bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Two self‐referencing methods for the measurement of beam spot position
Authors: Nyiri Balazs J. , Smale Jason R. , Gerig Lee H.
Published: December 2012

Purpose:

Two quantitative methods of measuring electron beam spot position with respect to the collimator axis of rotation (CAOR) are described.

Methods:

Method 1 uses a cylindrical ion chamber (IC) mounted on a jig corotational with the collimator making the relationship among the chamber, jaws, and CAOR fixed and independent of collimator angle. A jaw parallel to the IC axis is set to zero and the IC position adjusted so that the IC signal is approximately 50% of the open field value, providing a large dose gradient in the region of the IC. The cGy/MU value is measured as a function of collimator rotation, e.g., every 30°. If the beam spot does not lie on the CAOR, the signal from the ion chamber will vary with collimator rotation. Based on a measured spatial sensitivity, the distance of the beam spot from the CAOR can be calculated from the IC signal variation with rotation. The 2nd method is image based. Two stainless steel rods, 3 mm in diameter, are mounted to a jig attached to the Linac collimator. The rods, offset from the CAOR, lay in different planes normal to the CAOR, one at 158 cm SSD and the other at 70 cm SSD. As the collimator rotates the rods move tangent along an envelope circle, the centers of which are on the CAOR in their respective planes. Three images, each at a different collimator rotation, containing the shadows of both rods, are acquired on the Linac EPID. At each angle the shadow of the rods on the EPID defines lines tangent to the projection of the envelope circles. From these the authors determine the projected centers of the two circles at different heights. From the distance of these two points using the two heights and the source to EPID distance, the authors calculate the distance of the beam spot from the CAOR. Measurements with all two techniques were performed on an Elekta Linac. Measurements were performed with the beam spot in nominal clinical position and in a deliberately offset position. Measurements were also performed using the Flexmap image registration/ball‐bearing test.

Results:

Within their uncertainties, both methods report the same beam spot displacement. In clinical use, a total of 203 monthly beam spot measurements on 14 different beams showed an average displacement of 0.11 mm (σ = 0.07 mm) in‐plane and 0.10 mm (σ = 0.07 mm) cross‐plane with maximum displacement of 0.37 mm in‐plane and 0.34 mm cross‐plane.

Conclusions:

The methods described provide a quantitative measure of beam spot position, are easy to use, and provide another tool for Linac setup and quality assurance. Fundamental to the techniques is that they are self‐referencing–i.e., they do not require the user to independently define the CAOR.
Semiempirical simulation of x‐ray detectors for imaging applications
Authors: Bontempi Marco , Bettuzzi Matteo , Visani Andrea
Published: December 2012

Purpose:

The Monte Carlo (MC) simulation is widely used to design and test complex physical phenomena. This paper presents a simulator of x‐ray detector for imaging applications by providing a simple component that can be embedded into a MC code and allowing developers to focus their attention on the primary goals without hanging in the quality of the final output image.

Methods:

A simplified semiempirical model of x‐ray detector was developed and implemented starting from the definition of absorber material and developing scintillator and photoconductor screens and detectors. The validation was done by comparing a Hamamatsu C10900D digital flat panel with a simulation of the same detector using the presented model: MTF, nNPS, and NEQ.

Results:

The results of validation tests shown excellent agreement of the simulation with respect to the experimental data. The simulation was fast and efficient even in older computers (2004) and it was excellent in newer multicore computers (2010).

Conclusions:

Comparisons between experimental data and simulations shown that the simulator is able to mimic the output of a real imaging system, and it can have many applications in fields such as industry, medical physics, and teaching.
Efficacy of Dihydroartemisinin-Piperaquine for Treatment of Uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax in Cambodia, 2008 to 2010
Authors: Leang Rithea , Barrette Amy , Bouth Denis Mey , Menard Didier , Abdur Rashid , Duong Socheat , Ringwald Pascal
Published: December 2012

We describe here the results of antimalarial therapeutic efficacy studies conducted in Cambodia from 2008 to 2010. A total of 15 studies in four sentinel sites were conducted using dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (DP) for the treatment of
Plasmodium falciparum
infection and chloroquine (CQ) and DP for the treatment of
P. vivax
infection. All studies were performed according to the standard World Health Organization protocol for the assessment of antimalarial treatment efficacy. Among the studies of DP for the treatment of
P. falciparum
, an increase in treatment failure was observed in the western provinces. In 2010, the PCR-corrected treatment failure rates for DP on day 42 were 25% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 10 to 51%) in Pailin and 10.7% (95% CI = 4 to 23%) in Pursat, while the therapeutic efficacy of DP remained high (100%) in Ratanakiri and Preah Vihear provinces, located in northern and eastern Cambodia. For the studies of
P. vivax
, the day 28 uncorrected treatment failure rate among patients treated with CQ ranged from 4.4 to 17.4%; DP remained 100% effective in all sites. Further study is required to investigate suspected
P. falciparum
resistance to piperaquine in western Cambodia; the results of
in vitro
and molecular studies were not found to support the therapeutic efficacy findings. The emergence of artemisinin resistance in this region has likely put additional pressure on piperaquine. Although DP appears to be an appropriate new first-line treatment for
P. vivax
in Cambodia, alternative treatments are urgently needed for
P. falciparum
-infected patients in western Cambodia.
Chemobiosynthesis of New Antimalarial Macrolides
Authors: Goodman Christopher D. , Useglio Mariana , Peirú Salvador , Labadie Guillermo R. , McFadden Geoffrey I. , Rodríguez Eduardo , Gramajo Hugo
Published: December 2012

We have synthesized new derivatives of the macrolide antibiotics erythromycin and azithromycin. Novel deoxysugar moieties were attached to these standard antibiotics by biotransformation using a heterologous host. The resulting compounds were tested against several standard laboratory and clinically isolated bacterial strains. In addition, they were also tested
in vitro
against standard and drug-resistant strains of human malaria parasites (
Plasmodium falciparum
) and the liver stages of the rodent malaria parasite (
Plasmodium berghei
). Antibacterial activity of modified erythromycin and azithromycin showed no improvement over the unmodified macrolides, but the modified compounds showed a 10-fold increase in effectiveness after a short-term exposure against blood stages of malaria. The new compounds also remained active against azithromycin-resistant strains of
P. falciparum
and inhibited growth of liver-stage parasites at concentrations similar to those used for primaquine. Our findings show that malaria parasites have two distinct responses to macrolide antibiotics, one reflecting the prokaryotic origin of the apicoplast and a second, as-yet uncharacterized response that we attribute to the eukaryotic nature of the parasite. This is the first report for macrolides that target two different functions in the
Plasmodium
parasites.
NVC-422 Inactivates Staphylococcus aureus Toxins
Authors: Jekle Andreas , Yoon Jungjoo , Zuck Meghan , Najafi Ramin , Wang Lu , Shiau Timothy , Francavilla Charles , Rani Suriani Abdul , Eitzinger Christian , Nagl Markus , Anderson Mark , Debabov Dmitri
Published: December 2012

Bacterial pathogens have specific virulence factors (e.g., toxins) that contribute significantly to the virulence and infectivity of microorganisms within the human hosts. Virulence factors are molecules expressed by pathogens that enable colonization, immunoevasion, and immunosuppression, obtaining nutrients from the host or gaining entry into host cells. They can cause pathogenesis by inhibiting or stimulating certain host functions. For example, in systemic
Staphylococcus aureus
infections, virulence factors such as toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 (TSST-1), staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA), and staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) cause sepsis or toxic shock by uncontrolled stimulation of T lymphocytes and by triggering a cytokine storm.
In vitro
, these superantigens stimulate the proliferation of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and the release of many cytokines. NVC-422 (
N
,
N
-dichloro-2,2-dimethyltaurine) is a broad-spectrum, fast-acting topical anti-infective agent against microbial pathogens, including antibiotic-resistant microbes. Using mass spectrometry, we demonstrate here that NVC-422 oxidizes methionine residues of TSST-1, SEA, SEB, and exfoliative toxin A (ETA). Exposure of virulence factors to 0.1% NVC-422 for 1 h prevented TSST-1-, SEA-, SEB-, and ETA-induced cell proliferation and cytokine release. Moreover, NVC-422 also delayed and reduced the protein A- and clumping factor-associated agglutination of
S. aureus
cultures. These results show that, in addition to its well-described direct microbicidal activity, NVC-422 can inactivate
S. aureus
virulence factors through rapid oxidation of methionines.
Tamoxifen-associated Budd-Chiari syndrome complicated by heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and thrombosis: a case report and literature review
Authors: Chayanupatkul Maneerat , Rhee Ji Hyun , Kumar Anand Raman , Varadi Gabor
Published: December 2012

We reported a rare case of Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) associated with tamoxifen use, which was later complicated by heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and thrombosis (HITT). The patient was a 44 year-old woman with a medical history of lobular carcinoma in situ, who had been on tamoxifen for 2 years, presented with abdominal pain and distention. Imaging studies followed by a liver biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of BCS. On extensive work-up, the patient was found to have an unclassified myeloproliferative disorder with positive JAK-2 V617 mutation. After discontinuing tamoxifen, the patient was started on intravenous heparin. However, later in the course, she developed HITT. Myeloproliferative disorder, in conjunction with tamoxifen, predisposed the patient to be highly thrombophilic resulting in BCS. HITT was found to be relatively common in BCS. Anticoagulation and blood count need to be carefully monitored, and the possibility of HITT emergence in these patients should always be kept in mind.
BLACK HOLE THERMODYNAMICS AND MODIFIED GUP CONSISTENT WITH DOUBLY SPECIAL RELATIVITY
Authors: ZEYNALI K. , DARABI F. , MOTAVALLI H.
Published: December 2012

We study the black hole thermodynamics and obtain the correction terms for temperature, entropy, and heat capacity of the Schwarzschild black hole, resulting from the commutation relations in the framework of Modified Generalized Uncertainty Principle suggested by Doubly Special Relativity.
A CMOS CURRENT RECTIFIER CONFIGURATION SUITABLE FOR INTEGRATION
Authors: YUCE ERKAN , ALPASLAN HALIL
Published: December 2012

In this paper, a CMOS-based one input-two output current-mode (CM) circuit structure for providing full-wave rectification and half-wave rectifications to clarify the theory is proposed. The suggested configuration has many important advantages such as dissipating very less power, employing reduced number of CMOS transistors, having high output impedance currents and without requiring any additional bias currents and voltages. In order to exhibit performance and effectiveness of the proposed topology, SPICE simulation results are given.
K-THEORY FOR RING C*-ALGEBRAS: THE CASE OF NUMBER FIELDS WITH HIGHER ROOTS OF UNITY
Authors: LI XIN , LÜCK WOLFGANG
Published: December 2012

We compute K-theory for ring C*-algebras in the case of higher roots of unity and thereby completely determine the K-theory for ring C*-algebras attached to rings of integers in arbitrary number fields.
'Computing, we have a problem …'
Authors: Camp Tracy
Published: December 2012

In May 2005, Jim Foley (Board Chair of the Computing Research Association) published an abstract that was titled with these words: "Computing, We Have a Problem …". The main purpose of Dr. Foley's article was to discuss the image problem within computing, that "the public does not fully understand, and hence does not appreciate, what computing is and why computing and computing research are important" [1]. He then considered the consequences of this image problem (e.g., decreased enrollments in computing degree programs) and stated what CRA planned to do to rectify the situation.

While Dr. Foley's article did not mention women, minorities, or persons with disabilities, it is clear that several groups in our society are tremendously impacted by the image problem that exists within computing. In this article, we begin by discussing the lack of participation that exists for those who are trained in computing (i.e., people who have the skills to develop computer hardware and software). We then discuss why this digital divide should be of high concern to everyone, what we can learn from other previously male-dominated fields, what you can do to help improve the current situation, and what the future might hold.
Strategies for increasing the participation in computing of students with disabilities
Authors: Burgstahler Sheryl , Ladner Richard E. , Bellman Scott
Published: December 2012

It is predicted that the demand for workers in computing fields will continue to be high for years to come. However, some groups of people continue to be underrepresented in academic programs and careers in computing. People with disabilities form one such group of untapped talent. This article addresses the unique challenges faced by individuals with disabilities, and shares practices of a nationwide alliance,
AccessComputing
, that show promise for attracting qualified individuals with disabilities to computing fields.
A Lightweight Method for Automated Design of Convergence in Network Protocols
Authors: Farahat Aly , Ebnenasir Ali
Published: December 2012

Design and verification of Self-Stabilizing (SS) network protocols are difficult tasks in part because of the
convergence
property that requires an SS protocol to recover to a set of legitimate states from
any
state in its state space. Once an SS protocol reaches a legitimate state, it remains in the set of legitimate states as long as there are no faults, called the
closure
property. Distribution issues exacerbate the design complexity of SS protocols as processes should collaborate and take local actions that result in global convergence. Most existing design techniques are manual, and mainly focus on protocols whose global state can be corrected if the local states of all processes are corrected, called the
locally correctable
protocols. After manual design, an SS protocol has to be verified for closure and convergence. Previous work observes that verifying SS protocols is a harder problem than designing them as developers have to ensure the correctness of closure and convergence functionalities and their noninterference. An algorithmic method for the design of convergence generates protocols that are correct by construction, thereby eliminating the need for verification.

In order to facilitate the design of SS protocols, this article presents a lightweight method for algorithmic addition of convergence to finite-state nonstabilizing protocols, including nonlocally correctable protocols. The proposed method enables the
reuse
of design efforts in the development of different self-stabilizing protocols. Moreover, for the first time (to the best of our knowledge), this article presents an algorithmic method for the addition of convergence to symmetric protocols that consist of structurally similar processes. The proposed approach is supported by a software tool that automatically adds convergence to nonstabilizing protocols. We have used the proposed method/tool to automatically generate several self-stabilizing protocols with up to 40 processes (and 3
40
states) in a few minutes on a regular PC. Surprisingly, our tool has synthesized both protocols that are the same as their manually designed versions as well as alternative solutions for well-known problems in the literature (e.g., Dijkstra’s token ring, maximal matching, graph coloring, agreement and leader election in a ring). Moreover, the proposed method has helped us detect a design flaw in a manually designed self-stabilizing protocol.
Keratoacanthoma Centrifugum Marginatum with Atypical Scar
Authors: Nag Falguni , Biswas Projna , Singha Joydeep , Ghosh Arghyaprasun , Surana Trupti V.
Published: December 2012

Keratoacanthoma centrifugum marginatum (KCM) is a rare variant of keratoacanthoma (KA). It is characterized by a progressive peripheral expansion and central healing leaving atrophic scar. It is sometimes confused with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) both clinically and histopathologically. We here report a case of KCM over the extensor aspect of the right forearm in a 57-year-old man with an abnormal looking scar.
Neuroinflammation as the Proximate Cause of Signature Pathogenic Pattern Progression in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Aids, and Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Agius Lawrence M.
Published: December 2012

The realization of injury to large motor neurons is embedded within contextual reference to the parallel pathways of apoptosis and necrosis of system-patterned evolution. A widespread loss of cell components occurs intracellularly and involves a reactive participation to a neuroinflammation that potentially is immunologically definable. In such terms, sporadic and hereditary forms of amyotrophic sclerosis are paralleled by the components of a reactive nature that involve the aggregation of proteins and conformational misfolding on the one hand and a powerful oxidative degradation that overwhelms the proteasome clearance mechanisms. In such terms, global participation is only one aspect of a disorder realization that induces the development of the defining systems of modulation and of injury that involves the systems of consequence as demonstrated by the overwhelming immaturity of the molecular variants of mutated superoxide dismutase. It is further to such processes of neuroinflammatory consequence that the immune system is integral to the reactive involvement of neurons as patterns of disease recognition and as the system biology of prevalent voluntarily motor character. It is highly significant to recognize various inflammatory states in the nervous system as prototype variability in phenotype expression and as incremental progression in pathogenesis. In fact a determining definition of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is an incremental phenotype modulation within the pathways of the consequential loss and depletion of motor cell components in the first instance. Neuroinflammation proves a pattern of the contextual spread of such pathogenic progression in the realization of end-stage injury states involving neurons and neuronal networks.
Goblet Cell Carcinoid in a Patient with Neurofibromatosis Type 1: A Rare Combination
Authors: Gregersen Tine , Holt Nanna , Gronbaek Henning , Vogel Ida , Jørgensen Lars J. , Krogh Klaus
Published: December 2012

Neuroendocrine tumors are rare tumors primarily located in the gastrointestinal tract. Goblet cell carcinoid is a rare subgroup of neuroendocrine tumors located in the appendix. Neurofibromatosis type 1 is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by a mutation in theNF1gene. Patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 have an increased incidence of typical neuroendocrine tumors, but it is unknown if this is the case with goblet cell carcinoids. We describe a patient with both neurofibromatosis type 1 and goblet cell carcinoid, that according to literature would occur in 0.00017 per million per year. This may suggest a previously unknown association between neurofibromatosis type 1 and goblet cell carcinoids.
Renal Autotransplantation for Iatrogenic High-Grade Ureteric Stricture
Authors: Soto Soto Jose , Phillips Michael , Cernigliaro Joseph , Haley William
Published: December 2012

A 47-year-old Hispanic woman developed a chronically obstructed left kidney, due to a long-segment ureteric stricture deemed not amenable to reimplantation, following left ovarian cyst excision in 2004. Therefore, a ureteral stent requiring exchange every 3 months was necessary, due to hydronephrosis, recurrent urosepsis, chronic pain, and a poor quality of life. Her medical history was complicated by hypertension, poorly controlled diabetes mellitus, and microalbuminuria, suggesting early diabetic nephropathy. A left nephrectomy was recommended. This was deferred, due to concern for progressive kidney failure associated with her comorbidities. A radionuclide Tc-99m MAG3 renal scan revealed differential perfusion as follows: 44% left kidney and 56% right kidney, with symmetrical uptake on the renogram phase and delayed excretion on the left, which were correctted following furosemide administration. A left ureteronephrectomy with autotransplantation of the left kidney and ureteroneocystostomy was performed in 2009. Since then, the patient has experienced no further complications or need for invasive procedures, with excellent diabetic control and stable renal function (eGFR > 60 mL/min/1.73 m2). This technique is seldom employed in the surgical management of complex ureteral injuries, but may be an alternative for appropriate cases.
Family Interaction and Consensus with IT Support
Authors: Karlsudd Peter
Published: December 2012

Experience shows that there are great defects in information and collaboration between families and professionals in the health and care sector. In an attempt to improve the quality of the efforts planned and implemented in collaboration with relatives a family-related IT-based collaboration system called CIDC was constructed. With the intention to facilitate communication, information, documentation, and collaboration the system was tested together with parents of children with cognitive impairment. The system contains a number of functions gathered in a so-called e-collaboration room. The person administering and distributing the system authorizes the patient/care recipient or relative to build up an e-collaboration room. The result has been largely positive, but the part, which was supposed to document everyday activities, leaves much to be desired. For this reason a follow-up study was completed, and an iPad was used as a contact book, which with the help of the Dropbox software provided increased insight into the child and improved the contact with parents without losing confidentiality or causing extra workload for the staff. By automatic download from the iPad parents and/or contact persons could easily follow the documentation of children’s everyday activities.
Average Bandwidth Allocation Model of WFQ
Authors: Balogh Tomáš , Medvecký Martin
Published: December 2012

We present a new iterative method for the calculation of average bandwidth assignment to traffic flows using a WFQ scheduler in IP based NGN networks. The bandwidth assignment calculation is based on the link speed, assigned weights, arrival rate, and average packet length or input rate of the traffic flows. We prove the model outcome with examples and simulation results using NS2 simulator.
Diagnosis of Heterotopic Pregnancy Using Ultrasound and Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the First Trimester of Pregnancy: A Case Report
Authors: Sun Sue Yazaki , Araujo Júnior Edward , Elito Júnior Julio , Rolo Liliam Cristine , Campanharo Felipe Favorette , Sarmento Stéphanno Gomes Pereira , Nardozza Luciano Marcondes Machado , Moron Antonio Fernandes
Published: December 2012

Heterotopic pregnancy is a condition characterized by implantation of one or more viable embryos into the uterine cavity while another one is implanted ectopically, particularly into the uterine tube. Its occurrence has increased drastically over the last few years due to assisted reproduction procedures. In general, the diagnosis is made during the first trimester by using endovaginal two-dimensional ultrasound (2DUS), through observing a complex para- or retrouterine mass in association with a viable uterine pregnancy. However, under some conditions such as atypical ultrasonographic presentations, 2DUS does not clarify the situation whereas magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the pelvis is able to do so. We present the case of a pregnant woman in her fifth pregnancy, with a clinical condition of lower abdominal pain and pallor. Endovaginal 2DUS showed a complex voluminous mass in the left pelvic region in association with a viable intrauterine pregnancy. 2DUS in power Doppler mode showed “ring” vascularization, compatible with an ectopic gestational sac. MRI was of great importance in that it suggested that the mass had hematic content, which together with the clinical features, indicated that laparotomy should be performed. This surgical choice was essential for the woman to achieve a clinical improvement and for good continuation of the intrauterine pregnancy.
Partial Splenic Embolization as a Bridge to Total Knee Replacement for a Patient with Severe Thrombocytopenia due to Cirrhosis and Splenic Sequestration
Authors: Netterville Adrianne , Lands Ronald
Published: December 2012

Medical splenectomy by embolization was originally used to attenuate bleeding from varices in a man with cirrhosis and portal hypertension. Despite the procedure being described over 40 years ago with remarkable improvement in its safety profile and clinical outcomes since, it is still used with variable frequency because of concerns that the risk is high and the results are transient. We present the case of an elderly woman with cirrhosis, portal hypertension, and splenic sequestration who completed partial splenic embolization (PSE) with a durable hematologic response that served as a bridge which allowed her to have orthopedic surgery. A discussion with literature review follows.
Pathophysiology of Barodontalgia: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Stoetzer Marcus , Kuehlhorn Christoph , Ruecker Martin , Ziebolz Dirk , Gellrich Nils Claudius , von See Constantin
Published: December 2012

Changes in ambient pressure occur during flying, diving, or hyperbaric oxygen therapy and can cause different types of pathophysiological conditions and pain including toothache (barodontalgia). We report the case of a patient with severe pain in the region of his mandibular left first molar, which had been satisfactorily restored with a conservative restoration. Pain occurred during an airplane flight and persisted after landing. Radiology revealed a periapical radiolucency in the region of the distal root apex. Pain relief was achieved only after endodontic treatment. On the basis of this paper, we investigated the aetiology and management of barodontalgia. Dentists should advise patients to avoid exposure to pressure changes until all necessary surgical, conservative, and prosthetic procedures have been completed. The influence of pressure divergences should be noted at any time. Under changed environment pressures may be the changing perception of pathologies.
Iterative Algorithm for Solving a System of Nonlinear Matrix Equations
Authors: Al-Dubiban Asmaa M.
Published: December 2012

We discuss the positive definite solutions for the system of nonlinear matrix equations X − A∗Y−nA = I and Y − B∗X−mB = I, where n, m are two positive integers. Some properties of solutions are studied, and the necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of positive definite solutions are given. An iterative algorithm for obtaining positive definite solutions of the system is proposed. Moreover, the error estimations are found. Finally, some numerical examples are given to show the efficiency of the proposed iterative algorithm.
The Effects of SIRT1 on Alzheimer's Disease Models
Authors: Donmez Gizem
Published: December 2012

Sirtuins are highly conserved NAD+-dependent enzymes that were shown to have beneficial effects against age-related diseases. Aging is the major risk factor for all neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). Sirtuins have been widely studied in the context of AD using different mouse models. In most of these studies, overexpression of SIRT1 has been shown to have protective effects against AD. Therefore, designing therapeutics based on increasing SIRT1 activity might be important for investigating the ways of treatment for this disease. This paper summarizes the recent research on the effect of SIRT1 in AD animal models and also the potential of SIRT1 being a therapeutical target for AD.
Numerical Solutions to Fractional Perturbed Volterra Equations
Authors: Bandrowski B. , Karczewska A. , Rozmej P.
Published: December 2012

In the paper, a class of perturbed Volterra equations of convolution type with three kernel functions is considered. The kernel functions gα = tα−1/Γ(α), t > 0, α ∈ [1, 2], correspond to the class of equations interpolating heat and wave equations. The results obtained generalize our previous results from 2010.
Twin Gestation in a Septate Bicornuate Uterus
Authors: Osazuwa Henry , Ejenobo David
Published: December 2012

Bicornuate and septate uteri are among the commonest Mullerian anomalies. They are sporadic and fairly distinguished, but hybrid deformities can occur. This combination creates aetiological and clinical difficulties. The alternative theory of concurrent fusion and septal resorption of the Mullerian duct is seen as the basis of the altered foetal embryology, while the favourable outlook of a bicornuate uterus may be offset by the suboptimal implantation across the avascular septum. Obstetric care is based on empirical interventions deduced from case series, with varied and inconsistent outcomes. We present a 32-year-old primipara with a dizygotic twin gestation in separate compartments of a septate bicornuate uterus. She had an elective bilateral caesarean delivery at term with an accidental septal resection for morbidly adherent placenta. Although a summation of obstetric risks is a possibility, an excellent outcome was observed.
Endodontic Management of Maxillary Second Molar with Two Palatal Roots: A Report of Two Cases
Authors: Patel Surbhi , Patel Pawan
Published: December 2012

Endodontic treatment may sometimes fail because morphological features of the tooth adversely affect the treatment protocol. Maxillary second molars are recognized as usually having a single palatal root with a single palatal canal. The incidence of second palatal root in the maxillary second molar is very rare. Two cases are presented in this paper describing the endodontic management of a four-rooted maxillary second molar with two distinct palatal roots and canals and two distinct buccal roots and canals. Clinical examination and radiographs showed the presence of two palatal roots during the root canal procedure. The canals were biomechanically prepared with crown-down technique and obturated using lateral condensation technique with AH-Plus sealer.
Pulmonary and Peritoneal Tuberculosis Associated with Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha Inhibitor Use: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Tipirneni Niharika , Siegel Marc O.
Published: December 2012

The association between the use of tumor necrosis factor-αinhibitors and the increased risk of granulomatous infections, especially tuberculosis, has been well documented. Given the rapidly expanding list of inflammatory conditions for which tumor necrosis factor-αinhibitors are receiving FDA approval, the incidence of tuberculosis in this patient population has increased. Despite heightened awareness by physicians, the diagnosis of tuberculosis can remain challenging, given that extrapulmonary sites of infection are more frequently involved. We present a case of pulmonary and peritoneal tuberculosis in a gentleman being treated with a tumor necrosis factor-αinhibitor and discuss the diagnostic challenges of establishing the diagnosis.
A Case of Facial Lipoatrophy Secondary to Lupus Profundus Managed with Lipofilling Technique
Authors: Valdatta Luigi , Cherubino Mario , Tamborini Federico , Pellegatta Igor , Maggiulli Francesca
Published: December 2012

Facial lipoatrophy is one of the most difficult complication in the patients with lupus profundus. In this paper, we present a case of a 55-year-old woman affected by lupus profundus, with a grade V lipoatrophy, treated with lipofilling technique. No complications were observed and results at 12 months were stable, natural, and symmetric.
The Impact on Child Developmental Status at 12 Months of Volunteer Home-Visiting Support
Authors: Barnes Jacqueline
Published: December 2012

Home-visiting support during pregnancy or soon after the birth of an infant can be advantageous for maternal well-being and infant development. The best results have been identified when home visitors are professionals, especially nurses, and if a theoretically driven curriculum is followed with fidelity. Some suggest that disadvantaged families, who may avoid professional services, respond well to support from community volunteers, but there is less evidence about their impact. This study identified potentially vulnerable mothers during pregnancy in randomly allocated neighbourhoods where local volunteer home-visiting schemes agreed to offer proactive volunteer support and control areas where the local home-visiting schemes did not offer this proactive service. Taking demographic, child, and family factors into account, there were no significant differences in infant cognitive development at 12 months of age between families who had been supported by a volunteer and those who had not. Better cognitive development was predicted by less reported parenting stress when infants were 2 months and a more stimulating and responsive home environment at 12 months. The results suggest that unstructured proactive volunteer support for potentially vulnerable families is not likely to enhance infant development. Limitations of the cluster-randomised design are discussed.
A Systemic Approach to the Compensation of Rain Attenuation in Ka-Band Communication Satellites
Authors: Angeletti Piero , Lisi Marco
Published: December 2012

Rain attenuation at Ka-band is a severe phenomenon that drastically impairs satellite communications at these frequencies. Several adaptive compensation techniques have been elaborated to counteract its effects and most often applied one at a time. The present paper proposes the contemporary exploitation of different techniques in a combined approach. Such an integrated approach is thoroughly analyzed in a simplified scenario and will be shown to achieve a very effective solution, making the Ka-band spectrum fully available for broadband satellite applications and network-centric systems.
Exact Solutions of a Spatially Dependent Mass Dirac Equation for Coulomb Field plus Tensor Interaction via Laplace Transformation Method
Authors: Eshghi M. , Hamzavi M. , Ikhdair S. M.
Published: December 2012

The spatially dependent mass Dirac equation is solved exactly for attractive scalar and repulsive vector Coulomb potentials including a tensor interaction potential under the spin and pseudospin (p-spin) symmetric limits by using the Laplace transformation method (LTM). Closed forms of the energy eigenvalue equation and wave functions are obtained for arbitrary spin-orbit quantum number κ. Some numerical results are given too. The effect of the tensor interaction on the bound states is presented. It is shown that the tensor interaction removes the degeneracy between two states in the spin doublets. We also investigate the effects of the spatially-dependent mass on the bound states under the conditions of the spin symmetric limit and in the absence of tensor interaction (T=0).
Exact Travelling Wave Solutions for Isothermal Magnetostatic Atmospheres by Fan Subequation Method
Authors: Jafari Hossein , Ghorbani Maryam , Khalique Chaudry Masood
Published: December 2012

The equations of magnetohydrostatic equilibria for a plasma in a gravitational field are investigated analytically. An investigation of a family of isothermal magnetostatic atmospheres with one
ignorable coordinate corresponding to a uniform gravitational field in a plane geometry is carried out. These equations transform to a single nonlinear elliptic equation for the magnetic vector potential u. This equation depends on an arbitrary function of u that must be specified. With choices of the different arbitrary functions, we obtain analytical solutions of elliptic equation using the Fan subequation method.
The Role of JAK Pathway Dysregulation in the Pathogenesis and Treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Lee Hun Ju , Daver Naval , Kantarjian Hagop M. , Verstovsek Srdan , Ravandi Farhad
Published: December 2012

The discovery of the Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) V617F mutation has improved our understanding of the pathophysiology of myeloproliferative neoplasms such as polycythemia vera, essential thrombocythemia, and primary myelofibrosis. Before discovery of the JAK2 V617F mutation, there were no specific targeted therapies for patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms. More recently, several small-molecule inhibitors have been developed that have shown therapeutic potential in the clinical setting. There is evidence that the JAK2 pathway is dysregulated in some acute myeloid leukemias and may also represent a novel therapeutic target in this disease. In this review, we describe the preclinical, clinical, and pathophysiologic evidence for using JAK inhibitors in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemias. Clin Cancer Res; 19(2); 327–35. ©2012 AACR.
Gender-Specific Effects of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Val66Met Polymorphism and Childhood Maltreatment on Anxiety
Authors: Min Jung-Ah , Lee Heon-Jeong , Lee Seung-Hwan , Park Young-Min , Kang Seung-Gul , Chae Jeong-Ho
Published: December 2012

Background: Although the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) Val66Met polymorphism is thought to play an important role in the pathophysiology of anxiety, studies on the association between the BDNF polymorphism and anxiety have reported inconsistent results. As possible confounders in determining anxiety, childhood maltreatment and gender as well as their interactions with BDNF polymorphism have been suggested. This study examined the effect of BDNF genotype, childhood maltreatment, and their interaction on anxiety levels by gender. Methods: A total of 206 unrelated Korean healthy young adults (108 were male and the mean age was 23.1 ± 3.2 years) were genotyped for the BDNFVal66Met polymorphism. Measures for anxiety and childhood maltreatment were completed. The main and interaction effects of BDNF polymorphism and childhood maltreatment on anxiety were analyzed by general linear models in all subjects and then in gender-stratified groups. Results: Gender-specific analyses revealed that the interaction effect was significant only in males (p = 0.014). Interestingly, male subjects with the Val/Met genotype tended to be resilient against the increased anxiety after childhood maltreatment. In females, the main effects of both BDNF genotype and childhood maltreatment were significant (p = 0.024 and p = 0.009, respectively) and post-hoc analysis revealed that the Val/Val genotype was associated with a higher anxiety than the Met/Met genotype (p = 0.004). Conclusions: Our results support the interaction effect between the BDNFVal66Met polymorphism and childhood maltreatment in determining anxiety and further emphasize the possible moderating role of gender in this gene-environment interaction.
Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Reduce Lung Injury in Immunocompromised Mice but Not in Immunocompetent Mice
Authors: Lim Rebecca , Milton Phillipa , Murphy Sean V. , Dickinson Hayley , Chan Siow Teng , Jenkin Graham
Published: December 2012

Background: The immunomodulatory and immunosuppressive capacity of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC) is well recognized, but efficacies of hMSC in immunocompetent and immunocompromised animals have never been directly compared. Objectives: We aimed to compare the efficacy of hMSC in preventing bleomycin-induced lung injury in immunocompromised SCID and immunocompetent C57Bl/6 mice. Methods: SCID and C57Bl/6 mice were subjected to a single bolus intranasal instillation of bleomycin to induce lung injury. One million hMSC were administered intravenously 24 h following the induction of bleomycin lung injury. Results: hMSC xenotransplantation into SCID mice resulted in transient improvements in lung weight and tidal volume and to persistent improvement in inspiratory duty cycle, inspiratory flow rate and inspiration/expiration ratio. We did not observed protective effects in C57Bl/6 mice. This correlated with histological changes, where hMSC administration reduced Ashcroft scores, collagen deposition and inflammatory influx in the lungs of SCID mice, but not in those of C57Bl/6 mice. Conclusion: The application of hMSC for the treatment of acute and chronic lung injury is significantly affected by the immune status of the recipient. Lack of hMSC-mediated repair observed in C57Bl/6 mice was likely to be due to limitations of their immune privilege and differential priming of hMSC in immunocompetent versus immunocompromised hosts.
Comprehensive Stroke Centers and the ‘Weekend Effect’: The SPOTRIAS Experience
Authors: Albright Karen C. , Savitz Sean I. , Raman Rema , Martin-Schild Sheryl , Broderick Joseph , Ernstrom Karin , Ford Andria , Khatri Rakesh , Kleindorfer Dawn , Liebeskind David , Marshall Randolph , Merino José G. , Meyer Dawn M. , Rost Natalia , Meyer Brett C. ,   on behalf of the SPOTRIAS Investigators
Published: December 2012

Background and Purpose: Previous studies have found mortality among ischemic stroke patients to be higher on weekends. We sought to evaluate whether weekend admission was associated with worse outcomes in a large comprehensive stroke center (CSC) cohort. Methods: Consecutive ischemic stroke patients presenting within 6 h of symptom onset were identified using the 8 CSC SPOTRIAS (Specialized Programs of Translational Research in Acute Stroke) database. Patients who received intra-arterial therapy or who were enrolled in a nonobservational clinical trial were excluded. All patients meeting the inclusion criteria were then divided into two groups: weekday admissions or weekend admissions. Weekend admission was defined as Friday 17:01 to Monday 08:59. The remainder were classified as weekday admissions. Multivariate logistic regression was used, adjusting for age, stroke severity on admission [according to the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS)] and admission glucose, in order to compare the outcomes of the weekend versus the weekday groups. Results: Eight thousand five hundred and eighty-one subjects from the combined SPOTRIAS database were screened from 2002 to 2009; 2,090 (24.4%) of these met the inclusion criteria. There was no significant difference in tissue plasminogen activator treatment rates between the weekday and weekend groups (58.5 vs. 60.4%, p = 0.397). Weekend admission was not a significant independent predictor of inhospital mortality (8.4 vs. 9.9%, p = 0.056), length of stay (4 vs. 5 days, p = 0.442), favorable discharge disposition (38.0 vs. 42.2%, p = 0.122), favorable functional outcome at discharge (41.6 vs. 43.4%, p = 0.805), favorable 90-day functional outcome (54.2 vs. 46.9%, p = 0.301), or 90-day mortality (18.2 vs. 19.8%, p = 0.680) when adjusting for age, NIHSS and admission glucose. Conclusions: In this large cohort of ischemic stroke patients treated at CSCs, we did not observe the ‘weekend effect.’ This may be due to access to stroke specialists 24 h a day on 365 days a year, nurses with stroke experience and the organized system for delivering care that is available at CSCs. These results suggest that EMS protocol should be reexamined regarding the preferential delivery of weekend stroke victims to hospitals that provide all levels of reperfusion therapy. This further highlights the importance of organized stroke care.
Dietary Zinc Intake and Kidney Stone Formation: Evaluation of NHANES III
Authors: Tang Jie , McFann Kim , Chonchol Michel
Published: December 2012

Aims: We aimed to determine whether there is an association between dietary zinc intake (DZI) and prevalent kidney stone disease defined as self-report of any previous episode of kidney stone. Methods: We examined The Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III), a large US population-based cross-sectional study, and used logistic regression analyses to determine the independent association between DZI and prevalent kidney stone disease. Results: A total of 15,444 men and women over 18 years of age were eligible for analysis. Among them, 710 participants reported a history of kidney stones. Stone formers tended to have higher DZI than non-stone formers among NHANES III participants, though this difference did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.1). Multivariate adjusted logistic regression analysis revealed that higher DZI (log transformed) was associated with a significantly increased risk of kidney stone disease (odds ratio, OR = 1.41, 95% confidence interval, CI: 1.10–1.81, p = 0.01). After categorizing zinc intake into three groups, those with highest DZI (>15 mg/day) were also associated with a significantly increased risk of kidney stone disease, compared to those with lower DZI (<7 mg/day; OR = 1.70, 95% CI: 1.13–2.57, p = 0.01). Conclusions: Our study suggests that higher DZI is associated with increased risk of kidney stone disease. Future prospective studies are needed to clarify the causal relationship between zinc intake and kidney stone formation.
Estimating Central Equatorial Pacific SST Variability over the Past Millennium. Part II: Reconstructions and Implications
Authors: Emile-Geay Julien , Cobb Kimberly M. , Mann Michael E. , Wittenberg Andrew T.
Published: December 2012

Reducing the uncertainties surrounding the impacts of anthropogenic climate change requires vetting general circulation models (GCMs) against long records of past natural climate variability. This is particularly challenging in the tropical Pacific Ocean, where short, sparse instrumental data preclude GCM validation on multidecadal to centennial time scales. This two-part paper demonstrates the application of two statistical methodologies to a network of accurately dated tropical climate records to reconstruct sea surface temperature (SST) variability in the Niño-3.4 region over the past millennium. While Part I described the methods and established their validity and limitations, this paper presents several reconstructions of Niño-3.4, analyzes their sensitivity to procedural choices and input data, and compares them to climate forcing time series and previously published tropical Pacific SST reconstructions. The reconstructions herein show remarkably similar behavior at decadal to multidecadal scales, but diverge markedly on centennial scales. The amplitude of centennial variability in each reconstruction scales with the magnitude of the A.D. 1860–1995 trend in the target dataset’s Niño-3.4 index, with Extended Reconstructed SST, version 3 (ERSSTv3) > the Second Hadley Centre SST dataset (HadSST2) > Kaplan SST; these discrepancies constitute a major source of uncertainty in reconstructing preinstrumental Niño-3.4 SST. Despite inevitable variance losses, the reconstructed multidecadal variability exceeds that simulated by a state-of-the-art GCM (forced and unforced) over the past millennium, while reconstructed centennial variability is incompatible with constant boundary conditions. Wavelet coherence analysis reveals a robust antiphasing between solar forcing and Niño-3.4 SST on bicentennial time scales, but not on shorter time scales. Implications for GCM representations of the tropical Pacific climate response to radiative forcing are then discussed.