bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The application of structured‐light illumination microscopy to hydrocarbon‐bearing fluid inclusions
Authors: BLAMEY N. J. F. , RYDER A. G. , FEELY M. , DOCKERY P. , OWENS P. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractStructured‐light illumination (SLI)‐based microscopy offers geologists a new perspective for screening of hydrocarbon‐bearing (HCFI) and small aqueous fluid inclusion (AFI) assemblages. This optical‐sectioning technique provides rapid, confocal‐like imaging, using relatively simple and inexpensive instrumentation. The 3D fluorescent images of HCFI planes and large single HCFIs permit the visualization of the relationships between HCFI assemblages, examination of HCFI morphology, and volume estimates of the fluorescent components within HCFIs. By the use of normal white light illumination, SLI image capture, and varying acquisition time it is also possible to image AFI because of the random movements of vapour bubbles within the inclusions. This allows the near‐simultaneous visualization of hydrocarbon and AFI which is of significant importance for the study of sedimentary basins and petroleum reservoirs. SLI is a unique and accessible 3D petrographic tool, with practical advantages over conventional epifluorescence and confocal laser scanning microscopy.
Morphological evolution of three‐dimensional chemical dissolution front in fluid‐saturated porous media: a numerical simulation approach
Authors: Zhao Chongbin , Hobbs B. E. , Ord A. , Hornby P. , Peng Shenglin 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThis paper is concerned with the morphological evolution of three‐dimensional chemical dissolution fronts that occur in fluid‐saturated porous media. A fully coupled system between porosity, pore‐fluid flow and reactive chemical species transport is considered to describe this phenomenon. Using the newly presented concept of the generalized dimensionless pore fluid pressure‐gradient, which can be used to represent the interaction between solute advection, solute diffusion, chemical kinetics and the shape factor of the soluble mineral, a theoretical criterion has been established to assess the likelihood of instability at a chemical dissolution front in the reactive transport system. To simulate the chemical dissolution front evolution in a three‐dimensional fluid‐saturated porous medium, a numerical procedure combining both the finite difference method and the finite element method has been proposed. As the problem belongs to a complex system science problem, a small randomly generated perturbation of porosity is added to the initial porosity of a three‐dimensional homogeneous domain to trigger instability of a planar chemical dissolution front during its propagation within the fluid‐saturated porous medium. To test the correctness and accuracy of the proposed numerical procedure, a three‐dimensional benchmark problem has been constructed and the related analytical solution has been derived. This enables using the proposed numerical procedure for simulating the morphological evolution of a three‐dimensional chemical dissolution front from a stable, planar state into an unstable, fingering state. The related numerical results demonstrate that the proposed numerical procedure is useful for, and capable of, simulating the morphological instability of a three‐dimensional chemical dissolution front within a fluid‐saturated porous medium.
Human brain aminopeptidase A: biochemical properties and distribution in brain nuclei
Authors: De Mota Nadia , Iturrioz Xavier , Claperon Cedric , Bodineau Laurence , Fassot Celine , Roques Bernard Pierre , Palkovits Miklos , Llorens‐Cortes Catherine 
Published: April 2008

AbstractAminopeptidase A (APA) generated brain angiotensin III, one of the main effector peptides of the brain renin angiotensin system, exerting a tonic stimulatory effect on the control of blood pressure in hypertensive rats. The distribution of APA in human brain has not been yet studied. We first biochemically characterized human brain APA (apparent molecular mass of 165 and 130 kDa) and we showed that the human enzyme exhibited similar enzymatic characteristics to recombinant mouse APA. Both enzymes had similar sensitivity to Ca2+. Kinetic studies showed that the Km (190 μmol/L) of the human enzyme for the synthetic substrate‐l‐glutamyl‐β‐naphthylamide was close from that of the mouse enzyme (256 μmol/L). Moreover, various classes of inhibitors including the specific and selective APA inhibitor, (S)‐3‐amino‐4‐mercapto‐butyl sulfonic acid, had similar inhibitory potencies toward both enzymes. Using (S)‐3‐amino‐4‐mercapto‐butyl sulfonic acid, we then specifically measured the activity of APA in 40 microdissected areas of the adult human brain. Significant heterogeneity was found in the activity of APA in the various analyzed regions. The highest activity was measured in the choroids plexus and the pineal gland. High activity was also detected in the dorsomedial medulla oblongata, in the septum, the prefrontal cortex, the olfactory bulb, the nucleus accumbens, and the hypothalamus, especially in the paraventricular and supraoptic nuclei. Immunostaining of human brain sections at the level of the medulla oblongata strengthened these data, showing for the first time a high density of immunoreactive neuronal cell bodies and fibers in the motor hypoglossal nucleus, the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus, the nucleus of the solitary tract, the Roller nucleus, the ambiguus nucleus, the inferior olivary complex, and in the external cuneate nucleus. APA immunoreactivity was also visualized in vessels and capillaries in the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus and the inferior olivary complex. The presence of APA in several human brain nuclei sensitive to angiotensins and involved in blood pressure regulation suggests that APA in humans is an integral component of the brain renin angiotensin system and strengthens the idea that APA inhibitors could be clinically tested as an additional therapy for the treatment of certain forms of hypertension.
Glial connexins and gap junctions in CNS inflammation and disease
Authors: Kielian Tammy 
Published: April 2008

AbstractGap junctions facilitate direct cytoplasmic communication between neighboring cells, facilitating the transfer of small molecular weight molecules involved in cell signaling and metabolism. Gap junction channels are formed by the joining of two hemichannels from adjacent cells, each composed of six oligomeric protein subunits called connexins. Of paramount importance to CNS homeostasis are astrocyte networks formed by gap junctions, which play a critical role in maintaining the homeostatic regulation of extracellular pH, K+, and glutamate levels. Inflammation is a hallmark of several diseases afflicting the CNS. Within the past several years, the number of publications reporting effects of cytokines and pathogenic stimuli on glial gap junction communication has increased dramatically. The purpose of this review is to discuss recent observations characterizing the consequences of inflammatory stimuli on homocellular gap junction coupling in astrocytes and microglia as well as changes in connexin expression during various CNS inflammatory conditions.
Accumulation and clearance of α‐synuclein aggregates demonstrated by time‐lapse imaging
Authors: Opazo Felipe , Krenz Antje , Heermann Stephan , Schulz Jörg B. , Falkenburger Björn H. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractAggregates of α‐synuclein are the pathological hallmark of sporadic Parkinson’s disease (PD), and mutations in the α‐synuclein gene underlie familial forms of the disease. To characterize the formation of α‐synuclein aggregates in living cells, we developed a new strategy to visualize α‐synuclein by fluorescence microscopy: α‐synuclein was tagged with a six amino acid PDZ binding motif and co‐expressed with the corresponding PDZ domain fused to enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP). In contrast to the traditional approach of α‐synuclein‐EGFP fusion proteins, this technique provided several‐fold higher sensitivity; this allowed us to compare α‐synuclein variants and perform time‐lapse imaging. A C‐terminally truncated α‐synuclein variant showed the highest prevalence of aggregates and toxicity, consistent with stabilization of the α‐synuclein monomer by its C‐terminus. Time‐lapse imaging illustrated how cells form and accumulate aggregates of α‐synuclein. A substantial number of cells also reduced their aggregate load, primarily through formation of an aggresome, which could itself be cleared from the cell. The molecular chaperone Hsp70 not only prevented the formation of aggregates, but also increased their reduction and clearance, underlining the therapeutic potential of similar strategies. In contrast to earlier assumptions build‐up, reduction and clearance of α‐synuclein aggregation thus appear a highly dynamic process.
Spherical cuts for integer programming problems
Authors: Liberti Leo 
Published: April 2008

AbstractWe introduce a new family of valid inequalities for general linear integer programming problems, based on the distance of the relaxed solution to the closest integral point. We show that these are valid cuts, establish some relations with Balas' intersection cuts, and show that a straightforward cutting plane algorithm derived from either spherical or intersection cuts will in general only converge if a suitable Gomory‐type strengthening is put in place.
Single‐period inventory model with a delayed incentive option for selling excess inventory
Authors: Khouja Moutaz , Vergara F. Elizabeth 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe single‐period problem (SPP) is to find the order quantity which maximizes the expected profit in a single period probabilistic demand framework. We extend the SPP to a case where a retailer uses delayed incentives in the form of cash mail‐in rebates to sell remaining inventory that did not sell at the regular price. The advantage of cash mail‐in rebates is that not all consumers will redeem them. We address three cases: (1) rebate value is predetermined and the order quantity is a decision variable; (2) order quantity is a decision variable and rebate value is set to the value needed to sell all excess inventory, and (3) order quantity is a decision variable and the rebate may be used to sell part of or all excess inventory. In the third case, any inventory remaining after the rebate offer is salvaged at reduced price. We provide analytical solutions for uniform and exponential demand distributions. In all cases, rebates can lead to significant increases in expected profit. We first maximize the expected profit. We then maximize the probability of achieving a target profit and show that the use of rebates can lead to a substantial increase in that probability.
Models and methods for frequency assignment with cumulative interference constraints
Authors: Palpant Mireille , Oliva Cristian , Artigues Christian , Michelon Philippe , Didi Biha Mohamed 
Published: April 2008

AbstractIn this paper, a realistic modeling of interferences for frequency assignment in hertzian telecommunication networks is presented. In contrast with traditional interference models based only on binary interference constraints involving two frequencies, this new approach considers the case of cumulative disruptions that are modeled through a unique non‐binary constraint. To deal with these complex constraints, we propose extensions of classical integer linear programming formulations. On a set of realistic instances, we propose hybrid constraint programming and large neighborhood search solution methods to solve minimum interference and minimum span frequency assignment problems. We compare their performances with those of existing heuristics. Finally, we show how the end‐user benefits from using the cumulative model instead of the traditional one.
Seizure remission and relapse in adults with intractable epilepsy: A cohort study
Authors: Choi Hyunmi , Heiman Gary , Pandis Dionysis , Cantero Julio , Resor Stanley R. , Gilliam Frank G. , Hauser W. Allen 
Published: April 2008

Summary
Purpose: To investigate the cumulative probabilities of ≥12 month seizure remission and seizure relapse following remission, and to test the associations of clinical characteristics with these two study end points in a prevalence cohort of intractable adult epilepsy patients during medical management.
Methods: A retrospective cohort study of intractable epilepsy patients seen in 2001 at a single center was conducted. Kaplan–Meier analysis was used to estimate the cumulative probabilities of seizure remission and subsequent seizure relapse. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate the association (1) between clinical factors and ≥12 month seizure remission and (2) between clinical factors and seizure relapse following remission.
Results: One hundred eighty‐seven subjects met the eligibility criteria for intractable epilepsy. The estimate of probability of remission was about 4% per year. Seizure remission was temporary for some individuals, as 5 out of 20 subjects with remission ultimately relapsed. No clinical factors predicted the likelihood of achieving ≥12 month seizure remission or subsequent seizure relapse.
Discussion: Some people with intractable epilepsy achieve ≥12 month seizure remission during medical treatment. Remission, however, is only temporary for some individuals. We were unable to identify clear predictors for remission.
The FLEP scale in diagnosing nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy, NREM and REM parasomnias: Data from a tertiary sleep and epilepsy unit
Authors: Manni Raffaele , Terzaghi Michele , Repetto Alessandra 
Published: April 2008

Summary
Purpose: To test the usefulness of the FLEP scale in diagnosing nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy (NFLE), arousal parasomnias, and REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD).
Methods: The FLEP scale was applied to 71 subjects (60 male; 11 female; aged 54 ± 21) referred to an outpatient's sleep and epilepsy unit for diagnostic assessment of nocturnal motor‐behavioral episodes, which turned to be arousal parasomnias (11 subjects), NFLE (14 subjects), or idiopathic RBD (46 subjects), based on the findings of in‐lab full night video polysomnography with extended EEG montages.
Results: The sensitivity of the scale as a diagnostic test for NFLE was 71.4%, the specificity 100%, the positive predictive value 100%, and the negative predictive value 91.1%. The FLEP scale gave an incorrect diagnosis in 4/71 (5.6%) of the cases, namely NFLE patients with episodes of nocturnal wandering, and uncertain diagnostic indications in 22/71 subjects (30.9%).
Conclusions: The FLEP scale shows high positive and negative predictive values in diagnosing NFLE versus arousal parasomnias and RBD. However, the scale is associated with a real risk of misdiagnosis in some patients and gives uncertain indications in about one‐third of cases, mainly RBD. Our investigation highlights the inadequacy of some of the items in the scale. The item investigating wandering, as presently formulated, may be unable to distinguish nocturnal wandering from sleepwalking. The items about “recall” and “clustering” of the events throughout the night may increase the likelihood of mistaking RBD for seizures. Further testing of the reliability of the FLEP scale items appears to be needed.
The Evolving Market for Catastrophic Event Risk
Authors: Froot Kenneth A. 
Published: April 2008

ABSTRACT: In the last two years, the market for catastrophic event risk has witnessed important change. The first large and truly successful catastrophe (“CAT”) bonds have been issued. New exchanges have opened, traded contracts have been created, and indexes of CAT losses have been introduced. The array of products confronting issuers and investors has widened substantially.This article provides a brief overview of these changes. It also takes a functional approach to diagnosing the problems in the market for CAT event risk in order to understand how future change is likely to occur. Finally, it provides information to companies looking to assess whether these new markets are useful for solving their problems.
Two Classroom Simulations in Financial Risk Management and Insurance
Authors: Russell David T. 
Published: April 2008

ABSTRACT: Few classroom experiences provide as much educational value as a simulation exercise. A properly structured simulation provides students with the motivation to learn, the opportunity to explore strategies in an environment conducive to experimentation, and the immediate instructional benefit of watching their decisions affect the outcome of the collective simulation experience.This article describes the procedure and relative success of two classroom simulations for students in introductory and intermediate risk management and insurance courses.The first simulation replicates the risk management function of futures contracts through the use of hypothetical traders in the corn market with different risk management needs. The corn futures trading simulation achieves several goals for an introductory course in risk management and insurance: (1) students learn the importance of capital market risk management mechanisms; (2) students understand the transfer of risk among hedgers and speculators; and (3) students receive exposure to the concept that risk management is both possible and necessary for both speculative and pure risks.The second simulation mimics the operation of the market for homeowners insurance. By dividing students into consumer groups and insurer groups, participants experience the effect of chance events and insurance purchase decisions on their wealth. Small groups of upper‐level students act as insurers, and must price, package, and sell their product with a limited amount of surplus. Introductory students serve as consumers with limited resources who must survey the market and decide what product to buy and from whom. The competitive element and relatively unregulated market provide students with the incentive to innovate in a market for a common type of insurance and also demonstrates the need for some amount of insurance regulation.These simulations supply a simple way to enhance students' understanding of important basic concepts in a format that provides a welcome break from the traditional lecture format.
Effect of Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy in Isolated Ventricular Noncompaction in Adults: Follow‐Up of Four Cases
Authors: OGINOSAWA YASUSHI , NOGAMI AKIHIKO , SOEJIMA KYOKO , AONUMA KAZUTAKA , KUBOTA SHOICHI , SATO TOSHIAKI , SUGIYASU AIKO , YOSHIDA KENTARO , KOWASE SHINYA , SAKAMAKI MIHOKO , KUROSAKI KENJI , KATO KENICHI 
Published: April 2008

Background:
An isolated ventricular noncompaction (IVNC) is an unclassified cardiomyopathy and, despite the increasing awareness of and interest in this disorder, the role of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) remains obscure.
Objective:
The purpose of this study was to clarify the long‐term effect of CRT on IVNC in adult patients.
Methods:
Four cases of IVNC were included in this study. Before the CRT device was implanted, all four patients (54 ± 16‐year‐old, 4 males) presented with symptomatic congestive heart failure. Echocardiography revealed their systolic dysfunction and their left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was 21 ± 8%. There was also mechanical dyssynchrony observed between the LV septum and free wall area. The QRS duration was “narrow” (112 and 120 ms) in two patients. One patient had been resuscitated from ventricular fibrillation (VF) and two had nonsustained ventricular tachycardia (VT). A CRT defibrillator (CRT‐D) was implanted in three patients with VT/VF and a CRT pacemaker (CRT‐P) in a patient without VT/VF. The LV lead was positioned in a lateral branch of the coronary sinus where a thickened noncompacted wall existed.
Results:
During the follow‐up period (28 ± 23 months), their congestive heart failure had improved in terms of the cardiothoracic ratio on the chest X‐ray, B‐type natriuretic peptide level, LV systolic dimension, and LVEF. No episodes of defibrillation shocks were observed.
Conclusion:
CRT may improve the prognosis and quality‐of‐life in patients with an IVNC with mechanical dyssynchrony.
Mechanism of Tissue Heating During High Intensity Focused Ultrasound Pulmonary Vein Isolation: Implications for Atrial Fibrillation Ablation Efficacy and Phrenic Nerve Protection
Authors: OKUMURA YASUO , KOLASA MARK W. , JOHNSON SUSAN B. , BUNCH T. JARED , HENZ BENHUR D. , O'BRIEN CHRISTINE J. , MILLER DYLAN V. , PACKER DOUGLAS L. 
Published: April 2008

Introduction:
The purpose of this study was to examine tissue temperatures around pulmonary veins (PVs) during high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) balloon ablation for atrial fibrillation. The thermodynamics and extent of PV and phrenic nerve (PN) heating during HIFU ablation have not been established.
Methods and Results:
Tissue temperatures were recorded from epicardial thermocouples at right superior (RS) PV orifice and PN in eight dogs undergoing 51 RSPV HIFU ablations (40 seconds, 40 W). Maximum tissue temperatures, reflected by 288 recording profiles, were negatively correlated with distance from balloon surface (r =–0.79, P < 0.001). Average maximum RSPV temperature was 56.8 ± 16.8 °C (distance: 6.6 ± 4.1 mm), resulting in full‐thickness, circumferential PV isolation in 7 of 8 animals. Direct local mechanical heating restricted to the focused ultrasound zone showed temperature rise to ≥50°C within 10 seconds to a maximum temperature of 82.6 ± 8.9°C (n = 31). Apparent conductive heating showed gradual heating patterns (<50°C within 10 seconds) at greater distance. PN temperature at all recording sites was 45.0 ± 11.3°C (distance: 9.2 ± 5.0 mm). Intentional PN injury (10 of 51 [19.6%] ablations), occurred at 63.7 ± 16.0°C with closest distance of 4.4 ± 2.5 mm, which was closer than in PNs without injury (7.3 ± 4.3 mm, P = 0.005).
Conclusions:
HIFU ablation is highly effective in generating temperatures needed for full‐thickness, circumferential ablation through rapid direct mechanical heating. Gradual heating of surrounding tissue supports the presence of conductive heating. This study also discloses direct HIFU effects as the mechanism of PN injury occurring within 4–7 mm from balloon surface.
Absentéisme et productivité: le cas des enseignants aux Etats‐Unis
Authors: MILLER Raegen T. , MURNANE Richard J. , WILLETT John B. 
Published: April 2008

Résumé.Partant de données relatives à 285 professeurs et 8 631 élèves d'un district scolaire économiquement désavantagé des Etats‐Unis, les auteurs testent l'hypothèse selon laquelle les absences des enseignants sont souvent discrétionnaires et réduisent leur productivité, mesurée par les résultats des élèves à un examen de mathématiques. Comme cela est courant, lorsque le remplaçant est moins qualifié, l'enseignement est moins intense et cohérent, avec une chute, limitée mais significative, des résultats des élèves, pouvant conduire à une baisse de leur classification et de leur motivation. Les auteurs proposent des mesures susceptibles de limiter cet absentéisme.