bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Targeting presynaptic norepinephrine transporter in brown adipose tissue: A novel imaging approach and potential treatment for diabetes and obesity
Authors: Mirbolooki M. Reza , Constantinescu Cristian C. , Pan Min‐Liang , Mukherjee Jogeshwar 
Published: October 2012

AbstractBrown adipose tissue (BAT) plays a significant role in metabolism. In this study, we report the use of atomoxetine (a clinically applicable norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor) for 18F‐FDG PET imaging of BAT and its effects on heat production and blood glucose concentration. Fasted‐male Sprague‐Dawley rats were administered with intravenous 18F‐FDG. The same rats were treated with atomoxetine (0.1 mg/kg, i.v.) 30 min before 18F‐FDG administration. To confirm the β‐adrenergic effects, propranolol (β‐adrenergic inhibitor) 5 mg/kg was given intraperitoneally 30 min prior to atomoxetine administration. The effect of atomoxetine on BAT metabolism was assessed in fasted and non‐fasted rats and on BAT temperature and blood glucose in fasted rats. In 18F‐FDG PET/CT images, interscapular BAT (IBAT) and other areas of BAT were clearly visualized. When rats were fasted, atomoxetine (0.1 mg/kg) increased the 18F‐FDG uptake of IBAT by factor of 24 within 30 min. Propranolol reduced the average 18F‐FDG uptake of IBAT significantly. Autoradiography of IBAT and white adipose tissue confirmed the data obtained by PET. When rats were not fasted, atomoxetine‐induced increase of 18F‐FDG uptake in IBAT was delayed and occurred in 120 min. For comparison, direct stimulation of β3‐adrenreceptors in non‐fasted rats with CL‐316, 243 occurred within 30 min. Atomoxetine‐induced IBAT activation was associated with higher IBAT temperature and lower blood glucose. This was mediated by inhibition of norepinephrine reuptake transporters in IBAT leading to increased norepinephrine concentration in the synapse. Increased synaptic norepinephrine activates β3‐adrenreceptors resulting in BAT hypermetabolism that is visible and quantifiable by 18F‐FDG PET/CT. Synapse, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Divergence and lifecycle offsets in product families with commonality
Authors: Boas Ryan , Cameron Bruce G. , Crawley Edward F. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractCommonality, or the reuse and sharing of components, manufacturing processes, architectures, interfaces, and infrastructure across the members of a product family, is an often leveraged strategy targeted at improving corporate profitability. Commonality strategies are widespread in the literature and in industrial practice, but a clear gap exists: The literature has a distinctly positive bias towards the benefits of commonality, whereas industrial success with commonality has been mixed. This article explores two phenomena, divergence and lifecycle offsets, that may prevent companies from properly assessing and realizing the potential benefits of commonality. Using a multiple case study approach, we trace commonality levels through the lifecycles of seven complex product families that span the aerospace, automotive, semiconductor capital equipment, and printing industries. The case studies indicate that commonality tends to decline over time, a phenomenon we title divergence. In contrast to the prevailing concept of parallel development in product families, we find that lifecycle offsets, or temporal separations between the development, manufacturing, operations, and/or retirement phases of two or more products, are prevalent in industrial practice. Through this exploratory study, we find that lifecycle offsets may reduce the potential benefits of commonality, make the realization of benefits much more difficult, delay the realization of benefits, and reallocate potential benefits across individual products. We predict that lifecycle offsets exacerbate divergence. We propose a framework for categorizing parts‐level changes that explicitly recognizes the potential for divergence. We conclude with guidance for product family managers, namely, that commonality be managed dynamically throughout the product family lifecycle, rather than as a static property. Additionally, we articulate the need to make commonality decisions from a product family perspective, a perspective that may lead to decisions that create near‐term costs for one variant but result in larger long‐term savings for a second variant and for the product family as a whole. ©2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Eng 16
Emergence of cooperation in peer‐to‐peer systems: A complex adaptive system approach
Authors: Vakili Golnaz , Tabatabaee Foroozossadat , Khorsandi Siavash 
Published: October 2012

AbstractOverall performance of a peer‐to‐peer system can be highly variable and unpredictable as there is no central authority to set and coordinate the amount of resource contributions made by constituent peers. In this paper, we address the problem of optimal cooperation policy setting for individual peers by taking into account their rationality, and with respect to a set of overall constraints imposed by resource‐driven requirements of the system. We formalize distributed cooperation policy setting as an asynchronous distributed decision making (ADDM) process and represent an integrated design for this process in two top‐down and bottom‐up phases. In top‐down design, we specify the overall objective and constraints and in line with them, we synthesize the local objectives of individual peers. We show that the rational peers should continuously adapt their cooperation policies asynchronously and autonomously according to the policies of the other participants in order to maximize their local objectives. To this end, we devise a self‐organizing interaction mechanism in the bottom‐up phase and demonstrate that it coordinates asynchronous distributed decisions of individual peers with respect to the overall objective and constraints through local interactions. ©2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Eng 16
Resilience principles for engineered systems
Authors: Jackson Scott , Ferris Timothy L. J. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractThis paper examines a set of abstract, top‐level principles and subprinciples collected from the literature to determine their usefulness in enabling the avoidance, survival, and recovery from disruptions caused by threats of various sources. The principles are compared to concrete solutions recommended by domain experts in various case studies and to the actual events in those case studies. Also examined are the limitations, conflicts, and vulnerabilities that may be apparent when concrete solutions are created from these principles. The systems considered are physical, organizational, and procedural systems. Examples include cases from fire protection, aviation, railways, and power distribution domains. Threats examined include terrorist attacks, natural disasters, and human and design error. Each principle is found to apply to different phases of the disruption cycle surrounding an encounter with a threat. It is found that principles, in general, cannot be applied singly to a system but must be combined with other principles to enable resilience. System developers in various domains can use the principles to create concrete solutions to characterize a particular system, model that solution, and determine the degree of recovery of the system from a specified threat. ©2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Eng 16
Strategic requirements engineering for complex sustainable systems
Authors: Svetinovic Davor 
Published: October 2012

AbstractThe development of complex sustainable systems presents a number of challenges in requirements engineering (RE). It is difficult to elicit, analyze, and specify interdisciplinary system requirements that have to be fulfilled in order to develop a complex sustainable system. This paper argues for a need for a significant shift in the underlying RE ideas and premises in order to effectively cope with RE challenges of complex sustainable systems development. We present the main requirements for the development of strategic RE methods based on a number of systems, methodological, and epistemological perspective shifts. Strategic RE paradigm shift facilitates adaptation of primarily technological system‐specific RE knowledge in order to handle large scale interdisciplinary sustainability‐related RE challenges. ©2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Eng 16
Frequent item set mining
Authors: Borgelt Christian 
Published: October 2012

AbstractFrequent item set mining is one of the best known and most popular data mining methods. Originally developed for market basket analysis, it is used nowadays for almost any task that requires discovering regularities between (nominal) variables. This paper provides an overview of the foundations of frequent item set mining, starting from a definition of the basic notions and the core task. It continues by discussing how the search space is structured to avoid redundant search, how it is pruned with the a priori property, and how the output is reduced by confining it to closed or maximal item sets or generators. In addition, it reviews some of the most important algorithmic techniques and data structures that were developed to make the search for frequent item sets as efficient as possible. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.This article is categorized under:

Algorithmic Development > Association Rules
Application Areas > Data Mining Software Tools
Technologies > Association Rules
Different Types of Coordinated Urea Molecules in its Complexes with Rare‐Earth Iodides and Perchlorates
Authors: Savinkina Elena V. , Golubev Denis V. , Podgornov Kirill V. , Albov Dmitry V. , Grigoriev Mikhail S. , Davydova Margarita N. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractAn earlier reported series of the [Ln(Ur)4(H2O)4]I3 (Ln = Y, La, Nd, Eu, Gd, Dy, Ho, Er; Ur = urea) complexes was completed with seven new compounds (Ln = Ce, Pr, Sm, Tb, Tm, Yb, Lu); one of them, [Ce(Ur)4(H2O)4]I3, was studied by X‐ray diffraction. The most striking feature of the [Ln(Ur)4(H2O)4]I3 structures is the presence of two types of coordinated urea molecules. There are two planar symmetric and two non‐planar asymmetric urea molecules. The Ln–O–C bond angles vary in the ranges 163.06–165.71° and 148.42–152.42° for symmetric and asymmetric urea ligands, respectively, correlating with the ionic mode of urea coordination. To elucidate the role of aqua ligands for the urea coordination mode, two water‐free perchlorate complexes, [La(Ur)8](ClO4)3·2Ur and [La(Ur)7(OClO3)](ClO4)2 were synthesized and structurally characterized. In these complexes, all urea molecules are planar symmetric; however, both covalent and ionic types of urea coordination with the La–O–C bond angles varying in the 132.4–142.3° and 145.5–159.1° ranges, respectively can be observed.
Three‐Dimensional CT Volumetry Predicts Outcome of Laparoscopic Splenectomy for Splenomegaly: Retrospective Clinical Study
Authors: Filicori Filippo , Stock Cameron , Schweitzer Andrew D. , Keutgen Xavier M. , LaGratta Maria D. , Zarnegar Rasa , Fahey Thomas J. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of this study was to determine the predictive value of the preoperative three‐dimensional reconstructed volume (3D volumetry) for outcomes of laparoscopic splenectomy. The impact of splenomegaly on the feasibility of laparoscopic splenectomy is still debated. We hypothesized that splenic volumetry may accurately estimate splenic volume preoperatively and be used by surgeons to select patients for laparoscopic splenectomy.MethodsWe performed a retrospective review of 88 patients seen at a tertiary referral center undergoing laparoscopic or open splenectomy between 2001 and 2010. Patients included in the study underwent elective splenectomy without associated procedures and had preoperative imaging available at our institution. We evaluated clinical, demographic characteristics and perioperative imaging as predictors of outcome. Study endpoints included conversion to open splenectomy, operating time, estimated blood loss (EBL), length of stay (LOS), postoperative complications, and mortality.ResultsIn all, 53 procedures were started laparoscopically. Among them, 7 (13.2 %) were converted to open splenectomy and 7 (13.2 %) to hand‐assisted laparoscopic splenectomy. The conversion group was matched with 35 patients who underwent open splenectomy to determine differences in outcomes between these groups. There were no conversions in spleens measuring <1100 cc, whereas spleens of 1100 to 2700 cc had a conversion rate of 41 %. Spleen volume >2700 cc was associated with an 87.5 % conversion rate. Spleen 3D volumetry >2700 cc was the only independent predictor of surgical conversion on multivariate analysis (odds ratio 38.0, confidence interval 4.02–358.75, p = 0.001). Patients who underwent open splenectomy had shorter operating times (160.3 vs. 253.0 min, p = 0.001) than those converted from laparoscopic to open splenectomy.ConclusionsA 3D reconstructed splenic volume of >2700 cc is a predictor of conversion from laparoscopic to open splenectomy. For spleens measuring <2700 cc, laparoscopic splenectomy may be performed by experienced surgeons with low to moderate rates of conversion. For spleens with a 3D reconstructed volume >2700 cc, laparoscopic splenectomy is associated with high rates of conversion to open surgery.
Synthesis, Surface and Thermodynamic Properties of Substituted Polytriethanolamine Nonionic Surfactants
Authors: Negm Nabel A. , El‐Farargy Ahmed F. , Tawfik Salah M. , Abdelnour Ahmad M. , Hefni Hassan H. , Khowdiary Manal M. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractThree series of nonionic surfactants derived from polytriethanolamine containing 8, 10, and 12 units of triethanolamine were synthesized. Structural assignment of the different compounds was made on the basis of FTIR and 1H‐NMR spectroscopic data. The surface parameters of these surfactants included critical micelle concentration (CMC), surface tension at the CMC (γCMC), surfactant concentration required to reduce the surface tension of the solvent by 20 mN m−1 (pC20), maximum surface excess (Γmax), and the interfacial area occupied by the surfactant molecules (Amin) using surface tension measurements. The micellization and adsorption free energies were calculated at 25 °C.
Vitamin B12status, cognitive decline and dementia: a systematic review of prospective cohort studies
Authors: O'Leary Fiona , Allman-Farinelli Margaret , Samman Samir 
Published: October 2012

Poor vitamin B12status may lead to the development of cognitive decline and dementia but there is a large variation in the quality, design of and results reported from these investigations. We have undertaken a systematic review of the evidence for the association between vitamin B12status and cognitive decline in older adults. A database search of the literature to 2011 was undertaken, using keywords related to vitamin B12and cognition. All prospective cohort studies assessing the association of serum vitamin B12or biomarkers were included. Quality assessment and extraction of the data were undertaken by two researchers. The quality assessment tool assigns a positive, neutral or negative rating. Of 3772 published articles, thirty-five cohort studies (n14 325 subjects) were identified and evaluated. No association between serum vitamin B12concentrations and cognitive decline or dementia was found. However, four studies that used newer biomarkers of vitamin B12status (methylmalonic acid and holotranscobalamin (holoTC)) showed associations between poor vitamin B12status and the increased risk of cognitive decline or dementia diagnosis. In general, the studies were of reasonable quality (twenty-one positive, ten neutral and four negative quality) but of short duration and inadequate subject numbers to determine whether an effect exists. Future studies should be of adequate duration (at least 6 years), recruit subjects from the seventh decade, choose markers of vitamin B12status with adequate specificity such as holoTC and/or methylmalonic acid and employ standardised neurocognitive assessment tools and not screening tests in order to ascertain any relationship between vitamin B12status and cognitive decline.
Railway fuel and its impact on the forests in colonial India: The case of the Punjab, 1860–1884
Authors: DAS PALLAVI V. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractRecent studies have stressed the need for micro-histories of the environment so that important differences and similarities at local, regional and national level might be revealed. This paper analyses the process and patterns of environmental degradation at regional level by taking the case of deforestation in colonial Punjab by studying its implication at the level of empire. More specifically, it examines three aspects of how the operation and expansion of railways from 1869 to 1884, a peak period of railway expansion, affected the forests of the Punjab's plains. First, the paper analyses the reasons for large-scale railway expansion in the Punjab by discussing spatial and temporal expansion. Secondly, the impact of the railway firewood demand on the Punjab's forests between 1860 and 1884 is examined, specifically, the conditions that facilitated the increased dependence of the railways on firewood. Next follows an examination of the temporally varying nature of deforestation, given that railway firewood demand was determined by railway line openings. This section also includes a discussion on the nature of the colonial state response to the deforestation crisis and its role in maintaining the fuel supply to the railways. Finally, in the context of deforestation in the Punjab, the paper discusses how and why railway fuel changed from firewood to coal.
Statistical models for spatially explicit biological data
Authors: ROGERS DAVID J. , SEDDA LUIGI 
Published: October 2012

SUMMARYExisting algorithms for predicting species' distributions sit on a continuum between purely statistical and purely biological approaches. Most of the existing algorithms are aspatial because they do not consider the spatial context, the occurrence of the species or conditions conducive to the species' existence, in neighbouring areas. The geostatistical techniques of kriging and cokriging are presented in an attempt to encourage biologists more frequently to consider them. Unlike deterministic spatial techniques they provide estimates of prediction errors. The assumptions and applications of common geostatistical techniques are presented with worked examples drawn from a dataset of the bluetongue outbreak in northwest Europe in 2006. Emphasis is placed on the importance and interpretation of weights in geostatistical calculations. Covarying environmental data may be used to improve predictions of species’ distributions, but only if their sampling frequency is greater than that of the species’ or disease data. Cokriging techniques are unable to determine the biological significance or importance of such environmental data, because they are not designed to do so.
Disturbances of basic self and prodromal symptoms among non-psychotic help-seeking adolescents
Authors: Koren D. , Reznik N. , Adres M. , Scheyer R. , Apter A. , Steinberg T. , Parnas J. 
Published: October 2012

BackgroundThe goal of this study was to explore the notion that anomalies of self-experience (ASE) are a core, ‘not-yet-psychotic’ clinical phenotype of emerging schizophrenia and its spectrum.MethodTo accomplish this goal, we examined the relationship between ASE and commonly accepted risk markers in a sample of 87 help-seeking, non-psychotic adolescents (aged 14–18 years). ASE were assessed with the Examination of Anomalous Self-Experience (EASE), subclinical psychotic symptoms were assessed with the Prodromal Questionnaire and the Structured Interview for Prodromal Syndromes, deterioration in psychosocial functioning was assessed with the Social and Role Functioning Scales, and level of distress with the Mood and Anxiety Symptoms Questionnaire.ResultsAbout 82 participants completed the entire EASE interview. The number of participants who reported ASE at a clinically meaningful level (n = 18, 22%) was smaller than that who met diagnostic criteria for a prodromal syndrome (n = 28, 34%). The degree of overlap between the two conditions was moderate but statistically significant (χ2(1) = 7.01, p = 0.008). An exploratory factor analysis revealed that ASE load on a different factor than prodromal symptoms and deterioration in functioning, but that there is a moderate correlation between the three factors.ConclusionsThese results suggest that ASE are prevalent among non-psychotic help-seeking adolescents, yet at a considerably lower rate than prodromal symptoms. In addition, they suggest that ASE and prodromal symptoms constitute distinct but moderately related dimensions of potential risk. Taken together, they provide preliminary support for the clinical usefulness of supplementing and refining the methods of early detection of risk with assessment of ASE.
Some ruminations about inculpable non-belief
Authors: AIJAZ IMRAN 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACTThis article presents a discussion of the concept of ‘non-belief’, focusing on a variety of difficulties it raises for the theist. After considering how the notion of ‘non-belief’ may be construed, I catalogue five major problems facing the theist who insists on maintaining the traditional notion of ‘non-belief’. Those theists who insist on maintaining this traditional notion sometimes appeal to the ‘sin defence’ in an attempt to defend their position. I critique this defence and conclude with a mention of how rejecting the traditional notion of ‘non-belief’ will lead us towards revisionary theologies.
An eye-tracking study of learned attention in second language acquisition
Authors: ELLIS NICK C. , HAFEEZ KAUSAR , MARTIN KATHERINE I. , CHEN LILLIAN , BOLAND JULIE , SAGARRA NURIA 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACTThis paper investigates the limited attainment of adult compared to child language acquisition in terms of learned attention to morphological cues. It replicates Ellis and Sagarra in demonstrating short-term learned attention in the acquisition of temporal reference in Latin, and it extends the investigation using eye-tracking indicators to determine the extent to which these biases are overt or covert. English native speakers learned adverbial and morphological cues to temporal reference in a small set of Latin phrases under experimental conditions. Comprehension and production data demonstrated that early experience with adverbial cues enhanced subsequent use of this cue dimension and blocked the acquisition of verbal tense morphology. Effects of early experience of verbal morphology were less pronounced. Eye-tracking measures showed that early experience of particular cue dimensions affected what participants overtly focused upon during subsequent language processing and how this overt study resulted in turn in covert attentional biases in comprehension and in productive knowledge.