bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Shock machine for the mechanical behaviour of hip prostheses: a description of performance capabilities
Authors: Uribe Juliana , Geringer Jean , Forest Bernard
Published: September 2011

The aim of this study was to describe the behaviour of a shock machine designed for testing hip prostheses. A microseparation between head and cup occurs inducing a shock of several times the body weight, leading to fracture of ceramic femoral components. Femoral heads and cups of diameter 32 mm manufactured from alumina were tested in dry and wet conditions. Implants were subjected to shocks with a load profile of 9 kN load at 2 Hz and various microseparations. Position is monitored and force is measured with two acquisition systems. The working range and the device capabilities were investigated. Only cups tested in dry conditions failed. Observations by scanning electron microscopy revealed intergranular and transgranular fractures. Two wear stripes were observed on the heads. Three‐dimensional roughness of wear stripes was measured. Since experimental results are in good agreement with retrieved femoral heads, the shocks machine reproduces the in vivo degradations. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Anti‐proliferative effect of curcumin on melanoma cells is mediated by PDE1A inhibition that regulates the epigenetic integrator UHRF1
Authors: Abusnina Abdurazzag , Keravis Thérèse , Yougbaré Issaka , Bronner Christian , Lugnier Claire
Published: September 2011

Scope: Curcumin inhibits proliferation of many cancer cells. Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDEs), by hydrolyzing intracellular cyclic adenosine‐3′,5′‐monophosphate (cAMP) and/or cyclic guanosine‐3′,5′‐monophosphate (cGMP), play a pivotal role in signalling pathways involved in cell proliferation. Therefore, this study investigated PDE1–5 participations in the anti‐proliferative properties of curcumin in B16F10 murine melanoma cells.

Methods and results: We report that curcumin inhibits PDE1–5 activities (IC50≅10−5 M), indicating that curcumin acts as a non‐selective PDE inhibitor. In melanoma cells, PDE4 and PDE1 represent the major cAMP‐PDEs and cGMP‐PDEs activities, respectively. Curcumin treatment decreased PDE1 and PDE4 activities and dose dependently increased intracellular cGMP levels, whereas cAMP levels were unchanged. Curcumin inhibited cell proliferation and cell cycle progression by accumulating cells in the S‐ and G2/M‐phases with enhanced expressions of cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitors. In contrast, expressions of PDE1A, cyclin A and the epigenetic integrator ubiquitin‐like containing PHD and Ring Finger domains 1 (UHRF1) and DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) were decreased by curcumin. Interestingly, PDE1A overexpression increased UHRF1 and DNMT1 expressions and rescued the B16F10 cells from curcumin anti‐proliferative effects. Nimodipine, a PDE1 inhibitor, mimicked the curcumin effects. Conclusion: Curcumin exerts its anti‐cancer property by targeting PDE1 that inhibits melanoma cell proliferation via UHRF1, DNMT1, cyclin A, p21 and p27 regulations. This suggests that natural PDE1 inhibitors present in food might be effective in preventing cancer.
Curcumin provides potential protection against the activation of hypoxia and prolyl 4‐hydroxylase inhibitors on prostate‐specific antigen expression in human prostate carcinoma cells
Authors: Chung Li‐Chuan , Tsui Ke‐Hung , Feng Tsui‐Hsia , Lee Shiow‐Ling , Chang Phei‐Lang , Juang Horng‐Heng
Published: September 2011

Scope: Prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) is a well‐known marker for diagnosing and monitoring prostate cancer. Curcumin, a yellow curry pigment, has been reported to enhance androgen receptor (AR) degradation. We examined the effects of curcumin on increasing PSA expression by hypoxia and prolyl hydroxylase inhibitors, L‐mimosine and dimethyloxalylglycine (DMOG), in human prostate carcinoma LNCaP cells.

Methods and results: The 3H‐thymidine incorporation assay revealed that either L‐mimosine or DMOG treatments attenuated cell proliferation. Immunoblot and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) indicated that both L‐mimosine and DMOG have an effect similar to hypoxia, which stabilized hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1α (HIF‐1α) and induced PSA gene expression. The results of the immunoblot and transient gene expression assays indicated that induction of the PSA expression by hypoxia is both HIF‐1α‐ and AR‐dependent. Immunoblot assays revealed that a curcumin treatment (10 μM) decreased the protein abundance of AR but did not significantly affect the protein levels of HIF‐1α and vascular endothelial growth factor, which were induced by hypoxia. ELISA and transient gene expression assays indicated that curcumin blocked the activation of L‐mimosine or DMOG treatment on PSA expression.

Conclusions: These results indicate that curcumin blocked the enhanced effect of PSA expression by L‐mimosine and DMOG that induce hypoxia condition.
Can the efficacy of electrically stimulated pedaling using a commercially available ergometer BE improved by minimizing the muscle stress–time integral?
Authors: Hakansson Nils A. , Hull Maury L.
Published: September 2011

Introduction: The cardiorespiratory and muscular strength benefits of functional electrical stimulation (FES) pedaling for spinal cord injury (SCI) subjects are limited because the endurance of electrically stimulated muscle is low. Methods: We tested new electrical stimulation timing patterns (Stim3, designed using a forward dynamic simulation to minimize the muscle stress–time integral) to determine whether SCI subjects could increase work and metabolic responses when pedaling a commercial FES ergometer. Work, rate of oxygen uptake (V̇O2), and blood lactate data were taken from 11 subjects (injury level T4–T12) on repeated trials. Results: Subjects performed 11% more work pedaling with Stim3 than with existing stimulation patterns (StimErg) (P = 0.043). Average (V̇O2) and blood lactate concentrations were not significantly different between Stim3 (442 ml/min, 5.9 mmol/L) and StimErg (417 ml/min, 5.9 mmol/L). Conclusion: The increased mechanical work performed with Stim3 supports the use of patterns that minimize the muscle stress–time integral to prolong FES pedaling. Muscle Nerve, 2012
Pharmacovigilance systems and databases in Korea, Japan, and Taiwan
Authors: Kimura Tomomi , Matsushita Yasuyuki , Yang Yea‐Huei Kao , Choi Nam‐Kyong , Park Byung‐Joo
Published: September 2011

Purpose

The aim of this article is to qualitatively describe the characteristics of spontaneous reporting systems, signal detection methods, and observational databases in Korea, Japan, and Taiwan.

Methods

National statistics and published literature were reviewed to determine the annual number of spontaneous reports and the main source (reporters) for each country. The data items collected for spontaneous reports, mode of transmission, availability of reports, and quantitative methods for signal detection were compared across the countries. The characteristics of the national insurance claims databases also were summarized.

Results

The number of annual domestic spontaneous reports in 2007 from Korea, Japan, and Taiwan were 3751, 32 391, and 6971, respectively, which increased to 26 827, 34 649, and 10 320, respectively, over the next 2 years. If adjusted by total population, the latter would be 5.59, 2.71, and 4.49 per 10 000 persons, respectively. The reports were directly submitted mainly by physicians (51%) in Korea and hospital pharmacists (65%) in Taiwan, whereas 89% of the reports in Japan were submitted by manufacturers. Routine data mining of the national spontaneous report database has been implemented in Japan and will be in Korea and Taiwan.

Conclusions

Differences in quantity and submission practice of spontaneous reports should be noted for potential comparison among these countries/regions, as well as with those from Western countries, even after the full implementation of national data mining system. Nationwide claims databases with nearly 100% coverage are great assets for pharmacovigilance and pharmacoepidemiology and can be major contributors to global pharmacovigilance. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Microscopic study of the efficiency of Coulomb‐ and phonon‐induced relaxation channels in graphene
Authors: Winzer Torben , Malić Ermin
Published: September 2011

We present a microscopic approach on ultrafast relaxation dynamics of optically excited carriers in graphene. In agreement with experimental differential transmission spectra, we find the dynamics to be characterized by two timescales: the ultrafast femtosecond thermalization and the carrier cooling on a picosecond timescale. The framework of the density matrix theory allows to separately analyze the strength of different relaxation channels, such as carrier–carrier and carrier–phonon scattering, resolved in time, momentum, and angle. Our calculations reveal that the initial thermalization is governed by the Coulomb interaction, however the carrier–phonon scattering also considerably contributes to the process of forming a hot Fermi distribution. The energy dissipation and the cooling of carriers is determined by phonon‐induced intra‐ and interband scattering.
Thermionic field electron emission from graphite‐based nanomaterials
Authors: Lyashenko S. , Kleshch V. , Obraztsov A.
Published: September 2011

Thermionic and field electron emissions governed by Richardson–Dushman and Fowler–Nordheim equations, respectively, normally coexist under typical experimental conditions. However, some carbon‐based cathodes demonstrate deviations of temperature dependencies of the current–voltage characteristics from those predicted by these equations. The nature of deviations cannot be ascribed to insufficient variations of work function or surface topology, which result from temperature variations. In this work, the temperature dependencies of the electron emission characteristics were experimentally investigated for the nanographite film cathodes obtained by a chemical vapor deposition method. It was found that self‐consistent explanation of the experimental observations of the thermionic and field electron emissions from the nanocarbon cathodes may be given by taking into account the temperature dependence of free carrier density.
Theory and model analysis of spin relaxation time in graphene — Could it be used for spintronics?
Authors: Simon Ferenc , Murányi Ferenc , Dóra Balázs
Published: September 2011

Graphene appears to be an excellent candidate for spintronics due to the low spin–orbit coupling in carbon, the two‐dimensional nature of the graphene sheet, and the high electron mobility. However, recent experiments by Tombros et al. [Nature 448, 571 (2007).] found a prohibitively short spin‐decoherence time in graphene. We present a comprehensive theory of spin decoherence in graphene including intrinsic, Bychkov–Rashba, and ripple related spin–orbit coupling. We find that the available experimental data can be explained by an intrinsic spin–orbit coupling which is orders of magnitude larger than predicted in first principles calculations. We show that comparably large values are present for structurally and electronically similar systems, MgB2 and Li intercalated graphite. The spin‐relaxation in graphene is neither due to the Elliott–Yafet nor due to the Dyakonov–Perel mechanism but a smooth crossover between the two regimes occurs near the Dirac point as a function of the chemical potential.
Factors Affecting Drug Quality Problems in Thailand
Authors: Ongoagchai Supawadee , Harun‐Or‐Rashid Md. , Sakamoto Junichi
Published: September 2011

Poor drug quality is a global concern as it can cause treatment failure, adverse effects, increased morbidity, mortality and development of drug resistance. This study was aimed to identify factors affecting drug quality problems. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used through a logistic regression model to determine association between 4 M factors (man, machine, materials and methods) and drug quality problems (physical appearance changes, labeling problems, packaging problems and packing problems). We found that two factors, man and material, were mainly associated with drug quality problems. Among other man factors, ‘inspector checking the finished products’ was the leading cause for labeling problems. Likewise, aluminum foil was responsible for packaging problems among other material factors. We conclude that drug manufacturers should consider using detector and barcode systems to reduce human errors and use good quality packaging materials to reduce drug quality problems. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy: clinical and molecular aspects
Authors: Tavazzi Eleonora , White Martyn K. , Khalili Kamel
Published: September 2011

The fatal CNS demyelinating disease, progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), is rare and appears to occur almost always as a consequence of immune dysfunction. Thus, it is associated with HIV/AIDS and also as a side effect of certain immunomodulatory monoclonal antibody therapies. In contrast to the rarity of PML, the etiological agent of the disease, the polyomavirus JC (JCV), is widespread in populations worldwide. In the 40 years since JCV was first isolated, much has been learned about the virus and the disease from laboratory and clinical observations. However, there are many aspects of the viral life cycle and of the pathogenesis of the disease that remain unclear, and our understanding is constantly evolving. In this review, we will discuss our current understanding of the clinical features of PML and molecular characteristics of JCV and of how they relate to each other. Clinical observations can inform molecular studies of the virus, and likewise, molecular findings concerning the life cycle of the virus can guide the development of novel therapeutic strategies. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dynamic online nonlinear robust detection and accommodation of incipient component faults for nonlinear dissipative distributed processes
Authors: Demetriou M.A. , Armaou A.
Published: September 2011

This paper proposes a new nonlinear detection observer for the detection of component faults and their subsequent accommodation for a class of nonlinear distributed processes. Specifically, the proposed results constitute a significant extension to previous precursory work that utilized a linear observer for both detection and diagnosis of component faults for the same class of nonlinear distributed processes. An added feature of the proposed nonlinear observer under consideration is not simply the inclusion of nonlinear dynamics terms in the detection and diagnostic observers but the inclusion of such additional information in the expression for the dynamic residual threshold. The resulting improved version of a dynamic threshold contributes to the robustness of the detection scheme and minimizes the fault detection time. Two different dynamic threshold approaches are employed within the same nonlinear detection observer leading to improved detection time. A combination of the two thresholds is also considered to arrive at a detection observer that reaps the beneficial attributes of each of the thresholds, thus resulting in significant reduction of the fault detection time. Finally, an adaptive diagnostic observer is proposed that is subsequently utilized in an automated control reconfiguration scheme that accommodates the component faults. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Target tracking of autonomous robotic vehicles using range‐only measurements: a switched logic‐based control strategy
Authors: Namaki‐Shoushtari Omid , Pedro Aguiar A. , Khaki‐Sedigh Ali
Published: September 2011

This paper considers the pursuing or target tracking problem where an autonomous robotic vehicle is required to move towards a maneuvering target using range‐only measurements. We propose a switched logic‐based control strategy to solve the pursuing problem that can be described as comprising a continuous cycle of two distinct phases: (1) the determination of the bearing, and (2) the steering control of the vehicle to follow the direction computed in the previous step while the range is decreasing. We provide guaranteed conditions under which the switched closed‐loop system achieves convergence of the relative distance error to a small neighborhood around zero. Simulation results are presented and discussed.Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modeling the Point‐Spread Function in Helium‐Ion Lithography
Authors: Winston Donald , Ferrera J. , Battistella L. , Vladár A. E. , Berggren K. K.
Published: September 2011

We present here a hybrid approach to modeling helium‐ion lithography that combines the power and ease‐of‐use of the Stopping and Range of Ions in Matter (SRIM) software with the results of recent work simulating secondary electron (SE) yield in helium‐ion microscopy. This approach traces along SRIM‐produced helium‐ion trajectories, generating and simulating trajectories for SEs using a Monte Carlo method. We found, both through simulation and experiment, that the spatial distribution of energy deposition in a resist as a function of radial distance from beam incidence, i.e. the point spread function, is not simply a sum of Gauss functions. SCANNING 33: 121–128, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Mechanical and micromorphological evaluation of chlorhexidine‐mediated dentin remineralization
Authors: Kim Duck‐Su , Kwon Jeong‐Mee , Park Sang‐Hyuk , Choi Sung Chul , Kim Sun‐Young
Published: September 2011

Chlorhexidine (CHX) has been reported to reduce self‐degradation of collagen fibrils by inhibiting host‐derived protease activity in demineralized dentin. Theoretically, if the collagen fibril scaffold of demineralized dentin maintains its original crosslinkage pattern on treatment with CHX and appropriate supplementation with necessary mineral sources, dentin remineralization may occur in demineralized lesions. In this study, we provide direct mechanical and micromorphological evidence for the ability of CHX to promote remineralization of demineralized dentin. Specifically, with respect to demineralized dentin blocks treated with different concentrations of CHX (0.02–2%) and stored in simulated body fluid, we have observed a significant increase in the elastic modulus of dentin treated with relatively high concentrations of CHX (0.2 and 2%) as storage time increased, whereas the elastic modulus of the non‐CHX treated control group decreased. We have also observed a dense mineral deposition along collagen fibrils in the dentin group treated with 0.2 and 2% CHX via field emission scanning electron microscopy. SCANNING 34: 151–158, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Energy efficiency of encryption schemes applied to wireless sensor networks
Authors: Zhang Xueying , Heys Howard M. , Li Cheng
Published: September 2011

In this paper, we focus on the energy efficiency of secure communication in wireless sensor networks (WSNs). Our research considers link layer security of WSNs, investigating both the ciphers and the cryptographic implementation schemes, including aspects such as the cipher mode of operation and the establishment of initialization vectors (IVs). We evaluate the computational energy efficiency of different symmetric key ciphers considering both the algorithm characteristics and the effect of channel quality on cipher synchronization. Results show that the computational energy cost of block ciphers is less than that of stream ciphers when data are encrypted and transmitted through a noisy channel. We further investigate different factors affecting the communication energy cost of link layer cryptographic schemes, such as the size of payload, the mode of operation applied to a cipher, the distribution of the IV, and the quality of the communication channel. A comprehensive performance comparison of different cryptographic schemes is undertaken by developing an energy analysis model of secure data transmission at the link layer. This model is constructed considering various factors affecting both the computational cost and communication cost, and its appropriateness is verified by simulation results. In conclusion, we recommend using a block cipher instead of a stream cipher to encrypt data for WSN applications and using a cipher feedback scheme for the cipher operation, thereby achieving energy efficiency without compromising the security in WSNs. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Determination of molar mass distribution of tapioca starch using asymmetrical flow field flow fractionation
Authors: Juna Shazia , Huber Anton
Published: September 2011

The apparent average molar masses (Mw,app) and apparent average radii of gyration (Rg,app) of native tapioca starch and fractions were determined using asymmetrical flow field flow fractionation (AF4) coupled with multi‐angle light scattering and RI detectors (AF4/MALS/RI). AM‐type (Fraction A) and AP‐type (Fraction B) were chemically separated from native tapioca starch. Native tapioca starch and Fractions (A and B) were dissolved in 1 M KSCN using a high pressure microwave vessel. The effect of varying cross flow rates at a fixed channel flow rate upon the Mw,app and Rg,app distributions of native tapioca starch and Fractions (A and B) were investigated. The average Mw,app values for native tapioca starch, Fraction (A) and Fraction (B) were 59 × 106, 2.1 × 106 and 19 × 106 g/mol, respectively, with average Rg,app values of 165, 73 and 87 nm, respectively. Hydrodynamic radii (Rh) values for native tapioca starch and fractions were determined directly from AF4 experimental parameters.
Bactericidal and Antioxidant Activity of Essential Oils from Myristica fragrans Houtt and Salvia microphylla H.B.K
Authors: Lima Rafaela K. , Cardoso Maria das Graças , Andrade Milene A. , Guimarães Paula L. , Batista Luís R. , Nelson David L.
Published: September 2011

This study chemically characterizes and evaluates the bactericidal and antioxidant activities of essential oils from Myristica fragrans and Salvia microphylla. The essential oils were obtained by steam distillation and were subsequently subjected to analysis by GC–MS and GC. The agar diffusion test was employed to evaluate the bactericidal activity, while the 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and β‐carotene/linoleic acid tests were used to determine the antioxidant activity. Terpin‐4‐ol (14.95%), sabinene (13.07%) and γ‐terpinene (11.22%) were found to be the major constituents in the essential oil of M. fragrans by gas chromatography, whereas (E)‐caryophyllene (15.35%), α‐eudesmol (14.06%), β‐eudesmol (8.74%) and γ‐eudesmol (7.64%) were encountered in the essential oil of S. microphylla. Both essential oils showed bactericidal activity, with the essential oil of S. microphylla being more efficient. The antioxidant activity of the essential oils from M. fragrans and S. microphylla were demonstrated by the β‐carotene/linoleic acid test, with IC50 976 and IC50 770 μg/mL, respectively.
Effects of Amino Acids and Peptide on Lipid Oxidation in Emulsion Systems
Authors: Park Eun Young , Nakamura Yasushi , Sato Kenji , Matsumura Yasuki
Published: September 2011

We investigated the effects of amino acids and peptide on lipid oxidation in emulsion systems. For comparative purposes, we also tested the antioxidant activity of ferulic acid, a typical phenolic antioxidant. Histidine and cysteine retarded lipid oxidation (the amount of thiobarbituric acid [TBA]‐reactive substances reached approximately 13 and 18 μM after 7 days, respectively), whereas arginine, methionine, and tryptophan did not inhibit the progression of oxidation. Soy peptide also inhibited lipid oxidation. Ferulic acid was found to be the most effective suppressor of lipid oxidation (TBA‐reactive substances were suppressed to <3 μM over 7 days). The antioxidant activities of soy peptide and ferulic acid were related to the purity of the emulsifier used. The radical scavenging activities of soy peptide and ferulic acid were closely related to their inhibitory effects on lipid oxidation. However, this was not the case for amino acids. Decreases in the turbidity of emulsions were closely related to increases in TBA values.
Suspensions in a tilted trough: second normal stress difference
Authors: Couturier Étienne , Boyer François , Pouliquen Olivier , Guazzelli Élisabeth
Published: September 2011

We measure the second normal-stress difference in suspensions of non-Brownian neutrally buoyant rigid spheres dispersed in a Newtonian fluid. We use a method inspired by Wineman & Pipkin (Acta Mechanica, vol. 2, 1966, pp. 104–115) and Tanner (Trans. Soc. Rheol., vol. 14, 1970, pp. 483–507), which relies on the examination of the shape of the suspension free surface in a tilted trough flow. The second normal-stress difference is found to be negative and linear in shear stress. The ratio of the second normal-stress difference to shear stress increases with increasing volume fraction. A clear behavioural change exhibiting a strong (approximately linear) growth in the magnitude of this ratio with volume fraction is seen above a volume fraction of 0.22. By comparing our results with previous data obtained for the same batch of spheres by Boyer, Pouliquen & Guazzeli (J. Fluid Mech., 2011, doi:10.1017/jfm.2011.272), the ratio of the first normal-stress difference to the shear stress is estimated and its magnitude is found to be very small.
Rethinking Tradition: From Ontological Reality to Assigned Temporal Meaning
Authors: Shoham Hizky
Published: September 2011

The article seeks to revitalize the concept of tradition and re-claim its usefulness for contemporary sociological thought and research. Instead of ontological entity, tradition is defined here as an assigned temporal meaning, i.e., a symbolic activity in which various social groups attribute traditional qualities to certain sectors of life that are understood as binding together different times. The article analyzes two incompatible approaches with which tradition was hitherto conceptualized in sociology: (1) tradition as the anti-modern, and (2) tradition as synonymous with “culture.” The analysis introduces a few middle-ground options that support the theory of tradition as assigned meaning.
Combination of Lactobacillus helveticus R0052 and Bifidobacterium longum R0175 reduces post-myocardial infarction depression symptoms and restores intestinal permeability in a rat model
Authors: Arseneault-Bréard Jessica , Rondeau Isabelle , Gilbert Kim , Girard Stéphanie-Anne , Tompkins Thomas A. , Godbout Roger , Rousseau Guy
Published: September 2011

Myocardial infarction (MI) in rats is accompanied by apoptosis in the limbic system and a behavioural syndrome similar to models of depression. We have already shown that probiotics can reduce post-MI apoptosis and designed the present study to determine if probiotics can also prevent post-MI depressive behaviour. We also tested the hypothesis that probiotics achieve their central effects through changes in the intestinal barrier. MI was induced in anaesthetised rats via 40-min transient occlusion of the left anterior coronary artery. Sham rats underwent the same surgical procedure without actual coronary occlusion. For 7 d before MI and between the seventh post-MI day and euthanasia, half the MI and sham rats were given one billion live bacterial cells of Lactobacillus helveticus R0052 and Bifidobacterium longum R0175 per d dissolved in water, while the remaining animals received only the vehicle (maltodextrin). Depressive behaviour was evaluated 2 weeks post-MI in social interaction, forced swimming and passive avoidance step-down tests. Intestinal permeability was evaluated by oral administration with fluorescein isothiocyanate–dextran, 4 h before euthanasia. MI rats displayed less social interaction and impaired performance in the forced swimming and passive avoidance step-down tests compared to the sham controls (P < 0·05). Probiotics reversed the behavioural effects of MI (P < 0·05), but did not alter the behaviour of sham rats. Intestinal permeability was increased in MI rats and reversed by probiotics. In conclusion, L. helveticus R0052 and B. longum R0175 combination interferes with the development of post-MI depressive behaviour and restores intestinal barrier integrity in MI rats.
EVALUATION OF AN INTERVENTION TO IMPROVE QUALITY OF CARE IN FAMILY PLANNING PROGRAMME IN THE PHILIPPINES
Authors: JAIN ANRUDH K. , RAMARAO SAUMYA , KIM JACQUELINE , COSTELLO MARILOU
Published: September 2011

This paper presents the results of a longitudinal intervention study carried out in the Davao del Norte province of the Philippines. The intervention, tested through a quasi-experimental design, consisted of training of family planning service providers in information exchange and training of their supervisors in facilitative supervision. The training intervention significantly improved providers' knowledge and quality of care received by clients. Moreover, good quality care received by clients at the time of initiating contraception use increased the likelihood of contraceptive continuation and decreased the likelihood of both having an unintended pregnancy and an unwanted birth. However, comparison of women in the experimental group with those in the control group did not show any significant effect of provider-level training intervention on these client-level outcomes. The reasons for this conundrum and the implications for quality of care are discussed.
Visions of freedom: Duke Ellington in the Soviet Union
Authors: Cohen Harvey G.
Published: September 2011

The Duke Ellington orchestra's 1971 visit to the Soviet Union (USSR) marked their most important and publicised State Department tour, following acclaimed 1960s State tours they made to the Middle East, Near East, Asia and Africa. The Soviet tour occurred during the efforts of President Richard Nixon to establish détente at the height of the Cold War between the United States, the Soviet Union and China. Ellington found not just acceptance in Communist and satellite countries, but rabid enthusiasm that belied official Soviet government disdain or censorship of American jazz. While he was magnanimous as usual to Soviet fans and engaged in no political grandstanding, Ellington wanted his performances and presence to embody the differences between what he viewed as the freedom and democracy of his home country, and the current situation in the Soviet Union. Ellington's multi-layered vision of freedom, and the various struggles that he, the band, and State Department officials encountered during the tour provided a sharp contrast to the domineering official Soviet presence. The tour exposed the limits of what the closed society of the Soviet government could shield from their own people. Ellington made a strong impact, the strongest that any American artist had yet made in the Soviet Union.
Pained expression: metaphors of sickness and signs of ‘authenticity’ in Kurt Cobain'sJournals
Authors: Wood Jessica L.
Published: September 2011

This article investigates the relationship between biography and authenticity within the aesthetics of grunge musician Kurt Cobain, using the 2002 Riverhead Press volume of his journals as a primary source. Focusing on Cobain's fascination with the human form and with bodily fluids, I argue that his idea of the ‘sick body’ functioned as a central metaphor that shaped his approach to various media (prose, lyrics, drawing and singing) such that there was a homology between these different forms. I draw on excerpts from theJournalsto show the meanings that he associated with the ‘sick body’, including the ways in which it indexed his own biography of physical pain and social marginalisation. Using the Nirvana song ‘Hairspray Queen’ as a case study, I then show the interactions between musical and linguistic signs of the sick body and how these interactions reveal Cobain's ideas on music's meaning. Ultimately, I argue that in song lyrics and performance, Cobain prized scatological imagery, eviscerating vocals and unintelligible lyrics as a means to signal the ‘authenticity’ of his art.
Expression of apoptotic genes in immature andin vitromatured equine oocytes and cumulus cells
Authors: Leon P.M.M. , Campos V.F. , Kaefer C. , Begnini K.R. , McBride A.J.A. , Dellagostin O.A. , Seixas F.K , Deschamps J.C. , Collares T.
Published: September 2011

The gene expression of Bax, Bcl-2, survivin and p53, followingin vitromaturation of equine oocytes, was compared in morphologically distinct oocytes and cumulus cells. Cumulus–oocyte complexes (COC) were harvested and divided into two groups: G1 – morphologically healthy cells; and G2 – less viable cells or cells with some degree of atresia. Total RNA was isolated from both immature andin vitromatured COC and real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to quantify gene expression. Our results showed there was significantly higher expression of survivin (P< 0.05) and lower expression of p53 (P< 0.01) in oocytes compared with cumulus cells in G1. No significant difference in gene expression was observed followingin vitromaturation or in COC derived from G1 and G2. However, expression of theBaxgene was significantly higher in cumulus cells from G1 (P< 0.02).
Determinants of disability among the elderly population in a rural south Indian community: the need to study local issues and contexts
Authors: Duba A. S. , Rajkumar A. P. , Prince M. , Jacob K. S.
Published: September 2011

Background: Disability among the elderly is a cause of significant burden. There is dearth of relevant research from low- and middle-income countries. We aimed to establish the nature and factors associated with disability among the elderly in a rural south Indian community.

Methods: We recruited 1000 participants aged over 65 years from Kaniyambadi block, Vellore, India. We assessed their disability status, sociodemographic profile, psychiatric morbidity, cognitive functioning and anthropometrics using the following structured instruments: WHO Disability Assessment Scale II, Geriatric Mental State, Community Screening Instrument for Dementia, and Neuropsychiatric Inventory. We employed appropriate multivariate statistics to study the factors associated with a higher level of disability and to determine the population attributable fractions for various modifiable risk factors.

Results: Advanced age, illiteracy, hunger, poor nutrition, arthritis, hearing impairment, gastro-intestinal and respiratory diseases, dementia and travel costs to primary health facilities increased the risk of disability significantly. Hypertension, diabetes and depression were not associated with disability. Modifiable social determinants and medical diseases together contributed to disability in this population.

Conclusion: Locally relevant social determinants combine with prevalent medical diseases to produce the disability burden among elderly. There is a need to focus on local contexts and modifiable risk factors to design locally appropriate public health policies and interventions.
Psychological distress across the lifespan: examining age-related item bias in the Kessler 6 Psychological Distress Scale
Authors: Sunderland Matthew , Hobbs Megan J. , Anderson Tracy M. , Andrews Gavin
Published: September 2011

Background: Old age respondents may differ systemically in their responses to measures of psychological distress over and above their actual latent distress levels when compared to younger respondents. The current study aimed to investigate the potential for age-related bias(es) in the Kessler 6 Psychological Distress Scale (K6) items.

Methods: Data from the 2007 Australian National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing were analyzed using Item Response Theory to detect the presence of item bias in each of the K6 items. The potential for item bias was assessed by systematically comparing respondents classed as young (16–34 years), middle aged (35–64 years), and old aged (65–85 years). The significance and magnitude of the item bias between the age groups was assessed using the log-likelihood ratio method of differential item functioning.

Results: After statistical adjustment, there were no biases of significant magnitude influencing the endorsement of K6 items between young and middle-aged respondents or between middle-aged and old age respondents. There was a bias of significant magnitude present in the endorsement of the K6 item addressing levels of fatigue between young and old age respondents.

Conclusions: Despite the identification of significant item bias in the endorsement of K6 items between the age groups, the magnitude and influence of the bias on total K6 scores is likely to have little influence on the overall interpretation of group data when comparing psychological distress across the lifespan. Researchers should be cautious, however, when examining individual levels of fatigue related to psychological distress in older individuals.
Body fat location and cardiovascular disease risk factors in overweight female adolescents and eutrophic female adolescents with a high percentage of body fat
Authors: Pereira Patrícia F. , Serrano Hiara M. S. , Carvalho Gisele Q. , Lamounier Joel A. , Peluzio Maria do Carmo G. , Franceschini Sylvia do Carmo C. , Priore Silvia E.
Published: September 2011

Background:

Excessive body fat, mainly abdominal fat, is associated with higher cardiovascular risk. However, a fat localisation measurement that would be more indicative of risk in adolescents has not yet been established.

Objective:

This study was conducted in order to evaluate the correlation between body fat location measurements and cardiovascular disease risk factors in female adolescents.

Materials and methods:

A total of 113 girls – 38 eutrophic according to their body mass index but with a high percentage of body fat, 40 eutrophic with adequate body fat, and 35 with excessive weight – were evaluated using 15 anthropometrical measurements and 10 cardiovascular risk factors.

Results:

The central skinfold was the best measurement for predicting variables such as glycaemia and high-density lipoprotein; waist circumference for insulin and homeostasis model assessment; coronal diameter for total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein; sagittal abdominal diameter for triglycerides and leptin; hip circumference for blood pressure; and the central/peripheral skinfold ratio for homocysteine. The correlation between the measurements and the number of risk factors showed that waist circumference and the waist/stature ratio produced the best results.

Conclusions:

The results suggest that the body fat distribution in adolescents is relevant in the development of cardiovascular risk factors. Simple measurements such as waist circumference and the waist/stature ratio were the best predictors of a risk of disease and they should therefore be associated with the body mass index in clinical practice in order to identify those adolescents at higher risk.
Development of a glial network in the olfactory nerve: role of calcium and neuronal activity
Authors: Koussa Mounir A. , Tolbert Leslie P. , Oland Lynne A.
Published: September 2011

In adult olfactory nerves of mammals and moths, a network of glial cells ensheathes small bundles of olfactory receptor axons. In the developing antennal nerve (AN) of the moth Manduca sexta, the axons of olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) migrate from the olfactory sensory epithelium toward the antennal lobe. Here we explore developmental interactions between ORN axons and AN glial cells. During early stages in AN glial-cell migration, glial cells are highly dye coupled, dividing glia are readily found in the nerve and AN glial cells label strongly for glutamine synthetase. By the end of this period, dye-coupling is rare, glial proliferation has ceased, glutamine synthetase labeling is absent, and glial processes have begun to extend to enwrap bundles of axons, a process that continues throughout the remainder of metamorphic development. Whole-cell and perforated-patch recordingsin vivofrom AN glia at different stages of network formation revealed two potassium currents and an R-like calcium current. Chronicin vivoexposure to the R-type channel blocker SNX-482 halted or greatly reduced AN glial migration. Chronically blocking spontaneous Na-dependent activity by injection of tetrodotoxin reduced the glial calcium current implicating an activity-dependent interaction between ORNs and glial cells in the development of glial calcium currents.
ON THE TERMINATION OF RUSSELL’S DESCRIPTION ELIMINATION ALGORITHM
Authors: GRABMAYER CLEMENS , LEO JOOP , VAN OOSTROM VINCENT , VISSER ALBERT
Published: September 2011

In this paper we study the termination behavior of Russell’s description elimination rewrite system. We discuss certain claims made by Kripke (2005) in his paper concerning the possible nontermination of elimination of descriptions.
Varying the Complexity of the Prospective Memory Decision Process in an Air Traffic Control Simulation
Authors: Loft Shayne , Pearcy Ben , Remington Roger W.
Published: September 2011

Operators that monitor and control dynamic displays (air traffic control [ATC], naval radar tracking) sometimes fail to remember to perform deferred tasks. Such memory failures have been studied in the laboratory, but only recently applied to tasks such as ATC ( Loft & Remington, 2010 ; Loft, Finnerty, & Remington, 2011 ; Loft, Smith, & Bhaskara, 2011 ). In work domains such as ATC, operators must often consider multiple display features before determining an action. The current study examined the effect of varying the number of aircraft display features that individuals need to process for the prospective memory (PM) task. Participants made more PM errors, and were slower to make aircraft acceptance decisions and to detect conflicts, when the PM task required that target aircraft satisfied one of the two possible conditions, compared to only one possible condition. Directions for research are discussed that should continue to bridge the gap between PM in basic and applied settings.
An Investigation of Prospective and Retrospective Coding in Capuchin Monkeys and Rhesus Monkeys
Authors: Klein Emily D. , Evans Theodore A. , Beran Michael J.
Published: September 2011

The purpose of the present experiment was to investigate prospective and retrospective memory-coding strategies employed by rhesus monkeys and capuchin monkeys. Subjects were presented with a computerized radial arm maze analog. Monkeys used a joystick to move a cursor to touch identical stimuli spread around the screen. Once the monkeys were proficient at visiting each stimulus once, a delay was inserted into the trial (after 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 stimuli had been touched). Following the delay, monkeys were presented with a forced choice of two stimuli, one that had not yet been touched (correct) and one that had been touched (incorrect). The number of correct responses made after each delay was assessed. With the exception of one rhesus monkey, the animals did not appear to use prospective memory and instead relied heavily on retrospective memory. This result is in contrast to the previously reported results with rats, pigeons, and humans.
Analyzing Response Time Distributions
Authors: Brewer Gene A.
Published: September 2011

The analysis of response times from prospective memory experiments has resulted in multiple theoretical propositions about the role of attention in prospective memory. Extant theories of prospective memory are in good agreement that attention is necessary for detecting intention-related cues. However, these theories were primarily formulated to describe differences in mean reaction times across experimental conditions. While this approach has been fruitful for establishing a fundamental relation between attention and prospective memory, reaction time modeling techniques can be applied to prospective memory data to better constrain theorizing. In the current work, the ex-Gaussian distribution is fit to data from a prospective memory task. The results from this analysis suggest that modeling reaction time data has the potential for clarifying our understanding of the role of attention in prospective memory.
Elevated mixing at a front
Authors: Johnston T. M. Shaun , Rudnick Daniel L. , Pallàs‐Sanz E.
Published: September 2011

The mesoscale, submesoscale, and microscale structure of a front in the California Current was observed using a towed vehicle outfitted with microconductivity sensors. Thirteen >60 km cross‐front sections from 0 to 350 m in depth were covered in 3.5 days. Objectively mapped data are fit via the Omega (ω) equation to obtain vertical velocity. A composite cross‐front section shows elevated mixing on the dense side within 10–20 km of the front. Water downwells and gradients are elevated there: i.e., Rossby number (Ro), horizontal strain (α), spice gradients, and microscale thermal dissipation (χ). Thermal eddy diffusivity (KT) reaches 10−3 m2 s−1 and increases 3–10× from the anticyclonic to the cyclonic side with a depth mean of ∼10−4 m2 s−1. The spatial structure of KT, Ro, and α are similar on the dense side, suggesting an energy cascade from the mesoscale via the submesoscale to the microscale. However, it is unclear whether frontogenesis, internal wave blocking by elevated vorticity, or internal wave trapping by large α produces the elevated mixing. The mean turbulent heat flux opposes the mean restratifying, mesoscale heat flux of 10 W m−2 and may allow the front to persist. Turbulent nitrate fluxes are 0.1–0.3 mmol m−2 s−1. Chlorophyll fluorescence and beam transmission reveal a <6 km wide, ∼100 km long alongfront streamer which is a deep biomass maximum. Time scales for mixing and nutrient fluxes are 0.3–3 days, which are similar to phytoplankton growth rates and the time scale for frontal evolution.
Neocortical Capillary Flow Pulsatility is Not Elevated in Experimental Communicating Hydrocephalus
Authors: Rashid Shams , McAllister James P , Yu Yiting , Wagshul Mark E
Published: September 2011

While communicating hydrocephalus (CH) is often characterized by increased pulsatile flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the cerebral aqueduct, a clear-cut explanation for this phenomenon is lacking. Increased pulsatility of the entire cerebral vasculature including the cortical capillaries has been suggested as a causative mechanism. To test this theory, we used two-photon microscopy to measure flow pulsatility in neocortical capillaries 40 to 500 μm below the pial surface in adult rats with CH at 5 to 7 days (acute, n=8) and 3 to 5 weeks (chronic, n=5) after induction compared with intact controls ( n=9). Averaging over all cortical depths, no increase in capillary pulsatility occurred in acute (pulsatility index (PI): 0.15±0.06) or chronic (0.14±0.05) CH animals compared with controls (0.18±0.07; P=0.07). More specifically, PI increased significantly with cortical depth in controls ( r=0.35, P<0.001), but no such increase occurred in acute ( r=0.06, P=0.3) or chronic ( r=0.05, P=0.5) CH. Pulsatile CSF aqueductal flow, in contrast, was elevated 10- to 500-fold compared with controls. We conclude that even in the presence of markedly elevated pulsatile CSF flow in the aqueduct, there is no concurrent increase in microvascular pulsatile flow.