bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Input-covering schedules for multithreaded programs
Authors: Bergan Tom , Ceze Luis , Grossman Dan
Published: November 2013

We propose constraining multithreaded execution to small sets of
input-covering schedules
, which we define as follows: given a program P, we say that a set of schedules ∑
covers
all inputs of program P if, when given any input, P's execution can be constrained to some schedule in ∑ and still produce a semantically valid result.

Our approach is to first compute a small ∑ for a given program P, and then, at runtime, constrain P's execution to always follow some schedule in ∑, and never deviate. We have designed an algorithm that uses symbolic execution to systematically enumerate a set of input-covering schedules, ∑. To deal with programs that run for an unbounded length of time, we partition execution into
bounded epochs
, find input-covering schedules for each epoch in isolation, and then piece the schedules together at runtime. We have implemented this algorithm along with a constrained execution runtime for pthreads programs, and we report results

Our approach has the following advantage: because all possible runtime schedules are known
a priori
, we can seek to validate the program by thoroughly verifying each schedule in ∑, in isolation, without needing to reason about the huge space of thread interleavings that arises due to conventional nondeterministic execution.
Semi-automatic rename refactoring for JavaScript
Authors: Feldthaus Asger , Møller Anders
Published: November 2013

Modern IDEs support automated refactoring for many programming languages, but support for JavaScript is still primitive. To perform renaming, which is one of the fundamental refactorings, there is often no practical alternative to simple syntactic search-and-replace. Although more sophisticated alternatives have been developed, they are limited by whole-program assumptions and poor scalability.

We propose a technique for semi-automatic refactoring for JavaScript, with a focus on renaming. Unlike traditional refactoring algorithms, semi-automatic refactoring works by a combination of static analysis and interaction with the programmer. With this pragmatic approach, we can provide scalable and effective refactoring support for real-world code, including libraries and incomplete applications. Through a series of experiments that estimate how much manual effort our technique demands from the programmer, we show that our approach is a useful improvement compared to search-and-replace tools.
Fully concurrent garbage collection of actors on many-core machines
Authors: Clebsch Sylvan , Drossopoulou Sophia
Published: November 2013

Disposal of dead actors in actor-model languages is as important as disposal of unreachable objects in object-oriented languages. In current practice, programmers are required to either manually terminate actors, or they have to rely on garbage collection systems that monitor actor mutation through write barriers, thread coordination through locks etc. These techniques, however, prevent the collector from being fully concurrent.

We developed a protocol that allows garbage collection to run fully concurrently with all actors. The main challenges in concurrent garbage collection is the detection of cycles of sleeping actors in the actors graph, in the presence of concurrent mutation of this graph. Our protocol is solely built on message passing: it uses deferred direct reference counting, a dedicated actor for the detection of (cyclic) garbage, and a confirmation protocol (to deal with the mutation of the actor graph).

We present our ideas informally through an example, and then present a formal model, prove soundness and argue completeness. We have implemented the protocol as part of a runtime library. As a preliminary performance evaluation, we discuss the performance of our approach as currently used at a financial institution, and use four benchmarks from the literature to compare our approach with other actor-model systems. These preliminary results indicate that the overhead of our approach is small.
Typed syntactic meta-programming
Authors: Devriese Dominique , Piessens Frank
Published: November 2013

We present a novel set of meta-programming primitives for use in a dependently-typed functional language. The types of our meta-programs provide strong and precise guarantees about their termination, correctness and completeness. Our system supports type-safe construction and analysis of terms, types and typing contexts. Unlike alternative approaches, they are written in the same style as normal programs and use the language's standard functional computational model. We formalise the new meta-programming primitives, implement them as an extension of Agda, and provide evidence of usefulness by means of two compelling applications in the fields of datatype-generic programming and proof tactics.
Productive coprogramming with guarded recursion
Authors: Atkey Robert , McBride Conor
Published: November 2013

Total functional programming offers the beguiling vision that, just by virtue of the compiler accepting a program, we are guaranteed that it will always terminate. In the case of programs that are not intended to terminate, e.g., servers, we are guaranteed that programs will always be
productive
. Productivity means that, even if a program generates an infinite amount of data, each piece will be generated in finite time. The theoretical underpinning for productive programming with infinite output is provided by the category theoretic notion of final coalgebras. Hence, we speak of
co
programming with non-well-founded
co
data, as a dual to programming with well-founded data like finite lists and trees.

Systems that offer facilities for productive coprogramming, such as the proof assistants Coq and Agda, currently do so through syntactic guardedness checkers. Syntactic guardedness checkers ensure that all self-recursive calls are guarded by a use of a constructor. Such a check ensures productivity. Unfortunately, these syntactic checks are not compositional, and severely complicate coprogramming.

Guarded recursion, originally due to Nakano, is tantalising as a basis for a flexible and compositional type-based approach to coprogramming. However, as we show, by itself, guarded recursion is not suitable for coprogramming due to the fact that there is no way to make finite observations on pieces of infinite data. In this paper, we introduce the concept of
clock variables
that index Nakano's guarded recursion. Clock variables allow us to "close over" the generation of infinite data, and to make finite observations, something that is not possible with guarded recursion alone.
The constrained-monad problem
Authors: Sculthorpe Neil , Bracker Jan , Giorgidze George , Gill Andy
Published: November 2013

In Haskell, there are many data types that would form monads were it not for the presence of type-class constraints on the operations on that data type. This is a frustrating problem in practice, because there is a considerable amount of support and infrastructure for monads that these data types cannot use. Using several examples, we show that a monadic computation can be restructured into a normal form such that the standard monad class can be used. The technique is not specific to monads, and we show how it can also be applied to other structures, such as applicative functors. One significant use case for this technique is domain-specific languages, where it is often desirable to compile a deep embedding of a computation to some other language, which requires restricting the types that can appear in that computation.
Calculating threesomes, with blame
Authors: Garcia Ronald
Published: November 2013

Coercions and threesomes both enable a language to combine static and dynamic types while avoiding cast-based space leaks. Coercion calculi elegantly specify space-efficient cast behavior, even when augmented with blame tracking, but implementing their semantics directly is difficult. Threesomes, on the other hand, have a straightforward recursive implementation, but endowing them with blame tracking is challenging. In this paper, we show that you can use that elegant spec to produce that straightforward implementation: we use the coercion calculus to derive threesomes with blame. In particular, we construct novel threesome calculi for blame tracking strategies that detect errors earlier, catch more errors, and reflect an intuitive conception of safe and unsafe casts based on traditional subtyping.
Interactive programming with dependent types
Authors: Norell Ulf
Published: November 2013

In dependently typed languages run-time values can appear in types, making it possible to give programs more precise types than in languages without dependent types. This can range from keeping track of simple invariants like the length of a list, to full functional correctness. In addition to having some correctness guarantees on the final program, assigning more precise types to programs means that you can get more assistance from the type checker while writing them. This is what I focus on here, demonstrating how the programming environment of Agda can help you when developing dependently typed programs.
Functional geometry and the Traité de Lutherie
Authors: Mairson Harry George
Published: November 2013

We describe a functional programming approach to the design of outlines of eighteenth-century string instruments. The approach is based on the research described in François Denis's book,
Traité de lutherie
. The programming vernacular for Denis's instructions, which we call
functional geometry
, is meant to reiterate the historically justified language and techniques of this musical instrument design. The programming metaphor is entirely Euclidean, involving straightedge and compass constructions, with few (if any) numbers, and no Cartesian equations or grid. As such, it is also an interesting approach to teaching programming and mathematics without numerical calculation or equational reasoning.

The advantage of this language-based, functional approach to
lutherie
is founded in the abstract characterization of common patterns in instrument design. These patterns include not only the abstraction of common straightedge and compass constructions, but of higher-order conceptualization of the instrument design process. We also discuss the role of arithmetic, geometric, harmonic, and subharmonic proportions, and the use of their rational approximants.
Thermal Ecology, Environments, Communities, and Global Change: Energy Intake and Expenditure in Endotherms
Authors: Kronfeld-Schor Noga , Dayan Tamar
Published: November 2013

To survive, animals must maintain a balance between energy acquisition (foraging) and energy expenditure. This challenge is particularly great for endotherm vertebrates that require high amounts of energy to maintain homeothermy. Many of these endotherms use hibernation or daily torpor as a mechanism to reduce energy expenditure during anticipated or stochastic periods of stress. Although ecological researchers have focused extensively on energy acquisition, physiologists have largely studied thermal ecology and the mechanisms allowing endotherms to regulate energy expenditure, with little research explicitly linking ecology and thermal biology. Nevertheless, theoretical considerations and research conducted so far point to a significant ecological role for torpor in endotherms. Moreover, global-change challenges facing vertebrate endotherms are also considered in view of their ability to regulate their energy expenditure. We review the thermal ecology of endothermic vertebrates and some of its ecological and evolutionary implications.
Nitrogen-Vacancy Centers in Diamond: Nanoscale Sensors for Physics and Biology
Authors: Schirhagl Romana , Chang Kevin , Loretz Michael , Degen Christian L.
Published: November 2013

Crystal defects in diamond have emerged as unique objects for a variety of applications, both because they are very stable and because they have interesting optical properties. Embedded in nanocrystals, they can serve, for example, as robust single-photon sources or as fluorescent biomarkers of unlimited photostability and low cytotoxicity. The most fascinating aspect, however, is the ability of some crystal defects, most prominently the nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center, to locally detect and measure a number of physical quantities, such as magnetic and electric fields. This metrology capacity is based on the quantum mechanical interactions of the defect's spin state. In this review, we introduce the new and rapidly evolving field of nanoscale sensing based on single NV centers in diamond. We give a concise overview of the basic properties of diamond, from synthesis to electronic and magnetic properties of embedded NV centers. We describe in detail how single NV centers can be harnessed for nanoscale sensing, including the physical quantities that may be detected, expected sensitivities, and the most common measurement protocols. We conclude by highlighting a number of the diverse and exciting applications that may be enabled by these novel sensors, ranging from measurements of ion concentrations and membrane potentials to nanoscale thermometry and single-spin nuclear magnetic resonance.
Tobacco Smoke–Induced Lung Fibrosis and Emphysema
Authors: Morse Danielle , Rosas Ivan O.
Published: November 2013

Despite public health campaigns discouraging smoking, 1,000 American children every day become smokers, ensuring that tobacco-related health complications will be with us for decades to come. Smoking is the greatest risk factor for both chronic obstructive lung disease and interstitial lung disease. The facts that not every smoker develops chronic lung disease and that lung pathology differs markedly among smokers indicate that individual susceptibility must be a central determinant of lung injury responses to cigarette smoke. Comparative examination of pathogenic mechanisms of smoke-induced lung disease can shed light on the homeostatic pathways critical to maintaining lung health. In this review, we explore common and divergent biological forces tilting the lung homeostatic balance away from health and toward emphysema or pulmonary fibrosis. We emphasize recent insights that highlight the greatest contrasts or similarities in the pathogenesis of these two chronic lung disease phenotypes.
Evaluating of Life Quality in Patients with Acne Vulgaris Using Generic and Specific Questionnaires
Authors: Ghaderi Reza , Saadatjoo Alireza , Ghaderi Faezeh
Published: November 2013

Background. Acne vulgaris is a common skin disease that can adversely affect the quality of life of patients.Objective. The aim of this study was to determine the quality of life in patients with acne vulgaris.Methods. This study was carried out on 70 patients with acne vulgaris (28 males, 42 females). All the patients filled out two Persian versions of questionnaires: short form 36 (SF-36) and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). The obtained data were analyzed by using SPSS software (version 17).Results. The scores for physical functioning, social functioning, and bodily pain domains in patients were over 70%, but the scores for role physical, general health, vitality, role emotional, and mental health in patients were under 70%. Scores on the DLQI in patients with acne vulgaris ranged from 0 to 22 (mean ± SD, 8.18 ± 4.83). After comparing mean score of DLQI with respect to gender and age, it was found that the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant.Conclusion. Acne vulgaris has a significant effect on the quality of life. There was not any significant gender or age related difference in QOL.
Lattice Boltzmann Simulation of Collision between 2D Circular Particles Suspension in Couette Flow
Authors: Huang Li-Zhong , Nie De-Ming
Published: November 2013

Collision between 2D circular particles suspension in Couette flow is simulated by using multiple-relaxation-time based lattice Boltzmann and direct forcing/fictitious domain method in this paper. The patterns of particle collisions are simulated and analyzed in detail by changing the velocity of top and bottom walls in the Couette flow. It can be seen from the simulation results that, while the velocity is large enough, the number of collisions between particles will change little as this velocity varies.
Vehicle Unsteady Dynamics Characteristics Based on Tire and Road Features
Authors: Ma Bin , Xu Hong-guo
Published: November 2013

During automotive related accidents, tire and road play an important role in vehicle unsteady dynamics as they have a significant impact on the sliding friction. The calculation of the rubber viscoelastic energy loss modulus and the true contact area model is improved based on the true contact area and the rubber viscoelastic theory. A 10 DOF full vehicle dynamic model in consideration of the kinetic sliding friction coefficient which has good accuracy and reality is developed. The stability test is carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of the model, and the simulation test is done in MATLAB to analyze the impact of tire feature and road self-affine characteristics on the sport utility vehicle (SUV) unsteady dynamics under different weights. The findings show that it is a great significance to analyze the SUV dynamics equipped with different tire on different roads, which may provide useful insights into solving the explicit-implicit features of tire prints in systematically and designing active safety systems.
Eradication ofHelicobacter pyloriIs Associated with the Progression of Dementia: A Population-Based Study
Authors: Chang Yang-Pei , Chiu Guei-Fen , Kuo Fu-Chen , Lai Chiou-Lian , Yang Yuan-Han , Hu Huang-Ming , Chang Pi-Yu , Chen Chiao-Yun , Wu Deng-Chyang , Yu Fang-Jung
Published: November 2013

Objective. To evaluate the effect of eradication ofHelicobacter pylori(H. pylori) on the progression of dementia in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients with peptic ulcer.Methods. Participants with the diagnosis of AD and peptic ulcer were recruited between 2001 and 2008. We examined the association between eradication ofH. pyloriand the progression of AD using the multiple regression models. Medication shift from Donepezil, Rivastgmine, and Galantamine to Mematine is defined as progression of dementia according to the insurance of National Health Insurance (NHI) under expert review.Results. Among the 30142 AD patients with peptic ulcers, the ratio of medication shift in AD patients with peptic ulcers is 79.95%. There were significant lower incidence comorbidities (diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cerebrovascular disease, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure and hyperlipidemia) in patients withH. pylorieradication as compared with noH. pylorieradication. Eradication ofH. pyloriwas associated with a decreased risk of AD progression (odds ratio [OR] 0.35 [0.23–0.52]) as compared with noH. pylorieradication, which was not modified by comorbidities.Conclusions. Eradication ofH. pyloriwas associated with a decreased progression of dementia as compared to no eradication ofH. pyloriin AD patients with peptic ulcers.
Coefficient Estimates for New Subclasses of Analytic and Bi-Univalent Functions Defined by Al-Oboudi Differential Operator
Authors: Bulut Serap
Published: November 2013

We introduce and investigate two new subclasses and of analytic and bi-univalent functions in the open unit disk For functions belonging to these classes, we obtain estimates on the first two Taylor-Maclaurin coefficients and
Application of Ozone Related Processes to Mineralize Tetramethyl Ammonium Hydroxide in Aqueous Solution
Authors: Chiou Chyow-San , Chuang Kai-Jen , Lin Ya-Fen , Chen Hua-Wei , Ma Chih-Ming
Published: November 2013

Tetramethyl ammonium hydroxide (TMAH) is an anisotropic etchant used in the wet etching process of the semiconductor industry and is hard to degrade by biotreatments when it exists in wastewater. This study evaluated the performance of a system combined with ultraviolet, magnetic catalyst (SiO2/Fe3O4) andO3, denoted as UV/O3, to TMAH in an aqueous solution. The mineralization efficiency of TMAH under various conditions follows the sequence: UV/O3> UV/H2O2/O3>H2O2/SiO2/Fe3O4/O3>H2O2/O3>SiO2/Fe3O4/O3>O3> UV/H2O2. The results suggest that UV/O3process provides the best condition for the mineralization of TMAH (40 mg/L), resulting in 87.6% mineralization, at 60 min reaction time. Furthermore, the mineralization efficiency ofSiO2/Fe3O4/H2O2/O3was significantly higher than that ofO3,H2O2/O3, and UV/H2O2. More than 90% of the magnetic catalyst was recovered and easily redispersed in a solution for reuse.
Giant Ulcerative Dermatofibroma
Authors: Karlidag Turgut , Keles Erol , Orhan Israfil , Kaplama Mehmet Erkan , Cobanoglu Bengu
Published: November 2013

Dermatofibroma is a slowly growing common benign cutaneous tumor characterized by hard papules and nodules. The rarely seen erosions and ulcerations may cause difficulties in the diagnosis. Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, which is clinically and histopathologically of malignant character, displays difficulties in the diagnosis since it has similarities with basal cell carcinoma, epidermoid carcinoma, and sarcomas. Head and neck involvement is very rare. In this study, a giant dermatofibroma case, which is histopathologically, ulcerative dermatofibroma, the biggest lesion of the head and neck region and seen rarely in the literature that has characteristics similar to dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, has been presented.
Computational Determination of the Dirac-Theory Adjunctator
Authors: Dima M.
Published: November 2013

A number of particle properties stem from the use ofγ0as adjunctator (Bargmann-Pauli) in the Dirac theory (spin alignment, Dirac current, etc.). The early motivations for acceptingγ0as adjunctator were representation-dependent, mildly bearing relation to the actual conditions forcingγ0as adjunctator. Representation-independent approaches to the physical predictions of the Dirac equation are somewhat new, here presented as being the reasons forγ0as adjunctator of the Dirac theory, together with the essential role of the latter in the physical aspects of the theory.
Pancreatic Tail Schwannoma in a 44-Year-Old Male: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Abu-Zaid Ahmed , Azzam Ayman , Abou Al-Shaar Hussam , Alshammari Abdullah M. , Amin Tarek , Mohammed Shamayel
Published: November 2013

Pancreatic schwannomas are exceedingly uncommon neoplasms. According to a recent study in 2012, less than 50 cases of pancreatic schwannoma have been described in the English literature over the past thirty years. The vast majority of pancreatic schwannomas take place in the head and body of pancreas, respectively. Herein, we report the case of pancreatic tail ancient schwannoma in a 44-year-old man who presented with a 4-month history of epigastric pain. On physical examination, epigastric region was moderately tender to palpation without evidence of a palpable mass. All laboratory tests were normal. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan showed a 9.2 × 9.5 × 11.5 cm, huge, and well-defined left suprarenal mass arising either from adrenal gland, pancreas, or retroperitoneum. The mass demonstrated mild heterogeneous enhancement with central cystic/necrotic area. No evidence of distant metastasis was identified. At laparoscopy, the mass was noticed to originate from pancreatic tail. Patient underwent surgical resection of pancreatic tail. Microscopic and immunohistochemical examination of the pancreatic tail specimen showed ancient schwannoma. Patient received no adjuvant therapy. At a postoperative 6-month followup, patient was completely asymptomatic and CT scan imaging showed no evidence of tumor recurrence. Moreover, a literature review on pancreatic schwannomas is presented.
Dynamic Detection of Topological Information from Grid-Based Generalized Voronoi Diagrams
Authors: Qin Long , Yin Quanjun , Zha Yabing , Peng Yong
Published: November 2013

In the context of robotics, the grid-based Generalized Voronoi Diagrams (GVDs) are widely used by mobile robots to represent their surrounding area. Current approaches for incrementally constructing GVDs mainly focus on providing metric skeletons of underlying grids, while the connectivity among GVD vertices and edges remains implicit, which makes high-level spatial reasoning tasks impractical. In this paper, we present an algorithm named Dynamic Topology Detector (DTD) for extracting a GVD with topological information from a grid map. Beyond the construction and reconstruction of a GVD on grids, DTD further extracts connectivity among the GVD edges and vertices. DTD also provides efficient repair mechanism to treat with local changes, making it work well in dynamic environments. Simulation tests in representative scenarios demonstrate that (1) compared with the static algorithms, DTD generally makes an order of magnitude improvement regarding computation times when working in dynamic environments; (2) with negligible extra computation, DTD detects topologies not computed by existing incremental algorithms. We also demonstrate the usefulness of the resulting topological information for high-level path planning tasks.
HIV Related High Risk Behaviors and Willingness to Participate in HIV Vaccine Trials among China MSM by Computer Assisted Self-Interviewing Survey
Authors: Chu Zhenxing , Xu Junjie , Reilly Kathleen Heather , Lu Chunming , Hu Qinghai , Ma Ning , Zhang Min , Zhang Jing , Jiang Yongjun , Geng Wenqing , Shang Hong
Published: November 2013

Background. The number of new HIV infections among MSM of China is rapidly increasing in recent years and behavioral interventions have had limited effectiveness. To control the HIV pandemic may lie in an HIV vaccine. This study examined the factors associated with willingness to participate (WTP) in HIV vaccine clinical trials among China MSM.Methods. A cross-sectional survey was carried out among MSM from three cities in northeast China. Questionnaires pertaining to MSM risk behavior and WTP in HIV vaccine trials were administered through computer assisted self-interviewing (CASI).Results. A total of 626 MSM participated in this survey. 54.8% had occasional male partners and 52.2% always used condoms with male sex partners. HIV prevalence was 5.0%. 76.7% were WTP in a preventive HIV vaccine clinical trial. Results showed that HIV vaccination is a means of protection for spouses and family; family support to participate in vaccine trials and desire for economic incentives were significantly associated with WTP.Conclusions. There was a high proportion of WTP in HIV vaccine trials among Chinese MSM. The high HIV prevalence and high proportion of risky sexual behavior indicate that Liaoning MSM are potential candidates for HIV vaccine trials.
Single-Crystalline Silicon Solar Cell with Selective Emitter Formed by Screen Printing and Chemical Etching Method: A Feasibility Study
Authors: Chen Yen-Po , Li Ching-Tao , Wang Likarn
Published: November 2013

A new method for fabricating crystalline silicon solar cells with selective emitters is presented. In this method, shallow trenches corresponding to metal contact area are first formed by screen printing and chemical etching, followed by heavy doping over the whole front surface of the silicon wafer. After a polymer mask is pasted by aligned screen-printing to cover the shallow trenches, the silicon wafer is etched such that the heavy doping remains at the shallow trench area, while other areas become lightly doped. With the presented method, two screening printing steps are required for obtaining a selective emitter structure on a solar wafer. Compared with existing etch-back methods, the presented one is believed to be able to easily conform with present industrial process. Experimental results show that optical responses at the short and long wavelengths were both improved by applying the proposed selective emitter technique to fabricate solar cells with an a-Si:H film deposited on the back surface. The selective emitter cell with a-Si:H back surface deposition had improvements of 1.66 mA/cm2and 1.23% absolute inJscand conversion efficiency, respectively, compared to the reference cell that had a homogeneous emitter and no a-Si:H on the back surface.
Eosinophilic Esophagitis in a Developing Country: Is It Different from Developed Countries?
Authors: Al-Hussaini Abdulrahman , Semaan Toufic , El Hag Imad
Published: November 2013

Background and Objective. Despite the extensive reporting of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) from industrialized developed countries, reports from developing countries are rare. The aim of our study was to determine the epidemiological, clinical, and endoscopic features of EoE and response to therapy in children and adults from a developing country, Saudi Arabia.Methods. We identified patients diagnosed with EoE in our center from 2004 to 2011. EoE was defined as esophageal mucosal infiltration with a peak eosinophil count ≥15 eosinophils/high-powered field.Results. Forty-five patients were diagnosed with EoE (37 children and 8 adults; 36 males; median age 10.5 years, range from 1–37 years). Feeding difficulty, vomiting/regurgitation, and failure to thrive predominated in young children, whereas dysphagia and food impactions predominated in older children and adults. Allergy testing revealed food sensitization in 12 of 15 patients (80%); 3 responded to elemental formula, while 8 failed to respond to dietary manipulation after the allergy testing. Thirty-nine patients achieved remission by swallowed inhaled fluticasone. The majority of patients experienced a recurrence of symptoms upon the discontinuation of fluticasone.Conclusion. Our data indicate that EoE is increasingly recognized in Saudi Arabia and show many similarities to data from North America and Europe.
High Fasting Insulin Levels and Insulin Resistance May Be Linked to Idiopathic Recurrent Pregnancy Loss: A Case-Control Study
Authors: Ispasoiu Corina-Alina , Chicea Radu , Stamatian Florin Vasile , Ispasoiu Florin
Published: November 2013

Objective. Patients with more than two spontaneous pregnancy losses are diagnosed with recurrent pregnancy loss. The aim of this study was to evaluate the IR (insulin resistance) in patients with idiopathic recurrent pregnancy loss.Material and Method. A single center, case control study was performed on one hundred eighteen women divided into case group (with at least two pregnancy losses, earlier than 20 weeks of gestation, and negative for the recurrent pregnancy loss testing) and control group (with at least one live birth, no pregnancy loss). FG (fasting glucose) and FI (fasting insulin) were determined for all patients. IR was evaluated by HOMA-IR index.Results. There were not significant differences between the mean age and BMI in cases and controls (P>0.05). Fasting glucose was significantly higher in the control group (85.6 versus 79.8P<0.01), but fasting insulin (15.24 versus 12.83,P<0.001) and HOMA-IR (2.98 versus 2.69,P<0.05) were significantly higher in the case group.Conclusion. In women with idiopathic recurrent pregnancy loss FI and IR are higher than those in women without spontaneous abortion.
Insider Power and Average Labor Demand When Recessions Are Prolonged
Authors: Díaz-Vázquez Pilar
Published: November 2013

This paper examines how insider power in wage negotiations affects average labor demand when recessions are more persistent than booms. It shows that the effect of insider power on average labor demand is more contractionary the greater is the persistence of troughs relative to booms. This analysis is a contribution to the discussion of why the existence of dual labor markets (in which insider power is strong) is negative for employment in the current situation of more prolonged troughs.
Properties of TiC Coating by Pulsed DC PACVD
Authors: Azadi Mahboobeh , Sabour Rouhaghdam Alireza , Ahangarani Shahrokh
Published: November 2013

In the PACVD technique, temperature and gas flow rate are two important parameters affecting the coating characteristics. Effect of these parameters on mechanical behaviors of TiC coating that was deposited on hot work tool steel (H13) was investigated in this paper. We analyzed TiC coating composition and structure with grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXRD) and Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The mechanical properties of the coatings, such as microhardness, wear resistance, and surface roughness, were studied with Knoop hardness indentation, pin on disk wear tests, and atomic force microscopy, respectively. When the deposition temperature decreased from 490°C to 450°C and the CH4 to TiCl4 flow rate ratio was also increased from 1.5 to 6, TiC coating color changed from dark gray to silver. The best mechanical properties such as a high hardness (27 GPa), wear resistance, and low surface roughness were related to the coating that was deposited at 450°C.
An Assessment of the Effects of Micron-Particle Aggregation on the Performance of Zinc-Silica Composite Coatings Using Betti Numbers
Authors: Xu Jianxin , Sang Xiuli , Wang Hua , Fan Yunying
Published: November 2013

This paper investigates the assessment of the mixing effect of zinc-silica composite electrolyte using particle image velocimetry (PIV). In particular, we considered the deposition of silica particles using a stirring tank, which provides strong evidence for characterizing the mixing effects of flow field. A method to extract meaningful parameters to evaluate particle distribution from digital images recorded by the PIV technique during the electrodeposition process is applied. The Betti numbers of binary images of silica particles mixing were calculated using the CHomP software, which was used to evaluate mixing homogeneity and nonhomogeneity in flow field. An analysis of the performance of zinc-silica composite coatings is performed in an attempt to test and verify the assessment of the effects of micron-particle aggregation. Good correlations between calculated and experimental testing results illustrate the potential of the Betti numbers method to quantitatively evaluate micron-particle aggregation. This offers new possibilities to monitor the deposition of silica particles and to analyze flow field during the electrodeposition progress.
Rheumatic Diseases and Obesity: Adipocytokines as Potential Comorbidity Biomarkers for Cardiovascular Diseases
Authors: Scrivo Rossana , Vasile Massimiliano , Müller-Ladner Ulf , Neumann Elena , Valesini Guido
Published: November 2013

Inflammation has been recognized as a common trait in the pathogenesis of multifactorial diseases including obesity, where a low-grade inflammation has been established and may be responsible for the cardiovascular risk related to the disease. Obesity has also been associated with the increased incidence and a worse outcome of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA). RA is characterized by systemic inflammation, which is thought to play a key role in accelerated atherosclerosis and in the increased incidence of cardiovascular disease, an important comorbidity in patients with RA. The inflammatory process underlying the cardiovascular risk both in obesity and RA may be mediated by adipocytokines, a heterogeneous group of soluble proteins mainly secreted by the adipocytes. Many adipocytokines are mainly produced by white adipose tissue. Adipocytokines may also be involved in the pathogenesis of OA since a positive association with obesity has been found for weight-bearing and nonweight-bearing joints, suggesting that, in addition to local overload, systemic factors may contribute to joint damage. In this review we summarize the current knowledge on experimental models and clinical studies in which adipocytokines were examined in obesity, RA, and OA and discuss the potential of adipocytokines as comorbidity biomarkers for cardiovascular risk.
Effects of Water Extracts ofGraptopetalum paraguayenseon Blood Pressure, Fasting Glucose, and Lipid Profiles of Subjects with Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Yen Chi-Hua , Chen Shu-Ju , Liu Jen-Tzu , Tseng Yu-Fen , Lin Ping-Ting
Published: November 2013

This study was aimed to investigate the effects of water extracts ofGraptopetalum paraguayense(WGP, 4 g/d) on blood pressure, blood glucose level, and lipid profiles in subjects with metabolic syndrome (MS). Participants with MS (n=54) were randomly assigned to the placebo (n=28) and WGP groups (n=26), and the intervention was administered for 12 weeks. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), fasting glucose (FG), lipid profiles (total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high density lipoprotein (HDL-C)), and antioxidant enzymes activities (catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)) were measured. Forty-two subjects completed the study (placebo,n=19; WGP,n=23). FG, SBP, and LDL-C levels were significantly lower and HDL-C level and antioxidant enzymes activities (CAT and SOD) were significantly higher after WGP supplementation. Blood pressure, FG, and lipid profiles were significantly correlated with antioxidant enzymes activities after supplementation (P<0.05). The present study demonstrated a significant reduction in blood pressure, blood glucose, and lipid profiles and an increase in antioxidant enzymes activities in subjects with MS after WGP supplementation. Taken together, the antioxidative capacity of WGP might exert a beneficial effect on MS. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.govNCT01463748.
Host‐Guest Interaction between Herbicide Oxadiargyl and Hydroxypropyl‐β‐Cyclodextrin
Authors: Benfeito Sofia , Rodrigues Tiago , Garrido Jorge , Borges Fernanda , Garrido E. Manuela
Published: November 2013

In the face of a growing human population and increased urbanization, the demand for pesticides will simply rise. Farmers must escalate yields on increasingly fewer farm acres. However, the risks of pesticides, whether real or perceived, may force changes in the way these chemicals are used. Scientists are working toward pest control plans that are environmentally sound, effective, and profitable. In this context the development of new pesticide formulations which may improve application effectiveness, safety, handling, and storage can be pointed out as a solution. As a contribution to the area, the microencapsulation of the herbicide oxadiargyl (OXA) in (2‐hydroxypropyl)‐β‐cyclodextrin (HP‐β‐CD) was performed. The study was conducted in different aqueous media (ultrapure water and in different pH buffer solutions). In all cases an increment of the oxadiargyl solubility as a function of the HP‐β‐CD concentration that has been related to the formation of an inclusion complex was verified. UV‐Vis and NMR experiments allowed concluding that the stoichiometry of the OXA/HP‐β‐CD complex formed is 1 : 1. The gathered results can be regarded as an important step for its removal from industrial effluents and/or to increase the stabilizing action, encapsulation, and adsorption in water treatment plants.
Protective Effect of Standardized Extract ofGinkgo bilobaagainst Cisplatin-Induced Nephrotoxicity
Authors: Song Jie , Liu Dan , Feng Liang , Zhang Zhenhai , Jia Xiaobin , Xiao Wei
Published: November 2013

Cisplatin (CDDP) is a potent antitumor compound widely used with a notably side effect of nephrotoxicity inducing oxidative stress and apoptosis in kidneys. Standardized extract from the leaves of theGinkgo bilobatrees, labeled EGb761 (EGb), has been available on the market for its beneficial effects. The purpose of this study was to investigate the ability of EGb to prevent the nephrotoxic effect of CDDP and the mechanisms involved. Our results showed that EGb treatment restored the levels of creatinine, BUN, MDA, NO, SOD, CAT, GPx, and GSSG/GSH ratio in kidneys after CDDP injection. EGb also exhibited a tendency to decrease the elevated NF-κB translocation and caspase-3 protein levels in CDDP-treated kidneys. We further used a porcine kidney proximal tubular epithelial (LLC-PK1) cell line, finding that EGb accordingly inhibited ROS accumulation and iNOS increase induced by CDDPin vitro. EGb also attenuated IκB degradation and p65 NF-κB phosphorylation triggered by CDDP in LLC-PK1 cells. But EGb failed to influence CDDP-stimulated caspase cascade. These findings suggested that EGb’s renoprotective effect might be mediated by not only its well-known antioxidant activity but also the anti-inflammatory activity.
The Effects of Proresolution of Ellagic Acid in an Experimental Model of Allergic Airway Inflammation
Authors: de Freitas Alves Claudiney , Angeli Giovanna Natalia , Favarin Daniely Cornélio , Lemos de Andrade Edinéia , Lazo Chica Javier Emilio , Faccioli Lúcia Helena , Roberto da Silva Paulo , de Paula Rogerio Alexandre
Published: November 2013

Asthma is a disease of airway inflammation characterized by airway hyperresponsiveness, eosinophilic inflammation, and hypersecretion of mucus. Ellagic acid, a compound derived from medicinal plants and fruits, has shown anti-inflammatory activity in several experimental disease models. We used the classical experimental model, in BALB/c mice, of sensibilization with ovalbumin to determine the effect of ellagic acid (10 mg/kg; oral route) in the resolution of allergic airways response. Dexamethasone (1 mg/kg; subcutaneous route) was used as a positive control. The control group consisted of nonimmunized mice that received challenge with ovalbumin. Ellagic acid and dexamethasone or vehicle (water) were administered before or after intranasal allergen challenge. Ellagic acid accelerated the resolution of airways inflammation by decreasing total leukocytes and eosinophils numbers in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), the mucus production and lung inflammation in part by reducing IL-5 concentration, eosinophil peroxidase (EPO) activity, and P-selectin expression, but not activator protein 1 (AP-1) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathways. In addition, ellagic acid enhanced alveolar macrophage phagocytosis of IgG-OVA-coated beadsex vivo, a new proresolving mechanism for the clearance of allergen from the airways. Together, these findings identify ellagic acid as a potential therapeutic agent for accelerating the resolution of allergic airways inflammation.
Design and Fabrication of the Large Thrust Force Piezoelectric Actuator
Authors: Chang Shyang-Jye , Chen Jing
Published: November 2013

This paper presents a novel piezoelectric actuator containing double pushers. By using finite element analysis software, this study simulated the vibration mode and amplitude of piezoelectric actuators. The Taguchi method was used to design the parameters of piezoelectric actuators including length, width, height, and electrodes setting. This paper also presents a discussion regarding the influence that the design parameters had on the actuator amplitudes. Based on optimal design parameters, a novel piezoelectric actuator containing double pushers is produced and some thrust tests are also carried out. From the experiment results, the piezoelectric actuator containing double pushers can provide a greater thrust force than that of traditional actuators containing a single pusher as the preload is greater. Comparing with the traditional actuators, the thrust force of new actuator can be increased by 48% with the double preload.
Cytokines and Chemokines in Irritant Contact Dermatitis
Authors: Lee Haur Yueh , Stieger Marco , Yawalkar Nikhil , Kakeda Masato
Published: November 2013

Irritant contact dermatitis is a result of activated innate immune response to various external stimuli and consists of complex interplay which involves skin barrier disruption, cellular changes, and release of proinflammatory mediators. In this review, we will focus on key cytokines and chemokines involved in the pathogenesis of irritant contact dermatitis and also contrast the differences between allergic contact dermatitis and irritant contact dermatitis.
Association Study of Cathepsin D Gene Polymorphism in Iranian Patients with Sporadic Late-Onset Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Sayad Azadeh , Noruzinia Mehrdad , Zamani Mahdi , Harirchian Mohammad Hossein , Kazemnejad Anoushiravan
Published: November 2013

One of the most prevalent forms of dementia is Alzheimer's disease (AD). Complex inheritance and multifactorial patterns of late-onset AD (LOAD) along with its heterogeneity are due to the presence of different AD-predisposing genes with different influence on disease development among various populations. A key event in the pathogenesis of AD is the deposition of β-amyloid peptide, which is derived from the amyloid precursor protein by β- and γ-secretases. Cathepsin D (CTSD) is an acid protease with β- and γ-secretase-like features in vitro. An exonic C→T polymorphism at position 224 of the CTSD gene (rs: 17571) has been shown to be associated with the enzyme function of CTSD and with AD. Two studies in the German population reported a strong association of this polymorphism with an increased risk of developing AD, while other studies did not confirm this observation. We tested for this association in a case-control study in 100 Iranian sporadic LOAD patients based on diagnostic criteria of DSM-IV-TR and NINCDS-ADRDA and in 100 normal controls without any personal and family history of AD or other related dementias. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism was set up to detect this polymorphism. Our study demonstrated that T-carrying genotype frequency in AD patients is significantly higher than in controls and there was a 2.5-fold increased risk for developing AD in the T-carrying genotype compared to C/C genotype (odds ratio = 2.5, p = 0.010). The odds ratio for subjects with the apolipoprotein E ε4 (APOE ε4) allele was 2.91 (p = 0.003) and carriers of the CTSD T and APOE ε4 alleles had a 6.25-fold increased risk of the disease (p = 0.0). Our results indicate that CTSD genotype is associated with the disease and a combination of the above risk factors significantly alters the risk for developing AD.
Complete Resolution of Cerebral Air Embolism Secondary to a Transbronchial Needle Aspiration
Authors: Perinel Ragey S. , Garnier P. , Vergnon J.-M.
Published: November 2013

Air embolism following transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) is extremely rare. To date, only 1 case has been described (estimated incidence: 0.02-0.07%). Here, a 70-year-old patient developed a left upper-lobe alveolar syndrome with no response to well-conducted antibiotic treatments. Conventional bronchoscopy was normal, but virtual bronchoscopy showed that the tumor was contiguous to the left B3-B4 division. During a second bronchoscopy, a TBNA was performed without bleeding, and pathology later revealed primitive lung adenocarcinoma. Immediately after the puncture, an epileptic seizure occurred with right rotation of the head and a tonic seizure of the left arm followed by left hemiplegia. A brain CT scan performed almost immediately showed no abnormalities and a chest radiography did not show any pleural or mediastinal aeric image. A few hours later, clonic seizures occurred and brain MRI showed lesions compatible with air embolisms (right gyral cortical location). Several hyperbaric therapy sessions successfully cured the neurological deficit. Despite its rarity, each practitioner of TBNA has to be aware of this side effect and its early treatment. The mechanism of such accidents remains unclear, but probably involves high bronchial pressure and venous trauma.