bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Simultaneous liver and kidney transplantation using donation after cardiac death donors
Authors: LaMattina John C. , Mezrich Joshua D. , Fernandez Luis A. , D'Alessandro Anthony M. , Bellingham Janet M. , Musat Alexandru I. , Foley David P. 
Published: January 2011

Abstract
Although the use of donation after cardiac death (DCD) donor organs has been shown to be a viable option for liver and kidney transplant recipients, outcomes after simultaneous liver and kidney (SLK) transplantation using DCD donors are less clear. We performed a retrospective analysis of 37 adult, primary SLK transplants performed at our center between January 1, 1998 and December 31, 2008. Thirty-two patients received donation after brain death (DBD) organs, and 5 patients received DCD organs. SLK recipients in the 2 groups were similar with respect to age, gender, race, body mass index, donor race, and donor body mass index. The calculated Model for End-Stage Liver Disease scores and pretransplant glomerular filtration rates were similar between the groups. DCD donors were younger and had shorter liver cold ischemia times. The median DCD donor warm ischemia time was 19.0 minutes (6.0-25.0 minutes). The recipient surgical times and hospital lengths of stay were comparable between the groups. Delayed graft function was more frequent in DCD renal allografts (80% versus 31%, P = 0.06). The 1-year graft survival rates for liver allografts (100% for the DCD group versus 94% for the DBD group) and kidney allografts (100% for the DCD group versus 94% for the DBD group) were similar. In conclusion, patients undergoing DCD SLK transplantation have comparable 1-year patient and graft survival rates and acceptable perioperative morbidity in comparison with DBD SLK transplant recipients. Although long-term outcomes remain unknown, the utilization of DCD organs for SLK transplantation should be considered a valid approach to safely expanding the donor organ pool. Liver Transpl 17:591-595, 2011. © 2011 AASLD.
Operational tolerance
Authors: Levitsky Josh 
Published: January 2011

Abstract

Every liver transplant (LT) center has had patients who either self-discontinue immunosuppressive (IS) therapy or are deliberately withdrawn due to a research protocol or clinical concern (ie, lymphoproliferative disorder [LPD], overwhelming infection). This is understandable because maintenance IS therapy, particularly calcineurin inhibitors (CNI), is associated with significant cost, side effects, and considerable long-term morbidity and mortality. Detrimental effects of IS therapy include increased risk of cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, bone loss, opportunistic and community-acquired infections, and malignancy. In fact, LT recipients have among the highest rates of chronic kidney disease and associated mortality among all nonkidney solid organ recipients. This mortality is only ameliorated by undergoing a curative kidney transplant, usurping costs and valuable organ resources. The search for improved treatment algorithms includes trial and error CNI dose minimization, the use of alternative IS agents (antimetabolites, mammalian target of rapamycin [mTOR] inhibitors), or even complete CNI withdrawal. Yet those who are successful in achieving such operational tolerance (no immunosuppression and normal allograft function) are considered lucky. The vast majority of recipients will fail this approach, develop acute rejection or immune-mediated hepatitis, and require resumption of IS therapy. As such, withdrawal of IS following LT is not standard-of-care, leaving clinicians to currently maintain transplant patients on IS therapy for life. Nonetheless, the long-term complications of all IS therapies highlight the need for strategies to promote immunologic or operational tolerance. Clinically applicable biomarker assays signifying the potential for tolerance as well as tolerogenic IS conditioning are invariably needed if systematic, controlled rather than “hit or miss” approaches to withdrawal are considered. This review will provide an overview of the basic mechanisms of tolerance, particularly in relation to LT, data from previous IS withdrawal protocols and biomarker studies in tolerant recipients, and a discussion on the prospect of increasing the clinical feasibility and success of withdrawal. Liver Transpl, 2011. © 2011 AASLD.
Cognitive‐behavioral therapy in the schools: Bringing research to practice through effective implementation
Authors: Forman Susan G. , Barakat Nicole M. 
Published: January 2011

AbstractA number of evidence‐based, cognitive‐behavioral interventions have been developed that are appropriate for use with children and adolescents in school settings. Despite the potential for these interventions to prevent or ameliorate a number of child and adolescent mental health problems, their use in schools remains low. Literature related to implementation of new programs indicates that personal, social, and organizational factors influence implementation success. What is known in general about implementation of new programs and practices, and what is known specifically about implementation of cognitive‐behavioral interventions in schools, is reviewed. An examination of existing studies on implementation of cognitive‐behavioral interventions in schools indicates that five factors have been found most frequently to influence implementation success: school organizational structure; program characteristics; fit with school goals, policies, and programs; training/technical assistance; and administrator support. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Exact logistic models for nested binary data
Authors: Troxler Steven , Lalonde Trent , Wilson Jeffrey R. 
Published: January 2011

AbstractThe use of logistic models for independent binary data has relied first on asymptotic theory and later on exact distributions for small samples. However, the use of logistic models for dependent analysis based on exact analysis is not as common. Moreover, attention is usually given to one‐stage clustering. In this paper, we extend the exact techniques to address hypothesis testing (estimation is not addressed) for data with second‐stage and probably higher levels of clustering. The methods are demonstrated through a somewhat generic example using mathrmC+ + program. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Transplanted Stem Cell-Secreted Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Effects Poststroke Recovery, Inflammation, and Vascular Repair
Authors: Horie Nobutaka , Pereira Marta P. , Niizuma Kuniyasu , Sun Guohua , Keren-Gill Hadar , Encarnacion Angelo , Shamloo Mehrdad , Hamilton Scott A. , Jiang Kewen , Huhn Stephen , Palmer Theo D. , Bliss Tonya M. , Steinberg Gary K. 
Published: January 2011

Abstract
Cell transplantation offers a novel therapeutic strategy for stroke; however, how transplanted cells function in vivo is poorly understood. We show for the first time that after subacute transplantation into the ischemic brain of human central nervous system stem cells grown as neurospheres (hCNS-SCns), the stem cell-secreted factor, human vascular endothelial growth factor (hVEGF), is necessary for cell-induced functional recovery. We correlate this functional recovery to hVEGF-induced effects on the host brain including multiple facets of vascular repair and its unexpected suppression of the inflammatory response. We found that transplanted hCNS-SCns affected multiple parameters in the brain with different kinetics: early improvement in blood-brain barrier integrity and suppression of inflammation was followed by a delayed spatiotemporal regulated increase in neovascularization. These events coincided with a bimodal pattern of functional recovery, with, an early recovery independent of neovascularization, and a delayed hVEGF-dependent recovery coincident with neovascularization. Therefore, cell transplantation therapy offers an exciting multimodal strategy for brain repair in stroke and potentially other disorders with a vascular or inflammatory component.
MyoD Gene Suppression by Oct4 Is Required for Reprogramming in Myoblasts to Produce Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Authors: Watanabe Shuichi , Hirai Hiroyuki , Asakura Yoko , Tastad Christopher , Verma Mayank , Keller Charles , Dutton James R. , Asakura Atsushi 
Published: January 2011

Abstract
Expression of the four transcription factors, that is, Oct4, Sox2, cMyc, and Klf4 has been shown to generate induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from many types of specialized differentiated somatic cells. It remains unclear, however, whether fully committed skeletal muscle progenitor cells (myoblasts) have the potency to undergo reprogramming to develop iPSCs in line with previously reported cases. To test this, we have isolated genetically marked myoblasts derived from satellite cell of adult mouse muscles using the Cre-loxP system (Pax7-CreER:R26R and Myf5-Cre:R26R). On infection with retroviral vectors expressing the four factors, these myoblasts gave rise to myogenic lineage tracer lacZ-positive embryonic stem cell (ESC)-like colonies. These cells expressed ESC-specific genes and were competent to differentiate into all three germ layers and germ cells, indicating the successful generation of myoblast-derived iPSCs. Continuous expression of the MyoD gene, a master transcription factor for skeletal muscle specification, inhibited this reprogramming process in myoblasts. In contrast, reprogramming myoblasts isolated from mice lacking the MyoD gene led to an increase in reprogramming efficiency. Our data also indicated that Oct4 acts as a transcriptional suppressor of MyoD gene expression through its interaction with the upstream enhancer region. Taken together, these results indicate that suppression of MyoD gene expression by Oct4 is required for the initial reprogramming step in the development of iPSCs from myoblasts. This data suggests that the skeletal muscle system provides a well-defined differentiation model to further elaborate on the effects of iPSC reprogramming in somatic cells.
Curcumin prevents haloperidol‐induced development of abnormal oro‐facial movements: Possible implications of Bcl‐XL in its mechanism of action
Authors: Sookram Christal , Tan Mattea , Daya Ritesh , Heffernan Spencer , Mishra Ram K. 
Published: January 2011

AbstractCurcumin (Curcuma Longa Linn), the active component of turmeric, has been shown to be effective in ameliorating several stress and drug‐induced disorders in rats and humans. However, it is unclear whether short term curcumin administration can prevent the abnormal oro‐facial movements (AOFM) which develop following blockade of dopamine D2 receptors by antagonist such as Haloperidol. The objective of this study is to determine whether short term treatment with curcumin along with Haloperidol can prevent the development of AOFM in rats. Male Sprague Dawley rats were administered curcumin at 200 mg/kg, and Haloperidol at 2 mg/kg daily for 2 weeks, and AOFMs and locomotor activity were assessed at baseline, day 7 and day 14. By day 14, rats receiving concurrent curcumin administration had a significant reduction in the incidence of Haloperidol‐induced AOFMs, but no change on the Haloperidol‐induced hypolocomotion. There was no spiked increase in locomotor activity in absence of challenge with dopamine D2 receptor agonist. The exact mechanism by which curcumin attenuates AOFMs remains unknown, therefore, we performed a proteomic analysis of the striatal samples obtained from control and curcumin treated groups. A number of proteins were altered by curcumin, among them an antiapoptotic protein, Bcl‐XL, was significantly upregulated. These results suggest that curcumin may be a promising treatment to prevent the development of AOFMs and further suggest some therapeutic value in the treatment of movement disorders. Synapse 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mefloquine effects on ventral tegmental area dopamine and GABA neuron inhibition: A physiologic role for connexin‐36 GAP junctions
Authors: Allison David W. , Wilcox Rebecca S. , Ellefsen Kyle L. , Askew Caitlin E. , Hansen David M. , Wilcox Jeffrey D. , Sandoval Stephanie S. , Eggett Dennis L. , Yanagawa Yuchio , Steffensen Scott C. 
Published: January 2011

AbstractConnexin‐36 (Cx36) gap junctions (GJs) appear to be involved in the synchronization of GABA interneurons in many brain areas. We have previously identified a population of Cx36‐connected ventral tegmental area (VTA) GABA neurons that may regulate mesolimbic dopamine (DA) neurotransmission, a system implicated in reward from both natural behaviors and drugs of abuse. The aim of this study was to determine the effect mefloquine (MFQ) has on midbrain DA and GABA neuron inhibition, and the role Cx36 GJs play in regulating midbrain VTA DA neuron activity in mice. In brain slices from adolescent wild‐type (WT) mice the Cx36‐selective GJ blocker mefloquine (MFQ, 25 μM) increased VTA DA neuron sIPSC frequency sixfold, and mIPSC frequency threefold. However, in Cx36 KO mice, MFQ only increased sIPSC and mIPSC frequency threefold. The nonselective GJ blocker carbenoxolone (CBX, 100 μM) increased DA neuron sIPSC frequency twofold in WT mice, did not affect Cx36 KO mouse sIPSCs, and did not affect mIPSCs in WT or Cx36 KO mice. Interestingly, MFQ had no effect on VTA GABA neuron sIPSC frequency. We also examined MFQ effects on VTA DA neuron firing rate and current‐evoked spiking in WT and Cx36 KO mice, and found that MFQ decreased WT DA neuron firing rate and current‐evoked spiking, but did not alter these measures in Cx36 KO mice. Taken together these findings suggest that blocking Cx36 GJs increases VTA DA neuron inhibition, and that GJs play in key role in regulating inhibition of VTA DA neurons. Synapse, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Children as codesigners of new technologies: Valuing the imagination to transform what is possible
Authors: Druin Allison 
Published: January 2011

AbstractThe technological complexity and richness of a child's environment today is far beyond what any adults today experienced when they were growing up. For example, no adult today knows what it is like to be a four‐year‐old using his or her first iPhone app or Webkinz account. Therefore, we seek ways to understand what children need in today's new technologies even without ourselves being children. Since 1999, young people ages seven to eleven have been the author's partners in codesigning new educational technologies at the University of Maryland's Human‐Computer Interaction Lab. This work has helped inform who children are—what matters to them, what technologies need to be changed, and what needs to be built for the future. This work uses cooperative inquiry, a set of codesign methods that can enable adults and children to share their ideas while minimizing the differences in age and communication styles. This article describes low‐tech methods for brainstorming, offering feedback, and supporting creative change in technology prototype designs. Examples of technologies are discussed and insights from children shared.
Ligand Exchange Processes on Solvated Beryllium Cations V. Water Exchange on [Be(X)(H2O)3]+ (X: H–,F–, Cl–, Br–, OH–, CN–, NCNCN–)‡
Authors: Budimir Ana , Walther Markus , Puchta Ralph , van Eldik Rudi 
Published: January 2011

AbstractThe water exchange reaction of BeII complexes in the series [Be(X)(H2O)3]+ (X = H–, F–, Cl–, Br–, OH–, CN–, NCNCN–) was studied by DFT calculations (RB3LYP/6‐311+G**) and identified as an associative interchange mechanism. The influence of X on the activation energies was examined and found to be largely negligible, thus making them all act as spectator ligands. The energies for addition of a fourth water molecule, representing the second coordination sphere, were approximately half of that found for similar dicationic complexes and close to that found for monocationic species like [Li(H2O)4]+.
Evolution of a coastal alluvial deposit in response to the last Quaternary marine transgression, Bahía Blanca estuary, Argentina
Authors: Giagante Darío Andrés , Aliotta Salvador , Ginsberg Silvia Susana , Vecchi Laura Gabriela , Spagnuolo Jorge Osvaldo 
Published: January 2011

AbstractThe purpose of this research is to analyze the seismostratigraphic and paleoenvironmental features of an ancient fluvial deposit characterized by the presence of paleochannels and sedimentary structures in Bahía Blanca estuary, Argentina. To this end, high-resolution seismic methods were used. Paleochannels exhibiting v-shaped cuts were found at different topographic positions at the base of this deposit. It was observed that channel silting is indicative of the relative change of river base level and the consequent migration of fluvial tributaries. This alluvial deposit is composed of low compacted fine sand and its middle–upper facies is characterized by the presence of horizontal and discontinuous wavy reflectors. The upper boundary of this deposit is an erosive discontinuity resulting from Holocene sea-level rise during which the mouth of old fluvial courses underwent changes. The deposit was subsequently buried by sandy and clayey silt sediments. The paleodrainage at subbottom indicates that this deposit is associated with an ancient river mouth. Based on the seismostratigraphic and lithological characteristics and the paleochannel structures found in the study area, it can be concluded that the deposit analyzed is an alluvial sequence formed in the period from the Middle-Late Pleistocene to Holocene marine transgression.
ANALYSIS OF GAPS AND POSSIBLE INTERVENTIONS FOR IMPROVING WATER PRODUCTIVITY IN CROP LIVESTOCK SYSTEMS OF ETHIOPIA
Authors: DESCHEEMAEKER KATRIEN , AMEDE TILAHUN , HAILESLASSIE AMARE , BOSSIO DEBORAH 
Published: January 2011

SUMMARYLow crop and livestock productivities in the mixed farming systems of Ethiopia hamper efforts to meet the increasing food demands from a stressed natural resource base. Important reasons for the low agricultural productivity are water scarcity and poor spatial and temporal rainfall distribution. Although improving agricultural water productivity would safeguard people's livelihoods and the environment, the lack of information on best bet interventions and strategies to achieve this impedes targeted decision making. Therefore, the aim of this study was to conduct an ex-ante evaluation of the potential effect of selected interventions on livestock water productivity (LWP) in mixed crop-livestock systems. Baseline data were collected from a water scarce area in the Ethiopian highlands. An analysis of productivity gaps and stakeholder interviews helped to identify promising interventions, which were categorized in three groups related to feed, water and animal management. A spreadsheet model was developed that was composed of the various production components of the farming system, their interactions and influencing factors. By linking water use for feed production with livestock products through the energy supplied by the feeds, the potential effect of interventions on LWP could be simulated. The evaluation showed that the various interventions targeting feed, water and animal management could result in LWP improvements ranging from 4 to 94%. Feed and energy water productivity increased particularly with interventions like fertilizer application, and the introduction of fodder trees, concentrates, improved food-feed crops, and soil and water conservation measures. Combining the different interventions led to a stronger improvement than any of the single interventions. The results of the evaluation can inform policy-makers and development actors on which best bets to promote and invest in.
Gibbs-like measure for spectrum of a class of quasi-crystals
Authors: FAN SHEN , LIU QING-HUI , WEN ZHI-YING 
Published: January 2011

AbstractLet α∈(0,1) be an irrational, and [0;a1,a2,…] the continued fraction expansion of α. Let Hα,V be the one-dimensional Schrödinger operator with Sturmian potential of frequency α. Suppose the potential strength V >20 and the sequence (ai)i≥1 is bounded. We proceed by developing some new ideas on dimensional theory of Cookie-cutter sets. We prove that the spectral generating bands satisfy the principles of bounded variation and bounded covariation, and then we show that there exists a Gibbs-like measure on the spectrum σ(Hα,V). As an application, we prove that where s* and s* are the lower and upper pre-dimensions. Moreover, if (an)n≥1 is ultimately periodic, then s* =s*.
Robust and reversible execution of self-reconfiguration sequences
Authors: Schultz Ulrik , Bordignon Mirko , Stoy Kasper 
Published: January 2011

SUMMARYModular, self-reconfigurable robots are robotic systems that can change their own shape by autonomously rearranging the physical modules from which they are built. In this work, we are interested in how to distributedly execute a specified self-reconfiguration sequence. The sequence is specified using a simple and centralized scripting language, which either could be the outcome of a planner or be hand-coded. The distributed controller generated from this language allows for parallel self-reconfiguration steps and is highly robust to communication errors and loss of local state due to software failures. Furthermore, the self-reconfiguration sequence can automatically be reversed, if desired. We verify our approach and demonstrate its robustness in experiments using physical and the simulated ATRON modules, as well as simulated M-TRAN modules. Overall, the contribution of this work is the combination of the tractability of a centralized scripting language with the robustness and parallelism of distributed controllers in modular robots.
A characterization of the reconfiguration space of self-reconfiguring robotic systems
Authors: Larkworthy Tom , Ramamoorthy Subramanian 
Published: January 2011

SUMMARYMotion planning for self-reconfiguring robots can be made efficient by exploiting potential reductions to suitably large subspaces. However, there are no general techniques for identifying suitable restrictions that have a positive effect on planning efficiency. We present two approaches to understanding the structure that is required of the subspaces, which leads to improvement in efficiency of motion planning. This work is presented in the context of a specific motion planning procedure for a hexagonal metamorphic robot. First, we use ideas from spectral graph theory – empirically estimating the algebraic connectivity of the state space – to show that the HMR model is better structured than many alternative motion catalogs. Secondly, using ideas from graph minor theory, we show that the infinite sequence of subspaces generated by configurations containing increasing numbers of subunits is well ordered, indicative of regularity of the space as complexity increases. We hope that these principles could inform future algorithm design for many different types of self-reconfiguring robotics problems.
Efficient constant-velocity reconfiguration of crystalline robots
Authors: Aloupis Greg , Collette Sébastien , Damian Mirela , Demaine Erik D. , Flatland Robin , Langerman Stefan , O'Rourke Joseph , Pinciu Val , Ramaswami Suneeta , Sacristán Vera , Wuhrer Stefanie 
Published: January 2011

SUMMARYIn this paper, we propose novel algorithms for reconfiguring modular robots that are composed ofnatoms. Each atom has the shape of a unit cube and can expand/contract each face by half a unit, as well as attach to or detach from faces of neighboring atoms. For universal reconfiguration, atoms must be arranged in 2 × 2 × 2 modules. We respect certain physical constraints: each atom reaches at most constant velocity and can displace at most a constant number of other atoms. We assume that one of the atoms has access to the coordinates of atoms in the target configuration.Our algorithms involve a total ofO(n2) atom operations, which are performed inO(n) parallel steps. This improves on previous reconfiguration algorithms, which either useO(n2) parallel steps or do not respect the constraints mentioned above. In fact, in the settings considered, our algorithms are optimal. A further advantage of our algorithms is that reconfiguration can take place within the union of the source and target configuration space, and only requires local communication.