bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of isoflurane anesthesia on hyperpolarized 13C metabolic measurements in rat brain
Authors: Josan Sonal , Hurd Ralph , Billingsley Kelvin , Senadheera Lasitha , Park Jae Mo , Yen Yi‐Fen , Pfefferbaum Adolf , Spielman Daniel , Mayer Dirk
Published: October 2012

Purpose

Commonly used anesthetic agents such as isoflurane are known to be potent cerebral vasodilators, with reported dose‐dependent increase in cerebral blood flow and cerebral blood volume. Despite the widespread use of isoflurane in hyperpolarized 13C preclinical research studies, a quantitative assessment of its effect on metabolic measurements is limited. This work investigates the effect of isoflurane anesthesia dose on hyperpolarized 13C MR metabolic measurements in rat brain for [1‐13C]pyruvate and 2‐keto[1‐13C]isocaproate.

Methods

Dynamic 2D and 3D spiral chemical shift imaging was used to acquire metabolic images of rat brain as well as kidney and liver following bolus injections of hyperpolarized [1‐13C]pyruvate or 2‐keto[1‐13C]isocaproate. The impact of a “low dose” vs. a “high dose” of isoflurane on cerebral metabolite levels and apparent conversion rates was examined.

Results

The cerebral substrate signal levels, and hence the metabolite‐to‐substrate ratios and apparent conversion rates, were found to depend markedly on isoflurane dose, while signal levels of metabolic products and their ratios, e.g. bicarbonate/lactate, were largely insensitive to isoflurane levels. No obvious dependence on isoflurane was observed in kidney or liver for pyruvate.

Conclusion

This study highlights the importance of careful attention to the effects of anesthesia on the metabolic measures for hyperpolarized 13C metabolic imaging in brain. Magn Reson Med, 70:1117–1124, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effectiveness and safety of antiplatelet therapy in stroke recurrence prevention in patients with liver cirrhosis: a 2‐year follow‐up study
Authors: Chen Chung‐Yu , Lee Kun‐Tai , Lee Charles Tzu‐Chi , Lai Wen‐Ter , Huang Yaw‐Bin
Published: October 2012

Background

Data are limited on antiplatelet therapy for ischemic stroke prevention in liver cirrhosis patients.

Methods

This retrospective study identified cases of liver cirrhosis from the National Health Insurance Research Database. Antiplatelet therapy was administered for 2 years to patients who had experienced a first ischemic stroke between 1997 and 2006. Primary outcomes, including death and readmission to hospital for stroke, and secondary outcomes, including death, stroke, or gastrointestinal bleeding, were examined.

Results

One thousand one hundred eighty patients experienced a first stroke. According to time‐dependent analysis, the hazard ratio for primary outcomes in patients treated with aspirin was 0.915 (95%CI: 0.872–0.960). In secondary outcomes, hazard ratio for readmission for stroke was 0.904 (95%CI: 0.836–0.978) and that for gastrointestinal bleeding was 0.998 (95%CI: 0.946–1.052) in patients treated with aspirin. Subgroup analysis showed that aspirin was more effective in patients with non‐alcoholic cirrhosis than in those with other types of liver cirrhosis. Moreover, hyperlipidemia and statins may have decreased the efficacy of antiplatelet therapy in cirrhosis patients.

Conclusions

This study includes the largest sample for evaluating outcomes of antiplatelet therapy in liver cirrhosis patients for preventing recurrent stroke. The study results show that antiplatelet therapy still offers safe and effective treatment for ischemic stroke prevention in patients with cirrhosis. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Differentiating normal and disordered personality using the General Assessment of Personality Disorder (GAPD)
Authors: Hentschel Annett G. , John Livesley W.
Published: October 2012

Criteria to differentiate personality disorder from extremes of normal personality variations are important given growing interest in dimensional classification because an extreme level of a personality dimension does not necessarily indicate disorder. The DSM‐5 proposed classification of personality disorder offers a definition of general personality disorder based on chronic interpersonal and self/identity pathology. The ability of this approach to differentiate personality disorder from other mental disorders was evaluated using a self‐report questionnaire, the General Assessment of Personality Disorder (GAPD). This measure was administered to a sample of psychiatric patients (N = 149) from different clinical sub‐sites. Patients were divided into personality disordered and non‐personality disordered groups on the basis of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM‐IV Axis II Disorders (SCID‐II). The results showed a hit rate of 82% correct identified patients and a good accuracy of the predicted model. There was a substantial agreement between SCID‐II interview and GAPD personality disorder diagnoses. The GAPD appears to predict personality disorder in general, which provides support of the DSM‐5 general diagnostic criteria of personality disorder. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ethynylene‐containing donor–acceptor alternating conjugated polymers: Synthesis and photovoltaic properties
Authors: Du Chun , Li Weiwei , Li Cuihong , Bo Zhishan
Published: October 2012

Four ethynylene‐containing donor‐acceptor alternating conjugated polymers P1–P4 with 2,5‐bis(dodecyloxy) substituted phenylene or carbazole as the donor unit and benzothiadiazole (BTZ) as the acceptor unit were synthesized and used as donor polymers in bulk heterojunction polymer solar cells. The optical, electrochemical, and photovoltaic properties of these four polymers with the ethylene unit located at different positions of the polymer chains were systematically investigated. Our results demonstrated that absorption spectra and the HOMO and LUMO energy levels of polymers could be tuned by varying the position of the ethynylene unit in the polymer chains. Photovoltaic devices based on polymer/PC71BM blend films spin coated from chloroform and dichlorobenzene solutions were investigated. For all four polymers, open circuit voltages (Voc) higher than 0.8 V were obtained. P4, with ethynylene unit between BTZ and thiophene, shows the best performance among these four polymers, with a Voc of 0.94 V, a Jsc of 4.2 mA/cm2, an FF of 0.40, and a PCE of 1.6%. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013
Synthesis and characterization of thieno[3,2‐b]thiophene‐isoindigo‐based copolymers as electron donor and hole transport materials for bulk‐heterojunction polymer solar cells
Authors: Xu Xiaofeng , Cai Ping , Lu Yong , Choon Ng Siu , Chen Junwu , Hu Xiao , Ong Beng S.
Published: October 2012

A novel class of thieno[3,2‐b]thiophene (TT) and isoindigo based copolymers were synthesized and evaluated as electron donor and hole transport materials in bulk‐heterojunction polymer solar cells (BHJ PSCs). These π‐conjugated donor‐acceptor polymers were derived from fused TT and isoindigo structures bridged by thiophene units. The band‐gaps and the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) levels of the polymers were tuned using different conjugating lengths of thiophene units on the main chains, providing band‐gaps from 1.55 to 1.91 eV and HOMO levels from −5.34 to −5.71 eV, respectively. The corresponding lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) levels were appropriately adjusted with the isoindigo units. Conventional BHJ PSCs (ITO/PEDOT:PSS/active layer/interlayer/Al) with an active layer composed of the polymer and PC71BM were fabricated for evaluation. Power conversion efficiency from a low of 1.25% to a high of 4.69% were achieved with the best performing device provided by the D−π−A polymer with a relatively board absorption spectrum, high absorption coefficient, and more uniform blend morphology. These results demonstrate the potential of this class of thieno[3,2‐b]thiophene‐isoindigo‐based polymers as efficient electron donor and hole transport polymers for BHJ PSCs. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013
A novel mechanism of ligand binding and release in the odorant binding protein 20 from the malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae
Authors: Ziemba Brian P. , Murphy Emma J. , Edlin Hannah T. , Jones David N. M.
Published: October 2012

Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes that transmit malaria are attracted to humans by the odor molecules that emanate from skin and sweat. Odorant binding proteins (OBPs) are the first component of the olfactory apparatus to interact with odorant molecules, and so present potential targets for preventing transmission of malaria by disrupting the normal olfactory responses of the insect. AgamOBP20 is one of a limited subset of OBPs that it is preferentially expressed in female mosquitoes and its expression is regulated by blood feeding and by the day/night light cycles that correlate with blood‐feeding behavior. Analysis of AgamOBP20 in solution reveals that the apo‐protein exhibits significant conformational heterogeneity but the binding of odorant molecules results in a significant conformational change, which is accompanied by a reduction in the conformational flexibility present in the protein. Crystal structures of the free and bound states reveal a novel pathway for entrance and exit of odorant molecules into the central‐binding pocket, and that the conformational changes associated with ligand binding are a result of rigid body domain motions in α‐helices 1, 4, and 5, which act as lids to the binding pocket. These structures provide new insights into the specific residues involved in the conformational adaptation to different odorants and have important implications in the selection and development of reagents targeted at disrupting normal OBP function.
The repelling effect of plant secondary metabolites on water voles, Arvicola amphibius
Authors: Fischer Daniela , Imholt Christian , Pelz Hans‐Joachim , Wink Michael , Prokop Andreas , Jacob Jens
Published: October 2012

BACKGROUND: Water voles (Arvicola amphibius Linnaeus 1758) are abundant in most parts of Germany and other European countries. They are known to cause serious damage in fruit and horticulture as well as in agriculture. Currently available repellents, scaring devices and household remedies are mostly inefficient. Tests were conducted to establish whether water voles can be repelled using plant secondary metabolites. These compounds are produced by many plant species as part of their defence against herbivores and pathogens.

RESULTS: In this study, 12 volatile substances were tested in T‐maze trials. The voles could choose between a test box including a test substance and a control box without odour. The extracts were considered to be repellent if the test box was avoided. Five potential repellents were identified: the essential oils of black pepper oil, Chinese geranium oil and onion, as well as the pure substances methyl nonyl ketone and n‐valeric acid. Application of a combination of black pepper oil, Chinese geranium oil and methyl nonyl ketone did not increase efficacy.

CONCLUSION: The identification of an effective water vole repellent could help to reduce damage to crops. It may also minimise the use of kill traps and of rodenticides, which will be of benefit for non‐target organisms. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Cross‐resistance relationships of the sulfoximine insecticide sulfoxaflor with neonicotinoids and other insecticides in the whiteflies Bemisia tabaci and Trialeurodes vaporariorum
Authors: Longhurst Christopher , Babcock Jonathan M , Denholm Ian , Gorman Kevin , Thomas James D , Sparks Thomas C
Published: October 2012

BACKGROUND

Insecticides are important tools for managing damaging insect pests. Compounds that are effective against pests such as the whiteflies Bemisia tabaci and Trialeurodes vaporariorum, which show resistance to a range of insecticidal modes of action (MOA), have particular value as components of resistance management programmes. The sulfoximine insecticides are chemically unique as the first to incorporate a sulfoximine functional group. Sulfoxaflor is the first sulfoximine compound under commercial development for the control of sap‐feeding insects. Its cross‐resistance relationships were investigated by comparing the responses of field‐collected strains with those of insecticide‐susceptible laboratory strains of B. tabaci and T. vaporariorum.

RESULTS

Sulfoxaflor exhibited very low (less than threefold) resistance ratios (RR) when tested against strains of B. tabaci that produced RR of up to 1000‐fold to imidacloprid and cross‐resistance to other neonicotinoid insecticides. Similarly, sulfoxaflor was not cross‐resistant in a strain of B. tabaci exhibiting resistance to a pyrethroid (deltamethrin) and an organophosphate (profenophos). No cross‐resistance was observed between sulfoxaflor and imidacloprid in T. vaporariorum. One population of the three field strains tested showed slightly reduced susceptibility to sufloxaflor with an RR of 4.17. By comparison, this same population exhibited an RR of more than 23.8‐fold for imidacloprid relative to the susceptible population.

CONCLUSION

In spite of sharing a target site with neonicotinoids (the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor), sulfoxaflor was largely unaffected by existing cases of neonicotinoid resistance in B. tabaci and T. vaporariorum. Neonicotinoid resistance mechanisms in these whitefly species are known to be primarily based on enhanced detoxification of insecticide. This lack of cross‐resistance indicates that sulfoxaflor is a valuable new tool for the management of sap‐feeding pests already resistant to established insecticide groups.© 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Spontaneous spin polarization and spin pumping effect on edges of graphene antidot lattices
Authors: Tada K. , Hashimoto T. , Haruyama J. , Yang H. , Chshiev M.
Published: October 2012

The zigzag‐type atomic structure at edges of graphenes theoretically produces flat energy band. Because electrons have infinite effective mass at the flat band, they localize at zigzag edges with high densities. The localized electron spins are spontaneously polarized due to mutual Coulomb interaction in spite of a material consisting of only carbon atom with sp2 bonds. However, in most experimental studies, spin polarization (such as ferromagnetism) has been observed in defect‐related carbon systems. Here, we fabricate honeycomb‐like arrays of low‐defect hexagonal antidots (nanopores) terminated by hydrogen atoms on graphenes. They are prepared by a non‐lithographic method using nanoporous alumina templates. We find large‐magnitude ferromagnetism arising from polarized electron spins localizing at the zigzag antidot edges. Moreover, weak hysteresis loop in magnetoresistance and also spin pumping effect are found for perpendicular and parallel magnetic fields applied to the few‐layer antidot lattices with larger inter‐antidot space. These promise to be a realization of rare‐element free magnets and also novel spintronic devices such as all‐carbon spin transistors.
Scanning probe electrospray ionization for ambient mass spectrometry
Authors: Otsuka Yoichi , Shide Sayuri , Naito Junpei , Kyogaku Masafumi , Hashimoto Hiroyuki , Arakawa Ryuichi
Published: October 2012

RATIONALE

Ambient sampling and ionization techniques have been attracting attention in imaging mass spectrometry because they offer the advantage of rapid testing. We have developed a method which exploits the fluid motion of charged solvents for both local sampling and ionization with a single vibrating capillary probe.

METHODS

The capillary probe was used to supply solvents in order to form a liquid bridge between the probe and a sample surface. A bias voltage was applied to the solvents to generate electrospray ionization (ESI). The probe was also vibrated by either an ultrasonic transducer fixed at the back of the sample (contact‐mode) or spontaneous vibration of probe itself (tapping‐mode). The ions generated by ESI were detected by a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer.

RESULTS

Sampling of the specimens at the liquid bridge and ESI of the dissolved solutions both occurred around the probe apex. The sampling and ionization co‐existed in contact‐mode, while they were explicitly separated in the tapping‐mode. The one‐dimensional mapping of solid samples such as protein films and tissue sections was demonstrated. The results indicated that there was little cross‐contamination during the operation.

CONCLUSIONS

The method, named scanning probe electrospray ionization (SPESI), promises to be a simple and unique approach toward direct sampling and ionization methodology. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Robot‐assisted hysterectomy vs total laparoscopic hysterectomy: a comparison of short‐term surgical outcomes
Authors: Göçmen Ahmet , Şanlıkan Fatih , Uçar Mustafa Gazi
Published: October 2012

Background

The objective of the study was to compare the short‐term outcomes of robot‐assisted hysterectomy with laparoscopic hysterectomy.

Methods

This study compared 60 patients who underwent robot‐assisted hysterectomy (RAH) with 60 patients who underwent laparoscopic hysterectomy (LH).

Results

The mean ages of the patients in the RAH and LH groups were 51.52 ± 6.97 and 50.68 ± 8.92 years, respectively. The mean operative times for the RAH and LH groups were 108.12 ± 34.65 and 90.67 ± 25.20 min, respectively (p = 0.002). None of the cases in the RAH group required conversion to laparotomy; the rate of conversion to open laparotomy in the LH group was 1.6%. The complication rate among patients who underwent RAH was 8.3% compared with 6.6% in the laparoscopic cohort.

Conclusions

Robot‐assisted hysterectomy is feasible and safe, resulting in similar surgical results when compared with traditional laparoscopic hysterectomy. It appears that, in the hands of a skilled laparoscopic surgeon, robot‐assisted hysterectomy is not superior to the laparoscopic approach. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A view of Systems Practice: Enabling quality in design
Authors: Dunford Charlotte N. , Yearworth Mike , York Darren M. , Godfrey Patrick
Published: October 2012

The purpose of the study was to gain a greater understanding of the use of Systems Practice among engineers working in the Rolls‐Royce Defence Sector at its Bristol site and develop hypotheses about its use. This study is part of a larger project to investigate and improve the use and embedding of Systems Practice among engineers at the site. The current situation was studied using a combination of grounded theory and system dynamics, supported by the use of a computer‐aided qualitative data analysis software (CAQDAS) package. The results from this work show that Systems Practice is valued as a way of enabling quality in design but engineers find it challenging to adopt because of (i) lack of stakeholder appreciation of its value, (ii) their lack of experience with Systems Engineering, and (iii) logistical issues with its application. This work will be followed by group model building sessions to further develop the findings by identifying interventions to create and assess improvement in Systems Practice, in particular finding errors earlier in the design lifecycle. ©2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Eng 16
Higher‐order asymptotics in finance
Authors: Chan N. H. , Yam S. C. P.
Published: October 2012

A primary motivation of higher‐order asymptotic statistical analysis is to improve the first‐order limiting result in accordance with the celebrated Central Limit Theorem in the sense that a better approximation with higher order accuracy can be attained. In this article, several important tools in asymptotic analysis for obtaining higher‐order approximations, including Edgeworth expansions, saddle‐point approximations and Laplace integral method, will be revisited together with an introduction of some of their applications in finance. A new result on bounds for the difference between American and European calls on small dividend paying stock is also provided.WIREs Comput Stat2012, 4:571–587. doi: 10.1002/wics.1234

This article is categorized under:

Applications of Computational Statistics > Computational Finance
Seeing beyond reading: a survey on visual text analytics
Authors: Alencar Aretha B. , de Oliveira Maria Cristina F. , Paulovich Fernando V.
Published: October 2012

We review recent visualization techniques aimed at supporting tasks that require the analysis of text documents, from approaches targeted at visually summarizing the relevant content of a single document to those aimed at assisting exploratory investigation of whole collections of documents.Techniques are organized considering their target input material—either single texts or collections of texts—and their focus, which may be at displaying content, emphasizing relevant relationships, highlighting the temporal evolution of a document or collection, or helping users to handle results from a query posed to a search engine.We describe the approaches adopted by distinct techniques and briefly review the strategies they employ to obtain meaningful text models, discuss how they extract the information required to produce representative visualizations, the tasks they intend to support and the interaction issues involved, and strengths and limitations. Finally, we show a summary of techniques, highlighting their goals and distinguishing characteristics. We also briefly discuss some open problems and research directions in the fields of visual text mining and text analytics. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

This article is categorized under:

Algorithmic Development > Text Mining

Technologies > Visualization
Hydrogen Bonding Network of 4‐Amidiniumpyridine Acetate and PtIIbis(triphenylphosphine) Complexes with 4‐Amidine­pyridine
Authors: Rigamonti Luca , Carlino Stefano , Castellano Carlo , Demartin Francesco , Pasini Alessandro
Published: October 2012

The X‐ray structures of 4‐amidiniumpyridine acetate, (1·H)AcO, and of cis‐[Pt(1)2(PPh3)2](NO3)2 (2), as well as their IR spectra, reveal intramolecular hydrogen bonding, which held together the cations and the anions. The IR spectroscopic data suggest that this may be so also in cis‐[PtCl(1)(PPh3)2](BF4) (3). In (1·H)AcO and in 2 extensive intermolecular hydrogen bonding networks span through the whole crystals.
Ca2Ga3MgN5 – A Highly Condensed Nitridogallate
Authors: Hintze Frauke , Schnick Wolfgang
Published: October 2012

The nitridogallate Ca2Ga3MgN5 was obtained from reaction of the elements in sodium flux with Na‐azide at 760 °C in weld shut niobium ampoules. Crystal structure solution and refinement was carried out on the basis of single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction data. Ca2Ga3MgN5 [space group C2/m (no. 12), a = 11.160(2), b = 3.2965(7), c = 8.006(2) Å, and β = 109.93(3)°, Z = 2] shows an anionic substructure made up of mixed (Mg/Ga)N4 tetrahedra, which are sharing both common vertices and edges building a three‐dimensional network. The crystal structure of Ca2Ga3MgN5 is related to known alkaline earth nitridosilicates (MII2Si5N8, MII = Sr, Ba), but is significantly higher condensed due to additional edge‐sharing in the anionic substructure.
Improvement in the Cleaning Performance Towards Protein Soils in Laundry Detergents by Protease Immobilization on the Silica Nanoparticles
Authors: Soleimani Majid , Khani Azam , Dalali Naser , Behbehani Gholamreza Rezaei
Published: October 2012

This work aimed to understand the effect of protease immobilization on silica nanoparticles and how such immobilization affects protease performance as catalysis for enhancing the removal of protein soils. Detergent products contain many components that may affect the free enzyme activity and stability. Various factors such as temperature, pH and humidity are know to affect enzyme activity and cleaning efficiency. Therefore, the effect of enzyme immobilization on the removal of protein based soil was investigated on cotton fabrics as the model soil. The effect of temperature and humidity on the stability of free and immobilized enzyme was compared. It was found that the immobilized enzyme increased cleaning efficiency toward protein soil removal on cotton fabrics, whereas the free enzyme imposed a small effect on the enzymatic activity towards the same soil substrates. In addition, the stability of the immobilized enzyme against temperature and humidity was much higher than its corresponding value by free enzyme.
Eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic (DHA) Acid Differentially Modulate Rat Neutrophil Function In Vitro
Authors: Paschoal V. A. , Vinolo M. A. R. , Crisma A. R. , Magdalon J. , Curi R.
Published: October 2012

Fish oils are used as therapeutic agents in chronic inflammatory diseases. The omega‐3 fatty acids (FA) found in these oils are mainly eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids. The anti‐inflammatory properties of fish oils are attributed to both omega‐3 fatty acids. However, it is unknown whether such effects are due to either EPA or DHA. In this study, the effects of EPA and DHA on rat neutrophil function in vitro were compared. Both EPA and DHA increased the production of H2O2 when cells were stimulated or not with lipopolysaccharides (LPS). However, EPA was more potent than DHA in triggering an increase in superoxide release by cells in the basal condition or when stimulated with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) or zymosan. Only DHA increased the phagocytic capacity and fungicidal activity of neutrophils. Both FA increased the release of tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) in nonstimulated cells, but only EPA increased the production of cytokine‐inducing neutrophil chemoattractant‐2 (CINC‐2) in the absence or presence of LPS, whereas production of interleukin‐1 beta (IL‐1β) was only increased by DHA in the presence of LPS. In addition, there was no alteration in the production of nitric oxide. In conclusion, we show herein that EPA and DHA can differently modulate aspects of the neutrophil response, which may be relevant for the development of therapies rich in one or other FA depending on the effect required.
Dietary Fat Composition Influences Tissue Lipid Profile and Gene Expression in Fischer‐344 Rats
Authors: Zhou Albert L. , Hintze Korry J. , Jimenez‐Flores Rafael , Ward Robert E.
Published: October 2012

The AIN‐76A diet causes fatty liver in rodents when fed for long periods of time. The aim of this study was to utilize fatty acid analysis and transcriptomics to investigate the effects of different fat sources in the AIN‐76A diet on tissue lipid profiles and gene expression in male, weanling Fischer‐344 rats. Animals were fed isocaloric diets that differed only in the fat source: (1) corn oil (CO) (2) anhydrous milk fat (AMF), and (3) AMF supplemented with 10 % phospholipids from the milk fat globule membrane (AMF‐MFGM). There were no differences in food intake, body weight, growth rate, or body fat composition among the groups, and the fatty acid compositions of red blood cells (RBC), plasma, muscle, and visceral adipose tissues reflected the dietary fat sources. Modifying the fat source resulted in 293 genes differentially regulated in skeletal muscle, 1,124 in adipose, and 831 in liver as determined by analysis of variance (ANOVA). Although tissue fatty acid profiles mostly reflected the diet, there were several quantitative differences in lipid classes in the liver and plasma. The AMF diet resulted in the highest level of hepatic triacylglycerols, but the lowest level in plasma. The CO diet resulted in significant accumulation of hepatic unesterified fatty acids and decreased DGAT expression and activity, a potential trigger for steatohepatitis. These results indicate that the fatty acid composition and presence of polar lipids in the AIN‐76A diets have significant effects on lipid partitioning, gene expression, and potentially the development of liver pathology.
The current status of an FDG-PET cancer screening program in Japan, based on a 4-year (2006–2009) nationwide survey
Authors: Minamimoto Ryogo , Senda Michio , Jinnouchi Seishi , Terauchi Takashi , Yoshida Tsuyoshi , Murano Takeshi , Fukuda Hiroshi , Iinuma Takeshi , Uno Kimiichi , Nishizawa Sadahiko , Tsukamoto Eriko , Iwata Hiroshi , Inoue Takeshi , Oguchi Kazuhiro , Nakashima Rumi , Inoue Tomio
Published: October 2012

Objective

The aim of this study was to survey the 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) cancer screening program conducted in Japan.

Methods

The “FDG-PET cancer screening program” included both FDG-PET and positron emission tomography with computed tomography (PET/CT) with or without other combined screening tests that were performed for cancer screening in asymptomatic subjects. A total of 155,456 subjects who underwent the FDG-PET cancer screening program during 2006–2009 were analyzed.

Results

Of the 155,456 subjects, positive findings suggesting possible cancer were noted in 16,955 (10.9 %). The number of cases with detected cancer was 1,912 (1.23 % of the total screened cases, annual range 1.14–1.30 %). Of the 1,912 cases of detected cancer, positive findings on FDG-PET were present in 1,491 cases (0.96 % of the total number of screened cases). According to the results of further examinations, the true positive rate for subjects with suggested possible cancer (positive predictive value) was 32.3 % with FDG-PET. Cancers of the colon/rectum, thyroid, lung, and breast were most frequently found (396, 353, 319, and 163 cases, respectively) with high PET sensitivity (85.9, 90.7, 86.8, 84.0 %, respectively). Prostate cancer and gastric cancer (165 and 124 cases, respectively) had low PET sensitivity (37.0 and 37.9 %, respectively). The Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) clinical stage of cancer found with the FDG-PET cancer screening program was mainly Stage I.

Conclusions

The FDG-PET screening program in Japan has detected a variety of cancers at an early stage. However, several cancers were found in repeated FDG-PET cancer screening program, indicating the limitation of a one-time FDG-PET cancer screening program. The value of the FDG-PET cancer screening program is left to the judgment of individuals with regard to its potentials and limitations.
The Contribution of Smoking to Black-White Differences in U.S. Mortality
Authors: Ho Jessica Y. , Elo Irma T.
Published: October 2012

Smoking has significantly impacted American mortality and remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality. No previous study has systematically examined the contribution of smoking-attributable deaths to mortality trends among blacks or to black-white mortality differences at older ages over time in the United States. In this article, we employ multiple methods and data sources to provide a comprehensive assessment of this contribution. We find that smoking has contributed to the black-white gap in life expectancy at age 50 for males, accounting for 20 % to 48 % of the gap between 1980 and 2005, but not for females. The fraction of deaths attributable to smoking at ages above 50 is greater for black males than for white males; and among men, current smoking status explains about 20 % of the black excess relative risk in all-cause mortality at ages above 50 without adjustment for socioeconomic characteristics. These findings advance our understanding of the contribution of smoking to contemporary mortality trends and differences and reinforce the need for interventions that better address the needs of all groups.
Full-Dimensionality of Relating in Romantic Relationships
Authors: Miron Anca M. , Rauscher Frances H. , Reyes Alexandra , Gavel David , Lechner Kourtney K.
Published: October 2012

We propose that an orientation toward relating to one's romantic partner via multiple sensory channels has beneficial effects for the relationship, especially for long-distance relationships. We used Wicklund's (2004) conceptualisation of full-dimensionality of relating and Brehm's (1999) emotional intensity theory to test the effects of a sensory multidimensional orientation and difficulty of maintaining the romantic relationship on feelings of love and commitment. In Study 1, we tested 55 participants involved in a long-distance romantic relationship and found that a multidimensional orientation fended off the detrimental effects of difficulty of maintaining the relationship: when partners experienced high difficulty, those with a high orientation experienced more positive affect, love, and commitment than those with a low orientation. In Study 2, data from 31 long-distance and 23 geographically-close participants indicated that a high multidimensionality orientation had a greater positive impact in long-distance relationships than in geographically-close relationships. In Study 3, 40 long-distance participants were asked to write about two times when it was either difficult but possible or nearly impossible to maintain their current relationship. Positive affect for the partner, love, and desire to be with the partner in the future were highest for the participants in the possible condition who preferred relating to the partner on multiple sensory channels. Altogether, these studies underline the importance of multidimensional orientation in romantic relationships, especially when intimates perceive maintaining the relationship as being difficult but manageable. Theoretical and practical implications of this new concept of sensory multidimensionality orientation are discussed.
The effects of a lutein-based supplement on objective and subjective measures of retinal and visual function in eyes with age-related maculopathy – a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Berrow Emma J. , Bartlett Hannah E. , Eperjesi Frank , Gibson Jonathan M.
Published: October 2012

Lutein and zeaxanthin are lipid-soluble antioxidants found within the macula region of the retina. Links have been suggested between increased levels of these carotenoids and reduced risk for age-related macular disease (ARMD). Therefore, the effect of lutein-based supplementation on retinal and visual function in people with early stages of ARMD (age-related maculopathy, ARM) was assessed using multi-focal electroretinography (mfERG), contrast sensitivity and distance visual acuity. A total of fourteen participants were randomly allocated to either receive a lutein-based oral supplement (treated group) or no supplement (non-treated group). There were eight participants aged between 56 and 81 years (65·50 (sd 9·27) years) in the treated group and six participants aged between 61 and 83 years (69·67 (sd 7·52) years) in the non-treated group. Sample sizes provided 80 % power at the 5 % significance level. Participants attended for three visits (0, 20 and 40 weeks). At 60 weeks, the treated group attended a fourth visit following 20 weeks of supplement withdrawal. No changes were seen between the treated and non-treated groups during supplementation. Although not clinically significant, mfERG ring 3 N2 latency (P= 0·041) and ring 4 P1 latency (P= 0·016) increased, and a trend for reduction of mfERG amplitudes was observed in rings 1, 3 and 4 on supplement withdrawal. The statistically significant increase in mfERG latencies and the trend for reduced mfERG amplitudes on withdrawal are encouraging and may suggest a potentially beneficial effect of lutein-based supplementation in ARM-affected eyes.
Small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses: a rare case
Authors: Tang I P , Singh S , Krishnan G , Looi L M
Published: October 2012

Objective:

We report a rare case of small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses with intracranial extension, and discuss the management of this rare tumour.

Results:

Small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma involving the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses with intracranial extension may be treated successfully with surgery alone, without development of local recurrence.

Conclusion:

Small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma is a locally aggressive tumour with a high rate of recurrence. Early and aggressive surgical excision with or without radiotherapy or chemotherapy can improve a patient's outcome and prognosis. Regular follow up is needed to detect any local or distant recurrence.
The Waxing and Waning of the Acehnese Diaspora's Long-distance Politics
Authors: MISSBACH ANTJE
Published: October 2012

This paper sheds light on the long-distance politics of a small and rather young diaspora—the Acehnese overseas—which proved to be very influential on homeland politics despite its relatively small size, especially with regard to the separatist conflict in Aceh, Indonesia. Special attention is therefore given to the close connections between the politicized migrant population overseas and their involvement back home. Born out of the suffering of people in Aceh and in Malaysia—the main destiny for refugees—the Acehnese overseas started to organize informal associations and networks to foster mutual support. During the almost 30-year-long conflict, material, financial, and other forms of support were directed not only to members of the diaspora, but also to people in Aceh, as well as the separatists, which enabled them to continue their struggle for Aceh's independence from Indonesia. Unlike larger conflict-generated diasporas that can afford to send home large sums of money, the Acehnese diaspora's greatest strength was the ideological and moral support they provided to people back in Aceh. The evolution of the diaspora and its activities were closely linked to developments in the homeland. By emphasizing the dependence of diasporas on homeland developments, which dictates the level of their political engagement, this paper draws attention to the diaspora's support for both the perpetuation of conflictandconflict resolution. After the end of the conflict in 2005, the diaspora lost its prominent role, and became involved in rudimentary forms of long-distance engagement.
A sliding-mode controller for dual-user teleoperation with unknown constant time delays
Authors: Shahbazi Mahya , Atashzar S. Farokh , Talebi H. A. , Towhidkhah F. , Yazdanpanah M. J.
Published: October 2012

In this paper, a control methodology is proposed for dual-user teleoperation system in the presence of unknown constant communication time delay. To satisfy dual-user system-desired objectives, three impedance characteristics are defined as the desired closed-loop system. In order to satisfy the desired impedance characteristics, a sliding-mode-based impedance controller is applied. The proposed controller affords unknown communication delay, an issue that is disregarded in the previous studies performed on dual-user systems. The nonlinear gain of the controller is achieved independent of time delay caused by communication channels. Therefore, the necessity of measurement or estimation of the time delay is relaxed. In addition, the stability analysis is presented for the closed-loop system using the passivity theory. The validity of the proposed controller scheme is demonstrated via experimental results performed on a dual-user system in the presence of unknown communication delay. In addition, due to lack of availability of forces corresponding to the operators’ hand that are required in the proposed controller, a Kalman Filter-based Force Observer (KFFO) is proposed.
Julius Caesar Scaliger on Plants, Species, and the Ordained Power of God
Authors: Blank Andreas
Published: October 2012

Argument

The sixteenth-century physician and philosopher Julius Caesar Scaliger suggests that in particular cases plants can come into being that belong to a plant species that did not exist before. At the same time, he holds that God could not have created a more perfect world. However, does the occurrence of new species not imply that the world was not the best possible world from the beginning? In this article, I explore a set of metaphysical ideas that could provide Scaliger with the means of solving this problem: (1) His version of the notion of a plurality of substantial forms in every living being, and (2) his version of the notion of the ordained divine power. As it turns out, Scaliger analyzes the generation of new species in terms of a development of subordinate substantial forms into dominant substantial forms. Thereby, previously existing essences of plant parts become essences of plants. These plants, thus, possess essences that no previously existing plant possessed and, in this sense, belong to a new species. In this way, Scaliger avoids positing the occurrence of new essences, thus saving the best possible world thesis. Moreover, he believes that all substantial forms stand in a relationship of mutual existential dependence by means of which God safeguards the persistence and unity of the world. This is why the agency of subordinate forms turned dominant can be understood as an expression of the ordained power of God.
Science Inside Law: The Making of a New Patent Class in the International Patent Classification
Authors: Kang Hyo Yoon
Published: October 2012

Argument

Recent studies of patents have argued that the very materiality and techniques of legal media, such as the written patent document, are vital for the legal construction of a patentable invention. Developing the centrality placed on patent documents further, it becomes important to understand how these documents are ordered and mobilized. Patent classification answers the necessity of making the virtual nature of textual claims practicable by linking written inscription to bureaucracy. Here, the epistemological organization of documents overlaps with the grid of patent administration. How are scientific inventions represented in such a process? If we examine the process of creating a new patent category within the International Patent Classification (IPC), it becomes clear that disagreements about the substance of the novel inventive subject matter have been resolved by computer simulations of patent documents in draft classifications. The practical needs of patent examiners were the most important concerns in the making of a new category. Such a lack of epistemological mediation between the scientific and legal identities of an invention depicts a legal understanding that science is already inside patent law. From an internal legal perspective, the self-referential introduction of the new patent category may make practical sense; however it becomes problematic from a technological and scientific standpoint as the remit of the patent classification also affects other social contexts and practices.
Postglacial sedimentary and geomorphological evolution of a small sub-Antarctic fjord landscape, Stromness Bay, South Georgia
Authors: Van Der Putten Nathalie , Verbruggen Cyriel , Alexanderson Helena , Björck Svante , Van De Vijver Bart
Published: October 2012

A detailed stratigraphical, palaeoecological and geomorphological reconstruction of a fjord head on South Georgia (Husvik, Stromness Bay) is presented. Six sites were chosen to reconstruct the lithostratigraphy of the area by means of coring. A maximum depth of 11 m was attained and the sediments encountered vary from coarse gravel over sands to fine silts with, in some cases, intercalated peat layers. Diatom analysis allowed determination of whether the sedimentological units were deposited in a marine or freshwater environment. Six radiocarbon dates constrain the chronology. Deglaciation of the area was completed in the early Holocene and the postglacial geomorphological evolution of Husdal (unofficial name) was controlled by fluvio-deltaic deposition and sea level changes. Relative sea level rise was faster than, or kept pace with the isostatic rebound of the land. Our results challenge the presence of Late Glacial and Holocene raised beach deposits in the area as reported in earlier geomorphological studies.
Absence of the coronary sinus with coronary venous drainage into the main pulmonary artery
Authors: Ogawa Kiyoshi , Hishitani Takashi , Hoshino Kenji
Published: October 2012

We describe the case of a 9-year-old girl demonstrating isolated absence of the coronary sinus with abnormal coronary venous drainage into the main pulmonary artery. Coronary angiography showed normal coronary arterial trees and contrast medium from both coronary arteries drained into the main pulmonary artery via an abnormal cardiac vein on the anterior wall of the right ventricle.
Dissecting the Effects of Disease and Treatment on Impulsivity in Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Simioni Alison C. , Dagher Alain , Fellows Lesley K.
Published: October 2012

Converging evidence, including observations in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), suggests that dopamine plays a role in impulsivity. This multi-faceted construct includes considerations of both time and risk; determining how these more specific processes are affected by PD and dopaminergic treatment can inform neurobiological models. We examined the effects of PD and its treatment on temporal discounting and risky decision-making in a cohort of 23 mild-moderate PD patients and 20 healthy participants. Patients completed the Balloon Analogue Risk Task and a temporal discounting paradigm both on and off their usual dopamine replacement therapy. PD patients did not differ from controls in their initial risk-taking on the Balloon Analogue Risk Task, but took progressively more risks across trials when on medication. A subset of patients and controls was tested again, 1.5–3 years later, to explore the effects of disease progression. On follow-up, baseline risk-taking diminished in patients, but the tendency to take increasing risks across trials persisted. Neither disease progression nor its treatment affected the temporal discounting rate. These findings suggest a different neural basis for temporal discounting and risk-taking, and demonstrate that risk-taking can be further decomposed into initial and trial-by-trial effects, with dopamine affecting only the latter. (JINS, 2012, 18, 1–10)
Minor millets in Tamil Nadu, India: local market participation, on-farm diversity and farmer welfare
Authors: Takeshima Hiroyuki , Nagarajan Latha
Published: October 2012

Although farmer market participation raises income, it often also reduces on-farm varietal diversity. However, for under-utilized crops like minor millets, market participation may actually encourage growers to increase on-farm diversity through better access to new varieties exchanged at local markets and higher returns from varieties already grown. We test this hypothesis in two different agro-ecological niches, the Plains and the Hills in southern India. Empirical results based on propensity score matching indicate that, in the less fertile dryland plains, market participation improved on-farm varietal diversity of minor millets and increased net revenues – albeit with insignificant welfare effects on farm households. On the other hand, in the fertile hill ecosystems, market development had no effect on varietal diversity. Insights from such a comparison could help design suitable policy interventions for on-farm conservation of under-utilized crops in their own agro-ecosystems through active stakeholder participation.