bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Factors controlling epiphytic lichen biomass during postfire succession in black spruce boreal forests
Authors: Boudreault Catherine , Bergeron Yves , Coxson Darwyn
Published: December 2009

Alectorioid lichens are the dominant group of epiphytic lichens in boreal forests. Epiphytic lichen richness and abundance generally increase with stand age and within-stand heterogeneity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the importance of time elapsed since the last fire, stand structure, tree size, tree age, and branch height for epiphytic lichen biomass of the boreal forest of western Quebec. We sampled 12 sites belonging to four forest age classes (from 50 to >200 years). We assessed epiphytic lichen biomass of three species groups ( Bryoria , Evernia , and Usnea ) on 12 trees in each site. Our results showed that biomass of Bryoria and Usnea was higher in intermediate stages (between 101 and 200 years) compared with younger (50–100 years) and older (>200 years) stages. Biomass of the three species groups was greater on larger diameter trees (>16 cm) compared with smaller ones (<16 cm). These results indicate that the protection of postfire stands aged between 101 and 200 year should be prioritized to maintain the functional role of epiphytic lichens in managed landscapes.
Cost-effectiveness of leaf energy and resource investment of invasive Berberis thunbergii and co-occurring native shrubs
Authors: Boyd Jennifer Nagel , Xu Cheng-Yuan , Griffin Kevin L.
Published: December 2009

Photosynthetic energy gain and biomass energy and resource investment represent trade-offs between potential enhancements and limitations to plant productivity, respectively. We compared these characteristics in the exotic invasive Berberis thunbergii DC. with that of co-occurring natives Kalmia latifolia L. and Vaccinium corymbosum L. in a northeastern United States forest. We hypothesized that invasion by B. thunbergii could be facilitated by a lower leaf construction cost (CC) and reduced leaf nitrogen content (N) relative to photosynthetic rate (A) and maximum photosynthetic capacity (Amax), which would afford it greater energy-use efficiency (EUE) and nitrogen-use efficiency (NUE), and maximums of these variables (EUEmaxand NUEmax), compared with native shrubs. Although B. thunbergii and K. latifolia exhibited similar peak-season A and Amax, EUE, EUEmax, and NUEmaxwere greater in B. thunbergii, which exhibited lower leaf CC and density. In contrast, EUE, EUEmax, NUE, and NUEmaxdid not differ between B. thunbergii and V. corymbosum given their similar A, Amax, and area-based leaf CC and leaf N. Considered with leaf phenology, our results suggest two distinct physiological mechanisms could influence B. thunbergii invasion. Specifically, deciduous B. thunbergii exhibited greater cost-effectiveness than evergreen K. latifolia, while a longer payback time for photosynthetic energy gain could offset instantaneous similarities in cost-effectiveness of earlier leafing B. thunbergii and deciduous V. corymbosum.
The dynamics of a mountain mixed forest under wind disturbances in the Tatra Mountains, central Europe — a dendroecological reconstruction
Authors: Zielonka Tomasz , Malcher Piotr
Published: December 2009

Windstorms are among the most severe disturbances that affect mountain forests in central Europe. This study was conducted in a windthrow area resulting from a windstorm of an enormous scale in November 2004 in the Slovakian High Tatras Mountains. In this study, we used dendrochronological methods to determine the age structure and growth pattern of 529 Norway spruce ( Picea abies (L.) Karst) and 103 European larch ( Larix decidua Mill) during the last 200 years by examining cross sections of stumps. The multiage structure of the spruce indicated that this species regenerated constantly throughout the reconstruction period. The age structure of the larch was distinctly bimodal with only two ca. 20 year periods of regeneration. The initiation of larch recruitment overlapped in time with release pulses and showed severe disturbance events. A sudden and simultaneous production of compression wood and resin pockets in survivor trees indicated that wind was the most probable disturbance factor. The current composition of the stand with coexisting spruce and larch was a result of infrequent and severe windstorms events. Larch benefits from broader openings and regenerates in recruitment pulses once or twice per century, whereas spruce may regenerate constantly taking advantage of small-scale, gap-phase processes. Such a disturbance scenario allows the light-demanding larch to coexist among the more shade-tolerant spruce.
A global climatic risk assessment of pitch canker disease
Authors: Ganley Rebecca J. , Watt Michael S. , Manning Lucy , Iturritxa Eugenia
Published: December 2009

Pitch canker is a devastating disease of Pinus spp. and Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco. The pathogen responsible for this disease, Fusarium circinatum Nirenberg & O'Donnell, has spread to many countries within the last three decades. The susceptibility of the widely planted commercial species Pinus radiata D.Don to this pathogen has been of concern to pine forest industries worldwide. Using the process-based distribution program CLIMEX, the global risk of pitch canker establishment was predicted based on a number of climatic variables. The predicted risk of pitch canker establishment by CLIMEX fit well with regions known to have the disease, such as the southeastern United States and Spain. Conversely, the model predicted that the climate in California was not optimal for pitch canker, which fits with the observed lower frequency of natural infections and the strong association with insects in this region. Likewise, Chile, which is known to have F. circinatum in the nurseries but not in the plantation forests, was also predicted to have marginal to suitable climatic conditions for pitch canker establishment. Regions of China, Brazil, Australia, and New Zealand were predicted to have optimal climate conditions for disease establishment. Thus, continued strict quarantine regulations are recommended to prevent the establishment and spread of this pathogen in these countries.
Behaviour ofNeonectria fuckelianacausing a pine canker disease in New Zealand
Authors: Crane Patricia E. , Hopkins Anna J.M. , Dick Margaret A. , Bulman Lindsay S.
Published: December 2009

Neonectria fuckeliana (C. Booth) Castl. & Rossman is known to be associated with a stem canker disease of Pinus radiata D. Don in New Zealand plantation forests. Although N. fuckeliana has been previously recorded as a wound invader or weak pathogen of Picea and Abies species in the Northern Hemisphere, little is currently known about the basic biology of the fungus. This paper outlines early investigations into the spore production and dispersal of N. fuckeliana in New Zealand. Perithecia of N. fuckeliana occur frequently on pruned stubs and on the surface of cankers, and ascospores appear to be the primary means of dispersal for this fungus in New Zealand. Both field collections and spore trapping show that mature perithecia contain viable ascospores in all seasons, and spores are ejected and dispersed using moisture. The conidial phases are rarely found in the field. Optimum temperature for both growth of mycelium and ascospore germination was between 15 and 25 °C. Some spore germination occurred at temperatures as low as 5 °C, but above 25 °C spore germination was abnormal. Ascospores and perithecia favoured storage in lower temperatures: overall, ascospores from perithecia stored at room temperature gradually lost their viability, whereas those stored at 4 and –8 °C maintained their viability over an 18 month period.
Longevity and dynamics of fatally and nonfatally topped Douglas-fir in the Coast Range of Oregon
Authors: Huff Tristan D. , Bailey John D.
Published: December 2009

Worldwide, snags are an important, but often lacking, component of forest ecosystems. We revisited artificially topped Douglas-fir ( Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) trees 16–18 years after treatment in a replicated experiment in western Oregon. Some trees had been topped such that no live crown was retained (fatally topped), while others retained some portion of their live crown after topping (nonfatally topped). Topped trees were created under three different silvicultural regimes: clearcut, two story, and group selection. Twenty-three percent (61 of 262) of nonfatally topped trees remained living 16–18 years after treatment; 4% (19 of 482) of fatally topped trees had broken at some point up the bole by 16–18 years after treatment. Silvicultural regime, post-treatment height, stem diameter, stem lean, and ground slope were considered as potential explanatory variables in logistic regression models explaining mortality and breakage. A nonfatally topped tree’s odds of surviving 16–18 years after treatment was greater in the mature matrix of group selection stands than in clearcuts or two-story stands. A fatally topped tree’s odds of breaking within 16–18 years of treatment decreased as DBH increased. If carefully created, artificially topping trees can be a useful silvicultural tool to increase structural heterogeneity.
Abundance and distribution of cavity trees in an old-growth subtropical montane evergreen broad-leaved forest
Authors: Zheng Zheng , Zhang Shubin , Yang Guoping , Tang Yong , Baskin Jerry , Baskin Carol , Yang Lianyan
Published: December 2009

We examined the relationship between the density of cavity trees and forest structure characteristics and explored the occurrence of cavity trees among different tree species and diameter breast height (DBH) size in a subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest in the Ailao Mountains in southwestern China. Cavity trees accounted for 7.9% of living trees and 16.3% of dead trees. Average density of living cavity trees (86.3 trees·ha–1) was 6.9 times that of dead cavity trees. Density of living cavity trees was positively correlated with the density of living trees. Cavity trees showed a skewed distribution among DBH classes that peaked at DBHs of 20–40 cm. Moreover, the probability that a living tree was cavity-bearing was logistically related to DBH. Overall, the likelihood of trees being cavity-bearing differed significantly among species. The proportions of cavity trees among the 23 species having more than 63 trees were positively related to the average DBH and to the largest DBH recorded for each species. We suggest that (1) living tree density is important in determining density of cavity trees and (2) differences in proportion of living cavity trees among species is caused mostly by differences in average DBH of each species.
BENCHMARK ANALYSIS AND APPLICATION RESULTS FOR LATTICE BOLTZMANN SIMULATIONS ON NEC SX VECTOR AND INTEL NEHALEM SYSTEMS
Authors: ZEISER THOMAS , HAGER GEORG , WELLEIN GERHARD
Published: December 2009

Classic vector systems have all but vanished from recent TOP500 lists. Looking at the recently introduced NEC SX-9 series, we benchmark its memory subsystem using the low level vector triad and employ the kernel of an advanced lattice Boltzmann flow solver to demonstrate that classic vectors still combine excellent performance with a well-established optimization approach. To investigate the multi-node performance, the flow field in a real porous medium is simulated using the hybrid MPI/OpenMP parallel ILBDC lattice Boltzmann application code. Results for a commodity Intel Nehalem-based cluster are provided for comparison. Clusters can keep up with the vector systems, however, require massive parallelism and thus much more effort to provide a good domain decomposition.
HARNESSING THE POWER OF IDLE GPUS FOR ACCELERATION OF BIOLOGICAL SEQUENCE ALIGNMENT
Authors: INO FUMIHIKO , KOTANI YUKI , MUNEKAWA YUMA , HAGIHARA KENICHI
Published: December 2009

This paper presents a parallel system capable of accelerating biological sequence alignment on the graphics processing unit (GPU) grid. The GPU grid in this paper is a desktop grid system that utilizes idle GPUs and CPUs in the office and home. Our parallel implementation employs a master-worker paradigm to accelerate an OpenGL-based algorithm that runs on a single GPU. We integrate this implementation into a screensaver-based grid system that detects idle resources on which the alignment code can run. We also show some experimental results comparing our implementation with three different implementations running on a single GPU, a single CPU, or multiple CPUs. As a result, we find that a single non-dedicated GPU can provide us almost the same throughput as two dedicated CPUs in our laboratory environment, where GPU-equipped machines are ordinarily used to develop GPU applications. In a dedicated environment, the GPU-accelerated code achieves five times higher throughput than the CPU-based code. Furthermore, a linear speedup of 30.7X is observed on a 32-node cluster of dedicated GPUs. We also implement a compute unified device architecture (CUDA) based algorithm to demonstrate further acceleration.
QUANTIFYING NETWORK CONTENTION ON LARGE PARALLEL MACHINES
Authors: BHATELÉ ABHINAV , KALÉ LAXMIKANT V.
Published: December 2009

In the early years of parallel computing research, significant theoretical studies were done on interconnect topologies and topology aware mapping for parallel computers. With the deployment of virtual cut-through, wormhole routing and faster interconnects, message latencies reduced and research in the area died down. This article shows that network topology has become important again with the emergence of very large supercomputers, typically connected as a 3D torus or mesh. It presents a quantitative study on the effect of contention on message latencies on torus and mesh networks.

Several MPI benchmarks are used to evaluate the effect of hops (links) traversed by messages, on their latencies. The benchmarks demonstrate that when multiple messages compete for network resources, link occupancy or contention can increase message latencies by up to a factor of 8 times on some architectures. Results are shown for three parallel machines – ANL's IBM Blue Gene/P (Surveyor), RNL's Cray XT4 (Jaguar) and PSC's Cray XT3 (BigBen). Findings in this article suggest that application developers should now consider interconnect topologies when mapping tasks to processors in order to obtain the best performance on large parallel machines.
PION FORM FACTOR IN QCD SUM RULES WITH NONLOCAL CONDENSATES AND IN THE LOCAL-DUALITY APPROACH
Authors: BAKULEV A. P. , PIMIKOV A. V. , STEFANIS N. G.
Published: December 2009

We discuss the QCD sum-rule approach for the spacelike electromagnetic pion form factor in the O(αs) approximation. We show that the nonlocality of the condensates is a key point to include nonperturbative contributions to the pion form factor. We compare our results with the Local-Duality predictions and show that the continuum threshold s0(Q2) parameter is highly underestimated in the Local-Duality approach at Q2 ≳ 2 GeV 2. Using our fit for this parameter, [Formula: see text] and applying the fractional analytic perturbation theory, we estimate with an accuracy of the order of 1% the [Formula: see text] contribution to the pion's form factor.
THE SPIN STRUCTURE OF THE NUCLEON IN LIGHT-CONE QUARK MODELS
Authors: PASQUINI B. , BOFFI S. , SCHWEITZER P.
Published: December 2009

The quark spin densities related to generalized parton distributions in impact-parameter space and to transverse-momentum dependent parton distributions are reviewed within a light-cone quark model, with focus on the role of the different spin-spin and spin-orbit correlations of quarks. Results for azimuthal spin asymmetries in semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering due to T -even transverse-momentum dependent parton distributions are also discussed.
FINAL STATE INTERACTIONS AND THE TRANSVERSE STRUCTURE OF PION
Authors: GAMBERG LEONARD , SCHLEGEL MARC
Published: December 2009

In the factorized picture of semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering the naive time reversal-odd parton distributions exist by virtue of the gauge link which is intrinsic to their definition. The link structure describes initial/final-state interactions of the active parton due to soft gluon exchanges with the target remnant. Though these interactions are non-perturbative, calculations of final-state interaction have been performed in a perturbative one-gluon approximation. We include higher-order contributions by applying non-perturbative eikonal methods to calculate the Boer-Mulders function of the pion. Using this framework we explore under what conditions the Boer Mulders function can be described in terms of factorization of final state interactions and a spatial distortion.
UNVAIL THE MYSTERIOUS OF THE SINGLE SPIN ASYMMETRY
Authors: YUAN FENG
Published: December 2009

Single transverse-spin asymmetry in high energy hadronic reaction has been greatly investigated from both experiment and theory sides in the last few years. In this talk, I will summarize some recent theoretical developments, which, in my opinion, help to unvail the mysterious of the single spin asymmetry.
TRANSVERSE SPIN AND TRANSVERSE MOMENTUM EFFECTS AT COMPASS
Authors: BRADAMANTE FRANCO
Published: December 2009

The study of transverse spin and transverse momentum effects is part of the scientific program of COMPASS, a fixed target experiment at the CERN SPS. For these studies, a 160 GeV/c momentum muon beam is scattered on a transversely polarized nucleon target, and the scattered muon and the forward going hadrons produced in DIS processes are reconstructed and identified in a magnetic spectrometer. The measurements have been performed on a deuteron target in 2002, 2003 and 2004, and on a proton target in 2007. The main results obtained measuring single spin asymmetries are reviewed, with particular emphasis on the most recent proton measurements. After two years of spectroscopy measurements with hadron beams, in 2008 and 2009, the Collaboration will resume measurements with the muon beam and a transversely polarized target in 2010.
SMALL-x EVOLUTION IN THE NEXT-TO-LEADING ORDER
Authors: CHIRILLI GIOVANNI ANTONIO
Published: December 2009

After a brief introduction to Deep Inelastic Scattering in the Bjorken limit and in the Regge Limit we discuss the operator product expansion in terms of non local string operator and in terms of Wilson lines. We will show how the high-energy behavior of amplitudes in gauge theories can be reformulated in terms of the evolution of Wilson-line operators. In the leading order this evolution is governed by the non-linear Balitsky-Kovchegov (BK) equation. In order to see if this equation is relevant for existing or future deep inelastic scattering (DIS) accelerators (like Electron Ion Collider (EIC) or Large Hadron electron Collider (LHeC)) one needs to know the next-to-leading order (NLO) corrections. In addition, the NLO corrections define the scale of the running-coupling constant in the BK equation and therefore determine the magnitude of the leading-order cross sections. In Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD), the next-to-leading order BK equation has both conformal and non-conformal parts. The NLO kernel for the composite operators resolves in a sum of the conformal part and the running-coupling part. The QCD and [Formula: see text] kernel of the BK equation is presented.
GENERALIZED UNCERTAINTY PRINCIPLE AND PARIKH–WILCZEK TUNNELING
Authors: MEHDIPOUR S. HAMID
Published: December 2009

We investigate the modifications of the Hawking radiation by the Generalized Uncertainty Principle (GUP) and the tunneling process. By using the GUP-corrected de Broglie wavelength, the squeezing of the fundamental momentum cell, and consequently a GUP-corrected energy, we find the nonthermal effects which lead to a nonzero statistical correlation function between probabilities of tunneling of two massive particles with different energies. Then the recovery of part of the information from the black hole radiation is feasible. From the other point of view, the inclusion of the effects of quantum gravity as the GUP expression can halt the evaporation process, so that a stable black hole remnant is left behind, including the other part of the black hole information content. Therefore, these features of the Planck-scale corrections may solve the information problem in black hole evaporation.
KERR/CFT CORRESPONDENCE AND FIVE-DIMENSIONAL BMPV BLACK HOLES
Authors: ISONO HIROSHI , TAI TA-SHENG , WEN WEN-YU
Published: December 2009

We apply a recently proposed Kerr/CFT correspondence to extremal supersymmetric five-dimensional charged spinning black holes, constructed by Breckenridge, Myers, Peet and Vafa. By computing the central charge of the dual CFT and Frolov–Thorne temperature, Cardy's formula succeeds in reproducing Bekenstein–Hawking area law.
Estimation of Anthropogenic CO2 Inventories in the Ocean
Authors: Sabine Christopher L. , Tanhua Toste
Published: December 2009

A significant impetus for recent ocean biogeochemical research has been to better understand the ocean's role as a sink for anthropogenic CO2. In the 1990s the global carbon survey of the World Ocean Circulation Experiment (WOCE) and the Joint Global Ocean Flux Study (JGOFS) inspired the development of several approaches for estimating anthropogenic carbon inventories in the ocean interior. Most approaches agree that the total global ocean inventory of Cant was around 120 Pg C in the mid-1990s. Today, the ocean carbon uptake rate estimates suggest that the ocean is not keeping pace with the CO2 emissions growth rate. Repeat occupations of the WOCE/JGOFS survey lines consistently show increases in carbon inventories over the last decade, but have not yet been synthesized enough to verify a slowdown in the carbon storage rate. There are many uncertainties in the future ocean carbon storage. Continued observations are necessary to monitor changes and understand mechanisms controlling ocean carbon uptake and storage in the future.
Marine Ecomechanics
Authors: Denny Mark W. , Gaylord Brian
Published: December 2009

The emerging field of marine ecomechanics provides an explicit physical framework for exploring interactions among marine organisms and between these organisms and their environments. It exhibits particular utility through its construction of predictive, mechanistic models, a number of which address responses to changing climatic conditions. Examples include predictions of (a) the change in relative abundance of corals as a function of colony morphology, ocean acidity, and storm intensity; (b) the rate of disturbance and patch formation in beds of mussels, a competitive dominant on many intertidal shores; (c) the dispersal and recruitment patterns of giant kelps, an important nearshore foundation species; (d) the effects of turbulence on external fertilization, a widespread method of reproduction in the sea; and (e) the long-term incidence of extreme ecological events. These diverse examples emphasize the breadth of marine ecomechanics. Indeed, its principles can be applied to any ecological system.
Prochlorococcus: Advantages and Limits of Minimalism
Authors: Partensky Frédéric , Garczarek Laurence
Published: December 2009

Prochlorococcus is the key phytoplanktonic organism of tropical gyres, large ocean regions that are depleted of the essential macronutrients needed for photosynthesis and cell growth. This cyanobacterium has adapted itself to oligotrophy by minimizing the resources necessary for life through a drastic reduction of cell and genome sizes. This rarely observed strategy in free-living organisms has conferred on Prochlorococcus a considerable advantage over other phototrophs, including its closest relative Synechococcus, for life in this vast yet little variable ecosystem. However, this strategy seems to reach its limits in the upper layer of the S Pacific gyre, the most oligotrophic region of the world ocean. By losing some important genes and/or functions during evolution, Prochlorococcus has seemingly become dependent on co-occurring microorganisms. In this review, we present some of the recent advances in the ecology, biology, and evolution of Prochlorococcus, which because of its ecological importance and tiny genome is rapidly imposing itself as a model organism in environmental microbiology.
Genetic Perspectives on Marine Biological Invasions
Authors: Geller Jonathan B. , Darling John A. , Carlton James T.
Published: December 2009

The extent to which the geographic distributions of marine organisms have been reshaped by human activities remains underappreciated, and so does, consequently, the impact of invasive species on marine ecosystems. The application of molecular genetic data in fields such as population genetics, phylogeography, and evolutionary biology have improved our ability to make inferences regarding invasion histories. Genetic methods have helped to resolve longstanding questions regarding the cryptogenic status of marine species, facilitated recognition of cryptic marine biodiversity, and provided means to determine the sources of introduced marine populations and to begin to recover the patterns of anthropogenic reshuffling of the ocean's biota. These approaches stand to aid materially in the development of effective management strategies and sustainable science-based policies. Continued advancements in the statistical analysis of genetic data promise to overcome some existing limitations of current approaches. Still other limitations will be best addressed by concerted collaborative and multidisciplinary efforts that recognize the important synergy between understanding the extent of biological invasions and coming to a more complete picture of both modern-day and historical marine biogeography.
Ocean Deoxygenation in a Warming World
Authors: Keeling Ralph F. , Körtzinger Arne , Gruber Nicolas
Published: December 2009

Ocean warming and increased stratification of the upper ocean caused by global climate change will likely lead to declines in dissolved O2 in the ocean interior (ocean deoxygenation) with implications for ocean productivity, nutrient cycling, carbon cycling, and marine habitat. Ocean models predict declines of 1 to 7% in the global ocean O2 inventory over the next century, with declines continuing for a thousand years or more into the future. An important consequence may be an expansion in the area and volume of so-called oxygen minimum zones, where O2 levels are too low to support many macrofauna and profound changes in biogeochemical cycling occur. Significant deoxygenation has occurred over the past 50 years in the North Pacific and tropical oceans, suggesting larger changes are looming. The potential for larger O2 declines in the future suggests the need for an improved observing system for tracking ocean O2 changes.
On Rate of Approximation by Modified Beta Operators
Authors: (Sharma) Prerna Maheshwari , Gupta Vijay
Published: December 2009

We establish the rate of convergence for the modified Beta operators Bn(f, x), for functions having derivatives of bounded variation.
5-Lipoxygenase DNA Methylation and mRNA Content in the Brain and Heart of Young and Old Mice
Authors: Dzitoyeva Svetlana , Imbesi Marta , Ng Louisa W. , Manev Hari
Published: December 2009

The expression of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) is affected by aging and regulated by epigenetic mechanisms including DNA methylation. We used methylation-sensitive restriction endonucleases (AciI, BstUI, HpaII, and HinP1I) to assess 5-LOX DNA methylation in brain and heart tissue samples from young (2 months) and old (22 months) mice. We also measured mRNA content for 5-LOX and the DNA methyltransferases DNMT1 and DNMT3a. In young mice, the 5-LOX mRNA content was significantly greater in the heart compared to the brain; 5-LOX DNA methylation was lower, except in the AciI assay in which it was higher in the heart. Aging decreased 5-LOX mRNA content in the heart and increased it in the brain. Aging also increased 5-LOX DNA methylation and this effect was site- (i.e., enzyme) and tissue-specific. Generally, DNMT1 and DNMT3a mRNA content was lower in the brain regions compared to the heart; the only effect of aging was observed in the mRNA content of DNMT3a, which was decreased in the heart of old mice. These results indicate a complex tissue-specific and aging-dependent interplay between the DNA methylation system and 5-LOX mRNA content. Interpretation of this data must take into account that the tissue samples contained a mixture of various cell types.
A Software and Hardware IPTV Architecture for Scalable DVB Distribution
Authors: Acher Georg , Fliegl Detlef , Fuhrmann Thomas
Published: December 2009

Many standards and even more proprietary technologies deal with IP-based television (IPTV). But none of them can transparently map popular public broadcast services such as DVB or ATSC to IPTV with acceptable effort. In this paper we explain why we believe that such a mapping using a light weight framework is an important step towards all-IP multimedia. We then present the NetCeiver architecture: it is based on well-known standards such as IPv6, and it allows zero configuration. The use of multicast streaming makes NetCeiver highly scalable. We also describe a low cost FPGA implementation of the proposed NetCeiver architecture, which can concurrently stream services from up to six full transponders.
Mizoribine: A New Approach in the Treatment of Renal Disease
Authors: Kawasaki Yukihiko
Published: December 2009

Mizoribine (MZB) is an imidazole nucleoside and an immunosuppressive agent. The immunosuppressive effect of MZB has been reported to be due to the inhibition of DNA synthesis in the S phase of the cell cycle. Because of its relative lack of toxicity, during the past decade MZB has been frequently used instead of azathioprine as a component of immunosuppressive drug regimens. MZB is being used to treat renal transplantation patients, IgA nephropathy, lupus erythematosus, and childhood nephrotic syndrome (NS), and some recent studies have assessed the efficacy of oral MZB pulse therapy for severe lupus nephritis, steroid-resistant NS, and frequently relapsing-steroid-dependent NS. This review summarizes the published findings on the efficacy of MZB for renal disease including IgA nephropathy, lupus nephritis, and NS, as well as of oral MZB pulse therapy for severe lupus nephritis and NS, and also the mechanism of the effect of oral MZB pulse therapy on the lymphocyte cell cycle.
An Application of Differential Subordination
Authors: Shanmugam T. N. , Jeyaraman M. P.
Published: December 2009

We apply the general theory of differential subordination to obtain certian interesting criteria for p‐valent starlikeness and strong starlikeness. Some applications of these results are also discussed.
An Investigation into the Different Hardening Models in Reverse Forming of Thin Sheets
Authors: Kadkhodayan M. , Mosayebi J.
Published: December 2009

This paper discusses a finite element analysis of the Bauschinger effect in the reverse cup drawing process, taken from the NUMISHEET′99 (Gelin and Picart, 1999) benchmark. In order to study the Bauschinger effect, several hardening models are considered such as isotropic, kinematic, and combined forms in the linear and nonlinear cases, including the well-known Yoshida and Chaboche's model. The obtained results have been compared with some experimental results reported in literature. The various factors, namely, normalized axial stress, von Mises stress, and the punch forces, for both first and second stages have been calculated for different materials and thicknesses. Results show that the combined model had acceptable agreement with the empirical data through both stages, while the bilinear models did not show this effectiveness. Generally, the nonlinear kinematic and combined models lead to more accurate results.
Cost-Effectiveness of Universal Prophylaxis in Pregnancy with Prior Group B Streptococci Colonization
Authors: Turrentine Mark A. , Ramirez Mildred M. , Mastrobattista Joan M.
Published: December 2009

Objective. To estimate the costs and outcomes of rescreening for group B streptococci (GBS) compared to universal treatment of term women with history of GBS colonization in a previous pregnancy.Study Design. A decision analysis model was used to compare costs and outcomes. Total cost included the costs of screening, intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP), treatment for maternal anaphylaxis and death, evaluation of well infants whose mothers received IAP, and total costs for treatment of term neonatal early onset GBS sepsis.Results. When compared to screening and treating, universal treatment results in more women treated per GBS case prevented (155 versus 67) and prevents more cases of early onset GBS (1732 versus 1700) and neonatal deaths (52 versus 51) at a lower cost per case prevented ($8 805 versus $12 710).Conclusion. Universal treatment of term pregnancies with a history of previous GBS colonization is more cost-effective than the strategy of screening and treating based on positive culture results.
Prolonged Hypercalcemia Following Resection of Dysgerminoma: A Case Report
Authors: Wald Abigail , Narasimhan Sumana , Nieves-Arriba Lucybeth , Waggoner Steven
Published: December 2009

Background. Hypercalcemia is a rare but potentially dangerous complication of pediatric cancer. Of the dysgerminoma cases reported to date, associated hypercalcemia is corrected within 2–7 days of tumor resection.Case. A 13-year-old female with an ovarian dysgerminoma was found to be hypercalcemic on presentation. Following dysgerminoma resection, moderate hypercaclemia persisted for 7 days and calcium remained mildly elevated for an additional 7 days. PTHrP was undetectable. Immunolocalization studies indicated that 1-hydroxylase was expressed in dysgerminoma tissue but 1,25 was not elevated.Conclusion. Persistently elevated calcium levels following tumor resection suggests that this case involves a previously undescribed mechanism. Elucidation of this mechanism may offer new insights into tumor biology and opportunities for therapeutic correction of hypercalcemia in this patient population.
Properties "Equation missing" and "Equation missing" , "Equation missing" Embeddings in Banach Spaces with 1-Unconditional Basis and "Equation missing"
Authors: Fetter Helga , Gamboa de Buen Berta
Published: December 2009

We will use García-Falset and Lloréns Fuster's paper on the AMC-property to prove that a Banach space "Equation missing" that "Equation missing" embeds in a subspace "Equation missing" of a Banach space "Equation missing" with a 1-unconditional basis has the property AMC and thus the weak fixed point property. We will apply this to some results by Cowell and Kalton to prove that every reflexive real Banach space with the property "Equation missing" and its dual have the "Equation missing" and that a real Banach space "Equation missing" such that "Equation missing" is "Equation missing" sequentially compact and "Equation missing" has "Equation missing" has the "Equation missing".
Role of Chemokine Network in the Development and Progression of Ovarian Cancer: A Potential Novel Pharmacological Target
Authors: Barbieri Federica , Bajetto Adriana , Florio Tullio
Published: December 2009

Ovarian cancer is the most common type of gynecologic malignancy. Despite advances in surgery and chemotherapy, the survival rate is still low since most ovarian cancers relapse and become drug-resistant. Chemokines are small chemoattractant peptides mainly involved in the immune responses. More recently, chemokines were also demonstrated to regulate extra-immunological functions. It was shown that the chemokine network plays crucial functions in the tumorigenesis in several tissues. In particular the imbalanced or aberrant expression of CXCL12 and its receptor CXCR4 strongly affects cancer cell proliferation, recruitment of immunosuppressive cells, neovascularization, and metastasization. In the last years, several molecules able to target CXCR4 or CXCL12 have been developed to interfere with tumor growth, including pharmacological inhibitors, antagonists, and specific antibodies. This chemokine ligand/receptor pair was also proposed to represent an innovative therapeutic target for the treatment of ovarian cancer. Thus, a thorough understanding of ovarian cancer biology, and how chemokines may control these different biological activities might lead to the development of more effective therapies. This paper will focus on the current biology of CXCL12/CXCR4 axis in the context of understanding their potential role in ovarian cancer development.
Phonons in Lattice and Structural Dynamics
Authors: Larsson Sven
Published: December 2009

The critical temperature () of superconductivity in compounds is generally lower smaller with alkali atoms (A). Furthermore decreases with applied pressure. In the BCS model, these trends are explained by the lower density of states at the Fermi level for a decreased lattice constant (R). There is more than one counterexample, however, suggesting that BCS does not give the whole truth. The most important one is that the compound with the largest lattice constant, , is not superconducting at all at ambient pressure. In this paper we derive a novel model where a negative lattice contribution to HubbardU, proportional to1/R, is taken into account. It is possible to explain why compounds with A = Li, and Na have a low or are not superconducting at all, and why is superconducting only at applied pressure and then with the highest of all alkali fullerides. It is concluded that the density of states mechanism derived in the BCS model is in doubt. Nevertheless superconductivity in depends on electron-phonon coupling. The dominating phonon is the bond stretching phonon, a breathing phonon for the whole fullerene molecular ion.
Stable Occupancy of Hydrogen Molecules in Clathrate Hydrates and + THF Clathrate Hydrates Determined byAb InitioCalculations
Authors: Yedlapalli Prasad , Lee Sangyong , Lee Jae W.
Published: December 2009

Structure II clathrate hydrates of pure hydrogen and binary hydrates of are studied usingab initiocalculations to determine the stable occupancies of small cavities.Ab initiocalculations are carried out for a double cavity consisting of one dodecahedron (small cavity) and one hexakaidecahedron (large cavity). These two cavities are attached to each other as in sII hydrates to form a double cavity. One or two molecules are placed in the small cavity and one THF (or 4 molecules) molecule is placed in the large cavity. We have determined the binding energies of the double cavities at the MP2 level using various basis sets (3-21G, 3-21G(2p), 3-21 G(2p), 6-31G, 6-31G(2p), and 6-31 G(2p)). Different basis sets yield different stable occupancies of the small cavity. The results from the highest basis set (6-31 G(2p) with zero point energy corrections) indicate that the single occupancy is slightly more favorable than the double occupancy in both the cases of pure hydrates and THF + double hydrates.
Convergence Theorems of Modified Ishikawa Iterative Scheme for Two Nonexpansive Semigroups
Authors: Wattanawitoon Kriengsak , Kumam Poom
Published: December 2009

We prove convergence theorems of modified Ishikawa iterative sequence for two nonexpansive semigroups in Hilbert spaces by the two hybrid methods. Our results improve and extend the corresponding results announced by Saejung (2008) and some others.
Near Real-Time Estimation of Super-Resolved Depth and All-In-Focus Images from a Plenoptic Camera Using Graphics Processing Units
Authors: Lüke J. P. , Pérez Nava F. , Marichal-Hernández J. G. , Rodríguez-Ramos J. M. , Rosa F.
Published: December 2009

Depth range cameras are a promising solution for the 3DTV production chain. The generation of color images with their accompanying depth value simplifies the transmission bandwidth problem in 3DTV and yields a direct input for autostereoscopic displays. Recent developments in plenoptic video-cameras make it possible to introduce 3D cameras that operate similarly to traditional cameras. The use of plenoptic cameras for 3DTV has some benefits with respect to 3D capture systems based on dual stereo cameras since there is no need for geometric and color calibration or frame synchronization. This paper presents a method for simultaneously recovering depth and all-in-focus images from a plenoptic camera in near real time using graphics processing units (GPUs). Previous methods for 3D reconstruction using plenoptic images suffered from the drawback of low spatial resolution. A method that overcomes this deficiency is developed on parallel hardware to obtain near real-time 3D reconstruction with a final spatial resolution of800×600pixels. This resolution is suitable as an input to some autostereoscopic displays currently on the market and shows that real-time 3DTV based on plenoptic video-cameras is technologically feasible.
Single- and Multiple-Domain Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment: Two Sides of the Same Coin
Authors: Brambati Simona Maria , Belleville Sylvie , Kergoat Marie-Jeanne , Chayer Céline , Gauthier Serge , Joubert Sven
Published: December 2009

Background: Amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) is considered a transition stage between normal aging and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Two main clinical subtypes of aMCI have been identified: (1) single-domain aMCI (aMCI-SD), with isolated episodic memory impairments, and (2) multiple-domain aMCI (aMCI-MD), with episodic memory impairments and deficits in one or more other cognitive domains. Aims: To map the pattern of gray matter (GM) atrophy associated with aMCI-SD, aMCI-MD and mild AD. Methods: A group of aMCI-SD, aMCI-MD characterized by executive function disorders, mild AD and cognitively unimpaired subjects underwent a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment and a high-definition MR brain scan. Voxel-based morphometry analysis was used to characterize the GM tissue loss in each patient group, and the common pattern of GM atrophy in aMCI-SD and aMCI-MD. Results: aMCI-SD and aMCI-MD are characterized by a common pattern of GM atrophy within the medial temporal cortex, predisposing to AD and correlating with the severity of verbal memory symptoms. Moreover, the pattern of GM atrophy observed in aMCI-SD, aMCI-MD and mild AD revealed that, from an anatomical point of view, these three clinical syndromes could represent three severity points along the continuum between normal aging and AD.
Validation of Cyanoacrylate Method for Collection of Stratum Corneum in Human Skin for Lipid Analysis
Authors: Jungersted J.M. , Hellgren L.I. , Drachmann T. , Jemec G.B.E. , Agner T.
Published: December 2009

Background and Objective: Lipids in the stratum corneum (SC) are of major importance for the skin barrier function. Many different methods have been used for the collection of SC for the analysis of SC lipids. The objective of the present study was to validate the cyanoacrylate method for the collection of SC in relation to lipid analysis. Methods: The results of the lipid analysis (ceramide/cholesterol and ceramide profile) of SC samples obtained by the cyanoacrylate method were compared to the results of the lipid analysis of mechanically removed SC samples. The intra- and interindividual variations in lipid composition were assessed when using the cyanoacrylate method, and lipid compositions in cyanoacrylate samples and samples taken from different depths of SC were compared. Results: No statistically significant differences were found between mean values of lipids from the mechanically removed total thickness of the SC and cyanoacrylate samples. With respect to the cyanoacrylate samples, the intraindividual variation was significantly smaller than the interindividual variation, and the results did not indicate a change in lipid profile related to the depth of SC. The results clearly indicate that the cyanoacrylate method used for obtaining SC for lipid analysis is a useful and valid method for the purpose.
Different Pathways Are Involved in Arsenic-Trioxide-Induced Cell Proliferation and Growth Inhibition in Human Keratinocytes
Authors: Bi X. , Gu J. , Guo Z. , Tao S. , Wang Y. , Tang L. , Wu J. , Mi Q.
Published: December 2009

Background: Arsenic is a carcinogen that is associated with an increased risk of human skin cancer. On the other hand, arsenic trioxide (As2O3) has potential anticancer activity against a wide range of carcinomas. The mechanisms involved in these two opposing processes remain unclear. Methods: We used normal human keratinocytes (NHK), the human keratinocyte HaCaT cell line and human epidermal carcinoma cells (A431 cell line) to investigate potential pathways involved in the effects on cell proliferation and growth inhibition by different concentrations of As2O3. Results: At low concentrations (0.5–32 nM), As2O3 enhanced keratinocyte proliferation and regulated the expression of about 172 genes. Among them, cell cycling pathway genes (including CDK4 and E2F1) were significantly upregulated. At high concentrations (0.5–10 µM), As2O3 inhibited cell growth in NHK and HaCaT cells, but not in A431 cells. As2O3 significantly induced NHK and HaCaT apoptosis through the activation of caspase-3, as well as cell cycle arrest at the G2–M phase. Conclusion: Our data suggest that different pathways are involved in As2O3-mediated proliferation and growth inhibition. In addition, skin carcinoma cells were resistant to As2O3-induced cell growth inhibition and apoptosis when compared to NHK and HaCaT cells. Therefore, As2O3 may not be appropriate for treatment of skin carcinomas.
Effect of Helium-Neon Laser Irradiation on Hair Follicle Growth Cycle of Swiss Albino Mice
Authors: Shukla S. , Sahu K. , Verma Y. , Rao K.D. , Dube A. , Gupta P.K.
Published: December 2009

We report the results of a study carried out to investigate the effect of helium-neon (He-Ne) laser (632.8 nm) irradiation on the hair follicle growth cycle of testosterone-treated and untreated mice. Both histology and optical coherence tomography (OCT) were used for the measurement of hair follicle length and the relative percentage of hair follicles in different growth phases. A positive correlation (R = 0.96) was observed for the lengths of hair follicles measured by both methods. Further, the ratios of the lengths of hair follicles in the anagen and catagen phases obtained by both methods were nearly the same. However, the length of the hair follicles measured by both methods differed by a factor of 1.6, with histology showing smaller lengths. He-Ne laser irradiation (at ∼1 J/cm2) of the skin of both the control and the testosterone-treated mice was observed to lead to a significant increase (p < 0.05) in % anagen, indicating stimulation of hair growth. The study also demonstrates that OCT can be used to monitor the hair follicle growth cycle, and thus hair follicle disorders or treatment efficacy during alopecia.
Pre-Treatment with Aloe vera Juice Does Not Enhance the in vitro Permeation of Ketoprofen across Skin
Authors: Ballam L. , Heard C.M.
Published: December 2009

Background/Aims: The potential of pre-treating skin with Aloe vera juice as a penetration enhancer was evaluated in vitro using ketoprofen as model permeant. Methods: To excised porcine skin mounted in Franz diffusion cells was applied either: (1) commercial Aloe vera; (2) commercial Aloe vera followed by massaging; (3) previously boiled commercial Aloe vera; (4) water (negative control); (5) tea tree oil (positive control). After 1 h, the pre-treatment was removed and the skin dosed with a saturated solution of ketoprofen in polyethylene glycol 400; the appearance of drug in the receptor phase was then monitored by HPLC. Results: No statistically significant differences in the transdermal delivery of ketoprofen were observed between water and all the Aloe vera pre-treatments (p > 0.05). The tea tree oil pre-treatment was significantly different to all others (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Aloe vera appears to have no value as a penetration enhancer when used as a pre-treatment, although the data indirectly support the mechanism of action proposed previously, work when used ‘within-vehicle’. Handling household products containing Aloe vera appears not to leave the user at elevated risk of subsequent absorption of exogenous chemicals.