bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ρ-MESON SPECTRAL FUNCTION IN HOT NUCLEAR MATTER
Authors: RAJE BHAGEERATHI P. C.
Published: June 2012

The ρ-meson spectral function in hot nuclear matter is studied by taking into account the pion and the nucleon loops within the quantum hadrodynamics (QHD) model as well as using an effective chiral SU(3) model. The effects of density and temperature on the spectral function of the ρ-meson are studied assuming the ρ-meson to be with a finite momentum. These investigations are performed using both the mean field approximation (MFA) and the relativistic Hartree (RHA) approximation. The inclusion of the nucleon loop is observed to considerably change the ρ-meson spectral function. Due to a larger mass drop of ρ-meson in the RHA, it is seen that the spectral function shifts towards the low invariant mass region, whereas in the MFA the spectral function is seen to be almost centered around the nominal ρ-pole, but develops a second peak due to the opening of the Nh-channel. Within both the Walecka and the chiral SU(3) models, it is observed that the ρ-meson spectral function has a strong dependence on the nucleon-ρ meson tensor coupling.
The UDP-sugar-sensing P2Y14 receptor promotes Rho-mediated signaling and chemotaxis in human neutrophils
Authors: Sesma Juliana I. , Kreda Silvia M. , Steinckwich-Besancon Natacha , Dang Hong , García-Mata Rafael , Harden T. Kendall , Lazarowski Eduardo R.
Published: June 2012

The Gi-coupled P2Y14 receptor (P2Y14-R) is potently activated by UDP-sugars and UDP. Although P2Y14-R mRNA is prominently expressed in circulating neutrophils, the signaling pathways and functional responses associated with this receptor are undefined. In this study, we illustrate that incubation of isolated human neutrophils with UDP-glucose resulted in cytoskeleton rearrangement, change of cell shape, and enhanced cell migration. We also demonstrate that UDP-glucose promotes rapid, robust, and concentration-dependent activation of RhoA in these cells. Ecto-nucleotidases expressed on neutrophils rapidly hydrolyzed extracellular ATP, but incubation with UDP-glucose for up to 1 h resulted in negligible metabolism of the nucleotide-sugar. HL60 human promyelocytic leukemia cells do not express the P2Y14-R, but neutrophil differentiation of HL60 cells with DMSO resulted in markedly enhanced P2Y14-R expression. Accordingly, UDP-glucose, UDP-galactose, and UDP- N-acetylglucosamine promoted Rho activation in differentiated but not in undifferentiated HL60 cells. Stable expression of recombinant human P2Y14-R conferred UDP-sugar-promoted responses to undifferentiated HL60 cells. UDP-glucose-promoted RhoA activation also was accompanied by enhanced cell migration in differentiated HL60 cells, and these responses were blocked by Rho kinase inhibitors. These results support the notion that UDP-glucose is a stable and potent proinflammatory mediator that promotes P2Y14-R-mediated neutrophil motility via Rho/Rho kinase activation.
Ghrelin increases the motivation to eat, but does not alter food palatability
Authors: Overduin Joost , Figlewicz Dianne P. , Bennett-Jay Jennifer , Kittleson Sepideh , Cummings David E.
Published: June 2012

Homeostatic eating cannot explain overconsumption of food and pathological weight gain. A more likely factor promoting excessive eating is food reward and its representation in the central nervous system (CNS). The anorectic hormones leptin and insulin reduce food reward and inhibit related CNS reward pathways. Conversely, the orexigenic gastrointestinal hormone ghrelin activates both homeostatic and reward-related neurocircuits. The current studies were conducted to identify in rats the effects of intracerebroventricular ghrelin infusions on two distinct aspects of food reward: hedonic valuation (i.e., “liking”) and the motivation to self-administer (i.e., “wanting”) food. To assess hedonic valuation of liquid food, lick motor patterns were recorded using lickometry. Although ghrelin administration increased energy intake, it did not alter the avidity of licking (initial lick rates or lick-cluster size). Several positive-control conditions ruled out lick-rate ceiling effects. Similarly, when the liquid diet was hedonically devalued with quinine supplementation, ghrelin failed to reverse the quinine-associated reduction of energy intake and avidity of licking. The effects of ghrelin on rats' motivation to eat were assessed using lever pressing to self-administer food in a progressive-ratio paradigm. Ghrelin markedly increased motivation to eat, to levels comparable to or greater than those seen following 24 h of food deprivation. Pretreatment with the dopamine D1 receptor antagonist SCH-23390 eliminated ghrelin-induced increases in lever pressing, without compromising generalized licking motor control, indicating a role for D1 signaling in ghrelin's motivational feeding effects. These results indicate that ghrelin increases the motivation to eat via D1 receptor-dependent mechanisms, without affecting perceived food palatability.
Diffusive oxygen shunting between vessels in the preglomerular renal vasculature: anatomic observations and computational modeling
Authors: Gardiner Bruce S. , Thompson Sarah L. , Ngo Jennifer P. , Smith David W. , Abdelkader Amany , Broughton Brad R. S. , Bertram John F. , Evans Roger G.
Published: June 2012

To understand how geometric factors affect arterial-to-venous (AV) oxygen shunting, a mathematical model of diffusive oxygen transport in the renal cortex was developed. Preglomerular vascular geometry was investigated using light microscopy (providing vein shape, AV separation, and capillary density near arteries) and published micro-computed tomography (CT) data (providing vessel size and AV separation; Nordsletten DA, Blackett S, Bentley MD, Ritman EL, Smith NP. IUPS Physiome Project. http://www.physiome.org.nz/publications/nordsletten_blackett_ritman_bentley_smith_2005/folder_contents ). A “U-shaped” relationship was observed between the arterial radius and the distance between the arterial and venous lumens. Veins were found to partially wrap around the artery more consistently for larger rather than smaller arteries. Intrarenal arteries were surrounded by an area of fibrous tissue, lacking capillaries, the thickness of which increased from ∼5 μm for the smallest arteries (<16-μm diameter) to ∼20 μm for the largest arteries (>200-μm diameter). Capillary density was greater near smaller arteries than larger arteries. No capillaries were observed between wrapped AV vessel pairs. The computational model comprised a single AV pair in cross section. Geometric parameters critical in renal oxygen transport were altered according to variations observed by CT and light microscopy. Lumen separation and wrapping of the vein around the artery were found to be the critical geometric factors determining the amount of oxygen shunted between AV pairs. AV oxygen shunting increases both as lumen separation decreases and as the degree of wrapping increases. The model also predicts that capillaries not only deliver oxygen, but can also remove oxygen from the cortical parenchyma close to an AV pair. Thus the presence of oxygen sinks (capillaries or tubules) near arteries would reduce the effectiveness of AV oxygen shunting. Collectively, these data suggest that AV oxygen shunting would be favored in larger vessels common to the cortical and medullary circulations (i.e., arcuate and proximal interlobular arteries) rather than the smaller vessels specific to the cortical circulation (distal interlobular arteries and afferent arterioles).
Some Iterative Methods for Solving Nonconvex Bifunction Equilibrium Variational Inequalities
Authors: Noor Muhammad Aslam , Noor Khalida Inayat , Zainab Saira
Published: June 2012

We introduce and consider a new class of equilibrium problems and variational inequalities involving bifunction, which is called the nonconvex bifunction equilibrium variational inequality. We suggest and analyze some iterative methods for solving the nonconvex bifunction equilibrium variational inequalities using the auxiliary principle technique. We prove that the convergence of implicit method requires only monotonicity. Some special cases are also considered. Our proof of convergence is very simple. Results proved in this paper may stimulate further research in this dynamic field.
Glances in Immunology of HIV and HCV Infection
Authors: Quaranta Maria Giovanna , Mattioli Benedetta , Vella Stefano
Published: June 2012

Since the identification of HIV and HCV much progress has been made in the understanding of their life cycle and interaction with the host immune system. Despite these viruses markedly differ in their virological properties and in their pathogenesis, they share many common features in their immune escape and survival strategy. Both viruses have developed sophisticated ways to subvert and antagonize host innate and adaptive immune responses. In the last years, much effort has been done in the study of the AIDS pathogenesis and in the development of efficient treatment strategies, and a fatal infection has been transformed in a potentially chronic pathology. Much of this knowledge is now being transferred in the HCV research field, especially in the development of new drugs, although a big difference still remains between the outcome of the two infections, being HCV eradicable after treatment, whereas HIV eradication remains at present unachievable due to the establishment of reservoirs. In this review, we present current knowledge on innate and adaptive immune recognition and activation during HIV and HCV mono-infections and evasion strategies. We also discuss the genetic associations between components of the immune system, the course of infection, and the outcome of the therapies.
Ovarian Torsion in a 5-Year Old: A Case Report and Review
Authors: Ryan Matthew F. , Desai Bobby K.
Published: June 2012

Ovarian torsion represents a true surgical emergency. Prompt diagnosis is essential to ovarian salvage, and high clinical suspicion is important in this regard. Confounding the diagnosis in general are more commonly encountered abdominal complaints in the Emergency Department (ED) such as constipation, diarrhea, and urinary tract infections and more common surgical emergencies such as appendicitis. Prompt diagnosis can be further complicated in low-risk populations such as young children. Herein, we describe the case of a 5-year-old girl with a seemingly benign presentation of abdominal pain who was diagnosed in the ED and treated for acute ovarian torsion after two prior clinic visits. A brief discussion of evaluation, treatment, and management of ovarian torsion follows.
Sweden, Europe, and the Cold War: A Reappraisal
Authors: Makko Aryo
Published: June 2012

Traditionally, Sweden has been portrayed as an active bridge-builder in international politics in the 1960s and 1970s. The country advocated a “third way” toward democratic socialism and greater “justice” in international affairs, but these foreign policy prescriptions were never applied to European affairs. This article examines Sweden's relations with Europe by contrasting European integration with the Cold War. Negotiations on Swedish membership in the European Communities and Swedish policy at the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe were influenced by a general Berührungsangst toward Europe, which persisted during the years of détente. Because Swedish decision-makers believed that heavy involvement in European affairs would constrict Sweden's freedom of action, Swedish leaders' moral proclamations were applied exclusively to distant Third World countries rather than the egregious abuses of human rights in the Soviet bloc.
Natural Disasters and Existential Concerns
Authors: Scott Brandon G. , Weems Carl F.
Published: June 2012

Existential anxiety is hypothesized to be a core human issue in a great deal of theoretical and philosophical writing. Fostering the empirical understanding of the expression of these concerns may be a valuable addition to the psychological literature on exposure to trauma. The purpose of this study was to test theoretical predictions about the association between different facets of existential anxiety and psychological symptoms (posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, suicidal ideation) among individuals following a natural disaster. A sample of 386 Gulf Coast residents completed the Existential Anxiety Questionnaire, a posttraumatic stress disorder symptom checklist, and a measure of psychological symptoms that included an item on suicidal ideation in the months following Hurricane Katrina. The results suggested that existential concerns were prevalent in the sample and that the various facets of existential anxiety were differentially associated with psychological symptoms. These findings provide preliminary evidence for existential concerns as an important correlate of psychological distress following exposure to natural disasters and increment empirical understanding of the concept of existential anxiety.
Backlash of multiculturalist and republicanist policies of integration in the age of securitization
Authors: Kaya Ayhan
Published: June 2012

This paper is critically engaged in the elaboration of the securitization and stigmatization of migration and Islam in the West, which is believed to be leading to the rise of Islamophobic sentiments and to the backlash of both multiculturalism and republicanism. Migration has been framed as a source of fear and instability for the nation-states in the West in a way that constructs ‘communities of fear’. It will be claimed that both securitization and Islamophobia have recently been employed by the neo-liberal states as a form of governmentality in order to control the masses in ethno-culturally and religiously diverse societies at the expense of deepening the already existing cleavages between majority and minorities with Muslim background.
Resonant Topographies: Central Europe’s Paradoxical Middle
Authors: Gafijczuk Dariusz
Published: June 2012

The article employs music to describe the dynamics of Central European identity at the turn of the 20th century. Conceptually, the analysis is based on the notion of cultural resonance and the distinction between political territories, which isolate identity, and cultural landscapes which let it escape. This theoretical understanding is derived from the acoustic philosophy and musical practice of two Central European composers, Leoš Janáček and Béla Bartók. Exemplified here is artistic ‘extra-territorial’ identity, which is indeed how Theodor Adorno at one point referred to the ‘peripheral’ sound coming from the region. This process of identity construction amplifies paradoxical middle spaces, which Jean Luc Nancy describes evocatively as a cultural mêlée. The vitality of cultural resonance is fuelled by this primary contact with mundane reality and the ‘navigational hesitation’ underpinning identity and its many trajectories.
$21 Billion and Counting
Authors: Hayes Sean T. , Smith Jared P. , Tyner Lee J. , Johnson Jennifer Barger
Published: June 2012

As the Family Medical Review Act (FMLA) approaches its 20th year, employers continue to face a costly and burdensome policy that often yields confusing outcomes in the courtroom. For example, in disagreement with the Department of Labor’s understanding of FMLA, the courts have determined that a period of unemployment may sometimes be ignored when determining eligibility. Likewise, in certain situations, time spent at a previous and different employer may also count toward FMLA eligibility. With 52% of employees using FMLA and the cost of defense amounting to $80,000 per claim, employers will greatly benefit from developing an FMLA strategy, possibly to include punishment.
The Changing Face of Change in Control Benefits
Authors: Ivy J. D. , Bridges Kandice K.
Published: June 2012

As the scrutiny placed on executive compensation increases, so too must companies continue to be diligent in designing and implementing their compensation arrangements. They must be competitive with peers so they can attract and retain their talent but must continue to maximize shareholder value and manage third party perceptions of their pay practices. Companies must be prepared by asking the right questions and being ready to respond to criticism, especially if they engage in poor pay practices as determined by shareholder advisory firms.
Milk and Social Media
Authors: Abrahams Sheryl W.
Published: June 2012

Background:

The advent of social networking sites and other online communities presents new opportunities and challenges for the promotion, protection, and support of breastfeeding. This study examines the presence of infant formula marketing on popular US social media sites, using the World Health Organization International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes (the Code) as a framework.

Methods:

We examined to what extent each of 11 infant formula brands that are widely available in the US had established a social media presence in popular social media venues likely to be visited by expectant parents and families with young children. We then examined current marketing practices, using the Code as a basis for ethical marketing.

Results:

Infant formula manufacturers have established a social media presence primarily through Facebook pages, interactive features on their own Web sites, mobile apps for new and expecting parents, YouTube videos, sponsored reviews on parenting blogs, and other financial relationships with parenting blogs. Violations of the Code as well as promotional practices unforeseen by the Code were identified. These practices included enabling user-generated content that promotes the use of infant formula, financial relationships between manufacturers and bloggers, and creation of mobile apps for use by parents. An additional concern identified for Code enforcement is lack of transparency in social media-based marketing.

Conclusion:

The use of social media for formula marketing may demand new strategies for monitoring and enforcing the Code in light of emerging challenges, including suggested content for upcoming consideration for World Health Assembly resolutions.
Constructal design of multiple heat sources in a square-shaped fin
Authors: Hajmohammadi M R , Poozesh S , Nourazar S S
Published: June 2012

A new study area of constructal theory is presented by applying constructal design on multiple heat sources which connected to and cooled in a square-shaped fin. Analyzing the optimal location of the heat sources in the fin for several configurations is the primary goal of this study. According to the constructal theory, favorable distribution of the heat sources is achieved by minimizing the global thermal resistance of the fin body. Since the heat sources might be contemplated as heat-generating electronic bodies or hot-water pipes, two boundary conditions of uniform heat flux and uniform temperature are considered for the heat sources. The minimization of the thermal resistance in the uniform heat flux and uniform temperature cases leads to the minimization of the hot spot temperature and the maximization of the total heat removal, respectively. Temperature fields in the square-shaped fin are calculated using a finite element approach of MATLAB PDE Toolbox. The optimized configurations are numerically compared with each other. It is shown that the most commonly used configurations of the heat sources in a cooling industry are unfavorable and must be avoided. Favorable configurations such as triangular arrangement of heat sources are proposed to replace the unfavorable configurations.
Performative acts of autism
Authors: Lester Jessica N. , Paulus Trena M.
Published: June 2012

Relatively little research has aimed to understand autism from an emic perspective. The majority of studies examining the organization of the talk of individuals with autism presume that autism organizes discourse rather than examine ways in which talk itself constructs the notion of autism. This study explored the meanings of autism performed in and through the talk of the parents of children with autism and their therapists. Drawing from a larger ethnographic study, we report on findings generated from interview data with parents and therapists. Situating this study within a discursive psychology framework, we attend to the ways in which ‘normality’ and ‘abnormality’ are performed, drawing upon critical notions of disability, poststructural understandings of discourse, and conversation analysis. We point to the importance of situating the construction of an ‘ordered’ or ‘disordered’ body in relationship to the exclusionary practices and policies that individuals with autism and those close to them experience daily.
Breaking the Silence
Authors: Konradsen Hanne , Kirkevold Marit , McCallin Antoinette , Cayé-Thomasen Per , Zoffmann Vibeke
Published: June 2012

Little is known about the psychosocial effects of facial disfigurement. We present the results of a qualitative study following 15 patients who had been surgically treated for head, neck, or eye cancer over the course of their first postoperative year. Taped nurse–patient conversations and individual interviews were analyzed using the grounded theory method. The findings revealed that the main concern of the patients was feeling isolated, which was resolved using a process of interactional integration. Interactional integration begins by breaking the silence to enable the progression from a disfigured person to a person with a disfigurement. The model explains the process of adjustment and demonstrates various elements that could be used in interventions targeting patients who experience psychosocial problems.
Thyroid gland cutaneous fistula secondary to a migratory fish bone: a case report
Authors: Ohbuchi Toyoaki , Tabata Takahisa , Nguyen Khac-Hung , Ohkubo Jun-ichi , Katoh Akiko , Suzuki Hideaki
Published: June 2012

Introduction

We report an extremely rare case of a migratory fish bone penetrating through the thyroid gland.

Case presentation

A 56-year-old Japanese woman presented with a two-month history of a painless cutaneous fistula in her anterior neck with pus discharge. Endoscopic examinations showed no abnormality, but computed tomography revealed a bone-density needle-shaped foreign body sticking out anteroinferior from the esophagus wall, penetrating through her left thyroid lobe and extending nearly to the anterior cervical skin. A migratory fish bone was suspected, and the foreign body was removed under general anesthetic, combined with a hemithyroidectomy. The injured esophageal mucosa was sutured and closed. Our patient’s postoperative course was uneventful, and she was allowed oral food intake seven days after the surgery. No evidence of recurrence was seen over the postoperative follow-up period of 42 weeks.

Conclusion

We should be aware that fish bone foreign bodies may migrate out of the upper digestive tract and lodge in the thyroid gland.
Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in an adolescent female presenting with Epstein-Barr virus-driven hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis: a case report
Authors: Altaf Sadaf , Atreaga Grace M , Joshi Avni Y , Rodriguez Vilmarie
Published: June 2012

Introduction

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis is characterized by multisystem inflammation, resulting from prolonged and intense activation of macrophages, histiocytes and CD8+ T-cells. Due to its variable presentation and non-specific findings, timely diagnosis can be challenging. This condition has been associated with malignancies, most commonly with lymphomas and leukemias of T-cell lineage. This case report represents the less commonly associated B-cell lymphomas. We also highlight the difficulties in managing hemophagocytosis with an evolving malignancy. This case report will add to the increasing literature on the diagnosis, complications and management of this complex disorder.

Case presentation

A 15-year-old Caucasian girl, previously diagnosed with Crohn’s disease and treated with 6-mercaptopurine, developed Epstein-Barr virus infection-driven hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. The diagnosis was challenging due to her critical illness and the lack of enough features to fulfill diagnostic criteria at presentation (moderately elevated ferritin, normal coagulation profiles and normal triglycerides). While receiving therapy for hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, she developed bulky cervical lymphadenopathy and was diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Therapy for lymphoma was initiated and she tolerated the therapy well.

Conclusion

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis is a rare disorder, but potentially lethal if not diagnosed and treated in a timely manner. Our case highlights the importance of considering this diagnosis in critically ill patients who may not initially fulfill formal diagnostic criteria. In patients diagnosed with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, occult malignancies should be aggressively ruled out as they can manifest prior to the hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis diagnosis or appear during the treatment phase. An accurate diagnosis is also important because management of Epstein-Barr virus-driven hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis and Epstein-Barr virus-driven lymphoma differs due to the difference in pathophysiology and the involvement of different immune cell lines.
An E-cadherin-mediated hitchhiking mechanism forC. elegansgerm cell internalization during gastrulation
Authors: Chihara Daisuke , Nance Jeremy
Published: June 2012

Gastrulation movements place endodermal precursors, mesodermal precursors and primordial germ cells (PGCs) into the interior of the embryo. Somatic cell gastrulation movements are regulated by transcription factors that also control cell fate, coupling cell identity and position. By contrast, PGCs in many species are transcriptionally quiescent, suggesting that they might use alternative gastrulation strategies. Here, we show that C. elegans PGCs internalize by attaching to internal endodermal cells, which undergo morphogenetic movements that pull the PGCs into the embryo. We show that PGCs enrich HMR-1/E-cadherin at their surfaces to stick to endoderm. HMR-1 expression in PGCs is necessary and sufficient to ensure internalization, suggesting that HMR-1 can promote PGC-endoderm adhesion through a mechanism other than homotypic trans interactions between the two cell groups. Finally, we demonstrate that the hmr-1 3′ untranslated region promotes increased HMR-1 translation in PGCs. Our findings reveal that quiescent PGCs employ a post-transcriptionally regulated hitchhiking mechanism to internalize during gastrulation, and demonstrate a morphogenetic role for the conserved association of PGCs with the endoderm.
Long-term ingestion of Hibiscus sabdariffa calyx extract enhances myocardial capillarization in the spontaneously hypertensive rat
Authors: Inuwa Ibrahim , Ali Badreldin H , Al-Lawati Intisar , Beegam Sumaya , Ziada Amal , Blunden Gerald
Published: June 2012

The effects of Hibiscus sabdariffa (HS) in lowering blood pressure in human and animal hypertension have been documented. This study investigated the effect of the water extract of the dried calyx of HS and Hibiscus anthocyanins (HAs) on left ventricular myocardial capillary length and surface area in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). Twelve-week-old male SHRs were divided into eight groups (six rats in each group). Three groups were given three doses; 10%, 15% and 20% of the water extract of HS in lieu of drinking water for 10 consecutive weeks (HS10, HS15 and HS20) with one group kept as control (C). Another three groups were given three doses of the HAs orally at doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg for five consecutive days with one group kept as a control (C). Systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressures, as well as heart rate (HR), were measured weekly. After the experimental protocols, the left ventricles (LV) of all rats were obtained. Capillary surface area density and length density were determined by unbiased sterological methods on 3 μm LV tissue samples from perfusion-fixed hearts. HS ingestion significantly reduced SBP, DBP and LV mass in a dose-dependent fashion but did not affect the HR. HS significantly increased surface area and length density of myocardial capillaries by 59%, 65% and 86%, and length density by 57%, 77% and 57%, respectively. Myocyte nuclear volume was significantly decreased in HS-treated rats. There was a decrease (although insignificant) in SBP and DBP with HA ingestion compared with controls. These changes suggest that the observed beneficial effect of HS on high BP in SHRs could be mediated through a reduction in the diffusion distance between capillaries and myocytes, as well as new vessel formation. It is proposed that these effects might be beneficial in restoring myocyte normal nutritional status compromised by the hypertrophic state of hypertension.
In vitro and in vivo repeatability of abdominal diffusion-weighted MRI
Authors: Miquel M E , Scott A D , Macdougall N D , Boubertakh R , Bharwani N , Rockall A G
Published: June 2012

Objective

To study the in vitro and in vivo (abdomen) variability of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) measurements at 1.5 T using a free-breathing multislice diffusion-weighted (DW) MRI sequence.

Methods

DW MRI images were obtained using a multislice spin-echo echo-planar imaging sequence with b-values=0, 100, 200, 500, 750 and 1000 s mm−2. A flood-field phantom was imaged at regular intervals over 100 days, and 10 times on the same day on 2 occasions. 10 healthy volunteers were imaged on two separate occasions. Mono-exponential ADC maps were fitted excluding b=0. Paired analysis was carried out on the liver, spleen, kidney and gallbladder using multiple regions of interest (ROIs) and volumes of interest (VOIs).

Results

The in vitro coefficient of variation was 1.3% over 100 days, and 0.5% and 1.0% for both the daily experiments. In vivo, there was no statistical difference in the group mean ADC value between visits for any organ. Using ROIs, the coefficient of reproducibility was 20.0% for the kidney, 21.0% for the gallbladder, 24.7% for the liver and 28.0% for the spleen. For VOIs, values fall to 7.7%, 6.4%, 8.6% and 9.6%, respectively.

Conclusion

Good in vitro repeatability of ADC measurements provided a sound basis for in vivo measurement. In vivo variability is higher and when considering single measurements in the abdomen as a whole, only changes in ADC value greater than 23.1% would be statistically significant using a two-dimensional ROI. This value is substantially lower (7.9%) if large three-dimensional VOIs are considered.
A survey of the practice and management of radiotherapy linear accelerator quality control in the UK
Authors: Palmer A , Kearton J , Hayman O
Published: June 2012

Objectives

The objective of this study was to determine current radiotherapy linear accelerator quality control (QC) practice in the UK, as a comparative benchmark and indicator of development needs, and to raise awareness of QC as a key performance indicator.

Methods

All UK radiotherapy centres were invited to complete an online questionnaire regarding their local QC processes, and submit their QC schedules. The range of QC tests, frequency of measurements and acceptable tolerances in use across the UK were analysed, and consensus and range statistics determined.

Results

72% of the UK's 62 radiotherapy centres completed the questionnaire and 40% provided their QC schedules. 60 separate QC tests were identified from the returned schedules. There was a large variation in the total time devoted to QC between centres: interquartile range from 13 to 26 h per linear accelerator per month. There has been a move from weekly to monthly testing of output calibration in the last decade, with reliance on daily constancy testing equipment. 33% of centres thought their schedules were in need of an update and only 30% used risk-assessment approaches to determine local QC schedule content. Less than 30% of centres regularly complete all planned QC tests each month, although 96% achieve over 80% of tests.

Conclusions

A comprehensive “snapshot” of linear accelerator QC testing practice in the UK has been collated, which demonstrates reasonable agreement between centres in their stated QC test frequencies. However, intelligent design of QC schedules and management is necessary to ensure efficiency and appropriateness.
The Absorption of Japanese Engineers into Taiwan's TFT-LCD Industry
Authors: Tabata Mayumi
Published: June 2012

In recent years, globalization has promoted the transnational mobility of talent from Japan to Taiwan. The Japanese Thin Film Transistor-Liquid Crystal Display industry's tacit technical knowledge flows via the Japanese talent drain, which may significantly shape Taiwan's future economic linkage with China.
Genomic Variation in Natural Populations ofDrosophila melanogaster
Authors: Langley Charles H , Stevens Kristian , Cardeno Charis , Lee Yuh Chwen G , Schrider Daniel R , Pool John E , Langley Sasha A , Suarez Charlyn , Corbett-Detig Russell B , Kolaczkowski Bryan , Fang Shu , Nista Phillip M , Holloway Alisha K , Kern Andrew D , Dewey Colin N , Song Yun S , Hahn Matthew W , Begun David J
Published: June 2012

This report of independent genome sequences of two natural populations of Drosophila melanogaster (37 from North America and 6 from Africa) provides unique insight into forces shaping genomic polymorphism and divergence. Evidence of interactions between natural selection and genetic linkage is abundant not only in centromere- and telomere-proximal regions, but also throughout the euchromatic arms. Linkage disequilibrium, which decays within 1 kbp, exhibits a strong bias toward coupling of the more frequent alleles and provides a high-resolution map of recombination rate. The juxtaposition of population genetics statistics in small genomic windows with gene structures and chromatin states yields a rich, high-resolution annotation, including the following: (1) 5′- and 3′-UTRs are enriched for regions of reduced polymorphism relative to lineage-specific divergence; (2) exons overlap with windows of excess relative polymorphism; (3) epigenetic marks associated with active transcription initiation sites overlap with regions of reduced relative polymorphism and relatively reduced estimates of the rate of recombination; (4) the rate of adaptive nonsynonymous fixation increases with the rate of crossing over per base pair; and (5) both duplications and deletions are enriched near origins of replication and their density correlates negatively with the rate of crossing over. Available demographic models of X and autosome descent cannot account for the increased divergence on the X and loss of diversity associated with the out-of-Africa migration. Comparison of the variation among these genomes to variation among genomes from D. simulans suggests that many targets of directional selection are shared between these species.
From SOI 1T-DRAMs to Unified Memory Concepts
Authors: Cristoloveanu Sorin , Bawedin Maryline
Published: June 2012

The typical architectures for single-transistor capacitorless dynamic random access memory (1T-DRAM) are reviewed. This memory takes advantage of floating-body effects in SOI-like devices. The principles of operation and the key mechanisms for memory programming and reading are described. Most of these devices can be enriched with non-volatile storage capability. Several possibilities for such ‘unified’ memory are explored.
First-principles investigation of the conductive filament configuration in rutile TiO2-x ReRAM
Authors: Zhao Liang , Park Seong-Geon , Magyari-Köpe Blanka , Nishi Yoshio
Published: June 2012

The interactions and ordering of oxygen vacancies in rutile TiO2 were thoroughly investigated by density functional calculations to search for atomic configurations of the conductive filament. As random isolated vacancies could not support the low-resistance state conduction in TiO2 ReRAM, vacancy ordering was introduced in [110] and [001] directions of the lattice to study the electronic structures. The calculation results revealed that a di-vacancy chain in [001] direction makes the electrons delocalized in that direction, which is identified as a possible configuration of the conductive filament. This low-resistance state can be effectively disrupted by moving oxygen vacancies out of the filament to reach high-resistance states.
Jewish, Christian, and Muslim attitudes toward Animals
Authors: Bakhos Carol
Published: June 2012

This article surveys Jewish, Christian and Muslim attitudes toward animals in ancient and medieval sources, and demonstrates how the scriptural heritage and its multi-faceted exegetical traditions are shot through with the notion of the superiority of humans to nonhuman animals. Yet at the same time they are suffused with teachings that chasten human arrogance and exhort humans to show compassion toward all species. The article attempts to provide a corrective to both the contestation that these traditions foster the exploitation of animals and the counterargument that ignores an inherent hierarchy in their textual sources. To support the contention that these religious traditions at once uphold a hierarchy and display concern for other animals, the article examines the fate of the fauna in the Noah flood narrative and the Islamic fable, “The Case of the Animals Versus Man.”
Factors Impacting Prognosis Prediction in BCLC Stage C and Child-Pugh Class A Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients in Prospective Clinical Trials of Systemic Therapy
Authors: Lin Zhong-Zhe , Hsu Chiun , Hu Fu-Chang , Shao Yu-Yun , Chang Dwan-Ying , Yang Chih-Hsin , Hong Ruey-Long , Hsu Chih-Hung , Cheng Ann-Lii
Published: June 2012

Background.

The purpose of this study was to determine the prognostic significance of clinical factors and staging systems for survival of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients who are candidates for therapeutic clinical trials.

Methods.

From December 1990 to July 2005, 236 patients with unresectable HCC were enrolled into six published phase II trials assessing various therapeutic regimens. Of these, 156 chemotherapy-naive patients with Child-Pugh class A and Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage C disease were included in this analysis. Twenty-seven relevant clinical characteristics were analyzed to identify prognostic factors of survival. Beyond these prognosticators, the predictive ability of eight staging systems (the tumor–node–metastasis, Okuda, Cancer of the Liver Italian Program [CLIP], Chinese University Prognostic Index, Japanese Integrated Staging, Tokyo, National Taiwan University Risk Estimation, and Advanced Liver Cancer Prognostic System [ALCPS] score) were compared using the Akaike information criteria.

Results.

The median overall survival time was 129 days (95% confidence interval, 111–147 days). Significant predictors of a shorter overall survival time were an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status score ≥2, the presence of symptoms, ascites, an aspartate transaminase level more than two times the upper limit of normal, and regional lymph node involvement. The ALCPS and CLIP scores were superior to the other systems for predicting survival.

Conclusions.

The prognosis of patients with advanced HCC who are candidates for therapeutic clinical trials is affected by several factors related to the patient, liver function, and the tumor. The ALCPS and CLIP scores appear to be superior to the other systems for predicting survival.
Administration of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors and β-Blockers During Adjuvant Trastuzumab Chemotherapy for Nonmetastatic Breast Cancer: Marker of Risk or Cardioprotection in the Real World?
Authors: Oliva Stefano , Cioffi Giovanni , Frattini Silvia , Simoncini Edda Lucia , Faggiano Pompilio , Boccardi Lidia , Pulignano Giovanni , Fioretti Agnese Maria , Giotta Francesco , Lestuzzi Chiara , Maurea Nicola , Sabatini Silvia , Tarantini Luigi ,   Italian Cardio-Oncological Network
Published: June 2012

Background.

Adjuvant trastuzumab therapy improves the outcome of patients with early breast cancer (EBC) and overexpression of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). However, it is potentially cardiotoxic. This study aims to evaluate the relationship between the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/receptor blockers (ACEi/ARBs) and/or β-blockers and development of heart failure (HF) and/or left ventricular dysfunction during 1 year of adjuvant trastuzumab therapy.

Methods.

A total of 499 women receiving adjuvant trastuzumab therapy for EBC entered in a multicenter registry and were divided into four subgroups according to treatment with ACEi/ARBs and/or β-blockers. Occurrence of HF and decrease of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF; minimum 10 percentage points) were recorded.

Results.

HF occurred in 2% of patients who did not take either ACEi/ARBs or β-blockers, 8% of patients receiving ACEi/ARBs alone, 8% receiving β-blockers alone (p = .03), and 19% receiving both medications (p < .01). The prevalence of patients with LVEF that decreased by at least 10 percentage points was similar in all groups. Combined ACEi/ARBs and β-blocker therapy was independently associated with hypertension and a significant reduction of LVEF from baseline to 3-month evaluation. The use of ACEi/ARBs alone or β-blockers alone was predicted only by hypertension. Combined therapy of ACEi/ARBs plus β-blockers predicted LVEF recovery from the 3-month to 12-month evaluation.

Conclusions.

In clinical practice, the degree of hypertension and decrease in LVEF during the first 3 months of adjuvant trastuzumab therapy for EBC are associated with the use of ACEi/ARBs and β-blockers. The combined use of these two medications is associated with a recovery of LVEF during months 3–12 of adjuvant trastuzumab therapy.
Retention performance of woven geotextiles subjected to cyclic-flow conditions
Authors: Khachan M.M. , Bhatia S.K. , Smith J.L.
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACT: Woven geotextiles are widely used as filters in geotechnical, hydraulic, and environmental applications. Depending on the application, geotextile filters can be subjected to uni-directional, bi-directional, or cyclic-flow conditions, with cyclic flow occurring in two directions repeatedly over time. The selection of a suitable geotextile filter is of critical importance, particularly for cyclic-flow conditions. Cyclic-flow conditions can rapidly lead to an excessive loss of fine soil particles and failure of a soil–geotextile system. Although these conditions are frequently encountered, limited work has been done to evaluate the retention behavior of geotextiles under cyclic-flow conditions. In this study, the retention performance of nine different woven geotextiles with five different soils under cyclic-flow conditions was modeled using a bi-directional hydrodynamic filtration test (BHFT). Based on the results of this research, a retention criterion of AOS/d85 of 1.62 is proposed for woven geotextiles subjected to cyclic-flow conditions, where AOS is the apparent opening size of the geotextile or O95 as determined by dry sieving ( ASTM D4751 ) and d85 is the soil particle diameter corresponding to 85% by weight of finer soil particles. Additionally, an allowable soil-loss limit less than 5000 g/m2 is proposed.
Predation risk, elk, and aspen: tests of a behaviorally mediated trophic cascade in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
Authors: Winnie John A.
Published: June 2012

Aspen in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem are hypothesized to be recovering from decades of heavy browsing by elk due to a behaviorally mediated trophic cascade (BMTC). Several authors have suggested that wolves interact with certain terrain features, creating places of high predation risk at fine spatial scales, and that elk avoid these places, which creates refugia for plants. This hypothesized BMTC could release aspen from elk browsing pressure, leading to a patchy recovery in places of high risk. I tested whether four specific, hypothesized fine‐scale risk factors are correlated with changes in current elk browsing pressure on aspen, or with aspen recruitment since wolf reintroduction, in the Daly Creek drainage in Yellowstone National Park, and near two aspen enclosures outside of the park boundary. Aspen were not responding to hypothesized fine‐scale risk factors in ways consistent with the current BMTC hypothesis.
THE IMPACT OF BODY‐PART‐NAMING TRAINING ON THE ACCURACY OF IMITATIVE PERFORMANCES IN 2‐ TO 3‐YEAR‐OLD CHILDREN
Authors: Camωes‐Costa Vera , Erjavec Mihela , Horne Pauline J.
Published: June 2012

A series of three experiments explored the relationship between 3‐year‐old children's ability to name target body parts and their untrained matching of target hand‐to‐body touches. Nine participants, 3 per experiment, were presented with repeated generalized imitation tests in a multiple‐baseline procedure, interspersed with step‐by‐step training that enabled them to (i) tact the target locations on their own and the experimenter's bodies or (ii) respond accurately as listeners to the experimenter's tacts of the target locations. Prompts for on‐task naming of target body parts were also provided later in the procedure. In Experiment 1, only tact training followed by listener probes were conducted; in Experiment 2, tacting was trained first and listener behavior second, whereas in Experiment 3 listener training preceded tact training. Both tact and listener training resulted in emergence of naming together with significant and large improvements in the children's matching performances; this was true for each child and across most target gestures. The present series of experiments provides evidence that naming—the most basic form of self‐instructional behavior—may be one means of establishing untrained matching as measured in generalized imitation tests. This demonstration has a bearing on our interpretation of imitation reported in the behavior analytic, cognitive developmental, and comparative literature.
CONTEXTUAL INFLUENCES ON RESISTANCE TO DISRUPTION IN CHILDREN WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES
Authors: Lionello‐Denolf Karen M. , Dube William V.
Published: June 2012

Training context can influence resistance to disruption under differing reinforcement schedules. With nonhumans, when relatively lean and rich reinforcement schedules are experienced in the context of a multiple schedule, greater resistance is found in the rich than the lean component, as described by behavioral momentum theory. By contrast, when the schedules are experienced in separated blocks of sessions (i.e., as single schedules), resistance is not consistently greater in either component. In the current study, two groups of 6 children with intellectual disabilities responded to stimuli presented in relatively lean or rich components. For both, reinforcers were delivered according to the same variable‐interval reinforcement schedule; additionally, the rich component included the delivery of response‐independent reinforcers. The Within group was trained on a multiple schedule in which lean and rich components alternated regularly within sessions; the Blocked group was trained on two single schedules in which sessions with either the lean or rich schedule were conducted in successive blocks. Disruption tests presented a concurrently available alternative stimulus disrupter signaling the availability of tangible reinforcers. All 6 Within participants showed greater resistance to disruption in the rich component, consistent with behavioral momentum theory. By contrast, there was no consistent or significant difference in resistance for Blocked participants. This finding is potentially relevant to the development of interventions in applied settings, where such interventions often approximate single schedules and include response‐independent reinforcers.