bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Asymmetry in the Ethics of Procreation
Authors: Roberts Melinda A.
Published: November 2011

According to the Asymmetry, it is wrong to bring a miserable child into existence but permissible not to bring a happy child into existence. When it comes to procreation, we don’t have complete procreative liberty. But we do have some discretion. The Asymmetry seems highly intuitive. But a plausible account of the Asymmetry has been surprisingly difficult to provide, and it may well be that most moral philosophers – or at least most consequentialists – think that all reasonable efforts to provide such an account have by now been exhausted. In this paper, I argue that, despite the difficulties, the Asymmetry is too important to be set aside. I also note a handful of accounts of the Asymmetry that have been proposed and why they fail. It seems, for example, that it will not do to say that some people matter morally and others don’t, or that a person matters morally in some worlds but not others. My own conclusion is that, while we are bound to say all people matter morally – you, me and the merely possible – we are not bound to say that all their losses– or all ours– matter morally. We can instead distinguish between morally significant and insignificant losses, with the distinction between the two being a matter of where the loss is incurred in relation to the person who incurs it. This way of looking at things – which I call Variabilism– provides the basis for a plausible account of the Asymmetry. The availability of such an account suggests, I think, that our prospects for rescuing the Asymmetry are bright.
Sensitive detection and accurate monitoring of Plasmodium vivax parasites on routine complete blood count using automatic blood cell analyzer (DxH800TM)
Authors: LEE H. K. , KIM S. I. , CHAE H. , KIM M. , LIM J. , OH E. J. , KIM Y. , PARK Y. J. , LEE W. , HAN K.
Published: November 2011

Introduction:  Plasmodium vivax malaria is one of the most important infectious diseases plaguing humanity and causes significant mortality and morbidity worldwide. The gold standard of P. vivax malaria diagnosis is the microscopy of blood smears. Although microscopy is a rapid, cost‐effective, and readily applicable method, it has many disadvantages, including low sensitivity, specificity, and precision. Therefore, there is a clear need for an effective screening test for P. vivax malaria detection both in high‐prevalence areas and developed countries.

Methods:  A total of 1761 complete blood count (CBC) samples generated by the automated hematology analyzer (DxH 800™; Beckman Coulter Inc., Miami, FL, USA) were retrospectively analyzed. The sample pool contained 123 samples from 52 P. vivax malaria patients and 1504 nonmalarial samples including 509 patients with leukopenia (white blood cell <2000/μL) and 134 normal subjects.

Results:  The P. vivax malaria samples exhibited easily recognizable typical malaria signals on the nucleated red blood cell (nRBC) plots (sensitivity 100%) in DxH 800™. All 1504 samples without P. vivax infection were negative for malaria signal (specificity 100%). The size of P. vivax malaria signals correlated roughly with the parasite burden.

Conclusion:  DxH800™ provides very sensitive and specific, easily recognizable P. vivax malaria signals on routine CBC without need for the additional reagents or special procedures.
Identification of Die Thermal Dynamics Using Neural Networks
Authors: Seo Jaho , Khajepour Amir , Huissoon Jan P.
Published: November 2011

The objective of this research is to identify a dynamic model that describes the temperature distribution in a die with uncertain dynamics using a neural network (NN) approach. By using data sets obtained from a finite element analysis (FEA) of the thermal dynamics of a die and applying NN off-line and on-line learning algorithms, the die model is identified. This identification approach has been conducted assuming fully measurable and partially measurable states. For the latter, a NN based adaptive observer is employed to estimate unmeasurable states. It is shown that the complex behavior of the die system with cooling channels can be accurately identified in both cases of fully and partially measurable states.
Position Control of Servomotors Using Neural Dynamic Sliding Mode
Authors: Karami-Mollaee A. , Pariz N. , Shanechi H. M.
Published: November 2011

In this paper, position control of servomotors is addressed. A radial basis function neural network is employed to identify the unknown nonlinear function of the plant model, and then a robust adaptive law is developed to train the parameters of the neural network, which does not require any preliminary off-line weight learning. Moreover, base on the identified model, we propose a new dynamic sliding mode control (DSMC) for a general class of nonaffine nonlinear systems by defining a new adaptive proportional-integral sliding surface and employing a linear state feedback. The main property of proposed controller is that it does not need an upper bound for the uncertainty and identified model; moreover, the switching gain increases and decreases according to the system circumstance by employing an adaptive procedure. Then, chattering is removed completely by using the DSMC with a small switching gain.
Trend Mining for Predictive Product Design
Authors: Tucker Conrad S. , Kim Harrison M.
Published: November 2011

The Preference Trend Mining (PTM) algorithm that is proposed in this work aims to address some fundamental challenges of current demand modeling techniques being employed in the product design community. The first contribution is a multistage predictive modeling approach that captures changes in consumer preferences (as they relate to product design) over time, hereby enabling design engineers to anticipate next generation product features before they become mainstream/unimportant. Because consumer preferences may exhibit monotonically increasing or decreasing, seasonal, or unobservable trends, we proposed employing a statistical trend detection technique to help detect time series attribute patterns. A time series exponential smoothing technique is then used to forecast future attribute trend patterns and generates a demand model that reflects emerging product preferences over time. The second contribution of this work is a novel classification scheme for attributes that have low predictive power and hence may be omitted from a predictive model. We propose classifying such attributes as either standard, nonstandard, or obsolete by assigning the appropriate classification based on the time series entropy values that an attribute exhibits. By modeling attribute irrelevance, design engineers can determine when to retire certain product features (deemed obsolete) or incorporate others into the actual product architecture (standard) while developing modules for those attributes exhibiting inconsistent patterns throughout time (nonstandard). Several time series data sets using publicly available data are used to validate the proposed preference trend mining model and compared it to traditional demand modeling techniques for predictive accuracy and ease of model generation.
Inhibitory Plasticity Balances Excitation and Inhibition in Sensory Pathways and Memory Networks
Authors: Vogels T. P. , Sprekeler H. , Zenke F. , Clopath C. , Gerstner W.
Published: November 2011

Plasticity at inhibitory synapses maintains balanced excitatory and inhibitory synaptic inputs at cortical neurons.
Hemoglobins S and C Interfere with Actin Remodeling in
Plasmodium falciparum
–Infected Erythrocytes
Authors: Cyrklaff Marek , Sanchez Cecilia P. , Kilian Nicole , Bisseye Cyrille , Simpore Jacques , Frischknecht Friedrich , Lanzer Michael
Published: November 2011

The malaria parasite mines actin from the membrane skeleton of its erythrocyte host to generate a cytoskeletal structure.
Simultaneous Detection of Six Diarrhea-Causing Bacterial Pathogens with an In-House PCR-Luminex Assay
Authors: Liu Jie , Gratz Jean , Maro Athanasia , Kumburu Happy , Kibiki Gibson , Taniuchi Mami , Howlader Arif Mahmud , Sobuz Shihab U. , Haque Rashidul , Talukder Kaisar A. , Qureshi Shahida , Zaidi Anita , Haverstick Doris M. , Houpt Eric R.
Published: November 2011

Diarrhea can be caused by a range of pathogens, including several bacteria. Conventional diagnostic methods, such as culture, biochemical tests, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), are laborious. We developed a 7-plex PCR-Luminex assay to simultaneously screen for several of the major diarrhea-causing bacteria directly in fecal specimens, including pathogenicAeromonas,Campylobacter jejuni,Campylobacter coli,Salmonella,Shigella, enteroinvasiveEscherichia coli(EIEC),Vibrio, andYersinia. We included an extrinsic control to verify extraction and amplification. The assay was first validated with reference strains or isolates and exhibited a limit of detection of 103to 105CFU/g of stool for each pathogen as well as quantitative detection up to 109CFU/g. A total of 205 clinical fecal specimens from individuals with diarrhea, previously cultured for enteric pathogens and tested forCampylobacterby ELISA, were evaluated. Using these predicate methods as standards, sensitivities and specificities of the PCR-Luminex assay were 89% and 94% forAeromonas, 89% and 93% forCampylobacter, 96% and 95% forSalmonella, 94% and 94% forShigella, 92% and 97% forVibrio, and 100% and 100% forYersinia, respectively. All discrepant results were further examined by singleplex real-time PCR assays targeting different gene regions, which revealed 89% (55/62 results) concordance with the PCR-Luminex assay. The fluorescent signals obtained with this approach exhibited a statistically significant correlation with the cycle threshold (CT) values from the cognate real-time PCR assays (P< 0.05). This multiplex PCR-Luminex assay enables sensitive, specific, and quantitative detection of the major bacterial causes of gastroenteritis.
Transcriptional analysis of human papillomavirus type 16 in histological sections of cervical dysplasia by in situ hybridisation
Authors: Coupe V M , González-Barreiro L , Gutiérrez-Berzal J , Melián-Bóveda A L , López-Rodríguez O , Alba-Domínguez J , Alba-Losada J
Published: November 2011

Background

The HPV-16 virus is well described as a causative agent in cervical cancer.

Aims

To individually analyse the transcription profile of the HPV-16 viral genes in patient biopsies of varying grades of cervical dysplasia by a chromogenic in situ hybridisation technique.

Methods

19 formalin fixed, paraffin embedded (FFPE) biopsies of cervical dysplasia were analysed by a chromogenic in situ hybridisation protocol using novel long single stranded digoxigenin labelled DNA probes targeted to the individual HPV-16 gene RNAs.

Results

A transcription pattern for all the HPV-16 genes that is always conserved to the upper intermediate and superficial layers of the cervical epithelium and is independent of the level of dysplasia is described. E1 and E6 transcripts were found to express with a uniquely nuclear localisation; all other transcripts had both nuclear and cytoplasmic localisation. E5 oncogene transcripts were abundant in all cases, being equal to or greater than E7. Deep investigation of the E2 RNA transcript showed a potential alternative transcript with a possible novel start codon.

Conclusions

This data represents new information on HPV-16 viral transcription events that bring into question some of the current beliefs on the mechanism of HPV-16 infection in the progression to cervical cancer. Results support high expression of the E5 and E7 oncogenes in cervical dysplasias infected by HPV-16 in contrast to the low levels identified for the E6 oncogene and a possible alternative transcript for the E2 gene. The diagnostic utility of the detection of HPV-16 RNA transcripts is becoming more apparent and a renewed look at their in situ localisation in cervical biopsies could be beneficial.
GEOMETRIC APPROACH TO THE HAMILTON–JACOBI EQUATION AND GLOBAL PARAMETRICES FOR THE SCHRÖDINGER PROPAGATOR
Authors: GRAFFI SANDRO , ZANELLI LORENZO
Published: November 2011

We construct a family of global Fourier Integral Operators, defined for arbitrary large times, representing a global parametrix for the Schrödinger propagator when the potential is quadratic at infinity. This construction is based on the geometric approach to the corresponding Hamilton–Jacobi equation and thus sidesteps the problem of the caustics generated by the classical flow. Moreover, a detailed study of the real phase function allows us to recover a WKB semiclassical approximation which necessarily involves the multivaluedness of the graph of the Hamiltonian flow past the caustics.
SCATTERING OF PLANE ELASTIC WAVES BY THREE-DIMENSIONAL DIFFRACTION GRATINGS
Authors: ELSCHNER JOHANNES , HU GUANGHUI
Published: November 2011

The reflection and transmission of a time-harmonic plane wave in an isotropic elastic medium by a three-dimensional diffraction grating is investigated. If the diffractive structure involves an impenetrable surface, we study the first, second, third and fourth kind boundary value problems for the Navier equation in an unbounded domain by the variational approach. A radiation condition based on the Rayleigh expansion of the quasi-periodic solutions is presented. Existence of solutions in Sobolev spaces is established if the grating profile is a two-dimensional Lipschitz surface, while uniqueness is proved only for small frequencies or for all frequencies excluding a discrete set. Similar solvability results are obtained for multilayered transmission gratings in the case of an incident pressure wave. Moreover, by a periodic Rellich identity, uniqueness of the solution to the first kind (Dirichlet) boundary value problem is established for all frequencies under the assumption that the impenetrable surface is given by the graph of a Lipschitz function.
FERMIONIC AND SCALAR FIELDS AS SOURCES OF INTERACTING DARK MATTER–DARK ENERGY
Authors: LEPE SAMUEL , LORCA JAVIER , PEÑA FRANCISCO , VÁSQUEZ YERKO
Published: November 2011

From a variational action with nonminimal coupling with a scalar field and classical scalar and fermionic interaction, cosmological field equations can be obtained. Imposing a Friedmann–Lemaître–Robertson–Walker (FLRW) metric, the equations lead directly to a cosmological model consisting of two interacting fluids, where the scalar field fluid is interpreted as dark energy and the fermionic field fluid is interpreted as dark matter. Several cases were studied analytically and numerically. An important feature of the non-minimal coupling is that it allows crossing the barrier from a quintessence to phantom behavior. The insensitivity of the solutions to one of the parameters of the model permits it to find an almost analytical solution for the cosmological constant type of universe.
AN EFFECTIVE EARLY SOFTWARE RELIABILITY PREDICTION PROCEDURE FOR PROCESS ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT AT PROTOTYPE LEVEL EMPLOYING ARTIFICIAL NEURAL NETWORKS
Authors: MOHAN K. KRISHNA , VERMA A. K. , SRIVIDYA A.
Published: November 2011

Reliability of a software product should be tracked during the software lifecycle right from the architectural phase to its operational phase. Heterogeneous systems consist of several globally distributed components, thus rendering their reliability evaluation more complex with respect to the conventional methods. In this context, reliability prediction of software process oriented systems assumes prime importance. It is important to take into account the proven processes like Rational Unified Process (RUP) to mitigate risks and increase the reliability of systems while building distributed based applications. This paper presents an algorithm using feed-forward neural network for early qualitative software reliability prediction. The inputs for neural networks consist of techno-complexity, practitioner's level, creation effort, size and leakage defects. The number of defects detected in each cycle can be predicted by using Artificial Neural Networks (ANN). Illustrative examples prove the effectiveness of the methodology employed.
ARTICULAR SOUND AND CLINICAL STAGES IN KNEE ARTHROPATHY
Authors: Tanaka Noriyuki , Hoshiyama Minoru
Published: November 2011

Objective: To clarify the pathophysiology of knee arthropathy, articular sound in the knee joint was recorded using an accelerometer, vibroarthrography (VAG), during standing-up and sitting-down movements in patients with osteoarthropathy (OA) of the knees. Methods: VAG signals and angular changes of the knee joint during standing-up and sitting-down movements were recorded in patients with OA, including 17 knees with OA at Kellgren–Lawrence stage I and II, 16 knees with OA at III and IV stages, and 20 knees of age-matched control subjects. Results: The level of VAG signals was greater in knees with a higher stage of OA at 50–99 and 100–149 Hz among the groups (ANOVA with Tukey–Kramer multiple comparisons test, p < 0.01). The VAG signals did not correlate with WOMAC-pain or physical scores. Conclusions: We considered that the increase in VAG signals in these ranges of frequency corresponded with pathological changes of OA, but not self-reported clinical symptoms. This method of VAG can be used by clinicians during interventions to obtain pathological information regarding structural changes of the knee joint.
Epidermal growth factor/TNF-α transactivation modulates epithelial cell proliferation and apoptosis in a mouse model of parenteral nutrition
Authors: Feng Yongjia , Teitelbaum Daniel H.
Published: November 2011

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) signaling are critical for effective proliferative and apoptotic actions; however, little is known about the codependency of these signaling pathways in the intestinal epithelium. Because total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is associated with loss of intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) proliferation and increased apoptosis, we utilized a mouse model to explore these transactivation pathways in small bowel epithelium. Mice underwent intravenous cannulation and were given enteral nutrition or TPN for 7 days. Outcomes included IEC proliferation, apoptosis, and survival. To address transactivation or dependence of EGF and TNF on IEC physiology, TNF-α receptor knockout (KO) mice, TNFR1-KO, R2-KO, or R1R2-double KO, were used. Exogenous EGF and pharmacological blockade of ErbB1 were performed in other groups to examine the relevance of the ErB1 pathway. TPN increased IEC TNFR1 and decreased EGF and ErbB1 abundance. Loss of IEC proliferation was prevented by exogenous EGF or blockade of TNFR1. However, EGF action was prevented without effective TNFR2 signaling. Also, blockade of TNFR1 could not prevent loss of IEC proliferation without effective ErbB1 signaling. TPN increased IEC apoptosis and was due to increased TNFR1 signaling. Exogenous EGF or blockade of TNFR1 could prevent increased apoptosis, and both pathways were dependent on effective ErbB1 signaling. Exogenous EGF prevented increased apoptosis in mice lacking TNFR2 signaling. TPN mice had significantly decreased survival vs. controls, and this was associated with the TNFR1 signaling pathway. We concluded that these findings identify critical mechanisms that contribute to TPN-associated mucosal atrophy via altered TNF-α/EGF signaling. It emphasizes the importance of both TNFR1 and TNFR2 pathways, as well as the strong interdependence on an intact EGF/ErbB1 pathway.
Tracheal occlusions evoke respiratory load compensation and neural activation in anesthetized rats
Authors: Pate Kathryn M. , Davenport Paul W.
Published: November 2011

Airway obstruction in animals leads to compensation and avoidance behavior and elicits respiratory mechanosensation. The pattern of respiratory load compensation and neural activation in response to intrinsic, transient, tracheal occlusions (ITTO) via an inflatable tracheal cuff are unknown. We hypothesized that ITTO would cause increased diaphragm activity, decreased breathing frequency, and activation of neurons within the medullary and pontine respiratory centers without changing airway compliance. Obstructions were performed for 2–3 breaths followed by a minimum of 15 unobstructed breaths with an inflatable cuff sutured around the trachea in rats. The obstruction procedure was repeated for 10 min. The brains of obstructed and control animals were removed, fixed, sectioned, and stained for c-Fos. Respiratory pattern was measured from esophageal pressure (Pes) and diaphragm electromyography (EMGdia). The obstructed breaths resulted in a prolonged inspiratory and expiratory time, an increase in EMGdia amplitude, and a more negative Pes compared with control breaths. Neurons labeled with c-Fos were found in brain stem and suprapontine nuclei, with a significant increase in c-Fos expression for the occluded experimental group compared with the control groups in the nucleus ambiguus, nucleus of the solitary tract, lateral parabrachial nucleus, and periaqueductal gray matter. The results of this study demonstrate tracheal occlusion-elicited activation of neurons in brain stem respiratory nuclei and neural areas involved in stress responses and defensive behaviors, suggesting that these neurons mediate the load compensation breathing pattern response and may be part of the neural pathway for respiratory mechanosensation.
Genetically Modified T cells Targeting Interleukin-11 Receptor α-Chain Kill Human Osteosarcoma Cells and Induce the Regression of Established Osteosarcoma Lung Metastases
Authors: Huang Gangxiong , Yu Ling , Cooper Laurence J.N. , Hollomon Mario , Huls Helen , Kleinerman Eugenie S.
Published: November 2011

The treatment of osteosarcoma pulmonary metastases remains a challenge. T cells genetically modified to express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR), which recognizes a tumor-associated antigen, have shown activity against hematopoietic malignancies in clinical trials, but this requires the identification of a specific receptor on the tumor cell. In the current study, we found that interleukin (IL)-11Rα was selectively expressed on 14 of 16 osteosarcoma patients' lung metastases and four different human osteosarcoma cell lines, indicating that IL-11Rα may be a novel target for CAR-specific T-cell therapy. IL-11Rα expression was absent or low in normal organ tissues, with the exception of the gastrointestinal tract. IL-11Rα-CAR–specific T cells were obtained by non-viral gene transfer of Sleeping Beauty DNA plasmids and selectively expanded ex vivo using artificial antigen-presenting cells derived from IL-11Rα + K562 cells genetically modified to coexpress T-cell costimulatory molecules. IL-11Rα-CAR+ T cells killed all four osteosarcoma cell lines in vitro; cytotoxicity correlated with the level of IL-11Rα expression on the tumor cells. Intravenous injection of IL-11Rα-CAR+ T cells into mice resulted in the regression of osteosarcoma pulmonary metastases with no organ toxicity. Together, the data suggest that IL-11Rα-CAR T cells may represent a new therapy for patients with osteosarcoma pulmonary metastases. Cancer Res; 72(1); 271–81. ©2011 AACR.
Overcoming Erlotinib Resistance in EGFR Mutation–Positive Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells by Targeting Survivin
Authors: Okamoto Kunio , Okamoto Isamu , Hatashita Erina , Kuwata Kiyoko , Yamaguchi Haruka , Kita Aya , Yamanaka Kentaro , Ono Mayumi , Nakagawa Kazuhiko
Published: November 2011

Loss of PTEN was recently shown to contribute to resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) in EGFR mutation–positive non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) through activation of the protein kinase AKT. We previously showed that downregulation of the expression of the antiapoptotic protein survivin by EGFR–TKIs contributes to EGFR–TKI-induced apoptosis in EGFR mutation–positive NSCLC cells. We have now investigated the role of survivin expression in EGFR–TKI resistance induced by PTEN loss. The EGFR–TKI erlotinib did not affect survivin expression or induce apoptosis in EGFR mutation–positive NSCLC cells with PTEN loss. Downregulation of survivin either by transfection with a specific short interfering RNA or by exposure to the small-molecule survivin suppressor YM155 reversed erlotinib resistance in such cells in vitro. Furthermore, combination therapy with YM155 and erlotinib inhibited the growth of tumors formed by EGFR mutation–positive, PTEN-deficient NSCLC cells in nude mice to a greater extent than did treatment with either drug alone. These results thus indicate that persistent activation of signaling by the AKT–survivin pathway induced by PTEN loss underlies a mechanism of resistance to erlotinib-induced apoptosis in EGFR mutation–positive NSCLC. They further suggest that the targeting of survivin has the potential to overcome EGFR–TKI resistance in EGFR mutation–positive NSCLC. Mol Cancer Ther; 11(1); 204–13. ©2011 AACR.
Can Gemcitabine Instillation Ablate Solitary Low-Risk Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer? Results of a Phase II Marker Lesion Study
Authors: Brausi Maurizio A. , Gontero Paolo , Altieri Vincenzo , Colombo Renzo , Conti Ilaria , Bono Aldo Vittorio
Published: November 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this phase II study was to evaluate whether low-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer can be ablated with intravesical gemcitabine in a marker lesion study. Patients and Methods: The study had a Simon II-stage design. Thirteen patients were to be recruited for stage I. In the event of ≧4 responses, another 30 patients were to be recruited. Patients were given gemcitabine 2,000 mg intravesically once per week for 6 weeks and the response was assessed with endoscopic, histological, and urine cytological findings. Results: Fourteen patients evaluated for efficacy completed the study; complete responses were achieved by 2 patients (14.3%), both of these patients had lesions of <1 cm. Eleven patients (78.6%) were non-responders and 1 patient (7.1%) had progressive disease. Since the response rate in stage I was below the minimal pre-defined limit, the study was stopped. Conclusions: This study shows that intravesical gemcitabine does not merit further study in this patient population. A tumor size of >1 cm may be a critical factor in accounting for the low response rate.
A Target-Orientated Algorithm for Regional Citrate-Calcium Anticoagulation in Extracorporeal Therapies
Authors: Brandl M. , Strobl K. , Hartmann J. , Kellner K. , Posnicek T. , Falkenhagen D.
Published: November 2011

Background: Citrate anticoagulation offers several advantages in comparison to conventional anticoagulation. Most algorithms for regional citrate-calcium anticoagulation are based on citrate and calcium chloride infusion coupled in a fixed proportion to the blood flow without considering the hematocrit (Hct)/plasma flow or the filter clearance of citrate and calcium. Methods: The aim of this study was to develop an algorithm for optimized citrate anticoagulation in extracorporeal therapies such as dialysis. A mathematical model was developed to calculate the volume of citrate infusion required to achieve a desired ionized calcium (iCa) target level in the extracorporeal circuit and to restore the total calcium level to a physiological value. Results: The model was validated by correlation analyses for different blood Hct values and shows an excellent fit to the laboratory measurements. Conclusion: The results for both iCa target concentrations, namely those after citrate and calcium infusion, proved that the software algorithm adapts well to variable treatment parameters.
Age-Dependent Changes in Temperature Regulation – A Mini Review
Authors: Blatteis Clark M.
Published: November 2011

It is now well recognized that the body temperature of older men and women is lower than that of younger people and that their tolerance of thermal extremes is more limited. The regulation of body temperature does not depend on a single organ, but rather involves almost all the systems of the body, i.e. systems not exclusively dedicated to thermoregulatory functions such as the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Since these deteriorate naturally with advancing age, the decrement in their functions resonates throughout all the bodily processes, including those that control body temperature. To the extent that the age-related changes in some of these, e.g. in the musculoskeletal system, can be slowed, or even prevented, by certain measures, e.g. fitness training, so can the decrements in thermoregulatory functions. Some deficits, however, are unavoidable, e.g. structural skin changes and metabolic alterations. These impact directly on the ability of the elderly to maintain thermal homeostasis, particularly when challenged by ambient thermal extremes. Since the maintenance of a relatively stable, optimal core temperature is one of the body’s most important activities, its very survival can be threatened by these disorders. The present article describes the principal, age-associated changes in physiological functions that could affect the ability of seniors to maintain their body temperature when exposed to hot or cold environments.
Clinical and Genetic Association of Serum Ceruloplasmin With Cardiovascular Risk
Authors: Wilson Tang W.H. , Wu Yuping , Hartiala Jaana , Fan Yiying , Stewart Alexandre F.R. , Roberts Robert , McPherson Ruth , Fox Paul L. , Allayee Hooman , Hazen Stanley L.
Published: November 2011

Objective—

Ceruloplasmin (Cp) is an acute-phase reactant that is increased in inflammatory diseases and in acute coronary syndromes. Cp has recently been shown to possess nitric oxide (NO) oxidase catalytic activity, but its impact on long-term cardiovascular outcomes in stable cardiac patients has not been explored.

Methods and Results—

We examined serum Cp levels and their relationship with incident major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE; death, myocardial infarction [MI], stroke) over 3-year follow-up in 4177 patients undergoing elective coronary angiography. We also carried out a genome-wide association study to identify the genetic determinants of serum Cp levels and evaluate their relationship to prevalent and incident cardiovascular risk. In our cohort (age 63±11 years, 66% male, 32% history of MI, 31% diabetes mellitus), mean Cp level was 24±6 mg/dL. Serum Cp level was associated with greater risk of MI at 3 years (hazard ratio [quartile 4 versus 1] 2.35, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.79–3.09,
P
<0.001). After adjustment for traditional risk factors, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and creatinine clearance, Cp remained independently predictive of MACE (hazard ratio 1.55, 95% CI 1.10–2.17,
P
=0.012). A 2-stage genome-wide association study identified a locus on chromosome 3 over the
CP
gene that was significantly associated with Cp levels (lead single-nucleotide polymorphism rs13072552;
P
=1.90×10
−11
). However, this variant, which leads to modestly increased serum Cp levels (≈1.5–2 mg/dL per minor allele copy), was not associated with coronary artery disease or future risk of MACE.

Conclusion—

In stable cardiac patients, serum Cp provides independent risk prediction of long-term adverse cardiac events. Genetic variants at the
CP
locus that modestly affect serum Cp levels are not associated with prevalent or incident risk of coronary artery disease in this study population.
Effects of Vertical Scaling Methods on Linear Growth Estimation
Authors: Lei Pui-Wa , Zhao Yu
Published: November 2011

Vertical scaling is necessary to facilitate comparison of scores from test forms of different difficulty levels. It is widely used to enable the tracking of student growth in academic performance over time. Most previous studies on vertical scaling methods assume relatively long tests and large samples. Little is known about their performance when the sample is small or the test is short, challenges that small testing programs often face. This study examined effects of sample size, test length, and choice of item response theory (IRT) models on the performance of IRT-based scaling methods (concurrent calibration, separate calibration with Stocking–Lord, Haebara, Mean/Mean, and Mean/Sigma transformation) in linear growth estimation when the 2-parameter IRT model was appropriate. Results showed that IRT vertical scales could be used for growth estimation without grossly biasing growth parameter estimates when sample size was not large, as long as the test was not too short (≥20 items), although larger sample sizes would generally increase the stability of the growth parameter estimates. The optimal rate of return in total estimation error reduction as a result of increasing sample size appeared to be around 250. Concurrent calibration produced slightly lower total estimation error than separate calibration in the worst combination of short test length (≤20 items) and small sample size ( n ≤ 100), whereas separate calibration, except in the case of the Mean/Sigma method, produced similar or somewhat lower amounts of total error in other conditions.
Novel Approach of Medialization Thyroplasty with Arytenoid Adduction Performed under General Anesthesia with a Laryngeal Mask
Authors: Stow Nicholas W. , Lee Jennifer W. , Cole Ian E.
Published: November 2011

Objective

To objectively assess the voice outcomes of patients with unilateral vocal fold paralysis treated with medialization thyroplasty and arytenoid adduction suture.

Study Design

Case series of patients who underwent medialization thyroplasty and arytenoid adduction suture. Preoperative and postoperative voice testing was performed and the data were compared by statistical analysis.

Setting

Tertiary referral teaching hospital in Sydney, Australia.

Subjects

All patients had a unilateral vocal fold paralysis, with a large posterior glottic gap and vocal symptoms affecting their quality of life.

Methods

Thirteen patients with a diagnosis of a unilateral vocal fold paralysis with a large posterior glottic gap, vocal symptoms, and total denervation of the vocal fold underwent medialization thyroplasty and arytenoid adduction suture. The surgery was performed in a novel method under a general anesthetic using a laryngeal mask and with direct intraoperative endoscopic feedback. Preoperative and postoperative measures of voice performance were compared, including acoustic analysis (fundamental frequency, speech intensity against quiet and loud background noise, speech rate) and aerodynamic assessment (airflow, maximum phonation time).

Results

Medialization thyroplasty with arytenoid adduction suture significantly improved aerodynamic assessment and phonation duration for both male and female subjects overall. There were 2 of 13 treatment failures. Median follow‐up time was 6 months.

Conclusion

Preliminary results indicate that in selected patients with vocal fold paralysis, medialization thyroplasty with arytenoid adduction suture leads to significant improvements in objective voice measures. Longer follow‐up data are required to further quantify the voice outcomes after this procedure.
Analysis of Swallowing Function after Supracricoid Laryngectomy with Cricohyoidopexy
Authors: Topaloğlu İlhan , Köprücü Gayem , Bal Muhlis
Published: November 2011

Objective

To evaluate the swallowing function after supracricoid laryngectomy with cricohyoidopexy, focusing on the effects of arytenoid cartilage resection and radiation therapy.

Study Design

Case series with chart review.

Setting

Tertiary medical center.

Subjects and Methods

Thirty supracricoid laryngectomy‐cricohyoidopexy patients, at least 1 year after treatment, were retrospectively analyzed. Fiber‐optic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing was performed for each patient. Three blinded judges evaluated the video recordings based on 3 parameters. The M. D. Anderson Dysphagia Inventory was completed by each patient for assessment of disease‐specific quality of life.

Results

All patients were decannulated at an average of 23.6 days. Nasogastric feeding tubes were removed at an average of 27.3 days, and all patients could eat orally. Fiber‐optic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing showed that patients with total resection of 1 arytenoid had more bolus retention than patients with both arytenoids preserved (P =. 008). Compared with patients who did not receive radiotherapy, patients who did receive radiotherapy exhibited increased retention (P =. 021) and aspiration (P =. 007). The M. D. Anderson Dysphagia Inventory results revealed no differences in quality of life according to the level of arytenoid resection or the administration of radiotherapy.

Conclusion

The functional evaluation of swallowing after supracricoid laryngectomy—cricohyoidopexy showed satisfactory results. Patients with total resection of 1 arytenoid had significantly higher bolus retention, and those who received radiotherapy had significantly increased retention and aspiration.
Application of low magnetic field on inulinase production by Geotrichum candidum under solid state fermentation using leek as substrate
Authors: Canli Ozden , Kurbanoglu Esabi Basaran
Published: November 2011

This study evaluates the application of low magnetic field (LMF) on inulinase enzyme production by Geotrichum candidum under solid state fermentation (SSF) using leek as potential carbon source. First, the fermentation conditions were optimized using normal magnetic field grown microorganism. Among eight G. candidum isolates, the most effective strain called G. candidum OC-7 was selected to use in further experiments. In the second part of the study, SSF was carried out under different LMFs (4 and 7 mT). The results showed that inulinase activity was strongly affected by LMF application. The highest enzyme activity was obtained as 535.2 U/g of dry substrate (gds) by 7 mT magnetic field grown G. candidum OC-7. On the contrary, the control had only 412.1 U/gds. Consequently, the use of leek presents a great potential as an alternative carbon source for inulinase production and magnetic field treatment could effectively be used in order to enhance the enzyme production.
Learning While Teaching
Authors: McCray Erica D.
Published: November 2011

In this article, the author details the findings of a study of completers during their last semester of a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program in special education. The purpose of this multiple-case study was to understand how the extent to which the program was implemented, the participants’ background and career trajectories, and the teaching context interacted to yield their success. To understand the interactions of these elements, the researcher examined the academic and personal backgrounds of three teachers completing a MAT program in Varying Exceptionalities, examined the teachers’ sense of self-efficacy, observed their practice, and gained the perspectives of their mentor teachers. Findings indicated that nonacademic characteristics, applied preparation in content and pedagogy, and a supportive context were important to the success of these beginning teachers.
Evaluation of dual-axis fatigue testing of large wind turbine blades
Authors: Greaves Peter R , Dominy Robert G , Ingram Grant L , Long Hui , Court Richard
Published: November 2011

Full-scale fatigue testing is part of the certification process for large wind turbine blades. That testing is usually performed about the flapwise and edgewise axes independently but a new method for resonant fatigue testing has been developed in which the flapwise and edgewise directions are tested simultaneously, thus also allowing the interactions between the two mutually perpendicular loads to be investigated. The method has been evaluated by comparing the Palmgren–Miner damage sum around the cross-section at selected points along the blade length that results from a simulated service life, as specified in the design standards, and testing. Bending moments at each point were generated using wind turbine simulation software and the test loads were designed to cause the same amount of damage as the true service life. The mode shape of the blade was tuned by optimising the position of the excitation equipment, so that the bending moment distribution was as close as possible to the target loads. The loads were converted to strain–time histories using strength of materials approach, and fatigue analysis was performed. The results show that if the bending moment distribution is correct along the length of the blade, then dual-axis resonant testing tests the blade much more thoroughly than sequential tests in the flapwise and edgewise directions. This approach is shown to be more representative of the loading seen in service and can thus contribute to a potential reduction in the weight of wind turbine blades and the duration of fatigue tests leading to reduced cost.
Investigation of the injection process and combustion of a dimethyl ether engine with different nozzle flow areas
Authors: Zhu Z , Hao M , Gao G-X , Liu J , Liu S-H , Wei Y-J
Published: November 2011

Dimethyl ether (DME) is a promising alternative fuel, which can be used as a substitute for fossil diesel fuels, with a smaller lower heating value. When used in diesel engines, the nozzle flow area (i.e. the number of nozzle holes × nozzle hole diameter) of the engine is normally increased to maintain the engine power. In this study, three kinds of nozzle (with nozzle flow areas of 5 × 0.30 mm, 5 × 0.35 mm, and 5 × 0.40 mm respectively) were prepared. With a two-cylinder diesel engine, the effects of the nozzle flow area on the DME injection process and combustion characteristics were investigated. The experimental results indicate that the DME acoustic velocity shows no variation with the change in the nozzle hole diameter and that the DME injection timing is not affected. However, as the nozzle hole diameter increased, the DME line pressure (and, in particular, the second peak of the line pressure on the nozzle side) is greatly decreased. Meanwhile, the fall of the needle valve lift is advanced, resulting in a decrease in the injection duration. Further, the engine ignition delay is slightly increased, the total combustion duration is slightly shortened, and the engine brake thermal efficiency is slightly elevated.
Long-term exposure to nonylphenol affects insulin signaling in the liver of adult male rats
Authors: Jubendradass R , D’Cruz SC , Mathur PP
Published: November 2011

In the present study, we sought to investigate the long-term effects of nonylphenol (NP) on insulin signaling and glucose metabolism in liver. Furthermore, reactive oxygen species (ROS) in liver was evaluated as it is known to induce insulin resistance. Rats were administered NP by oral gavage at the doses of 15, 150 and 1500 μg/ kg body weight per day for 45 days. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) generation and lipid peroxidation were increased, and the activities of antioxidant enzymes were decreased in the liver of NP-treated rats. NP increased the plasma glucose and insulin levels and altered the enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism. Decrease in the protein levels of insulin signaling molecules insulin receptor (IR), IR substrate (IRS)-1, IRS-2 and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase were observed with parallel increase in H2O2 levels in the liver of NP-treated rats. These results suggest that NP downregulates insulin signaling in liver, which could be due to ROS production and oxidative damage.
“Here to Tell Her Story”
Authors: Snyder-Young Dani
Published: November 2011

This article examines the debate between honoring the agency of the teller of personal stories and honoring the stories themselves as legitimate objects of critical inquiry. It takes an autoethnographic monologue of a woman who has recently experienced homelessness from zAmya Theatre Project’s community-based play Housed and Homeless (From the Very Same Cup) as an extended case study and employs multiple existing models of analyzing autoethnographic performance, critiquing each model in turn, and assessing these methods in relationship to the desire to ethically analyze autoethnography.
Prepression: The actuarial archive and new technologies of security
Authors: Schinkel Willem
Published: November 2011

This article argues, on the basis of a discussion of current Dutch databases, that we are witnessing what can be called prepression. This combination of prevention and repression entails the archiving of risky individuals and their selection for ‘early intervention’. Such databases can be seen in light of their work of social imagination: they visualize the constitutive outside of ‘society’, and in so doing function as part of a governing imaginary. Crucial in contemporary prepression is the archive, which is interpreted not as a recording but also as a recoding of the past, that is, as an ordering principle in the fields of law and order, social work and health. The cases on the basis of which this article develops a preliminary sketch of a theory of prepression are drawn from recent developments concerning actuarial archiving systems in the Netherlands.
Crime behind the glass: Exploring the sublime in crime at the Vienna Kriminalmuseum
Authors: Huey Laura
Published: November 2011

Scholars have noted an ever-increasing growth in the number of crime-themed leisure and tourism venues. Within this article I examine one such site: the Vienna Kriminalmuseum. An analysis of this site provides an opportunity to explore how the ‘sublime in crime’ is presented to the Museum’s visitors in ways that intentionally merge the macabre with the educational. This presentation says much, I suggest, not only about the Museum’s goals, but about its intended audience, an audience seeking to be exposed to elements of the darkest side of humanity, now sanitized for wider public consumption through the union of educational and entertainment strategies.
Crime prevention goes abroad: Policy transfer and policing in post-apartheid South Africa
Authors: Steinberg Jonny
Published: November 2011

Loader and Walker have warned that ideas about order ‘always travel with culturally specific baggage’, ‘never adapt easily to [their] new environment’ and thus ‘always risk hubristic failure’. My aim is to offer an exemplar of this hubristic failure. I chart the infusion of Anglo-American ideas of crime prevention into the policing institutions of South Africa’s young democracy. These ideas bore a bloated conception of urban security which inadvertently stimulated, and thus helped to keep alive, a similarly bloated conception of security that lay at the heart of apartheid thinking. Dressed in the garb of crime prevention, a modified version of the paramilitary policing practices that flourished under apartheid returned to the streets of democratic South Africa.
A numerical study of the second-order wave excitation of ship springing in infinite water depth
Authors: Shao Yan-Lin , Faltinsen Odd M
Published: November 2011

Assuming the wave steepness of the incident waves and the ship motions are small, the second-order weakly-nonlinear hydrodynamic problem of a ship moving with constant forward speed is studied numerically in a consistent way. The boundary value problem is formulated in a body-fixed coordinate system and the perturbation scheme is used. This formulation does not include any derivatives of the velocity potential on the right-hand side of the body-boundary conditions, and thus avoid the difficulties associated with the terms similar to the so-called mj-terms and their derivatives. The second-order sum-frequency wave excitation of ship springing is studied in both monochromatic and bichromatic head-sea waves. Different Froude numbers are considered. A time-domain Higher-Order Boundary Element Method based on cubic shape function is used as a numerical tool. An upstream finite difference scheme is used for longitudinal derivative terms in the free-surface conditions. For a modified Wigley hull in head-sea waves, it is found that the second-order velocity potential gives dominant contribution to second-order wave excitation of ship springing in the wave frequency region where sum-frequency springing occurs. Quadratic velocity terms in the Bernoulli equation have a relatively small contribution. The numerical results also demonstrate strong dependency of the second-order wave excitation of ship springing on the Froude numbers for small wave lengths. The effect of beam and draft is investigated.