bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A computer‐assisted system for photographic mark–recapture analysis
Authors: Bolger Douglas T. , Morrison Thomas A. , Vance Bennet , Lee Derek , Farid Hany
Published: May 2012

1. Photographic mark–recapture is a cost‐effective, non‐invasive way to study populations. However, to efficiently apply photographic mark–recapture to large populations, computer software is needed for image manipulation and pattern matching.

2. We created an open‐source application for the storage, pattern extraction and pattern matching of digital images for the purposes of mark–recapture analysis. The resulting software package is a stand‐alone, multiplatform application implemented in Java. Our program employs the Scale Invariant Feature Transform (SIFT) operator that extracts distinctive features invariant to image scale and rotation.

3. We applied this system to a population of Masai giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis tippelskirchi) in the Tarangire Ecosystem in northern Tanzania. Over 1200 images were acquired in the field during three primary sampling periods between September 2008 and December 2009. The pattern information in these images was extracted and matched resulting in capture histories for over 600 unique individuals.

4. Estimated error rates of the matching system were low based on a subset of test images that were independently matched by eye.

5. Encounter histories were subsequently analysed with open population models to estimate apparent survival rates and population size.

6. This new open‐access tool allowed photographic mark–recapture to be applied successfully to this relatively large population.
Cocaine potentiates excitatory drive in the perifornical/lateral hypothalamus
Authors: Yeoh Jiann Wei , James Morgan H. , Jobling Phillip , Bains Jaideep S. , Graham Brett A. , Dayas Christopher V.
Published: May 2012

Key points

Drugs of addiction are well‐established in their capacity to alter brain reward pathways.

The perifornical/lateral hypothalamus has previously been shown to be drug responsive, participate in relapse to drug taking, and project to key reward pathway structures.

This study demonstrates that cocaine enhances excitatory drive to perifornical/lateral hypothalamic neurones, and these changes involve altered presynaptic function. Orexin‐positive neurones were among the populations that underwent these presynaptic changes.

The results indicate that a greater understanding of the drug‐induced synaptic changes in perifornical/lateral hypothalamus may instruct future pharmacotherapies aimed at preventing drug relapse.

Abstract  The hypothalamus is a critical controller of homeostatic responses and plays a fundamental role in reward‐seeking behaviour. Recently, hypothalamic neurones in the perifornical/lateral hypothalamic area (PF/LHA) have also been implicated in drug‐seeking behaviour through projections to extra‐hypothalamic sites such as the ventral tegmental area. For example, a population of neurones that expresses the peptide orexin has been strongly implicated in addiction‐relevant behaviours. To date, the effect of addictive drugs on synaptic properties in the hypothalamus remains largely unexplored. Previous studies focusing on the PF/LHA neurones, however, have shown that the orexin system exhibits significant plasticity in response to food or sleep restriction. This neuroadaptive ability suggests that PF/LHA neurones could be highly susceptible to modifications by drug exposure. Here, we sought to determine whether cocaine produces synaptic plasticity in PF/LHA neurones. Whole‐cell patch‐clamp techniques were used to examine the effects of experimenter‐administered (passive) or self‐administered (SA) cocaine on glutamatergic synaptic transmission in PF/LHA neurones. These experiments demonstrate that both passive and SA cocaine exposure increases miniature excitatory postsynaptic current (mEPSC) frequency in PF/LHA neurones. In addition, SA cocaine reduced the paired‐pulse ratio but the AMPA/NMDA ratio of evoked excitatory inputs was unchanged, indicative of a presynaptic locus for synaptic plasticity. Dual‐labelling for orexin and excitatory inputs using the vesicular glutamate transporter (VGLUT2), showed that passive cocaine exposure increased VGLUT2‐positive appositions onto orexin neurones. Further, a population of recorded neurones that were filled with neurobiotin and immunolabelled for orexin confirmed that increased excitatory drive occurs in this PF/LHA population. Given the importance of the PF/LHA and the orexin system in modulating drug addiction, we suggest that these cocaine‐induced excitatory synapse‐remodelling events within the hypothalamus may contribute to persistence in drug‐seeking behaviour and relapse.
Long‐term in vivo imaging of normal and pathological mouse spinal cord with subcellular resolution using implanted glass windows
Authors: Fenrich Keith K. , Weber Pascal , Hocine Mélanie , Zalc Maxime , Rougon Geneviève , Debarbieux Franck
Published: May 2012

Key points

Chronic in vivo imaging of cellular interactions within the adult spinal cord with subcellular resolution is important for understanding cellular physiology and disease progression.

Previous approaches for chronic in vivo spinal cord microscopy have required surgery for each imaging session.

Here we describe a novel method for implanting glass windows over the exposed spinal cords of adult mice for repeated in vivo microscopy.

We show that the windows remain clear for many months after implantation, do not damage axons or blood vessels, and are useful for studying cellular dynamics after spinal cord injury.

Our method represents an original technical breakthrough for scientists involved in spinal cord research and in vivo imaging, and is a useful tool for studying cellular physiology and disease progression.

Abstract  Repeated in vivo two‐photon imaging of adult mammalian spinal cords, with subcellular resolution, would be crucial for understanding cellular mechanisms under normal and pathological conditions. Current methods are limited because they require surgery for each imaging session. Here we report a simple glass window methodology avoiding repeated surgical procedures and subsequent inflammation. We applied this strategy to follow axon integrity and the inflammatory response over months by multicolour imaging of adult transgenic mice. We found that glass windows have no significant effect on axon number or structure, cause a transient inflammatory response, and dramatically increase the throughput of in vivo spinal imaging. Moreover, we used this technique to track retraction/degeneration and regeneration of cut axons after a ‘pin‐prick’ spinal cord injury with high temporal fidelity. We showed that regenerating axons can cross an injury site within 4 days and that their terminals undergo dramatic morphological changes for weeks after injury. Overall the technique can potentially be adapted to evaluate cellular functions and therapeutic strategies in the normal and diseased spinal cord.
Damage by radicals and photons during plasma cleaning of porous low-k SiOCH. II. Water uptake and change in dielectric constant
Authors: Shoeb Juline , Kushner Mark J.
Published: May 2012

Porous dielectric materials provide lower capacitances that reduce RC time delays in integrated circuits. Typical low-k materials include porous SiOCH—silicon dioxide with carbon groups, principally CH3, lining the pores. With a high porosity, internally connected pores provide pathways for reactive species to enter into the material. Fluorocarbon plasmas are often used to etch SiOCH, a process that leaves a fluorocarbon polymer on the surface that must later be removed. During cleaning using Ar/O2 or He/H2plasmas,reactions of radicals that diffuse into the SiOCH and photons that penetrate into the SiOCH can remove –CH3 groups. Due to its higher reactivity, cleaning with Ar/O2plasmas removes more –CH3 groups than He/H2 plasmas, and so produce more free radical sites, such as –SiO2• (a –SiO2–CH3 site with the –CH3 group removed).Upon exposure to humid air, these free radical sites can chemisorb H2O to form hydrophilic Si–OH which can further physisorb H2O through hydrogen bonding to form Si–OH(H2O). With the high dielectric constant of water, even a small percentage of water uptake can significantly increase the effective dielectric constant of SiOCH. In this paper, we report on results from a computational investigation of the cleaning of SiOCH using Ar/O2 or He/H2plasmas and subsequent exposure to humid air. The authors found that plasma cleaning with He/H2 mixtures produce less demethylation than cleaning with Ar/O2plasmas, as so results in less water uptake, and a smaller increase in dielectric constant. The water that produces the increase in dielectric constant is roughly half chemisorbed and half physisorbed, the latter of which can be removed with mild heating. Sealing the pores with NH3plasma treatment reduces water uptake and helps prevent the increase in dielectric constant.
Fighting Infection with Liposomes
Authors: Gough Nancy R.
Published: May 2012

Asymmetric engineered liposomes are antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory.
Heparin dosing is associated with diffusion weighted imaging lesion load following aneurysm coiling
Authors: Lim Fat Mary Jane , Al-Hazzaa Mohammed , Bussière Miguel , dos Santos Marlise P , Lesiuk Howard , Lum Cheemun
Published: May 2012

Background and purpose

Diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) may be used to evaluate post-coiling ischemia. Heparinization protocols for cerebral aneurysm coiling procedures differ among operators and centers, with little literature surrounding its effect on DWI lesions. The goal of this study was to determine which factors, including heparinization protocols, may affect DWI lesion load post-coiling.

Materials and methods

A review of 135 coiling procedures over 5 years at our centre was performed. Procedural data including length of procedure, number of coils used, stent or balloon assistance and operators were collected. Procedures were either assigned as using a bolus dose (>2000 U at any one time) or small aliquots of heparin (≤2000 U). Postprocedure DWI was reviewed and lesions were classified as small (< 5mm), medium (5–10 mm) or large (>10 mm). The cases were then classified into group 1 (≤5 small lesions) or group 2 (>5 small lesions or ≥1 medium or large lesion). Multivariate regression of the procedural variables for the two groups was calculated. A p value of <0.05 was considered significant.

Results

There were 78 procedures in group 1 and 57 procedures in group 2. Patients who received small aliquots (n=37) versus boluses of heparin (n=98) intraprocedurally had significantly greater frequency and size of DWI lesions (p=0.03). None of the other procedural variables was found to impact on lesion load.

Conclusions

More substantial DWI lesions were associated with small aliquots of heparin dosage compared with bolus doses. Heparin boluses should be preferentially administered during aneurysm coiling.
EFFECTS OF RRRR OPERATORS ON PROTON DECAY IN SUPERSYMMETRIC LEFT–RIGHT MODELS
Authors: YAN JUN , WU YUNFEI , ZHANG DA-XIN
Published: May 2012

Unlike all the previous studies on proton decay which worked only in the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model, we study the effects of the dimension-5 operators in the Supersymmetric Unification Models with left–right symmetry at low energy. The full chargino sector is used for the analysis. Dressing of the RRRR operators by the SU (2)R wino makes important or even dominant contributions to the proton decay modes into charged leptons.
RADIAL CASIMIR EFFECT IN A SPHERE THROUGH THE KREIN SPACE QUANTIZATION
Authors: HASANI M. , TAVAKOLI F. , TANHAYI M. R.
Published: May 2012

We make an explicit calculation of Casimir effect through an alternative approach of field quantization for a spherical shell in which only the radial part of fluctuation has been taken into account. In this method, negative norm states have been utilized to obtain a natural renormalized theory with the condition that they cannot be affected by the physical boundary conditions. It is shown that by using this method, the exact result is obtained without any appearance of infinity.
STRATEGIES FOR STRENGTHENING THE ENTRY AND EXIT SYSTEMS OF THE RESIDUAL WELFARE MODEL
Authors: YU KAR MING
Published: May 2012

Over the last two decades, the development of social welfare in many capitalist societies has not only been challenged ideologically by the right-wing social scientists but has also been endangered by fiscal crisis. While many right-wing capitalist governments have not directly rolled backed the welfare state, they are committed to reconstructing the welfare system so as to promote investment opportunities for the private sector and to enhance market values. This is found not only in Western capitalist societies but also in advanced Eastern societies. One of the strategies used by the governments is to residualise social services and promote the residual welfare model. However, because of the constraints of political reality capitalist governments very often find it difficult to fully realise the residual welfare model. Thus, it may try to secure a partial residualisation of social services. This can be achieved by a number of methods, including strengthening either the entry system or the exit system of the residual welfare model, and developing the double-entry and double-exit systems.
香港社區精神健康照顧服務12個月的成效研究
Authors: 吳 日嵐 , 尹 可如 , 羅 景強 , 葉 翠然 , 劉 學榮 , 羅 慧英 , 李 保德 , 謝 嘉雯
Published: May 2012

社區精神復康服務在西方國家發展悠久，不同的相關文獻與實証爲本研究 ( evidence-based research) 顯示，該服務形式對生活於社區的精神病康復者有顯著成效。自2005年開始，在政府和非政府機構推動下，社區精神健康照顧服務在香港不同的地方推行。然而，有關本港社區精神健康照顧服務的研究卻相當貧乏。是次研究運用單組前測後測設計 (one group pre-test and post-test design) 方式，評估一個在本港推行的社區精神健康照顧服務，對離院後重返社區生活的服務使用者的成效。是次研究邀請了120名精神病康復者參與研究，共有87名研究對象完成所有測試。當中測試範疇包括精神病徵狀、生活質素、自我效能、社區生活技巧。研究發現在開始接受服務後的6至12個月，社區精神健康照顧服務減少精神病徵狀 ( p <.001)、提高生活質素 ( p <.05)、增強自我效能 ( p <.001)和提升社區生活技巧 ( p <.001) 能夠爲康復者帶來非常正面的效果。

Community mental health care services have been developing in Western countries for decades and have been proved to be effective in facilitating the rehabilitation of people with mental illness into the community in many evidence-based research studies. In Hong Kong, with the support of the government and non-government organisations, community mental health care services have been set up in different districts since 2005. However, research on the services is limited. By using the one-group pre-test and post-test design method, this study examines the effects of one Community Mental Health Care Services on the rehabilitation of people with mental illness discharged from hospitals. A total number of 120 service users participated in the study and 87 subjects completed all the assessments in different areas, including psychiatric symptoms, quality of life, self-efficacy and community living skills, before the commencement of intervention, 6 months after the intervention and at 12 months immediately after the intervention. Results showed that the subjects had lessened psychiatric symptoms ( p <.001), better quality of life ( p <.05), enhanced self-efficacy ( p <.001) and increased community living skills ( p <.001), after the services. The study revealed significant positive effects of the community mental heath care services on people with mental illness in the community.
Quantum Mechanics in Phase Space
Authors: Curtright Thomas L. , Zachos Cosmas K.
Published: May 2012

Ever since Werner Heisenberg's 1927 paper on uncertainty, there has been considerable hesitancy in simultaneously considering positions and momenta in quantum contexts, since these are incompatible observables. But this persistent discomfort with addressing positions and momenta jointly in the quantum world is not really warranted, as was first fully appreciated by Hilbrand Groenewold and José Moyal in the 1940s. While the formalism for quantum mechanics in phase space was wholly cast at that time, it was not completely understood nor widely known — much less generally accepted — until the late 20th century.
Chandrasekhar and the History of Astronomy
Authors: Trimble Virginia
Published: May 2012

Chandrasekhar's own books, papers, and oral history interviews make clear that he was generally more interested in the present and future of astrophysics than in its past. Nevertheless, late in his life and after his death, historians of science have somewhat entangled him in two supposedly controversial issues, one concerning precursors of his mass limit for degenerate stars and the other his relationship with Eddington. Neither story is an entirely happy one.
Supporting chronic disease care quality
Authors: Sunyaev Ali , Chornyi Dmitry
Published: May 2012

Chronic medical conditions take a huge toll on lives of a growing number of people and are a major contributor to the rising costs in healthcare. As patients are increasingly willing to take an active part in managing their conditions, chronic disease self-management programs and information systems that support them are recognized for their potential to improve the quality of healthcare delivery. These programs often rely on recording longitudinal patient data and analyzing it. Therefore, maintaining appropriate data quality is important for self-management programs to be efficient and safe. We designed and implemented a prototype of a health self-management service for chronically ill people. It is a distributed application that supports patients with diabetes at tracking their blood glucose levels. The main design goals were usability, extensibility, security, and interoperability. The system integrates with the Microsoft HealthVault and Google Health personal health record platforms. It utilizes industry-strength storage and security mechanisms, is scalable, and as a result, can be used to gather, securely store, and analyze patient data over long periods of time. In this article we examine how software information technology can support chronic disease self-management and its impact on the quality of patient data. Furthermore, we describe the requirements that drove the system's development, its architecture, and design decisions.
Introduction of Bifunctional Group onto MWNT by Radiation‐Induced Graft Polymerization and Its Use as Biosensor‐Supporting Materials
Authors: Lee Yu-Jin , Chung Da-Jung , Oh Sang-Hyub , Choi Seong-Ho
Published: May 2012

A biosensor comprising tyrosinase immobilized on bifunctionalized multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWNT) supports was prepared for the detection of phenolic compounds in drinks such as red wine and juices. The MWNT supports were prepared by radiation‐induced graft polymerization (RIGP) of epoxy‐containing glycidyl methacrylate (GMA), to covalently immobilize the tyrosinase, and vinyl ferrocene (VF), which can act as an electron transfer mediator via redox reactions. The bifunctionalized MWNTs were characterized by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Electrodes prepared with the MWNTs showed increased current with increasing VF content. A biosensor comprising tyrosinase immobilized on the bifunctionalized MWNTs could detect phenol at 0.1–20 mM. Phenolics in red wine and juices were determined using the biosensor after its calibration.
A Stabilized Incompressible SPH Method by Relaxing the Density Invariance Condition
Authors: Asai Mitsuteru , Aly Abdelraheem M. , Sonoda Yoshimi , Sakai Yuzuru
Published: May 2012

A stabilized Incompressible Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (ISPH) is proposed to simulate free surface flow problems. In the ISPH, pressure is evaluated by solving pressure Poisson equation using a semi‐implicit algorithm based on the projection method. Even if the pressure is evaluated implicitly, the unrealistic pressure fluctuations cannot be eliminated. In order to overcome this problem, there are several improvements. One is small compressibility approach, and the other is introduction of two kinds of pressure Poisson equation related to velocity divergence‐free and density invariance conditions, respectively. In this paper, a stabilized formulation, which was originally proposed in the framework of Moving Particle Semi‐implicit (MPS) method, is applied to ISPH in order to relax the density invariance condition. This formulation leads to a new pressure Poisson equation with a relaxation coefficient, which can be estimated by a preanalysis calculation. The efficiency of the proposed formulation is tested by a couple of numerical examples of dam‐breaking problem, and its effects are discussed by using several resolution models with different particle initial distances. Also, the effect of eddy viscosity is briefly discussed in this paper.
Downward Movement of Potentially Toxic Elements in Biosolids Amended Soils
Authors: Torri Silvana Irene , Corrêa Rodrigo Studart
Published: May 2012

Potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in soils are mainly associated with the solid phase, bound to the surface of solid components, or precipitated as minerals. For most PTEs, only a small portion is dissolved in the soil solution. However, there is an interest in following the fate of mobile PTEs in the environment, for a growing amount of evidence indicates that downward movement of PTEs may occur in biosolids amended soils, leading to groundwater contamination. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the factors that control the release of these elements after land application of biosolids, in order to overcome problems related to downward movement of PTEs in the soil profile.
Indirect Optimization of Satellite Deployment into a Highly Elliptic Orbit
Authors: Simeoni Francesco , Casalino Lorenzo , Zavoli Alessandro , Colasurdo Guido
Published: May 2012

The analysis of the optimal strategies for the deployment of a spacecraft into a highly elliptic orbit is carried out by means of an indirect optimization procedure, which is based on the theory of optimal control. The orbit peculiarities require that several perturbations are taken into account: an 8 × 8 model of the Earth potential is adopted and gravitational perturbations from Moon and Sun together with solar radiation pressure are considered. A procedure to guarantee convergence and define the optimal switching structure is outlined. Results concerning missions with up to 4.5 revolutions around the Earth are given, and significant features of this kind of deployment are highlighted.
Generalized Projective Synchronization between Two Different Neural Networks with Mixed Time Delays
Authors: Wu Xuefei , Xu Chen , Feng Jianwen , Zhao Yi , Zhou Xuan
Published: May 2012

The generalized projective synchronization (GPS) between two different neural networks with nonlinear coupling and mixed time delays is considered. Several kinds of nonlinear feedback controllers are designed to achieve GPS between two different such neural networks. Some results for GPS of these neural networks are proved theoretically by using the Lyapunov stability theory and the LaSalle invariance principle. Moreover, by comparison, we determine an optimal nonlinear controller from several ones and provide an adaptive update law for it. Computer simulations are provided to show the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed methods.
Selection of Ovine Oocytes by Brilliant Cresyl Blue Staining
Authors: Wang Liqin , Lin Jiapeng , Huang Juncheng , Wang Jing , Zhao Yuncheng , Chen Tong
Published: May 2012

Sheep oocytes derived from the ovaries collected from the slaughterhouse are often used for research onin vitroembryo production, animal cloning, transgenesis, embryonic stem cells, and other embryo biotechnology aspects. Improving thein vitroculture efficiency of oocytes can provide more materials for similar studies. Generally, determination of oocyte quality is mostly based on the layers of cumulus cells and cytoplasm or cytoplasm uniformity and colors. This requires considerable experience to better identify oocyte quality because of the intense subjectivity involved (Gordon (2003), Madison et al. (1992) and De Loos et al. (1992)). BCB staining is a function of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) activity, an enzyme synthesized in developing oocytes, which decreases in activity with maturation. Therefore, unstained oocytes (BCB−) are high in G6PD activity, while the less mature oocytes stains are deep blue (BCB+) due to insuffcient G6PD activity to decolorize the BCB dye.
Thirty Years with HIV Infection—Nonprogression Is Still Puzzling: Lessons to Be Learned from Controllers and Long-Term Nonprogressors
Authors: Gaardbo Julie C. , Hartling Hans J. , Gerstoft Jan , Nielsen Susanne D.
Published: May 2012

In the early days of the HIV epidemic, it was observed that a minority of the infected patients did not progress to AIDS or death and maintained stable CD4+ cell counts. As the technique for measuring viral load became available it was evident that some of these nonprogressors in addition to preserved CD4+ cell counts had very low or even undetectable viral replication. They were therefore termed controllers, while those with viral replication were termed long-term nonprogressors (LTNPs). Genetics and virology play a role in nonprogression, but does not provide a full explanation. Therefore, host differences in the immunological response have been proposed. Moreover, the immunological response can be divided into an immune homeostasis resistant to HIV and an immune response leading to viral control. Thus, non-progression in LTNP and controllers may be due to different immunological mechanisms. Understanding the lack of disease progression and the different interactions between HIV and the immune system could ideally teach us how to develop a functional cure for HIV infection. Here we review immunological features of controllers and LTNP, highlighting differences and clinical implications.
A Numerical Study of Low‐Thrust Limited Power Trajectories between Coplanar Circular Orbits in an Inverse‐Square Force Field
Authors: da Silva Fernandes Sandro , Silveira Filho Carlos Roberto , Golfetto Wander Almodovar
Published: May 2012

A numerical study of optimal low‐thrust limited power trajectories for simple transfer (no rendezvous) between circular coplanar orbits in an inverse‐square force field is performed by two different classes of algorithms in optimization of trajectories. This study is carried out by means of a direct method based on gradient techniques and by an indirect method based on the second variation theory. The direct approach of the trajectory optimization problem combines the main positive characteristics of two well‐known direct methods in optimization of trajectories: the steepest‐descent (first‐order gradient) method and a direct second variation (second‐order gradient) method. On the other hand, the indirect approach of the trajectory optimization problem involves two different algorithms of the well‐known neighboring extremals method. Several radius ratios and transfer durations are considered, and the fuel consumption is taken as the performance criterion. For small‐amplitude transfers, the results are compared to the ones provided by a linear analytical theory.
Hybrid Position-Based and DTN Forwarding for Vehicular Sensor Networks
Authors: Li Fan , Zhao Lei , Fan Xiumei , Wang Yu
Published: May 2012

Efficient data delivery in vehicular sensor networks is still a challenging research issue. Position-based routing protocols have been proven to be more suitable for dynamic vehicular networks or large-scale mobile sensor networks than traditional ad hoc routing protocols. However, position-based routing assumes that intermediate nodes can always be found to set up an end-to-end connection between the source and the destination; otherwise, it suffers from network partitions which are very common in vehicular networks and leads to poor performances. This paper addresses data delivery challenge in the possible intermittently connected vehicular sensor networks by combining position-based forwarding strategy with store-carry-forward routing scheme from delay tolerant networks. The proposed routing method makes use of vehicle driving direction to determine whether holding or forwarding the packet. Experimental results show that the proposed mechanism outperforms existing position-based solutions in terms of packet delivery ratio.
Existence of Bounded Positive Solutions for Partial Difference Equations with Delays
Authors: Liu Zeqing , Wu Zhihua , Kwun Young Chel , Kang Shin Min
Published: May 2012

This paper deals with solvability of the third‐order nonlinear partial difference equation with delays . With the help of the Banach fixed‐point theorem, the existence results of uncountably many bounded positive solutions for the partial difference equation are given; some Mann iterative schemes with errors are suggested, and the error estimates between the iterative schemes and the bounded positive solutions are discussed. Three nontrivial examples illustrating the results presented in this paper are also provided.
Chinese Medicine Injection Qingkailing for Treatment of Acute Ischemia Stroke: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Cheng Fafeng , Wang Xueqian , Lu Yi , Zhong Xianggen , Zhao Yan , Wang Qingguo
Published: May 2012

Qingkailing (QKL) injection was a famous traditional Chinese patent medicine, which was extensively used to treat the acute stages of cerebrovascular disease. The aim of this study was to assess the quantity, quality and overall strength of the evidence on QKL in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke.Methods. An extensive search was performed within MEDLINE, Cochrane, CNKI, Vip and Wan-Fang up to November 2011. Randomized controlled trails (RCTs) on QKL for treatment of acute stroke were collected, irrespective of languages. Study selection, data extraction, quality assessment, and data analyses were conducted according to the Cochrane standards, and RevMan5 was used for data analysis.Results. 7 RCTs (545 patients) were included and the methodological quality was evaluated as generally low. The pooled results showed that QKL combined with conventional treatment was more effective in effect rate, and the score of MESSS and TNF-αlevel compared with conventional treatment alone, but there was no significant difference in mortality of two groups. Only one trial reported routine life status. There were four trials reported adverse events, and no obvious adverse event occurred in three trials while one reported adverse events described as eruption and dizziness.
Spectrum of Disorders Associated with Elevated Serum IgG4 Levels Encountered in Clinical Practice
Authors: Ryu Jay H. , Horie Ryohei , Sekiguchi Hiroshi , Peikert Tobias , Yi Eunhee S.
Published: May 2012

IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a recently described systemic fibroinflammatory disease associated with elevated circulating levels of IgG4 and manifests a wide spectrum of clinical presentations. Although serum IgG4 level has been described to be the most sensitive and specific laboratory test for the diagnosis of IgG4-RD, it is recognized that an elevated serum IgG4 level can be encountered in other diseases. In this study, we sought to identify the frequency of IgG4-RD and other disease associations in patients with elevated serum IgG4 levels seen in clinical practice. Among 3,300 patients who underwent IgG subclass testing over a 2-year period from January 2009 to December 2010, 158 (4.8%) had an elevated serum IgG4 level (>140 mg/dL). IgG4 subclass testing was performed for evaluation of suspected IgG4-RD or immunodeficiency. Twenty-nine patients (18.4%) had definite or possible IgG4-RD. Among those patients without IgG4-RD, a broad spectrum of biliary tract, pancreatic, liver, and lung diseases, as well as systemic vasculitis, was diagnosed. We conclude that patients with elevated serum IgG4 levels encountered in clinical practice manifest a wide array of disorders, and only a small minority of them has IgG4-RD.
Evaluation of Runtime Task Mapping Using the rSesame Framework
Authors: Sigdel Kamana , Galuzzi Carlo , Bertels Koen , Thompson Mark , Pimentel Andy D.
Published: May 2012

Performing runtime evaluation together with design time exploration enables a system to be more efficient in terms of various design constraints, such as performance, chip area, and power consumption. rSesame is a generic modeling and simulation framework, which can explore and evaluate reconfigurable systems at both design time and runtime. In this paper, we use the rSesame framework to perform a thorough evaluation (at design time and at runtime) of various task mapping heuristics from the state of the art. An extended Motion-JPEG (MJPEG) application is mapped, using the different heuristics, on a reconfigurable architecture, where different Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) resources and various nonfunctional design parameters, such as the execution time, the number of reconfigurations, the area usage, reusability efficiency, and other parameters, are taken into consideration. The experimental results suggest that such an extensive evaluation can provide a useful insight both into the characteristics of the reconfigurable architecture and on the efficiency of the task mapping.
The Switching Message Estimator for Network-Based Motion Control Systems
Authors: Hsieh Chen-Chou , Hsu Pau-Lo
Published: May 2012

Missing commands from the interpolator caused by the dropout effect of network transmission will cause motion error in motion plants implemented on network-based control systems (NCSs). Dropout data can be properly recovered by applying different message estimators to improve motion contouring accuracy. This study shows that the dropout rate and the distribution of missing commands dominate the motion error, and that more centralized missing commands result in a higher maximum contouring error. The short-window dropout quantity (SDQ) is proposed in this paper to estimate the network quality based on the dropout rate and its distribution of the missing data. Furthermore, according to the condition of missing data based on the SDQ, the switching least-square estimator (LSE) is proposed to compensate for missing motion commands. Simulation and experimental results on the two-axis AC servo motor NCS indicate that motion contouring accuracy is greatly improved by applying the proposed estimator.
Pounding Effects in Simply Supported Bridges Accounting for Spatial Variability of Ground Motion: A Case Study
Authors: Tecchio G. , Grendene M. , Modena C.
Published: May 2012

This study carries out a parametrical analysis of the seismic response to asynchronous earthquake ground motion of a long multispan rc bridge, the Fener bridge, located on a high seismicity area in the north-east of Italy. A parametrical analysis has been performed investigating the influence of the seismic input correlation level on the structural response: a series of nonlinear time history analyses have been executed, in which the variation of the frequency content in the accelerograms at the pier bases has been described by considering the power spectral density function (PSD) and the coherency function (CF). In order to include the effects due to the main nonlinear behaviours of the bridge components, a 3D finite element model has been developed, in which the pounding of decks at cap-beams, the friction of beams at bearings, and the hysteretic behaviour of piers have been accounted for. The sensitivity analysis has shown that the asynchronism of ground motion greatly influences pounding forces and deck-pier differential displacements, and these effects have to be accurately taken into account for the design and the vulnerability assessment of long multispan simply supported bridges.
Lycopene, Tomato Products, and Prostate Cancer Incidence: A Review and Reassessment in the PSA Screening Era
Authors: Wei Melissa Y. , Giovannucci Edward L.
Published: May 2012

Lycopene has been proposed to protect against prostate cancer through various properties including decreased lipid oxidation, inhibition of cancer cell proliferation, and most notably potent antioxidant properties. Epidemiologic studies on the association between lycopene and prostate cancer incidence have yielded mixed results. Detection of an association has been complicated by unique epidemiologic considerations including the measurement of lycopene and its major source in the diet, tomato products, and assessment of prostate cancer incidence and progression. Understanding this association has been further challenging in the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening era. PSA screening has increased the detection of prostate cancer, including a variety of relatively indolent cancers. This paper examines the lycopene and prostate cancer association in light of epidemiologic methodologic issues with particular emphasis on the effect of PSA screening on this association.
The Crude Extract fromPuerariaeFlower Exerts Antiobesity and Antifatty Liver Effects in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Mice
Authors: Kamiya Tomoyasu , Sameshima-Kamiya Mayu , Nagamine Rika , Tsubata Masahito , Ikeguchi Motoya , Takagaki Kinya , Shimada Tsutomu , Aburada Masaki
Published: May 2012

Kudzu, a leguminous plant, has long been used in folk medicine. In particular, its flowers are used in Japanese and Chinese folk medicine for treating hangovers. We focused on the flower of Kudzu (Puerariae thomsonii), and we previously reported the antiobesity effect ofPuerariae thomsoniiflower extract (PFE) in humans. In this study, we conducted an animal study to investigate the effect of PFE on visceral fat and hepatic lipid levels in mice with diet-induced obesity. In addition, we focused on gene expression profiles to investigate the antiobesity mechanism of PFE. Male C57BL/6J mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) or an HFD supplemented with 5% PFE for 14 days. PFE supplementation significantly reduced body weight and white adipose tissue (WAT) weight. Moreover, in the histological analysis, PFE supplementation improved fatty liver. Hepatic reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction revealed that PFE supplementation downregulated acetyl-CoA carboxylase expression. For adipose tissue, the expressions of hormone-sensitive lipase in WAT and uncoupling protein 1 in brown adipose tissue (BAT) were significantly upregulated. These results suggest that PFE exerts antiobesity and antifatty liver effects in high-fat diet-induced obese mice through suppressing lipogenesis in the liver, stimulating lipolysis in WAT, and promoting thermogenesis in BAT.
The System of Mixed Equilibrium Problems for Quasi‐Nonexpansive Mappings in Hilbert Spaces
Authors: Wangkeeree Rabian , Boonman Panatda
Published: May 2012

We first introduce the iterative procedure to approximate a common element of the fixed‐point
set of two quasinonexpansive mappings and the solution set of the system of mixed equilibrium problem (SMEP) in a real
Hilbert space. Next, we prove the weak convergence for the given iterative scheme under certain assumptions. Finally,
we apply our results to approximate a common element of the set of common fixed points of asymptotic nonspreading
mapping and asymptotic TJ mapping and the solution set of SMEP in a real Hilbert space.
Ruin Probability in Compound Poisson Process with Investment
Authors: Wu Yong , Hu Xiang
Published: May 2012

We consider that the surplus of an insurer follows compound Poisson process and the insurer would invest its surplus in risky assets, whose prices satisfy the Black‐Scholes model. In the risk process, we decompose the ruin probability into the sum of two ruin probabilities which are caused by the claim and the oscillation, respectively. We derive the integro‐differential equations for these ruin probabilities these ruin probabilities. When the claim sizes are exponentially distributed, third‐order differential equations of the ruin probabilities are derived from the integro‐differential equations and a lower bound is obtained.
Applications of New Technologies and New Methods in ZHENG Differentiation
Authors: Dai Jianye , Sun Shujun , Cao Huijuan , Zheng Ningning , Wang Wenyu , Gou Xiaojun , Su Shibing , Zhang Yongyu
Published: May 2012

With the hope to provide an effective approach for personalized diagnosis and treatment clinically, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is being paid increasing attention as a complementary and alternative medicine. It performs treatment based on ZHENG (TCM syndrome) differentiation, which could be identified as clinical special phenotypes by symptoms and signs of patients. However, it caused skepticism and criticism because ZHENG classification only depends on observation, knowledge, and clinical experience of TCM practitioners, which is lack of objectivity and repeatability. Scientists have done fruitful researches for its objectivity and standardization. Compared with traditional four diagnostic methods (looking, listening and smelling, asking, and touching), in this paper, the applications of new technologies and new methods on the ZHENG differentiation were systemically reviewed, including acquisition, analysis, and integration of clinical data or information. Furthermore, the characteristics and application range of these technologies and methods were summarized. It will provide reference for further researches.
On the Dimension of the Solution Set for Semilinear Fractional Differential Inclusions
Authors: Agarwal Ravi P. , Ahmad Bashir , Alsaedi Ahmed , Shahzad Naseer
Published: May 2012

We investigate the existence and dimension of the solution set for a nonlocal problem of semilinear fractional differential inclusions. The main tools of our study include some well‐known results on multivalued maps.
Sinonasal Malignancies and Charged Particle Radiation Treatment: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Cianchetti Marco , Amichetti Maurizio
Published: May 2012

Background. Paranasal and nasal cavity malignancies are rare tumors that frequently present at advanced stages. Tumor extension and anatomic complexity pose a challenge for their treatment. Due to their peculiar physical and biological properties particle radiation therapy, i.e. protons and ions can have a role in their management. We performed a systematic literature review to gather clinical evidence about their use to treat sinonasal malignancies.Materials and Methods. We searched the browsers PubMed and Medline as well as specific journals and conference proceedings. Inclusion criteria were: at least 10 patients, English language, reporting outcome and/or toxicity data.Results. We found six studies with data on clinical outcome. Carbon and helium ions were each used in one study, protons in four. Toxicity was specifically described in five studies. One reported acute toxicity of carbon ions, one dealt with brain toxicity from both carbon ions and protons. Three papers reported on visual toxicity: one from carbon ions, one from protons and one from both. Specific data were extracted and compared with the most pertinent literature.Conclusion. Particle radiation therapy is in its early phase of development. Promising results achieved so far must be confirmed in further studies.
The Synthesis of Anatase Nanoparticles and the Preparation of Photocatalytically Active Coatings Based on Wet Chemical Methods for Self-Cleaning Applications
Authors: Verhovšek Dejan , Veronovski Nika , Lavrenčič Štangar Urška , Kete Marko , Žagar Kristina , Čeh Miran
Published: May 2012

We report on an improved sol-gel method for the production of highly photocatalytic titanium dioxide (TiO2) anatase nanoparticles which can provide appropriate control over the final characteristics of the nanoparticles, such as particle size, crystallinity, crystal structure, morphology, and also the degree of agglomeration. The synthesized anatase nanoparticles were characterized using various techniques, such as X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and were tested in coatings for self-cleaning glass and ceramic surfaces. The coatings were prepared using a soft chemistry route and are completely transparent to visible light and exhibit a high photocatalytic effect, which was determined by contact-angle measurements. Finally, it is worth mentioning that both the sol-gel synthesis method and the coating-preparation method are based on a wet chemical process, thus presenting no risk of handling the TiO2anatase nanoparticles in their potentially hazardous powder form at any stage of our development. Low-price, easy-to-handle, and nontoxic materials were used. Therefore, our work represents an important contribution to the development of TiO2anatase nanoparticle coatings that provide a high photocatalytic effect and can thus be used for numerous applications.
Expression of GA733-Fc Fusion Protein as a Vaccine Candidate for Colorectal Cancer in Transgenic Plants
Authors: Lu Zhe , Lee Kyung-Jin , Shao Yingxue , Lee Jeong-Hwan , So Yangkang , Choo Young-Kug , Oh Doo-Byoung , Hwang Kyung-A , Oh Seung Han , Han Yeon Soo , Ko Kisung
Published: May 2012

The tumor-associated antigen GA733 is a cell-surface glycoprotein highly expressed in colorectal carcinomas. In this study, 3 recombinant genes were constructed as follows: GA733 tagged to the ER retention sequence KDEL (GA733K), GA733 fused to the immunoglobulin Fc fragment (GA733-Fc), and GA733-Fc fused to the ER retention sequence (GA733-FcK).Agrobacterium-mediated transformation was used to generate transgenic plants expressing recombinant genes. The presence of transgenes was confirmed by genomic PCR. Western blot, confocal immunofluorescence, and sandwich ELISA showed the expression of recombinant proteins. The stability, flexibility, and bioactivity of recombinant proteins were analyzed and demonstrated through N-glycosylation analysis, animal trials, and sera ELISA. Our results suggest that the KDEL retained proteins in ER with oligomannose glycan structure and enhanced protein accumulation level. The sera of mice immunized with GA733-FcK purified from plants contained immunoglobulins which were at least as efficient as the mammalian-derived GA733-Fc at recognizing human colorectal cancer cell lines. Thus, a plant system can be used to express the KDEL fusion protein with oligomannose glycosylation, and this protein induces an immune response which is comparable to non-KDEL-tagged, mammalian-derived proteins.
Treatment of Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia with 5-Azacytidine: Case Reports
Authors: Rohon Peter , Vondrakova Jana , Jonasova Anna , Holzerova Milena , Jarosova Marie , Indrak Karel
Published: May 2012

Epigenetic therapy with hypomethylating agent (5-azacytidine; AZA) is common in the management of specific subtypes of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), but there are only few studies in chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) patients. In this paper our experience with 3 CMML patients treated with AZA is described. In one patient transfusion independency was observed after 4 treatment cycles; in one case a partial response was recorded, but a progression to acute myeloid leukemia (AML) after 13 AZA cycles has appeared. In one patient, AZA in reduced dosage was administered as a bridging treatment before allogeneic stem cell transplantation (ASCT), but in the control bone marrow aspirate (before ASCT) a progression to AML was recorded. Future studies are mandatory for evaluation of new molecular and clinical features which could predict the efficiency of hypomethylating agents in CMML therapy with respect to overall survival, event-free survival, quality-adjusted life year, and pharmacoeconomy.