bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thwaites Glacier grounding-line retreat: influence of width and buttressing parameterizations
Authors: Docquier David , Pollard David , Pattyn Frank
Published: March 2014

Major ice loss has recently been observed along coastal outlet glaciers of the West Antarctic ice sheet, mainly due to increased melting below the ice shelves. However, the behavior of this marine ice sheet is poorly understood, leading to significant shortcomings in ice-sheet models attempting to predict future sea-level rise. The stability of a marine ice sheet is controlled by the dynamics at the grounding line, the boundary between the grounded ice stream and the floating ice shelf. One of the largest contributors to current sea-level rise is the fast-flowing Thwaites Glacier, which flows into the Amundsen Sea. Here we use an ice-stream/ice-shelf model and perform a number of experiments along a central flowline to analyze the sensitivity of its grounding line on centennial timescales. In the absence of width and buttressing effects, we find that the grounding line retreats by ˜300 km in 200 years from the present day (rate of 1.5 km a–1). With variable glacier width implemented in the model, flow convergence slows the retreat of Thwaites grounding line at 0.3–1.2 km a–1. The parameterization of ice-shelf buttressing according to different observed scenarios further reduces the glacier retreat and can even lead to a slight advance in the most buttressed case.
Energy resolution and gas gain of an active-target type Gas counter of GEM-MSTPC
Authors: Das Suranjan Kumar , Ishiyama Hironobu , Watanabe Yutaka , Miyatake Hiroari , Hirayama Yoshikazu , Jeong Sunchan , Yamaguchi Kanako
Published: March 2014

An investigation was made on the energy resolution of an active-target type gas counter operating in low-pressure He/CO2 mixed gas for studies of nuclear reactions such as (?, n) and (?, p) using radioactive nuclear beams (RNBs). The dependencies of effective gain and energy resolution on different parameters such as drift field, induction field and GEM voltages were studied. The energy resolution with adequate electric field configuretaion was found to be 3% in ?. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbas.v37i2.17553 Journal of Bangladesh Academy of Sciences, Vol. 37, No. 2, 139-144, 2013
Synthesis, characterization and microbial screening of some new methyl 4, 6-o-(4-methoxybenzylidene)-?-D-glucopyranoside Derivatives
Authors: Kawsar Sarkar MA , Kabir Abul K MS , Bhuiyan Mohammad M R , Ferdous Jannatul , Rahman Mohammad S
Published: March 2014

Regioselective pentanoylation of methyl 4,6-O-(4-methoxybenzylidene)-?-D-glucopyranoside by the direct acylation method provided the methyl 4,6-O-(4-methoxybenzylidene)-2-O-pentanoyl- ?-D-glucopyranoside in good yield. A number of 3-O-acyl derivatives of this 2-O-pentanoylation product were also prepared in order to obtain new compounds and also gather additional information for structure elucidation. The chemical structure of the newly synthesized compounds was characterized by analytical and spectral methods. Synthesized acylated derivatives of Dglucopyranoside were screened for in vitro antimicrobial activities against ten human pathogenic bacteria and four plant pathogenic fungi. The study revealed that the acylated products exhibited moderate to good antimicrobial activities. It was interesting to observe that the selected compounds were more sensitive against fungal phytopathogens than those of the bacterial strains. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbas.v37i2.17554 Journal of Bangladesh Academy of Sciences, Vol. 37, No. 2, 145-158, 2013
Chromium In Urban Soil-Plant-Water Ecosystems
Authors: Mondol MN , Chamon AS , Faiz B , Elahi SF
Published: March 2014

Heavy metal pollution is associated with public health concerns. The study was conducted at the vicinity of the Tejgaon industrial area (8 km2) adjacent to Dhaka City Corporation. To investigate the seasonal extent of soil-water ecosystems pollution with chromium discharged from the industries, municipality, and slums, and its transfer co-efficiency into plants or crops. Composite soil, plant and water were randomly collected from industrial sites by GPS guided sampling procedure during wet and dry seasons, processed, and analyzed. Soils were analyzed for particle size distribution (sand, silt and clay), pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total organic carbon, water-soluble, ammonium acetate extractable, DTPA extractable and total chromium. Plant samples were analyzed for total Cr concentration. Water samples were analyzed for pH, EC, and dissolved Cr concentration. During wet season, the average Cr concentration was 0.16, 0.72, 1.51 and 68 mg/kg, and in the dry season the concentrations were 6.60, 12.44, 23.1 and 248.3 mg/kg as water-soluble, NH4OAc and DTPA extractable and total, respectively. Total Cr concentration was 248.3 mg/kg, which was more than 2 times higher than the tolerable limit. Plant samples accumulated more and tolerated higher amounts of Cr during dry season. During dry season, more than 47% of water samples were found above the WHO standard level. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbas.v37i2.17558 Journal of Bangladesh Academy of Sciences, Vol. 37, No. 2, 173-187, 2013
Use of organic and inogranic nutrients to enhance productivity of turmeric, Curcuma longa L.
Authors: Amin MR , Asaduzzaman M , Mehraj H , Nusrat A , Uddin AFM Jamal
Published: March 2014

This study on turmeric was conducted at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka during the period from April 2010 to March 2011. Five different fertilizer combinations were used in this experiment. Number of tiller per clump, weight of mother rhizome per plant, weight of primary and secondary finger per plant were significantly highest from F2 and lowest from F0. Highest turmeric yield per hectare (11.6 t/ha) was obtained from F2 and the lowest (5.7 t/ha) was observed from F0. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbas.v37i2.17559 Journal of Bangladesh Academy of Sciences, Vol. 37, No. 2, 189-193, 2013
Phylloplane mycoflora of Gerbera spp. and their Pathogenic potentiality
Authors: Yeasmin Fatema , Shamsi Shamim
Published: March 2014

Two types of symptoms, blight and anthracnose, were recorded on two species of Gerbera viz. Gerbera aurantiaca L. and Gerbera viridifolia L. The most common fungal species isolated from Gerbera spp. were Alternaria citrii, A. tennuisssima, Aspergillus flavus, A. fumigatus, A. niger, A. terreus, Bipolaris hawaiiensis, Chaetomella raphigera, Cladosporium cladosporoides, Colletotrichum capsici, C. coffeanum, C. dematium, C. gleosporioides, C. lindemuthianum, C. musae, C. orbiculare, Colletorichum sp.1, Colletotrichum sp.2, Colletotrichum sp.3, Colletotrichum sp.4, Curvularia clavata, C. lunata, Fusarium nivale, F. semitectum, Phomopsis sp., Penicillium sp., Pestalotia sp., Rhizopus stolonifer, Trichoderma viride, one cleistothecial ascomycetes and one sterile fungus. The frequency percentage of association of Colletotrichum spp. with Gerbera spp. was higher than any other fungi. Bipolaris hawaiiensis is a new record for Bangladesh. Among the isolated fungi Alternaria citrii, A. tennuissima, Colletotrichum capcisi, C. dematium, C. coffeanum and Curvularia clavata were found to be pathogenic to Gerbera plant. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbas.v37i2.17562 Journal of Bangladesh Academy of Sciences, Vol. 37, No. 2, 211-217, 2013
Water quality of shallow tube wells as affected by sanitary latrines and groundwater flow
Authors: Rahman Syed Hafizur , Fakhruddin ANM , Uddin Mohammed Jamal , Zaman Md Shahid , Talukder Asish , Adyel Tanveer Mehedi , Sarker Md Mizanur Rahman
Published: March 2014

The present study investigated the probable influence of latrines and groundwater flow on the water quality of shallow tube wells in Shinduria village (23?52' N and 90?14' E) of Dhaka district, Bangladesh. A questionnaire survey was made to collect basic information on tube wells and latrines. Four boreholes were drilled to investigate lithostratigraphy. Twenty one water samples were collected and their physico-chemical parameters (Dissolved Oxygen, pH, phosphate, sulphate, nitrate, nitrite and iron) were analyzed using standard method. Total viable bacterial count (TVBC), total coliform count (TCC), total faecal coliform count (TFCC), total salmonella shigella (TSS) and total vibrio count (TVC) were also made using membrane filtration method. Average depth of the tube wells was 120 ft and most of them were less then ten years old. About 85% latrines were ring slab type and about 50% of these were built during the last five years. From borehole data, a shallow aquifer was identified at a depth of hundred feet from where local people extract drinking water. Although most of the physico-chemical parameters of the tested samples were within the Department of Environment (DoE). But almost all of the tested samples failed to ensure the quality of acceptable level for drinking water recommended by World Health Organization (WHO) due to the presence of higher load of TVBC (5.07 × 10³ cfu/100 ml), TCC (8.44 × 103cfu/10 0ml), TFCC (5.16 × 10² cfu/100 ml) and TSS (1.10 × 103cfu/100 ml). Local geological conditions and proximity between tube well and latrine promoted bacterial transport towards tube well while groundwater flow direction from the adjacent Bangshi River influenced the phenomenon. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbas.v37i2.17565 Journal of Bangladesh Academy of Scinces, Vol. 37, No. 2, 231-243, 2013
Mycoflora associated with the leaves of Senna alata (L.) Roxb.
Authors: Shamsi Shamim , Chowdhury Pranami , Naher Najmun
Published: March 2014

Fungi associated with leaves of Senna alata (L.) Roxb. (Cassia alata L.) and their pathogenic potentiality have been discussed. A total of 8 species of fungi belonging to 8 genera of Deuteromycetes were found to be associated with S. alata. The fungi were Acromoniella sp., Arthrinium saccharicola Stevenson, Aspergillus niger Van Tiegh, Cladosporium cladosporioides (Fresen.) de Vries, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (Penz.) Sacc., Curvularia lunata (Wakker) Boedijn, Nigrospora sphaerica (Sacc.) Mason, Pestalotiopsis guepinii (Desm.) Stay and unidentified Hyphomycetes, C. gloeosporioides and P. guepinii were found to be pathogenic to S. alata. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbas.v37i2.17568 Journal of Bangladesh Academy of Scnces, Vol. 37, No. 2, 249-252, 2013
Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections in Women in a Sao Paulo Quaternary Care Hospital: Bacterial Spectrum and Susceptibility Patterns
Authors: Hisano Marcelo , Bruschini Homero , Nicodemo Antonio , Srougi Miguel
Published: March 2014

Uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTI) in women are very common. Regular analysis of bacterial flora is important to formulate updated guidelines. The objective of this study is to determine and compare the microbiology of UTIs and their susceptibility patterns in a quaternary care hospital. In a seven-year review, the urine culture results of 480 female patients with uncomplicated UTIs were analyzed. Patients were divided into three groups according to their diagnosis and treatment characteristics: Group 1, cystitis at outpatient basis; group 2, cystitis at the Emergency Unit; and group 3, pyelonephritis. Group 1 included older patients, with a higher incidence of concomitant diabetes mellitus and recurrent UTIs. E. coli was the most common pathogen, responsible for 75.1% of cases, mainly for pyelonephritis (87.3%). Of the oral antimicrobials tested for cystitis, amoxicillin/clavulanate and nitrofurantoin had the highest susceptibility profiles (84.4% and 87.3%, respectively). For E. coli only, their susceptibility profiles were as high as 90.8% and 97.4%, respectively. For pyelonephritis treatment, fluoroquinoles had a susceptibility profile <90%, while ceftriaxone and gentamicin had susceptibility >90%. Uncomplicated UTI treatment is becoming more challenging because the susceptibility profiles of oral antimicrobials are increasingly resistant. In our environment, cystitis can still be managed with nitrofurantoin. Uncomplicated pyelonephritis should be managed with ceftriaxone or gentamicin.
Evaluation and Comparison of the Configuration Interaction Calculations for Complex Atoms
Authors: Fischer Charlotte
Published: March 2014

Configuration interaction (CI) methods are the method of choice for the determination of wave functions for complex atomic systems from which a variety of atomic properties may be computed. When applied to highly ionized atoms, where few, if any, energy levels from observed wavelengths are available, the question arises as to how a calculation may be evaluated. Many different codes are available for such calculations. Agreement between the results from different codes in itself is not a check on accuracy, but may be due to a similarity in the computational procedures. This paper reviews basic theory, which, when applied in a systematic manner, can be the basis for the evaluation of accuracy. Results will be illustrated in the study of 4s24p5 (odd) and 4s24p44d (even) levels in W39+ and the transitions between them.
Soil Carbon Dynamics in Residential Lawns Converted from Appalachian Mixed Oak Stands
Authors: Campbell Chad , Seiler John , Wiseman P. , Strahm Brian , Munsell John
Published: March 2014

The conversion of unmanaged forest land to homesites dominated by managed turfgrass lawns continues to increase and has large potential impacts on biogeochemical cycling. The conversion process from forest into mowed turfgrass involves a major disturbance to soil properties and shift in ecological conditions, which could affect soil physical, chemical and biological properties, including carbon sequestration. We conducted a study on 64 residential properties, ranging from 5 to 52 years since development, to compare soil carbon content, bulk density, temperature, and moisture, between lawns and the surrounding forests from which they were converted. Homeowners were surveyed on lawn management practices and environmental attitudes, and the relationships between these and soil properties were investigated. Soil bulk density was significantly higher in the upper 10 cm of lawns compared to adjacent forest (35% higher at 0–5 cm and 15.6% higher at 5–10 cm). Total soil C content to 30 cm of lawn (6.5 kg C m−2) and forest (7.1 kg C m−2) marginally differed (p = 0.08), and lawns contained significantly greater C (0.010 g C cm−3) than forests (0.007 g C cm−3) at the 20–30 cm soil depth (p = 0.0137). In the lawns, there was a positive relationship between time since development and surface (0–5 cm) C concentration (p = 0.04), but a negative relationship at 20–30 cm (p = 0.03). Surface soils also exhibited a positive correlation between fertilization frequency and C (p = 0.0005) content. Lawn management intensity (fertilizer and pesticide use) increased with environmental commitment. Homeowners with a higher environmental commitment had lawns with greater soil carbon levels. Our results indicate that converting unmanaged Appalachian hardwood forest into managed, turfgrass-dominated residential landscapes may affect C depth distribution, but results in little change in total soil carbon sequestration in the upper 30 cm.
Dimers of G-Protein Coupled Receptors as Versatile Storage and Response Units
Authors: Parker Michael , Sah Renu , Balasubramaniam Ambikaipakan , Park Edwards , Sallee Floyd , Parker Steven
Published: March 2014

The status and use of transmembrane, extracellular and intracellular domains in oligomerization of heptahelical G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) are reviewed and for transmembrane assemblies also supplemented by new experimental evidence. The transmembrane-linked GPCR oligomers typically have as the minimal unit an asymmetric ~180 kDa pentamer consisting of receptor homodimer or heterodimer and a G-protein αβγ subunit heterotrimer. With neuropeptide Y (NPY) receptors, this assembly is converted to ~90 kDa receptor monomer-Gα complex by receptor and Gα agonists, and dimers/heteropentamers are depleted by neutralization of Gαi subunits by pertussis toxin. Employing gradient centrifugation, quantification and other characterization of GPCR dimers at the level of physically isolated and identified heteropentamers is feasible with labeled agonists that do not dissociate upon solubilization. This is demonstrated with three neuropeptide Y (NPY) receptors and could apply to many receptors that use large peptidic agonists.
High Resolution 3-D Finite-Volume Coastal Ocean Modeling in Lower Campbell River and Discovery Passage, British Columbia, Canada
Authors: Lin Yuehua , Fissel David
Published: March 2014

The 3-D unstructured-grid, Finite-Volume Coastal Ocean Model (FVCOM) was used to simulate the flows in Discovery Passage including the adjoining Lower Campbell River, British Columbia, Canada. Challenges in the studies include the strong tidal currents (e.g., up to 7.8 m/s in Seymour Narrows) and tailrace discharges, small-scale topographic features and steep bottom slopes, and stratification affected by the Campbell River freshwater discharges. Two applications of high resolution 3-D FVCOM modeling were conducted. One is for the Lower Campbell River extending upstream as far as the John Hart Hydroelectric dam. The horizontal resolution varies from 0.27 m to 32 m in the unstructured triangular mesh to resolve the tailrace flow. The bottom elevation decreases ~14 m within the distance of ~1.4 km along the river. This pioneering FVCOM river modeling demonstrated a very good performance in simulating the river flow structures. The second application is to compute ocean currents immediately above the seabed along the present underwater electrical cable crossing routes across Discovery Passage. Higher resolution was used near the bottom with inter-layer spacing ranging from 0.125 to 0.0005 of total water depth. The model behaves very well in simulating the strong tidal currents in the area at high resolution in both the horizontal and vertical. One year maximum near bottom tidal current along the routes was then analyzed using the model results.
The Storm Surge and Sub-Grid Inundation Modeling in New York City during Hurricane Sandy
Authors: Wang Harry , Loftis Jon , Liu Zhuo , Forrest David , Zhang Joseph
Published: March 2014

Hurricane Sandy inflicted heavy damage in New York City and the New Jersey coast as the second costliest storm in history. A large-scale, unstructured grid storm tide model, Semi-implicit Eulerian Lagrangian Finite Element (SELFE), was used to hindcast water level variation during Hurricane Sandy in the mid-Atlantic portion of the U.S. East Coast. The model was forced by eight tidal constituents at the model’s open boundary, 1500 km away from the coast, and the wind and pressure fields from atmospheric model Regional Atmospheric Modeling System (RAMS) provided by Weatherflow Inc. The comparisons of the modeled storm tide with the NOAA gauge stations from Montauk, NY, Long Island Sound, encompassing New York Harbor, Atlantic City, NJ, to Duck, NC, were in good agreement, with an overall root mean square error and relative error in the order of 15–20 cm and 5%–7%, respectively. Furthermore, using large-scale model outputs as the boundary conditions, a separate sub-grid model that incorporates LIDAR data for the major portion of the New York City was also set up to investigate the detailed inundation process. The model results compared favorably with USGS’ Hurricane Sandy Mapper database in terms of its timing, local inundation area, and the depth of the flooding water. The street-level inundation with water bypassing the city building was created and the maximum extent of horizontal inundation was calculated, which was within 30 m of the data-derived estimate by USGS.
Investigation of the Process Conditions for Hydrogen Production by Steam Reforming of Glycerol over Ni/Al2O3 Catalyst Using Response Surface Methodology (RSM)
Authors: Ebshish Ali , Yaakob Zahira , Taufiq-Yap Yun , Bshish Ahmed
Published: March 2014

In this work; a response surface methodology (RSM) was implemented to investigate the process variables in a hydrogen production system. The effects of five independent variables; namely the temperature (X1); the flow rate (X2); the catalyst weight (X3); the catalyst loading (X4) and the glycerol-water molar ratio (X5) on the H2 yield (Y1) and the conversion of glycerol to gaseous products (Y2) were explored. Using multiple regression analysis; the experimental results of the H2 yield and the glycerol conversion to gases were fit to quadratic polynomial models. The proposed mathematical models have correlated the dependent factors well within the limits that were being examined. The best values of the process variables were a temperature of approximately 600 °C; a feed flow rate of 0.05 mL/min; a catalyst weight of 0.2 g; a catalyst loading of 20% and a glycerol-water molar ratio of approximately 12; where the H2 yield was predicted to be 57.6% and the conversion of glycerol was predicted to be 75%. To validate the proposed models; statistical analysis using a two-sample t-test was performed; and the results showed that the models could predict the responses satisfactorily within the limits of the variables that were studied.
Nilotinib Enhances the Efficacy of Conventional Chemotherapeutic Drugs in CD34+CD38− Stem Cells and ABC Transporter Overexpressing Leukemia Cells
Authors: Wang Fang , Wang Xiao-Kun , Shi Cheng-Jun , Zhang Hui , Hu Ya-Peng , Chen Yi-Fan , Fu Li-Wu
Published: March 2014

Incomplete chemotherapeutic eradication of leukemic CD34+CD38− stem cells is likely to result in disease relapse. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of nilotinib on eradicating leukemia stem cells and enhancing the efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents. Our results showed that ABCB1 and ABCG2 were preferentially expressed in leukemic CD34+CD38− cells. Nilotinib significantly enhanced the cytotoxicity of doxorubicin and mitoxantrone in CD34+CD38− cells and led to increased apoptosis. Moreover, nilotinib strongly reversed multidrug resistance and increased the intracellular accumulation of rhodamine 123 in primary leukemic blasts overexpressing ABCB1 and/or ABCG2. Studies with ABC transporter-overexpressing carcinoma cell models confirmed that nilotinib effectively reversed ABCB1- and ABCG2-mediated drug resistance, while showed no significant reversal effect on ABCC1- and ABCC4-mediated drug resistance. Results from cytotoxicity assays showed that CD34+CD38− cells exhibited moderate resistance (2.41-fold) to nilotinib, compared with parental K562 cells. Furthermore, nilotinib was less effective in blocking the phosphorylation of Bcr-Abl and CrkL (a substrate of Bcr-Abl kinase) in CD34+CD38− cells. Taken together, these data suggest that nilotinib particularly targets CD34+CD38− stem cells and MDR leukemia cells, and effectively enhances the efficacy of chemotherapeutic drugs by blocking the efflux function of ABC transporters.
Laccase Immobilized on a PAN/Adsorbents Composite Nanofibrous Membrane for Catechol Treatment by a Biocatalysis/Adsorption Process
Authors: Wang Qingqing , Cui Jing , Li Guohui , Zhang Jinning , Li Dawei , Huang Fenglin , Wei Qufu
Published: March 2014

The treatment of catechol via biocatalysis and adsorption with a commercial laccase immobilized on polyacrylonitrile/montmorillonite/graphene oxide (PAN/MMT/GO) composite nanofibers was evaluated with a homemade nanofibrous membrane reactor. The properties in this process of the immobilized laccase on PAN, PAN/MMT as well as PAN/MMT/GO with different weight ratios of MMT and GO were investigated. These membranes were successfully applied for removal of catechol from an aqueous solution. Scanning electron microscope images revealed different morphologies of the enzyme aggregates on different supports. After incorporation of MMT or MMT/GO, the optimum pH showed an alkaline shift to 4, compared to 3.5 for laccase immobilized on pure PAN nanofibers. The optimum temperature was at 55 °C for all the immobilized enzymes. Besides, the addition of GO improved the operational stability and storage stability. A 39% ± 2.23% chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal from the catechol aqueous solution was achieved. Experimental results suggested that laccase, PAN, adsorbent nanoparticles (MMT/GO) can be combined together for catechol treatment in industrial applications.
Atoll Rim Expansion or Erosion in Diego Garcia Atoll, Indian Ocean? Comment on Hamylton, S.; East, H. A Geospatial Appraisal of Ecological and Geomorphic Change on Diego Garcia Atoll, Chagos Islands (British Indian Ocean Territory). Remote Sens. 2012, 4, 3444–3461
Authors: Sheppard Charles
Published: March 2014

Hamylton and East [1] reported a remarkably substantial expansion and accretion of land since the 1960s at numerous sites along the island of Diego Garcia atoll. This atoll has a near continuous rim encircling its lagoon, and they reported that the width of the island rim has expanded by several tens of metres in many places. Those results contrast markedly with my own near-annual observations on the ground where erosion and increased seawater inundation, rather than land accretion, is evident in many places. Hamylton and East have never visited the atoll but their results have been picked up for various reasons. Therefore I note possible reasons for the substantial discrepancy between their measurements and my own observations, and propose a resolution.
Small Private Key MQPKS on an Embedded Microprocessor
Authors: Seo Hwajeong , Kim Jihyun , Choi Jongseok , Park Taehwan , Liu Zhe , Kim Howon
Published: March 2014

Multivariate quadratic (MQ) cryptography requires the use of long public and private keys to ensure a sufficient security level, but this is not favorable to embedded systems, which have limited system resources. Recently, various approaches to MQ cryptography using reduced public keys have been studied. As a result of this, at CHES2011 (Cryptographic Hardware and Embedded Systems, 2011), a small public key MQ scheme, was proposed, and its feasible implementation on an embedded microprocessor was reported at CHES2012. However, the implementation of a small private key MQ scheme was not reported. For efficient implementation, random number generators can contribute to reduce the key size, but the cost of using a random number generator is much more complex than computing MQ on modern microprocessors. Therefore, no feasible results have been reported on embedded microprocessors. In this paper, we propose a feasible implementation on embedded microprocessors for a small private key MQ scheme using a pseudo-random number generator and hash function based on a block-cipher exploiting a hardware Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) accelerator. To speed up the performance, we apply various implementation methods, including parallel computation, on-the-fly computation, optimized logarithm representation, vinegar monomials and assembly programming. The proposed method reduces the private key size by about 99.9% and boosts signature generation and verification by 5.78% and 12.19% than previous results in CHES2012.
Fibre Optic System for Monitoring Rotational Seismic Phenomena
Authors: Kurzych Anna , Jaroszewicz Leszek , Krajewski Zbigniew , Teisseyre Krzysztof , Kowalski Jerzy
Published: March 2014

We outline the development and the application in a field test of the Autonomous Fibre-Optic Rotational Seismograph (AFORS), which utilizes the Sagnac effect for a direct measurement of the seismic-origin rotations of the ground. The main advantage of AFORS is its complete insensitivity to linear motions, as well as a direct measurement of rotational components emitted during seismic events. The presented system contains a special autonomous signal processing unit which optimizes its operation for the measurement of rotation motions, whereas the applied telemetric system based on the Internet allows for an AFORS remote control. The laboratory investigation of such two devices indicated that they keep an accuracy of no less than 5.1 × 10−9 to 5.5 × 10−8 rad/s in the detection frequency band from 0.83~106.15 Hz and protect linear changes of sensitivity in the above bandpass. Some experimental results of an AFORS-1 application for a continuous monitoring of the rotational events in the Książ (Poland) seismological observatory are also presented.
Economic Growth Assumptions in Climate and Energy Policy
Authors: Krakauer Nir
Published: March 2014

The assumption that the economic growth seen in recent decades will continue has dominated the discussion of future greenhouse gas emissions and the mitigation of and adaptation to climate change. Given that long-term economic growth is uncertain, the impacts of a wide range of growth trajectories should be considered. In particular, slower economic growth would imply that future generations will be relatively less able to invest in emissions controls or adapt to the detrimental impacts of climate change. Taking into consideration the possibility of economic slowdown therefore heightens the urgency of reducing greenhouse gas emissions now by moving to renewable energy sources, even if this incurs short-term economic cost. I quantify this counterintuitive impact of economic growth assumptions on present-day policy decisions in a simple global economy-climate model (Dynamic Integrated model of Climate and the Economy (DICE)). In DICE, slow future growth increases the economically optimal present-day carbon tax rate and the utility of taxing carbon emissions, although the magnitude of the increase is sensitive to model parameters, including the rate of social time preference and the elasticity of the marginal utility of consumption. Future scenario development should specifically include low-growth scenarios, and the possibility of low-growth economic trajectories should be taken into account in climate policy analyses.
The Hunt for Supersymmetry at the Tevatron
Authors: Sopczak André
Published: March 2014

During the Tevatron data-taking period from April 2001 to September 2011 (Run-II), several searches for supersymmetric particles were performed. The results from searches by the CDF and DØ collaborations are concisely reviewed. This includes results up to the summer conferences of 2013. Model-independent and model-dependent limits on new particle production are set, and interpretations in supersymmetric models are given. Several limits from the Large Electron Positron (LEP) era have been extended. Specific results are placed into the context of the Tevatron performance expectations and a few of the current results from searches at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC).
TRACTOR’S ENGINE EFFICIENCY AND EXHAUST EMISSIONS’ RESEARCH IN DRILLING WORK
Authors: Juostas Antanas , Janulevičius Algirdas
Published: March 2014

Tis paper provides an overview of possibilities for determining tractor’s engine load, fuel consumption and exhaust emissions in real operating conditions. Theuse of accumulated database in tractor’s electronic control modules for the analysis of engine load, fuel consumption and exhaust emissions is analysed. The methodology for analysis of engine power, speed and exhaust emissions’ dependencies, also for analysis of engine exhaust emissions is presented. Tis paper presents testing results of the unit combined of tractor “Massey Ferguson MF 6499” and drilling machine “Vaderstad Rapid” by engine load, fuel consumption and exhaust emissions. Drilling process time, engine load, fuel consumption and exhaust emission components’ distribution are presented in different engine speed and cyclic fuel injection modes. Test results are analysed separately for technological drilling and work processes at the headland. In the technological process of drilling, if the tractor engine speed and, correspondingly, the transmission gear ratio were reduced to get the set working speed, fuel consumption decreased, CO and CO2 emissions varied slightly, but the NOx increased significantly. Significant part of exhaust emissions occurred at headlands. The conclusion is that the fuel consumption and exhaust emissions, including harmful components, can be reduced only by complex optimization of technological processes and tractor operating modes.
Diagnostic Utility of Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Radiography in Juvenile Spondyloarthritis: Evaluation of the Sacroiliac Joints in Controls and Affected Subjects
Authors: Jaremko Jacob L. , Liu Lei , Winn Naomi J. , Ellsworth Janet E. , Lambert Robert G.W.
Published: March 2014

Objective.

To compare the utility of radiography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the diagnosis of juvenile-onset spondyloarthritis in pediatric patients presenting with low back and/or sacroiliac (SI) pain of potentially inflammatory etiology.

Methods.

Radiographs and MRI studies of the SI joints in 26 patients with juvenile spondyloarthritis (JSpA) and 35 controls were assessed independently by 2 radiologists, with discrepancies arbitrated by a third. Radiographs and MRI were blinded and read in separate batches in random order.

Results.

Erosion was common and was the most useful diagnostic feature on radiography [positive likelihood ratio (LR) = 3.5] and was especially diagnostic of SpA on MRI (LR = 6.7). Subchondral sclerosis was common but was the least specific feature for both modalities. Joint space narrowing had some utility on radiography (LR = 2.0) and MRI (LR = 2.7) but was uncommon and had poor reader reliability. Bone marrow edema (LR = 3.1) and subarticular fat infiltration (LR = 4.5), detectable only on MRI, were both useful features. Global diagnostic impression of MRI (LR = 9.4) had very high utility for the diagnosis of JSpA, exceeding radiography (LR = 4.4) because of superior specificity. In addition, global diagnosis of SpA is much more reliably made on MRI (κ = 0.80) compared to radiography (κ = 0.30).

Conclusion.

Specificity and reliability of MRI of the SI joints are superior to radiography for the diagnosis of juvenile-onset SpA and, where available, MRI should replace radiography as the first line of investigation.
Effect of Hydroxychloroquine on the Lipid Profile of Patients with Sjögren Syndrome
Authors: Migkos Michail P. , Markatseli Theodora E. , Iliou Chrisoula , Voulgari Paraskevi V. , Drosos Alexandros A.
Published: March 2014

Objective.

Many studies have highlighted the hypolipidemic action of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ). We investigated the effect of HCQ on the lipid profile of patients with Sjögren syndrome (SS).

Methods.

The present retrospective observational study included 71 female patients with SS treated with HCQ. The levels of total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), and atherogenic index (TC/HDL) were measured at baseline, after 6 months, and 1, 3, and 5 years after initiation of HCQ treatment. Analysis to investigate changes over time was performed in the entire patient group and in the separate subgroups: those receiving (21 patients) and those not receiving (50 patients) hypolipidemic treatment.

Results.

For the entire group of patients a statistically significant decrease in TC was noted (levels before treatment 220 ± 41 mg/dl, and at 5 yrs 206 ± 32 mg/dl, p = 0.006). A statistically significant difference was observed in the levels of HDL (57 ± 14 mg/dl vs 67 ± 17 mg/dl, p < 0.001) and in atherogenic index (4.0 ± 1.3 vs 3.3 ± 0.9, p < 0.001). Patients not receiving a hypolipidemic agent during the same period demonstrated a decrease in TC (214 ± 40 mg/dl vs 208 ± 34 mg/dl, p = 0.049), an increase in HDL levels (55 ± 15 mg/dl vs 67 ± 18 mg/dl, p < 0.001), and a decrease in atherogenic index (4.0 ± 1.4 vs 3.3 ± 0.9, p < 0.001). In the subgroup of patients receiving hypolipidemic treatment, the respective changes in their lipid profile were not significant in the first years but became significant in the long term.

Conclusion.

Use of HCQ in patients with SS was related to a statistically significant decrease in TC, an increase in HDL, and improvement in the atherogenic index.
A PYRAMID-BASED MASS DETECTION SCHEME BASED ON TEXTURE ANALYSIS AND NEURAL CLASSIFIER FOR DIGITAL MAMMOGRAMS
Authors: Lin Guo-Shiang , Chang Yu-Cheng , Yeh Wei-Cheng , Liu Kai-Che , Yeh Chia-Hung
Published: March 2014

In the paper, we proposed a pyramid-based mass detection method based on texture analysis and neural classifier for digital mammograms. The proposed mass detection method is composed of four parts: pyramid decomposition, region of interest (ROI) selection, feature extraction and neural classifier. Based on pyramid decomposition, a coarse-to-fine approach was utilized to achieve mass detection for reducing computational complexity in the proposed scheme. For decreasing computational complexity, ROI selection where a thresholding algorithm and polynomial function fitting were to find the breast area is also exploited to remove nonbreast regions in the proposed scheme. In the texture analysis, the intensity and texture information extracted from spatial and wavelet domains are utilized to analyze each pixel within the ROI. After feature extraction, these extracted texture features are combined with a supervised neural network to detect masses in the ROI. To evaluate the performance of the proposed scheme, the mammograms of 19 patients captured in Taiwan are used for testing. The experimental result shows that ROI selection can localize breast regions well for further analysis. In addition, the average recall rate of our proposed scheme is more than 86%. Therefore, these experimental results demonstrate that the proposed pyramid-based scheme can achieve mass detection.
Declarative Service Modeling through Adaptive Case Management
Authors: Morrison Evan , Ghose Aditya K. , Dam Hoa , Menzies Alex , Khodaei Katayoun
Published: March 2014

Adaptive case management addresses the shift away from the prescriptive process-centric view of operations towards a declarative framework for operational descriptions that promotes dynamic task selection in knowledge-intensive operations. A key difference between prescriptive services and declarative services is the way by which control flow is defined. Repeatable and straight-thru processes have been successfully used to model and optimise simple activity-based value chains. Increasingly, traditional process modeling techniques are being applied to knowledge intensive activities with often poor outcomes. By taking an adaptive case management approach to knowledge-intensive services, it is possible to model and execute workflows such as medical protocols that have previously been too difficult to describe with typical BPM frameworks. In this chapter, the authors describe an approach to design-level adaptive case management leveraging off existing repositories' semantically annotated business process models.
Web and Cloud Management for Building Energy Reduction
Authors: Lombardi Patrizia , Acquaviva Andrea , Macii Enrico , Osello Anna , Patti Edoardo , Sonetti Giulia
Published: March 2014

ICT is recognized as being a key player against climate change: pervasive sensors and actuators can efficiently control the whole energy chain. On the other side, advances on 3D modelling, visualization, and interaction technologies enable user profiling and real-time feedback to promote energy-efficient behaviours. The study presented in this chapter illustrates the development of a Web service-oriented, open platform with capabilities of real-time district level data processing and visualization. The platform will allow open access with personal devices and A/R visualization of energy-related information to client applications for energy and cost-analysis, tariff planning and evaluation, failure identification and maintenance, energy information sharing. The expected results are a consistent reduction in both energy consume and CO2 emissions by enabling more efficient energy distribution policies, according to the actual characteristics of district buildings and inhabitants as well as a more efficient utilization and maintenance of the energy distribution network, based on social behaviour, users lifestyles, and singular demands.
Artificial Neural Network for Industrial and Environmental Research via Air Quality Monitoring Network
Authors: Cai Tianxing
Published: March 2014

Industrial and environmental research will always involve the study of the cause-effect relationship between emissions and the surrounding environment. The techniques of artificial intelligence such as artificial neural network can be applied in the industrial and environmental research. Chemical facilities have high risks to originate air emission events (e.g. intensive flaring and toxic gas release). They are caused by various uncertainties like equipment failure, false operation, nature disaster, or terrorist attack. Through an air-quality monitoring network, data integration is applied to identify the possible emission source and dynamic emission profiles. In this chapter, the above-mentioned application has been illustrated. It has the capability to identify the potential emission profile and characterize spatial-temporal pollutant dispersion. It provides valuable information for accidental investigations and root cause analysis for an emission event; meanwhile, it helps evaluate the regional air quality impact caused by such an emission event.
The Logos between psychology, ontology, and Divinity: Fundamental aspects of the concept of Logos in the early thought of Slavoj Žižek
Authors: Simuț Corneliu C.
Published: March 2014

Slavoj Žižek’s philosophy spans over more than three decades, which is confirmed by the numerous books he published since the late 1980s. Since his thinking about the idea of logos is no exception, this article focuses on what can be termed Žižek’s early philosophy, and especially that depicted in his The sublime object of ideology (1989) and The metastases of enjoyment (1994). Whilst the former underlines the psychological aspects of the logos, the latter focuses more on theories about being, as well as on theological considerations. This is why, three uses of the logos were identified in Žižek’s thought: psychological, ontological and theological, all three with a clear focus on the human being as conceived in modern thought, which for Žižek seems to be utterly opposed to traditional thinking about man and his relationship with God. It is clear from Žižek that whilst the notion of God does appear in this thought, it only refers to the human being which encapsulates the essence of Žižek’s philosophy to the point that the logos itself is a fundamental feature of the human being’s material existence in the natural world. Regardless of whether the logos points to psychology, ontology or divinity (theology), it always emerges as an idea which centres on the human being, with a special interest in how it exists as well as how it works in the world.
Detection of AmpC β Lactamases in Gram-negative Bacteria
Authors: Gupta Gunjan , Tak Vibhor , Mathur Purva
Published: March 2014

AmpC β-lactamases are clinically important cephalosporinases encoded on the chromosomes of many Enterobacteriaceae and a few other organisms, where they mediate resistance to cephalothin, cefazolin, cefoxitin, most penicillins, and β-lactamase inhibitor/β-lactam combinations. The increase in antibiotic resistance among Gram-negative bacteria is a notable example of how bacteria can procure, maintain and express new genetic information that can confer resistance to one or several antibiotics. Detection of organisms producing these enzymes can be difficult, because their presence does not always produce a resistant phenotype on conventional disc diffusion or automated susceptibility testing methods. These enzymes are often associated with potentially fatal laboratory reports of false susceptibility to β-lactams phenotypically. With the world-wide increase in the occurrence, types and rate of dissemination of these enzymes, their early detection is critical. AmpC β-lactamases show tremendous variation in geographic distribution. Thus, their accurate detection and characterization are important from epidemiological, clinical, laboratory, and infection control point of view. This document describes the methods for detection for AmpC β-lactamases, which can be adopted by routine diagnostic laboratories.
Necrotizing Soft-Tissue Infection: Laboratory Risk Indicator for Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infections Score
Authors: Kulkarni Madhuri , GS Vijay Kumar , GS Sowmya , CP Madhu , SR Ramya
Published: March 2014

Necrotizing soft tissue infections (NSTI) can be rapidly progressive and polymicrobial in etiology. Establishing the element of necrotizing infection poses a clinical challenge. A 64-year-old diabetic patient presented to our hospital with a gangrenous patch on anterior abdominal wall, which progressed to an extensive necrotizing lesion within 1 week. Successive laboratory risk indicator for necrotizing softtissue infections (LRINEC) scores confirmed the necrotizing element. Cultures yielded Enterococci, Acinetobacter species and Apophysomyces elegans and the latter being considered as an emerging agent of Zygomycosis in immunocompromised hosts. Patient was managed with antibiotics, antifungal treatment and surgical debridement despite which he succumbed to the infection. NSTI’s require an early and aggressive management and LRINEC score can be applied to establish the element of necrotizing pathology. Isolation of multiple organisms becomes confusing to establish the etiological role. Apophysomyces elegans, which was isolated in our patient is being increasingly reported in cases of necrotizing infections and may be responsible for high morbidity and mortality. This scoring has been proposed as an adjunct tool to Microbiological diagnosis when NSTI’s need to be diagnosed early and managed promptly to decrease mortality and morbidity, which however may not come in handy in an immunocompromised host with polymicrobial aggressive infection.
Cytodiagnosis of Epidermoid Cyst of the Upper Lip: A Common Lesion in an Uncommon Site
Authors: Phukan Jyoti Prakash , Sinha Anuradha , Pal Subrata , Jalan Shilpa
Published: March 2014

Epidermoid cyst and dermoid cysts are developmental pathologies thought to derive from aberrant ectodermal tissue. They are uncommon in the head and neck region. Rarely, they can be found in the oral cavity and buccal mucosa. However, epidermoid cyst is extremely uncommon in the upper lip and is rarely reported. In this study, we report an uncommon case of epidermoid cyst occurring in the upper lip diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC). We present this case because of its extremely rare site of presentation and also to highlight the role of FNAC to in the pre-operative diagnosis of this benign lesion.
Desmoid Tumor in Puerperium Period: A Case Report
Authors: Gurluler Ercüment , Gures Nazim , Citil Ilknur , Kemik Ozgur , Berber Ibrahim , Sumer Aziz , Gurkan Alihan
Published: March 2014

Desmoid tumors (DTs) are rare tumors classified as deep fibromatoses taking origin from fascial or musculoaponeurotic structures. With pregnancy and surgical scars considered in the etiology, most anterior abdominal wall DTs occur in women in their reproductive years, especially during a pregnancy or post-partum. Herein, we present development of DT in a female patient in the post-partum period following cesarean delivery, which manifested itself with a growing mass in anterior abdominal wall. In our case, possibility of hematoma most probably located beneath the fascia was considered initially as a complication of cesarean section based on ultrasonographic examination and location of the lesion, while upon lack of either spontaneous regression with eventual diminish in size or resolve of symptoms within six weeks, further investigation via MRI and tru-cut biopsy revealed the diagnosis of abdominal DT. Radical tumor extirpation with resection of an adequate margin of surrounding normal tissue was applied, and the post-operative period was uneventful.