bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Seroprevalence of Canine Influenza Virus H3N8 in Dogs Participating in a Flyball Tournament in Pennsylvania in 2010: A Follow‐Up Study
Authors: Wiley C.A. , Ottoson M.C. , Garcia M.M. , Wiley L.E. , Otto C.M.
Published: February 2013

Background

Canine influenza virus (CIV) H3N8 infection is thought to be highly contagious and potentially deadly. Low seroprevalence in dogs participating in the sport of flyball in 2009 was reported. It remains unknown if prevalence is changing in dogs at risk.

Objective

To determine seroprevalence of antibodies to CIV H3N8 in a population of pet dogs that participated in an indoor flyball tournament in Pennsylvania in November 2010.

Animals

Dogs participating in a flyball tournament.

Methods

Medical, travel, and activity histories for previous 10.5 months were obtained from consenting owners and serum samples were collected from dogs. Antibodies to CIV H3N8 were measured using hemagglutination inhibition.

Results

Of 251 competing dogs, 103 dogs were tested. Overall, seroprevalence of CIV H3N8 in dogs participating in flyball was 1.9% (95% CI, 0.05–6.8%). Thirty‐five dogs were tested in both 2009 (all titers <8) and 2010 (all titers <8). Ten of 103 dogs had been vaccinated for CIV H3N8. Two dogs had positive titers (>8) and both had been vaccinated twice in the previous month. Titers in remaining 8 vaccinated dogs were undetectable. Seroprevalence in vaccinated dogs was 20% (95% CI, 5.7–50.1%), whereas in unvaccinated dogs it was 0% (95% CI, 0–4.0%). Although 7 dogs had history of respiratory signs, only 1, which was vaccinated, was serologically positive for CIV H3N8.

Conclusions

Consistent with low prevalence of CIV H3N8 exposure previously reported in flyball dogs, unvaccinated dogs had 0% prevalence, suggesting a stable exposure rate. However, low seroprevalence may result in unprotected flyball dogs at risk for developing CIV H3N8.
Crystal structure and catalytic mechanism of chloromuconolactone dehalogenase ClcF from Rhodococcus opacus 1CP
Authors: Roth Christian , Gröning Janosch Alexander D. , Kaschabek Stefan Rudolf , Schlömann Michael , Sträter Norbert
Published: February 2013

The actinobacterium Rhodococcus opacus 1CP possesses a so far unique variant of the modified 3‐oxoadipate pathway for 3‐chlorocatechol degradation. One important feature is the novel dehalogenase ClcF, which converts (4R,5S)‐5‐chloromuconolactone to E‐dienelactone. ClcF is related to muconolactone isomerase (MLI, EC 5.3.3.4). The enzyme has a ferredoxin‐type fold and forms a homodecamer of 52‐symmetry, typical for the MLI family. The active site is formed by residues from two monomers. The complex structure of an E27A variant with bound substrate in conjunction with mutational studies indicate that E27 acts as the proton acceptor in a univalent single‐base syn‐dehydrohalogenation mechanism. Despite the evolutionary specialization of ClcF, the conserved active‐site structures suggest that the proposed mechanism is representative for the MLI family. Furthermore, ClcF represents a novel type of dehalogenase based on an isomerase scaffold.
A Hybrid Phonon Gas Model for Transient Ballistic-Diffusive Heat Transport
Authors: Ma Yanbao
Published: February 2013

We present a continuum hybrid phonon gas model to describe transient ballistic-diffusive heat transport. In this model, heat energy is carried by a mixture of longitudinal and transverse phonon gases so that the distinction between longitudinal and transverse phonon excitations is taken into account. This new model is validated by the successful reconstruction of benchmark cases of heat-pulse experiments in NaF, which have never been completely reconstructed before. It is elucidated how thermal pulses are transmitted by longitudinal and transverse phonon gases. This model not only helps us yield new insight in transient ballistic-diffusive heat conduction mechanisms but also provides numerical tools to study transient ballistic-diffusive heat conduction in nanoelectronic and modern optoelectronics.
Thermoelastic Properties of a Novel Fuzzy Fiber-Reinforced Composite
Authors: Kundalwal S. I. , Ray M. C.
Published: February 2013

The effective thermoelastic properties of a fuzzy fiber-reinforced composite (FFRC) have been estimated by employing the generalized method of cells approach and the Mori–Tanaka method. The novel constructional feature of this fuzzy fiber-reinforced composite is that the uniformly aligned carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are radially grown on the circumferential surface of the horizontal carbon fibers. Effective thermoelastic properties of the fuzzy fiber-reinforced composite estimated by the generalized method of cells approach have been compared with those predicted by the Mori–Tanaka method. The present work concludes that the axial thermal expansion coefficient of the fuzzy fiber-reinforced composite slightly increases for the lower values of the carbon fiber volume fraction, whereas the transverse thermal expansion coefficient of the fuzzy fiber-reinforced composite significantly decreases over those of the composite without CNTs. Also, the results demonstrate that the effect of temperature variation on the effective thermal expansion coefficients of the fuzzy fiber-reinforced composite is negligible.
The Degree of Helicobacter pylori-Triggered Inflammation Is Manipulated by Preinfection Host Microbiota
Authors: Rolig Annah S. , Cech Cynthia , Ahler Ethan , Carter J. Elliot , Ottemann Karen M.
Published: February 2013

Helicobacter pylori
infects over 3 billion people worldwide and is the primary risk factor for gastric cancer. Most individuals infected with
H. pylori
develop only asymptomatic gastritis; however, some develop ulcers or gastric adenocarcinoma. We demonstrate that one previously unappreciated parameter influencing
H. pylori
disease outcome is variation in the preinfection host microbiota. Utilizing a mouse model, we altered the microbiota by antibiotic treatment and found that these alterations resulted in significantly lowered
H. pylori
-triggered inflammation. Specifically, antibiotic pretreatment reduced CD4
+
T-helper cells and
Ifn
γ transcript levels in gastric tissue after
H. pylori
infection. The bacterial communities in mice with a reduced response to
H. pylori
displayed many differences from those in untreated mice, including significantly more cluster IV and XIVa
Clostridium
spp., bacteria known to influence inflammation via regulatory T cell populations. Our findings suggest that microbiota composition, perhaps
Clostridium
spp., contributes to the variable disease outcome of
H. pylori
infection by altering the recruitment of CD4
+
T cells to the gastric compartment. Our results suggest that gastric microbiota could be used as a diagnostic tool to determine which patients are at risk for developing severe disease.
A Competitive Infection Model of Hematogenously Disseminated Candidiasis in Mice Redefines the Role of
Candida albicans IRS4
in Pathogenesis
Authors: Raman Suresh B. , Nguyen M. Hong , Cheng Shaoji , Badrane Hassan , Iczkowski Kenneth A. , Wegener Marilyn , Gaffen Sarah L. , Mitchell Aaron P. , Clancy Cornelius J.
Published: February 2013

Candida albicans IRS4
encodes a protein that regulates phosphatidylinositol-(4,5)-bisphosphate, which was shown to contribute to hematogenously disseminated candidiasis (DC) after several days in the standard mouse model. Our objective was to more accurately define the temporal contributions of
IRS4
to pathogenesis. During competition assays
in vitro
, an
irs4
-null (Δ
irs4
) mutant exhibited wild-type fitness. In DC experiments, mice were infected intravenously with the Δ
irs4
mutant, strain CAI-12 (1 × 10
5
CFU), or a mixture of the strains (0.5 × 10
5
CFU each). In single-strain infections, quantitative PCR revealed reduced Δ
irs4
mutant burdens within kidneys at days 1, 4, and 7 but not 6 h. In competitive infections, the Δ
irs4
mutant was outcompeted by CAI-12 in each mouse at ≥6 h (competitive indices,
P
≤ 0.0001). At 4 and 7 days, the Δ
irs4
mutant burdens during competitive infections were significantly lower than those during single-strain infections (
P
= 0.01 and
P
< 0.001, respectively), suggesting increased susceptibility to inflammatory responses. Phagocytic infiltration of kidneys in response to CAI-12 or competitive infections was significantly greater than that in response to Δ
irs4
mutant infection at days 1 and 4 (
P
< 0.001), and the Δ
irs4
mutant was more susceptible to phagocytosis and killing by human polymorphonuclear cells (
P
= 0.01 and
P
= 0.006, respectively) and mouse macrophages
in vitro
(
P
= 0.04 and
P
= 0.01, respectively). Therefore,
IRS4
contributes to tissue invasion at early stages of DC and mediates resistance to phagocytosis as DC progresses. Microarray analysis revealed remarkably similar gene expression by the Δ
irs4
mutant and reference strain CAI-12 within blood, suggesting that
IRS4
is not significantly involved in the hematogenous stage of disease. A competitive DC model detects attenuated virulence that is not evident with the standard model.
Can the impact of an acute hospital end-of-life care tool on care and symptom burden be measured contemporaneously?
Authors: Reid Colette M , Gibbins Jane , Bloor Sophia , Burcombe Melanie , McCoubrie Rachel , Forbes Karen
Published: February 2013

Objective

To determine the utility of a screening question to identify patients who might die during hospital admission and feasibility of scoring symptoms in dying patients within a study assessing the impact of a brief end-of-life (EOL) tool.

Methods

Between March 2008 and July 2010 patients admitted to five wards of an acute hospital were screened using the question ‘Is this patient so unwell you feel they could die during this admission?’ Once 40 patients were recruited, the brief EOL tool was introduced to the wards and a further 30 patients were recruited. Symptom scoring using the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) began when the patient was recognised as dying. Relatives were asked to complete the Views of Informal Carers—Evaluation of Services questionnaire to validate the results of the contemporaneous symptom assessments and assess the impact of the tool.

Results

The sensitivity of the screening question was 57%, specificity 98% and positive predictive value 67%, so the question was useful in enrolling study patients. There were limitations with the ESAS but core EOL symptoms were scored more frequently after the tool was introduced. Questionnaire responses suggested relatives perceived aspects of care improved with the EOL tool in place.

Conclusions

It is possible to identify dying patients and study care given to them in hospital in real time. Outcome measures need to be refined, but contemporaneous symptom monitoring was possible. We argue interventions to improve EOL care should be unequivocally evidence-based, and research to provide evidence of impact on the patient experience is possible.
The impact of social media on a major international emergency medicine conference
Authors: Neill Andrew , Cronin John J , Brannigan Domhnall , O'Sullivan Ronan , Cadogan Mike
Published: February 2013

Objective

To report on the presence and use of social media by speakers and attendees at the International Conference on Emergency Medicine (ICEM) 2012, and describe the increasing use of online technologies such as Twitter and podcasts in publicising conferences and sharing research findings, and for clinical teaching.

Methods

Speakers were identified through the organising committee and a database constructed using the internet to determine the presence and activity of speakers on social media platforms. We also examined the use of Twitter by attendees and non-attendees using an online archiving system. Researchers tracked and reviewed every tweet produced with the hashtag #ICEM2012. Tweets were then reviewed and classified by three separate authors into different categories.

Results

Of the 212 speakers at ICEM 2012, 41.5% had a LinkedIn account and 15.6% were on Twitter. Less than 1% were active on Google+ and less than 10% had an active website or blog. There were over 4500 tweets about ICEM 2012. Over 400 people produced tweets about the conference, yet only 34% were physically present at the conference. Of the original tweets produced, 74.4% were directly related to the clinical and research material of the conference.

Conclusions

ICEM 2012 was the most tweeted emergency medicine conference on record. Tweeting by participants was common; a large number of original tweets regarding clinical material at the conference were produced. There was also a large virtual participation in the conference as multiple people not attending the conference discussed the material on Twitter.
A theoretical study of hydration effects on structural stability and hydrogen-bonding dynamics of 2′-deoxyguanosine 5′-monophosphate with different negative charges
Authors: Zhang Weiping , Zhang Xiaoyu
Published: February 2013

The effects of hydration on the ground-state structural stability and excited-state hydrogen-bonding dynamics of 2′-deoxyguanosine 5′-monophosphate (dGMP) carrying different negative charges were investigated with B3LYP/6–31+G(d,p) using density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) methods, respectively. Particularly, we not only considered the solvent effects by the polarizible continuum model (PCM), but also the first solvation shell was included explicitly. We demonstrated that the intramolecular hydrogen bond O2–H1···O3 will be weakened with the strengthening of the hydration. From the view of bond length, we can make a valid presumption that the site of negative charge will be the more preferable site of the hydration, and the preferable site may be changed because of the presence of other hydrogen bonds. Furthermore, we found that the first solvation shell had very little effect on the geometric structures except for the hydrogen bond P–O5···H5. By comparing the excitation energies, one important finding is that the changes in different electronic states are not obvious with the increase in n value when considering the PCM. Another finding is that the average interactions of hydrogen bonds may be strengthened with an increase of negative charge because of a decrease in excitation energies.
POWER REDUCTION TECHNIQUE USING MULTIPLE SUPPLY VOLTAGE AND SWITCHING ACTIVITY ANALYSIS
Authors: HADDAD BASHAR , JARRAH AMIN
Published: February 2013

Recent demand for low power VLSI circuits has been pushing the development of innovative approaches to reduce power dissipation. Supply voltage (V CC ) and switching activity factor (α) are main sources of dynamic power dissipation in CMOS technology. Furthermore, the power dissipation increases exponentially by the value of supply voltage. New approach based on switching activity analysis and multiple supply voltage is implemented successfully in logical circuits, taking in mind the critical path(s) of the design and switching activity factor of each element in the design. High supply voltage is applied on elements on the critical path(s). Elements off the critical path(s) are classified into categories according to their switching activity factors. The total power dissipation is reduced, while the propagation delay remains without any increase. The proposed approach combines the concepts of critical/non-critical paths and switching activity analysis to assign different V CCs to different elements.
MATHEMATICAL DESCRIPTION OF GROWTH OF MULTIPLE ROOT BRANCHING STRUCTURE IN A PLANT
Authors: KUMAR ARUN
Published: February 2013

An existing growth model of Edelstien is extended and modified for multiple root branching structure or root hairs of any plant. Numerical and analytical solutions for the model are developed and compared. In the derivation it is assumed that multiple root branches are attached to the root surface that acts as a continuous source of new tips. The numerical scheme is derived with anticipation of the fact that comparison with experimental data may necessitate a more complicated model.
The Cellient System for Paraffin Histology Can Be Combined with HPV Testing and Morphotyping the Vaginal Microbiome Thanks to BoonFixing
Authors: Boon Mathilde E.
Published: February 2013

The Cellient Automated Cell Block System (Hologic) can be used to process cervical scrapes to paraffin sections. For the first study on this subject, cervical scrapes were fixed in the formalin-free fixative BoonFix. This pilot study was limited to cases classified as atypical squamous lesion of unknown significance (ASCUS) and high-grade squamous lesion (HSIL) as diagnosed in the ThinPrep slide. The Cellient paraffin sections were classified into negative, atypical, CIN 1, CIN 2, and CIN 3. Multiple HPV genotypes were encountered in 79% of the scrapes. This study showed that the Cellient system for paraffin sections can be combined with HPV testing thanks to the formalin-free BoonFix. In two additional studies it was shown that such samples can also be used for morphotyping the vaginal microbiome and preparing cytologic ThinPrep slides.
Induced Graphoidal Decompositions in Product Graphs
Authors: Joseph Mayamma , Hamid I. Sahul
Published: February 2013

Let be a nontrivial, simple, finite, connected, and undirected graph. A graphoidal decomposition (GD) of is a collection of nontrivial paths and cycles in that are internally disjoint such that every edge of lies in exactly one member of . By restricting the members of a GD to be induced, the concept of induced graphoidal decomposition (IGD) of a graph has been defined. The minimum cardinality of an IGD of a graph is called the induced graphoidal decomposition number and is denoted by (). An IGD of without any cycles is called an induced acyclic graphoidal decomposition (IAGD) of , and the minimum cardinality of an
IAGD of is called the induced acyclic graphoidal decomposition number of , denoted by (). In this paper we determine the value of ()
and () when is a product graph, the factors being paths/cycles.
Reproductive, Lifestyle, and Anthropometric Risk Factors for Cancer in Elderly Women
Authors: Poynter Jenny N. , Inoue-Choi Maki , Ross Julie A. , Jacobs David R. , Robien Kimberly
Published: February 2013

Background: With an increasing elderly population, the United States will experience an increased cancer burden in the coming years. We evaluated associations between anthropometric, lifestyle, and reproductive factors and risk of breast, ovarian, and colorectal cancer in a prospective study of postmenopausal women with a focus on diagnoses occurring among very elderly women (≥75 years).

Methods: For each cancer type, we estimated associations with relevant exposures in 2 age bands (<75 vs. ≥75 years of age). During 22 years of follow-up, 322 ovarian, 1,311 colon, 315 rectal, and 2,664 breast cancers occurred among 37,459 postmenopausal women (mean age at baseline 62 years, range 55–71 years).

Results: For ovarian cancer, we identified few significant associations in either age band. Colon cancer cases had a higher body mass index and were less likely to report estrogen or aspirin use than non-cases, yet these associations were consistent in both age bands. Few risk factors were identified for rectal cancer in women of 75 years of age or more. For breast cancer, notably different patterns were revealed, with alcohol consumption associated with risk in the younger group and previous hysterectomy associated with risk only in the older group.

Conclusion: These analyses suggest some important differences in risk factors for cancer depending on the age at diagnosis.

Impact: This study suggests that etiologic differences may exist in cancers occurring in the very elderly women. The ongoing demographic shift in the United States provides a strong rationale for studies evaluating cancer etiology in the elderly. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 22(4); 681–7. ©2013 AACR.
Ultrasonography Fusion Imaging System Increases the Chance of Radiofrequency Ablation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Poor Conspicuity on Conventional Ultrasonography
Authors: Makino Yuki , Imai Yasuharu , Ohama Hideko , Igura Takumi , Kogita Sachiyo , Sawai Yoshiyuki , Fukuda Kazuto , Takamura Manabu , Ohashi Hiroshi , Murakami Takamichi
Published: February 2013

Objectives: To investigate the usefulness of the ultrasonography (US) fusion imaging system for radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: Since the US fusion imaging system became available in 2010, we have conducted RFA with this system in all cases. The characteristics of 75 patients with 120 HCCs and 89 patients with 123 HCCs who underwent RFA before the introduction of this system (period A) and after it (period B), respectively, were retrospectively compared. Results: Significant difference in the characteristics of the patients and HCCs between the two periods was found only in the proportion of HCCs with poor conspicuity on grayscale US treated with RFA (1.7%, 2/120 for period A vs. 15.4%, 19/123 for period B, p < 0.01). Among the 19 HCCs with poor conspicuity on grayscale US for period B, 5 and 9 HCCs were identified on grayscale US and contrast-enhanced US, respectively, by the use of the US fusion imaging system, whereas the 5 remaining undetectable HCCs were treated by using the system in conjunction with reference images displayed side-by-side with grayscale US. Conclusion: Since the introduction of the US fusion imaging system, it has become possible to perform RFA for HCCs with poor conspicuity on grayscale US.
Usefulness of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasonography to Evaluate the Post-Treatment Responses of Radiofrequency Ablation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Comparison with Dynamic CT
Authors: Inoue Tatsuo , Kudo Masatoshi , Hatanaka Kinuyo , Arizumi Tadaaki , Takita Masahiro , Kitai Satoshi , Yada Norihisa , Hagiwara Satoru , Minami Yasunori , Sakurai Toshiharu , Ueshima Kazuomi , Nishida Naoshi
Published: February 2013

Objective: Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) with Sonazoid® and dynamic computed tomography (CT) were used to evaluate radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Local recurrence rate was used as the gold standard of evaluation. Methods: From January 2007 to December 2011, 86 HCCs from 70 patients were treated with RFA. CEUS with Sonazoid and dynamic CT were then used to evaluate the effect of RFA. For CEUS and dynamic CT, effects were classified as follows: (1) complete ablated response with safety margin >5 mm (CRSM+); (2) complete ablated response but with safety margin <5 mm (CRSM-); (3) incomplete, residual tumor detected after treatment. Results: CEUS judged 33 cases as CRSM+, while dynamic CT identified 49 cases. None of these 33 cases from the CEUS group had local recurrences, while dynamic CT had 1 case. CEUS judged 49 cases as CRSM-, compared to 34 cases with dynamic CT. Of these, 9 cases of CEUS and 8 cases of dynamic CT showed local recurrences. Two cases diagnosed as ‘incomplete' by CEUS and dynamic CT had recurrences within 1 year. Conclusion: CEUS can be used to assess the efficacy of RFA for HCC, with the potential to reduce the number of CT scans required for confirmation.
Leptin Acts in the Forebrain to Differentially Influence Baroreflex Control of Lumbar, Renal, and Splanchnic Sympathetic Nerve Activity and Heart Rate
Authors: Li Baoxin , Shi Zhigang , Cassaglia Priscila A. , Brooks Virginia L.
Published: February 2013

Although leptin is known to increase sympathetic nerve activity (SNA), we tested the hypothesis that leptin also enhances baroreflex control of SNA and heart rate (HR). Using α-chloralose anesthetized male rats, mean arterial pressure (MAP), HR, lumbar SNA (LSNA), splanchnic SNA (SSNA), and renal SNA (RSNA) were recorded before and for 2 hours after lateral cerebroventricular leptin or artificial cerebrospinal fluid administration. Baroreflex function was assessed using a 4-parameter sigmoidal fit of HR and SNA responses to slow ramp (3–5 minutes) changes in MAP, induced by intravenous infusion of nitroprusside and phenylephrine. Leptin (3 μg) increased (
P
<0.05) basal LSNA, SSNA, RSNA, HR, and MAP, and the LSNA, SSNA, RSNA, and HR baroreflex maxima. Leptin also increased gain of baroreflex control of LSNA and RSNA, but not of SSNA or HR. The elevations in HR were eliminated by pretreatment with methscopalamine, to block parasympathetic nerve activity; however, after cardiac sympathetic blockade with atenolol, leptin still increased basal HR and MAP and the HR baroreflex maximum and minimum. Leptin (1.5 μg) also increased LSNA and enhanced LSNA baroreflex gain and maximum, but did not alter MAP, HR, or the HR baroreflex. Lateral cerebroventricular artificial cerebrospinal fluid had no effects. Finally, to test whether leptin acts in the brain stem, leptin (3 μg) was infused into the 4th ventricle; however, no significant changes were observed. In conclusion, leptin acts in the forebrain to differentially influence baroreflex control of LSNA, RSNA, SSNA, and HR, with the latter action mediated via suppression of parasympathetic nerve activity.
“To Well and Truly Administer”: Female Administrators and Estate Settlement in Newport, Rhode Island, 1730–1776
Authors: Damiano Sara T.
Published: February 2013

This essay argues that estate administration endowed women in colonial Newport, Rhode Island, with legal and economic powers that they successfully exercised as they settled decedents’ estates. It includes a case study of Ann Maylem, a widow who engaged in the unusual act of publishing a broadside during administration.
“Greeting Tablets” in Early China
Authors: Korolkov Maxim
Published: February 2013

Since the 1930s, Chinese archaeologists have discovered a number of inscribed
wooden tablets from the early Han to the Western Jin, which were identified as
“greeting tablets” of two types, ci 刺 and ye 謁. As
attested in transmitted accounts, these tablets played an important role in the
communicative etiquette of early imperial and early medieval officialdom; during
a meeting ceremony, they were presented by the guest to the host. The present
article offers a systematic survey of the available corpus of excavated greeting
tablets and explores their wider socio-cultural implications. As a component of
the communicative etiquette of the bureaucracy, greeting tablets were
instrumental in the adaptation of elements of aristocratic culture to the needs
of mass officialdom—a new social stratum that in terms of cultural
background differed fundamentally from the hereditary aristocracy of the
pre-imperial era but occupied a comparable position as a social and political
elite. Depuis les années 1930 les archéologues chinois ont
découvert de nombreuses tablettes de bois inscrites datant du
début des Han jusqu’aux Jin occidentaux, qui ont été
identifiées comme étant des « tablettes de
salutation ». Il en existe deux types, les ci 刺 et les ye
謁. Comme l’attestent les textes transmis, ces tablettes jouaient
un rôle important dans l’étiquette régissant les
communications entre fonctionnaires dans la période impériale
ancienne et au début de l’époque médiévale:
l’hôte les présentait à l’invité au
cours du cérémonial marquant leur rencontre. Cet article propose
un inventaire systématique du corpus des tablettes de salutation
découvertes dans les fouilles et s’intéresse plus
généralement à leurs implications socio-culturelles. Partie
intégrante de l’étiquette des communications, ces tablettes
ont joué leur rôle dans l’adaptation de certains
éléments de la culture aristocratique aux besoins de la masse des
fonctionnaires, autrement dit d’un groupe social nouveau dont le fonds
culturel différait fondamentalement de celui de l’aristocratie
héréditaire mais dont la position en tant qu’élite
sociale et politique était comparable.
Internal features of larvae belonging to two species of Pseudopaludicola (Anura: Leiuperinae)
Authors: Alcalde Leandro , Barrasso Diego Andrés
Published: February 2013

We described the buccal cavity, chondrocranium, and cranial muscles in tadpoles of two species of Pseudopaludicola: P. boliviana (P. pusilla species group) and P. falcipes. The two species share states of only three relevant and informative characters: (1) absence of m. levator mandibularis lateralis, (2) absence of m. levator mandibularis externus superficialis at advanced premetamorphic stages, and (3) presence of long lateral arena papillae of both the roof and floor of the buccal cavity. The larvae of P. falcipes is diagnosed by (states of P. boliviana between parentheses): (1) three lingual papillae (four), (2) one-two pairs of short and blunt infralabial papillae (single pair of multifid papillae), (3) low median ridge (tall), (4) distal connection between pars corpora and pars alaris of the cartilago suprarostralis present (absent), and (5) m. subarcualis rectus II-IV inserted at ceratobranchiale I (ceratobranchiale II insertion). The combination of a processus pseudopterygoideus together with proximal and distal connections on the cartilago suprarostralis occurs in most species of Pleurodema as well. Absence of m. levator mandibularis lateralis is also known for Physalaemus fernandezae and absence of m. levator mandibularis externus superficialis at advanced stages of development (Stage 39 onward) is shared with Edalorhina perezi and Pleurodema diplolister.
Population genetics in a fragmented population of the European tree frog (Hyla arborea)
Authors: Krug Astrid , Pröhl Heike
Published: February 2013

Habitat degradation and fragmentation are known to be major threats for population persistence in European amphibians. The European tree frog Hyla arborea has suffered from dramatic population declines in the last decades and has therefore been categorised as threatened in many Red Data lists. In the region of Hannover (Germany), the European tree frog has a fragmented distribution. The aim of our study was to infer the genetic consequences of habitat fragmentation in this area by examining genetic variation and population structure. DNA samples from 193 individuals from 11 sampling sites (10 sampling sites located 2 to 32 km apart from each other near Hannover and for comparison one sampling site 140 km northeast) were analysed with eight highly polymorphic microsatellite loci. Bayesian analyses indicated that the tree frog occurrences near Hannover were fragmented into four genetically distinct clusters according to their geographical distribution. Pairwise genetic distances between sampling sites varied between 0 and 0.23 (FST) and 0 and 0.48 (Dest) and indicated high to moderate gene flow within genetic clusters and nearly absent gene flow among genetic clusters. Moreover, we identified a potential source population within the region for an introduced population in the southwest of Hannover. Our data suggest that the genetic structure is influenced in part by isolation by distance and in part by lack of habitat or migration barriers. Habitat fragmentation should by counteracted by targeted conservation measures in areas where gaps in distribution and genetic fragmentation have been revealed.
Ring-Around-the-Rosie Atlantic: Transatlantic Uses of Rings Among Bata Drummers, Caravan Guards, and Muslim Insurgents
Authors: Marcuzzi Michael
Published: February 2013

Abstract

In the preparation of the bata drums of Cuba and Yorubaland, ritual specialists affix a small iron ring near the smaller of the two heads of these drums. The ring is the material marker that the drums are consecrated, imbued with the power of Ayan, the orisha of drumming. This study looks to other appearances of iron rings and iron idiophones along sub-Saharan trade routes connected to the Oyo Empire, the ‘source’ of bata drumming. The study links the use of rings in these regions to iconic sites of Yoruba culture in the Americas—Brazil and Cuba—as a means of revisiting some of the dominant narratives in the constructed past of orisha worship on both sides of the Atlantic, before and after the transatlantic separation. The prominence given to the Oyo-Shango complex in American forms of orisha worship is considered here to be unwarranted.
Growing Up to Save the World: Christ and the Fantasies of Boyhood
Authors: Saxena Vandana
Published: February 2013

Abstract

This paper explores the intricate link between the story of Christ and the contemporary constructions of adolescence boyhood through a careful study of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series. Though the success of the series can be seen in terms of the general trend of the resurfacing of religion in the current world order, the paper argues that the series attempts to revise and reconfigure the scriptural narrative by integrating the themes of boyhood and bringing in contemporary cultural and secular concerns. The story of boy-to-man transition echoes the story of Christ: his life, the temptations, the ordeals, and ultimately the sacrifice and resurrection. Linked with discourses of adolescent angst and defiance, the scriptural story acquires a potential for active political and social intervention.
Impact of prior CKD management in a renal care network on early outcomes in incident dialysis patients: a prospective observational study
Authors: Rognant Nicolas , Alamartine Eric , Aldigier Jean Claude , Combe Christian , Vendrely Benoit , Deteix Patrice , Cluzel Pascal , Juillard Laurent , Vrtovsnik François , Maurice Christelle , Fave Sophie , Laville Maurice
Published: February 2013

Background

Effective therapeutic strategies are available to prevent adverse outcomes in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) but their clinical results are hindered by unplanned implementation. Coordination of care emerges as a suitable way to improve patient outcomes. In this study, we evaluated the effect of planned and coordinated patient management within a dedicated renal care network comparatively to standard renal care delivered in nephrology departments of teaching hospitals.

Methods

This observational matched cohort study included 40 patients with CKD stage 4–5 in the network group as compared with a control group of 120 patients matched for age, sex and diabetic status. Main outcome was a composite endpoint of death from cardiovascular cause and cardiovascular events during the first year after dialysis initiation.

Results

There was no difference between the two groups neither for the primary outcome (40% vs 41%) nor for the occurrence of death from cardiovascular cause or cardiovascular events. Whereas the proportion of patients requiring at least one hospitalization was identical (83.3% vs 75%), network patients experienced less individual hospitalizations than control patients (2.3±2.0 vs 1.6±1.7) during the year before dialysis start. Patients of the network group had a slower renal function decline (7.7±2.5 vs 4.9±1.1 ml/min/1,73m2 per year; p=0.04).

Conclusions

In this limited series of patients, we were unable to demonstrate a significant impact of the coordinated renal care provided in the network on early cardiovascular events in incident dialysis patients. However, during the predialysis period, there were less hospitalizations and a slower slope of renal function decrease.
Impact of acute kidney injury exposure period among liver transplantation patients
Authors: Narciso Roberto Camargo , Ferraz Leonardo Rolim , Mies Sergio , Monte Julio Cesar Martins , dos Santos Oscar Fernando Pavão , Neto Miguel Cendoroglo , Rodrigues Cassio José de Oliveira , Batista Marcelo Costa , Junior Marcelino Souza Durão
Published: February 2013

Background

Acute kidney injury is a common complication of liver transplantation. In this single-centre retrospective observational study, we investigated the impact of acute kidney disease on liver recipient survival.

Methods

The study population consisted of patients who underwent a liver engraftment between January 2002 and November 2006, at a single transplantation centre in São Paulo, Brazil. Acute kidney injury diagnosis and staging were according to the recommendations of the Acute Kidney Injury Network and consisted of scanning the daily serum creatinine levels throughout the hospital stay. Patients requiring renal replacement therapy prior to transplantation, those who developed acute kidney injury before the procedure or those receiving their second liver graft were excluded from the study.

Results

A total of 444 liver transplantations were performed during the study period, and 129 procedures (29%) were excluded. The remaining 315 patients constituted the study population. In 207 procedures, the recipient was male (65%). The mean age of the population was 51 years. Cumulative incidence of acute kidney injury within 48 h, during the first week after transplantation, and throughout the hospital stay was 32, 81 and 93%, respectively. Renal replacement therapy was required within a week after the transplantation in 31 procedures (10%), and another 17 (5%) required replacement therapy after that period. Mean follow-up period was 2.3 years. Time in days from acute kidney injury diagnosis to initiation of replacement therapy or reaching serum creatinine peak was associated with lower overall survival even when adjusted for significant potential confounders (HR 1.03; 95% CI 1.01, 1.05; p=0.002). Overall, patients experiencing acute kidney injury lasting for a week or more before initiation of replacement therapy experienced a threefold increase in risk of death (HR 3.02; 95% CI 2.04, 4.46; p<0.001).

Conclusions

Acute kidney injury after liver transplantation is remarkably frequent and has a substantial impact on patient survival. Delaying the initiation of renal replacement therapy in such population may increase mortality by more than 20% per day.
Visibility enhancement using an image filtering approach
Authors: Zhang Yong-Qin , Ding Yu , Xiao Jin-Sheng , Liu Jiaying , Guo Zongming
Published: February 2013

The misty, foggy, or hazy weather conditions lead to image color distortion and reduce the resolution and the contrast of the observed object in outdoor scene acquisition. In order to detect and remove haze, this article proposes a novel effective algorithm for visibility enhancement from a single gray or color image. Since it can be considered that the haze mainly concentrates in one component of the multilayer image, the haze-free image is reconstructed through haze layer estimation based on the image filtering approach using both low-rank technique and the overlap averaging scheme. By using parallel analysis with Monte Carlo simulation from the coarse atmospheric veil by the median filter, the refined smooth haze layer is acquired with both less texture and retaining depth changes. With the dark channel prior, the normalized transmission coefficient is calculated to restore fogless image. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm is a simpler and efficient method for clarity improvement and contrast enhancement from a single foggy image. Moreover, it can be comparable with the state-of-the-art methods, and even has better results than them.
Sentinel node in ovarian cancer: study protocol for a phase 1 study
Authors: Kleppe Marjolein , Van Gorp Toon , Slangen Brigitte FM , Kruse Arnold J , Brans Boudewijn , Pooters Ivo NA , Van de Vijver Koen K , Kruitwagen Roy FPM
Published: February 2013

Background

The concept of sentinel lymph node surgery is to determine whether the cancer has spread to the very first lymph node or sentinel node. If the sentinel node does not contain cancer, then there is a high likelihood that the cancer has not spread to other lymph nodes. The sentinel node technique has been proven to be effective in different types of cancer. In this study we want to determine whether a sentinel node procedure in patients with ovarian cancer is feasible when the tracers are injected into the ovarian ligaments.

Methods/Design

Patients with a high likelihood of having an ovarian malignancy in whom a median laparotomy and a frozen section analysis is planned and patients with endometrial cancer in whom a staging laparotomy is planned will be included.

Before starting the surgical staging procedure, blue dye and radioactive colloid will be injected into the ligamentum ovarii proprium and the ligamentum infundibulo-pelvicum. In the analysis we calculate the percentage of patients in whom it is feasible to identify sentinel nodes. Other study parameters are the anatomical localization of the sentinel node(s) and the incidence of false negative lymph nodes.

Trial registration

Approval number: NL40323.068.12

Name: Medical Ethical Committee Maastricht University Hospital, University of Maastricht

Affiliation: Maastricht University Hospital

Board Chair Name: Medisch Ethische Commissie azM/UM
A numerical method for simulating hydrogen absorption in metal-H2 reactors for hydrogen storage
Authors: Dai Weizhong , Han Fei , Hui David
Published: February 2013

Studying hydrogen absorption/ desorption in metal-H2 reactors is important for the usage and commercialization of hydrogen energy. In this article, we present a numerical method for simulating hydrogen absorption in a cylindrical LaNi5-H2 reactor. The method is obtained based on the modified heat and mass transfer model for the absorption of hydrogen, and its finite difference approximation in a staggered mesh. As a result, the numerical scheme is unconditionally stable and the solution is second-order accurate. Numerical results including gas and solid densities, gas velocity, gas and solid temperatures are obtained.
Stiffness performance analysis and optimization of 3-DOF parallel manipulators based on kinetostatic model
Authors: Wei Bin
Published: February 2013

This article aims at investigating the global stiffness optimization of a Tricept manipulator and the multi-objective optimization of global stiffness and well-conditioned workspace for 3SPS-S manipulator. Firstly, the genetic algorithm is used to optimize the sum of mean value and the standard deviation of leading diagonal elements of the compliance matrix of the Tricept manipulator to obtain the maximum global stiffness. Secondly, the sum of mean value and standard deviation of leading diagonal elements of the compliance matrix of the 3SPS-S manipulator was used to evaluate the global stiffness and the global condition index was used to evaluate the workspace. The global stiffness and well-conditioned workspace of the 3SPS-S mechanism were optimized simultaneously based on Pareto front theory, and the results show that the stiffness and workspace have increased after optimization.
SpecificTrans-Synaptic Interaction with Inhibitory Interneuronal Neurexin Underlies Differential Ability of Neuroligins to Induce Functional Inhibitory Synapses
Authors: Futai Kensuke , Doty Christopher D. , Baek Brian , Ryu Jubin , Sheng Morgan
Published: February 2013

Synaptic transmission depends on the matching and alignment of presynaptically released transmitters and postsynaptic neurotransmitter receptors. Neuroligin (NL) and Neurexin (Nrxn) proteins aretrans-synaptic adhesion molecules that are important in validation and maturation of specific synapses. NL isoforms NL1 and NL2 have specific functional roles in excitatory and inhibitory synapses, respectively, but the molecular basis behind this distinction is still unclear. We show here that the extracellular domain of NL2 confers its unique ability to enhance inhibitory synaptic function when overexpressed in rat hippocampal pyramidal neurons, whereas NL1 normally only promotes excitatory synapses. This specificity is conferred by presynaptic Nrxn isoforms, as NL1 can also induce functional inhibitory synapse connections when the presynaptic interneurons ectopically express an Nrxn isoform that binds to NL1. Our results indicate thattrans-synaptic interaction with differentially expressed presynaptic Nrxns underlies the distinct functions of NL1 and NL2, and is sufficient to induce functional inhibitory synapse formation.
The Endocannabinoid 2-Arachidonoylglycerol Negatively Regulates Habituation by Suppressing Excitatory Recurrent Network Activity and Reducing Long-Term Potentiation in the Dentate Gyrus
Authors: Sugaya Yuki , Cagniard Barbara , Yamazaki Maya , Sakimura Kenji , Kano Masanobu
Published: February 2013

Endocannabinoids are known to mediate retrograde suppression of synaptic transmission, modulate synaptic plasticity, and influence learning and memory. The 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) produced by diacylglycerol lipase α (DGLα) is regarded as the major endocannabinoid that causes retrograde synaptic suppression. To determine how 2-AG signaling influences learning and memory, we subjected DGLα knock-out mice to two learning tasks. We tested the mice using habituation and odor-guided transverse patterning tasks that are known to involve the dentate gyrus and the CA1, respectively, of the hippocampus. We found that DGLα knock-out mice showed significantly faster habituation to an odor and a new environment than wild-type littermates with normal performance in the transverse patterning task. In freely moving animals, long-term potentiation (LTP) induced by theta burst stimulation was significantly larger at perforant path–granule cell synapses in the dentate gyrus of DGLα knock-out mice. Importantly, prior induction of synaptic potentiation at this synapse caused a significant retardation of habituation in DGLα knock-out but not in wild-type littermates. The excitability of granule cells became higher in DGLα knock-out mice after they generated action potentials. Since no differences were found in intrinsic membrane properties and responses to odor stimuli in granule cells, the elevated excitability is considered to result from enhanced activity of an excitatory recurrent network composed of granule cells and mossy cells. These results suggest that retrograde 2-AG signaling negatively regulates habituation by suppressing excitatory recurrent network activity and reducing LTP in the dentate gyrus.
Synaptic Vesicle Generation from Activity-Dependent Bulk Endosomes Requires Calcium and Calcineurin
Authors: Cheung Giselle , Cousin Michael A.
Published: February 2013

Activity-dependent bulk endocytosis (ADBE) is the dominant mode of synaptic vesicle (SV) endocytosis during high-frequency stimulation in central nerve terminals. ADBE generates endosomes direct from the plasma membrane, meaning that high concentrations of calcium will be present in their interior due to fluid phase uptake from the extracellular space. Morphological and fluorescent assays were used to track the generation of SVs from bulk endosomes in primary neuronal culture. This process was functionally uncoupled from both SV exocytosis and plasma membrane retrieval events by intervening only after SV fusion and endocytosis were completed. Either intracellular (BAPTA-AM) or intra-endosomal (Rhod-dextran) calcium chelation inhibited SV generation from bulk endosomes, indicating that calcium efflux from this compartment is critical for this process. The V-type ATPase antagonist bafilomycin A1 also arrested SV generation from bulk endosomes, indicating endosomal acidification may be required for calcium efflux. Finally, pharmacological inhibition of the calcium-dependent protein phosphatase calcineurin blocked endosomal SV generation, identifying it as a key downstream effector in this process. These results reveal a novel and key role for the fluid phase uptake of extracellular calcium and its subsequent efflux in the SV lifecycle.
Optical properties and Limits of a Large-Area Periodic Nanophotonic Light Trapping Design for Polycrystalline Silicon Thin Film Solar Cells
Authors: Lockau Daniel , Sontheimer Tobias , Preidel Veit , Becker Christiane , Ruske Florian , Schmidt Frank , Rech Bernd
Published: February 2013

Rigorous finite element optical simulations have been used to examine the absorption of light in various crystalline silicon based, nanostructured solar cell architectures. The compared structures can all be produced on glass substrates using a periodically structured dielectric coating and a combination of electron-beam evaporation of silicon and subsequent solid phase crystallization. A required post-treatment by selective etching of non-compact silicon regions results in an absorber material loss. We show that by adequately tailoring the optical design around the processed silicon layer, the absorptance loss due to material removal can be completely overcome. The resulting silicon structure, which is an array of holes with non-vertical sidewalls, shows promising light path enhancement and features an even higher absorptance than the initial nanodome structure of the unetched absorber.