bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ongoing activity in the optic tectum is correlated on a trial-by-trial basis with the pupil dilation response
Authors: Netser Shai , Dutta Arkadeb , Gutfreund Yoram
Published: December 2013

The selection of the appropriate stimulus to induce an orienting response is a basic task thought to be partly achieved by tectal circuitry. Here we addressed the relationship between neural activity in the optic tectum (OT) and orienting behavioral responses. We recorded multiunit activity in the intermediate/deep layers of the OT of the barn owl simultaneously with pupil dilation responses (PDR, a well-known orienting response common to birds and mammals). A trial-by-trial analysis of the responses revealed that the PDR generally did not correlate with the evoked neural responses but significantly correlated with the rate of ongoing neural activity measured shortly before the stimulus. Following this finding, we characterized ongoing activity in the OT and showed that in the intermediate/deep layers it tended to fluctuate spontaneously. It is characterized by short periods of high ongoing activity during which the probability of a PDR to an auditory stimulus inside the receptive field is increased. These high-ongoing activity periods were correlated with increase in the power of gamma band local field potential oscillations. Through dual recordings, we showed that the correlation coefficients of ongoing activity decreased as a function of distance between recording sites in the tectal map. Significant correlations were also found between recording sites in the OT and the forebrain entopallium. Our results suggest that an increase of ongoing activity in the OT reflects an internal state during which coupling between sensory stimulation and behavioral responses increases.
The mechanical actions of muscles predict the direction of muscle activation during postural perturbations in the cat hindlimb
Authors: Honeycutt Claire F. , Nichols T. Richard
Published: December 2013

Humans and cats respond to balance challenges, delivered via horizontal support surface perturbations, with directionally selective muscle recruitment and constrained ground reaction forces. It has been suggested that this postural strategy arises from an interaction of limb biomechanics and proprioceptive networks in the spinal cord. A critical experimental validation of this hypothesis is to test the prediction that the principal directions of muscular activation oppose the directions responding muscles exert their forces on the environment. Therefore, our objective was to quantify the endpoint forces of a diverse set of cat hindlimb muscles and compare them with the directionally sensitive muscle activation patterns generated in the intact and decerebrate cat. We hypothesized that muscles are activated based on their mechanical advantage. Our primary expectation was that the principal direction of muscle activation during postural perturbations will be directed oppositely (180°) from the muscle endpoint ground reaction force. We found that muscle activation during postural perturbations was indeed directed oppositely to the endpoint reaction forces of that muscle. These observations indicate that muscle recruitment during balance challenges is driven, at least in part, by limb architecture. This suggests that sensory sources that provide feedback about the mechanical environment of the limb are likely important to appropriate and effective responses during balance challenges. Finally, we extended the analysis to three dimensions and different stance widths, laying the groundwork for a more comprehensive study of postural regulation than was possible with measurements confined to the horizontal plane and a single stance configuration.
Physicochemical and Microstructural Characterization of Injectable Load-Bearing Calcium Phosphate Scaffold
Authors: Alshaaer Mazen , Kailani Mohammed H. , Jafar Hanan , Ababneh Nidaa , Awidi Abdalla
Published: December 2013

Injectable load-bearing calcium phosphate scaffolds are synthesized using rod-like mannitol grains as porogen. These degradable injectable strong porous scaffolds, prepared by calcium phosphate cement, could represent a valid solution to achieve adequate porosity requirements while providing adequate support in load-bearing applications. The proposed process for preparing porous injectable scaffolds is as quick and versatile as conventional technologies. Using this method, porous CDHA-based calcium phosphate scaffolds with macropores sizes ranging from 70 to 300 μm, micropores ranging from 5 to 30 μm, and 30% open macroporosity were prepared. The setting time of the prepared scaffolds was 15 minutes. Also their compressive strength and e-modulus, 4.9 MPa and 400 MPa, respectively, were comparable with those of the cancellous bone. Finally, the bioactivity of the scaffolds was confirmed by cell growth with cytoplasmic extensions in the scaffolds in culture, demonstrating that the scaffold has a potential for MSC seeding and growth architecture. This combination of an interconnected macroporous structure with pore size suitable for the promotion of cell seeding and proliferation, plus adequate mechanical features, represents a porous scaffold which is a promising candidate for bone tissue engineering.
The Sacred Mountain of Varallo in Italy: Seismic Risk Assessment by Acoustic Emission and Structural Numerical Models
Authors: Carpinteri Alberto , Lacidogna Giuseppe , Invernizzi Stefano , Accornero Federico
Published: December 2013

We examine an application of Acoustic Emission (AE) technique for a probabilistic analysis in time and space of earthquakes, in order to preserve the valuable Italian Renaissance Architectural Complex named “The Sacred Mountain of Varallo.” Among the forty‐five chapels of the Renaissance Complex, the structure of the Chapel XVII is of particular concern due to its uncertain structural condition and due to the level of stress caused by the regional seismicity. Therefore, lifetime assessment, taking into account the evolution of damage phenomena, is necessary to preserve the reliability and safety of this masterpiece of cultural heritage. A continuous AE monitoring was performed to assess the structural behavior of the Chapel. During the monitoring period, a correlation between peaks of AE activity in the masonry of the “Sacred Mountain of Varallo” and regional seismicity was found. Although the two phenomena take place on very different scales, the AE in materials and the earthquakes in Earth’s crust, belong to the same class of invariance. In addition, an accurate finite element model, performed with DIANA finite element code, is presented to describe the dynamic behavior of Chapel XVII structure, confirming visual and instrumental inspections of regional seismic effects.
An Adaptive Finite Element Method for Stationary Incompressible Thermal Flow Based on Projection Error Estimation
Authors: Guo Zhili , Su Jian , Chen Hao , Liu Xiaomin
Published: December 2013

An adaptive finite element method is presented for the stationary incompressible thermal flow problems. A reliable a posteriori error estimator based on a projection operator is proposed and it can be computed easily and implemented in parallel. Finally, three numerical examples are given to illustrate the efficiency of the adaptive finite element method. We also show that the adaptive strategy is effective to detect local singularities in the physical model of square cavity stationary flow in the third example.
Utilization of Inferiorly Based Dermofat Flap in Breast Reconstruction after Simple Mastectomy due to Gigantomastia
Authors: Bogdanov-Berezovsky A. , Krieger Y. , Shoham Y. , Silberstein E.
Published: December 2013

Gigantomastia (GM) is a rare disabling condition characterized by excessive breast tissue growth. To date, there is no universal classification and definition of GM. At present, GM is determined as weight over 1.5 kg per breast (Dancey et al., 2008) or 3% or more of the patient’s total body weight (Dafydd et al., 2011). The lack of generally acknowledged approach regarding GM is expressed by the different methods of its treatment ranging from hormonal prescription to mastectomy and subsequent complex breast reconstruction (Shoma et al., 2011). We describe a treatment approach, including simple mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction by an inferiorly based dermofat flap with silicone implants and nipple grafting.
The Aryl-Hydrocarbon Receptor Protein Interaction Network (AHR-PIN) as Identified by Tandem Affinity Purification (TAP) and Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Tappenden Dorothy M. , Hwang Hye Jin , Yang Longlong , Thomas Russell S. , LaPres John J.
Published: December 2013

The aryl-hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), a ligand activated PAS superfamily transcription factor, mediates most, if not all, of the toxicity induced upon exposure to various dioxins, dibenzofurans, and planar polyhalogenated biphenyls. While AHR-mediated gene regulation plays a central role in the toxic response to dioxin exposure, a comprehensive understanding of AHR biology remains elusive. AHR-mediated signaling starts in the cytoplasm, where the receptor can be found in a complex with the heat shock protein of 90 kDa (Hsp90) and the immunophilin-like protein, aryl-hydrocarbon receptor-interacting protein (AIP). The role these chaperones and other putative interactors of the AHR play in the toxic response is not known. To more comprehensively define the AHR-protein interaction network (AHR-PIN) and identify other potential pathways involved in the toxic response, a proteomic approach was undertaken. Using tandem affinity purification (TAP) and mass spectrometry we have identified several novel protein interactions with the AHR. These interactions physically link the AHR to proteins involved in the immune and cellular stress responses, gene regulation not mediated directly via the traditional AHR:ARNT heterodimer, and mitochondrial function. This new insight into the AHR signaling network identifies possible secondary signaling pathways involved in xenobiotic-induced toxicity.
Sigmoid Carcinoma in an Inguinal Hernia: A Blessing in Disguise?
Authors: Salemans P. B. , Vles G. F. , Fransen S. A. F. , Smeenk R. M.
Published: December 2013

Colorectal cancer is a rising problem, as the incidence increases with age. In most cases the goal of treatment is oncological resection followed by adjuvant chemotherapy in order to optimize the survival. In this case report we present a 93-year-old patient with a sigmoid carcinoma inside an irreducible inguinal hernia, which was diagnosed prior to surgery. We chose to perform a sigmoid resection through an oblique inguinal incision as a safer alternative to laparotomy.
Template‐Free Synthesis of Porous Cu2O Nanospheres at Room Temperature and Investigation on Their Adsorption Property
Authors: Zhang Ying , Wang Dong , Zhang Xu , Qu Fengyu
Published: December 2013

Porous cuprous oxide (Cu2O) nanospheres composed of small nanoparticles with diameters at 10~20 nm were successfully synthesized without surfactant at room temperature within 5 min. The products were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), field‐emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), N2 adsorption‐desorption, and Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectrum. The adsorption ability of the as‐prepared products towards methyl orange (MO) as the pollutant was investigated and FT‐IR spectrum was employed to identify the adsorbed species. In addition, the reusability of the as‐prepared products was studied as well.
Detecting and Mitigating Wind Turbine Clutter for Airspace Radar Systems
Authors: Wang Wen-Qin
Published: December 2013

It is well recognized that a wind turbine has a large radar cross‐section (RCS) and, due to the movement of the blades, the wind turbine will generate a Doppler frequency shift. This scattering behavior may cause severe interferences on existing radar systems including static ground‐based radars and spaceborne or airborne radars. To resolve this problem, efficient techniques or algorithms should be developed to mitigate the effects of wind farms on radars. Herein, one transponder‐based mitigation technique is presented. The transponder is not a new concept, which has been proposed for calibrating high‐resolution imaging radars. It modulates the radar signal in a manner that the retransmitted signals can be separated from the scene echoes. As wind farms often occupy only a small area, mitigation processing in the whole radar operation will be redundant and cost inefficient. Hence, this paper uses a transponder to determine whether the radar is impacted by the wind farms. If so, the effects of wind farms are then mitigated with subsequent Kalman filtering or plot target extraction algorithms. Taking airborne synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and pulse Doppler radar as the examples, this paper provides the corresponding system configuration and processing algorithms. The effectiveness of the mitigation technique is validated by numerical simulation results.
Convergence Guaranteed Nonlinear Constraint Model Predictive Control via I/O Linearization
Authors: Kong Xiaobing , Liu Xiangjie , Yao Xiuming
Published: December 2013

Constituting reliable optimal solution is a key issue for the nonlinear constrained model predictive control. Input-output feedback linearization is a popular method in nonlinear control. By using an input-output feedback linearizing controller, the original linear input constraints will change to nonlinear constraints and sometimes the constraints are state dependent. This paper presents an iterative quadratic program (IQP) routine on the continuous-time system. To guarantee its convergence, another iterative approach is incorporated. The proposed algorithm can reach a feasible solution over the entire prediction horizon. Simulation results on both a numerical example and the continuous stirred tank reactors (CSTR) demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Continuous Distributed Top-k Monitoring over High-Speed Rail Data Stream in Cloud Computing Environment
Authors: Wang Hanning , Xu Weixiang , Xu Dongyan , Wei Lili , Jia Chaolong
Published: December 2013

In the environment of cloud computing, real-time mass data about high-speed rail which is based on the intense monitoring of large scale perceived equipment provides strong support for the safety and maintenance of high-speed rail. In this paper, we focus on the Top- k algorithm of continuous distribution based on Multisource distributed data stream for high-speed rail monitoring. Specifically, we formalized Top- k monitoring model of high-speed rail and proposed DTMR that is the Top- k monitoring algorithm with random, continuous, or strictly monotone aggregation functions. The DTMR was proved to be valid by lots of experiments.
Peripheral Pathways in the Food-Intake Control towards the Adipose-Intestinal Missing Link
Authors: Mendieta Zerón Hugo , Domínguez García Ma. Victoria , Camarillo Romero María del Socorro , Flores-Merino Miriam V.
Published: December 2013

In the physiological state a multitude of gut hormones are released into the circulation at the same time depending on the quality and quantity of the diet. These hormones interact with receptors at various points in the “gut-brain axis” to affect short-term and intermediate-term feelings of hunger and satiety. The combined effects of macronutrients on the predominant gut hormone secretion are still poorly understood. Besides, adipokines form an important part of an “adipoinsular axis” dysregulation which may contribute toβ-cell failure and hence to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Even more, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and T2DM seem to share a genetic basis. In susceptible individuals, chronic exaggerated stimulation of the proximal gut with fat and carbohydrates may induce overproduction of an unknown factor that causes impairment of incretin production and/or action, leading to insufficient or untimely production of insulin, so that glucose intolerance develops. The bypass of the duodenum and jejunum might avoid a putative hormone overproduction in the proximal foregut in diabetic patients that might counteract the action of insulin, while the early presentation of undigested or incompletely digested food to the ileum may anticipate the production of hormones such as GLP1, further improving insulin action.
Sharp Inequalities for the Haar System and Fourier Multipliers
Authors: Osȩkowski Adam
Published: December 2013

A classical result of Paley and Marcinkiewicz asserts that the Haar systemh=hkk≥0on0,1forms an unconditional basis ofLp0,1provided1<p<∞. That is, if𝒫Jdenotes the projection onto the subspace generated byhjj∈J(Jis an arbitrary subset ofℕ), then𝒫JLp0,1→Lp0,1≤βpfor some universal constantβpdepending only onp. The purpose of this paper is to study related restricted weak-type bounds for the projections𝒫J. Specifically, for any1≤p<∞we identify the best constantCpsuch that𝒫JχALp,∞0,1≤CpχALp0,1for everyJ⊆ℕand any Borel subsetAof0,1. In fact, we prove this result in the more general setting of continuous-time martingales. As an application, a related estimate for a large class of Fourier multipliers is established.
Sensitivity Study on Availability of I&C Components Using Bayesian Network
Authors: Khalil Ur Rahman , Shin Jinsoo , Zubair Muhammad , Heo Gyunyoung , Son Hanseong
Published: December 2013

The objective of this study is to find out the impact of instrumentation and control (I&C) components on the availability of I&C systems in terms of sensitivity analysis using Bayesian network. The analysis has been performed on I&C architecture of reactor protection system. The analysis results would be applied to develop I&C architecture which will meet the desire reliability features and save cost. RPS architecture unavailabilityP(x=0)and availabilityP(x=1)were estimated to6.1276E-05and9.9994E-01for failure (0) and perfect (1) states, respectively. The impact of I&C components on overall system risk has been studied in terms of risk achievement worth (RAW) and risk reduction worth (RRW). It is found that circuit breaker failure (TCB), bi-stable processor (BP), sensor transmitter (TR), and pressure transmitter (PT) have high impact on risk. The study concludes and recommends that circuit breaker bi-stable processor should be given more consideration while designing I&C architecture.
Error Analysis in Measured Conductivity under Low Induction Number Approximation for Electromagnetic Methods
Authors: Caminha-Maciel George , Figueiredo Irineu
Published: December 2013

We present an analysis of the error involved in the so-called low induction number approximation in the electromagnetic methods. In particular, we focus on the EM34 equipment settings and field configurations, widely used for geophysical prospecting of laterally electrical conductivity anomalies and shallow targets. We show the theoretical error for the conductivity in both vertical and horizontal dipole coil configurations within the low induction number regime and up to the maximum measuring limit of the equipment. A linear relationship may be adjusted until slightly beyond the point where the conductivity limit for low induction number (B=1) is reached. The equations for the linear fit of the relative error in the low induction number regime are also given.
Mixing Characteristics of Transverse Jet Injection into Supersonic Flow after Rearward-Facing Step
Authors: Wu Jinshui , Wang Hongbo , Sun Mingbo , Zhang Shunpin , Wang Zhenguo
Published: December 2013

Transverse injection into supersonic flow after rearward-facing step combines a simple way to improve mixing and flameholding in Scramjet engines. In this essay, large-eddy simulation, NPLS, and PIV techniques are applied to study the flow characteristics of a sonic jet with different flow rates after rearward-facing step interacting with supersonic turbulent flow. Results show that since a big recirculation zone is generated by rearward-facing step before the jet, the barrel shock in the windward side is not so obviously compressed so that jet fluid enters the recirculation zone providing a flammable region for ignition and combustion stabilization. Besides, jet fluid bypassing the Mach disk comes directly into interaction with the turbulent boundary layer separated from the rearward-facing step to enhance vortices development in the further downstream. The comparisons of average boundaries abstracted from NPLS images with empirical penetration height equations show that mixing enhancement of transverse injection into supersonic flow after rearward-facing step has a close relationship with the jet to free-stream momentum. In small jet to free-stream momentum case, the mixing shear layer grows mainly in the near field of the jet, while in big jet to free-stream momentum case, the growth of the mixing shear layer could extend to the far-field wake flow zone of the transverse jet.
Slant Curves in the Unit Tangent Bundles of Surfaces
Authors: Hou Zhong Hua , Sun Lei
Published: December 2013

Let (M,g) be a surface and let (U(TM),G) be the unit tangent bundle of M endowed with the Sasaki metric. We know that any curve Γ(s) in U(TM) consist of a curve γ(s) in M and as unit vector field X(s) along γ(s). In this paper we study the geometric properties γ(s) and X(s) satisfying when Γ(s) is a slant geodesic.
Emergence of Hepatitis B Virus Genotype F in Aligarh Region of North India
Authors: Sami Hiba , Rizvi Meher , Azam Mohd , Mukherjee Rathindra M. , Shukla Indu , Ajmal M. R. , Malik Abida
Published: December 2013

Introduction. HBV genotypes and subtypes are useful clinical and epidemiological markers. In this study prevalent HBV genotypes were assessed in relation to serological profile and clinical status.Material & Methods. 107 cases of HBV were genotyped. Detailed clinical history was elicited from them. HBsAg, HBeAg, anti-HBs, anti-HBe, and anti-HBc-IgM were assessed. HBV genotyping was performed using Kirschberg's type specific primers (TSP-PCR), heminested PCR, and Naito's monoplex PCR. Nucleotide sequencing was performed.Results. A total of 97 (91%) were genotyped following the methods of Kirschberg et al./Naito et al. Genotype D was by far the most prevalent genotype 91 (85.04%) in this region. A surprising finding was the detection of genotype F in 5 (4.67%) of our patients. Genotype A strangely was observed only in one case. In 85.7% genotype D was associated with moderate to severe liver disease, 43.9% HBeAg, and 18.7% anti-HBc-IgM positivity. Majority of genotype F (80%) was seen in mild to moderate liver disease. It was strongly associated with HBeAg 60% and 20% anti-HBc-IgM positivity.Conclusion. Emergence of genotype F in India merits further study regarding its clinical implications and treatment modalities. Knowledge about HBV genotypes can direct a clinician towards more informed management of HBV patients.
A Heuristic Approach Based on Clarke‐Wright Algorithm for Open Vehicle Routing Problem
Authors: Pichpibul Tantikorn , Kawtummachai Ruengsak
Published: December 2013

We propose a heuristic approach based on the Clarke‐Wright algorithm (CW) to solve the open version of the well‐known capacitated vehicle routing problem in which vehicles are not required to return to the depot after completing service. The proposed CW has been presented in four procedures composed of Clarke‐Wright formula modification, open‐route construction, two‐phase selection, and route postimprovement. Computational results show that the proposed CW is competitive and outperforms classical CW in all directions. Moreover, the best known solution is also obtained in 97% of tested instances (60 out of 62).
Minimal Length Schrödinger Equation with Harmonic Potential in the Presence of a Magnetic Field
Authors: Hassanabadi H. , Maghsoodi E. , Ikot Akpan N. , Zarrinkamar S.
Published: December 2013

Minimal length Schrödinger equation is investigated for harmonic potential in the presence of magnetic field and illustrates the wave functions in the momentum space. The energy eigenvalues are reported and the corresponding wave functions are calculated in terms of hypergeometric functions.
Early Pregnancy Diagnosis in Bovines: Current Status and Future Directions
Authors: Balhara Ashok K. , Gupta Meenakshi , Singh Surender , Mohanty Ashok K. , Singh Inderjeet
Published: December 2013

An early and accurate diagnosis of reproductive dysfunctions or aberrations is crucial to better reproductive management in livestock. High reproductive efficiency is a prerequisite for high life‐time production in dairy animals. Early pregnancy diagnosis is key to shorten the calving interval through early identification of open animals and their timely treatment and rebreeding so as to maintain a postpartum barren interval close to 60 days. A buffalo, the most important dairy animal in the Indian subcontinent, is known for problems related to high calving interval, late puberty, and high incidence of anestrus. Lack of reliable cow‐side early pregnancy diagnosis methods further aggravates the situation. Several methods of pregnancy diagnosis are being practiced in bovine species, yet none qualifies as the ideal pregnancy diagnosis method due to the inherent limitations of sensitivity, accuracy, specificity, speed, and ease of performing the test. The advancement of molecular techniques like proteomics and their applications in animal research has given a new hope to look for pregnancy biomarker molecules in these animals. This review attempts to examine common pregnancy diagnosis methods available for dairy animals, while assessing the usefulness of the modern technologies in detecting novel pregnancy markers and designing future strategies for research in this area.
Metal Concentrations in Cosmetics Commonly Used in Nigeria
Authors: Orisakwe Orish Ebere , Otaraku Jonathan Oye
Published: December 2013

Trace amounts of potentially toxic metals can be either intentionally added to cosmetics or present as impurities in the raw materials. In the present study, the levels of lead, cadmium, nickel, chromium, and mercury have been assessed in 28 body creams and lotions, 10 powders, 3 soaps, 5 eye make‐ups, and 4 lipsticks widely available on Nigerian markets. The increases over suggested or mandated levels of lead in these creams and lotions ranged from 6.1 to 45.9 and from 1.2 to 9.2 mg kg−1 when compared with Cosmetic Ingredients Review Expert Panel 2007 and German safe maximum permissible limit of lead in cosmetics, respectively. About 61% of the body cosmetics, the lotions, and the creams contained detectable levels of nickel ranging from 1.1 to 6.4–9.2 mg kg−1. Chromium and mercury were undetected in 100% of the cosmetic product. Taken together, lead and cadmium were high in creams and lotions. Most of the imported creams and creamy white coloured cosmetics contained higher levels of metal contaminants than the other colours. Regulatory Agencies in developing nations should take appropriate action for cosmetics that contain lead and cadmium beyond the reference limits.
ROS and Brain Diseases: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Authors: Popa-Wagner Aurel , Mitran Smaranda , Sivanesan Senthilkumar , Chang Edwin , Buga Ana-Maria
Published: December 2013

The brain is a major metabolizer of oxygen and yet has relatively feeble protective antioxidant mechanisms. This paper reviews the Janus-faced properties of reactive oxygen species. It will describe the positive aspects of moderately induced ROS but it will also outline recent research findings concerning the impact of oxidative and nitrooxidative stress on neuronal structure and function in neuropsychiatric diseases, including major depression. A common denominator of all neuropsychiatric diseases including schizophrenia and ADHD is an increased inflammatory response of the brain caused either by an exposure to proinflammatory agents during development or an accumulation of degenerated neurons, oxidized proteins, glycated products, or lipid peroxidation in the adult brain. Therefore, modulation of the prooxidant-antioxidant balance provides a therapeutic option which can be used to improve neuroprotection in response to oxidative stress. We also discuss the neuroprotective role of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2) in the aged brain in response to oxidative stressors and nanoparticle-mediated delivery of ROS-scavenging drugs. The antioxidant therapy is a novel therapeutic strategy. However, the available drugs have pleiotropic actions and are not fully characterized in the clinic. Additional clinical trials are needed to assess the risks and benefits of antioxidant therapies for neuropsychiatric disorders.
Individuals Diagnosed with Schizophrenia Assign Emotional Importance to Neutral Stimuli: An fMRI Study
Authors: Lakis Nadia , Mendrek Adrianna
Published: December 2013

The majority of functional neuroimaging studies investigating neural correlates of emotion processing in schizophrenia report a significant deficit in limbic structures activation in patients relative to control participants. Recently it has been suggested that this apparent “deficit” could be due to an enhanced sensitivity of the neutral material in individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia, rather than due to their inefficiency in emotion processing. The purpose of the present study was to test this supposition and verify if the potential effect is present in both men and women diagnosed with schizophrenia. In order to do that we examined the pattern of cerebral activation associated with processing of neutral stimuli in schizophrenia. Thirty-seven schizophrenia patients and 37 healthy controls viewed neutral and emotional images while in a functional magnetic resonance imaging scanner. Schizophrenia patients rated the neutral images as more emotionally salient than controls. Additionally, patients showed significant activation during processing of neutral images in limbic and prefrontal regions; similar areas were underactivated in patients relative to controls during processing of emotional information. Investigation of sex differences revealed that the enhanced responsiveness to the emotionally neutral material was attributed primarily to men with schizophrenia.
Brake Performance Analysis of ABS for Eddy Current and Electrohydraulic Hybrid Brake System
Authors: He Ren , Liu Xuejun , Liu Cunxiang
Published: December 2013

This paper introduces an eddy current and electro-hydraulic hybrid brake system to solve problems such as wear, thermal failure, and slow response of traditional vehicle brake system. Mathematical model was built to calculate the torque of the eddy current brake system and hydraulic brake system and analyze the braking force distribution between two types of brake systems. A fuzzy controller on personal computer based on LabVIEW and Matlab was designed and a set of hardware in the loop system was constructed to validate and analyze the performance of the hybrid brake system. Through lots of experiments on dry and wet asphalt roads, the hybrid brake system achieves perfect performance on the experimental bench, the hybrid system reduces abrasion and temperature of the brake disk, response speed is enhanced obviously, fuzzy controller keeps high utilization coefficient due to the optimal slip ratio regulation, and the total brake time has a smaller decrease than traditional hydraulic brake system.
Reducing Radiation Dose in Emergency CT Scans While Maintaining Equal Image Quality: Just a Promise or Reality for Severely Injured Patients?
Authors: Grupp Ulrich , Schäfer Max-Ludwig , Meyer Henning , Lembcke Alexander , Pöllinger Alexander , Wieners Gero , Renz Diane , Schwabe Philipp , Streitparth Florian
Published: December 2013

Objective. This study aims to assess the impact of adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASIR) on CT imaging quality, diagnostic interpretability, and radiation dose reduction for a proven CT acquisition protocol for total body trauma.Methods. 18 patients with multiple trauma (ISS≥16) were examined either with a routine protocol (n=6), 30% (n=6), or 40% (n=6) of iterative reconstruction (IR) modification in the raw data domain of the routine protocol (140 kV, collimation: 40, noise index: 15). Study groups were matched by scan range and maximal abdominal diameter. Image noise was quantitatively measured. Image contrast, image noise, and overall interpretability were evaluated by two experienced and blinded readers. The amount of radiation dose reductions was evaluated.Results. No statistically significant differences between routine and IR protocols regarding image noise, contrast, and interpretability were present. Mean effective dose for the routine protocol was25.3±2.9 mSv,19.7±5.8 mSv for the IR 30, and17.5±4.2 mSv for the IR 40 protocol, that is, 22.1% effective dose reduction for IR 30 (P=0.093) and 30.8% effective dose reduction for IR 40 (P=0.0203).Conclusions. IR does not reduce study interpretability in total body trauma protocols while providing a significant reduction in effective radiation dose.
Molecular Pathways: Targeting Resistance in the Androgen Receptor for Therapeutic Benefit
Authors: Mostaghel Elahe A. , Plymate Stephen R. , Montgomery Bruce
Published: December 2013

Androgen receptor signaling is critical in the development and progression of prostate cancer, leading to intensive efforts to elucidate all potential points of inflection for therapeutic intervention. These efforts have revealed new mechanisms of resistance and raise the possibility that known mechanisms may become even more relevant in the context of effective androgen receptor suppression. These mechanisms include tumoral appropriation of alternative androgen sources, alterations in androgen receptor expression, androgen receptor mutations, truncated androgen receptor variants, alterations and cross-talk in recruitment of cofactors to androgen receptor binding sites in the genome, and androgen receptor–driven oncogenic gene fusions. New agents such as enzalutamide, EPI-001, androgen receptor–specific peptidomimetics, novel HSP90 inhibitors, and PARP inhibitors, as well as new approaches to cotargeting the androgen receptor pathway, point to the potential for more complete and durable control of androgen receptor–mediated growth. Clin Cancer Res; 20(4); 791–8. ©2013 AACR.
Cost-effectiveness of a Genetic Test for Breast Cancer Risk
Authors: Folse Henry J. , Green Linda E. , Kress Andrea , Allman Richard , Dinh Tuan A.
Published: December 2013

Genetic testing of seven single-nucleotide polymorphisms (7SNP) can improve estimates of risk of breast cancer relative to the Gail risk test alone, for the purpose of recommending MRI screening for women at high risk. A simulation of breast cancer and health care processes was used to conduct a virtual trial comparing the use of the 7SNP test with the Gail risk test to categorize patients by risk. Average-risk patients received annual mammogram, whereas high-risk patients received annual MRI. Cancer incidence was based on Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results data and validated to Cancer Prevention Study II Nutrition Cohort data. Risk factor values were drawn from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES-4) and Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial data. Mammogram characteristics were derived from Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium data. The test was most cost-effective when given to patients at an intermediate lifetime risk of breast cancer. For patients with a risk of 16% to 28%, it resulted in a 1.91% reduction in cancer deaths, saving 0.005 quality-adjusted life years per person at a cost of $163,264 per QALY. These results were sensitive to the age at which the test is given, the discount rate, and the costs of the genetic test and MRI. The cost effectiveness of using the 7SNP test for patients with intermediate Gail risk is similar to that of other recommended strategies, including annual MRI for patients with a lifetime risk greater than 20% or BRCA1/2 mutations. Cancer Prev Res; 6(12); 1328–36. ©2013 AACR.
Association of mean platelet volume with risk of venous thromboembolism and mortality in patients with cancer
Authors: Riedl Julia , Kaider Alexandra , Reitter Eva-Maria , Marosi Christine , Jäger Ulrich , Schwarzinger Ilse , Zielinski Christoph , Pabinger Ingrid , Ay Cihan
Published: December 2013

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a frequent complication in cancer patients. Mean platelet volume (MPV) has been associated with arterial and venous thrombosis in patients without cancer. We analysed MPV in cancer patients and investigated the association of MPV with risk of VTE and mortality. MPV was routinely determined in the Vienna Cancer and Thrombosis Study, a prospective, observational cohort study of patients with newly diagnosed or progressive cancer after remission. Study endpoints were occurrence of symptomatic VTE or death during a maximum follow-up of two years. Out of 1,544 included patients, 114 (7.4%) developed VTE and 573 (37.1%) died during a median observation time of 576 days. High MPV ≥75th percentile of the study population; ≥10.8 fL) was associated with decreased risk of VTE compared to MPV below the 75th percentile (HR [95% CI]: 0.59 [0.37–0.95], p=0.031). In multivariable analysis, including age, sex, cancer groups, newly diagnosed vs recurrent disease, platelet count and soluble P-selectin, this association remained statistically significant (0.65 [0.37–0.98], p=0.041). Mortality of patients with MPV (≥75th percentile was significantly decreased compared to those with lower MPV (0.72 [0.59–0.88], p=0.001). Two-year probability of VTE and overall survival was 5.5% and 64.7% in patients with high MPV compared to 9% and 55.7% in those with lower MPV. In conclusion, high MPV is associated with decreased VTE risk and improved survival in cancer patients. This finding is contrary to results observed in patients without cancer. Further studies are needed to confirm our results and elucidate underlying mechanisms.

Previous presentations of this manuscript: Data from this study were presented in part at the Annual Spring Meeting of the Austrian Society for Haematology and Oncology (OeGHO) in Linz, Austria, and as an oral presentation at the XXIV. Congress of the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) 2013 in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Information Content and Uncertainties in Thermodynamic Profiles and Liquid Cloud Properties Retrieved from the Ground-Based Atmospheric Emitted Radiance Interferometer (AERI)
Authors: Turner D. D. , Löhnert U.
Published: December 2013

The Atmospheric Emitted Radiance Interferometer (AERI) observes spectrally resolved downwelling radiance emitted by the atmosphere in the infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. Profiles of temperature and water vapor, and cloud liquid water path and effective radius for a single liquid cloud layer, are retrieved using an optimal estimation–based physical retrieval algorithm from AERI-observed radiance data. This algorithm provides a full error covariance matrix for the solution, and both the degrees of freedom for signal and the Shannon information content. The algorithm is evaluated with both synthetic and real AERI observations. The AERI is shown to have approximately 85% and 70% of its information in the lowest 2 km of the atmosphere for temperature and water vapor profiles, respectively. In clear-sky situations, the mean bias errors with respect to the radiosonde profiles are less than 0.2 K and 0.3 g kg−1 for heights below 2 km for temperature and water vapor mixing ratio, respectively; the maximum root-mean-square errors are less than 1 K and 0.8 g kg−1. The errors in the retrieved profiles in cloudy situations are larger, due in part to the scattering contribution to the downwelling radiance that was not accounted for in the forward model. Scattering is largest in one of the spectral regions used in the retrieval, however, and removing this spectral region results in a slight reduction of the information content but a considerable improvement in the accuracy of the retrieved thermodynamic profiles.
Consistent Trends in a Modified Climate Extremes Index in the United States, Europe, and Australia
Authors: Gallant Ailie J. E. , Karoly David J. , Gleason Karin L.
Published: December 2013

The utility of a combined modified climate extremes index (mCEI) is presented for monitoring coherent trends in multiple types of climate extremes across large regions. Its usefulness lies in its ability to distill complex spatiotemporal fields into a simple, flexible nonparametric index.

Two versions of the mCEI are computed that incorporate changes in several annual- or daily-scale temperature-related and moisture-related extremes. Applying data from the contiguous United States, Europe, and Australia detects consistent and statistically significant increases in the spatial prevalence of climate extremes from 1950 to 2012. All three continental-scale regions show increasingly widespread warm annual- and daily-scale minimum and maximum temperature extremes, a decreasing spatial extent of cool annual- and daily-scale minimum and maximum temperature extremes, and increasing areas where the proportion of annual total precipitation falls on heavy-rain days. There were no statistically significant trends toward more widespread, annual-scale drought or moisture surplus in any region.

The dependence of annual extremes on the frequency of daily-scale extremes is highlighted by the strong covariations between annual- and daily-scale extremes in all regions. By the nature of construction of the combined indices, the differences in the trends of the mCEI and daily-scale mCEI (dmCEI) suggest that extremes in more areas are changing primarily because of a shift of temperature and daily rainfall distributions toward warm extremes and heavy-rainfall extremes.
The Observed North Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation: Its Meridional Coherence and Ocean Bottom Pressure
Authors: Elipot Shane , Frajka-Williams Eleanor , Hughes Chris W. , Willis Josh K.
Published: December 2013

Analyses of meridional transport time series from the Rapid Climate Change–Meridional Overturning Circulation (RAPID MOC) array at 26°N and from Argo float and altimetry data at 41°N reveal that, at semiannual and longer time scales, the contribution from the western boundary dominates the variability of the North Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (MOC), defined as the transport in the upper 1000 m of the ocean. Because the variability of the western boundary contribution is associated with a geostrophic overturning, it is reflected in independent estimates of transports from gradient of ocean bottom pressure (OBP) relative to and below 1000 m on the continental slope of the western boundary at three nominal latitudes (26°, 39°, and 42.5°N). Time series of western meridional transports relative to and below 1000 m derived from the OBP gradient, or equivalently derived from the transport shear profile, exhibit approximately the same phase relationship between 26° and 39°–42.5°N as the western contribution to the geostrophic MOC time series do: the western geostrophic MOC at 41°N precedes the MOC at 26°N by approximately a quarter of an annual cycle, resulting in a zero correlation at this time scale. This study therefore demonstrates how OBP gradients on basin boundaries can be used to monitor the MOC and its meridional coherence.
A Case Study of the Interaction of a Mesoscale Gravity Wave with a Mesoscale Convective System
Authors: Ruppert James H. , Bosart Lance F.
Published: December 2013

This study documents the high-amplitude mesoscale gravity wave (MGW) event of 7 March 2008 in which two MGWs strongly impacted the sensible weather over a large portion of the Southeast United States. These MGWs exhibited starkly contrasting character despite propagating within similar environments. The primary (i.e., long lived) MGW was manifest by a solitary wave of depression associated with rapid sinking motion and adiabatic warming, while the secondary (short lived) MGW was manifest by a solitary wave of elevation (“MGWEL”), dominated by rising motion and moist adiabatic cooling. Genesis of the primary MGW occurred as a strong cold front arrived at the foot of Mexico’s high terrain and perturbed the appreciable overriding flow. The resulting gravity wave became ducted in the presence of a low-level frontal stable layer, and caused surface pressure falls up to ~4 hPa. The MGW later amplified as it became coupled with a stratiform precipitation system, which led to its evolution into an intense mesohigh–wake low couplet. This couplet propagated as a ducted MGW attached to a stratiform system for ~12 h thereafter, and induced rapid surface pressure falls of ≥10 hPa (including a fall of 6.7 hPa in 10 min), rapid wind vector changes (e.g., 17 m s−1 in 25 min), and high wind gusts (e.g., 20 m s−1) across several states. MGWEL appeared within the remnants of a squall line, and was manifest by a sharp pressure ridge of ~6 hPa with a narrow embedded rainband following the motion of a surface cold front. MGWEL bore resemblance to previously documented gravity waves formed by density currents propagating through stable environments.
Gender, Traumatic Events, and Mental Health Disorders in a Rural Asian Setting
Authors: Axinn William G. , Ghimire Dirgha J. , Williams Nathalie E. , Scott Kate M.
Published: December 2013

Research shows a strong association between traumatic life experience and mental health and important gender differences in that relationship in the western European Diaspora; but much less is known about these relationships in other settings. We investigate these relationships in a poor rural Asian setting that recently experienced a decade-long armed conflict. We use data from 400 adult interviews in rural Nepal. The measures come from World Mental Health survey instruments clinically validated for this study population to measure depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, and intermittent explosive disorder. Our results demonstrate that traumatic life experience significantly increases the likelihood of mental health disorders in this setting, and that these traumatic experiences have a larger effect on the mental health of women than men. These findings offer important clues regarding the potential mechanisms producing gender differences in mental health in many settings.
Endovenous saphenous vein ablation in patients with acute isolated superficial-vein thrombosis
Authors: Gradman Wayne S
Published: December 2013

Objective:

The possible benefits of endovenous saphenous ablation (EVSA) as initial treatment in patients presenting with isolated superficial-vein thrombosis (SVT) and saphenous vein reflux include: (1) definitive treatment of the underlying pathology and (2) elimination of the saphenous vein as a path for pulmonary emboli, which (3) may eliminate the need for anticoagulation.

Methods:

In a ten-year review of 115 limbs presenting with acute isolated SVT, 72 limbs (71 patients) with saphenous reflux were given a choice of two treatments following an explanation of the risks and benefits of each. Group I limbs ( n = 41) were treated with office EVSA using radiofrequency or laser with or without thrombophlebectomy if performed within 45 days of diagnosis. Post-treatment anticoagulants were not given. Group II limbs ( n = 31) were treated with compression hose and repeat Duplex within one week, with added anticoagulants if SVT extended into the thigh.

Results:

In group I, mean interval from diagnosis to treatment was 13.7 days. One calf deep vein thrombosis was noted. In group II no complications were noted. In late follow-up of group II patients, 12/29 underwent EVSA more than 45 days after initial presentation.

Conclusions:

The safety and efficacy of EVSA and thrombophlebectomy appear indistinguishable from conservative measures and may be offered as initial treatment to patients presenting with SVT and saphenous reflux.