bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Big data, big questions
Authors: Pflugfelder Ehren Helmut
Published: April 2014

One significant concern I have for the future of technical communication, a concern I often share with my students, involves the impact of "big data." Though the term is frequently used with a sneer, or at least a slightly unsettled laugh, the methods for retrieving information from large data sets are improving as I write this. One significant question the field faces is: "what new relationships will develop and what new work will technical communicators be responsible for in emergent big data projects, in coming years?"
From research to design
Authors: Jones Dave
Published: April 2014

As a scholarly researcher and architect working in industry, the most critical questions facing communication designers tackle complex ecosystems of people, technologies, and culturally situated practices. The field of Technical Communication is uniquely equipped to tackle these challenges (Hart-Davidson, 2001). Carolyn Rude (2009) states that scholars in the field of Technical Communication must explore how "texts (print, digital, multimedia, visual, verbal) and relative communication practices mediate knowledge, values, and action in a variety of social and professional contexts" (p. 176). She argues that research within the field must be situated at the intersection of creative practices that produce different types of texts, the cultures that provide meaningful context to such activities, and the technologies that support the production of both texts and meaning. But, where does Rude's call to action point Technical Communication as a field, now? What new research questions have emerged at the intersection that she describes?
The invisible web and the need for new research methodologies
Authors: Kalmbach James
Published: April 2014

A research question that I believe will be important for technical communication practitioners and scholars in the next decade is as follows

How do we do develop big data methods for locating and studying web-based technical communication artifacts?
Exploring accessibility as a potential area of research for technical communication
Authors: Oswal Sushil K.
Published: April 2014

This position paper proposes the undertaking of a systematic research agenda on the tangled questions of accessibility, technology, and disability from the perspective of Technical Communication field. O'Hara (2004), Oswal and Hewett (2013), Palmeri (2006), Porter (1997), Ray and Ray (1999), Salvo (2005), Slatin and Rush (2003), Theofanos and Redish (2003 and 2005), and Walters (2010), have approached accessibility issues in various Technical Communication contexts and have emphasized the need for more attention to accessibility in our research, teaching, and practice. Likewise, the major journals in our field--
Technical Communication, Technical Communication Quarterly
and the
IEEE Transactions in Professional Communication
---have also published at least one special issue EACH on the topic of accessibility. While all this sporadic research has appeared on accessibility-related topics in different venues, this research has not yet gained the type of traction one would generally expect from an area with such a growth potential. As a user-centered discipline, we also ought to remember that presently 57.8 million Americans have one or more disabilities. Among the U.S. veteran population alone, 5.5 million are disabled. And, if we consider the reach of our Technical Communication work via the World Wide Web, this planet has 1 billion people with disabilities who can be affected by our accessibility research (National Center for Disability, 2013).
Tracing digital thyroid culture
Authors: Keller Beth
Published: April 2014

In this poster presentation, the author traces health communication in online spaces, especially conversations about hypothyroidism on Twitter. Specifically, the author looks at how participants on Twitter use the hashtag #hypothyroidism for patient agency and advocacy. The strength of ties between #hypothyroidism (the Twitter hashtag) and the actors necessary for its existence is also discussed. This poster presentation argues that Twitter can strengthen patient agency and advocacy in both online and offline relationships between hypothyroidism patients and healthcare professionals. Patient agency and advocacy is accomplished because Twitter helps to build communities of support between and among patients and professionals through the immediacy and accessibility of information.
Networked knowledges
Authors: Getto Guiseppe
Published: April 2014

As Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) utilized in workplaces, classrooms, and community organizations continue to proliferate, it follows that the kinds of knowledge necessary to assemble those technologies in order to engage in effective professional communication are becoming increasingly complex. This article details a study conducted of two student teams engaged in a service-learning class in which they were tasked with producing high-quality digital products---a mini-documentary and a simple, but interactive website---for client organizations---an art classroom in a local public school and a mentoring initiative within a local non-profit. The main findings of this study are that students mobilized a variety of resources and created a flexible network of technologies, knowledges, people, and modes of communication in order to address issues pertinent to their clients. In addition, I argue that the most important resource students mobilized was knowledge itself, indicating that one of the most important aspects of digital composing may be in-depth, practical knowledge of technologies, modes, and the genres they involve. Ultimately, the implications of this limited, classroom-based case study are that a situated understanding of how to assemble knowledges for the effective design of communication within a given communication infrastructure may be more important than access to the most cutting-edge modes and technologies, especially when working with resource-poor organizational clients.
Technical writers @ Lisbon
Authors: Aparicio Manuela
Published: April 2014

EuroSIGDOC, the SIGDOC European Chapter, has promoted workshops and conferences since 2010 in Europe. These events bring together researchers, academia and industry, focused on information systems, design communication, documentation and open source.
How computers are changing biology
Authors: Greengard Samuel
Published: April 2014

Sophisticated computer models and simulations are replacing test tubes and beakers. This revolution in biology research is redefining medicine, agriculture, and more.
The community source approach to software development and the Kuali experience
Authors: Liu Manlu , Hansen Sean , Tu Qiang
Published: April 2014

Participating educational institutions get a much more cost-effective result compared to the commercial off-the-shelf alternative.
Understanding the empirical hardness of
NP
-complete problems
Authors: Leyton-Brown Kevin , Hoos Holger H. , Hutter Frank , Xu Lin
Published: April 2014

Using machine learning to predict algorithm runtime.
Joint Link Prediction and Attribute Inference Using a Social-Attribute Network
Authors: Gong Neil Zhenqiang , Talwalkar Ameet , Mackey Lester , Huang Ling , Shin Eui Chul Richard , Stefanov Emil , Shi Elaine (Runting) , Song Dawn
Published: April 2014

The effects of social influence and homophily suggest that both network structure and node-attribute information should inform the tasks of link prediction and node-attribute inference. Recently, Yin et al. [2010a, 2010b] proposed an attribute-augmented social network model, which we callSocial-Attribute Network(SAN), to integrate network structure and node attributes to perform both link prediction and attribute inference. They focused on generalizing the random walk with a restart algorithm to the SAN framework and showed improved performance. In this article, we extend the SAN framework with several leading supervised and unsupervised link-prediction algorithms and demonstrate performance improvement for each algorithm on both link prediction and attribute inference. Moreover, we make the novel observation that attribute inference can help inform link prediction, that is, link-prediction accuracy is further improved by first inferring missing attributes. We comprehensively evaluate these algorithms and compare them with other existing algorithms using a novel, large-scale Google+ dataset, which we make publicly available (http://www.cs.berkeley.edu/~stevgong/gplus.html).
The NSA and Snowden
Authors: Toxen Bob
Published: April 2014

How good security at the NSA could have stopped him.
ACM's 2014 general election
Authors: CACM Staff
Published: April 2014

Meet the candidates who introduce their plans---and stands---for the Association.
Optical Imaging of Individual Plasmonic Nanoparticles in Biological Samples
Authors: Xiao Lehui , Yeung Edward S.
Published: April 2014

Imaging of plasmonic nanoparticles (PNP) with optical microscopy has aroused considerable attention in recent years. The unique localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) from metal nanoparticles facilitates the transduction of a chemical or physical stimulus into optical signals in a highly efficient way. It is therefore possible to perform chemical or biological assays at the single object level with the help of standard optical microscopes. Because the source of background noise from different samples is different, distinct imaging modalities have been developed to discern the signals of interest in complex surroundings. With these convenient yet powerful techniques, great improvements in chemical and biological assays have been demonstrated, and many interesting phenomena and dynamic processes have also been elucidated. Further development and application of optical imaging methods for plasmonic probes should lead to many exciting results in chemistry and biology in the future.
Computational Modeling of Cardiac Valve Function and Intervention
Authors: Sun Wei , Martin Caitlin , Pham Thuy
Published: April 2014

In the past two decades, major advances have been made in the clinical evaluation and treatment of valvular heart disease owing to the advent of noninvasive cardiac imaging modalities. In clinical practice, valvular disease evaluation is typically performed on two-dimensional (2D) images, even though most imaging modalities offer three-dimensional (3D) volumetric, time-resolved data. Such 3D data offer researchers the possibility to reconstruct the 3D geometry of heart valves at a patient-specific level. When these data are integrated with computational models, native heart valve biomechanical function can be investigated, and preoperative planning tools can be developed. In this review, we outline the advances in valve geometry reconstruction, tissue property modeling, and loading and boundary definitions for the purpose of realistic computational structural analysis of cardiac valve function and intervention.
Ångström-Precision Optical Traps and Applications
Authors: Perkins Thomas T.
Published: April 2014

Single-molecule optical-trapping experiments are now resolving the smallest units of motion in biology, including 1-base-pair steps along DNA. This review initially concentrates on the experimental problems with achieving 1-Å instrumental stability and the technical advances necessary to overcome these issues. Instrumental advances are complemented by insights in optical-trapping geometry and single-molecule motility assay development to accommodate the elasticity of biological molecules. I then discuss general issues in applying this measurement capability in the context of precision measurements along DNA. Such enhanced optical-trapping assays are revealing the fundamental step sizes of increasingly complex enzymes, as well as informative pauses in enzymatic motion. This information in turn is providing mechanistic insight into kinetic pathways that are difficult to probe by traditional assays. I conclude with a brief discussion of emerging techniques and future directions.
The Fanconi Anemia DNA Repair Pathway: Structural and Functional Insights into a Complex Disorder
Authors: Walden Helen , Deans Andrew J.
Published: April 2014

Mutations in any of at least sixteen FANC genes (FANCA–Q) cause Fanconi anemia, a disorder characterized by sensitivity to DNA interstrand crosslinking agents. The clinical features of cytopenia, developmental defects, and tumor predisposition are similar in each group, suggesting that the gene products participate in a common pathway. The Fanconi anemia DNA repair pathway consists of an anchor complex that recognizes damage caused by interstrand crosslinks, a multisubunit ubiquitin ligase that monoubiquitinates two substrates, and several downstream repair proteins including nucleases and homologous recombination enzymes. We review progress in the use of structural and biochemical approaches to understanding how each FANC protein functions in this pathway.
Microfluidics Expanding the Frontiers of Microbial Ecology
Authors: Rusconi Roberto , Garren Melissa , Stocker Roman
Published: April 2014

Microfluidics has significantly contributed to the expansion of the frontiers of microbial ecology over the past decade by allowing researchers to observe the behaviors of microbes in highly controlled microenvironments, across scales from a single cell to mixed communities. Spatially and temporally varying distributions of organisms and chemical cues that mimic natural microbial habitats can now be established by exploiting physics at the micrometer scale and by incorporating structures with specific geometries and materials. In this article, we review applications of microfluidics that have resulted in insightful discoveries on fundamental aspects of microbial life, ranging from growth and sensing to cell-cell interactions and population dynamics. We anticipate that this flexible multidisciplinary technology will continue to facilitate discoveries regarding the ecology of microorganisms and help uncover strategies to control microbial processes such as biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance.
Structural and Functional Insights to Ubiquitin-Like Protein Conjugation
Authors: Streich Frederick C. , Lima Christopher D.
Published: April 2014

Attachment of ubiquitin (Ub) and ubiquitin-like proteins (Ubls) to cellular proteins regulates numerous cellular processes including transcription, the cell cycle, stress responses, DNA repair, apoptosis, immune responses, and autophagy, to name a few. The mechanistically parallel but functionally distinct conjugation pathways typically require the concerted activities of three types of protein: E1 Ubl-activating enzymes, E2 Ubl carrier proteins, and E3 Ubl ligases. E1 enzymes initiate pathway specificity for each cascade by recognizing and activating cognate Ubls, followed by catalyzing Ubl transfer to cognate E2 protein(s). Under certain circumstances, the E2 Ubl complex can direct ligation to the target protein, but most often requires the cooperative activity of E3 ligases. Reviewed here are recent structural and functional studies that improve our mechanistic understanding of E1-, E2-, and E3-mediated Ubl conjugation.
The Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications Program of the National Human Genome Research Institute: Reflections on an Ongoing Experiment
Authors: McEwen Jean E. , Boyer Joy T. , Sun Kathie Y. , Rothenberg Karen H. , Lockhart Nicole C. , Guyer Mark S.
Published: April 2014

For more than 20 years, the Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications (ELSI) Program of the National Human Genome Research Institute has supported empirical and conceptual research to anticipate and address the ethical, legal, and social implications of genomics. As a component of the agency that funds much of the underlying science, the program has always been an experiment. The ever-expanding number of issues the program addresses and the relatively low level of commitment on the part of other funding agencies to support such research make setting priorities especially challenging. Program-supported studies have had a significant impact on the conduct of genomics research, the implementation of genomic medicine, and broader public policies. The program's influence is likely to grow as ELSI research, genomics research, and policy development activities become increasingly integrated. Achieving the benefits of increased integration while preserving the autonomy, objectivity, and intellectual independence of ELSI investigators presents ongoing challenges and new opportunities.
Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Genetics and Biology Coming Together
Authors: Fritsche Lars G. , Fariss Robert N. , Stambolian Dwight , Abecasis Gonçalo R. , Curcio Christine A. , Swaroop Anand
Published: April 2014

Genetic and genomic studies have enhanced our understanding of complex neurodegenerative diseases that exert a devastating impact on individuals and society. One such disease, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), is a major cause of progressive and debilitating visual impairment. Since the pioneering discovery in 2005 of complement factor H (CFH) as a major AMD susceptibility gene, extensive investigations have confirmed 19 additional genetic risk loci, and more are anticipated. In addition to common variants identified by now-conventional genome-wide association studies, targeted genomic sequencing and exome-chip analyses are uncovering rare variant alleles of high impact. Here, we provide a critical review of the ongoing genetic studies and of common and rare risk variants at a total of 20 susceptibility loci, which together explain 40–60% of the disease heritability but provide limited power for diagnostic testing of disease risk. Identification of these susceptibility loci has begun to untangle the complex biological pathways underlying AMD pathophysiology, pointing to new testable paradigms for treatment.
Therapeutics Based on Stop Codon Readthrough
Authors: Keeling Kim M. , Xue Xiaojiao , Gunn Gwen , Bedwell David M.
Published: April 2014

Nonsense suppression therapy encompasses approaches aimed at suppressing translation termination at in-frame premature termination codons (PTCs, also known as nonsense mutations) to restore deficient protein function. In this review, we examine the current status of PTC suppression as a therapy for genetic diseases caused by nonsense mutations. We discuss what is currently known about the mechanism of PTC suppression as well as therapeutic approaches under development to suppress PTCs. The approaches considered include readthrough drugs, suppressor tRNAs, PTC pseudouridylation, and inhibition of nonsense-mediated mRNA decay. We also discuss the barriers that currently limit the clinical application of nonsense suppression therapy and suggest how some of these difficulties may be overcome. Finally, we consider how PTC suppression may play a role in the clinical treatment of genetic diseases caused by nonsense mutations.
Taming Wild Yeast: Potential of Conventional and Nonconventional Yeasts in Industrial Fermentations
Authors: Steensels Jan , Verstrepen Kevin J.
Published: April 2014

Yeasts are the main driving force behind several industrial food fermentation processes, including the production of beer, wine, sake, bread, and chocolate. Historically, these processes developed from uncontrolled, spontaneous fermentation reactions that rely on a complex mixture of microbes present in the environment. Because such spontaneous processes are generally inconsistent and inefficient and often lead to the formation of off-flavors, most of today's industrial production utilizes defined starter cultures, often consisting of a specific domesticated strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, S. bayanus, or S. pastorianus. Although this practice greatly improved process consistency, efficiency, and overall quality, it also limited the sensorial complexity of the end product. In this review, we discuss how Saccharomyces yeasts were domesticated to become the main workhorse of food fermentations, and we investigate the potential and selection of nonconventional yeasts that are often found in spontaneous fermentations, such as Brettanomyces, Hanseniaspora, and Pichia spp.
Lipid-Metabolizing CYPs in the Regulation and Dysregulation of Metabolism
Authors: Bishop-Bailey David , Thomson Scott , Askari Ara , Faulkner Ashton , Wheeler-Jones Caroline
Published: April 2014

The cytochrome P450s (CYPs) represent a highly divergent class of enzymes involved in the oxidation of organic compounds. A subgroup of CYPs metabolize ω3-arachidonic and linoleic acids and ω6-docosahexaenoic and eicosapentaenoic polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) into a series of related biologically active mediators. Over the past 20 years, increasing evidence has emerged for a role of these PUFA-derived mediators in physiological and pathophysiological processes in the vasculature, during inflammation, and in the regulation of metabolism. With recent technological advances and increased availability of lipid mass spectroscopy, we are now starting to discern the patterns of these CYP-PUFA products in health and disease. These analyses not only are revealing the diverse spectrum of lipid nutrients regulated by CYPs, but also clearly indicate that the balance of these mediators changes with dietary intake of different PUFA classes. These findings suggest that we are only just beginning to understand all of the relevant lipid species produced by CYP pathways. Moreover, we are still a long way from understanding the nature and presence of their receptors, their tissue expression, and the pathophysiological processes they regulate. This review highlights these future issues in the context of lipid-metabolizing CYP enzymes, focusing particularly on the CYP450 family of epoxygenases and the lipid mediators they produce.
Harnessing Population Genomics to Understand How Bacterial Pathogens Emerge, Adapt to Crop Hosts, and Disseminate
Authors: Vinatzer Boris A. , Monteil Caroline L. , Clarke Christopher R.
Published: April 2014

Crop diseases emerge without warning. In many cases, diseases cross borders, or even oceans, before plant pathologists have time to identify and characterize the causative agents. Genome sequencing, in combination with intensive sampling of pathogen populations and application of population genetic tools, is now providing the means to unravel how bacterial crop pathogens emerge from environmental reservoirs, how they evolve and adapt to crops, and what international and intercontinental routes they follow during dissemination. Here, we introduce the field of population genomics and review the population genomics research of bacterial plant pathogens over the past 10 years. We highlight the potential of population genomics for investigating plant pathogens, using examples of population genomics studies of human pathogens. We also describe the complementary nature of the fields of population genomics and molecular plant-microbe interactions and propose how to translate new insights into improved disease prevention and control.
Measuring the Wealth of Nations
Authors: Dasgupta Partha
Published: April 2014

In this article, I review—and to an extent further develop—a normative theory that offers a unified language for both sustainability and policy analyses. The theory shows that by economic growth we should mean growth in wealth, which is the social worth of an economy’s entire stock of capital assets, not growth in GDP or improvements in the many ad hoc indicators of human development that have been proposed in recent years. Concurrently, the theory shows that by poverty we should mean a low level of wealth, not income, and that the distribution of well-being ought to be judged in terms of the distribution of wealth, not income or education or the many indicators that are currently in use. I show that the concept of wealth invites us to extend the notion of assets and the idea of investment well beyond conventional usage. This perspective has radical implications for the way that national accounts are prepared and interpreted. I then sketch a recent publication that has put the theory to work by studying the composition of wealth accumulation in contemporary India.
Warmth of the Welcome: Attitudes Toward Immigrants and Immigration Policy in the United States
Authors: Fussell Elizabeth
Published: April 2014

Natives' attitudes toward immigrants and immigration policy are important factors in the context of reception of immigrants because they contribute to a warm or chilly welcome, which potentially shapes immigrant and ethnic identities and intergroup relations. Public opinion polls show a recent “warming” of Americans' traditional ambivalence about immigration. Empirical research on attitudes toward immigrants and racial groups formed by recent waves of immigrants resonates with the dynamic nature of Blumer's (1958) theory of prejudice as a sense of relative group position. To better understand this dynamism, research that intentionally contrasts study sites on conflict and contact conditions and the presence or absence of symbolic politics, as well as research on different native-born racial and ethnic groups, would reveal a broader range of natives' attitude formation processes and the role they play in immigrant reception.
High-throughput measurement of gap junctional intercellular communication
Authors: Liu Jun , Siragam Vinayakumar , Chen Jun , Fridman Michael D. , Hamilton Robert M. , Sun Yu
Published: April 2014

Gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) is a critical part of cellular activities and is necessary for electrical propagation among contacting cells. Disorders of gap junctions are a major cause for cardiac arrhythmias. Dye transfer through microinjection is a conventional technique for measuring GJIC. To overcome the limitations of manual microinjection and perform high-throughput GJIC measurement, here we present a new robotic microinjection system that is capable of injecting a large number of cells at a high speed. The highly automated system enables large-scale cell injection (thousands of cells vs. a few cells) without major operator training. GJIC of three cell lines of differing gap junction density, i.e., HeLa, HEK293, and HL-1, was evaluated. The effect of a GJIC inhibitor (18-α-glycyrrhetinic acid) was also quantified in the three cell lines. System operation speed, success rate, and cell viability rate were quantitatively evaluated based on robotic microinjection of over 4,000 cells. Injection speed was 22.7 cells per min, with 95% success for cell injection and >90% survival. Dye transfer cell counts and dye transfer distance correlated with the expected connexin expression of each cell type, and inhibition of dye transfer correlated with the concentration of GJIC inhibitor. Additionally, real-time monitoring of dye transfer enables the calculation of coefficients of molecular diffusion through gap junctions. This robotic microinjection dye transfer technique permits rapid assessment of gap junction function in confluent cell cultures.
The contribution of K+ channels to human thoracic duct contractility
Authors: Telinius Niklas , Kim Sukhan , Pilegaard Hans , Pahle Einar , Nielsen Jørn , Hjortdal Vibeke , Aalkjaer Christian , Boedtkjer Donna Briggs
Published: April 2014

In smooth muscle cells, K+ permeability is high, and this highly influences the resting membrane potential. Lymph propulsion is dependent on phasic contractions generated by smooth muscle cells of lymphatic vessels, and it is likely that K+ channels play a critical role in regulating contractility in this tissue. The aim of this study was to investigate the contribution of distinct K+ channels to human lymphatic vessel contractility. Thoracic ducts were harvested from 43 patients and mounted in a wire myograph for isometric force measurements or membrane potential recordings with an intracellular microelectrode. Using K+ channel blockers and activators, we demonstrate a functional contribution to human lymphatic vessel contractility from all the major classes of K+ channels [ATP-sensitive K+ (KATP), Ca2+-activated K+, inward rectifier K+, and voltage-dependent K+ channels], and this was confirmed at the mRNA level. Contraction amplitude, frequency, and baseline tension were altered depending on which channel was blocked or activated. Microelectrode impalements of lymphatic vessels determined an average resting membrane potential of −43.1 ± 3.7 mV. We observed that membrane potential changes of <5 mV could have large functional effects with contraction frequencies increasing threefold. In general, KATP channels appeared to be constitutively open since incubation with glibenclamide increased contraction frequency in spontaneously active vessels and depolarized and initiated contractions in previously quiescent vessels. The largest change in membrane voltage was observed with the KATP opener pinacidil, which caused 24 ± 3 mV hyperpolarization. We conclude that K+ channels are important modulators of human lymphatic contractility.
Analysis of a Mathematical Model of Emerging Infectious Disease Leading to Amphibian Decline
Authors: Dur-e-Ahmad Muhammad , Imran Mudassar , Khan Adnan
Published: April 2014

We formulate a three-dimensional deterministic model of amphibian larvae population to investigate the cause of extinction due to the infectious disease. The larvae population of the model is subdivided into two classes, exposed and unexposed, depending on their vulnerability to disease. Reproduction ratioℛ0has been calculated and we have shown that ifℛ0<1, the whole population will be extinct. For the case ofℛ0>1, we discussed different scenarios under which an infected population can survive or be eliminated using stability and persistence analysis. Finally, we also used Hopf bifurcation analysis to study the stability of periodic solutions.
Human Periodontal Ligament Derived Progenitor Cells: Effect of STRO-1 Cell Sorting and Wnt3a Treatment on Cell Behavior
Authors: Yan Xiang-Zhen , Both Sanne K. , Yang Pi-Shan , Jansen John A. , van den Beucken Jeroen J. J. P. , Yang Fang
Published: April 2014

Objectives.STRO-1 positive periodontal ligament cells (PDLCs) and unsorted PDLCs have demonstrated potential for periodontal regeneration, but the comparison between unsorted cells and the expanded STRO-1 sorted cells has never been reported. Additionally, Wnt3a is involved in cell proliferation thus may benefitin vitroPDLC expansion. The aim was to evaluate the effect of STRO-1 cell sorting and Wnt3a treatment on cell behavior of human PDLCs (hPDLCs).Materials and Methods.STRO-1 positive hPDLCs were sorted and the sorted cells were expanded and compared with their unsorted parental cells. Thereafter, hPDLCs were treated with or without Wnt3a and the cell proliferation, self-renewal, and osteogenic differentiation were evaluated.Results.No differences were measured between the expanded STRO-1-sorted cells and unsorted parental cells in terms of proliferation, CFU, and mineralization capacity. Wnt3a enhanced the proliferation and self-renewal ability of hPDLCs significantly as displayed by higher DNA content values, a shorter cell population doubling time, and higher expression of the self-renewal geneOct4. Moreover, Wnt3a promoted the expansion of hPDLCs for 5 passages without affecting cell proliferation, CFU, and osteogenic capacity.Conclusions.Expanded STRO-1-sorted hPDLCs showed no superiority compared to their unsorted parental cells. On the other hand, Wnt3a promotes the efficient hPDLC expansion and retains the self-renewal and osteogenic differentiation capacity.
The Improvement of the Region Homogeneity Measure Operator and Its Noise Disposed
Authors: Luo Senyue
Published: April 2014

Based on the analysis of the characteristic of the image texture, we extend the region homogeneity measure operator (RHMO) to a more reasonable case, thus avoiding some omission situation. Moreover, we compare the RHMO with the convolution function to find out the more rational range of region homogeneity measure (RHM). At the end of this paper, we use the improved RHM method for some images in a new Partial Differential Equation (PDE); the results indicate that the improved concept has achieved a good result.
On Topological Structures of Fuzzy Parametrized Soft Sets
Authors: Atmaca Serkan , Zorlutuna İdris
Published: April 2014

We introduce the topological structure of fuzzy parametrized soft sets and fuzzy parametrized soft mappings. We define the notion of quasi-coincidence for fuzzy parametrized soft sets and investigated its basic properties. We study the closure, interior, base, continuity, and compactness and properties of these concepts in fuzzy parametrized soft topological spaces.
Lattice Methods for Pricing American Strangles with Two-Dimensional Stochastic Volatility Models
Authors: Gao Xuemei , Deng Dongya , Shan Yue
Published: April 2014

The aim of this paper is to extend the lattice method proposed by Ritchken and Trevor (1999) for pricing American options with one-dimensional stochastic volatility models to the two-dimensional cases with strangle payoff. This proposed method is compared with the least square Monte-Carlo method via numerical examples.
Faber-Schauder Wavelet Sparse Grid Approach for Option Pricing with Transactions Cost
Authors: Mei Shu-Li
Published: April 2014

Transforming the nonlinear Black-Scholes equation into the diffusion PDE by introducing the log transform ofSand(T−t)→τcan provide the most stable platform within which option prices can be evaluated. The space jump that appeared in the transformation model is suitable to be solved by the sparse grid approach. An adaptive sparse approximation solution of the nonlinear second-order PDEs was constructed using Faber-Schauder wavelet function and the corresponding multiscale analysis theory. First, we construct the multiscale wavelet interpolation operator based on the definition of interpolation wavelet theory. The operator can be used to discretize the weak solution function of the nonlinear second-order PDEs. Second, using the couple technique of the variational iteration method (VIM) and the precision integration method, the sparse approximation solution of the nonlinear partial differential equations can be obtained. The method is tested on three classical nonlinear option pricing models such as Leland model, Barles-Soner model, and risk adjusted pricing methodology. The solutions are compared with the finite difference method. The present results indicate that the method is competitive.
The Kikuchi-Fujimoto Disease in Nigeria: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Akinbami Akinsegun , Odesanya Mojeed , Soyemi Sunday , John-Olabode Sarah , Adediran Adewumi , Oshinaike Olajumoke , Uche Ebele , Dosunmu Adedoyin , Dada Akinola , Okunoye Olaitan
Published: April 2014

The Kikuchi-Fujimoto is a rare, self-limiting disease, which is characterized by regional lymphadenopathy. It occurs worldwide with a higher prevalence among Asians and women below the age of forty years. We present 41-year-old Nigerian woman who was investigated extensively for unilateral left cervical lymphadenopathy. She was eventually diagnosed as having the Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease and was managed conservatively thereafter. We describe a case report and review of literature for better awareness of the disease amongst medical practitioners and pathologists in Africa.
Chemokines Profiling of Patients with Preterm Birth
Authors: Laudanski Piotr , Lemancewicz Adam , Kuc Pawel , Charkiewicz Karol , Ramotowska Barbara , Kretowska Malgorzata , Jasinska Elwira , Raba Grzegorz , Karwasik-Kajszczarek Katarzyna , Kraczkowski Janusz , Laudanski Tadeusz
Published: April 2014

Introduction.Nowadays it is thought that the main cause of premature birth is subclinical infection. However, none of the currently used methods provide effective prevention to preterm labor. The aim of the study was to determine the concentration of selected chemokines in sera of patients with premature birth without clinical signs of infection (n=62), threatened preterm labor (n=47), and term births (n=28).Method.To assess the concentration of chemokines in the blood serum, we used a multiplex method, which allows the simultaneous determination of 40 chemokines per sample. The sets consist of the following chemokines: 6Ckine/CCL21, Axl, BTC, CCL28, CTACK/CCL27, CXCL16, ENA-78/CXCL5, Eotaxin-3/CCL26, GCP-2/CXC, GRO (GROα/CXCL1, GROβ/CXCL2 and GROγ/CXCL3), HCC-1/CCL14, HCC-4/CCL16, IL-9, IL-17F, IL18-BPa, IL-28A, IL-29, IL-31, IP-10/CXCL10, I-TAC/CXCL11, LIF, LIGHT/TNFSF14, Lymphotactin/XCL1, MCP-2/CCL8, MCP-3/CCL7, MCP-4/CCL13, MDC/CCL22, MIF, MIP-3α/CCL20, MIP-3-β/CCL19, MPIF-1/CCL23, NAP-2/CXCL7, MSPα, OPN, PARC/CCL18, PF4, SDF-1/CXCL12, TARC/CCL17, TECK/CCL25, and TSLP.Results.We showed possible implication of 4 chemokines, that is, HCC-4, I-TAC, MIP-3α, and TARC in women with symptoms of preterm delivery.Conclusion.On the basis of our findings, it seems that the chemokines may play role in the pathogenesis of preterm labor. Defining their potential as biochemical markers of preterm birth requires further investigation on larger group of patients.
Bisphosphonate-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw: A Review of the Literature
Authors: Sigua-Rodriguez Eder Alberto , da Costa Ribeiro Renato , de Brito Ana Caroline Ramos , Alvarez-Pinzon Natalia , de Albergaria-Barbosa José Ricardo
Published: April 2014

Bisphosphonates (BPs) are a class of drugs used to treat osteoporosis and malignant bone metastasis. BPs show high binding capacity to the bone matrix, especially in sites of active bone metabolism. The American Society for Bone and Mineral Research defines BRONJ as “an area of exposed bone in the maxillofacial region that has not healed within 8 weeks after identification by a healthcare provider in a patient who is receiving or has been exposed to a bisphosphonate and has not had radiation therapy to the craniofacial region.” Bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) can adversely affect quality of life, as it may produce significant morbidity. The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) considers as vitally important that information on BRONJ be disseminated to other dental and medical specialties. The purpose of this work is to offer a perspective on how dentists should manage patients on BPs, to show the benefits of accurately diagnosing BRONJ, and to present diagnostic aids and treatments strategies for the condition.
Epidemiology of Injuries in Belgium: Contribution of Hospital Data for Surveillance
Authors: Senterre Christelle , Levêque Alain , Di Pierdomenico Lionel , Dramaix-Wilmet Michèle , Pirson Magali
Published: April 2014

Objectives. Investigating injuries in terms of occurrences and patient and hospital stay characteristics.Methods. 17370 stays, with at least one E code, were investigated based on data from 13 Belgian hospitals. Pearson’s chi-square and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to assess the variations between distributions of the investigated factors according to the injury’s types.Results. Major injuries were accidental falls, transport injuries, and self-inflicted injuries. There were more men in the transport injuries group and the accidental falls group was older. For the transport injuries, there were more arrivals with the support of a mobile intensive care unit and/or a paramedic intervention team and a general practitioner was more implicated for the accidental falls. In three-quarters of cases, it was a primary diagnostic related to injury and poisoning which was made. The median length of stay was nearly equal to one week and for accidental falls, this value is three times higher. The median cost, from the social security point of view, for all injuries was equal to €1377 and there was a higher median cost within the falls group.Conclusion. This study based on hospitals data provides important information both on factors associated with and on hospital costs generated by injuries.
Development of Phantom Limb Pain after Femoral Nerve Block
Authors: Siddiqui Sadiah , Sifonios Anthony N. , Le Vanny , Martinez Marc E. , Eloy Jean D. , Kaufman Andrew G.
Published: April 2014

Historically, phantom limb pain (PLP) develops in 50–80% of amputees and may arise within days following an amputation for reasons presently not well understood. Our case involves a 29-year-old male with previous surgical amputation who develops PLP after the performance of a femoral nerve block. Although there have been documented cases of reactivation of PLP in amputees after neuraxial technique, there have been no reported events associated with femoral nerve blockade. We base our discussion on the theory that symptoms of phantom limb pain are of neuropathic origin and attempt to elaborate the link between regional anesthesia and PLP. Further investigation and understanding of PLP itself will hopefully uncover a relationship between peripheral nerve blocks targeting an affected limb and the subsequent development of this phenomenon, allowing physicians to take appropriate steps in prevention and treatment.
Modeling of Steam Distillation Mechanism during Steam Injection Process Using Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Daryasafar Amin , Ahadi Arash , Kharrat Riyaz
Published: April 2014

Steam distillation as one of the important mechanisms has a great role in oil recovery in thermal methods and so it is important to simulate this process experimentally and theoretically. In this work, the simulation of steam distillation is performed on sixteen sets of crude oil data found in the literature. Artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as artificial neural network (ANN) and also adaptive neurofuzzy interference system (ANFIS) are used in this study as effective methods to simulate the distillate recoveries of these sets of data. Thirteen sets of data were used to train the models and three sets were used to test the models. The developed models are highly compatible with respect to input oil properties and can predict the distillate yield with minimum entry. For showing the performance of the proposed models, simulation of steam distillation is also done using modified Peng-Robinson equation of state. Comparison between the calculated distillates by ANFIS and neural network models and also equation of state-based method indicates that the errors of the ANFIS model for training data and test data sets are lower than those of other methods.
Vehicle Chassis Integrated Control Based on Multimodel and Multilevel Hierarchical Control
Authors: Zhao Shu-en , Li Yuling , Qu Xian
Published: April 2014

Aiming at the differences of vehicle chassis key subsystems influence on vehicle handling stability and effective acting regions, comprehensive considering of the nonlinear characteristic of the tires and the dynamic coupling among suspension, steering, and braking subsystems in vehicle chassis, the 14‐DOF full vehicle model is built. Based on the control characteristic local optimum of each subsystem, multilevel hierarchical control theory is adopted and the vehicle stability coordinated control system including organization, coordination, and execution level is established. Using sliding mode control theory and the inverse tire model, the generalized target forces and moments from organization level are translated into the tire sideslip angle and slip ratio. And then, based on the principle of functional allocation, the control functions of each subsystem are coordinated and the function decoupling of vehicle chassis complex system is realized. The Matlab/Simulink platform is used and the full vehicle stability coordinated control system is simulated. The results show that the full vehicle coordinated control system based on multilevel hierarchical control theory can improve the vehicle stability preferably than the subsystem combined control and uncontrolled system.
Hybrid Soft Computing Schemes for the Prediction of Import Demand of Crude Oil in Taiwan
Authors: Shao Yuehjen E. , Lu Chi-Jie , Hou Chia-Ding
Published: April 2014

Crude oil is the most important nonrenewable energy resource and the most key element for the world. In contrast to typical forecasts of oil price, this study aims at forecasting the demand of imported crude oil (ICO). This study proposes different single stage and two‐stage hybrid stages of forecasting models for prediction of ICO in Taiwan. The single stage forecasting modeling includes multiple linear regression (MLR), support vector regression (SVR), artificial neural networks (ANN), and extreme learning machine (ELM) approaches. While the first step of the two‐stage modeling is to select the fewer but more significant explanatory variables, the second step is to generate predictions by using these significant explanatory variables. The proposed two‐stage hybrid models consist of integration of different modeling components. Mean absolute percentage error, root mean square error, and mean absolute difference are utilized as the performance measures. Real data set of crude oil in Taiwan for the period of 1993–2010 and twenty‐three associated explanatory variables are sampled and investigated. The forecasting results reveal that the proposed two‐stage hybrid modeling is able to accurately predict the demand of crude oil in Taiwan.
Modeling and Analysis of an Air‐Breathing Flexible Hypersonic Vehicle
Authors: Zhang Xi-bin , Zong Qun
Published: April 2014

By using light‐weighted material in hypersonic vehicle, the vehicle body can be easily deformed. The mutual couplings in aerodynamics, flexible structure, and propulsion system will bring great challenges for vehicle modeling. In this work, engineering estimated method is used to calculate the aerodynamic forces, moments, and flexible modes to get the physics‐based model of an air‐breathing flexible hypersonic vehicle. The model, which contains flexible effects and viscous effects, can capture the physical characteristics of high‐speed flight. To overcome the analytical intractability of the model, a simplified control‐oriented model of the hypersonic vehicle is presented with curve fitting approximations. The control‐oriented model can not only reduce the complexity of the model, but also retain aero‐flexible structure‐propulsion interactions of the physics‐based model and can be applied for nonlinear control.
Impact of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Pharmacological Treatment on Transrectal Prostate Biopsy Adverse Effects
Authors: Zamuner Marina , Falcone Ciro Eduardo , Amstalden Neto Arnaldo , Moretti Tomás Bernardo Costa , Magna Luis Alberto , Denardi Fernandes , Reis Leonardo Oliveira
Published: April 2014

Background. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) pharmacological treatment may promote a decrease in prostate vascularization and bladder neck relaxation with theoretical improvement in prostate biopsy morbidity, though never explored in the literature.Methods. Among 242 consecutive unselected patients who underwent prostate biopsy, after excluding those with history of prostate biopsy/surgery or using medications not for BPH, we studied 190 patients. On the 15th day after procedure patients were questioned about symptoms lasting over a week and classified according to pharmacological BPH treatment.Results. Thirty-three patients (17%) were using alpha-blocker exclusively, five (3%) 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor exclusively, twelve (6%) patients used both medications, and 140 (74%) patients used none. There was no difference in regard to age among groups (P=0.5). Postbiopsy adverse effects occurred as follows: hematuria 96 (50%), hematospermia 53 (28%), hematochezia 22 (12%), urethrorrhagia 19 (10%), fever 5 (3%), and pain 20 (10%). There was a significant negative correlation between postbiopsy hematuria and BPH pharmacological treatment with stronger correlation for combined use of 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor and alpha-blocker over 6 months (P=0.0027).Conclusion. BPH pharmacological treatment, mainly combined for at least 6 months seems to protect against prostate biopsy adverse effects. Future studies are necessary to confirm our novel results.