bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Herpes Zoster Pain, Postherpetic Neuralgia, and Quality of Life in the Elderly
Authors: Pickering Gisèle , Leplege Alain
Published: December 2010

Herpes zoster pain and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) particularly affect older persons. This literature review presents how quality of life is evaluated and the consequences of shingles and PHN on the quality of life of older persons. Although more than 150 articles have been published on herpes zoster and its consequences, specific studies focusing on the older population are needed, in several domains like epidemiology, preventive medicine, neuropsychology, and pharmacology.
Anesthesiologists' Views on Using Immune Modulating Drugs in Pain Medicine
Authors: Goebel Andreas , DuToit Nadia , Perez Jordi , Huygen Frank
Published: December 2010

With few exceptions, anesthesiologists have not received training in the use of immune modulating drugs (IMDs); but recent evidence suggests that such drugs may be effective in reducing chronic pain. We therefore wished to learn how anesthesiologists working in pain medicine might envisage the treatment of their patients with IMDs in the future. We expected that anesthesiologists would want to refer patients for treatment with IMDs to medical colleagues, such as oncologists or rheumatologists, with prior experience in using these drugs, rather than treat these patients within their own practice. We conducted questionnaire surveys among anesthesiologists working in pain medicine in both the Netherlands and the U.K. to explore their views on using IMDs. Contrary to what we had expected, we found that a majority of the respondents would administer IMDs within their own practice, after appropriate training. The overall response rates were 30% and 23%, respectively; therefore, no firm conclusions can be drawn as to the views of the majority of practicing pain specialists. Our findings may have implications for the planning of both health service delivery and training in pain medicine.
Transdermal Buprenorphine for Central Neuropathic Pain: Clinical Reports
Authors: Guetti Cristiana , Angeletti Chiara , Marinangeli Franco , Ciccozzi Alessandra , Baldascino Giada , Paladini Antonella , Varrassi Giustino
Published: December 2010

Transdermal buprenorphine is an effective analgesic for a variety of pain conditions. Traditionally, neuropathic pain is treated with medications such as tricyclic antidepressants or anticonvulsants, with opioid medications as second or third‐line agents. We present two different painful conditions of presumed neuropathic origin, with complex etiopathogenesis, which were successfully treated with buprenorphine. The results of treatment of these neuropathic pain syndromes with buprenorphine are encouraging, suggesting that it might represent a valid alternative to standard approaches for central neuropathic pain.
Percutaneous Sacroplasty and Sacroiliac Joint Cementation under Fluoroscopic Guidance for Lower Back Pain Related to Sacral Metastatic Tumors with Sacroiliac Joint Invasion
Authors: Nebreda Carlos , Vallejo Ricardo , Aliaga Luis , Benyamin Ramsin
Published: December 2010

Abstract:  Cancer patients with bone metastases are at risk of a variety of skeletal events, including vertebral compression and pathologic fractures. Approximately 30% to 40% of patients with advanced lung cancer will develop bone metastases in the course of their disease, resulting in a significant negative impact on both morbidity and survival. Skeletal complications of bone metastases include pain, pathologic fractures, spinal cord compression, and hypercalcemia. The spine is the most frequent site of skeletal metastases.

We present a 48‐year‐old female with intractable and incapacitating low back pain because of metastatic bone tumor in the left lateral side of S1 and S2 with left sacroiliac invasion. Imaging identified a metastatic invasion of the sacrum. Percutaneous sacroplasty, a safe and effective procedure for sacral‐insufficient fractures, was performed under fluoroscopy guidance. However, the expected pain relief was not achieved. At 1 month, the patient remained invalided by severe back pain, which was localized to the left sacroiliac joint. In a second procedure, the sacroiliac joint was cemented. Pain relief was complete, immediate, and sustained until the patient's death related to the underlying oncologic disease. No complications were observed.

Few reports exist about the treatment of sacral metastatic tumors with percutaneous sacroplasty. Further, no previous reports about sacroiliac joint cementation for joint stabilization have been found. In the present case, sacroiliac joint cementation successfully resolved residual pain that remained despite percutaneous sacroplasty treatment of the pathologic sacral fracture.
The effect of chemotherapeutic agents on contaminated titanium surfaces: a systematic review
Authors: Ntrouka Victoria I. , Slot Dagmar E. , Louropoulou Anna , Van der Weijden Fridus
Published: December 2010

Objective: To systematically collect and evaluate the existing evidence for the abilities of different chemotherapeutic agents to decontaminate biofilm‐contaminated titanium surfaces.

Material and methods: PubMed‐MEDLINE and the Cochrane‐CENTRAL databases were searched, covering research published on or before June 2010, to identify appropriate studies. The eligible studies were controlled studies on the effects of chemical treatments on biofilm‐contaminated titanium surfaces.

Results: In total, 2425 unique papers were identified. Independent screening of the titles and abstracts resulted in only four publications that met all of the eligibility criteria. None of the in vivo studies assessed titanium surface decontamination in a controlled fashion. Three studies provided in vitro data, and one used an ex vivo protocol. Citric acid was found to be the most effective treatment in lipopolysaccharide removal as compared with an untreated control, although its effectiveness was equivalent to those of water and saline. In addition, citric acid demonstrated the greatest efficacy in cleaning the contaminated titanium surface, as evidenced by scanning electron microscopy.

Conclusion: The data reported for the efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents in cleaning contaminated titanium surfaces are scarce, which precludes the generation of firm conclusions. Based on the lack of robust data, we cautiously conclude that citric acid is the chemotherapeutic agent with the highest potential for the removal of biofilms from contaminated titanium surfaces in vitro, although it does not achieve complete removal. To date, the killing effect of citric acid against biofilms has not been investigated on titanium surfaces.

To cite this article:
 Ntrouka VI, Slot DE, Louropoulou A, Van der Weijden F. The effect of chemotherapeutic agents on contaminated titanium surfaces: a systematic review. Clin. Oral Impl. Res. 22, 2011; 681–690 doi: 10.1111/j.1600‐0501.2010.02037.x
Retracted: Experimental model of bone response to xenografts of bovine origin (Endobon®): a radiological and histomorphometric study
Authors: Ramírez‐Fernández Ma Piedad , Calvo‐Guirado Jose Luis , Arcesio Delgado‐Ruiz Rafael , Maté‐Sánchez del Val José Eduardo , Gómez‐Moreno Gerardo , Guardia Javier
Published: December 2010

Objective: To carry out a radiological and histomorphometric evaluation of bone response to bovine bone implants inserted in rabbits' tibiae.

Materials and Methods: Twenty New Zealand rabbits weighing 3900–4500 g were used. Twenty bovine bone implants (Endobon®) in granulated form of 500–1000 μm granulometry were inserted in the proximal metaphyseal area of the animals' right tibia and 20 control areas were located in the proximal metaphyseal area. Following implantation, the animals were sacrificed in four groups of five, after 1 month, 2 months, 3 months and 4 months, respectively. Anteroposterior and lateral radiographs were taken. Samples were sectioned at 5 μm and stained using Hematoxylin–Eosin and Masson's trichromic.

Results: After 4 months, radiological images showed complete repair of the bone defects. No healed or residual bone alterations attributable to the presence of the implant were observed. Histomorphometric analysis at 4 months showed the presence of a higher density of newly formed bone with mean values for new bone, residual graft material and non‐mineralized connective tissue of 22.8 ± 1.5%, 39.4 ± 2.3% and 37.7 ± 2.5%. There were no statistically significant differences in the length of cortical formation with bovine bone, 98.8 ± 1.1%, compared with the control group, 99.1 ± 0.7%, at the end of the study period.

Conclusions: The biomaterial used in the study was shown to be biocompatible, osteoconductive and non‐resorbable and as such a possible bone substitute that does not interfere with normal reparative bone processes.

To cite this article:
 Ramírez‐Fernández MaP, Calvo‐Guirado JL, Delgado‐Ruiz RA, Maté‐Sánchez del Val JE, Gómez‐Moreno G, Guardia J. Experimental model of bone response to xenografts of bovine origin (Endobon®): a radiological and histomorphometric study. Clin. Oral Impl. Res. 22, 2011; 727–734 doi: 10.1111/j.1600‐0501.2010.02052.x
Adrenocorticotropic tumor cells transplanted into mouse embryos affect pancreatic histogenesis
Authors: Kawamoto Mai , Udagawa Jun , Hashimoto Ryuju , Matsumoto Akihiro , Yamada Makiko , Nimura Masayuki , Otani Hiroki
Published: December 2010

A wide range of individual differences exist in the total number of functional and structural units in each organ, such as β cells in pancreatic islands, and these units are the basis of the organ's overall function, including its functional reserve. The endocrine environment may influence organ histogenesis, during which functional and structural units are formed and increase in number. We analyzed the effects of a continuous high level of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and/or secondarily induced glucocorticoid on histogenesis of the pancreas in mouse embryos. Pituitary tumor‐derived AtT20 cells, which secrete ACTH continuously, were injected subcutaneously into mouse embryos at embryonic day (E) 12.5, and the embryos were allowed to develop exo utero until E18.5 (AtT20 group). E18.5 AtT20 group embryos with high ACTH levels (23.74 ± 6.19 ng/mL vs control group, 0.48 ± 0.40 ng/mL, P < 0.05) were examined for the effects on histogenesis of the pancreas. Using serial sections of the E18.5 pancreas, we stereologically measured the volumes, and counted total cell numbers and numbers of mitotic or pyknotic cells of the whole pancreas, endocrine and exocrine cells, and glucagon‐immunopositive α cells and insulin‐immunopositive β cells in the endocrine part. Although the volumes of the whole pancreas and exocrine part did not change significantly, in the AtT20 group the endocrine part was significantly larger, with fewer pyknotic cells and lower ratios of α and β cells than in the control group. These results suggest that the high level of ACTH and/or glucocorticoid affects histogenesis of the pancreas.
Radiation of the Oriental phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae)
Authors: Ilango Kandan
Published: December 2010

Abstract  The historical biogeography of phlebotomine sand fly taxa Hertigia, Warileya, Phlebotomus (Idiophlebotomus), P. (Spelaeophlebotomus), P. (Anaphlebotomus), and P. (Euphlebotomus) and the Phlebotomus (Euphlebotomus) argentipes species complex was investigated using phylogenetic inference from comparative genital morphology, distribution of ancestral taxa, fossil evidence and geological age. Idiophlebotomus and Euphlebotomus occur in the Oriental region with one species from northeast Australia, whereas Anaphlebotomus occurs both in the Afro‐tropical and Oriental regions. These disjunct distribution patterns across the Oriental region and the present day distribution are likely to be vicariance due to break of Gondwanaland. Fossil records, extant taxa distribution, phylogenetic analysis of the Old World Phlebotominae and paleogeography suggest that ancestors of Idiophlebotomus and Euphlebotomus originated apparently in the Cimmerian continent of northern margin of Gondwanaland in the early Permian (290 million years ago, MYA) and subsequently radiated in the Mesozoic by tectonic vicariance. The Phlebotomus argentipes species complex occurs in the South and South‐east Asian countries and transmits the protozoan parasite Leishmania donovani that causes visceral leishmaniasis (Kala‐azar) in India, Bangladesh and Nepal. The phylogeography of P. argentipes was caused through vicariance followed by dispersal events from 5O MYA (the Eocene) until the Recent era.
Genetic divergence over small geographic scales and conservation implications for Commerson's dolphins (Cephalorhynchus commersonii) in southern Argentina
Authors: Cipriano Frank , Hevia Marta , Iñíguez Miguel
Published: December 2010

Abstract

Cephalorhynchus commersonii is distributed in the nearshore coastal waters of South America, and thus is particularly vulnerable to bycatch in coastal nets and trawls. Our study documents genetic structure in presumed Commerson's dolphin subpopulations along the southern Argentina coastline, from the Ría Deseado in the north to Ría Gallegos in the south, and focuses on the potential for depletion in the apparently more heavily impacted Ría Gallegos area. Only two control region (423 bp) haplotypes were shared among all these locations (out of 11 identified), and striking differences in haplotype frequencies between areas are apparent. AMOVA analysis, using mitochondrial sequence data, indicates significant population subdivision (overall FST= 0.21, P < 0.001) between Ría Deseado (n= 8), Bahía San Julián (n= 11), Ría Gallegos (n= 31), and a small sample of dolphins from the captive colony at San Diego Seaworld (n= 7) derived from animals originally captured in the Strait of Magellan. Comparisons based on haplotypic distances indicated relatively strong differences between regions (ΦST= 0.30, P < 0.001). This research provides the first indication of reduced gene flow and genetic differentiation within local subpopulations of Commerson's dolphins, along a relatively small stretch of coastline.
Cecrops, King of Athens: the First (?) Recorded Population Census in History
Authors: Missiakoulis Spyros
Published: December 2010

In 16th century B.C., Cecrops, the legendary first king of Athens, took a census of his subjects that had all the properties of a population census. Each person was commanded to cast a single stone and by counting the stones, it was found that they were twenty thousand inhabitants. With respect to the history of statistics, this Cecrops’ census appears to be (?) the earliest real recorded population census ever reported.
PhyloGeoViz: a web‐based program that visualizes genetic data on maps
Authors: TSAI YI‐HSIN E.
Published: December 2010

The first step of many population genetic studies is the simple visualization of allele frequencies on a landscape. This basic data exploration can be challenging without proprietary software, and the manual plotting of data is cumbersome and unfeasible at large sample sizes. I present an open source, web‐based program that plots any kind of frequency or count data as pie charts in Google Maps (Google Inc., Mountain View, CA). Pie polygons are then exportable to Google Earth (Google Inc.), a free Geographic Information Systems platform. Import of genetic data into Google Earth allows phylogeographers access to a wealth of spatial information layers integral to forming hypotheses and understanding patterns in the data.
Reducible Uncertain Interval Design by Kriging Metamodel Assisted Multi-Objective Optimization
Authors: Hamel Joshua M. , Azarm Shapour
Published: December 2010

Sources of reducible uncertainty present a particular challenge to engineering design problems by forcing designers to make decisions about how much uncertainty to consider as acceptable in final design solutions. Many of the existing approaches for design under uncertainty require potentially unavailable or unknown information about the uncertainty in a system’s input parameters, such as probability distributions, nominal values, and/or uncertain intervals. These requirements may force designers into arbitrary or even erroneous assumptions about a system’s input uncertainty. In an effort to address these challenges, a new approach for design under uncertainty is presented that can produce optimal solutions in the form of upper and lower bounds (which specify uncertain intervals) for all input parameters to a system that possess reducible uncertainty. These solutions provide minimal variation in system objectives for a maximum allowed level of input uncertainty in a multi-objective sense and furthermore guarantee as close to deterministic Pareto optimal performance as possible with respect to the uncertain parameters. The function calls required by this approach are kept to a minimum through the use of a kriging metamodel assisted multi-objective optimization technique performed in two stages. The capabilities of this approach are demonstrated through three example problems of varying complexity.
Experimental Determination of the Virtual Mass Coefficient for Two Spheres Accelerating in a Power Law Fluid
Authors: Sulaymon Abbas H. , Wilson Catherine A. M. E. , Alwared Abeer I.
Published: December 2010

The virtual mass coefficient is determined experimentally for the motion of two spheres side by side and in line in a power law fluid. The velocities of the two accelerating spheres and their separation distance was measured as they accelerated under the action of driving weights through a cylindrical column filled with different concentrations of polyacryamaide solution (0.01%, 0.03%, 0.05%, and 0.07% by weight). For comparison purposes, the experiments were repeated with water. Various densities of spheres and separation distances were examined. Within the range of power law indices (0.61–0.834) and Reynolds numbers (1.1–75) examined, the virtual mass coefficient was found to decrease with an increasing Reynolds number for the two spheres moving side by side, and found to be greater than 0.5 when the spheres were touching each other. As the distance between the spheres increased, the virtual mass coefficient was found to decrease and approached the single sphere value of 0.5 when the distance between the spheres was more than ten radii. When the spheres were in line and touching each other, the virtual mass coefficient was found to be less than 0.5, however, when the distance between the spheres increased, the virtual mass coefficient increased and approached the value of 0.5. The virtual mass coefficient was found to be consistent with the shear thinning behavior; for a given Reynolds number, it increased with an increasing power law index.
Partially Averaged Navier–Stokes (PANS) Method for Turbulence Simulations—Flow Past a Square Cylinder
Authors: Jeong Eunhwan , Girimaji Sharath S.
Published: December 2010

The partially averaged Navier–Stokes (PANS) approach is a bridging closure model intended for any level of resolution between the Reynolds averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) method and direct numerical simulations. In this paper, the proposed closure model is validated in the flow past a square cylinder. The desired ratio of the modeled-to-resolved scales in the PANS closure is achieved by appropriately specifying two bridging parameters: the ratios of unresolved-to-total kinetic energy (fk) dissipation (fε). PANS calculations of different bridging parameter values are performed and the results are compared with experimental data and large-eddy simulations. The Strouhal number(St), mean/root-mean-square (RMS) drag coefficient (CD), RMS lift coefficient (CL), mean velocity profiles, and various turbulent stresses are investigated. The results gradually improve from the RANS level of accuracy to a close agreement with the experimental results with decreasing value of the bridging parameter fk. Overall, the results indicate that the PANS method clearly satisfies the basic tenets of a bridging model: (i) provides a meaningful turbulence closure at any modeled-to-resolved scale ratio and (ii) yields improved accuracy with increasing resolution (decreasing modeled-to-resolved ratio).
Human β-Defensin 2 and β-Defensin 3 Chimeric Peptides Reveal the Structural Basis of the Pathogen Specificity of Their Parent Molecules
Authors: Jung Sascha , Mysliwy Justyna , Spudy Björn , Lorenzen Inken , Reiss Karina , Gelhaus Christoph , Podschun Rainer , Leippe Matthias , Grötzinger Joachim
Published: December 2010

Despite partial sequence identity and structural similarity, human β-defensin 3 (HBD3) kills
Staphylococcus aureus
with a 4- to 8-fold higher efficiency than human β-defensin 2 (HBD2), whereas the activities against
Escherichia coli
are identical. The design and characterization of HBD2/HBD3 chimeric peptides revealed that distinct molecular regions are responsible for their divergent killing properties. Two of the chimeras killed both
E. coli
and
S. aureus
with an even higher efficacy than the wild-type molecules. Moreover, one of these two chimeras maintained its high killing activities in the presence of physiologic salt concentrations. Due to the broad spectrum of their antimicrobial activities against many human multidrug-resistant pathogens, these two designer peptides of human origin represent promising templates for a new class of antibiotics.
Genotypic Resistance in
Helicobacter pylori
Strains Correlates with Susceptibility Test and Treatment Outcomes after Levofloxacin- and Clarithromycin-Based Therapies
Authors: Liou Jyh-Ming , Chang Chi-Yang , Sheng Wang-Huei , Wang Yu-Chi , Chen Mei-Jyh , Lee Yi-Chia , Hung Hsu-Wei , Chian Hung , Chang San-Chun , Wu Ming-Shiang , Lin Jaw-Town
Published: December 2010

The accuracy of genotypic resistance to levofloxacin (
gyrA
mutations) and its agreement with treatment outcomes after levofloxacin-based therapy have not been reported. We aimed to assess the correlation.
Helicobacter pylori
strains isolated from patients who received levofloxacin-based and clarithromycin-based triple therapies in a previous randomized trial were analyzed for point mutations in
gyrA
and 23S rRNA. PCR followed by direct sequencing was used to assess the
gyrA
and 23S rRNA mutations. An agar dilution test was used to determine the MICs of clarithromycin and levofloxacin. We found that the agreement between genotypic and phenotypic resistance to levofloxacin was best when the MIC breakpoint was >1 μg/ml (kappa coefficient, 0.754). The eradication rates in patients with and without
gyrA
mutations were 41.7% and 82.7%, respectively (
P
= 0.003). The agreement between genotypic and phenotypic resistance to clarithromycin was best when the MIC breakpoint was >2 μg/ml (kappa, 0.694). The eradication rates in patients with and without 23S rRNA mutations were 7.7% and 93.5%, respectively (
P
< 0.001). The agreements (kappa coefficient) between therapeutic outcomes after clarithromycin-based triple therapy and genotypic and phenotypic resistance were 0.671 and 0.356, respectively. The agreements (kappa coefficient) between therapeutic outcomes after levofloxacin-based triple therapy and genotypic and phenotypic resistance were 0.244 and 0.190, respectively. In conclusion,
gyrA
and 23S rRNA mutations in
H. pylori
strains appeared to be better markers than phenotypic resistance in the prediction of treatment outcomes. The optimal breakpoints for levofloxacin and clarithromycin resistance appeared to be >1 μg/ml and >2 μg/ml, respectively.
Early Dissemination of NDM-1- and OXA-181-Producing
Enterobacteriaceae
in Indian Hospitals: Report from the SENTRY Antimicrobial Surveillance Program, 2006-2007
Authors: Castanheira Mariana , Deshpande Lalitagauri M. , Mathai Dilip , Bell Jan M. , Jones Ronald N. , Mendes Rodrigo E.
Published: December 2010

Among 39 carbapenem-resistant
Enterobacteriaceae
(2.7% overall;
Escherichia coli
,
Enterobacter cloacae
, and
Klebsiella pneumoniae
strains) isolated in 2006 and 2007 in India, 15 strains carried
bla
NDM-1
and 10 harbored a gene encoding a variant of the carbapenemase OXA-48, named
bla
OXA-181
. One
E. cloacae
strain harbored
bla
VIM-6
, and one
K. pneumoniae
strain carrying
bla
OXA-181
also possessed
bla
VIM-5
. Multiple pulsed-field gel electrophoresis patterns and clonal dissemination within and among sites were observed. Isolates producing NDM-1 were disseminated in Indian health care facilities as early as 2006.
Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Clinically Relevant Gram-Positive Anaerobic Cocci Collected over a Three-Year Period in the Netherlands
Authors: Veloo A. C. M. , Welling G. W. , Degener J. E.
Published: December 2010

The susceptibility of 14 species of 115 Gram-positive anaerobic cocci (GPAC) was determined for 14 antibiotics. To assure correct identification, strains were genotypically identified by fluorescence
in situ
hybridization and sequencing. Susceptibility differences (MIC
50
and MIC
90
) for penicillin G, clindamycin, tigecycline, levofloxacin, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, cefoxitin, ertapenem, meropenem, metronidazole, and doxycycline were found for the three clinically most relevant GPAC species:
Finegoldia magna
,
Parvimonas micra
, and
Peptoniphilus harei
.
Strain-Transcending Fc-Dependent Killing ofPlasmodium falciparumby Merozoite Surface Protein 2 Allele-Specific Human Antibodies
Authors: Stubbs Janine , Olugbile Sope , Saidou Balam , Simpore Jacques , Corradin Giampietro , Lanzavecchia Antonio
Published: December 2010

It is widely accepted that antibody responses against the human parasitic pathogenPlasmodium falciparumprotect the host from the rigors of severe malaria and death. However, there is a continuing need for the development ofin vitrocorrelate assays of immune protection. To this end, the capacity of human monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies in eliciting phagocytosis and parasite growth inhibition via Fcγ receptor-dependent mechanisms was explored. In examining the extent to which sequence diversity in merozoite surface protein 2 (MSP2) results in the evasion of antibody responses, an unexpectedly high level of heterologous function was measured for allele-specific human antibodies. The dependence on Fcγ receptors for opsonic phagocytosis and monocyte-mediated antibody-dependent parasite inhibition was demonstrated by the mutation of the Fc domain of monoclonal antibodies against both MSP2 and a novel vaccine candidate, peptide 27 from the genePFF0165c. The described flow cytometry-based functional assays are expected to be useful for assessing immunity in naturally infected and vaccinated individuals and for prioritizing among blood-stage antigens for inclusion in blood-stage vaccines.
Iron Content Differs between
Francisella tularensis
Subspecies
tularensis
and Subspecies
holarctica
Strains and Correlates to Their Susceptibility to H
2
O
2
-Induced Killing
Authors: Lindgren Helena , Honn Marie , Salomonsson Emelie , Kuoppa Kerstin , Forsberg Åke , Sjöstedt Anders
Published: December 2010

Francisella tularensis
, the causative agent of tularemia, is one of the most infectious bacterial pathogens known and is classified as a category A select agent and a facultative intracellular bacterium. Why
F. tularensis
subsp.
tularensis
causes a more severe form of tularemia than
F. tularensis
subsp.
holarctica
does is not known. In this study, we have identified prominent phenotypic differences between the subspecies, since we found that
F. tularensis
subsp.
tularensis
strains contained less iron than
F. tularensis
subsp.
holarctica
strains. Moreover, strain SCHU S4 of
F. tularensis
subsp.
tularensis
was less susceptible than FSC200 and the live vaccine strain (LVS) of
F. tularensis
subsp.
holarctica
to H
2
O
2
-induced killing. The activity of the H
2
O
2
-degrading enzyme catalase was similar between the strains, whereas the iron content affected their susceptibility to H
2
O
2
, since iron starvation rendered
F. tularensis
subsp.
holarctica
strains more resistant to H
2
O
2
. Complementing LVS with
fupA
, which encodes an important virulence factor that regulates iron uptake, reduced its iron content and increased the resistance to H
2
O
2
-mediated killing. By real-time PCR, it was demonstrated that FSC200 and LVS expressed higher levels of gene transcripts related to iron uptake and storage than SCHU S4 did, and this likely explained their high iron content. Together, the results suggest that
F. tularensis
subsp.
tularensis
strains have restricted iron uptake and storage, which is beneficial for their resistance to H
2
O
2
-induced killing. This may be an important factor for the higher virulence of this subspecies of
F. tularensis
, as reactive oxygen species, such as H
2
O
2
, are important bactericidal components during tularemia.
Identification ofAnaplasma marginaleOuter Membrane Protein Antigens Conserved betweenA. marginaleSensu Stricto Strains and the LiveA. marginalesubsp.centraleVaccine
Authors: Agnes Joseph T. , Brayton Kelly A. , LaFollett Megan , Norimine Junzo , Brown Wendy C. , Palmer Guy H.
Published: December 2010

Live vaccination withAnaplasma marginalesubsp.centrale(synonym forAnaplasma centrale) induces protection against severe disease upon challenge withA. marginalesensu stricto strains. Despite over a century of field use, the targets of protective immunity remained unknown. Using a broad proteomic approach, we identified the proteins in a challenge sensu stricto strain that were bound by the relevant antibody isotype induced by live vaccination withAnaplasma marginalesubsp.centrale.A core of 15 proteins was identified in vaccinated animals across multiple major histocompatibility complex (MHC) haplotypes. This core separated into two structural/functional classes: “housekeeping” proteins involved in replication and metabolism and outer membrane proteins (OMPs). Orthologous proteins of both classes were identified within the vaccine strain and among sensu stricto strains. In contrast to the broad conservation among strains in the sequences of the housekeeping proteins, there was significantly greater divergence in the OMPs and greater divergence in both OMP sequences and the encoding locus structure between the vaccine strain and the sensu stricto strains than among the sensu stricto strains. The OMPs bound by live vaccine-induced antibody overlapped with OMPs that were immunogenic in animals vaccinated with inactivated vaccines and subsequently protected against bacteremia and disease. The identification of this core set of OMPs is consistent with the hypothesis that “subdominant” immunogens are required for vaccine-induced protection againstA. marginaleand provides clear direction for development of a safer, more effective vaccine.
PIXE ANALYSIS OF A MURINE FIBROSARCOMA TUMOR FOR PROTON THERAPY COMBINED WITH THE CHEMOTHERAPEUTIC AGENT CISPLATIN
Authors: TERAKAWA A. , ITO Y. , ISHII K. , MATSUYAMA S. , KIKUCHI Y. , YASUNAGA S. , TAGAWA A. , KAWAMURA T. , TAKAHASHI Y. , HATORI Y. , HAMADA N. , FUJIKI K. , YAMAZAKI H. , FUNAKI Y. , ITO N. , WADA S. , SERA K.
Published: December 2010

Concentrations of the chemotherapeutic agent, cis-diamminedichloro-platinum(II) (CDDP) in NFSa fibrosarcoma tumors were investigated using a conventional PIXE analysis on the basis of an internal standard method to study enhancement of antitumor effects caused by proton therapy combined with CDDP treatment. Results of the PIXE analysis showed that platinum concentration of the tumors treated with CDDP at a single dose of 10 mg/kg was 2.0±0.1 µg/g and persisted at the level at least 6 hours after the administration. The present study demonstrated that the presence of CDDP in the tumor caused an enhanced therapeutic effect on tumor growth delay when CDDP treatment was combined with post proton-irradiation in comparison with CDDP treatment alone or proton therapy alone.
AEROSOL STUDIES OF URBAN AREAS OF LAHORE USING PIXE
Authors: AHMAD NISAR , SHAHNAWAZ ATHAR NAEEM AKHTAR M. , SAADAT SHAHZAD , ZAIDI J. H.
Published: December 2010

Because of high traffic density, bad sanitary conditions and other human activities, the urban areas of Lahore have become highly polluted. Very simple and quick method for the survey of aerosol over a large area is described. Freefall aerosol settled on the tree leaves picked from roadside of twelve localities of Lahore was collected and analyzed for seventeen trace elements down to g / g level by particle induced X-ray emission (PIXE). The investigation shows that the cleaner residential areas have much less concentration of trace elements of anthropogenic origin. Lead ( Pb ) has been detected in the areas of heavy traffic and close to the factory area, however, it is difficult to trace its origin because the gasoline used in Pakistan is unleaded.
PIXE STUDY ON ARSENIC ACCUMULATION BY A FERN (PTERIS VITTATA)
Authors: YAMAZAKI H. , ISHII K. , MATSUYAMA S. , TERAKAWA A. , KIKUCHI Y. , KAWAMURA Y. , FUJIKI K. , HATORI Y. , HAMADA N. , ITOH Y. , FUKAYA A. , HIRAISHI S. , MIURA Y. , HATAYAMA M. , INOUE C.
Published: December 2010

Pteris vittata is a fern reported to be an arsenic hyper-accumulator. To develop the practical application of the fern to a phytoremediation technique, it is necessary to explicate the effective accumulation mechanism. In this study, the arsenic distribution and the elemental correlation in the cellular level were examined in the fronds supplied with arsenate and arsenite separately via xylem vessel using an in-air micro-PIXE system at Tohoku University. The difference in transportation rate between arsenate and arsenite as well as the translocation of elements necessary for plant metabolism was revealed in different tissues of the fronds accumulating arsenic in high concentration. Hence, the in-air micro-PIXE analysis is an effective measure for undertaking phytoremediation research of hyper-accumulator plants.
MULTIPLE SOLUTIONS IN EXTRACTING PHYSICS INFORMATION FROM EXPERIMENTAL DATA
Authors: YUAN C. Z. , MO X. H. , WANG P.
Published: December 2010

Multiple solutions exist in many experimental situations where several interfering amplitudes are summed to fit experimentally measured distributions, such as cross sections, mass spectra, and/or angular distributions. We show a few examples where multiple solutions are found, but only one solution is reported in publications. Since there is no standard rule for choosing one among the solutions as the physics one, we propose a simple rule that agrees with what has been adopted in previous literature: the solution corresponding to the minimal magnitudes of the amplitudes must be the physical solution. We suggest testing this rule in future analyses.
BORN–INFELD ELECTRODYNAMICS AND EULER–HEISENBERG-LIKE MODEL: OUTSTANDING EXAMPLES OF THE LACK OF COMMUTATIVITY AMONG QUANTIZED TRUNCATED ACTIONS AND TRUNCATED QUANTIZED ACTIONS
Authors: ACCIOLY ANTONIO , GAETE PATRICIO , HELAŸEL-NETO JOSÉ A.
Published: December 2010

We calculate the lowest-order corrections to the static potential for both the generalized Born–Infeld electrodynamics and an Euler–Heisenberg-like model, in the presence of a constant external magnetic field. Our analysis is carried out within the framework of the gauge-invariant but path-dependent variables formalism. The calculation reveals a long-range correction ([Formula: see text]-type) to the Coulomb potential for the generalized Born–Infeld electrodynamics. Interestingly enough, in the Euler–Heisenberg-like model, the static potential remains Coulombian. Therefore, contrary to popular belief, the quantized truncated action and the truncated quantized action do not commute at all.
FROM EXTRA-DIMENSIONS: MULTIPLE BRANE SCENARIOS AND THEIR CONTENDERS
Authors: ANTONIADIS IGNATIOS
Published: December 2010

We first discuss the problem of mass hierarchy and review briefly the main Beyond the Standard Model (BSM) proposals. We then describe the framework of strings, branes and large extra dimensions and give the main experimental predictions in both particle accelerators and microgravity experiments testing gravity at short distances. Finally, we present some models based on intersecting branes and discuss the issue of Standard Model embedding.
Excitation transfer in metal-ligand coordinated free-base porphyrin-magnesium phthalocyanine and free-base porphyrin-magnesium naphthalocyanine dyads
Authors: Stranius Kati , Jacobs Rachel , Maligaspe Eranda , Lemmetyinen Helge , Tkachenko Nikolai V. , Zandler Melvin E. , D'Souza Francis
Published: December 2010

Singlet excitation transfer in self-assembled dyads formed via axial coordination of imidazole appended free-base tetraphenylporphyrin, H2PIm , to either a magnesium phthalocyanine, MgPc , or a magnesium naphthalocyanine, MgNc is investigated in non-coordinating solvents using spectroscopic (optical and mass), electrochemical, and time-resolved transient absorption techniques. The newly assembled dyads are fully characterized by spectroscopic, computational and electrochemical methods. The binding constants measured from optical absorption spectral data are found to be in the range of 103–104 M-1 for the 1:1 dyads suggesting fairly stable complex formation. However, the anticipated 2:1 complex for Mg coordination is not observed under the present solution conditions. Electrochemical and computational studies suggested that photoinduced electron transfer to be a thermodynamically unfavorable process when free-base porphyrin is excited in these dyads. However, selective excitation of H2PIm entity in these dyads resulted in rapid excitation transfer and the position of the imidazole linkage on the H2P entity seem to direct the overall efficiency of excited energy transfer. Kinetics of energy transfer is monitored by transient absorption measurements using pump-probe technique and is compared with the earlier reported H2PIm:ZnPc and H2PIm:ZnNc dyads. The time constants are in the order of 0.2–18 ps depending upon the type and relative orientation of the donor and acceptor entities of the dyad indicating ultrafast excitation transfer, and agree fairly well with theoretically estimated values assuming Förster energy transfer mechanism.
Indexicality
Authors: Kjeldskov Jesper , Paay Jeni
Published: December 2010

A lot of research has been done within the area of mobile computing and context-awareness over the last 15 years, and the idea of systems adapting to their context has produced promising results for overcoming some of the challenges of user interaction with mobile devices within various specialized domains. However, today it is still the case that only a limited body of theoretically grounded knowledge exists that can explain the relationship between users, mobile system user interfaces, and their context. Lack of such knowledge limits our ability to elevate learning from the mobile systems we develop and study from a concrete to an abstract level. Consequently, the research field is impeded in its ability to leap forward and is limited to incremental steps from one design to the next. Addressing the problem of this void, this article contributes to the body of knowledge about mobile interaction design by promoting a theoretical approach for describing and understanding the relationship between user interface representations and user context. Specifically, we promote the concept of indexicality derived from semiotics as an analytical concept that can be used to describe and understand a design. We illustrate the value of the indexicality concept through an analysis of empirical data from evaluations of three prototype systems in use. Based on our analytical and empirical work we promote the view that users interpret information in a mobile computer user interface through creation of meaningful indexical signs based on the ensemble of context and system.
Oasis
Authors: Iqbal Shamsi T. , Bailey Brian P.
Published: December 2010

A notification represents the proactive delivery of information to a user and reduces the need to visually scan or repeatedly check an external information source. At the same time, notifications often interrupt user tasks at inopportune moments, decreasing productivity and increasing frustration. Controlled studies have shown that linking notification delivery to the perceptual structure of a user's tasks can reduce these interruption costs. However, in these studies, the scheduling was always performed manually, and it was not clear whether it would be possible for a system to mimic similar techniques. This article contributes the design and implementation of a novel system called Oasis that aligns notification scheduling with the perceptual structure of user tasks. We describe the architecture of the system, how it detects task structure on the fly without explicit knowledge of the task itself, and how it layers flexible notification scheduling policies on top of this detection mechanism. The system also includes an offline tool for creating customized statistical models for detecting task structure. The value of our system is that it intelligently schedules notifications, enabling the reductions in interruption costs shown within prior controlled studies to now be realized by users in everyday desktop computing tasks. It also provides a test bed for experimenting with how notification management policies and other system functionalities can be linked to task structure.
Pairing-Based Onion Routing with Improved Forward Secrecy
Authors: Kate Aniket , Zaverucha Greg M. , Goldberg Ian
Published: December 2010

This article presents new protocols for onion routing anonymity networks. We define a provably secure privacy-preserving key agreement scheme in an identity-based infrastructure setting, and use it to design new onion routing circuit constructions. These constructions, based on a user’s selection, offer immediate or eventual forward secrecy at each node in a circuit and require significantly less computation and communication than the telescoping mechanism used by the Tor project. Further, the use of an identity-based infrastructure also leads to a reduction in the required amount of authenticated directory information. Therefore, our constructions provide practical ways to allow onion routing anonymity networks to scale gracefully.
Key Evolution Systems in Untrusted Update Environments
Authors: Libert Benoît , Quisquater Jean-Jacques , Yung Moti
Published: December 2010

Forward-Secure Signatures (FSS) prevent forgeries for past time periods when an attacker obtains full access to the signer’s storage by evolving the private key in a one-way fashion. To simplify the integration of these primitives into standard security architectures, Boyen et al. [2006] recently introduced the concept of forward-secure signatures with untrusted updates where private keys are additionally protected by a second factor (derived from a password). Key updates can be made on encrypted version of signing keys so that passwords only come into play for signing messages and not at update time (since update is not user-driven). The scheme put forth by Boyen et al. relies on bilinear maps and does not require the random oracle. They also suggest the integration of untrusted updates in the Bellare-Miner forward-secure signature. Their work left open the problem of endowing other existing FSS systems with the same second factor protection, and a natural second question is whether the method can apply to other key-evolving paradigms. This article solves the first problem by showing an efficient generic construction that does not require to set a bound on the number of time periods at key generation. The article then extends the unprotected update model to other key-evolving primitives such as forward-secure public key encryption and key-insulated cryptosystems.
Satisfiability and Resiliency in Workflow Authorization Systems
Authors: Wang Qihua , Li Ninghui
Published: December 2010

We propose the role-and-relation-based access control (R
2
BAC) model for workflow authorization systems. In R
2
BAC, in addition to a user’s role memberships, the user’s relationships with other users help determine whether the user is allowed to perform a certain step in a workflow. For example, a constraint may require that two steps must not be performed by users who have conflicts of interests. We study computational complexity of the workflow satisfiability problem, which asks whether a set of users can complete a workflow. In particular, we apply tools from parameterized complexity theory to better understand the complexities of this problem. Furthermore, we reduce the workflow satisfiability problem to SAT and apply SAT solvers to address the problem. Experiments show that our algorithm can solve instances of reasonable size efficiently. Finally, it is sometimes not enough to ensure that a workflow can be completed in normal situations. We study the resiliency problem in workflow authorization systems, which asks whether a workflow can be completed even if a number of users may be absent. We formally define three levels of resiliency in workflow systems and study computational problems related to these notions of resiliency.
Identity Escrow Protocol and Anonymity Analysis in the Applied Pi-Calculus
Authors: Mukhamedov Aybek , Ryan Mark D.
Published: December 2010

Anonymity with identity escrowattempts to allow users of an online service to remain anonymous, while providing the possibility that the service owner can break the anonymity in exceptional circumstances, such as to assist in a criminal investigation. In the article, we propose an identity escrow protocol that distributes user identity among several escrow agents. The main feature of our scheme is it is based on standard encryption algorithms and it provides user anonymity even if all but one escrow holders are dishonest acting in a coalition. We also present analysis of the anonymity property of our protocol in the applied pi-calculus. We review a related scheme by Marshall and Molina-Jiminez [2003] that aimed to achieve goals similar to ours, and show that their scheme suffers from serious weaknesses.
QoE assessment in haptic media, sound, and video transmission
Authors: Iwata Kai , Ishibashi Yutaka , Fukushima Norishige , Sugawara Shinji
Published: December 2010

In this article we investigate the effect of playout buffering control in haptic media, sound, and video transmission via QoE (Quality of Experience) assessment. We assess the operability of the haptic interface device, sound output quality, video output quality, inter-stream synchronization quality, and comprehensive quality. We also evaluate the application-level QoS (Quality of Service), and demonstrate that, with high accuracy, it is possible to estimate QoE parameters from QoS parameters.
Accessible Multimodal Media Center Application for Blind and Partially Sighted People
Authors: Turunen Markku , Soronen Hannu , Pakarinen Santtu , Hella Juho , Laivo Tuuli , Hakulinen Jaakko , Melto Aleksi , Rajaniemi Juha-Pekka , Mäkinen Erno , Heimonen Tomi , Rantala Jussi , Valkama Pellervo , Miettinen Toni , Raisamo Roope
Published: December 2010

We present a multimodal media center interface designed for blind and partially sighted people. It features a zooming focus-plus-context graphical user interface coupled with speech output and haptic feedback. A multimodal combination of gestures, key input, and speech input is utilized to interact with the interface. The interface has been developed and evaluated in close cooperation with representatives from the target user groups. We discuss the results from longitudinal evaluations that took place in participants’ homes, and compare the results to other pilot and laboratory studies carried out previously with physically disabled and nondisabled users.