PMR.

Moxibustion (burning of moxa) therapy has been shown by medical historians to predate the use of acupuncture, and the meridian theory developed in association with moxibustion treatment. A variety of sensory receptors are activated by acupuncture and/or moxibustion, but there are very few that can be excited by both stimuli. PMRs are one of the most promising candidates. The functional characteristics of PMRs correspond with those of acupuncture action in the periphery; and tender or trigger points, one of the primitive features of acupuncture points, are assumed to be the sites of sensitised PMRs. Diffuse noxious inhibitory control (DNIC) is proposed as a possible mechanism of immediate action of acupuncture, and inputs for the development of DNIC seem to be the PMRs.

In our experimental model, repeated eccentric contractions of muscle produced local tenderness at the palpable band and induced a typical referred pain pattern on application of pressure. Repeated indomethacin injections inhibited the production of the experimental trigger point.

These lines of evidence suggest that the acupuncture points are the sites where the PMRs are sensitised and that such conditions might be repeatedly produced by various biomechanical stressors, insufficient blood supply and metabolic products.
The Characteristics of Middle Aged Australian Women who Consult Acupuncturists
Authors: Sibbritt David , Adams Jon , Young Anne F
Published: April 2009

Background

Although an increase in the use of acupuncture in recent years has been identified, there are few studies that focus attention upon the characteristics of acupuncture users. This survey aimed at providing a first step towards addressing this significant research gap.

Methods

This study was conducted as part of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health, and examined the characteristics of acupuncture users among middle aged Australian women between 50 and 55 years old. Data were collected on demographic measures, health status and health service use.

Results

The paper reports on 11 202 middle aged women, surveyed in 2001. We estimate that 4.5% of middle aged women consult an acupuncturist. Women who consult an acupuncturist are less likely to be married or living in a de facto relationship, are more likely to have had a major personal illness in the previous year, to have suffered from a variety of symptoms or have significantly lower scores (ie poorer health) on all eight dimensions of the SF-36 health-related quality of life scale. Women who use acupuncture are also higher users of ‘conventional’ health services.

Conclusion

While the development of a research base and clinical applications for acupuncture are ongoing, health professionals should be aware that acupuncture is currently being used by large numbers of middle aged women. In addition, given the relatively higher prevalence of acupuncture use reported in our study, it is important that further research explores acupuncture use in more detail and the relationship between women's health issues and their use and experience of acupuncture.
Bell's Palsy following Acupuncture Treatment – a Case Report
Authors: Rosted Palle , Woolley David R
Published: April 2009

A case of Bell's palsy after acupuncture is presented. It concerns a healthy 47 year old man who developed Bell's palsy less than 24 hours after local acupuncture treatment for temporomandibular dysfunction. The Bell's palsy recovered within two weeks, and may have been caused by a haematoma around the facial nerve.
Are Reviews Based on Sham Acupuncture Procedures in Fibromyalgia Syndrome (Fms) Valid?
Authors: Lundeberg Thomas , Lund Iréne
Published: April 2009

In recent reviews regarding the efficacy of acupuncture in fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) it has been concluded that acupuncture has no specific effect since the control procedure (superficial needling and/or needling away from ‘specific’ points) had similar effects. These conclusions may be questioned since superficial needling and/or needling away from specific trigger points is not inert. Also, manual acupuncture or mild electroacupuncture (EA) may not be sufficient to activate the endogenous pain inhibiting system.

Patients with FMS suffer from allodynia, fatigue and muscle ache, which is partly explained by peripheral and central sensitisation. Sensitisation results in augmented and altered stimulus responses whereby light stimulation of the skin has as strong an effect as regular needling on the pain inhibitory system in FMS.

Central sensitisation in FMS is also associated with expanded receptive fields of central neurons resulting in a larger topographic distribution of the pain. This would suggest that control procedures using needling away from the ‘specific site’ might have as strong an effect as needling within the most painful area. Also, repeated nociceptive input from muscles (as obtained by de qi) results in expansion of receptive fields which in turn may result in activation of descending pain inhibition outside the stimulated myotome.

Sensitisation to pain, such as in FMS, may also be related to abnormalities in descending efferent pathways. As there is likely to be an imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory systems in FMS, stronger stimulation may therefore be needed to activate the descending pain inhibitory system. In studies using mild manual acupuncture or weak EA stimulation optimal pain inhibition may therefore not have been obtained.

When conducting studies on acupuncture, the clinical condition or syndrome needs to be taken into account and the control procedure designed accordingly.
Acupuncture, Ketamine and Piriformis Syndrome – a Case Report from Palliative Care
Authors: Spiller Juliet
Published: April 2009

This case history gives the unusual presentation of piriformis syndrome as the immediate cause of symptoms for a patient with spinal stenosis and non Hodgkin's lymphoma in a palliative care setting. It also details the relief and subsequent resolution of symptoms with acupuncture where strong opioids and neuropathic agents such as gabapentin and ketamine were providing only minimal relief.
High Volume Acupuncture Clinic (Hvac) for Chronic Knee Pain – Audit of a Possible Model for Delivery of Acupuncture in the National Health Service
Authors: Berkovitz Saul , Cummings Mike , Perrin Chris , Ito Rieko
Published: April 2009

Recent research has established the efficacy, effectiveness and cost effectiveness of acupuncture for some forms of chronic musculoskeletal pain. However, there are practical problems with delivery which currently prevent its large scale implementation in the National Health Service. We have developed a delivery model at our hospital, a ‘high volume’ acupuncture clinic (HVAC) in which patients are treated in a group setting for single conditions using standardised or semi-standardised electroacupuncture protocols by practitioners with basic training. We discuss our experiences using this model for chronic knee pain and present an outcome audit for the first 77 patients, demonstrating satisfactory initial (eight week) clinical results. Longer term (one year) data are currently being collected and the model should next be tested in primary care to confirm its feasibility.
Defining an Adequate Dose of Acupuncture Using a Neurophysiological Approach – a Narrative Review of the Literature
Authors: White Adrian , Cummings Mike , Barlas Panos , Cardini Francesco , Filshie Jacqueline , Foster Nadine E , Lundeberg Thomas , Stener-Victorin Elisabet , Witt Claudia
Published: April 2009

Many different styles of acupuncture practice exist, and lack of agreement on the optimal acupuncture treatment for any particular condition may mean that some patients do not receive the best treatment. This uncertainty also makes the negative results of sham controlled trials difficult to interpret. Unless we can be sure that both adequate acupuncture and an inactive sham were used in a particular trial, then that trial should not be interpreted as dismissing acupuncture for that condition.

Acupuncture practice clearly involves much more than needling procedures, but there is a strong argument for elucidating the role of those needling procedure first. The components of acupuncture needling procedures have been described in the STRICTA document, but it is also clear that the patient's perception of needling is relevant for the outcome of treatment.

We therefore recommend the concept of ‘dose’ of acupuncture needling, which should include both the stimulus given to the patient, and certain aspects of the patient's perceptions and response that are known to be linked to the subsequent therapeutic response. We propose the following definition of dose: the physical procedures applied in each session, using one or more needles, taking account of the patient's resulting perception (sensory, affective and cognitive) and other responses (including motor). The dose may be affected by the state of the patient (eg nervous, immune and endocrine systems); different doses may be required for different conditions.

The constituents of an adequate dose can be established initially by clinical opinion and subsequently by empirical evidence from experimental studies, which may be either clinical or basic research studies.

Systematic reviews which do not consider the adequacy of the acupuncture treatment may have unreliable conclusions. Out of 47 recent systematic reviews, only six have applied some criteria for adequacy. Five used a rating system or conducted a subgroup analysis, and one excluded studies from the analysis altogether if they did not meet criteria for adequacy.

Research into what constitutes an adequate dose of acupuncture has long been neglected and is now urgent. Clinical studies that compare the effects of different treatment protocols are probably the most reliable source of evidence, and may also demonstrate a dose-response relationship.
A Blinded Randomised Trial of Acupuncture (Manual and Electroacupuncture) Compared with a Non-Penetrating Sham for the Symptoms of Osteoarthritis of the Knee
Authors: Jubb Ronald W , Tukmachi Emad S , Jones Peter W , Dempsey Emma , Waterhouse Lynn , Brailsford Sue
Published: April 2009

Objectives

To compare the effect of acupuncture (manual and electroacupuncture) with that of a non-penetrating sham (‘placebo’ needle) in patients with osteoarthritic knee pain and disability who are blind to the treatment allocation.

Methods

Acupuncture naive patients with symptomatic and radiological evidence of osteoarthritis of the knee were randomly allocated to a course of either acupuncture or non-penetrating sham acupuncture using a sheathed ‘placebo’ needle system. Acupuncture points for pain and stiffness were selected according to acupuncture theory for treating Bi syndrome. Both manual and electrical stimulation were used. Response was assessed using the WOMAC index for osteoarthritis of the knee, self reported pain scale, the EuroQol score and plasma β-endorphin. The effectiveness of blinding was assessed.

Results

There were 34 patients in each group. The primary end point was the change in WOMAC pain score after the course of treatment. Comparison between the two treatment groups found a significantly greater improvement with acupuncture (mean difference 60, 95% CI 5 to 116, P=0.035) than with sham. Within the acupuncture group there was a significant improvement in pain (baseline 294, mean change 95, 95% CI 60 to 130, P<0.001) which was not seen by those who had sham acupuncture (baseline 261, mean change 35, 95% CI-10 to 80, P=0.12). Similar effects within group, but not between groups, were seen with the secondary end points of WOMAC stiffness, WOMAC function, and self reported pain. One month after treatment the between group pain difference had been lost (mean difference 46; 95% CI −9 to 100, P=0.10) although the acupuncture group was still benefiting compared to baseline (mean difference 59; 95% CI 16 to 102, P=0.009). The EuroQol score, a generic measure of health related quality of life, was not altered by the treatments. A minority of patients correctly guessed their treatment group (41% in the acupuncture group and 44% in the control group). Plasma β-endorphin levels were not affected by either treatment.

Conclusions

Acupuncture gives symptomatic improvement for patients with osteoarthritis of the knee, and is significantly superior to non-penetrating sham acupuncture. The study did not confirm earlier reports of release of plasma β-endorphin during acupuncture.
Pupillary Response Induced by Acupuncture Stimulation – An Experimental Study
Authors: Mori Hidetoshi , Ueda Shoichi , Kuge Hiroshi , Taniwaki Eiichi , Tanaka Tim Hideaki , Adachi Kiyoshi , Nishijo Kazushi
Published: April 2009

Objectives

To investigate whether acupuncture stimulation affects autonomic nerve function by measuring pupil diameters with electronic pupillography.

Methods

Two studies were conducted (Experiment 1 and 2) in the Tsukuba University of Technology, Tsukuba, Japan. Experiment 1 examined the responses before, during and after acupuncture. Experiment 2 compared acupuncture and a no acupuncture control in a two period, repeated measurement crossover design. Twelve healthy male university students were recruited for Experiment 1 and nine healthy male university students for Experiment 2. The intervention was superficial acupuncture at the acupuncture point TE5. Following the insertion, gentle repetitive tapping stimulation was applied during the subject's exhalation phase in a sitting position for 90 seconds. The main outcome measures in Experiment 1 were pupil diameter, heart rate, pulse wave and blood pressure. In both experiments, pupil diameter was measured for three minutes before acupuncture stimulation, during stimulation and for three minutes after stimulation.

Results

In Experiment 1, a decrease in pupil diameter was observed after acupuncture stimulation (P=0.018) and a decrease in heart rate was observed during the stimulation (P=0.049). Moreover, a significant decrease of pulse wave amplitude was observed during and after acupuncture stimulation. In Experiment 2, a decrease in pupil diameter occurred after acupuncture stimulation (P=0.007), whereas no change occurred under the no acupuncture control.

Conclusions

It is thought that the pupillary constriction observed after gentle, superficial acupuncture stimulation may be attributed to an increase of parasympathetic nerve function. Further study is necessary in order to further clarify the duration of the observed response and to elucidate the mechanisms behind it.
Investigating the Safety of Electroacupuncture with a Picoscope™
Authors: Thompson John W , Cummings Mike
Published: April 2009

Our wish to know more about the paths taken by electrical currents in electroacupuncture (EA) with special reference to the heart, particularly in patients with an implanted pacemaker, prompted us to undertake this study. Using ourselves as subjects, we have developed a safe oscillographic method to detect, visualise and record the EA currents that avoids the use of equipment requiring mains electricity. After two trials with unsatisfactory equipment, we found that the newly developed model 3425 PicoScope™ (Pico Technology Ltd), with a four channel differential amplifier input connected to a laptop PC operating in battery mode, satisfied our criteria. With this recording system, we carried out two sets of experiments in which EA was provided by a Cefar acus4™ stimulator. The results confirm that the placement of a pair of acupuncture needles for EA can be used to predict the paths taken by the stimulating currents, and thus their areas of likely influence. When the needles are placed in closely adjacent acupuncture points in a limb, there is little or no detectable spread of the currents along the limb or into the chest. By contrast, when the needles are placed far apart, the electrical currents spread widely. Thus, when each of a pair of needles is placed in a point on opposite arms, the electrical currents recorded in the area of the pectoral muscles is of an order that might trigger an abnormal cardiac rhythm in a susceptible heart or activate a cardiac pacemaker incorporating an intracardiac defibrillator (ICD). Our results confirm the guidelines for EA safe practice recommended by the British Medical Acupuncture Society (BMAS) to avoid adverse events, ie EA should not be applied such that the current is likely to traverse the heart. We can now be confident that electric fields generated by pairs of needles below the knee or elbow do not create detectable currents in the chest. It is likely that similar results would be obtained with the use of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) but this remains to be established by additional experiments.
The Effect of Electrical Stimulation of the Pudendal Nerve on Sciatic Nerve Blood Flow in Animals
Authors: Inoue Motohiro , Hojo Tatsuya , Nakajima Miwa , Kitakoji Hiroshi , Itoi Megumi , Katsumi Yasukazu
Published: April 2009

Objective

To investigate the mechanism of the clinical effect of electroacupuncture of the pudendal nerve on the lumbar and lower limb symptoms caused by lumbar spinal canal stenosis, we studied changes in sciatic nerve blood flow during electrical stimulation of the pudendal nerve in the rat.

Methods

Using rats (n=5), efferent electrical stimulation to the pudendal nerve was performed and sciatic nerve blood flow was measured with laser Doppler flowmetry. Simultaneously, changes in the blood pressure and cardiac rate were measured. Furthermore, the effect of atropine on these responses to the stimulation was also studied.

Results

Electrical stimulation of the pudendal nerve significantly increased blood flow in the sciatic nerve transiently without increasing heart rate and systemic blood pressure. The significant increase in the sciatic nerve blood flow disappeared after administration of atropine.

Conclusion

Electrical stimulation of the pudendal nerve causes a transient and significant increase in sciatic nerve blood flow. This response is eliminated or attenuated by administration of atropine, indicating that it occurs mainly via cholinergic nerves.
Intramuscular and Periosteal Acupuncture in Patients Suffering from Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain – a Controlled Trial
Authors: Hansson Ylva , Carlsson Christer , Olsson Elisabeth
Published: April 2009

Background

Periosteal acupuncture has shown promising results in clinical practice. The aim was to compare three patient groups: one with intramuscular acupuncture, one with periosteal acupuncture, and a third information control group, with respect to clinically relevant pain relief, physical functioning and intake of analgesics in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain in the neck or low back or both. We reported the psychological changes in these patients in a previous issue of this journal.

Methods

144 consecutive patients with nociceptive pain for >3 months, aged 18–70 years were alternately allocated to: intramuscular acupuncture (n=59); periosteal acupuncture (n=55); or control group with information only (n=30). All patients were encouraged to stay active. Acupuncture was administered with eight treatments during five weeks, and two optional additional treatments after one month. Pain was estimated with a daily VAS in a pain diary and with an average weekly pain score. Clinically relevant pain relief was defined as at least a 30% decrease from the initial value. Physical functioning was evaluated with Disability Rating Index. All estimations were performed prior to treatment, one week after, and one, three and six months after treatment.

Results

There were no differences between the effects of the two acupuncture methods. There were differences between each of the two acupuncture groups compared with the control group on all test occasions up to one month after treatment with respect to the pain diary and one week after treatment with respect to pain last week (P<0.05). Pain relief as measured by a pain diary was obtained in 29 patients in the intramuscular acupuncture group, 25 in the periosteal acupuncture group, and 5 patients in the control group. Six months after treatment, 46% of the intramuscular acupuncture patients and 45% of the periosteal acupuncture patients had obtained pain relief in terms of the pain diary. The corresponding figure for pain last week was 29% in each group.

Conclusion

Periosteal pecking was no more effective than standard intramuscular acupuncture, but both were more effective than information only.
Laser Acupuncture Analgesia: An Overview
Authors: Baxter David
Published: April 2009

In recent years, low power laser therapy has become a popular treatment modality. While its use as an alternative to needles in acupuncture is contentious, the studies reviewed above demonstrate the possibility of analgesic effects with such treatments. However, the majority of the trials conducted to date can be criticised on a number of points. This has contributed to the criticism surrounding the technique. Furthermore, the clinical significance of such treatment parameters as wavelength, energy density and pulsing frequency are poorly understood. Further research is therefore necessary on a number of levels: clinically to validate the claims made on behalf of lasers, and experimentally to identify optimum values for treatment parameters. Hopefully, as research in this field progresses, clinicians will benefit from firm treatment guidelines.

While in the final analysis lasers will probably never be able to replace needles, the potential advantages in their use in HLTVor hepatitis patients are obvious. Squeamish or very young patients may also react more favourably to laser rather than needle acupuncture. To this end, laser acupuncture represents a challenging and interesting field for future research.
The Influence of New Scalp Acupuncture According to Yamamoto on Changes of Pain Threshold
Authors: Umlauf Richard
Published: April 2009

New scalp acupuncture according to Yamamoto (YNSA) was compared with standard electroacupuncture for patients with shoulder pain. Ipsilateral YNSA treatment was found to give more effective pain relief than either contralateral YNSA or electroacupuncture.
Activation of the NC–H bond of Morita–Baylis–Hillman adducts of N-substituted isatins with cerium ammonium nitrate (CAN) and alcohol (ROH)
Authors: Shanmugam Ponnusamy , Vaithiyanathan Vadivel
Published: April 2009

A study on the activation of the NC–H bond of Morita–Baylis–Hillman adducts of N-substituted isatin with cerium ammonium nitrate (CAN) and saturated and unsaturated alcohols have been carried out. The choice of a Morita–Baylis–Hillman adduct for this study is screened with a number of adducts. A comparative and reactivity pattern study on NC-H activation of Morita–Baylis–Hillman adducts of N-substituted isatin derivatives viz. N-methyl, N-ethyl, N-methyl acetate, N-benzyl, N-propargyl, and N-isopropyl isatins have been carried out. Effect of aryl ring substitution has also been investigated. A plausible mechanism for the formation of the ether products has been outlined.
FIBER PRODUCTS OF ELLIPTIC SURFACES WITH SECTION AND ASSOCIATED KUMMER FIBRATIONS
Authors: KAPUSTKA GRZEGORZ , KAPUSTKA MICHAŁ
Published: April 2009

We investigate Calabi–Yau three folds which are small resolutions of fiber products of elliptic surfaces with section admitting reduced fibers. We start by the classification of all fibers that can appear on such varieties. Then, we find formulas to compute the Hodge numbers of obtained three folds in terms of the types of singular fibers of the elliptic surfaces. Next, we study Kummer fibrations associated to these fiber products.
ABELIAN FUNCTIONS FOR TRIGONAL CURVES OF DEGREE FOUR AND DETERMINANTAL FORMULAE IN PURELY TRIGONAL CASE
Authors: ÔNISHI YOSHIHIRO
Published: April 2009

We give the Frobenius–Stickelberger-type and Kiepert-type determinantal formulae for purely trigonal curves of genus three. We explain also general theory of Abelian functions for any trigonal curves of genus three.
ABOUT THE $\bar{\partial}$-EQUATION AT ISOLATED SINGULARITIES WITH REGULAR EXCEPTIONAL SET
Authors: RUPPENTHAL JEAN
Published: April 2009

Let Y be a pure dimensional analytic variety in ℂnwith an isolated singularity at the origin such that the exceptional set X of a desingularization of Y is regular. The main objective of the present paper is to present a technique which allows us to determine obstructions to the solvability of the [Formula: see text] equation in the L2, respectively L∞, sense on Y* = Y\{0} in terms of certain cohomology classes on X. More precisely, let Ω ⊂⊂ Y be a Stein domain with 0 ∈ Ω, Ω* = Ω\{0}. We give a sufficient condition for the solvability of the [Formula: see text] equation in the L2-sense on Ω*; and in the L∞sense, if Ω is in addition strongly pseudoconvex. If Y is an irreducible cone, we also give some necessary conditions and obtain optimal Hölder estimates for solutions of the [Formula: see text] equation.
SUPPLY CHAIN COORDINATION WITH CVaR CRITERION
Authors: YANG LEI , XU MINGHUI , YU GANG , ZHANG HANQIN
Published: April 2009

We study the coordination of supply chains with a risk-neutral supplier and a risk-averse retailer. Different from the downside risk setting, in a conditional value-at-risk (CVaR) framework, we show that the supply chain can be coordinated with the revenue-sharing, buy-back, two-part tariff and quantity flexibility contracts. Furthermore the revenue-sharing contracts are still equivalent to the buy-back contracts when the retail price is fixed. At the same time, it is shown that the risk-averse retailer of the coordinated supply chain can increase its profit by raising its risk-averse degree under mild conditions.
IS DARK MATTER AN EXTRA-DIMENSIONAL EFFECT?
Authors: KAHIL M. E. , HARKO T.
Published: April 2009

We investigate the possibility that the observed behavior of test particles outside galaxies, which is usually explained by assuming the presence of dark matter, is the result of the dynamical evolution of particles in higher dimensional spacetimes. Hence, dark matter may be a direct consequence of the presence of an extra force, generated by the presence of extra dimensions, which modifies the dynamic law of motion, but does not change the intrinsic properties of the particles, like, for example, the mass (inertia). We discuss in some detail several possible particular forms for the extra force, and the acceleration law of the particles is derived. Therefore, the constancy of the galactic rotation curves may be considered as an empirical evidence for the existence of the extra dimensions.
R-SYMMETRIC GAUGE MEDIATION AND THE MINIMAL R-SYMMETRIC SUPERSYMMETRIC STANDARD MODEL
Authors: BLECHMAN ANDREW E.
Published: April 2009

This is an invited summary of a seminar talk given at various institutions in the United States and Canada. After a brief introduction, a review of the minimal R-symmetric supersymmetric standard model is given, and the benefits to the flavor sector are discussed. R-symmetric gauge mediation is an attempt to realize this model using metastable supersymmetry breaking techniques. Sample low energy spectra are presented and tuning is discussed. Various other phenomenological results are summarized.
NON-ABELIAN REIDEMEISTER TORSION FOR TWIST KNOTS
Authors: DUBOIS JÉRÔME , HUYNH VU , YAMAGUCHI YOSHIKAZU
Published: April 2009

This paper gives an explicit formula for the SL2(ℂ)-non-abelian Reidemeister torsion as defined in [6] in the case of twist knots. For hyperbolic twist knots, we also prove that the non-abelian Reidemeister torsion at the holonomy representation can be expressed as a rational function evaluated at the cusp shape of the knot.
USING REVERSE ARRANGEMENT TEST TO DETECT NON-MONOTONIC TRENDS FOR SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING AND RELIABILITY TESTS
Authors: CHIEN WEI-TING KARY , YANG SIYUAN FRANK
Published: April 2009

The limitation of the trend test in SPC is reviewed. The current Nelson's run test for the six or seven consecutive increasing or decreasing points cannot detect non-monotonic increasing or decreasing trend that is frequently encountered in industries. This paper proposes the reverse arrangement test (RAT) to replace the current SPC trend test rule in order to detect both non-monotonic and monotonic increasing or decreasing trends. The theory of RAT is reviewed and we point out the errors in the tables from a well-known and most frequently referenced paper on RAT. The corrected tables of accumulated probabilities for each total reverse arrangement for N = 3 to 12 are presented. The false alarm rate from RAT is verified with excellent accuracy by 108data points simulating stable normal distributed process. Real examples from the semiconductor manufacturing illustrate that 7 non-monotonic increasing points can be detected by RAT with the same false alarm rate as for the 6 monotonic increasing trend, while sometimes none of the current WECO and Nelson's rules can detect such abnormal pattern. Applications of RAT in IC SPC and WLRC (Wafer Level Reliability Control) show RAT is much more powerful than conventional monotonic trend tests in detecting nonconformance.
USER-RELATED COMPLEXITY DIMENSIONS OF COMPLEX PRODUCTS AND SYSTEMS (CoPS): A CASE OF IMPLEMENTING AN ERP SYSTEM
Authors: BARALDI ENRICO
Published: April 2009

What can cause five postponements and a delay of two years in introducing a relatively simple ERP system that usually takes only a few months to be implemented? We find the answer to this puzzle by highlighting the context of use of this high technology IT capital good, an issue so far overlooked because the literature on complex product system (CoPS) focuses on the intrinsic dimensions of the product and the provider. We rely on an extensive case study of the ERP system Movex at the furniture manufacturer Edsbyn and on literature on user-related innovations, organisational studies and inter-firm relationships to extract a series of additional user-related complexity dimensions. These include the importance of the capital good for the user, the user's perception of its complexity and the strength and complexity of the routines to be changed at the using organisation. We conclude the paper with implications for complex systems providers.
ON INSTANTANEOUS FREQUENCY
Authors: HUANG NORDEN E. , WU ZHAOHUA , LONG STEVEN R. , ARNOLD KENNETH C. , CHEN XIANYAO , BLANK KARIN
Published: April 2009

Instantaneous frequency (IF) is necessary for understanding the detailed mechanisms for nonlinear and nonstationary processes. Historically, IF was computed from analytic signal (AS) through the Hilbert transform. This paper offers an overview of the difficulties involved in using AS, and two new methods to overcome the difficulties for computing IF. The first approach is to compute the quadrature (defined here as a simple 90° shift of phase angle) directly. The second approach is designated as the normalized Hilbert transform (NHT), which consists of applying the Hilbert transform to the empirically determined FM signals. Additionally, we have also introduced alternative methods to compute local frequency, the generalized zero-crossing (GZC), and the teager energy operator (TEO) methods. Through careful comparisons, we found that the NHT and direct quadrature gave the best overall performance. While the TEO method is the most localized, it is limited to data from linear processes, the GZC method is the most robust and accurate although limited to the mean frequency over a quarter wavelength of temporal resolution. With these results, we believe most of the problems associated with the IF determination are resolved, and a true time–frequency analysis is thus taking another step toward maturity.
THE CLIQUE MINOR OF GRAPHS WITH INDEPENDENCE NUMBER TWO
Authors: PANG SHIYOU , MIAO LIANYING , SUN QINGBO , MIAO ZHENGKE
Published: April 2009

A graph H is a minor of a graph G if H can be obtained from a subgraph of G by contracting edges. Hadwiger conjectures that every k-chromatic graph contains Kk as a minor. It implies that every graph G on n vertices has a [Formula: see text] as a minor, where α(G) is the independence number of G. In this paper, we consider the graphs G with independence number two. It is proved that G has a Kl-minor using prevertices of size one or two, where [Formula: see text] and κ is the connectivity of G. It is also proved that G has a [Formula: see text]-minor if [Formula: see text].
A CONSTRUCTION OF CARTESIAN AUTHENTICATION CODE FROM ORTHOGONAL SPACES OVER A FINITE FIELD OF ODD CHARACTERISTIC
Authors: LI ZENGTI , GAO SUOGANG , WANG ZHONG , THURAISINGHAM BHAVANI , WU WEILI
Published: April 2009

In this paper, we construct a Cartesian authentication code from subspaces of orthogonal space [Formula: see text] of odd characteristic and compute its parameters. Assuming that the encoding rules of the transmitter and the receiver are chosen according to a uniform probability distribution, the probabilities of successful impersonation attack and substitution attack are also computed.
Characterization of organic matter in the fine-grained siliciclastic sediments of the Shemshak Group (Upper Triassic–Middle Jurassic) in the Alborz Range, Northern Iran
Authors: Shekarifard Ali , Baudin François , Schnyder Johann , Seyed-Emami Kazem
Published: April 2009

Bulk organic geochemical and microscopic studies (Rock-Eval pyrolysis, light transmitted–uv microscope) were carried out on the shales of the Upper Triassic–Middle Jurassic Shemshak Group in the northern, central and southern Alborz Range of northern Iran. Total organic carbon (TOC) values range from 0 to 29.4 wt% (1.2 wt% on average) indicating a generally poor–moderate organic carbon content. Upper Triassic shales in the lower part of the Shemshak Group have been mainly deposited in marine/lake settings under dysoxic–anoxic conditions, with TOC=0.7 wt% on average. Toarcian–Aalenian shales in the upper part of the Shemshak Group were deposited under comparatively deeper marine oxic–dysoxic conditions with the lowest TOC contents recorded (0.3 wt% on average). Carbonaceous shales at different stratigraphic levels of the Shemshak Group show the highest TOC contents (14.2 wt% on average).
T
max
values range from 439 to 599 °C (average 500 °C), indicating that the organic matter has experienced high temperatures during deep burial and active post-sedimentary tectonics. The hydrogen index (HI)–
T
max
diagram shows the presence of Type IV kerogen of altered organic matter with a very low mean HI value. The palynofacies is characterized by the dominance of amorphous organic matter probably predominately derived from degradation of marine–non-marine phytoplankton. The Upper Shemshak Group has low potential to produce petroleum, whereas the Lower Shemshak Group is an important effective petroleum source rock in the Alborz Range. The latter may have generated a considerable amount of petroleum at some localities (e.g. Tazareh and Paland) in the geological past.
The Mid-Cimmerian tectonic event (Bajocian) in the Alborz Mountains, Northern Iran: evidence of the break-up unconformity of the South Caspian Basin
Authors: Fürsich Franz Theodor , Wilmsen Markus , Seyed-Emami Kazem , Majidifard Mahmoud Reza
Published: April 2009

The Mid-Cimmerian tectonic event of Bajocian age can be documented all across the Iran Plate (Alborz Mountains of northern Iran, NE Iran, east-central Iran) and the southern Koppeh Dagh (northeastern Iran). In the Alborz area, the tectonic event consisted of two main pulses. A distinct unconformity (near the Lower–Upper Bajocian boundary) at or near the base of the Dansirit Formation is the sedimentary expression of rapid basin shallowing due to uplift and erosion. Another unconformity is developed in the early Upper Bajocian, close to or at the top of the Dansirit Formation. Locally, it is expressed as an angular unconformity due to block rotation and is overlain by a thin transgressive conglomerate followed by silty marls of the deep-marine Upper Bajocian–Callovian Dalichai Formation. This upper unconformity signals a rapid subsidence pulse. On the Tabas Block of east-central Iran, a single unconformity can be documented that is time-equivalent to those bounding the Dansirit Formation (i.e. ‘mid-Bajocian’). Local folding gives direct evidence of compressional tectonics, and conglomerates indicate subaerial denudation of older Mesozoic or Palaeozoic strata. After a stratigraphic gap, transgressive sediments of ?Late Bajocian–Bathonian age follow, suggesting a fusion of the lower and upper Mid-Cimmerian unconformities in east-central Iran. Along the southern margin of the Koppeh Dagh Mountains (NE Iran), a Late Bajocian subsidence pulse initiated the opening of the strongly subsiding Kashafrud Basin, an eastwards extension of the South Caspian Basin. In all of these areas, one phase of uplift and erosion took place followed by a pronounced pulse of subsidence running counter to trends of the eustatic sea-level curve. Thus, what is generally understood as the Mid-Cimmerian tectonic event is now thought to consist of a tectonic phase, confined to the Bajocian. This phase is explained as the expression of the onset of sea-floor spreading within the South Caspian Basin situated to the north of the present-day Alborz Mountains. This strongly subsiding basin developed close to the Palaeotethys suture during the Toarcian–Aalenian and went through a change from the rifting- to the spreading-stage during the Bajocian. The Mid-Cimmerian event therefore reflects the break-up unconformity of the South Caspian Basin.
The Biology of Chromatin Remodeling Complexes
Authors: Clapier Cedric R. , Cairns Bradley R.
Published: April 2009

The packaging of chromosomal DNA by nucleosomes condenses and organizes the genome, but occludes many regulatory DNA elements. However, this constraint also allows nucleosomes and other chromatin components to actively participate in the regulation of transcription, chromosome segregation, DNA replication, and DNA repair. To enable dynamic access to packaged DNA and to tailor nucleosome composition in chromosomal regions, cells have evolved a set of specialized chromatin remodeling complexes (remodelers). Remodelers use the energy of ATP hydrolysis to move, destabilize, eject, or restructure nucleosomes. Here, we address many aspects of remodeler biology: their targeting, mechanism, regulation, shared and unique properties, and specialization for particular biological processes. We also address roles for remodelers in development, cancer, and human syndromes.
Shilianhua extract inhibits GSK-3β and promotes glucose metabolism
Authors: Yin Jun , Zuberi Aamir , Gao Zhanguo , Liu Dong , Liu Zhijun , Ye Jianping
Published: April 2009

The extract of plant Shilianhua (SLH; Sinocrassula indica Berge) is a component in a commercial product for control of blood glucose. However, it remains to be investigated whether the SLH extract enhances insulin sensitivity in a model of type 2 diabetes. To address this question, the SLH crude extract was fractionated into four parts on the basis of polarity, and bioactivities of each part were tested in cells. One of the fractions, F100, exhibited a strong activity in the stimulation of glucose consumption in vitro. Glucose consumption was induced significantly by F100 in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, L6 myotubes, and H4IIE hepatocytes in the absence of insulin. F100 also increased insulin-stimulated glucose consumption in L6 myotubes and H4IIE hepatocytes. It increased insulin-independent glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and insulin-dependent glucose uptake in L6 cells. The glucose transporter-1 (GLUT1) protein was induced in 3T3-L1 cells, and the GLUT4 protein was induced in L6 cells by F100. Mechanism study indicated that F100 induced GSK-3β phosphorylation, which was comparable with that induced by insulin. Additionally, the transcriptional activity of NF-κB was inhibited by F100. In RAW 264.7 macrophages, mRNA expression of NF-κB target genes (TNFα and MCP-1) was suppressed by F100. In KK.Cg-Ay/+ mice, F100 decreased fasting insulin and blood glucose and improved insulin tolerance significantly. We conclude that the F100 may be a bioactive component in the SLH plant. It promotes glucose metabolism in vitro and in vivo. Inhibition of GSK-3β and NF-κB may be the potential mechanism.
Role of iron in the pathogenesis of cysteamine-induced duodenal ulceration in rats
Authors: Khomenko Tetyana , Szabo Sandor , Deng Xiaoming , Ishikawa Hideki , Anderson Gregory J. , McLaren Gordon D.
Published: April 2009

Cysteamine induces perforating duodenal ulcers in rats within 24–48 h. This reducing aminothiol generates hydrogen peroxide in the presence of transition metals (e.g., ferric iron), producing oxidative stress, which may contribute to organ-specific tissue damage. Since most intestinal iron absorption takes place in the proximal duodenum, we hypothesized that cysteamine may disrupt regulation of mucosal iron transport, and iron may facilitate cysteamine-induced duodenal ulceration. We show here that cysteamine-induced ulceration was aggravated by pretreatment of rats with Fe3+or Fe2+compounds, which elevated iron concentration in the duodenal mucosa. In contrast, feeding rats an iron-deficient diet was associated with a 4.6-fold decrease in ulcer formation, accompanied by a 34% decrease ( P < 0.05) in the duodenal mucosal iron concentration. Administration of deferoxamine inhibited ulceration by 65%. We also observed that the antiulcer effect of H2 receptor antagonist cimetidine included a 35% decrease in iron concentration in the duodenal mucosa. Cysteamine-induced duodenal ulcers were also decreased in iron-deficient Belgrade rats ( P < 0.05). In normal rats, cysteamine administration increased the iron concentration in the proximal duodenal mucosa by 33% in the preulcerogenic stage but at the same time decreased serum iron ( P < 0.05). Cysteamine also enhanced activation of mucosal iron regulatory protein 1 and increased the expression of divalent metal transporter 1 mRNA and protein. Transferrin receptor 1 protein expression was also increased, although mucosal ferroportin and ferritin remained almost unchanged. These results indicate an expansion of the intracellular labile iron pool in the duodenal mucosa, increasing its susceptibility to oxidative stress, and suggest a role for iron in the pathogenesis of organ-specific tissue injury such as duodenal ulcers.
A Feedback Model Explains the Differential Scaling of Human Postural Responses to Perturbation Acceleration and Velocity
Authors: Welch Torrence D. J. , Ting Lena H.
Published: April 2009

Although the neural basis of balance control remains unknown, recent studies suggest that a feedback law on center-of-mass (CoM) kinematics determines the temporal patterning of muscle activity during human postural responses. We hypothesized that the same feedback law would also explain variations in muscle activity to support-surface translation as perturbation characteristics vary. Subject CoM motion was experimentally modulated using 34 different anterior–posterior support-surface translations of varying peak acceleration and velocity but the same total displacement. Electromyographic (EMG) recordings from several muscles of the lower limbs and trunk were compared to predicted EMG patterns from an inverted pendulum model under delayed feedback control. In both recorded and predicted EMG patterns, the initial burst of muscle activity scaled linearly with peak acceleration, whereas the tonic “plateau” region scaled with peak velocity. The relatively invariant duration of the initial burst was modeled by incorporating a transient, time-limited encoding of CoM acceleration inspired by muscle spindle primary afferent dynamic responses. The entire time course of recorded and predicted muscle activity compared favorably across all conditions, suggesting that the initial burst of muscle activity is not generated by feedforward neural mechanisms. Perturbation conditions were presented randomly and subjects maintained relatively constant feedback gains across all conditions. In contrast, an optimal feedback solution based on a trade-off between CoM stabilization and energy expenditure predicted that feedback gains should change with perturbation characteristics. These results suggest that an invariant feedback law was used to generate the entire time course of muscle activity across a variety of postural disturbances.
αvβ3/αvβ5 Integrins-FAK-RhoB: A Novel Pathway for Hypoxia Regulation in Glioblastoma
Authors: Skuli Nicolas , Monferran Sylvie , Delmas Caroline , Favre Gilles , Bonnet Jacques , Toulas Christine , Cohen-Jonathan Moyal Elizabeth
Published: April 2009

The presence of hypoxic areas in glioblastoma is an important determinant in tumor response to therapy and, in particular, to radiotherapy. Here we have explored the involvement of integrins, up to now known as regulators of angiogenesis and invasion, in the regulation of tumor hypoxia driven from the tumor cell. We first show that hypoxia induces the recruitment of αvβ3 and αvβ5 integrins to the cellular membrane of U87 and SF763 glioblastoma cells, thereby activating the focal adhesion kinase (FAK). We then show that inhibiting αvβ3 or αvβ5 integrins in hypoxic cells with a specific inhibitor or with siRNA decreases the hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) intracellular level. This integrin-dependent regulation of HIF-1α is mediated through the regulation of FAK, which in turn activates the small GTPase RhoB, leading to the inhibition of GSK3-β. Furthermore, silencing this pathway in glioma cells of established xenografts dramatically reduces glioma hypoxia, associated with a significant decrease in vessel density. Our present results unravel a new mechanism of hypoxia regulation by establishing the existence of an αvβ3/αvβ5 integrin–dependent loop of hypoxia autoregulation in glioma. Targeting this hypoxia loop may be crucial to optimizing radiotherapy efficiency. [Cancer Res 2009;69(8):3308–16]