bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Is Musculoskeletal Ultrasonography an Operator-Dependent Method or a Fast and Reliably Teachable Diagnostic Tool? Interreader Agreements of Three Ultrasonographers with Different Training Levels
Authors: Ohrndorf Sarah , Naumann Lydia , Grundey Jessica , Scheel Tanja , Scheel Alexander K. , Werner Carola , Backhaus Marina
Published: December 2010

Objectives. To assess interreader agreements and a learning curve between three (senior, junior, and beginner) different experienced musculoskeletal ultrasonographers. Senior served as the imaging “gold standard”.Methods. Clinically dominant joints (finger, shoulder, knee, tibiotalar, and talonavicular) of 15 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients were examined by three different experienced ultrasonographers (senior 10 years, junior 10 months, and beginner one month). Each patient's ultrasonographic findings were reported unaware of the other investigators' results. coefficients, percentage agreements, sensitivities, and specificities were calculated.Results. 120 joints of 15 RA patients were evaluated. Comparing junior's and beginner's results each to the senior's findings, the overall for all examined joints was 0.83 (93%) for junior and 0.43 (76%) for beginner. Regarding the different joints, junior's findings correlate very well with the senior's findings (finger joints: ; shoulder: ; knee: ; tibiotalar joint: ; talonavicular joint: ) while beginner's findings just showed fair to moderate agreements (finger joints: ; shoulder: ; knee: ; tibiotalar joint: ; talonavicular joint: ). In total, beginner's results clearly improved from (agreement of 67%) at baseline to (agreement of 89%) at the end of the evaluation period.Conclusions. Ultrasonographic evaluation of a ten-month-experienced investigator in comparison to a senior ultrasonographer was of substantial agreement. Agreements between a beginner and a highly experienced ultrasonographer were only fair at the beginning, but during the study including ultrasonographical sessions of 15 RA patients, the beginner clearly improved in musculoskeletal ultrasonography.
Physics of Magnetopause Reconnection: A Study of the Combined Effects of Density Asymmetry, Velocity Shear, and Guide Field
Authors: Tanaka Kentaro G. , Fujimoto Masaki , Shinohara Iku
Published: December 2010

Magnetopause reconnection would be characterized by the density jump across the current sheet, the flow shear across the boundary, and nonzero guide field. While effects of each of these elements have been studied, the effects arising from the combination of these are still unexplored. Two-dimensional full-particle simulations show that the combination of shear flow and/or guide field with density asymmetry induces the sliding motion of theX-line along the magnetopause. The direction of theX-line motion is controlled either by the ion flow at theX-line when the shear flow effects dominate or by the electron flow at theX-line when the guide field effects dominate. The shear flow effects and the guide field effects may counteract each other in determining the direction of theX-line motion and, in the close proximity of the subsolar region where the flow is slow, theX-line motion can be opposite to the flow direction.
Advanced Multipath Mitigation Techniques for Satellite-Based Positioning Applications
Authors: Bhuiyan Mohammad Zahidul H. , Lohan Elena Simona
Published: December 2010

Multipath remains a dominant source of ranging errors in Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), such as the Global Positioning System (GPS) or the future European satellite navigation system Galileo. Multipath is generally considered undesirable in the context of GNSS, since the reception of multipath can make significant distortion to the shape of the correlation function used for time delay estimation. However, some wireless communications techniques exploit multipath in order to provide signal diversity though in GNSS, the major challenge is to effectively mitigate the multipath, since we are interested only in the satellite-receiver transit time offset of the Line-Of-Sight (LOS) signal for the receiver's position estimate. Therefore, the multipath problem has been approached from several directions in order to mitigate the impact of multipath on navigation receivers, including the development of novel signal processing techniques. In this paper, we propose a maximum likelihood-based technique, namely, the Reduced Search Space Maximum Likelihood (RSSML) delay estimator, which is capable of mitigating the multipath effects reasonably well at the expense of increased complexity. The proposed RSSML attempts to compensate the multipath error contribution by performing a nonlinear curve fit on the input correlation function, which finds a perfect match from a set of ideal reference correlation functions with certain amplitude(s), phase(s), and delay(s) of the multipath signal. It also incorporates a threshold-based peak detection method, which eventually reduces the code-delay search space significantly. However, the downfall of RSSML is the memory requirement which it uses to store the reference correlation functions. The multipath performance of other delay-tracking methods previously studied for Binary Phase Shift Keying-(BPSK-) and Sine Binary Offset Carrier- (SinBOC-) modulated signals is also analyzed in closed loop model with the new Composite BOC (CBOC) modulation chosen for Galileo E1 signal. The simulation results show that the RSSML achieves the best multipath mitigation performance in a uniformly distributed two-to-four paths Rayleigh fading channel model for all three modulated signals.
Structure-Processing-Property Relationship of Poly(Glycolic Acid) for Drug Delivery Systems 1: Synthesis and Catalysis
Authors: Singh Vineet , Tiwari Meena
Published: December 2010

Till date, market is augmented with a huge number of improved drug delivery systems. The success in this area is basically due to biodegradable polymers. Although conventional systems of drug delivery utilizing the natural and semisynthetic polymers so long but synthetic polymer gains success in the controlled drug delivery area due to better degradation profile and controlled network and functionality. The polyesters are the most studied class group due the susceptible ester linkage in their backbone. The Poly(glycolic Acid) (PGA), Poly(lactic acid) (PLA), and Polylactide-co-glycolide (PLGA) are the best profiled polyesters and are most widely used in marketed products. These polymers, however, still are having drawbacks which failed them to be used in platform technologies like matrix systems, microspheres, and nanospheres in some cases. The common problems arose with these polymers are entrapment inefficiency, inability to degrade and release drugs with required profile, and drug instability in the microenvironment of the polymers. These problems are forcing us to develop new polymers with improved physicochemical properties. The present review gave us an insight in the various structural elements of Poly(glycolic acid), polyester, with in depth study. The first part of the review focuses on the result of studies related to synthetic methodologies and catalysts being utilized to synthesize the polyesters. However the author will also focus on the effect of processing methodologies but due some constraints those are not included in the preview of this part of review.
A Simple Sufficient Descent Method for Unconstrained Optimization
Authors: Zhang Ming-Liang , Xiao Yun-Hai , Zhou Dangzhen
Published: December 2010

We develop a sufficient descent method for solving large‐scale unconstrained optimization problems. At each iteration, the search direction is a linear combination of the gradient
at the current and the previous steps. An attractive property of this method is that the generated directions are always descent. Under some appropriate conditions, we show that the proposed
method converges globally. Numerical experiments on some unconstrained minimization problems
from CUTEr library are reported, which illustrate that the proposed method is promising.
Recent Advances in Understanding the Microbiology of the Female Reproductive Tract and the Causes of Premature Birth
Authors: Zhou Xia , Brotman Rebecca M. , Gajer Pawel , Abdo Zaid , Schüette Ursel , Ma Sam , Ravel Jacques , Forney Larry J.
Published: December 2010

Data derived from molecular microbiological investigations of the human vagina have led to the discovery of resident bacterial communities that exhibit marked differences in terms of species composition. All undergo dynamic changes that are likely due to intrinsic host and behavioral factors. Similar types of bacteria have been found in both amniotic fluid and the vagina, suggesting a potential route of colonization. Given that not all of the species involved in intrauterine infections are readily cultivated, it is important that culture-independent methods of analysis must be used to understand the etiology of these infections. Further research is needed to establish whether an ascending pathway from the vagina to the amniotic cavity enables the development of intrauterine infections.
Profound Vitamin D Deficiency in a Diverse Group of Women during Pregnancy Living in a Sun-Rich Environment at Latitude 32°N
Authors: Hamilton Stuart A. , McNeil Rebecca , Hollis Bruce W. , Davis Deborah J. , Winkler Joyce , Cook Carolina , Warner Gloria , Bivens Betty , McShane Patrick , Wagner Carol L.
Published: December 2010

Objective: Determine prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (VDD) in a diverse group of women presenting for obstetrical care at two community health centers in South Carolina at latitude 32°N.Methods and Design: Any pregnant woman presenting for care at 2 community health centers was eligible to participate. Sociodemographic and clinical history were recorded. A single blood sample was taken to measure circulating 25(OH)D as indicator of vitamin D status [25(OH)D < 20 ng/mL (50 nmol/L deficiency; <32 ng/mL (80 nmol/L) insufficiency]. Total serum calcium, phosphorus, creatinine, and intact parathyroid hormone also were measured.Results: 559 women, [mean age 25.0 ± 5.4 (range 14–43) years] participated: African American (48%), Hispanic (38%), Caucasian/Other (14%). Mean gestational age was 18.5 ± 8.4 (median 14.6, range 6.4–39.6) weeks' gestation. 48% were VDD; an additional 37% insufficient. Greatest degree was in the African American women (68% deficient; 94% insufficient). In multivariable regression, 25(OH)D retained a significant negative association with PTH (P<.001).Conclusions: VDD was high in a diverse group of women, greatest in those of darker pigmentation. The negative correlation between 25(OH)D and PTH confirms their corroborative use as biomarkers of VDD. These findings raise the issue of adequacy of current vitamin D recommendations for pregnant women.
Existence and Asymptotic Behavior of Boundary Blow‐Up Solutions for Weighted p(x)‐Laplacian Equations with Exponential Nonlinearities
Authors: Yin Li , Guo Yunrui , Yang Jing , Lu Bibo , Zhang Qihu
Published: December 2010

This paper investigates the following p(x)‐Laplacian equations with exponential nonlinearities: −Δp(x)u + ρ(x)ef(x,u) = 0 in Ω, u(x)→+∞ as d(x, ∂Ω) → 0, where −Δp(x)u = −div(|∇u|p(x)−2∇u) is called p(x)‐Laplacian, ρ(x) ∈ C(Ω). The asymptotic behavior of boundary blow‐up solutions is discussed, and the existence of boundary blow‐up solutions is given.
Exploring the Fractal Parameters of Urban Growth and Form with Wave‐Spectrum Analysis
Authors: Chen Yanguang
Published: December 2010

The Fourier transform and spectral analysis are employed to estimate the fractal dimension and explore the fractal parameter relations of urban growth and form using mathematical experiments and empirical analyses. Based on the models of urban density, two kinds of fractal dimensions of urban form can be evaluated with the scaling relations between the wave number and the spectral density. One is theradial dimensionof self‐similar distribution indicating the macro‐urban patterns, and the other, the profile dimension of self‐affine tracks indicating the micro‐urban evolution. If a city′s growth follows the power law, the summation of the two dimension values may be a constant under certain condition. The estimated results of the radial dimension suggest a new fractal dimension, which can be termed “image dimension”. A dual‐structure model namedparticle-ripple model(PRM) is proposed to explain the connections and differences between the macro and micro levels of urban form.
The Role of RUNX2 in Osteosarcoma Oncogenesis
Authors: Martin J. W. , Zielenska M. , Stein G. S. , van Wijnen A. J. , Squire J. A.
Published: December 2010

Osteosarcoma is an aggressive but ill-understood cancer of bone that predominantly affects adolescents. Its rarity and biological heterogeneity have limited studies of its molecular basis. In recent years, an important role has emerged for the RUNX2 “platform protein” in osteosarcoma oncogenesis. RUNX proteins are DNA-binding transcription factors that regulate the expression of multiple genes involved in cellular differentiation and cell-cycle progression. RUNX2 is genetically essential for developing bone and osteoblast maturation. Studies of osteosarcoma tumours have revealed that the RUNX2 DNA copy number together with RNA and protein levels are highly elevated in osteosarcoma tumors. The protein is also important for metastatic bone disease of prostate and breast cancers, while RUNX2 may have both tumor suppressive and oncogenic roles in bone morphogenesis. This paper provides a synopsis of the current understanding of the functions of RUNX2 and its potential role in osteosarcoma and suggests directions for future study.
Beyond Diagnosis: Evolving Prostate Biopsy in the Era of Focal Therapy
Authors: Dominguez-Escrig J. L. , McCracken S. R. C. , Greene D.
Published: December 2010

Despite decades of use as the “gold standard” in the detection of prostate cancer, the optimal biopsy regimen is still not universally agreed upon. While important aspects such as the need for laterally placed biopsies and the importance of apical cancer are known, repeated studies have shown significant patients with cancer on subsequent biopsy when the original biopsy was negative and an ongoing suspicion of cancer remained. Attempts to maximise the effectiveness of repeat biopsies have given rise to the alternate approaches of saturation biopsy and the transperineal approach. Recent interest in focal treatment of prostate cancer has further highlighted the need for accurate detection of prostate cancer, and in response, the introduction of transperineal template-guided biopsy. While the saturation biopsy approach and the transperineal template approach increase the detection rate of cancer in men with a previous negative biopsy and appear to have acceptable morbidity, there is a lack of clinical trials evaluating the different biopsy strategies. This paper reviews the evolution of prostatic biopsy and current controversies.
Cellular Injury of Cardiomyocytes during Hepatocyte Growth Factor Gene Transfection with Ultrasound-Triggered Bubble Liposome Destruction
Authors: Komamura Kazuo , Tatsumi Rie , Tsujita-Kuroda Yuko , Onoe Takatoshi , Matsumoto Kunio , Nakamura Toshikazu , Miyazaki Jun-ichi , Horio Takeshi , Sugimachi Masaru
Published: December 2010

We transfected naked HGF plasmid DNA into cultured cardiomyocytes using a sonoporation method consisting of ultrasound-triggered bubble liposome destruction. We examined the effects on transfection efficiency of three concentrations of bubble liposome (1×106,
1×107,
1×108/mL), three concentrations of HGF DNA (60, 120, 180 μg/mL), two insonification times (30, 60 sec), and three incubation times (15, 60, 120 min). We found that low concentrations of bubble liposome and low concentrations of DNA provided the largest amount of the HGF protein expression by the sonoporated cardiomyocytes. Variation of insonification and incubation times did not affect the amount of product. Following insonification, cardiomyocytes showed cellular injury, as determined by a dye exclusion test. The extent of injury was most severe with the highest concentration of bubble liposome. In conclusion, there are some trade-offs between gene transfection efficiency and cellular injury using ultrasound-triggered bubble liposome destruction as a method for gene transfection.
Depression with and without Comorbid Substance Dependence in a Child Welfare Sample of Young Adults
Authors: Anderson Heather Orton , Libby Anne M.
Published: December 2010

The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of depression with and without substance dependence and examine the effect of risk factors on subsequent disorders among a cohort of young adults in the US Child Welfare System (CWS). We used longitudinal data for 834 young adults age 18–21 from the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-being. Depressive symptoms and substance use were measured at baseline (age 11–15); diagnoses of depression and substance dependence were identified at the last wave of data collection (age 18–21). Likelihood of subsequent depression with or without substance dependence was three times higher for those with clinically significant depressive symptoms at baseline. Frequent use of substances at baseline significantly increased the likelihood of subsequent depression with comorbid substance dependence compared to depression alone. These results support screening youth in the CWS at younger ages for both depressive symptoms and substance use with the hope that these disorders can be detected earlier.
Targeting Angiogenesis in Childhood Sarcomas
Authors: Bid Hemant K. , Houghton Peter J.
Published: December 2010

Angiogenesis and vasculogenesis constitute two processes in the formation of new blood vessels and are essential for progression of solid tumors. Consequently, targeting angiogenesis, and to a lesser extent vasculogenesis, has become a major focus in cancer drug development. Angiogenesis inhibitors are now being tested in pediatric populations whereas inhibitors of vasculogenesis are in an earlier stage of development. Despite the initial enthusiasm for targeting angiogenesis for treatment of cancer, clinical trials have shown only incremental increases in survival, and agents have been largely cytostatic rather than inducing tumor regressions. Consequently, the role of such therapeutic approaches in the context of curative intent for childhood sarcomas is less clear. Here we review the literature on blood vessel formation in sarcomas with a focus on pediatric sarcomas and developments in targeting angiogenesis for treatment of these rare cancers.
Gastroesophageal Reflux and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: A Review
Authors: Fahim Ahmed , Crooks Michael , Hart Simon P.
Published: December 2010

The histological counterpart of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is usual interstitial pneumonia, in which areas of fibrosis of various ages are interspersed with normal lung. This pattern could be explained by repeated episodes of lung injury followed by abnormal wound healing responses. The cause of the initiating alveolar epithelial injury is unknown, but postulated mechanisms include immunological, microbial, or chemical injury, including aspirated gastric refluxate. Reflux is promoted by low basal pressure in the lower oesophageal sphincter and frequent relaxations, potentiated by hiatus hernia or oesophageal dysmotility. In susceptible individuals, repeated microaspiration of gastric refluxate may contribute to the pathogenesis of IPF. Microaspiration of nonacid or gaseous refluxate is poorly detected by current tests for gastroesophageal reflux which were developed for investigating oesophageal symptoms. Further studies using pharyngeal pH probes, high-resolution impedance manometry, and measurement of pepsin in the lung should clarify the impact of reflux and microaspiration in the pathogenesis of IPF.
Existence and Asymptotic Behavior of Positive Solutions of Functional Differential Equations of Delayed Type
Authors: Diblík J. , Kúdelčíková M.
Published: December 2010

Solutions of the equation   −f(t, yt) are considered for t → ∞. The existence of two classes of positive solutions which are asymptotically different is proved using the retract method combined with Razumikhin′s technique. With the aid of two auxiliary linear equations, which are constructed using upper and lower linear functional estimates of the right‐hand side of the equation considered, inequalities for both types of positive solutions are given as well.
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde: The Two Faces of the FUS/EWS/TAF15 Protein Family
Authors: Kovar Heinrich
Published: December 2010

FUS, EWS, and TAF15 form the FET family of RNA-binding proteins whose genes are found rearranged with various transcription factor genes predominantly in sarcomas and in rare hematopoietic and epithelial cancers. The resulting fusion gene products have attracted considerable interest as diagnostic and promising therapeutic targets. So far, oncogenic FET fusion proteins have been regarded as strong transcription factors that aberrantly activate or repress target genes of their DNA-binding fusion partners. However, the role of the transactivating domain in the context of the normal FET proteins is poorly defined, and, therefore, our knowledge on how FET aberrations impact on tumor biology is incomplete. Since we believe that a full understanding of aberrant FET protein function can only arise from looking at both sides of the coin, the good and the evil, this paper summarizes evidence for the central function of FET proteins in bridging RNA transcription, processing, transport, and DNA repair.
Potent Inhibition of Acid Ceramidase by Novel B-13 Analogues
Authors: Proksch Denny , Klein Jan Jasper , Arenz Christoph
Published: December 2010

The lipid-signalling molecule ceramide is known to induce apoptosis in a variety of cell types. Inhibition of the lysosomal acid ceramidase can increase cellular ceramide levels and thus induce apoptosis. Indeed, inhibitors of acid ceramidase have been reported to induce cell death and to display potentiating effects to classical radio- or chemo therapy in a number ofin vitroandin vivocancer models. The most potentin vitroinhibitor of acid ceramidase, B-13, recently revealed to be virtually inactive towards lysosomal acid ceramidase in living cells. In contrast, a number of weakly basic B-13 analogues have been shown to accumulate in the acidic compartments of living cells and to efficiently inhibit lysosomal acid ceramidase. However, introduction of weakly basic groups at theω-position of the fatty acid moiety of B-13 led to a significant reduction of potency towards acid ceramidase from cellular extracts. Herein, we report a novel B-13-derived scaffold for more effective inhibitors of acid ceramidase. Furthermore, we provide hints for an introduction of basic functional groups at an alternative site of the B-13 scaffold that do not interfere with acid ceramidase inhibitionin vitro.
Separating the Dynamical Effects of Climate Change and Ozone Depletion. Part II: Southern Hemisphere Troposphere
Authors: McLandress Charles , Shepherd Theodore G. , Scinocca John F. , Plummer David A. , Sigmond Michael , Jonsson Andreas I. , Reader M. Catherine
Published: December 2010

The separate effects of ozone depleting substances (ODSs) and greenhouse gases (GHGs) on forcing circulation changes in the Southern Hemisphere extratropical troposphere are investigated using a version of the Canadian Middle Atmosphere Model (CMAM) that is coupled to an ocean. Circulation-related diagnostics include zonal wind, tropopause pressure, Hadley cell width, jet location, annular mode index, precipitation, wave drag, and eddy fluxes of momentum and heat. As expected, the tropospheric response to the ODS forcing occurs primarily in austral summer, with past (1960–99) and future (2000–99) trends of opposite sign, while the GHG forcing produces more seasonally uniform trends with the same sign in the past and future. In summer the ODS forcing dominates past trends in all diagnostics, while the two forcings contribute nearly equally but oppositely to future trends. The ODS forcing produces a past surface temperature response consisting of cooling over eastern Antarctica, and is the dominant driver of past summertime surface temperature changes when the model is constrained by observed sea surface temperatures. For all diagnostics, the response to the ODS and GHG forcings is additive; that is, the linear trend computed from the simulations using the combined forcings equals (within statistical uncertainty) the sum of the linear trends from the simulations using the two separate forcings. Space–time spectra of eddy fluxes and the spatial distribution of transient wave drag are examined to assess the viability of several recently proposed mechanisms for the observed poleward shift in the tropospheric jet.
“Worthless Female Material”: Nursemaids and Governesses in Freud's Cases
Authors: Colombo Daria
Published: December 2010

The figure of the governess, central in Freud’s own history, is present in most of his cases. Freud described his nursemaid as “the prime originator” of his neuroses. Well after Freud’s abandonment of the seduction theory, female servants were consistently portrayed as seducing boys, while their relationship with girls consisted of identification and rivalry. The role of Freud’s own surrogate mother in his life and writing is examined, and two cases, Lucy R. and Dora, are looked at through the lens of female caretaking. A review and integration of relevant literature is followed by an exploration of the perplexing adherence in Freud’s writing to the reality of seduction by a governess, even after he had abandoned the seduction theory. It is argued that it is in the figure of the female maid that the “shadowy” early history of Freud’s mothering experiences may actually be engaged, however indirectly and unconsciously. This figure, and Freud’s powerful, problematic identification with her, is a thread that when pulled helps unravel struggles in Freud’s early theoretical development around issues of female sexuality and analytic authority. Revisiting Lucy R. and Dora provides a new perspective on Freud’s difficulty with maternal transferences, and restores to their original importance his “worthless” governesses, those first analysts.
Excess Fluoride Interferes with Chloride-channel-dependent Endocytosis in Ameloblasts
Authors: Duan X. , Mao Y. , Wen X. , Yang T. , Xue Y.
Published: December 2010

Mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene cause cystic fibrosis (CF). Both CF and dental fluorosis result in protein retention in mature enamel. We hypothesized that excess fluoride might cause protein retention by interfering with CFTR function, resulting in abnormal expression of proteases and pathological endocytosis. Millimolar concentrations of fluoride reduced uptake of Emdogain, an enamel matrix derivative, in ameloblast-like PABSo-E cells, while stimulating an acidic intracellular environment at the same time. When CFTR function was inhibited by either an siRNA or a chloride channel inhibitor, CFTRinh-172, fluoride’s effect on Emdogain uptake was partially blocked. Treatment of cells with CFTR siRNA down-regulated expression of proteases MMP20 and KLK4 and increased intracellular pH. We conclude that excess fluoride inhibits endocytic activity of ameloblasts through the CFTR chloride channel or other chloride channels. The intracellular pH might be the key mechanism by which abnormal proteolytic activity and defective endocytosis cause the residual protein observed in enamel of patients with CF and dental fluorosis.
DeMO: An Ontology for Discrete-event Modeling and Simulation
Authors: Silver Gregory A , Miller John A , Hybinette Maria , Baramidze Gregory , York William S
Published: December 2010

Several fields have created ontologies for their subdomains. For example, the biological sciences have developed extensive ontologies such as the Gene Ontology, which is considered a great success. Ontologies could provide similar advantages to the Modeling and Simulation community. They provide a way to establish common vocabularies and capture knowledge about a particular domain with community-wide agreement. Ontologies can support significantly improved (semantic) search and browsing, integration of heterogeneous information sources, and improved knowledge discovery capabilities. This paper discusses the design and development of an ontology for Modeling and Simulation called the Discrete-event Modeling Ontology (DeMO), and it presents prototype applications that demonstrate various uses and benefits that such an ontology may provide to the Modeling and Simulation community.
Discrete-time simulation of smart antenna systems in Network Simulator-2 Using MATLAB and Octave
Authors: Babich Fulvio , Comisso Massimilliano , Dorni Aljosa , Barisi Flavio , Driusso Marco , Manià Allesandro
Published: December 2010

This paper presents two platforms that exploit the scalability properties of Network Simulator-2 for the discrete-event simulation of a telecommunication network, and the modeling capabilities of two development tools for the discrete-time implementation of adaptive antenna arrays at the physical layer. The two tools are the proprietary MATLAB and the open source Octave, both of which are used to implement the physical antenna system, the beamforming algorithm, the channel coding scheme, and the multipath and fading statistics. The adopted approach enables detailed modeling of the antenna radiation pattern generated by each network node, thus improving the accuracy of the signal-to-interference ratio estimated at the receiver. This study describes the methods that can be adopted to interface MATLAB and Octave with Network Simulator-2, and discusses the advantages and disadvantages that characterize the integration of the two tools with Network Simulator-2. The proposed numerical platforms, which can be interfaced with any wireless network supported by Network Simulator-2, are used to investigate the possibility of exploiting smart antenna systems in a wireless mesh network to enable the coexistence of multiple simultaneous communications.
Where Now for Post-Normal Science?: A Critical Review of its Development, Definitions, and Uses
Authors: Turnpenny John , Jones Mavis , Lorenzoni Irene
Published: December 2010

‘‘Post-normal science’’ (PNS) has received much attention in recent years, but like many iconic concepts, it has attracted differing conceptualizations, applications, and implications, ranging from being a ‘‘cure-all’’ for democratic deficit to the key to achieving more sustainable futures. This editorial article introduces a Special Issue that takes stock of research on PNS and critically explores how such research may develop. Through reviewing the history and evolution of PNS, the authors seek to clarify the extant definitions, conceptualizations, and uses of PNS. The authors identify five broad areas of research on, or using, PNS which have developed over four decades. Their analysis suggests that the 1990s represent a symbolic watershed in the use of PNS terminology, when the concept was further developed and applied to highly complicated issues such as climate change. The authors particularly distinguish between uses of PNS as a normative prescription and as a practical method. Through this classification, they set out gaps and research questions arising. They then briefly summarize the Special Issue articles and consider their relationship to each other and the research questions raised by their analysis. They conclude by considering what the articles in this issue suggest for future theory building in PNS and related scholarship.
Behavioral pattern analysis and dopamine release in quinpirole-induced repetitive behavior in rats
Authors: de Haas Ria , Nijdam Annelies , Westra Tjalke A , Kas Martien JH , Westenberg Herman GM
Published: December 2010

Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic and disabling psychiatric disease with a lifetime prevalence of 2–3%. People with OCD suffer from intrusive, unwanted and recurrent thoughts (obsessions) and/or repetitive ritualistic behaviors (compulsions). The aim of this study is to quantify the dimensions of ritualistic ‘compulsive-like’ behavior in quinpirole-induced behavior in rats by using T-pattern behavioral analysis. In addition, we investigated whether the behavioral effects elicited by quinpirole sensitization remained after 2 weeks of cessation of treatment. Finally, to study the neurobiological underpinnings of this ‘compulsive-like’ behavior, we investigated the effect of quinpirole treatment on the extracellular dopamine levels in the nucleus accumbens. Once established, ‘compulsive-like’ behavior is dependent upon quinpirole administration, as this behavior rapidly normalized after cessation of treatment. After a single dose of quinpirole the dopamine level decreased more in saline pre-treated animals as compared with animals given quinpirole treatment continuously. Furthermore, T-pattern analysis revealed that quinpirole-induced behavior consists, unlike OCD rituals, of a smaller behavioral repertoire. As seen in patients with OCD, quinpirole-treated animals performed these behaviors with a high rate of repetition. These findings suggest that quinpirole-induced behavior mimics only part of the compulsive behavior as shown in OCD patients.
Cannabidiol injected into the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis reduces the expression of contextual fear conditioning via 5-HT1Areceptors
Authors: Gomes Felipe V , Reis Daniel G , Alves Fernando HF , Corrêa Fernando MA , Guimarães Francisco S , Resstel Leonardo BM
Published: December 2010

Systemic administration of cannabidiol (CBD) attenuates cardiovascular and behavioral changes induced by re-exposure to a context that had been previously paired with footshocks. Previous results from our group using cFos immunohistochemistry suggested that the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) is involved in this effect. The mechanisms of CBD effects are still poorly understood, but could involve 5-HT1Areceptor activation. Thus, the present work investigated if CBD administration into the BNST would attenuate the expression of contextual fear conditioning and if this effect would involve the activation of 5-HT1Areceptors. Male Wistar rats with cannulae bilaterally implanted into the BNST were submitted to a 10 min conditioning session (six footshocks, 1.5 mA/3 s). Twenty-four hours later freezing and cardiovascular responses (mean arterial pressure and heart rate) to the conditioning box were measured for 10 min. CBD (15, 30 or 60 nmol) or vehicle was administered 10 min before the re-exposure to the aversive context. The second experiment was similar to the first one except that animals received microinjections of the 5-HT1Areceptor antagonist WAY100635 (0.37 nmol) 5 min before CBD (30 nmol) treatment. The results showed that CBD (30 and 60 nmol) treatment significantly reduced the freezing and attenuated the cardiovascular responses induced by re-exposure to the aversive context. Moreover, WAY100635 by itself did not change the cardiovascular and behavioral response to context, but blocked the CBD effects. These results suggest that CBD can act in the BNST to attenuate aversive conditioning responses and this effect seems to involve 5-HT1Areceptor-mediated neurotransmission.
Cytochrome P450 and ABCB1 genetics: association with quetiapine and norquetiapine plasma and cerebrospinal fluid concentrations and with clinical response in patients suffering from schizophrenia. A pilot study
Authors: Nikisch Georg , Baumann Pierre , Oneda Beatrice , Kiessling Bernhard , Weisser Heike , Mathé Aleksander A , Yoshitake Takashi , Kehr Jan , Wiedemann Georg , Eap Chin B
Published: December 2010

Variability in response to atypical antipsychotic drugs is due to genetic and environmental factors. Cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoforms are implicated in the metabolism of drugs, while the P-glycoprotein transporter (P-gp), encoded by the ABCB1 gene, may influence both the blood and brain drug concentrations. This study aimed to identify the possible associations of CYP and ABCB1 genetic polymorphisms with quetiapine and norquetiapine plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations and with response to treatment. Twenty-two patients with schizophrenia receiving 600 mg of quetiapine daily were genotyped for four CYP isoforms and ABCB1 polymorphisms. Quetiapine and norquetiapine peak plasma and CSF concentrations were measured after 4 weeks of treatment. Stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that ABCB1 3435C >  T (rs1045642), 2677G >  T (rs2032582) and 1236C >  T (rs1128503) polymorphisms predicted plasma quetiapine concentrations, explaining 41% of the variability ( p = 0.001). Furthermore, the ABCB1 polymorphisms predicted 48% ( p = 0.024) of the variability of the Δ PANSS total score, with the non-carriers of the 3435TT showing higher changes in the score. These results suggest that ABCB1 genetic polymorphisms may be a predictive marker of quetiapine treatment in schizophrenia.
Central, but not basolateral, amygdala involvement in the anxiolytic-like effects of midazolam in rats in the elevated plus maze
Authors: Carvalho Milene C , Moreira Caio M , Zanoveli Janaína M , Brandão Marcus L
Published: December 2010

The role of the amygdala in the mediation of fear and anxiety has been extensively investigated. However, how the amygdala functions during the organization of the anxiety-like behaviors generated in the elevated plus maze (EPM) is still under investigation. The basolateral (BLA) and the central (CeA) nuclei are the main input and output stations of the amygdala. In the present study, we ethopharmacologically analyzed the behavior of rats subjected to the EPM and the tissue content of the monoamines dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-HT) and their metabolites in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), dorsal hippocampus (DH), and dorsal striatum (DS) of animals injected with saline or midazolam (20 and 30 nmol/0.2 µL) into the BLA or CeA. Injections of midazolam into the CeA, but not BLA, caused clear anxiolytic-like effects in the EPM. These treatments did not cause significant changes in 5-HT or DA contents in the NAc, DH, or DS of animals tested in the EPM. The data suggest that the anxiolytic-like effects of midazolam in the EPM also appear to rely on GABA-benzodiazepine mechanisms in the CeA, but not BLA, and do not appear to depend on 5-HT and DA mechanisms prevalent in limbic structures.
Molecular Biological Aspects on Canine and Human Mammary Tumors
Authors: Rivera P. , von Euler H.
Published: December 2010

The high incidence of mammary tumor disease reported in certain canine breeds suggests a significant genetic component, as has already been described in human familial breast cancer—in BRCA1- and BRCA2-associated breast cancer in particular. The identification of genetic risk factors is critical to improvements in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of these tumors. In recent years, there has been significant progress in developing the tools and reagents necessary to analyze the canine genome. This work has culminated in a high-quality draft genome sequence, as well as a single-nucleotide polymorphism map and single-nucleotide polymorphism arrays for genomewide association analysis. These tools provide an unprecedented opportunity to characterize the genetic influences in canine diseases such as cancer, eventually allowing for exploration of more effective therapies. Given the high homology between the canine genome sequence and its human counterpart—as well as the many similarities regarding the morphology, biological behavior, and clinical course of mammary tumors in both species—the dog has proven to be an excellent comparative model. This review highlights the comparative aspects regarding certain areas within molecular biology, and it discusses future perspectives. The findings in larger genomewide association analyses and cDNA expression arrays are described, and the BRCA1/ BRCA2 complex is compared in detail between the 2 species.
Development, Anatomy, Histology, Lymphatic Drainage, Clinical Features, and Cell Differentiation Markers of Canine Mammary Gland Neoplasms
Authors: Sorenmo K. U. , Rasotto R. , Zappulli V. , Goldschmidt M. H.
Published: December 2010

Mammary neoplasms are the most common neoplasm in female dogs. This article describes the embryologic development, normal anatomy, and histology of the canine mammary gland from the onset of first estrous and the changes that occur in the mammary gland during the estrus cycle. The clinical features of canine mammary gland tumors and their relation to prognosis are discussed, including age, hormones, breed, diet, and obesity. Additional clinical prognostic factors including clinical presentation, tumor size, and lymph node status at the time of presentation are discussed in relation to diagnosis and tumor staging. Immunohistochemical evaluation of the cell differentiation markers of the normal and neoplastic canine mammary gland is described and compared with similar studies in humans; the ways these markers may be used to assist with the prognosis of canine mammary neoplasms are discussed.
Gene Expression and Mutation Assessment Provide Clues of Genetic and Epigenetic Mechanisms in Liver Tumors of Oxazepam-Exposed Mice
Authors: Lahousse S. A. , Hoenerhoff M. , Collins J. , Ton T-V. T. , Masinde T. , Olson D. , Rebolloso Y. , Koujitani T. , Tomer K. B. , Hong H-H. L. , Bucher J. , Sills R. C.
Published: December 2010

Liver tumors from a previous National Toxicology Program study were examined using global gene expression and mutation analysis to define the mechanisms of carcinogenesis in mice exposed to oxazepam. Five hepatocellular adenomas and 5 hepatocellular carcinomas from male B6C3F1 mice exposed to 5000 ppm oxazepam and 6 histologically normal liver samples from control animals were examined. One of the major findings in the study was upregulation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Genes that activate β-catenin, such as Sox4, were upregulated, whereas genes that inhibit Wnt signaling, such as APC and Crebbp, were downregulated. In addition, liver tumors from oxazepam-exposed mice displayed β-catenin mutations and increased protein expression of glutamine synthetase, a downstream target in the Wnt signaling pathway. Another important finding in this study was the altered expression of oxidative stress–related genes, specifically increased expression of cytochrome p450 genes, including Cyp1a2 and Cyp2b10, and decreased expression of genes that protect against oxidative stress, such as Sod2 and Cat. Increased oxidative stress was confirmed by measuring isoprostane expression using mass spectrometry. Furthermore, global gene expression identified altered expression of genes that are associated with epigenetic mechanisms of cancer. There was decreased expression of genes that are hypermethylated in human liver cancer, including tumor suppressors APC and Pten. Oxazepam-induced tumors also exhibited decreased expression of genes involved in DNA methylation (Crebbp, Dnmt3b) and histone modification (Sirt1). These data suggest that formation of hepatocellular adenomas and carcinomas in oxazepam-exposed mice involves alteration of the Wnt signaling pathway, oxidative stress, and potential epigenetic alterations.
Entering Dangerous Water
Authors: Abbey Antonia
Published: December 2010

Sexually Aggressive Women: Current Perspectives and Controversies, Peter B. Anderson and Cindy Struckman-Johnson (Eds.). New York: Guilford Press, 1998, 244 pp., $30.00 (cloth), ISBN: 1-57230-165-1.
Career Women and Childbearing: A Psychological Analysis of the Decision Process, CAROLE A. WILK, New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1986, 304 pp. (+ xxii), $29.95.
Authors: Elman Margaret R.
Published: December 2010

First-time Motherhood: Experiences from Teens to Forties, RAMONA T. MERCER, New York: Springer Publishing, 1986, 384 pp. (+ xv), $28.95.
Still No Strategies For Dealing With Women And Hiv
Authors: Jenkins Sharon Rae
Published: December 2010

Women, Children, and HIV/AIDS, Felissa L. Cohen and Jerry D. Durham (Eds.). New York: Springer Publishing, 1993. 312 pp., $37.95. ISBN: 0-8261-7880–4.

AIDS: Setting a Feminist Agenda, Leslie Doyal, Jennie Naidoo, and Tansin Wilton (Eds.). Bristol, PA: Taylor & Francis, 1994. 208 pp., $27.00 (paper). ISBN: 0-7484-0163-6; $75.00 (cloth). ISBN: 0-7484-0163–6.

Women and AIDS: Psychological Perspectives, Corinne Squire (Ed.). Newbury Park, CA: Sage, 1993. 196 pp., $19.95 (paper), ISBN: 0-8039-8588-6; $55.00 (cloth). ISBN: 0-8039-8587–8.
Sex In The Therapy Hour
Authors: Quina Kathryn , Garis Ann M. Varna
Published: December 2010

Sexual Feelings In Psychotherapy: Explorations For Therapists and Therapists-In-Training, Kenneth S. Pope, Janet L. Sonne, and Jean Holroyd. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association, 1993. 304 pp., $24.95. ISBN: 1-55798-201–5.

Sexual Involvement with Therapists: Patient Assessment, Subsequent Therapy, Forensics, Kenneth S. Pope. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association, 1994. 176 pp., $24.95. ISBN: 1-55798-248–1.
What About Men?
Authors: Twohey Denise
Published: December 2010

In a Time of Fallen Heroes: The Recreation of Masculinity, William Betcher and William Pollack. New York: Atheneum Press, 1993. 288 pp., $22.50. ISBN: 0-689-12177-6 (paper edition in 1995).
White Women and Their Relationships
Authors: Murrell Audrey J.
Published: December 2010

White Women, Race Matters: The Social Construction of Whiteness, Ruth Frankenberg. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 1993. 290 pp., $17.95, ISBN: 0-8166-2258–2.
The Lenses of Bem
Authors: Signorella Margaret L.
Published: December 2010

The Lenses of Gender: Transforming the Debate on Sexual Inequality, Sandra Lipsitz Bem. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 1993. 244 pp., $28.50, ISBN: 0-300-05676–1.
Therapy for Emotionally Abused Women
Authors: Zilber Suzanne
Published: December 2010

Emotional Abuse. Marti Tamml Oringn. ew York: Lexington Books, 1994. 140 pp., $22.95, ISBN: 020-919343-5
Management of Medial-Sided Knee Injuries, Part 1
Authors: Marchant Milford H. , Tibor Lisa M. , Sekiya Jon K. , Hardaker William T. , Garrett William E. , Taylor Dean C.
Published: December 2010

The medial collateral ligament complex is a primary stabilizer that combines static and dynamic resistance to direct valgus stress while contributing significant restraints to rotatory motion and anterior-posterior translation. Varying opinions exist among investigators regarding injury classification and treatment algorithms. Whereas most agree that the majority of isolated medial collateral ligament complex injuries can be treated nonoperatively, isolated injuries with chronic instability and multiligament injuries may require operative intervention. Substantial confounding factors are present within published reports, making comparative analyses and systematic review challenging. This review focuses on the anatomy and biomechanics of the medial structures of the knee; it discusses the clinical evaluation of complex injuries; and it reviews nonoperative and operative treatment methods.
Socio/intellectual patterns in nanoscale research: Feynman Nanotechnology Prize laureates, 1993—2007
Authors: Marcovich Anne , Shinn Terry
Published: December 2010

The Feynman Nanotechnology Prize was established in 1993, and has been awarded annually since 1997, for theory and experimentation. On the basis of a series of interviews with Prize laureates, this article clarifies the principal theoretical and experimental questions at stake in nanoscale research, changes in methodological procedures, epistemological orientations and disciplinary foci. Nanobiology is emerging as a prominent discipline; simulation constitutes a cornerstone orientation; and the issue of control is to the fore in nanoscale research.