bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Retinoic acid fails to induce cell cycle arrest with myogenic differentiation in rhabdomyosarcoma
Authors: Al‐Tahan Alaa , Sarkis Omar , Harajly Mohamad , Baghdadi Omar Kebbe , Zibara Kazem , Boulos Fouad , Dighe Dipti , Kregel Steven , Bazarbachi Ali , El‐Sabban Marwan , Skapek Stephen X. , Saab Raya 
Published: July 2011

AbstractBackgroundRhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common soft tissue sarcoma in children. Current treatment strategies do not cure most children with recurrent or high‐risk disease, underlying the need for novel therapeutic approaches. Retinoic acid has been shown to induce differentiation in a variety of cells including skeletal myoblasts and neuroblasts. In the setting of minimal residual disease, retinoic acid improves survival in neuroblastoma, another poorly differentiated childhood tumor. Whether such an approach is useful for rhabdomyosarcoma has not yet been investigated. Several in vitro studies have demonstrated an appreciable effect of retinoic acid on human RMS cellular proliferation and differentiation.ProcedureWe assessed the efficacy of ATRA on rhabdomyosarcoma, in vitro and in vivo, using cell lines and xenografts.ResultsATRA slowed RMS cell proliferation, and promoted a more differentiated myogenic phenotype in both alveolar and embryonal RMS cell lines. Treatment of cultured murine myoblasts with retinoids increased Myogenin expression, but did not induce cell cycle arrest. Despite the favorable in vitro effects, ATRA failed to delay relapse of minimal residual disease using human RMS xenografts in immuno‐suppressed NOD‐SCID (NSG) mice. Interestingly, tumors that recurred after ATRA treatment showed evidence of enhanced muscle differentiation.ConclusionOur results indicate that ATRA could increase the expression of some genes associated with muscle differentiation in rhabdomyosarcoma cells, but there was no benefit of single‐agent therapy in an MRD model, likely because cell cycle arrest was uncoupled from the pro‐differentiation effects of retinoids. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2012; 58: 877–884. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Improved diffusion profiles in back‐contacted back‐junction Si solar cells with an overcompensated boron‐doped emitter
Authors: Reichel Christian , Bivour Martin , Granek Filip , Hermle Martin , Glunz Stefan W. 
Published: July 2011

AbstractThe performance of n‐type back‐contacted back‐junction silicon solar cells where the boron‐doped emitter diffusion on the rear side is locally overcompensated by a phosphorus‐doped base‐type back surface field (BSF) diffusion has been analysed theoretically and experimentally. By overcompensating the emitter diffusion the noncollecting base‐type region can be reduced significantly allowing electrical shading losses to be minimized. It has been found that for solar cells with a lowly doped BSF diffusion the local external quantum efficiency and the short‐circuit current density Jsc could be improved significantly. For reference solar cells with an undiffused gap between emitter and BSF diffusion and a large noncollecting base‐type region, a maximum Jsc of 40.9 mA/cm2 could be achieved and for solar cells with a locally overcompensated boron‐doped emitter diffusion featuring a small noncollecting base‐type region a maximum Jsc of 41.4 mA/cm2 has been measured. The reduction of Jsc losses caused by free carrier absorption (FCA) in highly doped silicon at near‐infrared wavelengths is also shown. Furthermore, theoretical investigations are performed by one‐dimensional device simulations and the influence of highly doped and lowly doped emitter and BSF diffusions on the open‐circuit voltage Voc is presented. For solar cells with a locally overcompensated boron‐doped emitter diffusion Voc could be improved from 629 to 652 mV when lowly‐doped diffusions and thermally grown SiO2 and antireflection plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposited (PECVD) SiNx passivation stacks are applied. For the reference solar cells with an undiffused gap between the lowly doped emitter and BSF diffusions Voc of 693 mV could be achieved for a plasma enhanced atomic layer deposited (PEALD) Al2O3 passivation layer.
Assuring the model evolution of protocol software specifications by regression testing process improvement
Authors: Jiang Bo , Tse T. H. , Grieskamp Wolfgang , Kicillof Nicolas , Cao Yiming , Li Xiang , Chan W. K. 
Published: July 2011

SUMMARYModel‐based testing helps test engineers automate their testing tasks so that they are more cost‐effective. When the model is changed because of the evolution of the specification, it is important to maintain the test suites up to date for regression testing. A complete regeneration of the whole test suite from the new model, although inefficient, is still frequently used in the industry, including Microsoft. To handle specification evolution effectively, we propose a test case reusability analysis technique to identify reusable test cases of the original test suite based on graph analysis. We also develop a test suite augmentation technique to generate new test cases to cover the change‐related parts of the new model. The experiment on four large protocol document testing projects shows that our technique can successfully identify a high percentage of reusable test cases and generate low‐redundancy new test cases. When compared with a complete regeneration of the whole test suite, our technique significantly reduces regression testing time while maintaining the stability of requirement coverage over the evolution of requirements specifications. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Specification and Standardization of a Java Trusted Computing API
Authors: Toegl Ronald , Winkler Thomas , Nauman Mohammad , Hong Theodore W. 
Published: July 2011

SUMMARYThe paradigm of Trusted Computing promises a new approach to improve the security of computer systems. The core functionality, based on a hardware component known as Trusted Platform Module, is integrated into commodity hardware. However, operating system integration and application software support remains limited at present. In particular, for Java, the most widely used platform‐independent computing environment, there is currently no generally accepted Trusted Computing API. In this article, we describe the design of a high‐level API for Trusted Computing. We report on the current state of the Trusted Computing Group's software architecture and on previous approaches targeting Java. We derive our requirements and design goals and describe a novel API design. We report on our transparent approach to standardization in the Java Community Process. The result of this effort is the API we propose in the Java Specification Request 321. In this work, we not only present the design of this new API but also discuss implementation and testing strategies. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Concise Review: Stem Cell Effects in Radiation Risk
Authors: Prise Kevin M. , Saran Anna 
Published: July 2011

Abstract
Stem cells of normal mammalian tissues are defined as nonspecialized cells that have two critical properties: (a) the ability to renew themselves through cell division and (b) the potency to differentiate into other cell types. Therefore, they play a crucial role in development and in tissue homeostasis during adult life. Being long-lived, they can be the targets of environmental carcinogens leading to the accumulation of consecutive genetic changes. Hence, the genome of stem cells must be exceptionally well protected, and several protective mechanisms have evolved to ensure the genetic integrity of the stem cell compartment in any given tissue. Ionizing radiation exposure can disrupt tissue homeostasis both through the induction of cell killing/depletion of radiosensitive stem cells, leading to loss of tissue functionality and by genotoxic damage, increasing overall risk of cancer. We will review the current knowledge about radiation effects in adult stem cells of specific normal tissues, including skin, breast, and brain, examine parallels, as well as differences with cancer stem cells, and discuss the relevance of stem cell effects to radiation risk and radiotherapy.
Textural and Physical Properties of Biorenewable “Waxes” Containing Partial Acylglycerides
Authors: Yao Linxing , Wang Tong 
Published: July 2011

AbstractVegetable oil‐based “waxes” are a promising alternative to beeswax and paraffin wax, the usual raw materials for candles and encaustic painting, because they are environmentally friendly, less expensive than beeswax and more biodegradable than paraffin. In this study, wax mixtures of mono‐ (MAG) and diacylglycerides (DAG) of fully hydrogenated vegetable oil were prepared at various ratios and their textural properties were compared to beeswax. Waxes having 30–40% of DAG were softer and more cohesive than those having other proportions of DAG, and their values were the closest to those of beeswax. A wax mixture of 70% MAG and 30% DAG (MDWAX) was then treated with various additives, including free fatty acid, fatty alcohol, hydroxy triacylglycerides (OHWAX), dammar resin, and acetylated monoacylglycerides (AM). The 1:1 (wt.) mixture of MDWAX and AM (referred as 50% AM) had similar plasticity to that of beeswax, and a high textural stability during one‐month storage. The melting and crystallization properties of the wax containing 10% OHWAX and 90% MDWAX had close similarity to those of beeswax. The crystal form in most formulated waxes was β′ as determined by X‐ray diffraction. However, the 50% AM wax had α and β polymorphs in equal proportions and the MDWAX had only β form crystals. The crystallinity of all formulated waxes was lower than those of beeswax and paraffin. Polarized light microscopy images revealed that the microstructures of formulated waxes were different from that of beeswax. For sensory evaluation, the order of the surface buffability was determined as MDWAX+10% Dammar < MDWAX < MDWAX+50% AM < paraffin < beeswax.
Population dynamics of the amphioxusBranchiostoma elongatumfrom northern Chile
Authors: Vergara Makarena , Oliva Marcelo E. , Riascos José M. 
Published: July 2011

Amphioxi represent the evolutionary link between vertebrates and invertebrates. For this reason, research dealing with these animals has been focused mainly on embryological and anatomical studies. Out of 30 described species, only one,Branchiostoma elongatum, is known to inhabit shallow sandy bottoms along the Humboldt Current System (HCS) of Chile and Peru. The population dynamics ofB. elongatumfrom northern Chile was studied between February 2008 and January 2009, and the results were compared with other species within the genusBranchiostomainhabiting distinct ecosystems. Mean abundance ofB. elongatumwas low (158.6 ind m−2) in comparison with the abundance of other species withinBranchiostoma. Although the gametogenic activity was continuous, a clear spawning event was observed between August and October, which seemingly produced a recruitment pulse during the summer and consequently a simultaneous increase in population density and decrease of mean length during that period. Growth ofB. elongatumwas best fitted to the seasonalized von Bertalanffy growth function (K = 0.45 year−1and L∞= 64.6 mm), with faster growth during summer–autumn. Growth performance (Ф′ = 3.273) was high in comparison with other species within the genus. Mortality ofB. elongatum(Z = 1.075 year−1) was well fitted to the single exponential model (r2= 0.92). The annual total production ofB. elongatumreached 0.68 g ash-free dry mass (AFDM) m−2and the annual mean biomass was 0.56 g AFDM m−2, which determined a production to biomass ratio of 1.22. The huge productivity of the HCS was not reflected in a high abundance and biomass ofB. elongatum. However, this species displayed a high growth efficiency and P/B ratio that are comparable to those of otherBranchiostomainhabiting highly productive ecosystems.
A BCI-controlled robotic assistant for quadriplegic people in domestic and professional life
Authors: Grigorescu Sorin M. , Lüth Thorsten , Fragkopoulos Christos , Cyriacks Marco , Gräser Axel 
Published: July 2011

SUMMARYIn this paper, a Brain–Computer Interface (BCI) control approach for the assistive robotic system FRIEND is presented. The objective of the robot is to assist elderly and persons with disabilities in their daily and professional life activities. FRIEND is presented here from an architectural point of view, that is, as an overall robotic device that includes many subareas of research, such as human–robot interaction, perception, object manipulation and path planning, robotic safety, and so on. The integration of the hardware and software components is described relative to the interconnections between the various elements of FRIEND and the approach used for human–machine interaction. Since the robotic system is intended to be used especially by patients suffering from a high degree of disability (e.g., patients which are quadriplegic, have muscle diseases or serious paralysis due to strokes, or any other diseases with similar consequences for their independence), an alternative non-invasive BCI has been investigated. The FRIEND–BCI paradigm is explained within the overall structure of the robot. The capabilities of the robotic system are demonstrated in three support scenarios, one that deals with Activities of daily living (ADL) and two that are taking place in a rehabilitation workshop. The proposed robot was clinically evaluated through different tests that directly measure task execution time and hardware performance, as well as the acceptance of robot by end-users.
Complete spacelike hypersurfaces in a Robertson–Walker spacetime
Authors: ALBUJER ALMA L. , CAMARGO FERNANDA E. C. , DE LIMA HENRIQUE F. 
Published: July 2011

AbstractIn this paper, as a suitable application of the well-known generalized maximum principle of Omori–Yau, we obtain uniqueness results concerning to complete spacelike hypersurfaces with constant mean curvature immersed in a Robertson–Walker (RW) spacetime. As an application of such uniqueness results for the case of vertical graphs in a RW spacetime, we also get non-parametric rigidity results.
Predictors of rapid cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease: results from the Australian Imaging, Biomarkers and Lifestyle (AIBL) study of ageing
Authors: Sona Alessandro , Zhang Ping , Ames David , Bush Ashley I. , Lautenschlager Nicola T. , Martins Ralph N. , Masters Colin L. , Rowe Christopher C. , Szoeke Cassandra , Taddei Kevin , Ellis Kathryn A. ,   AIBL Research Group
Published: July 2011

ABSTRACTBackground:The AIBL study, which commenced in November 2006, is a two-center prospective study of a cohort of 1112 volunteers aged 60+. The cohort includes 211 patients meeting NINCDS-ADRDA criteria for Alzheimer's disease (AD) (180 probable and 31 possible). We aimed to identify factors associated with rapid cognitive decline over 18 months in this cohort of AD patients.Methods:We defined rapid cognitive decline as a drop of 6 points or more on the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) between baseline and 18-month follow-up. Analyses were also conducted with a threshold of 4, 5, 7 and 8 points, as well as with and without subjects who had died or were too severely affected to be interviewed at 18 months and after, both including and excluding subjects whose AD diagnosis was “possible” AD. We sought correlations between rapid cognitive decline and demographic, clinical and biological variables.Results:Of the 211 AD patients recruited at baseline, we had available data for 156 (73.9%) patients at 18 months. Fifty-one patients were considered rapid cognitive decliners (32.7%). A higher Clinical Dementia Rating scale (CDR) and higher CDR “sum of boxes” score at baseline were the major predictors of rapid cognitive decline in this population. Furthermore, using logistic regression model analysis, patients treated with a cholinesterase inhibitor (CheI) had a higher risk of being rapid cognitive decliners, as did males and those of younger age.Conclusions:Almost one third of patients satisfying established research criteria for AD experienced rapid cognitive decline. Worse baseline functional and cognitive status and treatment with a CheI were the major factors associated with rapid cognitive decline over 18 months in this population.
Contribution of farmers' experiments and innovations to Cuba's agricultural innovation system
Authors: Leitgeb Friedrich , Funes-Monzote Fernando R. , Kummer Susanne , Vogl Christian R. 
Published: July 2011

AbstractInnovations are the driving force for agricultural development under present diverse situations of uncertainty. The innovation system perspective acknowledges the contributions made by all stakeholders involved in knowledge development, dissemination and appropriation. According to the specific agricultural production system, farmers adopt innovations, modify them or innovate on their own. This paper examines the role of farmers' experiments and innovations in Cuba's agricultural innovation system (AIS), identifies knowledge exchange encounters and describes some strategies implemented to institutionalize farmers' experiments and innovations. The research methods comprised 34 semi-structured interviews with agricultural experts from the science, administration and advisory system, and 31 free list questionnaires to assess the institutional influence on farmers' experiments and innovations. In addition, three case studies of outstanding farmers' experiments are presented. The results suggest that the government's commitment to social participation in knowledge development provides the basic prerequisite for an effective integration of farmers' experiments and innovation in Cuba. The historically conditioned vertical structure of knowledge development and dissemination is gradually changing toward more horizontal procedures. The dynamic exchange of ideas at all kinds of interactive meetings, such as workshops or farmers' field schools, have favored farmer to farmer learning as well as knowledge sharing with research, academic and extension officials. This multi-stakeholders' approach contributes to institutionalize farmers' knowledge. Farmers' experiments and innovations play a major role in improving farm management and thereby can contribute to build resilience at the farming system level as well as for the national agricultural system.
Blood flow restriction reduces time to muscular failure
Authors: Loenneke Jeremy P. , Balapur Abhishek , Thrower Austin D. , Barnes Jeremy , Pujol Thomas J. 
Published: July 2011

AbstractExercise to failure results in similar muscle protein synthesis responses, independent of intensity. However, low‐intensity exercise likely requires more repetitions and individuals with injuries may be incapable of sustaining the mechanical stress to reach failure. The aim of this study was to determine if knee wraps provide a stimulus to decrease time to failure. Twenty healthy individuals participated in a randomized crossover study consisting of three trials. The first trial was used to determine one‐repetition maximum (1‐RM) on leg extension. Participants were then assigned to a blood flow restriction or control group. After trial 2, participants crossed over to the opposite trial. Knee wraps were placed around the upper thigh of each leg during blood flow restriction. Leg extensions were completed at 30% 1‐RM until failure. A rating of perceived exertion was taken after exercise and whole blood samples were taken before, after, and 3 min after exercise for the determination of lactate. Repetitions until failure and total work were significantly lower with practical blood flow restriction compared with the control trial. Metabolic stress as measured by whole blood lactate was higher immediately after muscular failure in the control compared with the blood flow restriction trial, but not so 3 min after exercise. There were no differences in ratings of perceived exertion. In conclusion, knee wraps provide a stimulus for blood flow restriction allowing failure to occur sooner with similar metabolic stress after reperfusion. However, similar perceptual responses despite the lower workload with blood flow restriction may limit its application to the highly motivated.
The relation between hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis activity and age of onset of alcohol use
Authors: Evans Brittany E. , Greaves‐Lord Kirstin , Euser Anja S. , Franken Ingmar H. A. , Huizink Anja C. 
Published: July 2011

ABSTRACTAims  Hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis activity may prove a viable biomarker for identifying those susceptible to alcohol use disorders. The purpose of this study was to examine the relation of the age at which adolescents begin drinking with diurnal and stress cortisol.Design  Adolescents' diurnal cortisol levels on a normal day and cortisol levels during a stress procedure were examined in relation to the age of onset of alcohol use.Setting and participants  All adolescents (aged 14–20 years) were part of a general population study in the Netherlands (n = 2286).Measurements  Ten assessments of salivary cortisol taken on a normal day (diurnal cortisol), as well as during a social stress procedure (stress cortisol) were used as indicators of HPA axis activity.Findings  The age at which the first alcoholic drink was consumed varied as a function of cortisol levels at the onset of as well as during the stress procedure. Those who began drinking at an earlier age showed lower cortisol levels at the onset of the stressful tasks (r2 = 0.14, P < 0.001) and during the stressful tasks (r2 = 0.10, P < 0.05), although not after the tasks (cortisol recovery). Effects were strongest for anticipatory pre‐task cortisol levels. Differences in diurnal cortisol levels did not explain variance in the age at which adolescents had begun drinking.Conclusions  Lessened activity of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis at the onset of and during a stress procedure is present in adolescents who begin drinking at an early age.
Does sponsorship improve outcomes above Alcoholics Anonymous attendance? A latent class growth curve analysis
Authors: Witbrodt Jane , Kaskutas Lee , Bond Jason , Delucchi Kevin 
Published: July 2011

ABSTRACTAims  To construct Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) attendance, sponsorship and abstinence latent class trajectories to test the added benefit of having a sponsor above the benefits of attendance in predicting abstinence over time.Design  Prospective with 1‐, 3‐, 5‐ and 7‐year follow‐ups.Setting and participants  Alcoholic‐dependent individuals from two probability samples, one from representative public and private treatment programs and another from the general population (n = 495).Findings  Individuals in the low attendance class (four classes identified) were less likely than those in the high, descending and medium attendance classes to be in high (versus low) abstinence class (three classes identified). No differences were found between the other attendance classes as related to abstinence class membership. Overall, being in the high sponsor class (three classes identified) predicted better abstinence outcomes than being in either of two other classes (descending and low), independent of attendance class effects. Although declining sponsor involvement was associated with greater likelihood of high abstinence than low sponsor involvement, being in the descending sponsor class also increased the odds of being in the descending abstinence class.Conclusions  Any pattern of Alcoholics Anonymous attendance, even if it declines or is never high for a particular 12‐month period, is better than little or no attendance in terms of abstinence. Greater initial attendance carries added value. There is a benefit for maintaining a sponsor over time above that found for attendance.