bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chlorin e6 Derivative Radachlorin Mainly Accumulates in Mitochondria, Lysosome and Endoplasmic Reticulum and Shows High Affinity toward Tumors in Nude Mice in Photodynamic Therapy
Authors: Biswas Raktim , Moon Jeong Hwan , Ahn Jin‐Chul
Published: March 2014

The efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) depends upon the amount of photosensitizer accumulated in the malignant tissues. Radachlorin is a popular photosensitizer used in photodynamic therapy to treat various types of cancer. In this study, we have studied the main organelles responsible for the accumulation of radachlorin in human anaplastic thyroid cancer in vitro and in vivo. The optimal time window for uptake and clearance of radachlorin also was studied. Confocal microscopic images confirmed that the radachlorin is mainly acquired by mitochondria and partially by lysosome and endoplasmic reticulum. Studies also showed that the maximum amount of radachlorin was accumulated within 3–6 h after the treatment. Radachlorin also showed a higher affinity toward malignant tumors compared to the other organs in mice xenograft model. Uptake of radachlorin reached an optimum amount within 6 h and most of the radachlorins were also cleared from the body in next 48 h. Therefore, detailed information regarding exact accumulation sites and a time window in which maximum amount of drug is accumulated and cleared were obtained by this study. Hence, not only the efficacy of the treatment can be increased but the phototoxicity after the treatment also can be controlled.
A Lotus japonicus mutant defective in nitrate uptake is also affected in the nitrate response to nodulation
Authors: Pal'ove‐Balang P. , García‐Calderón M. , Pérez‐Delgado C. M. , Pavlovkin J. , Betti M. , Márquez A. J.
Published: March 2014

A chlorate‐resistant mutant (Ljclo1) of the model legume Lotus japonicus was identified that showed normal levels of nitrate reductase enzyme activity but had decreased uptake of nitrate, as determined from nitrate depletion and electrophysiological measurements. The data suggest that the mutant could be affected specifically in the low‐affinity but not in the high‐affinity nitrate transport system, and also showed decreased uptake of chlorate. Back‐crosses of the mutant plant to the wild type indicated that it is affected in a single Mendelian recessive trait. Thus, the mutation produced in Ljclo1 may be related to some of the low‐affinity nitrate transporters or to a regulatory mechanism associated with nitrate/chlorate uptake. Both size and chlorophyll content in young leaves of the mutant plants were significantly reduced compared to the wild type. In addition, nodulation performance of the mutant plants was similar to the wild type in the absence of any exogenous nitrate. However, the nodule:root biomass ratio in mutant plants was considerably reduced in the presence of 1–2 mm nitrate. The levels of several transcripts for nitrate transport and assimilation genes were determined for the wild type and mutant plants and were slightly different. The results suggest interdependence between nitrate uptake, plant growth and nodulation in Ljclo1 mutant plants.
Adventitious root formation in tree species: involvement of transcription factors
Authors: Legué Valérie , Rigal Adeline , Bhalerao Rishikesh P.
Published: March 2014

Adventitious rooting is an essential step in the vegetative propagation of economically important horticultural and woody species. Populus has emerged as an experimental model for studying processes that are important in tree growth and development. It is highly useful for molecular genetic analysis of adventitious roots in trees. In this short review, we will highlight the recent progress made in the identification of transcription factors involved in the control of adventitious rooting in woody species. Their regulation will be discussed.
Comparison of the modified shuttle walk test and cardiopulmonary exercise test in sarcoidosis
Authors: de Boer Sally , Kolbe John , Wilsher Margaret L.
Published: March 2014

Background and objective

Dyspnoea and exercise intolerance are common in sarcoidosis and are often poorly correlated with resting lung function. Measurement of peak exercise capacity is likely to be helpful in assessing and monitoring disease. The aim of this study was to compare the modified shuttle walk test (MSWT) to cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) as a measure of peak exercise capacity in sarcoidosis.

Methods

Thirty‐three (17 male, mean age 48 years) patients with sarcoidosis completed a standardized exponential exercise protocol cycle ergometer CPET and a single corridor MSWT in random order.

Results

Subjects has a mean forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) 2.4 L (75.7%predicted), forced vital capacity (FVC) 3.43 L (88.7%predicted) and diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) 20.3 mL/min/mm Hg (71.4%predicted). There was a strong correlation between MSWT distance and peak oxygen uptake (VO2) during CPET (r = 0.87; P < 0.0001), and between maximum heart rate during MSWT and CPET (r = 0.82; P < 0.0001). There was a moderate correlation between FEV1, FVC and DLCO with MSWT distance (r = 0.55, r = 0.61, r = 0.61, respectively; all P < 0.001) and with peak VO2 (r = 0.62, r = 0.63, r = 0.62, respectively; all P < 0.0001).

Conclusions

Peak VO2 achieved during CPET strongly correlated with MSWT distance. MSWT is a measure of peak exercise capacity in sarcoidosis that does not require equipment and can be readily available in the clinic.
Genomic full‐length sequence of two novel HLA‐DRB1 alleles, DRB1*15:01:01:03 and DRB1*15:01:01:04, identified by cloning and sequencing
Authors: Lu L. , Xu Y. P.
Published: March 2014

Two novel alleles, HLADRB1*15:01:01:03 and DRB1*15:01:01:04, identified in two Chinese donors.
Characterization of a novel HLA‐DQB1*05 allele, HLA‐DQB1*05:03:09
Authors: Li X. , Zou H. , Li M. , Zuo Y. , Chen Q.
Published: March 2014

HLA‐DQB1*05:03:09 differs from HLADQB1*05:03:01 by a silent nucleotide substitution at codon 150N (AAC to AAT).
Reduced residual gene expression of nuclear factor of activated T cells‐regulated genes correlates with the risk of cytomegalovirus infection after liver transplantation
Authors: Steinebrunner N. , Sandig C. , Sommerer C. , Hinz U. , Giese T. , Stremmel W. , Zahn A.
Published: March 2014

Background

Pharmacokinetic monitoring of calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) is unsatisfactory because, at comparable blood concentrations, side effects vary considerably. We recently confirmed the applicability of a pharmacodynamic (PD) assay that measures the suppression of CNI target genes, specifically the suppression of nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT)‐regulated genes in liver transplant (LT) recipients. The aim of this prospective study was to prove the clinical reliability of this assay. Therefore, we quantified the residual gene expression (RGE) of NFAT‐regulated genes and evaluated the association between the RGE of NFAT‐regulated genes and the incidence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection.

Patients and methods

In 20 LT recipients, 10 patients on cyclosporine (CsA) and 10 patients on tacrolimus (Tac) therapy, who presented with CMV infection, the RGEs of interleukin‐2, interferon‐γ (IFNγ), and granulocyte–monocyte colony‐stimulating factor were measured and compared with the RGEs of these cytokines in 40 healthy dose‐matched LT controls.

Results

CsA‐treated CMV patients demonstrated a lower RGE of all NFAT‐regulated genes compared with controls (30 ± 17 vs. 44 ± 20, P = 0.067). For IFNγ, the level of significance was reached (26 ± 17 vs. 43 ± 17, P = 0.0125). Daily CsA dosage, CsA baseline (C0) and 2 h (C2) concentrations were comparable (CsA dosage 169 mg/day vs. 165 mg/day; CsA C0 94 μg/L vs. 85 μg/L; CsA C2 389 μg/L vs. 381 μg/L). In addition, Tac‐treated CMV patients demonstrated a lower RGE of all NFAT‐regulated genes compared with controls (68 ± 25 vs. 84 ± 22, P = 0.0769). Analogous to CsA‐treated CMV patients, the level of significance was reached for IFNγ (61 ± 24 vs. 88 ± 29, P = 0.0154). Daily Tac dosage and Tac 1.5 h concentrations (C1.5) were comparable in both groups (Tac dosage 4 mg/day vs. 4 mg/day; Tac C1.5 8 μg/L vs. 10 μg/L), whereas Tac C0 concentrations were significantly higher in controls (Tac C0 4 μg/L vs. 6 μg/L, P = 0.0276).

Conclusion

Measuring the RGE of NFAT‐regulated genes is appropriate to assess the risk of infections in LT recipients. Measuring the RGE of IFNγ is particularly suitable to assess the risk of CMV infection. PD monitoring of CNIs in LT recipients is an approach to individualize immunosuppression, which may help to reduce infectious complications.
Log canonical pairs with good augmented base loci
Authors: Birkar Caucher , Hu Zhengyu
Published: March 2014

Let $(X,B)$ be a projective log canonical pair such that $B$ is a $\mathbb{Q}$-divisor, and that there is a surjective morphism $f: X\to Z$ onto a normal variety $Z$ satisfying $K_X+B\sim _{\mathbb{Q}} f^*M$ for some big $\mathbb{Q}$-divisor $M$, and the augmented base locus ${\mathbf{B}}_+(M)$ does not contain the image of any log canonical centre of $(X,B)$. We will show that $(X,B)$ has a good log minimal model. An interesting special case is when $f$ is the identity morphism.
Level-raising and symmetric power functoriality, I
Authors: Clozel Laurent , Thorne Jack A.
Published: March 2014

As the simplest case of Langlands functoriality, one expects the existence of the symmetric power $S^n(\pi )$, where $\pi $ is an automorphic representation of ${\rm GL}(2,{\mathbb{A}})$ and ${\mathbb{A}}$ denotes the adeles of a number field $F$. This should be an automorphic representation of ${\rm GL}(N,{\mathbb{A}})$ ($N=n+1)$. This is known for $n=2,3$ and $4$. In this paper we show how to deduce the general case from a recent result of J.T. on deformation theory for ‘Schur representations’, combined with expected results on level-raising, as well as another case (a particular tensor product) of Langlands functoriality. Our methods assume $F$ totally real, and the initial representation $\pi $ of classical type.
On the homomorphisms between scalar generalized Verma modules
Authors: Matumoto Hisayosi
Published: March 2014

In this article, we study the homomorphisms between scalar generalized Verma modules. We conjecture that any homomorphism between scalar generalized Verma modules is a composition of elementary homomorphisms. The purpose of this article is to confirm the conjecture for some parabolic subalgebras under the assumption that the infinitesimal characters are regular.
Estimating the Cohesive Zone Model Parameters of Carbon Nanotube–Polymer Interface for Machining Simulations
Authors: Jiang Lingyun , Nath Chandra , Samuel Johnson , Kapoor Shiv G.
Published: March 2014

The failure mechanisms encountered during the machining of carbon nanotube (CNT) polymer composites are primarily governed by the strength of the CNT–polymer interface. Therefore, the interface should be explicitly modeled in microstructure-level machining simulations for these composites. One way of effectively capturing the behavior of this interface is by the use of a cohesive zone model (CZM) that is characterized by two parameters, viz., interfacial strength and interfacial fracture energy. The objective of this study is to estimate these two CZM parameters of the interface using an inverse iterative finite element (FE) approach. A microstructure-level 3D FE model for nanoindentation simulation has been developed where the composite microstructure is modeled using three distinct phases, viz., the CNT, the polymer, and the interface. The unknown CZM parameters of the interface are then determined by minimizing the root mean square (RMS) error between the simulated and the experimental nanoindentation load–displacement curves for a 2 wt. % CNT–polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) composite sample at room temperature and quasi-static strain state of up to 0.04 s−1, and then validated using the 1 wt. % and 4 wt. % CNT–PVA composites. The results indicate that for well-dispersed and aligned CNT–PVA composites, the CZM parameters of the interface are independent of the CNT loading in the weight fraction range of 1–4%.
H

∞

and Sliding Mode Observers for Linear Time-Invariant Fractional-Order Dynamic Systems With Initial Memory Effect
Authors: Lee Sang-Chul , Li Yan , Chen YangQuan , Ahn Hyo-Sung
Published: March 2014

The H∞ and sliding mode observers are important in integer-order dynamic systems. However, these observers are not well explored in the field of fractional-order dynamic systems. In this paper, the H∞ filter and the fractional-order sliding mode unknown input observer are developed to estimate state of the linear time-invariant fractional-order dynamic systems with consideration of proper initial memory effect. As the first result, the fractional-order H∞ filter is introduced, and it is shown that the gain from the noise to the estimation error is bounded in the sense of the H∞ norm. Based on the extended bounded real lemma, the H∞ filter design is formulated in a linear matrix inequality form, and it will be seen that numerical methods to solve convex optimization problems are feasible in fractional-order systems (FOSs). As the second result of this paper, not only state but also unknown input disturbance are estimated by fractional-order sliding-mode unknown input observer, simultaneously. In this paper, it is shown that the design and stability analysis of the two estimation techniques are not related with the initial history. Through two numerical examples, the performance of the fractional-order H∞ filter and the fractional-order sliding-mode observer is illustrated with consideration of the initialization functions.
Analysis and Modeling of the Transient Thermal Behavior of Automotive Turbochargers
Authors: Burke Richard D.
Published: March 2014

Turbochargers are a key technology to deliver fuel consumption reductions on future internal combustion engines. However, the current industry standard modeling approaches assume the turbine and compressor operate under adiabatic conditions. Although some state of the art modeling approaches have been presented for simulating the thermal behavior, these have focused on thermally stable conditions. In this work, an instrumented turbocharger was operated on a 2.2 liter diesel engine and in parallel a one-dimensional lumped capacity thermal model was developed. For the first time this paper presents analysis of experimental and modeling results under dynamic engine operating conditions. Engine speed and load conditions were varied to induce thermal transients with turbine inlet temperatures ranging from 200 to 800 °C; warm-up behavior from 25 °C ambient was also studied. Following a model tuning process based on steady operating conditions, the model was used to predict turbine and compressor gas outlet temperatures, doing so with an RMSE of 8.4 and 7.1 °C, respectively. On the turbine side, peak heat losses from the exhaust gases were observed to be up to double those observed under thermally stable conditions due to the heat accumulation in the structure. During warm-up, the model simplifications did not allow for accurate modeling of the compressor, however on the turbine side gas temperature prediction errors were reduced from 150 to around 40 °C. The main benefits from the present modeling approach appear to be in turbine outlet temperature prediction, however modeling improvements are identified for future work.
Thermodynamic Considerations for Advanced, High Efficiency IC Engines
Authors: Caton Jerald A.
Published: March 2014

Thermodynamics is the key discipline for determining and quantifying the elements of advanced engine designs, which lead to high efficiency. In spite of its importance, thermodynamics is often not given full consideration in understanding engine operation for high efficiency. By fully utilizing the first and second laws of thermodynamics, detailed understanding of the engine features that provide for high efficiency may be determined. Of all the possible features that contribute to high efficiency, the results of this study show that highly diluted engines with high compression ratios provide the greatest impact for high efficiencies. Other important improvements, which increase the efficiency include reduced heat losses, optimal combustion phasing, reduced friction, and reduced combustion duration. Thermodynamic quantification of these concepts is provided. For one comparison, the brake thermal efficiency increased from about 34% for the conventional engine to about 48% for the engine with one set of the above features. One aspect that contributes to these improvements is the importance of the increase of the ratio of specific heats. In addition, these design features often result in low emissions due to the low combustion temperatures.
Assessment of the Lifetime of Gun Barrels Under High-Speed Moving Loads
Authors: Chevalier Ophélie , Langlet André , Fouché-Sanseigne Laetitia , Guilmard Yann
Published: March 2014

The aim of this work is to assess the influence of the dynamic stresses (due to the projectile displacement and the gas pressure) on the lifetime of certain medium caliber (less than 40 mm) gun barrels. First, an experimental study of tube dynamics under high speed loads was made. The large number of experimental measurements made it possible for us to identify the forcing effect of the projectile. In parallel, experimental samples were submitted to periodic traction-compression forces in order to obtain the material parameters of the barrels used in the study. Second, a finite element (FE) model was elaborated which faithfully forecasts the experimental strain records. Three-dimensional modeling permitted us to correctly evaluate the response in the zones of stress concentration. Third, a lifetime calculation was performed. This shows that the lifetime of the barrel is determined by the most constrained zones during firing: in the present case by the stresses appearing at the bottom of the grooves.
Multichannel response analysis on 2D projection views for detection of clustered microcalcifications in digital breast tomosynthesis
Authors: Wei Jun , Chan Heang‐Ping , Hadjiiski Lubomir M. , Helvie Mark A. , Lu Yao , Zhou Chuan , Samala Ravi
Published: March 2014

Purpose:

To investigate the feasibility of a new two‐dimensional (2D) multichannel response (MCR) analysis approach for the detection of clustered microcalcifications (MCs) in digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT).

Methods:

With IRB approval and informed consent, a data set of two‐view DBTs from 42 breasts containing biopsy‐proven MC clusters was collected in this study. The authors developed a 2D approach for MC detection using projection view (PV) images rather than the reconstructed three‐dimensional (3D) DBT volume. Signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) enhancement processing was first applied to each PV to enhance the potential MCs. The locations of MC candidates were then identified with iterative thresholding. The individual MCs were decomposed with Hermite–Gaussian (HG) and Laguerre–Gaussian (LG) basis functions and the channelized Hotelling model was trained to produce the MCRs for each MC on the 2D images. The MCRs from the PVs were fused in 3D by a coincidence counting method that backprojects the MC candidates on the PVs and traces the coincidence of their ray paths in 3D. The 3D MCR was used to differentiate the true MCs from false positives (FPs). Finally a dynamic clustering method was used to identify the potential MC clusters in the DBT volume based on the fact that true MCs of clinical significance appear in clusters. Using two‐fold cross validation, the performance of the 3D MCR for classification of true and false MCs was estimated by the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the overall performance of the MCR approach for detection of clustered MCs was assessed by free response receiver operating characteristic (FROC) analysis.

Results:

When the HG basis function was used for MCR analysis, the detection of MC cluster achieved case‐based test sensitivities of 80% and 90% at the average FP rates of 0.65 and 1.55 FPs per DBT volume, respectively. With LG basis function, the average FP rates were 0.62 and 1.57 per DBT volume at the same sensitivity levels. The difference in the two sets of basis functions for detection of MCs did not show statistical significance.

Conclusions:

The authorsˈ experimental results indicate that the MCR approach is promising for the detection of MCs on PV images. The HG or LG basis functions are both effective in characterizing the signal response of MCs using the channelized Hotelling model. The coincidence counting method for fusion of the 2D MCR in 3D is an important step for FP reduction. Further study is underway to improve the MCR approach for microcalcification detection in DBT.
Uncertainties in the Estimation of Radiation Risks and Probability of Disease Causation, NCRP Report No. 171.
Authors: Dauer Lawrence T.
Published: March 2014

Uncertainties in the Estimation of Radiation Risks and Probability of Disease Causation, NCRP Report No. 171. National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements, Bethesda, MD, 2012. 418 pp. Price: $155.00. ISBN: 9780983545019 (hardcover).
An experiment to measure the instantaneous distance to the Moon
Authors: Pellizza Leonardo J. , Mayochi Mariano G. , Ciocci Brazzano Ligia
Published: March 2014

We propose an experimental technique for determining the distance to the Moon. Our technique is based on measuring the change in angular size of the lunar disk due to the variation of the observer-Moon distance, as caused by the rotation of the Earth over several hours. Using this method we obtained a value of 3.46 × 105 km with a precision of 7%. Additionally, our technique allows for the determination of the Moon radius (1678 km ± 7%), and the instantaneous radial velocity with respect to the Earth (26.4 m/s ± 26%). A unique advantage of this method is that it is performed from a single location with a single observer, unlike the traditional parallax-based measurements that require at least two observers with a large separation distance.
Beyond Clausius–Clapeyron: Determining the second derivative of a first-order phase transition line
Authors: Krafcik Matthew , Sánchez Velasco Eduardo
Published: March 2014

We obtain an expression for the second derivative of the line in a PT diagram denoting a first-order phase transition for a pure hydrostatic system. Our result goes beyond the classical Clausius–Clapeyron equation, which provides only the first derivative of the pressure with respect to the temperature along the transition line. We present two pedagogical derivations suitable for an undergraduate thermodynamics class; the first one uses derivatives of the entropy while the second one uses derivatives of the enthalpy. The final expression for the second derivative involves only standard thermodynamic quantities such as the specific heats, the isothermal compressibilities, and the coefficients of thermal expansion of the two phases at the transition line. As an illustration, we compute the second derivatives of the freezing and vaporization lines of water at atmospheric pressure, and show that at this pressure the freezing line is concave down (negative second derivative) while the vaporization line is concave up (positive second derivative).
Advantages of using a logarithmic scale in pressure-volume diagrams for Carnot and other heat engine cycles
Authors: Shieh Lih-Yir , Kan Hung-Chih
Published: March 2014

We demonstrate that plotting the P-V diagram of an ideal gas Carnot cycle on a logarithmic scale results in a more intuitive approach for deriving the final form of the efficiency equation. The same approach also facilitates the derivation of the efficiency of other thermodynamic engines that employ adiabatic ideal gas processes, such as the Brayton cycle, the Otto cycle, and the Diesel engine. We finally demonstrate that logarithmic plots of isothermal and adiabatic processes help with visualization in approximating an arbitrary process in terms of an infinite number of Carnot cycles.
Accurate physical laws can permit new standard units: The two laws F→=ma→ and the proportionality of weight to mass
Authors: Saslow Wayne M.
Published: March 2014

Three common approaches to F→=ma→ are: (1) as an exactly true definition of force F→ in terms of measured inertial mass m and measured acceleration a→; (2) as an exactly true axiom relating measured values of a→, F→ and m; and (3) as an imperfect but accurately true physical law relating measured a→ to measured F→, with m an experimentally determined, matter-dependent constant, in the spirit of the resistance R in Ohm's law. In the third case, the natural units are those of a→ and F→, where a→ is normally specified using distance and time as standard units, and F→ from a spring scale as a standard unit; thus mass units are derived from force, distance, and time units such as newtons, meters, and seconds. The present work develops the third approach when one includes a second physical law (again, imperfect but accurate)—that balance-scale weight W is proportional to m—and the fact that balance-scale measurements of relative weight are more accurate than those of absolute force. When distance and time also are more accurately measurable than absolute force, this second physical law permits a shift to standards of mass, distance, and time units, such as kilograms, meters, and seconds, with the unit of force—the newton—a derived unit. However, were force and distance more accurately measurable than time (e.g., time measured with an hourglass), this second physical law would permit a shift to standards of force, mass, and distance units such as newtons, kilograms, and meters, with the unit of time—the second—a derived unit. Therefore, the choice of the most accurate standard units depends both on what is most accurately measurable and on the accuracy of physical law.
Compression waves and kinetic energy losses in collisions between balls and rods of different lengths
Authors: Freschi A. A. , Hessel R. , Yoshida M. , Chinaglia D. L.
Published: March 2014

We report investigations of collisions between steel balls and free-ended rods using an electro-mechanical apparatus combined with a Michelson interferometer. Our experimental methodology allows for the evaluation of several collision-initiated parameters, such as collision duration, speed of the inter-material wave pulse, change in rod length, and post-collision center-of-mass velocity. The fractional loss of kinetic energy of the ball-rod system is studied theoretically and experimentally as a function of the rod length. Results are compared to predictions obtained from the elastic-body collision theory. Several aspects of elastic waves are illustrated without recourse to complicated mathematics. The experiment provides significant insight into the physical behavior of colliding solids.
Why Is It Harder to Run on an Inclined Exercise Treadmill?
Authors: Nave Carla M.A.P.F. , Amoreira Luis J.M.
Published: March 2014

It is a known fact that it takes a greater effort to run on an exercise treadmill when it is inclined with positive slope than when it is in a horizontal position. The reason seems simple: walking on an inclined treadmill is somehow equivalent to walking up a hill with the same inclination; when we walk up a hill, our own weight does negative work (or, in other words, we gain potential energy as we ascend) and therefore we have to do more work to compensate for it (or, in other words, we must supply the potential energy increase).
Influence of Ankle Injury on Muscle Activation and Postural Control During Ballet Grand Plié
Authors: Lin Chia-Wei , Su Fong-Chin , Lin Cheng-Feng
Published: March 2014

Ballet deep squat with legs rotated externally (grand plié) is a fundamental movement for dancers. However, performing this task is a challenge to ankle control, particularly for those with ankle injury. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate how ankle sprains affect the ability of postural and muscular control during grand plié in ballet dancers. Thirteen injured dancers and 20 uninjured dancers performed a 15 second grand plié consisting of lowering, squatting, and rising phases. The lower extremity motion patterns and muscle activities, pelvic orientation, and center of pressure (COP) excursion were measured. In addition, a principal component analysis was applied to analyze waveforms of muscle activity in bilateral medial gastrocnemius, peroneus longus, and tibialis anterior. Our findings showed that the injured dancers had smaller pelvic motions and COP excursions, greater maximum angles of knee flexion and ankle dorsiflexion as well as different temporal activation patterns of the medial gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior. These findings suggested that the injured dancers coped with postural challenges by changing lower extremity motions and temporal muscle activation patterns.
A Comparison of Computation Methods for Leg Stiffness During Hopping
Authors: Hobara Hiroaki , Inoue Koh , Kobayashi Yoshiyuki , Ogata Toru
Published: March 2014

Despite the presence of several different calculations of leg stiffness during hopping, little is known about how the methodologies produce differences in the leg stiffness. The purpose of this study was to directly compare Kleg during hopping as calculated from three previously published computation methods. Ten male subjects hopped in place on two legs, at four frequencies (2.2, 2.6, 3.0, and 3.4 Hz). In this article, leg stiffness was calculated from the natural frequency of oscillation (method A), the ratio of maximal ground reaction force (GRF) to peak center of mass displacement at the middle of the stance phase (method B), and an approximation based on sine-wave GRF modeling (method C). We found that leg stiffness in all methods increased with an increase in hopping frequency, but Kleg values using methods A and B were significantly higher than when using method C at all hopping frequencies. Therefore, care should be taken when comparing leg stiffness obtained by method C with those calculated by other methods.
A Locking Contoured Plate for Distal Fibular Fractures: Mechanical Evaluation in an Osteoporotic Bone Model Using Screws of Different Length
Authors: Zahn Robert K. , Jakubietz Michael , Frey Sönke , Doht Stefanie , Sauer Alexander , Meffert Rainer H.
Published: March 2014

Osteoporotic bone with poor mechanical capacity provides limited stability after fixation of ankle fractures. Stabilization with an implant providing increased fixation strength in osteoporotic bone could reduce failure rates of fixation and allow a more functional treatment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a locking contoured plate for fixation of distal fibular fractures in comparison with a conventional contoured plate in an osteoporotic bone model. Eighty cylinders of osteoporotic bone surrogates were fixed with the two plates. We performed torque-to-failure and cyclic testing experiments using screws of different length with a Zwick/Roell testing machine. The locking system showed higher torque-to-failure and maximum torque levels as compared with the conventional plate in torque-to-failure experiments and torsional cyclic testing. The locking contoured plate provides improved fixation strength in the osteoporotic bone model. The locking system may be appropriate for fixation of distal fibular fractures, especially in osteoporotic bone with poor mechanical capacity.
Leg Dominance May Not Be a Predictor of Asymmetry in Peak Joint Moments and Ground Reaction Forces During Sit-to-Stand Movements
Authors: Schofield Jonathon S. , Parent Eric , Lewicke Justin , Carey Jason P. , El-Rich Marwan , Adeeb Samer
Published: March 2014

Sit-to-stand transfer is a common prerequisite for many daily tasks. Literature often assumes symmetric behavior across the left and right side. Although this assumption of bilateral symmetry is prominent, few studies have validated this supposition. This pilot study uniquely quantifies peak joint moments and ground reaction forces (GRFs), using a Euclidian norm approach, to evaluate bilateral symmetry and its relation to lower limb motor-dominance during sit to stand in ten healthy males. Peak joint moments and GRFs were determined using a motion capture system and inverse dynamics. This analysis included joint moment contributions from all three body planes (sagittal, coronal, and axial) as well as vertical and shearing GRFs. A paired, one-tailed t test was used, suggesting asymmetrical joint moment development in all three lower extremity joints as well as GRFs (P < .05). Furthermore, using an unpaired two-tailed t test, asymmetry developed during these movements does not appear to be predictable by participants’ lower limb motor-dominance (P < .025). Consequently, when evaluating sit-to-stand it is suggested the effects of asymmetry be considered in the interpretation of data. The absence of a relationship between dominance and asymmetry prevents the suggestion that one side can be tested to infer behavior of the contralateral.
Observation of Brownian Motion in Liquids at Short Times: Instantaneous Velocity and Memory Loss
Authors: Kheifets Simon , Simha Akarsh , Melin Kevin , Li Tongcang , Raizen Mark G.
Published: March 2014

Beyond Brownian Motion

On long time scales, the random Brownian motion of particles diffusing in a liquid is well described by theories developed by Einstein and others, but the instantaneous or short time scale behavior has been much harder to observe or analyze.

Kheifets
et al.

(p.
1493
) combined ultrasensitive position detection with sufficient data collection to probe the Brownian motion of microbeads in fluids on time scales that are shorter than the characteristic bead-fluid interaction time.
LIFE SCIENCE TECHNOLOGIES: Patient In A Dish: Toxicologists Embrace Stem Cells
Authors: Dove Alan
Published: March 2014

Toxicity assays based on embryonic and adult stem cells could soon replace unreliable cellular and animal testing, helping toxicologists detect which drugs might be dangerous long before they reach the market.
Building the Ultimate Yeast Genome
Authors: Pennisi Elizabeth
Published: March 2014

Chromosome by chromosome, a global army of researchers and students is putting together the first synthetic eukaryote genome.
Defective Neutrophil Recruitment in Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency Type I Disease Causes Local IL-17–Driven Inflammatory Bone Loss
Authors: Moutsopoulos Niki M. , Konkel Joanne , Sarmadi Mojgan , Eskan Mehmet A. , Wild Teresa , Dutzan Nicolas , Abusleme Loreto , Zenobia Camille , Hosur Kavita B. , Abe Toshiharu , Uzel Gulbu , Chen WanJun , Chavakis Triantafyllos , Holland Steven M. , Hajishengallis George
Published: March 2014

Inflammatory bone loss from periodontal infections in leukocyte adhesion deficiency disease can be reversed by treatment with antibodies to IL-17 or IL-23.
Epigenetic Reprogramming of
HOXC10
in Endocrine-Resistant Breast Cancer
Authors: Pathiraja Thushangi N. , Nayak Shweta R. , Xi Yuanxin , Jiang Shiming , Garee Jason P. , Edwards Dean P. , Lee Adrian V. , Chen Jian , Shea Martin J. , Santen Richard J. , Gannon Frank , Kangaspeska Sara , Jelinek Jaroslav , Issa Jean-Pierre J. , Richer Jennifer K. , Elias Anthony , McIlroy Marie , Young Leonie S. , Davidson Nancy E. , Schiff Rachel , Li Wei , Oesterreich Steffi
Published: March 2014

Genome-wide screen identifies methylation of the estrogen-repressed
HOXC10
gene as a determinant of resistance to aromatase inhibitors in breast cancer.
Comment on “Drug Discovery: Turning the Titanic”
Authors: Lesterhuis W. Joost , Bosco Anthony , Lake Richard A.
Published: March 2014

Molecular and cellular events that govern a disease resolution may pinpoint new druggable pathways.
No Nukes: A New Way to Treat Hepatitis B
Authors: Beaven Simon W.
Published: March 2014

A combination therapy might cure hepatitis B infection by obliterating latent nuclear viral DNA.
Intelligent Vaccine Design: Evolution of a Principle
Authors: Sun Jie
Published: March 2014

Epitope-focused artificial immunogens offer hope for a safe RSV vaccine.
Monkeying Around with the Genome
Authors: Tesar Paul J.
Published: March 2014

TALEN gene editing disrupts
Mepc2
in nonhuman primates.
Liver involvement in tuberous sclerosis
Authors: Kechaou Ines , Cherif Eya , Ben Hassine Lamia , Khalfallah Narjess
Published: March 2014

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a rare inherited disease that affects many organs and tissues, which explains the diversity of its clinical manifestations. This disease is often diagnosed at an early age when cutaneous angiofibromas, epilepsy and mental retardation are associated. The hepatic involvement in this phakomatosis is an uncommon location. In this context, we report the case of a tuberous sclerosis revealed in adulthood by abdominal pain and distension related to renal and hepatic angiomyolipomas associated with typical skin lesions.
Successful pregnancy in a woman with paraplegia
Authors: Castro Jorge Santos , Lourenço Cátia , Carrilho Marcelina
Published: March 2014

Pregnancy is a rare occurrence in patients suffering from spinal cord injury (SCI). Pregnancy in these patients presents unique challenges to obstetric care providers, who need to become familiar with the general principles of care in this setting. SCI alters the function of multiple organ systems and chronic medical conditions are common in this patient population. Certain medical complications such as urinary tract infections and autonomic hyper-reflexia, or autonomic dysreflexia, are expectable and can be managed successfully. A multidisciplinary team should care for delivery in these patients. The authors present a case of a pregnancy in a paraplegic woman whose lesion was at the level of T4. She received epidural analgesia and had a caesarian section. From this case, the authors aim to point out the specific concerns of the management of pregnancy and delivery in this setting emphasising the importance of a multidisciplinary team, specially obstetricians and anaesthetists.
An AIDS-defining neoplasm in a 30-year-old man on highly active antiretroviral therapy: a forgotten diagnosis?
Authors: Russell Mark D , Singh-Ranger Deepak , Crosbie James
Published: March 2014

Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has dramatically improved the morbidity and mortality of patients with HIV. Although the incidence of AIDS-defining neoplasms is decreasing with this therapy, they must still be considered in patients who present with suspicious symptoms. Early diagnosis and treatment may help to improve quality of life and clinical outcome. We report the case of a 30-year-old man on HAART who presented with an expanding lump in the left groin, thought to be a haematoma for 5 months. A high level of suspicion led to a prompt diagnosis of Burkitt's lymphoma followed by timely treatment with chemotherapy. This culminated in complete remission, with an improved quality of life.
A surprising content of congenital hernia: complete splenogonadal fusion band
Authors: Lakshmanan Prakash Manikka , Reddy Ajit Kumar , Nutakki Aditya
Published: March 2014

Splenogonadal fusion is a rare congenital anomaly. We present the case of a 6-year-old boy who presented with a left inguinoscrotal swelling. With a clinical diagnosis of left congenital inguinal hernia the patient was taken up for explorative laparotomy where a transperitoneal band was noted adherent to the left testis. Biopsy revealed normal splenic tissue. Postoperatively the boy was imaged and a diagnosis of splenogonadal fusion was made. This article illustrates the imaging features of this rare anomaly.
Football for life versus antidoping for the masses: ethical antidoping issues and solutions based on the extenuating experiences of an elite footballer competing while undergoing treatment for metastatic testicular cancer
Authors: Weiler Richard , Tombides Dylan , Urwin Jon , Clarke Jane , Verroken Michele
Published: March 2014

It is thankfully rare for extenuating circumstances to fully test the processes and procedures enshrined in national and world antidoping authorities’ rules and laws. It is also thankfully very rare that a failed drugs test can have some positive implications. Antidoping laws are undoubtedly focused on ensuring fair competition, however, there are occasions when honest athletes discover medical diagnoses through failed antidoping tests. The purpose of this paper is to broadly discuss antidoping considerations encountered, based on the four principles of medical ethics and to propose simple solutions to these problems. Unfortunately, extreme medical circumstances will often test the limits of antidoping and medical processes and with open channels for feedback, these systems can improve. Performance enhancement seems an illogical concept if an athlete’s medical treatment and disease are more inherently performance harming than unintended potential doping, but needs to be carefully managed to maintain fair sport.
An evaluation of the use of a two-tiered trauma team activation system in a UK major trauma centre
Authors: Jenkins P , Rogers J , Kehoe A , Smith J E
Published: March 2014

Objectives and background

Appropriate activation of multidisciplinary trauma teams improves outcome for severely injured patients but can disrupt normal service in the rest of the hospital. Derriford Hospital uses a two-tiered trauma team activation system. The emergency department trauma team (EDTT) is activated in response to a significant traumatic mechanism; the hospital trauma team (HTT) is activated when this mechanism coexists with physiological abnormality or specific anatomical injury. The aim of this study was to compare characteristics, process measures and outcomes between patients treated by EDTTs or HTTs to evaluate the approach in a UK setting.

Methods

A retrospective database review was performed using Trauma Audit Research Network (TARN) and the local source trauma database. Patients who activated a trauma team between 1 April and 30 September 2012 were included. Patients were categorised according to the type of trauma team activated. Data included time to X-rays, time to CT, time to intubation, numbers discharged from ED, intensive care unit admission, injury severity score and mortality.

Results

During the study period, 456 patients activated a trauma team with 358 EDTT and 98 HTT activations. Patients seen by the ED team were significantly less likely to have severe injury or require hospital admission, intubation, emergency operation or blood transfusion. Differences in time taken to key investigations were statistically but not clinically significant.

Conclusions

A two-tiered trauma team activation system is an efficient and cost-effective way of dealing with trauma patients presenting to a major trauma centre in the UK.
Soil compressibility in transient unsaturated seepage analyses
Authors: Stark Timothy D. , Jafari Navid H. , Leopold Aaron L. , Brandon Thomas L.
Published: March 2014

Most levee underseepage and uplift analyses are based on steady-state seepage and can yield conservative results. Although computations are simpler and steady-state seepage parameters are easier to determine and readily available, transient unsaturated seepage analyses are more representative of levee seepage conditions because boundary conditions acting on the levee or floodwall and saturation change with time, which induce pore-water pressure and seepage changes with time in the embankment and foundation strata. In addition, these boundary conditions, e.g., flood surge or storm event, are rapid such that steady-state conditions may not have time to develop in the embankment and some foundation materials. Transient seepage analyses using a floodwall case study indicate that as soil compressibility of the underseepage layer decreases, rapid landside pore-water pressures increase and can approach steady-state values. The transient results also indicate that uplift factors of safety during the flood event are about 22% higher than those at steady state. The effect of soil compressibility can delay or accelerate the onset of uplift water pressure increase from the initial steady-state conditions.
Charge carrier transport in boron doped poly-Si
Authors: Moser M. , Scheller L.-P. , Nickel N.H.
Published: March 2014

The influence of the used substrate and the boron doping concentration of the charge-transport properties of solid-phase crystallized polycrystalline silicon (poly-Si) is explored. The samples were characterized using temperature dependent transport measurements to determine mobility, carrier concentration, and conductivity. While Arrhenius plots of the hole concentration cannot be used to determine the position of the Fermi energy, a detailed analysis of the temperature dependent carrier concentration shows a Meyer–Neldel and an anti-Meyer–Neldel rule. Charge transport in poly-Si on SiN coated Borofloat glass with a boron concentraion [B] < 1016 cm–3 is limited by phonon scattering. On the other hand, for all poly-Si samples on Corning glass and poly-Si on SiN coated Borofloat glass with [B] > 1016 cm–3 charge-carrier transport is governed by thermionic emission over potential barriers. The data are discussed in terms of the Baccarani transport model.
A scale-covariant quantum spacetime
Authors: Perini Claudio , Tornetta Gabriele Nunzio
Published: March 2014

A noncommutative spacetime admitting dilation symmetry was briefly mentioned in the seminal work [8] of Doplicher, Fredenhagen and Roberts. In this paper, we explicitly construct the model in detail and carry out an indepth analysis. The C*-algebra that describes this quantum spacetime is determined, and it is shown that it admits an action by *-automorphisms of the dilation group, along with the expected Poincaré covariance. In order to study the main physical properties of this scale-covariant model, a free scalar neutral field is introduced as an investigation tool. Our key results are then the loss of locality and the irreducibility, or triviality, of special field algebras associated with regions of the ordinary Minkowski spacetime. It turns out, in the conclusions, that this analysis allows also to argue on viable ways of constructing a full conformally covariant model for quantum spacetime.
A GENERALIZED LEAKY INTEGRATE-AND-FIRE NEURON MODEL WITH FAST IMPLEMENTATION METHOD
Authors: WANG ZHENZHONG , GUO LILIN , ADJOUADI MALEK
Published: March 2014

This study introduces a new Generalized Leaky Integrate-and-Fire (GLIF) neuron model with variable leaking resistor and bias current in order to reproduce accurately the membrane voltage dynamics of a biological neuron. The accuracy of this model is ensured by adjusting its parameters to the statistical properties of the Hodgkin–Huxley model outputs; while the speed is enhanced by introducing a Generalized Exponential Moving Average method that converts the parameterized kernel functions into pre-calculated lookup tables based on an analytic solution of the dynamic equations of the GLIF model.
Ranking structures and rank–rank correlations of countries: The FIFA and UEFA cases
Authors: Ausloos Marcel , Cloots Rudi , Gadomski Adam , Vitanov Nikolay K.
Published: March 2014

Ranking of agents competing with each other in complex systems may lead to paradoxes according to the pre-chosen different measures. A discussion is presented on such rank–rank, similar or not, correlations based on the case of European countries ranked by UEFA and FIFA from different soccer competitions. The first question to be answered is whether an empirical and simple law is obtained for such (self-) organizations of complex sociological systems with such different measuring schemes. It is found that the power law form is not the best description contrary to many modern expectations. The stretched exponential is much more adequate. Moreover, it is found that the measuring rules lead to some inner structures in both cases.