bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of N‐Acetylcysteine Supplementation on Intracellular Glutathione, Urine Isoprostanes, Clinical Score, and Survival in Hospitalized Ill Dogs
Authors: Viviano K.R. , VanderWielen B.
Published: March 2013

Background

Antioxidant depletion and lipid peroxidation have been correlated with disease severity and associated with poor outcomes.

Hypothesis/Objectives

Supplementing dogs with N‐acetylcysteine (NAC) during the first 48 hours of hospitalization will increase cysteine, normalize glutathione concentrations, and decrease the degree of lipid peroxidation associated with illness.

Animals

Sixty systemically ill hospitalized client‐owned dogs and 14 healthy control dogs.

Methods

Randomized investigator‐blinded, placebo‐controlled prospective study. Dogs were randomized to treatment with NAC (n = 30) versus placebo (n = 30). Antioxidants, urine 8‐isoprostane/creatinine (IP/Cr), and clinical score were determined before and after treatment with NAC. Glutathione, cysteine, and vitamin E concentrations were quantified using high‐performance liquid chromatography. Atomic absorption spectroscopy and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays were used to quantify selenium and isoprostane concentrations, respectively.

Results

Ill dogs had significantly lower vitamin E concentrations (27 versus 55 μg/mL; P = .0005) as well as elevated IP/Cr ratios (872 versus 399 pg/mg; P = .0007) versus healthy dogs. NAC supplementation significantly increased plasma cysteine (8.67 versus 15.1 μM; P < .0001) while maintaining glutathione concentrations. Dogs in the placebo group experienced a statistically significant decrease in glutathione concentrations (1.49 versus 1.44 mM; P = .0463). Illness severity and survival were unchanged after short duration NAC supplementation.

Conclusions

Ill dogs experience systemic oxidative stress. Supplementation with NAC during the first 48 hours of hospitalization stabilized erythrocyte glutathione concentrations. The clinical impact of this supplementation and glutathione concentration stabilization was undetermined.
Protein phosphatase 2A regulatory subunits perform distinct functional roles in the maize pathogen Fusarium verticillioides
Authors: Shin Joon‐Hee , Kim Jung‐Eun , Malapi‐Wight Martha , Choi Yoon‐E. , Shaw Brian D. , Shim Won‐Bo
Published: March 2013

Fusarium verticillioides is a pathogen of maize causing ear rot and stalk rot. The fungus also produces fumonisins, a group of mycotoxins linked to disorders in animals and humans. A cluster of genes, designated FUM genes, plays a key role in the synthesis of fumonisins. However, our understanding of the regulatory mechanism of fumonisin biosynthesis is still incomplete. We have demonstrated previously that Cpp1, a protein phosphatase type 2A (PP2A) catalytic subunit, negatively regulates fumonisin production and is involved in cell shape maintenance. In general, three PP2A subunits, structural A, regulatory B and catalytic C, make up a heterotrimer complex to perform regulatory functions. Significantly, we identified two PP2A regulatory subunits in the F. verticillioides genome, Ppr1 and Ppr2, which are homologous to Saccharomyces cerevisiae Cdc55 and Rts1, respectively. In this study, we hypothesized that Ppr1 and Ppr2 are involved in the regulation of fumonisin biosynthesis and/or cell development in F. verticillioides, and generated a series of mutants to determine the functional role of Ppr1 and Ppr2. The PPR1 deletion strain (Δppr1) resulted in drastic growth defects, but increased microconidia production. The PPR2 deletion mutant strain (Δppr2) showed elevated fumonisin production, similar to the Δcpp1 strain. Germinating Δppr1 conidia formed abnormally swollen cells with a central septation site, whereas Δppr2 showed early hyphal branching during conidia germination. A kernel rot assay showed that the mutants were slow to colonize kernels, but this is probably a result of growth defects rather than a virulence defect. Results from this study suggest that two PP2A regulatory subunits in F. verticillioides carry out distinct roles in the regulation of fumonisin biosynthesis and fungal development.
The influence of cis‐acting P1 protein and translational elements on the expression of Potato virus Y helper‐component proteinase (HCPro) in heterologous systems and its suppression of silencing activity
Authors: Tena Fernández Fátima , González Inmaculada , Doblas Paula , Rodríguez César , Sahana Nandita , Kaur Harpreet , Tenllado Francisco , Praveen Shelly , Canto Tomas
Published: March 2013

In the Potyvirus genus, the P1 protein is the first N‐terminal product processed from the viral polyprotein, followed by the helper‐component proteinase (HCPro). In silencing suppression patch assays, we found that Potato virus Y (PVY) HCPro expressed from a P1‐HCPro sequence increased the accumulation of a reporter gene, whereas protein expressed from an HCPro sequence did not, even with P1 supplied in trans. This enhancing effect of P1 has been noted in other potyviruses, but has remained unexplained. We analysed the accumulation of PVY HCPro in infiltrated tissues and found that it was higher when expressed from P1‐HCPro than from HCPro sequences. Co‐expression of heterologous suppressors increased the steady‐state level of mRNA expressed from the HCPro sequence, but not that of protein. This suggests that, in the absence of P1 upstream, either HCPro acquires a conformation that affects negatively its activity or stability, or that its translation is reduced. To test these options, we purified HCPro expressed in the presence or absence of upstream P1, and found no difference in purification pattern and final soluble state. By contrast, alteration of the Kozak context in the HCPro mRNA sequence to favour translation increased partially suppressor accumulation and activity. Furthermore, protein activity was not lower than in protein expressed from P1‐HCPro sequences. Thus, a direct role for P1 on HCPro suppressor activity or stability, by influencing its conformation during translation, can be excluded. However, P1 could still have an indirect effect favouring HCPro accumulation. Our data highlight the relevance of cis‐acting translational elements in the heterologous expression of HCPro.
Starch metabolism and antiflorigenic signals modulate the juvenile‐to‐adult phase transition in Arabidopsis
Authors: MATSOUKAS IANIS G. , MASSIAH ANDREA J. , THOMAS BRIAN
Published: March 2013

Knowledge of how environment influences juvenility could help with crop scheduling in commercial horticulture, decrease time to flowering and reduce waste with resulting benefits for the environment through lower inputs and energy required per unit of marketable product.

In the manuscript, using an experimental assay that allows the length of the juvenile phase to be estimated in response to floral competence, and several mutants impaired in different genetic pathways, we show that multiple inputs influence the timing of the juvenile‐to‐adult phase transition in Arabidopsis.
The Nurse's First Visit
Authors: Foley Edna L.
Published: March 2013

Home visiting was an important component of the Public Health Nurse's (PHN) role in the early twentieth century. In this reprint, originally published in 1918 and reprinted in 1926, Edna Foley discusses the significance of the first visit the PHN makes to a family. Critical themes in the paper include the importance of first impressions, communication and observation skills, obtaining the statistical data needed by the agency and collaboration with other community social service agencies. Many of the themes and strategies discussed by Foley are cogent to PHNs and visiting nurses in the contemporary health care arena.
The Argument for Subject Body Dualism from Transtemporal Identity Defended
Authors: Nida‐Rümelin Martine
Published: March 2013

In my argument for subject body dualism criticized by Ludwig I use the locution of a genuine and factual difference between two possibilities. Ludwig distinguishes three interpretations of this locution. According to his analysis the argument does not go through on any of these interpretations. In my response I agree that the argument is unsuccessful if ‘factual difference’ is understood in the first way. The second reading—according to a plausible understanding—cannot be used for the argument either. The discussion of this reading raises fundamental issues about different notions of propositional content. I disagree with Ludwig's diagnosis with respect to the third reading. Contrary to Ludwig's claim, there is no modal error involved if ‘factual difference’ is understood in the third way. Ludwig's objection to the argument according to its third reading can be answered by pointing out that every individual has its identity conditions necessarily. At this point fundamental and general metaphysical issues (concerning the link between identity conditions and the nature of ontological categories and between transworld and transtemporal identity) prove relevant. Finally, I make more explicit how ‘factual difference’ should be understood in the context of the argument (this is a fourth reading not considered by Ludwig) and explain how this reading strengthens the argument (compared to the third reading) by weakening its central premise. I conclude that Ludwig's attempt at undermining the argument from transtemporal identity for subject body dualism is unsuccessful.
Multidimensional Social Exclusion and the ‘Rural‐Urban Divide’ in Eastern Europe and Central Asia
Authors: Spoor Max
Published: March 2013

Rural areas in the transition countries of Eastern Europe and Central Asia are often excluded from the fruits of economic growth. In this paper it is argued that this exclusion goes beyond the mere ‘rural‐urban divide’ caused by unequal income distribution. Social exclusion, measured by three dimensions, exclusion from economic life, exclusion from social services, and exclusion from civic life and social networks, is captured by an innovative multidimensional exclusion index (MEI), developed in the Regional Human Development Report. The empirical base for the MEI is a set of large household surveys in six transition countries, Kazakhstan, FYR Macedonia, Moldova, Serbia, Tajikistan, and Ukraine, held in the period September‐November 2009, during the height of the economic crisis. Special emphasis is given to the location factor, showing that social exclusion is overall stronger in rural areas in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, in particular caused by the stronger influence of the second dimension, exclusion from social services, which includes access and quality to public utilities.
Immune modulation and lack of alloimmunization following transfusion with pathogen‐reduced platelets in mice
Authors: Jackman Rachael P. , Muench Marcus O. , Heitman John W. , Inglis Heather C. , Law Jacqueline P. , Marschner Susanne , Goodrich Raymond P. , Norris Philip J.
Published: March 2013

Background

Transfusion of allogeneic blood products can lead to alloimmunization, impacting success of subsequent transfusions and solid organ transplants. Pathogen reduction using riboflavin and ultraviolet B (UVB) light has been shown to eliminate the immunogenicity of white blood cells (WBCs) in vitro through down regulation of surface adhesion molecules, effectively blocking cell–cell conjugation and direct presentation. We sought to determine if this loss of immunogenicity is extended in vivo where indirect presentation of allogeneic antigens can occur.

Study Design and Methods

BALB/cJ mice were transfused with either untreated or riboflavin and UVB–treated C57Bl/6J platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) containing WBCs. Circulating alloantibody and allospecific splenocyte cytokine responses were measured.

Results

Pathogen reduction of allogeneic WBC‐enriched PRP using riboflavin and UVB light before transfusion prevented alloimmunization, with a loss of both alloantibody generation and priming of secondary cytokine responses ex vivo. When mice given treated transfusions were subsequently given untreated transfusions, they produced normal levels of alloantibodies but had reduced secondary cytokine responses ex vivo. This immune modulation was antigen specific and was dependent on the presence of WBCs in the treated product.

Conclusions

UVB plus riboflavin treatment of WBC‐enriched PRP effectively blocks alloimmunization and modulates immune responses to subsequent exposures.
Screening blood donors for diabetes: analysis of use, accuracy, and cost
Authors: Lenhard M. James , Maser Raelene E. , Kolm Paul , Healy Michael J. , Seshadri Prakash
Published: March 2013

Background

The objective was to determine if a free, voluntary diabetes screening program as a part of the blood donation process might be cost‐effective.

Study Design and Methods

During the first 6 months of the program, 26,415 donors were screened using a single random plasma glucose (RPG) level. All donors were asked to eat before donation. Low‐, moderate‐, and high‐risk groups were formed based on RPG levels (<140, 140‐200, and >200 mg/dL). Contact with a telephone questionnaire was made with 139 of 178 (78%) of the persons in the high‐risk group with 33 new cases of diabetes diagnosed by the donor's physician and 26 donors indicating that they were not diagnosed with diabetes. Sex‐ and age‐matched donors in the low‐ and moderate‐risk groups were contacted and administered the same questionnaire.

Results

The three risk groups were similar, except for body mass index (28.1 ± 5.4 kg/m2 vs. 29.9 ± 5.5 kg/m2 vs. 32.7 ± 5.6 kg/m2, p < 0.001). The discriminative effectiveness of screening was evaluated by the area under the receiver operating characteristics (AROC) curve. The AROC curve was 0.950 (95% confidence interval, 0.920‐0.979) for the identification of diabetes. Using a RPG cutoff of 200 mg/dL, sensitivity was 100%, specificity was 82%, and positive predictive value was 56%. Cost analyses showed that the mean cost to screen, per donor, was less than $1. Cost per case identified was estimated to be less than $500 for a RPG cutoff of 200 mg/dL.

Conclusions

Screening during the blood donation process appears to be accurate, convenient, and inexpensive.
Sustained remissions of immune thrombocytopenia associated with the use of thrombopoietin receptor agonists
Authors: Ghadaki Bahareh , Nazi Ishac , Kelton John G. , Arnold Donald M.
Published: March 2013

Background

Thrombopoietin receptor agonists (TRAs) are effective treatments for immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). However, continuous therapy is generally required to maintain platelet (PLT) count responses.

Study Design and Methods

In this case series, we describe ITP patients from our practice who achieved durable responses to the TRAs romiplostim and eltrombopag. Patients were classified as having a definite TRA‐induced remission if PLT counts increased above 100 × 109/L after TRA treatment and remained above 100 × 109/L even after the medication was discontinued; or a possible TRA‐induced remission if PLT counts increased above 100 × 109/L, remained elevated for at least 3 months after the medication was discontinued, but a subsequent relapse occurred or the effect of other disease‐modifying therapies could not be excluded.

Results

Of 31 patients with chronic ITP treated with TRAs in our practice, nine patients achieved a PLT count response with either romiplostim (n = 6) or eltrombopag (n = 3) that was maintained even after the medications were discontinued. Three patients met criteria for a definite TRA‐induced remission, each after exposure to romiplostim. Patients had ITP for a median of 7.8 years and had failed a median of four prior therapies including eight patients who had a splenectomy. We documented a progressive decline in anti‐glycoprotein IIbIIIa PLT autoantibodies in one patient while on treatment.

Conclusion

Some patients with ITP can achieve sustained PLT count responses after the use of TRAs. This observation raises the possibility that these agents may restore immune tolerance to PLT antigens in some patients and supports the practice of down titrating the dose.
The effect of volume replacement during therapeutic leukapheresis on white blood cell reduction in patients with extreme leukocytosis
Authors: Kurnaz Fatih , Sivgin Serdar , Pala Cigdem , Yildirim Rahsan , Baldane Suleyman , Kaynar Leylagul , Solmaz Musa , Ozturk Ahmet , Eser Bulent , Cetin Mustafa , Unal Ali
Published: March 2013

Background

Extreme leukocytosis, generally defined as a white blood cell (WBC) count of more than 100 × 109/L consisting largely of blast cells, especially when accompanied by clinical signs and symptoms of leukostasis or hyperviscosity, often predicts a poor clinical outcome in patients with acute leukemia. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of volume replacement (VR) during therapeutic leukapheresis (TA) procedure on early mortality rate and WBC reduction.

Study Design and Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 29 patients who underwentTAfrom 2007 to 2011. Fifteen of the patients underwentTAprocedure withVRand 14 of the patients underwentTAprocedure withoutVR.

Results

WBC reduction was significantly higher in patients who underwentTAwithVR(p < 0.001). Early mortality rate was significantly lower in leukemia patients who underwentTAwithVRthan in patients who underwentTAwithoutVR(p < 0.01); early mortality rates were 6.7% for 7‐day and 13.8% for 100‐day survivals. The mortality rates in theTAwithoutVRgroup, however, were 42.9 and 71.4% for 7‐ and 100‐day survivals, respectively.

Conclusion

Decreased early mortality rate inTAwithVRgroup may be associated with prompt reduction ofWBCs achieved withTAwithVRand may also be associated with removal of the cytokines related to leukostasis.TAwithVRwould give more time for induction chemotherapy and increased overall survival rate.
Cusp eigenforms and the hall algebra of an elliptic curve
Authors: Fratila Dragos
Published: March 2013

We give an explicit construction of the cusp eigenforms on an elliptic curve defined over a finite field, using the theory of Hall algebras and the Langlands correspondence for function fields and${\mathrm{GL} }_{n} $. As a consequence we obtain a description of the Hall algebra of an elliptic curve as an infinite tensor product of simpler algebras. We prove that all these algebras are specializations of a universal spherical Hall algebra (as defined and studied by Burban and Schiffmann  [On the Hall algebra of an elliptic curve I, Preprint (2005), arXiv:math/0505148 [math.AG]] and Schiffmann and Vasserot [The elliptic Hall algebra, Cherednik Hecke algebras and Macdonald polynomials, Compositio Math. 147(2011), 188–234]).
Ellipsoid embeddings and symplectic packing stability
Authors: Buse O. , Hind R.
Published: March 2013

We prove packing stability for rational symplectic manifolds. This will rely on a general symplectic embedding result for ellipsoids which assumes only that there is no volume obstruction and that the domain is sufficiently thin relative to the target. We also obtain easily computable bounds for the Embedded Contact Homology capacities which are sufficient to imply the existence of some symplectic volume filling embeddings in dimension 4.
Free-Form Conjugation Modeling and Gear Tooth Profile Design
Authors: Yu Bowen , Ting Kwun-lon
Published: March 2013

The paper presents the first theory and practice of free-form conjugation modeling. It introduces the concept of master-slave that broadens the traditional computer aided single geometry modeling to dual geometry modeling. The concept is then applied to gear geometry to establish the first free-form conjugation modeling technique, in which a fictitious free-form rack-cutter or free-form contact path is proposed as the master geometry. Simple geometric relationship suitable for conjugation modeling and undercutting analysis is found between the master and the conjugate profiles. With a free-form master geometry, free-form conjugation modeling has desirable properties of guaranteed continuity, flexibility, and controllability. It offers unlimited representation capability crucial for conjugation modification and optimization. Undercutting is examined rigorously and extensively under the free-form technique via differential geometry. For general planar conjugation, including noncircular gearing, necessary and sufficient undercutting conditions in terms of the master geometry are obtained. Simple geometric explanation of undercutting is demonstrated in terms of the distance between a contact path and two centrode centers. The technique is demonstrated with B-spline as the master geometry.
Measurement of cyclic response of railway embankments and underlying soft peat foundations to heavy axle loads
Authors: Hendry Michael T. , Martin C. Derek , Barbour S. Lee
Published: March 2013

This paper presents the deformation and pore-water pressure response within peat foundations below three different railway embankments in response to cyclic heavy axle loading. The study sites include two at Canadian National (CN) Railway's Edson and Lac-La-Biche subdivisions in northern Alberta, and one at CN′s Lévis subdivision in southeastern Quebec. The three sites were instrumented to monitor the spatial distribution of strain, pore pressure generation, and stress, and the distribution of horizontal cyclic displacement with depth during the passage of trains. The horizontal cyclic displacement with depth was measured using a ShapeAccelArray (SAA). An analysis was conducted to determine how close the peat is to yielding under heavy axle loads. This analysis was based on the elastic response determined from undrained triaxial testing, a constitutive model developed for peat, and finite element modelling. The field response and the numerical modelling suggest that the embankments at the northern Alberta sites are stable under current loading conditions. The highest potential for yielding at these sites occurs just beneath the embankment and at the interface between the peat and underlying stiffer soil. At the Lévis site the analysis suggests that a recently constructed ditch concentrates shear stress at a location where the principal stress orientation corresponds to a reduced strength of peat and may have increased the potential for yielding.
Isolation and evaluation of three novel native promoters in Brassica napus
Authors: Wu Limin , El-Mezawy Aliaa , Shah Saleh
Published: March 2013

To provide effective and specific native promoters for canola (Brassica napus L.) genetic modification, three promoters were isolated by genome walking from this species. These three promoters were fused to the uidA reporter gene (GUS) and were independently used to generate populations of transgenic canola plants. Plants transformed with BnPGPro-GUS (B. napus putative germin promoter) exhibited GUS activity in all the tissues tested at a level comparable to those transformed with CaMV35 S promoter. This indicates that BnPGPro may serve as a native constitutive promoter for canola. The other two promoters, BnPro3-GUS and BnPro5-GUS (B. napus, promoter 3 and 5), exhibited GUS activity in various tissues. None of these two promoters expressed in embryo, however. These novel Brassica native promoters can be used to modify canola genes for various purposes.
A new genus and species of polychelid lobster (Crustacea, Decapoda, Eryonidae) from the Early Jurassic (Hettangian) of British Columbia
Authors: Feldmann Rodney M. , Schweitzer Carrie E. , Haggart James W.
Published: March 2013

A single specimen of decapod crustacean, preserved in ventral view and compressed, represents a new genus and species of eryonid lobster, Wrangelleryon perates. The discovery in Lower Jurassic (Hettangian) sediments of the Sandilands Formation in British Columbia represents the first occurrence of Eryonidae in North America and reinforces a global distribution of the family in the Jurassic. The occurrence in British Columbia on the Wrangellia terrane supports the lower latitude setting in which the species lived.
Dinosaur biostratigraphy of the Edmonton Group (Upper Cretaceous), Alberta, Canada: evidence for climate influence
Authors: Eberth David A. , Evans David C. , Brinkman Donald B. , Therrien François , Tanke Darren H. , Russell Loris S.
Published: March 2013

A high-resolution biostratigraphic analysis of 287 dinosaurian macrofossils and 138 bonebeds in the Edmonton Group (Upper Cretaceous) of southern Alberta provides evidence for at least three dinosaurian assemblage zones in the Horseshoe Canyon Formation (HCFm). From bottom to top the zones comprise unique assemblages of ornithischians and are named as follows: (1) Edmontosaurus regalis – Pachyrhinosaurus canadensis (lower zone); (2) Hypacrosaurus altispinus – Saurolophus osborni (middle zone); and (3) Eotriceratops xerinsularis (upper zone). Whereas the lower and middle zones are well defined and based on abundant specimens, the validity of the uppermost zone (E. xerinsularis) is tentative because it is based on a single specimen and the absence of dinosaur taxa from lower in section. The transition from the lower to the middle zone coincides with the replacement of a warm-and-wet saturated deltaic setting by a cooler, coastal-plain landscape, characterized by seasonal rainfall and better-drained substrates. Whereas changes in rainfall and substrate drainage appear to have influenced the faunal change, changes in mean annual temperature and proximity to shoreline appear to have had little influence on faunal change. We speculate that the faunal change between the middle and upper zones also resulted from a change in climate, with ornithischian dinosaurs responding to the re-establishment of wetter-and-warmer climates and poorly-drained substrates. Compared with the shorter-duration and climatically-consistent dinosaurian assemblage zones in the older Dinosaur Park Formation of southern Alberta, HCFm assemblage zones record long-term morphological stasis in dinosaurs. Furthermore, the coincidence of faunal and paleoenvironmental changes in the HCFm suggest climate-change-driven dinosaur migrations into and out of the region.
(A = 10)-Accompanied spontaneous ternary fission of californium isotopes
Authors: Ismail M. , Seif W.M. , Ellithi A.Y. , Hashem A.S.
Published: March 2013

The ternary fission of 238–256Cf even-A isotopes is studied in the framework of the three-cluster model within the spherical approximation. The study is confined to those decays in which the accompanied light charged particle is of mass A = 10. The most probable ternary fission path is obtained as the one that has a peak in the Q-value and a minimum in the driving potential, with respect to the mass and charge asymmetries. Assuming both equatorial and collinear configurations of the different emissions of the light charged particles with A = 10, the ternary fission of 252Cf is found to be most favored with 10Be. The predicted favorable fragmentation channels of the 10Be-accompanied ternary fission of 238–256Cf, even-A, isotopes are discussed in detail. The closed-shell structure of the produced heaviest fragment is found to play a key role for the detected most favorable channels. A nucleus with a closed neutron shell or even doubly closed shell always appears as the heaviest nucleus in the favored channel of the ternary fission of all mentioned isotopes. As the isospin asymmetry of the isotope increases, the width of its cold fission valley around the symmetric mass region decreases, with more shifting towards the centre of the symmetric region. Neither the most favorable ternary emissions nor the behavior of the ternary fragmentation potential changed with the type of nuclear interaction potential (Yukawa, folding potential with Migdal force, and proximity 77). Also, almost no change is observed according to the method of emission of the fragments (equatorially or collinearly) or when the calculations are performed without inserting the nuclear interaction potential.
DOUBLE-LAYERED MODELS CAN EXPLAIN MACRO AND MICRO STRUCTURE OF HUMAN SLEEP
Authors: STURA ILARIA , PRIANO LORENZO , MAURO ALESSANDRO , GUIOT CATERINA , VENTURINO EZIO
Published: March 2013

The model simulates the activity of three neural populations using a Lotka–Volterra predator–prey system and, based on neuro-anatomical and neuro-physiological recent findings, assumes that a functional thalamo-cortical gate should be crossed by 'queuing' thalamic signals and that a sleep promoting substance acts as a modulator. The resultant activity accounts for the sleep stage transitions. In accordance with sleep cycles timing, the model proves to be able to reproduce the clustering and randomness of those peculiar transient synchronized EEG patterns (TSEP) described in normal human sleep and supposed to be related to the dynamic building up of NREM sleep until its stabilization against perturbations.
PREDICTING CONTINUUM BREAKDOWN OF RAREFIED MICRO/NANO FLOWS USING ENTROPY AND ENTROPY GENERATION ANALYSIS
Authors: NIAZMAND HAMID , MOHAMMADZADEH ALIREZA , ROOHI EHSAN
Published: March 2013

In the current study, the DSMC method is utilized to obtain the entropy, entropy generation and the local gradient length Knudsen number in the rarefied flows. Two particular geometries, cavity and flat plate, are considered to study the departure from equilibrium state in the presence of sudden expansion/contraction, bend in the velocity profile, boundary flow and shock waves. The entire slip regime is considered to investigate small and large nonequilibrium effects on the entropy and entropy productions. Our investigation reveals that the distribution of entropy in the rarefied flow is very similar to the temperature contour. The entropy generation distribution in the micro cavity indicates that the two top corners are the regions around which departure from equilibrium state takes place. The study of entropy generation over the flat plate reveals that the entropy production is maximized along the shock wave. Moreover, increasing the rarefaction effects thickens the nonequilibrium shock wave. We also observed that increasing the nonequilibrium effects reduces the level of entropy generation in the rarefied flow. As the flow density decreases in the nonequilibrium regime, the level of shear stress and heat flux reduces, which subsequently lower the level of entropy generation in the rarefied flows. Furthermore, it was found that although the level of entropy generation in the flow reduces as the Knudsen number increases, the boundaries of the maximum entropy production region extends under large rarefaction effects.
MODELING FLUID FLOWS IN DISTENSIBLE TUBES FOR APPLICATIONS IN HEMODYNAMICS
Authors: DESCOVICH X. , PONTRELLI G. , MELCHIONNA S. , SUCCI S. , WASSERTHEURER S.
Published: March 2013

We present a lattice Boltzmann (LB) model for the simulation of hemodynamic flows in the presence of compliant walls. The new scheme is based on the use of a continuous bounce-back boundary condition, as combined with a dynamic constitutive relation between the flow pressure at the wall and the resulting wall deformation. The method is demonstrated for the case of two-dimensional (axisymmetric) pulsatile flows, showing clear evidence of elastic wave propagation of the wall perturbation in response to the fluid pressure. The extension of the present two-dimensional axisymmetric formulation to more general three-dimensional geometries is currently under investigation.
GEOMETRICAL AND TRANSPORT PROPERTIES OF SEQUENTIAL ADSORPTION CLUSTERS
Authors: ARAÚJO E. B. , MOREIRA A. A. , HERRMANN H. J. , DA SILVA L. R. , ANDRADE J. S.
Published: March 2013

We investigate transport properties of percolating clusters generated by irreversible cooperative sequential adsorption (CSA) on square lattices with Arrhenius rates given by ki ≡ qni, where ni is the number of occupied neighbors of the site i, and q a controlling parameter. Our results show a dependence of the prefactors non q and a strong finite size effect for small values of this parameter, both impacting the size of the backbone and the global conductance of the system. These results might be pertinent to practical applications in processes involving adsorption of particles.
DYNAMIC SUSCEPTIBILITY IN A PARAELECTRIC PHASE IN A SMALL PARTICLE, BOUNDARY EFFECTS
Authors: HUDAK MATEJ , HUDAK ONDREJ
Published: March 2013

The dielectric dynamic susceptibility of a particle is studied numerically using the exact susceptibility expression in other to understand particle physical properties. There exist one peak in the imaginary part and two peaks in the real part of the susceptibility. Constant behavior of peaks width and height is found in the imaginary and real part of the susceptibility going from the center. A decrease of peaks to zero is an effect of boundary. Our results are in contrast with behavior of susceptibility behavior found variationally where there is no constant behavior of the susceptibility peaks changing r. These results are new in literature of dielectrics.
EFFECTS OF STRAIN COUPLING AND MARGINAL DIMENSIONALITY IN THE NATURE OF PHASE TRANSITION IN QUANTUM PARAELECTRICS
Authors: DAS NABYENDU
Published: March 2013

Here a recently observed weak first order transition in doped SrTiO 3 [Taniguchi, Itoh and Yagi, Phys. Rev. Lett.99, 017602 (2007)] is argued to be a consequence of the coupling between strain and order parameter fluctuations. Starting with a semi-microscopic action, and using renormalization group equations for vertices, we write the free energy of such a system. This fluctuation renormalized free energy is then used to discuss the possibility of first order transition at zero temperature as well as at finite temperature. An asymptotic analysis predicts small but a finite discontinuity in the order parameter near a mean field quantum critical point at zero temperature. In case of finite temperature transition, near quantum critical point such a possibility is found to be extremely weak. Results are in accord with some experimental findings on quantum paraelectrics such as SrTiO 3 and KTaO 3.
CELLULAR AUTOMATON MODELS FOR MIXED TRAFFIC FLOW CONSIDERING PASSAGE WAY OF EMERGENCY VEHICLE
Authors: ZHAO HAN-TAO , MAO HONG-YAN , HUANG RUI-JIN
Published: March 2013

Two kinds of cellular automaton models are proposed for mixed traffic flow with emphasis on emergency vehicles. By analyzing the characteristics of ordinary vehicles in giving way to emergency vehicles, the rules for changing lanes are modified. Computer numerical simulation results indicate that an emergency vehicle without changing lanes can enhance speed with density lower than 0.1, while its speed can be enhanced by changing lane with density greater than 0.1. Meanwhile, vehicle speed and density within a certain range around emergency vehicles are lower than the road section average velocity and average density. The passage way of emergency vehicle that facilitate lane change causes less interference than that of an emergency vehicle which is unable to change lane. The study found that the physical characteristics of traffic flow when there are emergency vehicles are significantly different from routine traffic flow. Emergency vehicles can facilitate their passage by changing lanes at a medium or high density.
NONBINARY QUANTUM CODES DERIVED FROM REPEATED-ROOT CYCLIC CODES
Authors: QIAN JIANFA , ZHANG LINA
Published: March 2013

Many good quantum error-correcting codes were constructed from cyclic codes. However, it is a difficult problem to determine the true minimum distance of quantum cyclic codes for large length n. In this work, we construct nonbinary quantum cyclic codes and asymmetric quantum cyclic codes that are derived from repeated-root cyclic codes for an arbitrary length ps, and determine the true minimum distance of all those codes. Some proposed quantum cyclic codes are optimal. Additionally, some proposed asymmetric quantum cyclic codes have better parameters than the ones available in the literature.
PREPARATION OF PURE COBALT NANOPARTICLES BY ELECTRIC ARC DISCHARGE METHOD IN ETHYLENE GLYCOL
Authors: KHEZRI S. HOSSEYNIZADEH , YAZDANI A. , KHORDAD R. , RAVAN B. ABEDI
Published: March 2013

Synthesis of Cobalt nanoparticles often entails toxic and expensive physical-chemistry methods. Fabrication of pure cobalt nanoparticles (NPs) using a simple and low-cost electric arc discharge method in ethylene glycol (EG) is suggested for the first time. The effect of different arc discharge currents (10, 20 and 30 A) on the size and optical absorption of the NPs are studied. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and UV-visible spectroscopy result indicate that at an arc current of 10 A NPs of about 92.95 nm are produced and increasing the arc current leads to larger NPs. UV-visible spectroscopy data shows that the solvent gets more and more transparent with time. Sonication proves that this effect is related to agglomeration of the NPs. Formation of the pure Co NPs are evidenced by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements which gives an average size of about 21 nm using Scherrer's relation. Magnetization measurements of the samples are carried out by Alternating Gradient Force Magnetometer (AGFM). The results demonstrate the ability of the arc discharge method for direct formation of Co NPs in EG medium.
QUANTUM QUASI-SOLITONS IN THE TWO-DIMENSIONAL FERROMAGNETIC LATTICE WITH AN EXTERNAL FIELD
Authors: LI DE-JUN , TANG BING , HU KE , TANG YI
Published: March 2013

Based on the quantum theory and a simplified version of the multiple-scale method, the nonlinear excitations in a two-dimensional ferromagnetic lattice with an external magnetic field are analytically investigated. The standard two-dimensional nonlinear Schrödinger equation is obtained. Results show that the quantum quasi-soliton can exist in the two-dimensional ferromagnetic lattice. In addition, when the group velocity is equal to zero, at the boundary of the Brillouin zone, the quantum quasi-soliton becomes the quantum intrinsic localized mode.
A TUNABLE MULTIBAND CMOS LNA FOR MOBILE WIMAX WITH HIGH LINEARITY
Authors: BAYRAMNEJAD ABBAS , ASEMANI DAVUD , ZOKAEI SAADAN
Published: March 2013

In this paper, a multiband low-noise amplifier (LNA) with capability of band tuning is proposed to support the Mobile WiMAX (IEEE 802.16e) standard associated with a large IIP3 at RF frequencies using multi-gated linearization techniques. Proposed LNA architecture has been optimized in terms of linearity based on a comparative analysis between four tunable LNA structures. In addition, a general survey is performed on linearization techniques (multiple-gated transistors, Derivative Superposition (DS), Modified DS). Proposed LNA is constituted of multi-gated linearization technique. Design and simulations have been realized in 0.13 μm RF CMOS process considering a power supply of 1.2 V. Proposed LNA exhibits an IIP3 of +8.8 dBm, +14.3 dBm, and +6.4 dBm at the lower, middle, and upper bands of WIMAX, respectively. It results in a power gain of 10 dB, a noise figure below 2.5 dB and S11 of -11.5 dB, -8.6 dB, and -12.7 dB at the lower, middle, and upper bands. The related power dissipations are 10 mW, 9.9 mW, and 9.4 mW at the lower, middle, and upper bands, respectively.
VIRTUAL GENUS OF SATELLITE LINKS
Authors: SILVER DANIEL S. , WILLIAMS SUSAN G.
Published: March 2013

The virtual genus of a virtual satellite link is equal to that of its companion.
DYNAMIC CONSEQUENCES OF PREY REFUGIA IN A TWO-PREDATOR–ONE-PREY SYSTEM
Authors: KAR T. K. , GHORAI ABHIJIT , JANA SOOVOOJEET
Published: March 2013

We consider a two predator and one prey model with Holling type II functional response incorporating a constant prey refuge. Depending upon the constant prey refuge m, which provides a criterion for protecting m of prey from predation, sufficient conditions for stability and global stability of equilibria are obtained. We find the critical value of this refuge parameter m for which the dynamical system undergoes a Hopf bifurcation and then makes use of center manifold theorem and normal form methods to find the direction of the Hopf bifurcation as well as the stability of the resulting limit cycle. The influence of the prey refuge parameter is also investigated at the interior equilibrium. Numerical simulations were carried out to illustrate and support the analytical results.
STATISTICAL ANALYSIS OF THE DAY OF THE WEEK EFFECT ON BIRTHS IN HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS
Authors: CAI YI , LAI DEJIAN , WALLER DOROTHY KIM , DU XIANGLIN , BURAU KEITH , SYMANSKI ELAINE
Published: March 2013

The frequency of births by day of the week has been reported by several studies without a formal statistical analysis. Births occurring on weekends have been consistently found to be less frequent than births on weekdays. In this study, we compared different statistical methods to assess the effect of the day of the week on the timing of births. We employed two statistical methods, two-way ANOVA and two-way Friedman's test, to analyze the daily variations of 222,735 births from 2005 to 2007 in Harris County, Texas. Both of the statistical tests indicated that births were not uniformly distributed by day of the week. Pairwise comparisons demonstrated that the births occurring on weekends were significantly less frequent than births occurring on weekdays. Our study together with other empirical studies would provide useful information for improving hospital management and the health of infants and their mothers.
SEPARATION PROBLEMS AND FORCING
Authors: ZAPLETAL JINDŘICH
Published: March 2013

Certain separation problems in descriptive set theory correspond to a forcing preservation property, with a fusion type infinite game associated to it. As an application, it is consistent with the axioms of set theory that the circle 𝕋 can be covered by ℵ1 many closed sets of uniqueness while a much larger number of H-sets is necessary to cover it.
BREAST THERMOGRAPHY AS A POTENTIAL NON-CONTACT METHOD IN THE EARLY DETECTION OF CANCER: A REVIEW
Authors: ETEHADTAVAKOL MAHNAZ , NG EDDIE Y. K.
Published: March 2013

This review paper discusses recent research achievements in medical thermography with concerns about the possibility of early breast cancer detection. With the advancements in infrared (IR) technology, image processing methods, and the pathophysiological-based knowledge of thermograms, IR screening is sufficiently mature to be utilized as a first-line complement to both health managing and clinical prognosis. In addition, it explains the performance and environmental conditions in identifying thermography for breast tumor imaging under strict indoor controlled environmental circumstances. An irregular thermogram is indicated as a significant biological risk marker for the presence or growth of breast tumors. Breast thermography is completely non-contact, with no form of radiation and compression. It is useful for all women of all ages, for pregnant and breastfeeding women, for women with implants, for women with dense or fibrocystic breasts, for women on hormone replacement therapy, and for pre or post menopausal women.

Breast thermography is specifically worthwhile during the early stages of fast tumor growth, which is not yet recognizable by mammography as thermography is a physiological test while mammography is an anatomical one. Often, physiological changes precede anatomical changes. This early detection of irregular tissue liveliness gives breast thermography the potential to be greatly useful and economical as an imaging program and provides the opportunity to apply non-invasive treatment to reform breast tissue activity. The non-radiating nature of thermography also permits repeated images. Thus, changes can be compared over time and the results of protective approaches can be observed to ensure utmost care of breast cells.
HUMAN RECOGNITION BASED ON PLANTAR PRESSURE PATTERNS DURING GAIT
Authors: LIN YU-CHIH , LIN YU-TZU
Published: March 2013

Recognizing individuals by their gait is a new biometric methodology, which employs dynamic features derived from tracking gait. Instead of the image processing techniques used in most existing studies, our previous study initialized the work of investigating gait recognition in terms of biomechanics. The experimental results showed that the angles and forces of the lower limb joints were reliable features for recognition of individuals, which can provide us with a considerable amount of information in the field of computer science and thus help in developing a more efficient recognition method, which is also more computationally efficient than current image processing methods. Encouraged by the early results, in this study, we proposed a people recognition method based on plantar pressure patterns, which can be used in a concealed manner. We hoped to prove the feasibility of using foot pressure for individual recognition.

Two different plantar pressure parameter measurement schemes are discussed: (1) the characteristic parameters and (2) the pressure values of each sensor cell in each frame. The self-organizing map (SOM) neuron network algorithm was used in both schemes for data classification. In order to improve the recognition rate, a support vector machine (SVM) was used as the data classification algorithm for the all-sensor-values method. High recognition rates were achieved with the second method, i.e., using all the sensor cell values of the foot pressure pattern during walking, regardless of the algorithm used. It is suggested that the foot pressure distribution of gait is a suitable feature for gait recognition. Both SOM and SVM can be feasible classifiers for foot pressure-based features.
ANALYTICAL MODELING OF DRAIN CURRENT, CAPACITANCE AND TRANSCONDUCTANCE IN SYMMETRIC DOUBLE-GATE MOSFETs CONSIDERING QUANTUM EFFECTS
Authors: PALANICHAMY VIMALA , BALAMURUGAN N. B.
Published: March 2013

An analytical model for double-gate (DG) MOSFETs considering quantum mechanical effects is proposed in this paper. Schrödinger and Poisson's equations are solved simultaneously using a variational approach. Solving the Poisson and Schrödinger equations simultaneously reveals quantum effects (QME) that influence the performance of DG MOSFETs. This model is developed to provide an analytical expression for inversion charge distribution function for all regions of device operation. This expression is used to calculate the other important parameters like inversion layer centroid, inversion charge, gate capacitance, drain current and transconductance. We systematically evaluate and analyze the parameters of DG MOSFETs considering QME. The analytical solutions are simple, accurate and provide good physical insight into the quantization caused by quantum confinement under various gate biases. The analytical results of this model are verified by comparing the data obtained with one-dimensional self-consistent numerical solutions of Poisson and Schrödinger equations known as SCHRED.
STRUCTURE AND MAGNETIC PROPERTIES OF MECHANICAL ALLOYED Mn-15at.%Al
Authors: HANNORA AHMED E. , HANNA FARIED F. , MAREI LOTFY K.
Published: March 2013

Mechanical alloying (MA) method has been used to produce nanocrystallite Mn -15at.% Al alloy. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns for the as-milled elemental α- Mn and aluminum powder samples show a mixture of α + β- MnAl phases after 20 h of milling and changes to a dominant β- MnAl phase structure after 50 h. An average crystallite size of 40 nm was determined from Hall–Williamson method analysis after 5 h of milling. Moreover, the thermal analysis results using differential thermal analysis (DTA), suggested a possible phase transformation after 20 h of milling. Isothermal treatments are carried in the temperature range of 450°C to 1000°C. Room-temperature vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) measurements of the hysteretic response revealed that the saturation magnetization Bs and coercivity Hc for 10 h ball milled sample are ~ 2.1 emu/g and ~ 92 Oe, respectively.