bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Adiponectin Profile in Asian Patients Undergoing Coronary Revascularization and Its Association With Plaque Vulnerability: IDEAS‐ADIPO Study
Authors: Lee Chi‐Hang , Hau William K.T. , Tai Bee‐Choo , Chan Mark Y. , Saw Betty , Phua Qian‐Hui , Low Adrian F. , Yeo Tiong‐Cheng , Richards A. Mark , Tan Huay‐Cheem 
Published: April 2012

Despite potent insulin‐sensitizing, anti‐inflammatory, and antiatherogenic effects in animal studies, the relationship between serum adiponectin level and coronary artery disease in patients remains unclear. We determined the adiponectin profile in a cohort of multiethnic Asian patients with coronary artery disease, and the association between serum adiponectin level and culprit lesion necrotic core (NC) content. Ninety‐four Asian patients (BMI, 25.3 ± 3.7 kg/m2) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention were recruited. The serum adiponectin level was measured (n = 94), and the baseline virtual histology intravascular ultrasound examination was analyzed (n = 88). The median level of adiponectin was 3.7 µg/ml (interquartile range, 2.8–4.5 µg/ml). The serum adiponectin level was below 10 µg/ml in 90 patients (95.7%) and below 6 µg/ml in 80 patients (85.1%). There was a significant association between ethnicity and serum adiponectin level (P = 0.048). The median adiponectin level was highest among the Chinese, followed by the Malay and the Indians. Serum adiponectin levels were positively associated with culprit lesion NC content. A 1‐µg/ml increase in log adiponectin was associated with a 3.04% (95% confidence interval: 0.33–5.44) increase in culprit lesion NC content. This association remains significant after adjusting for age, sex, ethnicity, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, and procedural indication. We found a low serum level of adiponectin in Asian patients and a significant ethnic effect on serum adiponectin level. Increased serum adiponectin levels were independently associated with increased culprit lesion NC burden, suggesting a role for adiponectin in modulating coronary plaque vulnerability.
Damping and local control of mirror suspensions for laser interferometric gravitational wave detectors
Authors: Strain K. A. , Shapiro B. N. 
Published: April 2012

The mirrors of laser interferometric gravitational wave detectors hang from multi-stage suspensions. These support the optics against gravity while isolating them from external vibration. Thermal noise must be kept small so mechanical loss must be minimized and the resulting structure has high-Q resonances rigid-body modes, typically in the frequency range between about 0.3 Hz and 20 Hz. Operation of the interferometer requires these resonances to be damped. Active damping provides the design flexibility required to achieve rapid settling with low noise. In practice there is a compromise between sensor performance, and hence cost and complexity, and sophistication of the control algorithm. We introduce a novel approach which combines the new technique of modal damping with methods developed from those applied in GEO 600. This approach is predicted to meet the goals for damping and for noise performance set by the Advanced LIGO project.
The Influence of Tag Presence on the Mortality of Juvenile Chinook Salmon Exposed to Simulated Hydroturbine Passage: Implications for Survival Estimates and Management of Hydroelectric Facilities
Authors: Carlson Thomas J. , Brown Richard S. , Stephenson John R. , Pflugrath Brett D. , Colotelo Alison H. , Gingerich Andrew J. , Benjamin Piper L. , Langeslay Mike J. , Ahmann Martin L. , Johnson Robert L. , Skalski John R. , Seaburg Adam G. , Townsend Richard L. 
Published: April 2012

Abstract
Each year, telemetry tags (acoustic, radio, and passive integrated transponder tags) are surgically implanted into thousands of fish to assess their passage and survival through hydropower facilities. One passage route that is of particular concern is through hydroturbines, where fish may be exposed to a range of potential injuries that include barotraumas from rapid decompression. The change in pressure from acclimation to exposure (nadir) has been identified as an important factor in predicting the likelihood of mortality and injury for juvenile Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha undergoing rapid decompression associated with simulated turbine passage. The presence of telemetry tags has also been shown to influence the likelihood of mortality and injury for juvenile Chinook salmon. We investigated the likelihood of mortality and injury for telemetry-tagged juvenile Chinook salmon that were exposed to a range of pressure changes associated with simulated turbine passage. Several factors were examined as predictors of mortal injury for fish undergoing rapid decompression; of these factors, the loge transformed ratio of acclimation pressure: exposure pressure (LRP) and the tag burden (tag mass expressed as a percentage of fish mass) were the most predictive. As the LRP and tag burden increased, the likelihood of mortal injury also increased. Our results suggest that previous estimates of survival for juvenile Chinook salmon passing through hydroturbines were negatively biased due to the presence of telemetry tags, and this has direct implications for the management of hydroelectric facilities. Realistic examples indicate how the bias in turbine passage survival estimates could be 20% or higher depending on the LRP and tag burden. Negative bias would increase as the tag burden and the pressure change ratio increase and therefore has direct implications for survival estimates. We recommend that future hydroturbine survival studies use the smallest telemetry tags possible to minimize the potential bias associated with tag presence.
Received January 9, 2011; accepted October 11, 2011
Use of a Seismic Air Gun to Reduce Survival of Nonnative Lake Trout Embryos: A Tool for Conservation?
Authors: Cox Benjamin S. , Dux Andrew M. , Quist Michael C. , Guy Christopher S. 
Published: April 2012

Abstract
The detrimental impacts of nonnative lake trout Salvelinus namaycush in the western USA have prompted natural resource management agencies in several states to implement lake trout suppression programs. Currently, these programs rely on mechanical removal methods (i.e., gill nets, trap nets, and angling) to capture subadult and adult lake trout. We conducted a study to explore the potential for using high-intensity sound from a relatively small (655.5 cm3 [40 in3]) seismic air gun to reduce survival of lake trout embryos. Lake trout embryos at multiple stages of development were exposed to a single discharge of the seismic air gun at two depths (5 and 15 m) and at two distances from the air gun (0.1 and 2.7 m). Control groups for each developmental stage, distance, and depth were treated identically except that the air gun was not discharged. Mortality in lake trout embryos treated at 0.1 m from the air gun was 100% at 74 daily temperature units in degrees Celsius (TU°C) at both depths. Median mortality in lake trout embryos treated at 0.1 m from the air gun at 207 TU°C (93%) and 267 TU°C (78%) appeared to be higher than that of controls (49% and 48%, respectively) at 15-m depth. Among the four lake trout developmental stages, exposure to the air gun at 0.1 m resulted in acute mortality up to 60% greater than that of controls. Mortality at a distance of 2.7 m did not appear to differ from that of controls at any developmental stage or at either depth. Our results indicate that seismic air guns have potential as an alternative tool for controlling nonnative lake trout, but further investigation is warranted.
Received September 13, 2011; accepted January 3, 2012
Strong green emission in ZnO films after H2 surface treatment
Authors: Li T , Herng T S , Liang H K , Bao N N , Chen T P , Wong J I , Xue J M , Ding J 
Published: April 2012

Abstract
Using a two-step fabrication technique (pulsed laser deposition (PLD) and H2 surface treatment), we fabricated ZnO thin films that could emit ultra-strong green emission with coexistence of random lasing phenomenon. After PLD deposition, the as-prepared undoped ZnO thin films (200–500 nm) were annealed in Ar 95%–H25% ambient at 500 °C. The H2 treatment led to the formation of a porous structure that creates substantial optical cavities (diameter ∼1.3 µm). Surprisingly, these optical cavities tremendously amplified the green emission rather than ultraviolet (UV) emission. There was insignificant change in emission intensity after high-temperature annealing (700 °C) in O2 and acetone dipping, indicating the samples are thermally and chemically stable. The samples exhibited a high quantum yield of 32%. We studied the origin of this ultra-strong green emission using low-temperature photoluminescence, extensive structural study and cyclic annealing. The results suggested that neither hydrogen nor VO plays a role in green emission. The green emission was attributed mainly to the complex defects and the presence of structural defects in the porous structure. In addition, we demonstrated the feasibility of large-scale green emission ZnO fabrication via micro-size patterning, paving a way to practical optoelectronic applications.
Fast, kinetically self-consistent simulation of RF modulated plasma boundary sheaths
Authors: Shihab Mohammed , Ziegler Dennis , Brinkmann Ralf Peter 
Published: April 2012

Abstract
A mathematical model is presented which enables the efficient, kinetically self-consistent simulation of RF modulated plasma boundary sheaths in all technically relevant discharge regimes. It is defined on a one-dimensional geometry where a Cartesian x-axis points from the electrode or wall at x
E ≡ 0 towards the plasma bulk. An arbitrary endpoint x
B is chosen ‘deep in the bulk’. The model consists of a set of kinetic equations for the ions, Boltzmann's relation for the electrons and Poisson's equation for the electrical field. Boundary conditions specify the ion flux at x
B and a periodically—not necessarily harmonically—modulated sheath voltage V(t) or sheath charge Q(t). The equations are solved in a statistical sense. However, it is not the well-known particle-in-cell (PIC) scheme that is employed, but an alternative iterative algorithm termed ensemble-in-spacetime (EST). The basis of the scheme is a discretization of the spacetime, the product of the domain [x
E, x
B] and the RF period [0, T]. Three modules are called in a sequence. A Monte Carlo module calculates the trajectories of a large set of ions from their start at x
B until they reach the electrode at x
E, utilizing the potential values on the nodes of the spatio-temporal grid. A harmonic analysis module reconstructs the Fourier modes n
im
(x) of the ion density n
i(x, t) from the calculated trajectories. A field module finally solves the Boltzmann–Poisson equation with the calculated ion densities to generate an updated set of potential values for the spatio-temporal grid. The iteration is started with the potential values of a self-consistent fluid model and terminates when the updates become sufficiently small, i.e. when self-consistency is achieved. A subsequent post-processing determines important quantities, in particular the phase-resolved and phase-averaged values of the ion energy and angular distributions and the total energy flux at the electrode. A drastic reduction of the computational effort compared with PIC calculations is achieved. As a first application of the new model, the influence of ion inertia on the dynamics of a collisionless sheath is studied and a comparison of the simulated ion energy distribution with published analytical solutions is performed.
Ionization and acceleration processes in a small, variable channel width, permanent-magnet Hall thruster
Authors: Mazouffre S , Bourgeois G , Dannenmayer K , Lejeune A 
Published: April 2012

Abstract
A 200 W-class permanent-magnet Hall thruster has been operated with different channel widths. A series of experiments have been carried out for each geometry over a broad range of propellant mass flow rates and applied voltages to investigate the impact of a channel cross-section area variation on discharge and plume properties. Measurement outcomes allow calculation of several quantities, namely the propellant utilization, the beam voltage, the equilibrium wall temperature and the energy flux towards the walls. This study reveals that widening the channel of a low-power Hall thruster enhances ionization and acceleration processes and broadens the operating envelope. Two mechanisms are proposed to explain experimental observations. The surface-to-volume ratio decreases with h, which reduces wall-losses. The magnetic field strength near walls increases with h, which leads to a better plasma confinement.
Study on the effect of Pb partial substitution for Te on the thermoelectric properties of La3Te4−xPbx materials
Authors: Gao H L , Zhu T J , Wang H , Ren Z F , Zhao X B 
Published: April 2012

Abstract
The effect of Pb in La3Te4−x
Pb
x
on the thermoelectric properties in the temperature range 300–1100 K was studied on samples synthesized by the melting, ball milling and hot-pressing method. The samples crystallize in the Th3P4structure. A small amount of Pb substitution for Te in La3Te4 reduced the electrical conductivity, but the impurity phase introduced by more Pb significantly enhanced the electrical conductivity. The electrical conductivity of the La3Te3.6Pb0.4 sample reached 2.06 × 105 S m−1 at room temperature. The expansion of crystal lattice confirmed from x-ray diffraction patterns and the slight reduction in electrical conductivity all verify the fact that Pb substitutes a Te site when x is small. The Seebeck coefficient increases linearly with temperature for all samples. While the thermal conductivity varies slightly with temperature, the lattice thermal conductivity approaches the minimum value at high temperatures. For La3Te3.7Pb0.3, a power factor of 1.4 × 10−3 W m−1 K−2 at 1100 K was achieved with a thermal conductivity of 1.86 W m−1 K−1, giving a maximum figure-of-merit ZT ≈ 0.8 at 1100 K.
Intra-band gap in Lamb modes propagating in a periodic solid structure
Authors: Pierre J , Rénier M , Bonello B , Hladky-Hennion A-C 
Published: April 2012

Abstract
A laser ultrasonic technique is used to measure the dispersion of Lamb waves at a few MHz, propagating in phononic crystals made of dissymmetric air inclusions drilled throughout silicon plates. It is shown that the specific shape of the inclusions is at the origin of the intra-band gap that opens within the second Brillouin zone, at the crossing of both flexural and dilatational zero-order modes. The magnitude of the intra-band gap is measured as a function of the dissymmetry rate of the inclusions. Experimental data and the computed dispersion curves are in very good agreement.
Investigations of laser-sustained plasma and its role in laser nitriding of titanium
Authors: Nassar A R , Akarapu R , Copley S M , Todd J A 
Published: April 2012

Abstract
Laser-sustained plasma (LSP) and CCD imaging of reactant species were employed to investigate the role of near-surface plasma in CO2 laser nitriding of titanium in open atmosphere. Insights were gained regarding the role of plasma processes and the role of reactive nitriding species in the nitriding process. Studies of single nitrided trails have identified the following regimes, as a function of LSP off-focal distance and beam translation speed, characterized by (1) the formation of heavily oxidized surfaces, (2) the formation of titanium nitride (TiN) nanoparticulate, (3) nitride formation in the absence of a surface-struck or LSP and (4) the formation of near-stoichiometric, oxide-free TiN surfaces with a LSP. For the first time it will be shown that the LSP can access nitriding conditions beyond those achieved with surface-struck plasma (or in the absence of plasma) to produce uniform, near-stoichiometric, titanium nitride coatings.
Time-to-Event Analysis of Longitudinal Follow-up of a Survey: Choice of the Time-scale
Authors: Korn Edward L. , Graubard Barry I. , Midthune Douglas 
Published: April 2012

Abstract
Following individuals sampled in a large-scale health survey for the development of diseases and/or death offers the opportunity to assess the prognostic significance of various risk factors. The proportional hazards regression model, which allows for the control of covariates, is frequently used for the analysis of such data. The authors discuss the appropriate time-scale for such regression models, and they recommend that age rather than time since the baseline survey (time-on-study) be used. Additionally, with age as the time-scale, control for calendar-period and/or birth cohort effects can be achieved by stratifying the model on birth cohort. Because, as discussed by the authors, many published analyses have used regression models with time-on-study as the time-scale, it is important to assess the magnitude of the error incurred from this type of incorrect modeling. The authors provide simple conditions for when incorrect use of time-on-study as the time-scale will nevertheless yield approximately unbiased proportional hazards regression coefficients. Examples are given using data from the first National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES I) Epidemiologic Followup Study. Additional issues concerning the analysis of longitudinal follow-up of survey data are briefly discussed. Am J Epidemiol 1997; 145: 72–80
A web server to locate periodicities in a sequence
Authors: Pasquier CM , Promponas VI , Varvayannis NJ , Hamodrakas SJ 
Published: April 2012

Abstract
Summary : FT is a tool written in C++, which implements the Fourier analysis method to locate periodicities in aminoacid or DNA sequences. It is provided for free public use on a WWW server with a Java interface. Availability : The server address is http://o2.db. uoa.gr/FT Contact : shamodr@atlas.uoa.gr
The p53 target gene TRIM22 directly or indirectly interacts with the translation initiation factor eIF4E and inhibits the binding of eIF4E to eIF4G
Authors: Petersson Jessica , Ageberg Malin , Sandén Carl , Olofsson Tor , Gullberg Urban , Drott Kristina 
Published: April 2012

AbstractBackground informationThe interferon (IFN)‐inducible protein TRIM22 (Staf50) is a member of the tripartite motif protein family and has been suggested a role in the regulation of viral replication as well as of protein ubiquitylation. In addition, we have previously shown that TRIM22 is a direct target gene for the tumour suppressor p53. Consistently, over‐expression of TRIM22 inhibits the clonogenic growth of monoblastic U937 cells, suggesting anti‐proliferative or cell death‐inducing effects.ResultsHere, we demonstrate that TRIM22 directly or indirectly interacts with the eukaryotic translation initiation factor (eIF)4E, and inhibits the binding of eIF4E to eIF4G, thus disturbing the assembly of the eIF4F complex, which is necessary for cap‐dependent translation. Furthermore, TRIM22 exerts a repressive effect on luciferase reporter protein levels and to some extent on radiolabelled methionine incorporation. Even though all nuclear mRNAs are capped, some are more dependent on eIF4F than others for translation. The translation of one of these mRNAs, IRF‐7C, was indeed found to be repressed in the presence of TRIM22.ConclusionsOur data suggest TRIM22 to repress protein translation preferably of some specific mRNAs. Taken together, we show that TRIM22 represses translation by inhibiting the binding of eIF4E to eIF4G, suggesting a mechanism for regulation of protein translation, which may be of importance in response to p53 and/or IFN signalling.
Simple and specific detection of Bordetella holmesii by using a loop‐mediated isothermal amplification assay
Authors: Otsuka Nao , Yoshino Shuji , Kawano Kimiko , Toyoizumi‐Ajisaka Hiromi , Shibayama Keigo , Kamachi Kazunari 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTA loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for simple detection of Bordetella holmesii was developed. This assay discriminates between B. holmesii and other Bordetella species and successfully detect B. holmesii DNA in nasopharyngeal swab samples from subjects with suspected pertussis. The LAMP assay results were in complete agreement with the results of previously published real‐time PCR assay, indicating that the former is a powerful tool for the accurate diagnosis and surveillance of B. holmesii.
A genome‐wide scan for quantitative trait loci affecting respiratory disease and immune capacity in Landrace pigs
Authors: Okamura T. , Onodera W. , Tayama T. , Kadowaki H. , Kojima‐Shibata C. , Suzuki E. , Uemoto Y. , Mikawa S. , Hayashi T. , Awata T. , Fujishima‐Kanaya N. , Mikawa A. , Uenishi H. , Suzuki K. 
Published: April 2012

SummaryRespiratory disease is the most important health concern for the swine industry. Genetic improvement for disease resistance is challenging because of the difficulty in obtaining good phenotypes related with disease resistance; however, identification of genes or markers associated with disease resistance can help in the genetic improvement of pig health. The purpose of our study was to investigate whether quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with disease resistance were segregated in a purebred population of Landrace pigs that had been selected for meat production traits and mycoplasmal pneumonia of swine (MPS) scores over five generations. We analysed 1395 pigs from the base to the fifth generation of this population. Two respiratory disease traits [MPS scores and atrophic rhinitis (AR) scores] and 11 immune‐capacity traits were measured in 630–1332 animals at 7 weeks of age and when the animal's body weight reached 105 kg. Each of the pigs, except sires in the base population, was genotyped using 109 microsatellite markers, and then, QTL analysis of the full‐sib family population with a multi‐generational pedigree structure was performed. Variance component analysis was used to detect QTL associated with MPS or AR scores, and the logarithm of odds (LOD) score and genotypic heritability of the QTL were estimated. Five significant (LOD > 2.51) and 18 suggestive (LOD > 1.35) QTL for respiratory disease traits and immune‐capacity traits were detected. The significant QTL for Log‐MPS score, located on S. scrofa chromosome 2, could explain 87% of the genetic variance of this score in this analysis. This is the first report of QTL associated with respiratory disease lesions.
A rare fraction of drug‐resistant follicular lymphoma cancer stem cells interacts with follicular dendritic cells to maintain tumourigenic potential
Authors: Lee Chung‐Gi , Das Bikul , Lin Tara L. , Grimes Chelsea , Zhang Xin , Lavezzi Tracey , Huang Li , Cole John , Yau Lillian , Li Li 
Published: April 2012

SummaryFollicular lymphoma (FL) comprises nearly 25% of non‐Hodgkin lymphoma cases and is clinically characterized by initial sensitivity to chemotherapy followed by relapse. FL stroma contains a special type of stromal cell found in the germinal centre of lymph nodes—the follicular dendritic cell (FDC). We first isolated tumourigenic cells from the FL cell line FLK‐1 by side population (SP) technique, and found that SP cells, which express ABCG2, were enriched by chemotherapy and radiation treatments. In vitro, SP cells were attracted by and adhered to FDCs through chemokine (C‐X‐C motif) ligand 12/chemokine (C‐X‐C motif) receptor 4 (CXCL12/CXCR4) signalling. In vivo, limiting dilution assays showed SP cells were highly enriched in cancer stem cells (CSC), but required FDC for tumour formation in non‐obese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficiency mice. Treatment with AMD3100, a specific CXCL12/CXCR4 inhibitor, eliminated tumour growth. These findings were then verified with FL cells isolated from an FL patient's ascitic fluid (FLA‐1). Finally, we detected the ABCG2 expressing lymphoma cells in FL clinical specimens. Thus, we found that the highly tumourigenic FL cells having CSC‐like activities (FL‐SC) interact with FDCs in a CXCL12/CXCR4 dependent manner to resist chemotherapy. Our results indicate the importance of FL‐SC and niche cell signalling in maintaining tumourigenicity. These signals represent novel targets for CSC eradication.