bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sensitivity of Plastic Response of Defective Pipeline Girth Welds to the Stress-Strain Behavior of Base and Weld Metal
Authors: Hertelé Stijn , De Waele Wim , Denys Rudi , Verstraete Matthias
Published: February 2013

One of the key parameters influencing the acceptability of a pipeline girth weld defect subjected to remote plastic deformation is the strength mismatch between weld and base metal. However, no single definition exists for weld strength mismatch, as it can be defined either on the basis of yield stress, ultimate tensile stress or any intermediate flow stress. To investigate the relevance of such definitions, the authors have performed a series of analyses of curved wide plate tests, using a validated parametric finite element model. The results indicate that, whereas yield stress overmatch determines crack driving force for small plastic strains, ultimate tensile stress overmatch is the more important parameter for advanced plastic strains and determines the eventual failure mode. Further, the strain capacity and exact crack driving force curve are additionally determined by uniform elongation and crack growth resistance.
Experimental and Numerical Study of Wake Interference and Clashing Between Steel Catenary Risers
Authors: Fontaine E. , Capul J. , Rippol T. , Lespinasse P.
Published: February 2013

The aim of this work is to estimate the risk of clashing between steel catenary risers (SCRs) due to wake interference. More generally, the validity of clearance analysis between risers as recommended by design codes is discussed. Considering the complexity of the problem, theoretical, numerical, and experimental approaches have been used jointly. Similitude rules have been investigated to reproduce wake induced oscillations (WIO) at model scale. Different regimes have been identified (stable, unstable, and critical) depending on the intensity and effects of WIO. The validity of steady wake models used in the industry is discussed in view of the experimental data. Finally, onset criteria for WIO and clashing are proposed based on comparison between experimental and numerical results.
A Simplified Thermal Analysis of Elastohydrodynamic Contacts
Authors: Guilbault Raynald
Published: February 2013

Under elastohydrodynamic (EHL) conditions, the temperature in the contact zone determines the load resistance of the lubricant film. Therefore, an efficient assessment of the scuffing risks requires accurate contact temperature predictions. The work presented in this paper develops a simple and prompt temperature model exploitable within any thermal EHL modeling approach. The model incorporates a multilayer lubricant film representation for the heat equation solution. The developments also include an original heat repartition factor expression and a simple formula for handling intermediate values of the Peclet number. The rolling/sliding conditions in the inlet cause temperature rises that also affect the film resistance in the contact zone; this study proposes an inlet temperature rise equation. This formula offers temperature predictions in agreement with reference values. The contact zone temperature predictions for the line of contact problem under sliding/rolling conditions agree remarkably well with published numerical results; for the evaluations presenting the higher absolute difference, the correspondence remained over 94% and 95% for the maximum and mean temperatures, respectively. Both line and elliptical contact conditions were tested and compared to experimental data available in the literature. The analysis evidenced the precision of the estimates; thus attesting to the accuracy of the model under any contact conditions. Finally, the results indicate that, depending on the pressure and speed combination, the shearing zone may occupy around 30% of the film thickness.
Obtaining Time-Varying Pulsatile Gas Flow Rates With the Help of Dynamic Pressure Difference and Other Measurements for an Orifice-Plate Meter
Authors: Narain A. , Ajotikar N. , Kivisalu M. T. , Rice A. F. , Zhao M. , Shankar N.
Published: February 2013

Use of a conventional orifice-plate meter is typically restricted to measurements of steady flow rates. For any gas flowing within a duct in a pulsatile manner (i.e., large amplitude mass flow rate fluctuations relative to its steady-in-the-mean value), this paper proposes a new and effective approach for obtaining its time-varying mass flow rate at a specified cross section of an orifice meter. The approach requires time-varying (dynamic) pressure difference measurements across an orifice-plate meter, time-averaged mass flow rate measurements from a separate device (e.g., Coriolis meter), and a dynamic absolute pressure measurement. Steady-in-the-mean turbulent gas flows (Reynolds number ≫2300) with low mean Mach numbers (<0.2) exhibit effectively constant densities over long time-durations and are often made pulsatile by the presence of rotary or oscillatory devices that drive the flow (compressors, pumps, pulsators, etc.). In these pulsatile flows, both flow rate and pressure-difference fluctuation amplitudes at or near the device driver frequency (or its harmonics) are large relative to their steady mean values. The time-varying flow rate values are often affected by transient compressibility effects associated with acoustic waves. If fast Fourier transforms of the absolute pressure and pressure-difference measurements indicate that the predominant frequency is characterized by fp, then the acoustic effects lead to a nonnegligible rate of change of stored mass (associated with density changes) over short time durations (∼ 1/fP) and modest volumes of interest. As a result, for the same steady mean mass flow rate, the time variations (that resolve these density changes over short durations) of mass flow rates associated with pulsatile (and turbulent) gas flows are often different at different cross sections of the orifice meter (or duct). Together with the experimental measurements concurrently obtained from the three recommended devices, a suitable computational approach (as proposed and presented here) is a requirement for effectively converting the experimental information on time-varying pressure and pressure-difference values into the desired dynamic mass flow rate values. The mean mass flow rate measurement assists in eliminating variations in its predictions that arise from the use of turbulent flow simulation capabilities. Two independent verification approaches establish that the proposed measurement approach works well.
Measurement of the Auger parameter and Wagner plot for uranium compounds
Authors: Holliday Kiel S. , Siekhaus Wigbert , Nelson Art J.
Published: February 2013

In this study, the photoemission from the U 4f7/2 and 4d5/2 states and the U N6O45O45 and N67O45V x-ray excited Auger transitions were measured for a range of uranium compounds. The data are presented in Wagner plots and the Auger parameter is calculated to determine the utility of this technique in the analysis of uranium materials. It was demonstrated that the equal core-level shift assumption holds for uranium. It was therefore possible to quantify the relative relaxation energies, and uranium was found to have localized core-hole shielding. The position of compounds within the Wagner plot made it possible to infer information on bonding character and local electron density. The relative ionicity of the uranium compounds studied follows the trend UF4 > UO3 > U3O8 > U4O9/U3O7 ≈ UO2 > URu2Si2.
Anaerobic α-Amylase Production and Secretion with Fumarate as the Final Electron Acceptor in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Liu Zihe , Österlund Tobias , Hou Jin , Petranovic Dina , Nielsen Jens
Published: February 2013

In this study, we focus on production of heterologous α-amylase in the yeast
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
under anaerobic conditions. We compare the metabolic fluxes and transcriptional regulation under aerobic and anaerobic conditions, with the objective of identifying the final electron acceptor for protein folding under anaerobic conditions. We find that yeast produces more amylase under anaerobic conditions than under aerobic conditions, and we propose a model for electron transfer under anaerobic conditions. According to our model, during protein folding the electrons from the endoplasmic reticulum are transferred to fumarate as the final electron acceptor. This model is supported by findings that the addition of fumarate under anaerobic (but not aerobic) conditions improves cell growth, specifically in the α-amylase-producing strain, in which it is not used as a carbon source. Our results provide a model for the molecular mechanism of anaerobic protein secretion using fumarate as the final electron acceptor, which may allow for further engineering of yeast for improved protein secretion under anaerobic growth conditions.
Role of PelF in Pel Polysaccharide Biosynthesis in Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Ghafoor Aamir , Jordens Zoe , Rehm Bernd H. A.
Published: February 2013

Pseudomonas aeruginosa
produces three exopolysaccharides, Psl, Pel, and alginate, that play vital roles in biofilm formation. Pel is a glucose-rich, cellulose-like exopolysaccharide. The essential Pel biosynthesis proteins are encoded by seven genes,
pelA
to
pelG
. Bioinformatics analysis suggests that PelF is a cytosolic glycosyltransferase. Here, experimental evidence was provided to support this PelF function. A UDP-glucose dehydrogenase-based assay was developed to quantify UDP-glucose. UDP-glucose was proposed as the substrate for PelF. The isogenic
pelF
deletion mutant accumulated 1.8 times more UDP-glucose in its cytosol than the wild type. This suggested that PelF, which was found localized in the cystosol, uses UDP-glucose as substrate. Additionally,
in vitro
experiments confirmed that PelF uses UDP-glucose as substrate. To analyze the functional roles of conserved residues in PelF, site-directed mutagenesis was performed. The presence of the EX
7
E motif is characteristic for various glycosyltransferase families, and in PelF, E405/E413 are the conserved residues in this motif. Replacement of E405 with A resulted in a reduction of PelF activity to 30.35% ± 3.15% (mean ± standard deviation) of the wild-type level, whereas replacement of the second E, E413, with A did not produce a significant change in the activity of PelF. Moreover, replacement of both E residues did not result in a loss of PelF function, but replacement of the conserved R325 or K330 with A resulted in a complete loss of PelF activity. Overall, our data show that PelF is a soluble glycosyltransferase that uses UDP-glucose as the substrate for Pel synthesis and that conserved residues R325 and K330 are important for the activity of PelF.
FK506 Maturation Involves a Cytochrome P450 Protein-Catalyzed Four-Electron C-9 Oxidation in Parallel with a C-31O-Methylation
Authors: Chen Dandan , Zhang Lihan , Pang Bo , Chen Jing , Xu Zhinan , Abe Ikuro , Liu Wen
Published: February 2013

FK506, structurally similar to FK520 and rapamycin, is an α-keto amide bonding-containing, macrolide natural product that exhibits potent immunosuppressive activity and moderate antifungal activity. FK506 biosynthesis requires a hybrid polyketide synthase (PKS)-nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) system to construct the skeleton of the macrolide. The mechanism for tailoring this macrolide to furnish FK506 remains poorly understood. In this study, we report a maturation paradigm common for FK506, FK520, and rapamycin, by characterizing two conserved regiospecific, post-PKS-NRPS modifications in an FK506-producingStreptomyces tsukubaensisstrain. A cytochrome P450 protein, FkbD, catalyzes a less common, four-electron oxidation at C-9 to give a rarely found α-keto amide group, whereas a methyltransferase, FkbM, is responsible forO-methylation at C-31 to afford a methoxy group. Both FkbD and FkbM are highly tolerant in their substrate choice; therefore, the order of FkbD- and FkbM-catalyzed reactions is interchangeable in the FK506 biosynthetic pathway. Inactivation offkbDproduced a new intermediate, 9-deoxo-FK506, which displayed antifungal activity lower than that of FK506. Taking previously reported bioassay results regarding the intermediates 9-deoxo-31-O-demethyl-FK506 and 31-O-demethyl-FK506 into account, it is clear that the modifications catalyzed by FkbD and FkbM are of importance to reach the full biological activity of FK506 by forming a key structure motif that is necessary for interaction of the molecule with the receptor and, subsequently, the downstream intracellular responses.
Disulfide Bond Oxidoreductase DsbA2 of Legionella pneumophila Exhibits Protein Disulfide Isomerase Activity
Authors: Kpadeh Zegbeh Z. , Jameson-Lee Max , Yeh Anthony J. , Chertihin Olga , Shumilin Igor A. , Dey Rafik , Day Shandra R. , Hoffman Paul S.
Published: February 2013

The extracytoplasmic assembly of the Dot/Icm type IVb secretion system (T4SS) ofLegionella pneumophilais dependent on correct disulfide bond (DSB) formation catalyzed by a novel and essential disulfide bond oxidoreductase DsbA2 and not by DsbA1, a second nonessential DSB oxidoreductase. DsbA2, which is widely distributed in the microbial world, is phylogenetically distinct from the canonical DsbA oxidase and the DsbC protein disulfide isomerase (PDI)/reductase ofEscherichia coli. Here we show that the extended N-terminal amino acid sequence of DsbA2 (relative to DsbA proteins) contains a highly conserved 27-amino-acid dimerization domain enabling the protein to form a homodimer. Complementation tests withE. colimutants established thatL. pneumophila dsbA1, but not thedsbA2strain, restored motility to adsbAmutant. In a protein-folding PDI detector assay, thedsbA2strain, but not thedsbA1strain, complemented adsbCmutant ofE. coli. Deletion of the dimerization domain sequences from DsbA2 produced the monomer (DsbA2N), which no longer exhibited PDI activity but complemented theE. coli dsbAmutant. PDI activity was demonstratedin vitrofor DsbA2 but not DsbA1 in a nitrocefin-based mutant TEM β-lactamase folding assay. In an insulin reduction assay, DsbA2N activity was intermediate between those of DsbA2 and DsbA1. InL. pneumophila, DsbA2 was maintained as a mixture of thiol and disulfide forms, while inE. coli, DsbA2 was present as the reduced thiol. Our studies suggest that DsbA2 is a naturally occurring bifunctional disulfide bond oxidoreductase that may be uniquely suited to the majority of intracellular bacterial pathogens expressing T4SSs as well as in many slow-growing soil and aquatic bacteria.
DNA-Damaging Agents Induce the RecA-Independent Homologous Recombination Functions of Integrating Conjugative Elements of the SXT/R391 Family
Authors: Garriss Geneviève , Poulin-Laprade Dominic , Burrus Vincent
Published: February 2013

Integrating conjugative elements (ICEs) of the SXT/R391 family are major contributors to the spread of antibiotic resistance genes. These elements also catalyze their own diversity by promoting inter-ICE recombination through the action of the RecA-independent homologous recombination system that they encode. Here, we report that expression of this recombination system, which consists of the single-stranded DNA annealing protein Bet and the exonuclease Exo, is induced by DNA-damaging agents via ICE-encoded transcriptional regulators. We show that thebetandexogenes are part of a large polycistronic transcript that contains many conserved ICE genes that are not involved in the main integration/excision and conjugative transfer processes. We show that although the recombination genes are highly transcribed, their translation is subject to additional strong regulatory mechanisms. We also show that an ICE-encoded putative single-stranded DNA binding protein (Ssb) limits hybrid ICE formation. Finally, a thoroughin silicoanalysis reveals that orthologues of Bet and Exo are widely distributed in bacterial strains belonging to very distantly related bacterial species and are carried by various mobile genetic elements. Phylogenetic analyses suggest that the annealing proteins and exonucleases that compose these systems sometimes have different evolutionary origins, underscoring the strong selective pressure to maintain the functionality of these unrelated cooperating proteins.
The stem cell marker CD133 is highly expressed in sessile serrated adenoma and its borderline variant compared with hyperplastic polyp
Authors: Mohammadi Mahin , Bzorek Michael , Bonde Jesper Hansen , Nielsen Hans J , Holck Susanne
Published: February 2013

Non-dysplastic serrated polyps (ND-SP) represent a heterogeneous group of colorectal lesions that comprise hyperplastic polyp (HP) and the non-dysplastic subset of sessile serrated adenoma/polyp/lesion (SSA/P/L) and its borderline variant (BSSA/P/L). Given the observer variation in their histological typing, the identification of reliable markers that assist in the characterisation is warranted. Most important is the identification of polyp qualities that may reflect the patients’ risk of developing colorectal cancer. To address these issues, CD133 may represent a potential adjunct. Here we studied the discriminatory value of CD133 expression in the classification of ND-SPs and its distribution pattern in relation to synchronous colorectal carcinoma (SCRC). 39 SSA/P/Ls, 27 BSSA/P/Ls and 21 matched HPs were immunostained for CD133. The data were further correlated to the presence of SCRC and to polyp site and size. Ignoring SCRC status, CD133 was expressed more prominently in SSA/P/Ls than in HPs. The values for BSSA/P/Ls fell in between, yet closer to the SSA/P/L scorings. This observation was retained in the context of SCRC and for SSA/P/Ls not associated with SCRC. Right-sidedness and large size of the polyps more commonly associated with increased CD133 expression. CD133 expression was not a significant discriminator as to the SCRC status. BSSA/P/Ls are more closely aligned to SSA/P/L and further that SSA/P/L and BSSA/P/Ls fundamentally differ from HP by their CD133 immunoprofile, a notion that can be exploited in the diagnostic routine practice. Recorded data further indirectly support the idea that SSA/P/Ls are more prone to neoplastic progression than are HPs.
Downregulation of the Novel Tumor Suppressor DIRAS1 Predicts Poor Prognosis in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Zhu Ying-Hui , Fu Li , Chen Leilei , Qin Yan-Ru , Liu Haibo , Xie Fajun , Zeng Tingting , Dong Sui-Sui , Li Jiangchao , Li Yan , Dai Yongdong , Xie Dan , Guan Xin-Yuan
Published: February 2013

Loss of chromosome 19p is one of the most frequent allelic imbalances in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), suggesting the existence of one or more tumor suppressor genes within this region. In this study, we investigated a role in ESCCs for a candidate tumor suppressor gene located at 19p13.3, the Ras-like small GTPase DIRAS1. Downregulation of DIRAS1 occurred in approximately 50% of primary ESCCs where it was associated significantly with advanced clinical stage, lymph node metastasis, and poor overall survival. LOH and promoter methylation analyses suggested that loss of DIRAS1 expression was mediated by epigenetic mechanisms. Functional studies established that ectopic re-expression of DIRAS1 in ESCC cells inhibited cell proliferation, clonogenicity, cell motility, and tumor formation. Mechanistic investigations suggested that DIRAS1 acted through extracellular signal–regulated kinase (ERK1/2; MAPK3/1) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK; MAPK14) signaling to trigger BAD Ser112 dephosphorylation and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)2/9 transcriptional inactivation to promote apoptosis and inhibit metastasis, respectively. Taken together, our results revealed that DIRAS1 has a pivotal function in ESCC pathogenesis, with possible use as a biomarker and intervention point for new therapeutic strategies. Cancer Res; 73(7); 2298–309. ©2013 AACR.
Drug–Gene Modeling in Pediatric T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Highlights Importance of 6-Mercaptopurine for Outcome
Authors: Beesley Alex H. , Firth Martin J. , Anderson Denise , Samuels Amy L. , Ford Jette , Kees Ursula R.
Published: February 2013

Patients relapsing with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) face a dismal outcome. The aim of this study was to identify new markers of drug resistance and clinical response in T-ALL. We measured gene expression and drug sensitivity in 15 pediatric T-ALL cell lines to find signatures predictive of resistance to 10 agents used in therapy. These were used to generate a model for outcome prediction in patient cohorts using microarray data from diagnosis specimens. In three independent T-ALL cohorts, the 10-drug model was able to accurately identify patient outcome, indicating that the in vitro–derived drug–gene profiles were clinically relevant. Importantly, predictions of outcome within each cohort were linked to distinct drugs, suggesting that different mechanisms contribute to relapse. Sulfite oxidase (SUOX) expression and the drug-transporter ABCC1 (MRP1) were linked to thiopurine sensitivity, suggesting novel pathways for targeting resistance. This study advances our understanding of drug resistance in T-ALL and provides new markers for patient stratification. The results suggest potential benefit from the earlier use of 6-mercaptopurine in T-ALL therapy or the development of adjuvants that may sensitize blasts to this drug. The methodology developed in this study could be applied to other cancers to achieve patient stratification at the time of diagnosis. Cancer Res; 73(9); 2749–59. ©2013 AACR.
The Use of Analogies in Drafting the Articles on the Responsibility of International Organizations An Appraisal of the ‘Copy-Paste Approach’
Authors: Ahlborn Christiane
Published: February 2013

In view of the adoption and future reception of the Articles on the Responsibility of International Organizations (ARIO) on second reading, this contribution seeks to offer some reflections on the ‘copy-paste narrative’ that has characterized the process of drafting the ARIO by the International Law Commission (ILC). On the basis of a brief introduction to the concept of analogies in international law, it is explained that the use of analogies is not to be equated with a mechanical exercise of copy-pasting legal rules; rather, it constitutes a method of legal reasoning based on a principled assessment of relevant similarities and differences. By comparing the ARIO with the ILC’s Articles on State Responsibility (ASR), it will be demonstrated that the ARIO actually do not follow the example of the ASR in many key provisions. Interestingly, much of the critique of the ARIO has been directed against these dissimilar provisions, especially when they concern the relations between an international organization and its member States. Since this critique is mainly driven by considerable uncertainty as to the determination of the responsible actor(s), it will be suggested that the ILC should have used closer analogies with the ASR in order to enhance the overall coherence of the law of international responsibility. This is because, as argued in conclusion, the corporate complexity of international organizations and States may necessitate a unified set of Articles on International Responsibility.
Intentional Side-Effects of Action
Authors: Scaife Robin , Webber Jonathan
Published: February 2013

Certain recent experiments are often taken to show that people are far more likely to classify a foreseen side-effect of an action as intentional when that side-effect has some negative normative valence. While there is some disagreement over the details, there is broad consensus among experimental philosophers that this is the finding. We challenge this consensus by presenting an alternative interpretation of the experiments, according to which they show that a side-effect is classified as intentional only if the agent considered its relative importance when deciding on the action. We present two new experiments whose results can be explained by our hypothesis but not by any version of the consensus view. In the course of doing so, we develop a methodological critique of the previous literature on this topic and draw from it lessons for future experimental philosophy research.
Understanding Kant’s Duty of Respect as a Duty of Virtue
Authors: Seymour Fahmy Melissa
Published: February 2013

In the Doctrine of Virtue Kant declares that “Only an end that is also a duty can be called a duty of virtue” (MS 6:383). In the same text Kant refers to the duty of respect for others as a duty of virtue. It follows that the duty of respect must correspond to some end that is also a duty. What is this end? This paper endeavors to answer this question. Though Kant explicitly identifies two obligatory ends—one’s own perfection and the happiness of others (MS 6:385)—neither is a good candidate for the end which corresponds to the duty of respect. This paper examines two plausible candidates—others’ humanity and others’ self-esteem—arguing that the latter is preferable insofar as it accords better with what Kant says about the vice of defamation, respecting others in the logical use of their reason, and respectful beneficence.
Territorial Rights, Political Association, and Immigration
Authors: Lægaard Sune
Published: February 2013

Liberals conceive of territorial rights as dependent on the legitimacy of the state, which is in turn understood in terms of the state’s protection of individual rights and freedoms. Such justifications of territorial rights have difficulties in addressing the right to control immigration, which is therefore in need of additional justification. The paper considers Christopher Heath Wellman’s liberal proposal for justifying the right to control immigration, which understands the right as derivative of a general right to freedom of association held collectively by the people of the state. The paper argues that state legitimacy and freedom of political association fail to connect in the way required to justify a right to control immigration. Wellman’s argument conflates the state as an institution and the people as a political collective and elides the difference between territorial jurisdiction and associational freedom.
Blasphemy As Violence: Trying to Understand the Kind of Injury That Can Be Inflicted by Acts and Artefacts That Are Construed As Blasphemy
Authors: Baumgartner Christoph
Published: February 2013

This article suggests an understanding of blasphemy as violence that enables us to identify various kinds of injury that can be inflicted by blasphemous acts and artefacts. Understanding blasphemy as violence can take three forms: physical violence, indirect intersubjective violence, and psychological violence. The conditions that allow for an understanding of blasphemy as physical violence depend on very specific religious assumptions. This is different in the case of indirect intersubjective violence that can take effect in social circumstances where certain forms of blasphemy reinforce existing negative stereotypes of believers. The analysis of blasphemy as psychological violence reveals that interpretations according to which believers who take offense to blasphemy are ‘backward’ and ‘unenlightened’ do not suffice to explain the conditions of the insult that is felt by some believers. The article shows that these conditions can be explained by means of Harry Frankfurt’s philosophical theory of caring.
Metal transfer and arc behaviour of novel consumable and non-consumable electrode indirect arc droplet welding
Authors: Wang J , Wu D , Liao P , Tian C Y , Li M Q , Feng J C
Published: February 2013

The consumable and non-consumable electrode indirect arc droplet welding is a novel method that applies an indirect arc generated between a consumable electrode and a non-consumable electrode to welding. It was successfully used to overlap join the thin zinc coated steel plate. In the point to point (consumable electrode and non-consumable electrode) configuration, the stable metal transfer was obtained. The globular, projected spray and streaming spray transfer modes were promoted. With the increase in welding power, the metal transfer became faster and more stable. At the same time, the indirect arc became brighter, smaller and more stable. The arc self-regulation guaranteed the stable burning of the indirect arc. The desire stability was observed from the fluctuation of the welding current and the arc voltage waveforms. The side concentrated melting on the root of the droplet produced high pinch effect, which facilitated the detachment of the droplet.
Characterization of IGH locus breakpoints in multiple myeloma indicates a subset of translocations appear to occur in pregerminal center B cells
Authors: Walker Brian A. , Wardell Christopher P. , Johnson David C. , Kaiser Martin F. , Begum Dil B. , Dahir Nasrin B. , Ross Fiona M. , Davies Faith E. , Gonzalez David , Morgan Gareth J.
Published: February 2013

Key Points

IGH translocations in myeloma can occur through at least 5 mechanisms. t(11;14) and t(14;20) DH-JH rearrangement-mediated translocations occur indicating these appear to occur in a pregerminal center cell.
Exploring factors influencing asthma control and asthma-specific health-related quality of life among children
Authors: Gandhi Pranav K , Kenzik Kelly M , Thompson Lindsay A , DeWalt Darren A , Revicki Dennis A , Shenkman Elizabeth A , Huang I-Chan
Published: February 2013

Background

Little is known about factors contributing to children’s asthma control status and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The study objectives were to assess the relationship between asthma control and asthma-specific HRQoL in asthmatic children, and to examine the extent to which parental health literacy, perceived self-efficacy with patient-physician interaction, and satisfaction with shared decision-making (SDM) contribute to children’s asthma control and asthma-specific HRQoL.

Methods

This cross-sectional study utilized data collected from a sample of asthmatic children (n = 160) aged 8–17 years and their parents (n = 160) who visited a university medical center. Asthma-specific HRQoL was self-reported by children using the National Institutes of Health’s Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Pediatric Asthma Impact Scale. Satisfaction with SDM, perceived self-efficacy with patient-physician interaction, parental health literacy, and asthma control were reported by parents using standardized measures. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was performed to test the hypothesized pathways.

Results

Path analysis revealed that children with better asthma control reported higher asthma-specific HRQoL (β = 0.4, P < 0.001). Parents with higher health literacy and greater perceived self-efficacy with patient-physician interactions were associated with higher satisfaction with SDM (β = 0.38, P < 0.05; β = 0.58, P < 0.001, respectively). Greater satisfaction with SDM was in turn associated with better asthma control (β = −0.26, P < 0.01).

Conclusion

Children’s asthma control status influenced their asthma-specific HRQoL. However, parental factors such as perceived self-efficacy with patient-physician interaction and satisfaction with shared decision-making indirectly influenced children’s asthma control status and asthma-specific HRQoL.
Babesia microti:an unusual travel-related disease
Authors: Poisnel Elodie , Ebbo Mikael , Berda-Haddad Yael , Faucher Benoit , Bernit Emmanuelle , Carcy Bernard , Piarroux Renaud , Harlé Jean-Robert , Schleinitz Nicolas
Published: February 2013

Background

Human babesiosis is a rare tick-borne infectious disease. The clinical presentation ranges from an asymptomatic form to a life threatening infection with severe hemolysis. Human babesiosis due to Babesia microti is the most common and is endemic in North America.

Case presentation

We report a European patient with severe pancytopenia and reactive hemophagocytosis related to a Babesia microti infection. Babesia infection was acquired during a travel in the USA.

Conclusion

Babesiosis should be considered in patients who traveled in endemic areas, especially North America for the most common agent Babesia microti.
Desmoid tumor of posterior cruciate ligament of the knee: a case report
Authors: Ling Wang , Kedong Song , Hong Wang , Weiguo Zhang , Decheng Lv
Published: February 2013

Background

Desmoid tumor is a rare type of cancer that develops in the tissues that form tendons and ligaments. These tumors, also called aggressive fibromatosis, are considered benign with no metastatic potential. They may invade nearby tissues and organs, however, and can be difficult to control. Desmoid tumor in the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) of the knee has never been described in the literature.

Case presentation

A 49-year-old man presented with a 2-month history of posteromedial knee dull pain and decreased range of motion of the knee. He was diagnosed desmoid tumor of posterior cruciate ligament of the knee by intraoperative biopsy, and underwent successful PCL resection and reconstruction by Four-strand semitendinosus and gracilis tendon autograft arthroscopically, and fortunately five years after operation, there were no clues as to recurrence of the tumor examined by Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).

Conclusion

Desmoid tumor is characterized by infiltrative growth and a tendency towards recurrence,as this tumor entity is rare, data giving evidence based recommendations for the optimal treatment algorithm for this disease is lacking. At present there is no definite and effective method of treatment. However, early detection of the tumor play an important role, MRI is now the most important method for the detection of tumor extent, which facilitates the treatment choice as well as the prediction of prognosis. In our case, we followed-up the patient five years postoperatively by MRI and got a good result.
A framework for scientific advice on health: EuSANH’s principles and guidelines
Authors: Sarría-Santamera Antonio , Schoten Eert J , Coenen Theodora MM , Gunning-Schepers Louise J , Pauwels André , Allander Susanne V , Wysocki Miroslaw J , Ciutan Marius , Segovia Carlos
Published: February 2013

Background

Society expects politicians to make sound decisions by bringing the best evidence to bear on the health problems in question. Performing this task requires access to independent sources of sound scientific advice. The European Science Advisory Network for Health (EuSANH) is a network of national science advisory bodies in Europe which are active in the field of health and provide independent scientific advice to their authorities. The EuSANH addressed this question in a European project.

Methods

Guidelines and principles for producing sound advice have been formulated after international comparative evaluations and extensive discussions among participants of the EuSANH-ISA project with input from international experts.

Results

A framework for scientific advice on health has been produced.

Conclusions

This framework will ensure a uniform approach and thus opens possibilities for collaboration between science advisory bodies.
Mechanism of Thiol–Disulfide Exchange Reactions between DsbA and DsbB over a Wide pH Range
Authors: Yazawa Kenjiro , Furusawa Hiroyuki , Okahata Yoshio
Published: February 2013

We performed the transient kinetics of the oxidation reaction between DsbASH,SH and DsbBS–S,S–S embedded in supported lipid bilayers immobilized on a 27-MHz quartz-crystal microbalance, under various pH conditions, in order to investigate the pH-adaptability mechanism of the Dsb system. The obtained kinetic parameters indicated that two pairs of cysteine residues in DsbBS–S,S–S were important for both the stability of the DsbA–DsbB intermediate and the oxidation of DsbA over a wide pH range.
The black princess of elegance:The emergence of the female dandy
Authors: Yazan Senem
Published: February 2013

Departing from the French poet Charles Baudelaire’s reading, this study attempts to demonstrate that the male dandy, who attached great importance to his public image, turning his body into a work of art in the way he posed, dressed and behaved, was exploited in various forms,
by various groups of women between the 1840s and 1920s. While investigating the characteristics of dandyism and its manifestations in women who worked in the fields of literature, visual and performing arts, and lived in the context of the early feminist movement in turn-of-the-nineteenth-century
Paris and London, this article focuses primarily on the courtesans of the Second Empire, the male impersonators of the late Victorian theatre and the wealthy Anglo-American lesbian collective of the 1920s. As a part of the modern urban life and a marker of the instability and mobility of modern
gender identity, women found new ways to communicate, both sartorially and professionally, in a setting where men’s clothes, accessories, habits and lifestyles offered women independence. While locating female masculinities in the discourse of masculinity with its own history, characteristics
and representations in this ongoing process shaped by culture and choice, this approach endeavours to reveal female dandyism as a curious yet alluring way of relating to oneself in spite of the patriarchal culture.
‘Forget about them’: The invisible and fashionable Muslim women of Sex and the City
Authors: Esseghaier Mariam
Published: February 2013

The critically acclaimed television series Sex and the City aired for six seasons between 1998 and 2004. The programme, however, has been criticized for its promotion of heteronormativity and lack of racial diversity, a criticism that was maintained for the sequel to the first film,
Sex and the City 2, in which the four main characters take a trip to the United Arab Emirates, was panned by critics for its Orientalism. In a scene towards the end of the film, the Muslim women save the American women from religious Muslim men in the marketplace. In this sequence, the Muslim
women bring the American women into a room where they unveil themselves to reveal Louis Vuitton designer clothing under their abayas. Following this scene, the American characters wear abayas in order to escape. This scene corresponds to Mikhail Bakhtin’s ‘carnivalesque’,
in which traditional conventions are reversed and the characters behave outside their normative framework. However, I argue that in this context, such a masquerade fails to accomplish a reversal because of the underlying dominant colonialist power structures.
BOOK REPORTS
Authors: Tseëlon Efrat
Published: February 2013

The Color Revolution, Regina Lee Blaszczyk (2012) Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, (368pp.) 9780262017770, HB, $34.95Nordic Fashion Studies, Peter McNeil and Louise Wallenberg (eds) (2012) Stockholm: Axl Books, (368 pp.), 9789197859899, HB $35.
EXHIBITION REVIEWS
Authors: Knight Dacy , Atwan Shachar , Dekel-Caspi Sophia
Published: February 2013

19th Century Shapes: Reminiscence & Reinvention – ‘Cristobal Balenciaga: Collectionneur de modes’ and Comme des Garçons: ‘White Drama’ Familiar silhouettes, conducive to imitation and simulation, emerge in exhibitions of Balenciaga and Comme
des Garçons in ParisThe Elements Words are Made of, Zameret Compound, Tel Aviv, 1–23 March 2012Ad-Dress: Thoughts on Garments, the Jerusalem Artists’ House, The Israel Museum, Jerusalem, 21 May 2011–20 August 2011Insalaam, Inshalom, Beit Hair Center for
Urban Culture, Tel Aviv,27 November 2011–3 October 2012
FILM REVIEW
Authors: Mikulinsky Alma
Published: February 2013

Chic Point: Fashion for Israeli Checkpoints, (2003), Sharif Waked, Video DVD, 7 minutes.
Working-class women and women ‘working’ class: Literary masquerade in the inter-war years
Authors: Goggans Jan
Published: February 2013

In Distinction: A Social Critique of the Judgement of Taste (1984), Pierre Bourdieu argues that the individual who employs fashionable attire to create an impression of being higher in society than he or she is ‘constantly overshoots the mark for fear of falling short, betraying
his uncertainty and anxiety about belonging in his anxiety to show or give the impression that he belongs’. An opposite reading is presented in Footnotes on Shoes (Shari Benstock and Suzanne Ferris, 2001) and in Ladies of Labor, Girls of Adventure: Working Women, Popular culture, and
Labor Politics at the Turn of the Twentieth Century (Nan Enstad, 1999). Both provide examples and analyses of women who consciously overshoot the mark ‘because it feels good’ and because it functions as a means of controlling one’s own image. This tension is at the heart
of critical explorations into the practice of ‘class-passing’, a form of masquerade achieved through the visual technologies of beauty and fashion. Embedded within this practice is the question: Who manages the impression being created and for what purpose? This article looks closely
at two examples of literary class-passing in American literature of the inter-war years, 1919–1939. Both novels feature a female protagonist who attempts to transform her class position by donning garments ‘above’ her class station. Both novels were written by popular women
writers, Imitation of Life (1933) by Fannie Hurst and Stella Dallas (1923) by Olive Higgins Prouty, whose status as popular writers barred them from the restricted definition of serious, modernist literature that guided writers such as Ernest Hemingway, Joseph Conrad, James Joyce and Virginia
Woolf. The plots these and other women writers of the time created presented a lower-class protagonist who successfully class-passed through her assumption of high-brow fashions, in effect, fashioning herself into a different social position. For women writers of the time, this ability to
break seemingly unbreakable class barriers held special resonance; as popular, female writers, they held a similarly lower-class position within the literary canon, and the barriers against their critical acclaim were as seemingly unbreakable as the barriers against their class mobility. By
authoring texts of fashioned class-passing, these women writers acted out what they hoped to achieve in their own lives: an equally successful attempt at canonical passing.
Relação entre aterosclerose subclínica, pressão arterial e perfil lipídico em crianças e adolescentes obesos: uma revisão sistemática
Authors: Pizzi Juliana , Silva Larissa Rosa da , Moser Deise , Leite Neiva
Published: February 2013

O estudo teve como objetivo revisar sistematicamente a literatura sobre espessamento médio-intimal (EMI), pressão arterial (PA) e perfil lipídico (PL) de crianças e adolescentes obesos e não obesos. A busca foi realizada em bases de dados eletrônicas (PubMed, Bireme e Elsevier ScienceDirect) entre 2000-2010. Os seguintes descritores, em inglês, foram usados: "obesity", "adolescents", "atherosclerosis" e "child", sendo utilizadas duas combinações: obesity+child+atherosclerosis e obesity+adolescents+atherosclerosis. A busca eletrônica inicial resultou em 3.211 artigos. Após a aplicação dos critérios de inclusão, 13 artigos foram selecionados. Destes, dois estudos demonstraram correlação significativa entre EMI e as variáveis PA, LDL e triglicerídeos. Nos outros estudos, não houve correlações significativas. Houve grande variabilidade metodológica entre os estudos. No entanto, obesos apresentaram maiores valores de EMI, PA e PL.
Implementação de programa estruturado de hábitos de vida saudáveis para redução de risco cardiometabólico
Authors: Barros Camila Risso de , Cezaretto Adriana , Salvador Emanuel Péricles , Santos Tainá Carvalho dos , Siqueira-Catania Antonela , Ferreira Sandra R. G.
Published: February 2013

O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever a metodologia e a implementação de programa de mudanças no estilo de vida em indivíduos de risco cardiometabólico, usuários da rede pública de saúde em São Paulo. O Programa de Prevenção de Diabetes Mellitus (PDM) visa à melhora do quadro metabólico global de indivíduos com pré-diabetes ou síndrome metabólica sem diabetes, tendo como metas redução mínima de 5% do peso corporal inicial, consumo > 20 g de fibras alimentares e < 10% de gorduras saturadas por dia, além de prática > 150 minutos de atividade física por semana. A primeira edição do PDM apresentou duração de 18 meses e contou com equipe interdisciplinar (endocrinologista, psicóloga, nutricionista e educador físico) para o planejamento e realização de sessões em grupo com os participantes. A estrutura e a sistemática das sessões foram planejadas utilizando abordagem psicoeducativa para facilitar o processo de mudança de hábitos de vida. Com base na experiência com o PDM, algumas reflexões e recomendações são apontadas. Este estudo aponta caminhos para que profissionais da saúde possam juntos adaptar programas locais para promoção de hábitos de vida saudáveis, atuando sob uma nova perspectiva.
Cigarette smoke exposure severely reduces peripheral insulin sensitivity without changing GLUT4 expression in oxidative muscle of Wistar rats
Authors: Ebersbach-Silva Patricia , Alves Thamara , Fonseca Agatha Tomoko Sakata , Oliveira Marcia Aparecida do Nascimento , Machado Ubiratan Fabres , Seraphim Patricia Monteiro
Published: February 2013

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of exposure to cigarette smoke and running training on a treadmill on the expression of glucose transporter GLUT4 in oxidative soleus muscle of rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Wistar rats were divided into: (C) control, (E) exercise control, (SS), sedentary smoker, and (ES) exercise smoker. Insulin Tolerance Test, Western blotting, and RT-PCR were performed for the evaluation of GLUT4 levels. RESULTS: The SS group presented lower insulin sensitivity with reduced GLUT4 protein in the plasma membrane (PM), no changes in the microsomal fraction, but increased mRNA content. Training reversed this condition. No intervention altered total GLUT4 content of the oxidative muscle. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that passive smoking stimulates GLUT4 transcription without changing total protein content, but impairs the ability of GLUT4 translocation to the PM. On the other hand, training seems to reduce the deleterious effects, even under the influence of cigarette smoking.
Resistência de cultivares de videira ao ácaro-rajado Tetranychus urticae na região de Jales, estado de São Paulo
Authors: Valadão Gisele Santos , Vieira Marineide Rosa , Pigari Silvia Andreu Avelhaneda , Tabet Vinicius Gomes , Silva Aline Cristine Da
Published: February 2013

As videiras da região de Jales, Estado de São Paulo, têm sido intensamente atacadas pelo ácaro-rajado, Tetranychus urticae Koch. O presente trabalho teve por objetivo comparar cultivares de uva quanto à adequação como hospedeiras da espécie. Em experimento de campo, naquele local, a ocorrência da praga, ao longo de 12 meses, foi acompanhada nas cultivares de uvas finas, Itália e Benitaka, e na cultivar de uva rústica, Niagara Rosada. No laboratório, a biologia de T. urticae foi estudada nessas três cultivares e na 'Redimeire'. Na cultivar Niagara Rosada, o ácaro-rajado apresentou menor fecundidade e menor sobrevivência, indicando a presença de mecanismos de resistência por antibiose. Além disso, houve maior tentativa de fuga dessa cultivar, sugerindo resistência por não preferência.