bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Late Onset Sporadic Dilated Cardiomyopathy Caused by a Cardiac Troponin T Mutation
Authors: Morales Ana , Pinto Jose Renato , Siegfried Jill D. , Li Duanxiang , Norton Nadine , Hofmeyer Mark , Vallin Marta , Morales Azorides R. , Potter James D. , Hershberger Ray E.
Published: October 2010

Mutations in TNNT2, encoding cardiac troponin T, commonly shows early onset, aggressive dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). This observation may influence the decision of whether to undertake clinical genetic testing for TNNT2 in later onset DCM. Further, the trigger for late onset DCM remains enigmatic. A 70‐year‐old woman, previously healthy with a left ventricular ejection fraction of 50%–55% at age 69, presented with DCM of unknown cause and a 4‐month history progressive heart failure requiring cardiac transplantation. Clinical genetic testing revealed a novel TNNT2 R139H mutation but no relevant variants in 18 other DCM genes. Her explanted heart showed partial fatty replacement in the right ventricle. Sequencing for five arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia genes was negative. Functional studies in porcine cardiac skinned fibers reconstituted with the mutant R139H troponin T protein showed decreased Ca2+ sensitivity at pH 7, characteristic of DCM. Because fatty infiltration may acidify the myocellular environment, maximal force development examined at pH 6.5 was diminished, suggesting a possible environmental trigger. We conclude that the TNNT2 R139H mutation was likely to be disease causing. Further, later age of onset may not be relevant to exclude genetic testing for TNNT2 mutations. Clin Trans Sci 2010; Volume 3: 219–226.
The Function of Vascular Smooth Muscle Phosphodiesterase III is Preserved in Healthy Human Aging
Authors: Elvebak Rachel L. , Eisenach John H. , Joyner Michael J. , Nicholson Wayne T.
Published: October 2010

Phosphodiesterase (PDE) III is an enzyme in vascular smooth muscle that metabolizes cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). Milrinone inhibits PDE III, increasing the availability of cAMP. Cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), which is regulated by nitric oxide (NO), also inhibits PDE III. The endothelial NO component of prostacyclin (PGI2)‐mediated vasodilation is reduced in aging. This study investigated if PGI2‐mediated vasodilation during concomitant inhibition of endothelial NO and smooth muscle PDE III is affected by healthy aging. PDE III was inhibited with milrinone in 10 older subjects and 10 young matched controls while simultaneously infusing NG‐monomethyl‐l‐arginine acetate (l‐NMMA) to remove the confounding inhibitory effects of cGMP on PDE III. Incremental doses of PGI2 and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) were administered to the brachial artery during separate trials. l‐NMMA decreased baseline blood flow similarly, and the addition of milrinone increased baseline blood flow similarly in both groups. The forearm blood flow responses to PGI2 were similar between groups (younger: 7.62 ± 0.72; older: 6.88 ± 0.81 mL•dL−1 FAV•min−1 at the highest dose of PGI2). SNP responses were also similar. This study suggests that the vasodilator pathway associated with PDE III function, the bioavailability of cAMP, and the interaction with cGMP may be preserved in healthy aging. Clin Trans Sci 2010; Volume 3: 239–242.
Inhibition of selenite‐induced cataract by caffeine
Authors: Varma Shambhu D. , Hegde Kavita R. , Kovtun Svitlana
Published: October 2010

Purpose: The objective of the investigation was to study possible inhibition of oxidative stress and cataract formation by caffeinein vivo.

Methods: Oxidative stress and consequent cataract formation was induced by intraperitoneal administration of a single dose of sodium selenite (1.16 μmol) to Sprague–Dawley rat pups on day 9 postnatally. In experiments designed to inhibit such cataract formation, the pups were pretreated intraperitoneally with caffeine (5.15 μmol), starting 2 days prior to the administration of selenite and continuing such treatment till day 21, when the experiments were terminated. The extent of tissue damage caused by the selenite was assessed biochemically by measurements of the levels of GSH and ATP in the isolated lenses. Cataract formation and its prevention were monitored by examining the eye with pen light illumination and subsequent photography of the isolated lenses.

Results: Injection of selenite led to a significant loss of lens clarity because of cataract formation. In the group treated with caffeine, the formation of cataract was significantly prevented. In the caffeine‐untreated group, the levels of lens GSH and ATP were substantially lower than in the caffeine‐treated group. The levels of GSH decreased from a value of ∼ 8.2 μmol to ∼ 2 μmol/g wet weight of the lens. The content of ATP decreased from ∼ 2.5 μmol to about ∼ 1 μmol. In the case of caffeine‐treated group, these decreases were significantly prevented from taking place, the corresponding values of GSH and ATP being ∼ 5.8 and ∼ 1.6 μmol/g, respectively.

Conclusion: Over all, the results suggest that caffeine can exert a significant preventive effect against cataract formation induced by agents generating reactive oxygen species such as sodium selenite.
Allopurinol Attenuates Oxidative Stress and Cardiac Fibrosis in Angiotensin II‐Induced Cardiac Diastolic Dysfunction
Authors: Jia Nan , Dong Peixin , Ye Ying , Qian Cheng , Dai Qiuyan
Published: October 2010

Aims: Oxidative stress and fibrosis is implicated in cardiac remodeling and failure. We tested whether allopurinol could decrease myocardial oxidative stress and attenuate cardiac fibrosis and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in angiotensin II (AngII)‐induced hypertensive mice. Methodology: We used 8‐week‐old male C57BL/6J mice, in which angiotensin II was subcutaneously infused for 4 weeks to mimic cardiac remodeling and fibrosis. They were treated with either normal saline or allopurinol in daily doses, which did not lower blood pressure. Results: Allopurinol improved diastolic dysfunction in angiotensin II‐induced hypertensive mice, which was associated with the amelioration of cardiac fibrosis. However, allopurinol showed no effect on the increased systolic blood pressure by angiotensin II infusion. The ratio of reduced glutathione (GSH) to oxidized glutathione (GSSG) [GSH/GSSG] was decreased and malondialdehyde levels were increased in the hearts of AngII‐treated mice. Allopurinol also inhibited both the decrease in the GSH/GSSG ratio and the increase in malondialdehyde levels in the heart. Infusion of AngII‐induced upregulation of transfer growth factor (TGF)‐β1, Smad3 expression and downregulation of Smad7 expression. Treatment with allopurinol reduced cardiac levels of TGF‐β1, Smad3, and increased Smad7 expression. Conclusions: These results suggest that allopurinol prevents pathological remodeling of the heart in AngII‐induced hypertensive mice. The antioxidative effect of allopurinol contributes to the regression of AngII‐induced cardiac diastolic dysfunction. These effects of allopurinol to prevent cardiac fibrosis are mediated at least partly through modulation of the TGF‐β1/Smad signaling pathway.
Re‐identification of Aeromonas isolates from chironomid egg masses as the potential pathogenic bacteria Aeromonas aquariorum
Authors: Figueras Maria José , Beaz‐Hidalgo Roxana , Senderovich Yigal , Laviad Sivan , Halpern Malka
Published: October 2010

Egg masses of the non‐biting midge Chironomous sp. have recently been found to serve as a reservoir for Vibrio cholerae and Aeromonas species. These insects are widely distributed in freshwater and evidence suggests that they may disseminate pathogenic bacteria species into drinking water systems. In the current study the taxonomy of 26 Aeromonas isolates, previously recovered from chironomid egg masses, was re‐evaluated. It was found that 23 isolates, which had previously been identified as Aeromonas caviae, could belong to the recently described species Aeromonas aquariorum by their biochemical traits. To date, A. aquariorum has been found in ornamental fish and also in human extra‐intestinal infections. ERIC‐PCR genotyping differentiated 11 strains within the 23 A. aquariorum isolates, whose identity was confirmed by their rpoD gene sequences. Strains were found to possess the following virulence‐associated genes: alt (90.9%), ahpB (81.8%), pla/lip/lipH3/apl‐1/lip (54.5%), fla (27.3%), act/hylA/aerA (27.3%), ascF‐ascG (81.8%) and aexT (9%) encoding for the cytotonic heat‐labile enterotoxin, elastase, lipase, flagella, cytotoxic enterotoxins, the Type III Secretion System and the AexT toxin delivered by this system respectively. These findings indicate that chironomid egg masses harbour strains of A. aquariorum, which bear an important number of virulence genes, and that this species was misidentified originally as A. caviae.
Teleconferences on thoracoscopic surgery using an academic network between Asian institutions
Authors: Obuchi T , Iwasaki A , Shiraishi T , Okumura M , Moriyama S , Shimizu S
Published: October 2010

Internet teleconferences using an advanced academic network are now quite common in the medical field. However, such conferences are still not particularly common in the area of pulmonary surgery. Here, we report the practical lessons learned from participating in international teleconferences on video‐assisted thoracic surgery. Between November 2007 and February 2010, teleconferences with high‐definition live video feeds were held five times between Fukuoka University Hospital and other institutions across the Asia‐Pacific region. For these teleconferences, a digital video transport system, connected with the high‐performance network of the Asia‐Pacific Advanced Network, was used to establish communication. In all conferences, discussions were conducted without difficulty. No surgeries were performed live; a video presentation of the recorded surgery was sufficient. Though technical assistance is required to connect and communicate with other professionals, international teleconferences are a worthwhile and intellectually stimulating activity.
Efficacy of short‐term dexamethasone therapy in acute‐on‐chronic pre‐liver failure
Authors: Zhang Xu‐Qing , Jiang Li , You Jian‐Ping , Liu Yu‐Yuan , Peng Jing , Zhang Hui‐Yan , Xu Bao‐Yan , Mao Qing
Published: October 2010

Aim:  Acute‐on‐chronic pre‐liver failure (pre‐ACLF) is defined as a severe acute episode of chronic hepatitis B characterized by serum bilirubin of 171 µmol/L or more, alanine aminotransferase of five times or more the upper limit of normal and prothrombin activity of more than 40%, having a potential for progression to acute‐on‐chronic liver failure (ACLF). This study is to evaluate the efficacy of short‐term dexamethasone in pre‐ACLF.

Methods:  One hundred and seventy patients were assigned to dexamethasone therapy and control group at a ratio of 1:2. For the two groups, we compared biochemical indicators, the incidence of ACLF and mortality. The influential factors on the mortality of patients with pre‐ACLF were studied by Cox proportional hazards models.

Results:  The significantly lower incidence of ACLF and higher survival rate were observed in patients on dexamethasone therapy (8.9%, 96.4%, respectively) than in control patients (70.2%, 52.6%, respectively; P < 0.001). Dexamethasone treatment was an independent factor influencing the survival rate (P < 0.001, odds ratio = 0.055, 95% confidence interval = 0.013–0.225). During 4 weeks of treatment, serum bilirubin levels of survival patients were significantly lower in the dexamethasone group than control group.

Conclusion:  Five‐day dexamethasone therapy is effective in improving the liver function and survival rate of patients with pre‐ACLF.
Outsourcing Manufacturing: Secure Price‐Masking Mechanisms for Purchasing Component Parts
Authors: Deshpande Vinayak , Schwarz Leroy B. , Atallah Mikhail J. , Blanton Marina , Frikken Keith B.
Published: October 2010

This paper develops and tests a privacy‐preserving business process that supports the selection of a contract manufacturer by an original equipment manufacturer (OEM), and the determination of whether the OEM or the chosen contract manufacturer will procure each of the components to be used in the manufacture of the OEM's branded product. Our “secure price‐masking (SPM)” technology contributes to procurement theory and practice in four significant ways: First, it preserves the privacy of every party's individual component prices. Second, SPM assures that the contract manufacturers will bid their own private purchase cost (i.e., not add a margin to their cost). Third, SPM is not invertible; i.e., none of the participants can “solve” for the private inputs of any other participant based on its own inputs and the outputs provided to it by SPM. Fourth, the posterior distribution of any other participant's private inputs is practically indistinguishable from its prior distribution. We also describe the results of a proof‐of‐concept implementation.
Field emission stability and properties of simultaneously grown microcrystalline diamond and carbon nanostructure films
Authors: Uppireddi Kishore , Weiner Brad R. , Morell Gerardo
Published: October 2010

The temporal stability and electron field emission characteristics of simultaneously grown microcrystalline diamond and carbon nanostructures were investigated. The films were prepared by hot filament chemical vapor deposition using typical diamond deposition parameters, and iron oxide nanoparticles on the molybdenum substrate were employed as catalyst for their induction. The hybrid system presented better emission characteristics compared with microcrystalline diamond with turn-on fields as low as 2.45 V/μm (at 1 μA/cm2), and a current density of up to 0.24 mA/cm2 was achieved. The films showed relatively stable emission behavior for a period of 24 h.
Regulation of 3-Phosphoinositide–Dependent Protein Kinase 1 Activity by Homodimerization in Live Cells
Authors: Masters Thomas A. , Calleja Véronique , Armoogum Daven A. , Marsh Richard J. , Applebee Christopher J. , Laguerre Michel , Bain Angus J. , Larijani Banafshé
Published: October 2010

Spatial and temporal regulation of the homodimerization of PDK1 modulates its activity.
Antagonistic Regulation of Actin Dynamics and Cell Motility by TRPC5 and TRPC6 Channels
Authors: Tian Dequan , Jacobo Sarah M. P. , Billing David , Rozkalne Anete , Gage Steven D. , Anagnostou Theodora , Pavenstädt Hermann , Hsu Hsiang-Hao , Schlondorff Johannes , Ramos Arnolt , Greka Anna
Published: October 2010

Coupling TRPC5 and TRPC6 calcium channels to different Rho GTPases allows calcium to both promote and inhibit cell migration.
Stress, DNA Damage, and ATM
Authors: Ray L. Bryan
Published: October 2010

The protein kinase ATM is a sensor for reactive oxygen species.
M2 Out of the Envelope
Authors: Vinson Valda
Published: October 2010

A flurry of structural data provides sometimes conflicting insights into the M2 proton channel.
Science Signaling
Podcast: 26 October 2010
Authors: Vermeren Sonja , VanHook Annalisa M.
Published: October 2010

Disrupting activity of the guanosine triphosphatase-activating protein ARAP3 is a potential strategy for anti-angiogenic therapy.
Effect of Antibiotic Treatment on Bacteriophage Production by a Cystic Fibrosis Epidemic Strain of
Pseudomonas
aeruginosa
Authors: Fothergill Joanne L. , Mowat Eilidh , Walshaw Martin J. , Ledson Martin J. , James Chloe E. , Winstanley Craig
Published: October 2010

Phage production in response to antibiotics varied among four isolates of a
Pseudomonas
aeruginosa
cystic fibrosis (CF) epidemic strain. Whereas ciprofloxacin induced higher levels of phage production, other CF-relevant antibiotics led to reduced production. We detected free phages directly in CF patient sputum samples by both plaque (40% positive) and PCR (76% positive) assays. Our observations suggest that the choice of antibiotics could influence the number of free phages within the CF lung environment.
Salmonella entericaSerovar Typhimurium Binds to HeLa Cells via Fim-Mediated Reversible Adhesion and Irreversible Type Three Secretion System 1-Mediated Docking
Authors: Misselwitz Benjamin , Kreibich Saskia K. , Rout Samuel , Stecher Bärbel , Periaswamy Balamurugan , Hardt Wolf-Dietrich
Published: October 2010

The food-borne pathogenSalmonella entericaserovar Typhimurium invades mammalian epithelial cells. This multistep process comprises bacterial binding to the host cell, activation of theSalmonellatype three secretion system 1 (T1), injection of effector proteins, triggering of host cell actin rearrangements, andS. Typhimurium entry. While the latter steps are well understood, much less is known about the initial binding step. Earlier work had implicated adhesins (but not T1) or T1 (but not other adhesins). We have studied here theSalmonellavirulence factors mediatingS. Typhimurium binding to HeLa cells. Using an automated microscopy assay and isogenicS. Typhimurium mutants, we analyzed the role of T1 and of several known adhesins (Fim, Pef, Lpf, Agf, and Shd) in host cell binding. In wild-typeS. Typhimurium, host cell binding was mostly attributable to T1. However, in the absence of T1, Fim (but not Pef, Lpf, Agf, and Shd) also mediated HeLa cell binding. Furthermore, in the absence of T1 and type I fimbriae (Fim), we still observed residual binding, pointing toward at least one additional, unidentified binding mechanism. Dissociation experiments established that T1-mediated binding was irreversible (“docking”), while Fim-mediated binding was reversible (“reversible adhesion”). Finally, we show that noninvasive bacteria docking via T1 or adhering via Fim can efficiently invade HeLa cells, if actin rearrangements are triggeredin transby a wild-typeS. Typhimurium helper strain. Our data show that binding to HeLa cells is mediated by at least two different mechanisms and that both can lead to invasion if actin rearrangements are triggered.
The Stearoyl-Coenzyme A Desaturase 1 Is Essential for Virulence and Membrane Stress in
Candida parapsilosis
through Unsaturated Fatty Acid Production
Authors: Nguyen Long Nam , Gacser Attila , Nosanchuk Joshua D.
Published: October 2010

Unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) are essential components of cells. In
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
, stearoyl-coenzyme A (CoA) desaturase 1 (
OLE1
) affects cell viability through the regulation of oleic (18:1) or palmitoleic (16:1) acid production. In this study, we used a targeted gene deletion approach to determine the impact of
OLE1
on the emerging human pathogenic fungus
Candida parapsilosis
. We found that the deletion of
OLE1
resulted in an auxotrophic yeast strain (designated
OLE1
KO) that required unsaturated fatty acids for growth but not saturated fatty acids. Additionally, the production of UFA by
OLE1
KO yeast cells was markedly reduced, suggesting that Ole1 is essential for UFA production. In contrast to wild-type
C. parapsilosis
, which produced pseudohyphal growth on UFA-supplemented medium agar, pseudohyphal formation in the
OLE1
KO cells was severely impaired, suggesting that Ole1 regulates morphology. Furthermore, the
OLE1
KO cells were hypersensitive to various stress-inducing factors, such as salts, SDS, and H
2
O
2
, especially at the physiological temperature. The results indicate that
OLE1
is essential for the stress response, perhaps through the production of UFA for cell membrane biosynthesis. The
OLE1
KO cells also were hypersensitive to human and fetal bovine serum, suggesting that targeting Ole1 could suppress the dissemination of yeast cells in the bloodstream. Murine-like macrophage J774.16 more efficiently killed the
OLE1
KO yeasts, and significantly larger amounts of nitric oxide were detected in cocultures of macrophages and
OLE1
KO cells than with wild-type or heterozygous strains. Moreover, the disruption of
OLE1
significantly reduced fungal virulence in systemic murine infection. Taken together, these results demonstrate that Ole1 regulates the pathobiology of
C. parapsilosis
via UFA and that the
OLE1
pathway is a promising antifungal target.
Effects of
ibeA
Deletion on Virulence and Biofilm Formation of Avian Pathogenic
Escherichia coli
Authors: Wang Shaohui , Niu Chunling , Shi Zhenyu , Xia Yongjie , Yaqoob Muhammad , Dai Jianjun , Lu Chengping
Published: October 2010

The
ibeA
gene is located on a genomic island, GimA, which is involved in the pathogenesis of neonatal meningitis
Escherichia coli
(NMEC) and avian pathogenic
E. coli
(APEC). The prevalence of
ibeA
in the APEC collection in China was investigated, and 20 of 467 strains (4.3%) were positive. In addition, analysis of the association of the
E. coli
reference (ECOR) groups with positive strains revealed that
ibeA
was linked to group B2. The
ibeA
gene in DE205B was analyzed and compared to those of APEC and NMEC, which indicated that the specificity of
ibeA
was not consistent along pathotypes. The invasion of chicken embryo fibroblast DF-1 cells by APEC DE205B and RS218 was observed, which suggested that DF-1 cells could be a model to study the mechanism of APEC invasion. The inactivation of
ibeA
in APEC DE205B led to the reduced capacity to invade DF-1 cells, defective virulence
in vivo
, and decreased biofilm formation compared to the wild-type strain. In addition, strain AAEC189 expressing
ibeA
exhibited enhanced invasion capacity and biofilm formation. The results of the quantitative real-time reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis and animal system infection experiments indicated that the loss of
ibeA
decreased the colonization and proliferation capacities of APEC in the brain during system infection.
Region of Difference 2 Contributes to Virulence ofMycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Kozak Robert A. , Alexander David C. , Liao Reiling , Sherman David R. , Behr Marcel A.
Published: October 2010

Mycobacterium bovisBCG strains are live, attenuated vaccines generated through decades ofin vitropassage. Becausein vitrogrowth does not select for interaction with the host, it has been hypothesized that genetic loci lost from BCG code for virulence determinants that are dispensable for growth in the laboratory, as exemplified by Region of Difference 1 (RD1), which was lost during the original derivation of BCG between 1908 and 1921. Region of Difference 2 (RD2) was lost during the ongoing propagation of BCG between 1927 and 1931, a time that coincides with reports of the ongoing attenuation of the vaccine. In this study, RD2 has been disrupted inM. tuberculosisH37Rv to test whether its loss contributed to the further attenuation of BCG. The deletion of RD2 did not affectin vitrogrowth; in contrast, the mutant manifested a decrease in pulmonary and splenic bacterial burdens and reduced pathology in C57BL/6 mice at early time points. This attenuated phenotype was complemented by reintroducing the genesRv1979ctoRv1982(includingmpt64) but notRv1985ctoRv1986. In RAW 264.7 macrophages, H37Rv:ΔRD2 showed a decreased proliferation and impaired modulation of the host innate immune response; both observations were complemented withRv1979ctoRv1982. To test the effect of RD2 disruption on innate immunity,Rag−/−mice were infected; H37Rv:ΔRD2 had increased survival times compared those of H37Rv. These findings support the notion that the safety profile of certain BCG vaccines stems from multiple attenuating mutations, with the RD2 deletion resulting in a less-virulent organism through the impaired bacterial manipulation of the host innate immune response.
The Lipid A Phosphate Position Determines Differential Host Toll-Like Receptor 4 Responses to Phylogenetically Related Symbiotic and Pathogenic Bacteria
Authors: Coats Stephen R. , Berezow Alex B. , To Thao T. , Jain Sumita , Bainbridge Brian W. , Banani Karim P. , Darveau Richard P.
Published: October 2010

The human symbiontBacteroides thetaiotaomicronpromotes intestinal function and health, whereas the phylogenetically related pathogenPorphyromonas gingivalisis associated with the chronic oral inflammatory disease periodontitis. Although bothB. thetaiotaomicronandP. gingivalissynthesize lipopolysaccharides (LPS) consisting of penta-acylated, monophosphorylated lipid A in addition to immunologically silent, nonphosphorylated lipid A, they elicit strikingly distinct Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) responses. We show that the phosphate position of penta-acylated, monophosphorylated lipid A is a key feature for determining the differential TLR4 responses elicited by these evolutionarily related bacteria.B. thetaiotaomicronproduces TLR4-stimulatory lipid A bearing a 1-phosphate, in contrast toP. gingivalis, which produces TLR4-evasive lipid A bearing a 4′-phosphate. Confirming these observations, recombinantEscherichia coliLPS containing penta-acylated, 1-phosphorylated lipid A is more TLR4 stimulatory than LPS containing 4′-phosphorylated lipid A. The specific capacity of a Gram-negative bacterium to alert or evade the host innate immune defense system through TLR4-dependent signaling is currently recognized as a critical aspect defining the relationship between the host and the bacterium. We propose that the distinct lipid A phosphate positions observed for theB. thetaiotaomicronandP. gingivalisLPS contributes to the manifestation of these bacteria as commensal or pathogen within the human host.
Burden and factors associated with highway work-zone crashes, on a section of the Karachi–Hala Road, Pakistan
Authors: Bhatti Junaid Ahmad , Razzak Junaid Abdul , Lagarde Emmanuel , Salmi L Rachid
Published: October 2010

Objective

To assess the burden and factors associated with highway work-zone (HWZ) crashes.

Design

Historical cohort.

Setting

Section of the Karachi–Hala Road, Pakistan (196 km).

Data

Police-reported crashes and traffic statistics from January 2006 to December 2008.

Analysis

Crash and death risk between the HWZ and other zones for a 50 km section were compared. Crash locations were described for a further 146 km section on which factors associated with HWZ crashes were assessed.

Results

HWZ crashes accounted for 15.0% of traffic crashes (N=180) and 30.8% of road fatalities (N=91) on the 196 km section. Rates were higher in the HWZ than other zones for crashes (rate ratio (RR)=2.35, 95% CI=1.17 to 4.70) and deaths (RR=4.70, 95% CI=2.11 to 10.46). Opposite-direction crashes (adjusted OR (aOR)=10.65, 95% CI=3.22 to 35.25) and traffic crashes involving pedestrians (aOR=6.03, 95% CI=1.39 to 26.20) and on wet surfaces (aOR=7.26, 95% CI=4.15 to 48.89) were significantly associated with the HWZ.

Conclusion

These results support the introduction of prevention measures such as strict traffic enforcement, traffic separation, improving pedestrian visibility, and hazard signage at HWZs in Pakistan. The feasibility and effectiveness of these measures remains to be evaluated.
Nucleic acid sequence-based amplification in formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded breast-cancer tissues
Authors: Riehle Ulrike , Mader Andreas , Brandstetter Thomas , Rühe Jürgen , zur Hausen Axel , Stickeler Elmar
Published: October 2010

Aim

To evaluate the nucleic acid sequence-based amplification (NASBA) technique to amplify mRNA isolated from formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) breast-cancer tissues.

Methods

RNA was extracted from archived, 10-year-old FFPE tissues, and selected genes, namely ribosomal protein S18 (RPS18), epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), estrogen receptor alpha (ERα), Y box binding protein (YBX-1), matrix metallopeptidase 11 (MMP11), caspase 8 (CASP8) and superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2), were amplified by NASBA.

Results

Despite strong degradation of the template, RNA amplification of all tested genes resulted in strong hybridisation signals. Sensitivity tests showed that the RPS18 NASBA assay was more sensitive than real-time RT-PCR used as a reference method. The sensitivity of the HER2, ERα, MMP11, YBX1, CASP8 and SOD2 NASBA assay was comparable with RT-PCR targeted to the respective genes.

Conclusions

The results obtained indicate that NASBA is suitable to amplify with high specificity and sensitivity, even strongly degraded RNA isolated from FFPE tissues, and therefore can complement already-existing amplification techniques such as RT-PCR for analysis of such tissues.
ERRATA: "GEOMETRIC GALOIS THEORY, NONLINEAR NUMBER FIELDS AND A GALOIS GROUP INTERPRETATION OF THE IDELE CLASS GROUP"
Authors: GENDRON T. M. , VERJOVSKY A.
Published: October 2010

In this errata we correct several mistakes Secs. 1 and 3–6 that appear in the published version of our paper. The corrections have been implemented in the revised version [1]. In addition, in Sec. 2 we clarify an important point which was not adequately addressed in the published version; in Sec. 7 we point out an enhancement of the hyperbolization scheme included in [1]. The reader may also wish to consult [2].
ISOVECTOR PYGMY DIPOLE EXCITATION IN NEUTRON-RICH NUCLEI
Authors: BOZKURT KUTSAL
Published: October 2010

We investigate isovector pygmy dipole resonance (IVPDR) for the case of neutron-rich nuclei 68 Ni , 130 Sn and 134 Sn using effective nucleon–nucleon Skyrme interaction. We use the Hartree–Fock–Bogoliubov (HFB) theory and employ the (quasiparticle) random phase approximation (Q)RPA. We calculate and compare the PDR strength in the PDR energy region for the case of density dependent central and full interaction modes for RPA and QRPA calculations. We observe that the results for the pygmy dipole resonance for neutron-rich soft nuclei 68 Ni that we consider are in reasonable agreement with their experimental results in both interactions and calculations. We also study the PDR for highly neutron-rich heavy nuclei, such as 130 Sn and 134 Sn . We see that only the QRPA calculation with full interaction is in good agreement with the experimental results for these nuclei and with a recent study in the literature. We find that the PDR strength distribution sensitively depends on the chosen interaction modes, especially for the neutron-rich heavy nuclei 134 Sn .
NOTE ON AN ACTION FOR A PARTICLE IN THE HOŘAVA–LIFSHITZ GRAVITY
Authors: EUNE MYUNGSEOK , KIM WONTAE
Published: October 2010

We classify a recently proposed action for a free particle which is compatible with Hořava–Lifshitz gravity, and then obtain the subluminal and the superluminal limits without gauge ambiguity in terms of Hamiltonian formulation.
RENORMALIZATION INVARIANTS AND QUARK FLAVOR MIXINGS
Authors: LIU LU-XIN
Published: October 2010

A set of renormalization invariants is constructed using approximate, two-flavor, analytic solutions to RGE's. These invariants exhibit explicitly the correlation between quark flavor mixings and mass ratios from electroweak scale to GUT scale in the context of the SM, DHM and MSSM models. The well-known empirical relations θ23 ∝ ms/mb, θ13 ∝ md/mb at electroweak scale can thus be understood as the result of renormalization evolution toward the infrared point. The validity of this approximation is evaluated by comparing the numerical solutions with the analytical approach. It is found that the scale dependence of these quantities for general three-flavor mixing follows closely these invariants up to the GUT scale.
νMSSM SUPERPOTENTIAL TO SIXTH ORDER, NORMALIZED AND WITH NO SUPERFLUOUS COUPLINGS
Authors: BASBØLL ANDERS
Published: October 2010

We expand the superpotential of νMSSM to sixth order. This is the order at which all flat directions can be lifted. All 5179 (complex) couplings are independent, i.e. the superpotential cannot be zero for all fields, without all couplings being zero. Likewise, any gauge invariant potential to the sixth order can be made by fixing the constants. A specific and well-defined choice of normalization has been adopted. The case for investigating this potential, rather than looking at one or several generalized flat directions is made.
HOLOGRAPHIC SPACE–TIME AND ITS PHENOMENOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS
Authors: BANKS T.
Published: October 2010

I briefly review the theory of holographic space–time and its relation to the cosmological constant problem, and the breaking of supersymmetry (SUSY). When combined with some simple phenomenological requirements, these ideas lead to a fairly unique model for Tera-scale physics, which implies direct gauge mediation of SUSY breaking and a model for dark matter as a hidden sector baryon, with nonzero magnetic dipole moment.
QUANTUM MECHANICS AND FIELD THEORY WITH MOMENTUM DEFINED ON AN ANTI-DE SITTER SPACE
Authors: BANDER MYRON
Published: October 2010

Relativistic dynamics with energy and momentum restricted to an anti-de Sitter space is presented. Coordinate operators conjugate to such momenta are introduced. Definition of functions of these operators, their differentiation and integration, all necessary for the development of dynamics is presented. The resulting algebra differs from the standard Heisenberg one, notably in that the space–time coordinates do not commute among each other. The resulting time variable is discrete and the limit to continuous time presents difficulties. A parallel approach, in which an overlap function, between position and momentum states, is obtained from solutions of wave equations on this curved space are also investigated. This approach, likewise, has problems in the that high energy behavior of these overlap functions precludes a space–time definition of action functionals.
THE NEGATIVE AND POSITIVE INTEGRABLE COUPLING HIERARCHIES DERIVED FROM A FOUR BY FOUR MATRIX SPECTRAL PROBLEM
Authors: XU XI-XIANG
Published: October 2010

Discrete integrable coupling hierarchies of two existing integrable lattice families are derived from a four by four discrete matrix spectral problem. It is shown that the obtained integrable coupling hierarchies respectively corresponds to negative and positive power expansions of the Lax operator with respect to the spectral parameter. Then, the Hamiltonian form of the negative integrable coupling hierarchy is constructed by using the discrete variational identity. Finally, Liouville integrability of each obtained discrete Hamiltonian system is demonstrated.
DYNAMICS OF BISOLITONIC MATTER WAVES IN A BOSE–EINSTEIN CONDENSATE SUBJECTED TO AN ATOMIC BEAM SPLITTER AND GRAVITY
Authors: DIKANDÉ ALAIN MOÏSE , NGEK ISAIAH NDIFON , EBOBENOW JOSEPH
Published: October 2010

A theoretical scheme for an experimental implementation involving bisolitonic matter waves from an attractive Bose–Einstein condensate, is considered within the framework of a non-perturbative approach to the associate Gross–Pitaevskii equation. The model consists of a single condensate subjected to an expulsive harmonic potential creating a double-condensate structure, and a gravitational potential that induces atomic exchanges between the two overlapping post condensates. Using a non-isospectral scattering transform method, exact expressions for the bright-matter–wave bisolitons are found in terms of double-lump envelopes with the co-propagating pulses displaying more or less pronounced differences in their widths and tails depending on the mass of atoms composing the condensate.
A QUASI-ANALYTICAL APPROACH FOR ENERGY OF EXCITON IN QUANTUM DOT
Authors: HASSANABADI H. , ZARRINKAMAR S. , HAMZAVI M. , RAJABI A. A.
Published: October 2010

Our theoretical approach to deal with the excitonic problem is the potential model. The considered terms are the Coulomb and quadratic ones and the energy eigenvalues are obtained. This is an interesting problem as it contains both confining and non-confining terms and has no exact analytical solutions. We consider the case of the vanishing magnetic field. Numerical results are reported in terms of the Wigner parameter. Our approach might be used for some desired materials as well.
ACTIVE-FEEDBACK SINGLE MILLER CAPACITOR FREQUENCY COMPENSATION TECHNIQUES FOR THREE-STAGE AMPLIFIERS
Authors: YAVARI MOHAMMAD
Published: October 2010

This paper presents two novel active-feedback single Miller capacitor frequency compensation techniques for low-power three-stage amplifiers. These techniques include the active-feedback single Miller capacitor frequency compensation (AFSMC) and the dual active-feedback single Miller capacitor frequency compensation (DAFSMC). In the proposed techniques, only one Miller capacitor in series with a current buffer is utilized. The main advantages of the proposed three-stage amplifiers are the enhanced unity-gain bandwidth and the reduced silicon area. Small-signal analyses are performed and the design equations are obtained. Extensive HSPICE simulation results are provided to show the usefulness of the proposed AFSMC and DAFSMC amplifiers in both large and small capacitive loads.
REAL-TIME STEGANALYSIS OF LSB-REPLACEMENT IN DIGITAL AUDIO STREAMS
Authors: MAHDAVI MOJTABA , SAMAVI SHADROKH , DUMITRESCU SORINA , AALAMIFAR FERESHTEH , ABEDIKHOOZANI PARISA
Published: October 2010

Data hiding in the LSB of audio signals is an appealing steganographic method. This is due to the large volume of real-time production and transmission of audio data which makes it difficult to store and analyze these signals. Hence, steganalysis of audio signals requires online operations. Most of the existing steganalysis methods work on stored media files. In this paper, we present a steganalysis technique that can detect the existence of embedded data in the least significant bits of natural audio samples. The algorithm is designed to be simple, accurate, and to be hardware implementable. Hence, hardware implementation is presented for the proposed algorithm. The proposed hardware analyzes the histogram of an incoming stream of audio signals by using a sliding window strategy without needing the storage of the signals. The algorithm is mathematically modeled to show its capability to accurately predict the amount of embedding in an incoming stream of audio signals. Audio files with different amounts of embedded data were used to test the algorithm and its hardware implementation. The experimental results prove the functionality and high accuracy of the proposed method.
APPLICATION-ADAPTIVE RECONFIGURATION OF MEMORY ADDRESS SHUFFLER FOR FPGA-EMBEDDED INSTRUCTION-SET PROCESSOR
Authors: KWON YOUNG-SU , EUM NAK-WOONG
Published: October 2010

Programmability requirement in reconfigurable systems necessitates the integration of soft processors in FPGAs. The extensive memory bandwidth sets a major performance bottleneck in soft processors for media applications. While the parallel memory system is a viable solution to account for a large amount of memory transactions in media processors, memory access conflicts caused by multiple memory buses limit the overall performance. We propose and evaluate the configurable memory address shuffler integrated in memory access arbiter for the parallel memory system in a soft processor. The novel address shuffling algorithm profiles memory access pattern of the application, produces the access conflict graph, relocates decomposed memory sub-pages based on the access conflict graph, and finally generates a synthesizable code of the address shuffler. The address shuffler efficiently translates the requested memory addresses into the shuffled addresses such that the amount of simultaneous accesses to the identical physical memory block diminishes. The reconfigurability of the address shuffler enables the adaptive address shuffling depending on the memory access pattern of an application running on the soft processor. The configurable address shuffler removes 80% of access conflicts on average for benchmarks where the hardware overhead of the shuffler is 1592 LUTs which is 14% of LUT size of the processor core.
LOOKUP TABLE-BASED ADAPTIVE BODY BIASING OF MULTIPLE MACROS FOR PROCESS VARIATION COMPENSATION AND LOW LEAKAGE
Authors: CHOI BYUNGHEE , SHIN YOUNGSOO
Published: October 2010

A reduced supply voltage must be accompanied by a reduced threshold voltage, which makes this approach to power saving susceptible to process variation in transistor parameters, as well as resulting in increased subthreshold leakage. While adaptive body biasing is efficient for both compensating process variation and suppressing leakage current, it suffers from a large overhead of control circuit. Most body biasing circuits target an entire chip, which causes excessive leakage of some blocks and misses the chance of fine grain control. We propose a new adaptive body biasing scheme, based on a lookup table for independent control of multiple functional blocks on a chip, which controls leakage and also compensates for process variation at the block level. An adaptive body bias is applied to blocks in active mode and a large reverse body bias is applied to blocks in standby mode. This is achieved by a central body bias controller, which has a low overhead in terms of area, delay, and power consumption. The problem of optimizing the required set of bias voltages is formulated and solved. A design methodology for semicustom design using standard-cell elements is developed and verified with benchmark circuits.
THERMAL IMPACTS OF LEAKAGE POWER IN 2D/3D FLOORPLANNING
Authors: MA YUCHUN , ZHOU QIANG , ZHOU PINGQIANG , HONG XIANLONG
Published: October 2010

Leakage power is becoming a key design challenge in current and future CMOS designs. Due to technology scaling, the leakage power is rising so quickly that it largely elevates the die temperature. In this paper, we deeply investigate the impact of leakage power on thermal profile in both 2D and 3D floorplanning. Our results show that chip temperature can increase by about 11°C in 2D design and 68°C for 3D case with leakage power considered. Then we propose a thermal-driven floorplanning flow integrated with an iterative leakage-aware thermal analysis process to optimize chip temperature and save leakage power consumption. Experimental results show that for 2D design, the max chip temperature can be reduced by about 8°C and the proportion of leakage power to total power can be reduced from 19.17% to 11.12%. The corresponding results for 3D are 60°C temperature reduction and 16.3% less leakage power proportion.
USING SIMPLE DISJOINT DECOMPOSITION TO PERFORM SECURE COMPUTATIONS
Authors: SAMPSON MARINOS , VOUDOURIS DIMITRIOS , PAPAKONSTANTINOU GEORGE
Published: October 2010

This paper deals with the use of a minimal model for performing secure computations. The communication is based on a protocol which makes use of disjoint function decomposition and more precisely of minimal ESCT (Exclusive-or Sum of Complex Terms) expressions in order to perform a secure computation. The complexity of this protocol is directly proportional to the size of the ESCT expression in use, which is much smaller in comparison to other proposed minimal models (e.g., ESOP). Moreover, quantum algorithms are discussed that provide significant speedup to the process of producing the ESCT expressions, when compared to conventional ones. Hence, this paper provides a very useful application of the ESCT expressions in the field of cryptographic protocols.
AN ADC BASED RANDOM BIT GENERATOR BASED ON A DOUBLE SCROLL CHAOTIC CIRCUIT
Authors: TAVAS VEDAT , DEMIRKOL AHMET S. , OZOGUZ SERDAR , ZEKI ALI , TOKER ALI
Published: October 2010

An A/D converter based random bit generator which exploits continuous-time chaos is presented. The chaotic circuit, which is used as the core of the random bit generator generates double-scroll attractor the frequency spectrum of which spans up to 80 MHz. The chaotic circuit was fabricated using a 0.35 μm CMOS process and the chip area, excluding pads, is 0.06 mm2. Power consumption of the integrated chip is 8 mW. Binary data obtained from the presented random bit generator pass the full NIST-800-22 test suite.
ECCM AUXILIARY ANTENNA SYSTEM FOR A MULTIBEAM SAR ARRAY
Authors: LUCCI LEONARDO
Published: October 2010

A SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) antenna typically consists of a large planar array to obtain a directive pattern with low side lobe level. A multibeam SAR system requires a set of secondary beams, implementing some additional features. To protect the SAR operation from possible jammers ECCM (Electronic Counter-Countermeasure) capabilities can be implemented requiring an auxiliary beam which cover the portion of main pattern to be protected. A possible architecture of this secondary antenna system is here presented by using a set of radiating elements combined together to obtain the ECCM channel. To minimize the feeding network complexity and to maximize the system reliability, the ECCM antenna is a cluster of circular corrugated horns, eventually realized as a single-block unit.
HIGH INPUT IMPEDANCE VOLTAGE-MODE UNIVERSAL FILTER AND QUADRATURE OSCILLATOR
Authors: MAHESHWARI SUDHANSHU , MOHAN JITENDRA , CHAUHAN DURG SINGH
Published: October 2010

A new single input and five outputs high input impedance voltage-mode universal biquadratic filter using three DVCCs, five passive components is presented. The proposed circuit offers the following features: high input impedance, realization of all the standard filter functions, that is, high-pass, band-pass, low-pass, band reject and all-pass filters simultaneously, the use of grounded capacitor, orthogonal control of ω0 and Q, no need to employ inverting type input signals, and no need to impose component choice except realizing the all-pass filter signal. A new quadrature oscillator circuit is also realized. PSPICE simulations using 0.35 μm TSMC CMOS parameters confirm the validity of the proposed circuit.
NON-HERMITIAN DESCRIPTION OF A SUPERCONDUCTING PHASE QUBIT MEASUREMENT
Authors: NESTEROV ALEXANDER I. , BERMAN GENNADY P. , BISHOP ALAN R.
Published: October 2010

We present an approach based on a non-Hermitian Hamiltonian to describe the process of measurement by tunneling of superconducting phase qubit states. We derive simple analytical expressions which describe the dynamics of measurement, and compare our results with those experimentally available. In particular, we show that even for a single qubit, the analytical expressions simplify the analysis of the dynamics in comparison with the density matrix approach. We also demonstrate that the effect of the interference of tunneling channels can be easily described by using the approach based on the non-Hermitian Hamiltonian.
TUNNELING FOR DIRAC FERMIONS IN CONSTANT MAGNETIC FIELD
Authors: CHOUBABI EL BOUÂZZAOUI , BOUZIANI MOHAMED EL , JELLAL AHMED
Published: October 2010

The tunneling effect of two-dimensional Dirac fermions in a constant magnetic field is studied. This can be done by using the continuity equation at some points to determine the corresponding reflexion and transmission coefficients. For this, we consider a system made of graphene as superposition of two different regions where the second is characterized by an energy gap t'. In fact, we treat concrete systems to practically give two illustrations: barrier and diode. For each case, we discuss the transmission in terms of the ratio of the energy conservation and t'. Moreover, we analyze the resonant tunneling by introducing a scalar Lorentz potential where it is shown that a total transmission is possible.
CONTACT GEOMETRY AND RICCI SOLITONS
Authors: CHO JONG TAEK , SHARMA RAMESH
Published: October 2010

We show that a compact contact Ricci soliton with a potential vector field V collinear with the Reeb vector field, is Einstein. We also show that a homogeneous H-contact gradient Ricci soliton is locally isometric to En+1 × Sn(4). Finally we obtain conditions so that the horizontal and tangential lifts of a vector field on the base manifold may be potential vector fields of a Ricci soliton on the unit tangent bundle.