bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ABC Transporters: Unvalidated Therapeutic Targets in Cancer and the CNS
Authors: W. Robey Robert , R. Massey Paul , Amiri-Kordestani Laleh , E. Bates Susan
Published: November 2011

The discovery of the multidrug transporter P-glycoprotein (Pgp) over 35 years ago in drug resistant cells prompted several decades of work attempting to overcome drug resistance by inhibition of drug efflux. Despite convincing laboratory data showing that drug transport can be inhibited in vitro, efforts to translate this discovery to the clinic have not succeeded. Since overexpression of Pgp and related transporters including ABCG2 and members of the ABCC family have been linked with poor outcome, it remains a reasonable hypothesis that this poor outcome is linked to reduction of drug exposure by efflux, and thus to drug resistance. In this review, we will discuss the question of whether ABC transporters mediate drug resistance in cancer through a reduction in drug accumulation in tumors, and whether the “Pgp inhibition hypothesis” might be wrong. The hypothesis, which holds that increased chemotherapy effectiveness can be achieved by inhibiting Pgp-mediated drug efflux has only been validated in model systems. Possible explanations for the failure to validate this clinically include the existence of other factors impacting of drug accumulation and uptake in tumors. Despite these difficulties, a potential role has emerged for drug transporters as therapeutic targets in the central nervous system (CNS). Both lines of investigation point to the need for imaging agents to facilitate the study of drug accumulation in human cancer. This is a critical need for targeted therapies, where an important dose-response relationship is likely to exist, and where drug resistance renders many of the novel targeted agents ineffective in a subset of patients.
Focal Adhesion Kinase as a Cancer Therapy Target
Authors: M. Golubovskaya Vita
Published: November 2011

Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase that resides at the sites of at focal adhesions. The 125 kDa FAK protein is encoded by the FAK gene located on human chromosome 8q24. Structurally, FAK consists of an amino-terminal regulatory FERM domain, a central catalytic kinase domain, and a carboxy-terminal focal adhesion targeting domain. FAK has been shown to be an important mediator of cell adhesion, growth, proliferation, survival, angiogenesis and migration, all of which are often disrupted in cancer cells. Normal tissues have low expression of FAK, while primary and metastatic tumors significantly overexpress this protein. This review summarizes expression of FAK by immunohistochemical staining in different tumor types and presents several FAK inhibition therapy approaches.
Evolving Therapies and FAK Inhibitors for the Treatment of Cancer
Authors: Bullard Dunn Kelli , Heffler Melissa , M. Golubovskaya Vita
Published: November 2011

Despite advances in medical and surgical therapy, cancer kills more than half a million people in the United States annually, and the majority of these patients succumb to metastatic disease. The traditional approach to treating systemic disease has been the use of cytotoxic chemotherapy. However, chemotherapy is rarely curative and toxicity is often dose limiting. In addition, the effects of chemotherapy are nonspecific, targeting both malignant and normal tissues. As a result, recent efforts increasingly have focused on developing agents that target specific molecules in tumor cells in order to both improve efficacy and limit toxicity. This review summarizes the history and current use of targeted molecular therapy for cancer, with a special emphasis on recently developed inhibitors of Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK).
Focal Adhesion Kinase as a Therapeutic Target of Bortezomib
Authors: Ko Bor-Sheng , Chang Tzu-Ching , Liou Jun-Yang
Published: November 2011

Bortezomib, a modified dipeptidyl boronic acid, is a selective potent proteasome inhibitor that has been approved for clinical treatment of multiple myeloma and mantel cell lymphoma. Results from a growing number of basic studies and clinical trials reveal that bortezomib could be used to treat diverse types of solid tumors alone or in combination with other chemotherapeutic drugs. It has been shown that bortezomib transcriptionally suppresses focal adhesion kinase (FAK) expression by interrupting the nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) pathway, which suggests that FAK could be a potential molecular target for bortezomib. Analysis of FAK promoter sequences revealed that FAK promoter harbors the NFκB and p53 binding domains. Further studies of FAK promoter activity, real-time PCR, electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay revealed that bortezomib inhibits NFκB binding on the FAK promoter, thereby reducing FAK expression. Thus, bortezomib could inhibit cancer cell growth and migration or invasion by repressing FAK expression. Since activation and overexpression of FAK has been implicated in the progression and invasion of malignant tumors, it is likely that targeting FAK with bortezomib is a potential strategy for preventing cancer metastasis. This review focuses on the molecular regulation of FAK and the potential clinical application of bortezomib.
Thermodynamic modeling of deoxidation products and inclusion chemistry in Mn/Si killed tire-cord steel
Authors: Prasad A.D. , Sankaranarayanan S.R.
Published: November 2011

The present work deals with thermodynamic modeling of oxide systems, in the
context of slags and inclusions in steelmaking. The work has emphasis on
oxides encountered during the production of tire - cord steel. Control of
inclusion chemistry and variation in eutectic temperature and eutectic
composition of MnOAl2O3- SiO2 slag system have been studied, using
Thermo-CalcR software. Relatively low liquidus temperatures are obtained for
ratio of MnO/SiO2 = 0.5 - 1.5 and Al2O3 content from 10 - 20 mass%. It has
been observed that the addition of Alumina leads to further increase in the
liquidus temperature. The stability of inclusions is analyzed in terms of
free energy values of related slag systems; and an appropriate minimum of
Gibbs free energy value of slag phase observed at around 50 ppm of Oxygen.
The observations could not be verified using thermodynamic experiments, but
have been compared with findings in the open literature.
A new approach for calculation of relaxation time and magnetic anisotropy of ferrofluids containing superparmagnetic nanoparticles
Authors: Ahmadi R. , Hosseini Madaah
Published: November 2011

In this work, a new approach is described for the calculation of the
relaxation time and magnetic anisotropy energy of magnetic nanoparticles.
Ferrofluids containing monodispersed magnetite nanoparticles were synthesized
via hydrothermal method and then heated using the 10 kA/m external AC
magnetic fields in three different frequencies: 10, 50 and 100 kHz. By
measuring the temperature variations during the application of the magnetic
field, the total magnetic time constant including both Brownian and Neel
relaxation times can be calculated. By measuring the magnetic core size and
hydrodynamic size of particles, the magnetic anisotropy can be calculated
too. Synthesized ferrofluids were characterized via TEM, XRD, VSM and PCS
techniques and the results were used for the mentioned calculations.
Can polar bear hairs absorb environmental energy?
Authors: He Ji-Huan , Wang Qing-Li , Sun Jie
Published: November 2011

A polar bear (Ursus maritimus) has superior ability to survive in harsh
Arctic regions, why does the animal have such an excellent thermal
protection? The present paper finds that the unique labyrinth cavity
structure of the polar bear hair plays an important role. The hair can not
only prevent body temperature loss but can also absorb energy from the
environment.
The law of force in the order of violence
Authors: Zurovac Mirko
Published: November 2011

The author starts this discussion with the statement that the idea about the so-called "new world order" represents nothing new in the history of imperialist West, implying the plundering and enslaving character of western civilization, in spite of its many achievements with lasting significance for the human race. Today, the West builds its power on the development of science and technology. Science became the most productive force of contemporary mankind which enabled an impetus for a through restructuring of the world, and along with it a thorough change of man?s existence on Earth. Today, in the misuse of science and technology, some states ? industrially and economically developed ? find an efficient means to realize their imperialist goals. In the first part of the paper, the author describes and interprets methods and procedures used by the imperialist West in its attempt to rearrange the world according to the clich? of its plundering dictation. The imperialist West applied all these methods and procedures in the disintegration of the state community of the Yugoslav nations which was known in the entire world and singled out as an example of a multinational and multicultural community. The second part of the paper is dedicated to that topic; there, the author describes the idea and the way of realization of the monstrous plan whose goal was to destroy our country as the only guarantee of the survival of our nation in these regions. The socalled International Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia should be placed in this context to understand the real goal of its foundation and the manner of its work. The goal of its foundation was and is basically twofold: 1) to ensure at least a kind of illusionary legitimity of these lies for the world public and thus conceal the crimes these countries did to the Serbian nation and 2) to force the Serbian nation to accept the most shameful form of capitulation which directly leads to the state of its enslavement. At the end, the author draws necessary conclusions which stem from such policy of the imperialist West and warns to the possible tragic consequences for the entire freedom-loving mankind.
Statistics in Serbia
Authors: Nikolic Miodrag
Published: November 2011

From 1804 and the liberation from the foreign rule, Serbia tried to build a state of the European type. These efforts are indicated by the creation of numerous institutions which include statistics, too. Statistics offers testimonies about states and societies, representing them to the domestic and world public. It does so by collecting data about the territory and population, economy and culture of a country. The collected data are processed and published. Thus the politicians, scientists, businessmen and broad public acquire insights useful for the implementation of their activities and for a better understanding of the environment in which they work. Even before The First Serbian Uprising there were state institutions in the territory of the then Serbia. For the needs of that administration certain counts were made. But it was the work of foreign empires. Only the statistics created for the needs of Serbia?s own Principality, later Kingdom belongs to the history of Serbian statehood. That is why the national uprising begun in 1804 marks its justified historical start, and World War II was a logical moment for the end of this review. Understanding the development of the statistic service requires at least two types of information. First, it is useful to bear in mind those factors of social development which imposed the need for statistics in Serbia. The second set of remarks is related to the fact that Serbia at the time took the example of the statistical services in the more developed part of the world. Remarks about the stimuli from these two sources given in this text are only a reminder of the obligation to carry out still unfinished essential studies of the past. There were statistic reaserches in Serbia even before the foundation of the statistics service. Everything done in this area before 1862 belongs to the pioneering attempts, to the preparatory period, to prehistory. However, precisely these first endeavours clearly reveal governmental reasons for which statistics was created. That is why the statistics endeavours even before the establishment of the state statistics service also deserve attention.
Sociological researches of the class-stratified structure in Russia and Serbia, an opinion about Z. Golenkova's contribution
Authors: Popovic Mihailo
Published: November 2011

In her works, Zinaida Golenkova came to the conclusion that social structure of contemporary Russian society is the product of constant and deep changes leading to the ownership and total economic transformations, to the social polarization of interests and political dominance of specific social groups. Russian society includes the groups of the poor (35%), slightly well off (30%), moderately well off (21%), highly well off (about 10%) and rich (5%). Such a specificity of the Russian society results from the fact that world globalization imposed the process of contradictory social transformation. There are three models of social stratification: the partnership model, the conflict model and the status-neutral model. This article/presentation critically analyzes Z. Golenkova's opinion that Marx's theory of class stratification is mono-dimensional, while Weber's standpoint was that social stratification was three-dimensional. At the end, this presentation provides partial and conditional comparisons between the results of the researches done by the Yugoslav and Russian sociologists about the class-stratificational division of their societies.
New uncertainties of Serbia in Kosmet: The post-DOS period
Authors: Rankovic Miodrag
Published: November 2011

"The new Kosmet dossier" makes the framework of this paper. The chronicle of events showed that nothing significant changed in Kosmet. There remained uncertainties, emigration continued (of the Serbs and other non-Albanians) and the obstruction of the "return" project, all under the auspices of the heads of the civil administration and UNMIK. The second part of the paper is mostly thematic and prognostic. The author first analyzed numerous standpoints expressed in the public debate lasting several months about the future of Kosmet. He developed his predictions on the basis of a "situation-al framework", "satelitization" and the apperance of the new "post-industrial vassalage". These phenomena, that is developmental trends on the waves of globalization and de-sovereignization, are at the periphery of the world, Europe and the Balkans. There lies the knot for "the lasting solution of the Kosovo crisis".
A generalization of set-difference
Authors: Vitolo Paolo
Published: November 2011

A structure called d0-algebra is defined and studied, which leads to a new description of D-lattices and generalized D-lattices by means of only one totally defined operation.
Weak module amenability of triangular Banach algebras
Authors: Pourabbas Abdolrasoul , Nasrabadi Ebrahim
Published: November 2011

Let A and B be unital Banach algebras and let M be a unital Banach A,B-module. Forrest and Marcoux [6] have studied the weak amenability of triangular Banach algebra $\mathcal{T} = \left[ {_B^{AM} } \right]$ and showed that T is weakly amenable if and only if the corner algebras A and B are weakly amenable. When $\mathfrak{A}$ is a Banach algebra and A and B are Banach $\mathfrak{A}$-module with compatible actions, and M is a commutative left Banach $\mathfrak{A}$-A-module and right Banach $\mathfrak{A}$-B-module, we show that A and B are weakly $\mathfrak{A}$-module amenable if and only if triangular Banach algebra T is weakly $\mathfrak{T}$-module amenable, where $\mathfrak{T}: = \{ [^\alpha _\alpha ]:\alpha \in \mathfrak{A}\} $.
Complete moment convergence of moving average processes under ρ-mixing assumption
Authors: Zhou Xing-Cai , Lin Jin-Guan
Published: November 2011

Let {Y
i: −∞ < i < ∞} be a doubly infinite sequence of identically distributed ρ-mixing random variables, and {a
i: −∞ < i < ∞} an absolutely summable sequence of real numbers. In this paper we prove the complete moment convergence for the partial sums of moving average processes $\{ X_n = \sum\limits_{i = - \infty }^\infty {a_i Y_{i + n,} n \geqslant 1} \} $ based on the sequence {Y
i: −∞ < i < ∞} of ρ-mixing random variables under some suitable conditions.
Polar Compounds Isolated from the Leaves of Albertisia delagoensis (Menispermaceae)
Authors: Hawkes Geoffrey E. , Wet Helene de , Li Jia
Published: November 2011

Aqueous infusions of the leaves of the shrub Albertisia delagoensis (Menispermaceae) are used in South Africa in traditional Zulu medicine to alleviate a variety of symptoms, including fever, and intestinal problems. We report the analysis of such an aqueous extract using the HPLC-NMR technique. A number of polar compounds were identified, including proto-quercitol, nicotinic acid, allantoic acid, 3,4-dihydroxy-benzoic acid, phthalic acid and the aporphine alkaloid derivative roemrefidine. Allantoic acid and roemrefidine have been fully characterised by 1H- and 13C-NMR and mass spectrometry. Earlier reports of antiplasmodial activity of roemrefidine and of A. delagoensis extracts are correlated with this study and with the antipyretic properties of neutral aqueous extracts.
Design, Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Hydroxamic Acid Derivatives as Potential High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) Receptor CLA-1 Up-Regulating Agents
Authors: Chen Xiaofang , Wang Li , Du Yu , Wu Yanbin , Jia Xiaojian , Yang Yuan , Hong Bin
Published: November 2011

Trichostatin A (TSA) and suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) were reported in our recent publication as novel human high density lipoprotein (HDL) receptor CD36 and Lysosomal integral membrane protein-II Analogous-1 (CLA-1) up-regulators. As part of a broader effort to more fully explore the structure-activity relationships (SAR) of CLA-1 up-regulators, we synthesized a series of hydroxamic acid derivatives and evaluated their CLA-1 up-regulating activities in HepG2 cells. Some compounds exhibited over 10-fold up-regulation of CLA-1 expression in HepG2 cells at 10 μg/mL concentration. The compound 1g showed the best potency, with a lower EC50 than TSA (EC50 = 0.32 μM versus 1.2 μM). These compounds provide early new CLA-1 up-regulators with potential for treating atherosclerosis.
Angular Rate Estimation Using a Distributed Set of Accelerometers
Authors: Park Sungsu , Hong Sung Kyung
Published: November 2011

A distributed set of accelerometers based on the minimum number of 12 accelerometers allows for computation of the magnitude of angular rate without using the integration operation. However, it is not easy to extract the magnitude of angular rate in the presence of the accelerometer noises, and even worse, it is difficult to determine the direction of a rotation because the angular rate is present in its quadratic form within the inertial measurement system equations. In this paper, an extended Kalman filter scheme to correctly estimate both the direction and magnitude of the angular rate through fusion of the angular acceleration and quadratic form of the angular rate is proposed. We also provide observability analysis for the general distributed accelerometers-based inertial measurement unit, and show that the angular rate can be correctly estimated by general nonlinear state estimators such as an extended Kalman filter, except under certain extreme conditions.
Activation of LTRs from Different Human Endogenous Retrovirus (HERV) Families by the HTLV-1 Tax Protein and T-Cell Activators
Authors: Toufaily Chirine , Landry Sebastien , Leib-Mosch Christine , Rassart Eric , Barbeau Benoit
Published: November 2011

Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) represent approximately 8% of our genome. HERVs influence cellular gene expression and contribute to normal physiological processes such as cellular differentiation and morphogenesis. HERVs have also been associated with certain pathological conditions, including cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. As HTLV-1 causes adult T-cell leukemia and HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) and has been shown to modulate host gene expression mainly through the expression of the powerful Tax transactivator, herein we were interested in looking at the potential modulation capacity of HTLV-1 Tax on HERV expression. In order to evaluate the promoter activity of different HERV LTRs, pHERV-LTR-luc constructs were co-transfected in Jurkat T-cells with a Tax expression vector. Tax expression potently increased the LTR activity of HERV-W8 and HERV-H (MC16). In parallel, Jurkat cells were also stimulated with different T-cell-activating agents and HERV LTRs were observed to respond to different combination of Forskolin, bpV[pic] a protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor, and PMA. Transfection of expression vectors for different Tax mutants in Jurkat cells showed that several transcription factors including CREB appeared to be important for HERV-W8 LTR activation. Deletion mutants were derived from the HERV-W8 LTR and the region from −137 to −123 was found to be important for LTR response following Tax expression in Jurkat cells, while a different region was shown to be required in cells treated with activators. Our results thus demonstrated that HTLV-1 Tax activates several HERV LTRs. This raises the possibility that upregulated HERV expression could be involved in diseases associated with HTLV-1 infection.
Chronic Peritoneal Dialysis in Children with Special Needs or Social Disadvantage or Both: Contraindications are not Always Contraindications
Authors: Aksu Nejat , Yavascan Onder , Anil Murat , Kara Orhan Deniz , Bal Alkan , Anil Ayse Berna
Published: November 2011

Objective

Our aim in the present study was to identify outcomes in children with special needs or social disadvantage, or both, receiving chronic peritoneal dialysis (CPD) treatment in a pediatric dialysis unit.

Methods

Among 110 children started on CPD in our unit during the period between November 1995 and November 2008, we identified 13 patients (8 girls, 5 boys) with major physical, mental, or psychosocial problems. Age at CPD initiation in the group with disability ranged from 4.0 years to 16.5 years (median: 7.5 years). Under lying diseases were vesicoureteral reflux (4 patients), neuropathic bladder and vesicoureteral reflux (3 patients), chronic pyelonephritis (3 patients), amyloidosis (2 patients), and Alport syndrome (1 patient). Challenges encountered were adverse family or social circumstances (4 patients), cerebral palsy (3 patients), Down syndrome (1 patient), rectovesical fistula in conjunction with ectopic anus and previous multiple abdominal surgery (1 patient), blindness and deafness (1 patient), ventriculoperitoneal shunt (1 patient), colostomy and malnutrition (1 patient), and mental retardation and blindness (1 patient). All catheters were implanted percutaneously.

Results

Median duration of dialysis was 18 months (range: 6 – 124 months). The frequency of peritonitis was not different between children with and without disability ( p > 0.05). In children with disability compared with children without disability, the frequencies of catheter- related infections (1 episode/79.3 patient–months vs 1 episode/32.4 patient–months) and of catheter-related non-infectious complications (1 episode/238 patient–months vs 1 episode/115.7 patient–months) were lower ( p < 0.05). Chronic peritoneal dialysis was terminated in 5 children (for renal transplantation in 3, switch to hemodialysis in 1, death in 1).

Conclusions

Our results suggest that, with appropriate family support and an experienced multidisciplinary team, CPD can be effectively performed in children with special needs or social disadvantage, or both.
Intraperitoneal Vancomycin Concentrations during Peritoneal Dialysis–Associated Peritonitis: Correlation with Serum Levels
Authors: Fish Richard , Nipah Robert , Jones Chris , Finney Hazel , Fan Stanley L.S.
Published: November 2011

Background

For the treatment of peritoneal dialysis–associated peritonitis (PDP), it has been suggested that serum concentrations of vancomycin be kept above 12 mg/L – 15 mg/L. However, studies correlating vancomycin concentrations in serum and peritoneal dialysate effluent (PDE) during active infection are sparse. We undertook the present study to investigate this issue and to determine whether achieving the recommended serum level of vancomycin results in therapeutic levels intraperitoneally.

Methods

We studied patients treated with intraperitoneal (IP) vancomycin for non-gram-negative PDP. We gave a single dose (approximately 30 mg/kg) at presentation, and we subsequently measured vancomycin levels in PDE on day 5; we wanted to determine if efflux of vancomycin from serum to PDE during a 4-hour dwell was consistent and resulted in therapeutic levels.

Results

Of the 48 episodes of PDP studied, serum vancomycin concentrations exceeding 12 mg/L were achieved in 98% of patients, but in 11 patients (23%), a PDE vancomycin level below 4 mg/L—the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of many gram-positive organisms—was observed at the end of a 4-hour dwell on day 5. The correlation between the concentrations of vancomycin in serum and PDE (from efflux of antibiotic over 4 hours) was statistically significant, but poor ( R2 = 0.18).

Conclusions

Our data support the International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis statement that adequate serum vancomycin concentrations can be achieved with intermittent dosing (single dose every 5 days), but cannot guarantee therapeutic PDE levels in the treatment of PDP. Intermittent dosing of vancomycin may not consistently result in PDE concentrations markedly greater than MIC of many important pathogens. Although the clinical significance of this finding remains to be determined, it may be preferable to give smaller but more frequent doses of PDE vancomycin (continuous dosing) for adults with PDP (as is currently recommended for children).
HBV Dna Level at 24 Weeks is the Best Predictor of Virological Response to Adefovir Add-On Therapy in Patients with Lamivudine Resistance
Authors: Shin Jung Woo , Jung Seok Won , Park Bo Ryung , Kim Chang Jae , Eum Jun Bum , Kim Byung Gyu , Jeong In Du , Bang Sung-Jo , Park Neung Hwa
Published: November 2011

Background

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between HBV DNA levels at baseline and on-treatment and the virological response at 96 weeks after adefovir add-on therapy in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with lamivudine resistance.

Methods

Lamivudine and adefovir combination therapy was administered to 122 CHB patients for >24 months.

Results

Virological response (HBV DNA negativity) was achieved in 53 (43.3%) and 62 patients (50.8%) at 48 and 96 weeks, respectively. The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the HBV DNA level at week 24 had a greater power (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve 0.978; 95% CI 0.949, 1.000; P<0.001) to predict the virological response at week 96 of treatment than did the pre-treatment HBV DNA level (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve 0.771; 95% CI 0.640, 0.902; P<0.001). The best cutoff value for the HBV DNA level, at week 24, for the prediction of the virological response at week 96 was 200 IU/ ml (3 log10 copies/ml), with a sensitivity and specificity of 90.3% and 95.0%, respectively. Using this time frame and cutoff value, 56 (90.3%) out of 62 patients that had a virological response at 96 weeks had <200 IU/ml HBV DNA at 24 weeks.

Conclusions

Although the HBV DNA level at baseline is often used to predict the antiviral potency of lamivudine and adefovir combination treatment in CHB patients with lamivudine resistance, the results of this study suggest that the HBV DNA level at 24 weeks is a better marker for the virological response.
Effects of Smoking on Disease Activity and Radiographic Progression in Early Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: RUIZ-ESQUIDE VIRGINIA , GÓMEZ-PUERTA JOSÉ A. , CAÑETE JUAN D. , GRAELL EDUARD , VAZQUEZ IVONNE , ERCILLA M. GUADALUPE , VIÑAS ODETTE , GÓMEZ-CENTENO ANTONIO , HARO ISABEL , SANMARTÍ RAIMON
Published: November 2011

Objective.

To analyze the effects of cigarette smoking on disease activity and radiographic damage in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods.

Study subjects were 156 patients with early RA (< 2 yrs). Disease activity, therapeutic response, and radiographic progression were compared in smokers and nonsmokers at 24 months.

Results.

At baseline, ever-smokers had earlier disease onset and a closer association with the shared epitope (SE), but not more seropositive disease. No significant differences were observed in disease activity and European League Against Rheumatism therapeutic responses between smokers and nonsmokers. Multivariate analysis showed that baseline Larsen score, the HLA-DRB*04 genotype, being female, and current smoking were associated with radiographic progression.

Conclusion.

In patients with early RA, smoking was associated with earlier disease onset and the SE. Smoking was an independent factor of radiographic progression.
An Entropy-Based Architecture for Intrusion Detection in LAN Traffic
Authors: Velarde-Alvarado P. , Martinez-Herrera A. , Vargas-Rosales C. , Torres-Roman D.
Published: November 2011

Information security has become a primary concern in enterprise and government networks. In this respect, Network-based Intrusion Detection System (NIDS) is a critical component of an organization’s security strategy. This chapter is the result of the effort to design an Anomaly-based Network Intrusion Detection System (A-NIDS), which is capable of detecting network attacks using entropy-based behavioral traffic profiles. These profiles are used as a baseline to define the normal behavior of certain traffic features. The Method of Remaining Elements (MRE) is the core for the task of traffic profiling. In this method, a new measure of uncertainty called Proportional Uncertainty (PU) is proposed, which provides an important characteristic: the exposure of anomalies for those traffic slots related to anomalous behavior. Moreover, PU increases the sensitivity for early detection, and allows detection of a wide range of attacks with respect to naïve entropy estimation. The performance evaluation of the proposed architecture was accomplished through MIT-DARPA dataset and also on an academic LAN by implementing real attacks. The results show that this architecture is effective in the early detection of intrusions, as well as some attacks designed to bypass detection measures.
Dimension Reduction and its Effects on Clustering for Intrusion Detection
Authors: Kabiri Peyman , Ghorbani Ali
Published: November 2011

With recent advances in network based technology and the increased dependency of our every day life on this technology, assuring reliable operation of network based systems is very important. During recent years, a number of attacks on networks have dramatically increased and consequently interest in network intrusion detection has increased among the researchers. During the past few years, different approaches for collecting a dataset of network features, each with its own assumptions, have been proposed to detect network intrusions. Recently, many research works have been focused on better understanding of the network feature space so that they can come up with a better detection method. The curse of dimensionality is still a big obstacle in front of the researchers in network intrusion detection. In this chapter, DARPA’99 dataset is used for the study. Features in that dataset are analyzed with respect to their information value. Using the information value of the features, the number of dimensions in the data is reduced. Later on, using several clustering algorithms, effects of the dimension reduction on the dataset are studied and the results are reported.
Theoretical and Practical Aspects of Developing Autonomic Systems with ASSL
Authors: Vassev Emil
Published: November 2011

ASSL (Autonomic System Specification Language) is an initiative for self-management of complex systems whereby the problem of formal specification, validation, and code generation of autonomic systems is approached within a framework. Being a formal method dedicated to autonomic computing, ASSL helps developers with problem formation, system design, system analysis and evaluation, and system implementation. The framework provides a powerful formal notation and suitable mature tool support that allow ASSL specifications to be edited and validated and Java code to be generated from any valid specification. As part of the framework’s proof-of-concept strategy, ASSL has been used to make a variety of existing and prospective systems autonomic. This entry presents the ASSL formal specification model and tools. Moreover, two case studies are presented to reveal practical aspects of using ASSL for the development of prototypes of prospective space exploration systems incorporating autonomic features.
Genetic Programming for System Identification
Authors: Ferariu Lavinia , Patelli Alina
Published: November 2011

This chapter discusses the features of genetic programming based identification approaches, starting with the connected theoretical background. The presentation reveals both advantages and limitations of the methodology and offers several recommendations useful for making GP techniques a valuable alternative for mathematical models’ construction. For a sound illustration of the discussed design scheme, two GP-based multiobjective algorithms are suggested. They permit a flexible selection of nonlinear models, linear in parameters, by advantageously exploiting their particular structure, thus improving the exploration capabilities of GP and the interpretability of the resulted mathematical description. Both model accuracy and parsimony are addressed, by means of non-elitist and elitist Pareto techniques, aimed at adapting the priority of each involved objective. The algorithms’ performances are illustrated on two applications of different complexity levels, namely the identification of a simulated system, and the identification of an industrial plant.
Formal Specification and Verification of Self-Configuring P2P Networking
Authors: Cong-Vinh Phan
Published: November 2011

In mobile environments (MEs) such as vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs), mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs), wireless sensor networks (WSNs), and so on, formal specification of self-configuring P2P networking (SPN) emerges as a need for programming, and verifying such mobile networks. Moreover, well-specified SPN in MEs becomes a requirement of developing middleware for the mobile networks. The chapter is a reference material for readers who already have a basic understanding of the MEs for their applications and are now ready to know how to specify and verify formally aspect-oriented self-configuring P2P networking (ASPN) in MEs using categorical language, assured that their computing needs are handled correctly and efficiently. ASPN in MEs is presented in a straightforward fashion by discussing in detail the necessary components and briefly touching on the more advanced components. Several explanatory notes and examples are represented throughout the chapter as a moderation of the formal descriptions. Significant properties of ASPN in MEs, which emerge from the specification, create the firm criteria for verification.
The Issue of Fragmentation on Mobile Games Platforms
Authors: Tiong Tan Keng , Tianyi Ge , Sopra Rajkumar , Sharma Ravi S.
Published: November 2011

The rapid growth of mobile device usage in recent years has given rise to the problem of fragmentation in mobile platforms. In this chapter, we address the background of the rise in mobile devices and their platforms. We then look at the issue of fragmentation in mobile platforms and the effects of it on the parties in the mobile services ecosystem. We conclude by discounting the solutions that the industry has implemented to resolve this issue of fragmentation.
Is DRM the Great Spoiler in the IDM Marketplace?
Authors: Balgayev Ilyas , Shyan Phng Jia , Win Kaung Myat
Published: November 2011

Digital Rights Management (DRM) has been a popular option employed by firms to deal with piracy issues. The rationale of DRM, the expected benefits for firms, and their implications in the Interactive Digital Media (IDM) marketplace are presented. Using the VISOR framework, the chapter also analyses the impacts of DRM based in the IDM marketplace, and to suggest if DRM is the great spoiler in the IDM marketplace. Studies have shown that the advantages brought by DRM to firms go beyond what would be needed for an efficient provision of digital goods. The chapter concludes with some recommendations and suggestions whether DRM is the great spoiler in the IDM marketplace.
Television in Flux
Authors: Wildman Steven S. , Chew Han Ei
Published: November 2011

The television landscape is in a state of flux. In this new environment, profit-driven media companies have to balance tradeoffs between traditional and new channels of video distribution to optimize returns on their investments in content generation. This chapter describes the challenges traditional television service providers face in adapting their strategies to an environment in which the internet is playing an increasingly prominent role as a new distribution channel. In the short to intermediate run there is the challenge of finding ways to monetize an internet audience without cannibalizing profits earned through traditional distribution channels. The longer-term challenge is adapting to a distribution technology that embeds a fundamentally different economic logic for video market organization. In this chapter, we describe and analyze current trends in the internet television market and traditional television industry players’ efforts to respond to the opportunities and threats posed by internet distribution.
Social Network Analysis and Bistability
Authors: Angjellari-Dajci Fjorentina , Romaner Kim Marcille , Sofge Donald A. , Patton Tadd , Hobbs Stephen H. , Enslein Alana , Hodges Chelsea , Zuchegno Kelsey , Lawless W.F.
Published: November 2011

Traditional social science models, including those for social network analysis (SNA), have so far not succeeded in establishing a valid computational model of social science, especially autonomy. A wide-ranging call has been issued to develop a fundamental replacement for traditional science in order to be able to mathematically control organizations and systems composed of humans, machines, and robots that can work together effectively to solve problems that organizations and systems composed of humans now solve intuitively. We report our progress with the development of a fundamental control theory based on social network analysis.
The Role of Social Networking in Civilizational Development
Authors: Targowski Andrew
Published: November 2011

This study defines the nature, scope, pace, and consequences of the rapid development of social networking in the 21st century. The impact of INFOCO systems upon civilizational development is investigated and predicted for the future. Such concepts as Global Virtual Society, Global Virtual Nation, Virtual Nation, Virtual Users, National Virtual Citizens, and Global Virtual Citizens are defined. Their electronic culture is defined, too. Finally some recommendations for further research are provided. In particular, the question of whether the concept of one world government is good or bad for mankind should be answered soon, in order to properly steer the further development of large-scale social networks.
Role of Privacy and Trust in Mobile Business Social Networks
Authors: Mezgár István , Grabner-Kräuter Sonja
Published: November 2011

New information and communication technologies and their integration extend the possibilities for people for high level collaboration independently where they are on the globe. Various groups of people can come together according to their private or business interest forming a virtual community (VC) through online social networks. Beside the positive effects of this technical breakthrough there are dangerous sides of using these high level networked systems; the personal data of the individuals can be used by other persons especially when the individual doesn’t take care of them. So, privacy has now an increasingly important role in social networked environments. As trust is the base of the society there is close connection between trust and privacy. The goal of this paper is to present the role and relationships between trust and privacy in mobile (business) social networks, and to introduce the possible types of privacy threats and countermeasures in case of online social networks. A short summary on future trends in mobile social networks is also presented.
Social Networks and Trust-Building Processes
Authors: Delgado-Márquez Blanca L. , Hurtado-Torres Nuria E. , Aragón-Correa J. Alberto
Published: November 2011

One of the major debates currently in the literature about trust and management relies on the perspective of trust-building in organizations. In this chapter we draw on graph-based structures in order to investigate the role of individuals’ social networks as tools for enhancing potential trust-building processes at interpersonal level. The chapter relies on two main aspects. First, we propose a theoretical approach establishing a linkage between agents’ social networks and trust-building processes among unknown agents. Second, we carry out an experimental investigation focused on a laboratory experiment developed with students of Management and Economics bachelor degrees. Furthermore, we outline some implications for managers.
Valuating Business Social Networking Services as Intangible Corporate Assets
Authors: Koumpis Adamantios , Christofilopoulos Epaminondas , Melanitis Nikos
Published: November 2011

Services both as a science and as a practice in today’s corporate environments are seriously suffering from many different suboptimalities. Some of these suboptimalities are structural (lack of a coherent framework to apply the service), other metaphysical (lack of a supporting culture that would increase the demand and strengthen the market for the service) or of transcendal and ephemeral nature (lack of an appropriate technology to support the service idiosyncracies – can you imagine amazon.com without any Internet?). For some others, a framework that would comprise both organisational and technology aspects could be an answer to certain pitfalls and shortcomings currently faced. Whatever the context of a service, this does not exist in a vacuum; it is provided by people who are working in an organisation to customers that are part of a more or less structured part of the society.
Crowdcasting
Authors: Obal Damjan
Published: November 2011

The following chapter investigates an emerging shift in the corporate world that is now more often than ever engaging with the global community of users. Collaborative, open business models promoting user-driven, open innovation strategies are adopted, one of them being framed as crowdcasting - specific crowdsourcing model where corporations broadcast their challenges to a targeted community. A crowdcasting model in the shape of an online ideas competition is demonstrated as a mean of fostering open innovation. In the case study we present Challenge: Future, a student competition that is build upon an online platform adopting crowdcasting principles. Looking at the development, main features of the competition platform, and means of interaction with its user base we present benefits for all sides involved. Further on, the chapter tries to elaborate the ways how crowdcasting models could benefit by tapping even deeper into the new social networks and exploring their potential.
The Integration Challenge of Brazil’s Public Policy Networks
Authors: Garrossini Daniela Favaro , Maranhão Ana Carolina Kalume , Molinaro Luis Fernando Ramos
Published: November 2011

The research developed in this study is an analysis of the National Health Council and the Subnational Councils, formed by the State Councils and Municipal Health Councils. It is a way of understanding the construction process of public policy networks and its role as the main citizen participatory space institutionalized by law in Brazil. This study presents the results obtained from a survey developed between the years 2006 to 2010, at the University of Brasilia. Its objective is to seek a broadening of citizen participation spaces supported by Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), to form an effective network for constructing sectorial policies in Brazilian healthcare. The current work aims to fill in a gap in studies about improving citizen participation in Brazil, in order to establish new ways for expanding the network formed by the councils and the consequent improvement in the collaborative spaces within the decision making process.
Analysis of Social Media in Administration
Authors: Ramos Karoll Haussler Carneiro , Lima Joselice Ferreira , Elias de Deus Flávio , Molinaro Luis Fernando Ramos
Published: November 2011

This chapter analyzes some case studies about social media in organizations’ administration. To do this, social media’s epistemological base will be introduced, considering contributions from the subject of organizational behavior. The importance of this discipline is that it brings together social sciences points of view (social psychology, sociology and anthropology). After this, views will be presented regarding the mathematical nature of social media. In this part, the internet’s influence on social media will also be discussed, for it has contributed to a new common sense, and it is responsible for social media popularity. Finally, how social media interferes in organizations will be attested to, as well as how it can be managed. In order to help the understanding of such knowledge, a survey will be introduced, with articles related to organizational practices in social media.
The Analysis and Balancing of Scientific Social Networks in Cancer Control
Authors: Monclar Rafael Studart , de Oliveira Jonice , Firmino de Faria Fabrício , Ventura Lucas Vargas Freitas , Moreira de Souza Jano , Campos Maria Luiza Machado
Published: November 2011

Considering the importance of cancer control in contemporary society, the INCT (National Institute of Science and Technology) for Cancer Control was established in 2008 as a national body under the Ministry of Health of Brazil. However, given its importance and considering a possible dispersion and the peculiar behavior of the academic environment, a series of analyses, as well as balancing, was conducted in the social networks that represent this INCT in particular. We will see not only a history of Social Networks, but also their application, importance, and peculiarities in the medical context. Further details will be shown in the project proposal BRINCA, its architecture, and the current state of our research.
Introduction
Authors: Sobaci Mehmet Zahid
Published: November 2011

This chapter is a brief introduction to the field of e-parliament. The discussion starts with an evaluation of the relationship between parliament and ICTs. Later on; the contributions of ICTs to the basic functions of parliaments within the framework of legislation, representation and oversight are explained. This section is followed by a brief discussion about requirements related to successful e-parliament applications. Finally, the chapter introduces the aim of the book and covers information about the main sections of the book and other chapters.