bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Single‐Layer Centrifugation Reduces Equine Arteritis Virus Titre in the Semen of Shedding Stallions
Authors: Morrell JM , Timoney P , Klein C , Shuck K , Campos J , Troedsson M 
Published: November 2012

ContentsSeveral countries have adopted strategies for preventing and/or controlling equine viral arteritis based on vaccination and restricting the breeding activities of carrier stallions. However, in some cases, carrier stallions are only identified after they have transmitted virus to a mare. Therefore, a mechanism for separating virus from spermatozoa in the semen of carrier stallions would facilitate control measures for preventing disease transmission. In this study, the use of several modifications of single‐layer centrifugation (SLC, SLC with an inner tube and double SLC) through Androcoll‐E, a species‐specific colloid were evaluated for their ability to separate spermatozoa from virus in ejaculates from carrier stallions. The three types of SLC significantly reduced the virus titre in fresh semen at 0 h and in stored semen at 24 h (p < 0.001) but did not completely eliminate the virus. Sperm motility parameters such as total motility and progressive motility were significantly increased after colloid centrifugation, whereas curvilinear velocity and amplitude of lateral head deviation were decreased, and the remainder (straight line velocity, average path velocity, straightness, linearity, wobble and beat cross‐frequency) were not significantly affected by the processing. Although virus titres were reduced in the SLC samples, significant levels of infectivity still remained, especially in stallions shedding large amounts of virus. It remains to be determined whether SLC‐processed sperm samples from stallions shedding low virus titres retain sufficient equine arteritis virus to cause infection in mares through artificial insemination.
Efficient implementation of the 3D‐DDA ray traversal algorithm on GPU and its application in radiation dose calculation
Authors: Xiao Kai , Chen Danny Z. , Hu X. Sharon , Zhou Bo 
Published: November 2012

Purpose:The three‐dimensional digital differential analyzer (3D‐DDA) algorithm is a widely used ray traversal method, which is also at the core of many convolution/superposition (C/S) dose calculation approaches. However, porting existing C/S dose calculation methods onto graphics processing unit (GPU) has brought challenges to retaining the efficiency of this algorithm. In particular, straightforward implementation of the original 3D‐DDA algorithm inflicts a lot of branch divergence which conflicts with the GPU programming model and leads to suboptimal performance. In this paper, an efficient GPU implementation of the 3D‐DDA algorithm is proposed, which effectively reduces such branch divergence and improves performance of the C/S dose calculation programs running on GPU.Methods:The main idea of the proposed method is to convert a number of conditional statements in the original 3D‐DDA algorithm into a set of simple operations (e.g., arithmetic, comparison, and logic) which are better supported by the GPU architecture. To verify and demonstrate the performance improvement, this ray traversal method was integrated into a GPU‐based collapsed cone convolution/superposition (CCCS) dose calculation program.Results:The proposed method has been tested using a water phantom and various clinical cases on an NVIDIA GTX570 GPU. The CCCS dose calculation program based on the efficient 3D‐DDA ray traversal implementation runs 1.42 ∼ 2.67× faster than the one based on the original 3D‐DDA implementation, without losing any accuracy.Conclusions:The results show that the proposed method can effectively reduce branch divergence in the original 3D‐DDA ray traversal algorithm and improve the performance of the CCCS program running on GPU. Considering the wide utilization of the 3D‐DDA algorithm, various applications can benefit from this implementation method.
Enterococci in the Environment
Authors: Byappanahalli Muruleedhara N. , Nevers Meredith B. , Korajkic Asja , Staley Zachery R. , Harwood Valerie J. 
Published: November 2012

SUMMARY

Enterococci are common, commensal members of gut communities in mammals and birds, yet they are also opportunistic pathogens that cause millions of human and animal infections annually. Because they are shed in human and animal feces, are readily culturable, and predict human health risks from exposure to polluted recreational waters, they are used as surrogates for waterborne pathogens and as fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) in research and in water quality testing throughout the world. Evidence from several decades of research demonstrates, however, that enterococci may be present in high densities in the absence of obvious fecal sources and that environmental reservoirs of these FIB are important sources and sinks, with the potential to impact water quality. This review focuses on the distribution and microbial ecology of enterococci in environmental (secondary) habitats, including the effect of environmental stressors; an outline of their known and apparent sources, sinks, and fluxes; and an overview of the use of enterococci as FIB. Finally, the significance of emerging methodologies, such as microbial source tracking (MST) and empirical predictive models, as tools in water quality monitoring is addressed. The mounting evidence for widespread extraenteric sources and reservoirs of enterococci demonstrates the versatility of the genus
Enterococcus
and argues for the necessity of a better understanding of their ecology in natural environments, as well as their roles as opportunistic pathogens and indicators of human pathogens.
Type IV Pilin Proteins: Versatile Molecular Modules
Authors: Giltner Carmen L. , Nguyen Ylan , Burrows Lori L. 
Published: November 2012

SUMMARYType IV pili (T4P) are multifunctional protein fibers produced on the surfaces of a wide variety of bacteria and archaea. The major subunit of T4P is the type IV pilin, and structurally related proteins are found as components of the type II secretion (T2S) system, where they are called pseudopilins; of DNA uptake/competence systems in both Gram-negative and Gram-positive species; and of flagella, pili, and sugar-binding systems in the archaea. This broad distribution of a single protein family implies both a common evolutionary origin and a highly adaptable functional plan. The type IV pilin is a remarkably versatile architectural module that has been adopted widely for a variety of functions, including motility, attachment to chemically diverse surfaces, electrical conductance, acquisition of DNA, and secretion of a broad range of structurally distinct protein substrates. In this review, we consider recent advances in this research area, from structural revelations to insights into diversity, posttranslational modifications, regulation, and function.
Initial experience with an extremely soft bare platinum coil, ED coil-10 Extra Soft, for endovascular treatment of cerebral aneurysms
Authors: Harada Kei , Morioka Jun 
Published: November 2012

Background and purposeThe ED coil-10 Extra Soft (EDC-10 ES) is an extremely soft coil with excellent operability for embolization of cerebral aneurysms and is frequently used as a ‘finishing coil’. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of this coil.MethodsClinical data were analyzed retrospectively for 92 consecutive aneurysms for which at least one EDC-10 ES was used. Follow-up angiography at 6 months was available for 69 aneurysms. Initial and follow-up outcomes were evaluated using three-category occlusion grading. Factors that affect the packing density were also investigated.ResultsOf the 92 aneurysms, 63 (68.5%) were classified as complete occlusion, 11 (12.0%) as having a neck remnant and 18 (19.6%) with dome filling immediately after the embolization procedure. The mean±SD packing density was 29.5±10.6%. Periprocedural complications were observed in three cases (3.3%). At 6 months the rate of completely occluded cases increased to 78.3% (54/69) and those for neck remnant and dome filling decreased to 11.8% (8/69) and 10.1% (7/69), respectively. Recanalization occurred in six aneurysms and one aneurysm was retreated during the follow-up period, giving an overall recurrence rate of 10.0% (7/70). Linear regression analysis showed a significant association of packing density with the percentage EDC-10 ES volume (p<0.001) and with the maximum aneurysm size (p<0.001).ConclusionsUse of the EDC-10 ES permits safe and effective embolization of a cerebral aneurysm and contributes to a reduction in the rate of recanalization.
Velocity distributions near the inlet of corrugated steel pipe culverts
Authors: Hunt Martin , Clark Shawn , Tkach Rob 
Published: November 2012

This paper presents the findings of a study examining the velocity field within the inlet region of a corrugated steel pipe (CSP) culvert model with vertical headwall, 45° wingwall, and projecting end inlet treatments. Also examined are the effects of embedding the culvert below the stream bed and backfilling the culvert with granular material. Three-dimensional velocity distributions were measured in an effort to better understand how these inlet treatments may affect fish passage. The study examined velocity structure within a CSP culvert with a diameter of 0.8 m at a flow rate of 0.175 m3/s. Measurements were recorded using acoustic Doppler velocimeters at four locations; 0.25, 0.5, 1, and 2 diameters downstream of the inlet. The velocity field of each inlet configuration was dominated by a central jet of high velocity flow surrounded by a low velocity recirculation zone. Analysis of the percent area less than Uavg for each inlet treatment found that the projecting end configuration contained the largest low velocity zone. The usefulness of the low velocity recirculation zone as a fish passage corridor may however be limited by the presence of significant vertical and spanwise velocities as well as high shear zones.
MUC1 Drives c-Met–Dependent Migration and Scattering
Authors: Horm Teresa M. , Bitler Benjamin G. , Broka Derrick M. , Louderbough Jeanne M. , Schroeder Joyce A. 
Published: November 2012

Abstract
The transmembrane mucin MUC1 is overexpressed in most ductal carcinomas, and its overexpression is frequently associated with metastatic progression. MUC1 can drive tumor initiation and progression via interactions with many oncogenic partners, including β-catenin, the EGF receptor (EGFR) and Src. The decoy peptide protein transduction domain MUC1 inhibitory peptide (PMIP) has been shown to inhibit the tumor promoting activities of MUC1 in breast and lung cancer, including cell growth and invasion, and its usage suppresses metastatic progression in mouse models of breast cancer. To further characterize the reduced metastasis observed upon PMIP treatment, we conducted motility assays and observed that PMIP inhibits cell motility of breast cancer cells. To determine the mechanism by which PMIP inhibits motility, we evaluated changes in global gene transcription upon PMIP treatment, and identified a number of genes with altered expression in response to PMIP. Among these genes is the metastatic mediator, c-Met, a transmembrane tyrosine kinase that can promote cell scattering, migration, and invasion. To further investigate the role of c-Met in MUC1-dependent metastatic events, we evaluated the effects of MUC1 expression and EGFR activation on breast cancer cell scattering, branching, and migration. We found that MUC1 strongly promoted all of these events and this effect was further amplified by EGF treatment. Importantly, the effect of MUC1 and EGF on these phenotypes was dependent upon c-Met activity. Overall, these results indicate that PMIP can block the expression of a key metastatic mediator, further advancing its potential use as a clinical therapeutic. Mol Cancer Res; 10(12); 1544–54. ©2012 AACR.
Does Quantifying Epicardial and Intrathoracic Fat With Noncontrast Computed Tomography Improve Risk Stratification Beyond Calcium Scoring Alone?
Authors: Forouzandeh Farshad , Chang Su Min , Muhyieddeen Kamil , Zaid Rashid R. , Trevino Alejandro R. , Xu Jiaqiong , Nabi Faisal , Mahmarian John J. 
Published: November 2012

Background—
Noncontrast cardiac computed tomography allows calculation of coronary artery calcium score (CACS) and measurement of epicardial adipose tissue (EATv) and intrathoracic fat (ITFv) volumes. It is unclear whether fat volume information contributes to risk stratification.

Methods and Results—

Cardiac computed tomography was performed in 760 consecutive patients with acute chest pain admitted thorough the emergency department. None had prior coronary artery disease. CACS was calculated using the Agatston method. EATv and ITFv were semiautomatically calculated. Median patient follow-up was 3.3 years. Mean patient age was 54.4±13.7 years and Framingham risk score 8.2±8.2. The 45 patients (5.9%) with major acute cardiac events (MACE) were older (64.8±13.9 versus 53.7±13.4 years), more frequently male (60% versus 40%), and had a higher median Framingham risk score (16 versus 4) and CACS (268 versus 0) versus those without events (all
P
<0.01). The MACE group had a higher median of EATv (154 versus 116 mL) and ITFv (330 versus 223 mL), and a higher prevalence of EATv >125 mL (67% versus 44%) and ITFv >250 mL (64% versus 42%) (all
P
<0.01). CACS, EATv, and ITFv were all independently associated with MACE. CACS was associated with MACE after adjustment for fat volumes (
P
<0.0001), whereas EATv and ITFv improved the risk model only in patients with CACS >400.

Conclusions—
CACS and fat volumes are independently associated with MACE in acute chest pain patients and beyond that provided by clinical information alone. Although fat volumes may add prognostic value in patients with CACS >400, CACS is most strongly correlated with outcome.
A Randomized, Controlled Pilot Study of Autologous CD34+ Cell Therapy for Critical Limb Ischemia
Authors: Losordo Douglas W. , Kibbe Melina R. , Mendelsohn Farrell , Marston William , Driver Vickie R. , Sharafuddin Melhem , Teodorescu Victoria , Wiechmann Bret N. , Thompson Charles , Kraiss Larry , Carman Teresa , Dohad Suhail , Huang Paul , Junge Candice E. , Story Kenneth , Weistroffer Tara , Thorne Tina M. , Millay Meredith , Runyon John Paul , Schainfeld Robert ,   for the Autologous CD34+ Cell Therapy for Critical Limb Ischemia Investigators
Published: November 2012

Background—
Critical limb ischemia portends a risk of major amputation of 25% to 35% within 1 year of diagnosis. Preclinical studies provide evidence that intramuscular injection of autologous CD34+ cells improves limb perfusion and reduces amputation risk. In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study, we evaluated the safety and efficacy of intramuscular injections of autologous CD34+ cells in subjects with moderate or high-risk critical limb ischemia, who were poor or noncandidates for surgical or percutaneous revascularization (ACT34-CLI).

Methods and Results—

Twenty-eight critical limb ischemia subjects were randomized and treated: 7 to 1×10
5
(low-dose) and 9 to 1×10
6
(high-dose) autologous CD34+ cells/kg; and 12 to placebo (control). Intramuscular injections were distributed into 8 sites within the ischemic lower extremity. At 6 months postinjection, 67% of control subjects experienced a major or minor amputation versus 43% of low-dose and 22% of high-dose cell-treated subjects (

P

=0.137). This trend continued at 12 months, with 75% of control subjects experiencing any amputation versus 43% of low-dose and 22% of high-dose cell-treated subjects (
P
=0.058). Amputation incidence was lower in the combined cell-treated groups compared with control group (6 months:

P

=0.125; 12 months:

P

=0.054), with the low-dose and high-dose groups individually showing trends toward improved amputation-free survival at 6 months and 12 months. No adverse safety signal was associated with cell administration.

Conclusions—
This study provides evidence that intramuscular administration of autologous CD34+ cells was safe in this patient population. Favorable trends toward reduced amputation rates in cell-treated versus control subjects were observed. These findings warrant further exploration in later-phase clinical trials.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00616980
Ischemic Preconditioning Reduces Neurovascular Damage After Hypoxia-Ischemia Via the Cellular Inhibitor of Apoptosis 1 in Neonatal Brain
Authors: Lin Wan-Ying , Chang Ying-Chao , Ho Chien-Jung , Huang Chao-Ching 
Published: November 2012

Background and Purpose—
The neurovascular unit is a major target of hypoxia-ischemia (HI) injury in the neonatal brain. Although neurons are the cellular target of ischemic preconditioning (IP), vessel tolerance also contributes greatly to protection. Nerves and vessels cross-talk and use common signals during development. Cellular inhibitor of apoptosis 1 (cIAP1) is an important regulator that inhibits apoptosis. This study hypothesized that cIAP1 is a shared molecule underlying IP-mediated neurovascular protection against HI in the neonatal brain.

Methods—
In vivo IP was induced by 2-hour reversible occlusion of right carotid artery 24 hours before HI on postpartum day 7 in rat pups. In vitro oxygen–glucose deprivation (OGD) preconditioning was established in SH-SY5Y neuronal cells and in human microvascular endothelial cell-1 vascular endothelial cells. cIAP1 expression was inhibited by cIAP1 small interfering RNA in vivo or by lentivirus-mediated short hairpin RNA in vitro, or was upregulated by the lentiviral expression system.

Results—
IP reduced apoptosis, selectively increased cIAP1 in neurons and vascular endothelial cells, and provided long-term neuroprotection against HI. Intracerebroventricular delivery of cIAP1 small interfering RNA significantly attenuated IP-mediated cIAP1 upregulation and neuroprotection in vivo. In vitro, OGD preconditioning induced cIAP1 and protected against OGD cell death in SH-SY5Y neuronal and human microvascular endothelial cells-1. Knockdown of cIAP1 by lentivirus-mediated short hairpin RNA decreased the protective effect of OGD preconditioning in SH-SY5Y and human microvascular endothelial cell-1, whereas overexpression of cIAP1 by lentivirus protected against OGD in these cells.

Conclusions—
cIAP1 is a shared molecule underlying IP-induced protection in neurons and vascular endothelial cells against HI in the neonatal brain.
“I Am a Great Sinner”: Jesuit Missionary Dialogues in Southern India (Sixteenth Century)
Authors: Županov Ines G. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractIn this article I look into a Jesuit dialogical and catechetical text—a confession manual—published in Tamil in 1580. Written as instructions for Tamil Catholics and for Jesuit confessors, these kinds of texts were nodal points in which Tamils and missionaries reprocessed their knowledge of each other and established rules for appropriate social interaction and Catholic sociability. My claim is that theConfessionairocaptured and condensed Tamil voices and arguments in a network of Jesuit normative vocabulary and offered a language of self-knowledge expressed in affective vocabulary. A confession manual should not be considered only a strategy for missionary manipulation but also an important tool for the social self-empowerment of the new convert.
“Western Gods Meet in the East”: Shapes and Contexts of the Muslim-Jesuit Dialogue in Early Modern China
Authors: Benite Zvi Ben-Dor 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThis essay is concerned with the possibilities and limitations of the Jesuit-Islamic dialogue in China in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. It presents and discusses evidence for the interest of Chinese Muslims and Jesuits in each other almost from the outset, immediately after Matteo Ricci’s arrival in China. Muslims read Jesuit material and even incorporated it in their own works. Chinese Muslims were not, however, interested in Jesuit doctrines because of a shared monotheist faith: Chinese Muslims clearly saw Christianity not as a sister faith but as a Western one, and that was the main reason for their interest. With regard to the tendency to compare Jesuits and Chinese Muslims as two rivals competing for success in the Chinese world of ideas, the Chinese Muslim scholars should be considered not as rivals of the Jesuits but primarily as Chinese scholars engaging Jesuit knowledge and using it selectively for their own purposes.
A Photograph of Four Orientalists (Bombay, 1885): Knowledge Production, Religious Identities, and the Negotiation of Invisible Conflicts
Authors: Vicente Filipa Lowndes 
Published: November 2012

Abstract
By analyzing the history of a photograph taken in a Bombay photo studio in 1885, this article explores notions of the production of knowledge on India and cultural dialogues, encounters, appropriations, and conflicts in colonial British India in the late nineteenth century. The photograph was taken after a Hindu religious ceremony in honour of the Italian Sanskritist Angelo de Gubernatis. Dressed as a Hindu Brahman, he is the only European photographed next to three Indian scholars, but what the image suggests of encounter and hybridity was challenged by the many written texts that reveal the conflicting dialogues that took place before and after the portrait was taken. Several factors were examined in order to decide who should and who should not be in the photograph: religion, cast, and even gender were successively discussed, before the category of “knowledge” became the bond that unified the four men who studied, taught, and wrote on India.
On Defining a Homeric Idiom
Authors: van Erp Taalman Kip A. Maria 
Published: November 2012

Abstract
This paper deals with characteristics, hitherto unnoticed, of Iliad 13.824-9, 18.463-7 and 22.345-8, and tries to show that parallels that have been adduced in connection with these passages are often no parallels at all.
Folk Narrative Techniques in the Alexander Romance
Authors: Karla Grammatiki A. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractA structurally-oriented analysis of theAlexander Romancedemonstrates that the work is not a mere random conglomeration drawn from various sources. The author is attempting to create a work possessing unity and cohesion and to this end he employs basic motifs associated with the hero, such as the motif of world-conqueror, of the φρενήρης (‘intelligent’) and the link with Heracles and Dionysus, which run through the totality of the work and ensure its cohesion. An additional interesting technique employed by the author is that of the redeployment of a motif. For example, the archetypal folk hero figure of Nektanebo, who is presented in the introduction of theRomanceas Alexander’s father, is characterized by three features: magic, disguise and deception. These elements are used in a variety of ways in the description of the adventures of Alexander. In addition the triadic schema and antithesis are also employed. Considering that such figures are characteristic of folk tales as well, one acquires an idea of how skillfully the author has reworked his material, in order to create, by means of ‘popular’ tools, his own folk hero.
Reconsidering 4QSama and the Textual Support for the Long and Short Versions of the David and Goliath Story
Authors: Johnson Benjamin J.M. 
Published: November 2012

Abstract
The story of David and Goliath contains one of the classical textual problems. It exists in two versions: a short version in LXXB and a longer version in the MT. The question of priority has divided scholars and much scholarly ink has been spilt attempting to resolve the issue. In the discussion about the short and long versions of the David and Goliath story the witness of 4QSama has largely been ignored. The present study surveys all of the extant portions of 1 Samuel 17-18 in 4QSama where there is a variant between LXXB and MT. This survey shows that 4QSama most likely contained the long version of the story.