bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
K+–Cl− cotransport mediates the bactericidal activity of neutrophils by regulating NADPH oxidase activation
Authors: Sun Yuan‐Ting , Shieh Chi‐Chang , Delpire Eric , Shen Meng‐Ru
Published: April 2012

Key points

Neutrophilic phagocytosis is essential for innate immunity against the bacterial infection.

During phagocytosis, the generation of bactericidal hypochlorous acid requires superoxide produced by nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase to kill the internalized pathogens.

We show that NADPH oxidase complexes are associated with K+–Cl− cotransporter (KCC) at the plasma membrane of activated neutrophils and are internalized to form phagosomes, where KCC activity and expression level affect the production of oxidants.

This study supports the notion that KCC, in particular KCC3, is involved in the early stages of the host's defence against microorganisms.

Abstract  Neutrophilic phagocytosis is an essential component of innate immunity. During phagocytosis, the generation of bactericidal hypochlorous acid (HOCl) requires the substrates, Cl− and superoxide produced by nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase to kill the internalized pathogens. Here we show that the neutrophilic K+–Cl− cotransporter (KCC) constitutes a Cl− permeation pathway and mediates the bactericidal activity by regulating NADPH oxidase activation. Dihydroindenyloxy alkanoic acid (DIOA), a KCC inhibitor, suppressed the toxin‐ or chemical‐induced efflux of 36Cl− or 86Rb+, and diminished the production of superoxide in human and murine neutrophils. Inhibition of KCC activity or knockdown of KCC expression, in particular KCC3, reduced the phosphorylation as well as the membrane recruitment of oxidase components. Activated neutrophils displayed a significant colocalization of KCC3 and early endosomal marker, indicating that KCC3 could be localized on the phagosomes once neutrophils are activated. The NADPH oxidase activity and the phosphorylation level of oxidase component were 50% lower in the neutrophils isolated from KCC3−/− mice than in the neutrophils isolated from KCC3+/+ mice. Mortality rate after intraperitoneal challenge with Staphylococcus aureus was higher in KCC3−/− mice, and the bacterial clearance was impaired in the survivors. We conclude that, in activated neutrophil, NADPH oxidase complexes are associated with KCC3 at the plasma membrane and are internalized to form phagosomes, where KCC activity and expression level affect the production of oxidants.
A Novel Active Online Electromagnetic Balancing Method—Principle and Structure Analysis
Authors: Ma Shilei , Pei Shiyuan , Wang Lin , Xu Hua
Published: April 2012

Vibrations caused by the imbalance of a rotor are a frequently encountered problem in machining processes. Especially in high-precision finishing, the workpiece quality is strongly related to the vibration of the machine-tool spindle, which is mainly caused by mass imbalance and cannot be completely eliminated in cutting tools with nonaxisymmetrical structures. An imbalance in centrifugal force is generated by rotor rotation and increases rapidly with rotational speed. A novel active online electromagnetic balancing method based on static magnetic-field analysis is proposed, and an active online electromagnetic balancing device (AOEBD) based on this method was developed under these conditions. The magnetic-field distribution and electromagnetic force generated by the device were analyzed by finite-element modeling. The influence on the electromagnetic force of the misalignment between the rotor and the iron core was investigated. Factors influencing the magnetic force of the device were determined, and reasonable reference values were suggested. The critical eccentricity was also provided. Experiments had been done at last, and the experimental results presented a good performance of this kind of balancing device.
Modeling Approach To Characterize Intraocular Doripenem Pharmacokinetics after Intravenous Administration to Rabbits, with Tentative Extrapolation to Humans
Authors: Semoun Oudy , Marchand Sandrine , Grégoire Nicolas , Lamarche Isabelle , Adier Christophe , Laroche Laurent , Goldschmidt Pablo , Couet William
Published: April 2012

The aim of this study was to determine the penetration of doripenem administered intravenously into the rabbit aqueous and vitreous humors. Nineteen New Zealand White rabbits received a 20-mg dose of doripenem intravenously over 60 min. Specimens of aqueous humor, vitreous humor, and blood were obtained 30 min (
n
= 5), 1 h (
n
= 5), 2 h (
n
= 5), and 3 h (
n
= 4) after the beginning of the infusion and analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). A pharmacokinetic (PK) model was developed to fit the experimental data. Doripenem concentrations in aqueous humor were lower than those in plasma ultrafiltrates at all sampling times, with an average aqueous humor-to-plasma ultrafiltrate area under the concentration-time curve ratio estimated as 8.3%. A pharmacokinetic model with peripheral elimination described the data adequately and was tentatively used to predict concentration-versus-time profiles and pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) target attainment in patients under various dosing regimens. In conclusion, systematically administered doripenem does not seem to be a promising approach for the treatment of intraocular infections, especially since it could not be detected in the vitreous humor. However, this study has provided an opportunity to develop a new PK modeling approach to characterize the intraocular distribution of doripenem administered intravenously to rabbits, with tentative extrapolation to humans.
Hierarchies of Host Factor Dynamics at the Entry Site of Shigella flexneri during Host Cell Invasion
Authors: Ehsani Soudeh , Santos José Carlos , Rodrigues Cristina D. , Henriques Ricardo , Audry Laurent , Zimmer Christophe , Sansonetti Philippe , Tran Van Nhieu Guy , Enninga Jost
Published: April 2012

Shigella flexneri
, the causative agent of bacillary dysentery, induces massive cytoskeletal rearrangement, resulting in its entry into nonphagocytic epithelial cells. The bacterium-engulfing membrane ruffles are formed by polymerizing actin, a process activated through injected bacterial effectors that target host small GTPases and tyrosine kinases. Once inside the host cell,
S. flexneri
escapes from the endocytic vacuole within minutes to move intra- and intercellularly. We quantified the fluorescence signals from fluorescently tagged host factors that are recruited to the site of pathogen entry and vacuolar escape. Quantitative time lapse fluorescence imaging revealed simultaneous recruitment of polymerizing actin, small GTPases of the Rho family, and tyrosine kinases. In contrast, we found that actin surrounding the vacuole containing bacteria dispersed first from the disassembling membranes, whereas other host factors remained colocalized with the membrane remnants. Furthermore, we found that the disassembly of the membrane remnants took place rapidly, within minutes after bacterial release into the cytoplasm. Superresolution visualization of galectin 3 through photoactivated localization microscopy characterized these remnants as small, specular, patchy structures between 30 and 300 nm in diameter. Using our experimental setup to track the time course of infection, we identified the
S. flexneri
effector IpgB1 as an accelerator of the infection pace, specifically targeting the entry step, but not vacuolar progression or escape. Together, our studies show that bacterial entry into host cells follows precise kinetics and that this time course can be targeted by the pathogen.
The Genome Sequence of Bluetongue Virus Type 2 from India: Evidence for Reassortment between Eastern and Western Topotype Field Strains
Authors: Maan Narender S. , Maan Sushila , Nomikou Kyriaki , Guimera Marc , Pullinger Gillian , Singh Karam Pal , Belaganahalli Manjunatha N. , Mertens Peter P. C.
Published: April 2012

Bluetongue virus type 2, isolated in India in 1982 (IND1982/01), was obtained from the Orbivirus Reference Collection at IAH Pirbright (
http://www.reoviridae.org/dsRNA_virus_proteins/ReoID/btv-2.htm#IND1982/01
). Full genome sequencing and phylogenetic analyses show that IND1982/01 is a reassortant virus containing genome segments derived from both eastern and western topotypes. These data will help to identify further reassortment events involving this or other virus lineages in the subcontinent.
GLOBAL DYNAMICS IN THE POINCARÉ BALL OF THE CHEN SYSTEM HAVING INVARIANT ALGEBRAIC SURFACES
Authors: LLIBRE JAUME , MESSIAS MARCELO , RICARDO DA SILVA PAULO
Published: April 2012

In this paper, we perform a global analysis of the dynamics of the Chen system [Formula: see text] where (x, y, z) ∈ ℝ3 and (a, b, c) ∈ ℝ3. We give the complete description of its dynamics on the sphere at infinity. For six sets of the parameter values, the system has invariant algebraic surfaces. In these cases, we provide the global phase portrait of the Chen system and give a complete description of the α- and ω-limit sets of its orbits in the Poincaré ball, including its boundary 𝕊2, i.e. in the compactification of ℝ3 with the sphere 𝕊2 of infinity. Moreover, combining the analytical results obtained with an accurate numerical analysis, we prove the existence of a family with infinitely many heteroclinic orbits contained on invariant cylinders when the Chen system has a line of singularities and a first integral, which indicates the complicated dynamical behavior of the Chen system solutions even in the absence of chaotic dynamics.
NON-NOETHER CONSERVATION LAWS
Authors: BIRTEA PETRE , TUDORAN RĂZVAN M.
Published: April 2012

In this paper we will give a formula for computing conservation laws for a Hamiltonian system that admits non-Noether infinitesimal symmetry. The formula involves the differential operator associated with the dual Lefschetz operator corresponding to a symplectic form.
Elimination graphs
Authors: Ye Yuli , Borodin Allan
Published: April 2012

In this article we study graphs with inductive neighborhood properties. Let
P
be a graph property, a graph
G
= (
V, E
) with
n
vertices is said to have an inductive neighborhood property with respect to
P
if there is an ordering of vertices
v
1
, …,

v
n

such that the property
P
holds on the induced subgraph
G
[
N
(

v
i

)∩

V
i

], where
N
(

v
i

) is the neighborhood of

v
i

and

V
i

= {

v
i

, …,

v
n

}. It turns out that if we take
P
as a graph with maximum independent set size no greater than
k
, then this definition gives a natural generalization of both chordal graphs and (
k
+ 1)-claw-free graphs. We refer to such graphs as inductive
k
-independent graphs. We study properties of such families of graphs, and we show that several natural classes of graphs are inductive
k
-independent for small
k
. In particular, any intersection graph of translates of a convex object in a two dimensional plane is an inductive
3
-independent graph; furthermore, any planar graph is an inductive
3
-independent graph. For any fixed constant
k
, we develop simple, polynomial time approximation algorithms for inductive
k
-independent graphs with respect to several well-studied NP-complete problems. Our generalized formulation unifies and extends several previously known results.
Performance/Thermal-Aware Design of 3D-Stacked L2 Caches for CMPs
Authors: Sun Guangyu , Yang Huazhong , Xie Yuan
Published: April 2012

Three-dimensional (3D) stacking technology enables integration of more memory on top of chip multiprocessors (CMPs). As the number of cores and the capacity of on-chip memory increase, the Non-Uniform Cache Architecture (NUCA) becomes more attractive. Compared to 2D cases, 3D stacking provides more options for the design of on-chip memory due to numerous advantages, such as the extra layout dimension, low latency across layers, etc. On the other hand, 3D stacking aggravates the thermal problem due to the increase of power density. In this work, we first study the design of 3D-stacked set-associative L2 caches through managing the placement of cache ways. The evaluation results show that the placement and corresponding management of 3D cache ways have an impact on the performance of CMPs. Then, we show that the efficiency of thermal control is also related to the placement of cache ways. For caches implemented with different memory technologies, the placement and management of cache ways have different effects on power consumption and power distribution. Consequently, we propose techniques to improve the efficiency of thermal control for different memory technologies. The evaluation results show the trade-off between performance and thermal control efficiency.
Computer Generation of Hardware for Linear Digital Signal Processing Transforms
Authors: Milder Peter , Franchetti Franz , Hoe James C. , Püschel Markus
Published: April 2012

Linear signal transforms such as the discrete Fourier transform (DFT) are very widely used in digital signal processing and other domains. Due to high performance or efficiency requirements, these transforms are often implemented in hardware. This implementation is challenging due to the large number of algorithmic options (e.g., fast Fourier transform algorithms or FFTs), the variety of ways that a fixed algorithm can be mapped to a sequential datapath, and the design of the components of this datapath. The best choices depend heavily on the resource budget and the performance goals of the target application. Thus, it is difficult for a designer to determine which set of options will best meet a given set of requirements.

In this article we introduce the Spiral hardware generation framework and system for linear transforms. The system takes a problem specification as input as well as directives that define characteristics of the desired datapath. Using a mathematical language to represent and explore transform algorithms and datapath characteristics, the system automatically generates an algorithm, maps it to a datapath, and outputs a synthesizable register transfer level Verilog description suitable for FPGA or ASIC implementation. The quality of the generated designs rivals the best available handwritten IP cores.
Scan Flip-Flop Grouping to Compress Test Data and Compact Test Responses for Launch-on-Capture Delay Testing
Authors: Xiang Dong , Chen Zhen , Wang Laung-Terng
Published: April 2012

Test data compression is a much more difficult problem for launch-on-capture (LOC) delay testing, because test data for LOC delay testing is much more than that of stuck-at fault testing, and LOC delay fault test generation in the two-frame circuit model can specify many more inputs. A new scan architecture is proposed to compress test stimulus data, compact test responses, and reduce test application time for LOC delay fault testing. The new scan architecture merges a number of scan flip-flops into the same group, where all scan flip-flops in the same group are assigned the same values for all test pairs. Sufficient conditions are presented for including any pair of scan flip-flops into the same group for LOC transition, non-robust path delay, and robust path delay fault testing. Test data for LOC delay testing based on the new scan architecture can be compressed significantly. Test application time can also be reduced greatly. Sufficient conditions are presented to construct a test response compactor for LOC transition, non-robust, and robust path delay fault testing. Folded scan forest and test response compactor are constructed for further test data compression. Sufficient experimental results are presented to show the effectiveness of the method.
Fitting the Needs of an Industry
Authors: Ip Barry
Published: April 2012

There have been growing criticisms in recent years among the computer and video games community on the apparent lack of graduates capable of meeting the industry’s employment needs. Following the sharp rise in the number of computer and video games courses across higher education (HE) institutions in the UK and across the globe, this article examines the composition of existing British games design, development, and art programs in relation to prescribed study areas voiced by industry bodies. From a sample of 242 courses, and a further 11 industry-derived and accredited programs, the results explore content currently residing within a variety of games programs and qualification types and evaluate the extent to which such content adheres to the industry’s demand for the focus on specific skills and study areas. The findings point toward certain shortfalls in some key areas deemed to be important by industry professionals and the consideration of the degree to which course providers should cater to the specific demands of industry.
Social media evolution of the Egyptian revolution
Authors: Choudhary Alok , Hendrix William , Lee Kathy , Palsetia Diana , Liao Wei-Keng
Published: April 2012

Twitter sentiment was revealed, along with popularity of Egypt-related subjects and tweeter influence on the 2011 revolution.
A method for Hensel code overflow detection
Authors: Li Xinkai , Lu Chao , Sjogren Jon A.
Published: April 2012

Hensel code was originally defined by Krishnamurthy, Rao and Subramanian [1], which was developed from the
P
--adic number system first proposed by Hensel in 1900s. The purpose was to realize exact computation for rational numbers. The Hensel code arithmetic has been well developed [1, 2, 3], but the problem of detecting Hensel code overflow and underflow has not been properly addressed [3]. In this paper, we proposed a method for Hensel code overflow detection. The method can realize overflow detection by the prime
p
and the Hensel code itself. Using this method, a few digits of the Hensel code will be sacrificed.
PocketWeb
Authors: Lymberopoulos Dimitrios , Riva Oriana , Strauss Karin , Mittal Akshay , Ntoulas Alexandros
Published: April 2012

The high network latencies and limited battery life of mobile phones can make mobile web browsing a frustrating experience. In prior work, we proposed trading memory capacity for lower web access latency and a more convenient data transfer schedule from an energy perspective by prefetching slowly-changing data (search queries and results) nightly, when the phone is charging. However, most web content is intrinsically much more dynamic and may be updated multiple times a day, thus eliminating the effectiveness of periodic updates.

This paper addresses the challenge of prefetching dynamic web content in a timely fashion, giving the user an instant web browsing experience but without aggravating the battery lifetime issue. We start by analyzing the web access traces of 8,000 users, and observe that mobile web browsing exhibits a strong spatiotemporal signature, which is different for every user. We propose to use a machine learning approach based on stochastic gradient boosting techniques to efficiently model this signature on a per user basis. The machine learning model is capable of accurately predicting future web accesses and prefetching the content in a timely manner. Our experimental evaluation with 48,000 models trained on real user datasets shows that we can accurately prefetch 60% of the URLs for about 80-90% of the users within 2 minutes before the request. The system prototype we built not only provides more than 80% lower web access time for more than 80% of the users, but it also achieves the same or lower radio energy dissipation by more than 50% for the majority of mobile users.
Cosmic rays don't strike twice
Authors: Hwang Andy A. , Stefanovici Ioan A. , Schroeder Bianca
Published: April 2012

Main memory is one of the leading hardware causes for machine crashes in today's datacenters. Designing, evaluating and modeling systems that are resilient against memory errors requires a good understanding of the underlying characteristics of errors in DRAM in the field. While there have recently been a few first studies on DRAM errors in production systems, these have been too limited in either the size of the data set or the granularity of the data to conclusively answer many of the open questions on DRAM errors. Such questions include, for example, the prevalence of soft errors compared to hard errors, or the analysis of typical patterns of hard errors. In this paper, we study data on DRAM errors collected on a diverse range of production systems in total covering nearly 300 terabyte-years of main memory. As a first contribution, we provide a detailed analytical study of DRAM error characteristics, including both hard and soft errors. We find that a large fraction of DRAM errors in the field can be attributed to hard errors and we provide a detailed analytical study of their characteristics. As a second contribution, the paper uses the results from the measurement study to identify a number of promising directions for designing more resilient systems and evaluates the potential of different protection mechanisms in the light of realistic error patterns. One of our findings is that simple page retirement policies might be able to mask a large number of DRAM errors in production systems, while sacrificing only a negligible fraction of the total DRAM in the system.
Thromboembolic Events Associated with Thalidomide and Multimodality Therapy for Soft Tissue Sarcomas: Results of RTOG 0330
Authors: Kane J. M. , Harris J. , Kraybill W. G. , Harmon D. C. , Ettinger D. S. , Lucas D. R. , DeLaney T. F. , Wang D. , Curran W. J. , Eisenberg B. L.
Published: April 2012

Introduction. RTOG 0330 was developed to address the toxicity of RTOG 9514 and to add thalidomide (THAL) to MAID chemoradiation for intermediate/high grade soft tissue sarcomas (STSs) and to preoperative radiation (XRT) for low-grade STS.Methods. Primary/locally recurrent extremity/trunk STS: ≥8 cm, intermediate/high grade (cohort A): >5 cm, low grade (cohort B). Cohort A: 3 cycles of neoadjuvant MAID, 2 cycles of interdigitated THAL (200 mg/day)/concurrent 22 Gy XRT, resection, 12 months of adjuvant THAL. Cohort B: neoadjuvant THAL/concurrent 50 Gy XRT, resection, 6 months of adjuvant THAL. Planned accrual 44 patients.Results. 22 primary STS patients (cohort A/B 15/7). Cohort A/B: median age of 49/47 years; median tumor size 12.8/10 cm. 100% preoperative THAL/XRT and surgical resection. Three cycles of MAID were delivered in 93% cohort A. Positive margins: 27% cohort A/29% cohort B. Adjuvant THAL: 60% cohort A/57% cohort B. Grade 3/4 venous thromboembolic (VTE) events: 40% cohort A (1 catheter thrombus and 5 DVT or PE) versus 0% cohort B. RTOG 0330 closed early due to cohort A VTE risk and cohort B poor accrual.Conclusion. Neoadjuvant MAID with THAL/XRT was associated with increased VTE events not seen with THAL/XRT alone or in RTOG 9514 with neoadjuvant MAID/XRT.
Facing Current Quantification Challenges in Protein Microarrays
Authors: Wellhausen Robert , Seitz Harald
Published: April 2012

The proteome is highly variable and differs from cell to cell. The reasons are posttranslational modifications, splice variants, and polymorphisms. Techniques like next-generation sequencing can only give an inadequate picture of the protein status of a cell. Protein microarrays are able to track these changes on the level they occur: the proteomic level. Therefore, protein microarrays are powerful tools for relative protein quantification, to unveil new interaction partners and to track posttranslational modifications. This papers gives an overview on current protein microarray techniques and discusses recent advances in relative protein quantification.
A Prototype System for Measuring Microwave Frequency Reflections from the Breast
Authors: Bourqui J. , Sill J. M. , Fear E. C.
Published: April 2012

Microwave imaging of the breast is of interest for monitoring breast health, and approaches to active microwave imaging include tomography and radar-based methods. While the literature contains a growing body of work related to microwave breast imaging, there are only a few prototype systems that have been used to collect data from humans. In this paper, a prototype system for monostatic radar-based imaging that has been used in an initial study measuring reflections from volunteers is discussed. The performance of the system is explored by examining the mechanical positioning of sensor, as well as microwave measurement sensitivity. To gain insight into the measurement of reflected signals, simulations and measurements of a simple phantom are compared and discussed in relation to system sensitivity. Finally, a successful scan of a volunteer is described.
Effect of Long-term Propranolol Treatment on Hepatocellular Carcinoma Incidence in Patients with HCV-Associated Cirrhosis
Authors: Nkontchou Gisèle , Aout Mounir , Mahmoudi Amel , Roulot Dominique , Bourcier Valérie , Grando-Lemaire Véronique , Ganne-Carrie Nathalie , Trinchet Jean-Claude , Vicaut Eric , Beaugrand Michel
Published: April 2012

Propranolol bears antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiangiogenic properties and antitumoral effects and therefore is potentially active in the prevention of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We retrospectively assessed the impact of propranolol treatment on HCC occurrence in a cohort of 291 patients with compensated viral C (HCV) cirrhosis, prospectively followed and screened for HCC detection.

Of the 291 patients included in the cohort, 93 patients [50 males: mean age, 59.5 ± 12 years; body mass index (BMI), 25.7 ± 4.4 kg/m2; and platelet count, 111 ± 53 Giga/L] developed esophageal varices (OV) or had OV at inclusion and 198 patients (111 males: mean age, 55.8 ± 13 years; BMI, 25.7 ± 5 kg/m2; platelet count, 137 ± 59 Giga/L) did not. Among patients with OV, 50 received treatment by propranolol. During a median follow-up of 54 months interquartile range (32–82), 61 patients developed an HCC. The 3- and 5-year HCC incidence was 4% and 4%, and 10% and 20% for patients treated and not treated by propranolol, respectively (Gray test, P = 0.03). In multivariate analysis, propranolol treatment was associated with a decrease risk of HCC occurrence [HR, 0.25; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.09–0.65; P = 0.004], and was the only independent predictive factor of HCC occurrence in patients with OV (HR, 0.16; CI, 0.06–0.45; P = 0.0005). The benefit of propranolol was further supported by propensity scores analyses.

Conclusion: This retrospective long-term observational study suggests that propranolol treatment may decrease HCC occurrence in patients with HCV cirrhosis. These findings need to be verified by prospective clinical trial. Cancer Prev Res; 5(8); 1007–14. ©2012 AACR.
Using the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale to Predict Dysphagia in Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Okubo P.C.M.I. , Fábio S.R.C. , Domenis D.R. , Takayanagui O.M.
Published: April 2012

Background and Purpose: Oropharyngeal dysphagia is a common manifestation in acute stroke. Aspiration resulting from difficulties in swallowing is a symptom that should be considered due to the frequent occurrence of aspiration pneumonia that could influence the patient’s recovery as it causes clinical complications and could even lead to the patient’s death. The early clinical evaluation of swallowing disorders can help define approaches and avoid oral feeding, which may be detrimental to the patient. This study aimed to create an algorithm to identify patients at risk of developing dysphagia following acute ischemic stroke in order to be able to decide on the safest way of feeding and minimize the complications of stroke using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NHISS). Methods: Clinical assessment of swallowing was performed in 50 patients admitted to the emergency unit of the University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil, with a diagnosis of ischemic stroke, within 48 h after the beginning of symptoms. Patients, 25 females and 25 males with a mean age of 64.90 years (range 26–91 years), were evaluated consecutively. An anamnesis was taken before the patient’s participation in the study in order to exclude a prior history of deglutition difficulties. For the functional assessment of swallowing, three food consistencies were used, i.e. pasty, liquid and solid. After clinical evaluation, we concluded whether there was dysphagia. For statistical analysis we used the Fisher exact test, verifying the association between the variables. To assess whether the NIHSS score characterizes a risk factor for dysphagia, a receiver operational characteristics curve was constructed to obtain characteristics for sensitivity and specificity. Results: Dysphagia was present in 32% of the patients. The clinical evaluation is a reliable method of detection of swallowing difficulties. However, the predictors of risk for the swallowing function must be balanced, and the level of consciousness and the presence of preexisting comorbidities should be considered. Gender, age and cerebral hemisphere involved were not significantly associated with the presence of dysphagia. NIHSS, Glasgow Coma Scale, and speech and language changes had a statistically significant predictive value for the presence of dysphagia. Conclusions: The NIHSS is highly sensitive (88%) and specific (85%) in detecting dysphagia; a score of 12 may be considered as the cutoff value. The creation of an algorithm to detect dysphagia in acute ischemic stroke appears to be useful in selecting the optimal feeding route while awaiting a specialized evaluation.
Simultaneous Emergence of Entecavir Resistance Mutations in a Nucleoside-Naive Chronic Hepatitis B Patient
Authors: Lee Hyun Woong , Kim Hyung Joon , Hong Sun Pyo , Cha Bong Ki , Chang Hye Young , Choi Chang Hwan , Do Jae Hyuk , Kim Jae Gyu , Chang Sae Kyung
Published: April 2012

Background: Entecavir (ETV) has potent antiviral activity against hepatitis B virus (HBV), and the emergence of drug resistance is rare in nucleoside-naive patients. Resistance requires simultaneous appearance of three mutations which account for the very low resistance profile of ETV. We experienced one case of genotypic ETV resistance with viral rebound during ETV treatment of nucleoside-naive patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Case: A 50-year-old HBV e antigen-positive man received ETV 0.5 mg/day for 120 weeks. The level of HBV DNA was 9.0 log10 copies/ml at baseline, declined to a nadir of 2.7 at week 60 and then rebounded to 6.0 at week 108 and 7.5 at week 120. The serum alanine aminotransferase level did not increase during ETV treatment. The ETV resistance-related substitution (T184A) and lamivudine resistance-related substitutions (L180M and M204V) were detected by sequence analysis at week 96. Conclusions: The three substitutions associated with ETV and lamivudine resistance developed simultaneously without complete suppression in a nucleoside-naive CHB patient after extended therapy. In spite of the extremely rare chance of viral mutation during ETV treatment, treatment-naive patients with high pretreatment viral loads and detectable HBV DNA during treatment should be carefully monitored or undergo targeted surveillance for resistance.
Short and Precise Patient Self-Assessment of Heart Failure Symptoms Using a Computerized Adaptive Test
Authors: Rose Matthias , Anatchkova Milena , Fletcher Jason , Blank Arthur E. , Bjørner Jakob , Löwe Bernd , Rector Thomas S. , Ware John E.
Published: April 2012

Background—

Assessment of dyspnea, fatigue, and physical disability is fundamental to the monitoring of patients with heart failure (HF). A plethora of patient-reported measures exist, but most are too burdensome or imprecise to be useful in clinical practice. New techniques used for computer adaptive tests (CATs) may be able to address these problems. The purpose of this study was to build a CAT for patients with HF.

Methods and Results—

Item banks of 74 queries (“items”) were developed to assess self-reported physical disability, fatigue, and dyspnea. All queries were administered to 658 adults with HF to build 3 item banks. The resulting HF-CAT was administered to 100 patients with ancillary HF (New York Heart Association I, 11%; II, 53%; III and IV, 36%). In addition, the physical function and vitality domains of the SF-36 Health Survey questionnaire, an established shortness-of-breath scale, and the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire were applied. The HF-CAT assessment took 3:09±1:52 minutes to complete and score. All HF-CAT scales demonstrated good construct validity through high correlations with the corresponding SF-36 Health Survey physical function (
r
=−0.87), vitality (
r
=−0.85), and shortness-of-breath (
r
=0.84) scales. Simulation studies showed a more precise measurement of all HF-CAT scales over a larger range than comparable static tools. The HF-CAT scales identified significant differences between patients classified by the New York Heart Association symptom criteria, similar to the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire.

Conclusions—

A new CAT for patients with HF was built using modern psychometric methods. Initial results demonstrate its potential to increase the feasibility and precision of patient self-assessments of symptoms of HF with minimized respondent burden.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.projectreporter.nih.gov
. Unique identifier: 1R43HL083622-01.
Mind and heart: Heart rate variability in major depressive disorder and coronary heart disease - a review and recommendations
Authors: Stapelberg Nicolas J , Hamilton-Craig Ian , Neumann David L , Shum David HK , McConnell Harry
Published: April 2012

Objective:

There is a reciprocal association between major depressive disorder (MDD) and coronary heart disease (CHD). These conditions are linked by a causal network of mechanisms. This causal network should be quantitatively studied and it is hypothesised that the investigation of vagal function represents a promising starting point. Heart rate variability (HRV) has been used to investigate cardiac vagal control in the context of MDD and CHD. This review aims to examine the relationship of HRV to both MDD and CHD in the context of vagal function and to make recommendations for clinical practice and research.

Methods:

The search terms ‘heart rate variability’, ‘depression’ and ‘heart disease’ were entered into an electronic multiple database search engine. Abstracts were screened for their relevance and articles were individually selected and collated.

Results:

Decreased HRV is found in both MDD and CHD. Both diseases are theorised to disrupt autonomic control feedback loops on the heart and are linked to vagal function. Existing theories link vagal function to both mood and emotion as well as cardiac function. However, several factors can potentially confound HRV measures and would thus impact on a complete understanding of vagal mechanisms in the link between MDD and CHD.

Conclusions:

The quantitative investigation of vagal function using HRV represents a reasonable starting point in the study of the relationship between MDD and CHD. Many psychotropic and cardiac medications have effects on HRV, which may have clinical importance. Future studies of HRV in MDD and CHD should consider antidepressant medication, as well as anxiety, as potential confounders.
Creative Destruction
Authors: Üngör Uğur Ümit
Published: April 2012

This article argues that in the interwar period, the Turkish government subjected Ottoman cities to various forms of spatial planning aimed at modernizing but also ethnically homogenizing them. It draws on untapped sources to portray how the regime saw this “modernization” as a panacea that would bring the country up to par with European “civilization.” In the ideological universe of the regime, a perfect society could be forged by design and coercion. As a result, the multiethnic cities of Turkey became the object of high-modernist utopias of spatial planning and urban redesign. These policies were also aimed at erasing Ottoman cities’ multiethnic pasts and crafting a “healthy” Turkish population.
Values Levers
Authors: Shilton Katie
Published: April 2012

As information systems transform our world, computer scientists design affordances that influence the uses and impacts of these technological objects. This article describes how the practices of design affect the social values materialized in emerging technologies, and explores how design practices can encourage ethical reflection and action. The article presents an ethnography of a laboratory that engineered software for mobile phones to track users’ locations, habits, and behaviors. This technical work raised a number of ethical challenges, particularly around questions of data use and surveillance. The ethnography suggests that particular activities within laboratories can help engineers agree on social values as important to design. It characterizes these activities as values levers: practices that open new conversations about social values and encourage consensus around those values as design criteria. Laboratory leaders and advocates can enable and strengthen these levers to encourage ethical reflection and action as an explicit part of design practice.
What makes the substantive representation of women possible in a Westminster parliament? The story of RU486 in Australia
Authors: Sawer Marian
Published: April 2012

This article explores institutional and other factors facilitating the substantive representation of women in parliament. It engages with a range of indicators of substantive representation, including process/responsiveness indicators, legislative/policy outcomes and attitudinal alignment of women representatives and women in the community. It presents an Australian case study of a successful initiative by a cross-party group of women parliamentarians to facilitate access to the abortion drug RU486. It finds that critical mass, critical actors and a critical juncture were important but so was institution-building, particularly the under-studied role of parliamentary groups.
Long-Term Patterns of Seasonality of Mortality in Korea from the Seventeenth to the Twentieth Century
Authors: Lee Sangkuk , Son Byung-giu
Published: April 2012

Owing to the increased concern about climate change, the issue of seasonality of mortality has been significant in the field of demography. As scholars have attempted to discover better data on longevity and population and to find advanced methodologies for applying to their incomplete and biased data, they have paid attention to trace the long-term patterns of seasonality of mortality. Such efforts influence this study to draw the long-term patterns of seasonality of mortality in Korea, where the population data such as genealogies and household registers are superior to other East Asian countries. In this study, the authors endeavor to find the characteristics of the mortality pattern in Korea through a comparison with other countries and to determine which factors have an effect on the long-term mortality in Korea using a genealogy covering the seventeenth to twentieth centuries. Ultimately, the authors attempt to answer the study questions from the findings of this research by analyzing the cultural factors and systematic approach such as the fiscal distribution system by the Chosŏn government.
Relationships Among Employees’ Working Conditions, Mental Health, and Intention to Leave in Nursing Homes
Authors: Zhang Yuan , Punnett Laura , Gore Rebecca ,   The CPH-NEW Research Team
Published: April 2012

Employee turnover is a large and expensive problem in the long-term care environment. Stated intention to leave is a reliable indicator of likely turnover, but actual predictors, especially for nursing assistants, have been incompletely investigated. This quantitative study identifies the relationships among employees’ working conditions, mental health, and intention to leave. Self-administered questionnaires were collected with 1,589 employees in 18 for-profit nursing homes. A working condition index for the number of beneficial job features was constructed. Poisson regression modeling found that employees who reported four positive features were 77% less likely to state strong intention to leave (PR = 0.23, p < .001). The strength of relationship between working conditions and intention to leave was slightly mediated by employee mental health. Effective workplace intervention programs must address work organization features to reduce employee intention to leave. Healthy workplaces should build better interpersonal relationships, show respect for employee work, and involve employees in decision-making processes.
Initial studies of the recovery of Cu from MSWI fly ash leachates using solvent extraction
Authors: Karlfeldt Fedje Karin , Ekberg Christian , Skarnemark Gunnar , Pires Eduardo , Steenari Britt-Marie
Published: April 2012

Large volumes of ash from combustion of municipal solid waste are produced and most of it is landfilled. As this type of ash contains significant amounts of metal compounds the landfilling strategy is not optimal when considered from a resource conservation perspective. A better situation would be created if metals were recovered from the ash. In the present study leaching and solvent extraction was applied for release and separation of copper from municipal solid waste combustion fly ashes. The results showed promising results with Cu yields of 50–95%. The yield was heavily dependent on the efficiency of the initial leaching of Cu from the ash.
Calf serum constituent fractions influence polyethylene wear and microbial growth in knee simulator testing
Authors: Brandt Jan-M , Charron Kory , Zhao Lin , MacDonald Steven J , Medley John B
Published: April 2012

Calf serum lubricants consisting of various polypeptide constituent fractions are routinely used in knee wear simulators as part of the standardized test protocol. Three calf sera (bovine, new-born and alpha) were diluted as per the recommendation of ISO 14243-3 and used in displacement-controlled knee wear simulators to investigate their effects on polyethylene wear. Biochemical analyses included measuring total polypeptide degradation, electrophoretic profiles and low-molecular weight polypeptide concentrations to elucidate their involvement in the wear process. The effects of the various calf sera constituent fractions on microbial growth were also explored. The polyethylene wear rates and the results from the biochemical analyses for the three calf serum lubricants were all found to be statistically significantly different from each other. The lubricant derived from the alpha-calf serum was closest in constituent fractions to human synovial fluid. It also showed the lowest polyethylene wear rate (14.38 ± 0.85 mm3/million cycles) and the lowest amount of polypeptide degradation (7.77 ± 3.87%). Furthermore, the alpha-calf serum lubricant was associated with the least amount of change in the electrophoretic profile, the least change in low-molecular weight polypeptide concentration, and the lowest microbial growth in the presence of sodium azide (a microbial inhibitor conventionally used in implant wear testing). Replacing sodium azide with a broad spectrum antibiotic-antimycotic eradicated the microbial growth. Some speculation was entertained regarding the effect of alpha-calf serum on colloid-mediated boundary lubrication. Based on the results, it was recommended that ISO 14243-3 be modified to include guidelines on calf serum constituent fractions that would favour using alpha-calf serum in order to improve the fidelity of the simulation in knee implant wear testing.
Challenges in precision and vibration control for physics experiments
Authors: Preumont Andre , Bastaits Renaud , Surdej Isabelle , Collette Christophe
Published: April 2012

The present paper examines some of the ongoing development projects for new facilities for astronomy, high-energy particle physics and gravitational wave detection, from the viewpoint of precision and vibration control requirements.
Orphans, Converts, and Prostitutes: Social Consequences of War and Persecution in the Ottoman Empire, 1914–1923
Authors: Üngör Uğur Ümit
Published: April 2012

Considerable research has been conducted on the relationship between the First World War and the persecutions of Ottoman Armenians. So far, little is known about the aftermath of the catastrophe, in particular the fate of the survivors, mostly women and children who continued to live as best as they could on the fringes of society. This article addresses this hiatus and discusses the experience of Armenian survivors. It analyses the impact of the war and the genocide on Armenian women and children during and after the war. It examines how the violence generated innumerable orphans, and how these orphans became a battleground between Turkish and Armenian political elites. It reviews how the Young Turk regime dealt with the unforeseen phenomenon of Armenians converting to Islam to circumvent deportation orders, and focuses on the government’s orders and decrees issued to confront this issue. Finally it briefly canvasses the hitherto neglected problem of prostitution by Armenian women as a strategy for survival during the war.
Reappraising Late Medieval Strategy: The Example of the 1415 Agincourt Campaign
Authors: Honig Jan Willem
Published: April 2012

Modern military historians struggle to explain medieval strategic behaviour. One key reason, the article argues, is their strong belief in the existence of timeless strategic standards. By analysing the example of the 1415 Agincourt campaign, the article proposes a new approach to understanding late medieval strategy. By reconstructing the normative framework that underpinned strategic practice, the critical importance emerges of an unusual set of conventions which regulated strategy and which allowed for a degree of risk-taking that the traditional and current historiography cannot otherwise explain.
TSL Family Therapy Followed by Improved Marital Quality and Reduced Oxidative Stress
Authors: Kim Jae Yop , Kim Dong Goo , Nam Seok In
Published: April 2012

Objectives: The current study evaluated the effectiveness of a form of family therapy developed in Korea. The “Thank you – Sorry – Love” (TSL) model was applied to a group of elderly retired men to improve the quality of their marriage and to reduce their stress. Methods: Thirty married retired Korean men were assigned to three groups. Group 1 received 14 sessions over 7 weeks of the TSL intervention. Group 2 received 14 sessions of educational classes related to retirement and aging. Group 3 received nothing. Assessments were made of the men’s marital quality (using the Dyadic Adjustment scale) and oxidative stress (a biological marker of health), pretreatment, posttreatment, and 5 weeks after treatment. The husbands’ wives were assessed in terms of marital quality at similar time points. Results: Husbands who received TSL therapy experienced statistically significant decreased oxidative stress (8-isoprostane levels) and increased marital quality. The spouses of the TSL program participants also showed statistically significant improvement in marital quality. The educational comparison group and no-treatment control group clients did not significantly improve on either measure, nor did their spouses experience improved marital quality. Conclusions: TSL family therapy was followed by both psychosocial (husbands and wives’) and physiological (husbands’) improvements. Additional randomized clinical trials of this promising family therapy may be warranted.
Transition Tips for Educators Working With Students With Emotional and Behavioral Disabilities
Authors: Cheney Douglas
Published: April 2012

Students with emotional and behavioral disabilities (EBD) have had difficulties in achieving educational, vocational, and community outcomes that would lead to personal success and satisfaction. Some of these outcomes relate to how special education transition programs integrate effective approaches to support success with these students. In this article, five primary suggestions, (1) self-determination, (2) appropriate assessment, (3) personal future’s planning, (4) individualized education programs carefully linked with transition plans, and (5) naturally supported, successful academic, vocational, and community placements, are described to improve the transition planning of youth with EBD.