bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Survey and analysis of disk scheduling methods
Authors: Thomasian Alexander
Published: September 2011

Performance of many important computer applications depends on the performance of
Hard Disk Drives (HDDs)
. Disk capacities and transfer rates have been increasing rapidly, but the improvement in disk access time is disappointingly slow. Caching and prefetching are two method to alleviate this delay, which is 6-7 orders of magnitude longer than the processor cycle time. Disk scheduling is desirable when the data is not cached and a disk access is required. This paper is concerned with the analysis of two disk arm scheduling methods: SATF (shortest access time first) which outperforms SCAN, while both methods outperform FCFS scheduling. We propose improvements to a recent analysis of the SCAN policy and carry out an empirical investigation of SATF performance to derive a relationship between the queue-length and mean service time. A review of variations of SCAN and SATF is provided, since they have been utilized in conjunction with multilevel disk scheduling methods. We also discuss recent developments to improve the performance of high capacity HDDs, which allow multiple tracks to be accessed without incurring seeks.
Automatic abstraction and fault tolerance in cortical microachitectures
Authors: Hashmi Atif , Berry Hugues , Temam Olivier , Lipasti Mikko
Published: September 2011

Recent advances in the neuroscientific understanding of the brain are bringing about a tantalizing opportunity for building synthetic machines that perform computation in ways that differ radically from traditional Von Neumann machines. These brain-like architectures, which are premised on our understanding of how the human neocortex computes, are highly fault-tolerant, averaging results over large numbers of potentially faulty components, yet manage to solve very difficult problems more reliably than traditional algorithms. A key principle of operation for these architectures is that of automatic abstraction: independent features are extracted from highly disordered inputs and are used to create abstract invariant representations of the external entities. This feature extraction is applied hierarchically, leading to increasing levels of abstraction at higher levels in the hierarchy.

This paper describes and evaluates a biologically plausible computational model for this process, and highlights the inherent fault tolerance of the biologically-inspired algorithm. We introduce a stuck-at fault model for such cortical networks, and describe how this model maps to hardware faults that can occur on commodity GPGPU cores used to realize the model in software. We show experimentally that the model software implementation can intrinsically preserve its functionality in the presence of faulty hardware, without requiring any reprogramming or recompilation. This model is a first step towards developing a comprehensive and biologically plausible understanding of the computational algorithms and microarchitecture of computing systems that mimic the human cortex, and to applying them to the robust implementation of tasks on future computing systems built of faulty components.
Vantage
Authors: Sanchez Daniel , Kozyrakis Christos
Published: September 2011

Cache partitioning has a wide range of uses in CMPs, from guaranteeing quality of service and controlled sharing to security-related techniques. However, existing cache partitioning schemes (such as way-partitioning) are limited to coarse-grain allocations, can only support few partitions, and reduce cache associativity, hurting performance. Hence, these techniques can only be applied to CMPs with 2-4 cores, but fail to scale to tens of cores.

We present Vantage, a novel cache partitioning technique that overcomes the limitations of existing schemes: caches can have tens of partitions with sizes specified at cache line granularity, while maintaining high associativity and strong isolation among partitions. Vantage leverages cache arrays with good hashing and associativity, which enable soft-pinning a large portion of cache lines. It enforces capacity allocations by controlling the replacement process. Unlike prior schemes, Vantage provides strict isolation guarantees by partitioning most (e.g. 90%) of the cache instead of all of it. Vantage is derived from analytical models, which allow us to provide strong guarantees and bounds on associativity and sizing independent of the number of partitions and their behaviors. It is simple to implement, requiring around 1.5% state overhead and simple changes to the cache controller.

We evaluate Vantage using extensive simulations. On a 32-core system, using 350 multiprogrammed workloads and one partition per core, partitioning the last-level cache with conventional techniques
degrades
throughput for 71% of the workloads versus an unpartitioned cache (by 7% average, 25% maximum degradation), even when using 64-way caches. In contrast, Vantage improves throughput for 98% of the workloads, by 8% on average (up to 20%), using a
4-way cache
.
Dark silicon and the end of multicore scaling
Authors: Esmaeilzadeh Hadi , Blem Emily , St. Amant Renee , Sankaralingam Karthikeyan , Burger Doug
Published: September 2011

Since 2005, processor designers have increased core counts to exploit Moore's Law scaling, rather than focusing on single-core performance. The failure of Dennard scaling, to which the shift to multicore parts is partially a response, may soon limit multicore scaling just as single-core scaling has been curtailed. This paper models multicore scaling limits by combining device scaling, single-core scaling, and multicore scaling to measure the speedup potential for a set of parallel workloads for the next five technology generations. For device scaling, we use both the ITRS projections and a set of more conservative device scaling parameters. To model single-core scaling, we combine measurements from over 150 processors to derive Pareto-optimal frontiers for area/performance and power/performance. Finally, to model multicore scaling, we build a detailed performance model of upper-bound performance and lower-bound core power. The multicore designs we study include single-threaded CPU-like and massively threaded GPU-like multicore chip organizations with symmetric, asymmetric, dynamic, and composed topologies. The study shows that regardless of chip organization and topology, multicore scaling is power limited to a degree not widely appreciated by the computing community. Even at 22 nm (just one year from now), 21% of a fixed-size chip must be powered off, and at 8 nm, this number grows to more than 50%. Through 2024, only 7.9x average speedup is possible across commonly used parallel workloads, leaving a nearly 24-fold gap from a target of doubled performance per generation.
Kilo-NOC
Authors: Grot Boris , Hestness Joel , Keckler Stephen W. , Mutlu Onur
Published: September 2011

Today's chip-level multiprocessors (CMPs) feature up to a hundred discrete cores, and with increasing levels of integration, CMPs with hundreds of cores, cache tiles, and specialized accelerators are anticipated in the near future. In this paper, we propose and evaluate technologies to enable networks-on-chip (NOCs) to support a thousand connected components (Kilo-NOC) with high area and energy efficiency, good performance, and strong quality-of-service (QOS) guarantees. Our analysis shows that QOS support burdens the network with high area and energy costs. In response, we propose a new lightweight topology-aware QOS architecture that provides service guarantees for applications such as consolidated servers on CMPs and real-time SOCs. Unlike prior NOC quality-of-service proposals which require QOS support at every network node, our scheme restricts the extent of hardware support to portions of the die, reducing router complexity in the rest of the chip. We further improve network area- and energy-efficiency through a novel flow control mechanism that enables a single-network, low-cost elastic buffer implementation. Together, these techniques yield a heterogeneous Kilo-NOC architecture that consumes 45% less area and 29% less power than a state-of-the-art QOS-enabled NOC without these features.
Energy-efficient cache design using variable-strength error-correcting codes
Authors: Alameldeen Alaa R. , Wagner Ilya , Chishti Zeshan , Wu Wei , Wilkerson Chris , Lu Shih-Lien
Published: September 2011

Voltage scaling is one of the most effective mechanisms to improve microprocessors' energy efficiency. However, processors cannot operate reliably below a minimum voltage, Vccmin, since hardware structures may fail. Cell failures in large memory arrays (e.g., caches) typically determine Vccmin for the whole processor. We observe that most cache lines exhibit zero or one failures at low voltages. However, a few lines, especially in large caches, exhibit multi-bit failures and increase Vccmin. Previous solutions either significantly reduce cache capacity to enable uniform error correction across all lines, or significantly increase latency and bandwidth overheads when amortizing the cost of error-correcting codes (ECC) over large lines.

In this paper, we propose a novel cache architecture that uses variable-strength error-correcting codes (VS-ECC). In the common case, lines with zero or one failures use a simple and fast ECC. A small number of lines with multi-bit failures use a strong multi-bit ECC that requires some additional area and latency. We present a novel dynamic cache characterization mechanism to determine which lines will exhibit multi-bit failures. In particular, we use multi-bit correction to protect a fraction of the cache after switching to low voltage, while dynamically testing the remaining lines for multi-bit failures. Compared to prior multi-bit-correcting proposals, VS-ECC significantly reduces power and energy, avoids significant reductions in cache capacity, incurs little area overhead, and avoids large increases in latency and bandwidth.
The MushroomAgaricus blazeiMurill Elicits Medicinal Effects on Tumor, Infection, Allergy, and Inflammation through Its Modulation of Innate Immunity and Amelioration of Th1/Th2 Imbalance and Inflammation
Authors: Hetland Geir , Johnson Egil , Lyberg Torstein , Kvalheim Gunnar
Published: September 2011

The medicinal mushroomAgaricus blazeiMurill from the Brazilian rain forest has been used in traditional medicine and as health food for the prevention of a range of diseases, including infection, allergy, and cancer. Other scientists and we have examined whether there is scientific evidence behind such postulations.Agaricus blazeiM is rich in the immunomodulating polysaccharides,β-glucans, and has been shown to have antitumor, anti-infection, and antiallergic/-asthmatic properties in mouse models, in addition to anti-inflammatory effects in inflammatory bowel disease patients. These effects are mediated through the mushroom's stimulation of innate immune cells, such as monocytes, NK cells, and dendritic cells, and the amelioration of a skewed Th1/Th2 balance and inflammation.
Simulation of the Thermal Hydraulic Processes in the Horizontal Steam Generator with the Use of the Different Interfacial Friction Correlations
Authors: Melikhov Vladimir , Melikhov Oleg , Parfenov Yury , Nerovnov Alexey
Published: September 2011

The horizontal steam generator (SG) is one of specific features of Russian‐type pressurized water reactors (VVERs). The main advantages of horizontal steam generator are connected with low steam loads on evaporation surface, simple separation scheme and high circulation ratio. The complex three‐dimensional steam‐water flows in the steam generator vessel influence significantly the processes of the steam separation, distribution, and deposition of the soluble and nonsoluble impurities and determine the efficiency and reliability of the steam generator operation. The 3D code for simulation of the three‐dimensional steam‐water flows in the steam generator could be effective tool for design and optimization of the horizontal steam generator. The results of the code calculations are determined mainly by the set of the correlations describing interaction of the steam‐water mixture with the inner constructions of the SG and interfacial friction. The results obtained by 3D code STEG with the usage of the different interfacial friction correlations are presented and discussed in the paper. These results are compared with the experimental ones obtained at the experimental test facility PGV‐1500 constructed for investigation of the processes in the horizontal steam generator.
The Effect of a Restraint Reduction Program on Physical Restraint Rates in Rehabilitation Settings in Hong Kong
Authors: Lai Claudia K. Y. , Chow Susan K. Y. , Suen Lorna K. P. , Wong Ivan Y. C.
Published: September 2011

Background. In view of the adverse effects of using restraints, studies examining the use of restraint reduction programs (RRPs) are needed.Objectives. To investigate the effect of an RRP on the reduction of physical restraint rates in rehabilitation hospitals.Methods. A prospective quasi-experimental clinical trial was conducted. Demographic data, medical and health-related information on recruited patients from two rehabilitation hospitals, as well as facility data on restraint rates were collected.Results. The increase in the restraint rate in the control site was 4.3 times greater than that in the intervention site. Changes in the restraint mode, from continuous to intermittent, and the type of restraint used were found between the pre- and postintervention periods in both the control site and the intervention site.Discussion. Compared with that in the control site, the RRP in the intervention site helped arrest any increase in the restraint rate although it had no effect on physical restraint reduction. The shift of restraint mode from continuous to intermittent in the intervention site was one of the positive outcomes of the RRP.
Vector Rotators of Rigid Body Dynamics with Coupled Rotations around Axes without Intersection
Authors: Hedrih Katica R. (Stevanović) , Veljović Ljiljana
Published: September 2011

Vector method based on mass moment vectors and vector rotators coupled for pole and oriented axes is used for obtaining vector expressions for kinetic pressures on the shaft bearings of a rigid body dynamics with coupled rotations around axes without intersection. Mass inertia moment vectors and corresponding deviational vector components for pole and oriented axis are defined by K. Hedrih in 1991. These kinematical vectors rotators are defined for a system with two degrees of freedom as well as for rheonomic system with two degrees of mobility and one degree of freedom and coupled rotations around two coupled axes without intersection as well as their angular velocities and intensity. As an example of defined dynamics, we take into consideration a heavy gyrorotor disk with one degree of freedom and coupled rotations when one component of rotation is programmed by constant angular velocity. For this system with nonlinear dynamics, a series of tree parametric transformations of system nonlinear dynamics are presented. Some graphical visualization of vector rotators properties are presented too.
Further Results on the Dilogarithm Integral
Authors: Jolevska-Tuneska Biljana , Fisher Brian
Published: September 2011

The dilogarithm integral Li(xs) and its associated functions Li+(xs) and Li−(xs) are defined as locally summable functions on the real line. Some convolutions and neutrix convolutions of these functions and other functions are then found.
A Numerical Treatment of Nondimensional Form of Water Quality Model in a Nonuniform Flow Stream Using Saulyev Scheme
Authors: Pochai Nopparat
Published: September 2011

The stream water quality model of water quality assessment problems often
involves numerical methods to solve the equations. The governing equation
of the uniform flow model is one‐dimensional advection‐dispersion‐reaction
equations (ADREs). In this paper, a better finite difference scheme for solving
ADRE is focused, and the effect of nonuniform water flows in a stream is
considered. Two mathematical models are used to simulate pollution due to
sewage effluent. The first is a hydrodynamic model that provides the velocity
field and elevation of the water flow. The second is a advection‐dispersion‐reaction
model that gives the pollutant concentration fields after input of the
velocity data from the hydrodynamic model. For numerical techniques, we
used the Crank‐Nicolson method for system of a hydrodynamic model and
the explicit schemes to the dispersion model. The revised explicit schemes are
modified from two computation techniques of uniform flow stream problems:
forward time central space (FTCS) and Saulyev schemes for dispersion model.
A comparison of both schemes regarding stability aspect is provided so as to
illustrate their applicability to the real‐world problem.
Inflammatory Pseudotumor of the Liver Complicated by Lung Necrosis and Pleural Empyema: A Case Report
Authors: Steinbrück Klaus , Enne Marcelo , Fernandes Reinaldo , Martinho Jose M. , Pacheco-Moreira Lúcio F.
Published: September 2011

Inflammatory pseudotumor of the liver (IPTL) is a rare condition, but an important differential diagnosis of hepatic space-occupying lesions. It may regress spontaneously and mimic other liver tumors. Complications are usually intrahepatic. Herein, we present a case of IPTL which developed pleural empyema and lung necrosis as an uncommon complication.
Tuning Genetic Algorithm Parameters to Improve Convergence Time
Authors: Angelova Maria , Pencheva Tania
Published: September 2011

Fermentation processes by nature are complex, time‐varying, and highly nonlinear. As dynamic systems their modeling and further high‐quality control are a serious challenge. The conventional optimization methods cannot overcome the fermentation processes peculiarities and do not lead to a satisfying solution. As an alternative, genetic algorithms as a stochastic global optimization method can be applied. For the purpose of parameter identification of a fed‐batch cultivation of S. cerevisiae altogether four kinds of simple and four kinds of multipopulation genetic algorithms have been considered. Each of them is characterized with a different sequence of implementation of main genetic operators, namely, selection, crossover, and mutation. The influence of the most important genetic algorithm parameters—generation gap, crossover, and mutation rates has—been investigated too. Among the considered genetic algorithm parameters, generation gap influences most significantly the algorithm convergence time, saving up to 40% of time without affecting the model accuracy.
PAI-1 Expression Is Required for HDACi-Induced Proliferative Arrest inras-Transformed Renal Epithelial Cells
Authors: Higgins Stephen P. , Higgins Craig E. , Higgins Paul J.
Published: September 2011

Malignant transformation of mammalian cells withrasfamily oncogenes results in dramatic changes in cellular architecture and growth traits. The generation of flat revertants of v-K-ras-transformed renal cells by exposure to the histone deacetylase inhibitor sodium butyrate (NaB) was previously found to be dependent on transcriptional activation of the PAI-1 (SERPINE1) gene (encoding the type-1 inhibitor of urokinase and tissue-type plasminogen activators). NaB-initiated PAI-1 expression preceded induced cell spreading and entry into G1arrest. To assess the relevance of PAI-1 induction to growth arrest in this cell system more critically, two complementary approaches were used. The addition of a stable, long half-life, recombinant PAI-1 mutant to PAI-1-deficient v-K-ras-/c-Ha-ras-transformants or to PAI-1 functionally null, NaB-resistant, 4HH cells (engineered by antisense knockdown of PAI-1 mRNA transcripts) resulted in marked cytostasis in the absence of NaB. The transfection ofras-transformed cells with the Rc/CMVPAI expression construct, moreover, significantly elevated constitutive PAI-1 synthesis (10- to 20-fold) with a concomitant reduction in proliferative rate. These data suggest that high-level PAI-1 expression suppresses growth of chronicras-oncogene transformed cells and is likely a major cytostatic effector of NaB exposure.
Emerging Role for Epithelial Polarity Proteins of the Crumbs Family as Potential Tumor Suppressors
Authors: Laprise Patrick
Published: September 2011

Defects in apical‐basal polarity regulation are associated with tissue overgrowth and tumorogenesis, yet the molecular mechanisms linking epithelial polarity regulators to hyperplasia or neoplasia remain elusive. In addition, exploration of the expression and function of the full complement of proteins required for the polarized architecture of epithelial cells in the context of cancer is awaited. This paper provides an overview of recent studies performed on Drosophila and vertebrates showing that apical polarity proteins of the Crumbs family act to repress tissue growth and epithelial to mesenchymal transition. Thus, these proteins emerge as potential tumor suppressors. Interestingly, analysis of the molecular function of Crumbs proteins reveals a function for these polarity regulators in junctional complexes stability and control of signaling pathways regulating proliferation and apoptosis. Thereby, these studies provide a molecular basis explaining how regulation of epithelial polarity is coupled to tumorogenesis.
Experimental Study of Fiber Length and Orientation in Injection Molded Natural Fiber/Starch Acetate Composites
Authors: Peltola Heidi , Madsen Bo , Joffe Roberts , Nättinen Kalle
Published: September 2011

Composite compounds based on triethyl citrate plasticized starch acetate and hemp and flax fibers were prepared by melt processing. Plasticizer contents from 20 to 35 wt% and fiber contents of 10 and 40 wt% were used. The compounded composites were injection molded to tensile test specimens. The effect of processing, melt viscosity and fiber type on the fiber length was investigated. The lengths of fully processed fibers were determined by dissolving the matrix and measuring the length of the remaining fibers by microscope analysis. A clear reductive effect of the processing on the fiber length was noticed. A reduction of fiber length along the increasing fiber content and the decreasing plasticizer content was also detected. This reduction originated from the increasing shear forces during compounding, which again depended on the increased viscosity of the material. Hemp fibers were shown to remain longer and fibrillate more than flax fibers, leading to higher aspect ratio. Thus, the reinforcement efficiency of hemp fibers by the processing was improved, in contrast with flax fibers. In addition, the analysis of fiber dispersion and orientation showed a good dispersion of fibers in the matrix, and a predominant orientation of the fibers in the melt flow direction.
Donor Smoking Negatively Affects Donor and Recipient Renal Function following Living Donor Nephrectomy
Authors: Heldt Jonathan , Torrey Robert , Han Daniel , Baron Pedro , Tenggardjaja Christopher , McLarty Justin , Lindler Tekisha , Baldwin D. Duane
Published: September 2011

Background.While tobacco use by a renal transplant recipient has been shown to negatively affect graft and patient survival, the effect of smoking on the part of the kidney donor remains unknown.Methods.29 smoking donors (SD) and their recipients (SD-R) as well as 71 non-smoking donors (ND) and their recipients (ND-R) were retrospectively reviewed. Preoperative demographics and perioperative variables including serum creatinine (Cr) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) were calculated and stratified by amount of tobacco exposure in pack-years. Clinical outcomes were analyzed with a Student'st-test, chi-square, and multiple linear regression analysis ().Results.At most recent followup, SD-R's had a significantly smaller percent decrease in postoperative Cr than ND-R's (−57% versus −81%; ) and lower calculated GFR's (37.0 versus 53.0 mL/min per 1.73 m2; . SD's had a larger percent increase in Cr than ND's at most recent followup (57% versus 40%; ), with active smokers having a larger increase than those who quit, although this difference was not statistically significant (68% versus 52%; ).Conclusions.Use of tobacco by kidney donors is associated with decreased posttransplant renal function, although smoking cessation can improve outcomes. Kidneys from donors who smoke should be used with caution.
An Amperometric Biosensor Based on Alanine Dehydrogenase for the Determination of Low Level of Ammonium Ion in Water
Authors: Ling Ling Tan , Ahmad Musa , Yook Heng Lee
Published: September 2011

An amperometric electrochemical biosensor has been developed for ammonium (NH4+) ion detection by immobilising alanine dehydrogenase (AlaDH) enzyme in a photocurable methacrylic membrane made up of poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (pHEMA) on a screen-printed carbon paste electrode (SPE). The current detected was based on the electrocatalytic oxidation of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide reduced (NADH) that is proportional to the consumption ofNH4+ion whilst enzymatic amination of AlaDH and pyruvate is taking place. The biosensor was operated amperometrically at a potential of +0.6 V and optimum pH 7. TheNH4+biosensor demonstrated linear response toNH4+ion concentration in the range of 0.03–1.02 mg/L with a limit of detection (LOD) of 8.52 μg/L. The proposed method has been successfully applied to the determination ofNH4+ion in river water samples without any pretreatment. The levels of possible interferents in the waters were negligible to cause any interference on the proposed method. The analytical performance of the biosensor was comparable to the colorimetric method using Nesslerisation but with much lower detection limit and linear response range at ppb level.
Adaptive‐Impulsive Control of the Projective Synchronization in Drive‐Response Complex Dynamical Networks with Time‐Varying Coupling
Authors: Zheng Song
Published: September 2011

This paper investigates the projective synchronization (PS) of drive‐response time‐varying coupling complex dynamical networks with time delay via an adaptive‐impulsive controlling method, in which the weights of links are time varying. Based on the stability analysis of impulsive control system, sufficient conditions for the PS are derived, and a hybrid controller, that is, an adaptive feedback controller with impulsive control effects, is designed. Numerical simulations are performed to verify the correctness and effectiveness of theoretical result.
Aberrant Hepatic Methionine Metabolism and Gene Methylation in the Pathogenesis and Treatment of Alcoholic Steatohepatitis
Authors: Halsted Charles H. , Medici Valentina
Published: September 2011

The pathogenesis of alcoholic steatohepatitis (ASH) involves ethanol-induced aberrations in hepatic methionine metabolism that decrease levels of S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), a compound which regulates the synthesis of the antioxidant glutathione and is the principal methyl donor in the epigenetic regulation of genes relevant to liver injury. The present paper describes the effects of ethanol on the hepatic methionine cycle, followed by evidence for the central role of reduced SAM in the pathogenesis of ASH according to clinical data and experiments in ethanol-fed animals and in cell models. The efficacy of supplemental SAM in the prevention of ASH in animal models and in the clinical treatment of ASH will be discussed.
Influence of Mode of Delivery on Pelvic Organ Support 6 Months Postpartum
Authors: Diez-Itza I. , Arrue M. , Ibañez L. , Paredes J. , Murgiondo A. , Sarasqueta C.
Published: September 2011

Aims: The aims of this study were to describe pelvic organ support 6 months postpartum among women who delivered by cesarean section, spontaneous and instrumental vaginal delivery, and to evaluate the differences between the groups. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 382 primigravid women who gave birth at Donostia Hospital during 2007. Pelvic organ support was explored 6 months postpartum using the pelvic organ prolapse quantification (POPQ) system. Joint hypermobility, height and weight were also assessed. Results: POPQ stage ≧II was present in 7.7, 18.1 and 29.0% of women who delivered by cesarean section, spontaneous and instrumental vaginal delivery, respectively. Spontaneous vaginal delivery increased the risk by more than three times (OR 3.19; 95% CI 1.07–9.49) while instrumental vaginal delivery increased it more than fivefold (OR 5.52; 95% CI 1.79–17.30) in comparison with cesarean section. Instrument-assisted delivery did not increase the risk of prolapse in women who delivered vaginally. Conclusions: Cesarean section is associated with a lower prevalence of pelvic organ prolapse after delivery. Instrument- assisted delivery is not associated with an increased risk of postpartum prolapse among women who delivered vaginally.
A Comparison of Suprapubic and Transurethral Catheterization on Postoperative Urinary Retention after Vaginal Prolapse Repair: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Stekkinger Eva , van der Linden Paul J.Q.
Published: September 2011

Aim: To compare the effect of suprapubic and transurethral catheterization on postvoid residual volumes (PRVs) after cystocele repair. Methods: 126 women who underwent pelvic organ prolapse surgery including cystocele repair were randomized to suprapubic or transurethral catheterization. At the third postoperative day, PRVs were measured. The number of women with PRV >150 ml, need for prolonged catheterization, recatheterization, length of hospital stay, frequency of urinary tract infections and complications were determined. Results: PRVs exceeded 150 ml in 13 out of 64 (20%) and 14 out of 62 (23%) women in the suprapubic and transurethral group, respectively (p = 0.76). In the suprapubic group a higher rate of urine leakage was noted (27 vs. 7%, p = 0.003). 10 women (16%) allocated to the suprapubic group switched to transurethral catheterization, because of problems with the suprapubic catheter. No protocol deviations were reported in the transurethral group. Of the women in both groups, 9% developed urinary tract infections (p = 0.93). Conclusions: Suprapubic catheterization was comparable to transurethral catheterization in the prevention of postoperative voiding dysfunction after vaginal prolapse surgery, but it was associated with a higher rate of complications.
Association of p.His38Leu, a Rare CYP21A2 Mutation, with the Classical Simple Virilizing Phenotype of 21-Hydroxylase Deficiency in a 6-Year-Old Boy
Authors: Oriola Josep , Bosch Maria Zelmira , Valls Carme , Ibáñez Lourdes
Published: September 2011

Background/Aims: Congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency is one of the most common autosomal recessive disorders. Unequal crossing over or gene conversion between the active CYP21A2 gene and the inactive CYP21A1P pseudogene accounts for 95% of mutations, but many non-pseudogene-derived mutations have been described. It is important for these new mutations to be assigned to a specific phenotype. Case Report and Results: We report a young boy diagnosed with the classical simple virilizing phenotype in whom the CYP21A2 genetic analysis disclosed that he was a compound heterozygous for p.His38Leu and the c.290-13A/C>G mutations. The p.His38Leu mutation has been recently described, but has not been associated with a specific phenotype thus far. Residue 38 is the only charged amino acid of a hydrophobic patch that interacts closely with the membrane. This mutation leads to a non-charged amino acid, suggesting a much more hydrophobic continuous domain. This patch is highly conserved through different mammals indicating the importance of this domain in the protein-membrane interaction. Conclusion: Our results support p.His38Leu as a severe mutation causing a classical simple virilizing phenotype.
Diagnosing Adult Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Patients with Cocaine Dependence: Discriminant Validity of Barkley Executive Dysfunction Symptoms
Authors: Vergara-Moragues Esperanza , González-Saiz Francisco , Lozano Rojas Oscar , Bilbao Acedos Izaskun , Fernández Calderón Fermín , Betanzos Espinosa Patricia , Verdejo García Antonio , Pérez García Miguel
Published: September 2011

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of adult attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in a sample of cocaine-dependent patients, and to examine the discriminant validity of the Barkley’s executive dysfunction scale in differentiating cocaine-dependent patients with and without ADHD. Methods: A cross-sectional design was used. A total of 166 cocaine-dependent subjects were assessed. The assessment instruments included: Conners’ Adult ADHD Diagnostic Interview for DSM-IV (CAADID), Psychiatric Research Interview for Substance and Mental Disorders (PRISM-IV) and 9 items from Current Behavior Scale Self-Report by Russell A. Barkley. Results: 14.5% (CI95%: 9.2–19.8%) prevalence of ADHD was observed in our sample. The Barkley’s executive dysfunction items showed statistically significant differences between cocaine-dependent patients with ADHD and those patients without ADHD diagnosis. Conclusions: The study data support Barkley’s model – which posits the relevance of executive dysfunction among ADHD patients within a sample of cocaine dependents, and provides evidence of the discriminant validity of the Current Behavior Scale Self-Report for identifying ADHD symptoms in cocaine users.
Clinical Features and Outcome of Acute Exacerbation of Interstitial Pneumonia: Collagen Vascular Diseases-Related versus Idiopathic
Authors: Tachikawa Ryo , Tomii Keisuke , Ueda Hiroyuki , Nagata Kazuma , Nanjo Shigeki , Sakurai Ayako , Otsuka Kyoko , Kaji Reiko , Hayashi Michio , Katakami Nobuyuki , Imai Yukihiro
Published: September 2011

Background: Relatively little is known about acute exacerbation (AE) of interstitial pneumonia associated with collagen vascular diseases (CVD-IPs). Objectives: This study was aimed at clarifying clinical characteristics and outcome in AE of CVD-IPs, compared with those of idiopathic interstitial pneumonias (IIPs). Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 112 admission cases with suspected AE of CVD-IPs or IIPs during 2003–2009. IIPs were diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) or non-IPF, mostly based on radiologic findings. Of these, 15 AEs of CVD-IPs (6 rheumatoid arthritis, 6 dermatomyositis and 3 systemic sclerosis) and 47 AEs of IIPs (13 IPF and 34 non-IPF) were included. Results: The clinical characteristics in AE of CVD-IPs were similar to those of IIPs, except for younger age (63.3 ± 6.8 vs. 73.8 ± 9.1 years; p = 0.0001) and higher PaO2/FiO2 at the onset of AE (205 ± 81.2 vs. 145 ± 53.8 mm Hg; p = 0.002) in the former. Dermatomyositis-related interstitial pneumonia (IP) showed a relatively indolent onset and was often associated with worsening control of the underlying disease, whereas AE of other CVD-IPs resembled that of IIPs. 90-day mortality of 33% in AE of CVD-IPs was similar to that of IIPs (44%; p = 0.44) or non-IPF (34%; p = 0.94), but was significantly better than that of IPF (69%; p = 0.04). Conclusion: Clinical features and outcome in AE of CVD-IPs were similar, if not identical, to those of IIPs, having a significant impact on the clinical course. AE of advanced IPF with typical radiologic features seems to have higher mortality compared with other forms of IP.
Antiepileptic Drugs Reduce the Efficacy of Methotrexate Chemotherapy through Accelerated Degradation of the Reduced Folate Carrier by the Ubiquitin-Proteasome Pathway
Authors: Halwachs Sandra , Schaefer Ingo , Seibel Peter , Honscha Walther
Published: September 2011

Background/Aims: Concurrent treatment with methotrexate (MTX) and enzyme-inducing antiepileptic drugs including phenobarbital (PB) reduces the efficacy of MTX chemotherapy in cancer patients. We have shown that Reduced folate carrier (Rfc1)-mediated uptake of MTX, an essential determinant of MTX chemotherapy, is significantly reduced by PB via protein kinase C (PKC). However, whether PB treatment affects Rfc1 activity through regulation of carrier protein stability and the mechanisms involved remain unclear. Methods/Results: Protein turnover assays using hepatocytoma cells demonstrated that Rfc1 is a long-lived protein that is mainly degraded by the ubiquitin-proteasome proteolytic pathway under basal conditions. Pretreatment with PB significantly reduced Rfc1-mediated MTX uptake and shortened the carrier protein half-life. This effect was abolished by the specific PKC inhibitor Gö6976. Inhibition of proteasomes with MG-132 significantly elevated Rfc1 protein levels and induced colocalization of Rfc1 and ubiquitin particularly in submembranous cellular compartments. Finally, we demonstrated that PB treatment resulted in enhanced levels of Rfc1 polyubiquitin conjugates. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that PB treatment causes downregulation of Rfc1 activity through PKC-dependent accelerated degradation of the Rfc1 protein by the ubiqutin-proteasome pathway. This regulatory mechanism may therefore involve clinically relevant drug resistance in patients concurrently receiving MTX and enzyme-inducing antiepileptic drugs.
Primary Generalized Glucocorticoid Resistance and Hypersensitivity
Authors: Charmandari Evangelia
Published: September 2011

Context: The human glucocorticoid receptor (hGR) is a ubiquitously expressed intracellular, ligand-dependent transcription factor, which mediates the action of glucocorticoids and influences physiological functions essential for life. Alterations in the molecular mechanisms of hGR action impair glucocorticoid signal transduction and alter tissue sensitivity to glucocorticoids. This review summarizes the pathophysiology, molecular mechanisms and clinical aspects of primary generalized glucocorticoid resistance (PGGR) and hypersensitivity (PGGH). Evidence Acquisition: A systematic review of the published, peer-reviewed medical literature (PubMed: 1975 through May 2011) was conducted to identify original articles and reviews on this topic. Evidence Synthesis: Evidence synthesis was relied upon the experience of a number of experts in the field, including our extensive personal experience. Conclusions: The molecular basis of PGGR and PGGH has been ascribed to mutations in the hGR gene, which alter tissue sensitivity to glucocorticoids. The stochastic nature of glucocorticoid signaling pathways in association with the variable effect that hGR gene mutations/polymorphisms might have on glucocorticoid signal transduction indicates that alterations in hGR action may have important implications for many critical biological processes, such as the behavioral and physiological responses to stress, the immune and inflammatory reaction, as well as growth and reproduction.
Tolerance for Law Violations and Social Projection among Offenders and Nonoffenders
Authors: Webster Reid G. , Vermeulen Sandra C.
Published: September 2011

Using a social projection paradigm, the present study investigated offenders’ beliefs that “everyone breaks the law.” A modified Tolerance for Law Violations Scale (TLV) was completed by 103 male provincial prison inmates and 135 male nonoffenders. Participants subsequently estimated either the percentage of offenders or nonoffenders who would agree with their responses to each of the 10 items that compose the TLV. As predicted, offenders scored significantly higher on the TLV than nonoffenders, indicating that offenders are more likely to see law violations as acceptable behavior. In addition, offenders significantly overestimated the actual percentage of offenders and nonoffenders who would endorse criminal sentiments and behaviors; that is, offenders believed that criminal conduct was normative behavior for not only offenders but for nonoffenders as well. Implications of the findings are discussed in terms of social norms theory and social norms intervention within a prison setting.
Reliability and Construct Validity of Psychopathy Checklist
Authors: Bauer Daliah L. , Whitman Lindsay A. , Kosson David S.
Published: September 2011

Although recent studies have demonstrated the utility of assessing psychopathic traits in adolescent males, there is substantially less evidence on the utility of assessing psychopathic traits in adolescent females. This study investigated the reliability and construct validity of the Psychopathy Checklist: Youth Version (PLC:YV) among a sample of 80 incarcerated adolescent females. Reliability analyses indicated high interrater agreement and internal consistency for PCL:YV scores. Consistent with research on adults and adolescent male offenders, psychopathic traits were associated with a greater number of conduct disorder and alcohol dependence symptoms, earlier onset of criminal behavior, a propensity toward institutional violence, and interpersonal behaviors associated with psychopathy. Consistent with some prior studies of youth, there were no negative relationships between PCL:YV scores and internalizing disorder diagnoses and some positive associations between psychopathy ratings and negative affectivity. Results suggest that assessing psychopathic traits in adolescent females provides meaningful information regarding criminal behavior, patterns, and personality traits in youth.
The importance of teachers’ feelings of self efficacy in developing their pupils’ social and emotional learning: A Norwegian study of teachers’ reactions to the Second Step program
Authors: Larsen Torill , Samdal Oddrun
Published: September 2011

The aim of this study was to explore teachers’ ( n = 17) experience with the Second Step program (1986) as a tool for teaching social competence through semi-structured interviews. Findings suggest that use of the program had a positive influence on the teachers’ overall teaching techniques and their broader social behaviour. The majority of the teachers reported that they felt they had become more democratic and student-centred in their teaching, and more socially skilled—in particular, more aware of individuals’ needs and problems by using the program. Further, results also suggest using the program to promote better collaboration with parents.
Managing Undocumented Students
Authors: Hill Gregory C. , Hawes Daniel P.
Published: September 2011

Illegal immigration is a salient topic for policy makers and for local units of government who are responsible for implementing policies. One particularly relevant policy topic is to what extent undocumented students affect performance in public schools, and if undocumented students do have an impact on performance, what can be done about it? Using Texas as a case study, this analysis finds that, surprisingly, undocumented students have only a marginal effect on the overall performance on standardized exams. Among Latinos, however, there is a statistically negative effect. Furthermore, evidence suggests that managerial skills can mitigate those negative effects.
Multiple Actors and Contested Terrains Strategies of Pro-poor Action in Contemporary Urban Restructuring
Authors: Koenig Dolores
Published: September 2011

Neoliberal approaches to urban restructuring may favor the wealthier and more powerful, but neoliberalism alone cannot account for the varied outcomes found among poor urban residents. Using field studies and documentary research on five cities in French-speaking West Africa and India, this study looks comparatively at how different groups use multiple forms of power to pursue individual and collective benefits. Dominant structures produced contradictory discourses that created spaces that served as terrains of struggle between the more and less powerful. Rich and poor created cross-class alliances that sometimes brought incremental benefits to the poor; the poor also used their agency to pursue individual advancement and collective resistance. These efforts have not changed the basic structures, but they have improved urban living conditions.
Immunohistochemical characterization of calcitonin gene-related peptide in the trigeminal system of the familial hemiplegic migraine 1 knock-in mouse
Authors: Mathew Rammya , Andreou Anna P , Chami Linda , Bergerot Astrid , van den Maagdenberg Arn MJM , Ferrari Michel D , Goadsby Peter J
Published: September 2011

Introduction: Familial hemiplegic migraine type 1 (FHM-1) is caused by mutations in the CACNA1A gene, with the R192Q mutation being the most common. Elevated calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) levels in acute migraine and clinical trials using CGRP receptor antagonists suggest CGRP-related mechanisms are important in migraine.

Methods: Wild-type and R192Q knock-in mice were anaesthetized and perfused. Using immunohistochemical staining, the expression of CGRP in the trigeminocervical complex (TCC) and in the trigeminal and dorsal root ganglia was characterized.

Results: There was a 38% reduction in the percentage of CGRP-immunoreactive cells in the trigeminal ganglia ( p < 0.001) of R192Q knock-in mice compared to wild-type animals. The size distribution profile of CGRP-immunoreactive cells within the trigeminal ganglia demonstrated no significant difference in cell diameter between the two groups ( p ≥ 0.56). CGRP expression was also reduced in thoracic ganglia of R192Q knock-in mice (21% vs. 27% in wild-type group; p < 0.05), but not in other ganglia. In addition, decreased CGRP immunoreactivity was observed in the superficial laminae of the TCC in R192Q knock-in mice, when compared to the control group ( p < 0.005).

Conclusion: The data demonstrates that the FHM-1 CACNA1A mutation alters CGRP expression in the trigeminal ganglion and TCC. This suggests further study of these animals is warranted to characterize better the role of these mutations in the neurobiology of migraine.
Immune algorithm-embedded stochastic meshless method for structural reliability
Authors: You S , Guo Z
Published: September 2011

In this article, a Neumann expansion Monte Carlo stochastic meshless point interpolation method (NMC-SMPIM) is developed to obtain the stochastic structural responses. Furthermore, an artificial immune genetic algorithm (AIGA) is embedded within the NMC-SMPIM to perform the structural reliability analysis to avoid some challenging problems including easy appeared precocity, low searching efficiency, and poor individual diversity. Numerical examples show that the results obtained by the AIGA algorithm-embedded NMC-SMPIM are accurate, and this method has advantages in analysis of responses and reliability of probabilistic structures with moderate variance coefficients.
Multi-agent collaborative search: an agent-based memetic multi-objective optimization algorithm applied to space trajectory design
Authors: Vasile M , Zuiani F
Published: September 2011

This article presents an algorithm for multi-objective optimization that blends together a number of heuristics. A population of agents combines heuristics that aim at exploring the search space both globally and in a neighbourhood of each agent. These heuristics are complemented with a combination of a local and global archive. The novel agent-based algorithm is tested at first on a set of standard problems and then on three specific problems in space trajectory design. Its performance is compared against a number of state-of-the-art multi-objective optimization algorithms that use the Pareto dominance as selection criterion: non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA-II), Pareto archived evolution strategy (PAES), multiple objective particle swarm optimization (MOPSO), and multiple trajectory search (MTS). The results demonstrate that the agent-based search can identify parts of the Pareto set that the other algorithms were not able to capture. Furthermore, convergence is statistically better although the variance of the results is in some cases higher.