bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Functional Comparison of SCARB2 and PSGL1 as Receptors for Enterovirus 71
Authors: Yamayoshi Seiya , Ohka Seii , Fujii Ken , Koike Satoshi
Published: January 2013

Human scavenger receptor class B, member 2 (SCARB2), and P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL1) have been identified to be the cellular receptors for enterovirus 71 (EV71). We compared the EV71 infection efficiencies of mouse L cells that expressed SCARB2 (L-SCARB2) and PSGL1 (L-PSGL1) and the abilities of SCARB2 and PSGL1 to bind to the virus. L-SCARB2 cells bound a reduced amount of EV71 compared to L-PSGL1 cells. However, EV71 could infect L-SCARB2 cells more efficiently than L-PSGL1 cells. The results suggested that the difference in the binding capacities of the two receptors was not the sole determinant of the infection efficiency and that SCARB2 plays an essential role after attaching to virions. Therefore, we examined the viral entry into L-SCARB2 cells and L-PSGL1 cells by immunofluorescence microscopy. In both cells, we detected internalized EV71 virions that colocalized with an early endosome marker. We then performed a sucrose density gradient centrifugation analysis to evaluate viral uncoating. After incubating the EV71 virion with L-SCARB2 cells or soluble SCARB2 under acidic conditions below pH 6.0, we observed that part of the native virion was converted into an empty capsid that lacked both genomic RNA and VP4 capsid proteins. The results suggested that the uncoating of EV71 requires both SCARB2 and an acidic environment and occurs after the internalization of the virus-receptor complex into endosomes. However, the empty capsid formation was not observed after incubation with L-PSGL1 cells or soluble PSGL1 under any of the tested pH conditions. These results indicated that SCARB2 is capable of viral binding, viral internalization, and viral uncoating and that the low infection efficiency of L-PSGL1 cells is due to the inability of PSGL1 to induce viral uncoating. The characterization of SCARB2 as an uncoating receptor greatly contributes to the understanding of the early steps of EV71 infection.
In Vivo
Selection of H1N2 Influenza Virus Reassortants in the Ferret Model
Authors: Angel Matthew , Kimble J. Brian , Pena Lindomar , Wan Hongquan , Perez Daniel R.
Published: January 2013

Although the ferret model has been extensively used to study pathogenesis and transmission of influenza viruses, little has been done to determine whether ferrets are a good surrogate animal model to study influenza virus reassortment. It has been previously shown that the pandemic 2009 H1N1 (H1N1pdm) virus was able to transmit efficiently in ferrets. In coinfection studies with either seasonal H1N1 or H3N2 strains (H1N1s or H3N2s, respectively), the H1N1pdm virus was able to outcompete these strains and become the dominant transmissible virus. However, lack of reassortment could have been the result of differences in the cell or tissue tropism of these viruses in the ferret. To address this issue, we performed coinfection studies with recombinant influenza viruses carrying the surface genes of a seasonal H3N2 strain in the background of an H1N1pdm strain and vice versa. After serial passages in ferrets, a dominant H1N2 virus population was obtained with a constellation of gene segments, most of which, except for the neuraminidase (NA) and PB1 segments, were from the H1N1pdm strain. Our studies suggest that ferrets recapitulate influenza virus reassortment events. The H1N2 virus generated through this process resembles similar viruses that are emerging in nature, particularly in pigs.
Airway Delivery of an Adenovirus-Based Ebola Virus Vaccine Bypasses Existing Immunity to Homologous Adenovirus in Nonhuman Primates
Authors: Richardson Jason S. , Pillet Stéphane , Bello Alexander J. , Kobinger Gary P.
Published: January 2013

Anti-adenovirus serotype 5 antibodies are capable of neutralizing adenovirus serotype 5-based vaccines. In mice and guinea pigs, intranasal delivery of adenovirus serotype 5-based vaccine bypasses induced adenovirus serotype 5 preexisting immunity, resulting in protection against species-adapted Ebola virus challenge. In this study, nonhuman primates were vaccinated with adenovirus serotype 5-based vaccine either intramuscularly or via the airway route (intranasally/intratracheally) in the presence or absence of adenovirus serotype 5 preexisting immunity. Immune responses were evaluated to determine the effect of both the vaccine delivery route and preexisting immunity before and after a lethal Ebola virus (Zaïre strain Kikwit 95) challenge. Intramuscular vaccination fully protected nonhuman primates in the absence of preexisting immunity, whereas the presence of preexisting immunity abrogated vaccine efficacy and resulted in complete mortality. In contrast, the presence of preexisting immunity to adenovirus serotype 5 did not alter the survival rate of nonhuman primates receiving the adenovirus serotype 5-based Ebola virus vaccine in the airway. This study shows that airway vaccination with adenovirus serotype 5-based Ebola virus vaccine can efficiently bypass preexisting immunity to adenovirus serotype 5 and induce protective immune responses, albeit at lower efficacy than that using an intramuscular vaccine delivery route.
Open pisiform fracture: excision or internal fixation?
Authors: Agathangelidis Filon , Boutsiadis Achilleas , Ditsios Konstantinos
Published: January 2013

A 53-year-old man presented with an open fracture of the pisiform after a fall on his left wrist. Treatment of the patient presented a dilemma between excision of the proximal fragment and internal fixation. The patient underwent internal fixation with a 2.5 cortical screw. At 6 months follow-up the fracture appeared fully consolidated with full functional recovery of the wrist.
The First-aid Advice and Safety Training (FAST) parents programme for the prevention of unintentional injuries in preschool children: a protocol
Authors: Mytton Julie A , Towner Elizabeth ML , Kendrick Denise , Stewart-Brown Sarah , Emond Alan , Ingram Jenny , Blair Peter S , Powell Jane , Mulvaney Caroline , Thomas James , Deave Toity , Potter Barbara
Published: January 2013

Background

Unintentional injury is the leading cause of preventable death in children in the UK, and 0–4-year-olds frequently attend emergency departments following injuries in the home. Parenting programmes designed to support parents, promote behaviour change and enhance parent–child relationships have been shown to improve health outcomes in children. It is not known whether group-based parenting programmes have the potential to prevent unintentional injuries in preschool children.

Methods

A study to develop a group-based parenting programme to prevent unintentional home injuries in preschool children, and assess the feasibility of evaluation through a cluster-randomised controlled trial. The intervention, designed for parents of children who have sustained a medically attended injury, will be developed with two voluntary sector organisations. The feasibility study will assess ability to recruit parents, deliver the programme and follow-up participants. Participants will complete questionnaires at baseline, 3 months and 6 months, and report injuries in their preschool children using a tool designed and validated for this study. Qualitative methods will assess user and deliverer perceptions of the programme.

Discussion

This study will develop the first group-based parenting programme to prevent injuries in preschool children, and design tools for parent-reported injury outcomes. A key challenge will be to recruit parents to participate in a manner that is non-stigmatising, and does not result in feelings of guilt or belief that they are perceived to be a bad parent. The findings will be used to prepare a trial to assess the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the intervention.
Characteristics of dynamic monitoring data and observed behaviour of the Confederation Bridge due to operational load variations
Authors: Londoño Nicolás A. , Lau David T. , Rahman Muhammad
Published: January 2013

A dynamic monitoring system has been installed on the Confederation Bridge to capture ambient and triggered vibration responses of the bridge due to wind, traffic, ice, and earthquake loads. The field monitoring data and observed behaviour of the bridge provide useful information and insights for practical application of vibration based structural health monitoring techniques in actual field operating conditions. In the present study, monitoring data collected under different loading scenarios have been analyzed to better understand the variability characteristics of the field measured data and extracted dynamic properties of the bridge. Calibration of computer bridge models using the monitoring data is presented. The field measured vibration modal frequencies differ only by 2% to 4% from the calibrated computer models. Field observed vibration mode shapes and damping ratios of the bridge are also presented. The frequency contents of the bridge responses and their variability under different loading scenarios are presented.
THE UFFO SLEWING MIRROR TELESCOPE FOR EARLY OPTICAL OBSERVATION FROM GAMMA RAY BURSTS
Authors:   For The UFFO Collaboration, NAM JIWOO , AHMAD S. , AHN K. , BARRILLON P. , BRANDT S. , BUDTZ-JØRGENSEN C. , CASTRO-TIRADO A. J. , CHANG S.-H. , CHEN C.-R. , CHEN P. , CHOI Y. J. , CONNELL P. , DAGORET-CAMPAGNE S. , EYLES C. , GROSSAN B. , HUANG M.-H. A. , HUANG J.-J. , JEONG S. , JUNG A. , KIM J. E. , KIM S. H. , KIM Y. W. , LEE J. , LIM H. , LIN C.-Y , LINDER E. V. , LIU T.-C. , LUND N. , MIN K. W. , NA G. W. , PANAYUK M. I. , PARK I. H. , RIPA J. , REGLERO V. , RODRIGO J. M. , SMOOT G. F. , SVERTILOV S. , VEDENKIN N. , WANG M.-Z. , YASHIN I. , ZHAO M. H.
Published: January 2013

While some space born observatories, such as SWIFT and FERMI, have been operating, early observation of optical after grow of GRBs is still remained as an unexplored region. The Ultra-Fast Flash Observatory (UFFO) project is a space observatory for optical follow-ups of GRBs, aiming to explore the first 60 seconds of GRBs optical emission. Using fast moving mirrors to redirect our optical path rather than slewing the entire spacecraft, UFFO is utilized to catch early optical emissions from GRB within 1 sec. We have developed the UFFO Pathfinder Telescope which is going to be on board of the Lomonosov satellite and launched in middle of 2012. We will discuss about scientific potentials of the UFFO project and present the payload development status, especially for Slewing Mirror Telescope which is the key instrument of the UFFO-pathfinder mission.
HAMILTONIAN DESCRIPTION OF SINGULAR LAGRANGIAN SYSTEMS WITH SPONTANEOUSLY BROKEN TIME TRANSLATION SYMMETRY
Authors: ZHAO LIU , YU PENGFEI , XU WEI
Published: January 2013

Shapere and Wilczek recently found some singular Lagrangian systems which spontaneously breaks time translation symmetry. The common feature of their models is that the energy functions are multi-valued in terms of the canonical phase space variables and the symmetry breaking ground states are all located at the brunching point singularities. By enlarging the phase space and making use of Dirac's theory on constrained Hamiltonian systems, we present the Hamiltonian description of some of the models discussed by Shapere and Wilczek and found that both the multi-valuedness and the brunching point singularities can be avoided, while the spontaneous breaking of time translation becomes more transparent. It is also shown that the breaking of time translation is always accompanied by the breaking of time reversal.
CONGRUENCES MODULO SQUARES OF PRIMES FOR FU'S k DOTS BRACELET PARTITIONS
Authors: RADU CRISTIAN-SILVIU , SELLERS JAMES A.
Published: January 2013

In 2007, Andrews and Paule introduced the family of functions Δk(n) which enumerate the number of broken k-diamond partitions for a fixed positive integer k. In that paper, Andrews and Paule proved that, for all n ≥ 0, Δ1(2n+1) ≡ 0 (mod 3) using a standard generating function argument. Soon after, Shishuo Fu provided a combinatorial proof of this same congruence. Fu also utilized this combinatorial approach to naturally define a generalization of broken k-diamond partitions which he called k dots bracelet partitions. He denoted the number of k dots bracelet partitions of n by 𝔅k(n) and proved various congruence properties for these functions modulo primes and modulo powers of 2. In this note, we extend the set of congruences proven by Fu by proving the following congruences: For all n ≥ 0, [Formula: see text] We also conjecture an infinite family of congruences modulo powers of 7 which are satisfied by the function 𝔅7.
THE DISCRETE MEAN SQUARE OF THE DIRICHLET L-FUNCTION AT NONTRIVIAL ZEROS OF ANOTHER DIRICHLET L-FUNCTION
Authors: GARUNKŠTIS RAMŪNAS , KALPOKAS JUSTAS
Published: January 2013

We consider the sum of squared absolute values of the Dirichlet L-function taken at the nontrivial zeros of another Dirichlet L-function.
CONGRUENCES CONCERNING LEGENDRE POLYNOMIALS III
Authors: SUN ZHI-HONG
Published: January 2013

Suppose that p is an odd prime and d is a positive integer. Let x and y be integers given by p = x2+dy2 or 4p = x2+dy2. In this paper we determine x( mod p) for many values of d. For example, [Formula: see text] where x is chosen so that x ≡ 1 ( mod 3).

We also pose some conjectures on supercongruences modulo p2 concerning binary quadratic forms.
ON REPRESENTATIONS BY FIGURATE NUMBERS: A UNIFORM APPROACH TO THE CONJECTURES OF MELHAM
Authors: TOH PEE CHOON
Published: January 2013

Using known formulas for R(a, b)(n), the number of representations of n as a times a square plus b times a square, we prove 21 conjectured formulas of Melham on the number of representations of n as sums of triangular, pentagonal and heptagonal numbers. We also demonstrate how our technique can be used to prove the other 277 conjectured formulas of Melham concerning representations by other figurate numbers.
Synergistic effect of uricase blockade plus physiological amounts of fructose-glucose on glomerular hypertension and oxidative stress in rats
Authors: Tapia Edilia , Cristóbal Magdalena , García-Arroyo Fernando E. , Soto Virgilia , Monroy-Sánchez Fabiola , Pacheco Ursino , Lanaspa Miguel A. , Roncal-Jiménez Carlos A. , Cruz-Robles David , Ishimoto Takuji , Madero Magdalena , Johnson Richard J. , Sánchez-Lozada Laura-Gabriela
Published: January 2013

Fructose in sweetened beverages (SB) increases the risk for metabolic and cardiorenal disorders, and these effects are in part mediated by a secondary increment in uric acid (UA). Rodents have an active uricase, thus requiring large doses of fructose to increase plasma UA and to induce metabolic syndrome and renal hemodynamic changes. We therefore hypothesized that the effects of fructose in rats might be enhanced in the setting of uricase inhibition. Four groups of male Sprague-Dawley rats ( n = 7/group) were studied during 8 wk: water + vehicle (V), water + oxonic acid (OA; 750 mg/k BW), sweetened beverage (SB; 11% fructose-glucose combination) + V, and SB + OA. Systemic blood pressure, plasma UA, triglycerides (TG), glucose and insulin, glomerular hemodynamics, renal structural damage, renal cortex and liver UA, TG, markers of oxidative stress, mitDNA, fructokinase, and fatty liver synthase protein expressions were evaluated at the end of the experiment. Chronic hyperuricemia and SB induced features of the metabolic syndrome, including hypertension, hyperuricemia, hyperglycemia, and systemic and hepatic TG accumulation. OA alone also induced glomerular hypertension, and SB alone induced insulin resistance. SB + OA induced a combined phenotype including metabolic and renal alterations induced by SB or OA alone and in addition also acted synergistically on systemic and glomerular pressure, plasma glucose, hepatic TG, and oxidative stress. These findings explain why high concentrations of fructose are required to induce greater metabolic changes and renal disease in rats whereas humans, who lack uricase, appear to be much more sensitive to the effects of fructose.
A novel GABAergic action mediated by functional coupling between GABAB-like receptor and two different high-conductance K+channels in cricket Kenyon cells
Authors: Nakamura Atsunao , Yoshino Masami
Published: January 2013

The γ-aminobutyric acid type B (GABAB) receptor has been shown to attenuate high-voltage-activated Ca2+currents and enhance voltage-dependent or inwardly rectifying K+currents in a variety of neurons. In this study, we report a novel coupling of GABAB-like receptor with two different high-conductance K+channels, Na+-activated K+(KNa) channel and Ca2+-activated K+(KCa) channel, in Kenyon cells isolated from the mushroom body of the cricket brain. Single-channel activities of KNaand KCachannels in response to bath applications of GABA and the GABAB-specific agonist SKF97541 were recorded with the cell-attached patch configuration. The open probability ( Po) of both KNaand KCachannels was found to be increased by bath application of GABA, and this increase in Powas antagonized by coapplication of the GABABantagonist CGP54626, suggesting that GABAB-like receptors mediate these actions. Similarly, GABAB-specific agonist SKF97541 increased the Poof both KNaand KCachannels. Perforated-patch recordings using β-escin further revealed that SKF97541 increased the amplitude of the outward currents elicited by step depolarizations. Under current-clamp conditions, SKF97541 decreased the firing frequency of spontaneous action potential (AP) and changed the AP waveform. The amplitude and duration of AP were decreased, whereas the afterhyperpolarization of AP was increased. Resting membrane potential, however, was not significantly altered by SKF97541. Taken together, these results suggest that GABAB-like receptor is functionally coupled with both KNaand KCachannels and this coupling mechanism may serve to prevent AP formation and limit excitatory synaptic input.
Structural, Elastic, and Electronic Properties of Antiperovskite Chromium-Based Carbides ACCr3(A = Al and Ga)
Authors: Shao D. F. , Lu W. J. , Lin S. , Tong P. , Sun Y. P.
Published: January 2013

We theoretically investigated antiperovskite chromium-based carbides ACCr3through the first-principles calculation based on density functional theory (DFT). The structure optimization shows that the lattice parameter of ACCr3is basically proportional to the radius of A-site elements. The calculated formation energies show that AlCCr3and GaCCr3can be synthesized at ambient pressure and are stable with nonmagnetic ground states. Based on the calculation of elastic constants, some elastic, mechanical, and thermal parameters are derived and discussed. AlCCr3and GaCCr3show ductile natures and may have similar thermal properties. From the analysis of the electronic structures, it was found that there are electron and hole bands that cross the Fermi level for AlCCr3and GaCCr3, indicating multiple-band natures. The Fermi level locates at the vicinity of the density of states (DOSs) peak, which leads to a large DOS at Fermi level dominated by Cr-3d electrons. The band structures of AlCCr3and GaCCr3are very similar to those of the superconducting antiperovskite MgCNi3. The similarity may make AlCCr3and GaCCr3behave superconductively, which needs to be further investigated in theoretical and experimental studies.
Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Patients with Thick Primary Cutaneous Melanoma: Patterns of Use and Underuse Utilizing a Population-Based Model
Authors: Martinez Steve R. , Shah Dhruvil R. , Yang Anthony D. , Canter Robert J. , Maverakis Emanual
Published: January 2013

Background. Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) for thick cutaneous melanoma is supported by national guidelines. We report on factors associated with the use and underuse of SLNB for thick primary cutaneous melanoma.Methods. The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database was queried for patients who underwent surgery for thick primary cutaneous melanoma from 2004 to 2008. We used multivariate logistic regression models to predict use of SLNB.Results. Among 1,981 patients, 833 (41.8%) did not undergo SLNB. Patients with primary melanomas of the arm (OR 2.07, CI 1.56–2.75;P<0.001), leg (OR 2.40, CI 1.70–3.40;P<0.001), and trunk (OR 1.82, CI 1.38–2.40;P<0.001) had an increased likelihood of receiving a SLNB, as did those with desmoplastic histology (OR 1.47, CI 1.11–1.96;P=0.008). A decreased likelihood of receiving SLNB was noted for advancing age ≥ 60 years (age 60 to 69: OR 0.58, CI 0.33–0.99,P=0.047; age 70 to 79: OR 0.32, CI 0.19–0.54,P<0.001; age 80 or more: OR 0.10, CI 0.06–0.16,P<0.001) and unknown race/ethnicity (OR 0.21, CI 0.07–0.62;P=0.005).Conclusions. In particular, elderly patients are less likely to receive SLNB. Further research is needed to assess whether use of SLNB in this population is detrimental or beneficial.
An Unusual Cause of Precordial Chest Pain
Authors: Ozkaya Sevket , Furtun Kamil , Yuksel Canan , Dirican Adem , Findik Serhat
Published: January 2013

Extraskeletal chondrosarcoma in anterior mediastinum is very rare. A 45-year-old male patient was admitted to the hospital with precordial chest pain. A large and well-shaped mass in the anterior mediastinum was seen radiologically, and there was a clearly compression of the heart by the mass. The lesion was totally resected, and extraskeletal mediastinal chondrosarcoma was histopathologically diagnosed. We aimed to present and discuss the radiologic, clinic, and histopathologic features of unusual presentation of extraskeletal chondrosarcoma in a case.
Primary Pleomorphic Liposarcoma of Liver: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Naik P. R. Thippeswamy , Kumar Prem , Kumar P. Vinod
Published: January 2013

Primary liver liposarcoma is a rare disease. The knowledge of the clinical course, management, and prognosis of primary liver liposarcoma are all limited because of its rarity. Twelve cases of primary liposarcoma of the liver have been previously reported. We present the thirteenth case, which occurred in an adult male patient. A 42-year-old male patient came to our outpatient department with complaints of pain abdomen, mass per abdomen, and weight loss. Ultrasonography showed a mass arising from the the left lobe of liver. CT abdomen showed a heterogenous enhancing mass from left lobe of liver with multiple cystic and necrotic areas compressing the stomach and spleen with no evidence of metastasis. Differential diagnosis included adenoma and primary malignancy. Exploratory laparotomy and resection were done. HPE was found to be pleomorphic liposarcoma of liver.
An Overview on Image Forensics
Authors: Piva Alessandro
Published: January 2013

The aim of this survey is to provide a comprehensive overview of the state of the art in the area of image forensics. These techniques have been designed to identify the source of a digital image or to determine whether the content is authentic or modified, without the knowledge of any prior information about the image under analysis (and thus are defined as passive). All these tools work by detecting the presence, the absence, or the incongruence of some traces intrinsically tied to the digital image by the acquisition device and by any other operation after its creation. The paper has been organized by classifying the tools according to the position in the history of the digital image in which the relative footprint is left: acquisition-based methods, coding-based methods, and editing-based schemes.
Point-of-Care Troponin T Testing in the Management of Patients with Chest Pain in the Swedish Primary Care
Authors: Nilsson Staffan , Andersson Per O. , Borgquist Lars , Grodzinsky Ewa , Janzon Magnus , Kvick Magnus , Landberg Eva , Nilsson Håkan , Karlsson Jan-Erik
Published: January 2013

Objective. To investigate the diagnostic accuracy and clinical benefit of point-of-care Troponin T testing (POCT-TnT) in the management of patients with chest pain.
Design. Observational, prospective, cross-sectional study with followup.
Setting. Three primary health care (PHC) centres using POCT-TnT and four PHC centres not using POCT-TnT in the southeast of Sweden.
Patients. All patients ≥35 years old, contacting one of the primary health care centres for chest pain, dyspnoea on exertion, unexplained weakness, and/or fatigue with no other probable cause than cardiac, were included. Symptoms should have commenced or worsened during the last seven days.
Main Outcome Measures. Emergency referrals, patients with acute myocardial infarctions (AMI), or unstable angina (UA) within 30 days of study enrolment.
Results. 25% of the patients from PHC centres with POCT-TnT and 43% from PHC centres without POCT-TnT were emergently referred by the GP (P=0.011
). Seven patients (5.5%) from PHC centres with POCT-TnT and six (8.8%) from PHC centres without POCT-TnT were diagnosed as AMI or UA (P=0.369). Two patients with AMI or UA from PHC centres with POCT-TnT were judged as missed cases in primary health care.
Conclusion. The use of POCT-TnT may reduce emergency referrals but probably at the cost of an increased risk to miss patients with AMI or UA.
Scattering Characteristics of Targets above a Rough Surface in SAR Images
Authors: Zhao Bo , Cui Tie Jun
Published: January 2013

The modeling, simulation, and analysis of target characteristics are essential to a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) image-based autotarget recognition (ATR) system. The coupling effect between targets and rough surface is also important to the electromagnetic scattering and remote sensing. In this work, the simulations to SAR images of targets above a finite rough surface have been investigated. The effect of rough surface on the target characteristics, or the coupling between the rough surface and targets, is analyzed in details by observing changes of locations and intensities of scattering centers in the SAR images. The SAR images are obtained by taking two-dimensional inverse fast Fourier transforms (FFTs) of the scattered fields, which are computed by the combined high-frequency method of shooting and bouncing ray (SBR) and truncated-wedge incremental-length diffraction coefficients (TW-ILDCs). Simulated results of SAR images for complicated targets above a rough surface are given under the 0.25 × 0.25 m2resolution at the X band, in which the coupling effect between targets and rough surface has been studied in details.
Decision Making about Risk of Infection by Young Adults with CF
Authors: Reynolds Lisa , Latchford Gary , Duff Alistair J. A. , Denton Miles , Lee Tim , Peckham Daniel
Published: January 2013

Young people with cystic fibrosis (CF) are asked to avoid a number of environments associated with increased infection risk, but in practice they need to balance this with competing priorities such as building and sustaining relationships with friends and family. This study explored the process by which young people make these decisions. Mixed methods were used: a vignette study presenting choices around engaging in activities involving a degree of infection risk and a thematic analysis of participant's accounts of their decision making. The eight participants chose to engage in high risk behaviours in 59% of the choices. All participants chose to engage in at least one risky behavior, though this was less likely when the risk was significant. Thematic analysis revealed large areas of misunderstanding and lack of knowledge, leading to some potentially worrying misconceptions about the nature of infections and risk. Young people with CF are not currently making informed decisions around activities that involve increased risk of infection, and there is an urgent need for CF teams to address this in information provision.
Amino-Functionalized Silica Nanoparticles: In Vitro Evaluation for Targeted Delivery and Therapy of Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Kardys Abbey Y. , Bharali Dhruba J. , Mousa Shaker A.
Published: January 2013

We report a method of synthesis and optimization of amino-functionalized silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) and their in vitro evaluation as targeted delivery vehicles for the potential treatment of pancreatic cancer. SiNPs can efficiently encapsulate doxorubicin and can be attached to a targeting moiety such as anti-Claudin-4 (CLN4). The preferential uptake in pancreatic cancer cells, where CLN4 is overexpressed, of SiNPs when conjugated to CLN4 antibody (compared to nonconjugated SiNPs) was confirmed by confocal microscopy. SiNPs encapsulating doxorubicin had greater efficacy in MTT assays than free doxorubicin, and when conjugated to CLN4, the efficacy was dramatically increased (at 1 μM). No apparent carrier toxicity was observed when void SiNPs were used. SiNPs carrying a chemotherapeutic drug have the potential to be used as a targeted therapy for lethal cancers, such as pancreatic cancer. Also, incorporation of fluorescent probes in these SiNPs creates the possibility of their use as an imaging probe for diagnostic purposes.
Latitudinal Dependence of Cosmic Rays Modulation at 1 AU and Interplanetary Magnetic Field Polar Correction
Authors: Bobik P. , Boella G. , Boschini M. J. , Consolandi C. , Della Torre S. , Gervasi M. , Grandi D. , Kudela K. , Pensotti S. , Rancoita P. G. , Rozza D. , Tacconi M.
Published: January 2013

The cosmic rays differential intensity inside the heliosphere, for energy below 30 GeV/nuc, depends on solar activity and interplanetary magnetic field polarity. This variation, termed solar modulation, is described using a 2D (radius and colatitude) Monte Carlo approach for solving the Parker transport equation that includes diffusion, convection, magnetic drift, and adiabatic energy loss. Since the whole transport is strongly related to the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) structure, a better understanding of his description is needed in order to reproduce the cosmic rays intensity at the Earth, as well as outside the ecliptic plane. In this work an interplanetary magnetic field model including the standard description on ecliptic region and a polar correction is presented. This treatment of the IMF, implemented in the HelMod Monte Carlo code (version 2.0), was used to determine the effects on the differential intensity of Proton at 1 AU and allowed one to investigate how latitudinal gradients of proton intensities, observed in the inner heliosphere with the Ulysses spacecraft during 1995, can be affected by the modification of the IMF in the polar regions.
Visible Light Irradiation‐Mediated Drug Elution Activity of Nitrogen‐Doped TiO2 Nanotubes
Authors: Oh Seunghan , Moon Kyung-Suk , Moon Joo-Hee , Bae Ji-Myung , Jin Sungho
Published: January 2013

We have developed nitrogen‐doped TiO2 nanotubes showing photocatalytic activity in the visible light region and have investigated the triggered release of antibiotics from these nanotubes in response to remote visible light irradiation. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations indicated that the structure of TiO2 nanotubes was not destroyed on the conditions of 0.05 and 0.1 M diethanolamine treatment. The results of X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirmed that nitrogen, in the forms of nitrite () and nitrogen monoxide (NO), had been incorporated into the TiO2 nanotube surface. A drug‐release test revealed that the antibiotic‐loaded TiO2 nanotubes showed sustained and prolonged drug elution with the help of polylactic acid. Visible light irradiation tests showed that the antibiotic release from nitrogen‐doped TiO2 nanotubes was significantly higher than that from pure TiO2 nanotubes (P < 0.05).
Electronically Controllable Sinusoidal Oscillator Employing CMOS VD-DIBAs
Authors: Prasad Dinesh , Bhaskar D. R. , Pushkar K. L.
Published: January 2013

A new electronically controllable sinusoidal oscillator employing two voltage differencing-differential input buffered amplifiers (VD-DIBAs), two grounded capacitors, and one grounded resistor is presented. The proposed configuration offers (i) independent control of condition of oscillation (CO) and frequency of oscillation (FO) formerly by resistance and later through transconductance, (ii) low active and passive sensitivities, and (iii) a good frequency stability. The workability of the proposed configuration has been demonstrated by SPICE simulation.
Safety and Efficacy of 188-Rhenium-Labeled Antibody to Melanin in Patients with Metastatic Melanoma
Authors: Klein M. , Lotem M. , Peretz T. , Zwas S. T. , Mizrachi S. , Liberman Y. , Chisin R. , Schachter J. , Ron I. G. , Iosilevsky G. , Kennedy J. A. , Revskaya E. , de Kater A. W. , Banaga E. , Klutzaritz V. , Friedmann N. , Galun E. , DeNardo G. L. , DeNardo S. J. , Casadevall A. , Dadachova E. , Thornton G. B.
Published: January 2013

There is a need for effective “broad spectrum” therapies for metastatic melanoma which would be suitable for all patients. The objectives of Phase Ia/Ib studies were to evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics, dosimetry, and antitumor activity of188Re-6D2, a 188-Rhenium-labeled antibody to melanin. Stage IIIC/IV metastatic melanoma (MM) patients who failed standard therapies were enrolled in both studies. In Phase Ia, 10 mCi188Re-6D2 were given while unlabeled antibody preload was escalated. In Phase Ib, the dose of188Re-6D2 was escalated to 54 mCi. SPECT/CT revealed188Re-6D2 uptake in melanoma metastases. The mean effective half-life of188Re-6D2 was 12.4 h. Transient HAMA was observed in 9 patients. Six patients met the RECIST criteria for stable disease at 6 weeks. Two patients had durable disease stabilization for 14 weeks and one for 22 weeks. Median overall survival was 13 months with no dose-limiting toxicities. The data demonstrate that188Re-6D2 was well tolerated, localized in melanoma metastases, and had antitumor activity, thus warranting its further investigation in patients with metastatic melanoma.
The Bone Marrow Microenvironment as Niche Retreats for Hematopoietic and Leukemic Stem Cells
Authors: Nwajei Felix , Konopleva Marina
Published: January 2013

Leukemia poses a serious challenge to current therapeutic strategies. This has been attributed to leukemia stem cells (LSCs), which occupy endosteal and sinusoidal niches in the bone marrow similar to those of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). The signals from these niches provide a viable setting for the maintenance, survival, and fate specifications of these stem cells. Advancements in genetic engineering and microscopy have enabled us to critically deconstruct and analyze the anatomic and functional characteristics of these niches to reveal a wealth of new knowledge in HSC biology, which is quite ahead of LSC biology. In this paper, we examine the present understanding of the regulatory mechanisms governing HSC niches, with the goals of providing a framework for understanding the mechanisms of LSC regulation and suggesting future strategies for their elimination.
Designing and Developing S100P Inhibitor 5-Methyl Cromolyn for Pancreatic Cancer Therapy
Authors: Arumugam Thiruvengadam , Ramachandran Vijaya , Sun Duoli , Peng Zhenghong , Pal Ashutosh , Maxwell David S. , Bornmann William G. , Logsdon Craig D.
Published: January 2013

We have previously shown that the antiallergic drug cromolyn blocks S100P interaction with its receptor receptor for advanced glycation end product (RAGE) and improves gemcitabine effectiveness in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). However, the concentration required to achieve its effectiveness was high (100 μmol/L). In this study, we designed and synthesized analogs of cromolyn and analyzed their effectiveness compared with the parent molecule. An ELISA was used to confirm the binding of S100P with RAGE and to test the effectiveness of the different analogs. Analog 5-methyl cromolyn (C5OH) blocked S100P binding as well as the increases in NF-κB activity, cell growth, and apoptosis normally caused by S100P. In vivo C5OH systemic delivery reduced NF-κB activity to a greater extent than cromolyn and at 10 times lesser dose (50 mg vs. 5 mg). Treatment of mice-bearing syngeneic PDAC tumors showed that C5OH treatment reduced both tumor growth and metastasis. C5OH treatment of nude mice bearing orthotopic highly aggressive pancreatic Mpanc96 cells increased the overall animal survival. Therefore, the cromolyn analog, C5OH, was found to be more efficient and potent than cromolyn as a therapeutic for PDAC. Mol Cancer Ther; 12(5); 654–62. ©2013 AACR.
A Companion Animal in a Work Simulation: The Roles of Task Difficulty and Prior Companion-Animal Guardianship in State Anxiety
Authors: Stewart Anna , Strickland Oriel
Published: January 2013

Abstract

Human-animal interactions often have positive physiological and psychological outcomes for humans. The current study extended research in this area by studying three variables that have never directly been examined together within a laboratory setting: task difficulty level (moderate versus extreme), the human-animal interaction (present or absent), and participants’ companion-animal guardianship status (yes or no) to determine whether a companion dog would reduce self-reported state anxiety. The participants were undergraduate students from a large western university in the United States who performed timed paper-and-pencil tasks either with or without the presence of a companion dog under varying degrees of task difficulty. Spielberger’s State/Trait anxiety measures were used to assess reactions to the work setting. Results indicated that although the mere presence of a dog is not enough to lower state anxiety for all participants, the interaction of companion-animal guardianship status and task difficulty was significant. Companion animals may assist in stress relief for people in average-stress jobs who already have positive feelings toward companion animals but may have no effect for people in high-stress jobs or who do not already enjoy the company of animals.
Simulation-based optimal planning for material handling networks in mining
Authors: Nageshwaraniyer Sai Srinivas , Son Young-Jun , Dessureault Sean
Published: January 2013

A two-level hierarchical simulation-based framework is proposed for real-time planning in one of the largest coal mines in the world. At the coal mine, various decisions (e.g. truck locks, hopper-silo connections and silo blend values) have to be made to ship coal to customers via trains. To resolve machinery scheduling and train loading problems in an integrated manner, mathematical formulations are developed and embedded within the proposed hierarchical framework. At the upper level, the coal flow in the simulation model is directly from pits to trains and in the lower level a full simulation model of the coal mine is used for simulating the flow of coal from pits to hoppers via trucks, then from hoppers to silos and silos to loadouts via conveyors. In this work, Arena software is used for the simulation model: it retrieves real-time status and historical performance data from Microsoft SQL Server situated remotely at the coal mine. OptQuest software is used to resolve optimization problems. Finally, two types of experiments are conducted to illustrate the performance of the proposed framework for the actual coal mine. Firstly, the bounds of the constraints in the upper level are varied to study the behavior of the total revenue in shift and revenue by train. Secondly, the effects of increasing variations in truck travel times, loading and dumping rates on machine utilization are studied at the lower level.
Bond graph representations of hydraulic pipelines using normal modes with dissipative friction
Authors: Yang Limin , Moan Torgeir
Published: January 2013

The one-dimensional (1-D) unsteady-pressure-flow equations of hydraulic pipeline can be approximated and solved numerically using a finite-mode approach. This paper deals with constructing bond graph representations for the hydraulic pipelines with laminar flow by using the previously established 1-D linear-friction bond graph structures and modal approximation techniques when 2-D frequency-dependent friction is taken into account. To model hydraulic pipelines as components in different systems using bond graphs, there are four possible input–output causalities: pressure inputs at both ends, flow rate input at both ends and the two cases of mixed inputs. In this paper, all four configurations are considered. The developed bond graph structures together with their corresponding modal parameters are presented. A comparison is made for three models, namely lossless, 1-D linear fluid friction and 2-D fluid friction. Simulation results show that the modified bond graph models studied in this work can give more satisfactory results.
The Good Behavior Game: A classroom-behavior intervention effective across cultures
Authors: Nolan Julene D. , Houlihan Daniel , Wanzek Megan , Jenson William R.
Published: January 2013

Few classroom behavioral interventions have been thoroughly studied using culturally and linguistically diverse populations, international student populations, or those from diverse socio-economic backgrounds. Yet, having such tools for school psychologists and teachers is critical for behavior management in the classroom. One important exception is the Good Behavior Game, which has been extensively studied both in the United States and international settings. Because this intervention is based on well-tested principles of behavior theory, it has proven to be a useful tool across cultural, linguistic, socio-economic traditions, with long lasting positive longitudinal behavior change. This article presents a review of the literature on the Good Behavior Game as it applies to international and diverse student populations.
Australia’s ongoing border wars
Authors: Grewcock Michael
Published: January 2013

This article examines developments in Australian border policing policy since the election of a Labor government in November 2007. It argues that despite the formal cessation of the ‘Pacific Solution’, there are fundamental continuities in policy that ensure systemic human rights abuses by the Australian state against unauthorised refugees. In particular, attempts by the Labor government to forge a ‘regional solution’ have increased the risks of travel for unauthorised refugees, exacerbated abuses within Australian and regional detention facilities and diminished the long-term prospects of resettlement for this cohort. Inevitably, this has laid the basis for a revised version of the Pacific Solution.
The Political Dynamics of Market Organization
Authors: Avent-Holt Dustin
Published: January 2013

Sociologists have argued that markets are politically constituted, yet we lack an understanding of the causal mechanisms through which political mobilization organizes and reorganizes markets over time. In this article I show how the concept of cultural framing—already widely used by economic sociologists—can be further developed to explain how mobilization reproduces markets in some moments while reorganizing them in others. Specifically, I link the concept of cultural framing to rent-seeking mobilization within markets to better explain when political contestation will lead to new market institutions and when it will fail to do so. I illustrate the value of this approach through an analysis of deregulation in the U.S. airline industry and conclude by discussing the consequences of the model and empirical case for the politics of markets, the rise of neoliberalism, and economic policymaking.
A Theory of the Public Sphere
Authors: Adut Ari
Published: January 2013

The dominant approach to the public sphere is characterized by idealism and normativism. It overemphasizes civic-minded or civil discourse, envisions unrealistically egalitarian and widespread participation, has difficulty dealing with consequential public events, and neglects the spatial core of the public sphere and the effects of visibility. I propose a semiotic theory that approaches the public sphere through general sensory access. This approach enables a superior understanding of all public events, discursive or otherwise. It also captures the dialectical relationship between the public sphere and politics by (1) specifying the mechanisms through which visibility and publicity become resources or constraints for political actors, (2) explaining the political regulation of visibility, (3) showing the central role that struggles over the contents of public spaces play in political conflict, and (4) analyzing the links among social structure, social norms, and political action in the transformation of the public sphere.
Mastering Academic Language
Authors: Uccelli Paola , Dobbs Christina L. , Scott Jessica
Published: January 2013

Beyond mechanics and spelling conventions, academic writing requires progressive mastery of advanced language forms and functions. Pedagogically useful tools to assess such language features in adolescents’ writing, however, are not yet available. This study examines language predictors of writing quality in 51 persuasive essays produced by high school students attending a linguistically and ethnically diverse inner-city school in the Northeastern United States. Essays were scored for writing quality by a group of teachers, transcribed and analyzed to generate automated lexical and grammatical measures, and coded for discourse-level elements by researchers who were blind to essays’ writing quality scores. Regression analyses revealed that beyond the contribution of length and lexico-grammatical intricacy, the frequency of organizational markers and one particular type of epistemic stance marker (i.e., epistemic hedges) significantly predicted persuasive essays’ writing quality. Findings shed light on discourse elements relevant for the design of pedagogically informative assessment tools.
Tweeting Social Change
Authors: Guo Chao , Saxton Gregory D.
Published: January 2013

How are nonprofit organizations utilizing social media to engage in advocacy work?   We address this question by investigating the social media use of 188 501(c)(3) advocacy organizations.   After briefly examining the types of social media technologies employed, we turn to an in-depth examination of the organizations’ use of Twitter. This in-depth message-level analysis is twofold: A content analysis that examines the prevalence of previously identified communicative and advocacy constructs in nonprofits’ social media messages; and an inductive analysis that explores the unique features and dynamics of social media-based advocacy and identifies new organizational practices and forms of communication heretofore unseen in the literature.
A calculation method for natural frequencies and transverse vibration of a belt span in accessory drive systems
Authors: Shangguan Wen-Bin , Feng Xiao , Lin Haoting , Yang Jiawei
Published: January 2013

A method for modeling and calculation of natural frequencies of a belt span and transverse vibration displacement of a point in the belt span for an accessory drive system is presented in this article. In the model, the belt between two adjacent pulleys is simplified as an axial moving visco-elastic string, and the relation between stress and strain for the belt is modeled with standard visco-elastic constitutive model. The calculated natural frequencies from the axial moving string model are compared with estimated results from the pulley–string belt coupled model. It is shown that the natural frequencies can be obtained directly from axial moving string model. An experiment is carried out for getting the natural frequencies of a belt span and the transverse displacement of a point in a belt span in a generic engine front end accessory drive system. The measured natural frequencies and transverse displacements are compared well with calculated results, which validate the modeling and calculation methods presented in this article. Based on the axial moving visco-elastic string model, the influences of elastic stiffness and damping of a belt on the transverse deflections of a point in one belt span are investigated. It is shown that the transverse deflections of the belt decrease with the increasing of the elastic stiffness and damping of belt.