bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oxymatrine inhibits collagen synthesis in keloid fibroblasts via inhibition of transforming growth factor‐β1/Smad signaling pathway
Authors: Fan Dong‐Liang , Zhao Wei‐Jin , Wang Yu‐Xin , Han Si‐Yuan , Guo Shu
Published: March 2012

Background  Keloids are benign dermal tumors characterized by fibroblastic proliferation and excessive accumulation of collagen. Oxymatrine (OMT) is an alkaloid extracted from the Chinese herb Sophora japonica with capacities of anti‐fibrosis.

Objective  To evaluate the effects of OMT on collagen production and to explore its mechanisms.

Methods  OMT was applied to human keloid fibroblasts in vitro. Collagen, transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1, TGF‐β receptor, and Smads were analyzed by Western Blot, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and immunofluorescence.

Results  We found that both collagen synthesis and Smad3 production were significantly suppressed in a dose‐dependent administration of OMT. However, expression of TGF‐β1, TGF‐β receptor1, TGF‐β receptor2, Smad4, and Smad7 was unchanged. We also found that OMT reversed phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of Smad3 induced by TGF‐β1.

Conclusions  OMT inhibited collagen synthesis, which might be associated with TGF‐β/Smad signaling pathway. These findings suggest that OMT may be a promising candidate to prevent keloid and other fibrotic diseases.
Asian consensus report on functional dyspepsia: Necessary and ready?
Authors: Wu Justin C Y
Published: March 2012

See article in J. Gastroenterol. Hepatol. 2012; 27: 626–641.
Successful hemostasis by embolization in a case of uncontrollable arterial bleeding following posterior tension‐free vaginal mesh procedure puncture
Authors: Hongoh Sachiko , Miyakita Hideshi , Terachi Toshiro , Iwata Yoshirou
Published: March 2012

An 82‐year‐old woman presented to our hospital in April 2009 complaining of sensations of a descending bladder and residual urine, and frequent urination. She had given birth to two children. She had undergone simple total hysterectomy for uterine myoma at another hospital in 1974 and anterior colporrhaphy for anterior vaginal wall prolapse, also at another hospital, in 2008. On presentation, examination with the pelvic organ prolapse quantitative system revealed a stage‐III cuff scar prolapse and cystocele. A cystogram revealed a cystocele. We report here a tension‐free vaginal mesh (TVM) procedure and the development of arterial bleeding following the third puncture for posterior TVM, which could not be controlled through the operative field but was successfully stopped by embolization.
Gender‐specific or Common Classroom Norms? Examining the Contextual Moderators of the Risk for Victimization
Authors: Isaacs Jenny , Voeten Marinus , Salmivalli Christina
Published: March 2012

We tested whether gender‐specific vs. common classroom norms were more powerful moderators of the association between a risk factor (rejection) and peer victimization among girls and boys. The participants were 1220 elementary schoolchildren from grades 4–6 (with 10–13 years of age). We compared different multilevel models including combined vs. separate regressions for boys and girls, as well as the effects of norms of the whole class, same‐sex classmates, and cross‐sex classmates. Among girls, the association between rejection and victimization was strongest in classes where bullying behavior was common, and anti‐bullying attitudes were rare among girls. Among boys, the strength of the slope of victimization on rejection could not be explained by either common or gender‐specific classroom norms, but boys' level of bullying behavior was related to overall classroom level of victimization. The findings suggest that contextual factors may contribute to victimization especially among high‐risk girls. The importance of exploring multiple levels of influence on children's social development is discussed.
Factors associated with a strictly undetectable viral load in HIV‐1‐infected patients
Authors: Martin‐Blondel G , Sauné K , Vu Hai V , Marchou B , Delobel P , Izopet J , Cuzin L , Massip P
Published: March 2012

Objectives

The aim of the study was to identify factors associated with a strictly undetectable viral load (VL) using a routine sensitive real‐time polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) technology.

Methods

From a large prospective cohort, 1392 patients with a VL < 50 HIV‐1 RNA copies/mL while receiving a three‐drug suppressive regimen for at least 1 year were included in a cross‐sectional analysis. Patients were classified into three groups and compared by univariate and multivariate analysis: 479 patients with a strictly undetectable VL (group 1; 34%), 617 patients with detectable VL below the threshold of 20 copies/mL (group 2; 44%), and 296 patients with a VL of 20–50 copies/mL (group 3; 12%).

Results

Comparing groups 1 and 2, VL zenith < 5 log10 copies/mL [odds ratio (OR) 1.51; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.15–1.99; P = 0.003], current CD4 T‐cell count < 500 cells/μL (OR 1.44; 95% CI 1.08–1.92; P = 0.01), and duration of viral suppression < 50 copies/mL longer than 2 years (OR 2.32; 95% CI 1.20–4.54; P = 0.01) were associated with undetectable VL. Comparing groups 1 and 3, VL zenith < 5 log10 copies/mL (OR 2.48; 95% CI 1.75–3.50; P < 0.001), duration of viral suppression < 50 copies/mL longer than 1 year (OR 3.33; 95% CI 1.66–6.66; P = 0.0006), and nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI)‐based regimens (OR 1.45; 95% CI 1.03–2.04; P = 0.03) were associated with undetectable VL. No individual drug effect was found within NNRTI molecules.

Conclusions

Longer duration of viral suppression < 50 copies/mL, lower viral load zenith and NNRTI‐based regimen were independently associated with a strictly undetectable viral load. This routinely used RT‐PCR assay may prove to be a valuable tool in further large‐scale studies.
Does Circular Migration Lead to “Guest Worker” Outcomes?
Authors: Doomernik Jeroen
Published: March 2012

At first at the level of the European Commission, and increasingly also in the European Union’s member states, it is being recognized that past labour migration management tools have more or less serious drawbacks in that they produce undesired outcomes and do not sufficiently attain the objectives for which they were designed. The welfare states of north‐western Europe are discovering that their desire of the past three decades to restrict labour immigration as much as possible is no longer “in sync” with changing labour market demands, which are growing both for the highly skilled and the unskilled. In order to satisfy the demand for unskilled labour, schemes are being proposed that would allow for circular migration. The European Commission is a forceful promoter of these schemes. Member states such as the Netherlands, which we take as a case in point, are also considering modes by which to allow temporary unskilled labour migration, but seem intent on employing regulatory tools that are not very different from those used in the “guest worker” era, which brought about large‐scale settlement. Up to the present time, the resulting ethnic minority groups are the subject of large integration efforts on the part of the receiving states. This begs the question of the extent to which “circular migration” would be different from “guest worker” schemes, in its management and its outcomes.
Granulomatous slack skin disease: a review, in comparison with mycosis fungoides
Authors: Shah A. , Safaya A.
Published: March 2012

Granulomatous slack skin (GSS) is a rare cutaneous disorder characterized by the evolution of circumscribed erythematous loose skin masses, especially in the body folds, and histologically by a loss of elastic fibers and granulomatous T‐cell infiltrates. This disease is often associated with preceding or successive lymphoproliferative malignancies, especially Mycosis Fungoides (MF) and Hodgkin’s Disease (HD). Whether Granulomatous Slack Skin Disease is a benign disorder, an unusual host reaction or a precursor of malignant lymphoma or an indolent Cutaneous T‐cell Lymphoma (CTCL) in itself, is still a controversy. This article reviews its literature on the etiology, clinical findings, and treatment of Granulomatous Slack Skin Disease. It also concentrates on its association with Hodgkin’s disease and its comparison with Mycosis Fungoides and Sezary Syndrome.
Use of Data on Avian Demographics and Site Persistence during Overwintering to Assess Quality of Restored Riparian Habitat
Authors: LATTA STEVEN C. , HOWELL CHRISTINE A. , DETTLING MARK D. , CORMIER RENÉE L.
Published: March 2012

Abstract:  Monitoring responses by birds to restoration of riparian vegetation is relatively cost‐effective, but in most assessments species‐specific abundances, not demography, are monitored. Data on birds collected during the nonbreeding season are particularly lacking. We captured birds in mist nets and resighted banded birds to estimate species richness and diversity, abundance, demographic indexes, and site‐level persistence of permanent‐resident and overwintering migrants in remnant and restored riparian sites in California. Species richness in riparian remnants was significantly higher than in restored sites because abundances of uncommon permanent residents were greater in remnants. Species richness of overwintering migrants did not differ between remnants and restored sites. Responses among overwintering migrants (but not permanent residents) to remnant and restored riparian sites differed. Capture rates were higher in remnant or restored riparian sites for 7 of 10 overwintering migratory species. For Lincoln's Sparrows (Melospiza lincolnii) and White‐crowned Sparrows (Zonotrichia leucophrys) proportions of older birds were significantly higher in remnants, even though capture rates of these species were higher in restored sites. Overwinter persistence of 4 migrant species was significantly higher in remnant than in restored sites. A higher proportion of Hermit Thrushes (Catharus guttatus, 56.3%), older Fox Sparrows (Passerella iliaca, 57.1%), Lincoln's Sparrows (59.7%), and White‐crowned Sparrows (67.8%) persisted in remnants than restored sites. Our results suggest restored riparian sites provide habitat for a wide variety of species in comparable abundances and diversity as occurs in remnant riparian sites. Our demographic and persistence data showed that remnants supported some species and age classes to a greater extent than restored sites.
The Incumbent Spending Puzzle*
Authors: Magee Christopher S. P.
Published: March 2012

Objective

This article seeks to explain the puzzle of why incumbents spend so much on campaigns despite most research finding that their spending has almost no effect on voters.

Methods

The article uses ordinary least squares, instrumental variables, and fixed‐effects regression to estimate the impact of incumbent spending on election outcomes. The estimation includes an interaction term between incumbent and challenger spending to allow the effect of incumbent spending to depend on the level of challenger spending.

Results

The estimation provides strong evidence that spending by the incumbent has a larger positive impact on votes received the more money the challenger spends.

Conclusion

Campaign spending by incumbents is most valuable in the races where the incumbent faces a serious challenge. Raising large sums of money to be used in close races is thus a rational choice by incumbents.
Environmental Concern in Cross‐National Perspective: The Effects of Affluence, Environmental Degradation, and World Society*
Authors: Knight Kyle W. , Messer Benjamin L.
Published: March 2012

Objective

This study assesses competing macro‐level explanations of national‐level environmental concern. Drawing on previous research, we test the effects of national affluence, environmental degradation, and world society integration on various dimensions of environmental concern.

Method

We utilize factor analysis to separate distinct dimensions of concern. Then, we estimate bivariate correlations using data from the latest (fifth) wave of the World Values Survey (WVS) and a multivariate panel regression model using data from four WVS waves (1990–2008).

Results

Bivariate correlations reveal inconsistent relationships across the various dimensions of environmental concern. The panel analysis suggests that environmental degradation is positively associated with environmental concern expressed as willingness to pay higher taxes, affluence is either negatively or not associated, and international nongovernmental organizations are not significantly associated.

Conclusion

Environmental conditions significantly influence levels of environmental concern around the world. It should not be assumed that affluence is the determining factor in global environmental concern.
The Role of Media System Development in the Emergence of Postmaterialist Values and Environmental Concern: A Cross‐National Analysis*
Authors: Ahern Lee
Published: March 2012

Important theories related to the social development of environmental concern and attitudes ascribe different roles to the media. Inglehart's materialist–postmaterialist value shift thesis sees the development of a more advance media system as promoting pro‐environmental values. Gerbner's cultivation theory, on the other hand, sees the media as promoting consumerist tendencies, which run counter to environmental concern. This study examines the effect of media system development on postmaterialist values and environmental concern at the national and individual levels. Controlling for other factors known to impact the emergence of environmental concern, the overall effect of media system development is largely negative. However, this result should be considered in light of interactions within and among other key variables. Hierarchical linear modeling is employed to examine the impact of media system development on environmental concern considering individual‐ and country‐level predictors. Results indicate media system development uniquely explains a small but significant amount of variation in individual‐level environmental concern. Findings are discussed in the theoretical context of country‐level predictors of environmental concern.
Dynamic Ca2+ Signal Modalities in the Vascular Endothelium
Authors: TAYLOR MARK S. , FRANCIS MICHAEL , QIAN XUN , SOLODUSHKO VIKTORIYA
Published: March 2012

Please cite this paper as: Taylor MS, Francis M, Qian X, Solodushko V. Dynamic Ca2+ signal modalities in the vascular endothelium. Microcirculation 19: 423–429, 2012.

The endothelium is vital to normal vasoregulation. Although acute vasodilation associated with broad endothelial Ca2+ elevation is well known, the control and targeting of Ca2+‐dependent signals in the endothelium are poorly understood. Recent studies have revealed localized IP3‐motivated Ca2+ events occurring basally along the intima that may provide the fundamental basis for various endothelial influences. Here, we provide an overview of dynamic endothelial Ca2+ signals and discuss the potential role of these signals in constant endothelial control of arterial tone and the titration of functional responses in vivo. In particular, we focus on the functional architecture contributing to the properties and ultimate impact of these signals, and explore new avenues in evaluating their prevalence and specific modalities in intact tissue. Finally, we discuss spatial and temporal effector recruitment through modification of these inherent signals. It is suggested that endothelial Ca2+ signaling is a continuum in which the specific framework of store‐release components and cellular targets along the endothelium allows for differential modes of Ca2+ signal expansion and distinctive profiles of effector recruitment. The precise composition and distribution of these inherent components may underlie dynamic endothelial control and specialized functions of different vascular beds.
Apocrine adenomyoepithelioma – a rare but distinctive primary sweat gland neoplasm
Authors: Sabater Marco Vicente
Published: March 2012

Adenomyoepithelioma is a rare, microscopically distinctive tumor of the skin. This article explores an example that presented in the inguinal area in a 29‐year‐old woman, mimicking adenopathy. Histopathologically, the tumor included two different areas: a cystic area consisting of tubules and glands in hyalinized stroma and a solid area showing marked myoepithelial proliferation. The diagnosis of adenomyoepithelioma was confirmed by the presence of a biphasic immunoprofile, with expression of cytokeratins and epithelial membrane antigen in the glandular epithelium and with expression of vimentin and smooth muscle actin in the myoepithelial cells. An interesting novel finding was the expression of claudin‐10 by myoepithelial cells, which to date has not been reported in the literature. The absence of metaplastic changes in the tumor stroma is crucial in the differential diagnosis with apocrine mixed tumor. Given that soft tissue adenomyoepithelioma is a benign tumor believed to originate from conventional sweat glands, its classification as a cutaneous myoepithelial neoplasm seems reasonable.
Studying spatial interactions between sympatric populations of large herbivores: a null model approach
Authors: Richard Emmanuelle , Calenge Clément , Saïd Sonia , Hamann Jean‐Luc , Gaillard Jean‐Michel
Published: March 2012

Sympatric populations of species with similar ecology are limited by competition for available resources. While quantifying niche overlap between species in interaction offers a useful description of coexistence patterns, the lack of correspondence between niche overlap and competition prevents any functional interpretation. Using an innovative approach for analysing spatial distributions of individuals from two sympatric species, we aim to fill the gap. We applied our models to data collected on sympatric females of roe deer and red deer. Using the null model approach commonly applied in community ecology, we tested in a first model for deviation from a random distribution of female roe deer in relation to female red deer. We took into account constraints generated by both the marked sedentary habits and habitat use (avoidance of mature forest) of roe deer in this null model. In a second null model, we removed the habitat constraints to avoid any lack of power of our tests. We then compared the overlap index calculated from roe deer and red deer locations with the distribution expected under each of these null models. As we failed to reject the null model in both cases, we tested a third null model simulating an identical distribution of roe deer and red deer home ranges and we rejected it. Our results show that the distribution of female roe deer does not depend on the distribution of female red deer, indicating an absence of competitive interactions between the deer species. This conclusion relies on the application of the null model approach, which provides a suitable way of performing a formal test of interspecific competition rooted in explicitly defined hypotheses, and could not have been reached using simple overlap indices as generally performed when assessing competitive interactions. We thus encourage scientists to apply this null model analysis to population ecology.
NF‐κB regulation: lessons from structures
Authors: Ghosh Gourisankar , Wang Vivien Ya‐Fan , Huang De‐Bin , Fusco Amanda
Published: March 2012

Summary:  The signaling module that specifies nuclear factor‐κΒ (NF‐κB) activation is a three‐component system: NF‐κB, inhibitor of NF‐κΒ (IκΒ), and IκΒ kinase complex (IKK). IKK receives upstream signals from the surface or inside the cell and converts itself into a catalytically active form, leading to the destruction of IκB in the inhibited IκB:NF‐κB complex, leaving active NF‐κB free to regulate target genes. Hidden within this simple module are family members that all can undergo various modifications resulting in expansion of functional spectrum. Three‐dimensional structures representing all three components are now available. These structures have allowed us to interpret cellular observations in molecular terms and at the same time helped us to bring forward new concepts focused towards understanding the specificity in the NF‐κB activation pathway.
NF‐κB and chromatin: ten years on the path from basic mechanisms to candidate drugs
Authors: Natoli Gioacchino
Published: March 2012

Summary:  Release of nuclear factor κΒ (NF‐κB) dimers from the inhibitors of NF‐κΒ (IκBs) and their subsequent nuclear translocation are only the initial events leading to the induction of NF‐κB‐regulated genes. Once in the nucleus, NF‐κB dimers must gain access to their cognate sites in target genes. While some sites are found in a constitutively accessible state, many others are associated with nucleosomal histones in a manner that prevents NF‐κB binding. Binding to such sites requires specific chromatin remodeling events driven by functionally cooperating transcription factors. Ten years of research on the complex interplay between chromatin and NF‐κB led to some major successes, most notably the identification of the specific sequence features or trans‐acting factors controlling the state of accessibility of κB sites, as well as the dissection of the mechanisms and players involved in the opening of occluded sites. Moreover, attempts at identifying mechanism‐based compounds that inhibit the activation of selected subsets of NF‐κB‐dependent genes acting on chromatin‐regulated transitions are starting to give initial promising results in preclinical tests.
An NCME Instructional Module on Population Invariance in Linking and Equating
Authors: Huggins Anne C. , Penfield Randall D.
Published: March 2012

A goal for any linking or equating of two or more tests is that the linking function be invariant to the population used in conducting the linking or equating. Violations of population invariance in linking and equating jeopardize the fairness and validity of test scores, and pose particular problems for test‐based accountability programs that require schools, districts, and states to report annual progress on academic indicators disaggregated by demographic group membership. This instructional module provides a comprehensive overview of population invariance in linking and equating and the relevant methodology developed for evaluating violations of invariance. A numeric example is used to illustrate the comparative properties of available methods, and important considerations for evaluating population invariance in linking and equating are presented.
Islamic Law, Women's Rights, and Popular Legal Consciousness in Malaysia
Authors: Moustafa Tamir
Published: March 2012

Drawing on original survey research, this study examines how lay Muslims in Malaysia understand foundational concepts in Islamic law. The survey finds a substantial disjuncture between popular legal consciousness and core epistemological commitments in Islamic legal theory. In its classic form, Islamic legal theory was marked by its commitment to pluralism and the centrality of human agency in Islamic jurisprudence. Yet in contemporary Malaysia, lay Muslims tend to understand Islamic law as being purely divine, with a single “correct” answer to any given question. The practical implications of these findings are demonstrated through examples of efforts by women's rights activists to reform family law provisions in Malaysia. The examples illustrate how popular misconceptions of Islamic law hinder the efforts of those working to reform family law codes while strengthening the hand of conservative actors wishing to maintain the status quo.
Identification of parvovirus in the bone marrow of eight cats
Authors: Haynes SM , Holloway SA
Published: March 2012

Objective  To determine if canine parvovirus (CPV) or feline panleucopenia virus (FPV) genomic sequences are present in adult feline bone marrow samples.

Design  Bone marrow samples were obtained from 32 semi‐feral cats that were euthanased at an animal shelter. DNA was extracted and subjected to conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) designed to determine if CPV or FPV DNA was present. Positive PCR products were purified, cloned and sequenced to differentiate between CPV and FPV.

Results  Eight of the bone marrow samples contained parvoviral DNA (7 CPV, 1 FPV).

Conclusion  CPV and FPV DNA can be found in the bone marrow of healthy adult cats.
Implications from large‐scale spatial diversity patterns of saproxylic beetles for the conservation of European Beech forests
Authors: MÜLLER JÖRG , BRUNET JÖRG , BRIN ANTOINE , BOUGET CHRISTOPHE , BRUSTEL HERVE , BUSSLER HEINZ , FÖRSTER BERNHARD , ISACSSON GUNNAR , KÖHLER FRANK , LACHAT THIBAULT , GOSSNER MARTIN M.
Published: March 2012

Abstract.  1. European Beech (Fagus sylvatica) is the natural dominant tree species in many forests across Europe. Despite Europe’s global responsibility for these forests, the correct conservation strategies are still a matter of debate. In particular, it remains controversial whether high conservation efforts should be directed towards beech forests, owing to the small number of insects that are Fagus specialists, and at what spatial scale conservation should take place.

2. To provide evidence for this discussion, we compiled saproxylic beetle data from 1115 flight‐interception traps in eight countries and addressed two main questions: (i) what percentage of central European species can be expected in beech‐dominated forests? and (ii) which are the important spatial scales for the conservation of biodiversity in beech‐dominated forests?

3. We included six spatial scales in our analysis: among traps, forest stands, forest sites, low/high elevations, oligo/eutrophic soils, and European bioregions.

4. By extrapolating species numbers, we showed that 70% of the central European saproxylic beetle species can be expected in beech‐dominated forests. Multiplicative β‐diversity partitioning revealed the forest site level as the most important diversity scale for species richness, particularly for red‐listed and rare species, followed by elevation and bioregion.

5. We conclude that beech‐dominated forests form a useful umbrella for the high species diversity of central European saproxylic beetles. Conservation activities, such as protecting areas or increasing dead wood, should be undertaken in as many forest sites as possible, at different elevations, and in different bioregions. For this, the Natura 2000 net may provide the most useful template.
Comparing Different Visuo-Haptic Environments for Virtual Prototyping Applications
Authors: Bruno Fabio , Angilica Agostino , Cosco Francesco , Barbieri Loris , Muzzupappa Maurizio
Published: March 2012

The use of haptic devices in Virtual Reality applications makes the interaction with the digital objects easier, by involving the sense of touch in the simulation. The most widespread devices are stylus-based, so the user interacts with the virtual world via either a tool or a stylus. These kinds of devices have been effectively used in several virtual prototyping applications, in order to allow the users to easily interact with the digital model of a product. Among the several open issues related to these applications, there is the choice of the set-up and of the techniques adopted to combine the visual and the haptic stimuli. This paper presents the comparison of three different solutions specifically studied for virtual prototyping applications and in particular for usability assessment. The first is a simple desktop configuration where the user looks at a screen, and visual and haptic stimuli are presented in a de-located manner. The second is a HMD based set-up where the user has a more natural first-person immersive interaction. The third requires a video-see-trough HMD in order to augment the virtual scene with the visualization of the real user’s hand. The test realized with the users on these three different setups have been finalized to study the effect of two different factors that are crucial for the effectiveness and the user-friendliness of the interaction. One is the perception of the visual and haptic stimuli in a collocated manner; the other is the visualization of his/her own hand during the interaction with the virtual product.
Collaborative Mixed-Reality Environment to Support the Industrial Product Development
Authors: Caruso Giandomenico , Polistina Samuele , Bordegoni Monica
Published: March 2012

The paper describes a collaborative Mixed-Reality (MR) environment to support the product design assessment. In particular, we have developed a collaborative platform that enables us to improve the design and the evaluation of cars interior. The platform consists of two different systems: the 3D Haptic Modeler (3DHM) and the Mixed Reality Seating Buck (MRSB). The 3DHM is a workbench that allows us to modify the 3D model of a car dashboard by using a haptic device, while the MRSB is a configurable structure that enables us to simulate different driving seats. The two systems allow the collaboration among designers, engineers and end users in order to get, as final result, a concept design of the product that satisfies both design constraints and end users’ preferences. The usability of our collaborative MR environment has been evaluated by means of some testing sessions, based on two different case studies, with the involvement of users.
Optical-Mechanical Motion Capture System for Virtual Reality Applications
Authors: Zaldivar-Colado Ulises , Zaldivar-Colado Xiomara , Marmolejo-Rivas Claudia , Murillo-Campos Diego , Leo´n-Sa´nchez Carlos , Bernal-Guadiana Roberto , Martinez-Tirado Carolina
Published: March 2012

Actually, virtual reality is introduced in so many areas, such as medicine, automotive industry, robotics, entertainment, etc. A common interest of these areas is related with the user interaction, or with devices allowing users to interact with virtual reality. In this work we present the development of a prototype to capture the user’s fingers motion, obtaining the flexion angles of the fingers and representing them in a virtual assembly environment. The developed prototype is composed by a mechanical system which transmits the generated flexion movements of the medial and proximal phalanges. The movement is transmitted using a nylon cable, which is captured by the use of a webcam. The offset of the cable is measured, and this permits to obtain the angular variation of the generated flexion by the phalanges. The Lucas-Kanade algorithm is used to follow, in a high velocity, the cable displacement. Experimental results showed that angular resolution is very high and angular capture-rate is over 30fps. We present an implementation of our prototype in a virtual assembly environment.
Data-Driven Computation of Contact Dynamics During Two-Point Manipulation of Deformable Objects
Authors: Abdelrahman Wael , Nahavandi Saeid , Creighton Douglas , Harders Matthias
Published: March 2012

This study represents a preliminary step towards data-driven computation of contact dynamics during manipulation of deformable objects at two points of contact. A modeling approach is proposed that characterizes the individual interaction at both points and the mutual effects of the two interactions on each other via a set of parameters. Both global as well as local coordinate systems are tested for encoding the contact mechanics. Artificial neural networks are trained on simulated data to capture the object behavior. A comparison of test data with the output of the trained system reveals a mean squared error percentage between 1% and 3% for simple interactions.
A Conceptual Framework to Support Natural Interaction for Virtual Assembly Tasks
Authors: Vance Judy M. , Dumont Georges
Published: March 2012

Over the years, various approaches have been investigated to support natural human interaction with CAD models in an immersive virtual environment. The motivation for this avenue of research stems from the desire to provide a method where users can manipulate and assemble digital product models as if they were manipulating actual models. The ultimate goal is to produce an immersive environment where design and manufacturing decisions which involve human interaction can be made using only digital CAD models, thus avoiding the need to create costly preproduction physical prototypes. This paper presents a framework to approach the development of virtual assembly applications. The framework is based on a Two Phase model where the assembly task is divided into a free movement phase and a fine positioning phase. Each phase can be implemented using independent techniques; however, the algorithms needed to interface between the two techniques are critical to the success of the method. The paper presents a summary of three virtual assembly techniques and places them within the framework of the Two Phase model. Finally, the conclusions call for the continued development of a testbed to compare virtual assembly methods.
Wind Field Simulation for Placement of Small Scale Wind Turbines on a College Campus
Authors: Lu Lu , Wang Xiuling , Zhou Chenn Q. , Kothakapu Spoorthi , Moreland John
Published: March 2012

As part of ongoing activities in wind energy education, Purdue University Calumet will be installing a Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT) on the roof of an academic campus building. While several potential sites have been identified as feasible, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation has been coupled with virtual reality to assist in assessing the optimal location for the turbine. Using measured data, a wind field was developed taking into account flow distribution around relevant campus buildings. Visualization methods were then used to show wind flow combined with geometric models of buildings and trees on campus. Factors used for the final decision include sustained wind speeds, turbulent flows, and aesthetic look at various roof-top locations.
Externally triggered on-demand drug release and deep tumor penetration
Authors: Deok Kong Seong , Zhang Weizhou , Hee Lee Jun , Choi Chulmin , Khamwannah Jirapon , Karin Michael , Jin Sungho
Published: March 2012

Hollow-sphere-shaped nanocapsules containing intentionally inserted magnetic nanoparticles and predefined anticancer drugs provide a powerful magnetic vector under moderate gradient magnetic fields. They enable the nanocapsules to penetrate into the tumors and allow a controlled on-off switchable release of the anticancer drug cargo inside the tunors by remotely applied RF magnetic field. This smart drug delivery system, which can also be made imageable, is compact in geometry because the drug molecules and magnetic nanoparticles can all be self-contained within ∼150 nm capsules. In vitro results indicate that the nanocapsules are effective in reducing tumor cell growth.
CT, MR, and ultrasound image artifacts from prostate brachytherapy seed implants: The impact of seed size
Authors: Robertson Andrew K. H. , Basran Parminder S. , Thomas Steven D. , Wells Derek
Published: March 2012

Purpose:

To investigate the effects of brachytherapy seed size on the quality of x‐ray computed tomography (CT), ultrasound (US), and magnetic resonance (MR) images and seed localization through comparison of the 6711 and 9011125I sources.

Methods:

For CT images, an acrylic phantom mimicking a clinical implantation plan and embedded with low contrast regions of interest (ROIs) was designed for both the 0.774 mm diameter 6711 (standard) and the 0.508 mm diameter 9011 (thin) seed models (Oncura, Inc., and GE Healthcare, Arlington Heights, IL). Image quality metrics were assessed using the standard deviation of ROIs between the seeds and the contrast to noise ratio (CNR) within the low contrast ROIs. For US images, water phantoms with both single and multiseed arrangements were constructed for both seed sizes. For MR images, both seeds were implanted into a porcine gel and imaged with pelvic imaging protocols. The standard deviation of ROIs and CNR values were used as metrics of artifact quantification. Seed localization within the CT images was assessed using the automated seed finder in a commercial brachytherapy treatment planning system. The number of erroneous seed placements and the average and maximum error in seed placements were recorded as metrics of the localization accuracy.

Results:

With the thin seeds, CT image noise was reduced from 48.5 ± 0.2 to 32.0 ± 0.2 HU and CNR improved by a median value of 74% when compared with the standard seeds. Ultrasound image noise was measured at 50.3 ± 17.1 dB for the thin seed images and 50.0 ± 19.8 dB for the standard seed images, and artifacts directly behind the seeds were smaller and less prominent with the thin seed model. For MR images, CNR of the standard seeds reduced on average 17% when using the thin seeds for all different imaging sequences and seed orientations, but these differences are not appreciable. Automated seed localization required an average (±SD) of 7.0 ± 3.5 manual corrections in seed positions for the thin seed scans and 3.0 ± 1.2 manual corrections in seed positions for the standard seed scans. The average error in seed placement was 1.2 mm for both seed types and the maximum error in seed placement was 2.1 mm for the thin seed scans and 1.8 mm for the standard seed scans.

Conclusions:

The 9011 thin seeds yielded significantly improved image quality for CT and US images but no significant differences in MR image quality.
Twin Peaks
Authors: Mashour George A.
Published: March 2012

Genetic factors regulate the brain’s high-frequency gamma waves, which are disrupted in schizophrenia.
A Painful Question of Metabolism
Authors: Skarke Carsten
Published: March 2012

Metabolomics analysis implicates altered sphingolipids in chronic neuropathic pain.
PCR Detection of Babesia ovata from Cattle Reared in Japan and Clinical Significance of Coinfection with Theileria orientalis
Authors: Sivakumar Thillaiampalam , Tagawa Michihito , Yoshinari Takeshi , Ybañez Adrian P. , Igarashi Ikuo , Ikehara Yuzuru , Hata Hiroshi , Kondo Seiji , Matsumoto Kotaro , Inokuma Hisashi , Yokoyama Naoaki
Published: March 2012

We describe here the clinical significance of coinfection with
Theileria orientalis
and
Babesia ovata
in cattle. Anemia status in a herd of dairy cattle in Japan was investigated in relation to infection with these parasites. Our findings indicate that while
B. ovata
infection might not be the primary cause of anemia in the cattle, it may contribute to the clinical development of anemia in animals coinfected with both
B. ovata
and
T. orientalis
.
Effect of Glacial Acetic Acid Treatment of Liquid-Based Cytology Collections on Performance of Cervista HPV HR for Detection of High-Risk Human Papillomavirus
Authors: Munson Erik , Du Chateau Brian K. , Nelson Bridget E. , Griep Judith , Czarnecka Jolanta , Amrhein Robert D. , Schroeder Elizabeth R.
Published: March 2012

Inadequate cervical cytological analysis can be facilitated by glacial acetic acid (GAA) treatment of primary liquid-based collections to remove mucus, erythrocytes, inflammatory cells, and cellular debris. In the context of a commercial human papillomavirus (HPV) hybridization assay performed on 465 tandem specimens with and without GAA treatment, we show that GAA treatment significantly reduces genomic DNA content (
P
< 0.0001) and creates an increased potential for indeterminate and false-negative results. In the context of cytological workflow, laboratories should consider providing a specimen aliquot for HPV DNA detection prior to GAA treatment.
The Mycovirus CHV1 Disrupts Secretion of a Developmentally Regulated Protein in Cryphonectria parasitica
Authors: Kazmierczak Pam , McCabe Patricia , Turina Massimo , Jacob-Wilk Debora , Van Alfen Neal K.
Published: March 2012

Infection of the chestnut blight fungus
Cryphonectria parasitica
with
Cryphonectria hypovirus 1
(CHV1) causes disruption of virulence, pigmentation, and sporulation. Transcriptional downregulation of key developmentally regulated fungal genes occurs during infection, but vegetative growth is unaffected. Previous studies showed that CHV1 utilizes
trans
-Golgi network (TGN) secretory vesicles for replication. In this study, the fungal cell surface hydrophobin cryparin was chosen as a marker to follow secretion in virally infected and noninfected strains. Subcellular fractionation, cryparin-green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusion, and Western blot studies confirmed that vesicles containing cryparin copurify with the same fractions previously shown to contain elements of the viral replication complex and the TGN resident endoprotease Kex2. This vesicle fraction accumulated to a much greater concentration in the CHV1-infected strains than in noninfected strains. Pulse-chase analysis showed that the rates and amount of cryparin being secreted by the CHV1 containing strains was much lower than in noninfected strains, and the dwell time of cryparin within the cell after labeling was significantly greater in the CHV1-infected strains than in the noninfected ones. These results suggest that the virus perturbs a specific late TGN secretory pathway resulting in buildup of a key protein important for fungal development.
HIV-1 and HIV-2 Reverse Transcriptases: Different Mechanisms of Resistance to Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors
Authors: Boyer Paul L. , Clark Patrick K. , Hughes Stephen H.
Published: March 2012

As anti-HIV therapy becomes more widely available in developing nations, it is clear that drug resistance will continue to be a major problem. The related viruses HIV-1 and HIV-2 share many of the same resistance pathways to nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). However, clinical data suggest that while HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) usually uses an ATP-dependent excision pathway to develop resistance to the nucleoside analog zidovudine (AZT), HIV-2 RT does not appear to use this pathway. We previously described data that suggested that wild-type (WT) HIV-2 RT has a much lower ability to excise AZT monophosphate (AZTMP) than does WT HIV-1 RT and suggested that this is the reason that HIV-2 RT more readily adopts an exclusion pathway against AZT triphosphate (AZTTP), while HIV-1 RT is better able to exploit the ATP-dependent pyrophosphorolysis mechanism. However, we have now done additional experiments, which show that while HIV-1 RT can adopt either an exclusion- or excision-based resistance mechanism against AZT, HIV-2 RT can use only the exclusion mechanism. All of our attempts to make HIV-2 RT excision competent did not produce an AZT-resistant RT but instead yielded RTs that were less able to polymerize than the WT. This suggests that the exclusion pathway is the only pathway available to HIV-2.
Recombinant Monoclonal Antibody Recognizes a Unique Epitope on Varicella-Zoster Virus Immediate-Early 63 Protein
Authors: Mueller Niklaus H. , Bos Nathan L. , Seitz Scott , Wellish Mary , Mahalingam Ravi , Gilden Don , Cohrs Randall J.
Published: March 2012

We previously constructed a recombinant monoclonal antibody (rec-MAb 63P4) that detects immediate-early protein IE63 encoded by varicella-zoster virus (VZV) in the cytoplasm of productively infected cells. Here, we used ORF63 truncation mutants to map the rec-MAb 63P4 binding epitope to amino acids 141 to 150 of VZV IE63, a region not shared with other widely used anti-IE63 antibodies, and found that the recombinant antibody does not bind to the simian IE63 counterpart.
Identification of I137M and Other Mutations That Modulate Incubation Periods for Two Human Prion Strains
Authors: Giles Kurt , De Nicola Gian Felice , Patel Smita , Glidden David V. , Korth Carsten , Oehler Abby , DeArmond Stephen J. , Prusiner Stanley B.
Published: March 2012

We report here the transmission of human prions to 18 new transgenic (Tg) mouse lines expressing 8 unique chimeric human/mouse prion proteins (PrP). Extracts from brains of two patients, who died of sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (sCJD), contained either sCJD(MM1) or sCJD(VV2) prion strains and were used for inocula. Mice expressing chimeric PrP showed a direct correlation between expression level and incubation period for sCJD(MM1) prions irrespective of whether the transgene encoded methionine (M) or valine (V) at polymorphic residue 129. Tg mice expressing chimeric transgenes encoding V129 were unexpectedly resistant to infection with sCJD(VV2) prions, and when transmission did occur, it was accompanied by a change in strain type. The transmission of sCJD(MM1) prions was modulated by single amino acid reversions of each human PrP residue in the chimeric sequence. Reverting human residue 137 in the chimeric transgene from I to M prolonged the incubation time for sCJD(MM1) prions by more than 100 days; structural analyses suggest a profound change in the orientation of amino acid side chains with the I→M mutation. These findings argue that changing the surface charge in this region of PrP greatly altered the interaction between PrP isoforms during prion replication. Our studies contend that strain-specified replication of prions is modulated by PrP sequence-specific interactions between the prion precursor PrP
C
and the infectious product PrP
Sc
.
Increased Protection from Vaccinia Virus Infection in Mice Genetically Prone to Lymphoproliferative Disorders
Authors: Seedhom Mina O. , Mathurin Keisha S. , Kim Sung-Kwon , Welsh Raymond M.
Published: March 2012

Mutations in the genes that encode Fas or Fas ligand (FasL) can result in poor restraints on lymphocyte activation and in increased susceptibility to autoimmune disorders. Because these mutations portend a continuously activated immune state, we hypothesized that they might in some cases confer resistance to infection. To examine this possibility, the immune response to, morbidity caused by, and clearance of vaccinia virus (VACV) Western Reserve was examined in 5- to 7-week-old Fas mutant (lpr) mice, before an overt lymphoproliferative disorder was observable. On day 6 after VACV infection, C57BL/6-lpr(B6-lpr) mice had decreased morbidity, decreased viral titers, and an increased percentage and number of CD4+and CD8+T cells. As early as day 2 after infection, B6-lprmice had decreased liver and spleen viral titers and increased numbers of and increased gamma interferon (IFN-γ) production by several different effector cell populations. Depletion of individual effector cell subsets did not inhibit the resistance of B6-lprmice. Uninfected B6-lprmice also had increased numbers of NK cells, γδ+T cells, and CD44+CD4+and CD44+CD8+T cells compared to uninfected B6 mice. Antibody to IFN-γ resulted in increased virus load in both B6 and B6-lprmice and eliminated the differences in viral titers between them. These results suggest that IFN-γ produced by multiple activated leukocyte populations in Fas-deficient hosts enhances resistance to some viral infections.