bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exploiting media stream similarity for energy-efficient decoding and resource prediction
Authors: Hamers Juan , Eeckhout Lieven 
Published: April 2012

This article introduces a novel approach to energy-efficient media stream decoding that is based on the notion of media stream similarity. The key idea is that platform-independent scenarios with similar decoding complexity can be identified within and across media streams. A device that decodes a media stream annotated with scenario information can then adjust its processor clock frequency and voltage level based on these scenarios for lower energy consumption. Our evaluation, done using the H.264 AVC decoder and 12 reference video streams, shows an average energy reduction of 44% while missing less than 0.2% of the frame deadlines using scenario-driven video decoding.
An additional application of scenario-based media stream annotation is to predict required resources (compute power and energy) for consuming a given service on a given device. Resource prediction is extremely useful in a client-server setup in which the client requests a media service from the server or content provider. The content provider (in cooperation with the client) can then determine what service quality to deliver, given the client's available resources. Scenario-aware resource prediction can predict (compute power and energy) consumption with errors less than 4% (and an overall average 1.4% error).
Molecular Pathways: Vasculogenic Mimicry in Tumor Cells: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Implications
Authors: Kirschmann Dawn A. , Seftor Elisabeth A. , Hardy Katharine M. , Seftor Richard E.B. , Hendrix Mary J.C. 
Published: April 2012

Abstract
Tumor cell vasculogenic mimicry (VM) describes the functional plasticity of aggressive cancer cells forming de novo vascular networks, thereby providing a perfusion pathway for rapidly growing tumors, transporting fluid from leaky vessels, and/or connecting with endothelial-lined vasculature. The underlying induction of VM seems to be related to hypoxia, which may also promote the plastic, transendothelial phenotype of tumor cells capable of VM. Since its introduction in 1999 as a novel paradigm for melanoma tumor perfusion, many studies have contributed new insights into the underlying molecular pathways supporting VM in a variety of tumors, including melanoma, glioblastoma, carcinomas, and sarcomas. In particular, critical VM-modulating genes are associated with vascular (VE-cadherin, EphA2, VEGF receptor 1), embryonic and/or stem cell (Nodal, Notch4), and hypoxia-related (hypoxia-inducible factor, Twist1) signaling pathways. Each of these pathways warrants serious scrutiny as potential therapeutic, vascular targets, and diagnostic indicators of plasticity, drug resistance, and the aggressive metastatic phenotype. Clin Cancer Res; 18(10); 2726–32. ©2012 AACR.
Individual Offending, Routine Activities, and Activity Settings: Revisiting the Routine Activity Theory of General Deviance
Authors: Miller Joel 
Published: April 2012

Objectives: To examine whether a diverse range of both structured and unstructured routine activities is associated with offending, and whether activities have crime-specific effects. Method: Data on 15-year-olds from the fourth wave of the Edinburgh Study of Youth Transitions and Crime were analyzed (minimum n = 3,064). Principal components analyses identified core routine activities. Random intercepts logistic regression models examined their associations with assault, fare evasion, shoplifting, vandalism, and drug use. Results: Core routine activities identified were hanging around with friends locally, hanging around away from home, nightlife, cultural and consumer activities, and involvement in youth clubs and sports. All had associations with offending, though effects varied by offense. For example, involvement in youth clubs and sports was positively associated with assault and fare evasion; involvement in nightlife was positively associated with assault and drug use; and hanging out with friends locally was positively associated with assault, shoplifting, and vandalism. Conclusions: It is theorized that the varied targets and facilitators present in different activity settings help account for study results. Findings are limited by the cross-sectional character of data analyzed and may be influenced by selection effects. They would benefit from further testing with longitudinal data.
Removal of Biofilms from Tracheoesophageal Speech Valves Using a Novel Marine Microbial Deoxyribonuclease
Authors: Shakir Adam , ElBadawey Mohamed Reda , Shields Robert Colquhoun , Jakubovics Nicholas Stephen , Burgess James Grant 
Published: April 2012

ObjectiveThe growth of biofilms on tracheoesophageal speech valves shortens their life span and produces a reservoir of pathogens that may infect the respiratory tract. The authors have discovered a novel nontoxic deoxyribonuclease, NucB, from a marine isolate of Bacillus licheniformis that is effective at dispersing a variety of mono and mixed‐species bacterial biofilms. The aim of this preliminary study was to determine whether NucB could also disrupt and remove mixed‐species biofilms from tracheoesophageal speech valves.Study DesignLaboratory‐based treatment and analysis of discarded tracheoesophageal speech valves.SettingUniversity human biology laboratory and the Department of Speech and Language Therapy at a tertiary referral hospital.Subjects and MethodsSeventeen ex vivo tracheoesophageal speech valves fouled with natural human biofilms were collected and divided into 2 equal parts. One half was treated with NucB and the other half with a control buffer solution. Biofilm removal was measured by microscopy and by culture of dispersed biofilm organisms on agar plates.ResultsSignificantly more organisms were released from biofilms using NucB than with buffer solution alone. On nonselective medium, more organisms were cultured in 11 samples (65%, n = 17, P <. 05). Using growth media favoring fungi, more organisms were cultured in 14 samples (82%, n = 17, P <. 05).ConclusionThe nontoxic deoxyribonuclease NucB was effective in releasing more microorganisms from biofilms on tracheoesophageal speech valves. This reflects its potential ability to break up and disperse these biofilms. Future studies will aim to develop NucB as a novel agent to prolong the life span of tracheoesophageal speech valves, thus reducing health care costs.
Double-Bundle Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Using Bone–Patellar Tendon–Bone Allograft
Authors: Jiang Dong , Ao Ying-Fang , Gong Xi , Wang Yong-Jian , Luo Hao , Chen Lian-Xu , Wang Hai-Jun , Xie Xing , Zhang Ji-Ying , Yu Jia-Kuo 
Published: April 2012

Background: Nonanatomic transtibial single-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (SB-ACLR) with a bone–patellar tendon–bone (BPTB) allograft has been used for a long time and has shown the same satisfactory clinical results as an autograft; however, it has not been reported if a double-bundle ACLR (DB-ACLR) could be performed with a BPTB allograft and achieve even better results. Hypothesis: The DB-ACLR with a BPTB allograft is technically feasible and will be superior to the SB technique in restoring better anterior and rotating stability. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: The study was performed with 56 patients, and 52 (25 in the DB group and 27 in the SB group) of them were followed up at 2 to 5 years. With an irradiated deep-frozen BPTB allograft, a standard single-incision arthroscopic technique was used, and the graft was fixed with bioabsorbable interference screws on both the femoral and tibial sides. Outcome assessment at final follow-up included International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC), Tegner, and Lysholm scores; side-to-side difference by conventional KT-2000 arthrometer; total anteroposterior (AP) laxity by the back-pushing KT-2000 arthrometer; pivot shift (0, +, ++); range of motion (ROM); and isokinetic muscle strength evaluation. Results: Mean follow-up was 47.3 ± 11.5 and 58.2 ± 6.6 months for the DB group and SB group, respectively. A statistically significant difference in favor of the DB group was found with the total AP laxity at 30° ( P < .05). The overall incidence of pivot shift in the DB group (4% ++) was significantly lower than that in the SB group (26%: 19% + and 7% ++; P = .029). No significant differences were found between the 2 groups in terms of IKDC score, Lysholm score, Tegner score, conventional KT-2000 arthrometer anterior laxity, ROM, and muscle strength. Conclusion: A DB-ACLR with a BPTB allograft is feasible and achieved more satisfactory results than the transtibial SB technique in terms of total AP stability and rotational stability in spite of no significant differences among other clinical parameters.
Involvement of intracellular glutathione in regulating isoline-induced cytotoxicity in human normal liver L-02 cells
Authors: Chen Ying , Ji Lili , Xiong Aizheng , Yang Li , Wang Zhengtao 
Published: April 2012

Pyrrolizidine alkaloid isoline is isolated from the traditional Chinese medicine Ligularia duciformis. Our previous reports have already demonstrated isoline-induced liver injury in mice. The present study is designed to observe the involvement of intracellular reduced glutathione (GSH) in isoline-induced cytotoxicity in human normal liver L-02 cells. The results showed that isoline decreased the cellular GSH and the ratio of GSH and oxidized glutathione in a time- and concentration-dependent manner in L-02 cells. l-Buthionine- S- R-sulfoximine (BSO) is reported to inhibit cellular GSH biosynthesis, and further results showed that isoline decreased the cell viability in L-02 cells after pretreated with 25 μM BSO for 24 h. Furthermore, adducts of isoline and GSH were identified in L-02 cells using liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ion trap) for the first time. In conclusion, our study provides the strongest evidence to support the important roles of GSH in regulating isoline-induced cytotoxicity in human normal liver L-02 cells.
Building an Integrated Model of Trial Court Decision Making: Predicting Plaintiff Success and Awards across Circuits
Authors: Dumas Tao L. , Haynie Stacia L. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThis study creates and empirically tests an integrated model of trial court decision making to explore the hypothesis that jury verdicts reflect the social, political, and economic attributes of the community in which the court resides. In addition, the analyses examine the influence of attorneys, litigants, case facts, and judges on trial outcomes. Using an original data set comprising all reported civil trial verdicts decided in the state of Alabama from 2002 to 2008, we uncover strong evidence that community composition influences both the dispute resolution and resource allocation functions of trial courts. This research improves our knowledge of trial court decision making and contributes to our theoretical understanding of the effect of extralegal factors on the performance of political institutions.
Talk of frustration in the narratives of people with chronic pain
Authors: Dow Clare M , Roche Patricia A , Ziebland Sue 
Published: April 2012

Objectives: To improve understanding of the sources of frustration for people with chronic pain and consider the potential influence of frustration on the chronic pain experience and relationships with health professionals. Methods: Qualitative in-depth interviews with a diverse, maximum variation sample of 46 participants with chronic pain, 30 of whom talked about frustration. Analysis paid close attention to how people talked about their frustration as well as what they said. Results: Frustration is a multi-faceted emotion and its effects are cumulative. Sources of frustration include interference with everyday activities, the interruption of life goals and roles and the unpredictability of pain; here we focus on the frustrations associated with the invisibility of chronic pain and the perceived limitations of diagnosis and pain management (both related to the perceived legitimacy of the condition). Several of the participants who had lived with chronic pain for many years described overcoming, or managing, their frustrations. Discussion: If patients think that their pain is not being believed this is clearly a barrier to an effective consultation. Communication with chronic pain patients may improve if the frustration of living with an invisible, debilitating condition that is hard to diagnose and treat is explicitly (and perhaps repeatedly) acknowledged by the health professional.
Phenotypic plasticity, QTL mapping and genomic characterization of bud set in black poplar
Authors: Fabbrini Francesco , Gaudet Muriel , Bastien Catherine , Zaina Giusi , Harfouche Antoine , Beritognolo Isacco , Marron Nicolas , Morgante Michele , Scarascia-Mugnozza Giuseppe , Sabatti Maurizio 
Published: April 2012

AbstractBackgroundThe genetic control of important adaptive traits, such as bud set, is still poorly understood in most forest trees species. Poplar is an ideal model tree to study bud set because of its indeterminate shoot growth. Thus, a full-sib family derived from an intraspecific cross ofP. nigrawith 162 clonally replicated progeny was used to assess the phenotypic plasticity and genetic variation of bud set in two sites of contrasting environmental conditions.ResultsSix crucial phenological stages of bud set were scored. Night length appeared to be the most important signal triggering the onset of growth cessation. Nevertheless, the effect of other environmental factors, such as temperature, increased during the process. Moreover, a considerable role of genotype × environment (G × E) interaction was found in all phenological stages with the lowest temperature appearing to influence the sensitivity of the most plastic genotypes.Descriptors of growth cessation and bud onset explained the largest part of phenotypic variation of the entire process. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) for these traits were detected. For the four selected traits (the onset of growth cessation (date2.5), the transition from shoot to bud (date1.5), the duration of bud formation (subproc1) and bud maturation (subproc2)) eight and sixteen QTL were mapped on the maternal and paternal map, respectively. The identified QTL, each one characterized by small or modest effect, highlighted the complex nature of traits involved in bud set process. Comparison between map location of QTL andP. trichocarpagenome sequence allowed the identification of 13 gene models, 67 bud set-related expressional and six functional candidate genes (CGs). These CGs are functionally related to relevant biological processes, environmental sensing, signaling, and cell growth and development. Some strong QTL had no obvious CGs, and hold great promise to identify unknown genes that affect bud set.ConclusionsThis study provides a better understanding of the physiological and genetic dissection of bud set in poplar. The putative QTL identified will be tested for associations inP. nigranatural populations. The identified QTL and CGs will also serve as useful targets for poplar breeding.
Frequency of Chlamydia trachomatis in Ureaplasma-positive healthy women attending their first prenatal visit in a community hospital in Sapporo, Japan
Authors: Yamazaki Tomohiro , Matsumoto Megumi , Matsuo Junji , Abe Kiyotaka , Minami Kunihiro , Yamaguchi Hiroyuki 
Published: April 2012

Abstract

Background
Although Chlamydia trachomatis is the most commonly reported pathogen that causes urogenital infection such as urethritis or cervicitis, Ureaplasma parvum and Ureaplasma urealyticum, which are commensals in the genital tract, have also now been recognized as contributors to urogenital infection. However, whether the presence of either U. parvum or U. urealyticum is related to that of C. trachomatis in the urogenital tract remains unknown. We therefore attempted to estimate by PCR the prevalence of C. trachomatis, U. parvum and U. urealyticum in endocervical samples obtained from healthy women attending their first prenatal visit in Sapporo, Japan.

Methods
The samples were taken from 303 apparently healthy women, and the extracted DNAs (n = 280) were used for PCR detection targeting C. trachomatis, U. parvum and U. urealyticum. Statistical analysis of the data was performed by Fisher's exact test.

Results
PCR detection revealed that the prevalence of C. trachomatis, U. parvum and U. urealyticum was 14.3% (40/280), 41.7% (117/280) and 8.9% (25/280), respectively. C. trachomatis ompA genotype D was most frequently identified. Surprisingly, either C. trachomatis or Ureaplasma spp. was detected in almost half of the healthy women. Mixed infection of C. trachomatis with either U. parvum or U. urealyticum was also observed in 9.2% (26/280) of the women. There was a significant association between C. trachomatis and either U. parvum (p = 0.023) or Ureaplasma total (p = 0.013), but not U. urealyticum (p = 0.275).

Conclusion
This study demonstrated that the presence of Ureaplasma had a significant effect on the presence of C. trachomatis in the genital tract of healthy women, suggesting that mixed infection is an important factor in bacterial pathogenesis in the genital tract.
Androgen receptor expression predicts breast cancer survival: the role of genetic and epigenetic events
Authors: Peters Kate M , Edwards Stacey L , Nair Shalima S , French Juliet D , Bailey Peter J , Salkield Kathryn , Stein Sandra , Wagner Sarah , Francis Glenn D , Clark Susan J , Brown Melissa A 
Published: April 2012

Abstract

Background
Breast cancer outcome, including response to therapy, risk of metastasis and survival, is difficult to predict using currently available methods, highlighting the urgent need for more informative biomarkers. Androgen receptor (AR) has been implicated in breast carcinogenesis however its potential to be an informative biomarker has yet to be fully explored. In this study, AR protein levels were determined in a cohort of 73 Grade III invasive breast ductal adenocarcinomas.

Methods
The levels of Androgen receptor protein in a cohort of breast tumour samples was determined by immunohistochemistry and the results were compared with clinical characteristics, including survival. The role of defects in the regulation of Androgen receptor gene expression were examined by mutation and methylation screening of the 5' end of the gene, reporter assays of the 5' and 3' end of the AR gene, and searching for miRNAs that may regulate AR gene expression.

Results
AR was expressed in 56% of tumours and expression was significantly inversely associated with 10-year survival (P = 0.004). An investigation into the mechanisms responsible for the loss of AR expression revealed that hypermethylation of the AR promoter is associated with loss of AR expression in breast cancer cells but not in primary breast tumours. In AR negative breast tumours, mutation screening identified the same mutation (T105A) in the 5'UTR of two AR negative breast cancer patients but not reported in the normal human population. Reporter assay analysis of this mutation however found no evidence for a negative impact on AR 5'UTR activity. The role of miR-124 in regulating AR expression was also investigated, however no evidence for this was found.

Conclusion
This study highlights the potential for AR expression to be an informative biomarker for breast cancer survival and sets the scene for a more comprehensive investigation of the molecular basis of this phenomenon.
Life-course origins of social inequalities in adult immune cell markers of inflammation in a developing southern Chinese population: the Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study
Authors: West Douglas A , Leung Gabriel M , Jiang Chao Q , Elwell-Sutton Timothy M , Zhang Wei S , Lam Tai H , Cheng Kar K , Schooling C Mary 
Published: April 2012

Abstract

Background
Socioeconomic position (SEP) throughout life is associated with cardiovascular disease, though the mechanisms linking these two are unclear. It is also unclear whether there are critical periods in the life course when exposure to better socioeconomic conditions confers advantages or whether SEP exposures accumulate across the whole life course. Inflammation may be a mechanism linking socioeconomic position (SEP) with cardiovascular disease. In a large sample of older residents of Guangzhou, in southern China, we examined the association of life course SEP with inflammation.

Methods
In baseline data on 9,981 adults (≥ 50 years old) from the Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study (2006-08), we used multivariable linear regression and model fit to assess the associations of life course SEP at four stages (childhood, early adult, late adult and current) with white blood, granulocyte and lymphocyte cell counts.

Results
A model including SEP at all four life stages best explained the association of life course SEP with white blood and granulocyte cell count for men and women, with early adult SEP (education) making the largest contribution. A critical period model best explained the association of life course SEP with lymphocyte count, with sex-specific associations. Early adult SEP was negatively associated with lymphocytes for women.

Conclusions
Low SEP throughout life may negatively impact late adult immune-inflammatory status. However, some aspects of immune-inflammatory status may be sensitive to earlier exposures, with sex-specific associations. The findings were compatible with the hypothesis that in a developing population, upregulation of the gonadotropic axis with economic development may obscure the normally protective effects of social advantage for men.
Antioxidant, antibacterial, cytotoxic, and apoptotic activity of stem bark extracts of Cephalotaxus griffithii Hook. f
Authors: Moirangthem Dinesh Singh , Talukdar Narayan Chandra , Kasoju Naresh , Bora Utpal 
Published: April 2012

AbstractBackgroundCephalotaxusspp. are known to possess various therapeutic potentials.Cephalotaxus griffithii, however, has not been evaluated for its biological potential. The reason may be the remoteness and inaccessibility of the habitat where it is distributed. The main aim of this study was to: (1) evaluate multiple biological potentials of stem bark ofC. griffithii, and (2) identify solvent extract of stem bark ofC. griffithiito find the one with the highest specific biological activity.MethodsDried powder of stem bark ofC. griffithiiwas exhaustively extracted serially by soaking in petroleum ether, acetone and methanol to fractionate the chemical constituents into individual fractions or extracts. The extracts were tested for total phenolic and flavonoid content, antioxidant (DPPH radical scavenging, superoxide radical scavenging, and reducing power models), antibacterial (disc diffusion assay on six bacterial strains), cytotoxic (MTT assay on HeLa cells), and apoptotic activity (fluorescence microscopy, DNA fragmentation assay, and flow cytometry on HeLa cells).ResultsAmong the three extracts of stem bark ofC. griffithii, the acetone extract contained the highest amount of total phenolics and flavonoids and showed maximum antioxidant, antibacterial, cytotoxic (IC50of 35.5 ± 0.6 μg/ml; P < 0.05), and apoptotic (46.3 ± 3.6% sub-G0/G1 population; P < 0.05) activity, followed by the methanol and petroleum ether extracts. However, there was no significant difference observed in IC50values (DPPH scavenging assay) of the acetone and methanol extracts and the positive control (ascorbic acid). In contrast, superoxide radical scavenging assay-based antioxidant activity (IC50) of the acetone and methanol extracts was significantly lower than the positive control (P < 0.05). Correlation analysis suggested that phenolic and flavonoid content present in stem bark ofC. griffithiiextracts was responsible for the high antioxidant, cytotoxic, and apoptotic activity (P < 0.05).ConclusionsStem bark ofC. griffithiihas multiple biological effects. These results call for further chemical characterization of acetone extract of stem bark ofC. griffithiifor specific bioactivity.