bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Correcting the axial shrinkage of skeletal muscle thick sections visualized by confocal microscopy
Authors: JANÁČEK J. , KREFT M. , ČEBAŠEK V. , ERŽEN I.
Published: February 2012

Confocal microscopy is a suitable method for measurements and visualization of skeletal muscle fibres and the neighbouring capillaries. When using 3D images of thick sections the tissue deformation effects should be avoided. We studied the deformation in thick sections of the rat skeletal muscle from complete stacks of images captured with confocal microscope. We measured the apparent thickness of the stacks and compared it to the slice thickness deduced from calibrated microtome settings. The ratio of both values yielded the axial scaling factor for every image stack. Careful sample preparation and treatment of the tissue cryosections with cold Ringer solution minimize the tissue deformation. We conclude that rescaling by the inverse of the axial scaling factor of the stack of optical slices in the direction of the microscope optical axis satisfactorily corrects the axial deformation of skeletal muscle samples.
Neuroendocrine and Behavioural Responses to Exposure to an Infant in Male Prairie Voles
Authors: Kenkel W. M. , Paredes J. , Yee J. R. , Pournajafi‐Nazarloo H. , Bales K. L. , Carter C. S.
Published: February 2012

Paternal behaviour and pair‐bond formation are defining characteristics of social monogamy. However, in comparison to pair‐bonding, the endocrine factors associated with the male care of young are not well studied. In the present study, plasma concentrations of oxytocin, vasopressin and corticosterone (CORT) were measured in reproductively naïve male prairie voles as a function of exposure to an infant or control manipulations (i.e. handling or exposure to a wooden dowel). Plasma oxytocin concentrations were transiently elevated within 10 min of pup exposure. Although plasma CORT concentration typically increases after handling, after 10 min of pup exposure, the concentration of plasma CORT was not increased, suggesting an attenuation of CORT release by pup exposure. Group differences in the concentrations of plasma hormones were no longer detected at 20 or 60 min after treatment. These patterns of rapid change in the concentrations of plasma oxytocin and CORT were observed in both juvenile and adult males but not detected after control procedures. Plasma vasopressin, assessed only in adult males, did not vary as a function of pup exposure or other manipulations. In the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, pup exposure also increased activation (as assessed by the measurement of c‐Fos) of neurones that stained for either oxytocin or vasopressin, whereas it decreased c‐Fos expression in neurones stained for corticotrophin‐releasing hormone. In addition, brief pup exposure (20 min) facilitated subsequent partner preference formation when alloparental males and pup attackers were considered as a group. In the context of other studies, these data support the hypothesis that neuroendocrine changes associated with male alloparental behaviour are related to those implicated in pair‐bonding.
Interleukin 28B polymorphisms are the only common genetic variants associated with low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) in genotype‐1 chronic hepatitis C and determine the association between LDL‐C and treatment response
Authors: Clark P. J. , Thompson A. J. , Zhu M. , Vock D. M. , Zhu Q. , Ge D. , Patel K. , Harrison S. A. , Urban T. J. , Naggie S. , Fellay J. , Tillmann H. L. , Shianna K. , Noviello S. , Pedicone L. D. , Esteban R. , Kwo P. , Sulkowski M. S. , Afdhal N. , Albrecht J. K. , Goldstein D. B. , McHutchison J. G. , Muir A. J. ,   for the IDEAL investigators
Published: February 2012

Summary.  Low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) levels and interleukin 28B (IL28B) polymorphism are associated with sustained viral response (SVR) to peginterferon/ribavirin (pegIFN/RBV) for chronic hepatitis C (CHC) infection. IL28B has been linked with LDL‐C levels using a candidate gene approach, but it is not known whether other genetic variants are associated with LDL‐C, nor how these factors definitively affect SVR. We assessed genetic predictors of serum lipid and triglyceride levels in 1604 patients with genotype 1 (G1) chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection by genome‐wide association study and developed multivariable predictive models of SVR. IL28B polymorphisms were the only common genetic variants associated with pretreatment LDL‐C level in Caucasians (rs12980275, P = 4.7 × 10−17, poor response IL28B variants associated with lower LDL‐C). The association was dependent on HCV infection, IL28B genotype was no longer associated with LDL‐C in SVR patients after treatment, while the association remained significant in non‐SVR patients (P < 0.001). LDL‐C was significantly associated with SVR for heterozygous IL28B genotype patients (P < 0.001) but not for homozygous genotypes. SVR modelling suggested that IL28B heterozygotes with LDL‐C > 130 mg/dL and HCV RNA ≤600 000 IU/mL may anticipate cure rates >80%, while the absence of these two criteria was associated with an SVR rate of <35%. IL28B polymorphisms are the only common genetic variants associated with pretreatment LDL‐C in G1‐HCV. LDL‐C remains significantly associated with SVR for heterozygous IL28B genotype patients, where LDL‐C and HCV RNA burden may identify those patients with high or low likelihood of cure with pegIFN/RBV therapy.
A flight cylinder bioassay as a simple, effective quality control test for Cydia pomonella
Authors: Carpenter J. E. , Blomefield T. , Vreysen M. J. B.
Published: February 2012

Assessment of quality of the sterile male insects that are being mass‐reared for release in area‐wide integrated pest management programmes that include a sterile insect technique component is crucial for the success of these programmes. Routine monitoring of sterile male quality needs to be carried out both in the mass‐rearing facility and in the field. Simple bioassays that can be conducted in the laboratory and that would be surrogates for laborious field tests would be a very cost‐effective way of monitoring sterile male field performance. Simple flight cylinders were used to assess whether these could detect differences in quality of male codling moth Cydia pomonella. The number of male and female codling moths that flew out of the cylinders was influenced by cylinder diameter, cylinder height and number of hours following the initiation of the test. The flight cylinder bioassay was capable of detecting differences in quality of codling moths induced by irradiation when moths were shipped, but no differences were found in flight ability when the moths were not transported. The tests also confirmed that handling and shipment reduced quality more for irradiated than for non‐treated codling moth, and that insect quality was significantly influenced by larval rearing protocols. The flight cylinder bioassay was therefore successful in detecting differences in codling moth quality induced by various treatments that had been identified previously by more complex laboratory bioassays and field trials. Treatment differences were most likely detected when flight cylinders were 16 cm high.
Lymphoma, thymoma and the wooden man: stiff‐person syndrome post‐thymoma excision and non‐Hodgkin lymphoma remission
Authors: Tsai T. , McGrath R.
Published: February 2012

Stiff‐person syndrome (SPS) is an uncommon yet under‐diagnosed, neuromuscular disorder characterised by progressive muscle rigidity with superimposed painful muscle spasms triggered by tactile, auditory or emotional stimulation. We describe the world's first case report of typical SPS in a patient with previously excised thymoma and treated non‐Hodgkin lymphoma. This is of relevance because of the increasingly elucidated autoimmune aetiology of SPS.
Vaginal fluid creatinine for the detection of premature rupture of membranes
Authors: Zanjani Mansooreh S. , Haghighi Ladan
Published: February 2012

Aim:  The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability of vaginal fluid creatinine for the diagnosis of premature rupture of membranes (PROM).

Material and Methods:  A total of 180 pregnant women were enrolled in the study. Group I (confirmed group) consisted of 60 women with a diagnosis of rupture of membranes confirmed by visualization of fluid passing from the cervical canal. Group II (suspected group) consisted of 60 women with a complaint of vaginal fluid leakage but without obvious amniotic fluid flowing from the cervix or vaginal pooling with negative nitrazine test. The control group (group III) consisted of 60 women without any complaint or complication. All patients were sampled for vaginal fluid creatinine by speculum examination. One‐way ANOVA, χ2, and Kruskal‐Wallis test, as well as receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were used.

Results:  The mean vaginal fluid creatinine in groups I, II, and III were 1.74 ± 0.8, 0.45 ± 0.2 and 0.25 ± 0.1 mg/dL, respectively. The creatinine level was significantly higher in the confirmed group (group I) than in the other two groups (P < 0.0010). The optimal cut‐off value was 0.5 mg/dL with 96.7% sensitivity, 100% specificity, 100% positive predictive value, and 96.8% negative predictive value.

Conclusion:  Vaginal fluid creatinine determination for the diagnosis of PROM is reliable, simple, rapid and inexpensive.
Management of giant anal condyloma by wide local excision and anoplasty
Authors: Uribe N. , Rueda C. , López M. , Balciscueta Z. , Martín M. C. , JJ Terrádez , J Flores
Published: February 2012

Aim  Treatment of giant condyloma acuminatum, is controversial, especially in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐positive patients, owing to concern over wound healing, complications, risk of progression to carcinoma and a high recurrence rate. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome after extensive local excision with V–Y anoplasty.

Method  Nine patients were identified from a prospective database, six of whom were HIV positive. All patients had a giant perianal condyloma acuminatum extending into the anal canal and perianal region, which required wide excision with V–Y reconstruction. Postoperative complications, recurrence and continence were all determined.

Results  Nine patients were included (eight men, median age 40 years), six seropositive for HIV infection. A bilateral V–Y anoplasty was performed in six patients, and unilateral in two. There were no postoperative infections, graft failures or flap necrosis. The mean follow‐up was 92 (2–137) months. One patient developed local recurrence treated with excision under local anaesthesia.

Conclusions  Extensive local surgery of giant perianal condyloma with anoplastic reconstruction gives good results even in HIV‐positive patients.
Alexy on Necessity in Law and Morals*
Authors: PATTERSON DENNIS
Published: February 2012

Robert Alexy has built his original theory of law upon pervasive claims for “necessary” features of law. In this article, I show that Alexy's claims suffer from two difficulties. First, Alexy is never clear about what he means by “necessity.” Second, Alexy writes as if there have been no challenges to claims of conceptual necessity. There have been such challenges and Alexy needs to answer them if his project is to succeed.
The Biological Essence of Law
Authors: GOMMER HENDRIK
Published: February 2012

This paper contends that law is in essence an evolutionary phenomenon that can, and indeed should, be studied in the light of biological mechanisms. Law can be seen as an extended phenotype of underlying genes. In addition, legal systems can be seen as congruous to genetic mechanisms. Properties of genes have an impact on legal systems in a fractal‐like manner. Hence, it is not surprising that notions of stability, replication, and reciprocity that are important in biological systems will also be important in legal systems. As a result legal systems can be constructed in a way that is congruent with the genetic advantage of group members. Law, exposure, and punishment can diminish deviant behaviour and restore balance. Law may not be particularly subject to natural selection, but it will certainly be built on the foundations of natural selection.
The Korean English linguistic landscape
Authors: LAWRENCE C. BRUCE
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACT: This paper utilizes sociolinguistic theories of social stratification, gravity and cascade models to analyze the usage of English in the linguistic landscape of Korea. Public signs in different regions of Seoul and Korea were photographed and analyzed according to the percentage of English, Korean,Konglish, and Chinese. Labov's gravity model was not found to be accurate, but his social stratification and cascade models were moderately supported. However, in all regions of Seoul and greater Korea, there are domains of English. English is found in the physical domains of main streets, amusement parks and foreign districts, in the product domains of beer, wine and clothing, and in the sociolinguistic domains of modernity, luxury and youth.
Identifying zones of phenetic compression in West Mediterranean butterflies (Satyrinae): refugia, invasion and hybridization
Authors: Dapporto Leonardo , Bruschini Claudia , Dincă Vlad , Vila Roger , Dennis Roger L. H.
Published: February 2012

Aim  Distinct insular populations are generally considered important units for conservation. In island–mainland situations, unidirectional introgressive gene flow from the most abundant, typically continental, populations into the smaller island populations can erase native insular genetic units. As an indication of threat, the concept of phenetic slope is developed, a measure proportional to differentiation and to geographical proximity.

Location  The Western Mediterranean, including the following islands: Sardinia, Sicily, Corsica, Balearics, circum‐Italian, circum‐Sicilian and circum‐Sardo‐Corsican archipelagos. Eastern Europe is included for comparison.

Methods  Geometric morphometrics was applied to 2392 male genitalia of seven butterfly species groups. Geographic Information System techniques were used to depict the pattern in the distribution of morphotypes. The slope of variation in genital shape was computed to highlight geographical areas showing abrupt morphological changes. Correlation analyses were performed between the mean slope values across sea straits separating islands and nearest sources and ecological traits of the species that underlie their colonization and migration capacity.

Results  Phenetic slope analysis has revealed that the strait of Messina and the northern Tyrrhenian Sea support particularly contrasting populations. In these areas, mean slopes for species also correlated with certain ecological traits of the species. Sardinia emerges as the most stable refugium for ancestral mediterranean populations.

Main conclusions  There is strong support for the hypothesis that Italy has experienced invasion by populations from Eastern Europe with postglacial expansion of these populations across Italy. However, propagules are impeded from invading islands by the expanse of sea straits. Even so, sea straits are not invariably barriers. Our results suggest that wind direction in combination with habitat occupancy may have maintained ancestral insular populations in key locations distinguished by phenetic compression. We conclude that native insular populations acting as barriers to introgression in the areas showing particularly steep phenetic slopes deserve attention in conservation programmes.
Histopathologic features of alopecia areata incognito: a review of 46 cases
Authors: Miteva Mariya , Misciali Cosimo , Fanti Piero A. , Tosti Antonella
Published: February 2012

Background: Alopecia areata (AA) incognito represents a variant of AA characterized by acute diffuse hair thinning. Dermoscopy shows yellow dots and short regrowing hairs. The differential diagnosis with telogen effluvium (TE) and androgenetic alopecia may be difficult.

Methods: In order to establish histopathological criteria for the diagnosis of AA incognito, we evaluated retrospectively 92 specimens (46 horizontal and 46 vertical) of 46 patients diagnosed with AA incognito within 1 year. All specimens were assessed for 20 features, including hair counts and follicular ratios. The numbers were compared with 46 control specimens, consisting of 21 cases of TE and 25 cases of androgenetic alopecia.

Results: The following main criteria are proposed: (a) preserved number of follicular units and decreased number of terminal follicles; (b) increased number of telogen structures (mean count of 37%) with presence of at least one telogen germinal unit or/and one small telogen follicle (c) decreased terminal:vellus ratio (mean ratio of 3.3 : 1) and (d) dilated infundibular openings.

Conclusion: Two histopathologic clues for AA incognito include the presence of dilated infundibular openings and small basaloid aggregates of cells with round, irregular or polygonal shape, lack of hair shaft and no apoptosis in the outer root sheath, corresponding to small telogen follicles.

Miteva M, Misciali C, Fanti PA, Tosti A. Histopathologic features of alopecia areata incognito: a review of 46 cases.
Can extinction risk help explain plant–pollinator specificity among euglossine bee pollinated plants?
Authors: Ackerman James D. , Roubik David W.
Published: February 2012

Long‐term or lifetime specificity in plant–pollinator relationships is likely a consequence of natural selection to not only enhance the probability of cross‐pollination but also to improve pollinator efficiency. Dependency on one or few pollinators involves risk whereas multiple species may reduce the probability of extinction via unreliable pollinator service. We analyzed specificity in terms of factors that may ameliorate risk such as long‐term pollinator population stability, abundance and the duration of flowering. Bee population stability indices from seven continuous years of census data, combined with pollinator and flowering phenology data for 37 plant species in Panama, revealed pollinator specificity was not related to pollinator population stability. No relationship existed between the length of a flowering season and population stability of associated pollinators. Further data from 30 years of euglossine monitoring also revealed no relationship between bee abundance and specificity. However, a strong relationship was revealed between length of flowering period and specificity. A longer flowering season was associated with lower specificity and shorter flowering was associated with higher specificity, which is as expected if specificity is the outcome of a sampling problem but not as expected if specificity is accompanied by risk reduction. Plant–pollinator specificity involving euglossine bees is evidently not related to bee population stability, abundance, or length of flowering period, in a manner that we predicted would be associated with reducing the risk of extinction. Variation in population stabilities of euglossines may be insufficient to be a factor in the evolution of plant–pollinator specificity. In the tropics, specificity may be more associated with plant longevity, selection for efficiency or effectiveness, or flowering duration –as a sampling phenomenon, than with reducing dependence on unreliable pollinators.
Ventilatory response to exercise does not evidence electroencephalographical respiratory‐related activation of the cortical premotor circuitry in healthy humans
Authors: Jutand L. , Tremoureux L. , Pichon A. , Delpech N. , Denjean A. , Raux M. , Straus C. , Similowski T.
Published: February 2012

Aim

The neural structures responsible for the coupling between ventilatory control and pulmonary gas exchange during exercise have not been fully identified. Suprapontine mechanisms have been hypothesized but not formally evidenced. Because the involvement of a premotor circuitry in the compensation of inspiratory mechanical loads has recently been described, we looked for its implication in exercise‐induced hyperpnea.

Methods

Electroencephalographical recordings were performed to identify inspiratory premotor potentials (iPPM) in eight physically fit normal men during cycling at 40 and 70% of their maximal oxygen consumption (O2max). Relaxed pedalling (0 W) and voluntary sniff manoeuvres were used as negative and positive controls respectively.

Results

Voluntary sniffs were consistently associated with iPPMs. This was also the case with voluntarily augmented breathing at rest (in three subjects tested). During the exercise protocol, no respiratory‐related activity was observed whilst performing bouts of relaxed pedalling. Exercise‐induced hyperpnea was also not associated with iPPMs, except in one subject.

Conclusion

We conclude that if there are cortical mechanisms involved in the ventilatory adaptation to exercise in physically fit humans, they are distinct from the premotor mechanisms activated by inspiratory load compensation.
Extending Transmitter Life and Mitigating Accident Risk Through the Use of Proven Sensor Technology
Authors: David Elias C. , Marino Frederick A.
Published: February 2012

Pressure, level, and flow transmitters are an integral part of a nuclear power plant’s primary cooling and steam generation system. To function accurately within the plant design specifications, normal operating and event instances of a Gen III or IV plant environment these transmitters will need to possess rugged and long life characteristics. These transmitters need to be high temperature, radiation, and high shock resistant. Lessons learned from legacy plants show the need to be able to both monitor and control cooling processes throughout the lifespan of the plant in addition to operating during and after a Loss of Coolant Accident (LOCA) occurrence. LOCA requirements associated with some new power plant designs stipulate extended performance after exposure to a 425°F (221°C) and 65 psig (4.5 bar) environment. An alternative and proven technology utilizes a bellows and control spring that reacts to the changes in pressure along with a radiation hardened and high temperature resistant Linear Variable Differential Transformer (LVDT) that converts the bellows travel into a VAC output signal. The LVDT VAC output is then converted into a 4 −20mA output using a signal conditioner containing high temperature and radiation hardened components. LOCA testing, performed on pressure and differential pressure transducers of various ranges, has shown that with proper material selection for the bellows, control spring, LVDT, and pressure boundary components, these sensors can successfully withstand environmental profiles of up to 600°F (315°C) at 250 psig (17 bar) for 30 minutes and 230°F (110°C) at 5 psig (0.34 bar), submerged, for 30 days. Application data has shown that these types of sensors possess long term stability and accuracy, require no periodic maintenance, and can have a forty year life. In addition, high impact shock testing per specification MIL-S-901 shows that the bellow/spring/LVDT sensor can withstand greater than 50g’s shock and still continue to function within specification.
Adaptive Identification and Control for Small Modular Reactors
Authors: Cole Daniel G.
Published: February 2012

This paper discusses adaptive identification and control (AID&C) techniques to enable automated online identification and control of SMRs. Adaptive system ID allows engineers to rapidly measure system dynamics, calibrate sensors channels, determine loop processes, and quantify actuator authority for the various reactor control loops. Adaptive control can automatically tune these loops and adjust plant processes to optimize conditions for peak performance and power production. Another advantage of the adaptive ID and control approach is that these tools can be used during reactor operation to monitor active and passive components. Adaptive system ID techniques are used to measure loop-transfer characteristics. Presented is a practical approach that uses adaptive model-matching tools to identify the coprime factors of the local loops. This has the advantage over model based approaches since coprime factors can be identified on the real system using real data. Adaptive control enables auto-tuning of controller parameters to meet operational specifications. Using the coprime factors, all controllers that stabilize the plant can be parametrized by a free Q-parameter that can be changed to meet control system objectives and improve performance, and the tuning is performed using adaptive techniques. The controller architecture presented provides several desirable and necessary features: e.g., a default fail-safe mode of operation, stability in the presence of communications failures, guaranteed stability, and robustness. An advantage of the adaptive structure presented here is that control system stability can be guaranteed, even during adaptation by ensuring certain norm conditions on the Q-parameter and estimated plant uncertainty. More importantly, the Q-parameter can be monitored during operation, providing a real-time estimate of the changes in the plant resulting from changes in the reactor itself. This signal monitors the dynamics of each loop, providing information about the reactor from the perspective of the control process. Online monitoring using AID&C can be used to better track control system transients that result in reactor trip, thus avoiding undesirable reactor trips and diversion events. And, there is a potential that the system can better adapt to changing operating conditions during plant transients including load following procedures.
Seismic Safety Margin of an Isolated SMR Reactor Under Severe Earthquake
Authors: Lo Frano Rosa , Forasassi Giuseppe , Poggianti Alessandro , Forni Massimo
Published: February 2012

The dramatic consequence of the magnitude 9.0 earthquake in Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, reactors 1, 2, 3 and 4, highlighted and confirmed that the existing and the future nuclear installations should be designed to be highly secure and capable to withstand a wide range of internal and external extreme loads, such as pressure, aircraft crash and, of course, earthquakes. The aim of this paper is the evaluation the seismic behavior of an innovative SMR hit by an exceptional seismic event, characterized by a magnitude well beyond the design basis value (e.g. also 2007 Niigataken Chuetsu-Oki or 2010 Chile earthquakes), in order to understand the true state of the SSCs in terms of their required safety functions and capacity, and, as a result, to be able to assess correctly the seismic safety margin of the considered installation. In this context, it has been also considered the adoption of the highly attractive strategy of the seismic isolation to increase the reliability or safety margin of the nuclear safety relevant structures, during and after the seismic event, with the aim of avoiding or mitigating the related structural damaging effects. To the purpose a rather refined numerical methodology was employed and several three-dimensional models (FEM approach) of the SMR reactor containment and its safety relevant structures were set up and used in the performed analyses, taking also into account a suitable materials behaviour and constitutive laws for both the reactor materials and the isolators. In addition the real behaviour and characteristics of isolators, experimentally determined, have been used as input in the carried out simulations. The obtained results were used to appropriately check mainly the NPP containment strength reserve and the isolators safety factor.
Induction of Protective Immunity against Eimeria tenella, Eimeria maxima, and Eimeria acervulina Infections Using Dendritic Cell-Derived Exosomes
Authors: del Cacho Emilio , Gallego Margarita , Lee Sung Hyen , Lillehoj Hyun Soon , Quilez Joaquin , Lillehoj Erik P. , Sánchez-Acedo Caridad
Published: February 2012

This study describes a novel immunization strategy against avian coccidiosis using exosomes derived from
Eimeria
parasite antigen (Ag)-loaded dendritic cells (DCs). Chicken intestinal DCs were isolated and pulsed
in vitro
with a mixture of sporozoite-extracted Ags from
Eimeria tenella
,
E. maxima
, and
E. acervulina
, and the cell-derived exosomes were isolated. Chickens were nonimmunized or immunized intramuscularly with exosomes and subsequently noninfected or coinfected with
E. tenella
,
E. maxima
, and
E. acervulina
oocysts. Immune parameters compared among the nonimmunized/noninfected, nonimmunized/infected, and immunized/infected groups were the numbers of cells secreting T
h
1 cytokines, T
h
2 cytokines, interleukin-16 (IL-16), and Ag-reactive antibodies
in vitro
and
in vivo
readouts of protective immunity against
Eimeria
infection. Cecal tonsils, Peyer's patches, and spleens of immunized and infected chickens had increased numbers of cells secreting the IL-16 and the T
h
1 cytokines IL-2 and gamma interferon, greater Ag-stimulated proliferative responses, and higher numbers of Ag-reactive IgG- and IgA-producing cells following
in vitro
stimulation with the sporozoite Ags compared with the nonimmunized/noninfected and nonimmunized/infected controls. In contrast, the numbers of cells secreting the T
h
2 cytokines IL-4 and IL-10 were diminished in immunized and infected chickens compared with the nonimmunized/noninfected and the nonimmunized/infected controls. Chickens immunized with Ag-loaded exosomes and infected
in vivo
with
Eimeria
oocysts had increased body weight gains, reduced feed conversion ratios, diminished fecal oocyst shedding, lessened intestinal lesion scores, and reduced mortality compared with the nonimmunized/infected controls. These results suggest that successful field vaccination against avian coccidiosis using exosomes derived from DCs incubated with Ags isolated from
Eimeria
species may be possible.
CONSTRUCTIVE ESTIMATION OF APPROXIMATION FOR TRIGONOMETRIC NEURAL NETWORKS
Authors: WANG JIANJUN , XU WEIHUA , ZOU BIN
Published: February 2012

For the three-layer artificial neural networks with trigonometric weights coefficients, the upper bound and lower bound of approximating 2π-periodic pth-order Lebesgue integrable functions [Formula: see text] are obtained in this paper. Theorems we obtained provide explicit equational representations of these approximating networks, the specification for their numbers of hidden-layer units, the lower bound estimation of approximation, and the essential order of approximation. The obtained results not only characterize the intrinsic property of approximation of neural networks, but also uncover the implicit relationship between the precision (speed) and the number of hidden neurons of neural networks.
THE IMAGE SPACE OF ONE TYPE OF CONTINUOUS WAVELET TRANSFORM AND ITS PROPERTY
Authors: DENG CAIXIA , FU ZUOXIAN , LI SHUAI
Published: February 2012

In this paper, we show that the space of continuous wavelet transform is a reproducing kernel Hilbert space based on the fundamental theorem of linear transform. An admissible wavelet is got by convolution computation which is made into continuous wavelet transform. By the theory of reproducing kernel we can discuss correlative properties of image space of wavelet transform, which provide theoretic frame for us to study image space of the general wavelet transform.
IMAGE SEGMENTATION WITH GVF FLOW AND DIRECTIONAL INFORMATION
Authors: LUO ZHONGHUA , WU JITAO
Published: February 2012

Intensity inhomogeneity is a common phenomenon in real-world images and may cause many difficulties in image segmentation. To overcome these difficulties, we propose a new active contour model combining the GVF flow and the directional information about edge location. On one hand, we incorporate the GVF flow into the proposed model to segment the images with intensity inhomogeneity efficiently. On the other hand, we construct an alignment term with the directional information to achieve sub-pixel accuracy and relax the placement of the initial curve. Moreover, a regularization term is also included in our model to ensure accurate computation and avoid time-consuming re-initializations. Experimental results on several synthetic and real images show that the proposed model is effective.
A FUSION FRAMEWORK FOR FACE RECOGNITION UNDER VARYING ILLUMINATION BASED ON MULTI-SCALE ANALYSIS
Authors: CHEN HENGXIN , TANG YUANYAN , FANG BIN , ZHOU LIFANG
Published: February 2012

Varying illumination is a huge challenge of face recognition. The variation caused by varying illumination in the face appearance can be much larger than the variation caused by personal identity. The high frequency signal component in image represents the detail characteristic of the face, and for the reason of being influenced scarcely by varying illumination, this signal component can be used as illumination invariance features in face recognition. However, the definition of the high frequency signal component is blurry, and it is impossible to separate this component from the face image exactly. Because of using the different decomposition methods and different decomposition parameters, high frequency component has been dispersed in decomposed detail images that characterize themselves by containing different scale frequency signal component. This paper proposes a framework to fuse that high frequency signal components in multi-scale detail images using adaptive weight. This novel framework is an open structure, and any method of getting illumination invariance feature can be applied on this framework. The experiment based on three open face databases shows the framework proposed by this paper can get remarkable performance.
REMARKS ON THE STATISTICAL ORIGIN OF THE GEOMETRICAL FORMULATION OF QUANTUM MECHANICS
Authors: MOLITOR MATHIEU
Published: February 2012

A quantum system can be entirely described by the Kähler structure of the projective space [Formula: see text] associated to the Hilbert space [Formula: see text] of possible states; this is the so-called geometrical formulation of quantum mechanics. In this paper, we give an explicit link between the geometrical formulation (of finite dimensional quantum systems) and statistics through the natural geometry of the space [Formula: see text] of non-vanishing probabilities [Formula: see text] defined on a finite set En: = {x1, …, xn}. More precisely, we use the Fisher metric gF and the exponential connection ∇(1) (both being natural statistical objects living on [Formula: see text]) to construct, via the Dombrowski splitting theorem, a Kähler structure on [Formula: see text] which has the property that it induces the natural Kähler structure of a suitably chosen open dense subset of ℙ(ℂn). As a direct physical consequence, a significant part of the quantum mechanical formalism (in finite dimension) is encoded in the triple [Formula: see text].
Learning hatching for pen-and-ink illustration of surfaces
Authors: Kalogerakis Evangelos , Nowrouzezahrai Derek , Breslav Simon , Hertzmann Aaron
Published: February 2012

This article presents an algorithm for learning hatching styles from line drawings. An artist draws a single hatching illustration of a 3D object. Her strokes are analyzed to extract the following per-pixel properties: hatching level (hatching, cross-hatching, or no strokes), stroke orientation, spacing, intensity, length, and thickness. A mapping is learned from input geometric, contextual, and shading features of the 3D object to these hatching properties, using classification, regression, and clustering techniques. Then, a new illustration can be generated in the artist's style, as follows. First, given a new view of a 3D object, the learned mapping is applied to synthesize target stroke properties for each pixel. A new illustration is then generated by synthesizing hatching strokes according to the target properties.
HPDA
Authors: Mao Bo , Jiang Hong , Wu Suzhen , Tian Lei , Feng Dan , Chen Jianxi , Zeng Lingfang
Published: February 2012

Flash-based Solid State Drive (SSD) has been productively shipped and deployed in large scale storage systems. However, a single flash-based SSD cannot satisfy the capacity, performance and reliability requirements of the modern storage systems that support increasingly demanding data-intensive computing applications. Applying RAID schemes to SSDs to meet these requirements, while a logical and viable solution, faces many challenges. In this article, we propose a Hybrid Parity-based Disk Array architecture (short for HPDA), which combines a group of SSDs and two hard disk drives (HDDs) to improve the performance and reliability of SSD-based storage systems. In HPDA, the SSDs (data disks) and part of one HDD (parity disk) compose a RAID4 disk array. Meanwhile, a second HDD and the free space of the parity disk are mirrored to form a RAID1-style write buffer that temporarily absorbs the small write requests and acts as a surrogate set during recovery when a disk fails. The write data is reclaimed to the data disks during the lightly loaded or idle periods of the system. Reliability analysis shows that the reliability of HPDA, in terms of MTTDL (Mean Time To Data Loss), is better than that of either pure HDD-based or SSD-based disk array. Our prototype implementation of HPDA and the performance evaluations show that HPDA significantly outperforms either HDD-based or SSD-based disk array.
Support for early verification of embedded real-time systems through UML models simulation
Authors: Wehrmeister Marco A. , Packer Joao G. , Ceron Luis M.
Published: February 2012

Identifying errors in early design phases leads to a decrease in the repairing cost compared to the situation in which such problems are discovered only in advanced design phases. This work is a first step toward an automatic verification approach for embedded and real-time systems' high-level specifications, such as UML models. This paper presents a model-driven framework to simulate system's behavior already in early design phases, prior to the implementation phase. More specifically, the mentioned framework simulates the behavior specified within UML models, generating a trace of executed actions for the selected behaviors. The achieved results show that early simulation of UML models is practicable, opening room for its usage in different CASE tools for early verification and validation of embedded and real-time systems.
Exercise early in life in rats born small does not normalize reductions in skeletal muscle PGC-1α in adulthood
Authors: Laker Rhianna C. , Wlodek Mary E. , Wadley Glenn D. , Gallo Linda A. , Meikle Peter J. , McConell Glenn K.
Published: February 2012

We have previously shown that 4 wk of exercise training early in life normalizes the otherwise greatly reduced pancreatic β-cell mass in adult male rats born small. The aim of the current study was to determine whether a similar normalization in adulthood of reduced skeletal muscle mitochondrial biogenesis markers and alterations in skeletal muscle lipids of growth-restricted male rats occurs following early exercise training. Bilateral uterine vessel ligation performed on day 18 of gestation resulted in Restricted offspring born small ( P < 0.05) compared with both sham-operated Controls and a sham-operated Reduced litter group. Offspring remained sedentary or underwent treadmill running from 5–9 (early exercise) or 20–24 (later exercise) wk of age. At 24 wk of age, Restricted and Reduced litter offspring had lower ( P < 0.05) skeletal muscle peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) protein expression compared with Control offspring. Early exercise training had the expected effect of increasing skeletal muscle markers of mitochondrial biogenesis, but, at this early age (9 wk), there was no deficit in Restricted and Reduced litter skeletal muscle mitochondrial biogenesis. Unlike our previous observations in pancreatic β-cell mass, there was no “reprogramming” effect of early exercise on adult skeletal muscle such that PGC-1α was lower in adult Restricted and Reduced litter offspring irrespective of exercise training. Later exercise training increased mitochondrial biogenesis in all groups. In conclusion, although the response to exercise training remains intact, early exercise training in rats born small does not have a reprogramming effect to prevent deficits in skeletal muscle markers of mitochondrial biogenesis in adulthood.
Transient Exciplex Formation Electron Transfer Mechanism
Authors: Kuzmin Michael G. , Soboleva Irina V. , Dolotova Elena V.
Published: February 2012

Transient exciplex formation mechanism of excited‐state electron transfer reactions is analyzed in terms of experimental data on thermodynamics and kinetics of exciplex formation and decay. Experimental profiles of free energy, enthalpy, and entropy for transient exciplex formation and decay are considered for several electron transfer reactions in various solvents. Strong electronic coupling in contact pairs of reactants causes substantial decrease of activation energy relative to that for conventional long‐range ET mechanism, especially for endergonic reactions, and provides the possibility for medium reorganization concatenated to gradual charge shift in contrast to conventional preliminary medium and reactants reorganization. Experimental criteria for transient exciplex formation (concatenated) mechanism of excited‐state electron transfer are considered. Available experimental data show that this mechanism dominates for endergonic ET reactions and provides a natural explanation for a lot of known paradoxes of ET reactions.
Associations between Safety from Crime, Cycling, and Obesity in a Dutch Elderly Population: Results from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam
Authors: Kremers Stef P. J. , de Bruijn Gert-Jan , Visscher Tommy L. S. , Deeg Dorly J. H. , Thomése G. C. Fleur , Visser Marjolein , van Mechelen Willem , Brug Johannes
Published: February 2012

The objective of this cross-sectional study was to investigate differences in associations between crime rates, cycling, and weight status between people living in low and high socioeconomic status (SES) neighbourhoods. In total, 470 participants in the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam were included (age: 63–70 y). Body height and weight were measured using a stadiometer and calibrated weight scale, respectively. Cycling behaviour was assessed in a face-to-face interview, and neighbourhood crime rates were assessed using data from police reports. Men residing in high SES neighbourhoods cycled more than males residing in low SES neighbourhoods. Cycling was negatively related to crime rates among both men and women living in low SES neighbourhoods. Among men living in low SES neighbourhoods, more cycling was associated with lower BMI. Interventions aiming to prevent obesity in older people may consider aiming at increasing bicycle use in lower SES neighbourhoods, but neighbourhood safety issues should be considered.
Strategies to Reverse Endothelial Progenitor Cell Dysfunction in Diabetes
Authors: Petrelli Alessandra , Di Fenza Raffaele , Carvello Michele , Gatti Francesca , Secchi Antonio , Fiorina Paolo
Published: February 2012

Bone-marrow-derived cells-mediated postnatal vasculogenesis has been reported as the main responsible for the regulation of vascular homeostasis in adults. Since their discovery, endothelial progenitor cells have been depicted as mediators of postnatal vasculogenesis for their peculiar phenotype (partially staminal and partially endothelial), their ability to differentiate in endothelial cell line and to be incorporated into the vessels wall during ischemia/damage. Diabetes mellitus, a condition characterized by cardiovascular disease, nephropathy, and micro- and macroangiopathy, showed a dysfunction of endothelial progenitor cells. Herein, we review the mechanisms involved in diabetes-related dysfunction of endothelial progenitor cells, highlighting how hyperglycemia affects the different steps of endothelial progenitor cells lifetime (i.e., bone marrow mobilization, trafficking into the bloodstream, differentiation in endothelial cells, and homing in damaged tissues/organs). Finally, we review preclinical and clinical strategies that aim to revert diabetes-induced dysfunction of endothelial progenitor cells as a means of finding new strategies to prevent diabetic complications.
Platelet-Rich Plasma Peptides: Key for Regeneration
Authors: Sánchez-González Dolores Javier , Méndez-Bolaina Enrique , Trejo-Bahena Nayeli Isabel
Published: February 2012

Platelet-derived Growth Factors (GFs) are biologically active peptides that enhance tissue repair mechanisms such as angiogenesis, extracellular matrix remodeling, and cellular effects as stem cells recruitment, chemotaxis, cell proliferation, and differentiation. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is used in a variety of clinical applications, based on the premise that higher GF content should promote better healing. Platelet derivatives represent a promising therapeutic modality, offering opportunities for treatment of wounds, ulcers, soft-tissue injuries, and various other applications in cell therapy. PRP can be combined with cell-based therapies such as adipose-derived stem cells, regenerative cell therapy, and transfer factors therapy. This paper describes the biological background of the platelet-derived substances and their potential use in regenerative medicine.
A Class of Three‐Step Derivative‐Free Root Solvers with Optimal Convergence Order
Authors: Soleymani F. , Karimi Vanani S. , Jamali Paghaleh M.
Published: February 2012

A class of three‐step eighth‐order root solvers is constructed in this study. Our aim is fulfilled by using an interpolatory rational function in the third step of a three‐step cycle. Each method of the class reaches the optimal efficiency index according to the Kung‐Traub conjecture concerning multipoint iterative methods without memory. Moreover, the class is free from derivative calculation per full iteration, which is important in engineering problems. One method of the class is established analytically. To test the derived methods from the class, we apply them to a lot of nonlinear scalar equations. Numerical examples suggest that the novel class of derivative‐free methods is better than the existing methods of the same type in the literature.
Paroxysmal Autonomic Instability with Dystonia in a Child: Rare Manifestation of an Interpeduncular Tuberculoma
Authors: Singh Deepak Kumar , Singh Neha
Published: February 2012

The term ‘paroxysmal autonomic instability with dystonia’ was first given for a group of symptoms comprising diaphoresis, intermittent agitation, hypertension, hyperthermia, tachycardia, tachypnea, and extensor posturing. This usually occurs as a complication of severe brain injury and is infrequently reported in cases of cerebral infection. We report a 1-year-old child with intracranial tuberculoma with symptoms of paroxysmal autonomic instability with dystonia. Pertinent literature is reviewed emphasizing pathophysiology and available treatment options.