bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
RAGE blockade and hepatic microcirculation in experimental endotoxaemic liver failure
Authors: Kuhla A , Norden J , Abshagen K , Menger M D , Vollmar B 
Published: June 2013

Abstract

Background
Activation of the receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (RAGE) causes sustained activation of multiple inflammatory pathways. Therefore, RAGE has potential as a new therapeutic target in sepsis. The aim of this study was to analyse whether RAGE blockade in vivo prevents microcirculatory dysfunction and subsequent tissue injury in endotoxaemic liver failure.

Methods
The hepatic microcirculation was analysed using intravital fluorescence microscopy in murine livers exposed to galactosamine/lipopolysaccharide (G/L) and treated with an anti-RAGE antibody (abRAGE) either 12 h before or 1 h after exposure to G/L. Blood and liver tissue samples were harvested for analysis of leucocyte tissue infiltration, apoptotic and necrotic damage as well as RAGE downstream pathway signalling.

Results
Sinusoidal perfusion failure in livers exposed to G/L was reduced significantly by both pretreatment and post-treatment with abRAGE. Hepatic inflammation induced by exposure to G/L was also attenuated by abRAGE administration, as shown by a 55 per cent reduction in sinusoidal leucocyte stasis, a 65 per cent decrease in venular leucocyte rolling and adhesion, and an 85 per cent reduction in leucocyte tissue infiltration. Treatment with abRAGE markedly reduced hepatocellular apoptosis and necrosis in livers exposed to G/L, and blunted the rise in plasma high-mobility group protein B1 levels. Finally, G/L-induced activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade was also reduced significantly by blockade of RAGE.

Conclusion
RAGE plays an important role in mediating endotoxaemic liver damage. RAGE blockade may have potential therapeutic value.
Unprotected carotid artery stenting in modern practice
Authors: Giri Jay , Yeh Robert W. , Kennedy Kevin F. , Hawkins Beau M. , Weinberg Ido , Weinberg Mitchell D. , Parikh Sahil A. , Garasic Joseph , Jaff Michael R. , White Christopher J. , Rosenfield Kenneth 
Published: June 2013

Background & PurposeEmbolic protection devices (EPD) may provide a mechanism to reduce peri‐procedural strokes. They are advocated by consensus guidelines and mandated for Medicare reimbursement. However, outcomes data remain mixed. We aimed to characterize the population of patients undergoing unprotected carotid artery stenting (CAS) and assess the utility of distal filter EPD (F‐EPD) in elective CAS.MethodsWe analyzed patients enrolled in the CARE Registry® undergoing CAS between May, 2005 and January, 2012. We assessed the relationship between distal F‐EPD use versus no use (No‐EPD) and the composite of in‐hospital death or stroke (MAE) in unadjusted and 1:3 propensity‐matched analyses.ResultsEmbolic protection was not attempted in a total of 579 out of 13,263 cases performed (4.4%). Patients in the No‐EPD group had worse preprocedure neurologic risk factors including higher rates of acute evolving stroke, prior TIA/stroke, symptomatic lesion status, spontaneous carotid artery dissection, and use of general anesthesia intraprocedurally (all Standardized Differences{sd} >10). After exclusion of nonelective cases there was no significant difference in MAE between the No‐EPD and F‐EPD groups (1.6% vs. 2.3%, sd = 4.72). Additionally, after propensity matching, rates of MAE did not differ between the No‐EPD (n = 355) and F‐EPD (n = 1065) groups (1.7% vs. 2.5%, sd = 5.87).ConclusionsPatients selected to undergo unprotected CAS in contemporary practice have high rates of adverse preprocedure neurologic risk factors. Our propensity‐matched analysis did not demonstrate evidence of significant benefit or harm associated with use of F‐EPD in elective CAS patients. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Enantioselective Syntheses of the Proposed Structures of Kopeolin and Kopeolone
Authors: Miquet Stéphanie , Vanthuyne Nicolas , Brémond Paul , Audran Gérard 
Published: June 2013

AbstractThe first total syntheses of the proposed structures of kopeolin (1) and kopeolone (3) have been achieved from a common enantiopure chiral building block obtained by a chemoenzymatic enantioconvergent methodology. The syntheses feature two key steps: a one‐pot reduction/diastereoselective protonation followed by a highly diastereoselective addition of an organocerate. The synthetic structures were fully characterized and all stereocenters were confirmed. The results show that the two previously reported structures were not assigned correctly, and suggest an initial structural misassignment during the isolation of the natural products. Thus, two revised structures, 1′ for kopeolin and 3′ for kopeolone, are proposed.
Effect of liquid level and agitator pumping direction on turbulent blend times
Authors: Myers Kevin J. , Jones Jeremy K. , Janz Eric E. , Fasano Julian B. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractWith the impeller placed low in the tank (C/T = 1/3), turbulent blend times produced by radial‐flow and down‐pumping axial‐flow impellers generally increase slowly with increasing liquid level in shorter batches (Z/T < 1), but increase dramatically in taller batches (Z/T > 1). The turbulent blend times produced by up‐pumping axial‐flow impellers increase slowly with increasing liquid level across the entire spectrum of liquid levels that were studied (up to Z/T = 1.75). This can lead to down‐pumping blend times that are twice as long as those with up‐pumping operation. These differences can be explained by differences in the velocity field in the agitated vessel. Further, the down‐pumping mode can produce blend times in tall tanks that are comparable to those of the up‐pumping mode if the down‐pumping impeller is placed high in the batch such that its discharge flow is directed into the bulk of the liquid.
An overview of the kinetics and catalysis of hydrogen storage on organic liquids
Authors: Sotoodeh Farnaz , Smith Kevin J. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractThe potential for chemical H2 storage on liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHCs) has focused attention on the catalytic reactions needed to store and release H2 from the LOHCs. Herein we review our recent studies on the use of N‐ethylcarbazole and carbazole as LOHCs. Experimental data show that the hydrogenation reactions are relatively facile, although N‐ethylcarbazole hydrogenates 10×'s faster than carbazole on a 5 wt% Ru/Al2O3 catalyst at 150°C. Dehydrogenation of dodecahydro‐N‐ethylcarbazole is more difficult than hydrogenation and is structure sensitive on Pd catalysts. Maximum activity and 100% selectivity to the completely dehydrogenated product, N‐ethylcarbazole, was achieved over a 4 wt% Pd/SiO2 catalyst with dPd ∼ 9 nm. The dehydrogenation TOF of dodecahydrocarbazole and dodecahydrofluorene were much lower than dodecahydro‐N‐ethylcarbazole. DFT was used to identify the dehydrogenation mechanism and explain the experimental observations. Both theoretical and experimental results lead to the conclusion that dodecahydro‐N‐ethylcarbazole is a better H2storage candidate than dodecahydrocarbazole.
Decision tree building on multi‐core using FastFlow
Authors: Aldinucci Marco , Ruggieri Salvatore , Torquati Massimo 
Published: June 2013

SUMMARYThe whole computer hardware industry embraced the multi‐core. The extreme optimisation of sequential algorithms is then no longer sufficient to squeeze the real machine power, which can be only exploited via thread‐level parallelism. Decision tree algorithms exhibit natural concurrency that makes them suitable to be parallelised. This paper presents an in‐depth study of the parallelisation of an implementation of the C4.5 algorithm for multi‐core architectures. We characterise elapsed time lower bounds for the forms of parallelisations adopted and achieve close to optimal performance. Our implementation is based on the FastFlow parallel programming environment, and it requires minimal changes to the original sequential code. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An iterative parameter estimation method for biological systems and its parallel implementation
Authors: Yang Xian , Guo Yike , Guo Li 
Published: June 2013

SUMMARYOne difficulty in building a mechanistic model of biological systems lies in determining correct parameter values. This paper proposes a novel parameter estimation method to infer unknown parameters, such as kinetic rates, from noisy experimental observations. Derived from the approximate Bayesian computation sequential Monte Carlo algorithm, our method predicts the distribution of each parameter rather than a single value via several intermediate distributions. Motivated by the computational intensity of the method, we improve the approximate Bayesian computation sequential Monte Carlo method in two aspects. First, to increase the efficiency, a windowing method is developed to reduce the parameter‐searching space, and an adaptive sampling weight mechanism is introduced to make the intermediate distributions converge to the target distributions in a much quicker manner. Second, to speed up the estimation process, we implement our method in a parallel computing environment to speed up the sampling process. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A highly sensitive and ultra low‐power forward body biasing circuit to overcome severe process, voltage and temperature variations and extreme voltage scaling
Authors: Radfar Mohsen , Shah Kriyang , Singh Jack 
Published: June 2013

SummaryDynamic voltage scaling is one of the most popular methods used to reduce energy consumption in today's digital electronic systems. However, addressing process, voltage and temperature variations at subthreshold voltages has become an inevitable procedure. Using a variation‐sensitive and ultra low‐power design, this paper proposed a novel technique capable of sensing and responding to process, voltage and temperature variations as well as dynamic voltage scaling by providing an appropriate forward body bias so that energy‐delay product of the whole system was improved. Theoretical analysis for process variation probability, confirmed by post‐layout HSPICE (Synopsys, Inc., Mountain View, CA) simulations for an 8‐bit pipelined Kogge–Stone adder, showed that the circuit performance was enhanced in severe variations and extreme voltage scaling situation. For this adder, for example, assuming a voltage scaling from 0.8 to 0.3 V and temperature changes of −15 to 75 °C, the proposed technique brought about a seven times less delay variation, whereas energy‐delay product improved by 23% compared with a zero body biased adder. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Double‐layer P2P networks supporting semantic search and keeping scalability
Authors: Liu Xianru , Wang Shiguo , Ji Hong 
Published: June 2013

SUMMARYIn peer‐to‐peer (P2P) networks, with the aim to support semantic search and keep scalability at the same time, a novel double‐layer P2P protocol is proposed. Firstly, keywords representing resource characteristics are compressed into bloom filters and structured P2P layer is constructed. Secondly, through analyzing one's bloom filters, each node extracts its interest, which is represented by a characteristic vector V. After obtaining common interest among nodes through comparing their Vs, a small‐world model is constructed, and another unstructured P2P layer is obtained. Consequently, on the basis of the decentralized architecture, a double‐layer semantic search P2P protocol is structured. When objective resource is being located, its similarity to local interest is used to determine whether it should be located in unstructured P2P semantic layer or structured layer adaptively, which not only improves search efficiency but also supports semantic location more widely. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Investigation of ‘equal displacement’ rule for bridges subjected to differential support motions
Authors: Konakli Katerina , Der Kiureghian Armen 
Published: June 2013

SUMMARYThe ‘equal displacement’ rule is employed in seismic design practice to predict inelastic displacements from analyses of the corresponding linear elastic structural models. The accuracy and limitations of this rule have been investigated for ordinary structures but not for bridges subjected to spatially varying ground motions. The present study investigates this rule for moderate levels of inelastic behavior for four highway bridges in California accounting for the effects of spatial variability of the support motions due to incoherence, wave passage and differential site response. The bridge models vary significantly as to their fundamental periods and their overall configurations. Statistical analyses of pier‐drift responses are performed using as input simulated arrays of nonstationary ground motions in accordance with prescribed coherency models. It is found that the ‘equal displacement’ rule is fairly accurate for cases when the fundamental period of the bridge is longer than the transition period between the acceleration‐controlled and velocity‐controlled ranges of the response spectrum. Otherwise, the rule is non‐conservative for cases with large ductility factors and conservative for cases with small ductility factors. Wave passage and incoherence tend to reduce ratios of mean peak inelastic to elastic pier drifts, whereas incorporation of the differential site‐response effect by locating piers on softer soils tends to increase the same ratios. Mild or moderate positive correlation between these ratios and ductility demands is observed in most cases. Effects of spatial variability are more pronounced for longer and stiffer bridges. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Interactive effects of pesticide mixtures, predators, and environmental regimes on the toxicity of two pesticides to red-eyed tree frog larvae
Authors: Johnson Laura A. , Welch Bill , Whitfield Steven M. 
Published: June 2013

Abstract

Global amphibian declines have many corroborative causes, and the use of pesticides in agriculture is a likely contributor. In places with high pesticide usage, such as Costa Rica, agrochemical pesticides may interact with other factors to contribute to rapid species losses. Classical ecotoxicological studies rarely address the effects of a pesticide in combination with other stressors. The present study investigated the synergistic roles of 2 pesticides (chlorothalonil and endosulfan), predator stress, and environmental regimes (controlled laboratory environments versus ambient conditions) on the survival of red-eyed tree frog larvae (Agalychnis callidryas). No synergistic effects of pesticide mixtures or predator stress were found on the toxicity of either chlorothalonil or endosulfan. Both pesticides, however, were considerably more toxic under realistic ambient temperature regimes than in a climate-controlled laboratory. Overall, endosulfan displayed the highest toxicity to tadpoles, although chlorothalonil was also highly toxic. The median lethal concentration estimated to kill 50% of a tested population (LC50) for endosulfan treatments under ambient temperatures was less than one-half of that for laboratory treatments (3.26 µg/L and 8.39 µg/L, respectively). Studies commonly performed in stable temperature-controlled laboratories may significantly underestimate toxicity compared with more realistic environmental regimes. Furthermore, global climatic changes are leading to warmer and more variable climates and may increase impacts of pesticides on amphibians. Environ Toxicol Chem 2013;32:2379–2386. © 2013 SETAC
Critical issues in using the common mixture toxicity models concentration addition or response addition on species sensitivity distributions: A theoretical approach
Authors: Gregorio Vincent , Chèvre Nathalie , Junghans Marion 
Published: June 2013

Abstract

The risk of chemical mixtures to ecosystems is often assessed by applying the model of concentration addition or response addition combined with species sensitivity distribution (SSD) curves. Mixture effect predictions have been shown to be consistent only when these models are applied for a single species, however, and not with several species simultaneously aggregated to SSDs. The more stringent procedure for mixture risk assessment would hence be to apply first the concentration addition or response addition models to each species separately and, in a second step, to combine the results to construct an SSD for a mixture. Unfortunately, this methodology is not applicable in most cases because the large data sets it requires are usually unavailable. Based on theoretical data sets generated, the authors aimed to characterize the difference that can exist between these 2 methodologies. Results show that the use of concentration addition on SSD directly may lead to underestimations of the mixture concentration affecting 5% or 50% of species, especially when substances present a large standard deviation in ecotoxicity data constructing their SSD. The application of response addition can lead to over- or underestimations, depending mainly on the slope of the dose–response curves of the individual species. When assessing the risk of mixtures, one must therefore keep in mind this source of error when applying concentration addition or response addition to SSDs directly. Environ Toxicol Chem 2013;32:2387–2395. © 2013 SETAC
How much does it hurt to be lonely? Mental and physical differences between older men and women in the KORA‐Age Study
Authors: Zebhauser A. , Hofmann‐Xu L. , Baumert J. , Häfner S. , Lacruz M. E. , Emeny R. T. , Döring A. , Grill E. , Huber D. , Peters A. , Ladwig K. H. 
Published: June 2013

ObjectiveLoneliness has a deep impact on quality of life in older people. Findings on sex‐specific differences on the experience of loneliness remain sparse. This study compared the intensity of and factors associated with loneliness between men and women.MethodsAnalyses are based on the 2008/2009 data of the KORA‐Age Study, comprising 4127 participants in the age range of 64–94 years. An age‐stratified random subsample of 1079 subjects participated in a face‐to‐face interview. Loneliness was measured by using a short German version of the UCLA‐Loneliness‐Scale (12 items, Likert scaled, ranging from 0 to 36 points). Multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted to analyze the associations of socio‐demographic, physical, and psychological factors with loneliness.ResultsThe mean level of loneliness did not significantly differ between men (17.0 ± 4.5) and women (17.5 ± 5.1). However, among the oldest old (≥85 years), loneliness was higher in women (p value = 0.047). Depression, low satisfaction with life, and low resilience were associated significantly with loneliness, which was more pronounced in men. Living alone was not associated with loneliness, whereas lower social network was associated with a three time higher risk for feeling lonely in both men and women.ConclusionsThe extent of loneliness was equally distributed between men and women, although women were more disadvantaged regarding living arrangements as well as physical and mental health. However, loneliness was stronger associated with adverse mental health conditions in men. These findings should be considered when developing intervention strategies to reduce loneliness. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modeling the 2012 Wharton basin earthquakes off‐Sumatra: Complete lithospheric failure
Authors: Wei Shengji , Helmberger Don , Avouac Jean‐Philippe 
Published: June 2013

AbstractA sequence of large strike‐slip earthquakes occurred west of Sunda Trench beneath the Wharton Basin. First reports indicate that the main shock was extremely complex, involving three to four subevents (Mw > 8) with a maze of aftershocks. We investigate slip models of the two largest earthquakes by joint inversion of regional and teleseismic waveform data. Using the Mw7.2 foreshock, we developed hybrid Green's Functions for the regional stations to approximate the mixture of oceanic and continental paths. The main shock fault geometry is defined based on the back projection results, point‐source mechanisms, aftershock distribution, and fine tune of grid searches. The fault system contains three faults, labeled F1 (89°/289° for dip/strike), F2 (74°/20°), and F3 (60°/310°). The inversion indicates that the main rupture consisted of a cascade of high‐stress drop asperities (up to 30 MPa), extending as deep as 50 km. The rupture propagated smoothly from one fault to the next (F1, F2, and F3 in sequence) with rupture velocities of 2.0–2.5 km/s. The whole process lasted about 200 s, and the major moment release (>70%) took place on the N‐S oriented F2. The Mw8.2 aftershock happened about 2 h later on a N‐S oriented fault with a relatively short duration (~60 s) and also ruptured as deep as 50 km. The slip distributions suggest that the earthquake sequence was part of a broad left‐lateral shear zone between the Australian and Indian plates and ruptured the whole lithosphere. These earthquakes apparently reactivated existing fracture zones and were probably triggered by unclamping of the great Sumatran earthquake of 2004.
Large‐scale influences on secondary eyewall size
Authors: Zhou Xiaqiong , Wang Bin 
Published: June 2013

AbstractSecondary eyewalls are frequently observed in intense tropical cyclones (TCs). The separation distance between the primary eyewall and the secondary eyewall can vary from 10 to more than 100 km. The size of the secondary eyewall is a key factor determining the horizontal scale of the destructive winds and heavy rainfall in these TCs. Previous work suggested that the internal dynamic and thermodynamic structure of the TC affects the radial location of secondary eyewall formation. The potential impact of the large‐scale environment is examined by using the National Centers for Environmental Prediction‐National Center for Atmospheric Research reanalysis and best track data sets in this study. It is found that large secondary eyewalls tend to form in weak storms at relatively high latitudes and in environments with high relative humidity, low sea‐level pressure, and high low‐level vorticity. The performance of a statistical‐dynamical model to predict the size of secondary eyewalls is evaluated, and the physical interpretation of the selected predictors is also provided.