bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Seismic interpretation and attribute analysis of the Herodotus and the Levantine Basin, offshore Cyprus and Lebanon
Authors: Skiple C. , Anderson E. , Fürstenau J.
Published: November 2012

Giant gas discoveries in the vicinity have sparked increased interest in the petroleum potential of the Eastern Mediterranean. However, a lack of well data from the area means that a number of crucial unknowns about the region remain. Many of these unknowns relate to uncertainties regarding the sedimentary infill of the main basins, including the sediment provenance areas and elastic properties.

The petroleum potential of this region has been investigated through the acquisition and analysis of multiple 2D and 3D seismic surveys offshore Cyprus and Lebanon and a thorough review of available literature regarding the regional geology. An amplitude extraction study indicates sourcing of probable clastic sediments from the NE, from present-day Syria. In addition evidence of conduits coming off onshore Lebanon can be seen in the seismic data. Use of released data from one of the closest wells penetrating the same stratigraphy as the new discoveries enabled us to build a synthetic model over one of these discoveries (Tamar discovery) and to perform a fluid-substitution over this model. Comparison of these results with characteristics of identified leads and prospects in the northern, undrilled part of the Levantine Basin may improve our understanding of the rock properties in this area as similarities in between these may also indicate similarities in the elastic properties.
Shadow Banking Regulation
Authors: Adrian Tobias , Ashcraft Adam B.
Published: November 2012

Shadow banks conduct credit intermediation without direct, explicit access to public sources of liquidity and credit guarantees. Shadow banks contributed to the credit boom in the early 2000s and collapsed during the financial crisis of 2007–2009. We review the quickly growing literature on shadow banking and provide a conceptual framework of shadow banking regulation. Since the collapse, regulatory reform efforts have aimed at strengthening the stability of the shadow banking system. We review these reform efforts for shadow funding sources including asset-backed commercial paper (ABCP), tri-party repurchase agreements (repos), money market mutual funds (MMMFs), and securitization. Despite significant effort by lawmakers, regulators, and accountants, there has been uneven progress in achieving a more stable shadow banking system.
Combined in vivo and in silico investigations of activation of glycolysis in contracting skeletal muscle
Authors: Schmitz J. P. J. , Groenendaal W. , Wessels B. , Wiseman R. W. , Hilbers P. A. J. , Nicolay K. , Prompers J. J. , Jeneson J. A. L. , van Riel N. A. W.
Published: November 2012

The hypothesis was tested that the variation of in vivo glycolytic flux with contraction frequency in skeletal muscle can be qualitatively and quantitatively explained by calcium-calmodulin activation of phosphofructokinase (PFK-1). Ischemic rat tibialis anterior muscle was electrically stimulated at frequencies between 0 and 80 Hz to covary the ATP turnover rate and calcium concentration in the tissue. Estimates of in vivo glycolytic rates and cellular free energetic states were derived from dynamic changes in intramuscular pH and phosphocreatine content, respectively, determined by phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P-MRS). Computational modeling was applied to relate these empirical observations to understanding of the biochemistry of muscle glycolysis. Hereto, the kinetic model of PFK activity in a previously reported mathematical model of the glycolytic pathway (Vinnakota KC, Rusk J, Palmer L, Shankland E, Kushmerick MJ. J Physiol 588: 1961–1983, 2010) was adapted to contain a calcium-calmodulin binding sensitivity. The two main results were introduction of regulation of PFK-1 activity by binding of a calcium-calmodulin complex in combination with activation by increased concentrations of AMP and ADP was essential to qualitatively and quantitatively explain the experimental observations. Secondly, the model predicted that shutdown of glycolytic ATP production flux in muscle postexercise may lag behind deactivation of PFK-1 (timescales: 5–10 s vs. 100–200 ms, respectively) as a result of accumulation of glycolytic intermediates downstream of PFK during contractions.
Glucose metabolism is altered after loss of L cells and α-cells but not influenced by loss of K cells
Authors: Pedersen J , Ugleholdt R. K. , Jørgensen S. M. , Windeløv J. A. , Grunddal K. V. , Schwartz T. W. , Füchtbauer E. M. , Poulsen S. S. , Holst P. J. , Holst J. J.
Published: November 2012

The enteroendocrine K and L cells are responsible for secretion of glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon like-peptide 1 (GLP-1), whereas pancreatic α-cells are responsible for secretion of glucagon. In rodents and humans, dysregulation of the secretion of GIP, GLP-1, and glucagon is associated with impaired regulation of metabolism. This study evaluates the consequences of acute removal of Gip- or Gcg-expressing cells on glucose metabolism. Generation of the two diphtheria toxin receptor cellular knockout mice, TgN(GIP.DTR) and TgN(GCG.DTR), allowed us to study effects of acute ablation of K and L cells and α-cells. Diphtheria toxin administration reduced the expression of Gip and content of GIP in the proximal jejunum in TgN(GIP.DTR) and expression of Gcg and content of proglucagon-derived peptides in both proximal jejunum and terminal ileum as well as content of glucagon in pancreas in TgN(GCG.DTR) compared with wild-type mice. GIP response to oral glucose was attenuated following K cell loss, but oral and intraperitoneal glucose tolerances were unaffected. Intraperitoneal glucose tolerance was impaired following combined L cell and α-cell loss and normal following α-cell loss. Oral glucose tolerance was improved following L cell and α-cell loss and supernormal following α-cell loss. We present two mouse models that allow studies of the effects of K cell or L cell and α-cell loss as well as isolated α-cell loss. Our findings show that intraperitoneal glucose tolerance is dependent on an intact L cell mass and underscore the diabetogenic effects of α-cell signaling. Furthermore, the results suggest that K cells are less involved in acute regulation of mouse glucose metabolism than L cells and α-cells.
Functional and biochemical characterization of soleus muscle in Down syndrome mice: insight into the muscle dysfunction seen in the human condition
Authors: Cowley Patrick M. , Keslacy Stefan , Middleton Frank A. , DeRuisseau Lara R. , Fernhall Bo , Kanaley Jill A. , DeRuisseau Keith C.
Published: November 2012

Persons with Down syndrome (DS) exhibit low muscle strength that significantly impairs their physical functioning. The Ts65Dn mouse model of DS also exhibits muscle weakness in vivo and may be a useful model to examine DS-associated muscle dysfunction. Therefore, the purpose of this experiment was to directly assess skeletal muscle function in the Ts65Dn mouse and to reveal potential mechanisms of DS-associated muscle weakness. Soleus muscles were harvested from anesthetized male Ts65Dn and wild-type (WT) colony controls. In vitro muscle contractile experiments revealed normal force generation of nonfatigued Ts65Dn soleus, but a 12% reduction in force was observed during recovery from fatiguing contractions compared with WT muscle ( P < 0.05). Indicators of oxidative stress and mitochondrial oxidative capacity were assessed to reveal potential mechanisms of DS-associated muscle weakness. Protein expression of copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD1), a triplicated gene in persons with DS and Ts65Dn mice, was increased 25% ( P < 0.05) in Ts65Dn soleus. Nontriplicated antioxidant protein expression was similar between groups. Lipid peroxidation was unaltered in Ts65Dn animals, but protein oxidation was 20% greater compared with controls ( P < 0.05). Cytochrome- c oxidase expression was 22% lower in Ts65Dn muscle ( P < 0.05), while expression of citrate synthase was similar between groups. Microarray analysis revealed alteration of numerous pathways in Ts65Dn muscle, including proteolysis, glucose and fat metabolism, neuromuscular transmission, and ATP biosynthesis. In summary, despite biochemical and gene expression differences in soleus muscle of Ts65Dn animals, the functional properties of skeletal muscle likely contribute a minor part to the in vivo muscle weakness.
Greater insulin-mediated Akt phosphorylation concomitant with heterogeneous effects on phosphorylation of Akt substrates in soleus of calorie-restricted rats
Authors: Sharma Naveen , Sequea Donel A. , Arias Edward B. , Cartee Gregory D.
Published: November 2012

Akt is a serine/threonine kinase that plays a key role in numerous cellular functions including metabolism, growth, protein synthesis, apoptosis, and cell proliferation. The most consistent and robust effect of moderate calorie restriction (CR; ∼60% of ad libitum, AL, food consumption) on insulin signaling in rodent muscle has been enhanced insulin-induced phosphorylation of Akt (pAkt). However, there is limited knowledge regarding the mechanism for this enhancement and its consequences in predominantly slow-twitch muscle. Accordingly, in soleus muscle of 9-mo-old rats, we analyzed the effect of CR and insulin on important signaling events that are proximal to Akt activation including: pIRTyr1162/1163, pIRS1Tyr, pIRS1Ser312, IRS1-associated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activity, or pPTENSer380. In addition, we analyzed the effect of CR and insulin on Akt substrates that have established or putative roles in glucose metabolism, cellular growth, maintenance of muscle structure, or protein synthesis including pGSK3αSer21, pGSK3βSer9, pTSC2Ser939, pP70S6KThr412, pAS160Thr642, and pFLNcSer2213. The current study demonstrated that the CR-induced increase in pAkt in isolated soleus muscles from 9-mo-old rats can occur without concomitant enhancement of several important insulin signaling events that are proximal to Akt activation. These results suggest that the greater pAkt in the soleus muscles from CR rats was attributable to an alternative mechanism. We also observed that the effects of CR were not uniform for phosphorylation of six insulin-regulated Akt substrates in the soleus. The differential response in phosphorylation by Akt substrates likely has important implications for explaining the complex effect of CR diverse cellular functions.
Computing reaching dynamics in motor cortex with Cartesian spatial coordinates
Authors: Tanaka Hirokazu , Sejnowski Terrence J.
Published: November 2012

How neurons in the primary motor cortex control arm movements is not yet understood. Here we show that the equations of motion governing reaching simplify when expressed in spatial coordinates. In this fixed reference frame, joint torques are the sums of vector cross products between the spatial positions of limb segments and their spatial accelerations and velocities. The consequences that follow from this model explain many properties of neurons in the motor cortex, including directional broad, cosinelike tuning, nonuniformly distributed preferred directions dependent on the workspace, and the rotation of the population vector during arm movements. Remarkably, the torques can be directly computed as a linearly weighted sum of responses from cortical motoneurons, and the muscle tensions can be obtained as rectified linear sums of the joint torques. This allows the required muscle tensions to be computed rapidly from a trajectory in space with a feedforward network model.
Ketamine disrupts theta synchrony across the septotemporal axis of the CA1 region of hippocampus
Authors: Hinman James R. , Penley Stephanie C. , Escabí Monty A. , Chrobak James J.
Published: November 2012

The hippocampal theta signal reflects moment-to-moment variation in the synchrony of synaptic input to hippocampal neurons. Consistent with the topography of hippocampal afferents, the synchrony (coherence) of the theta signal varies across the septotemporal axis. Septotemporal variation in the theta signal can also be observed in relation to ongoing and past experience. Thus there is a systematic decrease in the relationship between locomotor speed and theta power across the septotemporal axis, septal hippocampus exhibiting the strongest relationship. Conversely, theta in temporal hippocampus decrements over repeated behavioral experience (running episodes), while theta in the septal hippocampus does not. Ketamine is an N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist that can decrease theta power. The present study examined whether ketamine treatment could alter theta coherence across the long axis independent of changes in locomotor behavior. Rats were well trained to navigate a linear runway and outfitted with electrodes at different septotemporal positions within CA1. Locomotor behavior and theta coherence and power were examined after administration of 2.5 and 10 mg/kg ketamine. Ketamine (2.5 mg/kg) decreased theta coherence between distant CA1 electrode sites without altering running speed or theta power. Both doses of ketamine also blunted and reversed the decrement in theta power observed at midseptotemporal and temporal electrodes over repeated run sessions. The results demonstrate the sensitivity of global network synchronization to relatively low doses of ketamine and septotemporal differences in the influence of ketamine on hippocampal dynamics in relation to past experience.
Postural adjustment errors reveal deficits in inhibition during lateral step initiation in older adults
Authors: Sparto Patrick J. , Fuhrman Susan I. , Redfern Mark S. , Jennings J. Richard , Perera Subashan , Nebes Robert D. , Furman Joseph M.
Published: November 2012

Postural dual-task studies have demonstrated effects of various executive function components on gait and postural control in older adults. The purpose of the study was to explore the role of inhibition during lateral step initiation. Forty older adults participated (range 70–94 yr). Subjects stepped to the left or right in response to congruous and incongruous visual cues that consisted of left and right arrows appearing on left or right sides of a monitor. The timing of postural adjustments was identified by inflection points in the vertical ground reaction forces (VGRF) measured separately under each foot. Step responses could be classified into preferred and nonpreferred step behavior based on the number of postural adjustments that were made. Delays in onset of the first postural adjustment (PA1) and liftoff (LO) of the step leg during preferred steps progressively increased among the simple, choice, congruous, and incongruous tasks, indicating interference in processing the relevant visuospatial cue. Incongruous cues induced subjects to make more postural adjustments than they typically would (i.e., nonpreferred steps), representing errors in selection of the appropriate motor program. During these nonpreferred steps, the onset of the PA1 was earlier than during the preferred steps, indicating a failure to inhibit an inappropriate initial postural adjustment. The functional consequence of the additional postural adjustments was a delay in the LO compared with steps in which they did not make an error. These results suggest that deficits in inhibitory function may detrimentally affect step decision processing, by delaying voluntary step responses.
Computer Algorithms in the Search for Unrelated Stem Cell Donors
Authors: Steiner David
Published: November 2012

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a medical procedure in the field of hematology and oncology, most often performed for patients with certain cancers of the blood or bone marrow. A lot of patients have no suitable HLA-matched donor within their family, so physicians must activate a “donor search process” by interacting with national and international donor registries who will search their databases for adult unrelated donors or cord blood units (CBU). Information and communication technologies play a key role in the donor search process in donor registries both nationally and internationaly. One of the major challenges for donor registry computer systems is the development of a reliable search algorithm. This work discusses the top-down design of such algorithms and current practice. Based on our experience with systems used by several stem cell donor registries, we highlight typical pitfalls in the implementation of an algorithm and underlying data structure.
Cerebral Metastasis from a Previously Undiagnosed Appendiceal Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Biroli Antonio , Cecchi Paolo Cipriano , Pragal Susanne , Hanspeter Esther , Schwarz Andreas
Published: November 2012

Brain metastases arise in 10%–40% of all cancer patients. Up to one third of the patients do not have previous cancer history. We report a case of a 67-years-old male patient who presented with confusion, tremor, and apraxia. A brain MRI revealed an isolated right temporal lobe lesion. A thorax-abdomen-pelvis CT scan showed no primary lesion. The patient underwent a craniotomy with gross-total resection. Histopathology revealed an intestinal-type adenocarcinoma. A colonoscopy found no primary lesion, but a PET-CT scan showed elevated FDG uptake in the appendiceal nodule. A right hemicolectomy was performed, and the specimen showed a moderately differentiated mucinous appendiceal adenocarcinoma. Whole brain radiotherapy was administrated. A subsequent thorax-abdomen CT scan revealed multiple lung and hepatic metastasis. Seven months later, the patient died of disease progression. In cases of undiagnosed primary lesions, patients present in better general condition, but overall survival does not change. Eventual identification of the primary tumor does not affect survival. PET/CT might be a helpful tool in detecting lesions of the appendiceal region. To the best of our knowledge, such a case was never reported in the literature, and an appendiceal malignancy should be suspected in patients with brain metastasis from an undiagnosed primary tumor.
Double Feature: Carcinoma and Sarcoma Present in a Single Breast Tumor
Authors: Stefaniuk Catherine M. , Jones Timothy
Published: November 2012

Introduction. Primary breast sarcomas (PBSs) are rare nonepithelial breast tumors compromised of mesenchymal mammary tissue. Although its rare nature has made the best mode of PBS treatment difficult to determine, it seems better to treat it more like a sarcoma creating clear negative margins verses breast carcinoma utilizing lumpectomy, partial mastectomy, and total mastectomy.Case. A 47-year-old obese Caucasian postmenopausal female G2P2 presents with a breast lump demonstrating a histological sample with a biphasic pattern consistent with both ductal carcinoma containing typical malignant epithelial cells and sarcomatous differentiation of carcinosarcoma.Conclusion. Carcinosarcoma is a rare breast malignancy. Sarcomas of the breast tend to be negative for estrogen receptor and lack known risk factors. Current recommended treatment is to treat breast sarcomas like other soft tissue sarcomas by performing wide local excision instead of partial mastectomy. Antiestrogens and other chemotherapeutic agents typically used in breast epithelial malignancies are not recommended since these sarcomas tend to be negative with these receptors.
Serum Hepcidin Levels and Reticulocyte Hemoglobin Concentrations as Indicators of the Iron Status of Peritoneal Dialysis Patients
Authors: Eguchi Aya , Mochizuki Takahiro , Tsukada Misao , Kataoka Koji , Hamaguchi Yukio , Oguni Shinichiro , Nitta Kosaku , Tsuchiya Ken
Published: November 2012

Hepcidin is the key mediator of renal anemia, and reliable measurement of serum hepcidin levels has been made possible by the ProteinChip system. We therefore investigated the iron status and serum hepcidin levels of peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients who had not received frequent doses of an erythrocytosis-stimulating agent (ESA) and had not received iron therapy. In addition to the usual iron parameters, the iron status of erythrocytes can be determined by measuring reticulocyte hemoglobin (RET-He). The mean serum hepcidin level of the PD patients(n=52)was 80.7 ng/mL. Their serum hepcidin levels were significantly positively correlated with their serum ferritin levels and transferrin saturation (TSAT) levels, but no correlations were found between their serum hepcidin levels and RET-He levels, thereby suggesting that hepcidin has no effect on the iron dynamics of reticulocytes. Since low serum levels of CRP and IL-6, biomarkers of inflammation, were not correlated with the serum hepcidin levels, there is likely to be a threshold for induction of hepcidin expression by inflammation.
Treadmill Calibration of the Actigraph GT1M in Young-to-Middle-Aged Obese-to-Severely Obese Subjects
Authors: Aadland Eivind , Anderssen Sigmund Alfred
Published: November 2012

To understand the impact of physical activity (PA) on health, valid accelerometer count cut points must be applied to measure PA. Because cut points may be population specific, we aimed to establish accelerometer cut points for moderate PA (MPA) and vigorous PA (VPA) (defined as ≥3 and ≥6 metabolic equivalents, resp.) in young-to-middle-aged obese-to-severely obese subjects. Data from 42 subjects (11 men; body mass index39.8±5.7; age43.2±9.2years) who performed a treadmill calibration using the Actigraph GT1M, were analyzed using ordinary linear regression (OLR), linear mixed model regression (MIX), and receiver operating characteristics curves (ROC 1; ROC 2). Cut points obtained from the models were quite different (612 to 1646 counts/min for MPA; 3061 to 7220 counts/min for VPA). We argue that the MIX approach, which resulted in cut points of 612 and 4980 counts/min for MPA and VPA, respectively, is the most appropriate method to establish accelerometer cut points in this setting. We conclude that accelerometer cut points are lower in young-to-middle-aged obese-to-severely obese subjects compared to young normal-weight subjects and that care should be taken when analyzing PA level in groups that vary in age and degree of obesity.
Identification of Hysteresis in Human Meridian Systems Based on NARMAX Model
Authors: Tan Yonghong , Dong Ruili , Chen Hui , He Hong
Published: November 2012

It has been found that the response of acupuncture point on the human meridian line exhibits nonlinear dynamic behavior when excitation of electroacupuncture is implemented on another meridian point. This nonlinear phenomenon is in fact a hysteretic phenomenon. In order to explore the characteristic of human meridian and finally find a way to improve the treatment of diseases via electro‐acupuncture method, it is necessary to identify the model to describe the corresponding dynamic hysteretic phenomenon of human meridian systems stimulated by electric‐acupuncture. In this paper, an identification method using nonlinear autoregressive and moving average model with exogenous input (NARMAX) is proposed to model the dynamic hysteresis in human meridian. As the hysteresis is a nonlinear system with multivalued mapping, the traditional NARMAX model is unavailable to it directly. Thus, an expanded input space is constructed to transform the multi‐valued mapping of the hysteresis to a one‐to‐one mapping. Then, the identification method using NARMAX model on the constructed expanded input space is developed. Finally, the proposed method is applied to hysteresis modeling for human meridian systems.
Gastric Ulcers in Middle-Aged Rats: The Healing Effect of Essential Oil fromCitrus aurantiumL. (Rutaceae)
Authors: Polo C. M. , Moraes T. M. , Pellizzon C. H. , Marques M. O. , Rocha L. R. M. , Hiruma-Lima C. A.
Published: November 2012

The elderly population has experienced increased life expectancy as well as the increased incidence of gastric ulcers. The peels of fruits fromCitrus aurantiumL., popularly known in Brazil as orange bitter, are commonly used asatea form for the treatment of gastrointestinal tract disorders, such as ulcer and gastritis. We evaluated the healing effects of essential oil from the peels ofCitrus aurantiumfruits (OEC) on gastric ulcers in middle-aged rats. We examined the effects of a 14-day chronic OEC treatment on gastric mucosa in middle-aged male Wistar rats that were given acetic-acid-induced gastric lesions by morphometric and immunohistological analyses. Oral OEC treatment significantly reduced the lesion area (76%) within the gastric mucosa and significantly increased (P<.05) the height of regenerated mucosa (59%) when compared to the negative control group. Immunohistochemical analysis of the molecular markers such as COX-2, HSP-70, VEGF, and PCNA in the gastric mucosa confirmed that OEC treatment induced healing effects by increasing the number of new blood vessels and by augmenting gastric mucus in the mucosa glands. These results suggest that the oil fromCitrus aurantiumeffectively heals gastric ulcers in middle-aged animals; however, safe use of OEC demands special care and precautions.
Peripheral Edema Occurring during Treatment with Risperidone Combined with Citalopram
Authors: Hosseini Seyed Hamzeh , Ahmadi Amirhossein
Published: November 2012

An 80-year-old female presented with symptoms of depression, worthlessness, hopelessness, loss of energy, insomnia, impatience, and forgetfulness associated with persecutory delusion that had begun about one year before her visit. She was diagnosed with major depression with psychotic signs and began treatment with risperidone (2 mg/night) and citalopram (20 mg/day). After 20 days, she returned and reported partial improvement in her symptoms, although she had developed severe swelling of the hands and feet. The results of liver and renal function tests and rheumatologic tests were found to be within normal limits. Risperidone was discontinued for a week, and the swelling resolved completely. Risperidone was then administered again, and the swelling returned so that the patient had to discontinue taking the drug. The reappearance of edema on rechallenge is strong evidence implicating risperidone as the cause of the swelling.
Polyvinyl Alcohol Hydrogel Irradiated and Acetalized for Osteochondral Defect Repair: Mechanical, Chemical, and Histological Evaluation after Implantation in Rat Knees
Authors: Batista N. A. , Rodrigues A. A. , Bavaresco V. P. , Mariolani J. R. L. , Belangero W. D.
Published: November 2012

Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) hydrogel plugs were implanted in artificial osteochondral defects on the trochlear groove of rat knees. After 0, 3, 6, 12, and 24 weeks of followup, samples containing the implants were mechanically evaluated by creep indentation test, chemically, and histologically by optical microscopy. The mechanical test pointed towards an increase of the implant creep modulus and the chemical analysis exhibited an increasing concentration of calcium and phosphorus within the implants over time. Optical microscopy showed no foreign body reaction and revealed formation, differentiation, and maintenance of new tissue at the defect/implant interface. The absence of implant wear indicated that the natural articular lubrication process was not disturbed by the implant. The performance of the irradiated and acetalized PVA was considered satisfactory for the proposed application.
A Patient with Clavicle Fracture and Recurrent Scapular Winging with Spontaneous Resolutions
Authors: Keenan Kendra E. , Skedros John G.
Published: November 2012

Injury to the long thoracic nerve with resulting serratus anterior palsy is a typical cause of medial scapular winging. We report a case of a 70-year-old female with scapular winging in the setting of a mildly comminuted midshaft clavicle fracture. The winging persisted for three months after the fracture, which became a nonunion. The winging spontaneously resolved prior to open reduction and internal fixation of the nonunion. The winging recurred after this surgery. The recurrence was attributed to transient irritation and/or inflammatory neuropathy of the brachial plexus caused by the surgical manipulation. This second episode of winging again spontaneously resolved. There are few reported cases of scapular winging in the setting of a clavicle fracture and only one case of recurrent scapular winging. In that case, which was in the setting of an acromioclavicular joint separation, the second episode of winging required long-term use of a brace. By contrast, our patient did not require bracing because the recurrent winging spontaneously resolved, making this a novel case. This case is important because it illustrates that recurrent scapular winging can occur, and spontaneously resolve, in the setting of a mid-shaft clavicle fracture after subsequent reconstruction of a fracture nonunion.
Periodic Solution of Prey‐Predator Model with Beddington‐DeAngelis Functional Response and Impulsive State Feedback Control
Authors: Wei Chunjin , Chen Lansun
Published: November 2012

A prey‐predator model with Beddington‐DeAngelis functional response and impulsive state feedback control is investigated. We obtain the sufficient conditions of the global asymptotical stability of the system without impulsive effects. By using the geometry theory of semicontinuous dynamic system and the method of successor function, we obtain the system with impulsive effects that has an order one periodic solution, and sufficient conditions for existence and stability of order one periodic solution are also obtained. Finally, numerical simulations are performed to illustrate our main results.
Computational Study of the Structure of a Sepiolite/Thioindigo Mayan Pigment
Authors: Alvarado Manuel , Chianelli Russell C. , Arrowood Roy M.
Published: November 2012

The interaction of thioindigo and the phyllosilicate clay sepiolite is investigated using density functional theory (DFT) and molecular orbital theory (MO). The best fit to experimental UV/Vis spectra occurs when a single thioindigo molecule attaches via Van der Waals forces to a tetrahedrally coordinated cation with an additional nearby tetrahedrally coordinated also present. The thioindigo molecule distorts from its planar structure, a behavior consistent with a color change. Due to the weak interaction between thioindigo and sepiolite we conclude that the thioindigo molecule must be trapped in a channel, an observation consistent with previous experimental studies. Future computational studies will look at the interaction of indigo with sepiolite.
Clear Cell Carcinomas of the Mullerian System: Does the Pathogenesis Vary Depending on Their Nuclear Grade and Their Association with Endometriosis? An Immunohistochemical Analysis
Authors: Alduaij Ahmad , Hansen Katrine , Karim Tahreem A. , Zhang Cunxian , Lomme Michelle M. , Sung C. James , Lawrence W. Dwayne , Quddus M. Ruhul
Published: November 2012

Clear cell carcinomas (CCC) of the mullerian system are considered high grade tumors, but morphologically, the cells of CCC show both low and high grade features. The aims of the current study were to categorize CCC into low and high nuclear grade types, correlate their association with endometriosis, and then observe possible variations in pathogenesis based on their expression of p53 and Ki-67.
We studied 41 pure mullerian CCCs and designated each as either a high (HNG) or low (LNG) nuclear grade tumor. Morphologically, 17 (41%) CCCs were LNG and 24 (59%) were HNG. Nine (38%) HNG and 2 (12%) LNG tumors showed positive immunostaining with p53. Endometriosis was associated with 8 (47%) LNG tumors and 8 (33%) HNG CCCs. Of the 11 cases with p53 alteration, 4 (1 LNG and 3 HNG) were associated with endometriosis. Conclusions: HNG CCCs, irrespective of their association with endometriosis, have alterations of p53. In general, LNG ovarian and endometrial CCCs, irrespective of their association with endometriosis/adenomyosis, are less likely to show p53 alteration. It appears that mullerian CCCs may have variable pathogenesis depending on their nuclear grade and association with endometriosis. A larger study is needed to validate these findings.
Patterns of Beliefs, Attitudes, and Characteristics of Teachers That Influence Computer Integration
Authors: Mueller Julie , Wood Eileen
Published: November 2012

Despite continued acceleration of computer access in elementary and secondary schools, computer integration is not necessarily given as an everyday learning tool. A heterogeneous sample of 185 elementary and 204 secondary teachers was asked to respond to open-ended survey questions in order to understand why integration of computer-based technologies does or does not fit with their teaching philosophy, what factors impact planning to use computer technologies in the classroom, and what characteristics define excellent teachers who integrate technology. Qualitative analysis of open-ended questions indicated that, overall, educators are supportive of computer integration describing the potential of technology using constructivist language, such as “authentic tasks” and “self-regulated learning.” Responses from “high” and “low” integrating teachers were compared across themes. The diversity of the themes and the emerging patterns of those themes from “high and low integrators” indicate that the integration of computer technology is a complex concern that requires sensitivity to individual and contextual variables.
Interferon Regulatory Factor 5 in the Pathogenesis of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Cham Candace M. , Ko Kichul , Niewold Timothy B.
Published: November 2012

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by multiple genetic risk factors, high levels of interferon alpha (IFN-α), and the production of autoantibodies against components of the cell nucleus. Interferon regulatory factor 5 (IRF5) is a transcription factor which induces the transcription of IFN-αand other cytokines, and genetic variants of IRF5 have been strongly linked to SLE pathogenesis. IRF5 functions downstream of Toll-like receptors and other microbial pattern-recognition receptors, and immune complexes made up of SLE-associated autoantibodies seem to function as a chronic endogenous stimulus to this pathway. In this paper, we discuss the physiologic role of IRF5 in immune defense and the ways in whichIRF5variants may contribute to the pathogenesis of human SLE. Recent data regarding the role ofIRF5in both serologic autoimmunity and the overproduction of IFN-αin human SLE are summarized. These data support a model in which SLE-risk variants of IRF5 participate in a “feed-forward” mechanism, predisposing to SLE-associated autoantibody formation, and subsequently facilitating IFN-αproduction downstream of Toll-like receptors stimulated by immune complexes composed of these autoantibodies.
Roles of Mucosal Immunity againstMycobacterium tuberculosisInfection
Authors: Li Wu , Deng Guangcun , Li Min , Liu Xiaoming , Wang Yujiong
Published: November 2012

Mycobacterium tuberculosis(Mtb), the causative agent of tuberculosis (TB), is one of the world's leading infectious causes of morbidity and mortality. As a mucosal-transmitted pathogen, Mtb infects humans and animals mainly through the mucosal tissue of the respiratory tract. Apart from providing a physical barrier against the invasion of pathogen, the major function of the respiratory mucosa may be to serve as the inductive sites to initiate mucosal immune responses and sequentially provide the first line of defense for the host to defend against this pathogen. A large body of studies in the animals and humans have demonstrated that the mucosal immune system, rather than the systemic immune system, plays fundamental roles in the host’s defense against Mtb infection. Therefore, the development of new vaccines and novel delivery routes capable of directly inducing respiratory mucosal immunity is emphasized for achieving enhanced protection from Mtb infection. In this paper, we outline the current state of knowledge regarding the mucosal immunity against Mtb infection, including the development of TB vaccines, and respiratory delivery routes to enhance mucosal immunity are discussed.
The Effect of Glycyrrhetinic Acid on Pharmacokinetics of Cortisone and Its Metabolite Cortisol in Rats
Authors: Lin Dan , Sun Wei , Wang Zhe , Chen Lian-Guo , Chen Xiao-Le , Wang Shuang-Hu , Li Wan-Shu , Ge Ren-Shan , Hu Guo-Xin
Published: November 2012

The purpose of this paper is to study pharmacokinetics of cortisone (E) and its metabolite cortisol (F) in rats after administration of glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) and cortisone. Healthy male SD rats were randomized to be given 20 mg/kg E or E combined with 10 mg/kg GA. Blood samples were collected at 5, 10, 20, 40, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, and 240 min after administration. The serum concentrations of E and F were determined by HLPC and pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated using DASver2.0 software. The parameters ofAUC(0−t),AUC(0−∞), andCmaxfor E in the group of E + GA were significantly higher than those in the group of E (P<0.01); the half-time (t1/2β) was extended compared to E (P<0.05) and CL/F was dropped obviously (P<0.01). The rise inAUC(0−t),AUC(0−∞), andCmaxfor cortisol in the group of E + GA was significantly compared to the group of E (P<0.01). CL/F was lower than E (P<0.01) and the half-time (t1/2β) was slightly extended. In this study, we find that GA restrains the metabolism of E and F and thus increases AUC,t1/2β, andCmaxof E and F, which may be related to its inhibition effect on 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11β-HSD).
Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 Inhibition May Facilitate Healing of Chronic Foot Ulcers in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Marfella Raffaele , Sasso Ferdinando Carlo , Rizzo Maria Rosaria , Paolisso Pasquale , Barbieri Michelangela , Padovano Vincenzo , Carbonara Ornella , Gualdiero Pasquale , Petronella Pasquale , Ferraraccio Franca , Petrella Antonello , Canonico Raffaele , Campitiello Ferdinando , Della Corte Angela , Paolisso Giuseppe , Canonico Silvestro
Published: November 2012

The pathophysiology of chronic diabetic ulcers is complex and still incompletely understood, both micro- and macroangiopathy strongly contribute to the development and delayed healing of diabetic wounds, through an impaired tissue feeding and response to ischemia. With adequate treatment, some ulcers may last only weeks; however, many ulcers are difficult to treat and may last months, in certain cases years; 19–35% of ulcers are reported as nonhealing. As no efficient therapy is available, it is a high priority to develop new strategies for treatment of this devastating complication. Because experimental and pathological studies suggest that incretin hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 may improves VEGF generation and promote the upregulation of HIF-1αthrough a reduction of oxidative stress, the study evaluated the effect of the augmentation of GLP-1, by inhibitors of the dipeptidyl peptidase-4, such as vildagliptin, on angiogenesis process and wound healing in diabetic chronic ulcers. Although elucidation of the pathophysiologic importance of these aspects awaits further confirmations, the present study evidences an additional aspect of how DPP-4 inhibition might contribute to improved ulcer outcome.
Resistance ofEchinochloa crus-galliPopulations to Acetolactate Synthase-Inhibiting Herbicides
Authors: Riar Dilpreet S. , Norsworthy Jason K. , Bond Jason A. , Bararpour Mohammad T. , Wilson Michael J. , Scott Robert C.
Published: November 2012

ThreeEchinochloa crus-galli(barnyardgrass) populations from rice fields in Arkansas (AR1 and AR2) and Mississippi (MS1), USA, were recently confirmed to be resistant to imazethapyr. Experiments were conducted to characterize cross-resistance to acetolactate synthase- (ALS-) inhibiting herbicides and determine if malathion, a known cytochrome P450 monooxygenase (CYP) inhibitor, would overcome resistance. The AR1 and MS1 populations were cross-resistant to bispyribac-sodium; however, AR2 was sensitive to bispyribac-sodium. The AR1, AR2, and MS1 populations were >94, >94, and 3.3 times, respectively, more resistant to imazamox; >94, 30, and 9.4 times, respectively, more resistant to penoxsulam; and 15, 0.9, and 7.2 times, respectively, more resistant to bispyribac-sodium compared to a susceptible population. Addition of malathion to penoxsulam reduced dry weight of all populations and increased mortality of AR2 and MS1 populations compared to penoxsulam alone. Addition of malathion to imazethapyr and bispyribac-sodium increased the mortality of MS1 population in mixture with imazethapyr and AR1 population in mixture with bispyribac-sodium compared to treatments with imazethapyr and bispyribac-sodium applied alone. Synergism of ALS-inhibiting herbicides with malathion indicates increased herbicide degradation by CYP as partial mechanism of resistance to penoxsulam in all resistant populations and probably to imazethapyr in MS1 and bispyribac-sodium in AR1 populations.
Nonclassical Symmetry Analysis of Boundary Layer Equations
Authors: Naz Rehana , Khan Mohammad Danish , Naeem Imran
Published: November 2012

The nonclassical symmetries of boundary layer equations for two‐dimensional and radial flows are considered. A number of exact solutions for problems under
consideration were found in the literature, and here we find new similarity solution by implementing the SADE package for finding nonclassical symmetries.
Exponential Convergence for Cellular Neural Networks with Time‐Varying Delays in the Leakage Terms
Authors: Chen Zhibin , Meng Junxia
Published: November 2012

We consider a class of cellular neural networks with time‐varying delays in the leakage terms. By applying Lyapunov functional method and differential
inequality techniques, we establish new results to ensure that all solutions of the networks
converge exponentially to zero point.
Improving the Solution of Least Squares Support Vector Machines with Application to a Blast Furnace System
Authors: Jian Ling , Shen Shuqian , Song Yunquan
Published: November 2012

The solution of least squares support vector machines (LS‐SVMs) is characterized by a specific linear
system, that is, a saddle point system. Approaches for its numerical solutions such as conjugate
methods Sykens and Vandewalle (1999) and null space methods Chu et al. (2005) have been proposed. To speed up the solution of LS‐SVM, this
paper employs the minimal residual (MINRES) method to solve the above saddle point system directly.
Theoretical analysis indicates that the MINRES method is more efficient than the conjugate gradient
method and the null space method for solving the saddle point system. Experiments on benchmark data
sets show that compared with mainstream algorithms for LS‐SVM, the proposed approach significantly
reduces the training time and keeps comparable accuracy. To heel, the LS‐SVM based on MINRES
method is used to track a practical problem originated from blast furnace iron‐making process: changing
trend prediction of silicon content in hot metal. The MINRES method‐based LS‐SVM can effectively
perform feature reduction and model selection simultaneously, so it is a practical tool for the silicon
trend prediction task.
f‐Orthomorphisms and f‐Linear Operators on the Order Dual of an f‐Algebra
Authors: Feng Ying , Chen Jin Xi , Chen Zi Li
Published: November 2012

We consider the f‐orthomorphisms and f‐linear operators on the order dual of an f‐algebra. In particular, when the f‐algebra has the factorization property (not necessarily unital), we prove that the orthomorphisms, f‐orthomorphisms, and f‐linear operators on the order dual are precisely the same class of operators.
Effects of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors on Liver Fibrosis in HIV and Hepatitis C Coinfection
Authors: Reese Lindsey J. , Tider Diane S. , Stivala Alicia C. , Fishbein Dawn A.
Published: November 2012

Background. Liver fibrosis is accelerated in HIV and hepatitis C coinfection, mediated by profibrotic effects of angiotensin. The objective of this study was to determine if angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-Is) attenuate liver fibrosis in coinfection.Methods. A retrospective review of 156 coinfected subjects was conducted to analyze the association between exposure to ACE-Is and liver fibrosis. Noninvasive indices of liver fibrosis (APRI, FIB-4, Forns indices) were compared between subjects who had taken ACE-Is and controls who had not taken them. Linear regression was used to evaluate ACE-I use as an independent predictor of fibrosis.Results. Subjects taking ACE-Is for three years were no different than controls on the APRI and the FIB-4 but had significantly higher scores than controls on the Forns index, indicating more advanced fibrosis. The use of ACE-Is for three years remained independently associated with an elevated Forns score when adjusted for age, race, and HIV viral load (P<0.001). There were significant associations between all of the indices and significant fibrosis, as determined clinically and radiologically.Conclusions. There was not a protective association between angiotensin inhibition and liver fibrosis in coinfection. These noninvasive indices may be useful for ruling out significant fibrosis in coinfection.
Synthesis and Evaluation of Changes Induced by Solvent and Substituent in Electronic Absorption Spectra of New Azo Disperse Dyes Containig Barbiturate Ring
Authors: Hamidian Hooshang , Zahedian Najmeh , Ghazanfari Dadkhoda , Fozooni Samieh
Published: November 2012

Six azo disperse dyes were prepared by diazotizing 4-amino hippuric acid and coupled with barbituric acid and 2-thiobarbituric acid. Then, the products were reacted with aromatic aldehyde, sodium acetate, and acetic anhydride, and oxazolone derivatives were formed. Characterization of the dyes was carried out by using UV-Vis, FT-IR,1H NMR and13C NMR, and mass spectroscopic techniques. The solvatochromic behavior of azo disperse dyes was evaluated in various solvents. The effects of substituents of aromatic aldehyde, barbiturate, and thiobarbiturate ring on the color of dyes were investigated.
Biosorption of Ni(II), Cr(III), and Co(II) from Solutions Using Acalypha hispida Leaf: Kinetics, Equilibrium, and Thermodynamics
Authors: Babarinde Adesola , Babalola J. Oyebamiji , Adegoke John , Osundeko Adebola O. , Olasehinde Susan , Omodehin Adetayo , Nurhe Emmanuel
Published: November 2012

Biosorption studies were conducted to study the removal of Ni(II), Cr(III), and Co(II) from aqueous solution of Acalypha hispida leaf. The FTIR spectral characteristics of Acalypha hispida leaf revealed the presence of ioniazable groups that could participate in the binding of metal ions in solution. The kinetic, equilibrium, and thermodynamic studies of the biosorption of the metal ions were investigated using various physicochemical parameters; each parameter was found to affect the biosorption process. The kinetic studies showed that the biosorption process was best represented by pseudo‐second‐order kinetics among four kinetic models tested. Equilibrium data were better represented by Freundlich isotherm among Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms. The study on the effect of dosage showed that the dosage of the biomass significantly affected the uptake of the metal ions from solution. Thermodynamic parameters such as standard Gibbs‐free energy (ΔG°), standard enthalpy (ΔH°), standard entropy (ΔS°), and the activation energy (A) were calculated. The order of spontaneity of the biosorption process was found to be Cr(III) > Ni(II) > Co(II). The activation energy for the biosorption of each of the metal ions was less than 42 kJmol−1 at 323 K indicating that each was a diffusion‐controlled process.