bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intraoperative Cavernous Nerve Stimulation and Laser-Doppler Flowmetry During Radical Prostatectomy
Authors: Axelson Hans W. , Johansson Eva , Bill-Axelson Anna
Published: August 2012

Introduction

Erectile dysfunction is a common side effect following radical prostatectomy mainly due to damage of the pelvic autonomic nerve fibers (cavernous nerves). Intraoperative electrical stimulation of the cavernous nerves while measuring changes in penile girth has previously been shown to provide the surgeon with feedback of nerve integrity.

Aim

To test the feasibility of recording changes in glans penis blood flow by Laser Doppler flowmetry from cavernous nerve stimulation.

Methods

Fifteen patients with localized prostate cancer undergoing radical prostatectomy had electrical stimulation of the proximal and distal parts of the neurovascular bundles after prostate removal. The stimulation consisted of 30–40 seconds biphasic constant current (10–30 mA) with 0.5 millisecond pulse duration.

Main Outcome Measures

Stimulus induced changes in penile blood flow was recorded from a Laser Doppler probe attached to the glans penis. Changes in penile girth were simultaneously recorded from a mercury-in rubber strain gauge. Erectile function was evaluated three months after surgery.

Results

Ten patients had stimulus induced increase in Laser Doppler flow unilaterally (N = 7) or bilaterally (N = 3). Out of 10 patients, 6 reported some preserved erectile function postoperatively at 3 months follow-up (indicating 6 true and 4 false positives). Three patients had no Doppler response from stimulation and had no postoperative erectile function postoperatively (indicating three true negatives). Two patients were excluded from the study due to bad signal quality in the Laser Doppler signal. In the majority of patients, stimulation produced increase in penile girth sensed by the strain gauge.

Conclusion

This preliminary report provides evidence that Laser Doppler Flowmetry is able to detect increased penile blood flow from intraoperative electrical stimulation of the neurovascular bundles. However, further improvement in the recording technique is required. Laser Doppler Flowmetry may also be feasible to confirm autonomic nerve sparing in women undergoing pelvic surgery.
Application of a novel method for age estimation of a baleen whale and a porpoise
Authors: Nielsen Nynne H. , Garde Eva , Heide‐Jørgensen Mads Peter , Lockyer Christina H. , Ditlevsen Susanne , Òlafsdóttir Droplaug , Hansen Steen H.
Published: August 2012

Eyeballs from 121 fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) and 83 harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) were used for age estimation using the aspartic acid racemization (AAR) technique. The racemization rate (kAsp) for fin whales was established from 15 fetuses (age 0) and 15 adult whales where age was estimated by reading growth layer groups (GLGs) in the earplugs. The (kAsp) for harbor porpoises was derived from 15 porpoises (two calves and 13 > 1 yr old) age‐estimated by counting GLGs in the teeth and two calves classified to age based on length. The (kAsp) values were estimated by regression of GLGs against D/L ratios. For the fin whales an (kAsp) of 1.15 × 10−3/yr (SE ± 0.00005) and a D/L ratio at birth [(D/L)0] of 0.028 (SE ± 0.0012) were estimated, which is in agreement with rates for other mysticeti. For the harbor porpoises a (kAsp) of 3.10 × 10−3/yr (SE ± 0.0004) and a (D/L)0 value of 0.023 (SE ± 0.0018) were estimated, which is considerably higher than found for other cetaceans. Correlation between chosen age estimates from AAR and GLG counts indicated that AAR might be an alternative method for estimating age in marine mammals.
Sensory Characteristics and Relative Sweetness of Tagatose and Other Sweeteners
Authors: Fujimaru Tomomi , Park Jin‐Hee , Lim Juyun
Published: August 2012

Abstract:  The present study investigated the sensory characteristics and relative sweetness of tagatose, an emerging natural low‐calorie sweetener with various functional properties, compared to other sweeteners (sucrose, sucralose, erythritol, rebaudioside A), over a wide range of sweetness commonly found in foods and beverages (3% to 20% sucrose [w/v]). A total of 34 subjects evaluated aqueous solutions of the 5 sweeteners for the perceived intensities of sweetness, bitterness, astringency, chemical‐like sensations, and sweet aftertaste, using the general version of the Labeled Magnitude Scale. The relationship between the physical concentrations of the sweeteners and their perceived sweetness (that is, psychophysical functions) was derived to quantify the relative sweetness and potency of the sweeteners. The results suggest that tagatose elicits a sweet taste without undesirable qualities (bitterness, astringency, chemical‐like sensations). Out of the 5 sweeteners tested, rebaudioside A was the only sweetener with notable bitterness and chemical‐like sensations, which became progressively intense with increasing concentration (P < 0.001). In terms of perceived sweetness intensity, the bulk sweeteners (tagatose, erythritol, sucrose) had similar sweetness growth rates (slopes > 1), whereas the high‐potency sweeteners (sucralose, rebaudioside A) yielded much flatter sweetness functions (slopes < 1). Because the sweetness of tagatose and sucrose grew at near‐identical rates (slope = 1.41 and 1.40, respectively), tagatose produced about the same relative sweetness to sucrose across the concentrations tested. However, the relative sweetness of other sweeteners to sucrose was highly concentration dependent. Consequently, sweetness potencies of other sweeteners varied across the concentrations tested, ranging from 0.50 to 0.78 for erythritol, 220 to 1900 for sucralose, and 300 to 440 for rebaudioside A, while tagatose was estimated to be approximately 0.90 times as potent as sucrose irrespective of concentration.

Practical Application:  The present study investigated the sensory characteristics and relative sweetness of tagatose, an emerging natural low‐calorie sweetener, compared to other sweeteners. Study results suggest that tagatose elicits a sweet taste without undesirable qualities over a wide range of concentrations. Tagatose produced about the same relative sweetness to sucrose across the concentrations tested, while the relative sweetness of other sweeteners was highly concentration dependent. The present data provide a general guideline when considering the use of tagatose and other sweeteners in foods and beverages.
Evaluation of Coffee Roasting Degree by Using Electronic Nose and Artificial Neural Network for Off‐line Quality Control
Authors: Romani Santina , Cevoli Chiara , Fabbri Angelo , Alessandrini Laura , Dalla Rosa Marco
Published: August 2012

Abstract:  An electronic nose (EN) based on an array of 10 metal oxide semiconductor sensors was used, jointly with an artificial neural network (ANN), to predict coffee roasting degree. The flavor release evolution and the main physicochemical modifications (weight loss, density, moisture content, and surface color: L*, a*), during the roasting process of coffee, were monitored at different cooking times (0, 6, 8, 10, 14, 19 min). Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to reduce the dimensionality of sensors data set (600 values per sensor). The selected PCs were used as ANN input variables. Two types of ANN methods (multilayer perceptron [MLP] and general regression neural network [GRNN]) were used in order to estimate the EN signals. For both neural networks the input values were represented by scores of sensors data set PCs, while the output values were the quality parameter at different roasting times. Both the ANNs were able to well predict coffee roasting degree, giving good prediction results for both roasting time and coffee quality parameters. In particular, GRNN showed the highest prediction reliability.

Practical Application:  Actually the evaluation of coffee roasting degree is mainly a manned operation, substantially based on the empirical final color observation. For this reason it requires well‐trained operators with a long professional skill. The coupling of e‐nose and artificial neural networks (ANNs) may represent an effective possibility to roasting process automation and to set up a more reproducible procedure for final coffee bean quality characterization.
Trout Skin Gelatin‐Based Edible Film Development
Authors: Kim Dayeon , Min Sea C.
Published: August 2012

Abstract:  Edible biopolymer films were developed from gelatin extracted from trout skin (TSG) using thermal protein denaturation conditions and plasticizer (glycerol) concentration as variables. The amino acid composition of the TSG, elastic modulus, viscous modulus, and the viscosity of film‐forming solutions, and tensile properties, water vapor permeability, solubility in water, and color of TSG‐based films were determined. A 6.8% (w/w, wet basis) trout skin‐extracted gelatin solution containing 9, 17, or 23% (w/w, dry basis) glycerol was heated at 80, 90, or 100 °C for 30, 45, or 60 min to prepare a film‐forming solution. TSG can be characterized as a gelatin containing high contents of methionine and aspartic acid. The gelation temperature of the film‐forming solution was 7 °C and the solution was subjected to heating to form a stable matrix for a film. Increased heating time of the film‐forming solution reduced the film solubility (P < 0.05). Heating at 90 °C for 30 min was suggested as the requirement for film formation. As the concentration of glycerol in the film increased, film strength and moisture barrier properties decreased, while film stretchability increased (P < 0.05). Trout skin by‐products can be used as a natural protein source for fabricating biopolymer films stable at ambient conditions with certain physical and moisture barrier properties by controlling thermal treatment conditions and glycerol concentrations.

Practical Application:  The fishing industry produces a significant amount of waste, including fish skin, due to fish processing. Trout skin waste has potential value as a protein source that can be used to form biopolymer edible films for packaging low and intermediate water activity food products, and thus may have practical applications in the food industry, which could be one way to cut waste disposal in the trout processing industry.
I. The Body in Psychoanalysis
Authors: Carignani Paolo
Published: August 2012

This article is part of the series, The Body and Psychoanalysis: The Work and Influence of A. B. Ferrari, which include the following articles:

II. A Brief Introduction to the thought of Armando B. Ferrari

Richard Carvalho

Article first published online: 7 SEP 2012 | DOI: 10.1111/j.1752‐0118.2012.01300.x

And

III. Anorexia and Bulimia: Two Aspects of Adolescence

Fausta Romano

Article first published online: 7 SEP 2012 | DOI: 10.1111/j.1752‐0118.2012.01301.x
Multiple endotracheal and endobronchial metastases after pneumonectomy for a primary lung cancer: A case report
Authors: Youn Hyo Chul , Kim Yee Hyung , Lee Young Kyung , Kim Gou Young
Published: August 2012

Endotracheal metastasis of primary lung cancer is extremely rare. We report the case of a 51‐year‐old male patient who had undergone right pneumonectomy for squamous cell carcinoma one year earlier. The post‐operative chest computed tomography (CT) image revealed a very small endotracheal nodule with contrast enhancement. This finding was erroneously regarded as endotracheal phlegm because of the nodular size and the rarity of endotracheal metastases from primary lung cancer. This case indicates that a thorough evaluation should be performed with a high level of suspicion for malignancy when a nodule‐like lesion with contrast enhancement or tracheal thickening is detected on follow‐up CT scan, in patients who undergo surgery for lung cancer.
Activation of mouse bronchopulmonary C‐fibres by serotonin and allergen‐ovalbumin challenge
Authors: Potenzieri Carl , Meeker Sonya , Undem Bradley J.
Published: August 2012

Key points

Mast cell‐derived serotonin is a principal mediator of allergic reactions in rodents. Serotonin can also be released from platelets during various pathological conditions.

Vagal C‐fibres innervating the respiratory tract can be subdivided into nodose (placodal) C‐fibres or jugular (neural crest) C‐fibres). Activation of vagal placodal and/or neural crest vagal C‐fibres probably contributes to the dyspnoea, cough and reflex parasympathetic drive commonly associated with serotonin.

Serotonin used different receptor subtypes to evoke strong action potential discharge in placodal (5‐HT3 receptors) versus neural crest (non‐5‐HT3 receptors)‐derived vagal C‐fibres in the mouse lung.

Mast cell derived serotonin may activate neural crest C‐fibres, but did not stimulate placodal C‐fibres.

The effect of extracellular serotonin on vagal afferent activation therefore depends on its cellular source and the C‐fibre phenotype.

Abstract  The effect of serotonin on capsaicin‐sensitive vagal C‐fibre afferent nerves was evaluated in an ex vivo vagally innervated mouse lung preparation. Action potentials arising from receptive fields in the lungs were recorded with an extracellular electrode positioned in the nodose/jugular ganglion. Among the 62 capsaicin‐sensitive C‐fibres studied (conduction velocity ∼0.5 m s−1), 71% were of the nodose phenotype and 29% of the jugular phenotype. The nodose C‐fibres responded strongly to serotonin and this effect was blocked with the 5‐HT3‐receptor antagonist ondansetron. Using single cell RT‐PCR, we noted that the vast majority of nodose neurons retrogradely labelled from the lung, expressed 5‐HT3 receptor mRNA. The jugular C‐fibres also responded strongly to serotonin with action potential discharge, but this effect was not inhibited by ondansetron. Lung‐specific jugular neurons did not express 5‐HT3 receptor mRNA but frequently expressed 5‐HT1 or 5‐HT4 receptor mRNA. Mast cells are the major source of serotonin in healthy murine airways. Ovalbumin‐induced mast cell activation in actively sensitized lungs caused action potential discharge in jugular but not nodose C‐fibres. The data show that vagal C‐fibres in the respiratory tract of the mouse are strongly activated by serotonin. Depending on the C‐fibre subtype both 5‐HT3 and non‐5‐HT3 mechanisms are involved.
Ultrasonic Doppler methods to extract signatures of a walking human
Authors: Mehmood Asif , Sabatier James M. , Damarla Thyagaraju
Published: August 2012

Extraction of Doppler signatures that characterize human motion has attracted a growing interest in recent years. These Doppler signatures are generated by various components of the human body while walking, and contain unique features that can be used for human detection and recognition. Although, a significant amount of research has been done in radio frequency regime for human Doppler signature extraction, considerably less has been done in acoustics. In this work, 40 kHz ultrasonic sonar is employed to measure the Doppler signature generated by the motion of body segments using different electronic and signal processing schemes. These schemes are based on both analog and digital demodulation with homodyne and heterodyne receiver circuitry. The results and analyses from these different schemes are presented.
The Protease Omi Cleaves the Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinase MEK1 to Inhibit Microglial Activation
Authors: Hu Qingsong , Li Bin , Xu Ranjie , Chen Dong , Mu Chenchen , Fei Erkang , Wang Guanghui
Published: August 2012

Loss of a protease in microglia results in neuroinflammation that contributes to neurodegeneration and Parkinson’s disease.
How Growth Factors Govern Alternative Splicing
Authors: Andrianantoandro Ernesto
Published: August 2012

EGF stimulation regulates alternative splicing by signaling through Akt and splicing factor kinases.
Different Genetic Supports for the
tet
(S) Gene in Enterococci
Authors: Novais Carla , Freitas Ana R. , Silveira Eduarda , Baquero Fernando , Peixe Luísa , Roberts Adam P. , Coque Teresa M.
Published: August 2012

The diversity of
tet
(S) genetic contexts of 13 enterococci from human, animal, and environmental samples from different geographical areas is reported. The
tet
(S) gene was linked to either CTn
6000
variants of chromosomal location or composite platforms flanked by IS
1216
located on plasmids (∼40 to 115 kb). The comparative analysis of all
tet
(S) genetic elements available in the GenBank databases suggests that CTn
6000
might be the origin of a variety of
tet
(S)-carrying platforms that were mobilized to different plasmids.
High Rate of
qacA
- and
qacB
-Positive Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Isolates from Chlorhexidine-Impregnated Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infections
Authors: Ho Cheng-Mao , Li Chi-Yuan , Ho Mao-Wang , Lin Chien-Yu , Liu Shu-Hui , Lu Jang-Jih
Published: August 2012

Chlorhexidine has been widely used for infection control. Although the use of chlorhexidine-impregnated catheters has reduced catheter-related infections, chlorhexidine-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
has emerged. The correlation between the existence of the chlorhexidine-resistant genes
qacA
and
qacB
(
qacA/B
) in methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) isolates and the effectiveness of chlorhexidine-impregnated catheters in the prevention of MRSA infections is unknown. Sixty methicillin-sensitive
Staphylococcus aureus
(MSSA) and 96 MRSA isolates from the blood cultures of different patients were collected, and a case-control study was conducted to determine whether more clinical
S. aureus
isolates from chlorhexidine-impregnated catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI) have the biocide-resistant genes (
qacA/B
or
smr
) than those from other infections. The chlorhexidine MIC
50
s of MSSA and MRSA isolates were 1 μg/ml and 2 μg/ml, respectively. Results of PCR analyses showed that 3.3% (
n
= 2) of MSSA and 43.8% (
n
= 42) of MRSA isolates harbored
qacA/B
and 5% (
n
= 3) of MSSA and 25% (
n
= 24) of MRSA isolates contained
smr
. With multivariate logistic regression analyses, the significant risk factors for definite CRBSI with chlorhexidine-impregnated catheters were determined to be
S. aureus
isolates with
qacA/B
and a chlorhexidine MIC of ≥2 μg/ml (odds ratios [OR], 9.264 and 8.137, respectively, in all 156
S. aureus
isolates and 6.097 and 4.373, respectively, in the 96 MRSA isolates). Further prospective studies are needed to investigate the transmission of these biocide-resistant genes.
In Vivo
Selection of Rifamycin-Resistant Clostridium difficile during Rifaximin Therapy
Authors: Carman Robert J. , Boone James H. , Grover Harish , Wickham Kimberly N. , Chen Li
Published: August 2012

We report the selection of
Clostridium difficile
resistant to the rifamycin class of antibiotics in a patient within 32 h of receiving rifaximin for the treatment of recurrent
C. difficile
diarrhea. Resistance was associated with single nucleotide substitutions within
rpoB
.
2-[4,5-Difluoro-2-(2-Fluorobenzoylamino)-Benzoylamino]Benzoic Acid, an Antiviral Compound with Activity against Acyclovir-Resistant Isolates of Herpes Simplex Virus Types 1 and 2
Authors: Strand Mårten , Islam Koushikul , Edlund Karin , Öberg Christopher T. , Allard Annika , Bergström Tomas , Mei Ya-Fang , Elofsson Mikael , Wadell Göran
Published: August 2012

Herpes simplex viruses 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2) are responsible for lifelong latent infections in humans, with periods of viral reactivation associated with recurring ulcerations in the orofacial and genital tracts. In immunosuppressed patients and neonates, HSV infections are associated with severe morbidity and, in some cases, even mortality. Today, acyclovir is the standard therapy for the management of HSV infections. However, the need for novel antiviral agents is apparent, since HSV isolates resistant to acyclovir therapy are frequently isolated in immunosuppressed patients. In this study, we assessed the anti-HSV activity of the antiadenoviral compounds 2-[2-(2-benzoylamino)-benzoylamino]benzoic acid (benzavir-1) and 2-[4,5-difluoro-2-(2-fluorobenzoylamino)-benzoylamino]benzoic acid (benzavir-2) on HSV-1 and HSV-2. Both compounds were active against both viruses. Importantly, benzavir-2 had potency similar to that of acyclovir against both HSV types, and it was active against clinical acyclovir-resistant HSV isolates.
Practical Management of Boceprevir and Immunosuppressive Therapy in Liver Transplant Recipients with Hepatitis C Virus Recurrence
Authors: Coilly Audrey , Furlan Valérie , Roche Bruno , Barau Caroline , Noël Coralie , Bonhomme-Faivre Laurence , Antonini Teresa Maria , Roque-Afonso Anne-Marie , Samuel Didier , Taburet Anne-Marie , Duclos-Vallée Jean-Charles
Published: August 2012

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) recurrence is the most important complication in HCV liver transplant patients. Boceprevir with pegylated interferon and ribavirin (PegIFN/RBV) enabled improvement in sustained virological response rates of patients with genotype 1 HCV. Boceprevir interacts with immunosuppressive therapy (IT) by inhibiting the cytochrome P450 3A enzyme. Our aim was to study interactions and assess the safety of boceprevir in the context of HCV recurrence. Boceprevir (800 mg three times a day) initiated after a 4-week lead-in phase was associated with cyclosporine (three patients), tacrolimus (two patients), and everolimus (one patient) in five liver transplant patients with genotype 1 HCV infection who experienced HCV recurrence. The mean follow-up period after HCV therapy was 14.8 ± 3.1 weeks. Estimated oral clearances of IT decreased on average by 50%, requiring reduced dosing regimens. Anemia occurred in all patients, with a mean fall in hemoglobin levels between baseline and week 12 of 3.12 ± 2.27 g/dl. All patients required administration of β-erythropoietin (
n
= 5), three needed ribavirin dose reduction, and one needed a blood transfusion. A virological response was observed in all patients (mean HCV viral load [HVL] decrease at week 12, 6.64 ± 0.35 log
10
IU/ml). These preliminary results in liver transplant patients with HCV recurrence demonstrate the feasibility and safety of coadministration of boceprevir and IT.
Mutagenesis of Zinc Ligand Residue Cys221 Reveals Plasticity in the IMP-1 Metallo-β-Lactamase Active Site
Authors: Horton Lori B. , Shanker Sreejesh , Mikulski Rose , Brown Nicholas G. , Phillips Kevin J. , Lykissa Ernest , Venkataram Prasad B. V. , Palzkill Timothy
Published: August 2012

Metallo-β-lactamases catalyze the hydrolysis of a broad range of β-lactam antibiotics and are a concern for the spread of drug resistance. To analyze the determinants of enzyme structure and function, the sequence requirements for the subclass B1 IMP-1 β-lactamase zinc binding residue Cys221 were tested by saturation mutagenesis and evaluated for protein expression, as well as hydrolysis of β-lactam substrates. The results indicated that most substitutions at position 221 destabilized the enzyme. Only the enzymes containing C221D and C221G substitutions were expressed well in
Escherichia coli
and exhibited catalytic activity toward β-lactam antibiotics. Despite the lack of a metal-chelating group at position 221, the C221G enzyme exhibited high levels of catalytic activity in the presence of exogenous zinc. Molecular modeling suggests the glycine substitution is unique among substitutions in that the complete removal of the cysteine side chain allows space for a water molecule to replace the thiol and coordinate zinc at the Zn2 zinc binding site to restore function. Multiple methods were used to estimate the C221G Zn2 binding constant to be 17 to 43 μM. Studies of enzyme function
in vivo
in
E. coli
grown on minimal medium showed that both IMP-1 and the C221G mutant exhibited compromised activity when zinc availability was low. Finally, substitutions at residue 121, which is the IMP-1 equivalent of the subclass B3 zinc-chelating position, failed to rescue C221G function, suggesting the coordination schemes of subclasses B1 and B3 are not interchangeable.
The northernmost occurrence of Prognathodon (Squamata: Mosasauridae) from the Western Interior Seaway of North America
Authors: Konishi Takuya
Published: August 2012

The marine reptile Prognathodon (Squamata: Mosasauridae), a mosasaurine mosasaur exhibiting a characteristically robust skull and dentition, lived during the last two ages of the Late Cretaceous. Fossilized remains of animals assigned to this genus are so far known from North America, Europe, Africa, and New Zealand, indicating their wide geographic ranges and presumed ecological and evolutionary success. Assignable to Prognathodon, a newly discovered partial marginal tooth from Dorothy, Alberta, Canada (51°15′48″N), extends the geographic range of the genus by 190 km northward in the Northern Hemisphere. Coupled with the New Zealand record of this mosasaur, the new discovery indicates that Prognathodon likely ranged anywhere from 60°N to 60°S paleolatitude, and these reptiles may even have been occasional inhabitants of the polar regions.
Upper-crustal, basement-involved folding in the East Range of the Sudbury Basin, Ontario, inferred from paleomagnetic data and spatial analysis of mafic dykes
Authors: Clark M.D. , Riller U. , Morris W.A.
Published: August 2012

Tilting of crystalline basement rocks associated with folding strain at uppermost crustal levels is difficult to recognize if basement rocks are devoid of traceable marker planes. Here we use the spatial variation in strike of Paleoproterozoic mafic dyke segments complemented by compiled paleomagnetic data to identify tilting in Archean basement rocks associated with kilometre-scale folds of the eastern Sudbury Basin, Ontario. Spatial analysis of the strike of dyke segments is consistent with generation of the NE lobe and a newly identified anticline, referred to as the West Bay Anticline, in the layered Sudbury Igneous Complex (SIC). This anticline accounts better for the structural characteristics of the eastern Sudbury Basin than a previously proposed anticline with west-plunging hinge line. The West Bay Anticline is characterized by abrupt plan-view thickness variations in the lower SIC and curved faults displaying significant strike separations of SIC contacts. These structural characteristics are consistent with folding strain imparted to the SIC and adjacent Archean rocks during formation of the West Bay Anticline. Sublayer embayments and associated quartz diorite dykes likely served as zones of mechanical weaknesses, at which the higher-order folds localized. Unfolding magnitudes of the NE lobe based on primary paleomagnetic remanence directions are significantly smaller than inferred magnitudes that are based on the assumption that the basal SIC contact was initially planar. Thus, the basal SIC contact in the NE lobe likely had a trough-like geometry at the time of remanence acquisition. We advocate a scenario for the formation of the NE lobe, in which the trough geometry of the SIC is primary rather than a consequence of tilting prior to solidification of, and remanence acquisition in, the SIC. Finally, we caution the interpretation of photo lineaments in eroded basement terranes purely as a consequence of faulting.
Habitual aerobic exercise increases plasma pentraxin 3 levels in middle-aged and elderly women
Authors: Miyaki Asako , Maeda Seiji , Choi Youngju , Akazawa Nobuhiko , Tanabe Yoko , Ajisaka Ryuichi
Published: August 2012

Chronic inflammation that occurs with aging is one of the risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Regular exercise may prevent cardiovascular morbidity by decreasing chronic systematic inflammation. Additionally, excess inflammation can be reduced by the anti-inflammatory protein pentraxin 3 (PTX3). Thus, both habitual exercise and PTX3 have an anti-inflammatory effect. However, it is unclear whether regular exercise leads to increased plasma PTX3 concentration. In the present study, we investigated the effects of regular aerobic exercise on plasma PTX3 concentration in middle-aged and elderly women. Twenty-two postmenopausal women (60 ± 6 years) were randomly divided evenly into 2 groups (i.e., exercise intervention and control). Subjects in the exercise group completed 2 months of regular aerobic exercise training (walking and cycling, 30–45 min, 3–5 days·week–1). Before and after the intervention, we evaluated plasma PTX3 concentration, peak oxygen uptake, blood chemistry, and arterial distensibility (carotid arterial compliance and β-stiffness) in all participants. There were no significant differences in baseline parameters between the 2 groups. Plasma PTX3 concentration was significantly increased in the exercise group after the intervention (p < 0.05). High-density lipoprotein cholesterol, peak oxygen uptake, and arterial compliance were also significantly increased (p < 0.05), while β-stiffness was markedly decreased (p < 0.01) after the intervention. On the other hand, there was no change in the parameters tested in the control group. This study demonstrates that regular aerobic exercise increases plasma PTX3 concentration with improvement of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, peak oxygen uptake, and arterial distensibility in postmenopausal women.
Total and femoral neck bone mineral density and physical activity in a sample of men and women
Authors: Camhi Sarah M. , Katzmarzyk Peter T.
Published: August 2012

Physical activity (PA), total body fat (TBF), and lean body mass (LBM) are associated with bone mineral density (BMD). However, the independent influence of PA on BMD, while controlling for body composition is not understood as well and is the purpose of the current study. Whole-body BMD (g·cm–2), femoral neck BMD (g·cm–2), TBF (kg), and LBM (kg) were measured with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. PA levels (total, work, sport, non-sport) were estimated using the Baecke questionnaire. General linear models determined the independent effects of PA on BMD (whole-body and femoral neck), with adjustment for age, sex, ethnicity, smoking, menopausal status (as appropriate), LBM, and TBF. These associations were also examined by sex and age group (20–34, 35–49, and 50–64 years). The sample included 802 adults (65% women; 13% African American) from the Pennington Center Longitudinal Study that were 20 to 64 years of age (mean ± SD: 46.9 ± 11.0 years). Higher sports scores were associated with higher femoral neck BMD in the total group, men and women, and in 20- to 34-year-olds and 35- to 49-year-olds, but not significant in those 50–64 years of age. Similar significant associations were found for sports score with total body BMD; however, this relationship was not significant for women or for those 50–64 years of age. Total PA had inconsistent relationships with both femoral neck BMD and total body BMD. Higher levels of sport-related PA are associated with higher femoral neck BMD; however, these relationships vary by PA domain and site of BMD measurement.
Are H-reflex and M-wave recruitment curve parameters related to aerobic capacity?
Authors: Piscione Julien , Grosset Jean-François , Gamet Didier , Pérot Chantal
Published: August 2012

Soleus Hoffmann reflex (H-reflex) amplitude is affected by a training period and type and level of training are also well known to modify aerobic capacities. Previously, paired changes in H-reflex and aerobic capacity have been evidenced after endurance training. The aim of this study was to investigate possible links between H- and M-recruitment curve parameters and aerobic capacity collected on a cohort of subjects (56 young men) that were not involved in regular physical training. Maximal H-reflex normalized with respect to maximal M-wave (Hmax/Mmax) was measured as well as other parameters of the H- or M-recruitment curves that provide information about the reflex or direct excitability of the motoneuron pool, such as thresholds of stimulus intensity to obtain H or M response (Hth and Mth), the ascending slope of H-reflex, or M-wave recruitment curves (Hslp and Mslp) and their ratio (Hslp/Mslp). Aerobic capacity, i.e., maximal oxygen consumption and maximal aerobic power (MAP) were, respectively, estimated from a running field test and from an incremental test on a cycle ergometer. Maximal oxygen consumption was only correlated with Mslp, an indicator of muscle fiber heterogeneity (p < 0.05), whereas MAP was not correlated with any of the tested parameters (p > 0.05). Although higher H-reflex are often described for subjects with a high aerobic capacity because of endurance training, at a basic level (i.e., without training period context) no correlation was observed between maximal H-reflex and aerobic capacity. Thus, none of the H-reflex or M-wave recruitment curve parameters, except Mslp, was related to the aerobic capacity of young, untrained male subjects.
Assessment of red blood cell glutathione status in insulin resistance
Authors: Galgani Jose E. , Vasquez Karla , Leonelli Giannella , Espinosa Alejandra , Araya Hector , Perez-Bravo Francisco
Published: August 2012

The aim of this study was to assess red blood cell glutathione from insulin-sensitive and insulin-resistant individuals before and after an oral glucose dose. Fifteen healthy, young (24 ± 5 years), nonobese (23 ± 2 kg·m–2), insulin-sensitive (ISI composite = 6.0 ± 1.2) individuals and 14 healthy, young (22 ± 2 years), nonobese (24 ± 2 kg·m–2), insulin-resistant (ISI composite = 2.7 ± 1.1) individuals received a 75 g oral glucose dose. Blood samples were drawn before and for 2 h after glucose ingestion for red blood cell glutathione and serum glucose and insulin concentrations. Glycemia before and after glucose ingestion was similar between groups (p = 0.17), which suggest that hyperinsulinemia compensated impaired insulin sensitivity. Red blood cell total (p = 0.81), reduced (p = 0.79), and oxidized (p = 0.88) glutathione concentrations were similar between groups under fasting and postprandial conditions. However, in response to glucose, increases in total and reduced glutathione concentrations were found at the end of the 2 h assessment period in both groups (p < 0.05). Direct associations between postprandial glucose response and red blood cell total (r = 0.52; p < 0.05) and oxidized (r = 0.61; p = 0.02) glutathione concentrations were observed only in insulin-sensitive subjects. In conclusion, healthy individuals differing in their degree of insulin resistance showed similar red blood cell glutathione concentrations under non-glucose- and glucose-stimulated conditions.
Enhancing the critical path segments scheduling technique for project control1This paper is one of a selection of papers in this Special Issue on Construction Engineering and Management.
Authors: Hegazy Tarek , Menesi Wail
Published: August 2012

The critical path method (CPM) has been useful for project planning, yet its float calculation errors in cases of complex schedules hinders its ability to provide decision supports during project control, namely corrective actions and forensic analysis of schedules. To improve project control, this paper enhances the critical path segments (CPS) scheduling technique and incorporates a rich visualization of all as-built events made by all parties, including work stops, accelerations, and rework. Its improved critical path calculation incorporates the decision variables used at the project control stage such as revised construction methods. It also uses a modified float calculation with forward-pass only to avoid float errors. A case study is used to demonstrate the proposed technique and its benefits for project control. This research has the potential to revolutionize scheduling computations to resolve CPM drawbacks and provide decision support capabilities to help improve project planning and control.
The superconducting (BCS) pairing instability in the thermodynamic limit
Authors: Marsiglio F. , Beach K.S.D. , Gooding R.J.
Published: August 2012

The superconducting pairing instability — as determined by a divergence of the two-particle susceptibility — is obtained in the mean field (BCS) approximation in the thermodynamic limit. The usual practice is to examine this property for a finite lattice. We illustrate that, while the conclusions remain unchanged, the technical features are very different in the thermodynamic limit and conform more closely with the usual treatment of phase transitions encountered in, for example, the mean-field paramagnetic–ferromagnetic transition. Furthermore, by going to the extreme dilute limit, one can distinguish three dimensions from one and two dimensions, in which a pairing instability occurs even for two particles.
A TRUST REGION SUBSPACE METHOD FOR LARGE-SCALE UNCONSTRAINED OPTIMIZATION
Authors: GONG LUJIN
Published: August 2012

This paper presents a trust region subspace method for minimizing large-scale unconstrained problems. We choose a subspace that consists of some old directions which are invariable and some newest directions which are changed at each iteration. A restart technique is used when the old directions have little contribution. Numerical results are reported which indicate that the method is promising.
THEORETICAL INVESTIGATION OF ASYMMETRIC SIMPLE EXCLUSION PROCESSES WITH OFF-RAMP ON THE BOUNDARIES
Authors: XIAO SONG , WU SHUYING , TANG LIQIONG , ZHENG DONGSHENG , SHANG JING
Published: August 2012

In this letter, asymmetric simple exclusion processes with off-ramp on the boundaries have been studied by asymmetric simple exclusion processes (ASEPs). In this model, particles can only detach from a single off-ramp on the boundaries of the system. The phase diagrams and density profiles are calculated by approximate mean field theory and have shown good agreement with the extensive Monte Carlo computer simulations.
FLUCTUATIONS OF MATRIX ENTRIES OF ANALYTIC FUNCTIONS OF NON-HERMITIAN RANDOM MATRICES
Authors: O'ROURKE SEAN
Published: August 2012

Consider an n × n non-Hermitian random matrix Mn whose entries are independent real random variables. Under suitable conditions on the entries, we study the fluctuations of the entries of f(Mn) as n tends to infinity, where f is analytic on an appropriate domain. This extends the results in [19, 20, 23] from symmetric random matrices to the non-Hermitian case.
Performance evaluation and design trade-offs for wireless network-on-chip architectures
Authors: Chang Kevin , Deb Sujay , Ganguly Amlan , Yu Xinmin , Sah Suman Prasad , Pande Partha Pratim , Belzer Benjamin , Heo Deukhyoun
Published: August 2012

Massive levels of integration are making modern multicore chips all pervasive in several domains. High performance, robustness, and energy-efficiency are crucial for the widespread adoption of such platforms. Networks-on-Chip (NoCs) have emerged as communication backbones to enable a high degree of integration in multicore Systems-on-Chip (SoCs). Despite their advantages, an important performance limitation in traditional NoCs arises from planar metal interconnect-based multihop links with high latency and power consumption. This limitation can be addressed by drawing inspiration from the evolution of natural complex networks, which offer great performance-cost trade-offs. Analogous with many natural complex systems, future multicore chips are expected to be hierarchical and heterogeneous in nature as well. In this article we undertake a detailed performance evaluation for hierarchical small-world NoC architectures where the long-range communications links are established through the millimeter-wave wireless communication channels. Through architecture-space exploration in conjunction with novel power-efficient on-chip wireless link design, we demonstrate that it is possible to improve performance of conventional NoC architectures significantly without incurring high area overhead.
A Θ( √ n)-depth quantum adder on the 2D NTC quantum computer architecture
Authors: Choi Byung-Soo , Van Meter Rodney
Published: August 2012

In this work, we propose an adder for the 2-Dimensional Nearest-Neighbor, Two-Qubit gate, Concurrent (2D NTC) architecture, designed to match the architectural constraints of many quantum computing technologies. The chosen architecture allows the layout of logical qubits in two dimensions with √
n
columns where each column has √
n
qubits and the concurrent execution of one- and two-qubit gates with nearest-neighbor interaction only. The proposed adder works in three phases. In the first phase, the first column generates the summation output and the other columns do the carry-lookahead operations. In the second phase, these intermediate values are propagated from column to column, preparing for computation of the final carry for each register position. In the last phase, each column, except the first one, generates the summation output using this column-level carry. The depth and the number of qubits of the proposed adder are Θ(√
n
) and
O(n)
, respectively. The proposed adder executes faster than the adders designed for the 1D NTC architecture when the length of the input registers
n
is larger than 51.
A physical design tool for carbon nanotube field-effect transistor circuits
Authors: Huang Jiale , Zhu Minhao , Yang Shengqi , Gupta Pallav , Zhang Wei , Rubin Steven M. , Garretón Gilda , He Jin
Published: August 2012

In this article, we present a graphical Computer-Aided Design (CAD) environment for the design, analysis, and layout of Carbon NanoTube (CNT) Field-Effect Transistor (CNFET) circuits. This work is motivated by the fact that such a tool currently does not exist in the public domain for researchers. Our tool has been integrated within Electric a very powerful, yet free CAD system for custom design of Integrated Circuits (ICs). The tool supports CNFET schematic and layout entry, rule checking, and HSpice/VerilogA netlist generation. We provide users with a customizable CNFET technology library with the ability to specify λ-based design rules. We showcase the capabilities of our tool by demonstrating the design of a large CNFET standard cell and components library. Meanwhile, HSPICE simulations also have been presented for cell library characterization. We hope that the availability of this tool will invigorate the CAD community to explore novel ideas in CNFET circuit design.
Power Limitations and Dark Silicon Challenge the Future of Multicore
Authors: Esmaeilzadeh Hadi , Blem Emily , St. Amant Renée , Sankaralingam Karthikeyan , Burger Doug
Published: August 2012

Since 2004, processor designers have increased core counts to exploit Moore’s Law scaling, rather than focusing on single-core performance. The failure of Dennard scaling, to which the shift to multicore parts is partially a response, may soon limit multicore scaling just as single-core scaling has been curtailed. This paper models multicore scaling limits by combining device scaling, single-core scaling, and multicore scaling to measure the speedup potential for a set of parallel workloads for the next five technology generations. For device scaling, we use both the ITRS projections and a set of more conservative device scaling parameters. To model single-core scaling, we combine measurements from over 150 processors to derive Pareto-optimal frontiers for area/performance and power/performance. Finally, to model multicore scaling, we build a detailed performance model of upper-bound performance and lower-bound core power. The multicore designs we study include single-threaded CPU-like and massively threaded GPU-like multicore chip organizations with symmetric, asymmetric, dynamic, and composed topologies. The study shows that regardless of chip organization and topology, multicore scaling is power limited to a degree not widely appreciated by the computing community. Even at 22 nm (just one year from now), 21% of a fixed-size chip must be powered off, and at 8 nm, this number grows to more than 50%. Through 2024, only 7.9× average speedup is possible across commonly used parallel workloads for the topologies we study, leaving a nearly 24-fold gap from a target of doubled performance per generation.
On the Structure of Brouwer Homeomorphisms Embeddable in a Flow
Authors: Leśniak Zbigniew
Published: August 2012

We present two theorems describing the structure of the set of all regular points and the set of all irregular points for a Brouwer homeomorphism which is embeddable in a flow. The theorems are counterparts of structure theorems proved by Homma and Terasaka. To obtain our results, we use properties of the codivergence relation.
Synthesis and Photocatalytic Properties of One-Dimensional Composite - Nanowires
Authors: Zhang Qianqian , Huang Baibiao , Wang Peng , Zhang Xiaoyang , Qin Xiaoyan , wang zeyan
Published: August 2012

One-dimensional composite - nanowires were successfully fabricated by a simple microwave-assistant hydrothermal method. The successful fabrication of one-dimensional - nanowires can only be realized at pH value range of 1–5 of the starting solution. The fabricated nanowires were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectra (UV-Vis DRS), and photoluminescence (PL), respectively. The diameter of the nanowires varies from 30 to 100 nm; the length is a few micrometers. Methylene blue (MB) solutions were used to evaluate the visible light photocatalytic activities of the fabricated samples. Compared with , the fabricated - nanowires show enhanced efficiency in oxidization of MB under visible light.
Edge Effects on Community and Social Structure of Northern Temperate Deciduous Forest Ants
Authors: Banschbach Valerie S. , Yeamans Rebecca , Brunelle Ann , Gulka Annie , Holmes Margaret
Published: August 2012

Determining how ant communities are impacted by challenges from habitat fragmentation, such as edge effects, will help us understand how ants may be used as a bioindicator taxon. To assess the impacts of edge effects upon the ant community in a northern temperate deciduous forest, we studied edge and interior sites in Jericho, VT, USA. The edges we focused upon were created by recreational trails. We censused the ants at these sites for two consecutive growing seasons using pitfall traps and litter plot excavations. We also collected nests of the most common ant species at our study sites,Aphaenogaster rudis, for study of colony demography. Significantly greater total numbers of ants and ant nests were found in the edge sites compared to the interior sites but rarefaction analysis showed no significant difference in species richness.Aphaenogaster rudiswas the numerically dominant ant in the habitats sampled but had a greater relative abundance in the interior sites than in the edge sites both in pitfall and litter plot data. Queen number ofA. rudissignificantly differed between the nests collected in the edge versus the interior sites. Habitat-dependent changes in social structure of ants represent another possible indicator of ecosystem health.