bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The isolated cremaster muscle preparation and (external) spermatic nerve-cremaster muscle preparation of the guinea-pig
Authors: Kelkar V V , Gupta R S , Gokhale S V 
Published: November 2011

Abstract
The isolated cremaster muscle preparation and spermatic nerve-cremaster muscle preparation of the guinea-pig were studied in vitro to determine their suitability as pharmacological test models. The preparation was contracted by acetylcholine, carbachol, succinylcholine and decamethonium (pD2 values, 4·2, 5·3, 7·3 and 7·4, respectively) through an action on a curare-sensitive cholinoceptor. Lobeline and DMPP were ineffective. Nicotine contracted the muscle, but there was tachyphylaxis. Tubocurarine and hexamethonium presumably competitively antagonized acetylcholine (pA2 values, 7·3 and 5·8); lobeline was a noncompetitive antagonist (pD′2 value, 6·4). Atropine and mecamylamine exerted a dualistic action against acetylcholine (final pD′2 values, 5·3 and 6·7, respectively). Tubocurarine, succinylcholine and decamethonium exhibited their typical action when tested with spermatic nerve-cremaster muscle preparation; the latter two drugs also produced muscle spasm. Hexamethonium was a weak blocker of neuromuscular transmission. Atropine, mecamylamine, lobeline and DMPP exhibited neuromuscular blocking activity; however, directly evoked muscle twitches were also notably affected. The cremaster muscle preparations seem to add usefully to the list of currently used in vitro tests, with the added advantage that a mammalian skeletal muscle model is used for simultaneous quantitative studies.
Some factors influencing dissolution from salicylic acid-urea solid dispersions
Authors: Collett J H , Flood B L , Sale F R 
Published: November 2011

Abstract
Solid dispersion systems of salicylic acid-urea have been prepared using a fusion method. Two different methods of cooling the melt were employed, rapid cooling in liquid nitrogen and slow cooling in air. Differential scanning calorimetry and an X-ray diffraction technique were employed to investigate the nature of the fused mixture. Evidence was found of compound formation between the constituents. Dissolution rates of drug from non-disintegrating discs of solid dispersion systems were measured. Rapid cooling of the melt resulted in a much faster drug dissolution rate than from a corresponding mixture prepared by a slow cooling method. This phenomenon is explained by a difference in the sizes of drug particles produced under the different cooling conditions. Rapid cooling favoured the generation of many nucleation sites for the solid drug particles as the liquid was cooled, and hence many small particles were obtained. Conversely, slow cooling favoured the growth of the first few nuclei of solid drug particles, rather than the production of new nuclei, and hence large drug particles were obtained.
Inverse Dynamics of a Redundantly Actuated Four-Bar Mechanism Using an Optimal Control Formulation
Authors: Luppi Silva Olavo , Luporini Menegaldo Luciano 
Published: November 2011

Abstract
This paper presents an approach to estimating joint torques in a four-bar closed-chain mechanism with prescribed kinematics and redundant actuation, i.e., with more actuators than degrees of freedom. This problem has several applications in industrial robots, machine tools, and biomechanics. The inverse dynamics problem is formulated as an optimal control problem (OCP). The dynamical equations are derived for an open-chain mechanism, what keeps the formulation simple and straightforward. Sets of constraints are explored to force the three-link open-chain to behave as a four-bar mechanism with a crank rotating at a constant velocity. The controls calculated from the OCP are assumed to be the input joint torques. The standard case with one torque actuator is solved and compared to cases with two and three actuators. The case of two actuators presented the smallest peak and mean torques, using one specific set of constraints. Such torques were smaller than the solution obtained using an alternative method existing in literature that solves the redundancy problem by means of the pseudo-inverse matrix. Comparison with inverse dynamics solutions using well-established methods for the one-actuator closed-loop four-bar were equal. Reconstructed kinematical trajectories from forward integration of the closed-loop mechanism with the OCP obtained torques were essentially similar. The results suggest that the adopted procedure is promising, giving solutions with lower torque requirements than the regularly actuated case and redundantly actuated computed with other approaches. The applicability of the method has been shown for the four-bar mechanism. Other classes of redundantly actuated, closed-loop mechanisms could be tested using a similar formulation. However, the numerical parameters of the OCP must be chosen carefully to achieve convergence.
Evaluation of Rapid Antigen Point-of-Care Tests for Detection of Giardia and Cryptosporidium Species in Human Fecal Specimens
Authors: Minak Juliana , Kabir Mamun , Mahmud Iqbal , Liu Yue , Liu Lei , Haque Rashidul , Petri William A. 
Published: November 2011

ABSTRACT

In Bangladesh, a new parasite rapid antigen test was investigated demonstrating accuracy and feasibility. For
Giardia
species, it had a sensitivity and specificity of 94% and 100%, respectively. For
Cryptosporidium
species, it had a sensitivity and specificity of 100% and 100%, respectively. These are higher than or equal to the sensitivities and specificities of other tests on the market.
Delineation of Streptococcus dysgalactiae, Its Subspecies, and Its Clinical and Phylogenetic Relationship to Streptococcus pyogenes
Authors: Jensen Anders , Kilian Mogens 
Published: November 2011

ABSTRACT

The taxonomic status and structure of
Streptococcus dysgalactiae
have been the object of much confusion. Bacteria belonging to this species are usually referred to as Lancefield group C or group G streptococci in clinical settings in spite of the fact that these terms lack precision and prevent recognition of the exact clinical relevance of these bacteria. The purpose of this study was to develop an improved basis for delineation and identification of the individual species of the pyogenic group of streptococci in the clinical microbiology laboratory, with a special focus on
S. dysgalactiae
. We critically reexamined the genetic relationships of the species
S. dysgalactiae
,
Streptococcus pyogenes
,
Streptococcus canis
, and
Streptococcus equi
, which may share Lancefield group antigens, by phylogenetic reconstruction based on multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) and 16S rRNA gene sequences and by
emm
typing combined with phenotypic characterization. Analysis of concatenated sequences of seven genes previously used for examination of viridans streptococci distinguished robust and coherent clusters.
S. dysgalactiae
consists of two separate clusters consistent with the two recognized subspecies
dysgalactiae
and
equisimilis
. Both taxa share alleles with
S. pyogenes
in several housekeeping genes, which invalidates identification based on single-locus sequencing.
S. dysgalactiae
,
S. canis
, and
S. pyogenes
constitute a closely related branch within the genus
Streptococcus
indicative of recent descent from a common ancestor, while
S. equi
is highly divergent from other species of the pyogenic group streptococci. The results provide an improved basis for identification of clinically important pyogenic group streptococci and explain the overlapping spectrum of infections caused by the species associated with humans.
Antifungal Susceptibility and Phylogeny of Opportunistic Members of the Order Mucorales
Authors: Vitale Roxana G. , de Hoog G. Sybren , Schwarz Patrick , Dannaoui Eric , Deng Shuwen , Machouart Marie , Voigt Kerstin , van de Sande Wendy W. J. , Dolatabadi Somayeh , Meis Jacques F. , Walther Grit 
Published: November 2011

ABSTRACT

The
in vitro
susceptibilities of 66 molecularly identified strains of the
Mucorales
to eight antifungals (amphotericin B, terbinafine, itraconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole, caspofungin, micafungin, and 5-fluorocytosine) were tested. Molecular phylogeny was reconstructed based on the nuclear ribosomal large subunit to reveal taxon-specific susceptibility profiles. The impressive phylogenetic diversity of the
Mucorales
was reflected in susceptibilities differing at family, genus, and species levels. Amphotericin B was the most active drug, though somewhat less against
Rhizopus
and
Cunninghamella
species. Posaconazole was the second most effective antifungal agent but showed reduced activity in
Mucor
and
Cunninghamella
strains, while voriconazole lacked
in vitro
activity for most strains. Genera attributed to the
Mucoraceae
exhibited a wide range of MICs for posaconazole, itraconazole, and terbinafine and included resistant strains.
Cunninghamella
also comprised strains resistant to all azoles tested but was fully susceptible to terbinafine. In contrast, the
Lichtheimiaceae
completely lacked strains with reduced susceptibility for these antifungals.
Syncephalastrum
species exhibited susceptibility profiles similar to those of the
Lichtheimiaceae. Mucor
species were more resistant to azoles than
Rhizopus
species. Species-specific responses were obtained for terbinafine where only
Rhizopus arrhizus
and
Mucor circinelloides
were resistant. Complete or vast resistance was observed for 5-fluorocytosine, caspofungin, and micafungin. Intraspecific variability of
in vitro
susceptibility was found in all genera tested but was especially high in
Mucor
and
Rhizopus
for azoles and terbinafine. Accurate molecular identification of etiologic agents is compulsory to predict therapy outcome. For species of critical genera such as
Mucor
and
Rhizopus
, exhibiting high intraspecific variation, susceptibility testing before the onset of therapy is recommended.
Competing Risk of Atherosclerotic Risk Factors for Arterial and Venous Thrombosis in a General Population: The Tromsø Study
Authors: Brækkan Sigrid K. , Hald Erin M. , Mathiesen Ellisiv B. , Njølstad Inger , Wilsgaard Tom , Rosendaal Frits R. , Hansen John-Bjarne 
Published: November 2011

Objective—
To investigate and compare the impact of traditional atherosclerotic risk factors for the risk of arterial and venous thrombosis, taking into account competing risks.

Methods and Results—

In 1994–1995, 26,185 subjects were screened in the Tromsø study. Information on traditional atherosclerotic risk factors was obtained by physical examination, blood samples, and questionnaires. Subjects were followed to the first incident event of myocardial infarction (MI) or venous thromboembolism (VTE), or December 31, 2005. During a median of 10.8 years of follow-up, there were 1279 cases of incident MI and 341 VTE events. Advancing age and high body mass index were both associated with MI and VTE. Hazard ratio per decade of age was 2.34 (95% CI: 2.25–2.43) for MI and 1.87 (1.74–2.01) for VTE, and 3 kg/m
2
increase in body mass index was associated with 1.16 (1.11–1.21) and 1.20 (1.12–1.29) increased risk of MI and VTE, respectively. Blood pressure, high levels of triglycerides and total cholesterol, low HDL cholesterol, self-reported diabetes, and smoking were all associated with increased risk of MI but not associated with VTE.

Conclusion—
Our findings imply that traditional atherosclerotic risk factors, such as smoking, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes mellitus are not shared by arterial and venous thrombosis.
Dynamical Ocean Forcing of the Madden–Julian Oscillation at Lead Times of up to Five Months
Authors: Webber Benjamin G. M. , Stevens David P. , Matthews Adrian J. , Heywood Karen J. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractThe authors show that a simple three-dimensional ocean model linearized about a resting basic state can accurately simulate the dynamical ocean response to wind forcing by the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO). This includes the propagation of equatorial waves in the Indian Ocean, from the generation of oceanic equatorial Kelvin waves to the arrival of downwelling oceanic equatorial Rossby waves in the western Indian Ocean, where they have been shown to trigger MJO convective activity. Simulations with idealized wind forcing suggest that the latitudinal width of this forcing plays a crucial role in determining the potential for such feedbacks. Forcing the model with composite MJO winds accurately captures the global ocean response, demonstrating that the observed ocean dynamical response to the MJO can be interpreted as a linear response to surface wind forcing. The model is then applied to study “primary” Madden–Julian events, which are not immediately preceded by any MJO activity or by any apparent atmospheric triggers, but have been shown to coincide with the arrival of downwelling oceanic equatorial Rossby waves. Case study simulations show how this oceanic equatorial Rossby wave activity is partly forced by reflection of an oceanic equatorial Kelvin wave triggered by a westerly wind burst 140 days previously, and partly directly forced by easterly wind stress anomalies around 40 days prior to the event. This suggests predictability for primary Madden–Julian events on times scales of up to five months, following the reemergence of oceanic anomalies forced by winds almost half a year earlier.
A study on the arrival process of lift passengers in a multi-storey office building
Authors: Kuusinen J-M , Sorsa J , Siikonen M-L , Ehtamo H 
Published: November 2011

This article presents a study on the process of how passengers arrive at lift lobbies to travel to their destinations. Earlier studies suggest that passengers arrive at the lift lobbies individually with exponentially distributed inter-arrival times, that is, according to a Poisson process. This study was carried out in a multi-storey office building. The data was collected using a questionnaire, digital video recordings and the lift monitoring system. The results show that, in the studied building, passengers arrive in batches whose size varies with the time of day and the floor utilization. In addition, the batch arrivals follow a time-inhomogeneous Poisson process with piecewise constant arrival rates. Practical applications: This article contributes to the basic understanding of passenger behaviour, and how people move around in buildings and arrive at the lift lobbies. It is proposed that the model for the passenger arrival process should take into account that passengers do not always arrive individually but also in batches. The passenger arrival process affects the design of elevators. It will also affect the passenger generation in building traffic simulations.
Contemporary Assessment of Medical Morbidity and Mortality in Head and Neck Surgery
Authors: Lin Harrison W. , Bhattacharyya Neil 
Published: November 2011

ObjectiveTo update the incidence of medical morbidity and mortality in head and neck surgery and factors that influence length of stay (LOS).Study DesignCross‐sectional analysis of a national database.SettingAcademic medical center.MethodsA specific database for head and neck surgical procedures was extracted from the National Hospital Data Survey for 2005 through 2007. Records of inpatient admissions for patients undergoing head and neck surgery as the primary procedure were examined to establish the frequency of medical complications, mortality, and LOS. The association of these medical complications with mortality and LOS was determined.ResultsA total of 330,629 head and neck procedures were analyzed. The overall medical morbidity and mortality rates were 5.0% ± 0.7% and 0.4% ± 0.2%, respectively. The most common medical complication was hospital‐acquired pneumonia (3.3% ± 0.6%), whereas acute renal failure, stroke, acute myocardial infarction, pulmonary embolism, and deep venous thrombosis were substantially less frequent (combined incidence, 2.1%). The mean LOS for patients without a major complication was 3.3 ± 0.2 days vs 14.0 ± 1.9 days for those with a major complication (P <. 001).ConclusionsMedical morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing head and neck surgical procedures continue to be exceedingly low. Although medical complications are associated with a longer LOS, the influence of medical complications on mortality has declined. Enhancements in perioperative medical management of head and neck surgical patients are likely responsible for these improved results.
Challenges in providing family-centered support to families in palliative care
Authors: Gaudio Francesca Del , Zaider Talia I , Brier Moriah , Kissane David W 
Published: November 2011

Background: Supporting the family-as-a-whole presents challenges in palliative care, although family meetings are increasingly used in routine practice. The Family Focused Grief Therapy (FFGT) Model guides clinicians in using a range of intervention strategies. Aim: To examine the therapists’ techniques used in assessing ‘at risk’ families in palliative care to better illuminate what helps and what remains challenging. Method: Recorded sessions 1 and 2 were coded using the FFGT fidelity coding measure, with its glossary of definitions. Inter-rater reliability between three coders was satisfactory at 88%. Frequencies of strategy utilization were computed, with extraction of examples of both successful and problematic approaches. Setting/participants: From within a larger study of family therapy during palliative care at a comprehensive cancer center, the first two sessions ( n = 144) delivered to 74 families (299 individuals) by 32 therapists were coded and analyzed. Results: Therapists readily explored the story of illness and families’ ways of coping (97%) and assessed communication and cohesiveness in the majority. Exploration of relational patterns occurred in 89% of sessions, use of a genogram in 80%, understanding members’ roles in 65% and family values and beliefs in 62%. Less use was made of summaries (39%), family mottos (34%), exploration of family conflict (35%) and the formalization of a comprehensive family treatment plan (20%). Conclusions: Challenges exist in therapy with difficult families. Therapy in the home brings special issues. Therapists can apply most of the interventions prescribed by the FFGT model.
Repair Integrity and Functional Outcome After Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair
Authors: Kim Kyung Cheon , Shin Hyun Dae , Lee Woo Yong , Han Sun Cheol 
Published: November 2011

Background: Only a few studies have examined repair integrity and functional outcome after arthroscopic suture-bridge rotator cuff repair procedure. In addition, no reported study has compared outcomes between the suture-bridge and double-row techniques. Purpose: This study compared the functional outcome and repair integrity of arthroscopic double-row and conventional suture-bridge repair in full-thickness rotator cuff tears. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: Fifty-two consecutive full-thickness rotator cuff tears with 1 to 4 cm of anterior to posterior dimension that underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair were included. A double-row technique was used in the first 26 consecutive shoulders, and a conventional suture-bridge technique was used in the next 26 consecutive shoulders. Fifty shoulders (92.5%) underwent magnetic resonance imaging or ultrasonography postoperatively. Clinical outcomes were evaluated a minimum 2 years (mean, 37.2 months; range, 24-54) postoperatively using the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES), and Constant scores. The postoperative cuff integrity was evaluated a mean of 33.0 (range, 10-54) months postoperatively. Results: At the final follow-up, the average UCLA, ASES, and Constant scores improved significantly, to 32.3, 90.5, and 80.7, respectively, in the double-row group and to 30.6, 88.5, and 74.0, respectively, in the suture-bridge group. The UCLA, ASES, and Constant scores improved in both groups postoperatively (all P < .001); however, there was no significant difference between the 2 groups at final follow-up ( P = .185, .585, and .053, respectively). The retear rate was 24% in the shoulders that underwent double-row repair and 20% in the shoulders that underwent suture-bridge repair; this difference was not statistically significant ( P = .733). Conclusion: The arthroscopic conventional suture-bridge technique resulted in comparable patient satisfaction, functional outcome, and rates of retear compared with the arthroscopic double-row technique in full-thickness rotator cuff tears.
A method for calculating the displacements of a powertrain and mounts in a powertrain mounting system including torque struts under quasi-static loads
Authors: Shangguan Wen-Bin , Chen Da-Ming 
Published: November 2011

A modelling and calculation method for obtaining the displacements of the powertrain’s centre of gravity (CG) and mounts in a powertrain mounting system (PMS) including the torque struts under a static or quasi-static load is presented. A new mount model that is modelled as three-dimensional (3D) springs with both a translational stiffness along each axis of its local coordinate system (LCS) and a rotational stiffness around each axis of its LCS is presented. Also a torque strut is a generic construction and is regarded as a massless rigid body with a mount at each of its two ends. The equation and the solution method for estimating the displacements of the powertrain’s CG and the mounts under a quasi-static load are developed when torque struts exist in a PMS. An example is given of the calculation and comparison of the displacements of the powertrain’s CG and mounts in a generic PMS including a torque strut using both the method proposed in this paper and the conventional method published in the referenced papers.
Advertising and Culture
Authors: Alozie Emmanuel C. 
Published: November 2011

Over the past 40 decades, spurred by McLuhan’s prediction and the growing importance of international marketing and communication in a shrinking world, studies on the role of advertising as it relates to culture have grown. Despite the increased interest on the subject, few, if any studies, have dealt with an African country. This article serves as an attempt to bridge that gap. The article used semiotic analysis to explore the cultural values conveyed in 500-plus advertisements in the Nigerian mass media. This semiotic analysis of the 500-plus advertisements determined that, excluding texts, the most common symbols found in Nigerian advertisements were photos of human beings and products. The study also found that Nigerian advertisements did not employ well-established Nigerian ethnic or national symbols. For example, most of the advertisements did not use or combine any of the major or minor Nigerian languages.
Topological twists
Authors: Allen John 
Published: November 2011

The pervasive quality of governments to reach directly into our lives, the striking ability of far-flung corporations to make their presence felt at close quarters, and the ease with which NGOs fold distant harms into local campaigns all speak to a world in which distances are no longer a good indication of either separation or proximity. Such actions speak to a world in which proximity and distance play across one another, where topology not topography, it is argued, offers a better starting point to grasp many of the spatial and temporal dynamics involved. The article sets out the limits of territorial and networked approaches to power and goes on to show how the ability of powerful bodies to draw distant others within close reach or construct the close-at-hand at a distance opens up an understanding of power more in tune with the spatial reworkings of authority and influence today. More significantly, it goes on to illustrate how power-topologies enable actors to register their presence through quieter, less brash forms of power than domination and overt control, and, in so doing, allow some actors to exert an influence and reach way beyond their means and resources.