bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ON CONDITIONAL MARGINAL AND CONDITIONAL JOINT RELIABILITY IMPORTANCE
Authors: RANI MONIKA , JAIN KANCHAN , DEWAN ISHA
Published: June 2011

The reliability importance of one or more components when another component is assumed to be working/non-working is measured by Conditional Marginal Reliability Importance (CMRI) and Conditional Joint Reliability Importance (CJRI) respectively. We consider two systems viz the series-in-parallel and series-parallel. The expressions for CMRI and CJRI are derived for both the systems when the components are independent but not identically distributed. It is shown that the sign of the joint importance of three components and Conditional Joint Importance (CJI) can be determined using Schur-convexity (concavity) of the reliability function. The difference in the reliability functions of two coherent systems with n ≥ 3 statistically independent and with dependent components is derived. It is shown to be measured by their covariance, the JRI and the CJRIs. CMRIs and CJRIs of a phased type electronic system and a bridge structure are worked out.
ENTROPY TOLERANT FUZZY C-MEANS IN MEDICAL IMAGES
Authors: KANNAN S. R. , RAMATHILAGAM S. , DEVI R. , HUANG YUEH-MIN
Published: June 2011

Segmenting the Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced Breast Magnetic Resonance Images (DCE-BMRI) is an extremely important task to diagnose the disease because it has the highest specificity when acquired with high temporal and spatial resolution and is also corrupted by heavy noise, outliers, and other imaging artifacts. In this paper, we intend to develop efficient robust segmentation algorithms based on fuzzy clustering approach for segmenting the DCE-BMRs. Our proposed segmentation algorithms have been amalgamated with effective kernel-induced distance measure on standard fuzzy c-means algorithm along with the spatial neighborhood information, entropy term, and tolerance vector into a fuzzy clustering structure for segmenting the DCE-BMRI. The significant feature of our proposed algorithms is its capability to find the optimal membership grades and obtain effective cluster centers automatically by minimizing the proposed robust objective functions. Also, this article demonstrates the superiority of the proposed algorithms for segmenting DCE-BMRI in comparison with other recent kernel-based fuzzy c-means techniques. Finally the clustering accuracies of the proposed algorithms are validated by using silhouette method in comparison with existed fuzzy clustering algorithms.
A High Temperature X-Ray Diffractometer Using a Solar Furnace
Authors: Kamada Osamu , Takizawa Tsuyoshi , Sakurai Takemaro
Published: June 2011

(Received November 5, 1970)
Electrooptical Properties of an Aligned Phase-Change Guest-Host Mode Liquid Crystal Display
Authors: Wu Jin-Jei , Lee Tzu-Yang , Chen Shu-Hsia , Kuo Chen-Lung
Published: June 2011

Due to carelessness, a reference was missed. It should be corrected as:

7) J.-J. Wu, T.-Y. Lee, S.-H. Chen and C.-L. Kuo: Appl. Phys. Lett. 73 (1998) 3099.
ABCA1 increases extracellular ATP to mediate cholesterol efflux to ApoA-I
Authors: Lee Jee Yeon , Karwatsky Joel , Ma Loretta , Zha Xiaohui
Published: June 2011

ATP-binding cassette protein A1 (ABCA1) is a key plasma membrane protein required for the efflux of cellular cholesterol to extracellular acceptors, particularly to apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I). This process is essential to maintain cholesterol homeostasis in the body. The detailed molecular mechanisms, however, are still insufficiently understood. Also, the molecular identity of ABCA1, i.e., channel, pump, or flippase, remains unknown. In this study we analyzed extracellular ATP levels in the medium of ABCA1-expressing BHK cells and RAW macrophages and compared them to the medium of nonexpressing cells. We found that extracellular ATP concentrations are significantly elevated when cells express ABCA1. Importantly, a dysfunctional ABCA1 mutant (A937V), when expressed similarly as wild-type ABCA1, is unable to raise extracellular ATP concentration, which suggests a casual relationship between functional ABCA1 and elevated extracellular ATP. To explore the physiological role of extracellular ATP, we analyzed ABCA1-mediated cholesterol efflux under conditions where extracellular ATP levels were modulated. We found that increasing extracellular ATP within the physiological range, i.e., <μM, promotes cholesterol efflux to apoA-I. On the other hand, removing extracellular ATP, either by adding apyrase to the medium or by expressing a plasma membrane-bound ectonucleotidase, CD39, abolishes cholesterol efflux to apoA-I. On the basis of these results, we conclude that, through direct or indirect mechanisms, ABCA1 functions to raise ATP levels in the medium. This elevated extracellular ATP is required for ABCA1-mediated cholesterol efflux to apoA-I.
Large differences in peak oxygen uptake do not independently alter changes in core temperature and sweating during exercise
Authors: Jay Ollie , Bain Anthony R. , Deren Tomasz M. , Sacheli Matthew , Cramer Matthew N.
Published: June 2011

The independent influence of peak oxygen uptake (V̇o2 peak) on changes in thermoregulatory responses during exercise in a neutral climate has not been previously isolated because of complex interactions between V̇o2 peak, metabolic heat production (Hprod), body mass, and body surface area (BSA). It was hypothesized that V̇o2 peak does not independently alter changes in core temperature and sweating during exercise. Fourteen males, 7 high (HI) V̇o2 peak: 60.1 ± 4.5 ml·kg−1·min−1; 7 low (LO) V̇o2 peak: 40.3 ± 2.9 ml·kg−1·min−1 matched for body mass (HI: 78.2 ± 6.1 kg; LO: 78.7 ± 7.1 kg) and BSA (HI: 1.97 ± 0.08 m2; LO: 1.94 ± 0.08 m2), cycled for 60-min at 1) a fixed heat production (FHP trial) and 2) a relative exercise intensity of 60% V̇o2 peak (REL trial) at 24.8 ± 0.6°C, 26 ± 10% RH. In the FHP trial, Hprod was similar between the HI (542 ± 38 W, 7.0 ± 0.6 W/kg or 275 ± 25 W/m2) and LO (535 ± 39 W, 6.9 ± 0.9 W/kg or 277 ± 29 W/m2) groups, while changes in rectal (Tre: HI: 0.87 ± 0.15°C, LO: 0.87 ± 0.18°C, P = 1.00) and aural canal (Tau: HI: 0.70 ± 0.12°C, LO: 0.74 ± 0.21°C, P = 0.65) temperature, whole-body sweat loss (WBSL) (HI: 434 ± 80 ml, LO: 440 ± 41 ml; P = 0.86), and steady-state local sweating (LSRback) ( P = 0.40) were all similar despite relative exercise intensity being different (HI: 39.7 ± 4.2%, LO: 57.6 ± 8.0% V̇o2 peak; P = 0.001). At 60% V̇o2 peak, Hprod was greater in the HI (834 ± 77 W, 10.7 ± 1.3 W/kg or 423 ± 44 W/m2) compared with LO (600 ± 90 W, 7.7 ± 1.4 W/kg or 310 ± 50 W/m2) group (all P < 0.001), as were changes in Tre (HI: 1.43 ± 0.28°C, LO: 0.89 ± 0.19°C; P = 0.001) and Tau (HI: 1.11 ± 0.21°C, LO: 0.66 ± 0.14°C; P < 0.001), and WBSL between 0 and 15, 15 and 30, 30 and 45, and 45 and 60 min (all P < 0.01), and LSRback ( P = 0.02). The absolute esophageal temperature (Tes) onset for sudomotor activity was ∼0.3°C lower ( P < 0.05) in the HI group, but the change in Tes from preexercise values before sweating onset was similar between groups. Sudomotor thermosensitivity during exercise were similar in both FHP ( P = 0.22) and REL ( P = 0.77) trials. In conclusion, changes in core temperature and sweating during exercise in a neutral climate are determined by Hprod, mass, and BSA, not V̇o2 peak.
β-Hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate reduces myonuclear apoptosis during recovery from hind limb suspension-induced muscle fiber atrophy in aged rats
Authors: Hao Yanlei , Jackson Janna R. , Wang Yan , Edens Neile , Pereira Suzette L. , Alway Stephen E.
Published: June 2011

β-Hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB) is a leucine metabolite shown to reduce protein catabolism in disease states and promote skeletal muscle hypertrophy in response to loading exercise. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of HMB to reduce muscle wasting and promote muscle recovery following disuse in aged animals. Fisher 344×Brown Norway rats, 34 mo of age, were randomly assigned to receive either Ca-HMB (340 mg/kg body wt) or the water vehicle by gavage ( n = 32/group). The animals received either 14 days of hindlimb suspension (HS, n = 8/diet group) or 14 days of unloading followed by 14 days of reloading (R; n = 8/diet group). Nonsuspended control animals were compared with suspended animals after 14 days of HS ( n = 8) or after R ( n = 8). HMB treatment prevented the decline in maximal in vivo isometric force output after 2 wk of recovery from hindlimb unloading. The HMB-treated animals had significantly greater plantaris and soleus fiber cross-sectional area compared with the vehicle-treated animals. HMB decreased the amount of TUNEL-positive nuclei in reloaded plantaris muscles (5.1% vs. 1.6%, P < 0.05) and soleus muscles (3.9% vs. 1.8%, P < 0.05). Although HMB did not significantly alter Bcl-2 protein abundance compared with vehicle treatment, HMB decreased Bax protein abundance following R, by 40% and 14% ( P < 0.05) in plantaris and soleus muscles, respectively. Cleaved caspase-3 was reduced by 12% and 9% ( P < 0.05) in HMB-treated reloaded plantaris and soleus muscles, compared with vehicle-treated animals. HMB reduced cleaved caspase-9 by 14% and 30% ( P < 0.05) in reloaded plantaris and soleus muscles, respectively, compared with vehicle-treated animals. Although, HMB was unable to prevent unloading-induced atrophy, it attenuated the decrease in fiber area in fast and slow muscles after HS and R. HMB's ability to protect against muscle loss may be due in part to putative inhibition of myonuclear apoptosis via regulation of mitochondrial-associated caspase signaling.
Reactive oxygen species formation during tetanic contractions in single isolated Xenopus myofibers
Authors: Zuo Li , Nogueira Leonardo , Hogan Michael C.
Published: June 2011

Contracting skeletal muscle produces reactive oxygen species (ROS) that have been shown to affect muscle function and adaptation. However, real-time measurement of ROS in contracting myofibers has proven to be difficult. We used amphibian ( Xenopus laevis) muscle to test the hypothesis that ROS are formed during contractile activity in isolated single skeletal muscle fibers and that this contraction-induced ROS formation affects fatigue development. Single myofibers were loaded with 5 μM dihydrofluorescein-DA (Hfluor-DA), a fluorescent probe that reacts with ROS and results in the formation of fluorescein (Fluor) to precisely monitor ROS generation within single myofibers in real time using confocal miscroscopy. Three identical periods of maximal tetanic contractions (1 contraction/3 s for 2 min, separated by 60 min of rest) were conducted by each myofiber ( n = 6) at 20°C. Ebselen (an antioxidant) was present in the perfusate (10 μM) during the second contractile period. Force was reduced by ∼30% during each of the three contraction periods, with no significant difference in fatigue development among the three periods. The Fluor signal, indicative of ROS generation, increased significantly above baseline in both the first (42 ± 14%) and third periods (39 ± 10%), with no significant difference in the increase in fluorescence between the first and third periods. There was no increase of Fluor in the presence of ebselen during the second contractile period. These results demonstrated that, in isolated intact Xenopus myofibers, 1) ROS can be measured in real time during tetanic contractions, 2) contractile activity induced a significant increase above resting levels of ROS production, and 3) ebselen treatment reduced ROS generation to baseline levels but had no effect on myofiber contractility and fatigue development.
Effects of acute and chronic endurance exercise on intracellular nitric oxide and superoxide in circulating CD34+ and CD34− cells
Authors: Jenkins Nathan T. , Landers Rian Q. , Prior Steven J. , Soni Naina , Spangenburg Espen E. , Hagberg James M.
Published: June 2011

We investigated the influence of acute and chronic endurance exercise on levels of intracellular nitric oxide (NO), superoxide (O2·−), and expression of genes regulating the balance between these free radicals in CD34+ and CD34− peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs; isolated by immunomagnetic cell separation). Blood samples were obtained from age- and body mass index (BMI)-matched endurance-trained ( n = 10) and sedentary ( n = 10) men before and after 30 min of exercise at 75% maximal oxygen uptake (V̇o2max). Baseline levels of intracellular NO (measured by DAF-FM diacetate) and O2·− (measured by dihydroethidium) were 26% ( P < 0.05) and 10% ( P < 0.05) higher, respectively, in CD34+ PBMCs from the sedentary group compared with the endurance-trained group. CD34+ PBMCs from the sedentary group at baseline had twofold greater inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA and 50% lower endothelial NOS (eNOS) mRNA levels compared with the trained group ( P < 0.05). The baseline group difference in O2·− was eliminated by acute exercise. Experiments with apocynin indicated that the training-related difference in O2·− levels was explained by increased NADPH oxidase activity in the sedentary state. mRNA levels of additional angiogenic and antioxidant genes were consistent with a more angiogenic profile in CD34+ cells of trained subjects. CD34− PBMCs, examined for exploratory purposes, also displayed a more angiogenic mRNA profile in trained subjects, with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and eNOS being more highly expressed in trained subjects. Overall, our data suggest an association between the sedentary state and increased nitro-oxidative stress in CD34+ cells.
The mechanism of ethanol action on midbrain dopaminergic neuron firing: a dynamic-clamp study of the role ofIhand GABAergic synaptic integration
Authors: Tateno Takashi , Robinson Hugh P. C.
Published: June 2011

Hyperpolarization-activated and cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels are expressed in dopaminergic (DA) neurons of the ventral tegmental area (VTA) as well as in DA and GABAergic neurons of the substantia nigra (SN). The excitation of DA neurons induced by ethanol has been proposed to result from its enhancing HCN channel current, Ih. Using perforated patch-clamp recordings in rat midbrain slices, we isolated Ihin these neurons by voltage clamp. We showed that ethanol reversibly increased the amplitude and accelerated the activation kinetics of Ihand caused a depolarizing shift in its voltage dependence. Using dynamic-clamp conductance injection, we injected artificial Ihand fluctuating GABAergic synaptic conductance inputs into neurons following block of intrinsic Ih. This demonstrated directly a major role of Ihin promoting rebound spiking following phasic inhibition, which was enhanced as the kinetics and amplitude of Ihwere changed in the manner induced by ethanol. Similar effects of ethanol were observed on Ihand firing rate in non-DA, putatively GABAergic interneurons, indicating that in addition to its direct effects on firing, ethanol will produce large changes in the inhibition and disinhibition (via GABAergic interneurons) converging on DA neurons. Thus the overall effects of ethanol on firing of DA cells of the VTA and SN in vivo, and hence on phasic dopamine release in the striatum, appear to be determined substantially by its action on Ihin both DA cells and GABAergic interneurons.
Learning to breathe and sing: development of respiratory-vocal coordination in young songbirds
Authors: Veit Lena , Aronov Dmitriy , Fee Michale S.
Published: June 2011

How do animals with learned vocalizations coordinate vocal production with respiration? Songbirds such as the zebra finch learn their songs, beginning with highly variable babbling vocalizations known as subsong. After several weeks of practice, zebra finches are able to produce a precisely timed pattern of syllables and silences, precisely coordinated with expiratory and inspiratory pulses (Franz M, Goller F. J Neurobiol 51: 129–141, 2002). While respiration in adult song is well described, relatively little is known about respiratory patterns in subsong or about the processes by which respiratory and vocal patterns become coordinated. To address these questions, we recorded thoracic air sac pressure in juvenile zebra finches prior to the appearance of any consistent temporal or acoustic structure in their songs. We found that subsong contains brief inspiratory pulses (50 ms) alternating with longer pulses of sustained expiratory pressure (50–500 ms). In striking contrast to adult song, expiratory pulses often contained multiple (0–8) variably timed syllables separated by expiratory gaps and were only partially vocalized. During development, expiratory pulses became shorter and more stereotyped in duration with shorter and fewer nonvocalized parts. These developmental changes eventually resulted in the production of a single syllable per expiratory pulse and a single inspiratory pulse filling each gap, forming a coordinated sequence similar to that of adult song. To examine the role of forebrain song-control nuclei in the development of respiratory patterns, we performed pressure recordings before and after lesions of nucleus HVC (proper name) and found that this manipulation reverses the developmental trends in measures of the respiratory pattern.
Effects of wrist tendon vibration on arm tracking in people poststroke
Authors: Conrad Megan O. , Scheidt Robert A. , Schmit Brian D.
Published: June 2011

The goal of this study was to evaluate the influence of wrist tendon vibration on a multijoint elbow/shoulder tracking task. We hypothesized that tendon vibration applied at the wrist musculature would improve upper arm tracking performance in chronic stroke survivors through increased, Ia-afferent feedback to the central nervous system (CNS). To test this hypothesis, 10 chronic stroke and 5 neurologically intact subjects grasped the handle of a planar robot as they tracked a target through a horizontal figure-8 pattern. A total of 36 trials were completed by each subject. During the middle trials, 70-Hz tendon vibration was applied at the wrist flexor tendons. Position, velocity, and electromyography data were evaluated to compare the quality of arm movements before, during, and after trials with concurrent vibration. Despite tracking a target that moved at a constant velocity, hand trajectories appeared to be segmented, displaying alternating intervals of acceleration and deceleration. Segments were identifiable in tangential velocity data as single-peaked, bell-shaped speed pulses. When tendon vibration was applied at the wrist musculature, stroke subjects experienced improved tracking performance in that hand path lengths and peak speed variability decreased, whereas movement smoothness increased. These performance improvements were accompanied by decreases in the muscle activity during movement. Possible mechanisms behind improved movement control in response to tendon vibration may include improved sensorimotor integration or improved cortical modulation of spinal reflex activity.
Neural correlates of cognitive control of reaching movements in the dorsal premotor cortex of rhesus monkeys
Authors: Mirabella G. , Pani P. , Ferraina S.
Published: June 2011

Canceling a pending movement is a hallmark of voluntary behavioral control because it allows us to quickly adapt to unattended changes either in the external environment or in our thoughts. The countermanding paradigm allows the study of inhibitory processes of motor acts by requiring the subject to withhold planned movements in response to an infrequent stop-signal. At present the neural processes underlying the inhibitory control of arm movements are mostly unknown. We recorded the activity of single units in the rostral and caudal portion of the dorsal premotor cortex (PMd) of monkeys trained in a countermanding reaching task. We found that among neurons with a movement-preparatory activity, about one-third exhibit a modulation before the behavioral estimate of the time it takes to cancel a planned movement. Hence these neurons exhibit a pattern of activity suggesting that PMd plays a critical role in the brain networks involved in the control of arm movement initiation and suppression.
The human prefrontal cortex mediates integration of potential causes behind observed outcomes
Authors: Wunderlich Klaus , Beierholm Ulrik R. , Bossaerts Peter , O'Doherty John P.
Published: June 2011

Prefrontal cortex has long been implicated in tasks involving higher order inference in which decisions must be rendered, not only about which stimulus is currently rewarded, but also which stimulus dimensions are currently relevant. However, the precise computational mechanisms used to solve such tasks have remained unclear. We scanned human participants with functional MRI, while they performed a hierarchical intradimensional/extradimensional shift task to investigate what strategy subjects use while solving higher order decision problems. By using a computational model-based analysis, we found behavioral and neural evidence that humans solve such problems not by occasionally shifting focus from one to the other dimension, but by considering multiple explanations simultaneously. Activity in human prefrontal cortex was better accounted for by a model that integrates over all available evidences than by a model in which attention is selectively gated. Importantly, our model provides an explanation for how the brain determines integration weights, according to which it could distribute its attention. Our results demonstrate that, at the point of choice, the human brain and the prefrontal cortex in particular are capable of a weighted integration of information across multiple evidences.
In situtime-resolved X-ray diffraction of tobermorite formation process under hydrothermal condition: Influence of reactive al compound
Authors: Matsui K. , Ogawa A. , Kikuma J. , Tsunashima M. , Ishikawa T. , Matsuno S.
Published: June 2011

Hydrothermal formation reaction of tobermorite in the autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) process has been investigated byin situX-ray diffraction. High-energy X-rays from a synchrotron radiation source in combination with a newly developed autoclave cell and a photon-counting pixel array detector were used. XRD measurements were conducted in a temperature range 100–190°C throughout 12 h of reaction time with a time interval of 4.25 min under a saturated steam pressure. To clarify the tobermorite formation mechanism in the AAC process, the effect of Al addition on the tobermorite formation reaction was studied. As intermediate phases, non-crystalline calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H), hydroxylellestadite (HE), and katoite (KA) were clearly observed. Consequently, it was confirmed that there were two reaction pathways via C-S-H and KA in the tobermorite formation reaction of Al containing system. In addition, detailed information on the structural changes during the hydrothermal reaction was obtained.
CCR5Δ32 Polymorphism Associated with a Slower Rate Disease Progression in a Cohort of RR-MS Sicilian Patients
Authors: D'Angelo Rosalia , Crisafulli Concetta , Rinaldi Carmela , Ruggeri Alessia , Amato Aldo , Sidoti Antonina
Published: June 2011

Multiple sclerosis (MS) disease is carried through inflammatory and degenerative stages. Based on clinical feaures, it can be subdivided into three groups: relapsing-remitting MS, secondary progressive MS, and primary progressive MS. Multiple sclerosis has a multifactorial etiology with an interplay of genetic predisposition, environmental factors, and autoimmune inflammatory mechanism in which play a key role CC-chemokines and its receptors. In this paper, we studied the frequency of CCR5 gene Δ32 allele in a cohort of Sicilian RR-MS patients comparing with general Sicilian population. Also, we evaluate the association between this commonly polymorphism and disability development and age of disease onset in the same cohort. Our results show that presence of CCR5Δ32 is significantly associated with expanded disability status scale score (EDSS) but not with age of disease onset.
Bos primigenius Bojanus, 1827 from the Early Late Pleistocene Deposit of Avetrana (Southern Italy) and the Variation in Size of the Species in Southern Europe: Preliminary Report
Authors: Pandolfi Luca , Petronio Carmelo , Salari Leonardo
Published: June 2011

Very abundant remains of Bos primigenius have been recovered in the early Late Pleistocene site of Avetrana (southern Italy). The site is characterized by a karst filling originated from a series of almost coeval depositional events. This discovery represents a rare record in the early Late Pleistocene of southern Europe. Biometrical analysis of the metapodial bones of aurochs from Avetrana gave the cue to examine the evolutive trend of the species in southern Europe, from the Middle Pleistocene to Holocene. This trend is characterized by an increase in size of the metapodial bones from Middle Pleistocene to early Late Pleistocene and to a decrease in size of the same during the late Late Pleistocene and Holocene. Also, the variations in size are competed by change in shape of the metapodial bones. These variations seem to be related with climatic fluctuations and competitions with Homo and Bison. At least, five evolutive stages are recognized; they constitute an important tool for the biochronological correlations among the Pleistocene sites of southern Europe.
An Evolutionary Analytic Method of Multi‐DOF Nonlinear Coupling Dynamic Model for Controllable Close‐Chain Linkage Mechanism System
Authors: Wang Ru-Gui , Cai Gan-Wei , Zhou Xiao-Rong
Published: June 2011

The 2‐DOF controllable close‐chain linkage mechanism is investigated in this paper. Based on the characteristics of the multi‐DOF nonlinear coupling dynamic equation of the system established by the finite element method, an analytic method of multiple‐scales Newmark is presented after thinking about the method of perturbation and the method of numerical analysis. Firstly, the first‐order approximate solution of the dynamic responses of the system at the time of t is calculated by the multiple scales method. Then, taken the first‐order approximate solution as the initialization of the generalized coordinate of the system, the stable dynamic response of the system is obtained by the implicit Newmark method. The simulation and experimental results are given in the end. The studies indicate that the method of multiple‐scales Newmark is correct and practicable to study the dynamic characteristics of such kind of multi‐DOF nonlinear coupling system.
Rearing Styles, Parents' Attachment Mental State,and Children's Social Abilities: The Link to Peer Acceptance
Authors: Attili Grazia , Vermigli Patrizia , Roazzi Antonio
Published: June 2011

This paper examines the discriminant effect of mothers' and fathers' attachment working models, the quality of their relationships in everyday settings, and children's social abilities on children's peer acceptance. Participants were thirty-four 7–9 year olds, their mothers, and fathers. Interactions were observed at home and coded on global measures of positive, negative, controlling, disconfirming, correcting behaviors, and neutral conversation. Parents' IWM were assessed by the AAI. Children's peer acceptance and behavioral orientations as a measure of a child's social competence at school were assessed by sociometric techniques. By using both traditional statistical analyses and a multidimensional scaling approach (MDS), in terms of “similarity structure analysis (SSA)” and the “external variables as points technique,” it emerged that children's lack of success among peers associated with social behaviors which were linked to parents' rejecting/neglecting and directive interactive styles, mainly to negative, disconfirming, and a few positive interactions. These parenting styles were significantly affected by adults' insecure IWM.
Development of Analytical Method for Predicting Residual Mechanical Properties of Corroded Steel Plates
Authors: Appuhamy J. M. R. S. , Ohga M. , Kaita T. , Fujii K. , Dissanayake P. B. R.
Published: June 2011

Bridge infrastructure maintenance and assurance of adequate safety is of paramount importance in transportation engineering and maintenance management industry. Corrosion causes strength deterioration, leading to impairment of its operation and progressive weakening of the structure. Since the actual corroded surfaces are different from each other, only experimental approach is not enough to estimate the remaining strength of corroded members. However, in modern practices, numerical simulation is being used to replace the time-consuming and expensive experimental work and to comprehend on the lack of knowledge on mechanical behavior, stress distribution, ultimate behavior, and so on. This paper presents the nonlinear FEM analyses results of many corroded steel plates and compares them with their respective tensile coupon tests. Further, the feasibility of establishing an accurate analytical methodology to predict the residual strength capacities of a corroded steel member with lesser number of measuring points is also discussed.
Novel Techniques in Endoscopy Are Useful in Evaluating Patients with Ulcerative Colitis
Authors: Ando Takafumi , Watanabe Osamu , Nishio Yuji , Ishiguro Kazuhiro , Maeda Osamu , Nakamura Masanao , Miyahara Ryoji , Ohmiya Naoki , Goto Hidemi
Published: June 2011

Ulcerative colitis (UC), one of the most common forms of chronic inflammatory bowel disease, is characterized by exacerbations and remissions. Even when conventional colonoscopy suggests remission and a normal mucosal finding, microscopic or histological abnormalities may persist, and relapse may be imminent. Confocal microendoscopy allows histological diagnosis during the endoscopic examination. High-resolution video-magnifying colonoscopy with chromoscopy enables the observation of colorectal mucosal pit patterns and prediction of the probability of subsequent disease relapse in patients in remission. Endoscopic ultrasonography provides an immediate and accurate evaluation of the health status of the colonic wall without the need to wait for histological results and provides an indication of the efficacy of treatment. These novel endoscopic techniques are useful for the evaluation of disease activity and the efficacy of treatment in patients with UC and the prediction of relapse.
Occurrence of Equatorial Plasma Bubbles during Intense Magnetic Storms
Authors: Huang Chao-Song
Published: June 2011

An important issue in low-latitude ionospheric space weather is how magnetic storms affect the generation of equatorial plasma bubbles. In this study, we present the measurements of the ion density and velocity in the evening equatorial ionosphere by the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) satellites during 22 intense magnetic storms. The DMSP measurements show that deep ion density depletions (plasma bubbles) are generated after the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) turns southward. The time delay between the IMF southward turning and the first DMSP detection of plasma depletions decreases with the minimum value of the IMFBz, the maximum value of the interplanetary electric field (IEF)Ey, and the magnitude of the Dst index. The results of this study provide strong evidence that penetration electric field associated with southward IMF during the main phase of magnetic storms increases the generation of equatorial plasma bubbles in the evening sector.
Catalyst Initiation in the Oscillatory Carbonylation Reaction
Authors: Novakovic Katarina , Parker Julie
Published: June 2011

Palladium(II) iodide is used as a catalyst in the phenylacetylene oxidative carbonylation reaction that has demonstrated oscillatory behaviour in both pH and heat of reaction. In an attempt to extract the reaction network responsible for the oscillatory nature of this reaction, the system was divided into smaller parts and they were studied. This paper focuses on understanding the reaction network responsible for the initial reactions of palladium(II) iodide within this oscillatory reaction. The species researched include methanol, palladium(II) iodide, potassium iodide, and carbon monoxide. Several chemical reactions were considered and applied in a modelling study. The study revealed the significant role played by traces of water contained in the standard HPLC grade methanol used.
Peer-to-Peer Jini for Truly Service-Oriented WSNs
Authors: Pereira António , Costa Nuno , Serôdio Carlos
Published: June 2011

In the past, wireless sensor networks emerged and so did some state-of-the-art applications that ran above them. Most of those applications followed the centralized model and were mainly focused on environmental data gathering, where sensor nodes sensed data from the environment to be sent to an external data server for later processing. Further research took wireless sensor networks to new application areas and, today, this technology gained the ubiquitous status. However, the use of wireless sensor networks is still reserved to experts, mainly due to the huge gap between user applications and the network. This fact has led us to successfully develop a new software stack, capable of running in any sensor node even in the most resource-constrained ones. The new software stack offers a truly service-oriented approach to design and implement applications and follows a widely accepted programming language and programming paradigm.
Ground Penetrating Radar in Dam Monitoring: The Test Case of Acerenza (Southern Italy)
Authors: Loperte A. , Bavusi M. , Cerverizzo G. , Lapenna V. , Soldovieri F.
Published: June 2011

Nowadays, dam safety management is gaining great importance since it affects in a crucial way the monitoring and improvement of risky reservoirs, but this topic is very challenging since the dam safety requires long-term and time-continuous monitoring. In this framework, the exploitation of conventional geotechnical investigation methods often requires invasive actions in the inner of the structure to be investigated (destructiveness) and only provides punctual information for small volumes. On the contrary, the application of noninvasive sensing techniques makes it possible to investigate higher volumes without affecting the structure. In this paper we describe the application of GPR for the monitoring and diagnostics of one of the largest dams in the Basilicata region (Southern Italy). The investigation aims at detecting and localizing underground sandstone banks that are potential ways of flow of water below the dam. The manageability and the noninvasiveness of GPR have resulted in particularly suitable for this kind of application because the versatility of this geophysical method allows to investigate large areas with a good spatial resolution giving the possibility to detect the presence of inhomogeneities in the subsoil below the dam.
Filtering in SPECT Image Reconstruction
Authors: Lyra Maria , Ploussi Agapi
Published: June 2011

Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging is widely implemented in nuclear medicine as its clinical role in the diagnosis and management of several diseases is, many times, very helpful (e.g., myocardium perfusion imaging). The quality of SPECT images are degraded by several factors such as noise because of the limited number of counts, attenuation, or scatter of photons. Image filtering is necessary to compensate these effects and, therefore, to improve image quality. The goal of filtering in tomographic images is to suppress statistical noise and simultaneously to preserve spatial resolution and contrast. The aim of this work is to describe the most widely used filters in SPECT applications and how these affect the image quality. The choice of the filter type, the cut-off frequency and the order is a major problem in clinical routine. In many clinical cases, information for specific parameters is not provided, and findings cannot be extrapolated to other similar SPECT imaging applications. A literature review for the determination of the mostly used filters in cardiac, brain, bone, liver, kidneys, and thyroid applications is also presented. As resulting from the overview, no filter is perfect, and the selection of the proper filters, most of the times, is done empirically. The standardization of image-processing results may limit the filter types for each SPECT examination to certain few filters and some of their parameters. Standardization, also, helps in reducing image processing time, as the filters and their parameters must be standardised before being put to clinical use. Commercial reconstruction software selections lead to comparable results interdepartmentally. The manufacturers normally supply default filters/parameters, but these may not be relevant in various clinical situations. After proper standardisation, it is possible to use many suitable filters or one optimal filter.
Clinical Results of a Brindley Procedure: Sacral Anterior Root Stimulation in Combination with a Rhizotomy of the Dorsal Roots
Authors: Martens F. M. J. , Heesakkers J. P. F. A.
Published: June 2011

The Brindley procedure consists of a stimulator for sacral anterior-root stimulation and a rhizotomy of the dorsal sacral roots to abolish neurogenic detrusor overactivity. Stimulation of the sacral anterior roots enables micturition, defecation, and erections. This overview discusses the technique, selection of patients and clinical results of the Brindley procedure. The Brindley procedure is suitable for a selected group of patients with complete spinal cord injury and detrusor overactivity. Overall, the Brindley procedure shows good clinical results and improves quality of life. However, to remain a valuable treatment option for the future, the technique needs some adequate changes to enable analysis of the implanted parts, to improve revision techniques of the implanted parts, and to abolish the sacral dorsal rhizotomy.
Optimization and Validation of RP-HPLC-UV/Vis Method for Determination Phenolic Compounds in Several Personal Care Products
Authors: Akkbik Mohammed , Assim Zaini Bin , Ahmad Fasihuddin Badruddin
Published: June 2011

An HPLC method with ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry detection has been optimized and validated for the simultaneous determination of phenolic compounds, such as butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) as antioxidants, and octyl methyl cinnamate (OMC) as UVB-filter in several personal care products. The dynamic range was between 1 to 250 mg/L with relative standard deviation less than 0.25% (). Limits of detection for BHA, BHT, and OMC were 0.196, 0.170, and 0.478 mg/L, respectively. While limits of quantification for BHA, BHT, and OMC were 0.593, 0.515, and 1.448 mg/L, respectively. The recovery for BHA, BHT, and OMC was ranged from 92.1–105.9%, 83.2–108.9%, and 87.3–103.7%, respectively. The concentration ranges of BHA, BHT, and OMC in 12 commercial personal care samples were 0.13–4.85, 0.16–2.30, and 0.12–65.5 mg/g, respectively. The concentrations of phenolic compounds in these personal care samples were below than maximum allowable concentration in personal care formulation, that is, 0.0004–10 mg/g, 0.002–5 mg/g, and up to 100 mg/g for BHA, BHT, and OMC, respectively.
From Theory to Clinical Practice in the Use of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists and DPP-4 Inhibitors Therapy
Authors: Dicembrini Ilaria , Pala Laura , Rotella Carlo Maria
Published: June 2011

Promoting long-term adherence to lifestyle modification and choice of antidiabetic agent with low hypoglycemia risk profile and positive weight profile could be the most effective strategy in achieving sustained glycemic control and in reducing comorbidities. From this perspective, vast interest has been generated by glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4i). In this review our ten-year clinical and laboratory experience byin vitroandin vivostudies is reported. Herein, we reviewed available data on the efficacy and safety profile of GLP-1 receptor agonists and DPP-4i. The introduction of incretin hormone-based therapies represents a novel therapeutic strategy, because these drugs not only improve glycemia with minimal risk of hypoglycemia but also have other extraglycemic beneficial effects. In clinical studies, both GLP-1 receptor agonists and DPP-4i, improveβcell function indexes. All these agents showed trophic effects on beta-cell mass in animal studies. The use of these drugs is associated with positive or neucral effect on body weight and improvements in blood pressure, diabetic dyslipidemia, hepatic steazosis markets, and myocardial function. These effects have the potential to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease, which is a major cause of mortality in patients with diabetes.
Indirubins Decrease Glioma Invasion by Blocking Migratory Phenotypes in Both the Tumor and Stromal Endothelial Cell Compartments
Authors: Williams Shanté P. , Nowicki Michal O. , Liu Fang , Press Rachael , Godlewski Jakub , Abdel-Rasoul Mahmoud , Kaur Balveen , Fernandez Soledad A. , Chiocca E. Antonio , Lawler Sean E.
Published: June 2011

Invasion and proliferation in neoplasia require the cooperation of tumor cell and endothelial compartments. Glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) is increasingly recognized as a major contributor to signaling pathways that modulate invasion and proliferation. Here we show that GSK-3 inhibitors of the indirubin family reduce invasion of glioma cells and glioma-initiating cell-enriched neurospheres both in vitro and in vivo, and we show that β-catenin signaling plays an important role in mediating these effects. Indirubins improved survival in glioma-bearing mice in which a substantial decrease in blood vessel density was seen in treated animals. In addition, indirubins blocked migration of endothelial cells, suggesting that anti-invasive glioma therapy with GSK-3 inhibitors in vivo not only inhibits invasion of tumor cells, but blocks migration of endothelial cells, which is also required for tumor angiogenesis. Overall, our findings suggest that indirubin inhibition of GSK-3 offers a novel treatment paradigm to target 2 of the most important interacting cellular compartments in heterotypic models of cancer. Cancer Res; 71(16); 5374–80. ©2011 AACR.
Systemic Cancer Therapy with a Small Molecule Agonist of Toll-like Receptor 7 Can Be Improved by Circumventing TLR Tolerance
Authors: Bourquin Carole , Hotz Christian , Noerenberg Daniel , Voelkl Andreas , Heidegger Simon , Roetzer Laurin C. , Storch Bettina , Sandholzer Nadja , Wurzenberger Cornelia , Anz David , Endres Stefan
Published: June 2011

Topical application of small molecule Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) agonists is highly effective for the treatment of skin tumors, whereas their systemic application has been largely unsuccessful for cancer therapy. One reason may be that repeated systemic application of TLR ligands can induce a state of immune unresponsiveness, termed TLR tolerance. We show here that a single injection of the TLR7 agonist R848 in mice induces a short period of increased response to TLR stimulation followed by a state of hyporesponsiveness lasting several days. This state is characterized by inhibited secretion of the key cytokines interleukin (IL)-12p70 and IL-6 as well as by a block in IFN-α production. We show for the first time that at the cellular level, TLR7 tolerance occurs in both plasmacytoid and myeloid dendritic cells, two cell populations that play a critical role in the initiation and amplification of antitumor immune responses. We further show that TLR7 tolerance in plasmacytoid dendritic cells is accompanied by downregulation of the adaptor protein IL-1 receptor–associated kinase 1. On the basis of these findings, we have designed a novel strategy for the treatment of tumors by using cycles of repeated R848 injections separated by treatment-free intervals. We show in CT26 tumor-bearing mice that this protocol circumvents TLR7 tolerance and improves the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy. Cancer Res; 71(15); 5123–33. ©2011 AACR.
A Drug Resistance Screen Using a Selective MET Inhibitor Reveals a Spectrum of Mutations That Partially Overlap with Activating Mutations Found in Cancer Patients
Authors: Tiedt Ralph , Degenkolbe Elisa , Furet Pascal , Appleton Brent A. , Wagner Sabrina , Schoepfer Joseph , Buck Emily , Ruddy David A. , Monahan John E. , Jones Michael D. , Blank Jutta , Haasen Dorothea , Drueckes Peter , Wartmann Markus , McCarthy Clive , Sellers William R. , Hofmann Francesco
Published: June 2011

The emergence of drug resistance is a primary concern in any cancer treatment, including with targeted kinase inhibitors as exemplified by the appearance of Bcr-Abl point mutations in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients treated with imatinib. In vitro approaches to identify resistance mutations in Bcr-Abl have yielded mutation spectra that faithfully recapitulated clinical observations. To predict resistance mutations in the receptor tyrosine kinase MET that could emerge during inhibitor treatment in patients, we conducted a resistance screen in BaF3 TPR-MET cells using the novel selective MET inhibitor NVP-BVU972. The observed spectrum of mutations in resistant cells was dominated by substitutions of tyrosine 1230 but also included other missense mutations and partially overlapped with activating MET mutations that were previously described in cancer patients. Cocrystallization of the MET kinase domain in complex with NVP-BVU972 revealed a key role for Y1230 in binding of NVP-BVU972, as previously reported for multiple other selective MET inhibitors. A second resistance screen in the same format with the MET inhibitor AMG 458 yielded a distinct spectrum of mutations rich in F1200 alterations, which is consistent with a different predicted binding mode. Our findings suggest that amino acid substitutions in the MET kinase domain of cancer patients need to be carefully monitored before and during treatment with MET inhibitors, as resistance may preexist or emerge. Compounds binding in the same manner as NVP-BVU972 might be particularly susceptible to the development of resistance through mutations in Y1230, a condition that may be addressed by MET inhibitors with alternative binding modes. Cancer Res; 71(15); 5255–64. ©2011 AACR.
IGFBP-3 Is a Metastasis Suppression Gene in Prostate Cancer
Authors: Mehta Hemal H. , Gao Qinglei , Galet Colette , Paharkova Vladislava , Wan Junxiang , Said Jonathan , Sohn Joanne J. , Lawson Gregory , Cohen Pinchas , Cobb Laura J. , Lee Kuk-Wha
Published: June 2011

The insulin-like growth factor binding protein IGFBP-3 is a proapoptotic and antiangiogenic protein in prostate cancer (CaP). Epidemiologic studies suggest that low IGFBP-3 is associated with greater risk of aggressive, metastatic prostate cancers, but in vivo functional data are lacking. Here we show that mice that are genetically deficient in IGFBP-3 exhibit weaker growth of primary prostate tumors but higher incidence of metastatic disease. Prostates in IGFBP-3 knockout mice (IGFBP-3KO mice) failed to undergo apoptosis after castration. Spontaneous prostate tumors did not develop in IGFBP-3KO mice, but splenic lymphomas occurred in 23% of female IGFBP-3KO mice by 80 weeks of age. To assess the effects of IGFBP-3 deficiency on prostate cancer development, we crossed IGFBP-3KO mice with a c-Myc–driven model of CaP that develops slow-growing, nonmetastatic tumors. By 24 weeks of age, well-differentiated prostate cancers were observed in all mice regardless of IGFBP-3 status. However, by 80 weeks of age IGFBP-3KO mice tended to exhibit larger prostate tumors than control mice. More strikingly, lung metastases were observed at this time in 55% of the IGFBP-3KO mice but none in the control animals. Cell lines established from IGFBP-3KO:Myc tumors displayed more aggressive phenotypes in proliferation, invasion, and colony formation assays, relative to control Myc tumor cell lines. In addition, Myc:IGFBP-3KO cells exhibited evidence of epithelial–mesenchymal transition. Our findings established a function for IGFBP-3 in suppressing metastasis in prostate cancer, and they also offered the first reported transgenic model of spontaneous metastatic prostate cancer for studies of this advanced stage of disease. Cancer Res; 71(15); 5154–63. ©2011 AACR.