bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Metastatic Medulloblastoma in Childhood: Chang's Classification Revisited
Authors: Dufour Christelle , Beaugrand Annick , Pizer Barry , Micheli Julie , Aubelle Marie-Stephanie , Fourcade Aurelie , Couanet Dominique , Laplanche Agnes , Kalifa Chantal , Grill Jacques
Published: September 2011

Purpose. To correlate the radiological aspects of metastases, the response to chemotherapy, and patient outcome in disseminated childhood medulloblastoma.Patients and Methods. This population-based study concerned 117 newly diagnosed children with disseminated medulloblastoma treated at the Institute Gustave Roussy between 1988 and 2008. Metastatic disease was assessed using the Chang staging system, their form (positive cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), nodular or laminar), and their extension (positive cerebrospinal fluid, local, extensive). All patients received preirradiation chemotherapy.Results. The overall survival did not differ according to Chang M-stage. The 5-year overall survival was 59% in patients with nodular metastases compared to 35% in those with laminar metastases. The 5-year overall survival was 76% in patients without disease at the end of pre-irradiation chemotherapy compared to 34% in those without a complete response (P=0.0008).Conclusions. Radiological characteristics of metastases correlated with survival in patients with medulloblastoma. Complete response to sandwich chemotherapy was a strong predictor of survival.
Analgesic and Antiinflammatory Activities of the Aqueous Extract fromPlectranthus amboinicus(Lour.) Spreng. BothIn VitroandIn Vivo
Authors: Chiu Yung-Jia , Huang Tai-Hung , Chiu Chuan-Sung , Lu Tsung-Chun , Chen Ya-Wen , Peng Wen-Huang , Chen Chiu-Yuan
Published: September 2011

Plectranthus amboinicus(Lour.) Spreng. is a native Labiatae plant of Taiwan. The plants are commonly used in Chinese folk medicine for the treatment of cough, fever, sore throats, mumps, and mosquito bite. The aim of this study was to investigate the analgesic and antiinflammatory properties of the aqueous extract fromPlectranthus amboinicus(PA)in vivoandin vitro. PA inhibited pain induced by acetic acid and formalin, and inflammation induced by carrageenan. The anti-inflammatory effect of PA was related to modulating antioxidant enzymes' activities in the liver and decreasing the Malondialdehyde (MDA) level and the production of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and cyclooxygenase2 (COX-2) in edema-paw tissue in mice.In vitrostudies show that PA inhibited the proinflammatory mediators in RAW 264.7 cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). PA blocked the degradation of IκB-αand nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 subunit. Finally, the amount of carvacrol in the aqueous extract of PA was 1.88 mg/g extract. Our findings suggest that PA has analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities. These effects were mediated by inhibiting the proinflammatory mediators through blocking NF-κB activation. Meanwhile, the effects observed in this study provide evidence for folkloric uses ofPlectranthus amboinicus(Lour.) Spreng. in relieving pain and inflammation.
Nanophotonics for Molecular Diagnostics and Therapy Applications
Authors: Conde João , Rosa João , Lima João C. , Baptista Pedro V.
Published: September 2011

Light has always fascinated mankind and since the beginning of recorded history it has been both a subject of research and a tool for investigation of other phenomena. Today, with the advent of nanotechnology, the use of light has reached its own dimension where light-matter interactions take place at wavelength and subwavelength scales and where the physical/chemical nature of nanostructures controls the interactions. This is the field of nanophotonics which allows for the exploration and manipulation of light in and around nanostructures, single molecules, and molecular complexes. What is more is the use of nanophotonics in biomolecular interactions—nanobiophotonics—has prompt for a plethora of molecular diagnostics and therapeutics making use of the remarkable nanoscale properties. In this paper, we shall focus on the uses of nanobiophotonics for molecular diagnostics involving specific sequence characterization of nucleic acids and for gene delivery systems of relevance for therapy strategies. The use of nanobiophotonics for the combined diagnostics/therapeutics (theranostics) will also be addressed, with particular focus on those systems enabling the development of safer, more efficient, and specific platforms. Finally, the translation of nanophotonics for theranostics into the clinical setting will be discussed.
A Model to Partly but Reliably Distinguish DDOS Flood Traffic from Aggregated One
Authors: Li Ming , Zhao Wei
Published: September 2011

Reliable distinguishing DDOS flood traffic from aggregated traffic is desperately desired by reliable prevention of DDOS attacks. By reliable distinguishing, we mean that flood traffic can be distinguished from aggregated one for a predetermined probability. The basis to reliably distinguish flood traffic from aggregated one is reliable detection of signs of DDOS flood attacks. As is known, reliably distinguishing DDOS flood traffic from aggregated traffic becomes a tough task mainly due to the effects of flash‐crowd traffic. For this reason, this paper studies reliable detection in the underlying DiffServ network to use static‐priority schedulers. In this network environment, we present a method for reliable detection of signs of DDOS flood attacks for a given class with a given priority. There are two assumptions introduced in this study. One is that flash‐crowd traffic does not have all priorities but some. The other is that attack traffic has all priorities in all classes, otherwise an attacker cannot completely achieve its DDOS goal. Further, we suppose that the protected site is equipped with a sensor that has a signature library of the legitimate traffic with the priorities flash‐crowd traffic does not have. Based on those, we are able to reliably distinguish attack traffic from aggregated traffic with the priorities that flash‐crowd traffic does not have according to a given detection probability.
Biochemical Alterations in Semen of Varicocele Patients: A Review of the Literature
Authors: Mancini Antonio , Festa Roberto , Raimondo Sebastiano , Silvestrini Andrea , Giacchi Elena , Littarru Gian Paolo , Pontecorvi Alfredo , Meucci Elisabetta
Published: September 2011

Oxidative stress is a mechanism underlying different kinds of infertility in human males. However, different results can be observed in relation to the method used for its evaluation. Varicocele patients show a number of biochemical abnormalities, including an altered distribution of coenzyme Q between seminal plasma and sperm cells and also an apparent defect in the utilization of antioxidants. Moreover, an influence of systemic hormones on seminal antioxidant system was observed too. Finally, the effects of surgical treatment on oxidativestress indexes and the possible usefulness of some medical therapies, like coenzyme Q supplementation, are discussed. In conclusion, published data show a role of oxidative stress in varicocele-related male infertility, but at present we do not know the precise molecular mechanisms underlying these phenomena.
Oxygen Is a Master Regulator of the Immunogenicity of Primary Human Glioma Cells
Authors: Olin Michael R. , Andersen Brian M. , Litterman Adam J. , Grogan Patrick T. , Sarver Aaron L. , Robertson Paul T. , Liang Xueqing , Chen Wei , Parney Ian F. , Hunt Matthew A. , Blazar Bruce R. , Ohlfest John R.
Published: September 2011

With recent approval of the first dendritic cell (DC) vaccine for patient use, many other DC vaccine approaches are now being tested in clinical trials. Many of these DC vaccines employ tumor cell lysates (TL) generated from cells cultured in atmospheric oxygen (∼20% O2) that greatly exceeds levels found in tumors in situ. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that TLs generated from tumor cells cultured under physiologic oxygen (∼5% O2) would be more effective as a source for DC antigens. Gene expression patterns in primary glioma cultures established at 5% O2 more closely paralleled patient tumors in situ and known immunogenic antigens were more highly expressed. DCs treated with TLs generated from primary tumor cells maintained in 5% O2 took up and presented antigens to CD8 T cells more efficiently. Moreover, CD8 T cells primed in this manner exhibited superior tumoricidal activity against target cells cultured in either atmospheric 20% O2 or physiologic 5% O2. Together, these results establish a simple method to greatly improve the effectiveness of DC vaccines in stimulating the production of tumoricidal T cells, with broad implications for many of the DC-based cancer vaccines being developed for clinical application. Cancer Res; 71(21); 6583–9. ©2011 AACR.
A Kinome-Wide Screen Identifies the Insulin/IGF-I Receptor Pathway as a Mechanism of Escape from Hormone Dependence in Breast Cancer
Authors: Fox Emily M. , Miller Todd W. , Balko Justin M. , Kuba Maria G. , Sánchez Violeta , Smith R. Adam , Liu Shuying , González-Angulo Ana María , Mills Gordon B. , Ye Fei , Shyr Yu , Manning H. Charles , Buck Elizabeth , Arteaga Carlos L.
Published: September 2011

Estrogen receptor α (ER)–positive breast cancers adapt to hormone deprivation and become resistant to antiestrogens. In this study, we sought to identify kinases essential for growth of ER+ breast cancer cells resistant to long-term estrogen deprivation (LTED). A kinome-wide siRNA screen showed that the insulin receptor (InsR) is required for growth of MCF-7/LTED cells. Knockdown of InsR and/or insulin-like growth factor-I receptor (IGF-IR) inhibited growth of 3 of 4 LTED cell lines. Inhibition of InsR and IGF-IR with the dual tyrosine kinase inhibitor OSI-906 prevented the emergence of hormone-independent cells and tumors in vivo, inhibited parental and LTED cell growth and PI3K/AKT signaling, and suppressed growth of established MCF-7 xenografts in ovariectomized mice, whereas treatment with the neutralizing IGF-IR monoclonal antibody MAB391 was ineffective. Combined treatment with OSI-906 and the ER downregulator fulvestrant more effectively suppressed hormone-independent tumor growth than either drug alone. Finally, an insulin/IGF-I gene expression signature predicted recurrence-free survival in patients with ER+ breast cancer treated with the antiestrogen tamoxifen. We conclude that therapeutic targeting of both InsR and IGF-IR should be more effective than targeting IGF-IR alone in abrogating resistance to endocrine therapy in breast cancer. Cancer Res; 71(21); 6773–84. ©2011 AACR.
A Phase I Study of PF-04929113 (SNX-5422), an Orally Bioavailable Heat Shock Protein 90 Inhibitor, in Patients with Refractory Solid Tumor Malignancies and Lymphomas
Authors: Rajan Arun , Kelly Ronan J. , Trepel Jane B. , Kim Yeong Sang , Alarcon Sylvia V. , Kummar Shivaani , Gutierrez Martin , Crandon Sonja , Zein Wadih M. , Jain Lokesh , Mannargudi Baskar , Figg William D. , Houk Brett E. , Shnaidman Michael , Brega Nicoletta , Giaccone Giuseppe
Published: September 2011

Purpose: To determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), toxicities, and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic profile of the Hsp90 inhibitor PF-04929113 (SNX-5422) in patients with advanced solid tumors and lymphomas.

Methods: This was a single-institution, phase I, dose-escalation study of PF-04929113 administered twice weekly. Endpoints included determination of dose-limiting toxicities (DLT), MTD, the safety profile of PF-04929113, pharmacodynamic assessment of PF-04929113 on Hsp70 induction, pharmacokinetic analysis of PF-04928473 (SNX-2112) and its prodrug PF-04929113, and assessment of response.

Results: Thirty-three patients with advanced malignancies were treated. Dose escalation was continued up to 177 mg/m2 administered orally twice a week. One DLT (nonseptic arthritis) was noted. No grade 4 drug-related adverse events were seen; grade 3 adverse events included diarrhea (9%), nonseptic arthritis (3%), aspartate aminotransferase elevation (3%), and thrombocytopenia (3%). No objective responses were seen in 32 evaluable patients. Fifteen patients (47%) had stable disease; 17 patients (53%) had progressive disease. Pharmacokinetic data revealed rapid absorption, hepatic, and extrahepatic clearance, extensive tissue binding, and almost linear pharmacokinetics of the active drug PF-04928473. Pharmacodynamic studies confirmed inhibition of Hsp90 and a linear correlation between pharmacokinetic parameters and Hsp70 induction.

Conclusions: PF-04929113 administered orally twice a week is well tolerated and inhibits its intended target Hsp90. No objective responses were seen, but long-lasting stabilizations were obtained. Although no clinically significant drug-related ocular toxicity was seen in this study, the development of PF-04929113 has been discontinued because of ocular toxicity seen in animal models and in a separate phase I study. Clin Cancer Res; 17(21); 6831–9. ©2011 AACR.
Characteristics and Outcome After Hospitalization for Acute Right Heart Failure in Patients With Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Authors: Haddad François , Peterson Tyler , Fuh Eric , Kudelko Kristina T. , de Jesus Perez Vinicio , Skhiri Mehdi , Vagelos Randall , Schnittger Ingela , Denault Andre Y. , Rosenthal David N. , Doyle Ramona L. , Zamanian Roham T.
Published: September 2011

Background—

Although much is known about the risk factors for poor outcome in patients hospitalized with acute heart failure and left ventricular dysfunction, much less is known about the syndrome of acute heart failure primarily affecting the right ventricle (acute right heart failure).

Methods and Results—

By using Stanford Hospital's pulmonary hypertension database, we identified consecutive acute right heart failure hospitalizations in patients with PAH. We used longitudinal regression analysis with the generalized estimating equations method to identify factors associated with an increased likelihood of 90-day mortality or urgent transplantation. From June 1999 to September 2009, 119 patients with PAH were hospitalized for acute right heart failure (207 episodes). Death or urgent transplantation occurred in 34 patients by 90 days of admission. Multivariable analysis identified a higher respiratory rate on admission (>20 breaths per minute; OR, 3.4; 95% CI, 1.5–7.8), renal dysfunction on admission (glomerular filtration rate <45 mL/min per 1.73 m
2
; OR, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.2–6.3), hyponatremia (serum sodium ≤136 mEq/L; OR, 3.6; 95% CI, 1.7–7.9), and tricuspid regurgitation severity (OR, 2.5 per grade; 95% CI, 1.2–5.5) as independent factors associated with an increased likelihood of death or urgent transplantation.

Conclusions—

These results highlight the high mortality after hospitalizations for acute right heart failure in patients with PAH. Factors identifiable within hours of hospitalization may help predict the likelihood of death or the need for urgent transplantation in patients with PAH.
Three-dimensional analysis of micro-residual stresses in fibrous composites based on the energy method: a study including interphase effects
Authors: Shokrieh M.M. , Safarabadi M.
Published: September 2011

In polymer composites, thermal residual stresses arise due to the mismatch of the thermal expansion coefficients of the fiber and matrix. Polymer composites generally consist of three phases: fiber, matrix, and the interphase. In this article, to study the effects of the interphase on residual stresses, a three-dimensional energy-based closed-form solution is developed. Residual stresses are assumed variable along longitudinal and radial directions, and two Airy stress functions are introduced. By considering the interphase region, in comparison with the perfect bonding conditions, thermal residual stresses decrease. The longitudinal residual stress distribution is sensitive to the interphase thickness. The maximum axial stress occurs at the fiber mid-length and decreases by increasing the interphase thickness. The maximum fiber–interphase and interphase–matrix interfacial shear stresses vary by increasing the interphase thickness, whereas their position is approximately unchanged. An increase in the interphase thickness leads to a decrease of the shear stress concentration factor near the fiber ends. For different magnitudes of bonding efficiency, the interfacial radial stresses are zero at the maximum fiber length. Although, the interphase region has a minor effect on the interfacial radial stresses, it has a significant effect on the maximum interfacial radial stresses at the fiber ends.
Strain rate effects in the indentation behavior of foam-based sandwich structures
Authors: Hassan M , Cantwell W J
Published: September 2011

Indentation tests have been undertaken at quasi-static and impact rates of strain on sandwich structures based on six different types of polymer foam core and two types of composite skin. Initially, the influence of strain rate on the compression properties of the sandwich structures has been investigated, where it has been shown that the plastic collapse strength of the foam cores is rate sensitive, increasing by approximately 100% over the range of strain rates considered. The indentation behavior of the sandwich structures was characterized using a Meyer indentation law of the form P = Cαn, where P is the applied force, α is the resulting indentation, and C, the contact stiffness and n, the indentation exponent, are constants for a given system. It has been shown that the value of the exponent, n, does not vary significantly with the properties of the core or the skin, typically being close to unity for all tests. The contact stiffness C varied greatly and was found to depend on the plastic collapse strength of the foam and the properties of the skin. It has been shown that a plot of C vs. plastic collapse strength containing all of the quasi-static and dynamic data appears to yield a unique relationship for the systems considered here. Tests have also shown that C varies with indentor radius, with the greatest sensitivity to indentor radius being observed in the higher modulus foams.

These results highlight the importance of using the appropriate dynamic contact properties when modeling the impact response of foam-based sandwich structures.
Cyclic pull-out test of single PVA fibers in cementitious matrix
Authors: Lee Seong-Cheol , Shin Kyung-Joon , Oh Byung-Hwan
Published: September 2011

Recently, many studies have been conducted to examine the behavior of fiber-reinforced concrete (FRC) subjected to cyclic loading. However, cyclic and fatigue behavior is so complex that the mechanism of degradation cannot be cleared just by simple mechanical tests such as flexural and tensile tests of FRC specimens that measure typical overall behavior of the material. Besides these kinds of investigations, the individual behavior of the constituents and the interaction between them need to be investigated to reveal the cyclic degradation and fatigue mechanism of FRC detail. So far, only a few experiments have been devoted to the cyclic degradation of fibers in FRC. Therefore, cyclic pull-out behavior of single fiber is investigated in this study. A main objective of this article is to propose a test method for a cyclic pull-out test of a single fiber and to investigate the degradation behavior of single PVA fibers under cyclic loading conditions. Single PVA fibers were tested using quasi-static and cyclic loading methods, and the test results revealed the bridging load of PVA fibers decreases continuously and it become less than half the initial load during the cyclic loading process.
Oil palm fiber reinforced polypropylene composites: effects of fiber loading and coupling agents on mechanical, thermal, and interfacial properties
Authors: Ramli R , Yunus RM , Beg MDH , Prasad DMR
Published: September 2011

This study investigates the effects of fiber type, fiber loading, and coupling agent on the performance of oil palm biomass (OPB) fiber composites. Fiber composition and fiber morphology were evaluated by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDAX). Grinded fiber was compounded into polypropylene by means of a twin-screw compounder. Maleated polypropylene (MAPP) was used as a coupling agent during compounding. The incorporated fiber contents for OPB composites were up to 40% (by weight). The compounded samples were prepared into test specimens by injection moulder. The composites were characterized by tensile testing, flexural testing, impact testing, melt flow index, SEM, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). The most significant effect on strength and modulus were found by the addition of coupling agent. This was attributed to the thermodynamic segregation of the MAPP toward the interface, resulting in the formation of covalent bonding to the –OH groups of the fiber surface. Composites with MAPP also provided better thermal stability.
Effect of acrylate rubber on thermal and crystallization behavior of nylon 6
Authors: Xiuyan Ren , Guangfeng Wu , Li Liu , Xiyan Zhang
Published: September 2011

The thermal behavior of blends of nylon 6 (PA6, nylon 6)/acrylate rubber which were obtained by melt processing have been investigated by differential scanning calorimetry. The differential scanning calorimetry result indicates that the melting temperature and the crystallization temperature of blends decrease lightly with the increase of acrylate rubber content in the blends. The crystallization behavior of the blends studied by wide angle X-ray diffraction reveals that a γ→α crystal transformation occurs upon adding acrylate rubber into nylon 6. Furthermore, the crystallinity and crystal size decrease with adding acrylate rubber into nylon 6. The crystal morphology of nylon 6 and nylon 6/acrylate rubber blends was observed by the polarizing microscope. It is found that the crystal size of nylon 6/acrylate rubber gradually becomes smaller and crystal morphology of nylon6 / acrylate rubber gradually becomes imperfect with the increase of acrylate rubber content in the blends.
Family and Family Change in Ireland
Authors: Canavan John
Published: September 2011

In Ireland, historically and in the current era, family has been a central concern for society and the State. This article provides a descriptive overview of family life in Ireland and of major family-related changes over the past 40 years. It presents a general framework of analysis within which these changes can be understood, considers the general nature of change and continuity in family in Ireland, and proposes some implications for research and policy in the early part of this century.
Communication interventions and their impact on behaviour in the young child: A systematic review
Authors: Law James , Plunkett Charlene C , Stringer Helen
Published: September 2011

Speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) and social, emotional and behaviour difficulties (SEBD) commonly overlap, yet we know relatively little about the mechanism linking the two, specifically to what extent it is possible to reduce behaviour difficulties by targeted communication skills. The EPPI Centre systematic review methodology was applied to the intervention literature related to primary school aged children with both SLCN and SEBD. Studies were graded for study quality. Nineteen studies including 148 children met the inclusion criteria. Heterogeneity was high in terms of symptoms, methodology, interventions and outcomes. All studies reported positive effects of intervention on both communication and behavioural outcomes although the majority were graded as being of relatively low quality. Despite study limitations the findings suggest that this is a promising direction of enquiry. There remain many gaps in the evidence, for example study quality needs to improve, comparative work is rare and it is difficult to use these interventions to reflect on the type of systemic classroom models of service delivery recommended for many of these children. The results have implications for both clinical practice and further research.
Alternative Approaches for Educating Future Global Marketing Professionals
Authors: Kaufman Peter A. , Melton Horace L. , Varner Iris I. , Hoelscher Mark , Schmidt Klaus , Spaulding Aslihan D.
Published: September 2011

Using an experiential learning model as a conceptual background, this article discusses characteristics and learning objectives for well-known foreign study programs such as study tours, study abroad, and internships and compares them with a less common overseas program called the Global Marketing Program (GMP). GMP involves interdisciplinary student–faculty team travel abroad to conduct marketing research on behalf of U.S. companies. International business foreign study program professionals were surveyed and rated the importance of key student learning objectives for these programs. The study abroad program and study tour are well suited for cultural immersion; the international internship provides development of international business skills as well as cultural immersion at levels higher than the other three programs. The GMP outperforms the study tour and study abroad in the development of international business skills and surpasses the study tour in providing cultural immersion for students. The GMP and international internships are identified as the more appropriate foreign study experiences for development of future global marketing professionals.
Transient nonverbal learning disorder in a child suffering from Familial Hemiplegic Migraine
Authors: Podestà Barbara , Briatore Eleonora , Boghi Andrea , Marenco Daniela , Calzolari Stefano
Published: September 2011

Objective: To study the link between nonverbal learning disorder and right cerebral hemisphere dysfunction due to migraine attack in a case of Familial Hemiplegic Migraine.

Background: Familial Hemiplegic Migraine can cause neuropsychological deficits besides the motor ones. The nonverbal learning disorder is thought to be caused by a right hemisphere dysfunction.

Methods: We describe a child with Familial Hemiplegic Migraine type 2 who showed a transient neuropsychological impairment featuring a nonverbal learning disorder during and after a Hemiplegic migraine attack.

Results: Clinical and neuropsychological data showed a nonverbal learning disorder. A mutation in the ATP1A2 gene on chromosome 1q23 was found. Symptoms of nonverbal learning disorder outlasted the left hemiparesis. Two months later he showed a full recovery. Neurophysiological and neuroradiological evaluations were congruent with clinical course and with right hemisphere involvement.

Conclusion: The link between nonverbal learning disorder and right cerebral hemisphere dysfunction due to migraine attack is confirmed. Familial Hemiplegic Migraine can cause transient complex neuropsychological syndromes that can be overlooked if not appropriately investigated.
Mechanical and electrical properties of poly(vinyl chloride) loaded with carbon nanotubes and carbon nanopowder
Authors: Aljaafari A , Abu-Abdeen M , Aljaafari M
Published: September 2011

Two groups of polymer nanocomposite samples were synthesized. One of them was Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) loaded with different concentrations of carbon nanopowder (CNP), while the other was PVC loaded with different concentrations of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The dependence of the tensile mechanical parameters, rheological properties and the dc electrical conductivity on the concentration of either filler was investigated. Results revealed a lower electrical and mechanical percolation threshold of CNTs than CNP. Concentration of CNTs of 1 wt% increases the elastic modulus 2.3 times greater than CNP at a concentration of 2 wt%. The storage modulus and the complex viscosity studied at a frequency of 0.1 Hz had the same behavior as the elastic modulus. The glass transition temperature was slightly changed with the addition of either nanofiller. The behavior of the temperature dependence of the electrical conductivity was found to be temperature independent in the studied range for composites containing CNTs, while composites containing CNP showed an activated one at relatively high temperatures. At concentrations in the percolation region of either CNP or CNTs, a jump region in the I-V characteristics was observed with a highest slope of 36.35 at 1 wt% of CNTs. Otherwise the conduction mechanism of the charge carriers was determined and found to be Ohmic.
Composite attitude control for flexible spacecraft with simultaneous disturbance attenuation and rejection performance
Authors: Liu H , Guo L , Zhang Y
Published: September 2011

In this paper, a composite attitude control approach for orbiting spacecraft with rigid central hubs and flexible appendages is presented. The established attitude control model consists of the vibration modes excited by the rigid body, the space environment disturbances, the measurement noises, and the model uncertainty. The model is formulated into a dynamic system with two types of disturbance inputs. A composite control law with the simultaneous disturbance attenuation and rejection performance is presented for the flexible spacecraft system subject to multiple disturbances. The disturbance-observer-based control is designed for feedforward compensation of the elastic vibration. The H∞ state-feedback controller is designed to perform the robust attitude control in the presence of the space environment disturbances, measurement noises, and the model uncertainty. Numerical simulations show that the performance of the attitude control systems can be improved by combining the disturbance observer with H∞ state-feedback control.
Vaccine-associated fibrosarcoma with keloidal differentiation in a cat
Authors: Gumber Sanjeev , Wakamatsu Nobuko
Published: September 2011

A 6-year-old Domestic Shorthair cat was presented with a history of subcutaneous mass of the lateral left hind limb. The subcutaneous mass developed over a period of approximately 16 months subsequent to administration of Feline leukemia virus vaccines. Based on the histopathological and immunohistochemical examination, the subcutaneous mass was diagnosed as vaccine-associated fibrosarcoma with keloidal differentiation.
Inflammatory mammary carcinoma with metastasis to the brain and distant organs in a spayed Shih Tzu dog
Authors: Kim Jong-Hyuk , Im Keum-Soon , Kim Na-Hyun , Chon Seung-Ki , Doster Alan R. , Sur Jung-Hyang
Published: September 2011

Inflammatory mammary carcinoma (IMC) is a specific type of rare, very aggressive, and highly metastatic mammary cancer in both human beings and dogs. A 10-year-old female spayed Shih Tzu dog was diagnosed with secondary IMC. At necropsy, brain metastasis of mammary neoplastic cells was observed in tissues of the cerebrum and cerebellum. Metastases were also found in other distant organs such as heart, lung, liver, spleen, and inguinal lymph node. There is limited data about the metastasis of IMC and its pattern. The current report of IMC with brain metastases contributes to the understanding of metastatic IMC.
Real-time polymerase chain reaction for the detection of toxigenic Clostridium botulinum type C1 in waterbird and sediment samples
Authors: Vidal Dolors , Taggart Mark A. , Badiola Ignacio , Mateo Rafael
Published: September 2011

A quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) for detection of the neurotoxin of the Clostridium botulinum type C (BoNTC) encoding gene has been compared with a nested PCR (nPCR) and a conventional PCR (cPCR) using 2 toxigenic C. botulinum C1 reference strains and samples from bird tissues (n = 30) and sediments (n = 30) from wetlands where botulism outbreaks have been reported. A cPCR based on 16S ribosomal RNA sequences from 60 strains of Clostridium species was also developed to detect the genomic DNA of C. botulinum C in order to evaluate the presence of nontoxigenic strains. Quantitative PCR showed a similar sensitivity to nPCR (<0.5 pg of DNA), and both were more sensitive than the cPCR when using the C. botulinum reference strains. Quantitative PCR and nPCR revealed an equal number of positives in uncultured samples of sediments (3%) and bird tissues (40%), but these values tended to be higher after culture enrichment with the qPCR assay (10% and 80%, respectively). Associations between the presences of toxigenic C. botulinum C in the environment and in birds within the ecological conditions in wetlands could be studied further using the culture enrichment and qPCR techniques shown in the current study.
Diagnostic value of meat juice in early detection of Classical swine fever virus infection
Authors: Lohse Louise , Uttenthal Åse , Rasmussen Thomas Bruun , Nielsen Jens
Published: September 2011

To evaluate the diagnostic potential of meat juice for early detection of Classical swine fever virus (CSFV), meat juice and serum samples from pigs experimentally infected with different strains of CSFV were compared for virus load. From all samples, viral RNA was extracted by automated procedure before real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis was performed. Viral RNA was detected in meat juice, but at a lower level than in corresponding serum. Sensitivity was calculated to 91% and specificity to 97%. Disagreements between meat juice and serum results were found when samples originated from pigs infected with low virulence CSFV strains and/or when samples were collected within the first days after infection. In conclusion, while not the first choice for sample material for CSFV diagnosis, meat juice may constitute a useful alternative for herd-based studies or when blood and/or target organ material is not available. Strain virulence and time points for sample collection after infection are factors of importance for diagnostic success.
Development of multiplex polymerase chain reaction assay for rapid detection of Staphylococcus aureus and selected antibiotic resistance genes in bovine mastitic milk samples
Authors: Gao Jian , Ferreri Miro , Liu Xiu Q. , Chen Li B. , Su Jing L. , Han Bo
Published: September 2011

To improve the diagnosis of Staphylococcus aureus mastitis and its potential antibiotic resistance in dairy cattle, a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was developed for simultaneous species identification and detection of penicillin, erythromycin, and tetracycline resistance genes. The assay was first verified using 85 clinical isolates of S. aureus, and its effectiveness was evaluated by testing 99 mastitic milk samples. The multiplex PCR assay had high detection sensitivity in samples from both groups (100% agreement with single-gene PCR), with detection limits of 100–103 colony-forming units (cfu)/ml. The detection limits of the current assay for nuc, blaZ, erm B, erm C, tet K, and tet M genes were 101, 101, 102, 100, 102, and 103 cfu/ml, respectively. There was a good correlation between genotypic analysis by PCR and phenotypic determination using S. aureus species identification and susceptibility testing methods. High diagnostic sensitivities and specificities were shown for the target resistance genes ( blaZ gene, 97.2% and 92.9%; ERM resistance genes, 100% and 95.6%; TET resistance genes, 100% and 96%). Results suggested that the current PCR assay could be used as an alternative diagnostic method in the routine diagnosis for rapid, sensitive, and specific detection of S. aureus and its associated antibiotic resistance genes in mastitic milk samples.
Rapid quantification of ionophores in feeds by liquid chromatography– tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Huang Min , Rumbeiha Wilson K. , Braselton W. Emmett , Johnson Margaret
Published: September 2011

Ionophores are widely used in veterinary medicine as coccidiostats and for improving nutrient utilization in livestock production. Because of widespread use, ionophores sometimes cause poisoning in livestock. Quantifying concentration of these compounds in feeds for diagnostic purposes is needed. A method with a single step of solvent extraction was developed for rapid simultaneous quantification of monensin, lasalocid, salinomycin, and narasin in feeds by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The ionophores were extracted using methanol:water (90:10). With the high specificity and high sensitivity of tandem mass spectrometry, the extract was introduced for measurement without further processing. The effect of particle size of feeds on extraction efficiency was also investigated. It was found that feeds passing through a 1-mm filter or sieve show better quantitative extraction. Nigericin was used as internal standard for the measurement. The method was validated by fortification of the selected ionophore compounds in horse feed at different concentrations. The typical recovery rate was 69–122%. Meanwhile, various interlaboratory proficiency test samples of different matrices were also quantified as part of the procedure for method validation. A good agreement was found between results and the suggested values. The method is very sensitive, with detection limits between 0.018 µg/g and 0.056 µg/g for the compounds tested. Results showed that the lower limit of quantification was 0.2 µg/g for the ionophore compounds, which is much lower than the contents of the ionophores in medicated feeds, which is generally approximately 10–100 µg/g feed.
On Euthanasia, Resistance, and Redemption
Authors: Broom Alex
Published: September 2011

Euthanasia/assisted dying, the desire to hasten death, and religious supportive care at the end of life are controversial issues that have been heavily debated within the academic and medical communities. Little research has been done on hospice patients’ views, despite hospices being political spaces, espousing a range of perspectives on assisted dying, religiosity, and “good deaths.” In this article I document the presence, articulation, and significance of these issues as perceived and experienced by 20 hospice inpatients in the last 4 weeks of their lives. Key themes to emerge included polarization in desire for hastened death and assisted dying in the hospice; the hospice as a morally bound space situated within particular notions of “dying well”; and the divisive character of religion as part of formalized hospice care. Theoretically, the participants’ perspectives on euthanasia/assisted dying and religiosity in the hospice provide a means of unpacking and revealing the moral economy of modern dying practices and the institutional governance and production of “timely deaths.”
Anxiety and Agitation in Mechanically Ventilated Patients
Authors: Tate Judith Ann , Devito Dabbs Annette , Hoffman Leslie A. , Milbrandt Eric , Happ Mary Beth
Published: September 2011

During an ethnography conducted in an intensive care unit (ICU), we found that anxiety and agitation occurred frequently and were important considerations in the care of 30 patients weaning from prolonged mechanical ventilation. We conducted a secondary analysis to (a) describe characteristics of anxiety and agitation experienced by mechanically ventilated patients, (b) explore how clinicians recognized and interpreted anxiety and agitation, and (c) describe strategies and interventions used to manage anxiety and agitation with mechanically ventilated patients. We constructed the Anxiety/Agitation in Mechanical Ventilation Model to illustrate the multidimensional features of symptom recognition and management. Patients’ ability to interact with the environment served as a basis for identification and management of anxiety or agitation. Clinicians’ attributions about anxiety or agitation, and “knowing the patient,” contributed to their assessment of patient responses. Clinicians chose strategies to overcome either the stimulus or the patient’s appraisal of risk of the stimulus. This article contributes to the body of knowledge about symptom recognition and management in the ICU by providing a comprehensive model to guide future research and practice.
Conscious Perception of Emotional Stimuli
Authors: Mitchell Derek G. V. , Greening Steven G.
Published: September 2011

Emotional stimuli are thought to gain rapid and privileged access to processing resources in the brain. The structures involved in this enhanced access are thought to support subconscious, reflexive processes. Whether these pathways contribute to the phenomenological experience of emotional visual awareness (i.e., conscious perception) is unclear. In this review, it is argued that subcortical networks associated with the rapid detection of emotionally salient stimuli also play a key role in shaping awareness. This proposal is based on the idea that awareness of visual stimuli should be considered along a continuum, having intermediate levels, rather than as an all-or-none construct. It is also argued that awareness of emotional stimuli requires less input from frontoparietal structures that are often considered crucial for visual awareness. Evidence is also presented that implicates a region of the medial prefrontal cortex, involved in emotion regulation, in modulating amygdala output to determine awareness of emotional visual stimuli; when emotional stimuli are present, the conscious perception of alternative stimuli requires greater regulatory influences from cortical structures. Thus, emotional stimuli are privileged not only for neuronal representation and impact on subconscious processes, but also for awareness, allowing humans to deal flexibly rather than merely reflexively to biologically significant stimuli.
Actor-Network Theory, ANTi-History and critical organizational historiography
Authors: Durepos Gabrielle , Mills Albert J.
Published: September 2011

The article describes what we have come to call ANTi-History, which entails the development of actor-network theory (ANT) as a critical approach to organizational historiography. It proceeds through four sections: 1) a review of the call for critical organizational historiography to establish the need for ANTi-History; 2) an overview of ANT to identify its potential to contribute to critical organizational historiography; 3) a development of ANT insights into an ANTi-History, through engagement with cultural theory historiography, and the sociology of knowledge; and 4) an account of the potential contribution of ANTi-History to critical management studies.
Gender-related differences in functional connectivity in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Schoonheim Menno M , Hulst Hanneke E , Landi Doriana , Ciccarelli Olga , Roosendaal Stefan D , Sanz-Arigita Ernesto J , Vrenken Hugo , Polman Chris H , Stam Cornelis J , Barkhof Frederik , Geurts Jeroen JG
Published: September 2011

Background: Gender effects are strong in multiple sclerosis (MS), with male patients showing a worse clinical outcome than female patients. Functional reorganization of neural activity may contribute to limit disability, and possible gender differences in this process may have important clinical implications.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore gender-related changes in functional connectivity and network efficiency in MS patients. Additionally, we explored the association of functional changes with cognitive function.

Methods: Sixty subjects were included in the study, matched for age, education level and intelligence quotient (IQ). Male and female patients were matched for disability, disease duration and white matter lesion load. Two cognitive domains often impaired in MS, i.e. visuospatial memory and information processing speed, were evaluated in all subjects. Functional connectivity between brain regions and network efficiency was explored using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging and graph analysis. Differences in cognitive and functional characteristics between groups, and correlations with cognitive performance, were examined.

Results: Male patients showed worse performance on cognitive tests than female and male controls, while female patients were cognitively normal. Decreases in functional connectivity and network efficiency, observed in male patients, correlated with reduced visuospatial memory ( r = −0.6 and r = −0.5, respectively). In the control group, no cognitive differences were found between genders, despite differences in functional connectivity between healthy men and women.

Conclusions: Functional connectivity differences were found in male patients only and were related to impaired visuospatial memory. These results underline the importance of gender in MS and require further investigation in larger and longitudinal studies.
Carotid plaque and intima-media thickness and the incidence of ischemic events in patients with atherosclerotic vascular disease
Authors: Keo Hong H , Baumgartner Iris , Hirsch Alan T , Duval Sue , Steg Ph Gabriel , Pasquet Blandine , Bhatt Deepak L , Roether Joachim ,   for the REACH Registry Investigators
Published: September 2011

We aimed to evaluate whether carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) or the presence of plaque can confer additional predictive value of future cardiovascular (CV) ischemic events in patients with pre-existing atherosclerotic vascular disease. We identified 2317 patients enrolled in the REduction of Atherothrombosis for Continued Health (REACH) registry who had atherosclerotic vascular disease and baseline CIMT measurements. The entire range of CIMT was divided into quartiles and the fourth quartile (≥ 1.5 mm) was defined as carotid plaque. Mean ± standard deviation baseline CIMT was 1.31 ± 0.65 mm. Associated CV ischemic events and vascular-related hospitalizations were evaluated over a 2-year follow-up. There was a positive increase in adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for all-cause mortality ( p = 0.04 for trend) and the quadruple endpoint (CV death, myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, hospitalization for CV events) with increasing quartiles of CIMT ( p = 0.0008 for trend), which was mainly driven by the fourth quartile (carotid plaque). HRs for all-cause mortality, CV death, CV death/MI/stroke and the quadruple endpoint comparing the highest (carotid plaque) with the lowest CIMT quartile were 2.09 (95% CI, 1.07–4.10; p = 0.03); 2.49 (1.10–5.67; p = 0.03); 1.71 (1.10–2.67; p = 0.02); and 1.73 (1.31–2.27; p = 0.0001). In conclusion, our analyses suggest that the presence of carotid plaque, rather than the thickness of intima-media, appears to be associated with increased risk of CV morbidity and mortality, but confirmation of these findings in other population and prospective studies is required.
Colour information improves relative visual performance
Authors: O’Donell BM , Colombo EM , Boyce PR
Published: September 2011

Visual performance is defined as the speed and accuracy of processing visual information. Existing models of visual performance evaluate illuminated tasks in terms of luminance contrast, retinal illuminance and visual size but do not consider the chromatic properties of the task. In consequence, there is no recommendation for the chromatic contrast needed to reach a high level of visual performance. This paper shows that chromatic information is crucial to visual performance when achromatic information is weak or missing altogether. When the luminance contrast is less than approximately 0.20, some task colours with excitation purities greater than 40% can be used to achieve a level of visual performance close to 90%. For luminance contrasts higher than 0.60, visual performance is determined only by luminance information, and tends to the value for an achromatic stimulus. For luminance contrasts in the range 0.20 to 0.60, both luminance and chromatic information are important for visual performance.