bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
DNSSEC vs. DNSCurve
Authors: Anagnostopoulos Marios , Kambourakis Georgios , Konstantinou Elisavet , Gritzalis Stefanos
Published: December 2011

Without a doubt, Domain Name System (DNS) security is a complicated topic of growing concern. In fact, it can be argued that the whole Internet infrastructure depends on the smooth operation of the DNS service. Despite this fact, the original DNS design concentrated on availability, not security, and thus included no authentication. Nowadays, this security gap has been addressed by two cryptographic mechanisms: DNSSEC and DNSCurve. They both utilize public key cryptography and extend the core DNS protocol. Although the second mechanism is still in its infancy while the first is well-standardized, they are both promising and are quite likely to compete with each other in the near future to gain acceptance. This work aims to provide a comprehensive and constructive comparison between the aforementioned security mechanisms. Towards this direction, the authors theoretically cross-evaluate and assess the benefits and the drawbacks of each particular mechanism based on several distinct criteria. This is necessary in order to decide which mechanism is the best fit for each particular deployment.
A remark on gradients of harmonic functions
Authors: Wang Wensheng
Published: December 2011

In any

C^{1,s}

domain there is nonzero harmonic function

C^1

continuous up to the boundary such that the function and its gradient on the boundary vanish on a set of positive measure.
Comportement asymptotique dans l'algorithme de transformée en ondelettes. Lien avec la régularité de l'ondelette
Authors: Hervé Loïc
Published: December 2011

We study the asymptotic performance for a Wavelet Transform, in particular as a functin of the regularity order of the wavelet.
Bilipschitz extensions from smooth manifolds
Authors: Huuskonen Taneli , Partanen Juha , Väisälä Jussi
Published: December 2011

We prove that every compact

C^1

-submanifold of

\mathbb R^n

, with or without boundary, has the bilipschitz extension property in

\mathbb R^n

.
Følner Sequences in Polycyclic Groups
Authors: Pittet Christophe
Published: December 2011

The isoperimetric inequality

\frac{|\partial \Omega|}{|\Omega|} ≥ \frac{\rm constant}{\rm log|\Omega|}

for finite subsets

\Omega

in a finitely generated group

\Gamma

with exponential growth is optimal if

\Gamma

is polycyclic.
Phase II Cardiac Wellness at the Adolph Coors Company
Authors: Henritze Joanne , Brammell H.L.
Published: December 2011

A comprehensive Phase II Cardiac Rehabilitation Wellness Program was instituted at the Coors Wellness Center in November 1981. The program is designed to optimize and maintain the physiological, psychosocial, vocational, and educational status of the Coors employee, spouse, and retiree with heart disease. Preliminary results of the program have been positive. Three variables were considered in calculating cost savings for the first six years of operating the Cardiac Wellness Program; 1) wage savings, 2) cardiac rehabilitation savings, and 3) exercise treadmill testing savings. Wage savings for 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, and 1986 were $237,947, $219,336, $168,350, $121,495, and $331,430, respectively for a total of $1,078,558. Rehabilitation savings for 1982–986 were $43,000, $40,800, $47,250, $45,900, and $49,248 for a total of $226,198. Treadmill testing savings for 1982–1986 were $21,930, $14,220, $16,275, $15,810, and $17,670 for a total of $85,905. The first six years of operation yielded a total savings of $1,390,661. This program continues to be highly successful.
Heart Smart School Lunch Program: A Vehicle for Cardiovascular Health Promotion
Authors: Nicklas Theresa A. , Forcier Joan E. , Farris Rosanne P. , Hunter Sandra MacD. , Webber Larry S. , Berenson Gerald S.
Published: December 2011

In response to current dietary recommendations, the “Heart Smart” School Lunch Program has developed a model using the classroom to transfer knowledge and the school lunch program to facilitate cardiovascular healthy eating behavior. Dietary changes focus on reduction in sodium, fat (specifically saturated fat), and sugar in school lunches. Strategies to institutionalize these dietary changes comprise five major areas within quantity food production: menu planning, food purchasing, recipe modification, food preparation, and food production techniques. These recommendations could be applied for use in school health promotion programs throughout the nation.
Pediatricians and Breastfeeding Promotion: Attitudes, Beliefs, and Practices
Authors: Michelman Deborah F. , Faden Ruth R. , Gielen Andrea Carlson , Buxton Karen S.
Published: December 2011

This study investigated both the degree to which pediatricians promote breastfeeding in their practices, and the attitudes and beliefs about breastfeeding which are associated with their breastfeeding promotion activities. We interviewed a sample of 59 pediatricians from a large urban area who had a variety of practice types and differing patient populations. Almost one half of the pediatricians in this study reported they did not routinely recommend breastfeeding to the mothers of their patients. In addition, few specific interventions to assist in breastfeeding continuation were reported. However, the overwhelming majority of pediatricians sampled reported very favorable attitudes toward breastfeeding promotion by pediatricians. Infrequent prenatal pediatric visits and the lack of formal training in breastfeeding and its management are discussed as potential barriers to more active participation of pediatricians in current efforts to achieve increased rates of breastfeeding.
The Use of Smokeless Tobacco among Basic Airmen
Authors: Daly Mary B. , Pierson Wayne
Published: December 2011

The use of smokeless tobacco, including both snuff and chewing tobacco, is enjoying a resurgence in popularity in the United States, particularly among teenage males. In order to assess the prevalence of these habits among young Air Force recruits, we administered a questionnaire to a random sample of 1,954 basic airmen at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, to obtain information on frequency, types, intensity, and duration of smokeless tobacco use in this population. We found that 14.9 percent of the males reported using snuff for an average of 104 minutes per day. Chewing tobacco was reported among 11.1 percent of males with an average daily exposure of 72.1 minutes. The average duration of use of both snuff and chewing tobacco prior to entry into the Air Force was four years. Highest usage for both products was seen among Caucasian males. Users of both types of smokeless tobacco products were also more likely to be cigarette smokers than those who did not use either product.
The Use of Behavioral Contracting to Increase Exercise Activity
Authors: Neale Anne Victoria , Singleton Steven P. , Dupuis Mary H. , Hess Joseph W.
Published: December 2011

A cardiovascular risk reduction program used a submaximal treadmill stress test to evaluate physical fitness. Of the 179 individuals who participated in the health education counseling activities which followed testing, 96 signed a behavioral contract to engage in a 12-week aerobic exercise program. Forty-one contractors fully met contract goals, and 21 reported increased activity levels. Analyses examined demographic, risk factor, and attitudinal predictors of contract signing and contract adherence. Contract signing was related to education, smoking, and women's mean body weight. Only women's body weight was related to contract adherence. Attitudes toward exercise were related to neither. Level of contract adherence was significantly related to a decrease in exercising heart rate at the six-month follow-up assessment. These data suggest that contract signing may be a useful device for assessing client motivation and predicting program participation and behavioral change outcomes.
Sixth graders flip for breakfast
Authors: Stauffer Tiffany C.
Published: December 2011

A coin-flipping activity is meant to show students that a small number of trials may produce a wide variation in results.
Combination of Rigorous and Statistical Modeling for Process Development of Plant‐Based Extractions Based on Mass Balances and Biological Aspects
Authors: Kassing M. , Jenelten U. , Schenk J. , Hänsch R. , Strube J.
Published: December 2011

A rigorous model supported by botanical investigations has been developed to predict percolation results. Botanical investigations provide needed modeling parameters like pore size, porosity, or target compound distributions over the particle. After determining the desorption isotherm with maceration experiments at different solvent‐feed ratios, the model is validated with short residence time percolation experiments. With the aid of this validated model, percolation experiments with long residence times can be predicted and different process scenarios calculated. A combination of design of experiments and rigorous modeling together with standard equipment and experimental model parameter determination provides a fast and robust experimental design on the one hand and the precondition for a process parameter data‐based learning curve on the basis of rigorous modeling in the mid‐ or long‐term on the other hand.
Lattice Boltzmann simulation of MHD mixed convection in a two‐sided lid‐driven square cavity
Authors: Sajjadi H. , Gorji‐Bandpy M. , Ganji D.D. , Kefayati GH.R.
Published: December 2011

In this paper the effects of a magnetic field on mixed convection flow in a two‐sided lid‐driven cavity have been analyzed by the lattice Boltzmann method (LBM). The Hartmann number varied from Ha = 0 to 100. The study has been conducted for different Richardson numbers (Ri) from 0.01 to 100 while the direction of the magnetic field was investigated in the x‐direction. Consequences demonstrate that the heat transfer augments with an increment of the Richardson number for different Hartmann numbers for two cases. The heat transfer declines with the growth of the magnetic field for various Richardson numbers for two cases. The difference between the values of heat transfer for the two cases at variant parameters is negligible but the trend of fluid flow for the two cases is multifarious. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/htj). DOI 10.1002/htj.20402
SCG postnatal remodelling – hypertrophy and neuron number stability – in Spix's Yellow‐toothed Cavies (Galea spixii)
Authors: Ladd Aliny A.B. Lobo , Ladd Fernando V. Lobo , da Silva Andrea A.P. , Oliveira Moacir F. , de Souza Romeu R. , Coppi Antonio A.
Published: December 2011

Whilst a fall in neuron numbers seems a common pattern during postnatal development, several authors have nonetheless reported an increase in neuron number, which may be associated with any one of a number of possible processes encapsulating either neurogenesis or late maturation and incomplete differentiation. Recent publications have thus added further fuel to the notion that a postnatal neurogenesis may indeed exist in sympathetic ganglia. In the light of these uncertainties surrounding the effects exerted by postnatal development on the number of superior cervical ganglion (SCG) neurons, we have used state‐of‐the‐art design‐based stereology to investigate the quantitative structure of SCG at four distinct timepoints after birth, viz., 1–3 days, 1 month, 12 months and 36 months. The main effects exerted by ageing on the SCG structure were: (i) a 77% increase in ganglion volume; (ii) stability in the total number of the whole population of SCG nerve cells (no change – either increase or decrease) during post‐natal development; (iii) a higher proportion of uninucleate neurons to binucleate neurons only in newborn animals; (iv) a 130% increase in the volume of uninucleate cell bodies; and (v) the presence of BrdU positive neurons in animals at all ages. At the time of writing our results support the idea that neurogenesis takes place in the SCG of preás, albeit it warrants confirmation by further markers. We also hypothesise that a portfolio of other mechanisms: cell repair, maturation, differentiation and death may be equally intertwined and implicated in the numerical stability of SCG neurons during postnatal development.
Ultra-coherent single photon source
Authors: Nguyen H. S. , Sallen G. , Voisin C. , Roussignol Ph. , Diederichs C. , Cassabois G.
Published: December 2011

We present an original type of single photon source in solid state, based on the coherent laser light scattering by a single InAs quantum dot. We demonstrate that the coherence of the emitted single photons is tailored by the resonant excitation with a spectral linewidth below the radiative limit. Our ultra-coherent source opens the way for integrated quantum devices dedicated to the generation of single photons with high degrees of indistinguishability.
Zero kinetic energy photoelectron spectroscopy of jet cooled benzo[a]pyrene from resonantly enhanced multiphoton ionization
Authors: Zhang Jie , Harthcock Colin , Han Fangyuan , Kong Wei
Published: December 2011

We report zero kinetic energy (ZEKE) photoelectron spectroscopy of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) via resonantly enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI). Our analysis concentrates on the vibrational modes of the first excited state (S1) and those of the ground cationic state (D0). Similar to pyrene, another peri-condensed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon we have investigated, the first two electronically excited states of BaP exhibit extensive configuration interactions. However, the two electronic states are of the same symmetry, hence vibronic coupling does not introduce any out-of-plane modes in the REMPI spectrum, and Franck-Condon analysis is qualitatively satisfactory. The ZEKE spectra from the in-plane modes observed in the REMPI spectrum demonstrate strong propensity in preserving the vibrational excitation of the intermediate state. Although several additional bands in combination with the vibrational mode of the intermediate state are identifiable, they are much lower in intensity. This observation implies that the molecular structure of BaP has a tremendous capability to accommodate changes in charge density. All observed bands of the cation are IR active, establishing the role of ZEKE spectroscopy in mapping out far infrared bands for astrophysical applications.
ZnO/Sn:In2O3 and ZnO/CdTe band offsets for extremely thin absorber photovoltaics
Authors: Kaspar T. C. , Droubay T. , Jaffe J. E.
Published: December 2011

Band alignments were measured by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy for thin films of ZnO on polycrystalline Sn:In2O3 (ITO) and single crystal CdTe. Hybrid density functional theory calculations of epitaxial zinc blende ZnO(001) on CdTe(001) were performed to compare with experiment. A conduction band (CB) offset of −0.6 eV was measured for ZnO/ITO, which is larger than desired for efficient electron injection. For ZnO/CdTe, the experimental conduction band offset of 0.25 eV is smaller than the calculated value of 0.67 eV, possibly due to the TeOx layer at the ZnO/CdTe interface. The measured conduction band offset for ZnO/CdTe is favorable for photovoltaic devices.
Analysis of biennial outbreak pattern of respiratory syncytial virus according to subtype (A and B) in the Zagreb region
Authors: Mlinaric‐Galinovic Gordana , Tabain Irena , Kukovec Tamara , Vojnovic Gordana , Bozikov Jadranka , Bogovic‐Cepin Jasna , Ivkovic‐Jurekovic Irena , Knezovic Ivica , Tesovic Goran , Welliver Robert C.
Published: December 2011

Background:  The epidemic pattern of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in Croatia is biennial. In order to determine if the circulation of different RSV subtypes affects the outbreak cycle, the aim of the present study was to analyze the epidemic pattern of RSV in children in Croatia (Zagreb region) over a period of 3 consecutive years.

Methods:  The study group consisted of 696 inpatients, aged 0–5 years, who were hospitalized with acute respiratory tract infections caused by RSV, in Zagreb, in the period 1 January 2006–31 December 2008. The virus was identified in nasopharyngeal secretions using direct immunofluorescence. The virus subtype was determined on real‐time polymerase chain reaction.

Results:  Of 696 RSV infections identified in children, subtype A virus caused 374 infections, and subtype B, 318. Four patients had a dual RSV infection (subtypes A and B). The period of study was characterized by four epidemic waves of RSV infections: the first, smaller, in the spring of 2006; the second, larger, in December 2006/January 2007; the third in spring 2008, followed by a fourth outbreak beginning in November of 2008. The biennial virus cycles were persistent although the predominant RSV subtype in the first two epidemic waves was subtype B, and in the second two it was subtype A.

Conclusion:  Over a 3 year period of observation, the biennial RSV cycle in Croatia cannot be explained by a difference in the predominant circulating subtype of RSV. Other unknown factors account for the biennial cycle of RSV epidemics in Croatia.
Increasing body weight and risk of limitations in activities of daily living: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Backholer K. , Wong E. , Freak‐Poli R. , Walls H. L. , Peeters A.
Published: December 2011

This study examined the relationship between normal weight, overweight and obesity class I and II+, and the risk of disability, which is defined as impairment in activities of daily living (ADL). Systematic searching of the literature identified eight cross‐sectional studies and four longitudinal studies that were comparable for meta‐analysis. An additional four cross‐sectional studies and one longitudinal study were included for qualitative review. Results from the meta‐analysis of cross‐sectional studies revealed a graded increase in the risk of ADL limitations from overweight (1.04, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.00–1.08), class I obesity (1.16, 95% CI 1.11–1.21) and class II+ obesity (1.76, 95% CI 1.28–2.41), relative to normal weight. Meta‐analyses of longitudinal studies revealed a similar graded relationship; however, the magnitude of this relationship was slightly greater for all body mass index categories. Qualitative analysis of studies that met the inclusion criteria but were not compatible for meta‐analysis supported the pooled results. No studies identified met all of the pre‐defined quality criteria, and subgroup analysis was inhibited due to insufficient comparable studies. We conclude that increasing body weight increases the risk of disability in a graded manner, but also emphasize the need for additional studies using contemporary longitudinal cohorts with large numbers of obese class III individuals, a range of ages and with measured height and weight, and incident ADL questions.
An investigation of the personality traits of scientists versus nonscientists and their relationship with career satisfaction
Authors: Lounsbury John W. , Foster Nancy , Patel Hemali , Carmody Patrick , Gibson Lucy W. , Stairs Deborah R.
Published: December 2011

Drawing on Holland's vocational theory, Schneider's Attraction‐Selection‐Attrition model, and the Big Five/narrow traits model of personality, the present study identified key Big Five and narrow personality traits that both distinguish scientists from members of other occupations and related these to their career satisfaction. A sample of 2,015 scientists had significantly higher levels of openness, intrinsic motivation, and tough‐mindedness, and significantly lower levels of assertiveness, conscientiousness, emotional stability, extraversion, optimism, and visionary style than a sample of nonscientists (n = 78,753). Seven traits were significantly correlated with the career satisfaction of scientists: agreeableness/teamwork, assertiveness, emotional stability, extraversion, openness, optimism, and work drive. Based on these results, a psychological profile of scientists was presented. Findings were discussed in terms of the functional value and person–occupation fit of these traits for the work of scientists. Implications were described for the recruitment, selection, management, and promotion of scientists, as well as their training, development, coaching, counseling, and mentoring.
Human Coxal Bone Sexual Dimorphism and Multislice Computed Tomography: Geometric Morphometric Analysis of 65 Adults
Authors: Bilfeld Marie Faruch , Dedouit Fabrice , Rousseau Hervé , Sans Nicolas , Braga José , Rougé Daniel , Telmon Norbert
Published: December 2011

Abstract:  The authors studied sexually dimorphic differences in coxal shape using geometric morphometric analysis of 15 osteometric landmarks recorded by multislice computed tomography (MSCT), based on three‐dimensional reconstructions of 65 Caucasian adults. Geometric morphometric analysis, principal component analysis, canonical variates analysis, and other discriminant analysis (Goodall’s F‐test and Mahalanobis distance) were performed for the three separate bones of the left innominate (pubis, ilium, and ischium), the modified pubis (pubis and ischiopubic ramus), the modified ilium (ilium and ischial spine), three bone complexes (ischiopubic, iliopubic, and ilio‐ischial), and the complete innominate. A cross‐validation test was also performed. All areas studied were dimorphic, but results for sexual dimorphism in decreasing order were as follows: the modified pubis, followed by the ischiopubic complex, the iliopubic complex and the complete innominate, the pubis, the modified ilium, the ilio‐ischial complex, the ilium, and finally the ischium. These results show the potential of this approach for future anthropological research.
The melanoma ‘epidemic’: lessons from prostate cancer
Authors: Glusac Earl J.
Published: December 2011

The rise in malignant melanoma incidence has been termed “epidemic”. Closer scrutiny of epidemiologic data suggests overdiagnosis as the true cause of the dramatic rise in melanoma incidence. In epidemiologic terms, “overdiagnosis” describes lesions that are histologically malignant but biologically benign. Overdiagnosis is not unique to melanoma screening but is prevalent in screening for cancers of other organs, including the thyroid and prostate glands.

Glusac EJ. The melanoma ‘epidemic’: lessons from prostate cancer.
A Feature‐Preserving Hair Removal Algorithm for Dermoscopy Images
Authors: Abbas Qaisar , Garcia Irene Fondón , Emre Celebi M. , Ahmad Waqar
Published: December 2011

Background/purpose

Accurate segmentation and repair of hair‐occluded information from dermoscopy images are challenging tasks for computer‐aided detection (CAD) of melanoma. Currently, many hair‐restoration algorithms have been developed, but most of these fail to identify hairs accurately and their removal technique is slow and disturbs the lesion's pattern.

Methods

In this article, a novel hair‐restoration algorithm is presented, which has a capability to preserve the skin lesion features such as color and texture and able to segment both dark and light hairs. Our algorithm is based on three major steps: the rough hairs are segmented using a matched filtering with first derivative of gaussian (MF‐FDOG) with thresholding that generate strong responses for both dark and light hairs, refinement of hairs by morphological edge‐based techniques, which are repaired through a fast marching inpainting method. Diagnostic accuracy (DA) and texture‐quality measure (TQM) metrics are utilized based on dermatologist‐drawn manual hair masks that were used as a ground truth to evaluate the performance of the system.

Results

The hair‐restoration algorithm is tested on 100 dermoscopy images. The comparisons have been done among (i) linear interpolation, inpainting by (ii) non‐linear partial differential equation (PDE), and (iii) exemplar‐based repairing techniques. Among different hair detection and removal techniques, our proposed algorithm obtained the highest value of DA: 93.3% and TQM: 90%.

Conclusion

The experimental results indicate that the proposed algorithm is highly accurate, robust and able to restore hair pixels without damaging the lesion texture. This method is fully automatic and can be easily integrated into a CAD system.
Relationship between aquaporin‐5 expression and saliva flow in streptozotocin‐induced diabetic mice?
Authors: Soyfoo MS , Bolaky N , Depoortere I , Delporte C
Published: December 2011

Oral Diseases (2012) 18, 501–505

Objective:  To investigate the expression and distribution of AQP5 in submandibular acinar cells from sham‐ and streptozotocin (STZ)‐treated mice in relation to the salivary flow.

Methods:  Mice were sham or STZ injected. Distribution of AQP5 subcellular expression in submandibular glands was determined by immunohistochemistry. AQP5 labelling indices (LI), reflecting AQP5 subcellular distribution, were determined in acinar cells. Western blotting was performed to determine the expression of AQP5 in submandibular glands. Blood glycaemia and osmolality and saliva flow rates were also determined.

Results:  AQP5 immunoreactivity was primarily located at the apical and apical‐basolateral membranes of submandibular gland acinar cells from sham‐ and STZ‐treated mice. No significant differences in AQP5 protein levels were observed between sham‐ and STZ‐treated mice. Compared to sham‐treated mice, STZ‐treated mice had significant increased glycaemia, while no significant differences in blood osmolality were observed. Saliva flow rate was significantly decreased in STZ‐treated mice as compared to sham‐treated mice.

Conclusions:  In STZ‐treated mice, significant reduction in salivary flow rate was observed without any concomitant modification in AQP5 expression and localization.
Start-Stop Characteristics and Thermal Behavior of a Large Hybrid Airfoil Bearing For Aero-Propulsion Applications
Authors: Kim Daejong , Zimbru George
Published: December 2011

Air/gas foil bearings (AFB) have shown a promise in high-speed micro to mid-sized turbomachinery. Compared to rolling element bearings, AFBs do not require oil lubrication circuits and seals, allowing the system to be less complicated and more environment-friendly. Due to the smaller number of parts required to support the rotor and no lubrication/seal system, AFBs provide compact solution to oil-free turbomachinery development.While foil bearing technology is mature in small industrial machines and power generation turbines, its application to aero-propulsion systems has been prohibited due to the reliability issues relevant to unique aero-propulsion environments such as severe rubbing due to the very slow acceleration of typically heavy rotors. This paper presents a hybrid air foil bearing (a combination of hydrostatic and hydrodynamic) with 102 mm in diameter designed for aero-propulsion applications, and preliminary test results on start-stop friction characteristics and thermal behavior at low speeds below 10,000 rpm are presented. The bearing could withstand 1000 start/stop cycles with 6 rev/s2 acceleration under a static load of 356 N (43.4 kPa).
Mechanical response of atomic layer deposition alumina coatings on stiff and compliant substrates
Authors: Bull Steve J.
Published: December 2011

In this study, the mechanical properties of atomic layer deposition (ALD) alumina coatings deposited at a range of temperatures from 80 °C onto substrates with differing stiffness including hard, stiff materials (silicon and glass) and soft, compliant materials (PET) have been investigated by nanoindentation. Approaches necessary to extract coating properties from the coating/substrate composite data have been developed in order to obtain reliable data from 150 nm thick coatings on hard, stiff substrates. This has shown that the elastic modulus of ALD alumina increases with deposition temperature as might be expected from the variation in density. Measurements for the ALD alumina coatings on PET using the same analysis method give lower elastic Modulus and hardness values; this is not due to an intrinsic difference in coating properties but is a consequence of the effect of modulus mismatch between coating and substrate on the measurement method. Reliable data for the coatings on PET are therefore more difficult to obtain but can be determined if a suitable modeling approach is adopted.
MACHINED SURFACE ERROR ANALYSIS — A FACE MILLING APPROACH
Authors: LIU EYSION A. , ZOU QIAN
Published: December 2011

In the automotive industry, sealing quality between two flat joint surfaces is directly affected by the surface flatness. To know how much flatness is caused by machining operations, a traditional trial-and-error method has been used. The prediction for machined surface error/distortion can help to assess the integrity of the structural design as well as develop fixturing scheme to optimize machining quality. In this paper, a finite element method is applied to extract the compliance matrix of milling surface of a workpiece, such as the cylinder deck face, and an encoding MatLab program is used to compute the flatness due to milling forces. The paper focuses on deriving analytical models for evaluating the flatness of the cylinder deck face and optimizing the manufacturing process. Some special considerations have been taken to manufacturing cutting force evaluations according to analysis results of the deck face flatness. Emphasis is also placed on the optimization of machining parameters by iterations of flatness results so that minimization of surface deformations under machining loads can be achieved. The methodology introduced in the paper is the closed-loop iteration by combining structural finite element analysis (FEA) simulation, tooling kinematic simulation, and MatLab data modeling.
Covert attention regulates saccadic reaction time by routing between different visual-oculomotor pathways
Authors: Guan Shaobo , Liu Yu , Xia Ruobing , Zhang Mingsha
Published: December 2011

Covert attention modulates saccadic performance, e.g., the abrupt onset of a task-irrelevant visual stimulus grabs attention as measured by a decrease in saccadic reaction time (SRT). The attentional advantage bestowed by the task-irrelevant stimulus is short-lived: SRT is actually longer ∼200 ms after the onset of a stimulus than it is when no stimulus appears, known as inhibition of return. The mechanism by which attention modulates saccadic reaction is not well-understood. Here, we propose two possible mechanisms: by selective routing of the visuomotor signal through different pathways (routing hypothesis) or by general modulation of the speed of visuomotor transformation (shifting hypothesis). To test them, we designed a cue gap paradigm in which a 100-ms gap was introduced between the fixation point disappearance and the target appearance to the conventional cued visual reaction time paradigm. The cue manipulated the location of covert attention, and the gap interval resulted in a bimodal distribution of SRT, with an early mode (express saccade) and a late mode (regular saccade). The routing hypothesis predicts changes in the proportion of express saccades vs. regular saccades, whereas the shifting hypothesis predicts a shift of SRT distribution. The addition of the cue had no effect on mean reaction time of express and regular saccades, but it changed the relative proportion of two modes. These results demonstrate that the covert attention modification of the mean SRT is largely attributed to selective routing between visuomotor pathways rather than general modulation of the speed of visuomotor transformation.
Supplementation of Vitamin C Reduces Blood Glucose and Improves Glycosylated Hemoglobin in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Randomized, Double-Blind Study
Authors: Dakhale Ganesh N. , Chaudhari Harshal V. , Shrivastava Meena
Published: December 2011

No study has ever examined the effect of vitamin C with metformin on fasting (FBS) and postmeal blood glucose (PMBG) as well as glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). The goal was to examine the effect of oral vitamin C with metformin on FBS, PMBG, HbA1c, and plasma ascorbic acid level (PAA) with type 2 DM. Seventy patients with type 2 DM participated in a prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 12-week study. The patients with type 2 DM were divided randomly into placebo and vitamin C group of 35 each. Both groups received the treatment for twelve weeks. Decreased PAA levels were found in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. This level was reversed significantly after treatment with vitamin C along with metformin compared to placebo with metformin. FBS, PMBG, and HbA1c levels showed significant improvement after 12 weeks of treatment with vitamin C. In conclusion, oral supplementation of vitamin C with metformin reverses ascorbic acid levels, reduces FBS, PMBG, and improves HbA1c. Hence, both the drugs in combination may be used in the treatment of type 2 DM to maintain good glycemic control.
Cutaneous Phaeohyphomycosis Caused byAlternaria alternataUnresponsive to Itraconazole Treatment
Authors: Gomes Joana , Vilarinho Catarina , Duarte Maria da Luz , Brito Celeste
Published: December 2011

Cutaneous alternariosis is an opportunistic infection that has been described mainly in patients treated with corticosteroids. We report a case of dermal alternariosis occurring in a woman treated with corticosteroids after a neurosurgery that was unresponsive to itraconazole. Treatment with intravenous voriconazole was initiated, followed by oral protocol, with marked improvement of the lesions.
Medical Necessity in Emergency Medical Services Transports
Authors: Weaver Matthew D. , Moore Charity G. , Patterson P. Daniel , Yealy Donald M.
Published: December 2011

The purpose of this study was to generate national estimates of the prevalence of medically unnecessary emergency medical services (EMS) transports to emergency departments (EDs) over time and to identify characteristics that may be associated with medically unnecessary transports. A previously published algorithm was applied to operationalize medical necessity based on ED diagnosis to 10 years of data from the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey. The trend over time was reported using descriptive statistics weighted to produce national estimates. Nationally, the proportion of EMS transports that were medically unnecessary increased from 13% to 17% over the 10-year study period. Individual demographic characteristics, including insurance status, were not predictive of inappropriate utilization. EMS transports for medically unnecessary complaints increased from 1997 to 2007. Our findings from a nationally representative sample highlight the opportunity for alternative patient delivery strategies for select patients seeking EMS services.
Lansoprazole as a rescue agent in chemoresistant tumors: a phase I/II study in companion animals with spontaneously occurring tumors
Authors: Spugnini Enrico P , Baldi Alfonso , Buglioni Sabrina , Carocci Francesca , Milesi de Bazzichini Giulia , Betti Gianluca , Pantaleo Ilaria , Menicagli Francesco , Citro Gennaro , Fais Stefano
Published: December 2011

Background

The treatment of human cancer has been seriously hampered for decades by resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs. Mechanisms underlying this resistance are far from being entirely known. A very efficient mechanism of tumor resistance to drugs is related to the modification of tumour microenvironment through changes in the extracellular and intracellular pH. The acidification of tumor microenvironment depends on proton pumps that actively pump protons outside the cells, mostly to avoid intracellular acidification. In fact, we have shown in pre-clinical settings as pre-treatment with proton-pumps inhibitors (PPI) increase tumor cell and tumor responsiveness to chemotherapeutics. In this study pet with spontaneously occurring cancer proven refractory to conventional chemotherapy have been recruited in a compassionate study.

Methods

Thirty-four companion animals (27 dogs and 7 cats) were treated adding to their chemotherapy protocols the pump inhibitor lansoprazole at high dose, as suggested by pre-clinical experiments. Their responses have been compared to those of seventeen pets (10 dogs and 7 cats) whose owners did not pursue any other therapy than continuing the currently ongoing chemotherapy protocols.

Results

The drug was overall well tolerated, with only four dogs experiencing side effects due to gastric hypochlorhydria consisting with vomiting and or diarrhea. In terms of overall response twenty-three pets out of 34 had partial or complete responses (67.6%) the remaining patients experienced no response or progressive disease however most owners reported improved quality of life in most of the non responders. On the other hand, only three animals in the control group (17%) experienced short lived partial responses (1-3 months duration) while all the others died of progressive disease within two months.

Conclusions

high dose proton pump inhibitors have been shown to induce reversal of tumor chemoresistance as well as improvement of the quality of life in pets with down staged cancer and in the majority of the treated animals PPI were well tolerated. Further studies are warranted to assess the efficacy of this strategy in patients with advanced cancers in companion animals as well as in humans.
Epigenetic (de)regulation of adult hippocampal neurogenesis: implications for depression
Authors: Mateus-Pinheiro António , Pinto Luísa , Sousa Nuno
Published: December 2011

Adult neurogenesis represents a dynamic level of modulation upon the neuroplastic properties of the mature nervous system, that is essential to the homeostatic brain function. The adult neurogenic process comprises several sequential steps, all of which subjected to an assortment of cell-intrinsic and neurogenic-niche complex regulatory mechanisms. Among these, epigenetic regulation is now emerging as a crucial regulator of several neurogenesis steps. In particular, the active regulation of hippocampal neurogenesis and its repercussions in global hippocampal function are of special interest for the biomedical field, since imbalances at this level have been strongly related to the precipitation of several neuropsychyatric disorders, such as depression. Indeed, growing evidence supports that the detrimental effects on adult hippocampal neurogenesis, that have been associated with depression, might be epigenetically-mediated. Therefore, understanding the epigenetic regulation of the neurogenic process may provide a link between neurogenesis imbalances and the deterioration of the behavioural and cognitive domains frequently affected in depression, thus contributing to unravel the complex pathophysiology of this disorder.

Here, we outline some of the major epigenetic mechanisms contributing to the regulation of hippocampal neurogenesis and discuss several lines of evidence supporting their involvement on the development of imbalances in the neurogenic process, often correlated to behavioural and cognitive deficits commonly observed in major depressive disorder.
Late Intervention with anti-BRAFV600E Therapy Induces Tumor Regression in an Orthotopic Mouse Model of Human Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer
Authors: Nehs Matthew A. , Nucera Carmelo , Nagarkatti Sushruta S. , Sadow Peter M. , Morales-Garcia Dieter , Hodin Richard A. , Parangi Sareh
Published: December 2011

Human anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is a lethal disease with an advanced clinical presentation and median survival of 3 months. The BRAFV600E oncoprotein is a potent transforming factor that causes human thyroid cancer cell progression in vitro and in vivo; therefore, we sought to target this oncoprotein in a late intervention model of ATC in vivo. We used the human ATC cell line 8505c, which harbors the BRAFV600E and TP53R248G mutations. Immunocompromised mice were randomized to receive the selective anti-BRAFV600E inhibitor, PLX4720, or vehicle by oral gavage 28 d after tumor implantation, 1 wk before all animals typically die due to widespread metastatic lung disease and neck compressive symptoms in this model. Mice were euthanized weekly to evaluate tumor volume and metastases. Control mice showed progressive tumor growth and lung metastases by 35 d after tumor implantation. At that time, all control mice had large tumors, were cachectic, and were euthanized due to their tumor-related weight loss. PLX4720-treated mice, however, showed a significant decrease in tumor volume and lung metastases in addition to a reversal of tumor-related weight loss. Mouse survival was extended to 49 d in PLX4720-treated animals. PLX4720 treatment inhibited cell cycle progression from 28 d to 49 d in vivo. PLX4720 induces striking tumor regression and reversal of cachexia in an in vivo model of advanced thyroid cancer that harbors the BRAFV600E mutation.
The Innovator's Journey: Fulfilling the Promethean Promise
Authors: Fortino Andres
Published: December 2011

The story of the rise and influence of technology as a major force in our society is one of innovation. Technology needs to stay innovative to remain relevant and to keep adding value. The economist Schumpeter has shown us that technology moves in a creative destructive path. It is safe to say that the two, technology and innovation, are synonymous. Joseph Nadan, NYU-Poly Professor of Technology and Business Innovation, defines innovation as "people creating value by implementing new ideas." At the heart of that definition is the individual. It is also clear, that every nation and society needs more innovation and innovators to move forward and improve our economic conditions. Understanding who is an innovator and how we can create and educate more innovators is critical to the well-being of societies. To foster understanding it is useful to visualize the innovator as being on a journey. Joseph Campbell has shown us that since ancient times myths teach us profound lessons about the path of heroes that fulfill certain roles in society. One such role, the innovator, has a deep tradition in the myths of all societies. It is important to understand these myths and what lessons they teach us about the innovator's journey. By observing the characteristics of the path they follow and the motivations of the individual innovator, we are better positioned to educate innovators, to nurture them so they are productive in any organization, to recognize them when we are ready to employ them, and to clear a path for them to be innovative when they are ready to implement new ideas. Many ancient myths and stories of heroes are available to study the innovator's journey. The myth of Prometheus is one powerful example. In this paper we examine this myth and what it teaches us about the elements of the innovator's journey and the lessons we may learn to nurture innovation and innovators who benefit organizations. We will also examine how to foster the education of future innovators who, we trust, will push the frontiers of technology and contribute to its creative destructive path. We contend that innovation as a profession is just starting to be defined and that the elements of the Promethean journey can inform the conversation.
Optimal Energy Commitments with Storage and Intermittent Supply
Authors: Kim Jae Ho , Powell Warren B.
Published: December 2011

We formulate and solve the problem of making advance energy commitments for wind farms in the presence of a storage device with conversion losses, mean-reverting price process, and an autoregressive energy generation process from wind. We derive an optimal commitment policy under the assumption that wind energy is uniformly distributed. Then, the stationary distribution of the storage level corresponding to the optimal policy is obtained, from which the economic value of the storage as the relative increase in the expected revenue due to the existence of storage is obtained.
Nearly complete skeleton ofTetraclaenodon(Mammalia, Phenacodontidae) from the early Paleocene of New Mexico: morpho-functional analysis
Authors: Kondrashov Peter E. , Lucas Spencer G.
Published: December 2011

We describe the relatively complete skeleton ofTetraclaenodonundoubtedly associated with its dentition, from the Torrejonian interval of the Nacimiento Formation in the San Juan Basin, New Mexico.Tetraclaenodonis the most primitive and oldest genus of the family Phenacodontidae and is very important for assessing the phylogenetic relationships of the family. The newly described skeleton belonged to a lightly built terrestrial mammal that could use trees for shelter. The structure of the ulna, manus, femur, crus, and pes corresponds to that of a typical terrestrial mammal, while morphological features such as the low greater tubercle of the humerus, long deltopectoral crest, pronounced lateral supracondylar crest, and hemispherical capitulum indicate some scansorial adaptations ofTetraclaenodon. The postcranial skeleton ofTetraclaenodondoes not exhibit the cursorial adaptations seen in later phenacodontids and early perissodactyls. Phylogenetic analysis did not recover monophyletic “Phenacodontidae”; instead, phenacodontids formed a series of sister taxa to the Altungulata clade.Tetraclaenodonis the basal-most member of the “Phenacodontidae” + Altungulata clade.
Re-description of a basal Plesiosaur (Reptilia, Sauropterygia) from the Lower Jurassic of England
Authors: Vincent Peggy
Published: December 2011

The specimen NHMUK 39514 comprises the cranial remains of a plesiosaur found on the Dorset coast during the middle of the ninetieth century. It was partially described and figured by Owen and variously attributed toPlesiosaurus rostratus(Owen) and toPlesiosaurus conybeari(Sollas). NHMUK 39514 is a partial braincase and mandible. It differs from all other Early Jurassic plesiosaurs known including the two species to which it was originally referred. The mandible presents several pliosauromorph characters but the specimen is identified as Plesiosauria indet. because it has several plesiomorphic characters in its braincase anatomy. This assignment will prevent the introduction of a possible chimera in future phylogenetical analyses and paleobiogeographic reconstructions.
A new box turtle from the Miocene/Pliocene boundary (latest Hemphillian) of Oklahoma and a refined chronology of box turtle diversification
Authors: Joyce Walter G. , Petričević Andrea , Lyson Tyler R. , Czaplewski Nicholas J.
Published: December 2011

A near complete shell from the Hemphillian 4 (Miocene/Pliocene boundary) Buis Ranch local fauna of Beaver County, Oklahoma, represents a fossil box turtle. An anterior contact of neural III and neural V with costal III and costal V only, respectively, presence of a small contact between the suprapygal and eleventh peripherals, development of a thin peripheral lip for articulation with the posterior plastral lobe, placement of the vertebral III/IV sulcus on neural VII, presence of two anterior musk duct glands, a rounded posterior plastral lobe, an elongate shell outline, and a complete neural series diagnose the fossil as a new species,Terrapene parornatan. sp. A phylogenetic analysis of fossil box turtles placesT. parornataalong the phylogenetic stem of the extant taxonT. ornata. The holotype of ‘Terrapene longinsulae’ cannot be distinguished fromTerrapene ornataand is therefore synonymized. Finally, ‘Terrapene’cornerilacks characters of crown groupTerrapeneand may therefore represent a stem box turtle. The provenance of the holotype of ‘Terrapene longinsulae’ is more poorly known than previously recognized and this specimen may originate from Kansas or Nebraska and be early Miocene to late Pleistocene in age.Terrapene parornatais therefore the oldest demonstrable representative of crown groupTerrapene(ca. 5.3–4.6 Ma). ‘Terrapene’cornerifrom the late Barstovian of Nebraska and fragmentary material from the middle Barstovian of Nebraska by contrast are the oldest representative of theTerrapenelineage (ca. 14.5–11.5 Ma). A review of morphological characters related to shell kinesis reveals that most are highly correlated. The results of the phylogenetic analysis converge upon those of molecular data when these correlated characters are omitted from the analysis.