bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The influence of a humectant‐rich mixture on normalz skin barrier function and on once‐ and twice‐daily treatment of foot xerosis. A prospective, randomized, evaluator–blind, bilateral and untreated‐control study
Authors: Lodén Marie , von Scheele Johan , Michelson Sophie
Published: March 2013

Background

Moisturizers are often used to overcome dry skin conditions. However, cosmetic moisturizers may lack in efficiency and may also deteriorate skin barrier function. The objective of this study was to generate data on a new humectant‐rich formulation (15% alfahydroxy acids and 15% urea) in the treatment of normal skin as well as in dry feet with hyperkeratosis and cracked skin with fissures. Changes in permeability and effectiveness of the product after once‐ and twice‐daily applications to the feet will be monitored.

Methods

The study was randomized, bilateral, controlled and evaluator‐blind. The first part of the study included 12 healthy volunteers and the second part 50 patients with hyperkeratotic feet. The changes in the skin was evaluated by an expert, the patients and using non‐invasive biophysical measurements of skin barrier function (transepidermal water loss, TEWL), erythema, thickness (ultrasound) and hydration (conductance).

Results

The humectant‐rich formulation increased skin hydration, removed scales and reduced thickness of hyperkeratotic skin. Skin barrier function was improved in normal skin, but no changes in TEWL were noted in the feet. No difference between once and twice‐daily applications was found. Some smarting and stinging was noted.

Conclusion

The humectant‐rich formulation efficiently relieved the xerosis on the feet without inducing any weakening of the skin barrier function. Instead the normal skin became more resistant to external insults by the treatment.
Adjective placement in bilingual Romance‐German and Romance‐Romance children
Authors: Rizzi Silvana , Gil Laia Arnaus , Repetto Valentina , Geveler Jasmin , Müller Natascha
Published: March 2013

While German requires prenominal position of attributive adjectives, Romance languages exhibit pre‐ and postnominal orders, with a predominance of postnominal order in Italian and Spanish and prenominal position in French. In light of the low frequency of adjectives in child speech, adjective order is rarely studied in acquisition. We investigated longitudinal corpora of 15 bilingual (German‐Romance, Romance‐Romance) children. Overall, the bilingual corpora almost perfectly reflect the input frequencies of pre‐ and postnominal adjective order. In contrast to monolinguals, bilinguals produce target‐deviant orders with an overuse of the prenominal order in Romance languages, irrespective of language combination and language balance. Our results are in line with Economy of Derivation. According to Kayne's (1994) Universal Base approach, postnominal adjective order is derivationally more complex than prenominal placement. Costly derivations appear to be even more costly for bilinguals than for monolinguals. Consequently, bilingual children use the most economical derivation in target‐deviant adjective placements.
The acquisition of gender and declension class in a non‐transparent system: monolinguals and bilinguals
Authors: Rodina Yulia , Westergaard Marit
Published: March 2013

This article presents a corpus study of the acquisition of grammatical gender in Norwegian in two monolingual and two bilingual Norwegian‐English children. Gender in Norwegian is expressed as agreement between the noun and other targets such as determiners and adjectives, while definiteness and plurality are expressed as suffixes on the noun itself, i.e. as part of the declension. Furthermore, the gender system is characterized by relatively opaque gender assignment, suggesting that there may be a delay in the acquisition process compared to languages with more transparent systems. Our results show that, while the acquisition of suffixed forms is unproblematic, the children experience considerable problems with gender agreement. Moreover, there is generally no qualitative difference between the monolingual and bilingual children. These findings are discussed in relation to a number of issues: gender vs. declension class, the role of frequency, knowledge of the concept of gender, and monolingual vs. bilingual acquisition.
Exploring the use of expanded erythroid cells for autologous transfusion for anemia of prematurity
Authors: Khodabux Chantal M. , van Hensbergen Yvette , Slot Manon C. , Bakker‐Verweij Margreet , Giordano Piero C. , Brand Anneke
Published: March 2013

Background

Autologous cord blood (CB) red blood cells (RBCs) can partly substitute transfusion needs in premature infants suffering from anemia. To explore whether expanded CB cells could provide additional autologous cells suitable for transfusion, we set up a simple one‐step protocol to expand premature CB cells.

Study Design and Methods

CB buffy coat cells and isolated CD34‐positive (CD34pos) cells from premature and full‐term CB and adult blood were tested with several combinations of growth factors while omitting xenogeneic proteins from the culture medium. Cell differentiation was analyzed serially during 21 days using flow cytometry, progenitor assays, and high‐performance liquid chromatography.

Results

Expanded CB buffy coat cells resulted in a threefold higher number of erythroblasts than the isolated CD34pos cells. However, the RBCs contaminating the buffy coat remained present during the culture with uncertain quality. Premature and full‐term CB CD34pos cells had similar fold expansion capacity and erythroid differentiation. With the use of interleukin‐3, stem cell factor, and erythropoietin, the fold increases of all CD34poscell sources were similar: CB 3942 ± 1554, adult peripheral mobilized blood 4702 ± 1826, and bone marrow (BM) 4143 ± 1908. The proportion of CD235a expression indicating erythroblast presence on Day 21 was slightly higher in the adult CD34pos cell sources: peripheral blood stem cells (96.7 ± 0.8%) and BM (98.9 ± 0.5%) compared to CB (87.7 ± 2.7%; p = 0.002). We were not able to induce further erythroid maturation in vitro.

Conclusion

This explorative study showed that fairly pure autologous erythroid‐expanded cell populations could be obtained by a simple culture method, which should be optimized. Future challenges comprise obtaining ex vivo enucleation of RBCs with the use of a minimal manipulating approach, which can add up to autologous RBCs derived from CB in the treatment of anemia of prematurity.
Quality of red blood cells washed using the ACP 215 cell processor: assessment of optimal pre‐ and postwash storage times and conditions
Authors: Hansen Adele , Yi Qi‐Long , Acker Jason P.
Published: March 2013

Background

Washing of red blood cell concentrates (RCCs) is required for potassium‐sensitive transfusion recipients, including neonates in need of large‐volume transfusions. When open, nonsterile washing systems are used, postwash outdate time is limited to 24 hours, often leading to problems providing the component to the patient before expiry.

Study Design and Methods

A closed, automated cell processor, the ACP 215 from Haemonetics Corporation, was used to wash RCCs and determine optimal pre‐ and postwash storage times. Two postwash storage solutions, additive solution (AS)‐3 and saline‐adenine‐glucose‐mannitol (SAGM), were compared. The in vitro quality of leukoreduced RCCs, prepared from citrate‐phosphate‐dextrose–anticoagulated whole blood, was determined postwash and compared to existing guidelines for RCC quality (hemoglobin content, hematocrit, and hemolysis) and predetermined criteria for ATP and supernatant potassium levels. A criterion for visual hemolysis was also applied.

Results

The prewash storage time, postwash storage time, and the postwash resuspension solution all contributed to RCC quality postwash. Levels of hemolysis were greater when washed RCCs were resuspended in SAGM (p = 0.01), while AS‐3 proved worse at maintaining ATP levels postwash (p < 0.01). Immediately postwash, all units had supernatant K+ levels below the detection limit of the instrument (<1 mmol/L), but these increased to above acceptable levels within 14 days.

Conclusion

Based on all acceptance criteria, a maximum 14‐day prewash storage period and 7‐day postwash storage period in SAGM preservative was found to be optimal. The longer outdate time postwashing should help lessen challenges in providing components to patients before expiry.
Effects of platelet concentrate storage time reduction in patients after blood stem cell transplantation
Authors: Heuft H.‐G. , Goudeva L. , Krauter J. , Peest D. , Buchholz S. , Tiede A.
Published: March 2013

Objective

To evaluate the clinical effect of platelet concentrate (PC) transfusions after PC storage time reduction to 4 days.

Patients and Methods

This was a single‐centre cohort study comparing two 3‐month periods of time, before and after the reduction of PC storage time from 5 to 4 days. Seventy‐seven consecutive patients with PC transfusions were enrolled after blood stem cell transplantation. Corrected platelet count increment (CCI) on the morning after transfusion, time to next platelet transfusion, need for red blood cell (RBC) transfusion and clinical bleeding symptoms were compared.

Results

Platelet concentrate storage time was reduced between period 1 (storage for up to 5 days, median storage time 78 h, range 11–136 h) and period 2 (storage for up to 4 days, median storage time 53 h, range 11–112 h). Patients were comparable for age, weight, body surface area, underlying disorder, type of transplantation and transfused platelet dose. The CCI increased from a median of 4 (range 0–20) to 8 (0–68) × 109/l per 1011 platelets/m2 (P < 0·0001). Time to next PC transfusion increased from 1·1 to 2·0 days (P < 0·0001). Any bleeding symptom was noted in 20 of 36 patients (56%) vs. 9/41 patients (22%, P < 0·01). Nose bleeds, haematuria and bleeding at more than one site were significantly reduced. Frequency of RBC transfusion within 5 days after PC transfusion was reduced from 74 to 58% (P < 0·0001).

Conclusion

Platelet concentrate storage time shortening was associated with highly significant CCI increase, reduced RC needs and lower patient numbers with bleeding events.
Haemoglobin glycation (Hb1Ac) increases during red blood cell storage: a MALDI‐TOF mass‐spectrometry‐based investigation
Authors: D'Alessandro A. , Mirasole C. , Zolla L.
Published: March 2013

Haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) represents a key biomarker in diabetes diagnosis and management, as it is indicative of recent blood glucose concentrations. Glycation of haemoglobin is a non‐enzymatic irreversible process that is promoted by the prolonged exposure of erythrocytes to high glucose concentrations, a condition that is known to occur under blood banking conditions. However, controversial data indicate no clear hint as to whether and to which extent HbA1c accumulates during red blood cell storage. Hereby, we propose the application of a validated MALDI‐TOF mass‐spectrometry‐based method to this issue and report the observation about HbA1c levels apparently increasing over storage progression.
A phylogenetic appraisal of Sigmodontinae (Rodentia, Cricetidae) with emphasis on phyllotine genera: systematics and biogeography
Authors: Salazar‐Bravo Jorge , Pardiñas Ulyses F. J. , D'Elía Guillermo
Published: March 2013

Here, we present a comprehensive phylogenetic analysis based on nuclear and mitochondrial DNA sequences of rodents of the subfamily Sigmodontinae. The emphasis is placed on the large tribe Phyllotini; sampling includes for the first time in any molecular‐based phylogenetic analysis representatives of several genera traditionally considered to be phyllotines. Given the broad taxonomic sampling, results provide substantial improvements in our knowledge on both the structure of the sigmodontine radiation and of phyllotine phylogenetic relationships. For instance, the tribe Ichthyomyini was not recovered monophyletic. Similarly, in a novel hypothesis on the contents of the tribe Phyllotini, it is shown that unlike Galenomys, the genera Chinchillula, Neotomys and Punomys are not phyllotines. The later genera together with Andinomys, Euneomys, Irenomys and Juliomys form part of novel generic clades of mostly Andean sigmodontine rodents. More in general, results strongly suggest the occurrence of several instances of putative morphological convergence among distinct sigmodontine lineages (e.g. among now considered to be ichthyomyines; between Phyllotini and some Andean taxa; among Euneomys‐Neotomys and Reithrodon). Finally, we suggest that the historical biogeography of the sigmodontine rodents is far more complex than earlier envisioned.
Neurons of the A5 region are required for the tachycardia evoked by electrical stimulation of the hypothalamic defence area in anaesthetized rats
Authors: López‐González M. V. , Díaz‐Casares A. , Peinado‐Aragonés C. A. , Lara J. P. , Barbancho M. A. , Dawid‐Milner M. S.
Published: March 2013

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

As the parabrachial complex plays a role in the cardiorespiratory response evoked from the hypothalamic defence area (pressor response and tachycardia) and the A5 region is involved in the responses evoked from the parabrachial complex, a possible interaction between the hypothalamic defence area and A5 is suggested. Accordingly, the present study was carried out to assess this hypothesis in rats.

What is the main finding and its importance?

The neuromorphological, neuropharmacological and electrophysiological results of our study demonstrate, for the first time, that the A5 region is an important component of those brainstem pathways known to be involved in mediating the autonomic changes associated with the electrically evoked defence response.

In order to assess the possible interactions between the pontine A5 region and the hypothalamic defence area (HDA), we have examined the pattern of double staining for c‐Fos protein immunoreactivity (c‐Fos‐ir) and tyrosine hydroxylase, throughout the rostrocaudal extent of the A5 region in spontaneously breathing anaesthetized male Sprague–Dawley rats during electrical stimulation of the HDA. Activation of the HDA elicited a selective increase in c‐Fos‐ir with an ipsilateral predominance in catecholaminergic and non‐catecholaminergic A5 somata (P < 0.001 in both cases). A second group of experiments was done to examine the importance of the A5 region in modulating the cardiorespiratory response evoked from the HDA. Cardiorespiratory changes were analysed in response to electrical stimulation of the HDA before and after ipsilateral microinjection of muscimol within the A5 region. Stimulation of the HDA evoked an inspiratory facilitatory response, consisting of an increase in respiratory rate (P < 0.001) due to a decrease in expiratory time (P < 0.01). The respiratory response was accompanied by a pressor response (P < 0.001) and tachycardia (P < 0.001). After muscimol microinjection within the A5 region, pressor and heart rate responses to HDA stimulation were reduced (P < 0.01 and P < 0.001, respectively). The respiratory response persisted unchanged. Finally, to confirm functional interactions between the HDA and the A5 region, extracellular recordings of putative A5 neurones were obtained during HDA stimulation. Seventy‐five A5 cells were recorded, 35 of which were affected by the HDA (47%). These results indicate that neurones of the A5 region participate in the cardiovascular response evoked from the HDA. The possible mechanisms involved in these interactions are discussed.
Terrain-Adaptive Auxiliary Track Tensioning System for Tracked Vehicles
Authors: Matej Jaroslav
Published: March 2013

It is known that tension in the track of a tracked vehicle has a large effect on its driving properties. Simple track tensioning solutions, like track adjusting link assembly, use a one-road wheel motion to govern the motion of a track tensioning element. Thus the track tensioning force is a function of a terrain micro-profile. A logical improvement of this approach is to use all of the road wheels to govern the motion of the track tensioning element. This can be achieved by an auxiliary track tensioning system. This paper analyzes the conceptual track tensioning system governed by a terrain micro-profile. The motion of the track tensioning element is designed as a function of all of the road wheels' motions. A genetic algorithm method, implemented in Java language, is used to find the optimal parameters of the tensioning system and the results are verified via multibody dynamics simulation using the MSC.ADAMS/View system. The paper answers the question of whether the use of all of the road wheels' motions to govern the motion of the track tensioning element can be useful or not. The results indicate that the use of the auxiliary system can decrease the variance of the track tensioning force, in comparison with the track tensioning system without auxiliary tensioning. This means that the value of the track tensioning force is closer to its desired, predefined, and constant value during the whole simulation. The tracked vehicle model that is used is a simplified one and it is intended as a base for specific designs of track tensioning systems with auxiliary tensioning. The results suggest that the system can be used to improve the driving properties of tracked vehicles or robots.
Development of a DNA Microarray for Molecular Identification of All 46 Salmonella O Serogroups
Authors: Guo Dan , Liu Bin , Liu Fenxia , Cao Boyang , Chen Min , Hao Xiyan , Feng Lu , Wang Lei
Published: March 2013

Salmonella
is a major cause of food-borne disease in many countries. Serotype determination of
Salmonella
is important for disease assessment, infection control, and epidemiological surveillance. In this study, a microarray system that targets the O antigen-specific genes was developed for simultaneously detecting and identifying all 46
Salmonella
O serogroups. Of these, 40 serogroups can be confidently identified, and the remaining 6, in three pairs (serogroups O67 and B, E1 and E4, and A and D1), need to be further distinguished from each other using PCR methods or conventional serotyping methods. The microarray was shown to be highly specific when evaluated against 293
Salmonella
strains, 186
Shigella
strains, representative
Escherichia coli
strains, and 10 strains of other bacterial species. The assay correctly identified 288 (98%) of the
Salmonella
strains. The detection sensitivity was determined to be 50 ng genomic DNA per sample. By testing simulated samples in a tomato background, 2 to 8 CFU per gram inoculated could be detected after enrichment. This newly developed microarray assay is the first molecular protocol that can be used for the comprehensive detection and identification of all 46
Salmonella
O serogroups. Compared to the traditional serogrouping method, the microarray provides a reliable, high-throughput, and sensitive approach that can be used for rapid identification of multiple
Salmonella
O serogroups simultaneously.
Fluoro-Phenyl-Styrene-Sulfonamide, a Novel Inhibitor of σBActivity, Prevents the Activation of σBby Environmental and Energy Stresses in Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Ringus Daina L. , Gaballa Ahmed , Helmann John D. , Wiedmann Martin , Boor Kathryn J.
Published: March 2013

Sigma B (σB) is an alternative sigma factor that regulates the general stress response inBacillus subtilisand in many other Gram-positive organisms. σBactivity inB. subtilisis tightly regulated via at least three distinct pathways within a complex signal transduction cascade in response to a variety of stresses, including environmental stress, energy stress, and growth at high or low temperatures. We probed the ability of fluoro-phenyl-styrene-sulfonamide (FPSS), a small-molecule inhibitor of σBactivity inListeria monocytogenes, to inhibit σBactivity inB. subtilisthrough perturbation of signal transduction cascades under various stress conditions. FPSS inhibited the activation of σBin response to multiple categories of stress known to induce σBactivity inB. subtilis. Specifically, FPSS prevented the induction of σBactivity in response to energy stress, including entry into stationary phase, phosphate limitation, and azide stress. FPSS also inhibited chill induction of σBactivity in a ΔrsbVstrain, suggesting that FPSS does not exclusively target the RsbU and RsbP phosphatases or the anti–anti-sigma factor RsbV, all of which contribute to posttranslational regulation of σBactivity. Genetic and biochemical experiments, including artificial induction of σB, analysis of the phosphorylation state of the anti–anti-sigma factor RsbV, andin vitrotranscription assays, indicate that while FPSS does not bind directly to σBto inhibit activity, it appears to prevent the release ofB. subtilisσBfrom its anti-sigma factor RsbW.
Analysis of 2009 pandemic influenza A/H1N1 outcomes in 19 European countries: association with completeness of national strategic plans
Authors: Meeyai Aronrag , Cooper Ben S , Coker Richard
Published: March 2013

Objective

To describe changes in reported influenza activity associated with the 2009 H1N1 pandemic in European countries and determine whether there is a correlation between these changes and completeness of national strategic pandemic preparedness.

Design

A retrospective correlational study.

Setting

Countries were included if their national strategic plans had previously been analysed and if weekly influenza-like illness (ILI) data from sentinel networks between week 21, 2006 and week 20, 2010 were more than 50% complete.

Outcome measures

For each country we calculated three outcomes: the percentage change in ILI peak height during the pandemic relative to the prepandemic mean; the timing of the ILI peak and the percentage change in total cases relative to the prepandemic mean. Correlations between these outcomes and completeness of a country's national strategic pandemic preparedness plan were assessed using the Pearson product–moment correlation coefficient.

Results

Nineteen countries were included. The ILI peak occurred earlier than the mean seasonal peak in 17 countries. In 14 countries the pandemic peak was higher than the seasonal peak, though the difference was large only in Norway, the UK and Greece. Nine countries experienced more total ILI cases during the pandemic compared with the mean for prepandemic years. Five countries experienced two distinct pandemic peaks. There was no clear pattern of correlation between overall completeness of national strategic plans and pandemic influenza outcome measures and no evidence of association between these outcomes and components of pandemic plans that might plausibly affect influenza outcomes (public health interventions, vaccination, antiviral use, public communication). Amongst the 17 countries with a clear pandemic peak, only the correlation between planning for essential services and change in total ILI cases significantly differed from zero: correlation coefficient (95% CI) 0.50 (0.02, 0.79).

Conclusions

The diversity of pandemic influenza outcomes across Europe is not explained by the marked variation in the completeness of pandemic plans.
Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial comparing the efficiency of two provider-endorsed manual paediatric fluid resuscitation techniques
Authors: Cole Evan T , Harvey Greg , Foster Gary , Thabane Lehana , Parker Melissa J
Published: March 2013

Introduction

Paediatric shock is a life-threatening condition with many possible causes and a global impact. Current resuscitation guidelines require rapid fluid administration as a cornerstone of paediatric shock management. However, little evidence is available to inform clinicians how to most effectively perform rapid fluid administration where this is clinically required, resulting in suboptimal knowledge translation of current resuscitation guidelines into clinical practice.

Objectives

This study aims to determine which of the two commonly used techniques for paediatric fluid resuscitation (disconnect–reconnect technique and push–pull technique) yields a higher fluid administration rate in a simulated clinical scenario. Secondary objectives include determination of catheter dislodgement rates, subjective and objective measures of provider fatiguability and descriptive information regarding any technical issues encountered with performance of each method under the study.

Methods and analysis

This study will utilise a randomised crossover trial design. Participants will include consenting healthcare providers from McMaster Children's Hospital. Each participant will administer 900 ml (60 ml/kg) of normal saline to a simulated 15 kg infant as quickly as possible on two separate occasions using the manual fluid administration techniques under the study. The primary outcome, rate of fluid administration, will be evaluated using a paired two-tailed Student t test.

Ethics and dissemination

This protocol has been approved by the Hamilton Health Sciences Research Ethics Board.

Results

These will be published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal and presented at one or more scientific conferences.

Protocol Registration

Protocol Registered on ClinicalTrials.govNCT01774214
The epigenetic potentials of dietary polyphenols in prostate cancer management
Authors: Abbas Ata , Patterson William , Georgel Philippe T.
Published: March 2013

Prostate cancer is a disease that is greatly affected by lifestyle, particularly diet, and is more prevalent in US and European countries compared with South and East Asia. Among several known causes and risk factors, nutrition plays an important role in prostate cancer pathogenesis. Various dietary components including polyphenols have been shown to possess anticancer properties. Dietary polyphenols have been the subject of extensive studies for the last decade because of their anticancer and chemopreventive potentials. Besides possessing various antitumor properties, dietary polyphenols also contribute to epigenetic changes associated with the fate of cancer cells and have emerged as potential drugs for therapeutic intervention. Various polyphenols have been shown to affect DNA methylation, histone posttranslational modifications, and microRNA expression patterns in prostate cancer. In this review, we discuss the contribution of dietary polyphenols to various epigenetic modifications in prostate cancer. Since prostate cancer and diet are intimately associated, polyphenol-rich diets that epigenetically modify tumor biology have great significance in the prevention and management of prostate cancer.
Halogenated poly(isobutylene-co-isoprene): influence of halogen leaving-group and polymer microstructure on chemical reactivity
Authors: McNeish Joanne R. , Parent J. Scott , Whitney Ralph A.
Published: March 2013

Brominated (BIIR) and chlorinated (CIIR) poly(isobutylene-co-isoprene) are commercially available materials commonly known as halobutyl rubbers. The effect of leaving-group ability on the reactivity of halogenated poly(isobutylene-co-isoprene) was studied to place iodobutyl rubber reactivity into context with these materials. The effect of microstructure on reactivity of existing commercial materials was studied through comparison to that of polymers containing rearranged halomethyl (r-CIIR, r-BIIR, and r-IIIR) microstructure (prepared from as-received BIIR). The effect of leaving group on both thermal stability and reactivity towards nucleophilic substitution with acetate, N-butylimidazole, and sulfur was examined. The material containing the iodomethyl microstructure (r-IIIR) readily underwent nucleophilic substitution at low temperatures; however, it was extremely sensitive towards dehydrohalogenation at temperatures above 65 °C. At temperatures between 100 and 135 °C, the material containing the bromomethyl microstructure (r-BIIR) demonstrated the greatest balance between reactivity toward nucleophilic substitution and elimination through dehydrohalogenation. Exceptional thermal stability at temperatures up to 190 °C was displayed by the material containing the chloromethyl microstructure (r-CIIR); however, its reactivity towards nucleophiles was variable and nucleophile dependent. Sulfur vulcanization studies showed a clear effect of microstructure on the ability to cure with sulfur. While commercial chlorobutyl rubber has no ability to cure with sulfur alone, when rearranged to its chloromethyl microstructure (r-CIIR), curing occurs readily. Both commercial (BIIR) and rearranged (r-BIIR) bromobutyl rubber readily vulcanize in the presence of sulfur; however, BIIR cures to a greater extent.
A NOTE ON A SMOOTHING PROPERTY OF THE HARMONIC BERGMAN PROJECTION
Authors: HERBIG A.-K.
Published: March 2013

It is proved that on any smoothly bounded domain Ω ⋐ ℝn, n ≥ 2, the output of the harmonic Bergman projection belongs to the Sobolev space of order k ∈ ℕ as long as all tangential derivatives of order up to k of the input function belong to L2(Ω).
GEOMETRIC TACHYON AND WARM INFLATION
Authors: BHATTACHARJEE ANINDITA , DESHAMUKHYA ATRI
Published: March 2013

The inflationary models developed in presence of a background radiation can be a solution to the reheating problem faced by common cold (isentropic) inflationary scenario. A D-brane system comprising of k Neuvo–Schwarz (NS) 5-branes with a transverse circle and BPS D3-branes with world volume parallel to the NS 5-branes, placed at a point on the transverse circle diametrically to NS 5-brane has a point of unstable equilibrium and the D3-brane has a geometric tachyonic mode associated with displacement of the brane along the circle. Cold inflationary scenario has been studied in connection with this geometric tachyon [S. Panda, M. Sami and S. Tsujikawa, Phys. Rev. D73, 023515 (2006)] where it was found that one needs a background of minimum 104 branes to realize a viable inflationary model. In this piece of work, we have tried to study a model of inflation driven by this geometric tachyon in presence of radiation. We have found that compared to the isentropic scenario, to satisfy the observational bounds, the number of background branes required in this case reduces drastically and a viable model can be obtained with even six to seven NS 5-branes in the background. In this context, we have also analyzed the non-gaussianity associated with the model and observed that the concerned parameter lies well within the observation limit.
CALCULATION OF THE ELASTIC p6He AND p8He SCATTERING IN GLAUBER APPROXIMATION
Authors: IBRAEVA ELENA , IMAMBEKOV ONLASYN , DZHAZAIROV-KAHRAMANOV ALBERT
Published: March 2013

A series of calculations of differential cross-sections (DCSs) and analyzing powers (Ay) of the elastic proton scattering on isotopes 6 He and 8 He were presented in the framework of the theory of Glauber multiple diffraction scattering. The three-body α–n–n and harmonic oscillator wave functions (WFs) were used for 6 He , for 8 He — the function of density distribution in LSSM. For p6 He scattering, the expansion of the Glauber operator into a series of multiple-scattering is written in the form consistent with the picture of weakly bound clusters in halo-nuclei, while for p8 He scattering the members of single and double collisions are included in the operator. We have done the comparison of our results with available experimental data (including new data of Ay for p6 He scattering at the E = 71 MeV/nucleon) and with the calculations' results in the other approaches (high-energy, optical model, RMF). Also, a comparison of the characteristics of two isotopes 6 He and 8 He was made, which showed that they correlate quite well with each other.
REGULARITY OF VERY WEAK SOLUTIONS FOR NONHOMOGENEOUS ELLIPTIC EQUATION
Authors: ZHANG WEI , BAO JIGUANG
Published: March 2013

In this paper, we study the local regularity of very weak solution [Formula: see text] of the elliptic equation Dj(aij(x)Diu) = f - Digi. Using the bootstrap argument and the difference quotient method, we obtain that if [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] with 1 < p < ∞, then [Formula: see text]. Furthermore, we consider the higher regularity of u.
ON THE CRITICAL BEHAVIOR OF CONTINUOUS HOMOPOLYMERS
Authors: KORALOV LEONID , PAJOR-GYULAI ZSOLT
Published: March 2013

The aim of this paper is to investigate the distribution of a continuous homopolymer in the presence of an attractive finitely supported potential. The most intricate behavior can be observed if we simultaneously vary two parameters: the temperature, which approaches the critical value, and the length of the polymer, which tends to infinity. As the main result, we identify the distributions that appear in the limit (after a diffusive scaling of the original polymer measures) and depend on the relation between the two parameters.
HUMAN–ROBOT COLLISION AVOIDANCE USING A MODIFIED SOCIAL FORCE MODEL WITH BODY POSE AND FACE ORIENTATION
Authors: RATSAMEE PHOTCHARA , MAE YASUSHI , OHARA KENICHI , TAKUBO TOMOHITO , ARAI TATSUO
Published: March 2013

The ability of robots to understand human characteristics and make themselves socially accepted by humans are important issues if smooth collision avoidance between humans and robots is to be achieved. When discussing smooth collision avoidance, robot should understand not only physical components such as human position, but also social components such as body pose, face orientation and proxemics (personal space during motion). We integrated these components in a modified social force model (MSFM) which allows robots to predict human motion and perform smooth collision avoidance. In the modified model, short-term intended direction is described by body pose, and a supplementary force related face orientation is added for intention estimation. Face orientation is also the best indication of the direction of personal space during motion, which was verified in preliminary experiments. Our approach was implemented and tested on a real humanoid robot in a situation in which a human is confronted with the robot in an indoor environment. Experimental results showed that better human motion tracking was achieved with body pose and face orientation tracking. Being provided with the face orientation as an indication of the intended direction, and observing the laws of proxemics in a human-like manner, the robot was able to perform avoidance motions that were more human-like when compared to the original social force model (SFM) in a face-to-face confrontation.
FOREST MANAGEMENT PLANNING ON PRIVATE LANDS: A CASE STUDY OF THE SPATIAL ANALYSIS PROJECT IN THE NORTH CENTRAL UNITED STATES
Authors: HOLZMUELLER ERIC J. , GRONINGER JOHN W. , MARTINEK MICHAEL A.
Published: March 2013

In 2004, the US Forest Service launched the Spatial Analysis Project (SAP) to determine whether lands enrolled in the Forest Stewardship Program meet state stewardship objectives. Within each state, SAP used an aggregate analysis to categorise all land available for the FSP as — low, medium, or high stewardship potential. We characterized differences in land classified by the SAP in the study area, and determined if states have been effectively enrolling lands in the high category. Results indicate that while states are enrolling high stewardship potential lands (p < 0.0001), prioritising among forest lands is difficult because nearly all of it is classified as high or medium stewardship potential. We suggest prioritising forested areas using ranking criteria that are more closely associated with state forestry priorities, a strategy that could be adapted to increase the impact of limited public forest stewardship resources outside of the region as well.
EXAMINING THE REGULATORY FRAMEWORKS FOR THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY IN SUDAN
Authors: ABDALLA YOUSIF ABDELBAGI , SITI-NABIHA A. K. , SHAHBUDIN AMIRULSHAH
Published: March 2013

Oil and gas industry has been considered as one of the leading industries in supporting corporate social responsibility (CSR), however, this industry is also known for being big emitters and polluters of the environment. Oil and gas industry in Sudan is of no exception of their counterparts around the world. This paper aims to investigate whether the regulatory frameworks in Sudan might drive oil and gas companies to be environmentally and socially responsible. The main findings of the paper are as follows. The legal frameworks in this area are not updated and many emerging items needed to be covered, such as those pertaining to environmental issues resulting from offshore exploration(s). Moreover, there is a lack of coordination and cooperation between the concerned governmental institutions that might be due to the confusions over their respective responsibilities. These institutions are under-employed and lack the capacity building to perform their responsibilities effectively and efficiently. Furthermore, there is a limited participation of the local community in the decision making process of petroleum development in Sudan. Finally, it was found that the big sizes of the concession blocks in Sudan make it difficult for the authorities to control and monitor the operations of the companies in terms of their effects to the environment and the local community.
ELECTROCHEMICAL PREPARATION OF NEW ORGANOSILICONE COMPOUNDS FOR FUNCTIONALIZING OF MESOPOROUS SILICA
Authors: DABAGHI HABIBEH HADAD , KAZEMZAD MAHMOOD , GANJKHANLOU YADOLAH , YUZBASHI AMIR ALI
Published: March 2013

Electrochemistry has been introduced as a powerful tool in order to prepare new organometallic reagents for functionalizing of mesoporous silica. Preparation of the reagents was based on electrochemical oxidation of dihydroxybenzene derivatives in the presence of 3-(trimethoxysilyl)-1-propanethiol as a nucleophile. The mechanisms of electrochemical reactions were studied by voltammetric studies. Mesoporous silica SBA-15 was also synthesized in this work through sol-gel hydrothermal method using Genapol PF-10 as structure directing compound. The prepared mesoporous silica was characterized by FT-IR analysis and Barrett–Joiner–Halenda (BJH) pore size and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area measurement methods using N2adsorption–desorption isotherm. Finally, the organometallic reagent was covalently grafted on the surface of mesoporous silica. Functionalizing of this material with the new reagent was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The functionalized mesoporous silica by new reagent can be utilized in biological applications.
AC CONDUCTION PHENOMENON OF Li2O–WO3–B2O3 GLASSES DOPED WITH V2O5
Authors: RAO LINGANABOINA SRINIVASA , VEERAIAH NALLURI , RAO TUMU VENKATAPPA
Published: March 2013

The glass composition 40 Li 2 O –5 WO 3–(55−x) B 2 O 3: x V 2 O 5 for x = 0.2, 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8 is chosen for the present study. The glass samples were synthesized by conventional melt-quenching technique. The dielectric properties such as constant (ε′), loss (tan δ) and ac conductivity (σac) are carried out as a function of temperature (30–270°C) and frequency (102–105 Hz). The glass sample (at x = 0.6) exhibited highest ac conductivity (σac) and spreading factor (β) among all the samples. All glasses exhibited mixed conduction (both electronic and ionic) at high temperatures. The frequency exponent s denotes the ac conduction mechanism is associated with both QMT model (at low temperatures) and CBH model (at high temperatures).
Scientific computing in the age of complexity
Authors: Balaji V.
Published: March 2013

Climate modeling has come a long way since von Neumann declared it a problem too hard for pencil and paper, but tailor-made for the new digital computers. As the models and computers both evolve toward ever-greater complexity, they are changing our notions of digital simulation itself.
Electrical modeling and simulation for stockpile stewardship
Authors: Thornquist Heidi K. , Keiter Eric R. , Rajamanickam Sivasankaran
Published: March 2013

A survey of radiation modeling and circuit simulation approaches that are essential for stockpile stewardship.
Challenges and methods in large-scale computational chemistry applications
Authors: Hammond Jeff R.
Published: March 2013

Interesting problems in computational chemistry from a computer science perspective.
Expanders, tropical semi-rings, and nuclear norms
Authors: Gleich David
Published: March 2013

Scientific computing for social and modern information networks.
Dream applications of verifiable computational results
Authors: Gavish Matan , Donoho David , Onn Amos
Published: March 2013

A new system allows researchers to discover, reuse, cite, and experiment upon any computational result that is published with a Verifiable Result Identifier.
Peacebuilding in a networked world
Authors: Best Michael L.
Published: March 2013

Harnessing computing and communication technologies in fragile, conflict-stressed nations.
The problem with hands-free dashboard cellphones
Authors: Rosenberger Robert
Published: March 2013

Lawmakers misunderstand user experience of technology interface.
How fast is your website?
Authors: Meenan Patrick
Published: March 2013

Website performance data has never been more readily available.
Why computer talents become computer hackers
Authors: Xu Zhengchuan , Hu Qing , Zhang Chenghong
Published: March 2013

Start with talent and skills driven by curiosity and hormones, constrained only by moral values and judgment.
Offline management in virtualized environments
Authors: Thorat Nishant , Raghavendran Arvind , Groves Nigel
Published: March 2013

How to run virtual machines together with physical machines, especially when sharing computational resources.
Techniques and applications for sentiment analysis
Authors: Feldman Ronen
Published: March 2013

The main applications and challenges of one of the hottest research areas in computer science.
Reuse
Authors: Tiwari Rajeev , Goel Noopur
Published: March 2013

Testing effort consumes more than half of all development effort and is one of the important factors, which obstruct quality assurance. Software reuse enhances quality and productivity and at the same time reduces the time-to-market of the software products. As reuse applies to the development process, so too, it applies to the testing process. In this paper, we discuss reuse-oriented test approaches, which are used to reduce the testing effort. Further, we present the state-of-the-art in reuse-oriented test approaches employed in reuseoriented development processes. At the end of the current paper, we argue that the current trend is towards built-in test and model based testing in the applications developed through reusable software.
Report on the first SEMAT workshop on general theory of software engineering (GTSE 2012)
Authors: Ralph Paul , Johnson Pontus , Jordan Howell
Published: March 2013

Many academic disciplines have general theories, which apply across the discipline and underlie much of its research. Examples include the Big Bang theory (cosmology), Maxwell's equations (electrodynamics), the theories of the cell and evolution (biology), the theory of supply and demand (economics), and the general theory of crime (criminology). Software engineering, in contrast, has no widely-accepted general theory. Consequently, the SEMAT Initiative organized a workshop to encourage development of general theory in software engineering. Workshop participants reached broad consensus that software engineering would benefit from better theoretical foundations, which require diverse theoretical approaches, consensus on a primary dependent variable and better instrumentation and descriptive research.
Translating end-to-end timing requirements to timing analysis model in component-based distributed real-time systems
Authors: Mubeen Saad , Mäki-Turja Jukka , Sjödin Mikael
Published: March 2013

Often, component-based real-time systems are modeled with trigger and data chains. The end-to-end timing requirements on trigger chains are different from those on data chains. For a trigger chain, the interest lies in the calculation of holistic response time and its comparison with end-to-end deadline. Whereas, the schedulability of a data chain requires a comparison between its end-to-end latencies and corresponding deadlines. We discuss the problem of translating end-to-end timing requirements unambiguously from component-based real-time systems into timing analysis models which are required as input by the analysis tools. We also provide preliminary guidelines for such translations in the existing industrial tool suite.
Traffic shaping to reduce jitter in controller area network (CAN)
Authors: Davis Robert I. , Navet Nicolas
Published: March 2013

When a message is transferred from one CAN bus to another via a gateway, variability in the response time of the message on the source network typically translates into queuing jitter on the destination network. This jitter inheritance accumulates across each gateway and can significantly impact the schedulability of lower priority messages. In this paper, we show that the real-time performance of the network can be enhanced by a simple method of traffic shaping that eliminates this inherited queuing jitter. This method does not require access to global time, nor does it require precise time-stamping of when messages are received at the gateway or blocking read calls. It can also be extended to account for clock drifts between networks.
foodQuest
Authors: Chard Chris
Published: March 2013

TU Darmstadt spin-off "foodQuest" is developing an iPhone app for personalized restaurant recommendations
Evidence-Based Point-of-Care Diagnostics: Current Status and Emerging Technologies
Authors: Chan Cangel Pui Yee , Mak Wing Cheung , Cheung Kwan Yee , Sin King Keung , Yu Cheuk Man , Rainer Timothy H. , Renneberg Reinhard
Published: March 2013

Point-of-care (POC) diagnostics brings tests nearer to the site of patient care. The turnaround time is short, and minimal manual interference enables quick clinical management decisions. Growth in POC diagnostics is being continuously fueled by the global burden of cardiovascular and infectious diseases. Early diagnosis and rapid initiation of treatment are crucial in the management of such patients. This review provides the rationale for the use of POC tests in acute coronary syndrome, heart failure, human immunodeficiency virus, and tuberculosis. We also consider emerging technologies that are based on advanced nanomaterials and microfluidics, improved assay sensitivity, miniaturization in device design, reduced costs, and high-throughput multiplex detection, all of which may shape the future development of POC diagnostics.
African Lessons on Climate Change Risks for Agriculture
Authors: Müller Christoph
Published: March 2013

Climate change impact assessments on agriculture are subject to large uncertainties, as demonstrated in the present review of recent studies for Africa. There are multiple reasons for differences in projections, including uncertainties in greenhouse gas emissions and patterns of climate change; assumptions on future management, aggregation, and spatial extent; and methodological differences. Still, all projections agree that climate change poses a significant risk to African agriculture. Most projections also see the possibility of increasing agricultural production under climate change, especially if suitable adaptation measures are assumed. Climate change is not the only projected pressure on African agriculture, which struggles to meet demand today and may need to feed an additional one billion individuals by 2050. Development strategies are urgently needed, but they will need to consider future climate change and its inherent uncertainties. Science needs to show how existing synergies between climate change adaptation and development can be exploited.