bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of different types of aerobic exercise in fibromyalgia syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
Authors: Häuser Winfried , Klose Petra , Langhorst Jost , Moradi Babak , Steinbach Mario , Schiltenwolf Marcus , Busch Angela 
Published: June 2010

Abstract
Introduction
The efficacy and the optimal type and volume of aerobic exercise (AE) in fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) are not established. We therefore assessed the efficacy of different types and volumes of AE in FMS.

Methods
The Cochrane Library, EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsychInfo and SPORTDISCUS (through April 2009) and the reference sections of original studies and systematic reviews on AE in FMS were systematically reviewed. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of AE compared with controls (treatment as usual, attention placebo, active therapy) and head-to-head comparisons of different types of AE were included. Two authors independently extracted articles using predefined data fields, including study quality indicators.

Results
Twenty-eight RCTs comparing AE with controls and seven RCTs comparing different types of AE with a total of 2,494 patients were reviewed. Effects were summarised using standardised mean differences (95% confidence intervals) by random effect models. AE reduced pain (-0.31 (-0.46, -0.17); P < 0.001), fatigue (-0.22 (-0.38, -0.05); P = 0.009), depressed mood (-0.32 (-0.53, -0.12); P = 0.002) and limitations of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) (-0.40 (-0.60, -0.20); P < 0.001), and improved physical fitness (0.65 (0.38, 0.95); P < 0.001), post treatment. Pain was significantly reduced post treatment by land-based and water-based AE, exercises with slight to moderate intensity and frequency of two or three times per week. Positive effects on depressed mood, HRQOL and physical fitness could be maintained at follow-up. Continuing exercise was associated with positive outcomes at follow-up. Risks of bias analyses did not change the robustness of the results. Few studies reported a detailed exercise protocol, thus limiting subgroup analyses of different types of exercise.

Conclusions
An aerobic exercise programme for FMS patients should consist of land-based or water-based exercises with slight to moderate intensity two or three times per week for at least 4 weeks. The patient should be motivated to continue exercise after participating in an exercise programme.
Tumor necrosis factor and norepinephrine lower the levels of human neutrophil peptides 1-3 secretion by mixed synovial tissue cultures in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Riepl Birgit , Grässel Susanne , Wiest Reiner , Fleck Martin , Straub Rainer H 
Published: June 2010

Abstract
Introduction
Neutrophils and monocytes play an important role in overt inflammation in chronic inflammatory joint diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The sympathetic nervous system (SNS) inhibits many neutrophil/monocyte functions and macrophage tumor necrosis factor (TNF), but because of the loss of sympathetic nerve fibers in inflamed tissue, sympathetic control is attenuated. In this study, we focused on noradrenergic and TNF regulation of human neutrophil peptides 1-3 (HNP1-3), which are proinflammatory bactericidal α-defensins.

Methods
Synovial tissue and cells were obtained from patients with RA and osteoarthritis (OA). By using immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence, HNP1-3 were tracked in the tissue. With synovial cell-culture experiments and ELISA, effects of norepinephrine, TNF, and cortisol on HNP1-3 were detected.

Results
HNP1-3 were abundantly expressed in the synovial lining and adjacent sublining area but not in deeper layers of synovial tissue. The human β-defensin-2, used as control, was hardly detectable in the tissue and in supernatants. HNP1-3 double-stained with neutrophils but not with macrophages, fibroblasts, T/B lymphocytes, and mast cells. Norepinephrine dose-dependently decreased HNP1-3 levels from RA and OA cells. TNF also inhibited HNP1-3 levels from OA but not from RA cells. Cortisol inhibited HNP1-3 levels only in OA patients. A combination of norepinephrine and cortisol did not show additive or synergistic effects.

Conclusions
This study demonstrated an inhibitory effect of norepinephrine on HNP1-3 of mixed synovial cells. In light of these findings, the loss of sympathetic nerve fibers with low resting norepinephrine levels might also augment the inflammatory process through HNP1-3.
Multidimensional Mechanism Design: Finite-Dimensional Approximations and Efficient Computation
Authors: Belloni Alexandre , Lopomo Giuseppe , Wang Shouqiang 
Published: June 2010

Multidimensional mechanism design problems have proven difficult to solve by extending techniques from the one-dimensional case. This paper considers mechanism design problems with multidimensional types when the seller's cost function is not separable across buyers. By adapting results obtained by Border [Border, K. 1991. Implementation of reduced form auctions: A geometric approach. Econometrica 59 1175–1187], we transform the seller's problem into a representation that only involves “interim” variables and eliminates the dimensionality dependence on the number of buyers. We show that the associated infinite-dimensional optimization problem posed by the theoretical model can be approximated arbitrarily well by a sequence of finite-dimensional linear programming problems.We provide an efficient—i.e., terminating in polynomial time in the problem size—method to compute the separation oracle associated with the Border constraints and incentive compatibility constraints. This implies that our finite-dimensional approximation is solvable in polynomial time.Finally, we illustrate how the numerical solutions of the finite-dimensional approximations can provide insights into the nature of optimal solutions to the infinite-dimensional problem in particular cases.
Development of a Sliding-Rolling Contact Fatigue Tester
Authors: Dvorak Gregory , Zahui Marcellin , Mitton Bryce 
Published: June 2010

Abstract
Contact fatigue failure is a common problem experienced in many applications such as bearings, gears, and railway tracks. In recent years, research companies have developed finishing processes that aim to improve components’ contact fatigue life. Preliminary rolling contact fatigue tests have shown that superfinishing processes could potentially improve a component’s contact fatigue life by 300 %. However, before these technologies can move from the laboratories to industrial platforms, more tests are needed to verify the claim. The objective of the work herein is to discuss the completion and verification of a sliding-rolling contact fatigue (S-RCF) test rig. This project is funded by the U.S. Army to assess the real benefit of superfinishing on the contact fatigue life of gears used in helicopter transmission boxes. The proposed tester design uses three rollers around a specimen, a hydraulic loading mechanism, and two servo motors. This configuration of the S-RCF tester allows for shorter testing time, more flexible testing parameters such as any combination of slide-roll ratio between the surfaces, any operating speed, and dry or lubricated testing conditions. Failure is detected with a state-of-the-art eddy current crack detection system, which can also be used to monitor and investigate crack growth for different materials, levels of superfinish, and operating conditions. Preliminary tests on a common gear material (AISI 8620 steel) were performed to assess the mechanical limits as well as the control software performance. This paper presents the detailed development and validation of the tester. It discusses issues involved with servo controllers, electronic gear ratio, and their ability to provide precise speed and slip ratios.
Synthetic Jet Fuel Blend Analysis Using Mid-Infrared Spectroscopy
Authors: Wilks Dylan 
Published: June 2010

Abstract
With recent volatile oil prices and the desire to reduce dependence on foreign oil, the airline industry and military are looking at ways to supplement the fuel supply. Synthetic jet fuel has recently come to the forefront as a possible solution since it has chemical properties and energy density similar to that of petroleum based jet fuel. In order to successfully implement synthetic jet fuels into a fuel supply, it is essential to know the blend ratio of synthetic to standard jet fuel. A portable mid-infrared analyzer was evaluated as a possible tool to analyze the blend ratio. Preliminary results showed that portable mid-infrared analyzers have an accuracy better than 1 % by volume. Both commercial (Jet A) and military spec (JP-8) fuels were blended with different levels of synthetic jet fuel, and calibrations were generated on a portable mid-infrared spectrometer. The mid-infrared spectrometer performed within an acceptable accuracy with both fuels. In addition, it was possible to calibrate using Jet A fuel and predict the synthetic blend ratio on JP-8 fuel, so the calibration was robust enough to compensate for different fuel types. Further studies are underway in order to determine the effects of fuel additives and different synthetic fuel types on infrared analysis.
Discrete-Time Risk Models Based on Time Series for Count Random Variables
Authors: Cossette Hélène , Marceau Etienne , Maume-Deschamps Véronique 
Published: June 2010

AbstractIn this paper, we consider various specifications of the general discrete-time risk model in which a serial dependence structure is introduced between the claim numbers for each period. We consider risk models based on compound distributions assuming several examples of discrete variate time series as specific temporal dependence structures: Poisson MA(1) process, Poisson AR(1) process, Markov Bernoulli process and Markov regime-switching process. In these models, we derive expressions for a function that allow us to find the Lundberg coefficient. Specific cases for which an explicit expression can be found for the Lundberg coefficient are also presented. Numerical examples are provided to illustrate different topics discussed in the paper.
A Multilevel Analysis of Intercompany Claim Counts
Authors: Antonio Katrien , Frees Edward W. , Valdez Emiliano A. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractIt is common for professional associations and regulators to combine the claims experience of several insurers into a database known as an “intercompany” experience data set. In this paper, we analyze data on claim counts provided by the General Insurance Association of Singapore, an organization consisting of most of the general insurers in Singapore. Our data comes from the financial records of automobile insurance policies followed over a period of nine years. Because the source contains a pooled experience of several insurers, we are able to study company effects on claim behavior, an area that has not been systematically addressed in either the insurance or the actuarial literatures.We analyze this intercompany experience using multilevel models. The multilevel nature of the data is due to: a vehicle is observed over a period of years and is insured by an insurance company under a “fleet” policy. Fleet policies are umbrella-type policies issued to customers whose insurance covers more than a single vehicle. We investigate vehicle, fleet and company effects using various count distribution models (Poisson, negative binomial, zero-inflated and hurdle Poisson). The performance of these various models is compared; we demonstrate how our model can be used to update a priori premiums to a posteriori premiums, a common practice of experience-rated premium calculations. Through this formal model structure, we provide insights into effects that company-specific practice has on claims experience, even after controlling for vehicle and fleet effects.
Determining and Allocating Diversification Benefits for a Portfolio of Risks
Authors: Choo Weihao , de Jong Piet 
Published: June 2010

AbstractA critical problem in financial and insurance risk analysis is the calculation of risk margins. When there are a number of risks, the total risk margin is often reduced to reflect diversification. How large should the “diversification benefit” be? And how should the benefit be allocated to the individual risks? We propose a simple statistical solution. While providing a theoretical analysis, the final expressions are readily implemented in practice.
Leptin Directly Depolarizes Preproglucagon Neurons in the Nucleus Tractus Solitarius
Authors: Hisadome Kazunari , Reimann Frank , Gribble Fiona M. , Trapp Stefan 
Published: June 2010

OBJECTIVE
Glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 inhibits food intake, acting both in the periphery and within the central nervous system. It is unclear if gut-derived GLP-1 can enter the brain, or whether GLP-1 from preproglucagon (PPG) cells in the lower brainstem is required to activate central GLP-1 receptors. Brainstem PPG neurons, however, have been poorly characterized, due to the difficulties in identifying these cells while viable. This study provides data on the electrical properties of brainstem PPG cells and their regulation by orexigenic and anorexigenic peptides.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
Transgenic mice expressing Venus under control of the PPG promoter were used to identify PPG neurons in vitro in brainstem slice preparations for electrophysiological recordings.

RESULTS
The majority of PPG neurons were spontaneously active. Further electrical and molecular characterization revealed that GLP-1 receptor activation had no pre- or postsynaptic effect and that PPG neurons lack GLP-1 receptors. Similarly, they were unresponsive to PYY and ghrelin. In contrast, leptin rapidly and reversibly depolarized these neurons. Responses to electrical stimulation of the solitary tract suggest that PPG cells are mostly second-order neurons, receiving direct input from vagal afferent fibers. Both evoked and spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents were predominantly glutamatergic.

CONCLUSIONS
The study introduces PPG-promoter-Venus transgenic mice as a viable and important tool to study brainstem PPG cells. PPG neuron activity is directly modulated by leptin but was unaffected by other satiety or hunger peptides. Direct synaptic input from the solitary tract suggests that peripheral signals (including GLP-1) could modulate PPG cells via vagal afferents.
The checkerboard family of entangled states of two qutrits
Authors: Ðoković Dragomir 
Published: June 2010

Abstract
By modifying the method of Bruß and Peres, we construct two new families of entangled two qutrit states. For all density matrices ρ in these families we have ρ
ij = 0 for i + j odd. The first family depends on 27 independent real parameters and includes both PPT and NPT states. The second family consists of PPT entangled states. The number of independent real parameters of this family is ≥ 11
Optimal and self‐tuning weighted measurement fusion Kalman filters and their asymptotic global optimality
Authors: Gao Yuan , Ran Chen‐Jian , Sun Xiao‐Jun , Deng Zi‐Li 
Published: June 2010

AbstractFor the multisensor linear discrete time‐invariant stochastic systems with unknown noise variances, using the correlation method, the information fusion noise variance estimators with consistency are given by taking the average of the local noise variance estimators. Substituting them into two optimal weighted measurement fusion steady‐state Kalman filters, two new self‐tuning weighted measurement fusion Kalman filters with a self‐tuning Riccati equation are presented. By the dynamic variance error system analysis (DVESA) method, it is rigorously proved that the self‐tuning Riccati equation converges to the steady‐state optimal Riccati equation. Further, by the dynamic error system analysis (DESA) method, it is proved that the steady‐state optimal and self‐tuning Kalman fusers converge to the global optimal centralized Kalman fuser, so that they have the asymptotic global optimality. Compared with the centralized Kalman fuser, they can significantly reduce the computational burden. A simulation example for the target tracking systems shows their effectiveness. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Clarithromycin (Biaxin)‐lenalidomide‐low‐dose dexamethasone (BiRd) versus lenalidomide‐low‐dose dexamethasone (Rd) for newly diagnosed myeloma
Authors: Gay Francesca , Rajkumar S. Vincent , Coleman Morton , Kumar Shaji , Mark Tomer , Dispenzieri Angela , Pearse Roger , Gertz Morie A. , Leonard John , Lacy Martha Q. , Chen‐Kiang Selina , Roy Vivek , Jayabalan David S. , Lust John A. , Witzig Thomas E. , Fonseca Rafael , Kyle Robert A. , Greipp Philip R. , Stewart A. Keith , Niesvizky Ruben 
Published: June 2010

AbstractThe objective of this case‐matched study was to compare the efficacy and toxicity of the addition of clarithromycin (Biaxin) to lenalidomide/low‐dose dexamethasone (BiRd) vs. lenalidomide/low‐dose dexamethasone (Rd) for newly diagnosed myeloma. Data from 72 patients treated at the New York Presbyterian Hospital‐Cornell Medical Center were retrospectively compared with an equal number of matched pair mates selected among patients seen at the Mayo Clinic who received Rd. Case matching was blinded and was performed according to age, gender, and transplant status. On intention‐to‐treat analysis, complete response (45.8% vs. 13.9%, P < 0.001) and very‐good‐partial‐response or better (73.6% vs. 33.3%, P < 0.001) were significantly higher with BiRd. Time‐to‐progression (median 48.3 vs. 27.5 months, P = 0.071), and progression‐free survival (median 48.3 vs. 27.5 months, P = 0.044) were higher with BiRd. There was a trend toward better OS with BiRd (3‐year OS: 89.7% vs. 73.0%, P = 0.170). Main grade 3–4 toxicities of BiRd were hematological, in particular thrombocytopenia (23.6% vs. 8.3%, P = 0.012). Infections (16.7% vs. 9.7%, P = 0.218) and dermatological toxicity (12.5% vs. 4.2%, P = 0.129) were higher with Rd. Results of this case‐matchedanalysis suggest that there is significant additive value when clarithromycin is added to Rd. Randomized phase III trials are needed to confirm these results. Am. J. Hematol., 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Time‐dependent clearance and hematological pharmacodynamics upon erythropoietin multiple dosing in rats
Authors: Ait‐Oudhia Sihem , Scherrmann Jean‐Michel , Krzyzanski Wojciech 
Published: June 2010

AbstractThe pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) upon its repeated administrations were investigated. Two groups (A and B) of normal Wistar rats received rHuEPO intravenously at 450 or 1350 IU/kg thrice weekly for 2 and 6 weeks. PK studies were conducted following days 0 and 4 for group (A) and days 0, 17 and 28 for group (B), then, washout PK were assessed on days 11 and 36 for both groups. Reticulocytes (RET), red blood cells (RBC) and hemoglobin (Hb) were evaluated daily until day 14, then every 2 days until day 30 for group (A) and 59 for group (B). The total clearanceCLTotalincreased with the dose but decreased over time. Its decay reached 20% and 55% between the first and last full PK in both treatment arms. RET peaked on day 5 and were 77.6% and 87.3% higher than baselines for the two dosing regimen. Their nadirs occurred on days 22 and 55 and were 37.9% and 47.3% below normal values. Hb peaked on days 10 and 34 and was 28.9% and 38.6% above the baseline level, its nadirs occurred on days 25 and 57 and were 13.1% and 16% below baselines. Control animals showed stable baselines over the study but with moderate variability. In conclusion, rHuEPO exhibits a nonlinear PK with a time‐dependent decrease of itsCLTotal. During exposure, RET, RBC and Hb showed a tolerance effect. After exposure, the rebound was characterized for RET, RBC, but not Hb. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sotrastaurin and cyclosporine drug interaction study in healthy subjects
Authors: Kovarik John M. , Stitah Sylvie , Slade Alan , Vitaliti Alessandra , Straube Frank , Grenet Olivier , Winter Serge , Sfikas Nikolaos , Seiberling Michael 
Published: June 2010

AbstractIntroduction. Sotrastaurin is an immunosuppressant that inhibits protein kinase C and blocks T‐lymphocyte activation. The authors determined the effect of combining sotrastaurin with the calcineurin inhibitor cyclosporine on the pharmacokinetics and biomarker responses to both drugs. Methods. This was a randomized, 4‐period, crossover study in 20 healthy subjects who received single oral doses of (1) sotrastaurin 100 mg, (2) cyclosporine 400 mg, (3) 100 mg sotrastaurin with 100 mg cyclosporine and (4) 100 mg sotrastaurin with 400 mg cyclosporine. Blood samples were collected to measure drug levels and biomarkers of T‐lymphocyte activation (interleukin‐2 and tumor necrosis factor producing T‐cells and interleukin‐2 messenger RNA levels) and of T‐lymphocyte proliferation (thymidine uptake). Results. Sotrastaurin did not alter cyclosporine AUC; however, low‐dose and high‐dose cyclosporine increased sotrastaurin AUC by 1.2‐fold [90% confidence interval, 1.1–1.4] and 1.8‐fold [1.6–2.1], respectively. Adding high‐dose cyclosporine to a low‐therapeutic dose of sotrastaurin significantly enhanced the inhibition of cytokine production by 31% [95% confidence interval, 25–36%], of interleukin‐2 messenger RNA levels by 13% [7–19%], and of thymidine uptake by 37% [32–42%] compared with sotrastaurin alone. Addition of low‐dose cyclosporine elicited slightly lower enhancements in inhibition by 21% [14–28%], 6% [−4–16%], and 26% [21–30%], respectively, compared with sotrastaurin alone. Conclusions. Sotrastaurin did not alter the pharmacokinetics of cyclosporine, but cyclosporine increased sotrastaurin AUC up to 1.8‐fold. The combined drugs elicited a significantly greater inhibition of T‐cell activation and proliferation than sotrastaurin alone. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Climate‐driven decrease in erosion in extant Mediterranean badlands
Authors: Clarke Michèle L. , Rendell Helen M. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractBadland areas provide some of the highest erosion rates globally. Most studies of erosion have insufficient lengths of record to interrogate the impacts of decadal‐scale changes in precipitation on rates of badland erosion in regions such as the Mediterranean, which are known to be sensitive to land degradation and desertification. Erosion measurements, derived from field monitoring using erosion pins, in southern Italy during the period 1974–2004 are used to explore the impacts of changing precipitation patterns on badland erosion. Erosion on badland inter‐rill areas is strongly correlated with cumulative rainfall over each monitoring period. Annual precipitation has a substantial dynamic range, but both annual and winter (December, January, February) rainfall amounts in southern Italy show a steady decrease over the period 1970–2000. The persistence of positive values of the winter North Atlantic Oscillation index in the period 1980–2000 is correlated with a reduction in the winter rainfall amounts. Future climate scenarios show a reduction in annual rainfall across the western and central Mediterranean which is likely to result in a further reduction in erosion rates in existing badlands. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.