bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interaction of Pneumococcal Histidine Triad Proteins with Human Complement
Authors: Melin Merit , Di Paolo Emmanuel , Tikkanen Leena , Jarva Hanna , Neyt Cecile , Käyhty Helena , Meri Seppo , Poolman Jan , Väkeväinen Merja
Published: March 2010

The pneumococcal histidine triad (Pht) proteins PhtA, PhtB, PhtD, and PhtE form a group of conserved pneumococcal surface proteins. Humans produce antibodies to Pht proteins upon exposure to pneumococcus, and immunization of mice has provided protective immunity against sepsis and pneumonia and reduced nasopharyngeal colonization. Pht proteins are candidates for inclusion in multicomponent pneumococcal protein vaccines. Their biological function in pneumococcal infections is not clear, but a role in complement inhibition has been suggested. We measured complement deposition on wild-type and Pht mutant strains in four genetic backgrounds:Streptococcus pneumoniaeD39 (serotype 2) and R36A (unencapsulated derivative of D39) and strains of serotypes 3, 4, and 19F. PspA and PspC single and double mutants were compared to the wild-type and Pht-deficient D39 strains. Factor H binding was measured to bacterial cells, lysates, and protein antigens. Deletion of all four Pht proteins (Pht−) resulted in increased C3 deposition on the serotype 4 strain but not on the other strains. Pht antigens did not bind factor H, and deletion of Pht proteins did not affect factor H binding by bacterial lysates. The Pht−mutant serotype 4 strain bound slightly less factor H than the wild-type strain when binding was measured by flow cytometry. Pht proteins may play a role in immune evasion, but the mechanism of function is unlikely to be mediated by factor H binding. The relative contribution of Pht proteins to the inhibition of complement deposition is likely to be affected by the presence of other pneumococcal proteins and to depend on the genetic background.
Salmonella entericaSerovar Typhimurium-Induced Placental Inflammation and Not Bacterial Burden Correlates with Pathology and Fatal Maternal Disease
Authors: Chattopadhyay Anindita , Robinson Nirmal , Sandhu Jagdeep K. , Finlay B. Brett , Sad Subash , Krishnan Lakshmi
Published: March 2010

Food-borne infections caused bySalmonella entericaspecies are increasing globally, and pregnancy poses a high risk. Pregnant mice rapidly succumb toS. entericaserovar Typhimurium infection. To determine the mechanisms involved, we addressed the role of inflammation and bacterial burden in causing placental and systemic disease.In vitro, choriocarcinoma cells were a highly conducive niche for intracellularS.Typhimurium proliferation. While infection of mice withS.Typhimurium wild-type (WT) and mutant (ΔaroAand ΔinvA) strains led to profound pathogen proliferation and massive burden within placental cells, only the virulent WTS.Typhimurium infection evoked total fetal loss and adverse host outcome. This correlated with substantial placental expression of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and increased serum inflammatory cytokines/chemokines, such as G-CSF, IL-6, CCL1, and KC, evoked by WTS.Typhimurium infection. In contrast, infection with high doses ofS.Typhimurium ΔaroA, despite causing massive placental infection, resulted in reduced inflammatory cellular and cytokine response. WhileS.Typhimurium WT bacteria were dispersed in large numbers across all regions of the placenta, including the deeper labyrinth trophoblast,S.Typhimurium ΔaroAbacteria localized primarily to the decidua. This correlated with the widespread placental necrosis accompanied by neutrophil infiltration evoked by theS.Typhimurium WT bacteria. Thus, the ability ofSalmonellato localize to deeper layers of the placenta and the nature of inflammation triggered by the pathogen, rather than bacterial burden, profoundly influenced placental integrity and host survival.
Cigarette Smoke Inhibits Airway Epithelial Cell Innate Immune Responses to Bacteria
Authors: Kulkarni Ritwij , Rampersaud Ryan , Aguilar Jorge L. , Randis Tara M. , Kreindler James L. , Ratner Adam J.
Published: March 2010

The human upper respiratory tract, including the nasopharynx, is colonized by a diverse array of microorganisms. While the host generally exists in harmony with the commensal microflora, under certain conditions, these organisms may cause local or systemic disease. Respiratory epithelial cells act as local sentinels of the innate immune system, responding to conserved microbial patterns through activation of signal transduction pathways and cytokine production. In addition to colonizing microbes, these cells may also be influenced by environmental agents, including cigarette smoke (CS). Because of the strong relationship among secondhand smoke exposure, bacterial infection, and sinusitis, we hypothesized that components in CS might alter epithelial cell innate immune responses to pathogenic bacteria. We examined the effect of CS condensate (CSC) or extract (CSE) on signal transduction and cytokine production in primary and immortalized epithelial cells of human or murine origin in response to nontypeableHaemophilus influenzaeandStaphylococcus aureus. We observed that epithelial production of interleukin-8 (IL-8) and IL-6 in response to bacterial stimulation was significantly inhibited in the presence of CS (P< 0.001 for inhibition by either CSC or CSE). In contrast, epithelial production of beta interferon (IFN-β) was not inhibited. CSC decreased NF-κB activation (P< 0.05) and altered the kinetics of mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylation in cells exposed to bacteria. Treatment of CSC with antioxidants abrogated CSC-mediated reduction of epithelial IL-8 responses to bacteria (P> 0.05 compared to cells without CSC treatment). These results identify a novel oxidant-mediated immunosuppressive role for CS in epithelial cells.
TheBrucella abortusPhosphoglycerate Kinase Mutant Is Highly Attenuated and Induces Protection Superior to That of Vaccine Strain 19 in Immunocompromised and Immunocompetent Mice
Authors: Trant Cyntia G. M. C. , Lacerda Thais L. S. , Carvalho Natalia B. , Azevedo Vasco , Rosinha Gracia M. S. , Salcedo Suzana P. , Gorvel Jean-Pierre , Oliveira Sergio C.
Published: March 2010

Brucella abortusis a facultative intracellular bacterial pathogen that causes abortion in domestic animals and undulant fever in humans. The mechanism of virulence ofBrucellaspp. is not yet fully understood. Therefore, it is crucial to identify new molecules that can function as virulence factors to better understand the host-pathogen interplay. Herein, we identified the gene encoding the phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK) ofB. abortusstrain 2308. To test the role of PGK inBrucellapathogenesis, apgkdeletion mutant was constructed. Replacement of the wild-typepgkby recombination was demonstrated by Southern and Western blot analyses. TheB. abortusΔpgkmutant strain exhibited extreme attenuation in bone marrow-derived macrophages andin vivoin BALB/c, C57BL/6, 129/Sv, and interferon regulatory factor-1 knockout (IRF-1 KO) mice. Additionally, at 24 h postinfection the Δpgkmutant was not found within the same endoplasmic reticulum-derived compartment as the wild-type bacteria, but, instead, over 60% ofBrucella-containing vacuoles (BCVs) retained the late endosomal/lysosomal marker LAMP1. Furthermore, theB. abortusΔpgkdeletion mutant was used as a live vaccine. Challenge experiments revealed that the Δpgkmutant strain induced protective immunity in 129/Sv or IRF-1 KO mice that was superior to the protection conferred by commercial strain 19 or RB51. Finally, the results shown here demonstrated thatBrucellaPGK is critical for full bacterial virulence and that a Δpgkmutant may serve as a potential vaccine candidate in future studies.
Indispensable Role for the Eukaryotic-Like Ankyrin Domains of the Ankyrin B Effector ofLegionella pneumophilawithin Macrophages and Amoebae
Authors: Price Christopher T. D. , Al-Khodor Souhaila , Al-Quadan Tasneem , Abu Kwaik Yousef
Published: March 2010

The Dot/Icm-translocated ankyrin B (AnkB) effector ofLegionella pneumophilaexhibits molecular mimicry of eukaryotic F-box proteins and is essential for intracellular replication in macrophages and protozoa. In addition to two eukaryotic-like ankyrin (ANK) domains, AnkB harbors a conserved eukaryotic F-box domain, which is involved in polyubiquitination of proteins throughout the eukaryotic kingdom. We have recently shown that the F-box domain of the AnkB effector is essential for decoration of theLegionella-containing vacuole (LCV) with polyubiquitinated proteins within macrophages and protozoan hosts. To decipher the role of the two ANK domains in the function of AnkB, we have constructed in-frame deletion of either or both of the ANK domain-encoding regions (ankBΔA1,ankBΔA2, andankBΔA1A2) totrans-complement theankBnull mutant. Deletion of the ANK domains results in defects in intracellular proliferation and decoration of the LCV with polyubiquitinated proteins. Export of the truncated variants of AnkB was reduced, and this may account for the observed defects. However, while full-length AnkB ectopically expressed in mammalian cellstrans-rescues theankBnull mutant for intracellular proliferation, ectopic expression of AnkBΔA1, AnkBΔA2, and AnkBΔA1A2 fails totrans-rescue theankBnull mutant. Importantly, ectopically expressed full-length AnkB is targeted to the host cell plasma membrane, where it recruits polyubiquitinated proteins. In contrast, AnkBΔA1, AnkBΔA2, and AnkBΔA1A2 are diffusely distributed throughout the cytosol and fail to recruit polyubiquitinated proteins. We conclude that the two eukaryotic-like ANK domains of AnkB are essential for intracellular proliferation, for targeting AnkB to the host membranes, and for decoration of the LCV with polyubiquitinated proteins.
Space Microbiology
Authors: Horneck Gerda , Klaus David M. , Mancinelli Rocco L.
Published: March 2010

The responses of microorganisms (viruses, bacterial cells, bacterial and fungal spores, and lichens) to selected factors of space (microgravity, galactic cosmic radiation, solar UV radiation, and space vacuum) were determined in space and laboratory simulation experiments. In general, microorganisms tend to thrive in the space flight environment in terms of enhanced growth parameters and a demonstrated ability to proliferate in the presence of normally inhibitory levels of antibiotics. The mechanisms responsible for the observed biological responses, however, are not yet fully understood. A hypothesized interaction of microgravity with radiation-induced DNA repair processes was experimentally refuted. The survival of microorganisms in outer space was investigated to tackle questions on the upper boundary of the biosphere and on the likelihood of interplanetary transport of microorganisms. It was found that extraterrestrial solar UV radiation was the most deleterious factor of space. Among all organisms tested, only lichens (
Rhizocarpon geographicum
and
Xanthoria elegans
) maintained full viability after 2 weeks in outer space, whereas all other test systems were inactivated by orders of magnitude. Using optical filters and spores of
Bacillus subtilis
as a biological UV dosimeter, it was found that the current ozone layer reduces the biological effectiveness of solar UV by 3 orders of magnitude. If shielded against solar UV, spores of
B. subtilis
were capable of surviving in space for up to 6 years, especially if embedded in clay or meteorite powder (artificial meteorites). The data support the likelihood of interplanetary transfer of microorganisms within meteorites, the so-called lithopanspermia hypothesis.
Trade-Offs between Competition and Defense Specialists among Unicellular Planktonic Organisms: the “Killing the Winner” Hypothesis Revisited
Authors: Winter Christian , Bouvier Thierry , Weinbauer Markus G. , Thingstad T. Frede
Published: March 2010

A trade-off between strategies maximizing growth and minimizing losses appears to be a fundamental property of evolving biological entities existing in environments with limited resources. In the special case of unicellular planktonic organisms, the theoretical framework describing the trade-offs between competition and defense specialists is known as the “killing the winner” hypothesis (KtW). KtW describes how the availability of resources and the actions of predators (e.g., heterotrophic flagellates) and parasites (e.g., viruses) determine the composition and biogeochemical impact of such organisms. We extend KtW conceptually by introducing size- or shape-selective grazing of protozoans on prokaryotes into an idealized food web composed of prokaryotes, lytic viruses infecting prokaryotes, and protozoans. This results in a hierarchy analogous to a Russian doll, where KtW principles are at work on a lower level due to selective viral infection and on an upper level due to size- or shape-selective grazing by protozoans. Additionally, we critically discuss predictions and limitations of KtW in light of the recent literature, with particular focus on typically neglected aspects of KtW. Many aspects of KtW have been corroborated byin situand experimental studies of isolates and natural communities. However, a thorough test of KtW is still hampered by current methodological limitations. In particular, the quantification of nutrient uptake rates of the competing prokaryotic populations and virus population-specific adsorption and decay rates appears to be the most daunting challenge for the years to come.
Getting in the Loop: Regulation of Development inCaulobacter crescentus
Authors: Curtis Patrick D. , Brun Yves V.
Published: March 2010

Caulobacter crescentusis an aquatic Gram-negative alphaproteobacterium that undergoes multiple changes in cell shape, organelle production, subcellular distribution of proteins, and intracellular signaling throughout its life cycle. Over 40 years of research has been dedicated to this organism and its developmental life cycles. Here we review a portion of many developmental processes, with particular emphasis on how multiple processes are integrated and coordinated both spatially and temporally. While much has been discovered aboutCaulobacter crescentusdevelopment, areas of potential future research are also highlighted.
Hiring and developing minority faculty at research universities
Authors: Tapia Richard
Published: March 2010

Emphasizing the importance of creating more programs and investing more funding toward the goal of developing minority faculty at research universities.
Computing arbitrary functions of encrypted data
Authors: Gentry Craig
Published: March 2010

Suppose that you want to delegate the ability to
process
your data, without giving away
access
to it. We show that this separation is possible: we describe a "fully homomorphic" encryption scheme that keeps data private, but that allows a worker that
does not have the secret decryption key
to compute any (still encrypted) result of the data, even when the function of the data is very complex. In short, a third party can perform complicated processing of data without being able to see it. Among other things, this helps make cloud computing compatible with privacy.
Agent-oriented embedded electronic measuring systems
Authors: Chan Hing Kai
Published: March 2010

Introduction

Agent technology has attracted the attention of academia in many domains in the past decade. It is probably due to the fact that computer systems have been becoming complicated with distribution and openness characteristics. Agent-based systems, or multi-agent systems in general, are contemporary paradigm for software development. Ashri et al. claimed that "the underlying concept of decentralized, autonomous control expressed through agents that are able to communicate and cooperate to achieve goals is especially appealing for applications in heterogeneous and dynamic computing environments."

Jennings refers agent-oriented software development approach to as "decomposing the problem into multiple, autonomous components that can act and interact in flexible ways to achieve their set objectives." Jennings also advocates that agent-oriented software development approach offers the following advantages:

• Decompose a complex problem effectively so that the problem space can be divided into smaller sub-problem space;

• A natural way of modelling such systems because they are, most often, decentralized in nature; and

• Interaction among agents is appropriate for modelling the dependencies that exist in complex systems.

In the instrumentation and measurement domain, application of agent technology is still in its infancy. Dobrowiecki et al. discussed how measuring instruments are related to artificial intelligence, in particular agent technology. They presented a general idea of agent-based system which is "to order a service from an agent and to delegate any responsibility of direct control, rather than to monitor closely the progress of the problem solving". Amigoni et al. claimed that agent techniques have evolved and improved over the years such that "impacts on measurement systems whose nature and conceptual interpretation have radically changed." Real-life applications of agent technology in this domain are not well documented. It is not easy to find a successful application of agent-based instrumentation and measuring system, although PC-based distributed instrumentation and measuring systems are not uncommon. In fact, they are usually configured as client-server systems.

In this article, two real-life agent-oriented applications which are embedded measuring systems will be reviewed. In fact, the two cases are commercial products and have already been mass produced. The reasons why such distributed approach is used will be revealed. In fact, one of them is limited by the outlook design so that two individual functional units (which are agents) have to be built for each final product. On the other hand, the other one is decomposed into different independent units to simplify the software development and product design, which is a collaborative work by three independent companies. Main issues, including difficulties, that came across during the course of development of the two cases with respect to agent-oriented design will be addressed in this article.
A computational geometry method for localization using differences of distances
Authors: Xu Xiaochun , Rao Nageswara S. V. , Sahni Sartaj
Published: March 2010

We present a computational geometry method for the problem of estimating the location of a source in the plane using measurements of distance-differences to it. Compared to existing solutions to this well-studied problem, this method is: (a) computationally more efficient and adaptive in that its precision can be controlled as a function of the number of computational operations, and (b) robust with respect to measurement and computational errors, and is not susceptible to numerical instabilities typical of existing linear algebraic or quadratic methods. This method employs a binary search on a distance-difference curve in the plane using a second distance-difference as the objective function. We show the correctness of this method by establishing the unimodality of directional derivative of the objective function within each of a small number of regions of the plane, wherein a suitable binary search is supported. The computational complexity of this method is
O
(log (1/
γ
)), where the computed solution is guaranteed to be within a distance γ of the actual location of the source. We present simulation results to compare this method with existing DTOA localization methods.
Using mobile phones to determine transportation modes
Authors: Reddy Sasank , Mun Min , Burke Jeff , Estrin Deborah , Hansen Mark , Srivastava Mani
Published: March 2010

As mobile phones advance in functionality and capability, they are being used for more than just communication. Increasingly, these devices are being employed as instruments for introspection into habits and situations of individuals and communities. Many of the applications enabled by this new use of mobile phones rely on contextual information. The focus of this work is on one dimension of context, the transportation mode of an individual when outside. We create a convenient (no specific position and orientation setting) classification system that uses a mobile phone with a built-in GPS receiver and an accelerometer. The transportation modes identified include whether an individual is stationary, walking, running, biking, or in motorized transport. The overall classification system consists of a decision tree followed by a first-order discrete Hidden Markov Model and achieves an accuracy level of 93.6% when tested on a dataset obtained from sixteen individuals.
SensorScope
Authors: Ingelrest François , Barrenetxea Guillermo , Schaefer Gunnar , Vetterli Martin , Couach Olivier , Parlange Marc
Published: March 2010

SensorScope is a turnkey solution for environmental monitoring systems, based on a wireless sensor network and resulting from a collaboration between environmental and network researchers. Given the interest in climate change, environmental monitoring is a domain where sensor networks will have great impact by providing high resolution spatio-temporal data for long periods of time. SensorScope is such a system, which has already been successfully deployed multiple times in various environments (e.g., mountainous, urban). Here, we describe the overall hardware and software architectures and especially focus on the sensor network itself. We also describe one of our most prominent deployments, on top of a rock glacier in Switzerland, which resulted in the description of a micro-climate phenomenon leading to cold air release from a rock-covered glacier in a region of high alpine risks. Another focus of this paper is the description of what happened behind the scenes to turn SensorScope from a laboratory experiment into successful outdoor deployments in harsh environments. Illustrated by various examples, we point out many lessons learned while working on the project. We indicate the importance of simple code, well suited to the application, as well as the value of close interaction with end-users in planning and running the network and finally exploiting the data.
Fast and accurate processor models for efficient MPSoC design
Authors: Schirner Gunar , Gerstlauer Andreas , Dömer Rainer
Published: March 2010

With growing system complexity and ever-increasing software content, the development of embedded software for upcoming MPSoC architectures is a tremendous challenge. Traditional ISS-based validation becomes infeasible due to the large complexity.

Addressing the need for flexible and fast simulating models, we introduce in this article our approach of abstract processor modeling in the context of multiprocessor architectures. We combine modeling of computation on processors with an abstract RTOS and accurate interrupt handling into a versatile, multifaceted processor model with several levels of features.

Our processor models are utilized in a framework allowing designers to develop a system in a top-down manner using automatic model generation and compilation down to a given MPSoC architecture. During generation, instances of our processor models are integrated into a system model combining software, hardware, and bus communication. The generated system model serves for rapid design space exploration and a fast and accurate system validation.

Our experimental results show the benefits of our processor modeling using an actual multiprocessor mobile phone baseband platform. Our abstract models of this complex system reach a simulation speed of 300MCycles/s within a high accuracy of less than 3% error. In addition, our results quantify the speed/accuracy trade-off at varying abstraction levels of our models to guide future processor model designers.
Cache partitioning for energy-efficient and interference-free embedded multitasking
Authors: Reddy Rakesh , Petrov Peter
Published: March 2010

We propose a technique that leverages configurable data caches to address the problem of energy inefficiency and intertask interference in multitasking embedded systems. Data caches are often necessary to provide the required memory bandwidth. However, caches introduce two important problems for embedded systems. Caches contribute to a significant amount of power as they typically occupy a large part of the chip and are accessed frequently. In nanometer technologies, such large structures contribute significantly to the total leakage power as well. Additionally, cache outcomes in multitasking environments are notoriously difficult to predict, if not impossible, thus resulting in poor real-time guarantees. We study the effect of multiprogramming workloads on the data cache in a preemptive multitasking environment, and propose a technique which leverages configurable cache architectures to not only eliminate intertask cache interference, but also to significantly reduce both dynamic and leakage power. By mapping tasks to different cache partitions, interference is completely eliminated. Dynamic and leakage power are significantly reduced as only a subset of the cache is active at any moment. We introduce a profile-based, off-line algorithm, which identifies a beneficial cache partitioning. The OS configures the data cache during context-switch by activating the corresponding partition. Our experiments on a large set of multitasking benchmarks demonstrate that our technique not only efficiently eliminates intertask interference, but also significantly reduces both dynamic and leakage power.
Optimizing rapidIO architectures for onboard processing
Authors: Bueno David , Conger Chris , George Alan D.
Published: March 2010

In this article, we study optimization of a RapidIO network and FPGA-based computation engines to address the taxing requirements of a set of real-time Ground-Moving Target Indicators (GMTI) and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) kernels for Space-Based Radar (SBR). By employing a RapidIO hardware testbed and validated simulation, we determine key trade-offs in design of reconfigurable systems for GMTI and SAR in terms of processing, memory, and network throughput. In addition, we study considerations for timely delivery of latency-sensitive control traffic present in many satellite applications. Based on our results, we propose architectural modifications to further improve performance of SBR systems.
Efficient off-board deployment and customization of virtual machine-based embedded systems
Authors: Courbot Alexandre , Grimaud Gilles , Vandewalle Jean-Jacques
Published: March 2010

This article presents a new way to deploy and customize embedded virtual machine based operating systems for very restrained devices. Due to the specificity of restrained embedded devices (large usage of read-only memory, very few writable memory available, …), these systems are typically deployed off-board, in a process called
romization
. However, current romization solutions do not allow a complete deployment to take place outside of the execution device: they are capable of converting system components and applications into their executable form, but are unable to perform any operation that would require the system to be running. This results in a good part of the deployment being performed by the target device, at the cost of longer startup times, bloat with code and data that are only executed once at startup, and suboptimal memory placement of data structures. In this article, we propose a new romization scheme that allows the system to be started within a virtual execution environment, and thus to be fully deployed off-board before being transferred to its real execution support. We then take advantage of all the information provided by the deployed state in order to analyze and customize it, resulting in a very low-footprint, custom-tailored embedded system. The Java platform is used as a support to implement our romization architecture and perform our experiments. For the evaluated set of embedded applications, we were able to obtain embedded systems which memory footprint was lower than their J2ME counterpart, while being based on a full-fledged J2SE environment.
Iterational retiming with partitioning
Authors: Xue Chun Jason , Hu Jingtong , Shao Zili , Sha Edwin
Published: March 2010

The widening gap between processor and memory performance is the main bottleneck for modern computer systems to achieve high processor utilization. To hide memory latency, a variety of techniques have been proposed—from intermediate fast memories (caches) to various prefetching and memory management techniques. In this article, we propose a new loop scheduling with memory management technique,
Iterational Retiming with Partitioning
(IRP), that can completely hide memory latencies for applications with multidimensional loops on architectures like CELL processor. In IRP, the iteration space is first partitioned carefully. Then a two-part schedule, consisting of processor and memory parts, is produced such that the execution time of the memory part never exceeds the execution time of the processor part. These two parts are executed simultaneously and complete memory latency hiding is reached. In this article, we prove that such optimal two-part schedule can always be achieved given the right partition size and shape. Experiments on DSP benchmarks show that IRP consistently produces optimal solutions as well as significant improvement over previous techniques.
GSFAP adaptive filtering using log arithmetic for resource-constrained embedded systems
Authors: Tichy Milan , Schier Jan , Gregg David
Published: March 2010

Adaptive filters are widely used in many applications of digital signal processing. Digital communications and digital video broadcasting are just two examples. Traditionally, small embedded systems have employed the least computationally intensive filter adaptive algorithms, such as normalized least mean squares (NLMS). This article shows that FPGA devices are a highly suitable platform for more computationally intensive adaptive algorithms. We present an optimized core which implements GSFAP. GSFAP is an algorithm with far superior adaptation properties than NLMS, and with only slightly higher computational complexity. To further optimize resource requirements we use logarithmic arithmetic, rather than conventional floating point, within the custom core. Our design makes effective use of the pipelined logarithmic addition units, and takes advantage of the very low cost of logarithmic multiplication and division. The resulting GSFAP core can be clocked at more than 80MHz on a one million-gate Xilinx XC2V1000-4 device. The core can be used to implement adaptive filters of orders 20 to 1000 performing echo cancellation on speech signals at a sampling rate exceeding 50kHz. For comparison, we implemented a similar NLMS core and found that although it is slightly smaller than the GSFAP core and allows a higher signal sampling rate for the corresponding filter orders, the GSFAP core has adaptation properties that are much superior to NLMS, and that our core can provide very sophisticated adaptive filtering capabilities for resource-constrained embedded systems.
Improved color acquisition and mapping on 3D models via flash-based photography
Authors: Dellepiane M. , Callieri M. , Corsini M. , Cignoni P. , Scopigno R.
Published: March 2010

Flash light of digital cameras is a very useful way to picture scenes with low-quality illumination. Nevertheless, especially in low-end cameras integrated flash lights are considered as not reliable for high-quality images, due to known artifacts (sharp shadows, highlights, uneven lighting) generated in images. Moreover, a mathematical model of this kind of light is difficult to create. In this article we present a color correction space which, given some information about the geometry of the pictured scene, is able to provide a space-dependent color correction for each pixel of the image. The correction space can be calculated once in a lifetime using a quite fast acquisition procedure; after 3D spatial calibration, the obtained color correction function can be applied to every image where flash is the dominant light source. We developed this approach to produce better color samples in the application framework of color mapping on 3D scanned models. The correction space proposed presents several advantages: it is independent from the kind of light used (provided that it is bound to the camera), it gives the possibility to correct some artifacts (for example, color deviation) introduced by flash light, and it has a wide range of possible applications, from image enhancement to material color estimation. Moreover, once that the inverse photo-to-geometry transformation is known, it allows the easy estimation of the flash light position and permits to identify and remove other annoying artifacts, like highlights and shadows. The resulting approach allows to gather in an easy manner a better and more consistent color information and to produce higher-quality 3D models.
Modeling animations of American Sign Language verbs through motion-capture of native ASL signers
Authors: Lu Pengfei
Published: March 2010

Software to generate American Sign Language (ASL) automatically can provide benefits for deaf people with low English literacy. However, modern computational linguistic software cannot produce important aspects of ASL signs and verbs. Better models of spatially complex signs are needed. Our goals are: to create a linguistic resource of ASL signs via motion-capture data collection; to model the movement paths of inflecting/indicating verbs using machine learning and computational techniques; and to produce grammatical, natural looking and understandable animations of ASL. Our methods include linguistic annotation of the data and evaluation by native ASL signers. This summary also describes our research progress.
Haptic/audio based exergaming for visually impaired individuals
Authors: Morelli Anthony
Published: March 2010

Exergames are video games that use physical activity as input and which have potential to change sedentary lifestyles and improve associated health problems such as obesity. However, exergames are generally difficult for the visually impaired to play. In this research, we describe a method of interacting with exergames for visually impaired players.
Letter from the editor
Authors: Harrison Chris
Published: March 2010

After reading this issue, I had to seriously reevaluate my perception and definition of cloud computing. Unsurprisingly, given the wide array of computing models it encompasses, agreement among even experts is somewhat elusive.
State of security readiness
Authors: Chandramouli Ramaswamy , Mell Peter
Published: March 2010

Cloud computing is a model for enabling convenient, on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources that can be rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort or service provider interaction. With this pay-as-you-go model of computing, cloud solutions are seen as having the potential to both dramatically reduce costs and increase the rapidity of development of applications.
A Review of Procedures for Summing Kapteyn Series in Mathematical Physics
Authors: Tautz R. C. , Lerche I.
Published: March 2010

Since the discussion of Kapteyn series occurrences in astronomical problems the wealth of
mathematical physics problems in which such series play dominant roles has burgeoned massively. One of the major concerns is the ability to sum such series in closed form so that one can better understand the structural and functional behavior of the basic physics
problems. The purpose of this review article is to present some of the recent methods for providing such series in closed form with applications to: (i) the summation of Kapteyn series for radiation from pulsars; (ii) the summation of other Kapteyn series in radiation problems; (iii) Kapteyn series arising in terahertz sideband spectra of quantum systems modulated by an alternating electromagnetic field; and (iv) some plasma problems involving sums of Bessel functions and their closed form summation using variations of the techniques developed for Kapteyn series. In addition, a short review is given of some other Kapteyn series to illustrate the ongoing deep interest and involvement of scientists in such problems and to provide further techniques for attempting to sum divers Kapteyn series.
Monitoring of X‐Ray Sources in the Optical Spectral Region
Authors: Šimon Vojtěch
Published: March 2010

We review current results and perspectives of the photometric monitoring of the optical counterparts of X‐ray sources of various kinds (binary X‐ray sources (cataclysmic variables and low‐mass X‐ray binaries, supersoft X‐ray sources, microquasars), gamma‐ray bursts). We discuss the problems of the monitoring of the individual kinds of objects in the optical and X‐ray passbands. We show the importance of multifilter monitoring to obtain a deeper understanding of the physical processes and to resolve between the individual emission mechanisms. We also show that there are brief, unique, and little understood phenomena which are very promising targets for the optical monitoring, for example, flares in intermediate polars.
Mitral Valve Replacement and Subaortic Membrane Resection Following Pneumonectomy
Authors: Us Melih Hulusi , Ugurlucan Murat , Basaran Murat , Selimoglu Ozer , Kocailik Ali
Published: March 2010

The pulmonary status is a vital factor for patients undergoing open heart surgery. The cardiac surgery itself deteriorates the actual pulmonary functions. Today, patients are no longer living with a cardiac disease due to compromised respiratory functions secondary to various pathologies, patients with lung disorders more often seek solutions for their cardiac disease and they are commonly operated. However, the resection of a lobe or a whole lung is a major challenge for the patients planned for cardiac surgery. In this report, we present a 65-year-old patient, who had left pnemonectomy which had been performed 8 years ago and was admitted for mitral valve replacement and subaortic membrane resection.
Anti-Inflammatory Protein ofSchistosoma japonicumDirects the Differentiation of the WEHI-3B JCS Cells and Mouse Bone Marrow Cells to Macrophages
Authors: Hu Shaomin , Yang Linlin , Wu Zhongdao , Mak Nai Ki , Leung Kwok Nam , Fung Ming Chiu
Published: March 2010

Sj16 is an anti-inflammatory protein identified fromSchistosoma japonicum. Our previous studies showed that recombinant Sj16 (rSj16) could suppress host's inflammatory responses and inhibit macrophage maturation. In the present study, the effects of rSj16 on the differentiation of the murine myeloid leukemia WEHI-3B JCS cell line and on mouse hematopoiesis were investigated. Our data demonstrated that rSj16 expressed and purified fromEscherichia colicould suppress the proliferation of the WEHI-3B JCS cells in a time- and concentration-dependent manner, while not affect the viability of the cells. Further studies indicated that rSj16 induced macrophage differentiation of the WEHI-3B JCS cells, and arrested the cell cycle in the G1/G0 and G2/M phases. The macrophage differentiation of the rSj16-treated WEHI-3B JCS cells was confirmed by their expression of macrophage specific antigen F4/80 and phagocytic activity. Furthermore, our results revealed that rSj16 biased the colony formation of mouse bone marrow cells towards macrophage linage.
A Molecular Diagnostic Test for Persistent Müllerian Duct Syndrome in Miniature Schnauzer Dogs
Authors: Pujar S. , Meyers-Wallen V.N.
Published: March 2010

In persistent Müllerian duct syndrome (PMDS), Müllerian ducts fail to regress in males during sexual differentiation. In the canine miniature schnauzer model, PMDS is caused by a C to T transition in exon 3 of the Müllerian inhibiting substance type II receptor (MISRII), which introduces a DdeI restriction site. Here we report a molecular diagnostic test for PMDS in the miniature schnauzer to identify affected dogs and carriers. As our test results suggest that the mutation is identical by descent in affected dogs of this breed, the test could be used to eliminate this mutation from the miniature schnauzer breed worldwide.
Numerical Sex Chromosome Aberrations and Abnormal Sex Development in Horse and Sheep
Authors: Di Meo G.P. , Neglia G. , Perucatti A. , Genualdo V. , Iannuzzi A. , Crocco D. , Incarnato D. , Romano G. , Parma P. , Iannuzzi L.
Published: March 2010

Gonadal dysgenesis and heterosexual conditions are often associated with sex chromosome abnormalities. In this study we report on 2 cases of abnormal sex development involving numerical sex chromosome aberrations in both horse and sheep. A 17-month-old Standardbred filly was sent to an equine fertility centre as an embryo donor due to its reduced size, being much smaller than a racehorse filly of the same age, which excluded it from an athletic career. External genitalia were clinically normal but manual palpation of the reproductive tract showed the presence of a small underdeveloped uterus and ovaries, as confirmed by ultrasonographic examination. Cytogenetic investigation by CBA-banding revealed an abnormal karyotype with X chromosome monosomy (2n = 63,X). A 18-month-old ewe showed distinct heterosexual traits with presence of a vulva (with enlarged clitoris), well-developed abdominal testes and mammary glands. Internal sex adducts were atrophic as seen after mating. Cytogenetic analysis revealed the presence of XX/XY mosaicism.
Anakinra for Difficult-to-Treat Neutrophilic Panniculitis: IL-1 Blockade as a Promising Treatment Option for Neutrophil-Mediated Inflammatory Skin Disease
Authors: Lipsker Dan , Perrigouard Cécile , Foubert Audrey , Cribier Bernard
Published: March 2010

The treatment of neutrophilic panniculitis can be challenging. We report a patient with a difficult-to-treat neutrophilic panniculitis who had a spectacular response to a short treatment course with the IL-1 antagonist anakinra. A 61-year-woman had a 12-year history of a serious febrile neutrophilic panniculitis and a personal history of steroid- induced pancreatitis and life-threatening methemoglobinemia under antimalarials and dapsone. When she developed a new flare, she was treated successfully with a 15-day course of subcutaneously administered injections of 100 mg anakinra. This observation is the first report attesting the efficiency of anakinra in neutrophilic panniculitis. It expands the potential indications of IL-1 inhibition in the field of the neutrophilic dermatoses, or more generally, in neutrophil-mediated systemic diseases. It underscores the potential pathogenic involvement of IL-1 in those diseases, a hallmark of autoinflammation, and supports their nosologic classification among diseases involving primarily the innate immune system.
Ovarian Organogenesis in Mammals: Mice Cannot Tell Us Everything
Authors: Jiménez R.
Published: March 2010

The mammalian ovary shows extensive variation mainly in relation to the interstitial tissue of the ovary, the so-called interstitial gland, and the degree of gonad regionalisation, which implies the existence of a cortex and a medulla. Three mammalian species, mouse, human, and mole, have been reviewed here as representative animal models for ovarian variability. Whereas the human ovary may be considered to have a conventional pattern of development, the mouse and the mole represent the two extremes of the variation range. The mouse is exceptional among mammals because ovarian regionalisation is much less relevant than in other species. Contrarily, the mole ovary is very similar to that of humans regarding the cortical region, but shows a testis-like pattern of development in the medullary region. Thus, the mole ovary is in fact an ovotestis, a phenomenon also described in other mammals. Accordingly, current studies on the development of the mouse ovary are not sufficient to understand the process in a more general context, because ovarian organogenesis is exceptionally simple in the mouse. From an evolutionary perspective, mammals show a tendency to eliminate or reduce gonad regionalisation, in contrast with the situation in other vertebrates, where this trait has been preserved. Since developmental variants may not be associated with particular taxonomic groups, their origin seems to be adaptive rather than phylogenetic. The demonstration that gonad development is a rather plastic process in mammals helps to explain how some mammals could have evolved towards more primitive gonad developmental models in response to selective pressure.
Impact of Mycophenolate Mofetil on Wound Complications and Lymphoceles after Kidney Transplantation
Authors: Lopau Kai , Syamken Karin , Rubenwolf Peter , Riedmiller Hubertus , Wanner Christoph
Published: March 2010

Background/Aims: Despite improved efficacy, modern immunosuppressive agents may show unanticipated side effects. In this study we investigated the possible interactions of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) with wound healing and lymphocele formation. Methods: We conducted a retrospective single-center analysis in 144 patients receiving a cyclosporine A-based immunosuppression with prednisolone and either MMF (n = 77) or azathioprine (AZA, n = 77). Endpoints were incidences of lymphocele formation and non-primary wound healing during 6 months’ follow-up. Results: AZA-treated patients had more rejection episodes and consecutively more steroid pulses, both being potential risk factors for endpoints. No graft was lost in any group and graft function was comparable. AZA patients demonstrated a trend for more frequent wound infections. Fluid accumulation around the graft, however, was more frequent in the MMF group (OR = 2.6; p = 0.03). Consequently, more drainage maneuvers (17 vs. 5 interventions) and sclerotherapies (8 vs. 0 interventions) were undertaken in MMF patients. Pre-assigned risk factors for lymphoceles reported before did not differ between both cohorts; patients experiencing acute rejection episodes had even less symptomatic lymphoceles (n = 23). Conclusion: We found a possible relationship between the administration of MMF and lymphocele formation. To avoid the hazard of reinterventions, the prolongation of hospitalization and impairment of graft function, it requires awareness and attention in patients treated with this immunosuppressant.
FPTIII Mitigates Peroxisome-Mediated Oxidative Stress in Kidneys of Spontaneously Hypertensive Diabetic Rats
Authors: Dhaunsi Gursev S. , Yousif Mariam H.M. , Benter Ibrahim F.
Published: March 2010

Aim: Peroxisomes are known to play a role in cellular oxidative stress during pathogenesis of diabetes and hypertension. We reported earlier that FPTIII (a farnesyl protein transferase inhibitor) attenuates ischemia-reperfusion injury and renal dysfunction in diabetic hypertensive (DH) rats. In this study, we have examined the effect of FPTIII on peroxisomal enzymes in relation to oxidative stress in kidneys of DH rats. Methods: Male Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) rats were treated with streptozotocin (STZ) and/or FPTIII. Activities of key peroxisomal enzymes, catalase, acyl-CoA oxidase and β-oxidation of lignoceric acid were measured in kidney homogenates. Lipid peroxidation in kidney was measured by malondialdehyde (MDA) assay. Results: Catalase activity was significantly (p < 0.01) reduced in diabetic WKY or SHR, and FPTIII markedly attenuated (p < 0.01) diabetes-induced inhibition of catalase. FPTIII also reduced STZ-induced increase in acyl-CoA oxidase activity. Fatty acid β-oxidation and lipid peroxides were significantly increased in kidneys of DH rats. FPTIII reduced (p < 0.01) diabetes and hypertension-induced increase in fatty acid oxidation and lipid peroxides. Conclusion: Our results suggest that farnesyl transferase inhibition modulates peroxisome enzyme activities and alleviates oxidative stress, thus providing a possible mechanism for reported FPTIII-mediated protection against renal dysfunction in DH rats.