bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Alternatives for Efficient and Sustainable Production of Surimi: A Review
Authors: Martín‐Sánchez A.M. , Navarro C. , Pérez‐Álvarez J.A. , Kuri V.
Published: September 2009

ABSTRACT:  The links between fish processing and negative environmental impact need to be minimized. The overexploitation of white fish stocks has compromised supply, the use of energy contributes to a high‐carbon footprint, and the water resources required are also high. An option is to resort to the use of alternative species and fisheries by‐catch, together with the maximum utilization of fish. In addition, edible proteins from a range of sources could be converted into added‐value products using surimi‐like processes. The surimi industry requires large amounts of freshwater and discharges wastewater with a high organic load. By exploring available options on processing technologies and management of the environmental impact, this review discusses the potential role of surimi and opportunities for sustainable fish processing.
Complementary parameter for dialysis monitoring based on UV absorbance
Authors: UHLIN Fredrik , PETTERSSON Jonas , FERNSTRÖM Anders , LINDBERG Lars‐Göran
Published: September 2009

An optical on‐line monitoring system aimed at the estimation of dialysis dose has been tested clinically. The natural logarithmic slope is used to calculate Kt/V(urea) from ultraviolet (UV)‐absorbance measurements. Errors in the calculation of Kt/V(urea) may appear due to changes in blood and dialysate flow or due to disturbances when the slope is used to estimate dialysis dose. This study introduces a new parameter for dialysis monitoring that may be used as a complementary parameter, the area under UV‐absorbance curve (AUCa), to reflect a total solute removal during dialysis. The aim was to investigate the relationship between this new dialysis on‐line monitoring parameter, AUCa, and the total removal of a few solutes. Fifteen patients were monitored during hemodialysis using UV absorbance at the wavelength of 297 nm. All spent dialysate passed through a flow cuvette in a spectrophotometer and then further to a collection tank where solute concentrations in the entire spent dialysate were determined. The AUCa at 297 nm was compared with the total amount of removed solute in the tank (reference method). The result shows strong correlations between AUCa and the total removal of urea, urate, creatinine, and phosphate during a given treatment and less strong correlation in all 15 patients together. A first indication of a new, possible, complementary parameter in hemodialysis treatment is presented, the AUCa, prospected to estimate solute removal.
Solute kinetics with short‐daily home hemodialysis using slow dialysate flow rate
Authors: KOHN Orly F. , COE Fredric L. , ING Todd S.
Published: September 2009

“NxStage System One™” is increasingly used for daily home hemodialysis. The ultrapure dialysate volumes are typically between 15 L and 30 L per dialysis, substantially smaller than the volumes used in conventional dialysis. In this study, the impact of the use of low dialysate volumes on the removal rates of solutes of different molecular weights and volumes of distribution was evaluated. Serum measurements before and after dialysis and total dialysate collection were performed over 30 times in 5 functionally anephric patients undergoing short‐daily home hemodialysis (6 d/wk) over the course of 8 to 16 months. Measured solutes included β2 microglobulin (β2M), phosphorus, urea nitrogen, and potassium. The average spent dialysate volume (dialysate plus ultrafiltrate) was 25.4±4.7 L and the dialysis duration was 175±15 min. β2 microglobulin clearance of the polyethersulfone dialyzer averaged 53±14 mL/min. Total β2M recovered in the dialysate was 106±42 mg per treatment (n=38). Predialysis serum β2M levels remained stable over the observation period. Phosphorus removal averaged 694±343 mg per treatment with a mean predialysis serum phosphorus of 5.2±1.8 mg/dL (n=34). Standard Kt/V averaged 2.5±0.3 per week and correlated with the dialysate‐based weekly Kt/V. Weekly β2M, phosphorus, and urea nitrogen removal in patients dialyzing 6 d/wk with these relatively low dialysate volumes compared favorably with values published for thrice weekly conventional and with short‐daily hemodialysis performed with machines using much higher dialysate flow rates. Results of the present study were achieved, however, with an average of 17.5 hours of dialysis per week.
W. Lloyd Warner and the Anthropology of Institutions: An Approach to the Study of Work in Late Capitalism
Authors: Baba Marietta L.
Published: September 2009

W. Lloyd Warner is re‐interpreted as an institutional anthropologist whose approach to the study of work in a capitalist context has relevance to contemporary disciplinary problems and issues. The essay traces the development and influences upon Warner's thought and research strategies from their origin in Durkheim's sociology and Warner's fieldwork among the Murngin, to the Hawthorne Project, where Warner held an intermittent yet significant consultancy, and on to the seminal contributions of the Yankee City Series where, it is argued, the anthropological approach to contemporary institutions took its initial form. Warner's approach to the study of work in formal organizations at Yankee City was ground‐breaking because it led away from the more conventional strategy of confining ethnography to a single organization (e.g., Hawthorne) by examining social relations and meanings that cross‐cut the larger society and in which all formal organizations are embedded (i.e., class, rank, and status). Warner's commitment to rigorous empiricism, and to engaging the problems of an era, led him beyond functionalist theory to the hallmarks of an institutional approach to work in late capitalism that still resonates today.
Activation of toll‐like receptors 2, 3 or 5 induces matrix metalloproteinase‐1 and ‐9 expression with the involvement of MAPKs and NF‐κB in human epidermal keratinocytes
Authors: Lee Youngae , Kim Hyunjung , Kim Sangmin , Kim Kyu Han , Chung Jin Ho
Published: September 2009

Please cite this paper as: Activation of toll‐like receptors 2, 3 or 5 induces matrix metalloproteinase‐1 and ‐9 expression with the involvement of MAPKs and NF‐κB in human epidermal keratinocytes. Experimental Dermatology 2010; 19: e44–e49.

Abstract:  Toll‐like receptors (TLRs) on epidermal keratinocytes are the first line of defense against microbe invasion, and matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) regulate inflammation, cell migration and wound healing. In this study, we demonstrate that the mRNA and protein expressions of MMP‐1 and MMP‐9 in human epidermal keratinocytes are induced by ligands for TLR2, TLR3 and TLR5 [Pam3CSK4, Poly(I:C) and flagellin, respectively] in a dose‐dependent manner. We also found that the ligands for TLR2, TLR3 and TLR5 activate the MAP kinases, JNK and p38 MAPK, but not ERK1/2. Furthermore, treatment with the ligands for TLR2, TLR3 and TLR5 also induced the degradation of IκB‐α and activated the nuclear translocation of NF‐κB. MMP‐1 induction by the ligands for TLR2, TLR3 and TLR5 was inhibited by pretreatment with BAY11‐7082 (NF‐κB inhibitor) or SP600125 (JNK inhibitor), whereas MMP‐9 expression was inhibited by pretreatment with BAY11‐7082, SP600125 or SB203580. These findings demonstrate that the activation of TLR2, TLR3 or TLR5 induces the expression of MMP‐1 and MMP‐9 in human epidermal keratinocytes. In addition, NF‐κB or JNK mediated the MMP‐1 expression induced by TLR2, TLR3 and TLR5, whereas NF‐κB, JNK or p38 MAPK mediated the MMP‐9 expression induced by TLR2, TLR3 and TLR5.
Tumor necrosis factor‐α processing inhibitor‐1 inhibits skin fibrosis in a bleomycin‐induced murine model of scleroderma
Authors: Terao Mika , Murota Hiroyuki , Kitaba Shun , Katayama Ichiro
Published: September 2009

Abstract: Elevated serum concentration of soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor p55 (sTNFRp55) is known to correlate with the severity of systemic sclerosis (SSc). However, it has not been verified whether this increase contributes to the pathogenesis of SSc. In this study, we found that sTNFRp55 also is increased in the bleomycin (BLM)‐induced murine model of SSc. Therefore, we examined the effect of tumor necrosis factor‐α processing inhibitor‐1 (TAPI‐1), the inhibitor of TNFRp55 sheddase, in this model. TAPI‐1 was administered weekly to mice with skin fibrosis induced by daily BLM injections. TAPI‐1 significantly suppressed BLM‐induced skin thickness and the number of myofibroblasts. It also inhibited the increase of serum sTNFRp55 after 3 weeks of BLM injections. The mRNA expression of collagen type I α1, transforming growth factor‐β1 and alpha smooth muscle actin were decreased by TAPI‐1 administration. Taken together, these findings indicate that targeting the TNFα converting enzyme might be a new type of therapy for patients with SSc.
Bulk Flow Revisited: Transport of a Soluble Protein in the Secretory Pathway
Authors: Thor Friederike , Gautschi Matthias , Geiger Roger , Helenius Ari
Published: September 2009

The C‐terminal domain, Cp, of the Semliki Forest virus capsid protein, known for its rapid, efficient and chaperone‐independent folding, was used to measure bulk fluid flow in the secretory pathway of Chinese hamster ovary cells. Being small, nonglycosylated, soluble and cytoplasmic in origin, Cp was not likely to interact with lectins, cargo receptors and retention factors. Using pulse‐chase analysis, we observed that translocation into the endoplasmic reticulum resulted in rapid and efficient folding and transport of the newly synthesized Cp protein to the extracellular medium. The first Cp molecules were secreted 15 min after synthesis, which is the fastest transport of a protein so far recorded in mammalian cells. The rate constant of secretion was 1.2% per min, which amounts to an estimated bulk flow rate of about 155 coat protein II (COPII) vesicles per second. Transport was independent of expression level, and blocked by CI‐976, brefeldin A and ATP depletion indicating that it depended on COPII vesicle formation, and followed the classical secretory pathway. In polarized Madin‐Darby canine kidney cells, the secretion rate was similar but occurred mainly apically. The results demonstrated that fluid flow in the secretory pathway is fast, and can therefore play a significant role in the secretion of soluble secretory products.
Determination of aphid transmission efficiencies for N, NTN and Wilga strains of Potato virus Y
Authors: Verbeek M. , Piron P.G.M. , Dullemans A.M. , Cuperus C. , Van Der Vlugt R.A.A.
Published: September 2009

Potato virus Y (PVY, genus Potyvirus, family Potyviridae) causes high economic losses worldwide, especially in the production of seed potatoes (Solanum tuberosum). PVY control systems rely on measuring virus pressure and vector pressure in the field. Calculation of the vector pressure is based on the relative efficiency factors (REFs) of aphid species. These REFs express the transmission efficiency of aphid species in relation to the transmission efficiency of Myzus persicae, the most efficient vector of PVY. In this paper, we report on the determination of aphids' relative transmission efficiency factors (REFs) for isolates of the PVY strains PVYN, PVYNTN and PVYN‐Wi. Biotype Mp2 of M. persicae was tested for its transmission efficiency for six PVY isolates (one PVYN, three PVYNTN and two PVYN‐Wi isolates) and showed comparable average transmission efficiencies for all isolates. The transmission rate of this biotype for the six PVY isolates was set to 1 and Mp2 was used as an internal control in transmission experiments to determine the REFs of three other biotypes of M. persicae and 16 other aphid species (three biotypes per species when available) for the six PVY isolates. Comparing the calculated REFs for PVYN with the REFs reported in the previous century for PVYN, we observe overall comparable REFs, except for Aphis fabae, Aphis spp., Hyperomyzus lactucae, Macrosiphum euphorbiae and Rhopalosiphum padi, which have a lower REF in our experiments, and Aphis frangulae and Phorodon humuli, which have now a higher REF. Comparing the new REFs found for the PVYNTN strains with the new REFs for PVYN, we observe that they are overall comparable, except for A. frangulae (0.17 compared with 0.53) and Schizaphis graminum (0.05 compared with 0.00). Comparing the REFs calculated for PVYN‐Wi with those calculated for PVYN, we can observe six aphid species with higher REFs (Acyrthosiphon pisum, A. fabae, Aphis nasturtii, Aphis spp., P. humuli and R. padi). Only the species A. frangulae shows a lower REF for PVYN‐Wi compared with the transmission efficiency of PVYN. Three aphid species (Aulacorthum solani, Myzus ascalonicus and S. graminum) for which no REF was determined earlier were found to be capable to transmit PVY and their REFs were determined.
SDSS J092712.64+294344.0: recoiling blackhole or merging galaxies?
Authors: Vivek M. , Srianand R. , Noterdaeme P. , Mohan V. , Kuriakosde V. C.
Published: September 2009

We report long-slit spectroscopic observations of SDSS J092712+294344 carried out at the recently commissioned 2-m telescope in IUCAA Girawali Observatory, India. This active galactic nuclei like source is known to feature three sets of emission lines at zem= 0.6972, 0.7020 and 0.7128. Different scenarios such as a recoiling black hole after asymmetric emission of gravitational waves, binary black holes and possible merging systems are proposed for this object. We test these scenarios by comparing our spectra with that from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, obtained 4 years prior to our observations. Comparing the redshifts of [O iii]λλ4960,5008, we put a 3σ limit on the relative acceleration to be less than 32 km s−1 yr−1 between different emitting regions. Using the two-dimensional spectra obtained at different position angles (PAs), we show that the [O iii]λ5008 line from the zem= 0.7128 component is extended beyond the spectral point spread function. We infer the linear extent of this line emitting region is ∼8 kpc. We also find a tentative evidence for an offset between the centroid of the [O iii]λ5008 line at zem= 0.7128 and the quasi-stellar object trace when the slit is aligned at a PA of 299°. This corresponds to the zem= 0.7128 system being at an impact parameter of ∼1 kpc with respect to the zem= 0.6972 in the north-west direction. Based on our observations, we conclude that the binary black hole model is most unlikely. The spatial extent and the sizes are consistent with both black hole recoil and merging scenarios.
Burden of Stroke in Indonesia
Authors: Kusuima Y. , Venketasubramanian N. , Kiemas L. S. , Misbach J.
Published: September 2009

Stroke is the leading cause of death among Indonesians above five years of age, comprising 15·4% of all deaths, age-gender-standardised death rate 99/100000, and age-gender-standardised disability-adjusted life years lost 685/100000. Stroke prevalence is 0·0017% in rural Indonesia, 0·022% in urban Indonesia, 0·5% among urban Jakarta adults, and 0·8% overall. Frequent risk factors include hypertension, smoking and hypercholesterolemia. The mean age of stroke patients is 58·8 years. Subarachnoid haemorrhage is found in 1·4% of patients, intracerebral haemorrhage in 18·5%, and ischaemic stroke in 42·9%. Only city hospitals have neurology, neurosurgery and neuroimaging services. Indonesia has 40 stroke units. Commonly used medications for stroke are easily available. Hospital-based rehabilitative services are available in large hospitals. Traditional medicine is widely practiced. Efforts to combat stroke include education, more stroke units and rehabilitative services especially in the rural areas.
Glucose Level and Brain Infarction: A Prospective Case-Control Study and Prospective Study
Authors: Mazighi M. , Labreuche J. , Amarenco P.
Published: September 2009

Background

Hyperglycaemia in the acute phase of stroke has been established as a predictor of higher mortality. But recent data regarding active treatment of hyperglycaemia showed no clinical benefit suggesting that hyperglycaemia may not have a detrimental effect in brain infarction. Additional data are needed to resolve this uncertainty and identify patients at higher risk if any.

Methods

A total of 477 adult Caucasian patients with brain infarction and 395 age- and sex-matched controls admitted at the same centres for nonneurological causes were recruited consecutively from 12 neurological centres in France. Electrocardiographic, carotid ultrasonography, and transcranial Doppler studies were performed. Blood was drawn in the morning from fasting subjects for glucose measurement. Functional outcome was measured on admission, at 10 days and at 6 months after the onset of stroke using the modified Rankin scale.

Results

Among 477 brain infarction patients and 395 hospitalised controls the adjusted mean (±SEM) glucose level was higher in cases (6·4±1·0mmol/l) than in controls (6·0± 1·01 mmol/l, P = 0·006), with a significant heterogeneity across sexes. The fully adjusted odds ratio of brain infarction per 1 standard deviation increase in log-glucose level was 1·02 (95% confidence interval, 0·77–1·37) in men and 2·21 (95% confidence interval, 1·44–3·40) in women. Among the 477 brain infarction cases elevated admission glucose levels were associated with poor outcomes and higher poststrokemortality after adjustment for conventional vascular risk factors and infarct volume. These relationships were not modified by sex.

Conclusions

Elevated admission glucose levels were associated with brain infarction in women only and with a higher 5-year mortality. Further investigation focusing on the impact of glucose level in different target population is needed to optimise glycaemic management in acute brain infarction patients.
Incidence and Case Fatality of Subarachnoid Haemorrhage in Northern Greece: The Evros Registry of Subarachnoid Haemorrhage
Authors: Vadikolias K. , Tsivgoulis G. , Heliopoulos I. , Papaioakim M. , Aggelopoulou C. , Serdari A. , Birbilis T. , Piperidou C.
Published: September 2009

Background

Epidemiological data on subarachnoid haemorrhage incidence and case-fatality rates are scarce in the southeastern Mediterranean region. We conducted a population-based study in Evros Province, located in north-eastern Greece, to determine subarachnoid haemorrhage incidence over a 5-year period (2001–2005).

Methods

Evros Province has a well-defined, largely homogeneous population with healthcare organised around a single tertiary-care University Hospital. We organised a prospective computerised registry of permanent Evros residents admitted or transferred to our hospital with a diagnosis of subarachnoid haemorrhage. Standard World Health Organization definitions and overlapping case-finding methods were used to identify all cases of first ever in a lifetime subarachnoid haemorrhage in all age groups, occurring during the study period. The diagnosis was confirmed by computed tomography scan in all hospitalised cases. Sudden deaths attributable to subarachnoid haemorrhage were systematically recorded province-wide by our forensic department and are included in the study.

Results

During the 5-year period, 51 cases of subarachnoid haemorrhage were recorded (28 men, 23 women; mean age 59 ± 17 years). The crude annual incidence rates were 8·3/100000 persons (95% confidence interval: 5·5–12·0) for men, 7·5/100000 (4·8–11·3) for women and 7·9/100000 (5§9–10§4) for all subjects. The standardised incidence rates for groups aged 45–84 years in the European population were 9·3/100000 (5·8–12·8) for men, 6·5/100000 (3·7–9·4) for women and 7·9/100000 (5·7–10·2). The 28-day case-fatality rates for men, women and all subjects were 36% (21–54%), 35% (19–55%) and 35% (24–49%), respectively.

Conclusions

The incidence and case-fatality rate of subarachnoid haemorrhage haemorrhage in Greece appear to be similar to other developed countries. No gender differences in subarachnoid haemorrhage incidence and case-fatality rate were documented.
Intensive Care Management of Acute Stroke: General Management
Authors: Diedler J. , Sykora M. , Juttler E. , Steiner T. , Hacke W.
Published: September 2009

For a long time, patients with severe stroke were facing therapeutic nihilism of the attending physicians. Implementation of do-not-resuscitate-orders may have lead to self-fulfilling prophecies and to a pessimistic overestimation of prognosis of severe stroke syndromes. However, there have been great advances in intensive care management of acute stroke patients and it has been shown that treatment on a specialised neurological intensive care unit improves outcome. In this review, we will present a summary of the current state-of-the-art intensive care management of acute stroke patients. After presenting an overview on general management of stroke intensive care patients, special aspects of neurological intensive care of acute large middle cerebral artery stroke, intracerebral haemorrhage and subarachnoid haemorrhage will be discussed. In part II of the review, surgical management options for acute stroke will be discussed in detail.
An update on treatment and prognostic indicators in canine myxomatous mitral valve disease
Authors: Häggström J. , Höglund K. , Borgarelli M.
Published: September 2009

Mitral regurgitation caused by myxomatous mitral valve disease is the most common cause for congestive heart failure and cardiac‐related mortality in dogs. Typically, it takes several years for the disease to progress from mild, clinically silent myxomatous mitral valve disease to severe disease with signs of congestive heart failure. A proportion of dogs will never progress into congestive heart failure before they die from other causes or old age. Some variables have been shown to be predictive of onset of congestive heart failure and they might be useful to identify dogs that need more frequent monitoring and eventually treatment. Results from several controlled clinical trials are available concerning medical treatment of dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease with or without congestive heart failure. These trials provide estimates of treatment effects and also allow identification of other variables with prognostic value for the outcome after the onset of congestive heart failure. Use of prognostic variables together with qualitative and quantitative results from clinical drug trials may aid the clinician and owner to plan and decide on optimal management of the myxomatous mitral valve disease dog. The purpose of this article is to review the current knowledge of prognostic variables and therapy for this common condition in dogs.
Neurohormonal activation in canine degenerative mitral valve disease: implications on pathophysiology and treatment
Authors: Oyama M. A.
Published: September 2009

Neurohormonal systems play a critical role in canine degenerative mitral valve disease (DMVD). DMVD results in mitral regurgitation, which reduces forward cardiac output and increases intracardiac pressures. These changes trigger neurohormonal responses that ultimately result in maladaptive cardiac remodelling, congestion and heightened morbidity and mortality. Medical therapies such as ACE inhibitors and spironolactone derive their benefit by interrupting or suppressing these neurohormonal responses. Thus, knowledge of neurohormonal mechanisms can lead to a better understanding of how to treat DMVD.
Can ventricular function be assessed by echocardiography in chronic canine mitral valve disease?
Authors: Bonagura J. D. , Schober K. E.
Published: September 2009

Mitral regurgitation (MR) related to chronic degenerative valvular disease is the most important cause of heart failure in dogs. Ultrasound examination of the heart can identify valve lesions, confirm the presence of valvular regurgitation, document cardiac remodeling, estimate intracardiac pressures, and quantify systolic ventricular function. These findings can influence prognosis or selection of medical therapy. Reductions in ventricular systolic function may be detected on serial echocardiographic examinations in some dogs with MR. However the changes in ventricular loading that accompany MR often complicate these measurements. For example, shortening and ejection fractions are often increased in severe MR, even in the setting of congestive heart failure. Echocardiography with Doppler is also used to assess ventricular diastolic function and filling pressures. This information helps predict the risk of congestive heart failure. However these findings are often rendered ambiguous by age‐related impairment of ventricular relaxation, elevations in left atrial pressure due to MR, and effects of volume overload on myocardial tissue velocities. These factors limit the usefulness of ventricular filling and tissue velocities, as well as derived ratios such as the E/E' ratio, for predicting congestive heart failure in MR. More advanced Doppler and tissue echocardiographic methods, as well as prospective clinical studies, are needed to reduce the ambiguity involved with assessment of ventricular function and filling pressures in the setting of MR.
Optimization of Pectin Extraction from Durian Rind (Durio zibethinus) Using Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Wai Wong Weng , Alkarkhi Abbas F.M. , Easa Azhar Mat
Published: September 2009

ABSTRACT: Response surface methodology (RSM) was carried out to study the effect of temperature, pH, and heating time as input variables on the yield and degree of esterification (DE) as the output (responses). The results showed that yield and DE of extracted pectin ranged from 2.27% to 9.35% (w/w, based on dry weight of durian rind) and 47.66% to 68.6%, respectively. The results also showed that a 2nd‐order model adequately fitted the experimental data for the yield and DE. Optimum condition for maximum yield and DE was achieved at 85 °C, a time of either 4 or 1 h, and a pH of 2 or 2.5.
Britishness and the Failure of Australian Republicanism
Authors: Wellings Ben
Published: September 2009

In 1999, Australians voted to reject the removal of the Queen as Head of State in Australia. It would be wrong though to see this vote as an endorsement of monarchy. However, the vote did throw issues of the role of Britishness in Australia into the political arena. In fact it was the residual Britishness of the republican movement and its commitment to the sovereignty of Parliament, rather than the Britishness of the monarchists, which was crucial in the defeat of the republican campaign.
Visual Narration of a Nation: Painting and National Identity in Turkey1
Authors: Altan Cemren
Published: September 2009

The aim of this article is to review the relationship between Turkish nationalist discourse and early republican paintings through the examination of cultural politics and the production of certain types of works of art and the content analyses of those paintings. In other words, it aims to develop a critical reading of the history of Turkey in conjunction with the development of the history of art. The Republic of Turkey was proclaimed in 1923 and this date also symbolically defines the change in both the political system and society. A largely Muslim population was, for the first time, invited by the state into the Arts. This, on one hand, represented rupture with Islamic principles — that did not allow images that give the illusion of reality — and on the other hand, declared an alliance with the European ‘modes of representation’, the European civilization. The invention of ‘visual citizenship’ through early paintings exemplifies what Hobsbawm referred to as the ‘invention of traditions’ (Hobsbawm 1983), the process of creation of the nation. The examples of figurative paintings that converged to form a strong discourse, structured as a narrative and their messages are organized around certain significant components, convey a particular depiction of ‘Turkishness’. We discuss those arguments through the study of the metaphors and analogies applied in some examples of 1930s paintings in Turkey.
Intraocular pressure change after temporal clear corneal phacoemulsification in normal eyes
Authors: Irak‐Dersu Inci , Nilson Chris , Zabriskie Norm , Durcan Jane , Spencer Horace J. , Crandall Alan
Published: September 2009

Purpose:  To evaluate short‐ and long‐term intraocular pressure (IOP) changes after temporal clear corneal phacoemulsification in normal eyes.

Methods:  The charts of 266 consecutive non‐glaucoma patients who underwent uneventful cataract surgery were reviewed. We recorded preoperative and postoperative (1 day, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year and 2 years) IOP measurements as well as anatomical properties obtained using Zeiss Humphrey IOL Master (Zeiss Meditech, Dublin, California, USA).

Results:  Mean IOP reduction after cataract surgery was 8.2%, 4.6%, 6.7% and 7.8% at 3 months, 6 months, 1 year and 2 years, respectively. Lens thickness was the only anatomical characteristic that correlated significantly with IOP decrease after surgery.

Conclusion:  Temporal clear corneal phacoemulsification results in a decrease in postoperative IOP that persists for 2 years following surgery.
Glaucoma in aphakic and pseudophakic eyes following surgery for congenital cataract in the first year of life
Authors: Kirwan Caitriona , Lanigan Bernadette , O’Keefe Michael
Published: September 2009

Purpose:  To determine the incidence and risk factors for glaucoma in pseudophakic and aphakic eyes following surgery for congenital cataract within the first year of life.

Methods:  We conducted a review of all cataract surgery performed at our unit over a 23‐year period. Age at surgery, corneal diameter, intraocular lens implantation, presence of persistent foetal vasculature and visual axis opacification (VAO) were documented. Time to development of glaucoma, management and outcome were determined. One eye was selected randomly for analysis in cases of bilateral cataract.

Results:  Duration of follow‐up was significantly longer (p < 0.001) in the aphakic (113 ± 69 months) compared to the pseudophakic group (56 ± 44 months). Age at surgery was significantly less (p = 0.01) in the aphakic group. The incidence of glaucoma was significantly greater (p = 0.02) in the aphakic (15 eyes, 33%) compared to the pseudophakic (seven eyes, 13%) group. Each eye that developed glaucoma underwent cataract extraction aged ≤ 2.5 months. Analysis of all eyes that underwent surgery aged ≤ 2.5 months revealed no statistical difference (p = 0.08) in the incidence of glaucoma. Smaller corneal diameter and VAO were not associated with increased risk of glaucoma development. Ahmed valves proved effective in controlling intraocular pressure but visual outcome was poor in the majority of cases.

Conclusion:  Surgery for congenital cataract at an early age increases the risk of glaucoma development, regardless of whether the eye is aphakic or pseudophakic. Intraocular pressure control with Ahmed valves is frequently required. Glaucomatous damage and dense amblyopia contribute to poor visual outcome in these eyes.
Effects of Blood Contamination on Peritoneal D‐Dimer Concentration in Horses with Colic
Authors: Delgado M.A. , Monreal L. , Armengou L. , Segura D. , Ríos J.
Published: September 2009

Background:Peritoneal D‐Dimer concentration can be determined to assess peritoneal fibrinolysis activity in horses with gastrointestinal disorders. However, blood contamination of peritoneal fluid may occur during collection and could alter peritoneal D‐Dimer concentration.

Hypothesis/Objectives:Blood contamination in peritoneal fluid does not affect interpretation of peritoneal D‐Dimer concentration in horses with colic.

Animals:Thirty‐four horses with colic and 4 healthy horses.

Methods:Peritoneal fluid and blood samples were simultaneously collected upon admission. Then, peritoneal fluid was serially contaminated with the horse's own blood; final contaminations corresponded to 1, 5, 10, and 20% of blood in peritoneal fluid. D‐Dimer concentration was determined in blood, peritoneal fluid, and contaminated peritoneal fluid samples. Data were analyzed using a longitudinal linear model and a generalized estimating equations analysis to assess the quantitative and qualitative variations of the effect of blood contamination on peritoneal D‐Dimer concentration.

Results:Peritoneal D‐Dimer concentration was only quantitatively affected when peritoneal fluid was contaminated at 20% of blood. However, when using increasing cut‐off values of peritoneal D‐Dimer concentration (100, 2,000, 8,000, and 16,000 ng/mL), this effect disappeared at the highest cut‐off values (8,000 and 16,000 ng/mL). When peritoneal fluid contamination was grouped as “minimally contaminated” (≤1% of blood) and “highly contaminated” (≥5% of blood), no significant differences on D‐Dimer concentration between both groups at each cut‐off value were observed.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance:Although quantitative results of peritoneal D‐Dimer concentration could be affected by high levels of blood contamination (≥20%), interpretation of increased peritoneal fibrinolytic activity was not significantly affected.
Canine Granulocytic Anaplasmosis: A Review
Authors: Carrade D.D. , Foley J.E. , Borjesson D.L. , Sykes J.E.
Published: September 2009

Anaplasma phagocytophilumis an emerging pathogen of humans, horses, and dogs worldwide that is transmitted by Ixodid ticks and maintained in a variety of small wild mammal species. Recent studies suggest that multiple strains ofA. phagocytophilummay be circulating in wild and domestic animal populations, and these strains may have differential host tropisms and pathogenicity. The organism infects and survives within neutrophils by disabling key neutrophil functions, including neutrophil motility, phagocytosis, the oxidative burst mechanism, and neutrophil‐endothelial cell interactions, as well as interfering with neutrophil apoptosis. Coinfections with other tick‐borne pathogens may occur, especiallyBorrelia burgdorferi. A. phagocytophilumcauses an acute febrile illness in dogs with lethargy and inappetence. Less frequent signs include lameness, coughing, polydipsia, intermittent vomiting, and hemorrhages. Diagnosis is based on finding morulae within granulocytes in the peripheral blood, the combination of acute and convalescent serology using immunofluorescent antibody techniques, and detection of the DNA ofA. phagocytophilumusing specific polymerase chain reaction assays. Whether persistent infection or reinfection withA. phagocytophilumoccurs after natural infection requires additional study, with most reports suggesting that anaplasmosis is a self‐limiting disease in dogs that responds well to a 2‐week course of doxycycline therapy.
Plasma and Pulmonary Fluid Endothelin in Horses with Seasonal Recurrent Airway Obstruction
Authors: Costa L.R.R. , Eades S.C. , Venugopal C.S. , Moore R.M.
Published: September 2009

Background:Summer pasture‐associated recurrent airway obstruction (SPA‐RAO), a seasonal airway obstructive disease of horses, is characterized by clinical exacerbation after exposure to pasture during warm months of the year. Endothelin (ET)‐1, potent bronchoconstrictor, mitogen, secretagogue, and proinflammatory mediator, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of asthma and equine heaves.

Hypothesis:Immunoreactive ET‐1 concentrations increase during clinical exacerbation and return to basal values during periods of disease remission.

Animals:Twelve horses, 6 affected with SPA‐RAO and 6 nonaffected.

Methods:Prospective, observational study. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), arterial and venous plasma samples, and clinical variables were obtained from affected horses during clinical exacerbation and remission. Samples and data of nonaffected horses were collected during the summer and winter on dates similar to affected horses. Immunoreactive ET‐1 was determined using a commercial ELISA.

Results:The median and range ET‐1 concentrations (pg/ml) in arterial (1.3, 0.7–1.8) and venous (1.3, 1.2–1.7) plasma and in BALF (0.3, 0.2–0.4), and pulmonary epithelial lining fluid (PELF) (25.5, 21–50) were greater in affected horses during clinical exacerbation compared with remission (P< .01). The concentrations of immunoreactive ET‐1 were greater in affected horses during clinical exacerbation compared with nonaffected horses (P< .05).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance:During clinical exacerbation of SPA‐RAO, ET‐1 is increased in circulation and pulmonary secretions. Intervention with ET receptor antagonists should provide further information on the role of ET‐1 in SPA‐RAO.
Cerebellar pial arteriovenous malformations presenting with medullary venous hypertension: imaging and endovascular treatment
Authors: Jayaraman M V , McTaggart R A , Sachs G M , Doberstein C E
Published: September 2009

A patient in their 60s presented with headache and progressive lower extremity weakness over 1 week. Initial MRI was thought to represent venous hypertension secondary to a dural arteriovenous fistula. However, angiography revealed a cerebellar pial arteriovenous malformation with medullary venous hypertension. The imaging and endovascular treatment of this unusual case of a pial cerebellar arteriovenous malformation presenting in that manner is presented.
REDUCING COSTS OF SPARE PARTS SUPPLY SYSTEMS VIA STATIC PRIORITIES
Authors: ADAN I. J. B. F. , SLEPTCHENKO A. , VAN HOUTUM G. J.
Published: September 2009

We study static repair priorities in a system consisting of one repair shop and one stockpoint, where spare parts of multiple, critical repairables are kept on stock to serve an installed base of technical systems. Demands for ready-for-use parts occur according to Poisson processes, and are accompanied by returns of failed parts. The demands are met from stock if possible, and otherwise they are backordered and fulfilled as soon as a ready-for-use part becomes available. Returned failed parts are immediately sent into repair. The repairables are assigned to static priority classes. The repair shop is modeled as a single-server queue, where the failed parts are served according to these priority classes. We show that under a given assignment of repairables to priority classes, optimal spare parts stock levels follow from Newsvendor equations. Next, we develop fast and effective heuristics for the assignment of repairables to priority classes. Subsequently, we compare the performance of the system under these static priorities to the case with a First-Come First-Served (FCFS) service discipline. We show that in many cases static priorities reduce total inventory holding and backordering costs by more than 40%. Finally, we analyse the effect of the number of priority classes. We show that 2 priority classes suffice to obtain 90% of the maximal savings via static priorities.
COVALENT MOLECULAR BINDING IN A SUSY BACKGROUND
Authors: CLAVELLI L. , SARKER SANJOY K.
Published: September 2009

The Pauli exclusion principle plays an essential role in the structure of the current universe. However, in an exactly supersymmetric (susy) universe, the degeneracy of bosons and fermions plus the ability of fermions to convert in pairs to bosons implies that the effects of the Pauli principle would be largely absent. Such a universe may eventually occur through vacuum decay from our current positive vacuum energy universe to the zero vacuum energy universe of exact susy. It has been shown that in such a susy universe ionic molecular binding does exist but homonuclear diatomic molecules are left unbound. In this paper we provide a first look at covalent binding in a susy background and compare the properties of the homonuclear bound states with those of the corresponding molecules in our universe. We find that covalent binding of diatomic molecules is very strong in an exact susy universe and the interatomic distances are in general much smaller than in the broken susy universe.
QUANTUM INFORMATION PROCESSING IN AN ARRAY OF SUPERCONDUCTING TRANSMISSION LINE RESONATORS
Authors: LI JIAN , ZOU JIAN , SHAO BIN
Published: September 2009

We consider a one-dimensional array of superconducting transmission line resonators (TLRs). The TLRs are coupled by current-biased Josephson junctions, which act as tunable couplers between each two nearest TLRs, and a superconducting qubit is fabricated in the center of each TLR. We show that some important quantum information processing, such as quantum state transfer and preparation of remote entanglement, can be achieved in this system, and we also propose a scheme for generating the W-class states.
ACTIVE SEGMENTATION
Authors: MISHRA AJAY K. , ALOIMONOS YIANNIS
Published: September 2009

The human visual system observes and understands a scene/image by making a series of fixations. Every "fixation point" lies inside a particular region of arbitrary shape and size in the scene which can either be an object or just a part of it. We define as a basic segmentation problem the task of segmenting that region containing the "fixation point". Segmenting the region containing the fixation is equivalent to finding the enclosing contour — a connected set of boundary edge fragments in the edge map of the scene — around the fixation. This enclosing contour should be a depth boundary.

We present here a novel algorithm that finds this bounding contour and achieves the segmentation of one object, given the fixation. The proposed segmentation framework combines monocular cues (color/intensity/texture) with stereo and/or motion, in a cue independent manner. The semantic robots of the immediate future will be able to use this algorithm to automatically find objects in any environment. The capability of automatically segmenting objects in their visual field can bring the visual processing to the next level. Our approach is different from current approaches. While existing work attempts to segment the whole scene at once into many areas, we segment only one image region, specifically the one containing the fixation point. Experiments with real imagery collected by our active robot and from the known databases1 demonstrate the promise of the approach.
SOFT IDEALS AND GENERALIZED FUZZY IDEALS IN SEMIGROUPS
Authors: SHABIR MUHAMMAD , ALI MUHAMMAD IRFAN
Published: September 2009

A soft semigroup over a semigroup is a collection of subsemigroups. Similarly, a soft ideal over a semigroup is a collection of ideals of the semigroup. As a natural consequence, the idea of soft ideals of a soft semigroup originates. Soft ideals over a semigroup with a fixed set of parameters form a distributive lattice. Soft sets are a very handy tool. Soft ideals over a semigroup characterize generalized fuzzy ideals and fuzzy ideals with thresholds of S.
Hyperincident connected components of tagging networks
Authors: Neubauer Nicolas , Obermayer Klaus
Published: September 2009

Data created by social bookmarking systems can be described as 3-partite 3-uniform hypergraphs connecting documents, users, and tags (tagging networks), such that the toolbox of complex network analysis can be applied to examine their properties. One of the most basic tools, the analysis of connected components, however cannot be applied meaningfully: Tagging networks tend to be almost entirely connected. We therefore propose a generalization of connected components,
m
-hyperincident connected components. We show that decomposing tagging networks into 2-hyperincident connected components yields a characteristic component distribution with a salient giant component that can be found across various datasets. This pattern changes if the underlying formation process changes, for example, if the hypergraph is constructed from search logs, or if the tagging data is contaminated by spam: It turns out that the second- to 129th largest components of the spam-labeled Bibsonomy dataset are inhabited exclusively by spam users. Based on these findings, we propose and unsupervised method for spam detection.
Communications Surveillance: Privacy and Security at Risk
Authors: Diffie Whitfield , Landau Susan
Published: September 2009

We all know the scene: It is the basement of an apartment building and the lights are dim. The man is wearing a trench coat and a fedora pulled down low to hide his face. Between the hat and the coat we see headphones, and he appears to be listening intently to the output of a set of alligator clips attached to a phone line. He is a detective eavesdropping on a suspect’s phone calls. This is wiretapping. It doesn’t have much to do with modern electronic eavesdropping, which is about bits, packets, switches, and routers.
Credit Risk Models
Authors: Jarrow Robert A.
Published: September 2009

This paper reviews the literature on credit risk models. Topics included are structural and reduced form models, incomplete information, credit derivatives, and default contagion. It is argued that reduced form models and not structural models are appropriate for the pricing and hedging of credit-risky securities. Directions for future research are discussed.
Different impacts of saturated and unsaturated free fatty acids on COX-2 expression in C2C12myotubes
Authors: Kadotani Akito , Tsuchiya Yo , Hatakeyama Hiroyasu , Katagiri Hideki , Kanzaki Makoto
Published: September 2009

In skeletal muscle, saturated free fatty acids (FFAs) act as proinflammatory stimuli, and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is a pro/anti-inflammatory enzyme induced at sites of inflammation, which contributes to prostaglandin production. However, little is known about the regulation of COX-2 expression and its responses to FFAs in skeletal muscle. Herein, we examined the effects of saturated and unsaturated FFAs, including a recently identified lipokine (lipid hormone derived from adipocytes), palmitoleate, on COX-2 expression in C2C12myotubes as a skeletal muscle model. Exposure of myotubes to saturated FFAs [palmitate (16:0) and stearate (18:0)], but not to unsaturated FFAs [palmitoleate (16:1), oleate (18:1), and linoleate (18:2)], led to a slow-onset induction of COX-2 expression and subsequent prostaglandin E2production via mechanisms involving the p38 MAPK and NF-κB but not the PKCθ signaling cascades. Pharmacological modulation of mitochondrial oxidative function failed to interfere with COX-2 expression, suggesting the mitochondrial overload/excessive β-oxidation contribution to this event to be minimal. On the contrary, unsaturated FFAs appeared to effectively antagonize palmitate-induced COX-2 expression with markedly different potencies (linoleate > oleate > palmitoleate), being highly associated with the suppressive profile of each unsaturated FFA toward palmitate-evoked intracellular signals, including p38, JNK, ERK1/2 MAPKs, and PKCθ, as well as IκB degradation. In addition, our data suggest little involvement of PPAR in the protective actions of unsaturated FFAs against palmitate-induced COX-2 expression. No direct contribution of the increased COX-2 activity in generating palmitate-induced insulin resistance was detected, at least in terms of insulin-responsive Akt phosphorylation and GLUT4 translocation. Taken together, our data provide a novel insight into the molecular mechanisms responsible for the FFA-induced COX-2 expression in skeletal muscle and raise the possibility that, in skeletal myocytes, COX-2 and its product prostaglandins may play an important role in the complex inflammation responses caused by elevated FFAs, for example, in the diabetic state.