bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neutron diffraction measurements of residual stresses around a crack tip developed under variable‐amplitude fatigue loadings
Authors: LEE S. Y. , ROGGE R. B. , CHOO H. , LIAW P. K. 
Published: June 2010

ABSTRACTThe spatially resolved neutron‐diffraction residual stress mappings were performed on five compact‐tension (CT) specimens subjected to various variable‐amplitude fatigue loadings (e.g. overload, underload and their mixed loads) during fatigue crack propagation. Three principal residual‐stress components (i.e. longitudinal, transverse and normal stresses) were measured as a function of the distance from the crack tip along the crack‐propagation direction. The shape of respective crack tips on the five CT specimens was examined using scanning electron microscope. The results show the distinct residual‐stress fields near the crack tip and significant changes in the crack‐tip geometry for five different loading cases. It is thought that the combined effects of the changes in the residual‐stress state and crack‐tip geometry seem to be a key factor to account for the observed transient crack‐growth phenomena.
α‐Synuclein mediates alterations in membrane conductance: a potential role for α‐synuclein oligomers in cell vulnerability
Authors: Feng Li Rebekah , Federoff Howard J. , Vicini Stefano , Maguire‐Zeiss Kathleen A. 
Published: June 2010

Abstractα‐Synuclein has been linked to the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease and other synucleinopathies through its propensity to form toxic oligomers. The exact mechanism for oligomeric synuclein‐directed cell vulnerability has not been fully elucidated, but one hypothesis portends the formation of synuclein‐containing pores within cell membranes leading to leak channel‐mediated calcium influx and subsequent cell death. Here we demonstrate synuclein‐induced formation of sodium dodecyl sulfate‐stable oligomers, intracellular synuclein‐positive aggregates, alterations in membrane conductance reminiscent of leak channels and subsequent cytotoxicity in a dopaminergic‐like cell line. Furthermore we demonstrate that the synuclein‐induced membrane conductance changes are blocked by direct extracellular application of an anti‐synuclein antibody. The work presented here confirms that synuclein overexpression leads to membrane conductance changes and demonstrates for the first time through antibody‐blocking studies that synuclein plays a direct role in the formation of leak channels.
Rotating spatial harvests and fishing effort displacement: a comment on Game et al. (2009)
Authors: Kaplan David M. , Hart Deborah R. , Botsford Louis W. 
Published: June 2010

Ecology Letters (2010) 13: E10–E12Abstract Game et al. (2009) explored using rapid rotational fishing for increasing herbivore biomass. Their results depend crucially on the assumption that fishing effort that was in closures disappears, rather than shifting elsewhere. If effort shifts, rapid rotation has no effects, but previous age‐structured analyses show benefits of longer period rotation that are robust to effort displacement.
The index lesion and focal therapy: an analysis of the pathological characteristics of prostate cancer
Authors: Bott Simon R.J. , Ahmed Hashim U. , Hindley Richard G. , Abdul‐Rahman Ahmad , Freeman Alex , Emberton Mark 
Published: June 2010

OBJECTIVETo determine the pathological characteristics of radical prostatectomy specimens with respect to index and secondary lesions.METHODSA total of 100 consecutive radical prostatectomy specimens examined at a single hospital were assessed. Patients undergoing salvage prostatectomy or those who had received neoadjuvant hormonal manipulation were excluded. Preoperative data and the number, volume and Gleason grade of each tumour focus were recorded. Criteria used to define a clinically significant lesion were tumour volume ≥0.5 mL and/or Gleason pattern 4 or 5 and/or extra‐capsular disease.RESULTSOverall, 374 foci were examined. The median number of tumours per patient was 3.5 (range 1–15). The overall median tumour volume was 1.4 mL (range 0.1–18.2), the median volume of the largest (index) tumour was 0.95 mL (range 0.1–18.2) and the median volume of the largest secondary tumour was 0.2 mL (range 0.05–1.7). There were no patients in whom the index lesion was insignificant and secondary tumours were significant (by grade or extra‐capsular disease). Seventy‐seven fulfilled the clinical parameters of low‐to‐intermediate‐risk disease. If focal therapy can be delivered with the aim of ablating all clinically significant disease, with untreated areas harbouring no cancer or clinically insignificant disease, between 58.5 and 67.5% might have been suitable for such a strategy.CONCLUSIONSThe proportion of men with low‐to‐intermediate‐risk prostate cancer who may potentially be suitable for a focal therapy approach is unknown. The key question is whether the volume of individual lesions points to clinically significant cancer and whether ablation of these lesions alone would lead to cancer control. This research question is currently undergoing evaluation within a prospective clinical trial.
Impact of sorafenib on health‐related quality of life in Japanese patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma: a prospective evaluation
Authors: Miyake Hideaki , Kurahashi Toshifumi , Yamanaka Kazuki , Kondo Yutaka , Takenaka Atsushi , Inoue Taka‐aki , Fujisawa Masato 
Published: June 2010

Study Type – Therapy (case series) Level of Evidence 4OBJECTIVETo characterize the impact of sorafenib treatment on health‐related quality of life (HRQL) in Japanese patients with mRCC.PATIENTS AND METHODSWe performed a prospective observational study including 85 consecutive patients undergoing radical nephrectomy who were diagnosed as having mRCC refractory to cytokine therapy and subsequently treated with sorafenib for at least 3 months. HRQL in these patients was assessed using the Medical Outcomes Study 36‐Item Short Form (SF‐36).RESULTSBefore treatment all eight scores in the 85 patients were significantly inferior to those in the age‐matched control population in Japan. Three months after sorafenib treatment, one score (mental health) in the 85 patients was significantly higher than what it was before treatment. Three scores (body pain, role limitations because of emotional problems, mental health) in patients who had some degree of tumour shrinkage were significantly better than those in the remaining patients, while there were no significant differences in all but one score (social function) between patients with and without severe AEs. Furthermore, there were no significant differences in any scores 3, 6 and 12 months after sorafenib treatment in 26 patients who could be followed for at least 12 months.CONCLUSIONSDespite non‐randomized study including a comparatively small number of patients, the findings of the present study suggest that sorafenib treatment may not impair HRQL in patients with mRCC, and HRQL in patients receiving sorafenib is likely to be affected by the efficacy rather than AEs during treatment.
The impact of family history on pathological and clinical outcomes in non‐syndromic clear cell renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Tollefson Matthew K. , Boorjian Stephen A. , Lohse Christine M. , Blute Michael L. , Leibovich Bradley C. 
Published: June 2010

Study Type – Prognosis (case series) Level of Evidence 4OBJECTIVETo investigate the impact of family history on pathological and clinical outcomes after surgery for clear‐cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) in patients with non‐syndromic disease.PATIENTS AND METHODSWe reviewed 2677 patients treated with radical nephrectomy or nephron‐sparing surgery for non‐cystic ccRCC between 1970 and 2004 to identify patients with a family history of ccRCC. Patients with von Hippel–Lindau, tuberous sclerosis, or Birt–Hogg–Dube syndrome were excluded from analysis. Demographics and clinico‐pathological outcomes were compared to patients with ccRCC without a family history of kidney cancer using chi‐squared and Fisher’s exact tests. Postoperative cancer‐specific survival was estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method.RESULTSWe identified 42 patients (1.6%) with a family history of ccRCC who were treated for non‐cystic ccRCC, with a median follow‐up of 4.7 years (range 1–34). Demographics and tumour characteristics, including tumour stage and grade, were similar between the two groups. Patients with a family history of ccRCC were more likely to have bilateral tumours (11.9 vs 2.2%, P= 0.003). Nevertheless, cancer‐specific survival rates for patients with and without a family history of ccRCC were similar at 5 years (75.7 vs 71.1%) and 10 years (53.9 vs 62.2%).CONCLUSIONSPatients with a family history of ccRCC have pathological and clinical outcomes similar to patients with sporadic ccRCC. The increased incidence of bilateral tumours associated with a family history of ccRCC provides further evidence to support a nephron‐sparing surgical approach when feasible.
Racial variation in the pattern and quality of care for prostate cancer in the USA: mind the gap
Authors: Barocas Daniel A. , Penson David F. 
Published: June 2010

This is a comment moderated paper. Please go to http://www.bjuicommentary.com for further details.OBJECTIVETo review the literature on racial variation in the pattern of care (PoC) and quality of care (QoC) for prostate cancer, as there are known racial disparities in the incidence and outcomes of prostate cancer. While there are some biological explanations for these differences, they do not completely explain the variation. Differences in the appropriateness and QoC delivered to men of different racial groups may contribute to disparities in outcome.METHODSWe searched the USA National Library of Medicine PubMed system for articles pertaining to quality indicators in prostate cancer and racial disparities in QoC for prostate cancer.RESULTSWhile standards for appropriate treatment are not clearly defined, racial variation in the PoC has been reported in several studies, suggesting that African‐American men may receive less aggressive treatment. There are validated QoC indicators in prostate cancer, and researchers have begun to evaluate racial variation in adherence to these quality indicators. Further quality comparisons, particularly in structural measures, may need to be performed to fully evaluate differences in QoC.CONCLUSIONSThere is mounting evidence for racial variation in the PoC and QoC for prostate cancer, which may contribute to observed differences in outcome. While some of the sources of racial variation in quality and outcome have been identified through the development of evidence‐based guidelines and validated quality indicators, opportunities exist to identify, study and attempt to resolve other components of the quality gap.
East versus West: contrasts in phenological patterns?
Authors: Askeyev O. V. , Sparks T. H. , Askeyev I. V. , Tishin D. V. , Tryjanowski P. 
Published: June 2010

ABSTRACTAim  To examine whether change in the timing of a large number of phenological events and their response to temperature differs between trophic levels during the period 1988–2008.Location  In the vicinity of Kazan, Tatarstan Republic, Russia (55°45′ N, 49°08′ E).Methods  Observations of the dates of first events of 22 plant phases, 8 insect phases, 3 herpetofauna phases and 26 migrant bird phases were examined using regression to assess changes over time and response to temperature. Differences between trophic levels were assessed using ANOVA.Results  In comparison to studies from western Europe, relatively few phenological series (15) revealed a significant advance over time, but a much larger number (37), including all the herpetofauna and nearly all the plants, showed a response to temperature. Trends in birds were, on average, twice as great as those for plants, but plants had a significantly greater temperature response. Over the study period local temperatures had not risen significantly but some phenological change was still evident.Main conclusions  Phenological change has been less marked in the eastern edge of Europe than in western and central Europe. This is compatible with a lack of significant local warming during the study period. A large number of species show strong responses to temperature so will be expected to advance if/when local temperatures do increase. In contrast to results from elsewhere in Europe, early events were not the most temperature responsive, suggesting local adaptation preventing precocious behaviour and the consequent dangers of sub‐zero temperatures.
Psychological research in educational technology in China
Authors: Liu Ru‐De 
Published: June 2010

AbstractInformation and communication technology (ICT) has increasingly been bringing about significant changes in education in an ongoing process. The educational reform is not a mere technological issue but rather is based on an empirical grounding in a psychological research approach to learning and instruction. This paper introduces the research work on the application of ICT in education from the psychological perspective in China in the past three decades. The introduction focuses on four important issues with systemic theoretical thinking based on continuous empirical research and innovative practices. The first is dialectic constructivism which has offered some dialectic explanation for knowledge, learning and teaching, and balanced various contradictory aspects of learning and teaching. The second is theoretical thinking and instructional practice about the principles of learning environment design which emphasises learners' higher‐order thinking, deep understanding, collaboration and self‐regulated learning. The third is a model for the effectiveness and conditions of Computer‐Assisted Instruction. The fourth is a framework for the integration of ICT and education and a zigzag training model for teacher training for integration.
A Shape Descriptor for 3D Objects Based on Rotational Symmetry
Authors: Martinek M. , Grosso R. , Greiner G. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractThe ability to extract spatial features from 3D objects is essential for applications such as shape matching and object classification. However, designing an effective feature vector which is invariant with respect to rotation, translation and scaling is a challenging task and is often solved by normalization techniques such as PCA, which can give rise to poor object alignment. In this paper, we introduce a novel method to extract robust and invariant 3D features based on rotational symmetry. By applying a rotation‐variant similarity function on two instances of the same 3D object, we can define an autocorrelation on the object in the space of rotations. We use a special representation of the SO(3) and determine significant rotation axes for an object by means of optimization techniques. By sampling the similarity function via rotations around these axes, we obtain robust and invariant features, which are descriptive for the underlying geometry. The resulting feature vector cannot only be used to characterize an object with respect to rotational symmetry but also to define a distance between 3D models. Because the features are compact and pre‐computable, our method is suitable to perform similarity searches in large 3D databases.
Creating and Animating Subject‐Specific Anatomical Models
Authors: Gilles B. , Revéret L. , Pai D. K. 
Published: June 2010

Abstract Creating and animating subject‐specific anatomical models is traditionally a difficult process involving medical image segmentation, geometric corrections and the manual definition of kinematic parameters. In this paper, we introduce a novel template morphing algorithm that facilitates three‐dimensional modelling and parameterization of skeletons. Target data can be either medical images or surfaces of the whole skeleton. We incorporate prior knowledge about bone shape, the feasible skeleton pose and the morphological variability in the population. This allows for noise reduction, bone separation and the transfer, from the template, of anatomical and kinematical information not present in the input data. Our approach treats both local and global deformations in successive regularization steps: smooth elastic deformations are represented by an as‐rigid‐as‐possible displacement field between the reference and current configuration of the template, whereas global and discontinuous displacements are estimated through a projection onto a statistical shape model and a new joint pose optimization scheme with joint limits.
The anatomical and functional relationship between the P3 and autonomic components of the orienting response
Authors: Nieuwenhuis Sander , De Geus Eco J. , Aston‐Jones Gary 
Published: June 2010

AbstractMany psychophysiologists have noted the striking similarities between the antecedent conditions for the P3 component of the event‐related potential and the orienting response: both are typically elicited by salient, unexpected, novel, task‐relevant, and other motivationally significant stimuli. Although the close coupling of the P3 and orienting response has been well documented, the neural basis and functional role of this relationship is still poorly understood. Here we propose that the simultaneous occurrence of the P3 and autonomic components of the orienting response reflects the co‐activation of the locus coeruleus‐norepinephrine system and the peripheral sympathetic nervous system by their common major afferent: the rostral ventrolateral medulla, a key sympathoexcitatory region. A comparison of the functional significance of the locus coeruleus‐norepinephrine system and the peripheral sympathetic nervous system suggests that the P3 and orienting response reflect complementary cognitive and physical contributions to the mobilization for action following motivationally significant stimuli.
Biochemical and histopathological alterations in TAR DNA‐binding protein‐43 after acute ischemic stroke in rats
Authors: Kanazawa Masato , Kakita Akiyoshi , Igarashi Hironaka , Takahashi Tetsuya , Kawamura Kunio , Takahashi Hitoshi , Nakada Tsutomu , Nishizawa Masatoyo , Shimohata Takayoshi 
Published: June 2010

J. Neurochem. (2011) 116, 957–965.AbstractNuclear factor TAR DNA‐binding protein‐43 (TDP‐43) is considered to play roles in pathogenesis of human neurodegenerative diseases, so‐called TDP‐43 proteinopathy, via its proteolytic cleavage, abnormal phosphorylation, subcellular redistribution, and insolubilization generating TDP‐43‐positive neuronal intracellular inclusions. The purpose of this study was to elucidate biochemical and histopathological alternations in TDP‐43 specific to acute ischemic stroke. Adult male rats were subjected to a 90‐min middle cerebral artery occlusion. We examined the proteolytic cleavage, phosphorylation, subcellular localization, and solubility of TDP‐43 by immunoblottings and histopathological examinations using the ischemic and sham‐operated cortex. The level of full‐length TDP‐43 (43 kDa) decreased and that of the 25‐kDa C‐terminal fragment increased after acute ischemic stroke, which can be explained by proteolytic cleavage of TDP‐43. Cytoplasmic redistribution and altered nuclear distribution of TDP‐43 was observed after acute ischemic stroke, whereas abnormal phosphorylation and insolubilization of TDP‐43 as well as formation of intracellular inclusions were not observed. Ischemic neurons with the cytoplasmic redistribution of TDP‐43 expressed ubiquitin and activated caspase 3 and were terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated uridine 5′‐triphosphate‐biotin nick end labeling‐positive. In conclusion, biochemical and histopathological alterations in TDP‐43 were identified in rats after acute ischemic stroke, although there was very less similarity between TDP‐43 alterations observed in acute ischemic stroke and those observed in TDP‐43 proteinopathy.
Reduction in voltage‐gated K+channel activity in primary sensory neurons in painful diabetic neuropathy: role of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor
Authors: Cao Xue‐Hong , Byun Hee‐Sun , Chen Shao‐Rui , Cai You‐Qing , Pan Hui‐Lin 
Published: June 2010

J. Neurochem.(2010)114, 1460–1475.AbstractAbnormal hyperexcitability of primary sensory neurons plays an important role in neuropathic pain. Voltage‐gated potassium (Kv) channels regulate neuronal excitability by affecting the resting membrane potential and influencing the repolarization and frequency of the action potential. In this study, we determined changes in Kv channels in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons in a rat model of diabetic neuropathic pain. The densities of total Kv, A‐type (IA) and sustained delayed (IK) currents were markedly reduced in medium‐ and large‐, but not in small‐, diameter DRG neurons in diabetic rats. Quantitative RT‐PCR analysis revealed that the mRNA levels of IAsubunits, including Kv1.4, Kv3.4, Kv4.2, and Kv4.3, in the DRG were reduced ∼50% in diabetic rats compared with those in control rats. However, there were no significant differences in the mRNA levels of IKsubunits (Kv1.1, Kv1.2, Kv2.1, and Kv2.2) in the DRG between the two groups. Incubation with brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) caused a large reduction in Kv currents, especially IAcurrents, in medium and large DRG neurons from control rats. Furthermore, the reductions in Kv currents and mRNA levels of IAsubunits in diabetic rats were normalized by pre‐treatment with anti‐BDNF antibody or K252a, a TrkB tyrosine kinase inhibitor. In addition, the number of medium and large DRG neurons with BDNF immunoreactivity was greater in diabetic than control rats. Collectively, our findings suggest that diabetes primarily reduces Kv channel activity in medium and large DRG neurons. Increased BDNF activity in these neurons likely contributes to the reduction in Kv channel function through TrkB receptor stimulation in painful diabetic neuropathy.
Holocene climate dynamics in Latvia, eastern Baltic region: a pollen‐based summer temperature reconstruction and regional comparison
Authors: HEIKKILÄ MAIJA , SEPPÄ HEIKKI 
Published: June 2010

Heikkilä, M. & Seppä, H. 2010: Holocene climate dynamics in Latvia, eastern Baltic region: a pollen‐based summer temperature reconstruction and regional comparison. Boreas, Vol. 39, pp. 705–719. 10.1111/j.1502‐3885.2010.00164.x. ISSN 0300‐9483.A pollen‐based summer temperature (Tsummer) reconstruction reveals the Holocene climate history in southeastern Latvia and contributes to the limited understanding of past climate behaviour in the eastern sector of northern Europe. Notably, steady climate warming of the early Holocene was interrupted c. 8350–8150 cal. yr BP by the well‐known 8.2 ka cold event, recorded as a decrease of 0.9 to 1.8 °C in Tsummer. During the Holocene Thermal Maximum, c. 8000–4000 cal. yr BP, the reconstructed summer temperature was ∼2.5–3.5 °C higher than the modern reconstructed value, and subsequently declined towards present‐day values. Comparison of the current reconstruction with other pollen‐based reconstructions in northern Europe shows that the 8.2 ka event is particularly clearly reflected in the Baltic region, possibly as a result of distinct climatic and ecological gradients and the sensitivity of the vegetation growth pattern to seasonal temperature change. The new reconstruction also reveals that the Holocene Thermal Maximum was warmer in Latvia than in central Europe and Fennoscandia. In fact, a gradient of increasing positive temperature anomalies is detected from northernmost Fennoscandia towards the south and from the Atlantic coast in Norway towards the continental East European Plain. The dynamics of the temperate broadleaved tree species Tilia and Quercus in Latvia and adjacent northern Europe during the mid‐Holocene give complementary information on the multifaceted climatic and environmental changes in the region.