bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Calcitonin Gene‐Related Peptide Does Not Cause Migraine Attacks in Patients With Familial Hemiplegic Migraine
Authors: Hansen Jakob M. , Thomsen Lise L. , Olesen Jes , Ashina Messoud
Published: April 2011

(Headache 2011;51:544‐553)

Background.— Calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP) is a key molecule in migraine pathogenesis. Intravenous CGRP triggers migraine‐like attacks in patients with migraine with aura and without aura. In contrast, patients with familial hemiplegic migraine (FHM) with known mutations did not report more migraine‐like attacks compared to controls. Whether CGRP triggers migraine‐like attacks in FHM patients without known mutations is unknown.

Objective.— In the present study we therefore examined the migraine‐inducing effect of CGRP in FHM patients without known mutations and healthy controls.

Methods and design.— Eleven patients suffering from FHM without known mutations and 11 controls received an intravenous infusion of 1.5 µg/minute CGRP over 20 minutes. The study design was a balanced and controlled provocation study. Headache and other migraine symptoms were scored for 1 hour and self‐recorded hourly thereafter until 13‐hour postinfusion.

Results.— We found no difference in the incidence of migraine‐like attacks between the 2 groups, with 9% (1 of 11) of patients and 0% (0 of 10) of controls reporting migraine‐like headache (P = 1.00). CGRP infusion did not induce aura symptoms in any of the participants. There was no difference in the incidence of CGRP‐induced delayed headaches between the groups (P = .18).

Conclusion.— In contrast to patients suffering from migraine with aura and without aura, CGRP infusion did not induce more migraine‐like attacks in FHM patients without known mutations compared to controls. It seems that the majority of FHM patients with and without known mutation display no sensitivity to CGRP signaling compared to common types of migraine.
Management of Mass Casualty Events: The Israeli Experience
Authors: Admi Hanna , Eilon Yael , Hyams Gila , Utitz Liora
Published: April 2011

Purpose: Among all the emergency scenarios, the most common medical emergency event in Israel is the conventional mass casualty event (MCE). This article describes the Israeli model of emergency preparedness and management at the national level, step‐by‐step emergency management at the hospital level, and nursing roles in emergency events.

Setting: Israel has a unique national and local model of organizing and managing an emergency event, characterized by a central national organization that is responsible for emergency policy, management, coordination, quality control, and ongoing improvement.

Conclusions: Well‐planned emergency preparedness training for a multidisciplinary staff is crucial. Nurses play significant roles both clinically and managerially in leading and organizing emergency events on all levels.

Clinical Relevance: Lessons gained from the special model of management of MCEs in Israel, particularly regarding unique nursing roles, may be considered for applicability in other countries.
Classification of Oxide Compounds through Data‐Mining Density of States Spectra
Authors: Broderick Scott R. , Aourag Hafid , Rajan Krishna
Published: April 2011

Pattern recognition techniques were used to extract features from the density of states (DOS) curves derived from density functional theory calculations of over a dozen related oxide systems. Features in the DOS profiles that were associated with crystal structure, chemistry, and stoichiometry were identified. Classification maps identifying trends in the electronic structure with respect to crystal chemistry were created using multivariate analysis methods. It was found that crystal structure appeared to have a more significant impact on the DOS than chemistry for the systems studied. The differences in the electronic structure of HfO2 and ZrO2 were captured as a function of crystal structure, and the features of the DOS curve, which represent these differences, were identified. Correlations between crystal symmetry and metal/oxygen ratio were also uncovered from this type of analysis.
A Raman Study of Iron–Phosphate Crystalline Compounds and Glasses
Authors: Zhang Liying , Brow Richard K.
Published: April 2011

Ferrous and ferric phosphate crystalline compounds and glasses were studied using Raman spectroscopy. A comparison of the spectra from crystalline and glassy ortho‐, pyro‐, and metaphosphates indicates that similar phosphate anions constitute the structures of the respective materials, and some information about the compositional dependence of the phosphate‐site distributions in the glasses can be gleaned from relative peak intensities. A correlation exists between the average P–O bond distance and the Raman peak frequencies in the crystalline compounds, and this correlation is used to provide information about the structures of the iron phosphate glasses. For example, the average P–O bond distance is estimated to decrease from about 1.57 Å for iron metaphosphate glasses (O/P∼3.0) to 1.54 Å for iron orthophosphate glasses (O/P∼4.0). These bond distances are in good agreement with those reported from diffraction studies of similar glasses.
Microstructure, Dielectric, and Piezoelectric Properties of Pb0.92Ba0.08Nb2O6–0.25 wt% TiO2 Ceramics: Effect of Sintering Temperature
Authors: Chen XiaoMing , Ma HaiYan , Ding Wei , Zhang Yu , Zhao XiaoGang , Liang Xiao , Liu Peng
Published: April 2011

In order to obtain dense PbNb2O6‐based piezoelectric ceramics with a single orthorhombic ferroelectric phase, Ba, and excess Ti were doped into PbNb2O6 ceramics with the composition of Pb0.92Ba0.08Nb2O6–0.25 wt% TiO2 via a conventional solid‐state reaction method. The ceramics were sintered at 1210°–1300°C. The effects of sintering temperature on the crystallite structure, microstructure, and dielectric and piezoelectric properties were studied in detail. All ceramics had shown a high relative density (>94%) and a single orthorhombic phase. The lattice parameters, grain size, and shape varied with changing sintering temperature. All ceramics exhibited a typical characteristic in ferroelectrics with normal paraelectric–ferroelectric phase transition at the Curie temperature. With increasing sintering temperature from 1210° to 1300°C, the Curie temperature decreased from 554° to 523°C, while the maximum dielectric constant increased. The change in dielectric properties with changing sintering temperature is associated with a competing effect among internal stress, porosity, and grain size. The ceramic sintered at 1260°C possesses an excellent piezoelectric constant (d33=82 pC/N), low mechanical quality factor (Qm=20.52), low dielectric loss (tan δ=0.0062), and high Curie temperature (Tc=535°C), presenting a high potential to be used in high‐temperature applications as piezoelectric transducers.
Damage Evolution in Thermal Barrier Coatings with Thermal Cycling
Authors: Heeg Bauke , Tolpygo Vladimir K. , Clarke David R.
Published: April 2011

Thermal barrier coatings typically fail on cooling after prolonged thermal cycling or isothermal exposure. The mechanics of spalling requires that first a critical sized portion of the coating separates from the underlying material, then buckles and finally spalls away. The critical size for buckling depends on the thickness of the coating but is several millimeters for typical zirconia coatings 150 μm thick. As‐deposited coatings do not have interface separations but they form on thermal cycling as described in this work based on observations of coating cross‐sections combined with the stress redistribution in the thermally grown oxide imaged using a piezospectroscopic luminescence method. Analysis of the images reveals that small, isolated regions of damage initially form and then grow, linking up and coalescing to form percolating structures across the coating until the buckling condition is attained, the buckle extends and failure occurs by spallation. The piezospectroscopic imaging of the stresses in the thermally grown oxide formed by oxidation beneath thermal barrier coatings provides a form of “stress tomography” enabling the subcritical separations to be monitored.
Reasons for persistent and emerging post‐treatment endodontic disease
Authors: HAAPASALO MARKUS , SHEN YA , RICUCCI DOMENICO
Published: April 2011

This article is a critical review of the reasons for persistent and emerging post‐treatment endodontic disease (PTED). While there is a strong consensus that micro‐organisms, mainly bacteria, are practically the only cause of primary apical periodontitis, the reasons for persistent apical periodontitis lesions have been more a matter of debate. The authors of this review focus on the role of micro‐organisms in PTED, and while secondary developments such as cholesterol crystals or foreign material in the periapical area of a tooth with apical periodontitis may contribute to additional irritation and/or an inflammatory reaction, a detailed analysis of the available data suggests that evidence supporting a primary role for such secondary factors without the continued presence of bacteria is lacking. Therefore, even in PTED, elimination of micro‐organisms residing within the tooth structure, root surface, or periapical tissues remains the goal of treatment and the key to long‐term success.
Evaluation and management of nonsyndromic craniosynostosis
Authors: Ursitti F , Fadda T , Papetti L , Pagnoni M , Nicita F , Iannetti G , Spalice A
Published: April 2011

Craniosynostosis (craniostenosis) is premature fusion of the sutures of the cranial vault. Several factors can affect the growth of the cranial vault during embryonic life and after birth, leading to different types of craniosynostosis; these can be classified on the basis of the specific sutures that are fused. Prognosis is improved by early diagnosis, and it is important to establish the correct approach to these patients on the basis of clinical and neuroradiological investigation. The first priority is to identify the type of craniosynostosis and to distinguish between the types that require surgical intervention and those that do not. We report on the different forms of nonsyndromic craniosynostosis, their clinical and neuroradiological diagnoses, and surgical strategies.

Conclusion:  The aim of this review is to provide to paediatricians a correct diagnostic approach and management of children affected from nonsyndromic craniosynostosis, for which a careful physical, ophthalmological and neurological examination is fundamental, whereas brain Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are necessary for patients in which the diagnosis is uncertain or for cases of syndromic craniosynostosis.
Home blood pressure in children and adolescents: a comparison with office and ambulatory blood pressure measurements
Authors: Salgado Cláudia Maria , Jardim Paulo César Brandão Veiga , Viana Jackeline Karoline Brito , Jardim Thiago de Souza Veiga , Velasquez Paola Patrícia Castillo
Published: April 2011

Aim:  To compare BP measurements of children and adolescents using different methods office BP (OBP), ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) and home BP measurement (HBPM) and to study their correlations.

Method:  Individuals were evaluated between 5 and 15 years of age who had been referred because of a previous high BP. OBP was measured with the OMRON‐705CP. Three measurements were carried out at 5‐min intervals. HBPM were taken using the same device, two measurements at 5‐min intervals in the morning and in the evening during 7 days. ABPM was performed using the SpaceLabs 90207 monitors.

Results:  A total of 109 children and adolescents were evaluated (9.82 ± 2.63 years), 52.3% boys, 56.9% non‐white. The office systolic BP (SBP) was lower than in daytime ABPM (p < 0.001) but similar HBPM (p = 0.294), and the office diastolic BP (DBP) was lower than daytime ABPM (p < 0.001) and in HBPM (p = 0.035). The SBP and DBP at HBPM was lower than daytime ABPM (p < 0.001). Daytime ambulatory BP was more closely associated with home readings (SBP r = 0.731 and DBP r = 0.616) than with office’s readings (SBP r = 0.653 and DBP r = 0.394).

Conclusion:  The BP of children and adolescents varies depending on the place and manner of measurement. ABPM presents better correlation with HBPM than with the office measurements.
Estimated absorbance spectra of the visual pigments of the North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis)
Authors: Fasick Jeffry I. , Bischoff Nicole , Brennan Stephanie , Velasquez Stephani , Andrade Gisele
Published: April 2011

Abstract

To assess the spectral sensitivities of the retinal visual pigments from the North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis), we have cloned and sequenced two exons from the rod opsin gene and two exons from the middle‐wavelength sensitive (MWS) cone opsin gene in order to determine the amino acids at positions known to be key regulators of the spectral location of the absorbance maximum (λmax). Based on previous mutagenesis models we estimate that the right whale possesses a rod visual pigment with a λmax of 499 nm and a MWS cone visual pigment with a λmax of 524 nm. Although the MWS cone visual pigment from the right whale is blue‐shifted in its spectral sensitivity like those from odontocetes, the spectral sensitivity of the right whale rod visual pigment is similar to those from terrestrial mammals.
Dietary Trace Metal Supplements Promote Blood Vessel Melanosis in Fillets of Juvenile Farmed Atlantic Cod, Gadus morhua L.
Authors: Cooper Marie , Olsen Ragnar L. , Seliussen Jørgen , Gannefors Charlotte
Published: April 2011

Chronic over‐exposure to diet‐borne copper has been implicated in the development of black stripes caused by melanin deposits (melanosis) around the blood vessels in fillets of farmed Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua L. To test this hypothesis a 6‐mo pilot study using feeds containing controlled amounts of copper has been performed. Cumulative data from each feed group showed that 56% of cod fed a diet containing 10 mg/kg of added copper had black stripe while 58% of cod on a diet containing 5 mg/kg of added copper were affected. Cod on a diet with no added copper had 33% of individuals positive for black stripe, and in a final group on a diet containing no supplementary trace metals and minerals 16% of individuals were affected. Weight gain, increase in length, hepatosomatic index, and condition factor were unaffected by the changes made to mineral supplements. Melanosis has been observed in 24% wild cod of market size (n = 30) whilst 85% of market‐sized farmed cod examined have had black stripe (n = 403).
Biofouling in Marine Molluscan Shellfish Aquaculture: A Survey Assessing the Business and Economic Implications of Mitigation
Authors: Adams Charles M. , Shumway Sandra E. , Whitlatch Robert B. , Getchis Tessa
Published: April 2011

The culture of oysters, clams, scallops, and other molluscs is collectively one of the fastest growing sectors of the domestic aquaculture industry. An inherent issue with shellfish culture methods, particularly for off‐bottom culture (i.e., floating trays, racks, long lines, strings, rafts), is biofouling. Controlling and mitigating biofouling can result in significant costs for commercial shellfish culture operations. A survey of existing commercial shellfish culture operations was conducted among growers in seven US regions. A total of 1375 surveys were distributed. An overall response rate of 37% was achieved. The survey solicited information on business descriptors, perceptions of biofouling as a problematic issue, and costs associated with control. Respondents indicated that efforts to control biofouling accounted for an average of 14.7% of total annual operating costs. Survey findings suggest that the total costs associated with biofouling control by shellfish growers in the regions studied exceed $21 million. Over 40% of respondents indicated that biofouling affected the marketability of their product. The survey findings reveal significant variation in responses by region.
The Practitioner–Researcher Divide in Psychological Negotiation Research: Current State and Future Perspective
Authors: Hüffmeier Joachim , Krumm Stefan , Hertel Guido
Published: April 2011

This conceptual paper discusses the extent to which psychological negotiation research suffers from a practitioner–researcher divide. We conclude from an analysis of the various activities that negotiation researchers engage in, that this research has its strengths in the knowledge transfer domain, but is not yet sufficiently tuned to produce practically relevant knowledge. Based on this analysis, indicators are developed that help to monitor the progress of psychological negotiation research in producing such knowledge. Among the suggested indicators are the balance between real‐world phenomena and theory‐driven research questions, the amount and continuity of direct communication between practitioners and researchers, and the relative number of studies that validate laboratory findings through the inclusion of multiple dependent variables as a standard approach. Further indicators focus on the relative amount of replication studies with professional negotiators, in field studies, and under situational conditions that are both practically relevant and challenging.
Colour Doppler ultrasound imaging findings in paediatric periocular and orbital haemangiomas
Authors: Spierer Oriel , Neudorfer Meira , Leibovitch Igal , Stolovitch Chaim , Kessler Ada
Published: April 2011

Purpose:  To evaluate the combined grey‐scale ultrasonography (US) and colour Doppler imaging (CDI) as the first and primary imaging modalities in diagnosing paediatric orbital haemangiomas.

Methods:  The charts of 20 consecutive children with a periorbital mass echographically diagnosed as a haemangioma between January 2004 and June 2009 in the Tel‐Aviv Sourasky Medical Center were reviewed. Data on demographic details, clinical findings, US and CDI characteristics, treatment and outcome were retrieved.

Results:  Twelve (60%) haemangiomas were located on the upper eyelid, five in the lower eyelid (25%) and three in the medial cantus (15%). The tumour resolved completely in 10 children (50%) and in 10 children (50%) partial resolution was documented. Seven (35%) patients underwent treatment (intralesional or oral steroids or propranolol). Grey‐scale US depicted a solid‐tissue mass with low internal echogenicity. Mean haemangioma volume was 1.33 cm3. Colour Doppler imaging demonstrated intralesional flow with a mean peak systolic velocity of 15.2 cm per second and a mean resistance index of 0.51. All US and CDI examinations were carried out on alert children and no sedation or general anaesthesia was needed. During mean follow‐up time of 23 months, no child required any additional imaging or diagnostic procedures to confirm the diagnosis.

Conclusion:  Combined US and CDI are suggested as the first imaging modalities in cases with a suspected diagnosis of periocular and orbital capillary haemangioma.
Statin Myopathy: A Lipid Clinic Experience on the Tolerability of Statin Rechallenge
Authors: Fung En C. , Crook Martin A.
Published: April 2011

Introduction: Statin myopathy is a generally encountered side effect of statin usage. Both muscle symptoms and a raised serum creatine kinase (CK) are used in case definition, but these are common manifestations of other conditions, which may not be statin related. Statin rechallenge assuming no contraindication in selected cases is an option before considering a different class of lipid‐lowering agent. Aims: We aim to characterize retrospectively the patients referred to our Lipid Clinic with a diagnosis of statin myopathy. The tolerability of different statins was assessed to determine a strategy for rechallenging statins in such patients in the future. Results: Patients with statin myopathy constitute 10.2% of our Lipid Clinic workload. They are predominantly female (62.0%), Caucasian (63.9%), with a mean age of 58.3 years and mean body mass index (BMI) of 29.3 kg/m2. The serum CK and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were statistically higher compared to patients with statin intolerances with no muscular component or CK elevations. Secondary causes of statin myopathy were implicated in 2.7% of cases. Following statin myopathy to simvastatin we found no statistical difference between the tolerability rates between atorvastatin, rosuvastatin, pravastatin, and fluvastatin. Fibrates, cholestyramine, and ezetimibe were statistically better tolerated in these patients. Conclusions: Statin rechallenge is a real treatment option in patients with statin myopathy. Detailed history and examination is required to exclude muscle diseases unrelated to statin usage. In patients developing statin myopathy on simvastatin, we did not find any statistical difference between subsequent tolerability rates to rosuvastatin, pravastatin, and fluvastatin.
Ginsenoside Re: Pharmacological Effects on Cardiovascular System
Authors: Peng Lu , Sun Shi , Xie Lai‐Hua , Wicks Sheila M. , Xie Jing‐Tian
Published: April 2011

Ginsenosides are the bioactive constituents of ginseng, a key herb in traditional Chinese medicine. As a single component of ginseng, ginsenoside Re (G‐Re) belongs to the panaxatriol group. Many reports demonstrated that G‐Re possesses the multifaceted beneficial pharmacological effects on cardiovascular system. G‐Re has negative effect on cardiac contractility and autorhythmicity. It causes alternations in cardiac electrophysiological properties, which may account for its antiarrhythmic effect. In addition, G‐Re also exerts antiischemic effect and induces angiogenic regeneration. In this review, we first outline the chemistry and the pharmacological effects of G‐Re on the cardiovascular system.
Pseudostellaria tianmushanensis sp. nov. (Caryophyllaceae) from Zhejiang, China
Authors: Xia Guo‐Hua , Liu Chuan‐He , Xie Wen‐Yuan , Li Gen‐You
Published: April 2011

Pseudostellaria tianmushanensis G. H. Xia & G. Y. Li, collected from the Tianmu Mountains Nature Reserve in northwestern Zhejiang, China, is described and illustrated. This new species is similar to P. rupestris Pax., but differs by having a string of fusiform or ovoid‐globose tubers, leaves that are narrow elliptic‐lanceolate, glabrous, with cuneate base with scattered multi‐nodulate hairs, papillate margins and basipetalous variation in floral morphology. Moreover, the seed tubercle ornamentation also supports the recognition of the new species. A key to the species of Pseudostellaria in Zhejiang province is provided.
Salmonella Serovars and Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns on a Sample of High Seroprevalence Pig Farms in England and Wales (2003–2008)
Authors: Miller A. J. , Twomey D. F. , Davies R. H. , Teale C. J. , Williamson S. M. , Reichel R. , Featherstone C. A. , Cook A. J. C. , Snow L. C. , Armstrong J. D.
Published: April 2011

Following the introduction of a national abattoir‐based monitoring programme for Salmonella in pigs, advisory visits were made to pig farms in England and Wales with high Salmonella seroprevalence assessed by muscle tissue fluid (meat juice) ELISA. Samples (n = 15 790), including pooled pen floor faeces (n = 12 136), were collected for Salmonella culture from 296 farms, between October 2003 and February 2008. Salmonella was isolated from 4489 (28%) of all samples collected, including 3301 (27%) of pooled pen floor faecal samples, from 270 (91%) of farms visited. Salmonella Typhimurium and S. Derby were the most prevalent serovars, representing 64% and 16% of isolates serotyped, respectively. The main phage types of S. Typhimurium identified were U288 and DT193. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) was seen in 92% of isolates tested, with the highest frequencies of resistance occurring to tetracyclines (T), sulphonamide compounds (SU), ampicillin (AM), sulphamethoxazole/trimethoprim (SXT), streptomycin (S) and chloramphenicol (C). Fifty‐nine AMR patterns were observed, the most frequent of these being T, AM, SXT, C, S, SU, seen in 35% of isolates tested. Multi‐drug resistance was commonly found, with 67% of isolates submitted for AMR testing showing resistance to between four and nine antimicrobials.
Equine Encephalomyelitis Outbreak Caused by a Genetic Lineage 2 West Nile Virus in Hungary
Authors: Kutasi O. , Bakonyi T. , Lecollinet S. , Biksi I. , Ferenczi E. , Bahuon C. , Sardi S. , Zientara S. , Szenci O.
Published: April 2011

Background: The spread of lineage 2 West Nile virus (WNV) from sub‐Saharan regions to Europe and the unpredictable change in pathogenicity indicate a potential public and veterinary health threat and requires scientific awareness.

Objectives: To describe the results of clinical and virological investigations of the 1st outbreak of a genetic lineage 2 WNV encephalomyelitis in horses.

Animals: Seventeen horses with neurologic signs.

Methods: Information regarding signalment, clinical signs, and outcome was obtained for each animal. Serology was performed in 15 cases, clinicopathological examination in 7 cases, and cerebrospinal fluid was collected from 2 horses. Histopathology was carried out in 4 horses, 2 of which were assessed for the presence of WNV in their nervous system.

Results: WNV neutralizing antibody titers were between 10 and 270 (median, 90) and the results of other serological assays were in agreement with those of the plaque reduction neutralization test. Common signs included ataxia, weakness, asymmetric gait, muscle tremors, hypersensitivity, cranial nerve deficits, and recumbency. Twelve animals survived. Amplicons derived from the infection‐positive specimens allowed molecular characterization of the viral strain.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance: From our results, we conclude that this outbreak was caused by a lineage 2 WNV strain, even though such strains often are considered nonpathogenic. Neurological signs and survival rates were similar to those reported for lineage 1 virus infections. The disease occurrence was not geographically limited as had been the typical case during European outbreaks; this report describes a substantial northwestern spread of the pathogen.
HARVESTING ECONOMIC MODELS AND CATCH‐TO‐BIOMASS DEPENDENCE: THE CASE OF SMALL PELAGIC FISH
Authors: GAJARDO PEDRO , PEÑA‐TORRES JULIO , RAMÍREZ C. HÉCTOR
Published: April 2011

AbstractIn the case of small pelagic fish, it seems reasonable to consider harvest functions depending nonlinearly on fishing effort and fish stock. Indeed, empirical evidence about these fish species suggests that marginal catch does not necessarily react in a linear way neither to changes in fishing effort nor in fish stock levels. This is in contradiction with traditional fishery economic models where catch‐to‐input marginal productivities are normally assumed to be constant. While allowing for nonlinearities in both catch‐to‐effort and catch‐to‐stock parameters, this paper extends the traditional single‐stock harvesting economic model by focusing on the dependence of the stationary solutions upon the nonlinear catch‐to‐stock parameter. Thus, we analyze equilibrium responses to changes in this parameter, which in turn may be triggered either by climatic or technological change. Given the focus in this study on the case of small pelagic fish, the analysis considers positive but small values for the catch‐to‐stock parameter.
Topical anti-inflammatory activity of quillaic acid from Quillaja saponaria Mol. and some derivatives
Authors: Rodríguez-Díaz Maité , Delporte Carla , Cartagena Carlos , Cassels Bruce K , González Patricia , Silva Ximena , León Fredy , Wessjohann Ludger A
Published: April 2011

Objectives

Quillaic acid is the major aglycone of the widely studied saponins of the Chilean indigenous tree Quillaja saponaria Mol. The industrial availability of quillaja saponins and the extensive functionalisation of this triterpenoid provide unique opportunities for structural modification and pose a challenge from the standpoint of selectivity in regard to one or the other secondary alcohol group, the aldehyde, and the carboxylic acid functions. The anti-inflammatory activity of this sapogenin has not been studied previously and it has never been used to obtain potential anti-inflammatory derivatives.

Methods

A series of quillaic acid derivatives were prepared and subjected to topical assays for the inhibition of inflammation induced by arachidonic acid or phorbol ester.

Key findings

Quillaic acid exhibited strong topical anti-inflammatory activity in both models. Most of its derivatives were less potent, but the hydrazone 8 showed similar potency to quillaic acid in the TPA assay.

Conclusions

The structural modifications performed and the biological results suggest that the aldehyde and carboxyl groups are relevant to the anti-inflammatory activity in these models.
Dewey’s Debt to Barnes
Authors: Hein George E.
Published: April 2011

Abstract  John Dewey’s association with Albert C. Barnes significantly influenced his monumental Art as Experience, a fact Dewey fully acknowledged both in that work and in other writings. Yet Barnes’s contribution to Dewey’s ideas has seldom been discussed. Even those who write about Dewey’s aesthetics frequently ignore it, or provide distorted descriptions of Barnes’s life and of the two men’s relationship. Dewey was drawn to dynamic individuals who provided empirical evidence for his philosophical views. Barnes’s passion for education, conviction that looking at visual art could transform lives, and faith in action all influenced Dewey’s thinking. An examination of the Dewey‐Barnes correspondence and of some of their joint activities helps set the historical record straight about Dewey’s debt to Barnes. It also contributes to our understanding of both men’s aesthetic theories and is particularly relevant as the Barnes Foundation moves to a more public venue in Philadelphia in 2012.
The Art Museum Today
Authors: Carrier David
Published: April 2011

Abstract  Art historians can learn a great about art from a close study of museum installations. Knowing how to do installations is implicit practical knowledge, which perhaps doesn’t need to be made explicit. Hanging is a practice mastered by gifted curators who don’t write out the rules. And so, it is unfortunate that there is too little documentation of these installations. Assembling a wide range of examples, this essay shows what art historians can learn from the practice of curators.
The Persistence of Memory: A Meditation on the Absence of Curators in a Museum Exhibition Project
Authors: Chester Timothy J.
Published: April 2011

Abstract  Michigan—Land of Riches: Re‐Examining the Old Grand Rapids Public Museum was a month‐long temporary installation that took over the disused halls of a defunct regional natural history museum facility and proved that even the museum’s trash can be recycled for the benefit of community. A project to repurpose the old artifacts and dioramas as art involved student artists and art faculty from seven Michigan colleges, universities, and art institutions. Although the museum staff assisted with all object handling and the curatorial staff ensured that the stewardship of the collections was not compromised, the museum’s curators were absent in issues of content and interpretation. By the standards of most visitors, the participating artists, and the museum’s staff, the event was a wild success.
The Wayward Curator: Italian Curators, Erotic Art, and Kid‐friendly Labels; Three Trips to the National Archeological Museum of Naples
Authors: Delehanty Randolph
Published: April 2011

Abstract  Stopping in on the National Archeological Museum of Naples, over several visits, an art historian experiences the ups and downs and the incomparable treasure hunt that delighted him in touring Italy for its art.
Multidocument Summarization of Engineering Papers Based on Macro- and Microstructure
Authors: Zhan Jiaming , Liu Ying , Loh Han Tong
Published: April 2011

This paper focuses on automatic summarization of multiple engineering papers. A summarization approach based on documents’ macro- and microstructure has been proposed. The macrostructure consists of a list of ranked topics from engineering papers. Topics are discovered by extracting and grouping frequently appearing word sequences into equivalence classes. Hence, the macrostructure symbolically presents the topical links in different papers. Meanwhile, the microstructure is defined as the rhetorical structure within a single paper. The identification of microstructure is approached as a classification problem. Each sentence in a paper is automatically labeled with one of the predefined rhetorical categories. Unlike existing summarization methods that first separate documents into nonoverlapping clusters and then summarize each cluster individually, our approach aims to summarize multiple documents according to the characteristics suggested at macro- and microstructure levels. The experimental study showed that our proposed approach outperformed peer systems in terms of recall-oriented understudy for gisting evaluation scores and readers’ responsiveness. In an independent manual categorization task using the summaries generated by our approach and peer systems, we also performed better in terms of precision and recall.
Direct and Indirect Methods for Calculating Thermal Emission From Layered Structures With Nonuniform Temperatures
Authors: Wang L. P. , Basu S. , Zhang Z. M.
Published: April 2011

The determination of emissivity of layered structures is critical in many applications, such as radiation thermometry, microelectronics, radiative cooling, and energy harvesting. Two different approaches, i.e., the “indirect” and “direct” methods, are commonly used for computing the emissivity of an object. For an opaque surface at a uniform temperature, the indirect method involves calculating the spectral directional-hemispherical reflectance to deduce the spectral directional emissivity based on Kirchhoff’s law. On the other hand, a few studies have used a combination of Maxwell’s equations with the fluctuation-dissipation theorem to directly calculate the emissivity. The present study aims at unifying the direct and indirect methods for calculating the far-field thermal emission from layered structures with a nonuniform temperature distribution. Formulations for both methods are given to illustrate the equivalence between the indirect and the direct methods. Thermal emission from an asymmetric Fabry–Pérot resonance cavity with a nonuniform temperature distribution is taken as an example to show how to predict the intensity, emissivity, and the brightness temperature. The local density of states, however, can only be calculated using the direct method.
Estimation and Analysis of Surface Heat Flux During Quenching in CNT Nanofluids
Authors: Babu K. , Prasanna Kumar T. S.
Published: April 2011

In this article, water based carbon nanotube (CNT) nanofluids have been used as quenchants to study their effects on the heat transfer rate during immersion quenching. For this purpose, water based CNT nanofluids were prepared by dispersing CNTs with and without the use of surfactant. Quench probes with a diameter of 20 mm and a length of 50 mm were prepared from 304L stainless steel. Thermocouples were fixed at the selected location inside the quench probes and the probes were quenched in distilled water and CNT nanofluids. During quenching, time-temperature data were recorded using a data acquisition system. The heat flux and temperature at the quenched surface were estimated through the inverse heat conduction method. The computation results showed that the peak heat flux was higher by 37.5% during quenching in CNT nanofluid prepared without surfactant than that in water. However, surfactant assisted CNT nanofluid promoted a prolonged vapor phase during quenching and hindered the heat transfer rates significantly. The peak heat flux was dropped by 24.9% during quenching in CNT nanofluid prepared with surfactant as compared with its base fluid of water.
Correction for patient table‐induced scattered radiation in cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT)
Authors: Sun Mingshan , Nagy Tamás , Virshup Gary , Partain Larry , Oelhafen Markus , Star‐Lack Josh
Published: April 2011

Purpose:

In image‐guided radiotherapy, an artifact typically seen in axial slices of x‐ray cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT) reconstructions is a dark region or “black hole” situated below the scan isocenter. The authors trace the cause of the artifact to scattered radiation produced by radiotherapy patient tabletops and show it is linked to the use of the offset‐detector acquisition mode to enlarge the imaging field‐of‐view. The authors present a hybrid scatter kernel superposition (SKS) algorithm to correct for scatter from both the object‐of‐interest and the tabletop.

Methods:

Monte Carlo simulations and phantom experiments were first performed to identify the source of the black hole artifact. For correction, a SKS algorithm was developed that uses separate kernels to estimate scatter from the patient tabletop and the object‐of‐interest. Each projection is divided into two regions, one defined by the shadow cast by the tabletop on the imager and one defined by the unshadowed region. The region not shadowed by the tabletop is processed using the recently developed fast adaptive scatter kernel superposition (fASKS) method which employs asymmetric kernels that best model scatter transport through bodylike objects. The shadowed region is convolved with a combination of slab‐derived symmetric SKS kernels and asymmetric fASKS kernels. The composition of the hybrid kernels is projection‐angle‐dependent. To test the algorithm, pelvis phantom andin vivo data were acquired using a CBCT test stand, a Varian Acuity simulator, and a Varian On‐Board Imager, all of which have similar geometries and components. Artifact intensities and Hounsfield unit (HU) accuracies in the reconstructions were assessed before and after the correction.

Results:

The hybrid kernel algorithm provided effective correction and produced substantially better scatter estimates than the symmetric SKS or asymmetric fASKS methods alone. HU nonuniformities in the reconstructed pelvis phantom were reduced from 220 to 50 HU (i.e., 22%–5%). In thein vivo scans, the black hole artifact was reduced by up to 147 HU, a 73% improvement, and anatomical details in the prostate and rectum areas were made considerably more visible.

Conclusions:

Radiotherapy tabletops, which are generally flatter and larger than those used for diagnostic CT, can produce significant scatter‐related artifacts. The proposed hybrid SKS algorithm accurately estimates scatter from both the object‐of‐interest and the patient tabletop, and resulting image uniformities and HU accuracies are greatly improved.
Multisource modeling of flattening filter free (FFF) beam and the optimization of model parameters
Authors: Cho Woong , Kielar Kayla N. , Mok Ed , Xing Lei , Park Jeong‐Hoon , Jung Won‐Gyun , Suh Tae‐Suk
Published: April 2011

Purpose:

With the introduction of flattening filter free (FFF) linear accelerators to radiation oncology, new analytical source models for a FFF beam applicable to current treatment planning systems is needed. In this work, a multisource model for the FFF beam and the optimization of involved model parameters were designed.

Methods:

The model is based on a previous three source model proposed by Yang et al. [“A three‐source model for the calculation of head scatter factors,” Med. Phys. 29, 2024–2033 (2002)]. An off axis ratio (OAR) of photon fluence was introduced to the primary source term to generate cone shaped profiles. The parameters of the source model were determined from measured head scatter factors using a line search optimization technique. The OAR of the photon fluence was determined from a measured dose profile of a field size with the same optimization technique, but a new method to acquire gradient terms for OARs was developed to enhance the speed of the optimization process. The improved model was validated with measured dose profiles from to field sizes at 6 and 10 MV from a TrueBeam™ STx linear accelerator. Furthermore, planar dose distributions for clinically used radiation fields were also calculated and compared to measurements using a 2D array detector using the gamma index method.

Results:

All dose values for the calculated profiles agreed with the measured dose profiles within 0.5% at 6 and 10 MV beams, except for some low dose regions for larger field sizes. A slight overestimation was seen in the lower penumbra region near the field edge for the large field sizes by 1%–4%. The planar dose calculations showed comparable passing rates when the criterion of the gamma index method was selected to be 3%/3 mm.

Conclusions:

The developed source model showed good agreements between measured and calculated dose distributions. The model is easily applicable to any other linear accelerator using FFF beams as the required data include only the measured PDD, dose profiles, and output factors for various field sizes, which are easily acquired during conventional beam commissioning process.
Computer‐aided detection of breast masses: Four‐view strategy for screening mammography
Authors: Wei Jun , Chan Heang‐Ping , Zhou Chuan , Wu Yi‐Ta , Sahiner Berkman , Hadjiiski Lubomir M. , Roubidoux Marilyn A. , Helvie Mark A.
Published: April 2011

Purpose:

To improve the performance of a computer‐aided detection (CAD) system for mass detection by using four‐view information in screening mammography.

Methods:

The authors developed a four‐view CAD system that emulates radiologists' reading by using the craniocaudal and mediolateral oblique views of the ipsilateral breast to reduce false positives (FPs) and the corresponding views of the contralateral breast to detect asymmetry. The CAD system consists of four major components: (1) Initial detection of breast masses on individual views, (2) information fusion of the ipsilateral views of the breast (referred to as two‐view analysis), (3) information fusion of the corresponding views of the contralateral breast (referred to as bilateral analysis), and (4) fusion of the four‐view information with a decision tree. The authors collected two data sets for training and testing of the CAD system: A mass set containing 389 patients with 389 biopsy‐proven masses and a normal set containing 200 normal subjects. All cases had four‐view mammograms. The true locations of the masses on the mammograms were identified by an experienced MQSA radiologist. The authors randomly divided the mass set into two independent sets for cross validation training and testing. The overall test performance was assessed by averaging the free response receiver operating characteristic (FROC) curves of the two test subsets. The FP rates during the FROC analysis were estimated by using the normal set only. The jackknife free‐response ROC (JAFROC) method was used to estimate the statistical significance of the difference between the test FROC curves obtained with the single‐view and the four‐view CAD systems.

Results:

Using the single‐view CAD system, the breast‐based test sensitivities were 58% and 77% at the FP rates of 0.5 and 1.0 per image, respectively. With the four‐view CAD system, the breast‐based test sensitivities were improved to 76% and 87% at the corresponding FP rates, respectively. The improvement was found to be statistically significant by JAFROC analysis.

Conclusions:

The four‐view information fusion approach that emulates radiologists' reading strategy significantly improves the performance of breast mass detection of the CAD system in comparison with the single‐view approach.
Investigation of radiological properties and water equivalency of PRESAGE® dosimeters
Authors: Gorjiara Tina , Hill Robin , Kuncic Zdenka , Adamovics John , Bosi Stephen , Kim Jung‐Ha , Baldock Clive
Published: April 2011

Purpose:

PRESAGE® is a dosimeter made of polyurethane, which is suitable for 3D dosimetry in modern radiation treatment techniques. Since an ideal dosimeter is radiologically water equivalent, the authors investigated water equivalency and the radiological properties of three different PRESAGE® formulations that differ primarily in their elemental compositions. Two of the formulations are new and have lower halogen content than the original formulation.

Methods:

The radiological water equivalence was assessed by comparing the densities, interaction probabilities, and radiation dosimetry properties of the three different PRESAGE® formulations to the corresponding values for water. The relative depth doses were calculated using Monte Carlo methods for 50, 100, 200, and 350 kVp and 6 MV x‐ray beams.

Results:

The mass densities of the three PRESAGE® formulations varied from 5.3% higher than that of water to as much as 10% higher than that of water for the original formulation. The probability of photoelectric absorption in the three different PRESAGE® formulations varied from 2.2 times greater than that of water for the new formulations to 3.5 times greater than that of water for the original formulation. The mass attenuation coefficient for the three formulations is 12%–50% higher than the value for water. These differences occur over an energy range (10–100 keV) in which the photoelectric effect is the dominant interaction. The collision mass stopping powers of the relatively lower halogen‐containing PRESAGE® formulations also exhibit marginally better water equivalency than the original higher halogen‐containing PRESAGE® formulation. Furthermore, the depth dose curves for the lower halogen‐containing PRESAGE® formulations are slightly closer to that of water for a 6 MV beam. In the kilovoltage energy range, the depth dose curves for the lower halogen‐containing PRESAGE® formulations are in better agreement with water than the original PRESAGE® formulation.

Conclusions:

Based on the results of this study, the new PRESAGE® formulations with lower halogen content are more radiologically water equivalent overall than the original formulation. This indicates that the new PRESAGE® formulations are better suited to clinical applications and are more accurate dosimeters and phantoms than the original PRESAGE® formulation. While correction factors are still needed to convert the dose measured by the dosimeter to an absorbed dose in water in the kilovoltage energy range, these correction factors are considerably smaller for the new PRESAGE® formulations compared to the original PRESAGE® and the existing polymer gel dosimeters.