bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
OF MIRACLES AND METAPHYSICS: A PENTECOSTAL‐CHARISMATIC AND PROCESS‐RELATIONAL DIALOGUE
Authors: Reichard Joshua D.
Published: May 2013

This article is comprised of a dialogue between Pentecostal‐Charismatic and Process‐Relational theologies on the perennial issue of miracles. The language of supernaturalism, widely employed by Pentecostal‐Charismatic theologians, is contrasted with the metaphysical naturalism of Process‐Relational theology; it is proposed that a philosophically and scientifically sensitive theology of miracles is possible through a synthesis of both traditions. Themes such as nonmaterialism over materialism, spiritual experience, and prayer for healing miracles are explored. A theology of miracles, mutually informed by both Pentecostal‐Charismatic and Process‐Relational theologies, may focus less on whether or not miracles are possible, but instead focus more on what kind of miracles human beings might value most. By mutually engaging a theology of nonsupernatural, metaphysically grounded miracles, Pentecostal‐Charismatic and Process‐Relational theologians may collaborate to establish the groundwork for creative scientific enterprises, especially in the non‐Western world where Pentecostalism continues to experience its most rapid growth, Such perspectives may eventually lead to cutting‐edge discoveries about the fundamental nature of, and God's interaction with, reality itself. Implications for future research are proposed.
DIVINE PURPOSE AND EVOLUTIONARY PROCESSES
Authors: Tracy Thomas F.
Published: May 2013

When Darwin's theory of natural selection threatened to put Paley's Designer out of a job, one response was to reemploy God as the author of the evolutionary process itself. This idea requires an account of how God might be understood to act in biological history. I approach this question in two stages: first, by considering God's action as creator of the world as a whole, and second, by exploring the idea of particular divine action in the course of evolution. As creator ex nihilo God acts directly in every event as its sustaining ground. Because God structures the world as a lawful order of natural causes, God also acts indirectly by means of creatures. More controversially, God might act directly within the world to affect the course of events; this action need not take the form of a miraculous intervention, if the natural order includes the right sort of indeterministic chance. In each of these ways God's purposes can shape evolutionary processes.
EMERGENCE AND NON‐PERSONAL THEOLOGY
Authors: Simpson Zachary
Published: May 2013

In response to recent theories of emergence which attempt to examine system dynamics and the evolution of complexity from physics to biology and consciousness, a number of theologians have attempted to distill religious insights from a philosophical concept of emergence. Recent work by Terrence Deacon, however, which emphasizes constraint and a process understanding of complexity, undercuts significant features in emergent theologies, namely the privileging of certain loci within emergent complexity, an emphasis on efficient causation, and, theologically, an agential and personal God. The final section of this article, using the example of Navaho religious thought, argues that other religious insights which centralize norm‐ativity, global features of complexity, and are depersonalized, have greater traction with current scientific theories of emergence.
THE METAPHYSICS OF DOWNWARD CAUSATION: REDISCOVERING THE FORMAL CAUSE
Authors: Tabaczek Mariusz
Published: May 2013

The methodological nonreductionism of contemporary biology opens an interesting discussion on the level of ontology and the philosophy of nature. The theory of emergence (EM), and downward causation (DC) in particular, bring a new set of arguments challenging not only methodological, but also ontological and causal reductionism. This argumentation provides a crucial philosophical foundation for the science/theology dialogue. However, a closer examination shows that proponents of EM do not present a unified and consistent definition of DC. Moreover, they find it difficult to prove that higher‐order properties can be causally significant without violating the causal laws that operate at lower physical levels. They also face the problem of circularity and incoherence in their explanation. In our article we show that these problems can be overcome only if DC is understood in terms of formal rather than physical (efficient) causality. This breakdown of causal monism in science opens a way to the retrieval of the fourfold Aristotelian notion of causality.
Muscle metaboreflex and autonomic regulation of heart rate in humans
Authors: Fisher James P. , Adlan Ahmed M. , Shantsila Alena , Secher J. Frederik , Sørensen Henrik , Secher Niels H.
Published: May 2013

Key points

Heart rate increases during exercise due to withdrawal of cardiac parasympathetic tone and increased cardiac sympathetic nerve activity.

We investigated the autonomic mechanisms whereby heart rate is regulated by the activation of metabolically sensitive skeletal muscle afferents (muscle metaboreflex).

Heart rate responses elicited by partial flow restriction during leg cycling (enhanced metaboreflex activation) and post‐exercise muscle ischemia following leg cycling and handgrip (isolated metaboreflex activation) were evaluated under control (no drug), β‐adrenergic blockade and parasympathetic blockade conditions.

We show that the muscle metaboreflex principally elevates heart rate by increasing cardiac sympathetic activity, and only following dynamic exercise with a large muscle mass (post‐exercise muscle ischemia following leg cycling) does the partial withdrawal of cardiac parasympathetic tone make a contribution to this heart rate response.

These findings may have implications for patient populations in which alterations in skeletal muscle afferent sensitivity have been identified.

Abstract  We elucidated the autonomic mechanisms whereby heart rate (HR) is regulated by the muscle metaboreflex. Eight male participants (22 ± 3 years) performed three exercise protocols: (1) enhanced metaboreflex activation with partial flow restriction (bi‐lateral thigh cuff inflation) during leg cycling exercise, (2) isolated muscle metaboreflex activation (post‐exercise ischaemia; PEI) following leg cycling exercise, (3) isometric handgrip followed by PEI. Trials were undertaken under control (no drug), β1‐adrenergic blockade (metoprolol) and parasympathetic blockade (glycopyrrolate) conditions. HR increased with partial flow restriction during leg cycling in the control condition (Δ11 ± 2 beats min−1; P < 0.05). The magnitude of this increase in HR was similar with parasympathetic blockade (Δ11 ± 2 beats min−1), but attenuated with β‐adrenergic blockade (Δ4 ± 1 beats min−1; P < 0.05 vs. control and parasympathetic blockade). During PEI following leg cycling exercise, HR remained similarly elevated above rest under all conditions (Δ11 ± 2, Δ13 ± 3 and Δ9 ± 4 beats min−1, for control, β‐adrenergic and parasympathetic blockade; P > 0.05 between conditions). During PEI following handgrip, HR was similarly elevated from rest under control and parasympathetic blockade (Δ4 ± 1 vs. Δ4 ± 2 beats min−1; P > 0.05 between conditions) conditions, but attenuated with β‐adrenergic blockade (Δ0.2 ± 1 beats min−1; P > 0.05 vs. rest). Thus muscle metaboreflex activation‐mediated increases in HR are principally attributable to increased cardiac sympathetic activity, and only following exercise with a large muscle mass (PEI following leg cycling) is there a contribution from the partial withdrawal of cardiac parasympathetic tone.
A Numerical Method for Simulating Nonlinear Mechanical Responses of Tensegrity Structures Under Large Deformations
Authors: Zhang Li-Yuan , Li Yue , Cao Yan-Ping , Feng Xi-Qiao , Gao Huajian
Published: May 2013

An efficient numerical method is developed to analyze the mechanical responses of tensegrity structures subjected to various actuations that lead to large and highly nonlinear (e.g., hardening or softening) deformations. The proposed method, whose accuracy and efficacy are demonstrated through a number of representative examples, holds promise for applications in design, analysis, and safety evaluations of large-scale tensegrity structures.
Discrete Element Analysis for Characterizing the Patellofemoral Pressure Distribution: Model Evaluation
Authors: Elias John J. , Saranathan Archana
Published: May 2013

The current study was performed to evaluate the accuracy of computational assessment of the influence of the orientation of the patellar tendon on the patellofemoral pressure distribution. Computational models were created to represent eight knees previously tested at 40 deg, 60 deg, and 80 deg of flexion to evaluate the influence of hamstrings loading on the patellofemoral pressure distribution. Hamstrings loading increased the lateral and posterior orientation of the patellar tendon, with the change for each test determined from experimentally measured variations in tibiofemoral alignment. The patellar tendon and the cartilage on the femur and patella were represented with springs. After loading the quadriceps, the total potential energy was minimized to determine the force within the patellar tendon. The forces applied by the quadriceps and patellar tendon produced patellar translation and rotation. The deformation of each cartilage spring was determined from overlap of the cartilage surfaces on the femur and patella and related to force using linear elastic theory. The patella was iteratively adjusted until the extension moment, tilt moment, compression, and lateral force acting on the patella were in equilibrium. For the maximum pressure applied to lateral cartilage and the ratio of the lateral compression to the total compression, paired t-tests were performed at each flexion angle to determine if the output varied significantly (p < 0.05) between the two loading conditions. For both the computational and experimental data, loading the hamstrings significantly increased the lateral force ratio and the maximum lateral pressure at multiple flexion angles. For the computational data, loading the hamstrings increased the average lateral force ratio and maximum lateral pressure by approximately 0.04 and 0.3 MPa, respectively, compared to experimental increases of 0.06 and 0.4 MPa, respectively. The computational modeling technique accurately characterized variations in the patellofemoral pressure distribution caused by altering the orientation of the patellar tendon.
Comparison of Pyrosequencing, Sanger Sequencing, and Melting Curve Analysis for Detection of Low-Frequency Macrolide-Resistant Mycoplasma pneumoniae Quasispecies in Respiratory Specimens
Authors: Chan Kwok-Hung , To Kelvin K. W. , Chan Betsy W. K. , Li Clara P. Y. , Chiu Susan S. , Yuen Kwok-Yung , Ho Pak-Leung
Published: May 2013

Macrolide-resistantMycoplasma pneumoniae(MRMP) is emerging worldwide and has been associated with treatment failure. In this study, we used pyrosequencing to detect low-frequency MRMP quasispecies in respiratory specimens, and we compared the findings with those obtained by Sanger sequencing and SimpleProbe PCR coupled with a melting curve analysis (SimpleProbe PCR). Sanger sequencing, SimpleProbe PCR, and pyrosequencing were successfully performed for 96.7% (88/91), 96.7% (88/91), and 93.4% (85/91) of theM. pneumoniae-positive specimens, respectively. The A-to-G transition at position 2063 was the only mutation identified. Pyrosequencing identified A2063G MRMP quasispecies populations in 78.8% (67/88) of the specimens. Only 38.8% (26/67) of these specimens with the A2063G quasispecies detected by pyrosequencing were found to be A2063G quasispecies by Sanger sequencing or SimpleProbe PCR. The specimens that could be detected by SimpleProbe PCR and Sanger sequencing had higher frequencies of MRMP quasispecies (51% to 100%) than those that could not be detected by those two methods (1% to 44%). SimpleProbe PCR correctly categorized all specimens that were identified as wild type or mutant by Sanger sequencing. The clinical characteristics of the patients were not significantly different when they were grouped by the presence or absence of MRMP quasispecies, while patients with MRMP identified by Sanger sequencing more often required a switch from macrolides to an alternativeM. pneumoniae-targeted therapy. The clinical significance of mutant quasispecies should be investigated further with larger patient populations and with specimens obtained before and after macrolide therapy.
Dedifferentiated acinic cell tumour: the harlequin of salivary gland neoplasms—an unusual variant
Authors: Jain Anshu , Alam Kiran , Misra Aroonima , Maheshwari Veena
Published: May 2013

We present a case of a salivary gland tumour in a 25-year-old woman with lymphadenopathy and a clinical suspicion of lymphoma. The patient had a history of rapidly enlarging mass near angle of jaw which was resected and sent for histopathological examination. A final diagnosis of acinic cell tumour with dedifferentiation was made by histomorphological and immunohistochemical studies. Acinic cell tumour can mimic any salivary neoplasm phenotypically because of its varied architectural patterns of presentation with varied cell types, hence called the harlequin of salivary gland. Acinic cell tumour with dedifferentiation is a rare aggressive variant and requires adjuvant radiotherapy for better prognosis, hence the need for accurate diagnosis and communication to the surgeon
A unique case of two primaries: carcinoma breast with carcinoma gallbladder
Authors: Pogal Jaipalreddy , Kumar Vijay , Husain Nuzhat , Misra Sanjeev
Published: May 2013

The presence of two primary cancers in a patient is a very rare entity. Carcinoma breast and carcinoma gallbladder are one of the commonest cancers in North Indian women. We report a unique case of carcinoma breast with synchronous primary cancer in gallbladder. A 52-year-old woman presented with a lump in her left breast since 6 months. On examination, the lump was malignant with the involvement of the overlying skin and ipsilateral axillary lymphadenopathy. She also had hepatomegaly with palpable gallbladder lump. On imaging, there was a gallbladder mass infiltrating the adjacent organs. Biopsy of the breast lump revealed infiltrating ductal carcinoma, which was oestrogen, progesterone and HER-2 neu receptor positive. Immunohistochemistry analysis using cytokeratin 7 and 20 on gallbladder and breast mass biopsy specimen revealed the presence of separate primary cancers of gallbladder and breast. The patient received palliative chemotherapy, but died of the disease 5 months after diagnosis.
Atypical clinical presentation of a WT1-related syndrome associated with a novel exon 6 gene mutation
Authors: Dattolo Pietro , Allinovi Marco , Iatropoulos Paraskevas , Michelassi Stefano
Published: May 2013

Wilms’ tumour suppressor gene-1 (WT1) plays a critical role in kidney development and function. Several WT1 mutations can occur in exons 7, 8 and 9 and they have been associated with Denys-Drash syndrome. WT1 mutations of intron 9 have been reported too and associated with Frasier syndrome. However, overlapping and incomplete forms of both the syndromes have been described. We report a novel sequence variant (c.1012A>T) of theWT1gene in exon 6 (p.R338X) in a 18-year-old girl with a history of Wilms’ tumour, minor gonadal changes and relatively late-onset nephropathy. WT1-related nephropathies should be suspected in every patient with proteinuria not associated to immunological changes when a congenital neoplasia or minor gonadal anomalies are present.
Accelerated arterial and venous clots in a young pregnant woman: a saga of thrombotic storm
Authors: Aryal Madan Raj , Badal Madan , Bhandari Naresh , Bhatt Vijaya Raj
Published: May 2013

Thrombotic storm is a rare condition, characterised by serial thrombotic events, which escalates rapidly within a few days to a few weeks involving multiple and unusual sites. Since it usually responds to anticoagulation and is often lethal if not treated promptly, early diagnosis is crucial. We describe a case of a young pregnant woman with multiple acute arterial and venous thrombotic events including stroke and myocardial infarction, who successfully recovered with continued anticoagulation therapy.
Acute myocardial infarction following scorpion sting in a case with obstructive coronary artery disease
Authors: Patra Soumya , K Satish , Singla Vivek , KS Ravindranath
Published: May 2013

The occurrence of an acute myocardial infarction (MI) following a scorpion sting has been very rarely reported in the previous literature. Possible pathogenetic mechanisms include severe hypotension due to hypovolaemic shock and coronary spasm with subsequent thrombosis of coronary vessels developed after the release of vasoactive, inflammatory and thrombogenic substances contained in the scorpion venom. All of the previously reported cases had normal coronary angiogram. We report a case of a 65-year-old woman who presented with severe scorpion sting and was treated with prazosin. But a few hours later, she developed acute anterior wall MI. Coronary angiogram revealed the presence of significant stenosis in coronary arteries. As acute MI owing to significant coronary artery disease can be evident after severe scorpion envenomation, so every case of acute coronary syndrome following scorpion sting needs early diagnosis, thorough cardiovascular evaluation and appropriate treatment.
Unilateral proptosis: an unusual presentation of prostatic carcinoma
Authors: Pouncey Anna Louise , Fox Thomas Peter , Bryant Catherine Anne
Published: May 2013

A 68-year-old man presented acutely with periorbital pain and proptosis of the right eye, on a background of generalised pain and weight loss. Imaging showed bilateral signal abnormalities in the basal skull extending into the extraconal orbits with compression of the right optic nerve. His medical history revealed symptoms in keeping with benign prostatic hypertrophy. However, the prostate was irregular on rectal examination and prostate-specific antigen was markedly raised at 1880 ng/dl. A provisional diagnosis of metastatic prostatic carcinoma was made based on the clinical and radiological picture. This was later confirmed to be metastatic adenocarcinoma through means of tissue diagnosis.
Primary undifferentiated spindle-cell sarcoma of sella turcica: successful treatment with adjuvant temozolomide
Authors: Sareen Pooja , Chhabra Lovely , Trivedi Nitin
Published: May 2013

Sellar tumours in adults are most commonly pituitary adenomas. Primary spindle cell sarcoma of the sella turcica without a prior history of cranial radiation is extremely rare. We report a case of a large sellar mass with suprasellar and cavernous sinus extension in a geriatric male patient who presented with complete left oculomotor nerve palsy and panhypopituitarism. The patient underwent partial resection of the sellar mass through transcranial route. The pathology of the mass revealed a poorly differentiated spindle cell neoplasm most consistent with a sarcoma. Postoperatively, the size of the residual sellar mass decreased significantly following six cycles of external beam radiation in conjunction with temozolomide.
Rediscovery of historicalVitis viniferavarieties from the South Anatolia region by using amplified fragment length polymorphism and simple sequence repeat DNA fingerprinting methods
Authors: Yilancioglu Kaan , Cetiner Selim
Published: May 2013

Anatolia played an important role in the diversification and spread of economically important Vitis vinifera varieties. Although several biodiversity studies have been conducted with local cultivars in different regions of Anatolia, our aim is to gain a better knowledge on the biodiversity of endangered historical V. vinifera varieties in the northern Adana region of southern Anatolia, particularly those potentially displaying viticulture characteristics. We also demonstrate the genetic relatedness in a selected subset of widely cultivated and commercialized V. vinifera collection cultivars, which were obtained from the National Grapevine Germplasm located at the Institute of Viticulture, Turkey. In the present study, microsatellites were used in narrowing the sample size from 72 accessions down to a collection of 27 varieties. Amplified fragment length polymorphisms were then employed to determine genetic relatedness among this collection and local V. vinifera cultivars. The unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean cluster and principal component analyses revealed that Saimbeyli local cultivars form a distinct group, which is distantly related to a selected subset of V. vinifera collection varieties from all over Turkey. To our knowledge, this is the first study conducted with these cultivars. Further preservation and use of these potential viticultural varieties will be helpful to avoid genetic erosion and to promote continued agriculture in the region.
The Anticancer Effect of Cytotoxin 1 from Naja atra Cantor Venom is Mediated by a Lysosomal Cell Death Pathway Involving Lysosomal Membrane Permeabilization and Cathepsin B Release
Authors: Wu Minyan , Ming Wei , Tang Ya , Zhou Shengming , Kong Tianhan , Dong Weihua
Published: May 2013

The cytotoxin family of cobra venom proteins, also called cardiotoxins, can activate both necrotic and apoptotic cell death pathways in cancer cells. Cytotoxin 1 (CTX1)from Naja atra Cantor venom is a 60 amino acid, 6698 Da protein with as yet untested anticancer efficacy and cell selectivity. We tested the toxicity of CTX1 on a number of cancer cell lines (MCF-7, P388, K562, and H22) and on one normal human cell line (16HBE). The rank order of cytotoxicity was MCF-7 > P388 ≈ K562 >H22 ≈ 16HBE, indicating that the effect of CTX1 on certain cancer cell types was relatively selective.Treatment with CTX1 greatly prolonged the survival of P388 ascites tumors bearing KM mice compared to cyclophosphamide treatment. Cell viability, apoptosis, and lysosomal permeability assays all demonstrated that CTX1 induced dose- and time-dependent cell death, with most cells exhibiting the morphological and biochemical features of late apoptosis and necrosis. Mitochondrial membrane potential was lost in CTX1-treated P388 cells. In addition, CTX1 induced an increase in both lysosomal membrane permeability and cathepsin B protease activity. These analyses reveal that CTX1 possesses significant and selective anticancer activity, likely by inducing programmed cell death through mitochondrial and/or lysosomal pathways.
ON MODELS FOR VISCOELASTIC MATERIALS THAT ARE MECHANICALLY INCOMPRESSIBLE AND THERMALLY COMPRESSIBLE OR EXPANSIBLE AND THEIR OBERBECK–BOUSSINESQ TYPE APPROXIMATIONS
Authors: PRUŠA VÍT , RAJAGOPAL K. R.
Published: May 2013

Viscoelastic fluid like materials that are mechanically incompressible but are compressible or expansible with respect to thermal stimuli are of interest in various applications ranging from geophysics and polymer processing to glass manufacturing. Here we develop a thermodynamical framework for the modeling of such materials. First we illustrate the basic ideas in the simpler case of a viscous fluid, and after that we use the notion of natural configuration and the concept of the maximization of the entropy production, and we develop a model for a Maxwell type viscoelastic fluid that is mechanically incompressible and thermally expansible or compressible.

An important approximation in fluid mechanics that is frequently used in modeling buoyancy driven flows is the Oberbeck–Boussinesq approximation. Originally, the approximation was used for studying the flows of viscous fluids in thin layers subject to a small temperature gradient. However, the approximation has been used almost without any justification even for flows of non-Newtonian fluids induced by strong temperature gradients in thick layers. Having a full system of the governing equations for a Maxwell type viscoelastic mechanically incompressible and thermally expansible or compressible fluid, we investigate the validity of the Oberbeck–Boussinesq type approximation for flows of this type of fluids. It turns out that the Oberbeck–Boussinesq type approximation is in general not a good approximation, in particular if one considers "high Rayleigh number" flows. This indicates that the Oberbeck–Boussinesq type approximation should not be used routinely for all buoyancy driven flows, and its validity should be thoroughly examined before it is used as a mathematical model.
EXISTENCE OF STEADY STATES FOR THE MAXWELL–SCHRÖDINGER–POISSON SYSTEM: EXPLORING THE APPLICABILITY OF THE CONCENTRATION–COMPACTNESS PRINCIPLE
Authors: CATTO I. , DOLBEAULT J. , SÁNCHEZ O. , SOLER J.
Published: May 2013

This paper reviews recent results and open problems concerning the existence of steady states to the Maxwell–Schrödinger system. A combination of tools, proofs and results are presented in the framework of the concentration–compactness method.
Induced topological pressure for countable state Markov shifts
Authors: Jaerisch Johannes , Kesseböhmer Marc , Lamei Sanaz
Published: May 2013

We generalise Savchenko's definition of topological entropy for special flows over countable Markov shifts by considering the corresponding notion of topological pressure. For a large class of Hölder continuous height functions not necessarily bounded away from zero, this pressure can be expressed by our new notion of induced topological pressure for countable state Markov shifts with respect to a non-negative scaling function and an arbitrary subset of finite words, and we are able to set up a variational principle in this context. Investigating the dependence of induced pressure on the subset of words, we give interesting new results connecting the Gurevič and the classical pressure with exhaustion principles for a large class of Markov shifts. In this context we consider dynamical group extensions to demonstrate that our new approach provides a useful tool to characterise amenability of the underlying group structure.
SYSTEM ENTITY STRUCTURES FOR SUITES OF SIMULATION MODELS
Authors: ZEIGLER BERNARD P. , SEO CHUNGMAN , KIM DOOHWAN
Published: May 2013

We describe how to develop a suite of models in the MS4 Modeling Environment (MS4 Me). The approach employs the operation of merging of System Entity Structures supported by the environment. After construction, the suite of models can be hosted on Model Store, the cloud-based repository of models provided by MS4 systems as a basis for further collaborative model development. A suite of models, relating to Health Care is used as an example. In this paper, we review basic concepts of the SES needed to support of suites of simulation models. We then consider the concept of multiple aspects that provides more advanced capabilities to construct and manipulate suites of models. With this background, we go on to discuss a methodology for developing suites of simulation models and cloud-based technology for storing and sharing such models in a marketplace of models. Finally, we discuss future research and developments needed to bring the marketplace into common use by modeling and simulation practitioners.
Competitive intelligence and information quality
Authors: Biran Dov , Zack Michael H. , Briotta Richard J.
Published: May 2013

To better understand a competitor's tactical and strategic plans, companies need to take a closer look at competitive intelligence or they risk missing lucrative opportunities. Because of this there is a growing interest in competitive intelligence and intelligence information gathering systems (IIS). This article uses game-theoretic concepts to develop an analytic framework to assess the value of deploying a competitive intelligence gathering information system. Modeling the competitive environment as a game provides a useful approach to study and evaluate competitive strategies given diverse assumptions about the quality of the information known by the players. When determining the value of deploying an IIS, decision makers need to examine three components of the competitive environment: the competitive rules of the game, the state of player knowledge, and the reliability of the information gathered. This framework focuses on competitive environments where the players' state of knowledge (i.e., common versus covert knowledge) and the reliability of the information generated are essential to the decision making process. The article concludes with implications for research and practice.
Accuracy of aggregate data in distributed project settings
Authors: Joglekar Nitin R. , Anderson Edward G. , Shankaranarayanan G.
Published: May 2013

We examine the management of data accuracy in inter-organizational data exchanges using the context of distributed software projects. Organizations typically manage projects by outsourcing portions of the project to partners. Managing a portfolio of such projects requires sharing data regarding the status of work-in-progress residing with the partners and estimates of these projects' completion times. Portfolio managers use these data to assign projects to be outsourced to partners. These data are rarely accurate. Unless these data are filtered, inaccuracies can lead to myopic and expensive sourcing decisions. We develop a model that uses project-status data to identify an optimal assignment of projects to be outsourced. This model permits corruption of project-status data. We use this model to compute the costs of using perfect versus inaccurate project-status data and show that the costs of deviation from optimal are sizable when the inaccuracy in the data is significant. We further propose a filter to correct inaccurate project-status data and generate an estimate of true progress. With this filter, depending on the relative magnitudes of errors, we show that accuracy of project-status data can be improved and the associated economic benefit is significant. We illustrate the improvement in accuracy and associated economic benefit by instantiating the model and the filter. We further elaborate on how the model parameters may be estimated and used in practice.
A Proxy View of Quality of Domain Name Service, Poisoning Attacks and Survival Strategies
Authors: Yuan Lihua , Chen Chao-Chih , Mohapatra Prasant , Chuah Chen-Nee , Kant Krishna
Published: May 2013

The Domain Name System (DNS) provides a critical service for the Internet -- mapping of user-friendly domain names to their respective IP addresses. Yet, there is no standard set of metrics quantifying the
Quality of Domain Name Service
(QoDNS), let alone a thorough evaluation of it. This article attempts to fill this gap from the perspective of a DNS proxy/cache, which is the bridge between clients and authoritative servers. We present an analytical model of DNS proxy operations that offers insights into the design trade-offs of DNS infrastructure and the selection of critical DNS parameters.

Due to the critical role DNS proxies play in QoDNS, they are the focus of attacks including cache poisoning attack. We extend the analytical model to study DNS cache poisoning attacks and their impact on QoDNS metrics. This analytical study prompts us to present Domain Name Cross-Referencing (DoX), a peer-to-peer systems for DNS proxies to cooperatively defend cache poisoning attacks. Based on QoDNS, we compare DoX with the cryptography-based DNS Security Extension (DNSSEC) to understand their relative merits.
Privacy risk versus socialness in the decision to use mobile location-based applications
Authors: Roback Darren , Wakefield Robin L.
Published: May 2013

The adoption and use of mobile location-based applications (LBAs) (e.g. Loopt, Gowalla, Foursquare, Facebook Places, My Town) are far behind industry expectations. Drawing on social exchange theory, we present a theoretical framework to examine the cost-benefit tradeoffs considered by potential users of mobile LBAs. A research model is proposed and tested using data collected from a sample of 222 respondents. Our study offers two explanations for why users would release location information: 1) the application's controls reduce privacy risk beliefs, and 2) the application provides opportunities for socialness. Understanding the motivations and concerns of different types of users and developing LBAs to meet those specific needs is both a challenge and a condition for the growth of the location-based market.
Lovastatin attenuates effects of cyclosporine A on tight junctions and apoptosis in cultured cortical collecting duct principal cells
Authors: Liu Bing-Chen , Song Xiang , Lu Xiao-Yu , Fang Charles Z. , Wei Shi-Peng , Alli Abdel A. , Eaton Douglas C. , Shen Bao-Zhong , Li Xue-Qi , Ma He-Ping
Published: May 2013

We used mouse cortical collecting duct principal cells (mpkCCDc14cell line) as a model to determine whether statins reduce the harmful effects of cyclosporine A (CsA) on the distal nephron. The data showed that treatment of cells with CsA increased transepithelial resistance and that the effect of CsA was abolished by lovastatin. Scanning ion conductance microscopy showed that CsA significantly increased the height of cellular protrusions near tight junctions. In contrast, lovastatin eliminated the protrusions and even caused a modest depression between cells. Western blot analysis and confocal microscopy showed that lovastatin also abolished CsA-induced elevation of both zonula occludens-1 and cholesterol in tight junctions. In contrast, a high concentration of CsA induced apoptosis, which was also attenuated by lovastatin, elevated intracellular ROS via activation of NADPH oxidase, and increased the expression of p47phox. Sustained treatment of cells with lovastatin also induced significant apoptosis, which was attenuated by CsA, but did not elevate intracellular ROS. These results indicate that both CsA and lovastatin are harmful to principal cells of the distal tubule, but via ROS-dependent and ROS-independent apoptotic pathways, respectively, and that they counteract probably via mobilization of cellular cholesterol levels.
Effects of postural threat on spinal stretch reflexes: evidence for increased muscle spindle sensitivity?
Authors: Horslen Brian C. , Murnaghan Chantelle D. , Inglis J. Timothy , Chua Romeo , Carpenter Mark G.
Published: May 2013

Standing balance is often threatened in everyday life. These threats typically involve scenarios in which either the likelihood or the consequence of falling is higher than normal. When cats are placed in these scenarios they respond by increasing the sensitivity of muscle spindles imbedded in the leg muscles, presumably to increase balance-relevant afferent information available to the nervous system. At present, it is unknown whether humans also respond to such postural threats by altering muscle spindle sensitivity. Here we present two studies that probed the effects of postural threat on spinal stretch reflexes. In study 1 we manipulated the threat associated with an increased consequence of a fall by having subjects stand at the edge of an elevated surface (3.2 m). In study 2 we manipulated the threat by increasing the likelihood of a fall by occasionally tilting the support surface on which subjects stood. In both scenarios we used Hoffmann (H) and tendon stretch (T) reflexes to probe the spinal stretch reflex circuit of the soleus muscle. We observed increased T-reflex amplitudes and unchanged H-reflex amplitudes in both threat scenarios. These results suggest that the synaptic state of the spinal stretch reflex is unaffected by postural threat and that therefore the muscle spindles activated in the T-reflexes must be more sensitive in the threatening conditions. We propose that this increase in sensitivity may function to satisfy the conflicting needs to restrict movement with threat, while maintaining a certain amount of sensory information related to postural control.
Regulation of Tissue Fibrosis by the Biomechanical Environment
Authors: Carver Wayne , Goldsmith Edie C.
Published: May 2013

The biomechanical environment plays a fundamental role in embryonic development, tissue maintenance, and pathogenesis. Mechanical forces play particularly important roles in the regulation of connective tissues including not only bone and cartilage but also the interstitial tissues of most organs.In vivostudies have correlated changes in mechanical load to modulation of the extracellular matrix and have indicated that increased mechanical force contributes to the enhanced expression and deposition of extracellular matrix components or fibrosis. Pathological fibrosis contributes to dysfunction of many organ systems. A variety ofin vitromodels have been utilized to evaluate the effects of mechanical force on extracellular matrix-producing cells. In general, application of mechanical stretch, fluid flow, and compression results in increased expression of extracellular matrix components. More recent studies have indicated that tissue rigidity also provides profibrotic signals to cells. The mechanisms whereby cells detect mechanical signals and transduce them into biochemical responses have received considerable attention. Cell surface receptors for extracellular matrix components and intracellular signaling pathways are instrumental in the mechanotransduction process. Understanding how mechanical signals are transmitted from the microenvironment will identify novel therapeutic targets for fibrosis and other pathological conditions.
On Rate of Convergence of Jungck-Type Iterative Schemes
Authors: Hussain Nawab , Kumar Vivek , Kutbi Marwan A.
Published: May 2013

We introduce a new iterative scheme called Jungck-CR iterative scheme and study the stability and strong convergence of this iterative scheme for a pair of nonself-mappings using a certain contractive condition. Also, convergence speed comparison and applications of Jungck-type iterative schemes will be shown through examples.
Resistant Hypertension and Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Authors: Khan Akram , Patel Nimesh K. , O’Hearn Daniel J. , Khan Supriya
Published: May 2013

Hypertension (HTN) is a modifiable, highly prevalent risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and renal dysfunction worldwide. In the United States, HTN affects one in three adults, contributes to one out of every seven deaths and to nearly half of all cardiovascular disease-related deaths. HTN is considered resistant when the blood pressure remains above goal despite lifestyle modification and administration of three antihypertensive agents of different classes including a diuretic. Large population-based studies have suggested that obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a risk factor for resistant HTN. The mechanism proposed is a pattern of intermittent hypoxia associated with hyperaldosteronism, increased sympathetic tone, endothelial dysfunction, and inflammation. In this review we discuss the association between OSA and resistant HTN, the physiologic mechanisms linking OSA with resistant HTN, and the effect of continuous positive airway pressure therapy (CPAP) on blood pressure in patients with resistant HTN. While the reduction in blood pressure with CPAP is usually modest in patients with OSA, a decrease of only a few mmHg in blood pressure can significantly reduce cardiovascular risk. Patients presenting to a center specializing in management of hypertension should be screened and treated for OSA as a potentially modifiable risk factor.
Potential for Plant Growth Promotion of Rhizobacteria Associated withSalicorniaGrowing in Tunisian Hypersaline Soils
Authors: Mapelli Francesca , Marasco Ramona , Rolli Eleonora , Barbato Marta , Cherif Hanene , Guesmi Amel , Ouzari Imen , Daffonchio Daniele , Borin Sara
Published: May 2013

Soil salinity and drought are among the environmental stresses that most severely affect plant growth and production around the world. In this study the rhizospheres ofSalicorniaplants and bulk soils were collected fromSebkhetandChotthypersaline ecosystems in Tunisia. Depiction of bacterial microbiome composition by Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis unveiled the occurrence of a high bacterial diversity associated withSalicorniaroot system. A large collection of 475 halophilic and halotolerant bacteria was established fromSalicorniarhizosphere and the surrounding bulk soil, and the bacteria were characterized for the resistance to temperature, osmotic and saline stresses, and plant growth promotion (PGP) features. TwentyHalomonasstrains showed resistance to a wide set of abiotic stresses and were able to perform different PGP activitiesin vitroat 5% NaCl, including ammonia and indole-3-acetic acid production, phosphate solubilisation, and potential nitrogen fixation. By using agfp-labelled strain it was possible to demonstrate thatHalomonasis capable of successfully colonisingSalicorniaroots in the laboratory conditions. Our results indicated that the culturable halophilic/halotolerant bacteria inhabiting salty and arid ecosystems have a potential to contribute to promoting plant growth under the harsh salinity and drought conditions. These halophilic/halotolerant strains could be exploited in biofertilizer formulates to sustain crop production in degraded and arid lands.
Structural, Optical and Electrical Characterization of CdSe Nanorods Synthesized by Solvothermal Process
Authors: Zuala Lalhriat , Madaka Ramakrishna , Agarwal Pratima
Published: May 2013

CdSe nanorods are synthesized by solvothermal process in a mixed solvent of hydrazine hydrate [H6N2O], ammonia [NH3] and deionized water. Cadmium acetate [(CH3COO)2Cd·2H2O] and sodium selenite [Na2SeO3] are used as precursors for cadmium and selenium ions, respectively. FESEM is used to study the morphology of the synthesized nanorods. XRD measurement shows wurtzite phase of CdSe. SAED pattern and TEM measurement are also used to study the structure and morphology of the particles. UV-Vis_NIR measurement shows strong absorption around 730 nm. Nanorods thin films are prepared using doctor blade technique. Conductivity of the thin film samples is measured in vacuum using two-probe method.
Energy-Aware Routing in Wireless Sensor Networks Using Local Betweenness Centrality
Authors: Li Xiao-Hui , Guan Zhi-Hong
Published: May 2013

We propose an energy-aware dynamic routing strategy in order to provide balanced energy consumption in wireless sensor networks, hence, prolonging the lifetime of the network. The proposed routing algorithm uses local betweenness centrality to estimate the energy consumption of the neighboring nodes around a given local sensor node, without requiring global information about the network topology or energy consumption, and to divert traffic from nodes that are more heavily used. Because nodes with large local betweenness centrality consume energy more quickly, the network lifetime can be prolonged by redistributing energy consumption to nodes with smaller local betweenness centrality. Simulation results showed that the proposed routing strategy has advantages over shortest path routing with respect to extending network lifetime and balancing energy consumption in wireless sensor networks, yet does not introduce significant additional transmission overhead or a longer average path length.
Controlling Assistive Machines in Paralysis Using Brain Waves and Other Biosignals
Authors: de Almeida Ribeiro Paulo Rogério , Lima Brasil Fabricio , Witkowski Matthias , Shiman Farid , Cipriani Christian , Vitiello Nicola , Carrozza Maria Chiara , Soekadar Surjo Raphael
Published: May 2013

The extent to which humans can interact with machines significantly enhanced through inclusion of speech, gestures, and eye movements. However, these communication channels depend on a functional motor system. As many people suffer from severe damage of the motor system resulting in paralysis and inability to communicate, the development of brain-machine interfaces (BMI) that translate electric or metabolic brain activity into control signals of external devices promises to overcome this dependence. People with complete paralysis can learn to use their brain waves to control prosthetic devices or exoskeletons. However, information transfer rates of currently available noninvasive BMI systems are still very limited and do not allow versatile control and interaction with assistive machines. Thus, using brain waves in combination with other biosignals might significantly enhance the ability of people with a compromised motor system to interact with assistive machines. Here, we give an overview of the current state of assistive, noninvasive BMI research and propose to integrate brain waves and other biosignals for improved control and applicability of assistive machines in paralysis. Beside introducing an example of such a system, potential future developments are being discussed.
Optimizing Bus Frequencies under Uncertain Demand: Case Study of the Transit Network in a Developing City
Authors: Huang Zhengfeng , Ren Gang , Liu Haixu
Published: May 2013

Various factors can make predicting bus passenger demand uncertain. In this study, a bilevel programming model for optimizing bus frequencies based on uncertain bus passenger demand is formulated. There are two terms constituting the upper-level objective. The first is transit network cost, consisting of the passengers’ expected travel time and operating costs, and the second is transit network robustness performance, indicated by the variance in passenger travel time. The second term reflects the risk aversion of decision maker, and it can make the most uncertain demand be met by the bus operation with the optimal transit frequency. With transit link’s proportional flow eigenvalues (mean and covariance) obtained from the lower-level model, the upper-level objective is formulated by the analytical method. In the lower-level model, the above two eigenvalues are calculated by analyzing the propagation of mean transit trips and their variation in the optimal strategy transit assignment process. The genetic algorithm (GA) used to solve the model is tested in an example network. Finally, the model is applied to determining optimal bus frequencies in the city of Liupanshui, China. The total cost of the transit system in Liupanshui can be reduced by about 6% via this method.
A Dynamic Approach to Recognize Activities in WSN
Authors: Awan Muhammad Arshad , Guangbin Zheng , Kim Shin-Dug
Published: May 2013

The essence of context awareness has changed the revolution of ubiquitous computing, and the wireless sensor network technologies paved the way towards many applications. Activity recognition is a key component in identifying the context of a user for providing services based on the application. In this study, we propose a context management model that is based on activity recognition. The model is composed of four components: a set of sensors, a set of activities, a backend server with machine learning algorithms, and a GUI application for the interaction with the user. A prototype is developed to show the usability of the proposed model. As a pilot testing, only accelerometer data of an Android phone is used to identify the activities of daily living (ADLs): sitting, standing, walking, and jogging. A good accuracy of results that is about 96% on average is achieved in all activities.