bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
GPU‐based relative fuzzy connectedness image segmentation
Authors: Zhuge Ying , Ciesielski Krzysztof C. , Udupa Jayaram K. , Miller Robert W.
Published: December 2012

Purpose:

Recently, clinical radiological research and practice are becoming increasingly quantitative. Further, images continue to increase in size and volume. For quantitative radiology to become practical, it is crucial that image segmentation algorithms and their implementations are rapid and yield practical run time on very large data sets. The purpose of this paper is to present a parallel version of an algorithm that belongs to the family of fuzzy connectedness (FC) algorithms, to achieve an interactive speed for segmenting large medical image data sets.

Methods:

The most common FC segmentations, optimizing an ℓ∞‐based energy, are known as relative fuzzy connectedness (RFC) and iterative relative fuzzy connectedness (IRFC). Both RFC and IRFC objects (of which IRFC contains RFC) can be found via linear time algorithms, linear with respect to the image size. The new algorithm, P‐ORFC (for parallel optimal RFC), which is implemented by using NVIDIA's Compute Unified Device Architecture (CUDA) platform, considerably improves the computational speed of the above mentioned CPU based IRFC algorithm.

Results:

Experiments based on four data sets of small, medium, large, and super data size, achieved speedup factors of 32.8×, 22.9×, 20.9×, and 17.5×, correspondingly, on the NVIDIA Tesla C1060 platform. Although the output of P‐ORFC need not precisely match that of IRFC output, it is very close to it and, as the authors prove, always lies between the RFC and IRFC objects.

Conclusions:

A parallel version of a top‐of‐the‐line algorithm in the family of FC has been developed on the NVIDIA GPUs. An interactive speed of segmentation has been achieved, even for the largest medical image data set. Such GPU implementations may play a crucial role in automatic anatomy recognition in clinical radiology.
Collimator design for a dedicated molecular breast imaging‐guided biopsy system: Proof‐of‐concept
Authors: Weinmann Amanda L. , Hruska Carrie B. , Conners Amy L. , O'Connor Michael K.
Published: December 2012

Purpose:

Molecular breast imaging (MBI) is a dedicated nuclear medicine breast imaging modality that employs dual‐head cadmium zinc telluride (CZT) gamma cameras to functionally detect breast cancer. MBI has been shown to detect breast cancers otherwise occult on mammography and ultrasound. Currently, a MBI‐guided biopsy system does not exist to biopsy such lesions. Our objective was to consider the utility of a novel conical slant‐hole (CSH) collimator for rapid (<1 min) and accurate monitoring of lesion position to serve as part of a MBI‐guided biopsy system.

Methods:

An initial CSH collimator design was derived from the dimensions of a parallel‐hole collimator optimized for MBI performed with dual‐head CZT gamma cameras. The parameters of the CSH collimator included the collimator height, cone slant angle, thickness of septa and cones of the collimator, and the annular areas exposed at the base of the cones. These parameters were varied within the geometric constraints of the MBI system to create several potential CSH collimator designs. The CSH collimator designs were evaluated using Monte Carlo simulations. The model included a breast compressed to a thickness of 6 cm with a 1‐cm diameter lesion located 3 cm from the collimator face. The number of particles simulated was chosen to represent the count density of a low‐dose, screening MBI study acquired with the parallel‐hole collimator for 10 min after a ∼150 MBq (4 mCi) injection of Tc‐99m sestamibi. The same number of particles was used for the CSH collimator simulations. In the resulting simulated images, the count sensitivity, spatial resolution, and accuracy of the lesion depth determined from the lesion profile width were evaluated.

Results:

The CSH collimator design with default parameters derived from the optimal parallel‐hole collimator provided 1‐min images with error in the lesion depth estimation of 1.1 ± 0.7 mm and over 21 times the lesion count sensitivity relative to 1‐min images acquired with the current parallel‐hole collimator. Sensitivity was increased via more vertical cone slant angles, larger annular areas, thinner cone walls, shorter cone heights, and thinner radiating septa. Full width at half maximum trended in the opposite direction as sensitivity for all parameters. There was less error in the depth estimates for less vertical slant angles, smaller annular areas, thinner cone walls, cone heights near 1 cm, and generally thinner radiating septa.

Conclusions:

A Monte Carlo model was used to demonstrate the feasibility of a CSH collimator design for rapid biopsy application in molecular breast imaging. Specifically, lesion depth of a 1‐cm diameter lesion positioned in the center of a typical breast can be estimated with error of less than 2 mm using circumferential count profiles of images acquired in 1 min.
Numerical back-analyses of greenfield settlement during tunnel boring
Authors: Mathew Gima V. , Lehane Barry M.
Published: December 2012

This paper examines the potential for two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) finite element (FE) analyses to calculate the ground displacement patterns observed at a greenfield site above two recently completed tunnels in Perth, Western Australia. The influence of a range of different factors on the shape of the tunnelling-induced settlement trough is examined using the Plaxis FE code and three soil constitutive models. It is shown that while model input parameters can be varied to produce calculations that are more comparable to field observations, there remain considerable errors associated with modelling of the tunnelling procedure by the imposition of volumetric contractions at the tunnel location.
New and improved methods for the conversion of nitroalkanes into geminal chloronitroso compounds
Authors: Bou-Moreno Rafael , Luengo-Arratta Sandra , Pons Valérie , Motherwell William B.
Published: December 2012

The scope and limitations of a new method for the preparation of geminal chloronitroso compounds involving treatment of a nitronate anion with oxalyl chloride are described in full, and a milder, high yielding, and more chemoselective variant using the derived silyl nitronate is presented.
DRUG TARGET PRIORITIZATION IN PLASMODIUM FALCIPARUM THROUGH METABOLIC NETWORK ANALYSIS, AND INHIBITOR DESIGNING USING VIRTUAL SCREENING AND DOCKING APPROACH
Authors: YADAV MANOJ KUMAR , PANDEY SAURABH KUMAR , SWATI D.
Published: December 2012

The genome sequence of Plasmodium falciparum reveals that many metabolic pathways are unique as compared to its human host. Metabolic Network Analysis was carried out to find the essential enzymes critical for the survival of the pathogen. In the present study, choke point and load point analysis was used to locate putative targets. The identified targets were further checked to confirm that no alternate pathway or human homolog exists. Among the top 15 enzymes obtained from this analysis, we have selected P. falciparum orotidine-5'-monophosphate decarboxylase (PfODCase) enzyme as it is sequentially and structurally different from that of humans, for searching novel inhibitors. A five-point 3D pharmacophore was generated for the crystal structure of PfODCase complexes with uridine-5'-monophosphate (U5P). The binding site environment shows three H-bond acceptors, one H-bond donor and one negative ionizable feature. This pharmacophore model was used as a 3D query to perform virtual screening experiments against 2,664,779 standard lead compounds obtained from the freely available ZINC database. Top 10 hits obtained from virtual screening were selected for molecular docking experiments against PfODCase in order to verify their results and to have a better insight into their binding modes. Here, docking of U5P with PfODCase is used as a control. We have identified six compounds, among them, few are U5P analogs and others are novel ones with diverse scaffolds. The key residues: Lys42, Asp20, Lys72, Ser127, Ala184, Gln185 and Arg203 at the main binding pocket of PfODCase are responsible for better stability of diverse ligands. These compounds according to their free energy of binding could serve as potent leads for designing novel inhibitors against malarial ODCase enzyme.
DIFFERENTIAL GEOMETRY FROM QUANTUM FIELD THEORY
Authors: CHEN W. F.
Published: December 2012

We review the historical development and physical ideas of topological Yang–Mills theory and explain how quantum field theory, a physical framework describing subatomic physics, can be used as a tool to study differential geometry. We further emphasize that this phenomenon demonstrates that the inter-relation between theoretical physics and mathematics have come into a new stage.
Crime prevention technologies in low-income communities
Authors: Erete Sheena Lewis
Published: December 2012

Using collaborative technology as a grassroots effort to reduce violent crime in Chicago.
Facing the African ICTD academic divide
Authors: Diga Kathleen
Published: December 2012

This article stitches together the current journey of ICTD researchers based in Africa who formed a virtual network, which hopes to contribute toward the enhancement of representation within the academic ICTD community.
On the Evolution of Hardware Circuits via Reconfigurable Architectures
Authors: Cancare Fabio , Bartolini Davide B. , Carminati Matteo , Sciuto Donatella , Santambrogio Marco D.
Published: December 2012

Traditionally, hardware circuits are realized according to techniques that follow the classical phases of design and testing. A completely new approach in the creation of hardware circuits has been proposed---the Evolvable Hardware (EHW) paradigm, which bases the circuit synthesis on a goal-oriented evolutionary process inspired by biological evolution in Nature.

FPGA-based approaches have emerged as the main architectural solution to implement EHW systems. Various EHW systems have been proposed by researchers but most of them, being based on outdated chips, do not take advantage of the interesting features introduced in newer FPGAs. This article describes a project named Hardware Evolution over Reconfigurable Architectures (HERA), which aims at creating a complete and performance-oriented framework for the evolution of digital circuits, leveraging the reconfiguration technology available in FPGAs. The project is described from its birth to its current state, presenting its evolutionary technique tailored for FPGA-based circuits and the most recent enhancements to improve the scalability with respect to problem size. The developed EHW system outperforms the state of the art, proving its effectiveness in evolving both standard benchmarks and more complex real-world applications.
Effects of Heat Stress on Postabsorptive Metabolism and Energetics
Authors: Baumgard Lance H. , Rhoads Robert P.
Published: December 2012

Environmental-induced hyperthermia compromises efficient animal production and jeopardizes animal welfare. Reduced productive output during heat stress was traditionally thought to result from decreased nutrient intake. Our observations challenge this dogma and indicate that heat-stressed animals employ novel homeorhetic strategies to direct metabolic and fuel selection priorities independent of nutrient intake or energy balance. Alterations in systemic physiology support a shift in carbohydrate metabolism, evident through changes such as basal and stimulated circulating insulin levels. Hepatocyte and myocyte metabolism also show clear differences in glucose production and use during heat stress. Perhaps most intriguing, given the energetic shortfall of the heat-stressed animal, is the apparent lack of fat mobilization from adipose tissue coupled with a reduced responsiveness to lipolytic stimuli. Thus, the heat stress response markedly alters postabsorptive carbohydrate, lipid, and protein metabolism independently of reduced feed intake through coordinated changes in fuel supply and utilization by multiple tissues.
Emotion Deficits in People with Schizophrenia
Authors: Kring Ann M. , Elis Ori
Published: December 2012

Translational research on emotion in schizophrenia has revealed deficits in emotion perception and expression, as well as intact areas, including emotional experience and brain activation in the presence of emotionally evocative material. Yet, a closer look at emotional experience reveals that all is not well in the experience domain. People with schizophrenia have difficulty anticipating emotional events and maintaining or savoring their emotional experiences, as evidenced in behavioral, psychophysiological, and brain imaging studies. Furthermore, people with schizophrenia have difficulty integrating emotion perception with context and reporting on feelings that are differently valenced than presented emotional stimuli. Differences in brain activation are typically observed in areas tightly coupled with cognitive control, such as the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, and thus the latest research on emotion in schizophrenia explicitly integrates emotion and cognition. Translational research holds promise to identify when in the course of the disorder emotion deficits emerge and to develop more effective interventions for schizophrenia.
Neurotoxic Effects of Alcohol in Adolescence
Authors: Jacobus Joanna , Tapert Susan F.
Published: December 2012

This review examines neuroimaging and neurocognitive findings on alcohol-related toxicity in adolescents. Teens who meet criteria for alcohol use disorders, as well as those who engage in subdiagnostic binge drinking behaviors, often show poorer neurocognitive performance, alterations in gray and white matter brain structure, and discrepant functional brain activation patterns when compared to nonusing and demographically matched controls. Abnormalities are also observed in teens with a family history of alcoholism, and such differences in neuromaturation may leave youths at increased risk for the development of an alcohol use disorder or increased substance use severity. More prospective investigations are needed, and future work should focus on disentangling preexisting differences from dose-dependent effects of alcohol on neurodevelopment. Intervention strategies that utilize neuroimaging findings (e.g., identified weaknesses in particular neural substrates and behavioral correlates) may be helpful in both prevention and intervention campaigns for teens both pre- and postinitiation of alcohol use.
Stability and Change in Personality Disorders
Authors: Morey Leslie C. , Hopwood Christopher J.
Published: December 2012

Stability is thought to be one of the major distinguishing features between personality disorders (PDs) and other forms of psychopathology. The development of more reliable PD assessments and the implementation of four major longitudinal studies on PD stability have provided critical data with which to evaluate the stability of PD features. Results from these and other studies reveal significant complexity in the interpretation of PD stability because of several issues that can impact stability estimates. Such estimates will vary as a function of the type of constructs being assessed, the type of stability being considered, the modality and reliability of the assessments being used, and the impacts of sampling. In this article, longitudinal research on PD stability is reviewed in the context of these issues. It is concluded that no single answer can be given to the question, “How stable are PDs?” and that future research and classification need to consider carefully and account for the complexity of this question.
Naturally Occurring Antimicrobials for Minimally Processed Foods
Authors: Davidson P. Michael , Critzer Faith J. , Taylor T. Matthew
Published: December 2012

Natural antimicrobials are gaining increased interest from researchers and food manufacturers alike seeking to discover label-friendly alternatives to the widely implemented synthetic compounds. Naturally occurring antimicrobials can be applied directly to food to protect food quality, extend food shelf life by inhibiting or inactivating spoilage microorganisms, and improve food safety by inhibiting or inactivating food-borne pathogens. There are a great number of natural antimicrobials derived from animal, plant, and microbial sources. This manuscript reviews their efficacy against spoilage and pathogenic organisms, their methods of evaluation, and their application in various foods as well as the development of novel delivery systems and incorporation with other hurdles.
Aflatoxin Biosynthesis: Current Frontiers
Authors: Roze Ludmila V. , Hong Sung-Yong , Linz John E.
Published: December 2012

Aflatoxins are among the principal mycotoxins that contaminate economically important food and feed crops. Aflatoxin B1 is the most potent naturally occurring carcinogen known and is also an immunosuppressant. Occurrence of aflatoxins in crops has vast economic and human health impacts worldwide. Thus, the study of aflatoxin biosynthesis has become a focal point in attempts to reduce human exposure to aflatoxins. This review highlights recent advances in the field of aflatoxin biosynthesis and explores the functional connection between aflatoxin biosynthesis, endomembrane trafficking, and response to oxidative stress. Dissection of the regulatory mechanisms involves a complete comprehension of the aflatoxin biosynthetic process and the dynamic network of transcription factors that orchestrates coordinated expression of the target genes. Despite advancements in the field, development of a safe and effective multifaceted approach to solve the aflatoxin food contamination problem is still required.
Biomolecular Imaging with Coherent Nonlinear Vibrational Microscopy
Authors: Chung Chao-Yu , Potma Eric O.
Published: December 2012

Optical imaging with spectroscopic vibrational contrast is a label-free solution for visualizing, identifying, and quantifying a wide range of biomolecular compounds in biological materials. Both linear and nonlinear vibrational microscopy techniques derive their imaging contrast from infrared active or Raman allowed molecular transitions, which provide a rich palette for interrogating chemical and structural details of the sample. Yet nonlinear optical methods, which include both second-order sum-frequency generation (SFG) and third-order coherent Raman scattering (CRS) techniques, offer several improved imaging capabilities over their linear precursors. Nonlinear vibrational microscopy features unprecedented vibrational imaging speeds, provides strategies for higher spatial resolution, and gives access to additional molecular parameters. These advances have turned vibrational microscopy into a premier tool for chemically dissecting live cells and tissues. This review discusses the molecular contrast of SFG and CRS microscopy and highlights several of the advanced imaging capabilities that have impacted biological and biomedical research.
Phase-Sensitive Sum-Frequency Spectroscopy
Authors: Shen Y.R.
Published: December 2012

Phase-sensitive sum-frequency spectroscopy (SFS) allows the complete measurement of the complex spectra of surface nonlinear response coefficients. Similar to linear spectroscopy, the spectrum of the imaginary part of a surface response coefficient directly characterizes surface resonances without complication. This newly developed technique has greatly enhanced the capability of surface SFS and provides many new research opportunities for surface science. This article describes the experimental schemes and underlying theory for the technique and briefly reviews works that have clearly demonstrated its power.
Prospects for Tuberculosis Elimination
Authors: Dye Christopher , Glaziou Philippe , Floyd Katherine , Raviglione Mario
Published: December 2012

The target for TB elimination is to reduce annual incidence to less than one case per million population by 2050. Meeting that target requires a 1,000-fold reduction in incidence in little more than 35 years. This can be achieved only by combining the effective treatment of active TB—early case detection and high cure rates to interrupt transmission—with methods to prevent new infections and to neutralize existing latent infections. Vigorous implementation of the WHO Stop TB Strategy is needed to achieve the former, facilitated by the effective supply of, and demand for, health services. The latter calls for new technology, including biomarkers of TB risk, diagnostics, drugs, and vaccines. An important milestone en route to elimination will be reached when there is less than 1 TB death per 100,000 population, marking entry into the elimination phase. This landmark can be reached by many countries within 1–2 decades.
Amorphous Hafnium‐Indium‐Zinc Oxide Semiconductor Thin Film Transistors
Authors: Chang Sheng-Po , Shih San-Syong
Published: December 2012

We reported on the performance and electrical properties of co‐sputtering‐processed amorphous hafnium‐indium‐zinc oxide (α‐HfIZO) thin film transistors (TFTs). Co‐sputtering‐processed α‐HfIZO thin films have shown an amorphous phase in nature. We could modulate the In, Hf, and Zn components by changing the co‐sputtering power. Additionally, the chemical composition of α‐HfIZO had a significant effect on reliability, hysteresis, field‐effect mobility (μFE), carrier concentration, and subthreshold swing (S) of the device. Our results indicated that we could successfully and easily fabricate α‐HfIZO TFTs with excellent performance by the co‐sputtering process. Co‐sputtering‐processed α‐HfIZO TFTs were fabricated with an on/off current ratio of ~106, higher mobility, and a subthreshold slope as steep as 0.55 V/dec.
A Rationale for the Use of F18-FDG PET/CT in Fever and Inflammation of Unknown Origin
Authors: Balink H. , Verberne H. J. , Bennink R. J. , van Eck-Smit B. L. F.
Published: December 2012

This review focuses on the diagnostic value of hybrid F18-FDG Positron Emission Tomography/Computerized tomography (PET/CT) in fever of unknown origin (FUO) and inflammation of unknown origin (IUO). Due to the wide range of possible causes both FUO and IUO remain a clinical challenge for both patients and physicians. In addition, the aetiology of IUO shows the same variation in diseases as the FUO spectrum and probably requires the same diagnostic approach as FUO. There are numerous historically used diagnostic approaches incorporating invasive and non-invasive, and imaging techniques, all with relative high specificity but limited sensitivity. This hampers the generalization of these diagnostic approaches. However, recently published reports show that F18-FDG PET/CT in FUO and IUO has a high sensitivity and a relative non-specificity for malignancy, infection and inflammation. This makes F18-FDG PET/CT an ideal diagnostic tool to start the diagnostic process and to guide subsequent focused diagnostic approaches with higher specificity. In addition, F18-FDG PET/CT has a relative high negative predictive value. Therefore F18 FDG PET/CT should be incorporated in the routine diagnostic work-up of patients with FUO and IUO, preferably at an early stage in the diagnostic process.
Imaging-Assisted Large-Format Breast Pathology: Program Rationale and Development in a Nonprofit Health System in the United States
Authors: Tucker F. Lee
Published: December 2012

Modern breast imaging, including magnetic resonance imaging, provides an increasingly clear depiction of breast cancer extent, often with suboptimal pathologic confirmation. Pathologic findings guide management decisions, and small increments in reported tumor characteristics may rationalize significant changes in therapy and staging. Pathologic techniques to grossly examine resected breast tissue have changed little during this era of improved breast imaging and still rely primarily on the techniques of gross inspection and specimen palpation. Only limited imaging information is typically conveyed to pathologists, typically in the form of wire-localization images from breast-conserving procedures. Conventional techniques of specimen dissection and section submission destroy the three-dimensional integrity of the breast anatomy and tumor distribution. These traditional methods of breast specimen examination impose unnecessary limitations on correlation with imaging studies, measurement of cancer extent, multifocality, and margin distance. Improvements in pathologic diagnosis, reporting, and correlation of breast cancer characteristics can be achieved by integrating breast imagers into the specimen examination process and the use of large-format sections which preserve local anatomy. This paper describes the successful creation of a large-format pathology program to routinely serve all patients in a busy interdisciplinary breast center associated with a community-based nonprofit health system in the United States.
Upregulation of the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone-Ouabain System in the Brain Is the Core Mechanism in the Genesis of All Types of Hypertension
Authors: Takahashi Hakuo
Published: December 2012

Basic research using animal models points to a causal role of the central nervous system in essential hypertension; however, since clinical research is technically difficult to perform, this connection has not been confirmed in humans. Recently, renal nerve ablation in humans proved to continuously decrease blood pressure in resistant hypertension. Furthermore, when electrical stimulation was continuously applied to the carotid baroreceptor nerve of human adults, their blood pressure lowered. These findings promoted the concept that the central nervous system may actually be involved in the pathogenesis of essential hypertension, which is closely associated with excess sodium intake. We have demonstrated that endogenous digitalis plays a key role in hypertension associated with excess sodium intake via sympathetic activation in rats. Increased sodium concentration inside the brain activates epithelial sodium channels and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in the brain. Aldosterone releases ouabain from neurons in the paraventricular nucleus in the hypothalamus. Angiotensin II and aldosterone of peripheral origin reach the brain to augment sympathetic outflow. Collectively essential hypertension associated with excess sodium intake and obesity, renovascular hypertension, and primary aldosteronism and pseudoaldosteronism all seem to have a common cause originating from the central nervous system.
A Case of Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis in a Patient with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia after Treatment with Fludarabine, Cyclophosphamide, and Rituximab Chemotherapy, with Autopsy Findings
Authors: Tiong Ing S. , Lau Michael B. Y. , Toumoua Seventeen , Chiruka Shingirai
Published: December 2012

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is rarely described in association with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), mostly triggered by disease progression or concurrent infection. A 68-year-old male received 4 cycles of fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, and rituximab (FCR) for CLL and achieved a complete response. Twenty-four days after the last chemotherapy, he presented with febrile neutropaenia and was diagnosed with HLH. The diagnosis was based upon persistent fever, pancytopenia, hyperferritinemia, splenomegaly, and hemophagocytosis on bone marrow aspirate. He began treatment with dexamethasone, cyclosporine, and etoposide. Fever resolved and hyperferritinemia improved but pancytopenia persisted. He died 13 days later from septic shock with positive blood cultures. A limited postmortem examination was performed and biopsies were taken from bone marrow, liver, and spleen. Biopsies demonstrated abundant hemophagocytosis by the activated macrophage as stained by CD68. There was no evidence of residual CLL as demonstrated by the lack of lymphocytes which was confirmed by the negative staining of CD79a. Chemotherapy appears to be responsible for the development of HLH in this patient. This is the second reported case of HLH developing after a rituximab-containing chemotherapy.
Extrapontine Myelinolysis-Induced Parkinsonism in a Patient with Adrenal Crisis
Authors: Imam Yahia Z. , Saqqur Maher , Alhail Hassan , Deleu Dirk
Published: December 2012

Background. Extrapontine myelinolysis (EPM) has been well described in the presence of rapid correction of hyponatremia. It is seldom reported with adrenal insufficiency. We report a unique case where a patient developed EPM as a result of adrenal insufficiency where the brain MRI revealed symmetrical lesion in the basal ganglia with pallidal sparing.Case Report. A 30-year-old gentleman with panhypopituitarism developed adrenal crisis, hyponatremia, and hyponatremic encephalopathy. Seven days after the rapid correction of hyponatremia, he developed parkinsonism and neuropsychiatric symptoms. MRI showed extrapontine myelinolysis without central pontine myelinolysis.Conclusion. Extrapontine myelinolysis without central pontine myelinolysis is rare and should raise a concern of associated adrenal insufficiency in the right clinical setting. Rapid correction of hyponatremia particularly in steroid-deficient states should be avoided as it can predispose to extrapontine myelinolysis. Magnetic resonance imaging is very helpful in supporting the diagnosis of EPM.
Primary Hydatid Cyst of the Axillary Region: A Case Report
Authors: Zangeneh Mehrangiz , Amerion Mahmood , Siadat S. Davar , Alijani Mohsen
Published: December 2012

Introduction. Hydatid disease is a disease caused by the cestodeEchinococcus.Echinococcus granulosusis the most commonEchinococcusspecies affecting human. It may affect any organ and tissue in the body, most in the liver and lung. Disease is endemic in some regions of the world, and is common in Iran. Primary hydatid cyst of the axillary region is an unusual and rare localization of hydatid disease. So far, only sixteen cases have been published in the all medical literature.Case Report. Herein, we present a 33-year-old woman because of a mass in the axillary region of four months duration. Axillary ultrasonography showed a thick wall cystic lesion. No abnormality was found in mammographic examination of either breast, or in abdominal ultrasonography and chest X-ray. The mass was excised for pathological examination that showed a typical laminated membrane of hydatid cyst. Postoperative IgG- ELISA serology in this case was negative. Based on pathology an axillary hydatid cyst was diagnosed.Conclusion. Hydatid cyst should be considered in endemic areas in patients presenting with a soft tissue mass in the axillary region.
An Adaptive Pseudospectral Method for Fractional Order Boundary Value Problems
Authors: Maleki Mohammad , Hashim Ishak , Kajani Majid Tavassoli , Abbasbandy Saeid
Published: December 2012

An adaptive pseudospectral method is presented for solving a class of multiterm fractional boundary value problems (FBVP) which involve Caputo‐type fractional derivatives. The multiterm FBVP is first converted into a singular Volterra integrodifferential equation (SVIDE). By dividing the interval of the problem to subintervals, the unknown function is approximated using a piecewise interpolation polynomial with unknown coefficients which is based on shifted Legendre‐Gauss (ShLG) collocation points. Then the problem is reduced to a system of algebraic equations, thus greatly simplifying the problem. Further, some additional conditions are considered to maintain the continuity of the approximate solution and its derivatives at the interface of subintervals. In order to convert the singular integrals of SVIDE into nonsingular ones, integration by parts is utilized. In the method developed in this paper, the accuracy can be improved either by increasing the number of subintervals or by increasing the degree of the polynomial on each subinterval. Using several examples including Bagley‐Torvik equation the proposed method is shown to be efficient and accurate.
A Godunov‐Mixed Finite Element Method on Changing Meshes for the Nonlinear Sobolev Equations
Authors: Sun Tongjun
Published: December 2012

A Godunov‐mixed finite element method on changing meshes is presented to simulate the nonlinear Sobolev equations. The convection term of the nonlinear Sobolev equations is approximated by a Godunov‐type procedure and the diffusion term by an expanded mixed finite element method. The method can simultaneously approximate the scalar unknown and the vector flux effectively, reducing the continuity of the finite element space. Almost optimal error estimates in L2‐norm under very general changes in the mesh can be obtained. Finally, a numerical experiment is given to illustrate the efficiency of the method.
Contained Left Ventricular Free Wall Rupture following Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Shiyovich Arthur , Nesher Lior
Published: December 2012

Rupture of the free wall of the left ventricle occurs in approximately 4% of patients with infarcts and accounts for approximately 20% of the total mortality of patients with myocardial infractions. Relatively few cases are diagnosed before death. Several distinct clinical forms of ventricular free wall rupture have been identified. Sudden rupture with massive hemorrhage into the pericardium is the most common form; in a third of the cases, the course is subacute with slow and sometimes repetitive hemorrhage into the pericardial cavity. Left ventricular pseudoaneurysms generally occur as a consequence of left ventricular free wall rupture covered by a portion of pericardium, in contrast to a true aneurysm, which is formed of myocardial tissue. Here, we report a case of contained left ventricular free wall rupture following myocardial infarction.
Dual Roles of Quercetin in Platelets: Phosphoinositide-3-Kinase and MAP Kinases Inhibition, and cAMP-Dependent Vasodilator-Stimulated Phosphoprotein Stimulation
Authors: Oh Won Jun , Endale Mehari , Park Seung-Chun , Cho Jae Youl , Rhee Man Hee
Published: December 2012

Background. Progressive diseases including cancer, metabolic, and cardiovascular disorders are marked by platelet activation and chronic inflammation. Studies suggest that dietary flavonoids such as quercetin possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiplatelet properties, which could prevent various chronic diseases including atherosclerosis and thrombosis. However, the mechanism and the signaling pathway that links quercetin's antiplatelet activity with its anti-inflammatory property is limited and thus further exploration is required. The aim of this paper was to examine the link between antiplatelet and anti-inflammatory roles of quercetin in agonist-induced platelet activation.Methods. Quercetin effects on agonist-activated platelet-aggregation, granule-secretion,[Ca2+]i, and glycoprotein-IIb/IIIa activation were examined. Its effects on PI3K/Akt, VASP, and MAPK phosphorylations were also studied on collaged-activated platelets.Results. Quercetin dose dependently suppressed collagen, thrombin, or ADP-induced platelet aggregation. It significantly inhibited collagen-induced ATP release, P-selectin expression,[Ca2+]imobilization, integrin-αIIbβ3activation, and augmented cAMP and VASP levels. Moreover, quercetin attenuated PI3K, Akt, ERK2, JNK1, and p38 MAPK activations, which were supported by platelet-aggregation inhibition with the respective kinase inhibitors.Conclusion. Quercetin-mediated antiplatelet activity involves PI3K/Akt inactivation, cAMP elevation, and VASP stimulation that, in turn, suppresses MAPK phosphorylations. This result suggests quercetin may have a potential to treat cardiovascular diseases involving aberrant platelet activation and inflammation.
Oxidative Stress and Pulmonary Changes in Experimental Liver Cirrhosis
Authors: Salatti Ferrari Renata , da Rosa Darlan Pase , Forgiarini Luiz Felipe , Bona Silvia , Simões Dias Alexandre , Marroni Norma Possa
Published: December 2012

The use of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in rats is an experimental model of hepatic tissue damage; which leads to fibrosis, and at the long term, cirrhosis. Cirrhosis is the consequence of progressive continued liver damage, it may be reversible when the damaging noxae have been withdrawn. The aim of this study is to evaluate the changes caused by cirrhosis in lung and liver, through the experimental model of intraperitoneal CCI4administration. We used 18 male Wistar rats divided into three groups: control (CO) and two groups divided by the time of cirrhosis induction by CCI4: G1 (11 weeks), G2 (16 weeks). We found significant increase of transaminase levels and lipid peroxidation (TBARS) in liver and lung tissue and also increased antioxidant enzymes SOD and CAT, as well as the expression of TNF-αand IL-1βin the lung of cirrhotic animals. We observed changes in gas exchange in both cirrhotic groups. We can conclude that our model reproduces a model of liver cirrhosis, which causes alterations in the pulmonary system that leads to changes in gas exchange and size of pulmonary vessels.
Disseminated Infection Caused byEggerthella lentain a Previously Healthy Young Man: A Case Report
Authors: Salameh Ahmad , Klotz Stephen A. , Zangeneh Tirdad T.
Published: December 2012

Anaerobic bacteria are the predominant normal flora of the mucous membranes which may cause life-threatening disseminated infections and are often difficult to culture from infected sites.Eggerthella(previously known asEubacteriaspecies) is an anaerobic, nonsporulating, nonmotile, Gram-positive rod that is found in the human colon and feces and has been isolated from various other clinical specimens. We report a case of complicated disseminated anaerobic bacterial infection withEggerthella lentain a healthy immunocompetent man causing multiple brain abscesses, liver abscesses, necrotizing pneumonia, and osteomyelitis of the left radial bone. He was successfully treated with empiric penicillin G and metronidazole.
Traditional Oriental Herbal Medicine for Children and Adolescents with ADHD: A Systematic Review
Authors: Wong Yuk Wo , Kim Deog-gon , Lee Jin-yong
Published: December 2012

Objective. To evaluate the efficacy of traditional Oriental herbal medicines (TOHM) for children and adolescents with ADHD.Methods. Randomized clinical trials published from January 1, 1990, to December 31, 2010, in English, Chinese, Japanese, or Korean language which evaluated the use of TOHM on ADHD subjects of 18 years old or below, diagnosed based on DSM-IV, were searched from MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsyINFO, Cochrane Library, and 10 other databases.Results. Twelve studies involving 1189 subjects met the inclusion criteria. In general, the included studies claimed that TOHM has similar efficacy to methylphenidate and at the same time has fewer side effects compared to methylphenidate. Some studies also suggested that the effect of TOHM sustained better than methylphenidate. However, solid conclusions could not be drawn because the included studies were not of high quality. Risk of bias issues such as randomization, allocation, concealment and blinding were not addressed in most of the studies, and the risk of publication bias could not be ruled out.Conclusion. Currently, there is not strong evidence to say that TOHM is effective in treating the core symptoms of ADHD.
Diffuse Muscular Pain, Skin Tightening, and Nodular Regenerative Hyperplasia Revealing Paraneoplastic Amyopathic Dermatomyositis due to Testicular Cancer
Authors: Norrenberg Sarah , Gangji Valérie , Del Marmol Véronique , Soyfoo Muhammad S.
Published: December 2012

Paraneoplastic dermatomyositis (DM) associated with testicular cancer is extremely rare. We report the case of a patient with skin tightening, polymyalgia, hypereosinophilia, and nodular regenerative hyperplasia revealing seminoma and associated paraneoplastic DM.
Existence and Stability of the Solution of a Nonlinear Boundary Value Problem
Authors: Balint Agneta M. , Balint Stefan
Published: December 2012

The purpose is to find conditions assuring the existence of solutions for a nonlinear, boundary value problem in case of the axis‐symmetric Young‐Laplace differential equation. The equation describes the capillary surface between two static fluids. Necessary or sufficient conditions are found for the existence of a solution. The static stability of the obtained solution is also analyzed and stability or instability results are revealed. For the NdYAG microfiber growth, by the pulling‐down method, numerical illustrations are given.
The Epidemiology of Sleep Quality, Sleep Patterns, Consumption of Caffeinated Beverages, and Khat Use among Ethiopian College Students
Authors: Lemma Seblewengel , Patel Sheila V. , Tarekegn Yared A. , Tadesse Mahlet G. , Berhane Yemane , Gelaye Bizu , Williams Michelle A.
Published: December 2012

Objective. To evaluate sleep habits, sleep patterns, and sleep quality among Ethiopian college students; and to examine associations of poor sleep quality with consumption of caffeinated beverages and other stimulants.Methods. A total of 2,230 undergraduate students completed a self-administered comprehensive questionnaire which gathered information about sleep complaints, sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics,and theuse of caffeinated beverages and khat. We used multivariable logistic regression procedures to estimate odds ratios for the associations of poor sleep quality with sociodemographic and behavioral factors.Results. Overall 52.7% of students were classified as having poor sleep quality (51.8% among males and 56.9% among females). In adjusted multivariate analyses, caffeine consumption (OR=1.55; 95% CI: 1.25–1.92), cigarette smoking (OR=1.68; 95% CI: 1.06–2.63), and khat use (OR=1.72, 95% CI: 1.09–2.71) were all associated with increased odds of long-sleep latency (>30 minutes). Cigarette smoking (OR=1.74; 95% CI: 1.11–2.73) and khat consumption (OR=1.91; 95% CI: 1.22–3.00) were also significantly associated with poor sleep efficiency (<85%), as well as with increased use of sleep medicine.Conclusion. Findings from the present study demonstrate the high prevalence of poor sleep quality and its association with stimulant use among college students. Preventive and educational programs for students should include modules that emphasize the importance of sleep and associated risk factors.
The Phenotype of Hormone-Related Allergic and Autoimmune Diseases in the Skin: Annular Lesions That Lateralize
Authors: Kollipara Ramya , Arora Chetna , Reisz Colleen
Published: December 2012

Introduction. Sexual dimorphism with an increased prevalence in women has long been observed in various autoimmune, allergic, and skin diseases. Recent research has attempted to correlate this female predilection to physiologic changes seen in the menstrual cycle in order to more effectively diagnose and treat these diseases. Cases. We present five cases of cutaneous diseases in women with annular morphology and distributive features that favor one side over the other. In all cases, skin disease improved with ovarian suppression. Conclusion. Sexual dimorphism in the innate and adaptive immune systems has long been observed, with females demonstrating a more vigorous immune response compared to males. Female sex hormones promote T and B lymphocyte autoreactivity and favor the humoral arm of adaptive immunity. In addition to ovarian steroidogenesis and immunity, intricate pathways coexist in order to engage a single oocyte in each cycle, while simultaneously sustaining the ovarian reserve. Vigorous proinflammatory, vasoactive, and pigment-related cytokines emerge during the demise of the corpus luteum, influencing peripherical sex hormone metabolism of the level of the macrophage and fibroblast. We propose that annular and lateralizing lesions are important manifestations of hormone-related inflammation and recognition of this linkage can lead to improved immune and reproductive health.
The Effect of Decreasing Temperature on Arthropod Diversity and Abundance in Horse Dung Decomposition Communities of Southeastern Massachusetts
Authors: Kearns Patrick , Stevenson Robert D.
Published: December 2012

Dung from large mammalian herbivores provides a concentrated food resource, rich in bacteria, nitrogen, and many forms of carbon that support a diverse community of arthropods. Detrital communities, while essential to nutrient cycling, are poorly studied. From July 2010 to October 2010, we sampled these arthropod assemblages using pitfall traps baited with horse dung at five sites southeast of Boston, MA. A total of 396 samples were collected, resulting in 10,299 arthropod specimens. We found a highly diverse group of arthropods dominated by Coleoptera (n=3696) and Diptera (n=3791) and noted the absence of hymenopterans, a group that was dominant in previous studies on these communities. The community had a high level of evenness (0.93 Shannon evenness) and lacked a dominant species, with no one species obtaining more than 7% relative abundance. Species accumulation curves indicate near maximum diversity was reached for each site and the study as a whole (93% maximum calculated Shannon Diversity). A strong effect of seasonality was also observed on the community, as shown by a strong shift in community at the end of August. The community sampled displayed a high similarity to previous studies, indicating a cosmopolitan distribution as well as an opportunistic community.
Autotransplantation of Mandibular Third Molar: A Case Report
Authors: Ravi kumar Pabbati , Jyothi Mandava , Sirisha Kantheti , Racca Khushboo , Uma Chalasani
Published: December 2012

Autogenous transplantation is a feasible, fast, and economical option for the treatment of nonsalvageable teeth when a suitable donor tooth is available. This paper presents successful autotransplantation of a mature mandibular left third molar (38) without anatomical variances is used to replace a mandibular left second molar (37). The mandibular second molar was nonrestorable due to extensive root caries and resorption of distal root. After extraction of mandibular second and third molars, root canal therapy was done for the third molar extraorally, and the tooth was reimplanted into the extracted socket of second molar site. After one year, clinical and radiographic examination revealed satisfactory outcome with no signs or symptoms suggestive of pathology. In selected cases, autogenous tooth transplantation, even after complete root formation of the donor tooth, may be considered as a practical treatment alternative to conventional prosthetic rehabilitation or implant treatment.
Angular Beamforming Technique for MIMO Beamforming System
Authors: Innok Apinya , Uthansakul Peerapong , Uthansakul Monthippa
Published: December 2012

The method of MIMO beamforming has gained a lot of attention. The eigen beamforming (EB) technique provides the best performance but requiring full channel information. However, it is impossible to fully acquire the channel in a real fading environment. To overcome the limitations of the EB technique, the quantized beamforming (QB) technique was proposed by using only some feedback bits instead of full channel information to calculate the suitable beamforming vectors. Unfortunalely, the complexity of finding the beamforming vectors is the limitation of the QB technique. In this paper, we propose a new technique named as angular beamforming (AB) to overcome drawbacks of QB technique. The proposed technique offers low computational complexity for finding the suitable beamforming vectors. In this paper, we also present the feasibility implementation of the proposed AB method. The experiments are undertaken mainly to verify the concept of the AB technique by utilizing the Butler matrix as a two-bit AB processor. The experimental implementation and the results demonstrate that the proposed technique is attractive from the point of view of easy implementation without much computational complexity and low cost.